In this episode of Kings of the Podcast, John and Dennis discuss the anticipation surrounding the LA Kings' upcoming season, the historical context of rivalries in the NHL, and the debut of the Utah Hockey Club. They explore the dynamics of franchise viability, community support, and the future of hockey in various markets, including the potential for new teams in Atlanta and Houston. The conversation is filled with insights, predictions, and reflections on the evolving landscape of professional hockey.

Ontario Reign Coach Marco Sturm joins The Mayor to talk about the upcoming season. The guys close this episode discussing the evolution of Sturm as a head coach, the LA Kings' roster adjustments, and predictions for the upcoming NHL season. They give their picks for all four NHL division winners and wrap up with a look at the Kings' season kickoff and the significant roster changes in both the NHL and AHL.

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In this episode, John and Dennis discuss the LA Kings' preseason preparations, the impact of injuries on the team, and the evaluation of player performances. They delve into the narrative surrounding the length of the preseason and its effects on player health, while also exploring the dynamics of new line combinations. The conversation shifts to understanding PTOs and player contracts, highlighting the Kings' roster decisions and the emphasis on team identity and toughness for the upcoming season.

KOTP Bullet Points:

• DB is off to Quebec City!
• The Kings will face teams they don't usually see in preseason.
• Injuries are a concern, but not necessarily due to preseason length.
• Players like Kopitar want to play in preseason games for chemistry.
• The revenue from preseason games is important for owners and players.
• Jim Hiller is keeping lines together for consistency.
• PTOs are important for players to join NHL training camps.
• The Kings are focusing on size and toughness this season.
• The coaching staff has communicated expectations for team identity.
• Mikey Anderson is seen as a future leader for the Kings.
• Leadership roles are crucial, especially with injuries to key players.
• Trevor Lewis provides necessary veteran presence on the ice.
• The Kings' offensive potential looks promising this season.
• Goaltending usage will be a key focus for the coaching staff.

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

DB's running mate at The Fourth Period, Dave Pagnotta stops by for a preseason look at the NHL. 

KOTP Bullet Points:

• The Kings are in the midst of training camp with many storylines.
• Junior cuts will be made soon, affecting roster composition.
• Preseason games will be televised, increasing fan access.
• Arthur Kaliyev's injury could sideline him for several months.
• The LAK roster is becoming clearer as training camp progresses.
• The fourth line center position remains a concern.
• Player deployment will be crucial for the team's success this season.
• The Kings are looking for a balance between youth and experience on the roster.

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

LAK defenseman Brandt Clarke returns to discuss his off-season and the expectations for the 2024-'25 season.

DB and The Mayor bring back the segment featuring over-under and true-false questions submitted by fans relating to LAK's upcoming season. They analyze player predictions, team dynamics, and potential trades while providing insights into the roster changes and expectations for the season ahead.

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

LAK Assistant General Manager returns to tee up the upcoming Rookie Tournament. 

In this episode, John and DB lead off discussing non-hockey sports. They also touch on Pierre-Luc Dubois' comments about not feeling at home with the Kings, Rob Blake's involvement in coaching, and the upcoming rookie faceoff tournament. The first period concludes with a discussion about moving on from the PL Dubois content and focusing on prospects.

KOTP Bullet Points:

• Drew Doughty's visit to the LA Rams preseason camp was entertaining, and he explained why he is a Saints fan.
• The Rams play with intensity and heart, unlike the Yankees who often lack effort.
• Pierre-Luc Dubois' comments about not feeling at home with the Kings raise questions about his attitude and commitment.
• Rob Blake's involvement in coaching and his willingness to get on the ice with players is commendable.
• The conversation about Dubois should be put to rest and the focus should shift to prospects and the upcoming rookie faceoff tournament.
• LA Kings prospects to watch in college hockey: Jared Wright, Ryan Conmy, Kenny Connors, and Jack Hughes
• Former King Pavel Rosa's number is being retired in the Quebec League
• The Kings have added a sponsor patch to their road jerseys
• Changes to radio and TV broadcasts of Kings games: simulcasts on AM 710 and streaming on the ESPN LA app
• Daryl Evans will be appearing on the Sirius XM NHL Network Radio Power Play show on Tuesday with DB

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

A KOTP favorite Kelly Cheeseman, COO AEG Sports, returns for an update. 

KOTP 204 Bullet Points:

• DB shares his recent trip to Europe, including visits to Vienna, Salzburg, Wrexham, and London
• The hosts discuss the upcoming NHL season and the signing of players on professional tryout contracts (PTOs)
• The tragic loss of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew and the outpouring of support from the hockey community
• The emotional games between the LA Kings, Columbus, and Calgary in light of the Gaudreau family tragedy and a discussion about managing loss.
• The Los Angeles Kings will have a new jersey sponsor for their white jerseys, in addition to the existing sponsor for their black jerseys.
• There will be no preseason games at Crypto.com Arena next season, but there will be games in other Southern California locations.
• The landscape of TV rights and distribution is rapidly changing, and teams are trying to balance maximum distribution with financial considerations. The Kings are currently on Bally's, which is available in many places, but the future of TV rights and distribution is uncertain.
• DB has upcoming radio shows, including Hot Stove and co-hosting the Power Play.

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

LAK 2023 draft choice, forward Koehn Ziemmer stops by for an update. 

KOTP bullet points:

• The NHL rookie face-off tournament has expanded to seven teams, including the Seattle team.
• The games will be held at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, and tickets will be limited.
• The LA Kings will be wearing their new Fanatics game issue jerseys for the first time.
• There are upcoming renovations at the Crypto.com arena, including a new scoreboard.
• Practice is important, and the Kings' rookie squad will be practicing at 11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the tournament. 
• Kelly Cheeseman will be a guest on the show to discuss the renovations and the tournament.

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

As part of the KOTP Summer Series, LAK Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti returns for a detailed conversation that includes listener questions. 

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

In Episode 201: 

• The guys discuss the success of their recent episode and the positive response from fans.
• They share insights into the production work behind the scenes of their podcast.
• The Mayor goes 1-on-1 with Jim Thomson, who provides interesting stories and perspectives from a former LA King.
• The Eisbaren Berlin team and their arena are highlighted, showcasing the team's success and the unique backstory of the arena.
• The hosts briefly discuss Red Bull and its various sports ventures.
• The Ontario Rain's opening game is scheduled for October 12th against San Jose, with a doubleheader weekend including a game on Sunday as well.
• The LA Kings have two contracts that need to be finalized before the start of the season, including that of Arthur Kaliyev, a restricted free agent.
• Eric Portillo, a promising goaltender, is expected to sign a two-year contract with the Kings. He has three more years of waiver exemption, which gives the team flexibility in managing his development.
• The television rights landscape is rapidly changing, with streaming and over-the-air options becoming more prevalent. However, the Kings' situation is unlikely to change significantly in terms of content delivery.
• Cord-cutting may not necessarily save money for sports fans, as they often need multiple subscriptions to access all the sports content they want.
• The future of sports broadcasting is likely to involve diversification and shorter-term deals to adapt to the evolving landscape.

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

This one is for the LAK fans, the sole reason KOTP got to milestone Episode 200.
The guys take questions from the loyal listeners. 

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod

In this episode, John and Dennis discuss a recent trip to Europe and their upcoming travel plans. John talks about their experiences in Berlin, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, and Madrid, including attending concerts and witnessing the celebration for the Spain team winning the Euro Cup. DB shares his excitement for their upcoming trips to Vienna, Salzburg, and Wrexham. In the second period, The Mayor interviews Eric Lacroix, a former member of the LA Kings, who shares his journey in hockey and his son's participation in the Kings' development camp.

KOTP Shots from the Point:

• Quinton Byfield signed a five-year contract with the LA Kings for $6.25 million AAV
• The contract provides security for Byfield and flexibility for the Kings to add pieces to their roster.
• Byfield is expected to center a line with Kevin Fiala as his winger.
• The lineup and potential combinations of wingers, including Warren Foegele, Akil Thomas, and Tanner Jeannot, are discussed.
• Jordan Spence's contract and other prospect notes are mentioned.
• The LA Kings have several prospects participating in the World Junior Camps, which is a summer evaluation camp for young players.
• Liam Greentree, the Kings' first-round draft pick, has signed a three-year entry-level contract but is not eligible to play in the AHL next year.
• Koehn Ziemmer, a top draft pick from two years ago, is AHL eligible this coming season due to his birthday falling on December 31st.
• There is uncertainty about where Ziemmer and Jacob Dvorak will play next season, as their roles could be affected by other players' progress.
• Arthur Kaliyev, a highly regarded prospect, has not generated much trade interest, and the Kings may try to increase his trade value by giving him more playing time. Kaliyev's future with the Kings is uncertain, and it will depend on his performance and willingness to commit to the organization.
• Fans will have the opportunity to join an upcoming episode of Kings of the Podcast for the show's 200th episode

You can find us on X/Twitter at @kingsofthepod