Kings Should Take Heed From Flyers’ Past
NHLHS writer Dave Strehle dives into the Ilya Kovalchuk saga with his thoughts on the situation.
Reading the daily rumor mill as to whether or not the Los Angeles Kings are still in the running to sign unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk has become tedious, at best.
Categories: Around the League, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Western Conference Tags: Anze Kopitar, Dean Lombardi, Drew Doughty, Eric Lindros, Erik Ersberg, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jack Johnson, Jay Grossman, Jonathan Bernier, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Mark Recchi, Michal Handzus, mike ricci, NHL, Peter Forsberg, Rod Brind'Amour, Ron Hextall, russ farwell, steve duchense, Wayne Simmonds
Follow The Underdog, Hold On His Collar Tight- Kaiser Chiefs, Off With Their Heads!
Follow the underdog, hold on his collar tight
-Kaiser Chiefs- Off With Their Heads (2008)
This is the song of the blog <and part of the next> because I think it is just that fitting.. plus the name of the cd it is from.. HEH. <save the line that ends the blog>
Categories: Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Anze Kopitar, Christian Ehroff, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Henrik Sedin, Jack Johnson, JMFJ, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Manchester Monarchs, Pittsburgh Pen, Rob Scuderi, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Smyth, Scuds, Vancouver Canucks, Wayne Simmonds
Pros & Cons: Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will interact.
Categories: Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Playoff Coverage, Vancouver Canucks, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Edler, Alexander Frolov, Alexandre Burrows, Anze Kopitar, Christian Erhoff, Daniel Sedin, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Fredrik Modin, Henrik Sedin, Jack Johnson, Jon Quick, Jonathan Bernier, Justin Williams, Kevin Bieksa, Mathieu Schneider, Michal Handzus, Mikael Samuelsson, Pavol Demitra, Rob Scuderi, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Ryan Smyth, Sean O'Donnell, Shane O’Brien, Willie Mitchell
Dark Horse Theory: Western Conference
NHLHS writer Anthony Curatolo takes a look at a team considered to be a Dark Horse in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Kings.
If there is one team in the Western Conference to fear heading into the NHLs post-season the Los Angeles Kings fit just that mold.
A team that many say are too young or too inexperienced need to look deeper into the foundation of the Kings roster.
Let’s start with the veterans. Michal Handzus, Ryan Smyth, Rob Scuderi, Sean O’Donnell, Justin Williams, Fredrik Modin and Randy Jones all know what it is like to take part in the post season of the NHL.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League, By Teams, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Alex Frolov, Anze Kopitar, Brad Richardson, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, Fredrik Modin, Jack Johnson, Jonathan Quick, Justin Williams, Michal Handzus, Randy Jones, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Smyth, San Jose Sharks, Scott Parse, Sean O'Donnell
Close, But…
There will be no post-season play for the Anaheim Ducks this year. After a 5 – 4 shoot-out loss to the Los Angeles Kings in the final round of the Freeway Faceoff, Anaheim’s playoff hopes were put to rest.
Despite an excellent performance in the net from Curtis McElhinney, the Anaheim Ducks were unable to shut-down the Los Angeles Kings’ offense, allowing them to overcome two three-point deficits, forcing the game into overtime with Anze Kopitar eventually notching the game winner in the shoot-out.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Around the League, By Teams, NHLHS Features, Pacific, Western Conference Tags: Aaron Ward, Alexander Frolov, Anze Kopitar, Bobby Ryan, Colorado Avalanche, Corey Perry, Curtis McElhinney, Dan Heatly, Erik Ersberg, Jack Johnson, Jason Blake, Justin Williams, Los Angeles Kings, Lubomir Visnovsky, Michal Handzus, Scott Neidermayer, Sean O'Donnell, Teemu Selanne, Vancouver Canucks
The Ken Hitchcock Effect
If the words of Nikita Filatov are not enough to describe how much of an effect Ken Hitchcock has on his young players, then you will definitely want to read this.
The young Russian said in a recent interview, when questioned on his decision to return to the NHL, “I highly doubt it. But [moving] Ken Hitchcock can really help it.”
There is a pattern and we will show you it.
On January 8, 1996, the Dallas Stars appointed Hitchcock’ as their head coach. This team displayed a nice mix of veterans and youth with promising players like Mike Modano, Jere Lehtinen, Jamie Langenbrunner, Richard Matvichuck (acquired via trade), Trent Klatt and Darryl Sydor. This same team found chemistry together eventually leading them to a Stanley Cup Championship just three short years later.
However, in his first season, the kids barely saw the ice. Outside of Modano and Matvichuck, forwards Lehtinen, Langenbrunner and Klatt played a defensive checking role. Lehtinen was not drafted to be a defensive type player. Yes, he developed into a very good two-way player but a lot of his offensive potential lied to rot with Hitchcock not using him in a more offensive role or in a more offensive system.
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League Tags: Bobby Clarke, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Darryl Sydor, Derick Brassard, Jacub Voracek, Jamie Langenbrunner, Jere Lehtinen, Justin Williams, Ken Hitchcock, Mike Modano, Nikita Filatov, Patrick Sharp, Philadelphia Flyers, Richard Matvichuk, Trent Klatt
Quarterly Review: Projected NHL Trophies
With Atlanta playing their 20th game last night, the first quarter of the 2009-2010 season is officially over. Seeing as this is a milestone within the season we thought it would be a good idea to discuss the trends emerging around the NHL.
The article’s intent is to show who would win the NHL awards if the season finished today. Of course these players will most likely NOT win the awards, NHLHS just likes having fun with small sample sizes and hot streaks.
Whether it be injury or inability there are plenty of surprises when compared to preseason predictions. Teams such as the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and the Buffalo Sabres find themselves at the top of the standings, surprising most pundits.
We will outline the NHL trophies and why we think these players as of right now are deserving of them. In addition, we will include the projected nominees so you can see our train of thought. We hope you enjoy this mini-series which should continue throughout the NHL season.
Click the link below to see our award winners and tell us what you think in the comments section!
Categories: 30 Team Series, Around the League Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Antero Niittymaki, Anze Kopitar, Brad Richards, Braydon Coburn, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Chris Pronger, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Dan Boyle, Dany Heatley, Detroit Red Wings, Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers, Evgeni Nabokov, Ilya Bryzgalov, James van Riemsdyk, Jason Pominville, Joe Sacco, Joe Thornton, John Tavares, Justin Williams, Kimmo Timmonen, Lindy Ruff, Los Angeles Kings, Matt Carle, Mike Green, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Nicklas Backstrom, Patrick Marleau, Patrick Sharp, Pavel Datsyuk, Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Ryan Miller, Ryan O'Reilly, Ryan Smyth, San Jose Sharks, Thomas Vanek, Todd McLellan, Washington Capitals, Zach Parise
