Top-line center Anze Kopitar probably won’t play Saturday afternoon against the Chicago Blackhawks at Staples Center because of a sprained right knee suffered almost two weeks ago while playing in Sweden during the NHL lockout. Kopitar didn’t rule out playing Saturday, but he didn’t exactly rule himself in the lineup, either.
Continue reading “Injured Kings center Anze Kopitar might not play in the season opener” »
Anze Kopitar skated for about an hour before his teammates hit the ice for their workout Tuesday. Kopitar suffered no setbacks after consecutive days of skating, according to Kings coach Darryl Sutter. Kopitar wore a brace to protect his sprained knee and he performed only light drills, as he did when he skated for 30 minutes Monday..
Continue reading “Kings center Anze Kopitar skates again, but without his teammates or contact” »
Thomas Hickey, a defenseman who was the Kings’ first-round pick in the 2007 draft, spent five seasons with Manchester (N.H.) of the American Hockey League but never played a shift in the NHL. Maybe he’ll finally get the chance now, after the New York Islanders claimed him off waivers Tuesday. Hickey was the fourth overall pick in ’07.
Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators claimed left wing Richard Clune off waivers. The Kings acquired him from the Dallas Stars for Lauri Tukonen on July 21, 2008, and he played only 14 games for them, all in 2009-10.
Monday’s training camp report …
Anze Kopitar strapped on a new brace to protect his sprained right knee and went for a 30-minute skate after his teammates left the ice. Assistant coach Bernie Nicholls put him through some light drills and he reported only a little discomfort afterward.
Continue reading “Anze Kopitar skates with knee brace and Anthony Stewart joins the Kings” »
Willie Mitchell underwent knee surgery, but is farther behind in his rehabilitation and recovery than the Kings expected, coach Darryl Sutter revealed for the first time Monday. Mitchell, a veteran defenseman who was a vital cog in the Kings’ run to the Stanley Cup, declined comment.
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Kings center Anze Kopitar was cagey when asked Sunday afternoon when he might return to the ice after suffering a sprained right knee while playing in Sweden during the lockout. He said he would be fitted for a knee brace, but wasn’t sure when. He also said he wouldn’t resume skating until he gets the brace.
The Kings expect Kopitar to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
Continue reading “Injury news on the Kings’ Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Quick and Willie Mitchell” »
The Kings wasted no time in making a subtle tweak to their roster Sunday, trading tough guy Kevin Westgarth to the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Anthony Stewart plus a fourth-round pick in the 2013 draft and a six-round selection in 2014. Westgarth played only 25 games last season and scored one goal and two points with 39 penalty minutes. Stewart had nine goals and 20 points plus 30 penalty minutes.
Westgarth has a home near the Hurricanes’ home in Raleigh, N.C.
“It’s good for ‘Westy,’ first off, and I didn’t know this until I talked to him (Sunday), but he has a home there,” Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. “There’s no better guys than guys you’ve won with. Ever. But it is about opportunity also, right? And fit. I’m happy for him. That’s awesome.”
Sutter said he didn’t know when Stewart might join the Kings.
The kiss-and-make-up portion of the NHL lockout has begun in earnest, with commissioner Gary Bettman saying he’s sorry the season was delayed by four months and will consist of only 48 games, with the playoffs stretching until nearly July.
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The NHL has a press conference scheduled for Wednesday in New York City at 1 p.m. (PST). Probably to announce the collective-bargaining agreement is finished and labor peace is finally at hand. Meanwhile, the Kings announced they will hold a press conference Thursday at 4 p.m. at Staples Center.
There’s lots to talk about after the four-month-long lockout, including the length of the season, schedules, the opening of training camp, etc., etc., etc.
Brad Richardson, Jarret Stoll, Justin Williams and several other members of the Stanley Cup champion Kings went back to work Monday, which is to say they skated informally again while waiting for the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement to be finalized.
The only difference was they didn’t have to rent the ice at their El Segundo training facility and the team opened the locker room doors to the players for the first time since the lockout began Sept. 15, a bit of a welcome-back gesture after owners and players reached an agreement Sunday.
Continue reading “Kings eager to get back on the ice and to defend their Stanley Cup title” »