Going back to the start of the season, we talked about the importance of Teddy Purcell, and how his ability to generate secondary scoring might be a big key to the Kings’ success. Well, Purcell has only two goals this season — and none in his last 11 games — and the Kings are doing well, so perhaps I overestimated that, but it would have been hard to anticipate that the Kings’ top line would produce as much as it has so far.
Still, there’s the matter of Purcell. A second-line player at the start, he is now down to the fourth line, with Raitis Ivanans and Brad Richardson. If you’re a player, that’s not the direction you want to be headed in, mostly because the next step is wearing a suit during games. Here’s what Terry Murray said about Purcell and how he can get things turned around…
MURRAY: “A player like Teddy is a skilled player, a very skilled player. We saw that in the early part of the season. He was doing a great job for us, 5-on-5 and on the power play. He’s still pretty effective on the power play. I think his confidence may be showing a little bit. There’s times in games that I’m seeing a player not making the same plays with the puck that he was showing us. But I don’t get after him right now. I did move him down to that line (Monday) night … so I go through a little bit of a message being sent by that.
“Then, if it builds from there, and doesn’t improve from that point, then we have to come in and take a look at what you’re doing, talk about it and review and have meetings, and hopefully there’s a response from that. I think he’s been a pro long enough now that he understands what it is and how I operate.
“I have some concern. It’s not a big concern, but I always have concern. I’m seeing, again, a skilled player that needs to play the game the right way. Execution, dig in, battle the way, dot-to-board play, and that was the part of the game that I really liked in what he brought in the early part of the season. When it starts to slip, then you have to react, and that’s maybe why you’re seeing a little bit less on the 5-on-5 minutes, and back on the fourth line, and that’s where he needs to understand what’s going on, and why, pick it back up and, when he gets the opportunity on the top lines, he needs to produce.”
I’d really like to see Richardson get a reward. He deserves to move up a line IMHO. If Parse doesn’t do so hot, I think it would be Parse-Purcell-Harrold on that 4th line or some combo with Parse & Purcell. Parse caught a break getting the start with Stoll & Brown when he came up. He hasn’t let it go.
I don’t know if Richie was ever considered a gifted scorer, but a 3rd line winger he might be.
[Reply]
It’s so interesting to me how the team dynamic works and how players respond to slumps, etc. I’ll have an extra eye tomorrow, not on Purcell, but on Parse. With the coach clearly putting faith in you, and you’re playing the stanley cup champs, it will be a nice test for him to see if he can keep his A game going.
[Reply]
Why is this guy on the Powerplay!
Effective???
Put Fro on the PP.
fool!!!
[Reply]
I wonder at times if Purcell and Fro aren’t two peas in a pod. It’s frustrating watching Teddy because you know he’s got the talent, it’s just a matter of him executing game in and game out.
[Reply]
Fro had more talent when he was 15.
[Reply]
guy needs to step it up asap
[Reply]
um… Fro plays on the PP.
Next.
[Reply]
I wish TM sometimes tried putting the players that are struggling with BETTER linemates in order to get them clicking.
Frolov and Purcell might both benefit from some real minutes with kopi/Smyth, especially when we need some goals.
But, TM’s line juggling worked well on Momday, so I have to credit him there (even if it’s Pho.)
The entire squad looked flat for long stretches, but the 3rd period was a great group effort.
[Reply]
I hope he picks it up and finds his stride but right now he’s not doing too much. Parse has taken that spot and he’s earned it.
[Reply]
I was surprised Frolov and Purcell never started the season together. Purcell needs to dig and step up, I don’t feel it is all his fault but a man he needs to be now and get out of this slump…
[Reply]
JDM,
Surley, Surly, you know what he meant. FIRST UNIT or do I need to spell it for you. I AGREE for a change with donjuan.
Hopefully, I don’t get beat up by the hockey police, but I would like to see the second line with Stud Fro, Stoll and JW. Brown jumps up to hang with Kopi and RS. He needs a jumpstart as does the MF in JMFJ.
TM should have placed purcell on the fourth when parse arrived. he needs to perform or go to the monarchs.
It makes me wonder if we should have sent purcell packing and kept moulson. Maybe we tried but other gm’s are/were not impressed.
Hopefully he can find his way back and remain on the bottom line instead of in the press box.
[Reply]
It’s about time, …Purcell has been pretty much an anchor dragging to every line he has skated on, we are on the PK almost every shift he takes. Parse has been a pleasant surprise with his energy and ability to positively get involved in play.
[Reply]
frolov.purcell and ersberg wud be a nice trade package. we could get something very very interesting in return
[Reply]
Exactly Big Sleaze.
Stop sending him out with the cigar store indian and the AHLer. Somtimes they dont send him at all but Purcell always gets the call.
OK some of it may have been punishment but, when does it end? The message has been sent now let him out of the dog house for awhile. In the Yotes game we only had 1 or 2 PP chances so maybe he would hve been released(maybe) but I want to see play with the top guns!
[Reply]
During the pre-season I think I remember quite a few posters on the other site impressed with parse.
Who do we insert if purcell continues to nosedive? Maybe some more magic from manchester?
Another effort similiar to the Alan Parse Project would be SWEET!
[Reply]
I too wish we had kept Moulson instead of Teddy.
Good call.
[Reply]
AFro needs to STAY, johnny. How about the latter two and the cigar store indian? Nice
[Reply]
Nice little article about Kopi…
http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/ray_ferraro/?id=296991
[Reply]
are u all kidding me about Moulson? he had his chances and did zero with them. glad to see him doing ok with the Isls, but he didn’t do anything as a King. as for Purcell, he has been given many many opportunities and has done little. time to cut our losses, later Purcell. gone are the days of Wilsie and Calder. we have too much depth to give away a roster spot to under achievers.
[Reply]
JDM, surly surly surly surly you can read Juan’s mind. right? “and don’t call me surly”
[Reply]
What depth are you talking about?
Deeper than Fro!
[Reply]
Purcell stinks.
The end.
[Reply]
This is nothing new. Purcell needs to step it up.
It could be worse. We could be Carolina or Toronto or the Ducks.
[Reply]
I dont really care that Moulson is gone but why have we wasted so much time with Teddy. Should’nt Fro have had a shot at Teddy’s position onthe 2nd line?
[Reply]
We have been for too long…
[Reply]
Too long? The guy scored 32 goals last year and was relegated to the 3rd line right from the get go.
[Reply]
Teddy will come around….He has skills just needs to get use to the speed of the NHL game.
[Reply]
Are you serious Rich you have to approve my comments now?
[Reply]
Here’s an idea, it’s just an idea so let me know what you guys think. How about we call up loktionov have him center the line with fro, send Purs down and put hanzeus on the 4th line? I want to see the FRO-LO line.
[Reply]
Fro has gotten a couple of shots with Brownie and Zues on the “2nd line”. Showed great jump for 2 games, then dissapeared again. Regardless of which line he is on he needs to put out! Scored alot last year with Zues and Simmer, whats the problem this year? EFFORT!
Get me Hartnell DL!
[Reply]
src> that’s funny because everyone was saying the same thing last season about fro when he started off slow. I remember people on the daily news site saying he lacked effort last season. The truth is Frolov a streaky player; the points will come. As of now he has 12 points in 14 games. At this rate he’ll end up with 70 points by season end but like I said he’s streaky so he’ll probably end up with more, it’s no different than last season so far.
[Reply]
I guess I shouldn’t take some posts for what they actually say… I’ll work on those ESP skills.
Kings PP is 23.4%, tied for 8th in the league.
I don’t want to change the 1st unit, it’s kicking serious ass. If it starts not to, then go ahead and put Fro on the 1st.
Sure, take Teddy off the 2nd. I’d like to see Parse or Williams up front on the 2nd unit.
But you guys want to change a 1st PP unit that’s working really well? It seems like you want to change things just to benefit Frolov, who I LOVE, but if its working, you don’t change it for the benefit of one player. That’s not best for the team.
[Reply]
um look at the stats. points in every game. while playing with the slow developing simmonds and the slumping brown. Best player on the ice for us v the sharks. Where was the 1st line in the ot losses?
[Reply]
Get purcell off the pp, pk and play him on the fourth until he plays himself off the team.
Playing with teddy does not exactly enhance the resume these days.
BTW who scored the lone goal v the sharks?
[Reply]
Who has points in every game? Frolov? Nobody on the team has points in every game.
Seriously Sleaz, what are you talking about?
[Reply]
And Parse was the only one to score against the Canucks. Your point?
[Reply]
JDM> I don’t want change anything, we’re winning right now. Let’s keep it that way. I just hope we keep Frolov around cause he has had a roll in all this, and I’d like to see the russians play together, just think they might have some good chemestry. Loktionov is a center and I’ve been watching the Manchester games and he’s tearing it up.
[Reply]
I hope Purcell can get things going again. Although its nice to see Parse get rewarded for his good play.
[Reply]
Here’s to hoping against hope that Frolov stays a King well into the future!
Wish I felt like forking over the money to watch Monarch games… but I don’t. I’m so excited about Loki, but give him a year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets one or two games at some point in the season.
[Reply]
Cristobal – It sounds like you were a banking executive before unemployment hit home. Why would you possibly want to reward or bailout failure? A player shows a lack of effort (I actually think it is more mental, about focusing every second he is on the ice) and you want to reward him with a move to a better line and more ice time. Thank goodness TM is such a smart coach and asks his players to earn their ice time. Once players see a reward for poor performance the coach’s credibility is down the drain. Last year was one of the best coached Kings teams ever and this year is better.
[Reply]
You dont have to have esp just eyes. Fro has not always played on either PP unit. Teddy has.
Murray benched Fro and kept him playing with the b squad. He had nothing but criticism for fro and praises Teddy. This is what bugs me about this interview.
[Reply]
I like the Loki idea though.
[Reply]
Why we never tried Purcell-Boyle-Moulson last year, I will never know. It’s not like it could have hurt our already terrible season.
[Reply]
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Thank you for a somewhat return to graciousness in light of how much you must appreciate places where you might gain insight on Kings Hockey.
[Reply]
src: “Fro has gotten a couple of shots with Brownie and Zue:s on the “2nd line”. Showed great jump for 2 games, then dissapeared again.”
Sleazy:”um look at the stats. points in every game. while playing with the slow developing simmonds and the slumping brown. Best player on the ice for us v the sharks. Where was the 1st line in the ot losses?”
Surly-Point being that AFro has done well and contributed points in every game since his benching and pairing with the former and slumping captain crunch. Hardly disappearing and scored our only game v San Jose. Our best player in that game and giving way to Nabokov as the best player in that game.
You lost me on the nucks game though I mentioned our first line slept walked.
Put AFro with some talent on the second line and keep him there. What is wrong with a 1-2 Punch and an energy line with Simmonds and PArse on the third with the stauesque ‘zus creating problems around the crease?
Brown really needs to relocate his game too so if anyone really needs to be on the first line to get going that might be the cure for his problems.
I’ve read some of your blogs. If purcell is sent whom would you like to see fill his spot?
Here is to wishing that your hope crashes and burns.
But lets hope that in 24 hours the pens are 7-1 on the road.
Its getting late in the Haynesville
Geaux Kings
I
[Reply]
Is this a Montreal Candiends blog?
What do you people talk about in a few games when kopitar gets shutdown for 4-5 games? PP 1 doesn’t work? God forbid Quick gets injured???
Seriously, ladies and gents…. Teams struggle, players struggle…
I am anti Murray, but agree with this move… I am anti Quick yet support him now to the fullest while the team remains successful…
What do you guys do if adversity strikes??? I think i know
Please guys, Moulson now? Come on you banwagons… Loktionov? Moller ? Seriously…
we aRE 9-4-2 LADIES AND GENTS… Support the team and the components of it.. We have a good thing now and it won’t be like this all season so….WATCH OUT!!!!
Purcell to the 4th is a strategic move by a coach that has a first line and the rest beings made up of 2nd and 3rd line wingers and 3rd and 4th line centremen.
I support this move full and I am a Purcell fan and also a Parse fan. Let’s see what happens for goodness sakes…
[Reply]
You love you some Kings huh JT?
[Reply]
Cry Baby
Thanks for the link. That was a nice article about Kopi.
[Reply]
Correction AFro scored pts in every game till the nucks game SINCE his benching. Pretty decent effort playing on whatever(whomever with) line he was tasked … hardly disappearing.
JT-WATCH OUT!! I Agree.
This has been a great season thus far and has been very interesting to say the least.
TM has been playing his cards brilliantly lately and lets hope he continues to do so.
Bon Soir
[Reply]
A Habs blog?!?! JT lock your keyboard! I agree with the overreaction statement you’re making, but even thinking of calling this place a Habs blog is worse than cussing!
Find a mirror and berate yourself violently for 5 minutes. Then you will be cleansed.
[Reply]
About that “why is Purcell getting PP time and Fro isn’t” question…here are the numbers of 5on4 minutes for each forward per game. Note that Williams and Stoll, while forwards, play defense on the PP, so you can mentally pull them out of the list if you so choose.
Smyth 4:14
Brown 4:03
Kopitar 3:99
Williams 3.34
Frolov 2.52
Stoll 2.37
Handzus 2.33
Purcell 2.18
As you can see, the biggest minutes go to the first unit plus Brown, as you would expect. Frolov, Handzus and Purcell are getting second unit minutes. Every single top nine foward except Simmonds and Parse are getting significant PP time. And, contrary to what some people seem to think, Frolov is in the middle of the pack, while Purcell is last.
(and while I’m at it, I would like to remind whoever cares that Frolov is getting the easiest minutes of pretty much any forward; so this whole “checking line” thinig is a bit of a misnomer)
[Reply]
Sleazy,
So this is more about you considering Handzus less offensively gifted than Stoll. Because it sounds like you are asking the lines:
Smyth-Kopi-Williams
Frolov-Stoll-Brown
Parse-Handzus-Simmonds
Correct?
I don’t see how that is so different. In fact, I consider Handzus to be the better offensive player than Stoll.
And Fro has had a few really good games lately. He also dogged it against Phoenix. He was pretty good against the Nucks and was great against SJ and pretty damn good the few games before that. I’m still not sure what your point is, other than to just say that Frolov has been on the better side of bipolar play lately, which I mostly agree with.
I mentioned the Nucks game because when you brought up Frolov being the only scorer against the Sharks, it sounded like you were insinuating that because of that fact, Frolov deserves more ice time, or PP time or whatever, something better. Did you have a different point in bringing that SJ game up?
But if you like Fro so much, why do you wish that my hope crashes and burns? Spite? My hope was that Frolov stays a King. Don’t we want the same thing?
As for filling Purcell’s spot, I have two things to say. A) Assuming Purcell is not on the team for whatever reason, I want Clune or a trade for another scrappy middleweight on the 4th line. Clune-Richardson-Harrold would be fine with me for what we have, though I’m not a big fan of Harrold. Loki or Moller don’t belong there and should stay in Manchester for the foreseeable future. B) I think its kind of a moot point, because I don’t think Purcell will ever get sent down this season. I think he either puts up or gets traded. I don’t think Dean will bother trying to jump start him again. Like Moulson and Boyle, Purcell is having his chance, in fact a little extra chance. He’s on his 9th life and if he doesn’t cut it he’ll be gone. But I think he will get the majority of the season to try and get his game to a more consistent level.
I have mixed feelings about Purcell. Ultimately I don’t have that much confidence in him to be a top six forward, and if he isn’t that, then he isn’t that useful. However, I’ve seen games I’ve REALLY liked from him, and I think a guy deserves more than 65 games to get his act together. If he can, he will be one hell of a player.
[Reply]
I’m not seeing what most of you guys see on Purcell. He plays much too much like Armstrong to me. Yea he puts forth effort, but I don’t see the sweet hands and the scoring prowess that some of you claim.
[Reply]
Hey Terry Murray (or Rich Hammond…)
is his confidence showing a little bit or is his LACK OF confidence showing a little bit?
if his confidence is showing a little bit, are you rewarding him for that by moving him down to a line with the tree stump and the speed bump?
[Reply]
Quisp burns the posters once again with his numbers.
[Reply]
JT
I rarely agree with you, but you got it right. We’re having a great season. How can you not support the moves so far?
People need to take a step back and think about something with this team. In years past, Fro was the Kings best player..If he didn’t play well, it was pretty much a guarantee that we’d lose.
Now, he doesn’t play well, gets benched, and the Kings win.
He’s no longer the man on the Kings. I wish he was because think about how much better we’d be?
It’s his own fault. You play with who the coach puts you out on the ice with and you give 100% effort. If you don’t score because you’re not playing with talented guys, I can understand, but why not at least give the effort every night, every shift? If you can’t, it’s because you’re unprofessional and therefore should end up playing elsewhere, not on a winning hockey team like the Kings.
Someone please show me a successful team that rewards indifferent play from their best players?
[Reply]
Big Sleazy
Simmonds is slow developing….where the heck did that one come from?
I wish all of our young players were as slow to develop as Simmer.
[Reply]
To Fro, or not to Fro…this is getting pretty old!
The reality is that if Fro wanted to more minutes he could earn them with consistent effort but we all know that will not happen because Fro is not capable of consistent effort.
[Reply]
NYKing makes a good point. Fro was our best player and we have been used to him doing well for us to win. He was relied upon because, quite frankly, we kinda sucked for the years he’s been with us.
Now, we’ve outgrown the need to rely on Frolov since our players have gelled and become a unit. No longer do we have to wait for Fro to decide to score, someone else will do it. It is fro’s fault as NYK said. We don’t have to wait for him any longer. If he wants to stay, he has to pick it up and play TM’s system like everyone else.
Everyone who feels sorry for Fro must be able to shop for Armani suits more than he does. I think he got paid well for his role the last 7 years. Someone else will most likely pay him for his off and on game. Once again, I hope he leaves it on and stays. My gut says he won’t.
[Reply]
Purcell doesnt have NHL skill, he has had a million opportunities to step up and has had about 3 good games out of 30 so its time to promote another manchester guy that wants to work hard like parse. sorry but teddy is terrible.
[Reply]
Is it
[ ] All TM’s fault
[ ] All Fro’s fault
Check one…
Seriously, though — I missed the Phoenix game and only saw highlights, so forgive this question: what did Fro do that was so bad to start this up again? Was he on the ice for some goals against? Did he turn over the puck again? Sounds like the entire team disappeared in the second, but it’s hard to tell from the comments here. I’m assuming TM thought he struggled more and put him on fewer shifts. The Simmonds-Handzus-Frolov line looked fine on the Doughty goal, too, so I’m cool with that line being reunited.
If the Kings were to utilize him differently, they’d have to be a different team. I don’t see that happening. Unfortunately for us, I do think he might do better elsewhere, but I don’t really want to see it. Fingers crossed.
[Reply]
DLB
PHO. Fro was basically non existent, and had a couple of chances to take da puck to da house and choose to skate behind the net. And yes he made a couple of dumb passes. He was doggin it again.
If he had the flu or a groin issue, then I will retract my opinion to a lesser degree.
[Reply]
Danny.
If there’s one thing Purcell has is NHL SKILL. It’s in the other areas he’s lacking.
[Reply]
DLB
He didn’t do anything bad…no obvious turnovers or giveaways.
He just didn’t do anything. If he is one of the better players on the team, there’s no reason he should be invisible for 60 min.
He had puck possession at times, but never took it to the net…never set up a linemate. He kept hold of the puck and did nothing with it.
Is this what we should expect from him?
It wasn’t the fault of his linemates. Everyone played with everyone against Phoenix…He wasn’t playing exclusively with Ivanans, so that’s no excusse.
I think every post leads back to Fro.
[Reply]
Actually, the same coach who demoted him to the fourth line said in this article that….
“A player like Teddy is a skilled player, a very skilled player.”
[Reply]
Jumping Shrimp
Just TM stating the obvious. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t show or use it, you run the risk of moving down in the lineup or even being scratched…Ask Fro.
[Reply]
Hey Quisp ,
can you break it down by game to see when Fro was getting these minutes.
If this has been consistant then why on earth is Murray praising his (Purcell) PP perfomence?
Also, if we play 4 forwards then why does everyone else get to play with top line? I may have missed it or forgotten but I dont ever remember Fro playing with Kopi and Smythe.
[Reply]
johnjuan -
I will look up the game-by-game stats when I have a minute. As far as your last question, I don’t think Fro is playing with Kopi and Smyth (for one thing Smyth and Fro are both LWs). I believe the PP units are:
#1
Smyth/Kopitar/Brown
Stoll/Doughty
#2
Frolov/Handzus/Purcell
Johnson/Williams
[Reply]
NYKingsfan,
Simmonds plays hard but he really is not that good. I am more impressed with Parse in 4 games than I am with Sim in a year +. I dont know why but I can’t help but think of Simmer as anything but an “energy line” guy that can net a few here and there.
Kinda wish Parse was a Right Wing.
I think the Sleazy had higher hopes for Simmonds. I kinda think we all wish for a sniper like Cammilleri with the grit and size of Simmonds.
Just a dream.
[Reply]
Thanks Quisp,
I know he throws out 4 forwards quite often. Thats why i wondered about Fro and Smythe being a combo. I am aware that it may make more sense to have 2 centers rather than two wingers.
[Reply]
Man I hope Frolov gets traded sooner than later so I can quit reading about how he’s being misused after every game. He’s so overrated on these boards it’s isn’t even funny….he’s had, what, 8 years now to prove he’s a top line player? Newsflash – he’s not.
[Reply]
johnjuan -
I’m sure somebody keeps the PPTOI numbers on a game-by-game basis, but I couldn’t find it in the 10 minutes I had to poke around. I found some site that actually has a column for PPTOI in the game log, but the numbers are all zero (so there’s hope for the future).
Re Simmonds:
Remember he’s just a kid. I think he does have the potential to be a top-six guy, though you’re right he’s generally thought to be a third liner. I guess I have been more impressed with him than you have been. But keep in mind he’s going to get stronger when he actually grows up, and that’s a scary prospect.
Re Purcell:
Everyone knows this is Teddy’s big shot and he has to make it count. We’re fourteen games in; he started well then tapered off. He’s got time to turn it around. At this point, I think he’s squeezing his stick too hard. But I’ve also seen him do a number of good things this year.
I think the Moulson lesson is not so much that the Kings made a bad choice but that chemistry is very important. Smyth/Kopitar, Parse/Stoll, Handzus/Simmonds, those are the Kings’ pairs who have shown chemistry. Until you really click with someone, the coach is going to keep shuffling you around. That’s just the way it is. Everyone was down on Robert Lang till he got his chance with Jagr, and now, with or without Jagr, Lang is a major component of whatever team he’s on (look at PHX’s success this year, and his numbers with MTL before his injury).
I think TP would be best on the RW with Stoll and Parse (and that line was productive when it was together). But if he’s going to be on the 4th unit, I would go with Clune/Richardson/Purcell (which I think is in the cards once Clune is fully back from injury). Anyway, I think everyone has to take a deep breath and let Purcell do the work he needs to do. It’s a long season.
[Reply]
The one thing that sticks out to me about our line combos is that we have 2 sets of conjoined twins.
1. Smythe/Kopi
2. Fro/Handzus
Is this the best way to go every game? Some may not be able to stand the idea of playing Smythe on the 2nd. Ok fine, I wish Murray would mix it up to get others scoring but if this is taboo, how about a second unit of Fro Stoll Williams?
Before you guys go crazy with the ‘If it aint broke dont fix it” barrage Just consider this. How long can we go depending on 1 great line? I dont think that will carry us for long. If Kopi or Smythe get injured…
Just a thought. (I really would like to see FROSTOLLWILLIAMS though)
[Reply]
“I think every post leads back to Fro.”
Like all roads lead to Rome? Heh. Thanks for the info. And no, I don’t expect anyone to be invisible and I’m not blaming anything on his linemates — where did I say that? I just wondered if there was a big screwup or something since people keep bringing him up. (I definitely don’t mind TM juggling lines either…what can you expect? You have to do what you can to find something that works.)
I do remember when everyone was so down on Lang while he was here, too…Quisp makes a good point about chemistry. I guess we’ll never know unless they trade him, which I think likely.
[Reply]
JohnJuan…watch the games.
Frolov hangs onto the puck in the corner, skates back and forth, and does nothing with the puck (this is on the power play). He is probably the most difficult player on the team to play with, because he never gives up the puck!
Purcell, on the PP, is decisive playing the half wall, and creates chances by bringing the puck from the half wall, straight to the face-off dot. This forces either the forward defending him, or the defenseman on that side of the ice to come to him. This automatically leaves someone open. More often than not, it’s the forward (a good PK does this), leaving the point man open. So Purcell dishes to that point man, OR, gets a shot off on net, creating a rebound.
Meanwhile, Frolov is playing with his back to the net, skating in circles, not giving up the puck to anyone on his own team.
When I’m killing a penalty, I would LOVE to play against someone like Fro…Why? He’s the easiest to defend. You can hang onto the puck all you want. As long as it’s in the corner, and your back is to me, not only are you not scoring, you can’t see any of your teammates, and meanwhile, the time is ticking off.
Frolov needs to recover the puck, make one move, and get rid of the puck to a teammate. Watch Ryan Smyth, he is so damn good at this. He has the puck on his stick for about 1 second. Recovers, makes one move, and dishes…after dishing, he goes STRAIGHT TO THE NET.
[Reply]
Just read your post.
I always loved Lang and was surprised they let him go.
I agree with you for the most part but I have given up on Teddy. Maybe its just 30 years of frustration has made me short on patience but free agent era seems to be hard on patience. Also, have watched so many players leave this team and go on to be great elsewere the thought of that happening with Fro really rankles.
Oh well, If Fro goes perhaps it will be for the best and we can take the next step.
I know we are 9/4/2 but I cant shake the feeling that this is a fragile team.
[Reply]
RJC76
I agree 100%. Just refuting Danny’s claim that Purcell doesn’t have enough skill to play in the NHL.
[Reply]
Sorry Brett,
I’m not seeing what you see. If Purcy were playing with the flare and smarts vs Fros ‘circling” the numbers should be at least a little better for Teddy. Better than Fro anyway and I dont think they are. think Fro has 2 goals 2 Asst. Not sure Teddy eveb=n has 2 pts.
I will check though!
[Reply]
If Quisp couldn’t come up with the PPTOI numbers, they simply do not exist.
[Reply]
Just checked.
Fro 2/2
Teddy 0/0
[Reply]
Shrimp,
I would never dream of arguing numbers with Quisp.
[Reply]
DLB
I didn’t mean to imply that you were bringing up Fro’s linemates. I figured someone would come back and say that he’s playing lousy because of who he’s playing with.
Since we’ve brought up Simmonds in this discussion…
Here’s one..would you rather have a guy like Simmonds on your team or Frolov? Only able to choose one..
[Reply]
Look Simmond is only 21 so maybe he fills out and becomes really good. Maybe.
I know Fro is great.
I keep Fro.
[Reply]
I’ve never been someone who gives two craps about numbers. I see what I see on the ice.
Talent wise, Fro is >>>>>>>>>>> than Purcell. But Fro also needs to show up and play every shift, every game, and that is something he has not done once his entire career, in 7 years.
As for Purcell…I could care less if he was on the team or not. I was simply pointing out why Purcell is on the PP, and what you need to do to make a PP successful.
[Reply]
I hope Wayne proves me wrong.
[Reply]
I thought Purcell would be a third line winger at best…maybe he would be better served playing elsewhere. Some around King country think we should keep him around for depth purposes! I think he needs to play and play a lot…if that means a stint back in Manchester that so be it…we have a lot of players in Manchester…
[Reply]
i dont call constantly missing the net with shots, whiffing on perfect passes from parse right in the slot and scoring only 2 goals in 14 games skilled. sorry but teddy’s skills look very questionable and if shrimp thinks he has plenty of nhl skill then he is watching different games than i am.
[Reply]
I like Frolov. I even own a Frolov Jersey. But I gotta tell you. I am so sick and tired of everyone blaming Frolov’s inconsistency on which line he plays on. If he wants to be a star in this league, he needs to go out and impose his will on his opponents every shift. It doesn’t mean he has to score. If he is on a checking line, then check like a madman out there and impose your will and make your presence felt by your opponent. If he’s on the PK then get out there, clog passing lanes and block some shots. Every shift. If you’re on a scoring line do your cycle down low and create some offense and make your presence felt. The problem is he doesn’t do this every shift or every game. He disappears. we need players that have the heart of a champion and the drive and fire it takes to win the cup.
Playing with Heart 68% of the time ain’t gonna cut it. If he needs an example of how to do this just watch Simmonds for a while and he’ll get the picture….Or not
[Reply]
Regarding Purcell – I second the notion of him on a line with Stoll and Parse.
Regarding Fro – I haven’t seen this combo mentioned. But put him with Richardson and Brown. I see that Frolov needs a center with SPEED to get open for the pass from the boards. Then you have Brownie in front
Smyth – Kopitar – Williams
Frolov – Richardson – Brown
Purcell – Stoll – Parse
Ivanans* – Zues – Simmonds
*Ivanans is as needed. Generally rotate whomever is playing well (i.e. Purcell, Frolov)
[Reply]
wow rico that is the worst line combos i have ever seen posted anywhere on this site. zues and simmonds on the forth line? that is unbelievable
[Reply]
richardson will never be a scoring line center, he is doing exactly what we need him to do which is play on the forth line and spend some time in the opposing teams zone without giving up goals at our end.
[Reply]
Rico,
I would rather Stoll fill that line than Richardson but even so, I would like to see that line combo tried out.
When we played the Sharks we had Ivi Richardson and Harrold. I thought they played really well (Ivo missed the net by a hair).
[Reply]
Dont know how Parse would be on that RW combo though.
[Reply]
Simmonds v. Frolov – survivor deathmatch! Fun.
Hmm, well. With the style of team that the Kings are, and with the players we are likely to get? I’d keep Simmonds. I like him a lot; he’s high-energy and a good fit. I do think people can get OTT where Fro crit is concerned, though, esp. since he was our leading scorer last season; his style is always going to lead to him having way more assists than goals, because he’d rather set them up than drive to the net solo, and yeah, he’s a streaky scorer. That seems to drive people nuts. Every time he tries to set up a play and it doesn’t work, it means he’s not trying. I can see why you added that caveat about who he plays with, nykingfan, the arguments are really predictable by now! I think he is a valuable asset, and I think points DO matter, but I doubt he’s ever going to be what people want here. On another team, maybe.
I’m really glad we have Kopi breaking out like he is, though. I sometimes wonder how his season would be going without Smyth to help his development, and I’m just grateful we have those two together so it’s only idle speculation.
Last season was soooo painful.
[Reply]
dannybizzler says: “zues and simmonds on the forth line? that is unbelievable”
I don’t care much about the line number. I was seeing all 4 lines getting regular play… more like in back to back game situations. (Zues and Simmer would get a lot of ice time with Smyth or Frolov). Clune could come back and work well on that line too.
Richardson is not ideal (I’m waiting to see Loktionov there) but could potentially see Richardson being a 20g scorer, IMO. (Plus it goes off the point mentioned earlier about Richardson deserving to be rewarded)
You just need someone to get the puck from Fro on the boards to the net with Brown.
I just don’t think that Zues or Stoll are ideal to center Frolov. Zues goes to the net… Stoll doesn’t seem to have the the speed to get open, for that split second the Frolov has an opening, to get it away from the boards
[Reply]
Regarding:
Purcell – Stoll – Parse
johnjuan says: “Dont know how Parse would be on that RW combo though.”
Okay,
Parse – Stoll – Purcell
(Purcell can play right or left)
[Reply]
Oh, I believe the PPTOI game-log numbers are out there somewhere. (Obviously, they exist with the teams’ stats people; it’s just a matter of getting the numbers out of the office and into the WWW.) Just the fact that one site had a column for them gives me hope.
[Reply]
Quisp, I’m sure your right.
I would have just kept the games on my DVR and gone back and watched all the PP again but space is limited.
I deleted them before I fact checked my own assertion that Fro didnt play all the PP after his benching.
My own fault.
It has really stayed with me that Fro was vilified so openly after that 3 game loosing streak just 7 or 8 games into the season yet here Teddy is praised even while being demoted. Now ESPN pay per blogger has an article reading “Frolov on the trading bloc?”
It just bugs me.
[Reply]
This is precisely why I lobbied to keep Matt Moulson and not Teddy Purcell. Did anybody see Matt Moulson featured on Coaches Corner this past Saturday?
[Reply]
As a matter of fact, has anybody paid attention as to how Matt Moulson is doing this year with the Islanders?
[Reply]
Purcell would thrive just as much or more in the east. Teams in the east are more one dimensional. Alot more offensive minded. Teams in the west are far more physical and focus on the defensive game alot more.
A prime example is Moulson. He couldn’t even make it here and now he’s lighting in up on the first line.
Purcell might be a little out of his element with the Kings but he’s still a very good offensive player.
[Reply]
THEROCKNROLL80S,
I must have missed your lobbying last year as the only chance he remotely had was last year in November and he failed or the coaches decided for him…
I still feel Teddy is going to break out and be a contributor more so than he has been thus far…
[Reply]
If Purcell played with the effort, intensity and physicality that Parse has demonstrated, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. I’m way more impressed with Parse in the short stint of games that he has played in. I think Purcell needs to realize that he can’t rely solely on his skills to get by in the NHL like he can in the AHL.
[Reply]