http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?blogger_id=95Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:11:51 -0500 http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15919 It has been both an honor and a pleasure to be the Kings’ blogger this season on Hockey Buzz. I remember when Eklund let me know I would be interviewed for the spot. Somewhere between complete fear and panic would best describe me at the time, so much so that I never slept that night. I guess it is fitting then that one of my first and best blogs was written at 3:00 a.m. one night when I lite Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:11:51 -0500Kings Dan Cloutier Marc Crawford Vancouver Canucks Colton Teubert http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15581 Last weekend, in XM’s Saturday show, “Live from Wayne Gretzkys”, Tom Kostopoulos came on to talk about his season with the Canadiens, life in the NHL and some dirt since he is known as a prankster. Lucky for me, I had my Dictaphone with me and taped it for everyone’s mutual enjoyment – especially since the examples he gave were from when he was with the Kings. (He did say that as t Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:43:54 -0500Michael Cammalleri Tom Kostopoulos Canadiens Kings Saku Koivu http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15580 Last weekend, in XM’s Saturday show, “Live from Wayne Gretzkys”, Tom Kostopoulos came on to talk about his season with the Canadiens, life in the NHL and some dirt since he is known as a prankster. Lucky for me, I had my Dictaphone with me and taped it for everyone’s mutual enjoyment – especially since the examples he gave were from when he was with the Kings. (He did say that as t Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:43:38 -0500Kings Canadiens Tom Kostopoulus Michael Cammalleri Saku Koivu http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15535 Here is the third installment from Saturday’s Town Hall Meeting. DO THE KINGS PLAN TO MISS THE PLAY-OFFS AGAIN? Hextall repeated his earlier response that the rebuild will take as long as it takes. This regime has no interest in just contending for a play-off spot, hopefully win a game or two and call it a day. They are looking to build a Cup contender, rather than just a contender to ge Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:18:45 -0500Crawford Ron Hextall Rob Blake Kings http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15530 Here is the next installment from Saturday’s Town Hall Meeting: PRICE OF ADMISSION FOR 1ST FIFTEEN PICKS IN THIS YEAR’S DRAFT: “You would have to blow someone away to get a pick that high.” (Hextall’s take on trading for 1st round draft picks 1 thru 15.) HORRIBLE ARENA FOOD: The year end surveys fans completed showed this as one of the bigger complaints. The Kings are liste Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:42:54 -0500Patrik Hersley Trevor Lewis Chris McGowan Ron Hextall Mikal Handzus Richard Petiot Brady Murray John Zeiler Matt Moulson Royals Monarchs Kings Scott Parse http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15523 The two Town Hall Meetings held over the last 10 days could not have been more different. The first outing, the hostility of the crowd was palpable, extreme and at times even more over the top than that. Don’t take my word for it, consider this example: Parking Lot 8 went from $20.00 per game to $30.00 per game next season. A huge offensive increase no doubt. In the first meeting, a teac Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:08:53 -0500Brady Murray Matt Moulson Kings Hextall Rob Blake Brian Boyle Dean Lombardi Gary Roberts Penguins http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15494 As some may know, Kings' owner, Phil Anschutz, owns an arena in Kansas City and is further gambling quite literally on the NHL expanding to Las Vegas. Anschutz' ownership of the stadium in London is the whole reason the Kings went there last fall. While Kansas City waits for a professional tenant, they will see 'NHL quality' play in a pre-season game between the Kings and the Blues this fall Thu, 29 May 2008 13:29:00 -0500Sprint Center Blues Kings Phil Anschutz http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15479 Today on XM and NHL Live, Gretzky gave an interview where he explained that the NHL season has four seasons of intensity: 1. Pre-Season; 2. Regular Season; 3. Post-Season’s First Three Rounds 4. Stanley Cup Final This analysis provides some clarity perhaps as to why the Penguins’ play and results are different than the prior rounds, just as was also seen with Ottawa last year. I sus Wed, 28 May 2008 16:56:31 -0500Kings Gretzky Claude Lemieux Penguins Senators Dean Lombardi Ron Hextall Patrick O'Sullivan http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15444 With all the shock, awe and anger of the fans present last Tuesday, one person asked a question on many people’s minds. Sure, Crawford is a good coach, but is he the right coach for this organization?Hextall’s response was atypical. He said something to the effect of: • The Kings were a hard team to coach this season; • Is it fair to judge Crawford on the team’s results based upon Sun, 25 May 2008 20:01:59 -0500Gabe Gauthier Jeff Giuliano Brian Boyle Robitaille Hextall Crawford Monarchs Kings Rob Blake Dean Lombardi http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15425 While I attempt to catch up on some much needed rest (long week... don't ask), it seemed like a good opportunity to take some time to ponder a statement Hextall told season ticket holders on Tuesday. First, that most draft type transactions start within 48 hours of the draft. Second, the Kings were looking to trade for a young defenseman between now and the draft. In defining "young defense Fri, 23 May 2008 14:02:15 -0500Hextall Kings