alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />One more quick note, before the flight… Terry Murray said Jonathan Quick will be in goal for both of this week’s back-to-back games, and that Erik Ersberg has not been penciled in for a game any time in the near future…
MURRAY: “I have Quick in for both of these games. They’re big games. We just finished away and home, and now we’re going away and home again. Two teams that are premier teams in the game, and big teams, heavy teams. With a guy like Quick, in particular, in net, he’s got bulk, he’s a strong kid, and when there’s a lot of heavy going around the net, he’s able to deal with that. It’s going to be an exciting challenge.”
Murray said he was not concerned about Quick’s energy level, about the goalie getting worn down.
MURRAY: “One thing I have a feel for is players getting tired. If I see that, then I’ll take a look at it and address it, but I don’t see anything bothering Quick right now. He will play both games.”
Ok by me, hope they ride Quicky all the until Christmas!!
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Hope Quick is up to the challenge, I’ve felt that he hasn’t been as sharp in the last few games, even though the kings managed to win. :)
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That’s fine. But what if JQ would get injured or just tired? Ersberg would have no game experience. Plus his confidence should be very low right now since coach don’t trust him. He is not that bad. He just needs to win one game to get his confidence back. I would put him in a home game against teams like Predators, Wild, Leafs or Islanders, so he would have a chance to win. Yes, he lost at New York but let’s be honost, the whole team played bad in fron of him. But like in case with Frolov, only one person got punished for a bad game.
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I agree with the Leafs or Islander games – put Ersberg in those games.
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Fro did not get punished for one mistake or one bad game, fro got punished for not being consistent with the skill set he has. He was benched and now he is playing his “A” game. E.E. looked lost out there, JQ is what? 20/21/22 years old, he can handle it. Thats why they call him the number one goalie. Is there any chance we can drop the frolov was benched for one mistake ranting? E.E. needs to stay ready, like a good No. 2 goalie should and be ready when and if he is needed. And E.E. is not being punished for a bad game, TM is riding the wave with Quick. The guy is a stud!
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It takes a very special type of person to be a back up goalie. To be able to stay sharp through practices alone is a large responsibility, and takes immense concentration. I do not think there is anything wrong with Ersberg in that role. The reality is that A great number one plays 65-70 games a year and fights when a coach tells him he is NOT playing. Murray feels Quick is that type of guy. Besides, if he gets hurt, it won’t be Ersberg who takes his place. It would be Bernier without a doubt.
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Michael V.
To be fair the Kings were great in the game against the Rangers. Murray in fact praised the players saying that with better goaltending they should have won the game. Lundqvist was a stud and the Rangers were lucky to leave with the win. Ersberg dropped the ball that night no doubt about it. In previous posts by Rich I’m sure you can reference what I’m talking about with Murray’s comments.
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Just stay with the hot hand right now (although he’s not totally standing on his head, but he’s not losing games either)..no need to change goalies…Quick is young, he can deal with it.
Just an example, an older guy like Marty Brodeur, except for last year, started over 70 games/year since the 98-99 season and playing 78 and 77 game in the 07-08 seasons. Quick isn’t Brodeur but I’m just using him as an example of the numbers of games #1 goalies can play.
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It’s interesting that the ‘Staying with the hot hand’ Philosophy is OK to apply in this situation with Quick (Which I agree with BTW), but it is NOT OK to apply to Simmonds on the 1st line, which is also hot and Simmonds is playing MASSIVE in that position.
Seems a little hypocritical, but I’m not actually employed by the Kings.
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-Cynic
Not really hypocritical, if you understand Murray’s reasoning for both decisions. He chose to sick with Quick because he is performing better. Its not like Ersberg was number 1, got injured, Quick took over, and now we’re staying with him. Then he would be a hypocrite. He doesn’t want to deny Williams his spot because he lost it due to injury, not poor play. If he comes back and plays miserably, and Murray STILL doesn’t put Simmonds back on that line, then you have a point. But for now, Murray is sticking to his word, and in my opinion is doing the right thing. Fan of Williams or not, he did nothing wrong, he was putting up points and and creating chances, and then got injured, for all intents and purposes it IS his spot to lose, and deserves the chance to do so.
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Yeah Luuc-
I agree Williams did absolutely nothing wrong and I’m not looking at anything being hypocritical from an injury standpoint. But from the hot hand perspective, Quick is on a roll, stay with him. Simmonds is on a roll….
Added to that thought is the belief that I think Williams will help Stoll and Parse more than Simmonds will as I believe Simmonds is helping Anze & Smyth the same, if not a little more than Williams. Looking for the Win/Win here I guess.
Totally follow you though…
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Yeah I feel ya. I guess I’m just so sick of Murray haters blaming him and accusing him of anything and everything, I just wanted to back him up for something I felt he was doing right. Your idea is probably correct, at least on paper, but I think Murray is still doing the right thing guaranteeing Williams his spot, at least until he gives him a chance to prove he is as effective as Simmonds has been.
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Good cause Ersberg sucks.
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When a team clearly has 1 goalie that is much better than their second goalie like the Kings have now this is the way to go I think. Nothing aginast Ersberg, but Quick is the #1 here and should play as long as he is healthy and has the energy to do so. Especially early in the season like this.
I can see the point of those that believe Erik needs to play in order to have a better shot at being effective. The problem is he is a huge drop off for this team.
Earlier in the pre-season I had thought and maybe even said that I see them keeping Bernier in the AHL the whole season barring any injuries. Now I am not so sure though. But I guess I would still go with that prediction if Quick shows he can play the majority of the games and these back to back games will go a long way in determining how little Erik plays I think.
But if Quick does prove to need to sit a bit towards the end of the season based on energy level I could see the team wanting Bernier there as well if they are fighting for the playoffs. But if it would happen I could see it being pretty late.
Next year should be pretty interesting between both Jonathan’s though. Bernier is playing very well in Manchester as is Zatkoff. Has the goaltending in this organization ever been this deep?
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Well I said Quick should have played against the Rangers and not have sat while we were on a 4 game roll. Murray appologized for that one(I liked That)Then he said that he will no longer pencil in goalies ahead of time (I like That) Now you need to hear this TM. Keep the lines as is. Simmer is playing like a man on a mission. Williams was gifted that top line job to begin the season & never really earned it. He was basically just there while the other 2 played their cups off. Simmonds goes after the puck he is faster and always seems to be in the right [position. So listen to your loyal fans and stick to this plan. NEVER GO BACKwards
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Not going to say it.
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In other words, I only have confidence in Quick and Ersberg wont be here for long.
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I do not see a situation, barring injury, where Bernier is backing up Quick or Quick is backing up Bernier. If Bernier comes up and wins the job then maybe I can see that but I feel the Kings will move one of them while their stock is high. See Kipprusoff/Nobakov situation for the history. IF Ersberg is the one injured then maybe that situation will a rise but I think if all goes as planned next years training camp a serious decision is made. Some guys are career back ups and accept that role. Ty Conklin comes to mind, as well a long list of other guys.
The key is a healthy Quick all season. No handshaking with Peter Budaj!
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Quick’s good, and the more he plays, the better he’ll get. I really think they should send Ersberg down to get some work, though, and bring up Zatkoff, or whoever, as backup.
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