LA Kings (HOME)

[Bronx33]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/n...2-7bf0337f2c6e



Here is the interesting stuff-












Awaiting word from Rich Hammond who will ask Dean Lombardi about these allegations..

So a guy making 3.1 million a season can't rent a apartment

[24champ]

Originally Posted by Bronx33

So a guy making 3.1 million a season can't rent a apartment

Yeah tell me about it...

Anyway here is the response by Dean Lombardi.

Originally Posted by Rich Hammond

Dean Lombardi declined the interview request but gave the following statement: ``The Kings take the utmost pride in how our organization treats its players and its staff. Not only do we treat everyone fairly and top-shelf, it is a priority for our organization.''

A team official also sought to clarify some of the accusations made by Cloutier. Specifically...

-- The Vancouver Sun describes the lead-up to Cloutier's hip surgery last year by reporting, ``In pain, Cloutier flew to Colorado in a middle economy-class seat and was lodged by the Kings at a Super-8 Motel about 50 kilometres from the clinic where he was treated daily.''

According to the Kings, Cloutier insisted upon having the surgery as soon as possible, which meant booking flights and a hotel on Jan. 11, 2007 for a Jan. 12, 2007 surgery. That was a holiday weekend (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) and there was only one available flight to Vail, Colo. According to the Kings, that was OK with Cloutier. The Comfort Inn in Vail, located 10 miles from the clinic, was the only hotel to have rooms available on three consecutive nights, and the Kings decided to book that rather than have Cloutier change hotels mid-trip. The clinic later found a different hotel for Cloutier and his wife, and the Kings paid for all five nights.

-- The Vancouver Sun describes Cloutier's time in Manchester by reporting, ``Cloutier's wife, Nikki, accompanied her husband to the American League, where they lived in a hotel. They were expecting their first baby in December. As the due date neared, Cloutier asked the Kings to move them into an apartment. The team balked and said the Cloutiers should stay in their hotel. I said: 'I can't, we're expecting a baby here. I don't know if it's a big thing to you guys, but to me it's the most important thing,'" Cloutier said. "Finally, I called the [Players' Association] and they said after 28 days you're entitled to get a place."''

(This has been updated, because of a clarification on a second phone call)... According to the Kings, the Cloutiers stayed in the team-provided hotel room for an undetermined period of time, after which the Kings asked Cloutier ``to continue in that situation'' -- meaning to stay in the hotel rather than get him an apartment. (I'm still awaiting more clarification from the Kings on this part of the story)

I asked for a bit more clarification, particularly in terms of whether Cloutier's hip injury was ever downplayed by anyone in the organization. When I hear back, I'll post it...

then there's another entry by Rich Hammond.

This is the statement from Jeff Moeller, the Kings' senior director of communications, on Dan Cloutier's assertion that the Kings encouraged him to play while hurt:

``We would never put a player's long-term health at risk.''

This is what was written in the Vancouver Sun story: ``(Cloutier) was having hip pain. He volunteered to keep playing because the Kings' other goalie, Mathieu Garon, had a broken finger. Cloutier's pain got worse, but the team insisted initially there was little wrong with him. Knowing his body, Cloutier pushed the issue. Only after a specialist said his career could be in jeopardy, the Kings sent him to Vail for season-ending surgery.''

http://www.insidesocal.com/kings/

[Bronx33]

So Cloutier was being a b****?

[24champ]

Originally Posted by Bronx33

So Cloutier was being a b****?

That and he is angling for a buy-out. He knows his time will be up in LA soon, so he is placing the blame on the Kings for his crappy play. Rumor has it he wants to play for Colorado.

[24champ]

The Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Davis Drewiske to a multi-year entry-level contract, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced Tuesday.

Drewiske, 23, had 21 points (5-16=21), 46 penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating with the Wisconsin Badgers (WCHA) this past season while appearing in all 40 games for the team. The 6-1, 215-pound native of Hudson, Wisconsin, who served as the Badgers’ captain, also tied for the team lead in goals by a defenseman (5) and finished second on the team in points scored by a defenseman (21).

In four seasons with the Badgers (2004-08), Drewiske never finished with a plus/minus rating of lower than plus-6 and his goal production went up every year. During his Badgers career, he appeared in 152 total games, scored 41 points (12-29=41), logged a plus-28 rating and recorded 136 penalty minutes.

Drewiske skated with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) during the 2003–04 season and that year he led his team and tied for 13th in the league in scoring by a defenseman with 23 points (4-19=23). Prior to his stint with the Buccaneers, Drewiske skated with Hudson High School where he was a member of the school’s 2001 WIAA State Championship team. He finished his high school career as a three-time all-state player, and he was named Wisconsin Mr. Hockey and team MVP as a senior.

[24champ]

KINGS ASSIGN JONATHAN BERNIER

TO MANCHESTER (AHL)

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have assigned goaltender Jonathan Bernier to the Manchester Monarchs (American Hockey League), Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Bernier, 19, most recently played for the Lewiston MAINEiacs (QMJHL), where in 48 regular season games he posted a 18-12-3 record, a 2.73 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. His 2.73 goals-against average ranked second in the QMJHL and his .908 save percentage was fifth (among goaltenders with more than 1,000 minutes played). He also appeared in six playoff games, as Lewiston was eliminated in the first round by Cape Breton in six games.

Bernier started the season with the Kings, where in four games he went 1-3-0 (his first NHL win came on September 29) with a 4.03 goals-against-average and .864 save percentage. He earned the victory in his NHL debut on September 29 against Anaheim in London, England.

The 5-11, 177-pound native of Laval, Quebec, was also a member of Team Canada at the 2008 World Junior Championship held in the Czech Republic in January. He went 1-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average, one shutout and a .947 save percentage in two appearances, helping Team Canada win the gold medal.

Bernier was originally selected by the Kings in the first-round (11th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Jonathan Bernier, the team's franchise goaltender and Los Angeles Kings draft pick, was at the head of the line. He drew a larger crowd than most.

"It's fun, things like this," Bernier said. "I remember when I was 16, sitting here, how nervous I was. Now, it's the end. It all went so fast."

Bernier said that by Thursday, he would report to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, the Kings' top affiliate, for practice.

"I am still going to have to earn my spot, but it's good to move on," Bernier said.

http://www.insidesocal.com/kings/200...ster.html#more




So the Journey begins...for Roy er Bernier. God I get them both confused. My bad.

[24champ]

Kings finished 29th in the league, meaninig they have an 18% chance of winning the first overall pick. Lightning have a 25% chance of the first overall.

Draft lottery to be live on VS. tommorow 4/7/08.

[broncocalijohn]

Arent we going to hear about the best places to golf in April in this LA thread? Enjoyed the 2nd period though of yesterday's game. It was like the all star match up with all that scoring. Kings are in need of an everyday goalie. How many have you guys gone through this year, 8?

[24champ]

Originally Posted by broncocalijohn

Arent we going to hear about the best places to golf in April in this LA thread? Enjoyed the 2nd period though of yesterday's game. It was like the all star match up with all that scoring. Kings are in need of an everyday goalie. How many have you guys gone through this year, 8?

Well 7 I believe, and yes the Goalie situation is a problem, injuries have contributed to that problem greatly. It won't be a problem when Bernier comes up for good.

The future is looking extremely good with the young prospects we have already in the system and with the upcoming draft it will be even better which some people find it hard to believe with the Kings having one of the best pipelines in the NHL.

I believe the Kings have like 7 picks through the first three rounds in the upcoming draft with 2 numbers ones and 2 number 2s with three number threes.

[broncocalijohn]

No doubt they have some good players that are young. Defense is what is needed in this division. Not getting Ilya would have improved the Kings big time. Hell, you wouldnt lose to Phoenix so many times since they got him on waivers.

[SoCalBronco]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

Kings finished 29th in the league, meaninig they have an 18% chance of winning the first overall pick. Lightning have a 25% chance of the first overall.

Draft lottery to be live on VS. tommorow 4/7/08.

Go 'Ning, Thrashers or Blues!

[24champ]

Originally Posted by broncocalijohn

No doubt they have some good players that are young. Defense is what is needed in this division. Not getting Ilya would have improved the Kings big time. Hell, you wouldnt lose to Phoenix so many times since they got him on waivers.

Ilya isn't doing so great in Phoenix. I understand that the Yote fans talk on the HF boards that Wayne Gretzky doesn't like his work ethic and towards the end of the season Ilya didn't help the Coyotes when they needed him. We weren't going to make the playoffs with Ilya anyway, so it's a moot point.

[24champ]

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Go 'Ning, Thrashers or Blues!

You'd hope so, socal. You don't want to be facing our squad in the 2010 cup finals with Stamkos on the Kings.

[broncocalijohn]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

Ilya isn't doing so great in Phoenix. I understand that the Yote fans talk on the HF boards that Wayne Gretzky doesn't like his work ethic and towards the end of the season Ilya didn't help the Coyotes when they needed him. We weren't going to make the playoffs with Ilya anyway, so it's a moot point.

Phoenix had the best record against division opponents. That includes Ducks, SJ and Stars. Look where they were before he got there. If they are complaining about him, they forget how bad they were to start.

[24champ]

Originally Posted by broncocalijohn

Phoenix had the best record against division opponents. That includes Ducks, SJ and Stars. Look where they were before he got there. If they are complaining about him, they forget how bad they were to start.

Doesn't matter, your GM Burke thought the same thing as Gretzky is now realizing. Phoenix has nothing really in the pipelines as far as Goalies are concerned, so they were hoping it would be a chance at a long-term solution.

Secondly, If Bryz was such a good goalie, why the **** did Burke cut bait with no return? Burke's not an idiot, There are lots of teams in need of goaltending, but he cut bait without a return. That says more than words can say.

[chadta]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww time to change your sig champ, altho stamko will play in LA once a year when he visits, playing for the lightning.

[24champ]

Originally Posted by chadta

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww time to change your sig champ, altho stamko will play in LA once a year when he visits, playing for the lightning.

We'll get Doughty instead. Which will bolster our D-Corps for the next 5-10 years. JMFJ, Hickey, Doughty. Not bad.