Monthly Archives: January 2015

Pregame reading: Los Angeles Kings at Boston Bruins

Posted on by
Reply

KINGS AT BRUINS

Faceoff: 4 p.m. TV/Radio: FSW, 790-AM

The Kings begin a five-game trip in Boston on Sunday, hit the White House for a celebration of their Stanley Cup championship Monday and then finish with stops to play the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Kings must improve on their 5-9-6 road record if they hope to move back among the top eight teams in the Western Conference that will qualify for the playoffs. The Kings (21-15-12) were one point behind the Calgary Flames (26-20-3) for the final wild-card berth at the start of business Friday. Anze Kopitar leads the Kings with 38 points, including 27 assists, and Jeff Carter has 36 points, including 22 assists. Carter had two goals and one assist in the Kings’ victory Wednesday over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Bruins are 26-16-7 after a victory Thursday over the New York Islanders.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

It’s official: Kings, Ducks, Sharks, Flames, Oilers shift AHL teams to California

Posted on by
Reply

The American Hockey League’s California migration became official Thursday. The Kings will shift their top minor-league team from Manchester, N.H., to Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario and the Ducks will move theirs from Norfolk, Va., to Valley View Casino Center in San Diego.

The AHL will create a new Pacific Division for five teams in the NHL’s seven-team Pacific Division for 2015-16, offering the clubs greater access to their top prospects while cutting costs and travel time and also enhancing marketing opportunities.

In addition to the Kings and Ducks, the Sharks will move their top affiliate from Worcester, Mass., to the SAP Center in San Jose, the Calgary Flames will move their team from Glens Falls, N.Y., to Stockton and the Edmonton Oilers will move their team from Oklahoma City to Bakersfield.

Two other teams in the Pacific Division, the Arizona Coyotes and the Vancouver Canucks, will keep their affiliates in Portland, Me., and Utica, N.Y., respectively, for the time being. It’s possible they could join the westward migration at a later date.

The moves were announced during a press conference in San Jose, where the Sharks’ minor-league team is expected to make its temporary home while another site is selected. Fresno and Sacramento are the cities rumored to be the permanent location.

“To borrow a word from the recently retired Teemu Selanne, it’s an unbelievable day for California hockey, for Anaheim and the organization and the city of San Diego,” Ducks general manager Bob Murray said. “This is a dream come true.”

Luc Robitaille, Kings president of business operations, praised the spirit of cooperation among the five teams to get the deal presented and approved by the AHL during its board of governors meetings over the weekend.

“It was a true team effort,” Robitaille said. “For the growth of hockey, it’s a tremendous thing for California. Five (AHL) teams will be playing on the West Coast now. Fans can see players who are one phone call away from the NHL now. It’s going to be a lot of fun now.”

The Kings said they would announce further details Friday.

The Reign, which will play out its ECHL season in Ontario, will move to Manchester, N.H., for next season.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Kings, AHL to announce Western migration on Thursday

Posted on by
Reply

The Kings, Ducks, Sharks and other Pacific Division teams have long wanted their American Hockey League teams to be closer than Manchester, N.H., Norfolk, Va., and Worcester, Mass. Thursday, they and the AHL will announce a major shift in the form of a Western Division in the league. The Kings will shift their top minor-league team to Ontario. The rest is explained here in a story from earlier this month: http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20150109/la-kings-anaheim-ducks-appear-set-to-move-minor-league-teams-to-southern-california

You can watch the announcement Thursday at 12:30 the AHL’s website.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

L.A. Kings forward Jeff Carter talks about teammate and friend Mike Richards

Posted on by
Reply

Here’s some of what Kings forward Jeff Carter had to say about teammate and friend Mike Richards clearing waivers and being assigned to Manchester of the AHL on Tuesday: “It’s tough, obviously. We’ve got a pretty close team here. Any time anybody leaves it’s always tough. We understand those things happen.

“He brought a lot to this room and a lot of stuff, unless you’re in this room, you don’t see. It was tough on him, too. It’s an opportunity for others to step up. It’s an opportunity for some of the young guys to become leaders. …

“I saw him last night. … I think he’s all right. Nobody wants to get sent down. It’s a (lousy) part of the game. I think he’s handled it well. He’s been around a long time. He knows how it works. I’m sure he’ll work hard and we’ll see him here again soon.”

”

 

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

Tyler Toffoli status for L.A. Kings next game? Definitely maybe

Posted on by
Reply

Tyler Toffoli skated with his Kings teammates Tuesday for the second consecutive day after getting medical clearance after suffering from mono. He said he would like to play in Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, but the final decision would be a group one. Toffoli said he would speak to Kings coach Darryl Sutter and the team’s medical staff and then a decision would be made.

“I feel good,” he said. “I did some battle drills today. I was trying to push myself more than I usual would the day before a game. I was trying to just get my legs under me. It’s been a long couple of weeks. The first week or so I didn’t do a whole lot. I did a bunch of bike rides. I wasn’t really allowed to do anything. The whole process went by smoothly. I think we’re all going to talk and see how I’m feeling and they’re going to tell me. … It’s more my legs and getting my legs under me.”

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

It’s official: L.A. Kings assign Mike Richards to Manchester of the AHL

Posted on by
Reply

The Kings assigned forward Mike Richards to their American Hockey League team in Manchester, N.H., after he cleared waivers earlier Tuesday. None of the NHL’s other 29 teams claimed Richards, so the Kings held onto his rights. They can recall him in the playoffs, if they believe he can help them. Richards had only five goals and 10 assists in 47 games with the Kings. He last played in the minors in 2004-05, when he played in the AHL playoffs for the Philadelphia Phantoms, the Flyers’ top affiliate. He joined the Kings in a June 23, 2011 trade from the Flyers.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

L.A. Kings forward Mike Richards clears waivers, expected to report to Manchester

Posted on by
Reply

Struggling forward Mike Richards cleared waivers Tuesday morning, as expected, and the Kings will assign him to their American Hockey League team in Manchester, N.H. They expect him to report later this week and to improve his game with the idea that he could return to the Kings for the playoffs in April. Richards had five goals and 10 assists 47 games before the Kings put him on waivers Monday. The 29 other teams in the NHL had 24 hours to claim him, but none did.

“The way the schedule is in Manchester, you’re able to probably work on some things you don’t have the time to up here,” Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said. “So, if he goes down there and attacks this, there’s no reason he can’t come back, because our cap is the same in terms of the numbers right now. … There’s time for him to easily clean some of this up and be what he usually is in the playoffs. But if he says he doesn’t want to report, then that’s not an option.We’re not going that route.”

 

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

L.A. Kings forward Tyler Toffoli hopes to play Wednesday vs. Blackhawks

Posted on by
Reply

Tyler Toffoli hasn’t played since coming down with mono after the Kings’ loss to the New York Rangers on Jan. 8 at Staples Center. He resumed skating with his teammates Monday and said he hoped to be fit to play in Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Staples Center.

“We’ll see,” Toffoli said. “It’s the first time I’ve skated with the guys. I was a little tired. We’ll see tomorrow and then Wednesday. I got tested Friday, blood and ultrasound and stuff. It was all good there. I’m not sure if I’ll have any setbacks. Hopefully, I’m feeling good.”.

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email

L.A. Kings coach Darryl Sutter says Mike Richards still has ‘lots of game left’

Posted on by
Reply

Coach Darryl Sutter had this to say about the Kings’ move to place struggling forward Mike Richards on waivers Monday morning:

“From a personal standpoint, from a coaching standpoint, Mike’s been a really good player for us, obviously. He’s had a really tough year. It’s natural for people on the outside to want to have all the answers. Mike’s still got lots of game left. He’s been frustrated with it, too. I think he’s got lots of game left. That’s how I feel. …

“This is hockey and some of you guys don’t get it, period. In terms of lots of players go on waivers and lots of players clear waivers and still have great years in front of them. It’s just people in media who want to continue to beat people up because they can’t do it themselves. … I think Mike’s still go lots of hockey left.”

Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email