alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />A bit later, I will have thoughts from Alexander Frolov and Anze Kopitar about the new-look first line, but first, here are Terry Murray’s thoughts about the line’s play against Philadelphia, a game in which the first line was kept off the score sheet. The line combined for 15 shots, but lacked the strong play in front of the net that the injured Ryan Smyth so often brings. Murray is staying with the Frolov-Kopitar-Williams line, and here’s what he thought about Wednesday’s game…
MURRAY: “Good possession time, good offensive-zone time. Structurally, pretty good but just not quite there on the net-presence side of things. As a team, we were at the net pretty good in the first 15 games. Specifically with that line, that was a big part of their success early. Right now, and I showed that in the video today, in the team review, we’re not establishing that presence. We’re reluctant to shoot the puck because of it, because we’re kind of waiting for someone to get there. Even when the puck goes from forward to D, up top, and we’re looking to make plays from the blue line, the D are hesitating because now we’re waiting for them to get there. Net presence is the issue, but offensive-zone possession time, cycling, they did a good job against the Flyers.”
Later, a question brough Murray back to the importance of the first line establishing a net presence.
MURRAY: “That’s an important part of what they need to start to get to again, as a line. We’re probably anticipating the cycle too much, and looking for the cycle to happen. Getting pucks to the net, and that net presence, has got to be there on a more consistent basis. The thing is, in this league, if goaltenders are going to see shots, if they’re going to see pucks, they’re going to stop it. They’re too good now. Not only with the goaltender’s skill, but with the five-man collapse in front of the net, they’re going to block shots. So we have to get that mindset again, for sure.”
And how to accomplish that?
MURRAY: “Talk about it, as part of our system and the repetitions that we do in different drills in practice. We review it in video.”
Net Presence? This is the same group from last year that did not have any. At least Ryan showed he could step up and impair the goalies view. NOT NOW….My question is what makes you think they are going to change their spots now?
Ivanans Factor?
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And hanging from the net doesn’t count Anze. LOL.
I really think this is more a statement toward Fro and not Anze or Williams. Fro needs to stop facing the boards and pushing the puck out to the blueline and TAKE IT TO THE NET!!!
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fro definitely needs to be more ’shot” assertive and take more pucks to the slot and…shooooooot…(!)…
the time on ice issue cannot be overlooked…i think rich’s last thread was very true and appropriate…fro have played over 20mins the last three games…with shorter shifts being the philosophy and more of a fourth-line presence on rotation early on, this could help the first line tremendously…since i thought jw had his best game as a king vs. philly, i think these comments are more aimed towards fro & kopi utilizing their puck possession in a more shot-efficient manner…
just shoot the damn puck…(!)
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Im Just Saying -
Do you just wait for every one of Rich’s posts to come up so you can think of something negative to write? Man…
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So for the record. All of you Pro Fro on the first line people are on deck.
This is game number 2 for him. Number one didn’t work … so here we go.
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Frolov needs to mix it up a bit and stop going to his bread and butter basketball post up move every time he has the puck. Most opponents are used to this move by now and are letting him hold on to the puck as long as it’s on the perimeter(which is where he is most of the time). Unfortunately since his back is to the net and his line mates it’s difficult to either get a quality shot off or make crisp/clean passes. He needs to take advantage that opponents are giving him respect and time… so every so often instead of turning your back to the defenders just face the net and your teammates. This will obviously give him a better look for shots and passes, but also will throw off opponents so that the post up move will be that more effective when he uses it.
Also, when he doesn’t have the puck, he needs to drive to the front of the net to screen the goalie and look for deflections. For a player with his size and skills he should be getting way more deflection type goals.
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Kopitar and Williams were averaging less than 3 shots on net each before the game with Frolov. With Fro they got 14 shots together. I think Fro is doing just fine. He seems to be giving them more chances to score.
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tantrum4 I second that.
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third
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Smyth makes Kopi…He cant do it alone and certainly not with JW. You all will see. KINGS…Time to make a deal to help this young club ge, not let them fall like Wiley Coyote after his Acme Sling shot could not take the mountain corner
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fourth
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“I’m just saying”..
Like someone already clearly stated, the line was great. 14 shots between kopi and williams, just nothing went in.
Who do you plan to trade in your “deal”? All of those expendable players we have, under age 25 or so? just stop dude.
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