Los Angeles Times - Hockey

Kings take it seriously and do some work privately

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

This year's camp goes on for several days, but public is allowed to attend only three days at El Segundo rink. After years of collecting good material, Kings know they have to capitalize on potential.

At heart Dean Lombardi is a draft geek, as animated while praising the hands of a seventh-round pick as when he's gushing over the raw skill of a first-round choice.

Defenseman Nick Boynton latest free agent to join Ducks

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

He signs a one-year deal with Anaheim after a turbulent year with the Florida Panthers.

Bob Murray apparently does not waste his time.

Ducks land veteran center Saku Koivu

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The longtime captain of the Montreal Canadiens chooses to play alongside his countryman Teemu Selanne. The one-year deal is worth $3.25 million.

Family harmony came first and last for Saku Koivu. So much so that he opted for a less lucrative deal with the Ducks, worrying that his presence in Minnesota could overshadow his brother Mikko.

A man who'd be a King

Sat, 4 Jul 2009 20:36:00 -0700

Smyth had a no-trade clause and could've rejected deal that sent him to L.A., but he wanted to come.

Ryan Smyth didn't have to accept a trade to the Kings. The five-year, $31.25-million contract he signed with Colorado had a no-trade clause, and the Kings aren't close to Stanley Cup contention.

Kings trade for left wing Ryan Smyth

Sat, 4 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Teemu Selanne says he will play one more season with the Ducks.

Unable to find a productive winger in the free-agent market, the Kings went the trade route Friday to acquire veteran left wing Ryan Smyth from Colorado for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing and a fifth-round draft pick in 2010.

Kings sign Rob Scuderi to four-year, $13.6-million deal

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The defenseman comes to L.A. after helping Pittsburgh win the Stanley Cup last month.

The Kings made their first venture into the free-agent market Thursday, but not for the winger they need so much.

Free-agency games begin, but the Kings stay on the sideline

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Several players sign big deals, including Marian Hossa, who lands a 12-year contract with the Blackhawks. But the Kings come up empty again.

Marian Hossa set himself up for life with a 12-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, Marian Gaborik set a high-water mark by getting a five-year average of $7.5 million from the New York Rangers, and Scott Niedermayer set up for probably his last season with the Ducks, topping the list of players who became very rich on the first day of NHL free agency.

Kings need to shop free-agent market for a top-tier player

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The team has finally crawled ahead to a point where such a player could make a major difference.

Now we'll find out how serious the Kings are about putting your -- and their -- money where their mouths are and adding an impact player who can accelerate their endless evolution.

Teemu Selanne will play for Ducks next season

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Kings trade former first-round pick Brian Boyle to the New York Rangers.

While teams stockpiled prospects in the last six rounds of the NHL entry draft, the Kings traded former first-round pick Brian Boyle and the Ducks got a boost when winger Teemu Selanne told them he will fulfill the final season of his contract.

Ducks, Kings do the right things on draft day

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Anaheim's trade of Pronger to Philadelphia has everyone buzzing. Meanwhile, L.A.'s Lombardi resists the temptation of rushing into a trade and instead gets a solid player in Schenn at No. 5.

This was the definition of unqualified draft-day success for the local puck purveyors.