Other than Erik Ersberg starting in goal, the Kings are expected to go with the same lineup tonight (Drewiske and Harrold scratched).
Asked about a possible return date for Ryan Smyth, Terry Murray said “maybe” for the three-game trip to Canada that starts Monday in Vancouver. Murray said he will play Smyth as soon as Smyth is cleared.
More from practice coming soon…
I was hoping that Jones would sit, and Drewiske would get back in there. Jones seems a lot more of a defensive liability.
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i said that last week and go ripped…
i still agree that he is a defensive liability…
he is getting points which is great…but when he doesn’t…he kills us in the back…last game when JJ got caught on the outside of Calgary’s goal, Jones stood there and watched them score instead of pinching in and taking the puck carrier
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OMG you guys. If Murray didn’t bench Jones last game you would have said nothing about Jones being a defensive liability. I sure wish I had the same player instict as you guys do so I could be an NHL coach like you….oh, wait a minute….
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Jones is a desensive liability. He has no speed, doesn’t read the oppositions attack well, doesn’t hit, isn’t good at pinning guys on the boards (the main reason he was benched last game) and gets beaten wide every time. People have been saying it since his first game as a King, its not new or reactionary tantrum.
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Rich,
I am curious as to why Terry Murray has benched Drewiske. He seems to be solid as usual as of late. Any insight there? Is Jones playing tonight because he has more of an offensive upside?
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Also, far as I can tell Drewiske didn’t do anything to really warrant his benching. Murray must be banking on Jone’s offensive contributions since Jack hasn’t been putting up any points. As soon as JJ starts scoring, that should open the door for Drewiske over Jones.
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With Drewiskie in the lineup 4 of our 6 D’men have no offensive game. I think having Jones in there balances out the D.
I don’t recall hearing anyone complaining when he was scoring goals.
Cmon let’s be consistent.
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I’m sure it’s just a numbers game with DD. Jones has exceeded expectation, at least with his offensive production; he’s filling Quincy’s skates in that sense. Jones was originally supposed to be a 7th D, just insurance.
In addition to JDM’s analysis, I’d suggest that once Smyth returns and the offense reignites, that will also be a chance to bench Jones and return DD to the lineup.
A deep bench gives you problems you don’t mind having.
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Tantrum is correct. I’m sorry, but Randy Jones, who is an NHL veteran and was played in favor of Davis Drewiske, is NOT a defensive liability.
He is a +1 for pete’s sake.
A “liability” means you do more harm than good.
Randy Jones is a +1.
If you want to talk about specific things he did on his shift last game, go ahead. If he had a bad game, shift, whatever, that’s fine.
But to label him as a defensive liability because he had a bad game (which we still won)…
LOL
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I didn’t notice Jones against Calgary. Sometimes that is good and sometimes that is bad. I will certainly be watching him this game.
Rich…How about a chat tonight?
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Guys, he has had the same problems every game. They get magnified when the team isn’t playing very well. Despite the last few wins, the team hasn’t been playing great hockey, as evidenced by, oh I dunno, the players and coach saying they haven’t been playing good hockey. Jones offense has kep his +/- respectable and JJ has been playing his best defense the last few weeks. I don’t hate Jones, but Quick has also bailed out his mistakes pleanty of times (see: Jones getting beat wide by several Blues for clear chances in front of the net that Quick stopped).
I just prefer Drewiske against offensive juggernaught teams like the Sharks. Its not a hate brigade, and just because we won the last game doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be scrutinty or reavaluation.
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and I’m sorry, but to say no one has complained about Jones’ defense before his benching is flat out wrong. Selective memory and over-sensitivity.
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Even when we are winning people have to bitch about something …Can we all agree that overall Jones has helped the team, and we are better for having him than not having him?
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we need the offence more than the defense these days. As for smyth, I hope he isn’t rushed in and gets injured again. With the break coming up, might be prudent to play these games without him, with an additional 8 days of resting during the time off, hopefully he will be fully healed… Lets hope for the best
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VanKingsFan,
I agree, he was a great pickup and I personaly missed the mistakes he did causing TM to bench him
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I love how quickly fans can turn on a player. Not just with the kings, but in general. Its hilarious.
Jones hasn’t even been on the team for a month, and he’s already played the role of the hero, the veteran, and the liability. Next, when he sits for an injury (hopefully not anytime soon), he’ll be a liar for not disclosing what happened. ha!
Looking forward to tonights game! Huge playoff implications. If we can go at least .500 against the sharks this year, it will be a huge help in securing a playoff birth! Come to think of it, tomorrow’s, and saturdays games are equally as important with the Yotes and Stars right on our heels.
I just realized how important this month is for the Kings. Wow…this is seriously the most important stretch in the schedule.
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Rich – Thanks for staying on top of the Smyths injury, it’s greatly appreciated!
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This team only has one defensive liability on our blue line. Jack johnson.
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Drewiske will prob play in OD’s spot tomorrow.
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I remember the pas few weeks everyone was praising him as our new Quincey and that Lombardi is a genius! Now he gets benched in a period and he is a liability?
reminds me of how soon you forget the “Bring up Bernier” rants. “Quick sucks!” When Quick next loses another game I expect to hear that same old silly rant and all of you to forget that he has won us games and kept us in the game.
My goodness, do some people have to complain about everything even if it isn’t a big deal?
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Seattle -
Yes, I think they do….
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“The mob is fickle, Caesar.”
We are 4-0-1
RJ has helped win those games, maybe not all the time every shift, but he is +1.
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I didnt see this posted but Randy Jones is the puck moving, left handed shot that can play on the powerplay that Lombardi was looking for during the offseason
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Like all role players, TM/DL needs to use him in his proper role: spare D-Man, occasional blue-line sniper, better in slower games but he needs to take the body effectively and rub out forwards with his checks.
R-O-L-E player; imagine that?
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I want to complain about the complainers.
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Jay: What the f@ck is the Internet?
Holden: The Internet is a communication tool used the world over where people can come together to bitch about (the Los Angeles Kings) and share pornography with one another. . .
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Hey Rich,
Did Coach make any mention of Randy Jones for tonight…he’s on my fantasy team and Time on Ice is a stat so his 10 minutes on ice killed me last game, is he going to be getting a regular shift tonight or starting on the bench.
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I love how loosely to term ‘everyone’ is used.
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It looks like Drewiski is going to be traded, so thats the reason why hes scracted.
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Settle down ladies. Deep breaths. Think positive. Sure alot of complaining about a team that will probablly make the playoffs for the first time in 9 years.
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Randy Jones is one of the best accuisitions for the Kings in awhile considering that they got him off waivers. I am glad to see him in there.
I might be willing to trade Fro for Penner. Put Penner on the left side with Brown and Stoli. That might get them all going again. Fro and Penner make about the same (Penner just slightly higher).
This is a really, really good Kings team. They need just a bit more to be great. I’m glad to see the scoring from Jones.
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How exactly does criticizing the play of one player equate to complaining about the team or season?
There’s actually a 3:1 ratio in this thread of griping about gripers to gripers griping about Jones. So you tell me, who is being negative
Rudedogg,
(re: “Randy Jones is the puck moving, left handed shot that can play on the powerplay that Lombardi was looking for during the offseason”)
Agreed. Jones is definitely that guy. Lombardi is a bang-for-buck (or puck.. as in, moneypuck) kind of guy. For this season, until Voynov or Hickey is ready to produce on our PP, Jones is the perfect fit as a 7th defenseman. Though I’ve been pointing out his flaws in this thread, purely because I would rather see Drewiske against the Sharks, I do like Jones for what he brings and am glad he is on the team. He has the added benefit of being a “F-you” to Philly, with them paying for half of his great production.
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