Given that there’s an eight-day break in the schedule, and that the 00s are coming to a close — they never really did come up with a catchy name for this decade, did they? — how about taking a look at the best Kings of the decade?
That’s what we’re doing at LAKings.com, with several folks, including Bob Miller, Jim Fox and me, making their picks for the top Kings of the decade. Other contributors are also selecting things such as best game and best acquisition.
It starts today with a look at the best Kings center of the decade. Who did I pick? You can find out by clicking here:
More importantly, who is your pick?
Wow lots of love for Kopitar
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No-brainer…JASON ALLISON
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I would have to say Kopy… but Lappy is a close second, and if he had 2 or 3 more seasons it would have been Allison easily.
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Juraj Mikus.
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1. Kopitar
2. Palffy
3. Deadmarsh
4. Doughty (only 4th because of limited NHL experience)
5. Blake (controversial, I know…but still an all star D-man)
6. Smyth (best acquisition since Palffy)
7. Allison
8. Visnovsky
9. Norstrom (nobody wore the Kings logo with more pride during his era)
10. Demitra
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Ok…so I did a top ten…shoot me
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Kopitar, and the guy’s only 22, he’s just going to get better and better.
Amazing to think Gretzky never played a game in this decade, he’s been gone that long.
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kopi, allison and lappy (for sentimental reasons…)
good idea for you guys to get together and do this for us…thanks…!
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I love the reference to Simmonds in the Lappy vote. =)
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Probably would be Kopi – which is a bit sad when you think about it because while he is very good, he has a long way to go to be considered a truly elite player. Agree with others that Allison would definitely have been the man had he stayed healthy.
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I hate to say this but two my favorites are most likely none of the big names previously listed..
1.Rene Chapdelaine
2. Paul Coffey
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I’m extremely happy to see that if Kopitar is not the unanimous choice, that unanimity is broken with a lone vote for Laperriere. Through a number of years when the Kings stank on ice, he and the effort he so clearly displayed every night, on every shift, were the only reasons to show up and see that team.
Probably the only regret I have that I can think of as a Kings fan is not snatching the hat off my brother’s head and throwing it on the ice for Ian’s Oct 13, 2000 hat trick. Still bugs me I didn’t steal his hat for Lappy.
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Mean Machine…Paul Coffey was one of the greatest for sure! Its too bad both of your selections weren’t in the lineup during the 00′s. We coulda used ‘em both.
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I am pretty sure if we had Coffey right now, a bunch of people on this blog would be yelling at TM to convert him to a forward…
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VAN…
lol…:)
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Luc Robitaille
Rob Blake
Zigmund Palffy
Alexander Frolov
Lubomir Visnovsky
Anze Kopitar
Dustin Brown
Mattias Norstrom
Drew Doughty
Adam Deadmarsh
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We are picking centers here guys…
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Who actually voted for Stumpel? Craig Conroy would be a better choice in his place.
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What Steve McKenna a Center> Can’t remember…
If not, I vote for Kopi
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Not one mention of Stumpel so far!! I guess his best year wasn’t in the 00′s
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Rich–
This thread is sheer GENIUS.
Thank you!
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Kopi…but only cause we’ve had crap for the past 10 years.
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If you’re interested in an estimate of what the standings will like the morning of Dec 26, see my post on the previous topic for a wild guess and an explanation of the methodology I used. This was mostly for us to to brace ourselves for the Kings sinking in the standings before coming back from the break.
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Kopitar… Only because Allison was always injured with the Kings. Kopitar will be the no-brainer pick next decade.
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I’m guessing the pick for goalie will be unanimous.
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Off topic, and I don’t know if anyone else mentioned it, but congrats to Rich Hammond for getting a mention in one of the most non-hockey related magazines you could imagine – Hemispere’s, the United Airlines online magazine. http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/2009/12/01/ice-capades/
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I’m going to automatically disqualify anyone who has never played a playoff game. That leaves us with Stumpel, Allison and Smoke. Allison never won a series. The other two did. Smoke was critical in the Detroit series and his goal is one of THE highlights of that series. If Deadmarsh was a center, I would go with him. But he wasn’t. So it’s Smoke.
Kopitar can be the center of the next decade.
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Kopitar.with Allison a runner up. Both only played a few years and the edge to Kopitar as he has lots of years to bring it
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way to go Rich!!! getting some love!
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Armstrong needs an honorable mention.
Cheers Derek!
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Belanger was a significant contributor as well when the team made the playoffs so he deserves a mention. I believe he passed the puck to Deadmarsh for the series clincher against Detroit?
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Quisp, and everyone, how can you not vote for Zigmund?
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Hey guys remember when we ruptured Forsberg’s spleen?!!!
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Well, it would have to be Kopitar, primarily from a production stand point. Sentimental favorites enter the debate of course. Allison was an animal. If he was able to stay healthy……? Stumpel had been around early in the decade warranting consideration. And Lappy for his longevity and grit.
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Quisp:
So, if the Kings win in the first round this year, and Richardson scores 5-6 playoff goals, then he is set to be center of the next decade?
That standard is a bit low for me.
The regular season has to count for something.
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Bob Miller, on name alone, or was that the 90′s?
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Way to go Rich
Wow…I loved some of those guys, but that’s a real ugly list, other than Kopitar.
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I’m in shock, Allison is our second best of the decade? He was rarely healthy. Or possibly Smolinsky or Lappy. No wonder no playoffs in eight years. Our drought at center is as long as our drought at goalie.
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Kopitar. No brainer.
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Where I come from they call this first decade of a century the “double aughts”. Anyway…
My vote is for Jason. Allison represented so much of our hopes for the LAPD line and the team in general those couple of years when he enjoyed some decent health. When those guys were clicking, you always knew that Allison was going to do something unexpected and dominant. He could hold onto the puck and dish as well as his former teammate Joe Thornton, and what he briefly achieved with wingers Palffy and Deadmarsh still makes my mouth water. He was an elite center. I don’t think we can say that just yet about Kopi. I’ll never forget the image of Allison sitting on the bench after everyone else had gone to the locker room, distraught and weeping, after their elimination by Colorado in the playoffs. He was playing with a bad injury and wanted it oh so much. Ah, what could’ve been.
Stumpel! Smoke! Belanger! Mmmmm, the Frenzy on Figueroa. The Stunner at Staples. What a night, and what a series, for our centers!
Anze will be the center of the “Teens”. And maybe not just for the Kings, but for all of the NHL.
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Kopitar, Nordstrom, Allison, Palffy, Deadmarsh, Visnovsky, Smolinksi, Lappy,
in no parkticular order.
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Really Allison? No heart Allison…Kopi is a 1000 times better!
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I went with Kopi without any real hesitation.
Lappy was solid but he is not the franchise-type player or game breaker AK11 is.
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Hate to sound like grinch, but it’s been a forgettable decade.
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I’m going with Allison. The guy handled the puck like Thornton and carried two guys on his back while Deadmarsh and Palffy could get open. It was a devistating combination.
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I had to think about it because my knee jerk reaction was Kopitar. Kopi is totally amazing, but I think his best years are still ahead of him. So, I propose we forgo any unnecessary debate and give the ’10s to Kopitar now.
However, I gotta give the ’00s to Lappy for the all his grit, passion and heart. He was a true competitor and brought it every night.
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I may be projecting a little bit, but I’ll go with Schenn.
Rich — Can you find out what happened to Czarnik at Michigan? It sounds like the team was happy to be rid of him. I just would like to hear his side.
Also, after tonights game Jordan Nolan has 7 goals in his last 7 games for Soo. I know he is 20, but still?
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I loved Allison, but I have to give it to Kopi.
Great thread Rich…I will be glued to my computer until Christmas. Looking forward to all the topics coming up.
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Come on Rich Really? NO PLAYOFFS SINCE 2002?
The only name worthy is Raitas Ivanans
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Cristobal, re Palffy:
not a center, but great.
Bako:
if Richardson scores five goals in the first round and we win the round, those are five important goals. That wouldn’t make him “center of the decade” and I don’t think Smolinski, Allison, Stumpel, Kopitar, Lappy, Conroy or anyone really deserves that title. The fact is, Kopitar has not yet scored an important goal. A highlight reel goal is just kind of meaningless compared to any ugly goal in the playoffs. If you ask me.
My point was, Smolinski actually scored a goal in a game that meant something in the history of the franchise.
If the question is rephrased as “who is the most skilled center on the Kings this decade,” I would go with Kopitar. So far, though, it’s mostly potential.
My full line-up for the decade (with skill as the deciding factor) would be:
Deadmarsh/Kopitar/Palffy
Quincey/Doughty
Quick
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Allison, Pallfy, Kopitar, Deadmarsh, Frolov, Demitra, Blake, Doughty, Brown, Laperierre
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Ivanans
Mcsorley
Flinn
Parros
Westgarth
Anson Carter
Grimson
Brennan
Laperriere
Buchberger
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I’m just saying,
is that a list by most penalty minutes, if so you forgot our little buddy Sean Avery.
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Center: Anze Kopitar, Defenseman: Rob Blake, both undisputed.
If I get to choose a defensive defenseman, I choose Mattias Norstrom.
Everyone that put Deadmarsh above Luc Robitaille for wing is delusional. There are too many “top 10″ lists that don’t even have Lucky Luc on them. Sure, he was over the hill in his last stint with the Kings, but the Robitaille of 2000-2001 was amazing. If I get to choose two, I pick Robitaille and Palffy.
Also, I like Jonathan Quick, but until he wins us a round in the playoffs, I give the edge to Felix Potvin.
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Speaking of enforcers is there a chance Segal, Elkins, King, or Westgarth might contest Ivanans anytime soon. I just think we have enough hungry talent in Manchester that the energy line can accually fulfill its roll just as good or better as the current 4th line, but add 20+ goals a year instead of less than 10 goals, and really
none of Richardsons goals count as 4th line since they were on PK or 2nd line with Brown.
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Apparently slot of folks aren’t sure what a “center” is. This is simple, jason Allison by far
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I decided I would go back through the history books and look up all the centers since 2000 I could find, list my top 15 and then list the rest. Some of the names I thought might give you memories (Good & Bad) and a bit of a chuckle. I know there were plenty I had forgotten about, so I figured the refresher would help. Each one of these guys has played at least one game during the regular season with the Kings between 2000-Now.
My 1-15 in order:
1. Anze Kopitar
2. Jason Allison
3. Bryan Smolinski
4. Michael Handzus
5. Josef Stumpel
6. Jarret Stoll
7. Michael Cammaleri
8. Eric Belanger
9. Derek Armstrong
10. Sean Avery
11. Craig Conroy
12. Brad Richardson
13. Martin Straka
14. Oscar Moller
15. Brad Chartrand
The rest (In no particular order):
Esa Pirnes
Jeremy Roenick (BOO!)
Matt Ryan
Patrick O’Sullivan
Jamie Lundmark
Marty Murray
Alyn McCauley
Brian Boyle
Trevor Lewis
Kevin Westgarth
Corey Elkins
Andrei Loktionov
Brayden Schenn
Cliff Ronning
Steve Kelly
Jerred Smithson
Scott Barney
Jared Aulin (C/RW)
Erik Rasmussen (C/LW)
I might have missed a few, but that’s most of them.
Also, went to the Reign game tonight. Ontario pulled out a gutsy shoutout win 3-2 over Las Vegas. 3 nice fights as well. Also, I took an extra ticket I had from my group to the local radio station’s booth and gave it to them to give away. They asked me what I was doing on the 28th. I said nothing. They gave me 2 tickets to the Kings-Wild game FREE. Sec. 334. A good night for sure! What a nice bonus. Date night with the wife on Monday!!!
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I don’t get how Lappy gets any votes. He may have been a fan favorite, but he certainly wouldn’t qualify as one of the best centers. He was a 3rd liner at best.
Kopitar is the clear choice for best center for the decade.
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Quisp, not reaaly sure how you get off on these silly tangents, but MVP awards are awarded SOLELY on regular season play. To suggest that regular season contributions are meaningless in a poll like this is rather short-sighted. Does this also mean that MVP awards are meaningless altogether??
Kopi has already done more than the others mentioned.
Those that suggested Army or Stumpel made me laugh very hard.
This whole discussion could make for a lot of silliness 10 or 20 years from now if Kopi has even half the incredible career I think he’s on his way to.
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Off Topic, but who here has TWC? (Time Warner Cable)
No fox starting Jan 1 2010??
That means no more Bob Miller, Jim Fox, Heidi Androl? (FSN)
http://www.keepfoxon.com/fox/story/view/3
I am starting to hate Time Warner.
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@ Harry: WOAH WOAH WOAH WHAT? Are you kidding? Is this why some of my channels have been unavailable lately? For the past week or so, ABC Family and the Travel Channel have been out. Travel Channel is the best channel on tv! So what, we just don’t get ANY broadcasting from them after Jan 1? I live in the valley and I know for a fact that TWC has a sort of monopoly around here where they are the ONLY cable company around unless you get a dish. This better not be true.
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USCG, I hear you…Lately, some of my channels have been scrambled too. Plus, they have been providing un-acceptable customer service. They place you on hold for 28 mins, and do not come back on the line to inform you know that they are still looking into your matter.
We should contact them, and let them know that they need to settle this dispute or we will take your business elsewhere.
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Or else, each subscriber would have to pay AT LEAST one dollar more.
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Anyone that wants to switch to DirecTv can contact me so we can both make $100 bill credit off that promotional deal they have. Just click on my name, go to that website attached to it, go to the ‘Contact’ page and send me an e-mail from there. It goes straight to me. I’ve been with Directv for about 10 years and I’m happy. At least when I do have a problem, they do a lot to keep my buiness. Something TWC NEVER Does. Moneywise the service is pretty much a wash. DirecTV just gives better service IMHO.
Here’s the link on the referral program from Directv:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/referral/referralProgram.jsp?_requestid=6681138
It ends on the 31st of this month. Coincidence? Probably not..
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Jason Allison
Anze Kopitar
Jozef Stumpel
Eric Belanger
Michal Handzus
Lapi
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Cynic, does DTV have VS, & Nhl Network?
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@Harry: I don’t think they would be able to pull this off. I for one for sure would make a switch and im sure LOTS of others would too. That’s just WAY too many stations to be shut down.
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They have NHL network. They still have VS blacked out because of the dispute with Comcast, but I know more than a FEW people who have simply complained about it and have gotten the Center Ice package FREE for the rest of the year. Kinda makes up for it. I’d say if you call to order DTV instead of using the link, you can just tell them, “I want VS and you don’t have it. You gave some other people I know Center Ice free for the rest of the season to make up for it. Give me the same deal and I’ll sign up.” Bet they’ll give it to you. To get the $100 promo deal, you could just tell them my account number and then let me know you gave it to them so I can follow up.
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You need to go to KingsVision ASAP and watch Matt Greene’s Holiday gift guide. He asks Kings players what they are going to get other players for Christmas.
PURE GOLD!
http://kings.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?catid=-6
Heidi, if you’re reading this…MUCH MORE OF MATT GREENE DOING THIS STUFF!!!
(Paraphrasing)
Greener: “So what are you going to get Teddy Purcell for Christmas”
Richie: “I Don’t Know, What do you think Greener?”
Greener: “How about an Identity?”
ROTFL!!!!!!!
I especially like Matt’s nickname for Wayne “The Night Train” Simmonds…..CLASSIC!
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my pick is #9 Bernie Nicholls
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Kopitar, with Derek Armstrong as s close 2ND.
Kopitar’s inconsistency is maddening, while at least with Armstrong you knew you got someone who will give you his all every time.
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Yes, gave us his all….which amounted to next to nothing.
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Cynic,
The ones on your list that a hated to see TRADED the most:
Bryan Smolinski, Eric Belanger, and Michael Cammalleri.
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Belexes,
Actually, Only Kopitar had more points than Armstrong. How do you call that next to nothing?
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