Player evaluation: Zeiler
Here's the last of the forwards. We'll tackle the defensemen next...
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JOHN ZEILER
This season: 36 games, 0 goals, 1 assist, minus-6 rating.
Positives: Zeiler's value comes in his ability to work hard in the corners, deliver hits, provoke opponents into penalties and play a responsible defensive game. He came out of relative anonymity in 2006-07 to earn a multi-year contract, and his value to the Kings clearly comes in an energy-line role.
Negatives: After an impressive 23-game stint in 2006-07, Zeiler signed a four-year contract and was on a two-way deal this season. He seemed set to hold down a regular role as a fourth-line winger, but never really got it going with the Kings even though he played almost a half a season in the NHL. His sophomore year lacked the same spark.
Looking ahead: Zeiler seemed to take a bit of a step backward this season, but with a salary of just over $500,000, he's a cheap and steady option in an energy-line role. Again, there should be considerable competition for those roles, so Zeiler's presence on the Kings' roster next season is far from certain.
Contract situation: Signed through 2010-11 (cap number of $543,750 next season).
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About the bloggers
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
I hope he considers buying a home in Manchester instead of LA (property is cheaper there anyways).
I doubt he'll ever see the inside of the Staples Center again. Unless its preseason or 10 current players on the roster all get injured (at the same time).
Rich,
I'm assuming you're saving the goalies for last; so much for saving the best for last (ha, ha).
Any truth to the rumor that the Monarchs have signed Oscar Moller and Bud Holloway? I thought Moller was supposed to play another year with the Bruins. If they do sign, is there a cut-off for when players can sign and still contribute to the AHL playoffs?
Thanks again for the awesome job you, Don and whoever else contribute to this site.
Without stealing Rich's thunder, Irish Pat, I can tell you that neither Moller nor Holloway have signed contracts (ATO's or otherwise) with the Monarchs as of this afternoon.
You can ALWAYS go to:
http://stats.theahl.com/hm/transactions.php?f_season_id=12&f_team_id=344
for up to the minute Official AHL transactions for the Manchester Monarchs.
Much obliged Marc!
The Monarchs site has it that they are signed: http://www.monarchshockey.com/fullstory.php?id=3102
Pat,
As -J linked, they have both signed ATOs.
However, from what I've been told elsewhere, Moller would be able to return to the CHL as his junior season is already over, regardless of the age limit.
If Zeiler ever stops jumping into his checks he might be a lot more useful. He builds up speed with his skating and then jumps at the opponent. Usually the opponent brushes it off and Zeiler winds up on the ice.