Ron Hextall says that everything checked out OK with the MRI on Jonathan Bernier’s wrist yesterday, and that Bernier is scheduled to play for Manchester this weekend.
Everyone (except Williams) is on the ice for practice, with no line changes.
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It’s kinda disturbing that the injuries that the kings has sustained this season so far is in practice… let’s hope the rest of the kings stay healthy!!! I’m not sure how much I want Williams to come back, Simmer is doin great! And Parse is such a welcomed surprise.
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I really want Williams to play on that 3rd line, I think his veteran leadership and soft hands with Stoll and Parse would help increase secondary scoring even more. Any 3 of those guys have the speed to forecheck and loosen up pucks. All 3 can pass. All 3 can backcheck. Williams can only help what Stoll and Parse have already started chemistry wise.
The stigma of ‘When you get injured, your spot should be saved’ has got to go. Injuries are unfortunate, but you got to go with what’s working and Sims is WORKING on that 1st line! I think Williams gracefully understands that and said as much in his interview. “I don’t know if I’m gonna get my spot back” (It was the one part I liked as it showed some humility and team first thought). Willie could be a HUGE contibutor on that 3rd line. He’ll probably end up with the same minutes as TM is rollin’ 4 deep.
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The kings actually have some depth. Quite shocking
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Cynic> mu thoughts exactly agrees 100%
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Thanks for the update Rich. Any news on Clune?
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Cynic…agree completely, it seems Simmonds is even a better fit than Willy. Willy on the 3rd line could be really interesting too. Hope TM agrees. Keep rolling boys!
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khanon didn’t say something negative, equally as shocking!
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I’m surprised Khanon isn’t saying ‘ If the Ducks had more toughness, they’d win more games’
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Cynic,
Ever since Brian Burke left, the Ducks have lost their way. They got rid of quality, physical players such as Rob Niedermayer, Pronger, Beauchemin, Moen (I’m sure there’s a couple more I can’t think of), while adding Koivu, Lupul, and giving Whitney way too many minutes of ice time. They have lost their way, and its showing.
Cry Baby,
Sometimes, the truth hurts. But I’m not going to lie, the Kings are looking pretty good right now, and if DL acquires a player or two, this team will be a dangerous playoff team. I’m not talking about acquiring superstars, I’m talking about acquiring a 3rd line middle weight and a fourth line middleweight as well. Those are the guys, along with simmonds, that will go to the net and score the big playoff goals…
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Don,
I’m not really shocked about injuries during practice. One of my old soccer coaches growing up had played professionally and he stated that many times guys would get injured in practice cuz they are practicing hard. That’s the way it should be…if you practice soft, you’re gonna play soft and develop bad habits…
i like what i’m seeing from parse and simmonds…
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One thing though…
Think the Kings are fortunate that Scuderi didn’t get suspended again. He would’ve been a repeat offender, limiting his aggressiveness later in the season. Deep breath there.
I also think Williams should be tried on the third line. I like the physical presence Simm gives to the first line. He’ll protect Smyth and Ko better, and provide energy. I’m hoping Parse can keep it up, as well.
My biggest fear is defensive depth.
Time for the Kings to get as many points as they can, in preparation for one of the more veteran teams struggling right now to make a mid-season resurgence. We need 20+ wins before the New Year, to solidify playoff eligibility.
Remember when 20 Kings wins didn’t happen before March?
Man, I can’t believe I’m still alive!
Respect the Crown, NHL!
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Hey, did y’all see this?
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=503756&cmpid=rss-News%20in%20English
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The thing about any kind of influenza…
Once it gets into a population (groups of individuals related by residence or occupation), it’s almost impossible to stop.
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Purell, baby!
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khanon, and that’s exactly where I disagree – we don’t need more 3rd line players. We need more powerful offensive skill.
Though the numbers might look very good, all of the (early Season) scoring came from the first line, all the (secondary) scoring has only gotten better in recent games.
Instead of adding decent 3rd line Players we would need another top-notch scorer to take the pressure off the first line (especially Kopitar).
Imagine this (God forbid): Kopi gets injured. WHO can get even close to fill his shoes…..?
Penguins have leaders in Crosby/Malkin, Caps are looking at Ovie/Semin to name a few examples – Kings: Kopi / ?
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……. decent 3rd line players can (and should) come from Manchester: Clune, Parse, Loktionov, Lewis all can fill spots. Soon we add Schenn and Teubert (D) to that list.
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sucks for Budaj. Hopefully he recovers…unless he’s in goal against the Kings.
Cynic..I agree and disagree
I agree that your spot shouldn’t be held because you got hurt..BUT
JW was a part of the highest scoring line. He was averaging over a point a game and was playing terrific hockey. I think he should go back to playing with Kopi and Smythe. If he comes back and the chemistry isn’t there, it’s nice to know that Simmonds can step right in and do the job.
It also makes you wonder if anyone can skate with those 2 and be successful?
Remember…we got off to a great start and that line carried us during the first 4 game winning streak. We weren’t getting any secondary scoring. It seems now that everyone has gotten involved. Brownie is as hot as anyone in the league right now. Stoll is playing great.
These are the types of decisions coaches love. They need to keep this up and get as many points as possible. It looks like in the west good teams are going to be on the outside looking in when the playoffs arrive. Let’s make sure we’re not one of those.
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Bottom line is that the team has won 4 games in a row… don’t change anything and disrupt the mojo, chemistry!
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