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Kings Links: LA Avoids Waiver Danger, Pre-Lockout Contract Scrambles, Doan May Turn Canuck

A lockout now appears inevitable (booooo), so GMs are busy. Players must be put on waivers by 5 p.m. EST today if their teams wish them to play in the AHL. Many are sneaking in last minute deals before the current CBA expires tomorrow. And that means Shane Doan’s patience with the Phoenix ownership situation today will either be rewarded, or come to an end.

There are only a few grains of sand left in the hourglass.

To sum up: a ton of stuff will happen today, except discussions to save NHL hockey. Boo. But be ready for a flurry of new moves.

Kings News

Andrew Bodnarchuk, Stefan Legein, and David Meckler were put on waivers. [LA Kings Insider]

Several of the Kings’ most NHL-ready prospects are also the oldest, and thus no longer waiver exempt. On the one hand, you’d like these players to get ice time in the AHL; on the other, Lombardi risked losing them for nothing if they were claimed. Today they placed just three low-risk prospects on the list. Unless that changes, we won’t be seeing former black aces like Muzzin, Hickey, Campbell, or Cliche down in Manchester for the limbo period. UPDATE: Players who were on the Monarchs’ clear day list could sign a contract with them.

Voynov, Loktionov, and Nolan are waiver-exempt, but Voynov might play for his hometown team in the KHL instead.

The Kings signed one of this year’s development camp invitees, Kurtis MacDermid, to an entry level contract. He’s a tall defenseman who seems to rack up as many fighting majors as his father Paul. [LA Kings]

There may be problems with Prokhorkin’s contract in the KHL. Ruh roh.

Jim Fox is hosting the Sunset Sip, a fundraiser to benefit the Guidance Center.

More links below. Please consider this your Lockout Venting Open Thread. Dang league full of stupid head idiots.

Around the League

Shane Doan is expected to pick between the Coyotes or the Canucks today. We’ve heard that before, eh?

Unfortunately for Phoenix, re-negotiation of the arena could mean they aren’t going to resolve the ownership issues in time. [The Sporting News]

A complete list of all players on waivers today. [TSN]

“I’m no Nick Lidstrom,” says Carlo Colaiacovo, the new head of the Red Wings‘ Department of the Obvious. [Detroit Free Press]

John Carlson, Kari Lehtonen, and Justin Abdelkader also got new deals today. Carlson should fire his agent. [CBS Hockey]

Can the NHLPA block a lockout through the courts? Probably not. [Macramalla for CBS Sports]

A sports economist cuts the NHL’s current course to shreds, calling the commissioner “bad for business.” I guess no one told this guy some owners matter more than others. [Spector on NHL]

So, what do you think? Is Doan a Canuck by tomorrow? He certainly has the dodgy hits and rampant conspiracy theories down cold.

Hang on to your butts.

Talking Points