Kings’ goalie LaBarbera has thick (potato) skin

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So the Kings have named Jason LaBarbera their No. 1 goalie (for now), once again trying to fill that gaping hole in the net that has been there since Rogie Vachon took his cigar box upstairs to the front office.

If ever there was a guy who rated the phrase ‘Big Lug,’ it’s LaBarbera. Maybe he won’t end the Kings’ 40-plus years of wandering in the NHL wilderness, but he’s going to be entertaining.

The Kings have had some characters in goal (the position demands a skewed view on life), but LaBarbera seems to have gone back for seconds on the wacky. He might not be able to stop Sidney Crosby on a breakaway, but Mr. Potato Head has never slipped the puck past him. Can’t wait for the Hanna-LaBarbera Kings promos.

-- Chris Foster