With hockey finally here, I was able to go down to the Toyota Sports Center this past week in lovely El Segundo to check out the Kings as they prepare for the upcoming season.

I was here earlier in the summer, when the Kings' prospects were here. But I was really anxious to see the veterans report, because with all the free agent signings in the off-season, there's really not going to be much room for guys to move up.

If you haven't been to a training camp before, you should really try to come down if you get a chance. The coaches are really making them work hard. Crawford had one of the teams just go balls to the wall during one of the practices I watched. Plus, the conditioning they put them through is brutal.

I also was able to meet some of the other media people that I read or watch on a constant basis. Rich Hammond, the Daily News writer, whose Inside the Kings blog has just exploded over the summer, was really cool. I also met Matt Kredell, who will be handling the newsprint editions for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He is really anxious to continue what Rich has started over the summer.

 

I also met Heidi Androl, the Kings new special events host. I've never watched The Apprentice, which is the reality show she was on. But she was really pretty, as in supermodel pretty. As in bumble-over-your-words-pretty. I'm curious to see what they'll have her be doing this season.

I also talked with Tom Murray (no relation). As I was recording some B-roll footage of practice, Tom leaned over and asked how good of quality I was getting with my video camera. Tom was also recently announced by the Kings that he was going to provide some content for LAKings.com. I think it's cool that Luc is stepping up the Kings online presence. That can only be good for fans.

But my favorite person I met the past week was Jim Fox. Like many Kings fans, I've watched Bob Miller and Jimmy Fox ever since I got interested in hockey. And, like it is with anyone you watch on TV for a long time, you feel like you know them. That was the case for me, when he walked over and introduced himself.

I said "Hi, my name is Matt Murray, and I'm from the Press-Telegram. I am really envious of your hair." And without missing a beat, he smiled that Jim Fox smile and said "No, I'm envious of yours." I told him not to, because his hair was perfectly coiffed. Then I said, "Seriously Jim, how much product is in your hair? Because I miss using things like styling gel and shampoo and conditioners..." He just starting running his fingers through his hair, as if he was rubbing it in. Then he said "There's nothing in here. It's all natural." It's started to be a running joke throughout the week.

But enough about me. You probably want to know about players. The first question I had in mind was the goalie situation. Last year, it was goalie by committee. It was a mistake that Crawford has repeatedly copped to this training camp. I watched Cloutier and LaBarbera, as well as many of the other prospects. Like many fans, I was curious to see Cloutier in action. He played well enough in practice, with no visible signs of his injury. Same thing with LaBarbera, although his injury wasn't as serious.

The interesting thing that many of the media was wondering was where were all these players going to go? The top two lines are seemingly set, with Kopitar, Brown, Cammalleri, Frolov, O'Sullivan, Handzus, Calder, and Nagy basically assured spots on the team. Armstrong, Thornton, Ivanans all figure in somewhere. One player that I'd love to see crack the team would be Tukonen.

On defense, the pairings seem equally as set. Blake, Visnovsky, Johnson, Stuart, Preissing and Modry are the logical ones here, knowing how Crawford likes these guys. Guys like Boyle and Piskula may be a year away. Hickey looked very solid as well.

Overall, the mood is cautious. Team chemistry is important. And since the Kings basically sign a quarter of the starting lineup as free agents, it'll be interesting to see how these guys gel. One thing that many people are hoping is the huge road trip L.A. is taking over in Europe to start the season. They will be around each other for two weeks, so that may increase the chances of this team coming together.

Personally, I just can't wait for the season to get here!