ESPN Films has released the viewing schedule for the first 7 films of it’s “30 in 30″ documentary film series, which celebrates the networks 30th anniversary by profiling various news stories from the past 30 years. Directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, Hancock), “Kings Ransom” takes a look at the monumental impact the Wayne Gretzky-to-LA trade had on the sport of hockey in the United States and Canada from the seldom taken perspective of the Great One himself. ”Kings Ransom” will open the series on October 6, 2009 at 8pm EST.  Should be an interesting watch for not only Kings fans but hockey fans in general who remember first hand that earth shattering day. (unless of course you’re an Oilers fan) Here’s a clip from “Kings Ransom.”

The “30 in 30″ series will air Tuesday nights at 8pm EST on ESPN with upcoming films made by acclaimed directors Frank Marshall, Barry Levinson, Spike Jonze, John Singleton and many more. Sounds awesome!

On the 3rd and final day of the LA Kings Hockey Fest 09, Keith, Chris and Connie continue their coverage of the event with exclusive interviews of Dean Lombardi, Ron Hextall and Terry Murray, chat with more Los Angeles Kings fans, check out the new NHL 2010 game and stage their own autograph session.

Hockey Fest Day 3 – Staying on Target

Keith, Chris and Connie cover Day 2 of the Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fest 09 with interviews of Dave Taylor, Anze Kopitar, Teddy Purcell and Drew Doughty, talk to some passionate hockey fans and check out the festivities.

Breaking Misconceptions – Blog on Day 2
Frozen Royalty: Hockey Fest 09 Looks Like a Hit

When you think of a city that would possibly host  a Hockey Fest, Los Angeles isn’t exactly the first place that comes to mind. But with a rabid core of passionate and championship starved fans, and in a season that appears to finally be heading in the right direction, the Los Angeles Kings organization decided to stage the first annual Hockey Fest 2009 in celebration of this loyalty and in hopes of marketing the youthful core and hopeful future success to the city. Taking place in the heart of the Nokia Theater, also home of the Grammys, Hockey Fest converged for opening ceremonies in front of several hundred anxious and spirited fans in what hopes to be the start of a season of full of shiny trophies and merriment of their own.

On a hot and steamy day in the Los Angeles area, Kings fans and Angelenos marched down the streets of downtown with hockey on their minds. People of all ages, many adorning Kings jerseys and t-shirts, filled the grand arena of the Nokia in what kicks off the beginning of the Hockey season.

With interactive trivia games on the jumbo-tron, a video montage of classic Kings hockey moments and the presentation of players past, present and future, this epic all weekend event commenced. ESPN Hockey writer and analyst, John Buccigross, acted as MC, mixing humor and energy into the crowd of vivacious fans. In one of the most powerful moments of the evening, captain Dustin Brown provided his insight into what feels like the most tight knit and team oriented squad he’s ever seen assembled in several years of being a member of the organization.

With high hopes of making the playoffs and bringing a well deserved Stanley Cup to Kings fans, the organization brings to Los Angeles the first annual Hockey Fest which aspires to be only the beginning of long awaited success. KingsCast will be covering the much anticipated event this year with full media access, so keep an eye out for episodes of Overtime, Podcasts, blogs, photos and interviews with players and staff. Stay tuned…

The brand new original series, brought to you by KingsCast, profiles the devoted, sometimes crazy world of Los Angeles Kings fans. In this inaugural installment, Keith and Chris travel down to Orange County to check out the insane hockey memorabilia collection of an LA Kings super-fan.

‘Captain Canada’ is coming to Los Angeles. In need of a gritty, experienced, leader-y, decent and slightly aging Left Winger, the Los Angeles Kings have acquired the 6’1″ & 190 lbs. forward in exchange for Tommy P, Kyle Quincy (& his eyes) with a 5th round pick in the 2010 draft. The Avs dump Smyth’s $6,250,000 average a year salary, the Kings dump the inactive and disappointing Tom Preissing along with his $2,750,000 a year salary along with Quincy (an above average D-Man but odd man out) and throw in an uneventful 5th Round Pick.

Advantage, Kings. Since things didn’t quite work out with Hossa, Gaborik or Havlat, Deano went ambulance chasing with teams needing to shred payroll and scored with the Colorado Avalanche. The LA Kings get a strong, Deano-approved “Character Guy” and leader who’ll help groom the kids and someone who  isn’t afraid to crash the net and get dirty in the corners.  At first glance the salary seems high, but he’s worth it. Gotta spend money to make money. He is exactly what this team needs in this situation. Smyth is a big piece to the puzzle that is the LA Kings, he will help establish that ‘culture’ that’s been missing and he will help in recruiting hockey talent in the near future.

Lost in the news of the earth shattering Scudari signing, Kevin Westgarth has been re-signed to a new 3-Year deal. It’s pretty sad that this is the 2nd biggest signing of the off-season for the Kings… but I’m somewhat satisfied with it. Sure, the 0 points in 9 games with 9 penalty minutes is nothing special and the core of his existence as “Ivanans Replacement” is a tad distracting, I feel the need to root for him. Good sign, now please improve dramatically.

The Los Angeles Kings play it safe and second fiddle on the start of Free Agency. What do you think Kings Nation?

The Kings have a pretty empty fictitious trophy case. Watching the NHL Awards Show last Thursday in Las Vegas had me thinking. When was the last time the Kings actually won one of these and why does it seem like we are still so far out of this echelon of elite players/teams? Not that the Kings haven’t won any trophies. Except for the Presidents, Vezina, Selke, Conn Smythe, Jennings, Jack Adams and that Stanley Cup one, the Kings have picked up some hardware at the top NHL Level. It’s just, it’s only happened 5 or fewer times in any category. For a team that’s been around for 43 years, frequently had top draft picks and in certain era’s of management, spent money for top talent…you’d expect a list of trophies won to look more extensive then a grocery list. It’s depressing actually. 1 Calder, 1 Hart, 1 Norris, 1 King Clancy, 1 Campbell Bowl. In 43 Years. Throw in 2 Lester B. Pearsons, 3 Mastertons, 3 Lester Patricks (Yes!), 4 Art Ross’,  with 5 Lady Byngs and there you go for the major awards and trophies. Again, that’s in 43 years. The last trophy for the Kings? 11 years ago in 97-98, Rob Blake won the Norris. Wow. Oh and special thanks to Wayne Gretzky, Marcel Dionne, Butch Goring and Dave Taylor for receiving a majority of those.

The Kings need some trophies. At least a Calder Trophy. Come on, when you’re rebuilding there’s nothing more assuring than one of your Rookies winning a Calder. Maybe a Jack Adams trophy? The “Coach Who Leads the Young Team into Contention.” That’d be good. How about a Hart? Could you see a Kopitar, a Brown, maybe a Frolov walk up to the podium and receiving one of those big, heavy-looking, slightly strange Hart trophies? Ah, dare to dream. That era where the Kings are the team to beat, the Kings players are award winning studs and it’s the Kings having raging pool parties at former players mansions with a half submerged Stanley Cup. Someday, I hope. Right now this team doesn’t even feel like it’s playing in the same league as the Penguins, the Wings, and/or the Russian Superstars garnering world-wide attention. Someday. After 43 years…it’s time.

As for a reality check: with the Lakers raising yet another Championship banner up into the Staples Center rafters, does this mean they’re finally going to just go ahead and merge the Kings and Sparks sections? They’re at about the same relevancy: the Kings have their 1 Division Title, their 1 Conference Title and the 5 Retired Numbers. It kinda makes sense. However, the Sparks have actually won a couple Championships. Ouch.

When you’re a Los Angeles Kings fan, you have a lot of time on your hands when the Stanley Cup Playoffs are on. Here’s what a couple of LA Kings fans do when there’s no Kings hockey to watch.