alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />In: Erik Ersberg, Randy Jones and Peter Harrold.
Out: Jonathan Quick, Sean O’Donnell and Raitis Ivanans.
Terry Murray said Ersberg’s start was a direct result of Quick’s poor game against Chicago and that Quick wouldn’t automatically return against Atlanta. Murray also said that swapping defensemen gave him a chance to see Jones and rest O’Donnell, with Harrold as an insurance policy in case Jones isn’t game-ready. More on all this ASAP…
Although it’s not a direct quote, that’s a somewhat more sweeping criticism of Quick than I expected.
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Only problem I have is how do you go from playing 17 of 18 games then have the starters position taken away or potentially taken away from you?
That doesn’t make sense whatsoever
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“We do have another goalie Jonathan,” is just a wee-bit of motivation for Quick to step it up! There will be growing pains no doubt, but it’s how Quick responds to the adversity that will be the most important thing to look at.
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Totally reading into it here, but I’d guess it has more to do with Murray wanting to see if Quick needs to rest even when Quick doesn’t know he needs to rest…
I thought he played phenomenally in the game against the Pens… Not so much in the games against the Preds (where the whole team seemed to be asleep) and the Hawks.
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I have no problem with this move and TM’s statement. Quick is the future but his game has slipped. At least one soft goal in half the games played this year. Offense is better. Defense is solid except for the PK which is when these soft goals seem to occur.
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oh yeah, and i’m glad to see OD get a rest. It’s important to keep him rested for the playoffs where he will be needed most. Keep Jack playing so he can fight through the learning curve.
and finally, we get to see a 4th line w/o Ivan. Looking forward to seeing what those 3 can do!
teddy/richie/harry ??
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Too bad we can’t sit purcell and johnson as well.
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http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Daddy-chats-with-Kevin-Dallman-about-being-?urn=nhl,200405#remaining-content
Interesting read on kevin dallman ex king
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thanks, blake
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Although I would have sat Johnson instead of O’Donnell, thank God! It’s about time for both, Quick and Ivanans to take a seat on the bench.
Finally, the Kings won’t have to worry about Ivanans taking some stupid penalty or coming close to taking a boneheaded penalty. Also, the Kings will now get to play as a five man unit instead of playing like they are on the penalty kill when Ivanans is on the ice.
I don’t see how Jones isn’t game ready, he has played many games with a lot of ice time in this league before.
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OK…I’m having a really hard time justifying all the talk about JJ being benched. First…its his first full season and he has met all expectations as a 1st/2nd year defenceman. He hasn’t gone below those expectations, and while he hasn’t lit the world on fire…he is playing fine. No worse than Drewiske whom we all seem to like. Somehow he’s become the black sheep of the team for no reason. The guy is a stud. Let it go. He’s in and he’s staying in.
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I’m far from convinced that Quick is the future. He hasn’t shown that this season. He has been briliant and bad so far. He’ll make spectacular saves and then let in the one he should have stopped. That reminds me way too much of basically every goalie we’ve had in the last 10-15 years that was supposed to be “the future” for the Kings (see Storr, Labs etc).
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I’m with Q here in that TM’s comments on Quick are a little more pointed than I would have expected, given his previous answers and somewhat defense of JQ a few days ago. I’d sure like an in-depth explanation on his shift here. Maybe there was no shift in thinking, just that he didn’t want to make all of his thoughts public?
I mentioned before that if EE does well tonight, you could start him in ATL. EE would get a day of rest, JQ would get some time to think and maybe get the ‘Swagger’ back people are saying he’s missing, plus you get JQ Saturday against the Bolts in the back-to-back. It would be a smart way to play things out. EE has to be strong tonight. I look for him to really battle here. He NEEDS this win.
I get resting O’D, but Jack Johnson better have a GREAT set of games the rest of the trip. I think he’s on the hot seat. Jones’s play may be indicative of what happens to JJ. If Jones plays well, JJ may sit a few. It’s a feeling, I have no source, but JJ has to pick it up as well.
I’m calling for a spirited game from the Kings and a 6-2 victory tonight. Early start, solid 60 minutes, then off to kill Atlanta.
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thanks to rich, t.m. can’t shut up…
t.m. has said so many things about quicker over the last week that you don’t know what to believe…
however, it’s a good decision to start ee…
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TB-
Saw your comments after I posted mine.
If JJ is a 3/4 D-man and you are asking him to take the responsibility of a puck-moving d-man, which JJ has said himself that he likes and wants, and you are consistently being outplayed by a 5/6 D-man who is NOT looked upon as a puck carrier but is doing that job sometimes (Drewiskie), there is a problem.
If JJ simply isn’t ready for that responsibility, move him to a 5/6 and move up Drewiskie until he can get it, but JJ’s play is not up to expectation and it has cost us opportunities in some games. I’m not panicing by any stretch and I am reluctant to bench players for a few off games. JJ has been consistently off and IMHO needs a press box day or two to see the game from above. LOTS of players have said that it has benefitted their play when their ice vision is not up to snuff. I feel that is what JJ needs right now.
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TB -
Don’t forget, there’s probably a hundred or so people that comment on this site, and only 3 or 4 of them think JJ should be benched. It just seems like a lot of talk because the same people post it every chance they get, over and over….
The majority of Kings fans understand that JJ is still learning, and is actually one of our best defenseman night in and night out because he gets paired up against the other teams’ top line every night so obviously he’s going to have a lower +/- than most guys on the team…
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ditto cynic
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Yes, thanks Blake. That story actually came out last week. I intended to share, but as usual, free time is not readily available for me. I’m glad he’s doing well.
I was hoping Quick would elude the problems he’s is having. I think I know what’s happening. Quick played last year solely on athleticism. During the off-season, I’m guessing, the coaching staff decided he needed a few technical adjustments to improve his game. That’s always tough. I was hoping he wouldn’t take a step back, but he has. He’s thinking too much. He’s not reacting naturally like he was last year. He and the coaching staff need to find that fine line of natural gift and technique. I hope they can find that balance soon, because we need Quick to be sharp and comfortable out there for us to be successful. I still personally feel Quick is an outstanding athlete that can become a very accomplished goalie. This is always the toughest part Quick, keep your head up and stay strong young man.
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I called this a couple days ago.. Ersberg should replace Quick and Jones would come in for O’Donnell..
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I’d keep JJ in, if for no other reason he needs the experience and the Kings need JJ in a shoot out situation.
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Agreed tantrum4.
We all get so excited because the team’s improvement is so vast from last year…but the theme is the same. The kings are still focused on development and progressing the right way. JJ is growing into his role. Some guys do need press box time. Stamkos last year is a shinning example. But JJ has been effective. The criticism I’m hearing is unfounded. He has played his part in the success of the team. And yes, against top players, you’re going to get scored on. Period.
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Ditto Tantrum…
Good to point out the ratio of JJ + versus JJ -.
More like 110-1 or two.
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I’m glad to see people still support Jack. I’m not sure why he’s been dogged on here since day one. Maybe because of all the false rumors over the off season? Either way, I agree that he’s been just fine and look forward to him continuing to get better and better.
That said, does anyone else notice it seems like he’s not rushing the puck as much as he used to? I think I’ve only seem him try skating it into the zone once or twice. Granted, his outlet passes are fine and when you have Kopitar and Smyth up front, I don’t blame him for getting them the puck. But I just wonder if he’s been told to not rush it as much by the coaches…thoughts?
Jack seems to be one of the more talked about guys on here lately but we never hear anything about him, good or bad, from the coaches post game comments. I assume by the large amount of ice time they are happy with him, but maybe Rich can ask TM or Hardy about what they think of his play?
Would be nice to hear if they are happy or what their expectations are. Is that something you could do Rich?
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Agreed that TM’s comments on Quick are a bit more blunt than expected. It seems like a definite change in attitude since before he (apparently) reviewed tape (or his options.)
Quick is the future? Quick is now (this season, maybe longer.) From everything we’re told, Bernier is the future (not this season.)
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John
Why would you sit Purcell?
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JJ has a unique combination of skill, speed, energy and toughness. Sometimes he just needs to calm things down a bit and not overplay the situation. He will get there by playing through it. We also need him in the line-up for his toughness. In case you haven’t noticed, this team is still a little soft and with Ivanans sitting, I certainly wouldn’t take JJ out as well.
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I agree JJ hasn’t been rushing the puck as much which I think has improved his game a bit. I would hate being the other defenceman left in the odd man situation because my partner took off leaving his man uncovered. If JJ can take advantage of the right time to rush the puck rather than doing it all the time it keeps the opponents on their toes.
As far as Quick is concerned, I think he is a great goalie who may just need a day or two to refocus on a few details in his game. He will come back that much better and probably with renewed confidence in his game.
I hope Jones and Harrold do well tonight. So far we have been lucky with limited injuries and its important to see what the bench can do.
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Roldy will be fine. He’s in because we don’t know about Jonesy.
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JJ’s terrible plus minus speaks for itself, not good in his own end at all
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also drew needs to teach jj the art of the hip check because jj’s physical part of the game is lacking in my opinoin. not even close to the checker he was in college (i know some will say its not the nhl but when the smaller dought outhits you then jj is def not being the physical force he should be)
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I was a Quick fan last season but this year he has let in way too many soft goals. I don’t really feel that Ersberg is the choice either. I really wish we would have kept Bernier up at the end of the preseason.
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Relax guys, It’s only one bad game. Coach needs to see what he has in Ersberg anyways. Quickie deserves the rest, hes been dynamite this year.
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O and for those saying JJ isnt rushing the puck like he used to its beacaue this year HE DOESNT HAVE TO! He has forwards getting into correct positions so they can take the puck up the ice at top speed. ITs only his third year in the league, his physical game will come around, let him get his man muscles… wait till 29-30 o man beast!
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It will be an interesting game. I am interested in seeing Jones play. Harold has been good in the past hope he does well tonight. Jones I think will also add a bit of toughness that everyone seems to be talking about.
The kings need to regain some of that Defensive style they had last year. Yes it is good that they have been scoring allot. However I feel that if they really want to prove to be an elite team they have to start winning in games where the offense is not necessarily going their way. They need to be able to win the 1 or 2 goal games.
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TB- you’re completely wrong. JJ hasn’t at all been productive since the first two games of the season. “His first full year” excuse is getting old. He’s got more experience then Drewiske. I’ve seen quite a few goals this year that were easily preventable by him. He makes bad plays and choices constantly. That’s why he’s now paired with Odonnell. I just hope he can pull it together. If you can bench fro, then bench JJ.
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Here is how I see JJ
An Upcoming Young D Man
Can Skate-
Very Heavy Shot-
Please use him as an O-Dman. Keep feeding him at the point and let kim shot everytime. He can be a Matt Schneider type. A Young Blake shot (Before he turned Trader) Just let him unload Offensively and get him off the ice when you need a shut down D until he learns. He can skate and he has a wicked shot.
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Johnson’s first full year? Funny, I swear he played 74 games two seasons ago…….
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