Purcell Watch '09

Well, it's official. Apparently GM Dean Lombardi wants a winger with a little more long term offensive upside than Brad Richardson in his lineup. So the call to Manchester has been made and lil' Oscar Moller is coming back to Los Angeles!

I'm back, bitches!

And what does that mean for the rest of the current roster? Well, it means that we are back on PurcellWatch 09!!!

Threat Level: Red --- A potential benching in lieu of Raitis Ivanans or Peter Harrold

You have to assume that Moller will get a shot at cracking the top two lines. Heck, put him out there and just have him scream at Anze Kopitar in Swedish until Kopitar scores a goal for the first time in 12 games. But if that little Swedish scamp cracks the Kings lineup... it could mean the end for the Teddy Purcell Experiment.

Oscar and Teddy during much happier times. Much, much happier times for Purcell.

Actually, Oscar Moller getting called up from Manchester may be the best thing possible for Teddy Purcell. Did you hear about the fancy new transportation that the Los Angeles Kings sprung for in order to get their prospects back and forth between Manchester, NH and Los Angeles, CA?

It's the Manchester Express Ambulance!

Getting called up from Manchester pretty much has been the kiss of death for all young Kings prospects. Don't believe me? Why don't you ask Richard Clune.


Clune pretty much made the Kings out of training camp 2 years in a row... only to suffer injuries that kept him from the final roster. Oh, and remember this guy?

No... I don't remember him either.

Alec Martinez skated as a King for only the first game of the season. And then he suffered the dreaded "high ankle sprain." Oh... and what about Half Jew and High Energy forward Brandon Segal, called up from Manchester on November 23rd, just a few weeks ago?

You might have to think a little while about this joke.

And finally, 19 year old Russian, Andrei Loktionov, was also called up on November 23rd from Manchester to make his NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers. How'd that work out again?

Oh right. Good luck next year!

So I ask you... the Manchester Monarchs... a pipeline for Kings prospects... or a terror highway of disaster. I guess Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy and myself will find out in person against Calgary Monday night.

---

In other, more self-serving news... The Royal Half has made it to the 2nd round of the NHL Arena "Blog-Off." This is exciting because it's the first time anything Kings related has made it to the 2nd round since 2001! (HEY-OH!)

So, I ask again, The Royal Half reader, please head to the NHL Arena and cast a vote for yours truly. Here's the link:

Kings Blog-Off Round 2

Not So Lucky

Today was bobblehead day for Luc Robitaille as the Los Angeles Kings celebrated his selection to the NHL Hall of Fame... a month after the Hall of Fame ceremony. Obviously Luc going into the Hall of Fame is a big deal for Kings fans as he is the first Kings-drafted player from my generation to make it into the Hall as a King. (Sorry Marcel Dionne and Wayne Gretzky!) But for some reason... I haven't been able to get that excited about it. I've always liked and respected Luc Robitaille for his dedication to the Kings and his 9th round "rags to riches" story... but he's never been one of my favorite players. I've never had the same excitement for him that I had for Gretzky or Adam Deadmarsh or Anze Kopitar or well... Chris Kontos. But my most fond memory of Luc was the start of the 1992-1993 NHL season... better known as the only time the Los Angeles Kings went to the Stanley Cup.

1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sigh.

Many people forget that Wayne Gretzky was injured to start the 1992-1993 season. (Due to a lame check from behind by Gary Suter during the 1991 Canada Cup) So rookie coach Barry Melrose handed over the captainship of the team to Luc and basically said... keep us afloat till Wayne gets back. Luc did just that and ended up having a one of the greatest NHL seasons for a left winger with 63 goals and 125 points. I couldn't find the video online, but I'll never forget that moment in the Kings locker room after the Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs where Luc is arm and arm with Dave Taylor and screaming "we're going to the damn finals!"



The Kings went all out today at the game, featuring Robitaille merchandise where ever you could see.


And much like that great ceremony in Montreal last night, the Los Angeles Kings also invited back old, retired NHL'ers who once played with Luc in Los Angeles.

Darryl Sydor is still in the NHL?!? WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?

Over the past few years, us Kings fans have been witness to Luc's last game ceremony, then his jersey retirement ceremony and now today, his Hall of Fame selection ceremony.... and to be honest... I'm kinda over it. But Luc kept this one short and sweet.


The greatest thing he said today was to Kings Captain Dustin Brown... Luc said he hopes the next time they have one of these things it's when Brown is lifting the cup. That would be the best move as Kings' President of Business Operations that Luc could ever make.

Someday. Someday.

Oh right, there was a game today too. The St. Louis Blues are in town and as any Kings fan knows... when teams from the mid-west and east coast come into Staples... so do their LA-based fans.

Yeah, St. Louis doesn't have the kind of fan base in LA that a Pittsburgh or Detroit might have.
These were really the only Blues fans I saw all night.

Kings 4, St. Louis Blues 5

The Kings got a point today. That's all you can really say about this game. I don't blame Jon Quick for most of those goals against and he did make some spectacular saves throughout the game. That line of Wayne Simmonds, Michal Handzus and Scott Parse is on fire... and every time they are on the ice you get the feeling they might score. Thankfully they are scoring... because no one else seems to be.

"Guys... they may call us the 3rd line... but we know we are the 1st."

GM Dean Lombardi really is a genius. I can't believe he traded a 3rd round draft pick during the 2008 draft for one of the hottest scorers in the league.

It's Brad Richard-SON? Oh, my bad.

Sure, he may not be having quite the season Brad Richards is having in Dallas, but Brad Richardson now has 4 points in 3 games. Maybe its been the great play of Brad Richardson that finally convinced the Kings to start selling Dean Lombardi merchandise at the Team LA store.

I like it. But it would be better as a t-shirt.

There is no reason to panic after losing this game in a shootout. But the reason to be concerned is the play of Anze Kopitar. Sure, he's had assists the last 2 games, but he is being overshadowed by Wayne Simmonds and Brad Richardson for christsakes. And some renowned bloggers are even suggesting it might be time to sit him for your fantasy team until he breaks out of this slump. Anze Kopitar is the player that drives this team and I don't care when Ryan Smyth is coming back... it's time for Kopitar to take the wheel.

The wheel of the team, Anze!. Not of the Parking Spot shuttle.

Calgary on Monday at home, Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy and I will be there. Is it just me or does it feel like the Kings are playing every day?

Winning Ugly

I think I've figured out why Ryan Smyth is taking an extra 2 weeks to rehab his injury. He's pulling some serious Jedi Knight style-training for these young kids and forcing them to learn how to score without him. Honestly, after the hot start the Kings had in October and November, did you really think the Los Angeles Kings would be looking to this guy to pick up the December slack?!?

The guy on the right, not the guy on the left.

Kings 6, Ottawa 3

Wayne Simmonds is officially on fire. And Kings fans are loving it. We all fell in love with the play of Wayne Simmonds last season and talked non-stop about his potential. Well, now he is fulfilling it and he is the 2nd leading goal scorer on the Kings. How much do Kings fan love Wayne Simmonds? This much.

Come on Kings fans... you can do better than this.

I hated Brad Richardson last season. HATED. Even referred to him as the Brian Willsie of last seasons' team. But man, have I come around on the guy! Even before his recent scoring streak, this guy has impressed me with his strong play. It is obvious he knows he's been given a chance... and he's trying to make the most out of it... unlike that other guy... what's his name again?

Teddy Purcell. Former Los Angeles Kings prospect.

You don't believe this blogger when he says (over and over again) that Teddy Purcell's time in the big leagues is coming to an end? Well how about when the coach says it?!

"Of Purcell, Murray said, “Given the opportunity, he can score some goals. At least I’ve been told that.”

That's called motivation, bitches. The same type of motivation NHL referees give to their favorite players.

"Look, I know that fan club sign was lame.
But you can do this. You can score. Okay, buddy?"

And what does uber-center Michal Handzus think about his little pal's recent scoring streak?

No, actually he just thinks that the holiday packs
are a great gift this season for friends and family.

Also, the recent play of waiver wire pickup Randy Jones has been beyond stellar... some might even say Kyle Quincey-esque. Randy Jones now has the highest average points per 60 minutes of any NHL defenseman that has played 10 games. That means he's been good. Oh, and Dean Lombardi gave up no assets to get him. I know RudyKelly's been tracking how creepy Randy Jones looks physically... and I totally agree with him. But I'm starting to think that the ladies disagree.

There is something very Freudian here... but I can't quite place it.

This was a game that in no way, shape or form did the Kings deserve to win. But that is what good teams can do... they win games they aren't supposed to win. But good teams also usually can score on back to back 5 on 3's.

Generally you should score when the opposing team has
this many guys in the box and there hasn't been a fight.

So now the Kings have won 3 in a row and people are back to being excited about them as a team. Even the epic hockey publication The Hockey News is putting a King on the front cover for the first time since the Gretzky Era.

This weeks feature story...
NHL players on 11 game scoreless streaks... and the fans who love them.

Anze Kopitar did look the best he has in a few games last night. But don't tell me that Kings Fan Nation didn't gasp when they saw this.

This usually doesn't end well.

But the point is everyone is excited about the way the Kings are playing now. EVERYONE. Drew Doughty is excited.

Doughty's O-face.

Heidi Androl is excited.

The coolest part is she is wearing hockey skates.

Even Waldo is excited.

I suggest that Peter Harrold's new nickname is "Waldo."

And the entire nation of Taiwan is excited.

Wait... what?

That's right. The Kings unveiled their latest corporate sponsor last night... the Taiwanese Tourist Board! Now this is a perfect relationship. I can't tell you HOW many times Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy and I have sat up in our seats and said "when are we going to take our ladies to Taiwan?" Now... we have no excuse. You win again, Kings Marketing Department!

We will be there in person tomorrow against Andy Murray and the St. Louis Blues. And it's Luc Robitaille Bobble Head night (or day since the game is at 1pm). Because there is not better way to honor the NHL's all-time leader in scoring by a left wing and a man who netted 557 goals as a member of the Los Angeles Kings... than with a novelty toy.

Toasted Sub

It's Game One of the Subway Freeway Face-Off™ between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks... and boy this game did not disappoint. When the Kings want to show the Ducks just how much they've improved this season... what do you do? You send in Brad Richardson, Randy Jones and Scott Parse to finish the job. That's what you do. Just look at how excited Dustin Brown gets about secondary scoring.

I used to score goals too.

Kings 4, Ducks 3, Subway 1

The line of Wayne Simmonds, Michal Handzus and Scott Parse are carrying this team right now. Sure, Justin Williams had a nice goal tonight but Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Alexander Frolov have been MIA. How MIA you ask?

This MIA.

This is probably a great thing for the Kings overall. With Ryan Smyth back on the ice skating in practice, Coach Murray has simply told his star players to take a few games off and have the team work on its secondary scoring.

"Frolly, water please."
"Frolly, water please!!"
"When you are leading the team in scoring,
then I'll get you water. But until then, Frolly get me water!"

The Kings unusual policy of torturing their young prospects reared its ugly head again tonight, as Half-Jew and All-Energy Brandon Segal went missing after the first period. I have a feeling the players in Manchester are cutting the phone lines around the office for fear of getting called up to the NHL. But what was the most important thing we learned tonight about the Anaheim-Los Angeles rivalry?


People from LA are still better looking than people from Orange County.

Okay, I'll admit it. When the Subway Freeway Face-Off™ logo appeared on my HD television screen, I liked it better than I did earlier in the day.

Yes, that dude on the right is wearing a "Parros Nation" t-shirt.

But when the logo is shrunk down... it truly becomes a disaster.

Yeah, that reads really well.

It must have been Intern day at Fox Sports Prime Ticket HD because not only was the camera action on the game way zoomed out... the on-air graphics had a very.... unusual feel to them. For instance, when the announcers wanted to talk about the great amount of young stars between the two teams playing tonight, this graphic lit up my HD screen.

Oh.. it's the lesser known observatory in Los Angeles, the Young Stars Observatory.

Then, this thing appeared...

Oh... I get it... they are all stars... young stars! Very clever, Prime Ticket!

And then... the piéce de résistance... all these young stars... formed a constellation!

If they really wanted to go for it, they would have had
Wilco's "California Stars" playing in the background.

In between periods, John Ahlers and Brian Hayward talked about all the news that was going on in the NHL. And some intern got to bust out his PrintShop skills on live television.

Really? This is what their production team came up with?
Was it a last minute decision to do this segment?

And then Prime Ticket HD decided to showcase the 3 year history of the Subway Freeway Face-Off™... as if it started in the early 1990's on ESPN2...

And don't assume that Subway isn't the only fast food chain in bed with the Anaheim Ducks... their penalty kill is sponsored by one of the finest Mexican restaurants in all of Southern California!

Del Taco! The bold sponsor of the penalty kill!
How does one work on being bold during practice?

But the producers saved the most-telling on-screen graphic for last... as they outlined the playoff history of these 2 clubs...

Well, I don't think this one is all that particularly funny.
In fact, it's kind of mean.

The Kings are 10 points up on the Anaheim Ducks and I couldn't be happier. Ottawa comes into Staples Center on Thursday after being beaten up by the San Jose Sharks last night. It's going to be so great to see Dany Heatley play, since being in the Pacific Division you only really get one chance a year to see him skate. Oh... what's that?

Subway. Sub what? Sub why?

Remember how frumpy and unattractive reality star Kate Gosselin was when she first started appearing on television?


Well, eventually she got a stylist. And it did wonders for her. I'm thinking it's about time the Los Angeles Kings got a stylist. Sure they've had the makeover wonders of Dean Lombardi for the past few years... and he's taken the Los Angeles Kings from being frumpy and unattractive to being one of the most sought after young starlets in all of the NHL. But just when you think the Los Angeles Kings have it all together and full understand their "brand"... they go and do something like this:


Subway has come on as the corporate sponsor for the made-up "Freeway Face-Off" crosstown rivalry between the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. It's bad enough that they have been trying to brand this divisional matchup for 2 years... but now... they've made it even more confusing for fans. You can't take the subway from Los Angeles to Anaheim. You can barely take the subway anywhere in Los Angeles that you need to go. You have to take the Freeway. That's just how it is here. If this were the Yankees-Mets crosstown rivalry and Subway stepped into being a corporate sponsor... then you have genius synergy marketing. I feel like Toyota missed out big time on sponsoring this one. Or even the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority could have stepped up. The "Metro Freeway Face-Off! Brought to you by the 405! Come check out our new lanes!"

A before and after of the "Freeway Face-Off" logo:

Old.

New.

As Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy, the VP of Design and Acquisitions for The Royal Half, commented to me this morning... "that design is god awful and the Subway logo is bigger than the team logos." You would also think that maybe Subway would have a presence at Staples Center in order to sponsor this rivalry... but sadly there is no way to get a delicious Italian BMT sub anywhere in the arena during the game. In fact the closest Subway to Staples is 4 blocks away. Unless you are talking about the Metro Blue Link Subway stop, which is only 2 blocks away... see I'm confused! All this talk about playing the Ducks just makes me realize how inefficient our public transportation is in Los Angeles! Maybe the Kings should have gone with "The Budweiser Lounge's Fish Taco Freeway Face-Off."

Just like most of Hollywood... the Kings have turned from a fresh-faced young teen star...


Into a raging force that is getting a ton of attention...


Tonight, against the Anaheim Ducks in the first "Subway™ Freeway Face-Off" of the NHL season, the Kings will look to shake loose from their annoying cousin from Orange County. This season, since the Ducks have struggled from the start, the Kings need to win these games to further distance itself from the always dangerous Ducks team. I almost feel like the Ducks just started out this season poorly so they could make it interesting. And then, after the Olympic Break, all of their amazing players will say "okay, now let's do this for real" and they will shoot up past everyone in the Pacific.

I may not be happy with the Kings decisions in terms of corporate partners... but I've definitely approved of their Hollywood makeover so far. I just hope they don't end up as annoying as this guy: