Media is reporting that the Kings will hold a press conference to introduce their new head coach Terry Murray.

The Los Angeles Kings will hold a press conference tomorrow, Thursday, July 17, to introduce the club’s new Head Coach.

The press conference will take place in the Kings dressing room at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo beginning at 1 p.m. Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi will make the introduction.

The press conference will also be streamed live on LAKings.com.

I’d like to get Murray’s thoughts on how he will make this team grow into a cup contender before I make any judgement about whether this is a good hire or not.  Murray’s credentials don’t lack any playoff experience…so he does know how to get a team there. We’ll see…tune in tomm.

Kings are reportedly set to name Terry Murray to be the new Kings Head Coach. It shouldn’t be too surprising Dean Lombardi is ready to name him the Kings Head Coach…there is familiarity between the two from their Flyer days. Here is his Bio the Flyers official site:

Murray led the Panthers to a franchise record 98-point season and a team-record 43 victories. Before joining the Panthers, Murray spent four seasons working in the Flyers organization, including three as head coach. He served as a pro scout for the Flyers during the 1997-98 season. In three seasons as head coach of the Flyers (1994-95 through 1996-97), Murray compiled a 118-64-30 record and coached the team to two Atlantic Division Championships (1994-95 and 1995-96) and to the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals as the Eastern Conference Champion. In addition to the Panthers and the Flyers, Murray also coached the Washington Capitals for five seasons (1989-90 through 1993-94). His Capitals’ coaching record stands at 163-134-28. Over 11 seasons, Murray’s career NHL coaching record is 360-288-89 and he has guided his team into the playoffs in nine of 10 seasons.

You know what that means…I think Kool and the Gang said it best…

Kings appear to be addressing the D-Corp very aggressively. Speaking of aggressive…

Kings #32 overall pick…

Vjateslav Voinov Chelyabinsk (Russia) 6′-0″ 190 lbs. Jan./15/1990 = 36 GP 1 G 3 A 4 Pts 20 PIM
Analysis: A member of Team Russia for the 2007 and 2008 World Junior Championship, Voinov is solid in his own end and makes good decisions with the puck. He still needs time to develop his quickness and physical game.

Report from Darkside Cowboys Draft guide – Not a lot of 17 year old players play a full season in the RSL. One of the top Russian players available in this draft was able to crack Chelyabinsk’s lineup, a bottom team in that league. Voinov is a VERY competative player that plays a gritty physical {and at times dirty} game despite not being the biggest player on the ice. With his good on ice vision, he displayed superior puck moving skills. When he has a chance, he can put a hard shot to the net. Voinov still needs to work on his positioning, as he sometimes gets caught out of position.

63rd Overall – Robert Czarnick

Czarnik is a talented offensive player who still has a lot of room to develop as a hockey player.  He has good vision on the ice and a solid shot. Committed to play for U of Michigan.

74th Overall – Andrew Campbell

Andrew Campbell proved to be a highly touted prospect at the National Hockey League Entry Draft despite his unranked status. Campbell, a year older than most selections, was not ranked on the Central Scouting list heading into the draft in Ottawa on Saturday.

But that didn’t stop the Los Angeles Kings from selecting the Soo Greyhounds defenseman with the 13th pick of the third round, 74th overall.

-Soo Today

88th Overall – Geordie Wudrick

123rd Overall – Andrei Loktionov

Commentary by McKeen’s Hockey Prospects
09/10/2007 – Second-line center benefited greatly from the heightened attention other teams paid to Russia’s top line .. a highly skilled and incredibly smart player .. blessed with extraordinary hockey sense – arguably displayed the best vision among all the tournament’s forwards .. attacks the net and shows no hesitation sacrificing himself to get into scoring areas .. blessed with only average speed, however his puckhandling skills often draws opponents out of position which allows him to make an incisive pass to an open teammate .. always finds an option even when double-teamed which infuriates the opposition as he makes it look so easy .. the assistant captain, he oozes potential and shows all the makings of being this year’s Sam Gagner. Tournament Stats: 4-2-3-5, 6PIM, PLUS-2

153rd Overall – Justin Azevedo

Scouting Report: A four-year veteran with the Rangers, he has been passed over twice (2006, 2007) on draft day and is eligible for the last time in 2008… earned CHL Player of the Year honors after leading all three leagues (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) in scoring with 124 points in 67 games with Kitchener… also led all tournament players in scoring at the 2008 Memorial Cup… a brilliant offensive player, he’s also feisty for his 5-7, 183-pound frame… may not have the extra gear required to play a top-six role at the highest level.

King fans should be happy about day one. I’ve been reading various hockey sites and usually the comments about the Kings are…”That’s just sick”  when talking about our talent pool with Dmen. Now we get into the later rounds in Day 2. This is what separates  the good scouting teams from the poor ones. We all know Dean Lombardi has referred to this 2008 draft as the draft he felt good enough about his scouting team. This is where we get the Oscar Mollar’s and the Wayne Simmonds.  I feel confident about DL and his team’s ability to spot talent and “hockey sense”. The general consensus is that LA is loading up for the future and it seems that AEG whom we all love to hate is on board with Dean.  I expect the Kings to do a lot of moving on day 2 to get their players they want and have scouted extensively.

quote of the night: On whether Drew Doughty knew, in advance, that the Kings were drafting him…

“No, they didn’t tell me. I saw Dean Lombardi shaking hands with the Calgary GM. I kind of buried my head in my hands and said, `Oh, no.’ I really wanted to be a L.A. King.” – Per Rich Hammond.

By the way here are your new Kings!

13th overall pick Colten Teubert

2nd overall pick Drew Doughty.

I thought this was a good video to get to know Doughty a little bit…

Ok so we have quite a few talented Blueliners now…amazing how it all changes in a matter of hours.

Now we have…

JMFJ 3rd overall pick in 2005

Thomas Hickey 4th overall pick in 2007

Drew Doughty 2nd overall pick in 2008

Colten Teubert 13th overall pick in 2008

Excellent pick. As you may or may not recall, I had a feeling Dean would move up from 28th overall to get Teubert, although I have to wonder what would have happened had Kyle Beach fell to #12?

Goes to Buffalo. Not Surprised, we get the third round pick for next year and move down a slot.

Good pick by the Kings…not my first choice, obviously I would have rather went with Bogo. However judging by the comments by Doughty about being a King and how bad he wants to be one. It is nice to hear.

“Yeah I do. I think that’s my main focus. I really want to step in and make an impact in the NHL next year. I really want to be on the Kings. It’s a dream come true.”

Good stuff…now we await the 12th overall pick…