Jewels from the Crown: for Los Angeles Kings fans

The Los Angeles Kings are, at best, a highly streaky team with a seeming identity crisis looming over them for the third straight year. Meanwhile, their Stanley Cup Final foes from 2014 New York Rangers have a solid understanding of who they are and what they excel at--namely, excellent goaltending with timely goal scoring. Their special teams are also among the tops in the league with a sparkling 84.4% on their fifth-ranked penalty kill and eighth on the power play, clipping along at a remarkable 24.8%. But don't overlook their 5v5 offense -- it's tenth in the league at 8.4%. No matter where you look, it seems the Rangers have turned into excellent team with their abbreviated rebuild. Mike Murphy from Blueshirt Banter joins Crown Conversations to give some highlights about the Rangers and how they've transformed over the last couple years since these two teams have squared off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded after the Los Angeles Kings lost to the visiting Calgary Flames and Darryl Sutter, James and Robyn discuss the team's woes and what can be done. Is trading for Jake DeBrusk the answer? What about Kale Clague? (This was obviously before the Montreal Canadiens claimed him off waivers) At the time of the recording, both Brendan Lemieux and Brad Marchand had been suspended for breaking the rules. Plus, the pair play Armchair GM and Armchair Coach. Hear their takes on how they'd slate the current roster and who they'd trade for, if anyone. Click here for the full transcript. -- Do you love Crown Conversations, but you’re not sure when the next episode will drop? Never fear, you can keep tabs on our podcast by hitting the subscribe button down below, right there just beneath the audio. You can follow us on Spotify, Apple Music, or Google Podcasts. And as always, we’d love to hear from you so if you ever have any questions or comments, leave ‘em below! Shoot us an email at [email protected] or hit us up on Twitter (@crown_podcast) and we’ll be happy to include that, or better yet, include you, in any of the next podcast episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlike Disney, James and Robyn are NOT going to make you wait an entire year for this highly anticipated follow up to an incredible first part. It’s just going to feel like it. In part 2 of this interview with Jim Fox, the oenophilia and hockey analyst goes behind the scenes (so-to-speak) of his wine label, Patiné Cellars, and its origin story (hint: it involves a lot of travel). Fox also shares how he calls games fair and balanced and the secret to his puns. Thank you once more to Jim Fox who was extraordinarily generous with his time and was so forthcoming with this wonderfully engaging interview. Who would you like to hear from next? Tell us in the comments below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“What’s ‘Luff’ got to do with it!” Jim Fox shouted right after Matt Luff scored his first NHL goal. These silly puns make his broadcast partner Alex Faust groan and roll his eyes, but it’s all in good fun—and levity something Fox likes to sprinkle into his calls every now and again. Have you ever wondered how the former Los Angeles King and current color analyst comes up with his jokes? Or wondered how he got his start in the wine business? How about where this faved bon vivant likes to eat on the road? Jim Fox joined Crown Conversations to talk about his side hustle, his analysis style, and how covid changed his work habits. In part one, he touches on preparing for games and chats about his background, what it was like coming to California as a top junior scorer from a small town in Canada, and some of his expectations upon arriving in the City of Angels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Viktor Arvidsson was a pretty popular guy on the Nashville Predators, so it’s no surprise that two of his closest teammates were... disappointed to learn that their pal had been traded. But, in terms of a culture add, this should bode well for Los Angeles. Arvidsson, 28, has a keen nose for the net and likes to shoot the puck. A lot. For a team that struggled mightily to get shots off and ended up middle-of-the-pack in terms of unblocked shot attempts, this should be a very big boon for them. Where he’ll slot in, only time will tell. Bringing his stats with him, Bryan Bastin from On the Forecheck joined Crown Conversations to tell us more about Arvidsson and back it up with numbers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices