As I get ready to head out the morning skate, here’s a rough sketch of the Kings’ plans in goal going forward. Erik Ersberg is scheduled to start one game on the road trip, either the Oct. 14 game against the Rangers or the Oct. 15 game against Detroit. That’s highly typical for goalies, but it also indicates that Murray intends to have Quick start eight of the first nine games. Last season, Jason LaBarbera started each of the first 10 games, but was replaced mid-game by Ersberg twice in that run.
The Kings have another set of back-to-back games at the end of the month, at San Jose and at home against Vancouver. Here’s what Terry Murray said about the goalies…
MURRAY: “I’ve gone through the schedule, right through the end of December. I’ve gone that far and penciled in starts. So I have a plan for him. Billy Ranford and I went through that before he left a few days ago. … I’ll give (Ersberg) a couple days notice, so that he can really have sharp practices and get ready to go. I have not forgotten him. It’s important to have two goalies who can go out and play the game the right way. We’ll get him in.”
Let’s hope the Iceberg gets his mental toughness back, and looks like the goalie we saw at the end of 07-08. He still makes me a little nervous. Thanks for the update Rich!
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I wonder which game they’ll start me in.
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In Detroit.
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Something tells me Bernier will be around by December-January
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I think the ‘berg will be itching to get into goal, and ready to go.
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I would stay with Quick for AT LEAST 10 games. Ersberg will be ready and I think he’ll show much improvement from last season (Not saying he was bad by any means)Any update on Berniers attitude ajustment? Is he still in the dog house?
Tonights motto: GO KINGS GO!
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Quick has earned his starts. None of the goals Tuesday were his bad and maybe he’d like to have 2 back from Saturday but I don’t think I’d qualify them as BAD.
That first one was a hot ticket to the top corner. Just a great shot with nobody slowing dude down.
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ForumFan wrote:
Any update on Bernier’s attitude adjustment? Is he still in the dog house?
When was Bernier ever in the doghouse? Geez… Assumptions and misinterpretations people make.
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To play Ersberg against Rangers or Wings?
Tough call, but would lean towards Rangers as a non-conference team with tougher/rougher but sligtly less skilled players.
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Well the reasons he did not get playing time last year was for 2 reasons.
1) Quick and Ersberg were solid in goal Quick espessially.
2) Bernier did have an attitude, making statements like “I’ve never had to wait to play”, “I’ve allways been the number one guy”. From what I’ve heard from Kings managment is that he also wasn’t giving 100% in practice… slacking off and not taking it serious enough to challage for a spot on the big stage. THESE ARE NOT ASSUMPTIONS their first hand account for the reason he spent the entire season in Manchester. If you look at skill and fundimentals he’ll beat out Ersberg any day of the week. I like the guy. He got the potential to be a great netminder. In the NHL attitude will get you nowhere. Its not like anyother sport and that why I live it so much. Attitude in hockey will kill you carrer before it starts. Its all about the TEAM.
Great example: O’sully
All the guys on the ice for the most part are stand up guys… Class acts (with a few exceptions like Avery, even though I love his game)
GO KINGS!
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dMan…
Well the reasons he did not get playing time last year was for 2 reasons.
1) Quick and Ersberg were solid in goal Quick espessially.
2) Bernier did have an attitude, making statements like “I’ve never had to wait to play”, “I’ve allways been the number one guy”. From what I’ve heard from Kings managment is that he also wasn’t giving 100% in practice… slacking off and not taking it serious enough to challage for a spot on the big stage. THESE ARE NOT ASSUMPTIONS their first hand account for the reason he spent the entire season in Manchester. If you look at skill and fundimentals he’ll beat out Ersberg any day of the week. I like the guy. He got the potential to be a great netminder. In the NHL attitude will get you nowhere. Its not like anyother sport and that why I live it so much. Attitude in hockey will kill you carrer before it starts. Its all about the TEAM.
Great example: O’sully
All the guys on the ice for the most part are stand up guys… Class acts (with a few exceptions like Avery, even though I love his game)
GO KINGS!
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Good plan. Quick has definitely earned his keep but needs to get his GAA down a bit. Tonight should help as Minni ain’t exactly a high scoring team. Iceberg will play in NY. As someone mentioned above, as a non-conference game it seems more appropriate. Not that the game isn’t important but less so than the Wings game (at least for me).
Also guys, don’t worry about Bernier. He’ll be happy to play 60-70 in Manch and come up next year with a good amount of experience to try and steal or at least split time in LA.
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Bernier had issues last year which basically precluded him from making the team this year. I recall DL stating that one of the reasons he was sent down was because of what transpired last season with the attitude and practice habits. Also there was no room for him with Quick earning the #1 job in camp and not exposing Ersberg to waivers.
BUT..from what Kings management stated, there was no issues with him whatsoever during the developmental camp and training camp. If not for the fact that Quick earned the right to keep his job, Bernier would probably have been the choice.
Looking at how the schedule has been mapped out, we can all see why it was a good idea not to keep Bernier as the #2. I was one of those who thought he should have been on the team. Shows what little I know.
Does anyone have any updates on how the guys are doing in Manchester?
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I would also like to see Quicker play in Detroit instead of NY…
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nykingfan: Won their game (1-0) thats all I know.
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Playing Quick 8 of 9. BAD CALL!
Murray’s decisions baffle me from his line ups, disbursement of ice time, faceoffs(line up changes)…
I would love to be wrong. We’ll see.
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Say what? What makes playing Quick 8 of 9 any kind of ‘BAD CALL’?
Such a method with the Kings schedule as it is, seems to be standard operating procedure with a #1 goaltender, and I am at a loss as to why the coach needs to be criticized for such a straightforward and entirely reasonable plan.
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