I have posted this over in the forums too, but some people may not venture into that part of the board, so I felt I would dedicate an actual blog to the news.
Rich Hammond, the most reliable source for legitimate information on the team, has given a couple updates on the status of some of the players on the team.
First, there are two players at the top of the RFA list for the Kings, Patrick O'Sullivan and Jarret Stoll. Although neither have put the pen to paper yet, talks are ongoing with both players. For O'Sullivan, it is still a matter of finding where he fits in compared to what other comparable players are receiving. Basically, Hammond gives the impression that we'll see Stoll signed before Sully, but both will end up signed. A contract with Doughty's agent is also being negotiated and talks with Teubert's agent should start soon.
http://www.insidesocal.co...008/07/roster-update.html
And Hammond reports that Cloutier has officially been bought out, it just may take a while for the arbitrator to make the announcement. All I have to say about this is, IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!!!!
http://www.insidesocal.co...07/cloutier-update-4.html
Sounds like the Kings are making a case for playing strong in the west. I know Cloutier wasn't much in LA, but I do feel for the guy. Had a bad playoff run and kind of never got it back.
Having seeing Cloutier play against many different teams, I am confident in saying that guy sucked pretty hard. Not to mention he would bitch at anything he could find, so his absence will be welcome by me. And yes, the Kings are deffinitely going to become a contender in the West. After going to the scrimmage and seeing what the team has in it's arsenal, it makes me a bit nervous to envision the future Kings team and what they'll shape up to be.
Kings will be good in about 10 or 15 years....they need a good goal tender
They already have a number of them. With resigning Ersberg, they have a reliable guy in net that showed some real promise when given the chance. I haven't seen LaBarbera play, but if he can stay healthy and go back to playing like he's shown in the past (based on stats), then I think the team will have a decent tandem until the real star of the show is ready within a year or two. Jonathon Bernier...learn it, know it, and fear it. That kid is going to be incredible!
my fave part about a ducks fan ripping the kings... the ducks boo'd the canadian national anthem in the stanley cup finals the year they won the cup.. with 95% canadian players on the team. selanne and bryz were non canadian... sometimes its hard to know what way is up isnt it, and you prove it here... they will be good in 10 -15 years, are you saying they have a head start on scouting 6-10 year olds?
ducks home fans, the one attending the home games, I should say b4 I get ripped for that
pahlsson can be added to that list.....i think he is the unsung hero of the ducks
I WAS AT THE FIRST TWO GAMES AND DIDNT HEAR IT ...IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE ?
I don't remember that either. From my 3 years as a season ticket holder I've seen nothing but respect for the Canadian Anthem. I'm sure he is kidding, 10-15 yrs, but can you deny they are terrible? It's not going to happen this upcoming season if that is what you're trying to say. All knowing Red Wing fan are you?
Rubberduckie, I noticed you didn't debate me on the goalie issue. Is that all you have? I know, deep down, you know that the Kings are going to become real contenders pretty soon, and are just looking for a way to be annoying to the fans of opposing teams of the Ducks. And to kingduck, I will deny they are terrible, at least on offense. The team had no shortage of goal scorers last season. Where they lacked was defense and goaltending, and they are going to have some real solid guys soon in both areas. Pay a little more attention to what going on behind the scenes, and maybe you would have a better understanding of what the Kings are shaping up to be.
Kings were tied for 13th and the Ducks were 28th in scoring in case you want to know. If hockey were not a team game, you could pick and choose what stats you like when judging a team. You don't come last in the NHL by not being terrible. Being a hockey fan for 33 years and a Kings fan for most of that I do pay a "little" attention to ALL that goes on with both the Kings and Ducks. Being you're a Sharks fan first I'm sure you don't have any "inside, behind the scenes info" that I don't have.By the way, I saw Dustin Brown in Pei Wei in Torrance at lunch. I must have been paying a little more attention to notice such a thing.(That's a joke)
Sharkgirl-I want the Kings to do well. It's just not going to be next season, or the one after that. Your comments are fair, and I appreciate your blog. Just don't tell me what I don't know.Sharks choked a little later this season. Congatulations on that.
I'm not saying I have some inside information that you don't, I'm saying that I've seen, in person, the what the Kings have in their camp. I went to the Development Camp that they held and attended the scrimmage, and it's my opinion that the team is much better off than many are giving them credit for. And you helped further my stance about their goal scoring ability with your argument. I understand this is a team sport, more than any other, and pointed out exactly where the "team" was weakest. And I still think that the Kings will fare much better than they did last season, not the playoffs or anything like that, but not last place for sure. I'm sorry if you felt that I was insulting you in some way, my comments were more so directed at rubberduckie.