The most famous and beloved Kings prospect, goaltender Jonathan Bernier, was recently sent to the Manchester Monarchs. Even though Bernier showed much promise during the prospects camp and training camp, it was still doubtful he was going to earn one of the two goaltending roster spots. He may have come a long way from last season but would he have benefited from having another season start like the one last year? It’s in his best interest as a young developing goalie to take the extra time to build up his physical and mental game. However, if the Kings’ goaltending woes from previous years continue this season he may eventually see some playing time.

Additional prospects continue to hang around making notable outings in each preseason game. Forwards Oscar Moller and Wayne Simmonds are still with the team and each brings a different style of play that could be beneficial to the already young team. Moller’s small frame is the biggest factor that could prevent him from making the jump this season but his quickness and finesse are things the Kings could use. Simmonds is a gritty, in your face character, something the Kings need more of, that can also provide help on offense. Last season in the OHL he moved from the Owen Sound Attack to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and totaled 75 points and 111 PIM. The knocks against Simmonds is that he hasn’t had much experience duking it out with NHL caliber players and he’s a relatively light 175 lbs on a 6′-2″ frame.

Fans outside of LA are finally taking notice of Kings superstars Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Expect even bigger seasons from these two as they’ve been playing on a line together for quite some time. The question right now is who will be blessed to play alongside them? If Patrick O’Sullivan remains unsigned, then the likely player to fill the role is Matt Moulson. He played several games with the Kings last season but spent most of the time with the Monarchs. He’s played with Kopitar and Brown during preseason games and looks right at home. Not only is he an unknown gifted forward, but he has a pretty decent defensive game too.

Forwards Teddy Purcell and Brian Boyle will also most likely stay in LA. Purcell should provide additional scoring if he can find his touch in the NHL and Boyle should use his size to provide a strong presence as the fourth line center, that is if he decides to actually use his size to his advantage. Newly acquired Jarrett Stoll will provide the Kings with faceoff and special teams talent and seems poised to play alongside the token Russian, Alexander Frolov. If Purcell ends up on the top line or O’Sullivan finally signs, Stoll and Frolov will be put with Moulson, giving the Kings a very strong second line.

Kevin Westgarth and Richard Clune will fight for the second tough guy spot alongside resident enforcer Raitis Ivanans, that is if the Kings decide to keep another of that kind on the team. Westgarth has the size at 6′-5″ 247 lbs, but that’s pretty much all he has to offer. Clune is a better agitator, touting himself as the most hated player in the AHL last season and has better skills, but he’s out with an injury and won’t be healed for some time. Considering how much talent the Kings will have up top, it seems unnecessary to carry two enforcers with limited skill. However it is reassuring to know there are additional brutes in the pipeline in case Ivanans falls to another nasty injury.

Jack Johnson and Tom Preissing are the top defensemen this year. Joining the defensive ranks are Sean O’Donnell, Matt Greene, Denis Gauthier, Peter Harrold, and 2008 First Round Draft pick Drew Doughty. With just under a week left till the season opener, it appears as though Jason LaBarbera has secured the number one goaltending spot despite having shaky performances during several preseason games. At the end of last season Erik Ersberg probably thought he had the No. 2 spot locked up but Jonathan Quick is not going down without a battle, but I think the Swede will eventually succeed. It’s no secret that the Kings defense, most notably goaltending, is suspect; the Kings will look to reduce their goals against average and improve clearing the zone and entering the offensive area. The defensemen and goalies will battle each other for the title of “Kings Achilles Heel” and right now it’s completely up for grabs.

Kings GM Dean Lombardi has apparently told his fellow GMs that he’s willing to move any player on his roster over 25 years of age.

That list includes defenseman Rob Blake, Brad Stuart, Tom Preissing and D Jaroslav Modry, as well as forwards Ladislav Nagy, Derek Armstrong, and Scott Thornton.

Garrioch claims that the Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, and the Detroit Red Wings are interested in Blake.

However, The Score reports that Blake, who is currently on the IR, doesn’t want to leave the Kings. Blake has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he gets to control where he plays.

But if he were to return before the February 26 trade deadline and willing to accept a trade, his preference would be to remain out West, thus taking the Red Wings out of the running.

Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe reports that the Anaheim Ducks are high on Blake’s wish list.

Meanwhile, Brian Biggane of the Palm Beach Post suggests the Kings will look to acquire a quality prospect in return for Blake.

Biggane also reports that the 38-year-old Blake will retire in the off-season and take a front-office job with the Kings.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier will try to re-start contract talks with pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Brian Campbell. Campbell ceased negotiations with the Sabres several days ago, but it appears as though Regier is eager to get a deal done before the blueliner hits free agency.

If Campbell isn’t signed by the February 26 trade deadline, however, the Sabres may decide to trade him rather than risk losing him for nothing in the off-season.

Also from McKenzie, he suggests that the Tampa Bay Lightning will not make any significant deals (i.e. trading the forwards Vincent Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards and defenseman Dan Boyle) until their ownership situation gets settled.

Oren Koules, a Hollywood producer who was among the failed/dysfunctional group that had an agreement to purchase the Lightning from current owners Palace Sports, is expected to “reach an agreement” to buy the franchise “in fairly short order.”

However, if Koules can’t get it done, the current Lightning owner may decide to “divesting themselves of significant” by cutting payroll.

Chicago Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon tells Lacy Banks of the Chicago Sun Times that while he would like to pull the trigger on a trade, the market is a little slow at the moment.

“With the trade deadline drawing near [Feb. 26], we’re still trying to make deals that will improve our team,” Tallon said. “But while I have some pots on the stove, they’re just simmering right now instead of boiling.”

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that the Carolina Hurricanes are shopping for a puck-moving defenseman. Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has apparently contacted the Los Angeles Kings to inquire about the availability of defenseman Tom Preissing. The problem is that Kings GM Dean Lombardi is said to be asking “inflated prices for his players.”

Garrioch also reports that UFA forward Peter Forsberg could decide on whether to return to the NHL or retire within the next 10 days. The Philadelphia Flyers are said to be at the top of his list, while the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks are also interested.

Lastly from Garrioch, he reports that the Florida Panthers are exploring trading defenseman Branislav Mezei and forward Radek Dvorak, and despite the club’s denials, forward Olli Jokinen as well.

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland tells Jo-Ann Barnas of the Detroit Free Press that he will consider re-signing unrestricted free agent forward Darren McCarty.

McCarty is currently in the minor leagues trying to stay in shape so he can eventually return tot he NHL.

“We’re in January, and he’s in September,” Holland said of McCarty’s fitness level. “So he’s already behind. He’s going to really have to be committed to hitting the gym.”

“Once he shows up in Grand Rapids [the Red Wings' AHL affiliate], the evaluation period begins for me,” Holland said. “Can he play in the NHL? I don’t know. We’d like to give him an opportunity, if he’s good enough.”