Enjoy a free replay of “The Mayor” John Hoven on TSN radio, where he broke down all things LA Kings with host and former NHL player Jason Strudwick. They started off talking about a little UFC and then worked their way through L.A.’s defense before ending on the team’s playoff chances and what might happen next.
You can give today’s segment a listen using the player below or download any of our audio files for free on the MayorsManor iTunes page located here.
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John,
Really liked what you said regarding Dustin Brown. Without Brown’s exceptional play the Kings do not win the Cup in 2012. Had they not won the Cup in 2012 they would not have won the Cup last season as the confidence factor and winning mentality would not have been well enough established.
When fans start “knocking” Brown I immediately understand they don’t know hockey or what they’re talking about. DB is not a natural goal scorer at the NHL level but his speed, hitting, and grit drive are essential elements of the Kings success.
DL and the Kings management need to do everything possible, barring a trade, to insure that either McNabb or Forbort (maybe both) are ready to play alongside DD next season. The Kings problems on defense are unlikely to be resolved any other way. I’m hoping Sekera gets re-signed as I think he’s a very useful and adaptable piece of the defensive corps. AM is much the same kind of player but is less good defensively, at this point. AM playing in the third pairing is a dangerous offensive weapon much like JM playing on the third line in the playoffs last season. Very difficult for opponents to account for players with those kind of abilities when “buried and hiding” deeper in the line-up.
Because of the Voynov situation and the question of whether RR will return it’s difficult to know what the defense will look like next year but it should look something like the following:
Forbort-Doughty
McNabb-Sekera
Muzzin-Martinez
If Voynov is back, then the following:
McNabb-Doughty
Forbort-Voynov
Muzzin-Sekera Martinez moving up and the down the line-up as needed.
Miller looks like he’s going to be really good but I see the Kings probably starting him in Ontario next season unless Voynov is gone. He (Miller) should be ready by sometime next season, in any case.