Game #31

LA Kings 
(13-13-4, 24th in NHL)
vs
Columbus Blue Jackets
(9-17-4, 29th in NHL)

4:00pm, Nationwide Arena
Columbus, OH

MOST WAIVED PLAYER TO WEAR BOTH COLORS:

BEST OPPOSITION BLOG:
Dark Blue Jacket
Light the Lamp
The Cannon

Lost in all the hoop-la over the firing of Terry Murray and the current state of Sutter Watch 2011 was the fact that the Los Angeles Kings waived Ethan Moreau last week, thanking him for his 1 goal, 3 assists and veteran leadership... and then promptly kicking him out the door. Even though he wasn't brought in for scoring... Moreau's 1 goal put him directly behind Drew Doughty and Dustin Penner's 2 goals in overall stats. While Dean Lombardi has talked at length about the struggle he had with firing Terry Murray, I'm sure he showed a veteran leader like Ethan Moreau the same amount of respect. 

I could really care less about the loss of Ethan Moreau from the Los Angeles Kings roster... especially when most fans are still wondering why wasn't Trent Hunter thrown out with him. This has been a really rough week to be a LA Kings fan. Remember the start of the 2010-2011 season... when the LA Kings were the toast of the Western Conference and the Columbus Blue Jackets were the worst team in professional hockey? Well guess what... the LA Kings are only 8 points ahead of the Blue Jackets right now. 

Remember, the LA Kings haven't hit rock bottom.
That will be Thursday if they lose to Columbus.

Nope... still on the farm.

From our Los Angeles Kings Bloggers Roundtable, dated October 1st, 2011...

ACTUAL HOCKEY QUESTION #4 - WILL TERRY MURRAY BE COACH OF THIS TEAM COME DECEMBER?

Surly & Scribe

Yes.

Mayors Manor

For sure.  Bet on it.

Eric Cooney @ Pro Sports Blogging

Murray will definitely be coach come December.  He's not on the hot-seat yet and considering Lombardi's resistance to knee-jerk moves, I wouldn't expect the hook for Murray.  If Murray fails to navigate the ship out of round 1 of the playoffs, then I'd expect some coaching turnaround.

LA Kings Outsider

Yes. TM’s system works.  But I wouldn’t be opposed to John Stevens and Terry Murray switching roles at some point during the season.

Keith from Kingscast

Calm down, Kings fans, Terry Murray got us to the playoffs.  We would have gone a hell of a lot further if we weren't missing Kopitar and if Williams' shoulder wasn't mangled.  Let's see what happens now that Penner is less out of shape and Dwight King isn't your top line left-wing.

Alex from Kingscast

I seriously questioned his employment during that time last season, maybe more January-ish. But yes, I think he will be coaching the team. A complete disaster of a first-half is needed for Murray to be shown the door since he was able to sustain last winter’s slump, and I don’t see that happening right now.

Protect This Throne

Yeah. I think so. I have a love-hate relationship with him that is half-based on the team's performance and half-based on how much of a dick he seems at any given time. But putting my own personal feelings aside, I think he does an ok job, and unless we come out of the gates and blow the first 20 games, I'll be happy to see him at the helm for the rest of this coming season.

Rudy Kelly @ Battle of California

Yes. He will not be the coach come next September, however.

Quisp @ Jewels From the Crown

If the Kings stumble out of the gate -- with or without Doughty -- Murray will get fired.

Waving Back at Gretzky

Yep.  If the team totally craps the bed in the first couple months, then everyone can just blame Drew.

Life in Hockeywood

Yes. No reason to fire him. And no, he's not my dad.

The 110 Report

Of course he will. I think the Kings start out hot, then cool like last season, but they won't fall to the depths that they fell to a year ago. This team is way too hungry to make Terry Murray the focal point again.

Crowned Royal

John Stevens is breaking down the door with the same fire ax he just killed Jamie Kompon with.

The Royal Half

I know we all take our shots at Coach Murray... but he has built this team just as much as Dean Lombardi has. And I'd hate to lose a coach who is so honest and upfront with the fans of the team.

So in review, once again, Quisp is the only blogger that knows anything about anything. But special Bonus Blogger Points to LA Kings Outsider for correctly predicting that Terry Murray and John Stevens would be trading places at some point during the season. With the LA Kings struggling to score goals... and John Stevens trying to figure out what to do in the interim... there is only one thing to do when it comes to wondering who the next Head Coach of the LA Kings will be...

Buy the farm.

In case you missed it, there was a gem buried in Rich Hammond's post about the LA Kings reaching out to Darryl Sutter yesterday.

Sutter could be announced as the Kings’ coach this week, although it’s unlikely that he would be behind the bench Thursday in Columbus. Sutter also helps tend to the family farm in Alberta and might need some time to get his personal affairs in order.

Yup, that's right. Darryl Sutter may not be behind the Kings bench on Thursday because he's busy tending to the family farm. I had no idea the Kings were going after Dwight Schrute. I wish there was someway to visually represent what Darryl Sutter looks like right now while negotiating his new contract with Dean Lombardi.

An awesome photoshop from @IronSightDesign.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

BRUINS 3, KINGS AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Game #30

LA Kings 
(13-12-4, 22nd in NHL)
vs
Boston Bruins
(18-9-1, 7th in NHL)

4:00pm, TD Garden
Boston, MA

BEST FORMER LA KING #1 DRAFT PICK THAT WAS TRADED FOR A BACKUP GOALIE:

That's right, Ray Bourque should have been a LA King.

BEST FORMER FLYERS HEAD COACH THAT IS NOW THE LA KINGS INTERIM HEAD COACH:

"Hey Murph... any advice for my 1st game?"

"Goals. Score goals. Apparently it's important." 

ONLY OPPOSITION BLOG:
Days of Yorr

How will the LA Kings look in the John Stevens Era? Sure, Stevens been the Assistant Coach all season but what do Kings fans really know about his coaching style? Well I did what any good Los Angeles Hockey Executive would do... I made someone from Philadelphia do my job. From the "retired too early" Flyers Goal Scored By:

The Terry Murray reign of mundane terror is over.  In his wake, John Stevens takes over. So what can Flyers West expect out of Papa Stevens?  Well, not much.  That isn't necessarily a *Bad* thing either.  Stevens isn't going to do anything to radically change the Kings mentality or their game strategy.  By all accounts, John Stevens is a good coach.  He isn't some blowhard like the one in Anaheim, nor is he a former Bond villain like the one in Tampa Bay.  John Stevens rose through the coaching ranks in Philly.  He got a lot out of a talented roster and was successful at executing a simple gameplan.  He was an AHL lifer, plays his lines evenly and has some guys in the locker room on his side in Richards/Gagne.

I enjoyed John Stevens as a Flyers coach, but ultimately, he got fired for what just happened to Terry Murray.  A very sound, knowledgable coach that couldn't get anything out of a very talented group of players.  Terry Murray is the new John Stevens. The circle is now complete, John Stevens is Simba from the Lion King. (Does that make Dean Lombardi Timon or Pumba?)

And from Adam Pardes of The Checking Line...

What can Kings fans expect from John Stevens when he takes over the reins tonight in Boston? Well, as a Flyers fan, let me tell you that a display of wide-ranging emotions won't be on the list. Stevens' demeanor tiptoes the line between admirably unflappable and simply unengaged, something his critics in Philadelphia won't hesitate to bring up. Don't get me wrong though -- being calm under fire is one thing I think coaches owe their players; it's too easy for a team to get wrapped up in their emotions when they fall behind in a game, to just get frustrated and give up. The good news? Stevens is able to use his poise to help keep players focused and motivated. The bad news? Well, it's not really bad, but it will definitely be up to the players to step up and be more vocal leaders in the locker room and on the ice when the wheels start to come off. In other words, don't expect Stevens to rally the troops during intermission with barbeque sauce slathered on his face like war paint, but know that his composure will pay off more often than fans might realize.

I think they'll let Stevens show what he's got for a bit, but ultimately he's not gonna be their guy.

Well there you have it. But don't get too attached to John Stevens and his stylish eyewear... because it looks like Dean Lombardi is getting the band back together!

Not sure what is worse. Mike Ricci's face or Darryl Sutter's jacket. 

Look... if the LA Kings want to hire an outdated coach that never makes it out of the 1st Round and lost a Stanley Cup Final... then they should hire Terry Murray. I wouldn't say that LA Kings fans are unhappy about this possibility... I'd say they are downright horrified. All of a sudden... the man who LA Kings fans held up as The Godfather of their team's rebuild is starting to show that he's human after all.

"Just when I thought I'd hire a new Coach...
... the old ones pull me back in."

So the LA Kings get to start the newest chapter in their disappointing franchise history against the team that won November. No seriously... the Boston Bruins won November.

I started this blog 3 years ago at the start of the 2008-2009 NHL season. The Los Angeles Kings were coming off a 29th overall finish and had just hired a brand new coach. And I knew it was doomed from the start.

What the heck is a "seaon?"

Today, Coach Terry Murray was let go by the Kings after 3 seasons and 29 games of service. He was exactly who we thought he would be... a strong, silent, patient leader that would help re-build this wandering Kings team in a "defense first" mentality. And based on Coach Murray's past... he had taken this team as far as he could. He had helped Anze Kopitar become one of the better 2-way centers in the league. He had given Jon Quick the faith and reassurance that has enabled him to become an elite NHL goaltender. And Coach Murray was able to get one great season out of Drew Doughty before he signed a multi-million dollar contract that has screwed with the player he should be. It seems like this was a hard move for Dean Lombardi to make... and even the most callous of Kings fans have to know and appreciate the hard work Terry Murray did for this franchise.

But we're still gonna make fun of him.

Terry Murray brought me all sorts of joy via his straight-faced, un-emotional years behind the Kings bench. And I want to honor him the only way I know how.

According to the Los Angeles Times... the Los Angeles Kings are closer than they've ever been to firing a Coach Murray. Except for that time in 2006 when they actually did fire a Coach Murray. So we are upping the level on the Terry Murray Fire Alarm one notch to "ALMOST."

God help us all.

So um... when do people start talking about the fact that this might be Dean Lombardi's 3rd coach in 6 seasons?

Hey... you know the one thing the good folks at NHL.com don't need this holiday season? 

Yet another NHL rookie goalie with a totally punable last name.

That's actually not a Pun Headline...
it's just what the rest of the NHL is calling the LA Kings right now.

Click here to check out the best and worst NHL.com pun headlines from the past week!!!

Game #29

LA Kings 
(13-11-4, 20th in NHL)
vs
Dallas Stars
(15-11-1, 15th in NHL)

7:30pm, Staples Center
Los Angeles, CA

BEST FORMER KING TO BE HONORED AT THE GAME TONIGHT:

BEST PHOTO OF BERNIE NICHOLLS AND ME WHEN I WAS 14 YEARS OLD:

BEST OPPOSITION BLOG:
Defending Big D
Stars of Big D 

BEST OPPOSITION TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER:
DamnitJason
(Because he loves Dustin Brown's game)

When Bernie Nicholls was traded to the New York Rangers for Tomas Sandstrom and Tony Granato on January 20th, 1990, he had 75 points in 47 games. And this was coming off one of the more impressive seasons in NHL history with 70 goals and 150 points. Sure, everyone liked to say that Nicholls' offensive totals were a direct result of playing with Wayne Gretzky... but don't forget... Bernie Nicholls was the 2nd line center in Los Angeles. So most of his points with Gretzky came off the Power Play and Penalty Kill. If anything, Wayne Gretzky's presence took the pressure off of Bernie. And sure, everyone wants to talk about Bernie's signature fist pump after he scored (nicknamed the "Pumpernickle") but for my money, the best use of a Bernie Nicholls hand gesture was on Mike Vernon's face.

Here's to you, Bernie. Long live your mullet. 

Thursday night at Staples Center was a really sad night for the Los Angeles Kings in their game against the Minnesota Wild.

Jon Quick was sad for giving up 2 bad goals. 

Andrei Loktionov was sad because he's probably going back to the AHL soon.

Matt Greene was sad because he had to be interviewed by Patrick O'Neal.

Dustin Penner was sad because he's actually playing well and has no one to share it with.

Kevin Westgarth was sad because someone let him wear this shirt on national TV.

Bailey was so sad he switched allegiances mid-game to a winning franchise.

Yeah, Anze... if I was that sad I'd never want to get up either.

These Kings fans were a combination of sad and bored.

Sure, he may be happy now cause he's rich and it was his birthday.
But I can think of one reason Drew Doughty won't be so happy later today.

Well, I can think of 1000 reasons why this guy might be sad. Or actually, 2.

WILD 4, KINGS OH WHAT A BIG FUCKING SURPRISE, 2

I'm setting the Terry Murray Fire Watch 2011 to "1 GOAL PER GAME" because technically...

...goals by Trent Hunter don't count.

Forget about the 3 straight losses and 5 goals scored over that span... in the last 9 games the Kings are 3-5-1 with 16 goals scored. That's 1.7 goals per game. I guess there is only one question LA Kings fans can ask themselves.

DEAD COACH WALKING???
(Seriously, have you ever seen a screengrab that sums up the Kings season better than this one?) 

Game #28

LA Kings
(13-10-4, 15th in NHL)
vs
Minnesota Wild
(18-7-3, 1st (!) in NHL)

7:30pm, Staples Center
Los Angeles, CA

BEST PLAYER TO WEAR BOTH COLORS:

Matt Johnson was Captain of the Minnesota Wild?!?!

BEST OPPOSITION BLOGS:
Hockey Wilderness
The State of Hockey News
Wild Puck Banter

Half Season Ticket Holder Buddy and I have been talking about the NHL's recent plans for realignment. How this impacts the Los Angeles Kings has been completely explored by Quisp but HSTHB and I have never been fans of the fact that some teams make the playoffs just by winning their division. So we here at TRH welcome the change to the 4 conferences and the top 4 teams in each making the playoffs. Of course, when your favorite hockey team has only made the playoffs twice in the last 8 seasons... it's hard to complain about a lack of rivalries. But it's exciting that the Kings have a better chance of facing more consistent teams in the playoffs... because all those Calgary and Edmonton playoff series in the late 80s/early 90s were so great. 

Anyone remember the "Deck The Midget" sign that hung from the GW Forum upper deck?

I got to thinking about this current LA Kings team and how they will fit into the new NHL. The Kings are in a tough conference where you have to assume that the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks will make the playoffs each season. That leaves space for 2 spots from 6 teams. The Phoenix Coyotes have made the playoffs the last 2 seasons, the Anaheim Ducks, despite their troubles this year, have made it 5 of the last 6. The Edmonton Oilers are slowly building a young, fast team, the Colorado Avalanche are in the midst of a re-build and the Calgary Flames are just plain awful. It's going to be quite a battle in whatever this conference ends up being called. So with the way that the LA Kings are having trouble scoring this season, I'm suggesting a realignment that can really improve the Kings chances of making the playoffs each season. 

It just makes sense.

While others might think the NHL's plan for realignment is best for the LA Kings, I beg to differ. With my version, by moving the Columbus Blue Jackets into the Kings conference, you are moving a team that has only scored 2 more goals than the Kings this season. So at the very least, the Kings can win a bunch of games in shootouts! And even though Winnipeg has scored 15 more goals than the Kings this season, they've given up 18 more... which is a great tradeoff. And by moving the AHL Binghamton Senators into the Kings conference... I have to think the Kings would be able to beat the 4th worst team in the AHL at least 4 out of 6 times a season, right? I've submitted this plan to the NHL and am waiting to hear back. 

NO.

I understand why LA Kings fans get frustrated when teams like the Minnesota Wild come into town. Here's a team that hasn't made the playoffs the last 3 seasons, they promote an unknown, minor league coach, make a couple trades and all of a sudden they are the best team in the league. Even though they aren't all that different than the Los Angeles Kings. No wonder people are ready to fire Terry Murray.

Who wants to Fire Murray when you can Promote Penner! Dustin Penner slowly worked his way up the Kings lines Tuesday night in Anaheim... earning an assist on Slava Voynov's goal and even spending some time with his old buddy Anze Kopitar on the top line. So for tonight against the Minnesota Wild, the rules are still simple. Just guess the exact time and period that Dustin Penner scores his 2nd goal of the season... and you win a free t-shirt from The Royal Half Gift Shoppe. You can put your predictions in the comments below or reply to me on Twitter with #PennerPoint. Good luck everyone.