Los Angeles Kings: Ryan Smyth Already Making A Big Impact

LOS ANGELES — For years, veteran left wing Ryan Smyth was a “Kings Killer,” scoring more points (24 goals with 24 assists for 48 points in 48 games) against the Los Angeles Kings than any other team, while wearing the jerseys of the Edmonton Oilers, the New York Islanders and the Colorado Avalanche.

But that was not one of the reasons Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi acquired the 33-year-old native of Banff, Alberta from the Avalanche on July 3, 2009, in exchange for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing, along with a fifth round selection in the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Indeed, Smyth’s uncanny ability to light up the Kings just about every time he faced them was probably not even on Lombardi’s list. Rather, it was Smyth’s veteran experience and leadership, not to mention the fact that he is one of the best in the game at driving hard to the front of the opposition’s net, parking himself there to create traffic in front of the goalie and get the dirty goals that the Kings have so rarely scored in recent years.

Just four games into the season, the Kings have earned a 3-1 record, and there is strong evidence that Smyth has already made a huge, positive impact on the team.

Most apparent have been his contributions while playing on the Kings’ top line with center Anze Kopitar and right wing Justin Williams.

To say that this line has been hot is an understatement, as the trio has combined for eight goals and twelve assists for twenty points, with Smyth accounting for four goals and three assists for seven points.

“We seem to be finding a way right now,” said Smyth. “The big thing is that we’re communicating in practice and it’s leading into the game situations.”

Read the rest on Gann Matsuda’s Frozen Royalty