alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Justin Williams, and his sore lower body, will be out again tonight. Williams skated today with Trevor Lewis and Erik Ersberg for about 20 minutes but Terry Murray said Williams is still not 100 percent. Williams said he felt good and is expected to rejoin full-team practices. More on this, Randy Jones (who will arrive in L.A. tomorrow) and other stuff soon…
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Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He previously worked at the Los Angeles Daily News, was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar.
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I’m sure people have said this before, but this is the problem with bringing in Williams. Someone with a history of injuries tends to keep getting injured. I’m sure it was some “freak accident” or something. Interesting that it keeps happening to him. We may have given away POS for nothing (or very little).
[Reply]
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I haven’t heard the word “sore” used to describe JW’s injury. Do you perhaps know more than you’re letting on Rich? If so, would you tell us? Or are you bound to keep certain things like this off the record? Have you seen him skate? Is he limping? Grabbing his hamstring? His Calf? Knee? Anything else?
[Reply]
So Matt, let me just get this straight:
Justin Williams (4 major injuries in his career):
- Broke his hand when a teammate’s shot caused the puck to hit his hand. Must have been JW’s fault, of course.
- Tore his ACL and MCL on a DIRTY, LOW (worse than that Scuds check, that’s for sure) hit by Lukowich, but recovered FASTER than projected
- Tore same ACL/MCL when someone checked him directly in his knee years later (I forget who)
- Tore his achilles tendon in an off-ice workout
Of those injuries, only ONE could be JW’s “fault” (the achilles).
But you’re saying we gave away POS for nothing. Even though JW won a Cup and has been a point per game player for us.
I gotta stop getting wound up by the comments on here… but they’re just so darn amusing sometimes!
[Reply]
Groin injury perhaps? Didn’t Frolov have issues with that last season?
[Reply]
I wasn’t going to post anything, but people please get over this POS love affair. I hate to break it, but Williams showed more chemistry woth Kopitar or anyone else than POS ever did. Yes Williams has a history of injuries, but in the games he played, he looked pretty good. My guess is that he got nailed in the nuts by a puck or stick or something, he’ll be fine.
Plus, I’m willing to bet that he’ll miss more games than POS and will still put up better stats. For Gods sake, support your freakin’ team and quit wishing ill of current players or thinking that management is trying to sink this team. Williams is a King, POS is a Oiler. Please shut the hell up and get over the damn trade.
[Reply]
The Times has a poll up asking your favorite sports team. Time to vote for the Kings and represent !!!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/10/wednesdays-poll-which-is-your-favorite-local-sports-team.html
[Reply]
Thank goodness that there are some posters on this site that can separate reality from emotion. Patty-O is a good kid and we all want him to succeed. But there is absolutely no comparison between him and JW. One is proven scorer and winner and the other has “great” (?) potential to be both. The numbers aside, JW plays much better position and does ALL of the intangibles that O’Sullivan never did and never wanted to do. It isn’t just about the points – its about the team and doing the little things that do not show up on the score card and make the team better.
[Reply]
wavesinair…I’m trying really hard not to be a smartass here, but have you ever had an injury that wasn’t sore? I’m not “bound” to keep anything off the record, but I appreciate you asking.
[Reply]
If anything, Rich’s post about Frolov’s body language in his interview proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Rich does not and will not hold anything back from us that he can.
Even if he did know, do you want him to post it here so that other teams can find out what his injury is and target it when he returns? Good strategy.
[Reply]
I expect to see these on and off injuries through April.
Or even May if the Kings make the playoffs.
Don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
[Reply]
Poor nuts! I bet Patrick O’Sullivan’s were made of steel, though, Buckster.*
*kidding
[Reply]
Since you’re not ‘bound’ to keep ANYTHING off the record Rich, Heidi Androl’s number is……. ;-)
Hey Stache- I’m guessing Matt didn’t know all of Willie’s injuries when he wrote that. I know I didn’t. Interesting synopsis after all the talk of him being injury prone. Makes me feel as if 80% of NHL players would be called injury prone if in Williams’s position.
I’m just fine with this as it gives us 1 more game of Simmonds on the top line! Heal up Willie.
[Reply]
I deleted that part of my comment with regard to injuries being inherently sore. That’s what I get for that! lol.
There are many adjectives used to describe injuries in addition to the obvious pain associated with them. I was hoping that part would come across…
I’ll take it then that you don’t know anything more about this injury.
[Reply]
Cynic,
EXACTLY. Real NHLers get hurt. People can be as sarcastic as they want when referring to JW’s freak injuries, but he has been exceptionally unlucky. He’s not a ’soft’ or ‘glass’ player by any means.
Please forward Heidi’s number if you come across it. I’m hoping she likes big orange mustaches. Thanks.
[Reply]
Oops…yeah, I should have answered your question, which is that, no, I don’t have any information. It’s a weird thing, since nobody ever really saw him in obvious pain. No falling to the ice, no heavy limp. If I had to guess, I would say some type of muscle strain, but I have no idea which muscle.
[Reply]
Matt,
I would have dealt POS for nothing for a few reasons. The guy sucks, he’s small, but most importantly, he is way overpaid.
[Reply]
thanks rich for the update
[Reply]
Did anthony just admit to the possibility of us making the playoffs?
[Reply]
So, some are predicting injuries to the Kings between now and April?
Wow – injuries on a pro sports team. During the regular season no less. Whodathunk? But thank God, it appears they don’t extend into the playoff season! Now, that’s a relief.
[Reply]
I should specify ‘deep into playoff season.’ otherwise will be chastised.
[Reply]
This is disappointing and a big reason why some people didn’t like the trade.
Williams is a good player and it’s frustrating to have dealt a good player for one who appears to have many injury problems.
Although I think Williams is coddled by management/coaching, he’s a good player and I hope he doesn’t turn into a long-term frustration because this team needs it’s good players on the ice if we want to do anything serious.
On the other hand, the team seems to be coping well in his absence and we just may get to see Frolov get his chance with Kopitar and Smyth when we’re in a situation where we need goals.
If Rich could ask Murray, it would be great to know if Frolov is even in the running to get a chance at playing on the first line with those two. I’d really love to know, and love it even more to see it given a shot.
[Reply]
Anthony-
Honestly man, I don’t think Williams and/or Sully would make or break us making/not making the playoffs.
I was originally not for the trade, but now it seems the deal is irrelevant to the Kings. Williams has played okay, but nothing game-breaking, in my opinion.
Simmonds filled in nicely for Williams, so it’s not as if he can’t be replaced by current roster players.
[Reply]
DB6
Misprint :)
Injuries are all part of the game. The fact that the Kings have depth this year and can withstand an injury to one of our top forwards speaks volumes to the job done by the front office.
[Reply]
am i the only one jonesing for jw to return? in the first 9 games with jw in the lineup, kopitar went 5-8-13 and +2 while smyth went 6-7-13 and 0. in 4 games with jw out, kopitar still piling them up with 5-3-8 and +2, but smyth is down to 0-2-2 and +3. small sample, granted, but better chemistry for smyth with jw?
and what about trying simmonds with parse? that would be interesting.
[Reply]
HA HA HA! Good answer Rich!
[Reply]
Rich – I don’t understand why you keep avoiding the question…Heidi Androl’s number?
[Reply]
Didn’t Anthony get banned?
NHL players get hurt. Johan Franzen is hurt. Daniel Sedin is hurt. Ilya Kovalchuk is hurt. Evgeni Malkin is now hurt.
Need I go on? Throw Williams in that list, and who would you like on the Kings, in what order (if you could only take one)? Assuming salary cap isn’t an issue, you’d probably take Williams 5th of those 5 players.
It happens!!! Chill out. JW being hurt isn’t the worst thing that has ever happened to a team. That was the FA signing of Dan Cloutier…
[Reply]
Nobody has brought this up, and I’m probably WAY off on this, but could it be a possible Swine Flu type of problem.
He was just REALLY sick recently with the flu. Other’s in the NHL are coming down with the H1N1 virus. Ladislav Smid and Lubo up in Edmonton (although for Lubo, it’s not being reported as Swine flu, just fears that it is). Brooks Laich in Washington…
It could be…although I doubt it is.
[Reply]
Hmmmm….
Let’s see, Williams 9 Gp 3 goals 6 assists +4 in 16min. ice time per game.
POS 12 Gp 2 goals 5 assists 0 +/- in 18min. avg. ice time per game.
Anthony, if the trade would have been the other way around and we had traded Williams a proven scorer for POS a player trying to reach his potential, you would have been pissed as we all would have been.
[Reply]
really afraid to hear what swine flu could do to cause a “lower body injury”…
[Reply]
Luuuuuc,
That’s what happens when you go to the showers without taking your gloves off.
[Reply]
@Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc!
Maybe a swine “flew” into his groin.
Q: Will the Kings make the playoffs?
A: Yeah, when pigs fly.
Looks like our time is here!!!
[Reply]
I can hear the whiners now.
“Justin Williams?? That soft, bag of pucks? I heard he missed 3 games with H1N1!!”
[Reply]
Doug Weight of the Islanders is just back from having Swine Flu. He said it was nothing more than regular flu…He was more worried about keeping it away from his family.
[Reply]
If Marc Nathan has video, those comments would become scary x10 Luuuuuuuc & Dman.
As far as Heidi’s number, we’ll take measurements, but would prefer cellphone. Thanks. ;-)
[Reply]
Heidi isn’t that pretty, so relax boys.
[Reply]
HMM,
Justin Williams plays on the top line with high callibar linemates.
He plays a lot minutes on the Power play.
He averages about 20 minutes a game.
NMKingsfan, his stats should be a lot better.
He’s taking advantage of other players coat tail.
No way he’d be putting up these numbers in Carolina or Edmonton.
[Reply]
Luuuuuuuuc…teams lie all the time about injuries. A player hurts their shoulder, and they say they have a hurt knee. This isn’t abnormal in all sports.
[Reply]
Anthony, he DID put up those numbers in Carolina, TWICE. Your an attorney, right? Do you ever fact check?
While playing in Caroline, he played primarily on the 2nd line with Brind’Amour, and never played with Staal.
[Reply]
Khanon-
I’d expect that from someone who’s in love with ‘Goons’.
Mayce Nicole is more your style? http://www.nicolebass.com/
[Reply]
LOL Cynic!!!
Heidi not that pretty huh? I was lucky enough to go to our beautiful season opener this year and sat in 102 in an aisle seat. When Heidi came down to do her Artest interview we got a closer look at her, and let me tell you, I’d shove Patrice Bergeron into the boards for a chance with her.
[Reply]
Ha ha to all you patty lovers, have you watched any oiler games this season?, well living between edmonton and calgary you cant miss them, sully is a floater, yes a floater, he wont go into corners and avoida at all costs physical play kind reminds me of afinogenov, lots of talent but doesnt translate into usefulness!
[Reply]
Anthony–Williams averages 2 minutes less per game than POS. Check the stats Man! Who do you think plays back while Smyth and Kopi drive to the net? Williams defensive play and support of his linemates in addition to averaging a point a game make him much more valuable than POS.
You need to find a sport you can understand.
[Reply]
Wait, what? Backing up arguments with stats?
anthony, I’d really like to hear what your response could possibly be to what NMKingsFan just posted. We’re waiting.
[Reply]
I think a garbage can could rack up 82 points a season playing with Kopitar and Smyth.
Although, Smyth looked like he was tiring in the Columbus game. I hope he’s not getting worn down already because he is a key element of this team and we’re only 1/8 into the season.
[Reply]
Thanks for that astute insight. I knew TM should have just signed an industrial sized Rubbermaid instead of Justin Williams.
Some of the comments on here… wow
[Reply]
er, DL, not TM. Look how wound up you got me ;)
[Reply]
mrbrett7 -
(just a joke, though not a very good one)
[Reply]
Cristobal……..living 2hours from edm, ive watched smitty for years, aka captain canada, he never tires, he’s like the energizer bunny, never takes even a shift off, is he going to pick up points every shift?game?, cmon now just because he hasnt had points in a few games doesnt mean he’s tiring even last night was everywhere on the ice!
[Reply]
Oh and cristobal, by the way have you ever even put on a pair of skates…lol, cuz maybe next season you could try and win out garbages roster spot…lol
[Reply]
1) The reason it’s a “lower body” injury, is the Kings do not want players to know where, in specific, Williams was injured. Asking Rich for specifics is just going to annoy him–he’s not likely to undermine what the Kings are trying to do by being as vague as possible.
2) I think we’ve seen enough of Williams to know that we’re not going to get anything like 80 games out of him each season, and the few we’ve seen haven’t been all that special anyway.
3) I’m with Cristobal–you could plug in anyone you want to get going on that wing with Captain Canada and Kopitar, though it would be worthwhile to choose wisely.
[Reply]
What this tells me more is that with the way the team is playing and Simmons & Parse filling in well , the team has the “luxury” of making sure Williams is 100% before coming back too soon and risking a worse injury.
[Reply]
Stop bashing williams people! again be lucky he’s been the only injury we’ve had!, as soon as he’s back the points will be there, i like simmonds but he certainly cant handle the skillset of kopy and smitty and williams can so just enjoy the start they’ve had and support them
[Reply]
My “garbage can” joke is an old one, and is more of a compliment to Kopi and Smyth than anything. I believe the joke came about in reference to Mario Lemieux’s linemates.
Just take a look at what happened to Kevin Stevens when he was on a team like Pit.. But, when he came to LA? Garbage…
2316 – Yes, I have laced them up, even though I live in the veritable dessert of Los Angeles. In fact, many players come here during the summer to train (aka – party and skate in pickup). Even your boy Sheldon…
[Reply]
Actually, I saw what Cristobal did. Smyth is no spring chicken anymore.
I didn’t see the Columbus game (I was out of the country), but watching last night, I didn’t see the same jump I saw 2 weeks ago, but I’ll wait to make any judgement until watching tonight.
It is conceivalbe that a veteran like him, who has played 14 years in this league, and plays the style he does, will get tired from time to time.
[Reply]
Cristobal, my 6 year old “laces them up” 5 days a week for a local travel team. I just as soon go to him for advice on how to run this team then many of the posters on this site.
:)
[Reply]
Off topic here: Are all hockey fans as big a whiners as King fans? For years we have endured mediocre (at best) hockey. We are having one of the best stretches we’ve had in a long while, and yet the complaining has increased 10 fold.
I don’t get it, I just don’t get it. I don’t care if Williams was brought in to do Kopitar’s laundry, as long as the Kings win 8 out of every 12 games this season, I for one will not complain, but rather just enjoy it while it lasts.
[Reply]
Jeff, it’s personally reasonable for people to comment on what they think are shortcomings in their teams. If you don’t like it, don’t read the comments section, because it’s a significant portion of what you’ll see.
2316, when Williams stops being injured more than he plays, people will stop taking note of his injuries and the corresponding trouble that can cause the team. The Kings are fortunate right now that they have a lot of talent to move around. When the playoffs come, they’ll benefit from a solid roster, if they can keep one together.
[Reply]
Regarding people who “lace them up,” the rest of us could care less. Ask Bob Miller how much hockey you need to play to know the game. I think that’s suffices for that particular subject.
[Reply]
Ha ha well i love the people who have never played thinking they know the best line combinations, and referring to certain players as garbage, telling us how a coach or gm should run a team, unless youve ever played the game you dont have a clue how things work or what actually happens!
[Reply]
Kenneth, so when do people start commenting on the good things the Kings are doing? If the focus is always going to be on the negative, then I say who needs the site? I come here for the great information provided by Rich and a few posters. I stay to witness the train wreck which typically proceeds them.
[Reply]
Will he be back by Christmas??
[Reply]
2316 – That’s a pretty closed-minded attitude. You should walk up to Bob Miller and tell him what he doesn’t know because he never played.
Jeff – There’s plenty of comments from all angles here. You could just stop bitching about seeing some you don’t want to see…
[Reply]
Kenneth, agreed. And maybe you can stop bitching about what everyone else is posting. Just a thought.
[Reply]