Kyle Clifford and Colin Fraser try to be cute

The mood at LA Kings practice today was upbeat and light-hearted enough, and as usual, MayorsManor was in the thick of things. Over in the far corner, we even had a little fun with forwards Kyle Clifford and Colin Fraser. Here’s some of the exchanges…

Clifford on the apron being worn around the room today by Denver Wilson, assistant equipment manager:

“Yeah, it’s a good look for Denver. A little creepy, like the mustache. But, it’s good. It suits him.”

Clifford on if having another physical player in the line-up, like Matt Greene, helps his game:

“Yeah, absolutely. We have a number of guys that have a big physical presence. Greene is just another one of those guys who has a real strong identity.”

Clifford on if playing on Anze Kopitar’s line in Game 6 will be a little more routine after being bumped up there for Game 5:

“No, nothing changes. Can’t try to get too cute out there, too fancy. Just, you know, play simple, play hard. Just go to the net.”

Fraser (sitting just two stalls away) on if anybody would ever call Clifford’s game ‘cute’:

“Cliffy does have underrated skill that a lot of people don’t give him credit for. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be playing with those two guys. But his game is not too cute, he knows his role and what he needs to do.”

On Clifford’s looks (as Clifford paraded by without his shirt on and flexing a bit):

“His hair line is thinning a little bit. So I don’t know. He is a man child, he’s been a man child since he was 18. When I was in Edmonton he was trying to fight me and I kindly declined because he looked like a man and he was 18 years old.”

On former coaches complementing Clifford on his body when he first came to training camp with the Kings:

“Look at that body! It’s the truth. It’s just facts, calling it how they see it. There’s nothing creepy about it when it’s fact.”

On if he aspires to have a body like Clifford:

“Yeah, but if you ever saw my da,d I don’t think I have the gene pool to get up to that status. He’s 150 pounds soaking wet. I’m lucky to be 189 pounds and trying to run with that.”

On bouncing around – from his own bed, to hotels in LA, to hotels in San Jose – over the last week:

“I just do what I’m told. I just work here. Show up and know the times I need to be where I need to be. It’s weird, you’re never home. But it’s part of the business too, it’s part of being in the situation we are, which is obviously a good thing. A lot of other guys are home already on summer vacation, so I’d take this any day.”

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