Peter Harrold is a forward. And a defenseman. Or is he a forward acting like a defenseman? Whatever he is, he seems to be earning Terry Murray’s trust. His minutes, as a forward, have gone from 4:29 to 7:32 to 7:47 since he started playing forward in the second game. Harrold’s value, particularly late in tight games, is that the Kings can put him on the ice as a right wing, but he can essentially serve as a third defenseman. Today, Murray talked about Harrold’s versatility and the ways in which he can be used…
MURRAY: “Later in a game, I will sometimes put him on the top line, even, and take a player and put him down for the rest of the game and have (Harrold) out there in a defensive situation with a one-goal lead. His responsibilities are excellent. He’s going to play a very courageous role there. With pucks along the boards, if you have to take a hit to make a play at that time of the game, he has no hesitation.’’
It seems a little ironic that with all the talent we have in the pipeline that peter harrold keeps out working other players. The trust that the coach puts in him is a testament to his hard work.
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Glad to see Peter playing so well so far. Hope all the guys can keep it up because it’s been an exciting week and a half. In case nobody mentioned it on any other threads, you might be interested to know that Jim Fox is going to be doing a blog for the L.A. Times a couple times a week during the season.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/10/jim-fox-kings-nhl.html
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It’s justice. Great work Harrold.
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Harry rocks. Keep it up lil’ buddy! I didn’t realize his minutes had gone up that much. Also, guess who didn’t play in the only loss we’ve had so far this season? Yep, Hockey Harry. What if he HAD played you ask? 5-0 baby!
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Actually, Harrold could be an important part of this franchise for a long time. Why not? He fits a role that very few players can or do, will probably never demand very much money at all, and gives us press box depth. I didn’t think about it, but a fourth liner who serves as a third d late in the game is actually pretty awesome. How many teams have that guy, I’d be curious to know.
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I know this is off topic from your post, but how is drew doughty doing? Does he get to get the five teeth that were chipped? And will he start wearing a mouth guard now that that happened?
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Harrold is a guy you don’t really hear much about because he hasn’t been a star forward or a star defenseman. But his versatility gives him so much value to this club. Essentially, we have 12 forwards and 7 defensemen. He works very hard, and can do what few others can. He might not be a star defenseman, like Doughty, or even a “quality” RW, like Williams, but he’s a key player to this team.
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I think that if we didn’t have Ivanans’s stone hands and lead feet out there usually with Harrold and Richardson, that line might actually have scored by now. Which is not to say that I don’t like Ivan, but he’s definitely a detriment to anything not involving destroying another man.
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Peter Harrold plays this versatile role really well. I remember the Kings placing a couple of players in this role years ago (McSorley and Brad Norton come to mind), but they proved to be more one-dimensional… actually, non-dimensional would probably be a more accurate description.
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It’s great to see Harry get some praise and recognition, especially from Murray.
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If he can keep helping the team in any way, especially as a 3rd D? Kings need a good shutdown line. Seems to be working lately.
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Harrold seems like he could become a real clutch player this season. He’s already shown it this season. Having a versatile utility player like that is perfect for late in the game with a lead.
Also, I am getting so pumped for the game tomorrow. It’s gonna be huge! GO KINGS!!
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I guess every coach has a favorite but I don’t understand Harrold. I truly think the poor guy is confused. Every back-check he moves into a D’s position first, then realize that he’s not on D and move towards a forwads D position. That takes away a few seconds every time.
I have not yet seen aq benefit of this natural instinct, wich tends me to believe he is stillconsidering himself a D first and foward later.
Just an observation….
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I guess every coach has a favorite but I don’t understand Harrold. I truly think the poor guy is confused. Every back-check he moves into a D’s position first, then realize that he’s not on D and move towards a forwads D position. That takes away a few seconds every time.
I have not yet seen aq benefit of this natural instinct, wich tends me to believe he is stillconsidering himself a D first and foward later.
Just an observation…
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sorry for the double post…I have my own issues
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I’m so glad that things are working out so well for Peter. I’ve been a Peter Harrold fan since his first day in Manchester. He has given it his all day in and day out. Excellect reward for all of his hard work.
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Actually the whole 4th line fills out various roles within the overall lineup. Besides Harrold being that “swingman” who sort of gives the Kings a 19th skater each nignt, Richardson can fill in on the other lines, particularily the 3rd, or form an alternate 4th line with say Harrold and Smyth or Frolov. Of course Ivanans is the enforcer. Also, Trevor Lewis is versatile and hopefully Richard Clune will get a chance soon.
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The guy deserves it. An honest effort every time on the ice. Not going to win many games for you, but isn’t going to lose games either. Even the best teams have guys like this – guys who eat up some minutes while your better players get a breather. The fact that we can afford to keep him in reserve says a lot about the positive direction we are heading in.
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As a forward his defensive play could be a HUGE asset come playoff time.
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Yeah in the Isles game I notice a couple times where he held on to puck knowing hit was coming and kept skating it up the boards until he could get it out as opposed to rushing a pass or dump and not getting enough on it to avoid the hit.
I did notice Kopitar & Richardson switch at one point during that game. Was that for some other reason (skate or equipment issue) or something like what Terry Murray is talking about above?
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He reminds me of another fella we had around here for a while…..Derrick Armstrong. All heart and effort along with the “I’ll do whatever it takes” attitude. How can you not appreciate that.
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JB: The lines sort of get jumbled up after power plays, where the Kings use 4 forwards on both units. TM has thrown Richardson and Harrold out at various times with the first 3 lines to spell the other forwards after the PP and other times, just to keep the 4th liners involved in the game. Either way, Harrold give TM a lot of flexibility.
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Wonder where all the Harrold bashers are? You guys wanted to tar and feather him not even a month ago. Where’d you all go???
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