The Hockey News: Headlines: Los Angeles Kings acquire power forward Ryan Smyth from Avalanche

Los Angeles Kings acquire power forward Ryan Smyth from Avalanche

2009-07-04 00:50:00

LOS ANGELES - Captain Canada is going Hollywood.

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired left-winger Ryan Smyth from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defencemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing and a fifth-round draft pick in 2010, the team announced Friday. Smyth has played in 920 career NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders and Colorado, amassing 660 points (310 goals, 350 assists) and 733 penalty minutes.

In 81 career playoff games, he has 52 points and 82 penalty minutes.

"Ryan is the type of player who fits with our team," Kings GM Dean Lombardi in a statement. "He fills an important need as he is a competitive, gritty scoring left-winger, and he fits with the overall identity we continue to build here."

Smyth led the Avalanche in assists last season with 33, and was second with 26 goals.

The 33-year-old Smyth has also been a fixture for Canada in international competition, earning him the nickname "Captain Canada." The native of Banff, Alta., represented Canada at the IIHF World Championships seven straight years from 1999-05, winning gold in 2003 and 2004. He served as captain for five of those seasons (2001-05).

Smyth has been invited to the Team Canada evaluation camp for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team in August.

He also played for Canada at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics, capturing gold in 2002, and in the World Junior Championships in 1995.

Quincey, 23, played in 72 games with the Kings last season after being claimed off waivers from Detroit on October 13, 2008, and had 38 points and 63 penalty minutes.

Preissing, 30, played in 22 games with the Kings this season, his second with the club, and had seven points and six penalty

In 322 career regular-season NHL games with the Kings, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks, Preissing has 131 points and 78 penalty minutes.

COMMENTS (12)

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saku1234 Posted
(2009-07-13 19:27:58)

I can not believe the Aves traded Smythe!!!!!!!!He was by far their only good. Good job by LA to snag him though. " Ryan is the type of player who fits our team" . Yeah right!!

lyonreese Posted
(2009-07-12 14:56:29)

Mike Comrie is still unsigned to the best of my knowledge, and he likes dating starlets. Feeling good about the two we have already snagged, but I would like to see the KINGS make a play for Comrie as well, and get a younger (developing) sniper type in the line up.

flakey Posted
(2009-07-06 23:55:58)

I like both of the players the Kings signed, but it had to hurt to get rid of Quincey. The Avs will love having him on D...

monkee Posted
(2009-07-06 16:50:36)

Hey "wearelemmings" this is a start. I still feel Quincy was a high price for Smith. However, by the looks of things, The team is looking up. One last note since Heatley is still on the market to be traded. I would pull the trigger and front load the trade with Draft picks and maybe a prospect or two. that would round out the line up. I think. Besides he is saying he wants to come play in Los Angeles. hell maybe even send Jack Johnson. As much as i like Jack he has not had a Healthy Season since joning the team.

big_bad_bob Posted
(2009-07-06 00:01:20)

This is the beginning of a long rebuilding process for the Avs. Smyth maybe did not have the best season with the Avs, granted, but he was better than most on a lack of passion or hustle team. Pierre Lacroix is the new Al Davis of hockey. Only he could depleat the farm system the Avs had and make bad trades to turn a dominate team into cellar dwelllers. Cannot wait to see him go....

johnny Posted
(2009-07-05 16:45:48)

Smyth has a horrible attitude. Do not look forward to the same player he was in Edmonton. He will disapoint his new team like he did his last two and then he will be on to a new team next season. This guys stock has been steadily dropping for the last five years and counting. Anything more than $2 million is too much for this over the hill primadonna.

catking33 Posted
(2009-07-05 14:59:04)

Two OUTSTANDING moves by Dean Lombardi... After the Schenn pick, I was wondering where he was going with the draft but, I believe, the Scuderi signing AND the Smythe trade are going to propel us FINALLY, into the playoffs... I hated to give up a steady D-man like Quincey but we had to give up something to get something that is SORELY needed... In hopes we sign another scorer and get another defenseman for depth, I look forward for the season to start... As a season ticket holder and a loyal fan since 1967, I am excited about the prospects of, once again, having winning hockey in LA. We were told by Mr Lombardi and Mr Hextall that we are not looking for an experienced goalie, given the play of Quick and Ersberg but, as good as they are, I firmly believe, if we are in the playoff mix at the trading deadline, we'll be looking for an experienced goalkeeper. GO KINGS...!!!!!!!!!

wearelemmings Posted
(2009-07-04 11:21:45)

Happy to see a good move for my friend monkee. You thought Dean was going to stand pat just a few daus ago! He has layered in some much needed veteran presence on the backend and up front. I know you are not happy to see Quincey to go but Lombardi has got the clock ticking. He has a team with a boat load of talent and they will all be hitting RFA status and second contracts soon. He has to do something now to get it done before it all gets unmanageable under the cap. I think LA will be the breakthrough team to watch next season

canadiens__24 Posted
(2009-07-04 11:16:43)

I love how TheHockeyNews.com is more up-to-date than NHL.com (THN.com had this article up a day before NHL.com). Nice job, guys.

woodchopper Posted
(2009-07-04 09:37:04)

Room for duchene??? Cap$ room? Gonna miss Smity's hustle & grit. Don't know much about Quincey but Av's blueline is already stocked with smallish finesse types - at face value I don't like this one:-(

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