Mitch Michals

Strong World Cup Can Elevate Quick and Kings

Mitch Michals | September 16, 2016

International sports tournaments are always fun. As ESPN’s John Buccigross noted, they can produce positive emotions from the players, coaches, and supporters of good athletic competition. The World Cup of…

The NHL/College Football Coach Matching Game

Mitch Michals | September 10, 2016

Congratulations fellow sports fans, we’ve made it through another summer slumber. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the subtle nuances of baseball and Alex Rodriguez’ fall from grace as much…

Will L.A.’s Defense Bounce Back in 2016-17?

Mitch Michals | August 18, 2016

There was much to be desired on the Kings’ blue line a season ago. A team that had great talent and equally great expectations was left standing at the first…

The Heat Is on for Tyler Toffoli’s next Contract

Mitch Michals | August 6, 2016

The Los Angeles Kings have a very interesting future in front of them. It’s not bleak by any stretch, with the flawlessly consistent Anze Kopitar donning the “C,” and the…

Datsyuk and Duncan: A Farewell to a Pair of Legends

Mitch Michals | July 16, 2016

Nothing ages us more than the end of professional athletic careers. In a world where shelf lives are brief and flames burn out in an instant, premier sports stars are…

Filling the Lucic Void in L.A.

Mitch Michals | July 6, 2016

Well the beginning of NHL free agency sure was a whirlwind. In the span of roughly 30 minutes, professional hockey was in a state of unadulterated chaos. Up was down.…

The 2016 NHL Awards Column: Who Gets the Hardware in Sin City?

Mitch Michals | June 22, 2016

The NHL season is over, and the champagne bubbles in Pittsburgh have finally subsided. As is always the case after a sensational dose of playoff hockey, one item remains on…

Sidney Crosby: Understanding Hockey’s Most Impactful Player

Mitch Michals | June 12, 2016

Hockey fans are passionate. We (I think I qualify) want our game to be full of skill and grit, breed athleticism and competition, and for each player to be a…

Future of Dustin Brown and Leadership in L.A.

Mitch Michals | June 3, 2016

Far be it from me to distract the hockey dwelling public at their greatest hour, but in case you weren’t looking, several big dominoes have already fallen this offseason. Perhaps…

Sutter’s Back but Kings Need to Prepare for His Exit

Mitch Michals | May 20, 2016

Amid the reliable sounds of playoff drama and Stanley Cup passion, it’s easy to forget that for 26 NHL franchises whose seasons have ended, next year’s plans have already begun.…

The Weight of Washington D.C. Falls on Alex Ovechkin Again

Mitch Michals | May 12, 2016

The plight of a superstar is very difficult. The collective effort of a group’s parts determines success in professional team sports, but the brunt of their failure will fall squarely…

How the Sharks and Blues Changed Their Playoff Narratives

Mitch Michals | May 3, 2016

How do we define success in the world around us? There are short-term achievements, notable accolades, and the general recognition of a job well done. But what if the job…