So, there has been much talk about the Kings' draft, especially Dean Lombardi's seemingly left-field selection of defenseman Thomas Hickey. Kings fans were appalled that the Kings didn't select the top defensive prospect according to the Central Scouting Service, or even the second-best prospect. Kings fans questioned whether Lombardi still had what it takes to be a good general manager. And Kings fans complained, as they so often do.

Overall, fans were miffed that the Kings didn't go with a "safe" pick. They couldn't believe that Dean overlooked a "sure thing" in Karl Alzner, who went to the Washington Capitals with the very next pick. While Alzner was being likened to Chris Pronger by some hockey experts, Hickey was touted by Lombardi as a Scott Niedermayer-type player. Alzner could make Washington's team next season, while Hickey still needs some more time to mature in the Kings farm system.

Now that the dust has settled, it's time to look at this with a clear head.

I'm as big a Kings fan as anyone. After all, I'm writing a blog about a team buried in the Pacific division. Since the Kings had the number four pick in the draft, I wanted to become well-versed in the prospects out there for the taking. After all, what was I going to do as the Ducks marched toward the Stanley Cup?

So I read many draft previews, looked up analysis on some of the players that were being commented on. I even wrote a post about who the Kings should take. Keep in mind, I really only started having interest in the draft this season, and I was basing my thoughts on what I had read. By no means would I consider myself a pro scout, but I felt like I had a handle on what the situation was.

Lombardi knew the player he wanted, tried to trade down, couldn't, so he decided to get the guy anyway. Was it a stretch? Perhaps. Or perhaps not.

Our intrepid friends over on HockeysFuture.com did some analysis of three of the top defensemen, including Hickey.

After seeing this, do you still think Hickey will be a bust? Do you still think Lombardi is out of his head? Or maybe he's got a plan and he has the guts to stick to his guns. For years, the Kings have played it safe and where has it gotten us? I think fans should allow Lombardi to continue to rebuild this club from the ground up the right way.

The NFL Draft and the NBA Draft have spoiled sports fans. One player can seriously help or turn around the fortunes of a team. Players' shelf lifes in both those sports are relatively short.

The average NBA career is 4.82 years. The average NFL career is about 3.5 years. The average baseball pitcher can play close to 5.6 seasons, a hitter's career spans close to 6.5 . But the average, solid NHL player can play upward of five to eight seasons. That should illustrate why understanding the depth of the draft is crucial. Sure, Alzner may beat Hickey to the NHL, but Lombardi is banking on a more productive career from Hickey.

Either way, it's ridiculous to hold this one draft pick under such severe scutiny. The CCS rankings are just a tool to help people understand NHL prospects, it isn't the Bible. So back away from bashing the Kings and Lombardi. Let him do what we brought him in for.

Posted by Matt Murray at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's the first of hopefully many video blog entries I plan on doing this season. Let me know what you think...

Posted by Matt Murray at 1:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

They both have a song named after them.

Swedish rock band Mando Diao has included a song called "Welcome Home Luc Robitaille" on their newly released album, Ode to Ochrasy. At first, you might think that the song is about fans welcoming Luc back to L.A. But according to the website, songmeanings.net, the song was written by one of the band members who, after returning home from touring, found an old Luc hockey card. And he started to recall his childhood.

For the lyrics to the song and the Red hot Chili Peppers' song about Magic Johnson, check out the extended entry.

Smile you're on TV again You must put up a happy face Your mother told you to on Christmas day Oh you must do what they say Now you're thinking of happy thoughts Like no one did you harm and it was all

Life's so brilliant but why? I'm not so sure
You remember the day
You remember the package
Where he used to spend his years
And now you found him
Or was it him that found you
It feels like you already knew

Life is sweet when he is back so I just say
Welcome home, Luc Robitaille
There's so much that you missed
I'm old but I need you as much as yesterday
Oh Mr. Robitaille stay
I threw the others away

This must be the worst thing I've done
I don't know even why I wrote this song
There's so much more to him than that paper card
Look him crossing the line oh it's so hard
To define the moves inside my head it's all just
Blood blood sweat sweat tears tears behind all fears
Now it seems so clear everything falls into place
This mathematic maze
And now you found me
Or was it me that found you
It feels like you already knew

Life is sweet when he is back so I just say
Welcome home, Luc Robitaille
There's so much that you missed
I'm old but I need you as much as yesterday
Oh Mr. Robitaille stay
I threw the others away
I threw the others away

Smile you're on tv again you must put up a
Happy face your mother told you to
And now you see you found him
Or was it him that I found you
It feels like you already knew

Life is sweet when he is back so I just say
Welcome home, Luc Robitaille
There's so much that you missed
I'm old but I need you as much as yesterday
Mr. Robitaille stay
I threw the others away

Earvin "Magic" Johnson is the subject of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' song, remarkably called "Magic Johnson." RHCP bassist Flea and Anthony Keidis are huge Laker fans, and wrote a song about the Lakers' point guard. In typical RHCP-style, the energy of the song is frenetic, peppered with basketball-saavy lyrics like:

M-A-G-I-C see you on the court.... Buck has come to play his way and his way is to thwart... M-A-G-I-C magic of the Buck. Other teams pray for dreams but he don't give a %#^&!

The Chili Peppers often play the song in concert, but mostly as a transition in between songs.

Posted by Matt Murray at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Karl "The Hitman" Alzner?

This according to NHL prospect website HockeysFuture.com, which came out with their draft analysis for the Kings this morning.

With the NHL Draft quickly approaching, many names have been thrown around. At number four, the Kings will be able to get some good talent still left on the board. And since the Kings are well-stocked in wingers and forwards, the logical pick would be a defenseman. And Alzner is the highest-ranked d-man in the draft.

"The Hitman" has played the last four years in the WHL's Calgary Hitmen. (Hence the nickname I have just deemed upon him). Last season, the 19-year-old defenseman had 8 goals and 39 assists for the club.

The Kings may have the top-ranked prospect pool, their most pressing need is for more defensive options. Other than Jack Johnson, the Kings really don't have much in the D cupboard. Alzner would fill that need well. The Hitman is the highest rated defense prospect, according to our friends over at International Scouting Services. Here's some analysis from HF's WHL prospect report:

Alzner prides himself in being a mobile, physical defenseman. He has successfully moved up the ranks in Hockey Canada programs, culminating in a gold medal at the recent WJC in Sweden. Although he did not log a lot of ice time with Team Canada, he was likely being groomed to return as a valuable leader next season. Mature for his age, Alzner has developed into a reliable puckhandler who makes wise first passes from the defending zone.

Here's a funny interview by NHL.com with The Hitman:

In my small, worthless opinion, I think Alzner is the right pick for the Kings right now. Last season, "The Don" Dino Lombardi picked the highest-rated goaltender in Jonathon Bernier, and he has matured well in his first season down in the QMJHL. With his nose for talent, I fully expect Lombardi to continue to fill the Kings' farm system with NHL-caliber draft picks. Alzner would be the perfect compliment to Jack Johnson when the Hitman finally reaches the NHL.

Posted by Matt Murray at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I didn't think so.

I don't care what anyone says. This is how I'm going to remember the playoffs.

Congratulations, Anaheim.

Posted by Matt Murray at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you are like me, and something tells me you are, you may find yourself in the unenviable position to eat some crow to a friend or co-worker who is a Ducks fan. Whether they are a long-time fan from when the Ducks were "mighty" or they just happened to jump on the Black, Gold and Orange bandwagon this post-season, these fans deserve your attention.

To help you maneuver through this difficult process, we here at Life In Hockeywood have some suggestions for you to maintain your dignity while still being able to command respect.

First, make sure you seek the Duck fan out first to congratulate them. By calling first or going out of your way to offer kudos, this will allow you to dictate the terms of the conversation. It takes most of the wind out of their sails as you offer your hand in true sportsmanship, and throws them off-kilter.

Second, speak slowly and respectfully. It provides you with an appearance of someone who is sincere. Plus, by speaking slowly, they'll be able to follow the conversation. But keep the discussion moving. To do that, see the following step:

3) Provide some observations about the series. Say things like: "Ottawa sure couldn't get anything going in that last game," or "The Sens' first line just didn't have it all series." This keeps the focus on analysis of the Finals, and off of comparing the Ducks to the Kings. Also, keep changing the subject quickly, which will allow to to seemlessly transition to the next step.

The fourth point is key: give credit where credit is due. This means you should mention one of the Ducks players; be it Selanne, Giguere, Pronger... whoever. But then sneak in Kariya, like this:

"It's good to see Selanne finally lift the Cup. He really deserves it. All the guys, really. Selanne, the Neidermeyers, Giggy, Kariya, Pronger... They all deserve the Cup, right?"

Nine times out of ten, the casual fan won't notice P.K.'s inclusion. They'll just blindly keep nodding in agreement, as you lay it on thick. Then you can set the trap.

"Especially Kariya. Man, he's been there for ages. It was good to see him bring it home, right?"

If your friend is "that kind" of fan, they won't see it coming. If they don't say anything a second time, drop the hammer.

"Yeah, because Paul Kariya hasn't been on the team since 2003. You did actually watch the playoffs, right? Wow, I'd think you would've caught that. Some fan you are..."

Dumbfounded, your friend will stammer, and try some retort. But it's too late. They have been found out as the fair weather fan Anaheim is famous for.

Advantage: you.

Posted by Matt Murray at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

As many people who have met me, I shave my head. But not many people know the reason why.

Sure, my hairline was receding faster than a Chris Pronger cheap shot. Seeing my Dad hold on to his precious strands of hair by combing them over a la Homer Simpson caused me to swear if I ever lost that much hair, I'd go the Jean Luc Picard route.

But mainly, my head is slick due to a foolish bet made way back in 1994. It was the summer after the Kings had lost to the Montreal Candiens in the Stanley Cup Finals. I was riding a wave of euphoria due to the fact that the pieces had fallen together for a magical run. We had the greatest player of all time, we had key role players, we had good goaltending. And suddenly, we had company.

As many people who have met me, I shave my head. But not many people know the reason why.

Sure, my hairline was receding faster than a Chris Pronger cheap shot. Seeing my Dad hold on to his precious strands of hair by combing them over a la Homer Simpson caused me to swear if I ever lost that much hair, I'd go the jean Luc Picard route.

But mainly, my head is slick due to a foolish bet made way back in 1994. It was the summer after the Kings had lost to the Montreal Candiens in the Stanley Cup Finals. I was riding a wave of euphoria due to the fact that the pieces had fallen together for a magical run. We had the greatest player of all time, we had key role players, we had good goaltending. And we had company.

Turns out, the Summer of 1993 brought forth the expansion Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The name brought many snickers from everyone I worked with. At the time, I was working as a stock manager for a major athletic shoe store in SoCal. The manager, Joey, proclaimed that he was now, officially, a Ducks fan. He even went so far as to purchase a leather jacket with the Ducks' emblem emblazened across the back.

After several cracks about his silly-looking jacket, I was confronted by him one day.

"I'll bet you that the Ducks will win the Stanley Cup before your Kings ever do," he exclaimed.

"You're kidding, right? We've been to the playoffs seven times in a row. You guys haven't even had one game yet," I countered.

"Then bet me," he chided.

"For money?" I asked.

"No, for something more degrading," I responded. "I want your dignity crushed."

So I suggested the fatal words: "Tell you what, I'll shave my head if the Ducks just make it to the Finals. They don't even have to win."

Now, what his side of the bet has been a major bone of contention to this day. He claims the bet was he'd shave his head, but I'm sure that I insisted on something a little more... degrading. But it's a moot point, because in 2003, the Ducks met the Devils in the Stanley Cup Finals, and I started buying razors in bulk since then.

He offered again, after the Ducks played for the Cup in '03, to re-up the bet. And even though the Kings had made the playoffs the three previous years, I backed down. I figured my bet had doomed the team, and it was a curse that I was finally free of. Well, the curse still stands, because the Kings fell out of contention the following season all the way through the current season.

But now it hits me. I possess a power greater than even imagined. I could've altered the results from these playoffs just by making a bet. Now, on the eve of one of the darkest days in Kings history, I decide to get a epiphany. I must bet FOR the Ducks. It's our only hope.

So now, in front of the everyone, I make the greatest bet I have ever made: I bet that the Ducks will win the Stanley Cup before the Senators do. If I lose... I will wax a Stanley Cup onto my back in front of everyone who cares to see. It's a bet that I don't treat lightly. That will hurt. A lot. But it will pale in comparsion to the pain of seeing the Ducks raise the Cup on the ice at Ponda Center.

So, write it down, Senators in seven. It's a lock. Of course, there has only been one team that has come back three games down, and that team was the 1941 Toronto Maple Leafs. But, this is now become the Senators' destiny.

Do it for the pride, do it for the people... do it for the pain!

Posted by Matt Murray at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)