Prospect updates

The Record, a newspaper in Kitchener, Ontario, has a story today about Kings draft pick Justin Azevedo and his strong desire to sign an entry-level contract with the Kings. Azevedo developed a bit of a buzz because of his big scoring numbers with Kitchener in the OHL last season, which led to the Kings selecting him in the sixth round in June. Azevedo indicated to the paper that he hasn’t had significant contract talks with the Kings.

“Same old, same old,” Azevedo said. “Nothing yet. Exactly the same as it was two months ago.”

It’s an interesting story, worth a read…

Azevedo checks in to Rangers camp

Also, the Erie Times-News reported (somewhat randomly) the following today:

“Veteran defenseman Josh Kidd began camp with the (OHL Erie) Otters on Tuesday. But Kidd believes he’s a step closer to signing his first professional contract with the Los Angeles Kings.”

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Voynov, Loktionov signed

The Kings have signed defenseman Viatcheslav Voynov and forward Andrei Loktionov to three-year, entry-level contracts. Voynov was the Kings’ second-round selection (32nd overall), while Loktionov was the club’s fifth-round pick (123rd overall) in the June draft. The only remaining question is, how many alternative spellings of Voynov’s name will they come up with? This is number three, by my count.

Here’s the release from the Kings…
Continue reading “Voynov, Loktionov signed” »

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Rookie camp roster

The Kings have released the roster for their brief rookie camp, which will run Sept. 13-15 and conclude with the two games in Phoenix on Sept. 16-17. On Saturday (Sept. 13), Sunday (Sept. 14) and Monday (Sept. 15), the Kings will practice in El Segundo from 9-10 a.m. and scrimmage from 10:30-11:45 a.m. Here’s the roster…

84 — Azevedo, Justin — Center
45 — Bernier, Jonathan — Goaltender
55 — Cameron, Bryan — Right Wing
81 — Campbell, Andrew — Defenseman
72 — D’Orazio, Mike* — Defenseman
80 — Doughty, Drew — Defenseman
44 — Drewiske, Davis — Defenseman
77 — Fillier, Matt — Left Wing
37 — Hickey, Thomas — Defenseman
50 — Holloway, Bud — Right Wing
64 — Kidd, Josh — Defenseman
74 — King, Dwight — Left Wing
83 — Legault, Olivier* — Left Wing
48 — Loktionov, Andrei — Center
53 — Martinez, Alec — Defenseman
51 — Moller, Oscar — Center
75 — Rowat, Linden — Goaltender
57 — Simmonds, Wayne — Right Wing
79 — Teubert, Colten — Defenseman
76 — Voynov, Viatcheslav — Defenseman
82 — Wudrick, Geordie — Left Wing
36 — Zatkoff, Jeff — Goaltender

* tryout

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Cammalleri meets Calgary

Michael Cammalleri, traded from the Kings to Calgary in June, had an introductory press conference in Calgary yesterday. Here’s what Cammalleri had to say, in the Calgary Sun, about his time with the Kings.

“We really didn’t get to that point in L.A. where we really had a clear identity as a team, where we were really establishing something, where we really got to compete at that (top) level, where we really got to figure out where we were as a team as an identity. I don’t know if we got married to that concept.”

Here’s the full story…

Red and white delight

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Doughty’s chances

The OHL website did a story today about some of the league’s top prospects and their chances of making NHL rosters this season. Here’s what Kings assistant general manager Ron Hextall had to say about defenseman Drew Doughty, the Kings’ No. 2 overall pick.

“His understanding of the game is tremendous. He’s got to learn how to be a pro, but it looks like he has the chance to be a really elite player. We have spots available, so we will see where he’s at. We’re not going to promise anything either way, but he’ll have a chance to come in and earn a job.”

Here’s the full story… (oops, the link works now…)

NHL calling for OHL stars

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K.C. wants Kings’ best

There’s a lengthy story in the Kansas City Star this morning about the Kings’ preseason game there, focusing on how many of the Kings’ veterans — that being a relative term, of course — will play in that game. The Kings also have a preseason game at Staples Center the same night.

“We have no concern about it,” Paul McGannon, president of NHL21, who is helping promote the game, told the paper. “They are bringing their best players. We went over that before we scheduled the game.

Seems as though Luc Robitaille has made assurances to the K.C. folks that they will get the Kings’ best. Sort of makes you wonder who is making these decisions.

Kings not bringing full squad to KC for NHL exhibition

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Eligibility question

I got an e-mail question the other day about Thomas Hickey’s AHL eligibility. Under the AHL/CHL agreement, a player must be either 20 years old or have played four years of junior hockey in order to be eligible to play in the AHL. Hickey has played three full years of junior hockey, plus five games in 2004-05. I’m told that does NOT make him eligible for the AHL under its agreement with the CHL. A player must play 25 games in order to have officially “played” a CHL season. (sorry about the typo earlier). So if Hickey doesn’t make the Kings, he will go back to Seattle of the Western Hockey League.

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Pick the backup goalie

I was a bit surprised to see Ersberg come out the winner of yesterday’s poll. I figured that Bernier would be the exciting choice and LaBarbera would be the safe choice, but it seems that many of you were highly impressed by Ersberg’s trial run near the end of last season. Fact is, no matter how you look at it, the Kings don’t have a goalie who has proved, without doubt, that he can handle being a No. 1. So, given that, how would you handle the backup role? Go with the (somewhat more) veteran LaBarbera, or give experience to one of the prospects?

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