NHL FanHouse

Puck Talk: A Blow to the Head

Bruce Ciskie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blackhawks, Islanders, Kings, Thrashers, FanHouse Exclusive

With the issue of head shots becoming more and more talked about in NHL circles, it's time to tackle it on Puck Talk. We're joined this week by Anthony Curatolo, who is a senior writer at Crash the Crease and also has a podcast every week. Since Anthony is an Islanders fan, we also let him talk up his red-hot team and discuss the Blackhawks' impending cap woes. Listen after the jump.

Listen to the podcast above, or click here to download the file.

Puck Talk: A Blow to the Head originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Luc Robitaille: The Ultimate Steal

Adam Gretz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Penguins, Rangers, Red Wings, NHL Hall of Fame

It doesn't matter how good your team's front office is, the NHL draft can still be a complete shot in the dark in which the most highly-touted, can't miss prospect can miss, and ninth-round picks that sneak under the radar because of concerns about their ability to skate at an NHL level can end up scoring over 600 goals and tallying nearly 1,400 points in a 19-year career -- kind of like Luc Robitaille.

Robitaille was passed over 170 times during the 1984 NHL Entry Draft (a class that featured Mario Lemieux going No. 1 overall, and fellow 2009 Hall of Fame Inductee Brett Hull being taken at No. 117) before being selected in the ninth round by the Los Angeles Kings.

The Hockey Hall of Fame Class of '09:
Steve Yzerman | Brian Leetch | Brett Hull
Luc Robitaille | Lou Lamoriello

Twenty-five years later, "Lucky Luc" is going into the Hall as the NHL's all-time leading scorer among left-wingers, and should forever be remembered as one of the greatest draft steals in the history of the sport.

Since the draft was implemented in 1963, there have only been two players selected in the ninth round (the NHL draft is now only seven rounds) or later and went on to record at least 1,000 points in the NHL, and they were both picked by the Los Angeles Kings: Dave Taylor, who scored 1,069 points after being taken 210th in 1975, and Robitaille, who finished his career with 668 goals, 726 assists and 1,394 points.

A quick look at some of the players (and we'll limit it to forwards, just to keep the comparison simple) who can challenge for the title of greatest draft steal:

The Greatest Draft Steals
Player	Pick	Goals	Assists	Points
Luc Robitaille	171	688	726	1,394
Theo Fleury	166	455	633	1,088
Dave Taylor	210	431	638	1,069
Doug Gilmour	134	450	964	1,414
Daniel Alfredsson*	133	357	568	925
Peter Bondra	156	503	389	892
Igor Larionov	210	169	475	644
Henrik Zetterberg*	210	183	225	408
Pavel Datsyuk*	171	171	353	524

(* still active, and what's the deal with pick No's. 171 and 210? )

Robitaille is best known as a member of the Kings, having spent three different stints in Los Angeles from 1986-1994, again from 1997-2001, and finally 2003-2005. He's still the franchise's second-leading scorer (trailing only the legendary Marcell Dionne) with 1,154 of his career points coming as a member of the Kings. No small feat considering a man named Gretzky spent parts of eight seasons as a member of the Kings.

The only thing his career is lacking is league-issued, individual hardware, having only the 1986-87 Calder Trophy as the league's rookie of the year. Considering that he played in an era with the Gretzkys, Lemieuxs, Hulls, and Yzermans, that's not much of a surprise, and it doesn't take away from the fact that no left wing has ever scored more goals or totaled more points.

As a member of the 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings (which could have given that year's All-Star teams a run for their money in terms of pure talent) he became a Stanley Cup Champion for the first time, while he finished his career as an eight-time 40-goal scorer, a three-time 50-goal scorer, and netted a career-best 63 goals during the 1992-93 season. He finished in the top-10 in goals scored nine times, and is currently 10th on the all-time list.

Luc Robitaille: The Ultimate Steal originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Puck Talk: Heading Out West

Bruce Ciskie — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Avalanche, Ducks, Kings, Sharks, Red Wings, Western

There are a number of compelling stories in the NHL's Western Conference. Not only are the Colorado Avalanche off to a ridiculous start, but the Los Angeles Kings are playing great, San Jose is lurking, and Anaheim is still plagued by bad penalties and not enough offense.

FanHouse's Susan Slusser joins us from her West Coast perch this week, as we examine these issues and talk about her beloved Red Wings' slow start. Listen after the jump.

Listen to the podcast above, or click here to download the file.

Puck Talk: Heading Out West originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Anze Kopitar, Ryan Smyth Teaming Up Against Opponents

Susan Slusser — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kings

SAN JOSE -- Anze Kopitar of the Kings is leading the league in scoring and his linemate, Ryan Smyth, isn't far behind him, picking up loads of assists by getting Kopitar the puck.

"Kopitar and Ryan Smyth are as good a pair as there is in the league," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said before his team beat the Kings in overtime on Wednesday night.

It's a combo of experience, with the 33-year-old Smyth, and youth, with the 22-year-old Kopitar. And it worked "from the get-go," according to Smyth. Los Angeles coach Terry Murray placed the two on the same line pretty much from the start of training camp and things clicked.

"I don't think we had a choice but to click," Kopitar said with a grin. "We practice together and all the time we're joking around. That's part of the chemistry."

"It was just a matter of time for Kopitar to break out. ... He's a great player, big, great size, he skates well and obviously he can score goals."
-- Dany Heatley on Anze Kopitar"Sometimes it takes awhile to gel, but fortunately, this developed right out of the gate," Smyth said. "When they gave us the opportunity to play together, we wanted to roll with it. Obviously, it's worked well so far. The biggest thing is communication and Kopi is always open to talking about things. And he's a big, strong, young, fast player who sees the ice very well. He plays both ends great and his offensive production is tremendous.

"It's a lot of fun, but there's always room for improvement, and Kopi wants to be the best player on the ice, and if not, I want to be. We push each other in that way."

After being traded twice in two years, from his longtime Edmonton team to the Islanders and then from Colorado to the Kings, Smyth looks right at home in Los Angeles. He went from a last-place Avalanche club to near the top of the league -- and Colorado also is thriving, in first place in the conference with Kyle Quincey, obtained for Smyth, proving to be a primary contributor.

"It's unfortunate how things turned out in Colorado," said Smyth, who signed there as a free agent before the 2007-2008 season.

Kopitar, meanwhile, has 21 points and looks as if he's about to step into the ranks of the game's young superstars. He's been pegged for big things since he came into the league three years ago, and Sharks forward Dany Heatley, himself a two-time 50-goal scorer said, "It was just a matter of time for Kopitar to break out -- and he's put up some good numbers in the past., but he's definitely got off to a great start. He's a great player, big, great size, he skates well and obviously he can score goals."

The Kings are tied with the Sharks atop the Pacific Division, but Kopitar, Smyth and Murray all cautioned that as well as things are going, it's early still for a team that has failed to make the playoffs in six consecutive tries.

Murray is showing a firm hand at the helm, benching Alexander Frolov 10 days ago and expressing frustration that despite repeated meetings with the Russian forward, "nothing ever comes back."

Frolov has had seven points in four games since, including L.A.'s lone goal on Wednesday night, and Murray told FanHouse, "He's really played well since he's come back to the lineup. That's the last thing any coach wants to do, take a good player out of the lineup. I don't have a doghouse, but there are things you do to get the best out of them.

"It's one thing if it's a fourth-line player (who gets benched) but with a good player, you give them less time on the ice, less time on special teams, but this was a concentration issue as far as I was concerned, right from the beginning of the season. That focus had to get a lot better. Touch wood, he's come back and done that and it will stay that way."

The Kings have played with confidence since the season's start, according to McLellan, whose team fell 6-4 to Los Angeles in the first week. And the entire L.A. team appears focused now that Frolov is on board.

"We're tired of not making the playoffs," Kopitar said. "Everyone made up their minds to come here ready to go and everyone was talking about this being our breakthrough year. So far, it's going good. If we're in this position at the end of the season, we'll be very happy."

Anze Kopitar, Ryan Smyth Teaming Up Against Opponents originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Hockey Talk: NHL Fanhouse Live Chat

Bruce Ciskie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Avalanche, Kings, Rangers, Eastern, Western, NHL Live Blogging, NHL Discipline

There's a lot of action around the NHL tonight, and we'll break it all down in our weekly NHL FanHouse chat. There are surprise teams, surprise players, and injuries to discuss. Not only that, but the first major disciplinary decisions of the season have been made by the NHL. As usual, they come with some controversy. Join us at 2 p.m. ET as we break it down with you.

&amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;amp;altcast_code=1c848386ae" &amp;gt;NHL FanHouse Live Chat&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Hockey Talk: NHL Fanhouse Live Chat originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Blue Jackets Livid at Scuderi After Hip Check on Chimera

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:45:00 EST

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Kings, Western, NHL Videos, NHL Discipline

As talk of NHL discipline heats up early in the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets would like a little bit of love from the league office.

During a 6-2 pasting at the hands of Los Angeles Sunday night, Columbus forward Jason Chimera carried the puck across the Kings' blue line, and was met promptly by a low hit from defenseman Rob Scuderi. What appeared to be an attempt at a solid hip check was treated as anything but by the Blue Jackets.

First off, a look at the videotape.

Scuderi was not penalized. Chimera was given a misconduct, presumably for chirping at the Kings' bench after he (thankfully) got up after the hit. Derek Dorsett picked up a game misconduct after jumping off the bench to get involved in a post-hit fracas. Dorsett, however, was said to be coming on as part of a line change, and his argument apparently won the league over, as he will not be suspended further.

Chimera was livid after the game.

"It's a dirty hit. There's no room in the game for that kind of (expletive). A guy takes your knees out, what are you supposed to do? It wasn't a hip check at all. It was a direct hit on the knee. That's the way it goes, I guess. And he doesn't want to fight after a hit like that, either. I landed on my face, on the ice. My neck was squished against the ice. I'm lucky I don't have a concussion or something. It's a dirty hit and there's no room in the game for it. Too many guys now are getting carried off the ice on a stretcher. It's just dirty stuff. It shows no level of respect. I don't care if Scuderi's a good player. He needs to stick up for himself. You fight after you do something like that to somebody."

Scuderi did not offer an apology, instead claiming that his hit on Chimera was clean. He also told reporters that he didn't have a problem with the way Columbus reacted, saying they were just standing up for a teammate.

It's not hard to understand why this hit is so controversial. Scuderi tried to throw an old-school hit, but he got a bit too close to Chimera's knees for comfort.

Now, for the $64,000 question: Should Scuderi face supplemental discipline?

It could be argued that he hit Chimera too low, but was it intentional? This isn't as clear-cut as most hits that result in suspensions. For example, you can't argue that Tuomo Ruutu was trying to throw a clean hit on Darcy Tucker. The argument in favor of suspending Scuderi alleges intent that isn't abundantly clear.

While the Blue Jackets' reaction is completely understandable, and Scuderi was wrong not to have fought later in the game when asked, the NHL's hands are virtually tied when it comes to suspending the defenseman. Any supplemental discipline here would open up a huge can of worms that the league isn't prepared to open.

(UPDATE: Scuderi was fined by the NHL)

Blue Jackets Livid at Scuderi After Hip Check on Chimera originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Frolov Benched, Kings Beat Dallas

Adam Gretz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Stars

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Kings 4, Stars 1: Alexander Frolov is in Terry Murray's doghouse, as the Russian winger found himself out of the lineup on Monday night after a public tongue-lashing from his head coach earlier in the day. Following the morning skate, Murray told Rich Hammond of Kings Insider: "I haven't been happy with Fro's game for several games. The game the other night is the straw that broke the camel's back, in my opinion. The turnovers, the careless play... It has to be better, and you have to come out with that high level of intensity, with smart work, hard work, and you've got to love the game. You've got to love the game in order to be a player. The talent is there, but it always is the work that brings out talent. And I need more."

Also: Lucic out following finger surgery, video of the day, and more

Without Frolov, the Kings snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 win in Dallas, receiving goals from Ryan Smyth, Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams and Wayne Simmonds. Goaltender Jonathan Quick stopped 29 of 30 shots, including all 15 he faced in the third period.

The Rest Of Monday's Games

San Jose snaps the Rangers' seven-game winning streak with a blowout. [Box Score, Botta's Recap]

Sam Gagner scored the game-winning goal at the 10:33 mark of the third period to lead Edmonton past Vancouver. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic will miss the next four-to-six weeks after having surgery on his broken right index finger. He has three assists on the season and recently signed a contract extension with the club. [Boston Bruins]

-- Have you heard the latest Nathan Horton trade rumors? If you have, there's absolutely no truth to them according to Panthers general manager Randy Sexton. [Sun-Sentinel]

-- This past Sunday marked the second time this season there were no NHL games scheduled on a Sunday. Is the NHL afraid of competing against the NFL and MLB ? Puck Daddy's Greg Wyshynski asks the NHL. [Puck Daddy]

Video Of The Day

We've had some fun at Nikolai Khabibulin's expense this season, so it's only fair to give him credit when it's deserved. He stopped 39 shots in Edmonton's 2-1 win on Monday, including this save on a Kyle Wellwood one-timer.

Tuesday's Key Games

Penguins vs. Blues: Good game in Pittsburgh (a game I'll be at for FanHouse) as the Penguins host a Blues team that's coming off a 5-0 win against Anaheim on Saturday. The Blues have lost three of four since their season opening sweep of Detroit in Sweden.

Thrashers vs. Canadiens: The Thrashers close out their five-game road trip in Montreal, looking to collect eight of a possible 10 points. Very quietly Ilya Kovalchuk has seven goals in five games for Atlanta.

Blue Jackets vs. Flames: Columbus takes its three-game winning streak into Calgary. The Blue Jackets have allowed just two goals in their past three games.

Frolov Benched, Kings Beat Dallas originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Another Milestone For Nicklas Lidstrom: 1,000 Points

Adam Gretz — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Avalanche, Canadiens, Capitals, Kings, Sharks, Red Wings

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Red Wings 5, Kings 2: Four Stanley Cups, six Norris Trophies, a Conn Smythe Trophy, 10 All-Star games, and now ... 1,000 career points. With his assist on Henrik Zetterberg's goal at the 3:24 mark of the third period (his second assist of the game), Nicklas Lidstrom recorded the 1,000th point of his remarkable career, joining fellow rearguards Paul Coffey, Ray Bourque, Al MacInnis, Phil Housley, Brian Leetch, Larry Murphy, and Denis Potvin as the only defensemen to reach such a mark. As for the rest of the Wings, they pulled out a 5-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings, and did so in shorthanded fashion, playing without the services of not only injured forward Johan Franzen, but also Pavel Datsyuk.

After the jump: Video of Lidstrom's milestone, Ovechkin scores two, and more

Capitals 4, Sharks 1: Alex Ovechkin entered Thursday's game riding a three-game goal-less streak, which seems like an eternity for him. It goes without saying that he was probably due for a goal or two, and, hark, that's exactly what he provided in a 4-1 win against San Jose, while also recording 13 of Washington's 36 shots on goal. Alexander Semin and Matt Bradley also filled the net for Washington, while Semyon Varlamov stopped 15 shots. Varlamov took over for Jose Theodore when he left with an injury following the first period.

Avalanche 3, Canadiens 2: After a five-game road trip to open the season, the Montreal Canadiens finally had their home opener on Thursday night and the surprising Colorado Avalanche managed to crash the party with a 3-2 win. The Avs received goals from Milan Hejduk, Kyle Cumiskey and Ryan O'Reilly, while Craig Anderson continued to shine by stopping 29 of 31 shots. Despite a rare 7-on-5 power play to close out the game, Montreal's final push came up just short.

Thursday's Other Games

Hats off to Milan Michalek for his hat trick in Ottawa's 7-1 win over Tampa Bay. [Box Score, Recap]

Chicago improves to 5-1-1 with its win in Nashville. [Box Score, Recap]

Phoenix beats St. Louis in overtime. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- Vancouver Canucks forward Pavol Demitra is dealing with shoulder tendinitis. [Nucks Misconduct]

-- The Phoenix Coyotes sent 2008 first-round pick Mikkel Boedker to San Antonio of the AHL. [Arizona Republic]

-- Don't look now, but Marc-Andre Fleury is 6-0. [Pensburgh]

Video Of The Day

Nice work, Mr. Lidstrom.

Friday's Key Games

Islanders vs. Sabres: The Islanders haven't won in four games, and all four have been decided by one goal, including three overtime decisions. They travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres who have yet to lose in regulation.

Flyers vs. Panthers: Florida hasn't won since its season-opening win against Chicago in Finland. The Panthers have another tough game on Friday when they host The Broad Street Bullies.

Canucks vs. Flames: After opening with three straight losses, the Canucks have won two in a row. The Flames, after opening with four straight wins, have now lost three in a row. The two teams meet Friday in Calgary.

Another Milestone For Nicklas Lidstrom: 1,000 Points originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Happy Anniversary Wayne Gretzky

Adam Gretz — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Oilers, NHL Videos

Twenty years ago today, Wayne Gretzky became the NHL's All-Time leading scorer when he recorded point No. 1,851 in his amazing career. He did in the final minutes of a game in Edmonton against the team he won four Stanley Cups with.

Gretzky would finish his career with 894 goals, 1,963 assists and 2,857 points. Amazingly, if you take away all of his goals and just look at his assists, he would still be the NHL's All-Tme leading scorer.

His former Edmonton teammate, Mark Messier, is now the No. 2 player on the points list with 1,887.

Happy Anniversary Wayne Gretzky originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Gaborik, Prospal Help Rangers Extend Winning Streak to 6 Games

Adam Gretz — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Rangers

Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.

Rangers 4, Kings 2: When the New York Rangers signed Marian Gaborik to a five-year contract this summer, it certainly raised some eyebrows. No one questions Gaborik's ability, as he's one of the most gifted players in the NHL. The concern with Gaborik is that he's a good bet to miss 20-or-so games per season, usually with a groin problem. Through the first seven games of the season, Gaborik has been incredible for the Rangers, and on Wednesday he logged over 21 minutes of ice-time, recorded three shots on goal and scored his sixth goal of the season in New York's 4-2 win.

After the jump: Vanek's Injury not serious, video of the day, and more.

Vaclav Prospal, another free agent signing, tallied two goals for the blue shirts, while goaltender Henrik Lundqvist turned aside 34 shots in a game his team was out-shot 10-1 in the third period (New York's only shot was Gaborik's goal).

The Rangers have now won six in a row since their season opening loss in Pittsburgh, and are currently tied atop the Eastern Conference with the Penguins.

Wednesday's Other Games

Penguins beat the Hurricanes in a shootout. [Box Score, Cam Ward's Great Save]

Chicago holds on to defeat Edmonton. [Box Score, Recap]

Dallas shuts out Nashville. [Box Score, Recap]

Anaheim tops Minnesota. [Box Score, Recap]

Loose Pucks

-- After initially saying that Thomas Vanek could be out "weeks," reports out of Buffalo are now saying that he could be back in the Sabres lineup by the end of this week. [WGR]

-- A look at the possible goaltending issues in Chicago. [Committed Indians]

-- Words from Florida Panthers goaltender Tomas Vokoun: "That's sometimes the downside of being a goalie," Vokoun said. "Other players make 20 mistakes during the game and nothing happens. You don't have that luxury. ... I made a mistake at a bad time and it cost us the game." [Sun Sentinel]

Video Of The Day

The nicest goal Mike Rupp will ever score.

Thursday's Key Games

Capitals vs. Sharks: The Capitals have lost four in a row (only two in regulation) and Alex Ovechkin hasn't scored a goal in three games. For any other player that wouldn't be news, but it makes you wonder if he is due for another two-or-three goal night. He only had three stretches of three or more games without a goal a season ago. Dany Heatley, on the other hand, has five goals in San Jose's past four games.

Avalanche vs. Canadiens: Colorado continues its seven-game road trip in Montreal. The Avs have won two in a row and earned a point in five of their first six games this season.

Red Wings vs. Kings: The Kings had their four-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday and they'll look to get back in the "W" column in Detroit. Not an easy task.

Gaborik, Prospal Help Rangers Extend Winning Streak to 6 Games originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Ryan Smyth Clicks With Kopitar in L.A.

Christopher Botta — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: Kings

UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- In May of 2005, Ryan Smyth was at the World Championships in Austria when he lined up for a faceoff in Team Canada's defensive zone against a teenager from Slovenia.

The kid won the faceoff and, from in front of the net, deflected in a goal before Smyth even knew what hit him. "Who the heck is this guy"? Smith asked himself.

Today, Smyth and his tormentor, budding NHL star center Anze Kopitar, are on the same line for the Los Angeles Kings.

Two years after signing with the Avalanche as a free agent, the 33-year old Smyth found himself on the worst team in the Western Conference, with a franchise in need of a major overhaul.

Salvation came in the form of a trade offer on July 11 from Kings GM Dean Lombardi. Smyth possessed a no-move clause in his Colorado contract and could have blocked the deal, but after talking it over with his wife he gave the trade his blessing and his family was on its way to California.

On the first day of training camp, coach Terry Murray placed the veteran left wing on a line with Kopitar and Justin Williams and they have not been split up since. Four games into the season, Smyth has four goals and three assists and the 22-year-old Kopitar is 3-6-9.

"We've clicked well," Smyth said Monday afternoon before the Kings faced the New York Islanders. "The thing with Anze is, the puck doesn't die with him. He always makes the complete play."

Said Kopitar: "Ryan's a special player because he makes everyone around him better. Justin and I, we do a lot of our work on the outside. Ryan has been getting his nose dirty for a time. He's great behind the net and crashing the crease. He makes the game easier."

Just 90 minutes before Monday's game, Smyth had the demeanor of a man on a mission.

He is royalty in Canada for his international play at the World Championships and the Olympics and for leading the 2005-06 Edmonton Oilers to within one victory of a Stanley Cup.

But after his shocking trade to the Islanders at the '07 deadline and his decision to sign with a Colorado team in decline, he has been off the NHL map for a while.

By agreeing to the trade to Los Angeles, Smyth skipped Colorado's rebuilding phase to join the almost-there Kings. In fact, he is regarded by Kings management as a final piece to their three-year rebuild -- if not the final piece.

Smyth is well aware that many are watching to see what he has left, if he is still capable of carrying a team.

"You're always proving yourself," he said. "I've talked about this with (teammate) Sean O'Donnell this year. I was thinking of (Islanders veteran) Doug Weight walking in today. That's the great challenge of this game. There's always so many talented young players breaking in. The key is taking care of yourself and being ready to prove yourself all over again.

"I want to be a key piece here, someone who can help us take the next step and become a contender. But what motivates you day after day to be your best is, everywhere you look there's a young player who wants to take your job."

Ryan Smyth Clicks With Kopitar in L.A. originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Fight of the Week: Long, Competitive Southeast Division Scrap

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bruins, Flames, Hurricanes, Kings, Lightning, Oilers, Sharks, Thrashers, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

Fighting will always be controversial. Many fans say that it's as much a part of hockey as the ice is. Others would rather it went away, even if they may secretly enjoy it. However, it seems that fighting is here to stay in the NHL. This week's card included a few heavyweight bouts, an unlikely matchup in Alberta, and a rather long, intense fight between division rivals.

Honorable Mention: Craig Conroy vs. Sam Gagner

Video can be found here. No, the Oilers haven't signed an enforcer named Sam Gagner. The young, dynamic center apparently thought it was his job to use his fists to ignite his team. CBC's Mark Lee was almost incredulous. The best part? Big Zach Stortini of Edmonton was a spectator.

Runner-Up: Jay Harrison vs. Milan Lucic

The video is here. Sometimes, a fight's quality is hurt because it doesn't last long enough. Harrison had good intentions here, but he was completely overmatched, and he ended up wearing the ol' crimson mask because of his decision to try to fight Lucic. Quality visual on this one, and great work by Lucic, but it was too much of a mismatch to climb atop the list for this week.

Runner-Up: Jody Shelley vs. Raitis Ivanans

Watch the video here. Shelley's teammate looked to throw an unnecessary hit on an icing play, and Ivanans did his job, going after the heavyweight and sticking up for a teammate. Good scrap between fighters who share space in the Pacific Division, so they're probably familiar with each other's work.

Fight of the Week: Zenon Konopka vs. Chris Thorburn

Konopka has never played more than 23 games in an NHL season. He was up against a slightly bigger and more experienced Thorburn in this fight from Saturday's Thrasher home opener. The two combined for one of the longer fights of the week, and there was some serious intensity from both sides.

Fight of the Week: Long, Competitive Southeast Division Scrap originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Kansas City Star Has High Expectations For John Tavares

Adam Gretz — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Islanders, Kings, NHL Media Watch

The New York Islanders are taking on the Los Angeles Kings in an exhibition game on Tuesday night at the brand new Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Since the town has been considered a possible landing spot for the Islanders if the lighthouse project falls though, forcing the team to consider other options, the local scribes in Kansas City are already hyping up the players in orange and blue to semi-ridiculous levels.

Take, for instance, the article written by Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star on Monday, particularly the paragraph discussing No. 1 overall draft pick John Tavares (who, by the way, will not be playing against the Kings on Tuesday):

Unfortunately for Kansas City, Tavares, a forward expected to be the next Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby rolled into one, won't be part of a split squad when the Islanders face the AEG-owned Los Angeles Kings at 7 tonight at the Sprint Center.

Emphasis mine. Look, we're all excited about Tavares, and speaking for myself, I hope he does for the Islanders (in New York) what Sidney Crosby did for Pittsburgh and what Alex Ovechkin did for Washington, but let's drop the ole hype machine a few notches here.

Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby? All rolled into one? We're all guilty of a little hyperbole now and then ... but wow.

I don't think I've ever read, or heard, such a comparison when discussing Tavares. At least not recently. Let's keep in mind that for as talented as Tavares is (and he's very talented), and for as much potential as he has (he has quite a bit), he wasn't even unanimously considered the No. 1 prospect in his own draft class. Some favored the No. 2 pick, Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman, while there was a seemingly legitimate discussion as to whether or not the Islanders would even use the top pick on Tavares.

Of course, that's not to discredit Tavares and his abilities (like this, for example), just to point out that it's completely unrealistic, and a little unfair, to label him as somebody expected to be the next "Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby rolled into one."

Asking him to be "the next Crosby" might be too much on its own, but it's at least understandable. After all, Tavares dominated the OHL in a manner that was comparable to Crosby's dominance in the QMJHL. Plus, it's not out of the question for Tavares to possibly be the better goal-scorer in the long run, even if he's not the better overall player. But throwing in Gretzky, the guy that's considered to be one of the greatest hockey players of all-time (arguments for Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux are all perfectly acceptable) is just off the charts.

Kansas City Star Has High Expectations For John Tavares originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Rob Scuderi Is All About Change

Susan Slusser — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, FanHouse Exclusive

Rob Scuderi was last seen hoisting the Stanley Cup for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then he attended the United States' Olympic orientation camp and now the defenseman is with his new team, the Los Angeles Kings, preparing for the new season.

There's a lot going on in the 30-year-old's life.

"When I knew I'd be making a change, it was a little nerve-racking," Scuderi told FanHouse by phone from Los Angeles. "But now, being here, the organization, management, players have made me feel so welcome and the transition easy. It was scarier to think about than it turned out to be."

Scuderi got acquainted with a few of his new teammates during Team USA's camp, and he knew Peter Harrold from Boston College. Still, it was strange leaving a team that drafted him, especially after back-to-back trips to the Finals. Scuderi said that his split with Pittsburgh wasn't at all bitter; there's enormous respect on both sides, but because of Pittsburgh's salary cap limitations, it was clear the time had come to move on.

"When it happens, it's kind of a shock," Scuderi said. "You win the Stanley Cup and three weeks later, you're somewhere different."

The free-agent experience "was a weird process, I'd never really been through it," said Scuderi, who signed for four years and $13.6 million. "I thought it would be maybe one offer at a time but the truth is it's two or three at a time and while you're thinking about one team, another defenseman takes their offer. It's kind of stressful.

"There were a couple of teams on my radar but in my opinion, as long as the money was about the same, that made it a hockey decision -- and I thought the Kings were one of the best teams who are turning things around."

Los Angeles is hoping that a blend of promising young players and an improved defense can end a seven-year playoff drought. Ryan Smyth, obtained from Colorado, should help boost the offense, while Scuderi adds veteran presence.

Can the Kings be this year's version of the Blues in the Western Conference? Scuderi calls the team's top six forwards very talented, he likes the Kings' role players and he thinks the defense is solid. He's also confident in the goaltending, particularly Jonathan Quick. What he's seen in the opening days of camp has only made Scuderi more of a believer.

He's enjoying the weather in Southern California, where it's been 80-85 degrees at the beach, but it will be strange for a Long Island native to adjust to the warm temperatures during the thick of the hockey season. Not that he'll really notice.

"When hockey starts, that's all I want to do," Scuderi said, "all I want to be a part of."

Though happily settling in to a new home, Scuderi always will have his title memories. He played a significant role in the Finals, making two sensational plays in Game 6 to stop Detroit's Johan Franzen in the late going of a one-goal Penguins victory. Then Scuderi got to have his day with the Cup, and he took it to the police station in Syosset, NY, where his dad, Bob, had worked, and to the school where his mother, Leslie, teaches.

"It's hard to put into words," Scuderi said of the Penguins' championship. "Everything came together and it was special to pull it off at the end -- really special."

Rob Scuderi Is All About Change originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Patrick Marleau, Doug Wilson Talk About False Trade Report

Susan Slusser — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Senators, Sharks, NHL Rumors

SAN JOSE -- Patrick Marleau doesn't always pay attention to trade rumors, but Thursday night's report on ESPN that he'd been traded to the Kings was a little different because his phone started ringing non-stop.

Marleau, the Sharks' all-time leading scorer, knew there was no three-way deal with San Jose, Ottawa and Los Angeles. He has a no-trade clause and no one had asked him to waive it.

"When I know something, you'll know something," he told reporters at the Sharks' practice facility on Friday morning, adding of trade rumors in general, "That's just something for people to write about or make up. I don't worry about it. I just have to worry about getting ready for camp."

Marleau has been the subject of trade speculation much of the summer in the wake of San Jose's first-round flop to the the eighth-seeded Ducks. When the NHL's best team in the regular season bowed out so quickly, there was immediate speculation that the Sharks would make some major moves. Then GM Doug Wilson moved Brad Lukowich and Christian Ehrhoff late last month, creating more salary cap flexibility, and the rumors about very available Ottawa wing Dany Heatley sprang to life again.

Wilson was none too pleased with ESPN's false report, which he immediately denied on Thursday night, calling it "complete bull."

On Friday morning, when asked by FanHouse if the Sharks had been involved in talks of any substances with any other clubs, Wilson said, "We take every call from every team. That's the way we do business. ... When we find something that fits for us, we do it. Out of respect for the parties involved, what happened yesterday is not the way we do business."

Wilson has a strict policy of not discussing other teams' players in the media, and of course there are rules about that which were put in place to guard against tampering. But beyond that, Wilson feels a responsibility not to break his trust with his players. Unless and until the Sharks finalize a deal and announce it, he's not going to toss around names. It's a confidential process, he said.

He did note that the team is now in a position to be more flexible if an opportunity should arise, but he doesn't make a habit of denying each and every rumor that comes down the pike as a result. He felt he had to on Thursday night, considering the trade - which ESPN reported would send Alexander Frolov and Jarret Stoll to Ottawa along with Heatley to San Jose and Marleau to L.A. - was being characterized as completed.

Earlier in the day Thursday, this space had speculated about the possibility of the Sharks acquiring Heatley and sending Marleau to Los Angeles; Marleau, whose wife is from San Jose, might be more amenable to Los Angeles than to some other spots, while San Jose's assistant GM, Wayne Thomas, is friendly with the Heatley family and played with Heatley's father, Murray, at Wisconsin.

Wilson reiterated Friday that he has not asked Marleau to waive his no-trade clause, and Marleau confirmed that.

Asked if he believes he'll be in San Jose to start the season, Marleau said, "I'm planning on it. I'll take it one day at a time."

Marleau's teammates are all well aware of the rumors this summer and particularly on Thursday night.

"Paddy's been in 18 different trades," Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle said with a smile. "Last night, I turned on ESPN and sure enough, he was going to L.A. I called him and his wife said it's not true.

"We expect him to be here when the season starts. Obviously, he's a great player, he had a great season last year, and if he's here, great. If not, there's a good player coming in. We'll see. He's a great guy and we'd love to have him around."

Patrick Marleau, Doug Wilson Talk About False Trade Report originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Report: Dany Heatley Traded to Sharks

Bruce Ciskie — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:05:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Senators, Sharks

UPDATE: TSN denies the trade reports.

It happened more than two months after most observers thought it would, but Dany Heatley finally got his wish. Evidently, the threat of having him at Ottawa Senators training camp was too much for the team to deal with.

Mere hours after FanHouse's Susan Slusser reported the increase of rumblings surrounding the San Jose Sharks and Heatley, ESPN now reports that Heatley has indeed been dealt to the Sharks as part of a three-team deal.

John Buccigross reports that the agreement has been reached, and the Senators will get a pair of young players in return.

From the Los Angeles Kings.

Instead of San Jose sending prospects to Ottawa, the Sharks were able to work the Kings into this three-way dance. They are reportedly sending forwards Alexander Frolov and Jarrett Stoll to Ottawa, and the Sharks will ship former captain Patrick Marleau to Los Angeles.

Sharks GM Doug Wilson and Senators GM Bryan Murray both shot down the report when contacted by ESPN.com.

"It's simply not true," Murray told ESPN.com Thursday night. "I've had conversations with teams today but still I'm not close to a deal [involving Heatley]."

If the report is true, the Senators are able to get the young players they've coveted in return for Heatley, and the Kings add another veteran to their very young roster.

Heatley had been rumored for some time to be seeking a relocation to California, and he would become the centerpiece of a huge preseason shakeup in San Jose.

Report: Dany Heatley Traded to Sharks originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Sharks, Heatley Rumblings Increasing

Susan Slusser — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, Senators, Sharks, NHL Rumors

The San Jose Sharks are often linked to Dany Heatley, like many other teams this offseason, but the latest whispers out of San Jose are that this time, something might happen.

No one is denying anything, and while that doesn't guaranteed a deal is struck, it makes it highly likely that talks are ongoing.

California teams are thought to rank highly on Heatley's list when it comes to his trade demand, plus Sharks assistant general manager Wayne Thomas was teammates with Heatley's father, Murray, at Wisconsin, and he is close to the Heatley family.

The Sharks could use Heatley -- not many teams would say no to a top goal-scorer -- but even more so, the team probably would welcome a means to move Patrick Marleau, most likely to Los Angeles.

Marleau, recently stripped of his captaincy, has a no-trade clause, but because his wife is from San Jose, he might be more amenable to staying within the state rather than going to one of the other rumored destinations this summer, such as Montreal or New Jersey.

When I spoke to Sharks GM Doug Wilson on Monday at the team's rookie game against Anaheim, Wilson said he hadn't asked Marleau to waive the no-trade this summer. It's possible that wouldn't be broached until a trade is solidly in place first; why ask someone to waive the no-trade for something that ends up falling through?

It's also possible that the topic has come up unofficially at some point. Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, for instance, recently told the San Jose Mercury News that he would waive his no-trade clause if the Sharks ever asked him to, because he wouldn't want to play for a team that doesn't want him. (So why have the no-trade clause in the first place? Just add a big bonus in the event of a trade.)

There was speculation when the Sharks moved Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich to Vancouver that the salary cap space was being cleared in the event of a Heatley deal. When I talked to Wilson on Monday, I asked if the current team was the one the Sharks would go into training camp with and he responded by saying that there might be deals right up until March 3.

Something is afoot in San Jose. It now seems as if there is a very real chance of seeing Dany Heatley in teal this season, and that Marleau will move on after failing to take the league's top regular-season team beyond the first round last April. File this one under Definite Maybe.

Sharks, Heatley Rumblings Increasing originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

No Pressure, Anze: LA's Rise Depends on Super-Skilled Kopitar

Christopher Botta — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, FanHouse Exclusive

With the departure of veteran Derek Armstrong, Anze Kopitar assumes a lofty position in the Los Angeles Kings' locker room. "At the ping-pong table," said defenseman Peter Harrold, "Anze is now unquestionably the No. 1 seed."

"I don't know about that," Kopitar said with a slight laugh while driving around his adopted city of Los Angeles. "Dustin Brown is worthy, Matt Greene's got a good serve. We have a pretty deep roster."

Table tennis controversy aside, no one engages in debate when it comes to Kings hockey. The success of LA's roster overhaul of the last three years hinges on Kopitar rising from anonymous all-star to breakout superstar. No pressure, Anze.

"He's a point-a-game player, a true No. 1 center -- no question in any of our minds," said assistant general manager Ron Hextall. "It's only an issue of whether Anze will become one of the top 10 centers in the league." A pro scout from one of the Kings' division rivals raises the stakes: "We view Kopitar as someone on the verge of stardom."

The fourth-year pro embraces the challenge.

"It's fun," said Kopitar. "I like it. This is not pressure. It's an honor to hear that kind of talk. I came here to play in the best league in the world and hopefully be considered as one of the best players. Most of all, I want to win. I want the responsibility."

******

When Kopitar "came here," it was an atypical NHL transition. The 11th overall selection in the 2005 draft, the 6-4 center is the first player in league history from the country of Slovenia. Raised in the steel town of Jesenice, across the border from Austria, Kopitar's unfamiliar background had scouts questioning whether he was early first round material despite his obvious gifts. "To be honest," said a scout who follows European amateurs for a Western Conference team, "Kopitar was so big and so skilled that if he was from Saskatoon, he would have been a top-3 pick. Slovenia was the great unknown."

"No weaknesses ... He was playing against the best and held his own. He had star potential and we knew the rest of the league would be following him."The tantalizing prospect was first "identified" -- scout-talk for "Hey, we have to keep an eye on this kid" -- by former European bird-dog Ari Vuori for the Kings. Pro scout Rob Laird and then-GM Dave Taylor spent a lot of time at the 2005 World Championships in Sweden mesmerized by Kopitar's immense talents. "No weaknesses, great size and reach, took passes 15 feet in front of him, composure, work ethic," Laird recalled of Kopitar. "He was playing against the best and held his own. He had star potential and we knew the rest of the league would be following him." (The hockey gods have since rewarded Vuori, now the owner of a Stanley Cup ring as a scout for Detroit).

FanHouse asked a second scout for his notes from his trips to watch Kopitar, who played in Sweden's top junior league as a 17-year-old. The European scout for an Eastern Conference team wrote the following in an email:

"In Anze's draft year he was the talk of the European scouting community. It was obvious how gifted he was, but you had to wonder if he had the hockey culture because of his roots in Slovenia. His father was a prominent coach, including his work with the men's national team. That eased some concerns.

"Kopitar had a lot of success in Sweden and played some games in the Elite League that year. He also played at the World Championships in Austria and held his own against NHL- caliber players. It isn't a surprise to see him have quick success in the NHL. He's a very talented player and, by all accounts when we were doing our background checks, he's a first-class kid."

A reference check with Kings players, executives and staffers verifies the latter statement: Kopitar is a good-looking hockey player and has personality. "Just a great kid who does the right things and has the approach you want from one of your leaders and stars," said Hextall. "Always has a smile on his face, gets involved in our community work, totally humble," said longtime Kings communications VP Mike Altieri. Said Harrold, the fourth-year defenseman: "Great teammate, fun to be around, but he takes his role as one of our best players seriously. "Anze never stops working to improve. His ability to adapt from Slovenia and Sweden to the culture of Los Angeles ... he's made it look easy."

Kopitar's secret to his trouble-free transition? "I didn't whine about it. I just played hockey and didn't worry about anything else." He's also had the support of his father, mother and younger brother Gasper, who moved with him to California. As a result, Kopitar has emerged as the best forward among the group taken after Sidney Crosby at No. 1 and before him at pick 11 in the first round of 2005: Bobby Ryan, Benoit Pouliot, Gilbert Brule, Jack Skille and Devin Setoguchi. Maybe some of those scouts should have pretended Kopitar was from Saskatoon.

******

The latest proof of Kopitar's commitment to his craft came in July, when he returned to Los Angeles for an intensive three-week program under new strength coach Tim Adams. Kopitar said he "immediately clicked" with Adams -- formerly with the NFL Broncos and the Raiders -- and appreciated his efforts to break up the monotony of a day in the weight room. "We even did some running on the beach in LA," said Kopitar. "I was a big fan of that exercise."

Lovely scenery aside, Kopitar is serious about putting himself in the best position to succeed. Kings management was not alarmed by their franchise forward's five-goal, nine-point dropoff from his stunning 32-45-77 second season in 2007-8. Hextall cites the youngster's increased defensive responsibilities and an adjustment to the system of new coach Terry Murray. Kopitar was not as forgiving of himself. "No excuses," he said, "I have to be better."

Anze Kopitar, by the numbers
	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+/-	Shot %
2006-'07	72	20	41	61	-12	.104
2007-'08	82	32	45	77	-15	.159
2008-'09	82	27	39	66	-17	.115

The Kings certainly will be in 2009-10, thanks to the major offseason deal for scoring left wing/leader Ryan Smyth and free agent signing of defenseman Rob Scuderi, last seen saving goals for Pittsburgh on their way to the Stanley Cup. Their arrival appears to be a message from GM Dean Lombardi that the Kings are no longer building for the future, that anything less than the franchise's first playoff appearance since 2002 is acceptable. Scuderi brings experience to a blueline that includes youngsters Jack Johnson, Greene, Harrold and 2008 second overall pick Drew Doughty. Smyth will be a mentor for the Kings' dazzling trio of young forwards: captain Dustin Brown, 32-goal scorer Alexander Frolov and, of course, Kopitar.

Harrold, echoing his teammates, says the respect in the room for Kopitar is profound because of his commitment to improve at every practice. "I don't know of a young player with his all-world talent who works harder to become stronger, faster, more complete." Harrold is convinced his friend is ready to join the rung of NHL stars like Kane, Kovalchuk, Staal and Nash, just below the constellation of Crosby, Malkin and Ovechkin. "When this franchise takes the next step, you'll hear Kopey's name when they talk about the top players of this generation."

Kopitar is quick to point out personal accolades are earned as a leader on a contender.

"Our team, we've talked a lot about taking that next step," said Kopitar, who just turned 22 last week. "That's all that matters to me. I came back to Los Angeles this summer because I want to be able to play 25 minutes a game and be as strong at the end of the game as I am at the beginning. I want to be the player everyone is counting on."

He already is.

No Pressure, Anze: LA's Rise Depends on Super-Skilled Kopitar originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

NHL's Top 50: Anze Kopitar (No. 38)

Adam Gretz — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Kings, NHL Fans, NHL Videos

FanHouse's Adam Gretz takes a look at his top 50 players in the NHL. No. 38 is Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar.

One of only four players born in Yugoslavia to play in the NHL (Ivan Boldirev, Goran Bezina, and Stan Smrke being the others), Anze Kopitar is the foundation of the Los Angeles Kings' rebuilding efforts. A team that hasn't made the playoffs in six years, the Kings have had a relatively busy offseason, adding defenseman Rob Scuderi and winger Ryan Smyth to a young, talented lineup that already features Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson.

The NHL's Top 50 Players: See the Entire List

Depending on how the goaltending situation plays out, the Kings look like a team that could challenge for one of the bottom playoff spots in the Western Conference. Kopitar's numbers declined a bit this past season, but he's blessed with great size -- listed at 6-foot-4, 220-pounds -- and game-breaking talent.

The Numbers: Anze Kopitar
Anze Kopitar	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM
Career Totals	79	125	204	78
Average Per 82 Games	27.0	43.4	70.5	27.0

Draft Year: 2005

Selected 11th overall, one spot before the Rangers took Marc Staal, Kopitar is the second-leading scorer taken in 2005, trailing only Sidney Crosby.

Why He's On My List

Taken the same year as Colorado's Paul Stastny, I debated over which one should go first in this thing. Both are great players offensively, and Stastny is the better defensive player at this point, but I went with Kopitar ahead of him for two reasons: 1) I like Kopitar's size advantage. 2) Kopitar has been the more durable player early in their respective careers.

Obligatory YouTube Video

Kopitar backhands a shot out of mid-air behind Olaf Kolzig. Besides the impressive hand-eye coordination, that's a difficult angle, as well.

NHL's Top 50: Anze Kopitar (No. 38) originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Kings Acquire Ryan Smyth, Avalanche Dump Salary

Adam Gretz — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:20:00 EST

Filed under: Avalanche, Kings

The Los Angeles Kings entered the offseason with a fair amount of cap space and plethora of young assets that could have been used to bring in a big-name player to help boost a young team from Western Conference bottom-feeder to legitimate playoff contender. Personally, I was pushing for disgruntled Senators forward Dany Heatley, who seemed like he would have been a nice fit. The Kings, however, may have found an even better fit, when you consider Heatley is, apparently, out of his mind and doesn't quite know what he wants or where he wants to go.

Late Friday night, the Kings acquired veteran forward Ryan Smyth from the Colorado Avalanche for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing, and a fifth-round draft pick. For the Kings? They get a gritty, veteran leader still capable of scoring 25-30 goals. For the Avs? It's a salary dump, and a head start in the season-long quest for Taylor Hall.

Prior to the 2007-08 season, Smyth inked a five-year, $31 million deal with the Avalanche, and while his contract is probably a bit much for his age and the offensive production he currently brings to the table, the Kings have the cap space to make it work. Especially when you consider that many of the Kings' key young players (Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown) are already signed to reasonable, long-term contracts. A quick look at the roster shows that only Alexander Frolov and Sean O'Donnell are eligible for unrestricted free agency following this season (Jack Johnson is currently a restricted free agent).

Smyth still has three years remaining on his current deal that carries a cap hit of just over $6.2 million. He's coming off a 2008-09 campaign that saw him score 26 goals in 77 games, while he was tied with Milan Hejduk for the team-lead in scoring. During his two-year stay with the Avalanche he tallied 40 goals -- and 96 points -- in 132 games.

Not only is Smyth the right fit for the right team, he also came at a relatively cheap price in terms of players going the other way. Kyle Quincey is, obviously, the key to the deal for the Avalanche -- well, him, and the new found cap space. The 23-year-old rearguard, claimed off waivers from Detroit prior to the season, scored four goals to go with 34 assists for the Kings this past season, leading all defensemen on the team in scoring. The beauty of it for the Kings is they can afford to move a player like Quincey because they still have Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson and Thomas Hickey, all under the age of 22, on the blue line. Plus, they just signed shot-blocking, penalty-killing specialist Rob Scuderi to a four-year, $13.6 million deal on Thursday.

Preissing, 30, played 22 games for Los Angeles a season ago, averaging just under 17 minutes of ice-time per game, and has two years remaining on his three-year, $8.25 million contract ($2.75 million cap hit). The fifth-round pick is nothing more than a throw-in.

Are the Kings a playoff team in the West as of right now? You shouldn't pencil them in quite yet, but they're certainly closer than they've been, on paper, in about six years. The goaltending situation is still a bit unsettled, but the talent up front, along with the potential on the blue line, is certainly something to keep an eye on.

Kings Acquire Ryan Smyth, Avalanche Dump Salary originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments