It’s been quite a week for Teddy Purcell. His absence from practice on Friday was the first indication of the flu that would spread through the team, although Purcell did not miss a game. He said he has been able to eat a couple full meals since the team returned home and is feeling stronger.
On Wednesday, Purcell picked up a new linemate, as he and Jarret Stoll will now skate with Wayne Simmonds instead of Dustin Brown. Purcell had two big goals in the first three games, but has not recorded a point in the last four games. He talked about the line change and his offensive game…
PURCELL: “It’s maybe a nice change. We had some chances going. It just seemed like everything was off by a little bit. We were getting chances but they just weren’t going in. Simmer is obviously kind of a similar player to Brownie. They go the net and use their bodies well as hard players. Maybe this will get me and Stolly going a little bit, and we’ll be able to find some of the same chemistry and get some of the same chances we got with Brownie.”
Question: I guess if you’re getting the chances, that’s all you can ask for, right?
PURCELL: “It’s one thing if you’re not getting chances or not doing anything. We’re pretty good defensively, but obviously everyone would like to score goals. At the same time, when stuff like that happens, you have to look at the positives. The chances are coming, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time before they go in. You work hard, and hopefully you get a bounce. You work hard and hope they will start falling. It’s early, so there’s no reason to hit the panic button. We just sort of do the same thing we’ve been doing. They’ve got to go in sometime.”
wow, first! Thanks for this Rich!
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Off topic, but I just wanted to point out something that I’ve been noticing… hockey people (and I say people as in players, coaches, GMs, everybody) use the word obviously a LOT. That’s not a dig on Purcell or any one person specifically, but jeez… obviously… it’s like hearing that Pechanga “take me away…” commercial during every Kings telecast. Sorry… quick rant… I’m done.
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@ Rich – Speaking of long weeks, how’s Doughty’s dentistry going, now that he’s back home? I’ve had major front dental work, and I know how much it sucks. I know he’ll be looking forward to solid food, but I know when they start doing root canals, etc., it’s going to be really painful again as it was before. I hope he’s going to be wearing a mouth guard quickly enough to recover from most of the damage–dumb idea not wearing one.
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None of today’s stories were posted to Twitter?
-Dave
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I think this is Purcell’s last chance, if he doesn’t start producing, I guarantee he’ll be in Manchester…
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What’s the frequency, Kenneth?:
As your resident dentist, I will agree that not wearing a guard is dumb. However, I will say, even WITH a mouthguard, that direct hit from the deflection was bound to break some teeth.
Root canals are painful if you can’t get numb. Doughty’s teeth would likely get numb since they weren’t infected first. Still sucks to have to go through all of that though – no argument there.
Let’s take down the Stars again tomorrow while they are banged up!
Go Kings!
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Who cares about Doughty’s teeth…he’s a hockey player it happens…he’ll live. Let’s talk about Purcell since this topic is about him. I like the change in lines and hopefully this gets him going for one reason…trade bait. We need to trade this guy for someone a lot tougher. I have always believed that Purcell has good NHL skills, but is lacking the NHL toughness big time! He does us no good and if we want to not only make the playoffs, but succeed in the playoffs we must get tougher forwards.
His two goals he scored this season was on a two on one were he was given a great pass and it was expected from an NHLer to put it home. Second, was that fluke goal from behind the goal line, which did win us a game, but seriously I want to see him score a goal in front of net while getting hammered by the opposing team. Also, I wonder if this guy even knows what a forecheck is supposed to look like. First guy in does what? Oh yea, Teddy take the body. Second guy supports getting the puck. Then cycle and get to the net. Hockey is simple when u play it tough and right.
Sorry, I really lack confidence in this guys ability to play NHL hockey.
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