Forum answers II

The next set of answers to today’s questions…

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Question: at the trade deadline which Kings players and prospects were on other teams wish list. I would like to know what players other teams wanted.

Answer: Michal Handzus, Alexander Frolov and Sean O’Donnell generated the most interest among players, and I’m sure pretty much all of the prospects came into discussion at some point. Colorado wanted a package that included Jonathan Bernier and Colten Teubert as part of any discussion for Ryan Smyth, so that didn’t get very far.

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Question: not to be obnoxious( hard for me, I know), but what’s the status of the Daily News? If the economy gets any worse, I don’t see the paper lasting much longer (If the Rocky Mountain News folds after 149 years…). I told Luc and the boys last night that “Rich Hammond is one of the best things to happen to the Kings”, and I’m afraid if the paper does fold, you’ll have to find a job elsewhere and we lose your passion, commitment and enthusiasm.

Answer: One of the first rules of journalism is, “Nobody wants to hear a sportswriter complain,” so I’ll encourage everyone to just skip this answer. But I do appreciate the question. The truth is that the Daily News is not in good shape, and we’re far from alone there. Just when you think they can’t cut any more resources, they cut more resources. I don’t know what the long-term status is, and I try not to worry about it. If, one day, they tell me not to come to work anymore, I’ll try to find another job. It won’t be as fun and rewarding as this one, but that’s life. It’s a very tenuous situation right now for everyone, but I appreciate the support.

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Question: Is there any realistic chance of Doughty getting the Calder? Do the Kings do any campaigning for him? Doesn’t Brown owe him a commercial (since Doughty’s got him the all-star spot)?

Answer: Good point. Brown definitely owes him one. But realistically, there isn’t any “campaigning” that goes on. The All-Star Game is a fan-balloting thing, whereas the Calder is voted on by dummies such as myself. NBA teams do “campaign” for their players, but I’ve never seen it done in the NHL really. It’s going to be tough for Doughty to get the Calder because a) he’s a defenseman and b) he plays in the West. The biggest thing he has going for him (other than his outstanding play) is that he’s adored in Canada because of his national-team success.

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Question: Is there any protocol in the NHL for visiting teams playing the Ducks before Kings or Kings before Ducks. It seems like we usually have to play teams visiting SoCal before the Ducks which obviously gives them an advantage.

Answer: Actually, I went through the schedules, and in terms of back-to-back games, the Kings have had the clear advantage this season. Ten times this season, teams have had to do the Anaheim-to-L.A. back-to-back games. Only six teams have had to do the L.A.-to-Anaheim back-to-backs. I don’t really count Vancouver playing in L.A. on Monday and in Anaheim on Wednesday, because there’s a day off. I think, in general, the league tries to balance it as much as possible.

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Questions: 1.D.Lombardi tals a lot about reserve list, when this list will be full? Or is this ongoing process? 2.Does Kings players watch Ducks and other hockey clubs games when they have time ?

Answers: 1) Well, it’s always going to be an ongoing process. Players leave the organization and others come in. I think that Lombardi’s goal, when he got here, was to stock the reserve list with prospects. He pointed to Manchester and how, when he arrived, the Monarchs were a (relatively) old team. Now you’re seeing a lot more younger prospects at that level, and that’s a sign that the reserve list is deeper. I’m sure, if you ask him, he will tell you that it’s never exactly where he wants it to be. 2) Some guys are more of “hockey junkies” than others. I’m not sure how many guys sit down and watch complete games every night, but certainly they’re all aware of what’s going on in the league.

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Question: Is Green ok from last night?

Answer: Yes. Well, relatively. As OK as someone who took a puck to the head can be. It’s not the first time he’s been hit in the head/face this season. It’s just the bloodiest.

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Question: Why do the linesman feel it is necessary to throw a player out of the circle every other face-off?

Answer: I’ve never given it that much thought, to be honest with you. But, on the flip side, if you’re a linesman you’re probably saying, “We wouldn’t have this problem if the players didn’t try to cheat on the draw so much…”

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Question: at the end of January you wrote stating that you felt that Lewis was ahead of Purcell on the depth chart? Now that Clearly Purcell is ahead of everyone on the depth chart of prospects. where do you feel Lewis and Boyle are now? Are we resigning Purcell and Boyle and for how long?

Answer: Well, I don’t particularly remember writing that, but at the time he probably was ahead of Purcell, at least in terms of the perception of team management. Remember, though, that you’re talking about a winger (Purcell) vs. a guy who primarily plays center (Lewis), so they’re kind of on different paths. But yes, it’s fair to say that, at the moment, Purcell’s NHL future is a little clearer than Lewis’, and Lewis’ is clearer than Boyle. Purcell and Boyle are both restricted free agents this summer. I don’t think there’s any chance they will cut Purcell free, but Boyle? That will be interesting to watch.

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Question: What incentives do you have to post as many things as you do?

Answer: Ummm…I don’t really have any incentives, to be completely honest, in terms of money or fame. I suppose it makes me a somewhat more valuable employee. For the most part, I do it because I enjoy doing it, and because there’s a lot of interest and people seem to enjoy it. So I’ll keep doing it for as long as I can.

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