Dempsey
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After retirement, free agency and several european signings, it looked like the LA Kings were all but done. But long-time GM Mike McEwan has the team back and ready for the beginning of a new season, and perhaps a new era for the team.
"We've made several moves to get our club ready for the new season, and are very excited going into 05-06" stated McEwan.
Amongst the moves was the trading of defenseman Andrei Markov for winger JP Dumont and goaltender Mikka Noronen. Aaron Ward also came to the Kings as what many see as a salary dump on the part of the Flyers. "We acquired Andrei from the Canadiens for next to nothing when he was an unknown prospect in Russia" said McEwan. "He was a long-time King and we'll miss him. Dumont brings us solid scoring for our second line on the right side, while Mikka will get every chance to shine in net."
Other moves were the signing of prospect Cam Ward to a pro contract, who the club is high on to be their goaltender of the future, perhaps as soon as next year. Other prospects signed include C Jarkko Immonen, D Jakub Cutta, D Joe Rullier, LW Kip Brennan, G Curtis Sanford and RW Miroslav Zalesak.
The team continues to make moves. "We're currently working on a deal to bring a third line winger to us, and are still in the market for another goaltender and some more depth at the bottom two wing positions" offered McEwan, the GM of the team for all its years since the league started way back in 1998.
Clearly the hole left by goaltenders Tommy Salo and Jamie Storr, who provided strong goaltending for the Kings for years before tanking and drifting into obsurity in 2003-04, is a big one. Noronen and Ward provide for the future, and while Noronen is a capable backup for the upcoming campaign, one has to think that a team so strong on defense and its top two lines will be looking to add a proven veteran in net to round out what will be a contending roster.
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Fun Facts: The LA kings have improved their point total in each of the past five seasons. Here is a look at the franchise's history:
Season GP W L T PTS
------------------------------
2003-04 82 51 25 6 108
2002-03 82 48 24 10 106
2001-02 82 46 24 12 104
2000-01 82 43 33 6 92
1999-00 82 36 34 15 86
1998-99 82 42 31 9 93
------------------------------
Overall: 266W 171L 58T
"We've made several moves to get our club ready for the new season, and are very excited going into 05-06" stated McEwan.
Amongst the moves was the trading of defenseman Andrei Markov for winger JP Dumont and goaltender Mikka Noronen. Aaron Ward also came to the Kings as what many see as a salary dump on the part of the Flyers. "We acquired Andrei from the Canadiens for next to nothing when he was an unknown prospect in Russia" said McEwan. "He was a long-time King and we'll miss him. Dumont brings us solid scoring for our second line on the right side, while Mikka will get every chance to shine in net."
Other moves were the signing of prospect Cam Ward to a pro contract, who the club is high on to be their goaltender of the future, perhaps as soon as next year. Other prospects signed include C Jarkko Immonen, D Jakub Cutta, D Joe Rullier, LW Kip Brennan, G Curtis Sanford and RW Miroslav Zalesak.
The team continues to make moves. "We're currently working on a deal to bring a third line winger to us, and are still in the market for another goaltender and some more depth at the bottom two wing positions" offered McEwan, the GM of the team for all its years since the league started way back in 1998.
Clearly the hole left by goaltenders Tommy Salo and Jamie Storr, who provided strong goaltending for the Kings for years before tanking and drifting into obsurity in 2003-04, is a big one. Noronen and Ward provide for the future, and while Noronen is a capable backup for the upcoming campaign, one has to think that a team so strong on defense and its top two lines will be looking to add a proven veteran in net to round out what will be a contending roster.
============
Fun Facts: The LA kings have improved their point total in each of the past five seasons. Here is a look at the franchise's history:
Season GP W L T PTS
------------------------------
2003-04 82 51 25 6 108
2002-03 82 48 24 10 106
2001-02 82 46 24 12 104
2000-01 82 43 33 6 92
1999-00 82 36 34 15 86
1998-99 82 42 31 9 93
------------------------------
Overall: 266W 171L 58T
