The Vancouver Canucks on Thursday signed free-agent defensemen Derek Joslin and Patrick Mullen.
Mullen, 26, had 41 points in 69 games last season with the Manchester Monarchs, the Los Angeles Kings' AHL team. His 13 goals were tied for fourth among AHL defensemen.
No offense to Mullen at all, as I think he's a good guy, but this isn't a big loss. We still have Muzzin, Kolomatis, Campbell, Deslauriers back next year. I'd include Hickey, but he's waiver eligible next year and I doubt he'd clear. Miller and LaDue from the 2012 draft I believe can jump straight to the AHL as well, so we should be able to bring in a full contingent of D.
No offense to Mullen at all, as I think he's a good guy, but this isn't a big loss. We still have Muzzin, Kolomatis, Campbell, Deslauriers back next year. I'd include Hickey, but he's waiver eligible next year and I doubt he'd clear. Miller and LaDue from the 2012 draft I believe can jump straight to the AHL as well, so we should be able to bring in a full contingent of D.
It's not a big loss for the Kings NHL team, but it is for the Monarchs as he was their most consistent offensive d-man. I was hoping one of Hickey or Muzzin could come up and be the #7 in LA, so that would be another loss for Manchester.
You would hope a guy like Deslauriers would have provided a little bit more than he did last season, his offensive numbers were terrible and according to our Monarch friends his defense wasn't much better.
Hopefully if he isn't in LA next year Muzzin can take on a much bigger role in the AHL. Hickey is waiver eligible and would probably be claimed if the Kings tried to send him back down to Manchester.
It's not a big loss for the Kings NHL team, but it is for the Monarchs as he was their most consistent offensive d-man. I was hoping one of Hickey or Muzzin could come up and be the #7 in LA, so that would be another loss for Manchester.
You would hope a guy like Deslauriers would have provided a little bit more than he did last season, his offensive numbers were terrible and according to our Monarch friends his defense wasn't much better.
Hopefully if he isn't in LA next year Muzzin can take on a much bigger role in the AHL. Hickey is waiver eligible and would probably be claimed if the Kings tried to send him back down to Manchester.
Bodnarchuk was signed for a reason. Similar stats through their careers, Mullen just exploded offensively this season.
Assuming Hickey won't be in Manchester (either makes the team or gets claimed off waivers/traded), does that mean Jordan Hill steps in?
Muzzin-Campbell
Deslauriers - Kolomatis
Bodnarchuk - Hill ?
Well P. Mullen is smaller than T. Hickey and was also 26 years old, his time had come and gone within the Kings organization, but wish him well with the 'Nucks ...
As far as the remaining Kings D Prospect Pool and who will / can play for the Monarchs ? ... I'd guess Hickey comes up as the #7 and Drewiske is sent down, if we lose him, Kings will sign some other AHL fodder to replace him ? or they just roll with Hill and 6 D men ?
#2 Andrew Campbell - 24
#37 Thomas Hickey - 23
#5 Jordan Hill - 23
#6 David Kolomatis - 23
#3 Jake Muzzin - 23
#? Andrew Bodnarchuk - 23
#4 Nick Deslauriers - 21
Derek Forbort - 20 @ UND, NCAA
Kevin Gravel - 20 @ St. Cloud State, NCAA
Alex Roach - 19 @ Calgary Hitmen, WHL - NOTICED IS NO LONGER ON KINGS WEBSITE ? did we trade him ?
Colin Miller - 19 @ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL
Paul Ladue - 19 @ Lincoln Stars, USHL
Nick Ebert - 18 @ Windsor Spitfires, OHL
Well P. Mullen is smaller than T. Hickey and was also 26 years old, his time had come and gone within the Kings organization, but wish him well with the 'Nucks ...
As far as the remaining Kings D Prospect Pool and who will / can play for the Monarchs ? ... I'd guess Hickey comes up as the #7 and Drewiske is sent down, if we lose him, Kings will sign some other AHL fodder to replace him ? or they just roll with Hill and 6 D men ?
#2 Andrew Campbell - 24
#37 Thomas Hickey - 23
#5 Jordan Hill - 23
#6 David Kolomatis - 23
#3 Jake Muzzin - 23
#? Andrew Bodnarchuk - 23
#4 Nick Deslauriers - 21
Derek Forbort - 20 @ UND, NCAA
Kevin Gravel - 20 @ St. Cloud State, NCAA
Alex Roach - 19 @ Calgary Hitmen, WHL - NOTICED IS NO LONGER ON KINGS WEBSITE ? did we trade him ?
Colin Miller - 19 @ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL
Paul Ladue - 19 @ Lincoln Stars, USHL
Nick Ebert - 18 @ Windsor Spitfires, OHL
Well P. Mullen is smaller than T. Hickey and was also 26 years old, his time had come and gone within the Kings organization, but wish him well with the 'Nucks ...
As far as the remaining Kings D Prospect Pool and who will / can play for the Monarchs ? ... I'd guess Hickey comes up as the #7 and Drewiske is sent down, if we lose him, Kings will sign some other AHL fodder to replace him ? or they just roll with Hill and 6 D men ?
#2 Andrew Campbell - 24
#37 Thomas Hickey - 23
#5 Jordan Hill - 23
#6 David Kolomatis - 23
#3 Jake Muzzin - 23
#? Andrew Bodnarchuk - 23
#4 Nick Deslauriers - 21
Derek Forbort - 20 @ UND, NCAA
Kevin Gravel - 20 @ St. Cloud State, NCAA
Alex Roach - 19 @ Calgary Hitmen, WHL - NOTICED IS NO LONGER ON KINGS WEBSITE ? did we trade him ?
Colin Miller - 19 @ Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL
Paul Ladue - 19 @ Lincoln Stars, USHL
Nick Ebert - 18 @ Windsor Spitfires, OHL
Roach is at prospect camp and he pleasantly surprised me today. Nothing amazing, but he moved the puck better than I was expecting during the game situations.
And isn't Hill still on an AHL deal? He can sign with anyone else at anytime.
Bizzare ? when I pull up the Kings Prospects Roster I get this ...
... with NO Roach ? where'd you find him listed ? and I know we signed him to a 3 yr ELC too ... not sure why he's not showing up on LAKINGS.com for me ?
Bizzare ? when I pull up the Kings Prospects Roster I get this ...
... with NO Roach ? where'd you find him listed ? and I know we signed him to a 3 yr ELC too ... not sure why he's not showing up on LAKINGS.com for me ?
Just google this.
Alex Roach LA Kings
There are pages for LaDue, Ebert and Miller, and they're not listed on that page either.
I really dont understand what happened with Mullen....
First off, how did he go from nothing to having a very solid season....i mean, this guy had 13 goals last year....That is very impressive....Was it just a fluke season, or is he a late bloomer? I just dont know why they didn't try to re-sign him to a 2-way deal to see if he could build on that season....Now we will never know....
I really dont understand what happened with Mullen....
First off, how did he go from nothing to having a very solid season....i mean, this guy had 13 goals last year....That is very impressive....Was it just a fluke season, or is he a late bloomer? I just dont know why they didn't try to re-sign him to a 2-way deal to see if he could build on that season....Now we will never know....
He was a 25 year old playing in the AHL. You see it all the time if you look at the stats for guys. Cliche is 24 and is considered a top 6 forward in the AHL, in the NHL, not so much. I thought with the season Mullen was having that the Kings would at least try and resign him. Reminded me alot of Peter Harrold, small undersized d-man that had a very versatile game. Not a big loss though because like I said, at very best the Kings just lost Peter Harrold...
I really dont understand what happened with Mullen....
First off, how did he go from nothing to having a very solid season....i mean, this guy had 13 goals last year....That is very impressive....Was it just a fluke season, or is he a late bloomer? I just dont know why they didn't try to re-sign him to a 2-way deal to see if he could build on that season....Now we will never know....
Who says they didn't? Maybe he just wanted to move on to a team where he may just get a cup of coffee in the NHL. Mullen was like 12th on our depth list and wouldn't taste the NHL in all likelihood.
...
where'd you find him listed ? and I know we signed him to a 3 yr ELC too ... not sure why he's not showing up on LAKINGS.com for me ? 
