Dancing in the Reign: Down on the Farm; A look at the Manchester Monarchs

As the Los Angeles Kings take a break from NHL play in respect to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, let’s take a look at the status of the prospects and the team that develops the future of the LA Kings. The Manchester Monarchs are having a season that provides plenty of optimism to the development of this organization’s future, as if we didn’t have that already. Manchester, as of February 15th, has posted 79 points through 56 games of play in the American Hockey League. The Monarchs stand 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference and 2nd in the Atlantic Division. Take a look at the major club in this family, and the Kings are stacked with young talent. And how does it get better? The young talent in our minor league system is proving themselves as well. It’s almost getting to the point; And I don’t want to get over my head here, but that we may have too much young talent. Look, AHL clubs can have a great campaign and then completely flop the year after. The AHL is a very difficult league to analyze. So many aspects of this league are unstable. The rosters, mainly full of young, inexperienced professional hockey players, change on a daily basis. You’ve got coaches coming and going, management directing players to various leagues, just a tough situation to maintain stability to make it to the next level. However, a fair test to those AHL’ers who eventually do get the call to the NHL.
So, if we are to assess Kings prospects solely based on Manchester’s success this season, I’d say we’re in good company. Will some of these players make an impact in Los Angeles in the near future? Yes. Will some of these players make an impact in Los Angeles via trade? Yes, and that’s the key importance I’m seeing in this Manchester lineup. The Kings are built right now for long-term success. Where I think Manchester will really come into play is a trade at this year’s deadline, sometime this off-season, or next season. The fact that Dean Lombardi has done such a wonderful job in constructing such a young, solid core of players gives us a little more comfort when it comes to including prospects in a trade. There are already a handful of players on Manchester’s roster that have NHL experience. Not to say they weren’t NHL savvy, but let’s be honest, the Kings are on the verge of being an elite team. There is so much competition at every position, we’re feeding Manchester players that could very well be starters on other NHL clubs. Could this have something to do with Manchester’s success this season?

Let’s take a closer look at the players excelling in Manchester. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier is having quite the season with the Monarchs, and is quite possibly the hottest Kings prospect. I think it’s too early to tell what Bernier may bring to the Kings. Whatever the future may hold for Erik Ersberg may provide a clearer picture. There are so many variables in Bernier’s future I don’t even know what to say. With Quick’s success thus far, could we gain more by dealing Bernier? Will it disturb Quick’s confidence next season if Bernier’s on the roster? Remember now folks, Quick is having a stellar season knowing he’s the number 1, not with some youngster breathing down his back. This is a GOOD problem to have, remember that. What about winger Corey Elkins? The Kings draftee, fresh off of a 41 point season at The Ohio State University has recorded 36 points for the Monarchs. Here’s a late bloomer, Bud Holloway. Drafted in 2006 by Los Angeles, he leads the Monarchs in points. Still very young though at the age of 22. I could go on for pages and pages about this team, but let’s get one thing straight. If you feel content with the Kings roster now, take a minute to look at what Manchester is developing. To say this franchise is in good hands is an understatement. Whether the Monarchs provide solid players to add to the Kings roster, or provide the key to a big trade in the future, there’s a lot of up-side to this squad in New Hampshire.