Ask Jim Fox, bonus edition

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Deelo said:
Hi Jim,
What is your opinion of the NHL hockey coverage on FSN?
Do you know why most Canada trips are not covered on TV?

Deelo:
...the Canadian games issue has come up before...the best way to answer this is...so many different factors go into selecting a broadcast schedule...many times there are local and/or national telecast conflicts...I know that FSN and the Kings work as hard as possible to bring the viewers the most compelling schedule of broadcasts as possible...I know in the future everyone is working towards as well balanced a schedule as possible...
...as far as the coverage...I assume you are talking about "other than Kings games", because I would be biased with that one...I rarely get a chance to see any of it...I am either doing the games for the Kings, traveling or "scouting" games through the NHL "Center Ice" package...not much time left over for much else...

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22Sargent said:
Hi, Jim,
Thanks for all your years of service for us Kings' fans!
In this years' draft, if I'm not mistaken, all the players that the Kings selected were from North America. On the Staff Directory at lakings.com there are currently no amateur scouts whose territory is outside of North America. Do you believe that this is a temporary situation? Are there scouts missing from the directory? Or, do you believe that is an intentional shift in staffing resources by the current regime?

22Sargent:
...I have talked with the Kings scouting department and they have told me that this is just a temporary situation and that there should be new amateur scout(s) in place in Europe within the next month...
...thanks for the question...

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macdup said:
Is there any plans for Fox Sports West to put together an online package to watch Kings games? Does the NHL own these rights?

Macdup:
...With so many different avenues to bring the game to fans/viewers, I'm sure everyone is trying to figure out ways to deliver game coverage and with these new avenues also come many parameters...I don't have any information on the specifics at this time...if I find anything out, I will let Rich know...thanks

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number 6 said:
Jim, thanks so much for all of the very insightful answers you've provided. One thing I want to mention is how pleased I was to see you single out the Malkin Simmonds incident. As I live in ny I only saw the replay on the net, but it left me finding it very difficult to muster up much respect for Malkin as a player. Needless to say though, the Kings needed to address it. That's why I'm glad that you brought it up amongst your responses. Thanks again.

mrbrett7 said:
I too remember, quite clearly, the punch to the back of Simmonds head by Malkin. I used to like Malkin, but that was one of the most classless moves I have seen in some time.
I put that up there with Hunter taking out Turgeon and McSorely's hit on Brashear.
Plain dirty, and all I wanted was to see someone, ANYONE go after Malkin. I don't care who he is...Simmonds is your teammate, and you stand up for him, period.

jet said:
Agree with Mrbrett 100% with the cheap shot to Simmonds, although I thought it was a shoulder to the chin. 
If I could find one fault with TM last year, it was in this area. Players have to know that the coach will back them 100% when they go on the prowl. Retaliation on Malkin with a few seconds left in a game probably equals a 3 game suspension, so the support has to be firm, unequivocal, and constant.
We do not really need a fight every third game, but when our kids become targets, there has to be a response. This type of play usually happens against teams we only see once, so we need to be ready to respond right away.
Chicago addressed this at the end of their 6 year rebuild by taking Aliu and Beach with high draft picks. We seemed to begin addressing it this year. For as much as I think Burke almost blew up the Ducks with overspending, I think he may have something with his Leafs formula of build protection first and then the skill will have room when it comes in. It will be interesting to see how it works. (To those that will come back with Burke is an idiot: Yes, I know that he doesn't need a dozen d-men, I was only considering the toughness factor.)

To all:
...This topic seemed to draw as much attention as any...so I thought I should add a few things...first of all, in the last 5 minutes of a game, there may be "extra penalties" to players and coaches if one player is deemed to be the aggressor with a clearly defined intention to send a message or get some retribution...the NHL office also has the right to "rescind" these extra penalties if they feel...I think this would have been a case where the NHL may have determined that Malkin was the actual "message sender"...
...As I mentioned before, the reaction of the team was disappointing but as is alluded to above, it is a split second decision and players may have to think about fines etc...
...Also, with Malkin, there is no doubt in my mind that his hit on Simmonds was a "cheap shot"...I said it at the time and I stand by it...having said that, it is a bonus to have a player like Malkin who is "super skilled" and can also "take care of himself"...that combination is tough to find and even though he went over the line in this instance, it also can be looked at as a positive to have this unique type of player...I would never condone his action in this case, but my respect for his overall game was not tarnished by his actions...

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Jim:
Can you point me towards an excellent decanter? I own a ship's decanter style and the pour is such an awkward thing to do.
Also, I've recently fallen in love with the 2005 Mas De la Deveze- Astree Syrah (France = Languedoc Roussillon) Have you had it and if so, what do you think?

Brian s.:
...I wouldn't worry to much about the decanter...I am using them as much as possible these days, because it seems the positive benefit is easily noticed...I would stay as simple as possible...even just using any clean container can make it work if you also have a funnel and a screen...transfer the wine from the bottle into a container through the funnel and screen and you accomplish your goal...the wine gets the air it needs and if there is any sediment, the funnel and screen clean things up...if I expect sediment from a wine, I am getting into the habit of decanting and using a funnel and screen and then putting it back into the original bottle and then re-open it at home or re-cork it and take it to a restaurant...seems to work for me...hope this helps...

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Cynic said:
Jim-
I just spoke with Juraj Mikus (The guy you borrowed the Technicolor Dreamcoat from) and he told me the jacket told him for you to wear him Opening night, Sat Oct. 3rd against the Yotes. Need to start the season with a win and have the Juraj Mikus Karma in the building that night.
If you're not familiar with the Legacy of Juraj Mikus, simply scroll back a few posts and enjoy.
I met you a few times at HealthSouth when I was organizing roller hockey games for LGK years back. Thanks for being so approachable and great to talk to. You make up a nice part of the legacy of this team. As a player AND a broadcaster. Not many (If any) can fit that bill. Nice work!
Question for you: What did you think of the play of Drewiske coming up at the end of last season? (I thought he was VERY poised and solid). Do you see there being a battle for a roster spot between Drewiske and Harrold? Or do you think Harrold take more of a forward role this year away from another 4th liner if Drewiske claims his D spot? Thanks!

Cynic:
...Thanks for the kind words and thanks for the heads-up re the jacket...although I must say again, the jacket controls me, I do not control the jacket...
...Great question....Drewiske did a fine job...he seemed to make the simple play when it was there, but he was also capable of getting out of trouble with decent mobility...
...As far as a Harrold/Drewiske battle for a roster spot, touch decision...near the end of last year when Harrold was playing up front, the coaches were very happy with his play...his versatility is certainly an asset for him and should earn him a spot on the team...somewhere...this will be one of the most interesting decisions the Kings will have to make...if Hickey plays well, then it makes it even tougher...
...Thanks again...

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stu said:
Jim,
1. When you first started doing television, did you find it hard giving criticism to some of your old teammates? 2. It seems like most of the current Kings fans are from the Gretzky era and after. Do you ever feel like the teams you played on or the players you played with, don't get the credit they deserve? 3. Why did it seem like Larry Murphy was always falling down?
4. Man, I miss the Pumper-Nicholl.
Thanks to you, Bob, Bernie, Marcel, Charlie, J.P., Dave, Dan Bonner, Jerry Korab and so many other great Kings, for the memories.

Stu:
...1...I did find it hard giving criticism to former teammates...it was a difficult time for me...as the time went by and the "personal nature" of the situation went away, it became easier for me to be as objective as possible...
...2...I think that there were a couple of teams in the early '80's that had decent records and maybe were a bit better than given credit for...there is one thing that Gretzky brought that was tough to duplicate...no matter the record of the team, when Gretzky was on his game, everyone believed they had a chance to win and win it all...he was very unique in that way...
...3...Larry took a lot of criticism in a few places that he played, but mostly for how he looked doing things...not from coaches or teammates for what he did...wow, what a career...he didn't always look good doing things, but all of his records look good and so do the rings on his fingers...
...4...I talk to Bernie every once in a while...few players had his skill and his connection with the fans...it is that combination I think about when thinking about who's number should be retired???
...Thanks again...

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Good2BKings said:
I love Jim's insight into the Kings; however, his take on wine leaves me scratching my head. Anyone who refers to Australian Shiraz as "candy-like" should not be commenting on wine. I would like to give Foxy the benefit of the doubt, but I would have to know how he defines "candy-like" as a descriptor of wine.

Good2BKings:
...I actually stole this descriptor from a teacher (sommelier) I was taking a class from...he used it to describe an Australian Shiraz and I thought it fit perfectly...it is not unusual for this type of Shiraz to end up with some residual sugar (since it is usually grown in such hot climates, there is so much sugar in the grapes, that when it converts sugar to alcohol during fermentation, the alcohol level gets so high it stops the fermentation, the result...there is still a "noticeable" amount of sugar left)...that is where the term "candy-like" comes from...I have also heard "cotton candy" used when things get really over the top...usually this characteristic is very pleasant since most people don't mind a little sweetness in their food or drink, but sometimes it makes the wine a little too one dimensional...hope that cleared up things a bit...I have heard so many "descriptors" over the years and I assume I will hear some new ones in the future...
...Thanks...