Tuesday’s line changes were certainly, in part, motivated by a desire to see if Teddy Purcell can get going, but they were also clearly designed to help Andrei Loktionov feel more comfortable by pairing him with Russian countryman Alexander Frolov. The joke at practice today was that their third linemate is going to have to start going by the name Dustin Brownov…
Asked about that shift, Terry Murray said, “Fro is the one I moved down to play with Loktionov, just to help out with some communication. Maybe I’m trying to put a little more responsibility on Fro’s shoulders.”
It’s an interesting theory. Given that part of Murray’s problem with Frolov early in the season was a question of whether Frolov was “buying in” to the team, perhaps having a certain sense of responsibility for the 19-year-old Loktionov might be a good thing for Frolov.
After practice Tuesday, Frolov served as an interpreter for Loktionov, even though Loktionov’s English is improving. Loktionov will wear No. 48 with the Kings.
Question: What was the reaction to getting the call about coming to the NHL?
FROLOV: “He said he was pretty happy about it, when he had a talk with Dean after the game and he told him he’s going to play here and that he’s playing good and he’s going to play here for a while.”
Question: What did Dean say about what he expects?
FROLOV: “He just said to keep playing well. He’s been playing good in Manchester and to just keep going the same way and try to do the same thing here.”
Question: Will the two of you playing together help him on the ice?
FROLOV: (Without asking Loktionov the question) “Absolutely.” (laughs)
Question: And who’s going to teach Dustin Brown to speak Russian?
FROLOV: (laughs) “I will.”
Question: Do you feel like you’re ready for the NHL?
LOKTIONOV: (smiles) “We’ll see.”
Question: What was the main difference between playing in junior and playing in the AHL?
FROLOV: “It’s more with the size. People are bigger and more mature probably. It’s more intense and it’s more speedy, kind of, and you have less time to make a decision. Everything is quicker.”
this could be a really good thing for fro, now he has to be the “role model” for lokti.
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Great now we have Loktionloaf
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Loaftionov, duh.
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I don’t think Uncle Fro is exactly what will happen. I think Frolov instead will see this as a way out of the Dog House. He will play a puck moving and shooting game with Loktionov. Might turn his season around.
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I doubt it’s allowed, but seeing Brown in a “Brownov” jersey as a joke would be hilarious.
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I am kinda excited to see this!
Wish I could see the next one on TV!
WHAT UPPPP!!
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If this line works out I might get a Brownov Jersey.
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I wonder if DL waited until the games were untelivised to see what these guys have got avoiding fans from critiquing the young players.He shouldn’t have waited so long to bring up a few guys and let them get their feet wet.
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LOL at the thought that Dean makes player movements based on television.
Um… Stoll injury ring a bell? No injury, no call-up.
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This post made me smile.
I have a really great feeling about tomorrow night!
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I wonder if they’re going to remember that D in Richar(d)son this trip?
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Hmmm… Brownov, Braunov… Braunoff!
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Yeah, this story really helped take the edge off. It feels fun again.
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Glad to finally read some positive comments! Some of these people need to chill out. Kings are in a good position right now. Its a long season. Hopefully the rookies will add some spark tomorrow! Let’s get Dustin going!
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I know DL has his agenda regardless of the media.I just think when it comes to young players Kings fans aren’t the most patient.Probably because we’ve been suckin wind for so long weve forgotten where we were just a little while ago.When I read some of the bashing going on w/Quick,Fro,ect.ect.it makes me wonder why anyone would want to come here.
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Im pretty sure the delay in call-ups was because Dean was in Manchester watching them. He most likely wanted to watch the team play, and then make up his mind who he thought was ready to be called up.
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Well, maybe this “mentoring” will get Frolov out of hockey puberty. If nothing else, will be an interesting experiment. Stay tuned…
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So if Loktionov absolutely breaks out and produces offensive numbers, does that make Frolov even more expendable at the trade deadline? Or.. What if Loktionov puts up numbers as a result of playing with Frolov, who also starts producing again.. Maybe it results in a new contract for Fro. It would be great seeing those 2 guys have some instant chemistry, giving opponents a tougher time having to defend against 2 solid lines instead of one. That’s a common theme among playoff teams every year.
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“Brownov” was already done in Detroit – Doug Brown skated in the five-man unit of Fedorov, Kozlov, Konstantinov, and Fetisov, so they made him an honorary Russian. Dustin’s no Doug Brown yet, but hopefully…
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I have wanted to see Brownie and Fro on the same like for a while now. Should be interesting. For those that have the center ice package from direct tv the game will be on. (from what I could see on the guide tonight)
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that was supposed to be same line not like…
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I know I’m getting WAY ahead of myself here, but one immense positive that would come from Loktionov blowing it up and sticking with the Kings is the ability to put Stoll or Zus in a 4th line shutdown roll without feeling like you spend too much on centers. Generally whenever we talk about getting a ‘true’ 2nd line scoring center, Stoll or Zus moving is part and parcel with the discussion. Well, if that guy is Loktionov anytime soon, then you still are only paying 3 of your 4 center big bucks, but one of the two pricey guys can play 4th line, allowing it to be counted on for quality minutes (10-12 a game instead of 6-8).
Since there is positivity in this thread, imagine a near future of this team:
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams
Frolov-Loktionov-Brown
Parse-Handzus-Simmonds
Richardson-Stoll-Purcell (but preferably Westgarth…. kind of a wussy line-up)
Man what a difference one good center can make.
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Darrell -
I don’t remember Brownov, but I do remember the joke Primerov jersey that Keith Primeau wore in warm-ups that year.
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The Karate Kid line:
Frolon – Frolov
Loktionon – Loktionov
Brownon – Brownov
Always look eye. LOL
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Surly,
Is the “4th line shutdown roll” something on the menu at Cantor’s?
Thanks for reminding me that Zus is on the team, I’d almost forgotten. Still would be 3rd line (in a rational world) as he’s playing much better than Zus.
But, it’s hard to imagine a 19 year old coming in from Manchester not even averaging a point a game and playing the lights out.
That said, I’ve never seen him play so I cannot rule it out.
———
To all…
Those who insult The Fro know nothing about hockey. You merely expose your ignorance.
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haha. Throw another Russian into the mix and suddenly Fro is funny. This is good for both of them
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Hope the boys feel as positive as the posts! Good read for a change. GO KINGS!
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Cristobal,
lol.
The shutdown rolls are on the menu next to the Loxionov Bagels and the Froloafs.
Stoll is playing better than Zus of late. Stoll has been playing great. My point wasn’t that Stoll should be getting less ice time or that he is worse than Zus, just that with one more good center the lineup starts to look very different. In putting together those combos, my only real goal was to keep Zus and Simmonds together.
I would also accept:
Smyth-Kopi-Williams
Frolov-Loktionov-Brown
Parse-Stoll-Purcell
Richardson-Zus-Simmonds
But again, this is just conjecture for my amusement. I have no real doubts that Loktionov will be shipped back to Manchester when Stoll is healthy. But you never know what a prospect will do with his first sniff of NHL ice, and its exciting to think about. We’ve already had one call-up play his way onto the team. It’s not totally insane, even if it is unlikely, to think Loktionov could stick. It’s all on him really.
Force Dean’s hand Loki!
Side note: since the game in only on Center Ice tomorrow, I was going to go to a bar to watch it. I think Busby’s in Santa Monica will have it. I know there are some bars in Redondo that will, but that is just too far away. Anyone know of any sports bars with the center ice package closer to hollywood or preferably the valley?
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i am loving this for real.
frolov is a lost soul swimming in a fish bowl year after year. this youngster might give him a sense of purpose and force him to be a bigger man!
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2ND REQUEST !!! ANYONE KNOW A SPORTS BAR SHOWING THE GAME TONIGHT NEAR THE 405 FWY FROM SOUTH BAY TO SAN FERNANDO VALLEY THANK YOU ????
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I too am excited to see Lokionov play. It’s a view of our future.
There was only one reason I signed up for NHL Center Ice and it was to see the Canada games. I’ll be sitting at my computer tonight and tomorrow. The thing that I like the best is that tomorrow I’ll be at my sisters in Camarillo but can log into her computer and watch the game or at my in-laws in PV or can just wait and watch both games on replay come Saturday.
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Anyone know any bars/etc where they would have the game on in LA? I know its LA and Hockey but there is bound to be a couple places that will show the game. I live in the Santa Monica area and don’t have Center Ice.
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Ha- didn’t see Surly Jacob’s comment until now….Same basic question!
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Here’s an interesting scenario for you all to ponder…Lokti plays well as 2nd line center, i’d say it’s almost a certainty that Stoll os back before Smyth, I can see Stoll playing LW on Kopi’s line still Smyth returns, especially if Purcell stinks it up again.
Lines could look something like this….
Stoll-Kopi-Will
Fro-Lokti-Brown
Parse-Zus-Simmonds
Segal-Richardson-Ivan
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Re: American Stars and Bars with hockey.
I haven’t been there for a number of years but there is a sports bar in Westwood just off campus (for some reason the name is escaping me) that used to play all televised games.
It’s one of the most popular student bars, so finding the name should be a cinch.
If I can find it I’ll post it.
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“Those who insult The Fro know nothing about hockey. You merely expose your ignorance.”
I don’t think I’m one of the people you’re referring to, but given his stats this year, knocking him seems fairly reality-based.
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The most ironic thing about the Kings not ponying up to take a TV crew to Canada is that in film and TV, for years there has been a ‘runaway production’ problem of crews shooting in Canada instead of the States because with Canadian laws and filming rates for a lot of productions shooting in Canada is actually cheaper.
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Interesting point, JDM. My sister regularly bitched about that when she was in Hollywood. She gave up the business because of its instability. I was never sure what “caused” the effect. Do you have a link to info about what those laws are?
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Sorry, no links. Just one of those things I’ve heard and read about for years in general, as well as watching the amount of jobs in L.A. drop along with knowing a lot of people who did runaway productions.
Canada gives discounts to productions, and it also (the main reason I believe), is shooting in Canada circumvents the labor unions here, which are what get crews their benefits and very high and lucrative rates. A production will bring up their main crew and then fill out the rest of its crew in Canada. They pay less for crew by avoiding the unions and Canada also gives breaks and discounts on filming permits and the such. Many states, like Utah and Arizona and I believe Michigan have, in the last several years, taken measures to lessen runaway production by giving their own perks and subsidies to film productions. Many other countries do this as well, where the government subsidizes a production or provides tax relief or discounts on permits because of the exposure they get when luring productions to their region.
There is also logistical factors, like ease of working with certain local governments and the regulations imposed on productions filming on location, as well as the sheer volume of productions in L.A., for example, drives up permit and location rates while also making it more annoying and difficult to get what you want when you want it.
… I feel your sister’s pain.
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Wow. This would be something worth talking about offline, as everyone else here would hate me for saying what I have to say about it, but I’d also like to know enough details to work it out in my head. I certainly have views about unions, protectionism, nationalism, etc., that would not be welcomed here if expressed.
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i think Frolov has been misunderstood here season after season. he isnt a bad teammate or a bad guy to have in the locker room but i think he feels kinda isolated being the only Russian player on the roster the Kings do have quite a few players from eastern Europe but its a big difference between eastern Europe and Russia now that he has another Russian to mentor and take under his wing i think it will be good for him. and there is still alot of hockey left to be played a payer of Frolov’s scoring ability will find his form
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Well Mike, I am sure he felt a home with Lokti in the locker room!
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I also believe that Frolov will light it up!
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Well, there goes Fro’s little buddy.
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All we need is Voynov on D.
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