Justin Williams had only been injured for about 20 minutes when Terry Murray talked to the media post-practice today, so he didn’t yet have a firm idea of what his lines might look like tonight. As reported earlier, Murray said Williams “has a little bit of a lower-body issue and is doubtful for the game tonight. … It just happened on the ice today, near the end of the practice actually, the last drill that we were going through.” Murray said Williams’ injury “will not be long term.”
Murray, understandably, was a little scattered in his immediate thoughts about who might be the first-line right wing. First he said he hesitated to break up other lines, which is a bit odd since the second and third lines have only been together for about 26 hours. Then, Murray discussed all of his potential options…
MURRAY: “I’ve got to think about that. I’m going to talk and make a decision on it, obviously for this evening. I’m a little hesitant, when a player gets injured, to break up another line, to move a player to that spot. I generally like to keep my second and third lines the same in this kind of situation, and move another player into that spot. Saying that, it could be (Trevor) Lewis. Harry (Peter Harrold) is my other option on the right side, so it could come down to one of those guys.”
Later, Murray was asked if moving Alexander Frolov into that spot was a possibility…
MURRAY: “It’s possible, absolutely. It’s possible that Teddy Purcell could go over there. Again, I’m getting into what I kind of want to stay away from, which is breaking up other lines, but absolutely it’s a possibility. We’ll see how things go. Fro on the right side, I don’t mind him on the right side. I thought he did a good job when we used him there last year, so that’s a possibility.
“I think also, in mentioning Purcell, he kind of complements that style of play, with the possession and making plays in the offensive zone. And Brownie (Dustin Brown) is an option there too. It’s nice to have that kind of flexibility, but it is short term. It might be only this one game that we’re talking about.”
please put fro in there! He should tear it up with smyth and Kopi…wouldnt that be the line that we all decided on with the poll all those posts ago?
[Reply]
It won’t be Frolov!
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/psh/comments/the_frolov_benching/
[Reply]
i just asked Barry Mullet Melrose.on ESPN what his thoughts on frolov are and if he will be a king after this season His response was.
“I think he will be. I think he isn’t as good of layer that I thought he would be at this time. L.A. is a good spot for him right now so I think he will end up staying with the Kings.”
[Reply]
DL needs to trade Purcell, Hickey, Moller, and Martinez for a forward or two. Lets be real here, those four players mentioned will never be top calibur players, so you might as well trade them while they still have stock as good prospects.
[Reply]
i agree with khanon….but instead of hickey…tuebert
[Reply]
Teubert is going to be the next O’Donnel… Those type of players are keepers
[Reply]
Would someone please pass Captain Queeg the strawberries?
[Reply]
The thought of Harrold on the top line makes me sick. I say give Lewis a shot for a game. He played well last year on the top line.
Oh and please stop with the Hickey trade talk. This kid will be a top pair defensemen in this league. If you think he’ll never amount to something, then please watch some film of him because I doubt you haven’t.
[Reply]
CanadianKing,
I’ve seen plenty of film of Hickey, that’s why I’m advocating that DL should trade him. He’s way too small, gets ovepowered, can’t clear the front of the net, gets dominated in the corners. Trade him, package him with others and get a player or two that can play on the second line…
[Reply]
Ivanans again ;x
[Reply]
I agree with myself…
Frolov will remain a King after this season. His value in return will be much lower than anyone on this board thinks or will be happy with. The Kings cannot continue shipping 30 goal scorers out of town.
[Reply]
I heard that Williams has badly chafed thighs
http://lakingsnews.com/2009/10/22/pregame-stars-align-for-another-whooping/
[Reply]
Again, to me the best option is Teddy. I really think he could fit very well with Smyth and Kopi. He basically just has to get them the puck and he’s good at getting pucks to people… so, it just makes sense.
This is not only my Newfoundland bias speaking here. It just makes sense… and it’s only for one game, so give’r!
[Reply]
I hope it is Purcell as well.
Smyth-Kopi-Purcell
Frolov-Handzus-Brown
Richardson-Stoll-Simmonds
Ivanans-Lewis-Harrold
That would be best for my money.
[Reply]
i always considered hickey to be a possible neidermeyer in the making. i’d hate to give up on him this early.
[Reply]
How about playing Ivanans on the first?? It would be interesting to see if there’s more ice for Kopi and Smyth. That would be a challenge to Kopi and Smyth to see if they can play with any right winger, even an Ivanans type…
[Reply]
JDM,
Your line combos are pretty decent. A middle weight would really help the third line though, wish DL would actually trade for one already
[Reply]
khanon,
Trade Hickey??? I’m sure as hell happy that u aint our GM!! Hickey brings great leadership to a team a does one heck of a job in moving the puck. He only needs to build some muscle/strength. Rob Blake was darn small in his early days if u remember.
[Reply]
Put Frolov on the top line and put Lewis on the second line.
[Reply]
Johnny,
To my knowledge, I think Rob Blake is 6’3 – 6’4. Hickey is 5’7-5’8. Big difference buddy. Heck, the guy’s smaller than Moller and we all know how much trouble moller has as a forward because of his lack of size.
Matt Fig,
Thats a pretty extreme statement, advocating me to jump in front of a bus. You’ll see, time will tell that I was right about Hickey, and Hopefully you’ll still be here with the same screen name so I can demand an aopology from you.
[Reply]
Well, like it or not, Simmonds is our middle weight until further notice.
[Reply]
I like JDM’s lines… the first two lines have a go to the net guy in Smyth and Brown(when he wants too)…
Smyth-Kopi-Purcell
Frolov-Handzus-Brown
Richardson-Stoll-Simmonds
Ivanans-Lewis-Harrold
As for Hickey being too small… the same as said about Visnovsky… and Rafalski (not sure how big he is)… but the guy that can pass and skate… and use his positioning to win battles is still an asset…
While I agree they may not pan out, there value is probably not all that high right now.. they will not get you much on the market
[Reply]
I still don’t know what kind of player Simmonds is. He’s not really a middle-weight because he doesn’t fight that often, nor does he take the body often. He’s not a scorer yet, he’s not a playmaker. But then again, he’s not a Brad Richardson type of player either. I guess we’ll find out within a couple years what kind of player Simmonds really is…
[Reply]
If you really think Hickey is a joke, you’re a joke.
I’ve watched him many times in Seattle and ask anyone, the kid is a stud. Captain of a WJC Team, Captain four years in Seattle and now working his way in Manchester. THe kid IS Scott Niedermayer, you watch. Idk about Tuebert still but you obviously don’t know hockey if you think Hickey is a joke, ask anyone who knows the game.
I have a buddy that plays for Everett in the WHL and he said Hickey is far and above the best d man in the league. He said he has the best stick, skates so well, plays the body well for his size and has a good shot and sees the ice well. He didn’t think Tuebert was that great but he praised Hickey. Think before you type non-sense. The kid hasn’t played an NHL game yet
[Reply]
Hmmmm…..I need to search the archives. But I do recall predicating Williams being injured within the first 10 games of the season. Wanna know who IS playing today? Sully…..Just sayin’
Chalk one up for the WWAMD!
[Reply]
Right on Vasquez!, im in alberta and have seen hickey play many times, the kids got skills, and if he was 6’3 he woulda been taken 2nd or 3rd overall and would have been in opening night roster, just people still think size is a hinderance, kingsfans watch this kid will be a calder candidate next season!
[Reply]
Anybody watch or heard of colby armstrong! in atlanta, simmonds will be a mold of him, he’s a gamer, score you 20 goals, make big hits, yap in your ear and get your team goin when you need it, go simms!
[Reply]
hey khanon, actually hickey is a nudge under 6’0 now, check your bio’s
[Reply]
Khanon
What part of Hockey do you not understand you keep suggesting to put Ivanans on the top line you want a fourth line of westy ivan and clune do you watch hockey for the fights or do you watch the game what gives?.
[Reply]
I like what ivanens brings in the team standup dept, but kopy and smitty deserve more than a guy that couldnt stickhandle a beachball!
[Reply]
khanon says: “DL needs to trade Purcell, Hickey, Moller, and Martinez for a forward or two. Lets be real here, those four players mentioned will never be top calibur
players, so you might as well trade them while they still have stock as good prospects.”
Let’s assume that other GM’s are stupid and don’t realize that these guys will never be top-caliber prospects. Who would you propose the Kings go after with a package like this?
[Reply]
So, it goes back to: why do we only have 22 players right now? If we don’t send Moller back down we’re fine. There wouldn’t be any discussion. Just sayin’
[Reply]
No kidding, keep moller up and everythings fine, he’s shown he’s a sparkplug, he’s got energy and wheels to fit the topline for a game or two.
[Reply]
Fro kopi smyth
Brown stoll simmonds
Purcell zus ivan
L- R – H
Simple.
Mike Fisher should be a target center for us.
Imagine what we could have acquired with a Fro/POS package last trade deadline.
Another player I covet is Kronwall.
[Reply]
All you GM’s out there…Give the team 15 or 20 more games befor you start trading away our best prospects and players. DL has plenty of room to make a move when the usual suspects start to struggle and want to unload good players for prospects and picks.
[Reply]
Cristobal et al…… you guys don’t get it, right? We don’t need another center, we need more scoring wingers.
[Reply]
Khanon
If you think teubert is the next O’donnel, i think we should of gotten Tyler Myers the kid is a beast at 6’8″ and is a good skater. Chara?
[Reply]
Dom we need a legitimate second line center for sure. Stoll and Zues are both great third line control/faceoff winners for sure but a second line needs someone more creative and offensive.
[Reply]
I hope Fro gets time out there with Kopi/Smyth. Purcell has been about as apparent as a ghost thus far in regular season. To bad Manchester is so far away, it would be interesting to see what a Loktionov, would do with them as well.
[Reply]
More and more people are starting to mention trades and who they’d like to get rid of or acquire, but I bet most of these people think we can get something for nothing. It ain’t gonna happen!
[Reply]
I’m not calling for a trade. I like our team basically. I think they need another year or two to grow but overall it’s good. I’m just saying…offensive center is on my wish list for next off season
[Reply]
Give stollsy a chance, he can give you 20 goals and 50 points and with the type of system murray uses he’s good for that, a large contributer to a power play as well
[Reply]
Trade Hickey? What mind altering drugs are you on? I saw Hickey play here in Seattle when he was with the Thunderbirds, he is basically Scott Niedermeyer and had the ability to take control of the game.
So Khanon, you are the joke. You sound like Melrose when he started trading away are talent to get Fat and Lard on skates because he wanted big players.
[Reply]
Dan H.
Brayden Schenn will be that center
[Reply]
Thanks for all the compliments
[Reply]
RenoKF I hope you’re right and he develops like we all hope he will. Like I said we’re a couple of years still from seeing the fruits of our struggles.
I’m still hopefull for playoffs with this group though!
[Reply]
Williams won’t be hard to replace.
[Reply]
Neither would you…
[Reply]
Chiming in with the Seattle Hickey love. Um, that came out wrong. Still valid.
[Reply]