Robyn Regehr’s first interview as a member of LA Kings

Fresh off of participating in his first practice as a member of the Kings, Robyn Regehr spoke with the local media earlier today.  At 6-foot-3, 225 lbs, he’s expected to fill a hole the team has struggled with all season due to the absence of Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell. Primarily a stay-at-home defenseman, Regehr had two points (both assists) in 29 games with Buffalo prior to being acquired this week for two second round draft picks.  Here’s what he had to share…

– On joining the Kings: “I’m really really happy for a few different reasons. First of all, being in a position to win again with a team that has proven that they can do it in the past and wants to do it again. So, I’m very excited about that. Also familiar with Darryl as a coach and knowing his style and how demanding he is and a couple of the players even from previous hockey experiences.”

– On playing against the Kings in Calgary: “Yeah, they played a little bit different style back when I was playing for Calgary. It was a little bit more of a passive style. Now it’s a little bit more of an aggressive forechecking style, and trying to get all five guys out there working together. And being close to one and other in all three zones. So things have changed a little bit differently, but I am quite familiar with a lot of the personnel, and I don’t know, maybe you’ll have to ask some of those guys about the experiences. I remember I separated Justin Williams’ shoulder in the corner one game. So maybe he’s not quite happy with me, but we’ll try to work it out. Water under the bridge.”

– On if he views this as a long-term deal: “Well, right now all I’m thinking about is right now, and how I can get up to speed personally with the team and what they want me to do as quickly as possible. As for all that other stuff about the future, I think it depends on a lot of things. It depends on how things go for me personally. It depends how things go for the team, and also probably the most important, there’s also other factors such as next year we all know that the cap is going down from this year and things like that. There’s so many things that are out there and that are involved with that decision that I don’t think about that too much at this point. Like I said, I’m just…I’ve got enough stuff going on right now to deal with.”

– On his timeline from the trade to arrival: “Buffalo flew to Pittsburgh (on Monday). Then, that night, which would have been April first, we went out for dinner. I was hearing from my agent that something might be happening. He mentioned Los Angeles. There was a couple other teams that we heard rumors about, but he then said it was Los Angeles. Then we talked a little bit about it and all that. I was asked to waive after dinner, so I was gladly accepting. I talked to my wife about it, and she was happy. She’s always wanted to be down in Southern California, and spend some time here. So we were excited that way. The team as I mentioned before. The fit and the coaching, things like that, and what they did last year hear. We’re going to put ourselves in a position to hopefully do that again. So all that stuff was very exciting for me to think about. Now I’m here. I did fly out yesterday for a bunch of medicals and MRI’s. It was a very full day yesterday, and I was out on the ice today for the first time. But I’m looking forward to lining up tomorrow.”

– On if he knows any of the Kings personally: “I had met a few of them. Personally I’ve never played with any of them on any team other than maybe a camp here or there. I mean, knowing a guy like Jarret Stoll, who I know from Saskatchewan a little bit. Drew Doughty, I roomed with him at one of the team Canada camps for three-four days. Stuff like that. So you know guys a little bit, but not really, really well.”

– On his relationship with Sutter in Calgary: “Darryl is a very demanding coach. I think any player that plays under him, that’s one of the first things that he would mention. That being said, when you do the kind of stuff that he asks of you, and you do it well…You put yourself in a position to succeed, and also become a very good professional. So I was excited to be back and have that opportunity. I know the style. Very similar style to what he asked for us to play in Calgary. So I should be able to brush the rust off a little bit. It’s been a few years. Get out and do it, and do it well.”

– On if he can make an impact with the short amount of time remaining in the regular season: “Yeah, they’re going to ask me to play hard physically, defend well, and help out on the penalty kill. So those are going to be the areas I focus on. (That’s up your alley anyway.) Yeah exactly.”

– On if it takes a mental adjustment going from a non-contender to a contender: “It does a little bit, just because of the very different situations that both of the teams are in. But I played out west enough to know that this is what it’s like every year in the Western Conference playoff race pretty much. So that’s just a reality of the situation.”

For a greater look at the Kings’ newest defenseman, check out our ’10 Tidbits on Robyn Regehr’ article here.

We’ll now return our focus to Dean Lombardi. Expect some additional quotes from the Kings’ GM up very shortly.  In the meantime, check out what we’ve already posted from that chat…

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Dean Lombardi on the acquisition of Regehr – why now, the price, etc.

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