Hello, may I take your order?

Rich, this is the only site I go to now. Great interviews and player notes and transactions, its all great. I do have to learn to try not to read the comments anymore, as this is turning into LGK with all the idiotic comments and everybody thinking every move DL is making is wrong. The one reason why I like this site is people not starting new posts like LGK or other sites. So please Rich, keep it like it is.

Hey Rich,
We're Kings fans. We need as much Kings info as you give us, LOL. And you are the man for doing this for us. I check this blog several times a day to check if anything new is up.
SO WHAT IF THE KINGS ARE MY LIFE. LMAO

I agree with Ryan. This site is the best, and it's the ONLY site I go to for Kings info. Unlike other sites, which is just a bunch of fans spewing junk, this is an actual newsman relating stories about the team. I found this blog one day while trying to read through LGK. I haven't been back there since.

Keep up the great work Rich and tell your bosses you're WAY to valuable to be laid off! :D

I concur with ryan oliver--
I enjoy the facts you present, I can do without the comments section, a few people have gotten carried away in posting their diatribes professing their supposed hockey knowledge.
The Kings coverage you provide is great and for that I will continue to follow your blog.

Dont change a thing. You are the best. And ask for a raise. You deserve it.

Roger

Rich,

Where is the option for "swat down outlandish trade rumours"?

Seriously, everything you listed is great, and I'll always vote for more stuff rather than less. If I had to prioritize, however, I would like to see this site focus on analysis rather than data. I can get great stats from NHL.com and other sources; what I really want is perspective on where the Kings have been and where they are going.

To that end, I really like the periodic Q&As with coaches and management, and I absolutely love your open forums. I realize that you can't always be entirely forthcoming with your opinions, but you do a great job in providing perspective. Moreover, your responses often put an end to the childish sniping that creeps into this blog from time to time. We sorely missed your babysitting skills earlier this week!

I like every feature, and concur too that any bit of Kings info is great to have. The only thing I could think of to possibly 'improve' the site, if that's even possible, is maybe a section with some highlights or good photos to go with post-game reports. You do this from time to time, and I always appreciate a slick shot or a great highlight.

It's too bad we can't disable the desire to read the posts in some, because I love (duh) the non-thread starting, comment style system.

I think the fact that there are almsot 300 post on one story is both an indicator of how dire we are for new stories and updates, but also the loyal support this site has. You get fired Rich, I boycott Daily News. You are right up there with Helene Elliot in my book. Great job and lvoe to opportunity for feedback.

Rich-

How can we as readers better support you and your work? Many of us aren't in the LA area any more and frequent this site because of your in depth coverage and analysis and don't have access to the print edition of The Daily News. Does dailynews.com need more site traffic or more ad hits?

Hey Rich...
I love what you do. Please don't take anything away from your site, if anything try and ad more coverage. I'm not sure how you could do that (I mean there is only one of you). Maybe (since you hinted at possible cutbacks in staff) you could enlist more help on a volunteer basis? Maybe you could set up a program and get local area journalisum students credited for helping you cover the Kings.Maybe the Kings could provide you with extra help on their nickel. I dont know,just a couple of ideas.If expanded coverage was possible,I for one would like to see individual coverage on players that would be considered core players.I'm talking detailed coverage,almost like a reality show type coverage (show us everything)...thanks

One more thing. I really like Don's interviews with former Kings. It's been great to catch up with guys like Bernie Nicholls and Jay Wells.

Also, I too would like to hear more of your perspective from time to time. But I'm torn on this, because I love your journalistic integrity, it's really hard to find. Perhaps a weekly "Rich's Take" section? An editorial here and there would add a lot I think.

I agree with JDM on this one.

I, like many, want YOUR (Mr. Rich Hammond's) take on the Kings.

It's a fine line you're walking, appeasing both the fans, and the Kings hierarchy.

You, more than any, are able to convey (in words) the heartbeat of this organization.

The Kings SHOULD hire you on full time, if your news-rag gig doesn't pan out.

You're the best Rich. Much thanks.

Go Kings!

Hi, Rich!

Fairly new to your blog, but I find your information to be interesting and entertaining. Wonder if you could do an occasional feature on Kings history? I've been a fan of the Kings since I first discovered them on TV back in their first season and have been hooked ever since. I think that a lot of people on the blog are lacking in the rich tradition of the team or just choose to ignore the parts they don't like or agree with.

Keep up the good work. it's tough times for a lot of us, but hopefully we'll get through the rough patch and hit the ground running.

Rich,

I was watching Donald Trump yesterday on Donnie Deutch talking about how years ago he was about to buy a newspaper and the day of closing he had the flu badly and couldn't sign the papers - the newspaper then sold to someone else, and that someone else is bankrupt.

Its a changing time where blogs rule. Just ask Eklunds bank account.

The better question would be: Would Kings fans be willing to pay THIS site 20 bucks a year to keep it/you afloat when the Daily News goes under (which is a strong possibility).

I don't know what your internet hits are, but I'm sure pretty high. Rinkrat seems to making a decent living over at LGK selling ads, T-Shirts, etc, why can't Rich Hammond?

Something to think about - You got my 20 bucks.

yes keep all the excellent information coming about our Kings, and feel free to add a "filter out anthony" button and all will be heaven.

The in-depth interviews are especially interesting, because in print where there is such a space limitation everything needs to be chopped down to sound-bites. I really appreciate hearing the full answers to questions to put the shorter quotes in context.

You do an incredibly thorough and professional job. :)

Rich,
I discovered your site shortly after last season, it is now my first stop for up-to-date, accurate Kings information. Thanks

Ryan hit the nail on the head. But, if the paper is strapped for cash, and you can only do so much.

Management interviews, prospect interviews. I personally don't care as much about post game reports and those types of things. I watched the game, I saw what happened, you know?

But, it's not like I mind them!

The reason I don't care for management interviews is that they always say the same cliche crap. Nothing ever really gets said of importance IMO. I could probably write DL's responses by now and nobody would know the difference.

A couple of things in no particular order:
1. Regarding being first and foremost a journalist - what would be the ideal format and economic arrangement that would ensure your being able to write whatever you want?
2. Is it correct to assume the Kings paying for anything would be out?
3. The newspapers income is from people buying the paper and advertising. Is covering the Kings worth it to the newspaper? Is the blog worth it?
4. Is it better for the blog to be paid for by the newspaper, the blog having its own advertising, people subscribing to the blog or whatever combination of the three?
5. Could it be that the newspaper will eventually essentially become 'advertising' for the online products which will be the primary source of content and revenue - that is, it's own subscription and advertising?

I'm trying to understand the economics of what you do - covering the Kings and the best way for you to 'tell it like it is'. Honestly, I don't buy the paper or any of the products or services advertised. Am I getting all this great information free - at someone elses cost? By the way, I would gladly buy a subscription if that's the way to go.

However it all works and works out in the future, you and the others do a great job and I thank you very much.

Also, is it possible to get outside opinions (other media sources, industry sources) on the Kings team and organization.

Everything is gold that this blog does. I know i hardly ever post, but I do visit almost every day.

We are all thankful for the effort of Rich and Don, and hope it does not change. I wouldn't mind seeing a weekly "rich's perspective" as som eone else mentioned.

And to all those anthony haters, i like seeing his postings, because even though i disagree with most of what he says, this place would be boring if everyone agreed with everything everyone else posted.

BallPointHammer...good questions. I'll try my best to answer them...

1. Regarding being first and foremost a journalist - what would be the ideal format and economic arrangement that would ensure your being able to write whatever you want?

Well, the most ideal way for a writer to cover a team is to be a traveling beat writer, to have the ability to cover all practices and games, home and road. Our travel budget for the Kings was eliminated almost three years ago. On top of that, we have very few ``specialists'' these days, writers who can spend all their time covering one team/beat. The more time that writers can spend covering their teams, the better. Economic challenges have forced people to multi-task and take on several different jobs.

2. Is it correct to assume the Kings paying for anything would be out?

Yes, you're correct. That's a conflict of interest. Taking money from the Kings is out of the question, unless we're talking about them buying advertising, which is done through a completely different department.

3. The newspapers income is from people buying the paper and advertising. Is covering the Kings worth it to the newspaper? Is the blog worth it?

A very good question, without a simple answer. When you're talking about the newspaper, it's hard to quantify. We have no idea of knowing how many people might buy the newspaper specifically to read our Kings coverage and we have no idea how many people actually read the Kings stories in the paper every day. It's easier to assess the impact of online content, because we get very detailed numbers on that. I think I can safely say that if this blog wasn't doing as well as it is, numbers-wise, our editors wouldn't be nearly as concerned with the scope of our Kings coverage. It's an ongoing question we're trying to answer.

4. Is it better for the blog to be paid for by the newspaper, the blog having its own advertising, people subscribing to the blog or whatever combination of the three?

Just so we're clear, there are no inherent costs in running the blog. The only ``cost'' is the salary/salaries of the person/people who maintain it. Right now, that's me, and my salary is paid for by the Daily News. Advertising is sold on the blog, and that money goes to the Daily News. I have inquired about subscriptions in the past and have been told that advertising brings in more money. Now, that said, if anyone out there has a company and wants to pay $50,000 or so annually for an exclusive sponsorship of the blog, by all means, drop me an e-mail.

5. Could it be that the newspaper will eventually essentially become 'advertising' for the online products which will be the primary source of content and revenue - that is, it's own subscription and advertising?

You're hitting on the million-dollar question in journalism right now. The Internet is clearly the future in terms of news distribution, but how in the world do we make money off it? So far, nobody has. The first person/company that figures it out will be hailed as a genius. Right now, online doesn't bring in nearly enough revenue, not even close, but it's increasingly where people are going to get their news. That's not a model that's going to work in the long run, so it must get figured out in short order.

To answer your general questions, yes, subscribing to the paper does help. It helps the financial bottom line of the newspaper, which in turn helps keep people such as me employed. Visiting the site regularly also helps, as the number of hits/visits is monitored very regularly. As always, thanks for the support...

Okay I will go there........
I've noticed more and more that you are being quoted nationally/throughout North America. Yes the Daily News is the vehicle today, but how would it work to get a side job with say ESPN? The numbers this blog are pulling would/should get some folks to notice. This site probably has pretty good numbers for a LA Kings news site. (I can't think of anyone which would be higher.)

Should/can someone over at Daily News-ville work on a partnership with a major player to further fund this site. I would think it wouldn't cost them much, FoxSports, CBS.Sportsline, SportingNews, ESPN/TSN.

I was one of the first to ask why the hell don't you have advertising on the site and sure enough a few weeks later someone opened their eyes and said "oh crap we could make some decent dough by selling space on Rich's blog". So whoever you are who said the above, now look for partnerships that will pull enough money to fund Rich's continued efforts/somewhat focus on us poor Kings fans. (it obviously couldn't be the primary focus as that would never work, Helene Elliot could probably tell us more about that)

Rich - ryanoliver hates himself because he can't stop reading the posts

Rich - if the daily news even dares to try and fire you just point the the fookin comments and the amount of traffic visiting and reading your site. It's like a fookin bee-hive, brother. you're their 'designated player' the 'franchise in the sports department. if any of these points fail to impress, try intimidation.

lblocal - come on, rich is no sell out...

plus, Rich, if you get laid off you can avoid the stress of reality by blogging all day and staying up til 5am searching the european hockey database to support your opinions on management and their success in drafts discounting the 1st round.

Rich - tell your bosses that newspapers are a dinosaur of the past. Kick this damn online newspaper into the 21st century. And quit wasting all that money on paper, delivery fuel, and production costs. Remember - Intimidate. Remember "Swingers", well YOU'RE the bear in this one, your boss is the little bunny, and you're just battin' it around with a hockey stick. And it doesn't want to know how hard you can shoot.

cheers

Rich,

Very cool to read your candid answers to BallPointHammers questions.

What what we do to help you and the paper and the ongoing quality in Kings coverage?

There has to be something more than just a Daily News subsciption. Letters to the editor? Can we all flood your bosses email with our advocation of you, this blog and Kings coverage in general? I know I, and am sure many others, would be glad to donate some time or whatever to help ensure the future of your beat.

It's a shame you have no budget for travel. I have to admit, coverage of away games is just as important to us as fans as home coverage. It would be especially interesting to get fan interviews from other stadiums about their view of the Kings and the games to give us a perspective on how the rest of the league views our team. Perhaps phone interviews with players and coaches form away games to see if there is any difference in attitude between home and road games.

While I don't have a business of my own, because if I did I would give you $50k in a heartbeat knowing the traffic you get, I will definately keep my ear to the ground and throw out your name anytime I run into a colleague or friend looking for internet advertising.

WhoThePuck makes a good point, you are the source for the majority of league-wide Kings info. I am constantly reading on other sites "Rich Hammond reports" or "Rich Hammonds thinks." If your higher-ups haven't taken notice, this is definately a clear indication of the national respect for your journalism.

One thought that comes to mind, and this is probably more truly a recommendation to the Kings marketing dept. than to the Daily News, but perhaps you can have some influence; maybe it would help the overall interest of the team to have Kings players visit other sporting events and get their quick video clips of sitting and cheering at a Lakers or Galaxy or Dodgers game. Maybe if you were able to throw in some good quotes of Kings players commenting on other L.A. based sports, more people who follow those other sports would be persuaded to check out the Kings.

Also, I know this is a shot in the dark, but the Kings themselves should be advertising your blog. I doubt the Daily News would fork over jumbotron money, even though the Kings should pay you to advertise to the site! Hell, I'd even be willing to pass out cards and flyers for the site at games if you sent me some copies in the mail. Maybe us willing fans can sign up along with a Daily News subcription and get advertisement flyers with our paper to pass out at Kings games or work or whatever? Probably ridiculous, just spitballing. Know however, that I, and I imagine many others, would be willing.

Hmmm.... since many of us like to spout our diatribes, perhaps an off-shoot of the website, "Inside the Kings Fan," where those of us who sign up exchange our support in the form of distibuting site advertising pro-bono for the privelage of blogging editorials on the sister site or something.

If anything, your editors and bosses need to realize that the Kings fan base is strong, and when we do start winning, they will want to be first in line because the desire for Kings info will snowball. The fact that this many people care about a constantly losing team in a town known for its almost obnoxious level of 'bandwagoning,' should be a clear indication that when there is a sturdy and pleasant bandwagon to jump on, the fans of competition and winning will crawl out of the woodwork in droves.

Another random late night idea - contests. People love contests. Maybe a weekly small section in the paper reserved for the winner of a 'best letter to the editor about the Kings.' Offer a free pair of Kings tickets a week, or even a month, and print the best letter in the sports section. Something small, like 500 words or less. People love the opportunity to win stuff, and perhaps if this were advertised in the sports section, non-hockey fans would participate and take more of an active interest.

If all else fails, slap a picture of your face on a t-shirt with a cool slogan about the Kings on it and sell 'em for $15. I'd buy one!

Honestly Rich, you can't do much to make this site better, it's BY FAR THE BEST AROUND. If anything, the only thing that needs to be better is the backing and promotion of Kings hockey by the news media.

Is the Daily News associated with any TV media outlet whatsoever? A visual promotion would be ideal. If somehow you or the Daily News could finagle an interview with you on ESPN or even just the local channel 5 news or whatever, I imagine interest would increase. I heard you in a radio interview and you are quite well spoken aside from your vast knowledge and journalistic integrity. Any chance you could sit in with Bob and Jim during the second period. Hell, they put Cuba Gooding Jr. in there and he has nothing to say about hockey I care to hear. If there was a way to spread your Kings 'gospel' to a visual medium, it could only help. Maybe a youtube channel, or a Rich Hammond myspace... as much as I dislike it, it is one of the main internet frontiers in advertising and communication.

Subscribed podcasts on itunes?

The main thing, which you're clearly and sorely aware of, is that print journalism is on the decline. I think the Kings fans are here to stay. We are loyal and ravenous and not going anywhere. There are even people from Norway who frequent the site! The only way to really help is to expand the average Los Angelean's hockey awareness, all the while associate said awareness with the Daily News.

Hopefully some of these ideas helped, even if they sucked but sparked some other, orginal thought.

Let us know how we can help, WE WILL!

Rich

Are you going on the road with the kings this year? Pre and post game road reports would be awesome.

i want more recaps of the games. Something that I don't get off the a.p. wire. Generally slight in-depth of what happened for somebody that was not at the game. Everybody agrees that hockey is a whole different sport when seen in person rather then on tv, so a few tidbits about things that we miss on the broadcast. I catch about half the games in person, so the ones i don't go to (and obviously the road games) need a bit more commenting from a professional. and player quotes. i know they are cliche but that is the one thing no blogger has access to and its always interesting to get a players thoughts on a play or reactions to a game. i honestly don't care what dusting brown has for dinner or what kind of a car kopitar drives. i want hockey info.
Also, awesome job on everything you're doing. I only go to the other sites when nothing new is up on this site for a few days, and even then i go through the links on this site.

nykingsfan - hey, good to see you back. how's thing? any news on hockey from back east? how'd you get out there anyway?

whats up Crisobal

I'm back..again

It's been fairly quiet on the east coast..hockey- wise. The only thing is the Islanders coaching search..it's between Hartley, Gordon, and Maurice.
If they're smart, they will hire Scott Gordon. He was the coach of Providence AHL team. I figure they won't because this is the Islanders.
Here's a follow up article regarding the loan from AEG to Boots. It sounds innocent enough, but with AEG and Liar-wieke, you never know:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08102008/sports/sportsshorts/one_false_move_123830.htm

I've actually lived in NY my whole life. The first 3 hockey games I ever saw were at MSG and the Kings played the Rangers in all 3. I can't explain how I became a King fan. I love hockey so I would always watch the Rangers and Islanders when they were on, but I would follow the Kings and how they were doing and how the players were doing from the box scores. I would go to see them when they played in NY. My favorite player was Andre St.Laurent who was traded by the Islanders to Detroit, and from Detroit to LA. I met him one time at an Islanders practice and he was really cool to me. He took time out to play air hockey with me at the practice rink. My youth hockey team used to play at the same facility and I was what you would call a rink-rat.

nykingsfan - can't say i've heard of andre st. laurent before but it sounds like a great experience. I thought you'd probably moved out there from here, you don't find many kings fans in markets with other teams i thought. I'm off to check out the article you posted, thanks. how long have you played and are you offense, defense, goal? i didn't start playing til i was 18, but i'm pretty athletic and have always played sports so i think i'm better than most people that start late, but i wish i'd started as a kid.

cheers

I started playing when I was 5 and the career came to an end my 1st year of college during summer workouts. Torn ACL/MCL. I was done at that point. Injury rehab is a little different today than it was back in the early 80's. Back then when you had an injury like that, they told you good luck in your future life.
I still play some in adult leagues, but it's not the same.
I played both center and D. I played a lot of D during my senior year of high school for the 1st time. I got some good coaching on D from Pat Ribble..a former player with the Atlanta Flames. It was incredible how much he taught me in one summer about playing D.

nykingsfan - age? me 38. Bummer about the knee and true that it used to spell the end, whereas now its just a few month thing. Amazing what sports has done for the medical profession; it provided the money to pay for advancements in surgery and now guys that are 50 year old hobby-golfers can get great knee replacement and be improving their game in a couple of months.

I played college hockey out here where its club, not school sponsored really. There's no funds available so its kinda bush league. There were some bad injuries when i played (at Washington a guy broke both wrists and i think his girlfriend had to wipe for him for a while), but a year or so after I left the team was playing in a national tournament and a guy got paralyzed after breaking his neck. It really affected my friend who was still on the team and he's not really into ice-hockey as much as before. Still plays roller a lot as the mindset is a bit more mature, but I feel the mentality of ice-hockey and the fighting are filtering down to places where its dangerous. Especially kids.

Playing for me is fun at both forward and D, though i know i'd never have been any good at goalie. I haven't played in a league for over a year and want to get back in one. Pick up was good enough for a while, but that ended up kinda sucking too. I better just get back on the ice, though, cuz i miss it.

better go, for now

cheers

45. It's amazing the technology today. I never even considered coming back after surgery. It took me a long time to get back on skates.

When I was growing up, fighting was pebnalized by getting kicked out of the game, but not suspended. I still ended up in fights. My feeling is that by eliminating fighting, players are more apt to use their sticks as a weapon.

I disagree with your opinion about eliminating fighting. I don't think it can be eliminated effectively, rather i think that it should possibly mean ejection from the game and, during the regular season, a 1 or 2 or 3 game ban. I believe that cracking down does not mean fighting won't happen, I just want it to be reserved for those times when its really necessary or the player considers the effect on the team. I loved McSorley as a king and did get excited by fights, i just think there should be a plan for removing fighters who cannot play the game from hockey.

What's your take?

I know you're not into soccer, but this is an example of how Roy Keane retaliated on somebody that injured him the previous year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7eBRQxbg-M

or, his injury and retalliation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7eBRQxbg-M

cheers

Hope I'm not too late Rich. I've mentioned this before, but it would be very cool to have a page dedicated to who the current kings players are (even prospects). Unfortunately, many sites are not current, event the kings site! So it would be cool to see that visually; like who's signed through when and who isn't etc. And even have another page that lists where x kings players have gone like: Rob Blake - contract talks stalled on (date), signed with san jose on (date). etc. I know some of this stuff is on hockey db, but not all. Anyway, something of a roster page would be very cool.