Kings replace Frolov with Ponikarovsky
So Frolov has signed with the Rangers at $3m for one season. As a replacement the Kings sign Alexei Ponikarovsky also at $3m for one season.
Is this a sensible choice. Off the top of my head I'd say no - Frolov is a much better option but let's look at some stats to see if they agree.
Lombardi `not optimistic’ on Frolov Dean Lombardi did an interview this morning with a friend of mine, Dustin Nielson, who does the morning show for 1260-AM in Edmonton. Some of the interview covered some familiar ground, but at one point Lombardi was asked about the future of
Alexander Frolov, and whether he saw
Frolov returning to the Kings or whether it was time to move on. Here’s Lombardi’s answer, followed by a link to the entire interview. Incidentally, I’ll be doing my lengthy interview with Lombardi tomorrow afternoon…
Frolov: stay or go? As mentioned the other day, the Kings will potentially have six unrestricted free agents on July 1:
Alexander Frolov ,
Jeff Halpern ,
Raitis Ivanans ,
Randy Jones , Fredrik Modin and Sean O’Donnell. The most intriguing situation, by far, is that of
Frolov, whose seven-season career with the Kings has been quite a journey. A first-round draft pick in 2000,
Frolov finally reached the playoffs this season. A former two-time 30-goal scorer,
Frolov netted only 19 goals this season, his lowest total since his rookie season (14) and he drew the public ire of Terry Murray, who benched him from an early-season game because the coach didn’t like his attitude and play. That said,
Frolov brings immense talent to the table, at both ends of the ice, for stretches of time, and there’s bound to be significant debate about whether he should return. A lot of that might be determined by how much of a raise
Frolov is seeking from his current $2.9 million.
A look at Kings' unrestricted free agentsThe Kings now have to look toward next season, when change is sure to come. They have six players who are now unrestricted free agents and three more who are restricted. Some of these players may not be back. Here are the names, their 2009-10 salary, key stats and comments from The Times hockey Hall of Fame columnist Helene Elliott.
Kings not expecting big deals
Kevin Baxter The Kings made a roster move Friday, beating the league-mandated freeze on transactions by assigning rookie forward Scott Parse to Manchester (N.H.) of the American Hockey League. Although not a blockbuster move, it made a huge statement about how Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi sees his team.
Defining Year for the KingsThe Time has come for the LA Kings to start showing some results from their long rebuilding process. They have arguably one of the best young core group of players and the kind of talent they have assembled should be ready to deliver.
They've missed the playoffs 6 straight years and have had 4 different coaches in that time. Already somewhat an afterthought in LA, another playoff miss would send this team further into oblivion. That is surely something they cannot afford.
Kings Deny Trade Rumor For ProngerSportsnet has reported that the Kings have denied trade rumors that veteran defenceman Chris Pronger was traded to the Kings for defenceman Jack Johnson and the Kings' fifth overall pick in 2009. Kings GM Dean Lombardi denied these rumors when asked in an e-mail if he actually did do the trade and he answered with a simple "no."
Kings Set Up To Make A Bold MoveThe Los Angeles Kings are well on their way again to missing the playoffs for the 6th straight season.
While that likely means the team will be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline, the Kings this time seem poised to try something drastic to somehow expediate the development of the team.
The following are projected to be UFAs: Derek Armstrong, Kyle Calder, Denis Gauthier, Sean O'Donnell, Erik Ersberg.
According to nhlnumbers.com their cap number is $45 million.
The team wouldn't mind as well moving Michal Handzus or Tom Preissing.
Kings have the Kids, Now Need DirectionWhile the Los Angeles Kings are the envy of many with their large collection of young talent, certainly no one is envious of the team's losing ways. The King's efforts to build within and through a youth movement will only work if they manage to break out of their futility and bring a winning culture to the organization.
