Hickey's AHL debut

That is terrific news. He must have been a bit nervous playing in his professional game and for him to do so well is great to hear. His contributions last night should boost his confidence and also pump up the Monarchs heading into the post-season. I'm looking forward to next season's training camp.

Can't wait to see him on the big club.

Partnered with Tom Preissing? Wow what a big step for him! Last week he was playing with someone that is most likely his age and just last night he's paired up with a 31 year old. I can't wait to see him in training camp next season

Just the fact that he has filled out to the point of 191lbs. makes me very happy. He will have no trouble with his frame in the NHL.

I still think another year in Manchester is the best place for him. Give him time to develop at the next level. There is no need to rush him. Next year we will have Doughty, Greene, Quincey, O'Donnell, Johnson (I think) and in the best interest of the team it would be smart to bring in a 26-30 year old defenseman who is tough and gritty (Komisarek anyone?) to take the place of Gauthier. Then we have one more year with O'Donnell after which you can bring up Hickey.

any word on if Elkins will play tonight? I understand he travelled with the team to Phoenix. What are the lines? Is Moller ever going to get back in the lineup?

Good news on both Hickey and Bernier.

How close is Manchester in the playoff race?

I like how they found good use for Preissing. Just like SOD with Doughty, I'm sure his experience will offer some great lessons for TH.

PaulCat1969...Komisarek is going to be expensive, and I doubt the Kings will be willing to invest in a pricey D-man with the Johnson talks not yet finalized. Plus, if DL is going to invest in a UFA, its going to be a forward. But in a perfect world...sure! Komisarek adds value to any corps of blueliners in the NHL. I just don't see him fitting in with the master plan.

I was wondering the same thing Dominic. Why in the h-e-double hockey sticks has Moller been scratched?

TB,

You are more than likely right. I should have used him name more in terms of the type of player rather than him specifically. I would prefer out money go to our younger players and whatever is need to bring in a top notch scorer. May be a guy like Johnny Oduya or Jordan Leopold might be more affordable free agents to bring in.

Nice but not surprising. Hickey's got serious game. As a top 5 pick two years ago he should definitely be ready to crack the roster next year. Long live the logjam on D!

Komisarek would be a significant waste of resources imo. Nice to have the ol' stay at home defenceman to solidify things I suppose, but he'd cost us in terms of potential offensive acquisitions. Plus you have to wonder about a UFA that doesn't exactly tear it up in his contract year...

PaulCat1969...

I'm thinkin Gaborik looks awfully good right now. If he can finish the year without a hitch...it might be the most cost effective situation out there as far as bang for the buck. He's a monster right now...

nykingfan:

Manchester is close to the playoffs/they were in two weeks ago after a winning streak; there has been a mini-slump that they are breaking out of now. Most of their remaining games are at home; it will be close.

Fourth place is required, 80 games per season:

Rank Atlantic Division GP PTS
1 x Hartford Wolf Pack 75 92

2 Providence Bruins 74 88

3 Portland Pirates 74 79

4 Worcester Sharks 75 79

5 Manchester Monarchs 74 78

6 Lowell Devils 74 75

7 Springfield Falcons 75 58

Oduya...NOW your talkin'.

I do think he should be in Manchester next year, to at least start the season. No need at all to rush him. Unless he just blows everyone away in camp, I suspect he starts in Manchester...everyone needs to ride the bus.

I won't argue that Gaborik has a ton of talent but I get the feeling Dean is looking for some one with a bit more size to his game. Franzen is I think a better choice but I don't think Detroit is going to let him go and you can obviously say the same thing about Hossa. We may have to give up too much to get Kovalchuk. Dean has clearly shown he is willing to take risks on players with an injured past but for the 5-7 million Gaborik will be offered that might be too much. It will be interesting to see what snipers are out there on teams who simply are having troubles with the cap that Dean can take advantage of because of our flexibility.

I'm really hoping, and rather in vain i know, that we don't sign another injury prone sniper.

Can we just get ONE superstar for christ sakes???

I'm still bitter about deadmarsh and miller missing so much time due to injuries.

I belive the NHL Network will be showing a Manchester game on Friday, April 10. They are playing Worchester which will be a big game. Cant wait to see Hickey and JB.

Thanks Bako

The fact that these guys, who we're expecting to be huge for the Kings in the future, are getting professional playoff hokcey experience, it can only make them better if they are what we all think they are. If it makes them better, it makes the Kings better going forward.
It's great to see that Bernier is coming up big in crunch time.
Hickey already has gone through pressure situations like none other (WJC) This can only continue to make him a better player.
Anyone still doubting DL on his drafting of Hickey?
It's really early, but it sure looks like he hit a HR on this out of the blue pick.

Going beyond Hickey's hockey ability is the fact that he has those other intangibles that really set him above the rest. I love that he was named captain on Team Canada's Junior Team. We are talking him being picked over Taveras, Esposito and a number of other talented players. And I remember vividly at the draft when we picked Hickey how upset other teams were that we selected him.

I love Dean's ability to have his eyes set on a certain player and having the courage to take him despite what the reaction may be.

Detroit cannot keep Franzen, Hossa, Datsyuk and Zetterberg...just not possible, not if they want anyone who can skate backwards and play defense.

Most likely, Franzen will be the odd man out.

I think Brett that it will be Hudler that is the one left out...at least if Detroit is smart.

Just an addition:

Down in the ECHL, Colton Teubert is playing for Ontario, and will be in Bakersfield tomorrow and Saturday, two end-of-season games. The Condors DID make the playoffs, going 20-7-1 to end the season with Yutaka Fukufuji in goal... Condors may finish as high as second.

Come on up and see some good hockey, if you have a chance!

mrbrett7--

I would take Franzen, any day!

Hickey will take Gauthier's spot next year, hopefully. I'd rather us save the money on acquiring 1. a big name 1st liner 2. a 3rd line player like chris neil

AK,

I don't think there is any question we are going to add a front line scoring threat this off-season and the team certainly has the money to do so. The issue is simply that this is a huge jump for Hickey and there is no need to rush him. We can sigh or trade for a "Greene" type d-man that can replace Gauthier who will play tough and stable defense and allow Hickey to hone his skills at the next level. Then, after next year, when O'Donnell is done, Hickey can move up and we can slide Greene and this other player into that older veteran category that Dean loves so much.

I don't think that we need to sign anybody on defense. Drewiske has proven that he can be relied upon. We will have Doughty, Johnson, Drewiske, Quincey, O'Donnell and Greene. We just need to find someone who can put the puck in the net.

I can't believe some of you are mentioning Franzen in the same breath as Gaborik, Hossa and Kovalchuk....he has nowhere near the abilities of these guys to singlehandedly win a game on their own. If we get to choose between all those guys, Franzen is at the bottom of the list....

tantrum4...In all fairness, I think it is safe to say that nobody meant to say that Franzen is equivalent. Next best option behind the available top teir guys? Yes.

I would gladly welcome Franzen to the lineup. I think he'd be a great fit with Handzus and Simmonds. Maybe even with Stoll and Brown. Either way, the guy would add stellar experience up front.

Wisconsin, you bring up a very solid point. Drewiske has been very solid for us and I would like to see his game with a little more confidence and with a little more edge. I think he could very easily make this team as our 6th or 7th defenseman if we don't find the right guy for the right price.

Tantrum, I know what you mean about Franzen but I think in a lot of ways we possess so much "talent" on offense that a guy like Franzen, who plays both ways, would bring a lot to this team. Suddenly when you have Kopitar, Frolov, Brown, Williams, Stoll and you add a Franzen to that mix suddenly we have a lot of depth and some big bodies to put the puck in the net. Ultimately I don't think Detroit lets him go but he represents the type of player that Dean loves and because he is a free agent he could get without giving up players/prospects/picks to get him.

Pretty cool that we can see a Monarchs game on TV!

Hickey should play a full AHL season, he would tear it up.

I'd like us to go after Nick Boynton to replace Gauthier. Oduya aint too shabby either. Komisarek works on my NHL 09 team, but not in real life.

And just say no to Johan Franzen. I have a strong feeling he'll be lucky to be half the player he is on a team other than Detroit. Gaborik all the way!

I agree on Franzen. Pretty solid player, but a product of the DET system. He gets Datsyuk feeding him a lot...

Wouldn't he potentially be as productive with Kopitar feeding him the puck? No matter who we sign it's the trickle down effect with the rest of our lines. Suddenly when you say:

Williams-Kopitar-Franzen
Frolov-Stoll-Brown
Simmonds-Handzus-Purcell

Those are a pretty solid three lines.

Hickey will go far in the hockey business.