Kings are the NHL’s ninth most-valuable team for 2016, according to Forbes’ annual rankings

The Kings were bounced from the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, but they’re still among the top-10 most-valuable teams in the 30-team NHL, according to Forbes’ annual rankings released Wednesday. The Kings are worth $600 million, the ninth-highest total in the league. Their value increased by three percent over Forbes’ rankings for 2015. Their revenue was $142 million and their operating income was minus-$400,000, according to Forbes.

The New York Rangers topped the Forbes list with a value of $1.25 billion. The Montreal Canadiens were second ($1.12 billion) and the Toronto Maple Leafs were third ($1.1 billion). The San Jose Sharks were 13th ($470 million) and the Anaheim Ducks were 15th ($415 million), giving California three franchises in the top half of the league. Of the three California teams, the Sharks’ value increased the most over last year’s rankings, climbing by six percent. The Ducks’ value increased four percent.

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Kings center Jeff Carter named the NHL’s first star of the week

The NHL on Monday named Jeff Carter its first star for last week after he had four goals and two assists in four games, including two goals and an assist in the Kings’ 3-2 victory Sunday over the Ducks. He was blanked in the Kings’ loss to the Colorado Avalanche and then began a three-game scoring streak that has coincided with a three-game winning streak. Here’s a link to Sunday’s story about his play in the game against the Ducks: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/carter-736100-kopitar-kings.html

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward was the second star.

Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom was the third star.

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Kings coach Darryl Sutter’s nutty quote of the night … not so nutty version, actually

Here’s Kings coach Darryl Sutter disputing my line of questioning about the team getting “rewarded” for going to the net during a 5-0 victory Saturday over the Calgary Flames:  “That’s how you score. How many goals are scored by going to the net? It’s tough to score if you don’t go to the net. It’s not a reward. That’s real. It can’t hit you in the (rear end) and go in the net if you’re not standing close to the net.”

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Kings place forward Andy Andreoff on injured reserve with an upper-body injury

Left wing Andy Andreoff officially joined the list of the Kings’ battered and bruised Thursday. The Kings placed him on injured reserve because of an upper-body injury sustained during their loss Sunday to the Chicago Blackhawks. Left wing Marian Gaborik (broken right foot), defenseman Brayden McNabb (upper body) and goalies Jonathan Quick (groin) and Jeff Zatkoff (groin) were already on injured reserve.

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NHL suspends Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert for three games for boarding

Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert drew a three-game suspension Thursday from the NHL for boarding Ducks left wing Nick Ritchie in the second period of Tuesday’s game at Staples Center. Gilbert must sit out the Kings’ games Thursday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, Saturday against the Calgary Flames and Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is eligible to play again Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, the second-game of a five-game trip for the Kings.

Gilbert also must forfeit $23,333.34, based on his annual salary of $1.4 million.

Here’s the link to the NHL’s video explanation: https://www.nhl.com/video/t-277440360/c-45969003.

Kings coach Darryl Sutter didn’t agree the play was worth scrutinizing, let alone worthy of a suspension.

“I totally disagree that there should be any sort of hearing or anything at all,” Sutter said before the suspension was announced Thursday afternoon. “Usually, I’m all in the ‘what the right call’ (category), but I totally disagree. I think there were ones on him that should have been looked at. I totally disagree. That’s just the way I feel. I was shocked and surprised to hear that (the NHL would review the play).”

 

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Kings recall defenseman Kevin Gravel from Ontario of the AHL

The Kings recalled Kevin Gravel from their American Hockey League team in Ontario on Thursday in order to bolster their defense corps in advance of their game later in the evening against the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.

Gravel had two assists in six games this season with the Reign.

Defenseman Brayden McNabb is on injured reserve because of an upper-body injury.

Tom Gilbert had a hearing with the NHL in the wake of his hit to the head of the Ducks’ Nick Ritchie in Tuesday’s game. Gilbert faces a possible suspension.

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