Hawks Duncan Keith faces hearing following high-sticking incident

So, we're waiting to see if Duncan Keith is suspended by the NHL's department of Player safety for this hit on the Kings Jeff Carter.

NHL.COM --- Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday for a high-sticking incident during Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday at Staples Center.

At 7:58 of the second period, Keith was assessed a double-minor for high sticking Kings forward Jeff Carter in the face while the pair was skating behind the play. Carter left the ice, but returned after missing about six-and-a-half minutes of game action.

The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: high-sticking. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

I am going to say that there's a chance that there could be some kind of a suspension for this slash/high stick. Last night, I was surprised that there wasn't at least a match penalty called on this play. Now that being said, in my opinion, Duncan Keith is not a dirty player and he could be fined for this incident and avoid a suspension. It will be interesting to see what comes out of this.

Blackhawks' Keith: 'I said my piece, and it's up to them' trib.in/11sijzl

— ChiTribSports (@ChiTribSports) June 5, 2013

Related articles

• Blackhawks' Duncan Keith faces disciplinary hearing over high-sticking (tracking.si.com)

Questionable Dustin Brown hits Western Conference Finals (Keith and Toews)

Does anyone see a pattern here at all? These are two hits from the Western Conference Finals. I know that the Chicago Blackhawks were not happy with Brown's hit on Jonathan Toews.  Lucky for Duncan Keith that he fell and Brown was not able to make contact with him.

I am being serious. Dustin Brown elbows Jason Pominville, this was right after his hit on Antoine Roussel. During the playoffs against the St. Louis Blues we had Dustin Brown's knee on knee and attempted elbow on Jaden Schwartz. Everyone of these hits have been since April. Also, watch Brown's elbow on all of these hits. This is my question, how has this guy only been suspended one time (2 games) by the NHL?

Related articles

• Dustin Brown's knee's Jaden Schwartz (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Dustin Brown knees Jaden Schwartz (getrealhockey.com)

Quick stops Toews; UMASS vs. UND

Jonathan Quick got a piece of Jonathan Toews' shot to keep the #LAKings within 1 in the 3rd: bit.ly/11wfMj2 #CHIvsLAK #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) June 2, 2013

Blackhawks Dave Bolland won’t be suspended for hit on Kings Mike Richards

If you were asleep last night, #Blackhawks center Dave Bolland won’t be suspended for hit on Mike Richards: bit.ly/ZDWRc5
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) June 2, 2013

Chicago Blackhawks Dave Bolland will not be suspended or receive anymore scrutiny for his questionable hit on L.A. King forward Mike Richards. Yesterday I had said, “I have to think, based on everything that we have seen so far in the playoffs that this could be a potential one game suspension for Bollard.” I still there if there has been more time between games, there might have been more of a look at this play by the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Also, there was "no" penalty called on the play.

“He was there,” Bolland said of his jarring hit on Kings center Mike Richards in the final minutes of the Hawks’ 2-1 victory Saturday in Game 1 at the United Center. “I just came in and hit him.”

There apparently won’t be any repercussions — at least, not from the league. There was some concern that Bolland would face a suspension because the principal point of contact was Richards’ head, but the league decided against holding a hearing for Bolland, meaning he won’t face any discipline. [Adam L. Jahns, Suntimes.com]

I know that L.A. Kings fans will not be happy with this call and there is more examples of inconsistency during the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. If a repeat offender had made that call or if that had been against a star player would there have been a hearing this morning? I don't know? Maybe Crosby has a point? It could be his delivery though and how he relays his message.

Related articles

• Dave Bolland hit Mike Richards (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Dave Bolland hit Mike Richards

At the 01:53 mark of the third period Chicago Blackhawks forward Dave Bollard hit L.A. Kings forward Mike Richards with a shoulder in the chin/head area. You have to wonder, will Mike Bollard be getting a phone call from the NHL's department of players safety for this hit? I have to think, based on everything that we have seen so far in the playoffs, that this could be a potential one game suspension for Bollard. Thoughts? Just for the record, there was "no" penalty called on the play.

Richards declined to speak to reporters who wanted to ask how he felt after hit.
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) June 2, 2013

#Blackhawks' Dave Bolland on hit on Kings' Mike Richards: "It's a quick game. You get hit. It happens. It's happened to me."
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 2, 2013

Did the Kings get screwed?

Wow! Looks like a blown call that went in the San Jose Sharks favor. I am not a fan of either team, but I want to see the games called correctly. It appears that Dustin Penner had scored a goal.

L.A. Kings let fan tweet for them for a period. Not a really good call.

We apologize for the tweets that came from a guest of our organization. They were inappropriate and do not reflect the LA Kings.
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

This is what I'm talking about! - @thekevinryder RT @melvitomartinez: @lakings refuse to lose hope. #gokingsgo
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

Trivia time: What year did the @sanjosesharks win the Stanley Cup? Give up? Me too. I can’t see the future. - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

The L.A. Kings let a fan tweet for a period for them during tonight's game, I bet they don't do that again anytime soon. Check it out the ones that weren't deleted by the Kings. There was a tasteless tweet that made a joke about being raped that has since been deleted you can see it at the link provided.

just for the record, the Kings have been out shot by the Sharks in every game of this series. Badly. Find a way to win. - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

(1 of 2) “This is L.A.” by the Briggs used by the Kings. The Ducks, use…hang on, let me find a Ducks game. Be right back… - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

If they're reading my tweets we have bigger problems. RT@suemenval: @lakings @thekevinryder 2 periods to go...show the boys some positivity!
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

Jonathan Quick, like last year, is keeping us in it. Plus he punched a dude. @thekevinryder RT @lbchopshop: Angry Quick is hot. And angry.
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

This is Kevin from the Kevin and Bean show on KROQ. Tough game to do a Twitter takeover. Sharks 1-0. #GoKingsGo - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

I’ll let @genamazzeo introduce me: twitter.com/kingestkong/st… - @thekevinryder
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 22, 2013

Raffi Torres suspended the rest of the second round

I said this the other day. --> I don't know... Raffi Torres doesn't leave his feet, he keeps his elbow in and he attempts to hit him in the torso, I think this call is based on reputation. Just for the record, I am not a Sharks fan by any stretch, I think the Chris Kelly elbow on James van Riemsdyk was worse and there wasn't a suspension for that hit. I am not saying that Torres doesn't deserve a suspension, he does, but in this case I think the league is piling on and is going to make an example out of Torres like they did with Matt Cooke.

I am going to stand by these comments. Raffi Torres is a reckless player, but he has cleaned up his act, a bit this year. I don't think that this hit is worthy of a 4-6 game suspension. This hit is worthy of a suspension. But whatever. 

I am going to pose a question; what if this was the Kings Dustin Brown laying this hit on the Sharks Patrick Marleau or Joe Pavelski, how long of a suspension would he get for the same hit? Has he not made some of the same kinds of plays only to escape suspension? Thoughts? 

Dustin Brown knees Jaden Schwartz

s/t to Kukla Korner... So, L.A. Kings forward Dustin Brown was suspended two games a week and a half ago for elbowing the  Minnesota Wild forward Jason Pominville, probably ending his season and now we see Brown doing this. Last night, Brown was assessed a two minute minor at the 16:58 mark of the first period for tripping Blues forward Jaden Schwartz, but you can see this could have been a lot worse.

So, I am interested in knowing what the explanation for this one is? To me, it would appear that Brown didn't learn his lesson from last week. We are told that he's not a dirty player and that he's only been suspended once by the NHL. I guess, I don't think he's a dirty player either, but the fact remains that he's leading with his elbow.

I am wondering why more people more upset with this hit?  We have a guy that was hurt by what appears to be a legal hit, the guy that hit him is going to have a hearing today and the hit in question is receiving a ton of chatter. If Brown connects with that elbow on Jaden Schwartz, he probably has  yet another hearing. This would be his second in a two week period.  Had Brown been facing another hearing, he would've been probably been facing his  second  suspension in less than two weeks. Thoughts on this one. Edit: Gryba was given a two game suspension by the NHL for his hit on Eller.

(Video) Jonathan Quick turns over the puck, and game to the Blues in O.T.

I do think that Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick would like to have that play back, not a good play, at the wrong time of the game. So, tomorrow's newspapers will read, at the 13:26 mark of overtime, Blues forward Alexander Steen scores the game winning goal off of a untimely turnover by Los Angeles Kings all-world goalie Jonathan Quick. Blues lead the series 1-0.

Kings Brown suspended 2 games for hit on Jason Pominville

@bush1124 The NHL has no choice, they have to suspend him for this hit.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) April 24, 2013

First off, I was right, the NHL had no choice, they had to suspend Dustin Brown for his hit on Jason Pominville. In my opinion, the hit was a text book violation of the NHL's Rule 48. Obviously, we can debate that if you want. Also, this suspension doesn't make Brown a dirty player, but he does play with an edge and he does play on the edge. It was only a matter of time before he was suspended by the NHL.

Michael Russo, Russo Rants --- Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown has been suspended the final two games of the Kings regular season, the Los Angeles Times' Lisa Dillman reported. The suspension stems from Brown's elbow to the face of Wild winger Jason Pominville in the second period last night.

Brown, who had played in 314 consecutive games, will be well-rested for the beginning of the playoffs next week. The first of those games comes tonight against Detroit, which is probably not a good thing for the Wild, which is being chased by the 9th-place Red Wings (three points back with three games left).

"I had the puck on my stick, he’s coming to hit me and I’m just bracing myself," Brown said when I asked him about the elbow last night.

The Wild didn't practice today, but official word thus far is Pominville is day to day with an upper body injury. GM Chuck Fletcher said it was too early to know yet if the Wild needs to recall a forward. If Pominville is sidelined, the Wild has no extra on the roster right now unless Mike Rupp is ready to return Friday from a knee injury. Otherwise, the Wild will have to look to the Houston farm.

BLOG: Dustin Brown suspended two games for elbow to Jason Pominville's face bit.ly/12iCZZw
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 24, 2013

Brandon Dubinsky's "Match Penalty" Rescinded by the NHL

When I first watched this video, I didn't catch Drew Doughty sucker punching Brandon Dubinsky in the back of the head, so in my opinion, it's the right decision by the NHL.

Puck-Rakers --- The NHL today has rescinded a match penalty given to Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky after the final buzzer of Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings in Staples Center. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen was informed of the decision this morning.

Related articles

• End game scrum in Columbus Blue Jackets vs Los Angeles Kings, Jackets Brandon Dubinsky assessed a match penalty (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Kings activate defenseman Matt Greene off injured reserve

The defending Stanley Cup Playoff champs just got some good news. Former Fighting Sioux defenseman Matt Greene is set to rejoin the L.A. Kings just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoff push. The Kings are currently sitting in fourth place in the Western Conference and are second in the Pacific Division.

NHL.COM --- The Los Angeles Kings have activated defenseman Matt Greene from the injured reserve list.

Greene, 29, missed the last 42 games after suffering a mid-body injury in the season opener Jan. 19 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 6-3, 232 pound native of Grand Ledge, Mich., played in all 82 regular season games and 20 postseason contests last season as the Kings won the franchise's first Stanley Cup.

UND's Derek Forbort signs with the L.A. Kings

@derek4bort played 3yrs NCAA at #UNDHockey & hopefully long #NHL career #LAKings. Future starts 2moro flying #AHL Manchester @monarchshockey
— Ben Hankinson (@benhankinson) April 6, 2013

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Derek Forbort to a three-year entry level contract, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today.

Forbort, 21, was selected by the Kings in the first round (15th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-5, 207-pounder is a native of Duluth, Minnesota.

Forbort has played the last three seasons for the University of North Dakota. This year he played in 42 games and recorded 17 points (4-13=17) and 22 penalty minutes. In 2011-12 he played in 35 games (13 points) and in 2010-11 he played in 38 games (15 points).

He also has experience with the U.S. National Dev. Team and the U.S. Nat. Under-18 Team. For the U.S. he earned a bronze medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships and a gold medal at the 2010 WJC-U18 event.

The Kings host the Edmonton Oilers tomorrow, Saturday, at STAPLES Center at 1 p.m. The game will air on FOX Sports West and KTLK AM 1150 with pregame shows beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Schmaltz drafted 25th and LaDue 181

Two future Fighting Sioux defensemen Jordan Schmaltz 25th over all St Louis and Paul Ladue 181st Los Angeles Kings were drafted in the 2012 Entry Draft.

This is what Jordan Schmaltz had to say in his post draft interview - notice when he is asked where he is going to play next season, Schmaltz said that, "North Dakota is the best path for me and it's going to help me develop."

This is what the Los Angeles Kings official web page had to say about Paul Ladue.

With the 181st pick in the sixth round the Kings selected defenseman Paul Ladue. Ladue, who will turn 20 on Sept. 6, played the 2011-12 season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL, recording 34 points (9-25=34), 27 penalty minutes and a plus-36 rating in 56 games. The 6-1, 186-pound native of Bemidji, Minn. led all USHL defensemen in plus-minus (second overall), while ranking tied for sixth among league defensemen in points.

L.A. Lakers Victory parade? Yikes no respect for the Kings

Wow! Nice slight to the Los Angeles Kings and their Stanley Cup victory.

"We will probably be over the Laker's victory parade, Mark Kriski said.

Jonathan Quick's Awesome Victory Speech

s/t to Chuck Schwartz for having this gem on his twitter feed. I am not sure that Jonathan Quick will be getting any requests for him to do any public speaking engagements anytime soon but I can understand getting caught up in the moment. Again, congrats to the Kings for winning the Stanley Cup Championship.

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• (Video) 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Montage

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• Jonathan Quick's adorable daughter wins Stanley Cup postgame press conference MVP (VIDEO)

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• (Video) 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Montage

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• Stanley Cup Final: Jonathan Quick Wins Conn Smythe Trophy As Playoff MVP

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(Video) 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Montage

There are a lot of story lines from the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs - the defending Stanley Cup Champions went out in the first round with hardly a whimper. The Bruins found out that their all world goalie Tim Thomas had probably played his final game with the Boston Bruins.

The unlikeable team in the NHL the Vancouver Canuncks were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs - that was the second year in a row that the Canucks were beaten by the Stanley Cup Champion during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

An American team captain Dustin Brown accepted the Stanley Cup from the commissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman.

The last three Conn Smythe Trophy winners (Jonathan Towes (UND), Tim Thomas (UVM) and Jonathan Quick (UMASS) all played Division I college hockey.

Matt Greene became the 12th former Fighting Sioux hockey player to get his name on the Stanley Cup, here are the other 11 former Fighting Sioux hockey players to get their name on the Stanley Cup. s/t @UNDSID

UND's Stanley Cup Champions
Craig Ludwig, Montreal, 1985-86
Geoff Smith, Edmonton, 1989-90
Jay Caufield, Pittsburgh, 1990-91
Jay Caufield, Pittsburgh, 1991-92
Troy Murray, Colorado, 1995-96
Ed Belfour, Dallas, 1998-99
Tony Hrkac, Dallas, 1998-99
Craig Ludwig, Dallas, 1998-99
Rick Wilson, Dallas, 1998-99 (assistant coach)
Brad Bombardir, New Jersey, 1999-00
Mike Commodore, Carolina, 2005-06
Jonathan Toews, Chicago, 2009-10 (Conn Smythe Trophy winner)
Matt Greene, Los Angeles, 2011-12

The Stanley Cup Finals featured three players that played their college hockey at the University of North Dakota - Matt Greene L.A. Kings, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac New Jersey.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Tribute 2012

While my favorite team didn't win the Stanley Cup this season, the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs was an exciting championship. The Los Angeles Kings steam rolled the opposition and were a miserable team to play against. The New Jersey Devils were persistent, disciplined and played physical hockey and they didn't let the opposition goad them into silly unnecessary penalties.

Going forward, lets hope there isn't a work stoppage and that they NHL season can start on time, I am not very positive about this happening but I am not going to give up hope. I am not sure the sport can afford to have another season off - there are as many as six teams that might not survive is there is a lock out.

Where's Zach Parise going - Is it The L.A. Kings?

English: Zach Parise (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So it's begins - the push by 29 NHL teams to convince former Fighting Sioux forward and current Devils star Zach Parise to sign a multi year, multi million dollar contract.

Parise is soon to be unrestricted free agent and is going to draw a lot of interest from many teams. This question is how much cap space to the Los Angeles Kings actually have? According to Cap Geek, the L.A. Kings have four guys (Mike Richards, Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Drew Doughty) locked up in about 24 million dollars in salary.

Steve Simmons,Toronto Sun --- Up next for the Los Angeles Kings: First, a parade. Then, the pursuit of free agent Zach Parise come July 1.

These Kings have no intention of winning just one Stanley Cup. They want more. And they are not in any kind of salary cap conundrum, the way past winners have found themselves . They won’t have to dish off quality players - or any players really - the way the Chicago Blackhawks did after winning two years ago.

And while they won’t say so because they can’t legally say so, the captain of the New Jersey Devils is No. 1 on their off-season shopping list.

They want Parise, as do many teams, and they want him badly.

Parise fits perfectly into the Kings’ ultra-competitive philosophy, led by general manager Dean Lombardi and his able assistant, Ron Hextall. What they determined on their way to the Stanley Cup was what so many have known already. But until you witness it up close, experience it with your players - that fine line between success and failure often comes down to little more than effort

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are over and now comes the question - where is Zach going to sign - it seems like very day there is another rumor or pontification by a blogger or hockey writer on where Zach is going to sign when free agency begins.