've got to be cognizant of fit. And I think, personally, I could have done a better job there."So it's not only Jeff as a player,Patrick Kane Authentic Jersey, it's that his M.O. fit with what else we had,Jeremy Roenick Authentic Jersey, just like Nolan, King and Voynov fit. And the other thing I think it does, don't forget,Brian Campbell Jersey, when an owner allows you to go out and make a significant move for a player of Carter's stature, it's telling your players that your owner's committed to winning. And that has a huge impact on them. OK, he got hurt, but they look at it and say, 'Wow, this guy we needed and he fits on this team. This organization wants to win.'"Of course, the closest the Kings ever came to lifting the Stanley Cup was during the Wayne Gretzky era, when the team went to the Final in 1993 and lost to the Canadiens in five games. Even though they couldn't bring home a championship, Gretzky's notoriety and the success enjoyed by the team during those years increased the popularity of hockey in Southern California and created a ripple effect that continues to be felt to this day."The kids playing here,Stan Mikita Authentic Jersey, it's unbelievable," Lombardi said. "You've got the team from L.A. that's going to the nationals here, the 15- and 16-year-olds. You see kids now from Southern California go out to play in the Western Hockey League, and that would have been unheard of 10 years ago."So we're starting to get a little of that buzz I think they had during the Gretzky era … and I think also, these fans have been great. To do the way we had to do this, go back to the draft table, they've stuck by this. And we've had some hiccups here this year and they still stuck with it. It's hard to find a fan base that probably deserves a champion more than these people who've waited 40 years."
Washington goaltender Michal Neuvirth left the Capitals' game against Florida on Thursday night with an apparent leg injury.Neuvirth was injured when Florida forward Marco Sturm fell on his leg 5:39 into the second period. He went down in his crease and stayed there before being helped to the ice and into the dressing room.Rookie Braden Holtby replaced Neuvirth in goal.Neuvirth had assumed the starting job a week ago when veteran Tomas Vokoun went down with a groin injury that will keep him out at least through the end of the regular season.
TORONTO - Aaron Ekblad was named the Ontario Hockey League's rookie of the year Thursday.The Barrie Colts defenceman was the youngest player in the league this season after being granted exceptional player status by Hockey Canada to enter last year's draft at the age of 15.Taken first overall by the Colts, the Belle River, Ont., native recorded 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 63 games.Now 16, Ekblad scored seven power-play goals as part of a turnaround season for the Colts,Jeremy Roenick Jersey, who finished third in the Eastern Conference after winding up 2010-11 campaign with the worst record in the OHL."Going through the exceptional player process last season was stressful but playing this year I have no regrets," Ekblad said. "We have a great (coaching) staff (i