Pierre McGuire's In the Crease

Here's a surprise: The Kings have become a must-watch team, playing skilled, energetic and intelligent hockey under their first-year coach, Terry Murray. Defenseman Drew Doughty (right), the league's best rookie, can control the tempo of a game, play rock-solid defense and make shrewd offensive decisions on the power play. He's a combination of Ray Bourque and Denis Potvin.... The Canadiens better wake up when it comes to dealing with potential unrestricted free-agent defenseman Mike Komisarek. Despite losing free-agent defensemen Sheldon Souray (to the Oilers) and Mark Streit (Islanders) the past two years, Montreal has chosen not to discuss a long-term contract with the hard-hitting Komisarek. Rival G.M.'s are salivating.

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ROBERT BECK (DOUGHTY)