Somewhat remarkably, the Kings managed a 9-5-1 record without Ryan Smyth, and now they’ve got him back to (presumably) boost the top line. Here’s what Smyth said today, after his first official practice since his Nov. 16 injury…
(on being back on the ice…)
SMYTH: “It felt good to be out there with the guys, knowing that there’s light at the end of the tunnel and knowing that Saturday is coming right around the corner. It’s exciting, playing on a regular line and getting back to moving the puck again. It’s just a matter of getting into a game situation.”
(on helping Anze Kopitar to get going again…)
SMYTH: “I think we compliment each other, as a line. I really do believe that, right from the start of the year, in training camp, we developed some kind of chemistry with the three of us. We want to continue that. Obviously it’s a work in progress. We always know there’s room for improvement. It’s a good mix and I’m excited to get back on that line.”
(on the fact that the team continued winning in his absence…)
SMYTH: “That’s huge. Any time a team fights through injuries the way that they have, it’s phenomenal. To maintain a good position in the standings is huge. Injuries play a factor on every team, and you just have to find a way to get wins to benefit yourself in the long run.”
(on whether he will feel 100 percent on Saturday…)
SMYTH: “Once the doc and I sat down and talked about it, it made sense. Obviously it’s frustrating as a player. You don’t want to sit and watch and be on the outside looking in. In this case, this break is a big factor. It would have been four weeks, or just under six weeks. It was a no-brainer when it came to my situation, from the doc’s side of things, but from my side of things, I wanted to play. I understood the situation.”
yaaay…:)
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Looking forward to seeing the fire back in the eyes of one Anze Kopitar, now knowing the opponents cannot focus on him. There will be this Smyth guy hanging around the net which they need to keep a body, or two, on.
GOALIES BEWARE
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is it just me or did he totally dodge the question on whether or not he will be 100%…
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Welcome back Smyth! Glad to have you back. Go KINGS!!!
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It’s on………….
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VanKingsFan, he certainly didn’t give a yes/no answer. And I’m still trying to unpack that last part of what he said.
It sounds to me like he wanted to start playing again on the Canada trip, but the doctors said, But you’re just going to have this 8-day break when the team’s not playing anyway; so you might as well miss a couple more games and use the dead time afterward to keep healing.
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My hatred for ths guy when he played for others is matched only by my anticipation at having him come back to play for us. He is a terrific player and presence on the ice, and I cannot wait to again see him with a Kings jersey on
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rick-
I cannot agree enough
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DougS: I am pretty sure that’s what he meant too, that he wanted to play in Canada but the extra week and a half healing time was too good not to take advantage of.
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So much has been made about the Impact Smyth has made on Kopitar but lets not forget that Smyth was off the best start of his career as well so perhaps Kopitar has made as much of an impact on Smyth has he has on Kopitar.
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I can’t wait to see our top line producing again… I’m excited because these past few months being shorthanded has given our other guys chances to step up and establish themselves. Getting our shooters back should give them some much needed confidence as well as some more room on the ice as potential threats. Can’t wait to see what happens!
G O K I N G S!
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Deader2818:
I agree. Goes both way. 3 ways actually, including JW.
I think without either RS or AK on that line there is one less High Priority Danger in the eyes of the opponents Ds and Goalies. With both, you’ve got your hands full.
It’s a dangerous combo. One who is so deadly around the crease, and one who can cover as much ice as Kopi and shot from the left, right, or comeing across the slot.
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First two games after the Christmas break will be telling. Teams getting key players back after prolonged absence have a (natural human) tendency to relax, thinking the big guns will get it done.
It is helpful that Simmonds is one of the players back. Haven’t seen much coast to his monster game.
Goal in my mind is still 24 wins by the end of the year. With 24 wins, the Kings are at minimum 10 games over .500.
It may take 96, 97 points this year to get to eighth place in the West. 24-14-3 is 51 points, 102 point pace.
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams = Crown Royal line…
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Ha right Ric! I used to tell my wife when the Kings took on the Avs ” That Ryan smyth, I hate that guy!!” Then under my breath I would say ” wish he was on the Kings”. WELCOME BACK SMYTH!!
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I’m going to the game on the 26th (nice x-mas present from my wife). Can’t wait to see this team up close, especially with Smyth and Simmonds back on the ice. Go Kings!!
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Smyth totally dodged the question about being 100%, but let’s be realistic… this is the NHL, and this is Ryan Smyth. 100% isn’t in his vocabulary unless he’s referring to his effort on the ice.
I’m sure that with the extended break, Ryan will be healed enough to play at a high level. I’m unbelievably excited to have him back… I’ve said it before, but he is the heart and soul of this team along with Greener.
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The way it looks now (with Stoll being the only
regular out), we could ice a FW lineup
consisting of: Smyth/Kopi/Williams; Frolov/Richardson/Brown; Parse/Handzus/Simmonds; Purcell, Moller or Ivanans/Elkins/Segal.
That would be potentially awesome.
Every line could score.
Keeping Elkins up, at least for now,
is a key.
And when Stoll comes back?
Whoa, baby.
Do it, TM!!!!!
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Since I was talking with Rich about this at practice today, i’m taking credit for this post.
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Smyth seemed to take the Dean Lombardi Public Speaking 101 course at his orientation meeting. I don’t know whether he made a deal with the Doc to come back early and is covering it up or just doesn’t want to tip his hand about how bad the injury was.
I care more about his return though. Just like Simmonds, I want him at 100%. He needs to be here during the playoffs.
NO MORE EXCUSES KOPI! C’mon now, play like we ALL KNOW you can!
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Rick, well said. I too, have always loved when the Kings acquire a player, I always hated. I hated them with good reason, they are very good player that always created havoc with the Kings.
I’m also in agreement with Bako. Team complacency, when injured stars return, is often a distraction.
In the face adversity, this Kings team has had a glimpse of they can achive. This teams has done better during the injury skid than any of us expected. Early in the season, when AK and RS were puttng up incredible number, many of us were asking, ‘where’s the secondary scoring?’
Well, the upside of injuries, is it allowed (required) the Kings to find their secondary scoring. And it turns out, it was always there and it was pretty good.
For the rest of the season, if the Kings ‘Secondary Scorers’ can play as they have the last five or six week this team will easily make the playoffs. The reason the Kings have maintained a strong position in the Western Confernece is SECONDARY SCORING.
When the ‘Big Guns’ are back, 2nd, 3rd and 4th line scoring should continue at same pace as prior to the ‘Key’ injuries.
As a long time Kings observer, in my opinion this young team has incredible potential. They are still young and maturing but look what they have accomplished so far. This Kings team should only get better and better.
Be ready to compete December 26th.
Go Kings Go!!
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Rick – My thoughts exactly
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