If anyone had asked me whether attending a NHL practice of
any team would remind me of a subject from high school history, I would have scoffed. That is exactly what happened on Sunday. Like the political times in 1817-1825 where the political bitterness abated and government got on the same page, that seemed to be analogous to this year’s Kings vs. last year’s squad.
While no one has said anything specific on the record, it appears undisputed that there were locker room issues last year. The closest I could get to confirmation of this would be Lombardi’s response to a question I asked at the last Breakfast with the GM. Then, Lombardi said that it is a problem if the bridge and filler players take over the proverbial room. Those players – whoever they were – are no longer here. This turned into an addition by subtraction if Sunday’s practice is any indication.
On Sunday, the team engaged in a high spirited practice as they got ready for Monday’s game against Colorado. Let’s start with the color coded practice jersey which represented whom was on each line:
The Lines:
Moulson, Kopitar, Brown
O’Sullivan, Stoll, Moller
Simmonds, Handzus, Frolov
Richardson, Ivanans, Armstrong
Calder, Boyle
Bad Aim:
Over on the offensive side of the ice, some kids were gathered hoping to get a puck from any of the players. For those who have not been to Toyota Sports Center, the glass surrounds the rink at standard height but there is a net above the Plexiglas leaving only a two to three inch opening to get a puck through unless a player shoots for the moon literally and gets it to the cheap seat height. With that visual in mind, consider watching Moulson trying multiple times, smiling ear to ear but nonetheless missing a lot. Richardson comes by and fares no better. He gives up and then tries slap shots at the net instead while smiling the whole time. Quincey tried… nothing. Doughty tried …. Nothing. Simmonds tries…nothing. Mark Hardy comes by takes one shot and delivers. As a popular commercial would say… priceless.
One-on-One:
Simmonds and Doughty tried a one-on-one drill where Simmonds in his best Savard spin-o-rama tries to maintain possession. He is successful for two circles but finally either due to dizziness by Simmonds or skill by Doughty, the young phenom defenseman gets the take-away.
Overall Mood:
I have seen practices before. This is the first one where across the board, spirits were high, and smiles were everywhere and generally great camaraderie. While the defensemen worked with Hardy, the forwards were set up around the net and took shots against LaBarbera. Every time a forward scored, the player got a loud stick – led applause by his teammates with cheering as well.
Skating and Skating and Skating:
In the neutral zone, Kompon gave some personal time to Calder and Boyle. Kompon would skate relentlessly up and down the neutral zone from board to board at quick speed working on stick handling simultaneously. Skating was done full out and followed by repetition after repetition by Calder and Boyle. Let’s hope that jump starts Boyle’s game ….Now.
Individual Moment:
Frolov practiced solo for awhile taking slap shot after slap shot after slap shot at the wall in front of me. I cannot speak to accuracy since there was no net in sight. I did witness both with my eyes and ears some seriously loud shots that sounded more like gun shots actually over and over. Frolov’s intensity matched the volume his shots made.
Last Ones Off:
After practice was officially over, Doughty, Moller and Boyle closed the place down practicing shooting at the net for a fair amount of time. Doughty and Moller wore the same grin the other Kings’ players displayed. In fairness, Doughty’s smile was even bigger than that. Think like meeting Wayne Gretzky for the first time or seeing his first Corvette – that kind of smile and you get the idea. He seemed so ecstatic to be here, on the ice, you name it; the look on his face was priceless in a pretty great way.
Sticks Anyone:
While I was waiting to interview Preissing and Greene, I had the privilege to see some cool moments. Kids were screaming first for Moller’s sticks. He never heard the request from what I could tell. Boyle did. He responded he was running out (of his sticks) – smiled and went into the locker room.
Old Home Week:
If Richardson has any bad feelings about his press box time, I never saw it. His face was lit up like a Christmas tree when he caught up with some Avalanche personnel at the end of the King’s practice. Laperriere came in and told Richardson to keep his head up tomorrow. Mark Hardy and Laperriere spent some time catching up as well.
Bottom Line:
This year’s version of the Kings really like each other. With better talent, a lot of hunger and no pressure, and chemistry to boot, well… I hope the team’s mood becomes contagious to fans as well. If nothing else, there won’t be any stick gripping fear played hockey that so many of us witnessed last year.
Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net 
The Era of Good Feeling 
FlyinKIng
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