Bernier to be Kings' Starter? Wieman Gets Shot In Colorado.

There are numerous reports today in the hockey world that Jonathan Bernier has indeed won the starting goaltender role in Los Angeles. When Dan Cloutier got sent down earlier this week, it set off signals that this could actually be the situation. You may have read about it in one of my earlier blogs as well. I don't necessarily disagree with the call, but if the coaches and scouts truly believe he is ready for the big leagues, then they should go for it. The lackluster play of Jason Labarbera this pre-season has also contributed to this decision, if it's true, and many picked him as the consensus starter this year. This will all be revealed tomorrow when the Kings play their first game of the season in London, England at Noon against the Ducks.

In a recent In the Cheap Seats article, there is an outline of how the team's roster is shaping up now that training camp is coming to a close. As most of you know, Jose Theodore will likely not be ready when the season starts due to a knee injury, so that means young Tyler Wieman will get a shot at the backup spot, at least until Theo returns. It will be interesting to see if Joel Quennville gives him any playing time, but I hope he does, so we get to see what he can do.

Kings Place Cloutier on Waivers

Goaltender Dan Cloutier has been placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Kings, leaving them with Jason Labarbera and JS Aubin as their two goalies. Kevin Lee on Hockeybuzz suggested that they may be after Martin Gerber in Ottawa, after his lights-out performance so far this pre-season. I personally do not think that's the direction LA is going, but I won't completely rule it out. I'm sure Bryan Murray wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger on a Gerber-to-LA deal, but I'm not sure if Gerber is that much of an upgrade over Labarbera. As you saw in my Los Angeles Kings pre-season goaltending situation, they have also invited young Jonathan Bernier to camp. He was a long-shot to make the team out of training camp this year, but with the subtraction of Cloutier it heavily increases his chances. I'll keep my eye on this situation, plus many others, and will continue to update you on all of the goalie happenings throughout training camp.

UPDATE: Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail suggested that Cloutier will "almost certainly start the season in the minors this season", the reason being that no team will be willing to pay for Cloutier's hefty contract. As far as the Bernier situation goes, he went on to say that the chance of him making the team became "increasingly more likely today".