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With the excitement of the regular season opener in San Jose fast approaching (more on that in another post), it’s worth taking a minute to look at the LA Kings’ recently completed preseason to mine whatever information can be had from the doldrums of fake games. If you’re a wins/losses type, the Kings finished the exhibition schedule with a record of 2-2-3. Of course, that means absolutely nothing if you consider that the Dallas Stars, a team superior in just about every way imaginable, could go 1-5-1 over the same period. My unsubstantiated theory- someone is welcome to do the math and get back to me- is that the worse a team performs in preseason, the more success they’ll have when the real games start, and vice versa.

That would put the Kings somewhere in the middle, which would constitute a vast improvement for a team that finished one win out of dead last in the league last season. But again, I’d like to remind you my theory isn’t exactly bulletproof.

For many organizations, the preseason is a time to iron out some kinks, maybe play with a few line combinations. Not so for LA. Much was up for grabs, and with the exception of Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown on the top line, it was anybody’s guess as to who would fill in where and in what combinations.

The Kings played a plethora of prospects, giving them a chance to prove whether or not they belong in the NHL. If this was a Hollywood audition, they’d refer to it as an “open call.” Those fans who bothered attending the games (it’s quality, not quantity, right?) were given the opportunity to see some of the organization’s most highly touted kiddies. Defenseman Drew Doughty (left) showed why he was taken 2nd overall in the 2008 draft, displaying toughness, deft puck moving skills, and handling his defensive duties well, especially considering his tender age.

Forwards Oscar Moller and Wayne Simmonds had very strong training camps and each brings a different type of game that is beneficial to the team- Moller has speed, finesse, and great hands, while Simmonds has both grit and skill. Both players are young, small and could use time to fill out and develop, but both made the final cut and will start the season with the Kings. Such is life with a team lacking veteran depth.

A trio of standouts for the 2007-2008 Manchester Monarchs, Matt Moulson, Teddy Purcell, and Brian Boyle, all had ample time to make their case. Moulson saw a ton of ice time filling the void left by Patrick O’Sullivan (out with a contract dispute resolved Tuesday afternoon) and was outstanding along side Kopitar and Brown. Purcell, though, didn’t log many top line minutes, and Boyle played significantly lighter and weaker than his 6′7″ frame would suggest.

Additionally, the Kings also looked at two Russian prospects, Viatcheslav Voynov and Andrei Loktionov, whose games are in much need of fine tuning. Enforcer Kevin Westgarth had his fair share of bouts, but that’s about it. Agitator Richard Clune hardly had much of an opportunity to present his on-ice-Sean Avery imitation before he fell to an injury. 2007 first round pick Thomas Hickey showed the potential to be a solid stay at home defenseman.

Preseasons in all sports receive constant criticism and questions of relevance, and it wouldn’t have been much different for the Kings had these exhibitions not provided a look at LA’s litany of prospects (and about 238 other young players). I doubt I, or anyone, would have given it any thought. (The irony, of course, is that the same thing that makes the Kings interesting in the preseason- lots of young talent vying for a spot on the roster- very likely means they won’t be that good once the regular season starts.)

From a fan’s perspective, watching preseason action can be a drag. The two games I attended at Staples Center were borderline snoozefests. There was, however, one redeeming feature, a fan experience worth mentioning so when this time rolls around next year, you’ll carve out the time.

The Frozen Fury. (Technically, Frozen Fury XI.) It was the first I’d ever attended, and more than lived up to my expectations.

As it’s been done for the last nine years, the Kings played against the Colorado Avalanche in the MGM theater-turned-hockey rink.� The arena is significantly smaller than a typical NHL venue but the energy was just as lively as any regular season game and it made for a great atmosphere. The carefree fans from both teams engaged in playful drunken arguments, eager to lay on the jeers but without any real heated exchanges. After all, it’s Vegas, the game didn’t count, and really we were all just excited to have live hockey to watch. Plus, the game itself had everything fans look for in their price of admission: fights, intensity, overtime, shootout, Adam Foote getting ejected (Kings fans only…), and so on.

Vegas, gambling, booze, hockey. Call it my short weekend “Holy Quadrinity.” There’s something so refreshing about walking around casinos in a Kings jersey and hearing plenty of “Go Kings!” from across the tables. No, “Kings Suck!” taunts or “Get a real team!” cries? Nope. Nothing but love for the crown, something so rare outside of LA. Given their recent history, it’s often rare inside LA.

My only regret was arriving in Vegas on Saturday rather than Friday, but even that might have been a blessing in disguise. Instead of leaving late Sunday afternoon certain I was about to die, or at the very least had taken a couple decades off my life, I sat in my office Monday morning wishing I was still in Vegas. Considering how excited the fans were that weekend, can someone explain why the league would rather open the season in Europe than in Sin City? How could you get hockey wrong in Vegas? Even Gary Bettman couldn’t screw that up.

Actually, he can screw anything up. But it’s still worth a try.

Marie Stiles hosts Purple Crushed Velvet, and also contributes to HLOG. She’s an L.A. native, and a bigger Kings fan than you.

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