Rumors are floating around that the Los Angeles Kings could be getting an outdoor game in a Southern California beach setting, as written by Andy Tonge of Mayor’s Manor.
An idea which has been tossed around for over a decade, Tonge wrote that Santa Monica is a possibility, with the NHL reaching out to the city in the past, and talks turning more serious in recent months. Hypothetically it’s thought that the Lot 1 North parking lot, by the renowned pier, would be the landing spot. No date is in mind at this point but in all likelihood it would be sometime after next season.
Last January the Winter Classic took to Miami, not to be outdone by the Stadium Series a month later in Tampa. Unusually cold weather in the Bay worked to the league’s advantage that day, although more creativity was required for the New Year’s action at LoanDepot Park. The ice was modified, nearly doubling in thickness, with an extra mobile refrigeration unit.
A pair of breakthrough events in Florida which would have seemed impossible not long ago, concerns surrounding ice conditions as well as declining fan viewership have been a damper on outdoor games over the past several years. Still, it’s fun to speculate on the possibility of the Kings taking to the ice on the Pacific Ocean, with the iconic Ferris Wheel in the background, even if an exhibition.
Elsewhere across the league:
- The Nashville Predators scouting meetings are underway as they prepare to walk on the stage at 10th overall next month in Buffalo. Assistant General Manager Jeff Kealty told Brooks Bratten, Beat Reporter, that the team could target their overall best player available, having a well stocked pool but craving high-end upside. Also featured in the article, Tom Nolan, Chief Amateur Scout, had high praise for forward prospect Wyatt Cullen whose father Matt played for the Predators at the tail end of his 1,516 game career. Brady Martin, their fifth overall selection last summer, was the team’s first top 10 selection since 2014. Somewhat hard to believe, in their entire history the Predators have drafted and developed just two forwards who went on to score 30 or more goals in a season for them; Viktor Arvidsson and Patric Hörnqvist, who were fourth and seventh rounders respectively. A franchise which has never bottomed out in their history, with no apparent plans to do so anytime soon, they must connect on some swings at the podium to reverse the trend.
- Pittsburgh Penguins forward prospect Jordan Charron committed to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, he shared on Instagram. A fifth round pick in last summer’s draft, the 6’2” winger notched 47 points in 66 games with the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, a teammate of the aforementioned Martin. With Charron into the fold, the Minutemen are up to six NHL-drafted prospects on their roster for next year. He came out of the gate blazing in his final OHL campaign, raising eyebrows with seven goals in his first six games. Already having a physical edge, if Charron’s scoring touch can continue to grow amidst the challenges of the collegiate game, the Ontario native has a real middle six upside for the Penguins.