Between Monday, Tuesday and today, the Kings got in approximately five hours of practice time. They incorporated four injured players back into the fold and spent significant time working on special teams and did a ton of conditioning skating. Did they get, out of those three days, what Terry Murray had hoped?
MURRAY: “Pretty close. I wanted to go an extra little while here with some 5-on-5 scrimmage, but time goes by very quickly and you start to lose focus and concentration, so I just moved by it and got into the skating. Overall, I was very pleased with the work, the intensity and the concentration that everybody brought. Part of that was due to the fact that it was set up, going back two months ago, about the importance of coming to these practices and getting ourselves ready to go with good hard work again.”
Then again, there weren’t any games. Teams can practice for days upon days and still not approach the intensity needed to win a game, something Murray said he is mindful of as Saturday’s game against Phoenix approaches…
MURRAY: “It’s hard. That’s very hard to do. So you try to recreate a lot of the game scenarios, within the practice. Throughout the practice, you’re asking for total concentration, execution. Do things hard, do them fast, with intensity, but bottom line, it’s very hard to create that game scenario. That’s where we have to be very focused when we get back at it on the 26th.”
i don’t know why anybody would have a problem with t.m. and what he’s trying to do with this team since he’s consistently moving this team closer to our expectations than any other coach has since…well…hmmm…ever…?
what part of “winning” do some of the t.m. haters dislike…?
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I totally agree. TM has done a great job with this team. Look where they are.
His judgment has gotten them far and yet, people are quick to jump on the idea of Parse staying in Manchester.
TM know what he’s doing and I prefer to believe that he’s doing what is best for the team.
He’s in a much better position to know what’s going on than all of us outsiders looking in.
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I agree with you 2, however, a lot of that credit can also go to DL for bringing in the right players and creating that culture…I like TM for the most part and am not knocking him when i say this, but i wonder how other coaches in kings past could have done with the type of players we have now…and the depth in the system…Al that said, i was excited when DL first hired TM and my views of him have not changed. I like what he’s doing…
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The proof will be what happens after the Olympic break. In years past…let say back from the last time we made the playoffs, the team has folded. Other teams in our division are ready for the playoff push and they seem to have a little bit more…more desparation, more hunger, more talent in March and April. I remember finishing out a season with 11 straight losses…I hope I forget that in 2010! My Christmas wish is that we stay health in 2010 and that we finish the season with 11 straight wins, followed by 16 in the playoffs! I want to hear,”the Kings have the momentum going into the playoffs.”
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Yes, the second half of the season has proven to be the downfall of Kings teams in the recent past. This season, tho, I have more optimism for how the 2nd half will go, and not just because this year’s team is much better than any in the past several years.
First, the halfway point is reached on the New Years Eve. In the 2nd half, the Kings have 24 home games versus only 17 road games. A definite plus. In addition, the Kings do not play any back-to-back games until late March, and in fact only play 2 for the rest of the regular season. That combined with the Olympics break should assure this years squad will be fresh for the playoff push.
And one upside to the number of injuries they have had (besides the ‘Manchester Kings’ getting their chance to experience The Show) is that those players wont have been ground down by having played a full complement of 82 games before the playoffs.
It’s been a nice break (Ive finally had the chance to watch some movies I’ve had on DVR for like 6 months), but I cant wait for Saturday!
Happy holidays to all Insider fans and to Rich!
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I was impressed by Parse’s play and sorry to see him sent east. That said, I couldn’t be happier with TM and trust his judgment. Long live the Kings!!
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Heading into the Christmas break:
Kings = League 8th-9th/Conference 4th-5th/Division 2nd
Manchester = League/Conference/Division 1st
Hmmmmm.
I guess Santa’s been listening, after all!
Hairy Fishnuts to all!
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Excellent breakdown bbb7.It’s encoouraging that we are where we are without the services of some key players at certain times.It’s a testament to the make up of this years club.
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Quote from HockeyBuzz.com:
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=25088
“Jack Johnson was hobbling as he came off the ice – He said his pain threshold was “manageable, for practice”. Johnson didn’t look his usual happy self in the locker room and when asked if he would play following the Christmas break he said simply “Don’t know. Optimistic, but we’ll see.”
Again, remember the source…
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Ducks-Coyotes update:
0-1 Coyotes, Upshaw goal, 11:30 first period
Quacks look very flat. Not clearing the puck well.
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Thanks for the link Bako.I liked the stuff on TM.I was aware of TM’s Past but it’s good to be reminded every once in a while.
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Ducks-Coyotes update:
0-2 Coyotes, Hansal goal, 3:31 first period
Quacks going down, fast. Goal from just inside the blue line, no screen at all, stoppable shot…
Will they pull Hiller? Coyotes on the PP for the rest of the first.
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Quacks on the PP, sorry…
No goals, though.
End of first, 0-2 ‘Yotes.
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I for one appreciate Murray’s honesty with the players. Are there business issues that ‘interfere’ with the ideal decisions and compromises have to be made? No doubt.
But the staff is managing to deal with those and are still able to pinpoint issues that prospects/players can work on to improve their game and the team overall. Their response to these assignments will ultimately dictate their future in the organization. I don’t see any negatives there.
The Kings are still in a building phase – and frankly, you have to maintain that building phase even when you’re winning because there will always be a gap, an issue that needs to be addressed and resolved. It’s a never ending cycle if your plan is to remain competitive.
Kudos to the Kings management and organization.
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No help tonight from the Quacks;
0-3 ‘Yotes, game half over…
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dMan–
Good points.
I’d add that, as the Kings stop drafting in the 1st-5th positions, your plan must be maintained, even though specific needs begin to emerge.
Tilt away from your plan and your team becomes lop-sided. The Quacks, for example, now have innumerable offensive players in their system, without the defensive prospects to maintain a healthy balance.
A lop-sided team must make effective trades to fill their needs. That becomes harder and harder as a team is successful, and the available talent level ebbs away. It’s the plan that keeps a team on an even keel, and the eye for talent finds needed gems in strange places. The balance allows a team to find great players when you can in the draft, and keep them until they develop.
The test of DL/TM will be the next three-four drafts…
Many of the players on the current Kings have Dave Taylor roots. The current depth of the Kings’ system, though, is all DL.
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PHX 3-0 quacks… To the third.
DAL 2-1 clb, 16:00 to go in the third…
CAL 0-0 stl, 14:00 to go in the third…
NO THREE POINT GAMES, BOYS!
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Both later games are in the second…
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I’m keeping a close eye on this Duck vs Yotes game. As tired as the Ducks are playing, we all know the habit these guys have of coming back strong in 3 periods. They’ve done it a lot and relied on that pity point in the past. Should be interesting.
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It’s abt. time for Perry to run over Bryz.
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I posted this back on the Parse not coming back up/ Purcell debate post..
Wow. Lots of comments here. and still the TM/DL bashing going on. Let’s look at the sub par (cough) coaching of TM that so many of you are pointing out.
WE have one of the youngest teams in the NHL, We haven’t had this good of a record at this point of the season since??? But our PP sucks, our PK sucks and i think I read our Defense sucks… BUT we’re still winning. Not just winning. But winning with our guys from Manchester, winning while our star players are slumping and injured. How can it be?
Now let’s look at DL, This guy is horrible, he needs to get a clue on how to run a club and draft. Why is this guy up and that guy down. why did he grab him? we don’t need anymore D players. Wait? Not only were the kings in first before this long break and over .500 this early, but His Manchester team is also kicking some serious but… HOW CAN THAT BE? Wait does DL actually know what he’s doing? Could he actually be building a winning attitude in Manchester? Could he actually be thinking… The Kings were winning early with this roster, Let’s get these boys back to Manchester to Finnish up what they started with their team mates and teach them how to win a championship down there. If we need them we know what they can do and who to bring up. and we have assets to trade if we are actually in a spot to make a run at the cup.
The negativity of some posters is meant to get a response from us. but some times it makes me think… are they seriously this narrow minded? Do they really think they know not only how to coach a professional team but how to run a franchise? It does make me laugh though…
Look, DL & TM are doing exactly what they need to be doing for the long term of this team, I know we’ve been waiting forever and can’t wait any longer. blah blah blah. Look at it this way, at this point, there is no going back to those days if we stay the course. We’re winning, Manchester is winning, we have a team that players may actually want to play for (because most of you think that just because a player is available we should be able to grab him…hehehe…right).
We are ahead of schedule, our farm is stacked, we’ve learned how to win those 1 point games and we’ve learned how to win impossible games. This is the best Kings hockey I’ve watched in years, enjoy, take it in, you may not agree with everything but damn it… It’s working isn’t it… Woot
Go kings… Dang… did I write all that.. sorry guys…
Go Kings
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Kingzfan,
yea, you did write all that – and I agree with it all! Good job!
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Hey does anyone know if Center Ice is going to show any WJC hockey during the break?
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Kingzzz
Yes you did write all that. It happens when you come here. It just seems to flow out like (Choose one):
Rain
Wine
An Everflowing Stream
Beer from the Tap
Beer NOT from the tap
An Everflowing stream of BEER!
Chain Vomiting
Rampant Diarrhea
Your wife’s ‘Explanations’ during PMS
Dean Lombardi’s ‘Explanations’
A list of the accomplishments of Juraj Mikus. (Well, not THAT long)
Quisp’s quantum physics explanation of the CBA and NHL Salary Cap.
Bako’s Generosity (Thanks Bud!)
Any Don Cherry Blazer
Anything Don Cherry Says
The Innocence of Tiger Woods
Rich’s poise on camera
Heidi’s….(NOPE, not gonna do it…nuh-uh, no way)
Teddy Purcell’s Identity
Jarret Stoll’s Velvet Blazer(s)
MORE BEER!
Egg Nog spiked with Tequila
Ziggy Palffy’s tears for Juraj Mikus to return
Terry Murray’s use of the UPPER/LOWER Body Injury
In-N-Out Double Double, Grilled Onions with Tommy’s Chili.
I could go on for hours, but that’s a by-product of coming here. Welcome to the carpal tunnel club! Don’t be sorry, it’s a rite of passage we all enjoy seeing.
Nice post BTW. Just one problem.: “Let’s get these boys back to Manchester to Finnish up what they started” What, as opposed to Swedish Up? or Norwegian Up? Cowboy up?
Ok…Ok….I’ll shut up.
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The only real complaint I have is what Andy Murray used to call “manufactured goals”.It seems whenever the opposing team establishes a forcheck guys get beat to the front of the net.Sorting things out to break their cycle seems to be a problem that has gone on all season.I’d complain about the PK but no use beating a dead horse.It’s shown improvement lately even with the lack of agression.TM has done an excellent job of molding this team so far,and I have no doubt he’ll get us in the playoffs.My main concerns will come next year when we’ve already made the playoffs and we’re ready to take that next step.That doesn’t mean that I’m not hoping we pick 30th in next years draft.I’m just saying making the playoffs this year alone to me would be a success.
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Cynic… that was great… I just stopped laughing and my wife thinks I’m on drugs… woo hoo.
Ok Ok.. let’s get er done…
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Agree with all the TM and DL love going around, it is nice for a change to get some positives about the Kings, instead of all the negativity.
Reno – NHL Network has a full slate of WJC games this week.
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Kingzz- This place is a drug, so tell her technically, she’s right so she can forgive me for the painfully truthful PMS comment.
Dominick- The PK’s lack of aggression is exactly right, but that is TM’s style of position first. With a young team, it’s the right call, but as these guys build their confidence, guys like Doughty are gonna step up and be REAL aggressive. I’ll bet we see a bit more in the playoffs. I don’t think we’ll ever be like Calgary: Aggressive until after the 4th pass in the O-Zone.
What I’m disappointed about is the ‘Lack’ of a response regarding the PP by Jamie Kompon. Is he being shielded or something? I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but he has a job to do and it would be nice to hear from the PP coach what he thinks the problems are for the lack of aggressiveness on the PP. Hopefully soon, Rich can get an interview with JK to find out what he thinks needs to happen, especially on the 5-3. It doesn’t make any sense that we are so anemic on the PP, even without Smyth.
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Heres the WJC link:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=509998&navid=DL|NHL|NHLNetwork
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Cynic,I would also like to hear from JK.I didn’t bring up the pp because I have a feeling when Smyth is playing a lot of wrongs will be righted.I was also trying not to be too negative due to the holidays.Merry day before x-mas!
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I meant x-mas eve!
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Anyone else wrapping gifts tonight? This place slows me down from getting it done.
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TM’s job is to coach the players wearing a Kings uniform. I wouldn’t think he’s to “blame” for Parse not being recalled. DL makes those decisions (although not necessarily without input from the coaching staff.) TM just happens to be more accessible on a daily basis and says the occasionally more controversial thing.
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I’m very happy with management atm. I do not understand the Parce thing, but I trust TM’s opinion over mine that is for sure. It made me check what Parce’s +/- was, thinking perhaps I missed the fact he is a minus, but he is +3.
Perhaps TM is making a statement to the entire Manchester team. You wanna play up here its not about fancy goals, its about doing all the little things.
As a King fan I think we’ve all been a little too forgiving with Kopitar. Since Smyth got hurt he hasn’t done much and gives me pause about Kobitar. I been feeling he is hurt because it seems the only logical reason.
If Kopitar does well is it because he is riding Smyth’s coat tails? Simmons filled in fine for Willams, but Frolov filling in for Smyth is a complete and utter bust?
I’m not sure myself and we might never know because if Kopitar has had a nagging injury such as a minor groin or ankle sprain the time off will likely help a lot. So Smyth coming back might be in line with Kobitar getting some rest.
I just hope we come out smoken.
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Can we start a poll?
What do you want to see happen first?
a) Parse gets recalled.
b) Purcell gets sent down.
c) Both and A and B should occur at the same time.
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Purcell won’t be getting sent down. He is already past wavier exempt status, so he’s either staying, or traded as part of some kind of package deal.
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I vote for
d) Purcell comes alive and makes us all look silly for doubting him
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If you think the DL and TM bashing is bad now you should have seen the people with no vision last last year at this time. HOLY COW!
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Cry baby,I did see it on other blogs,but refused to chime in.I feel somewhat sheilded here amongst Kingsfans.Rich has created an atmosphere where Kingsfans can speak and others actually care what you say(good or bad).It’s more of a passionate forum specifically tailored to serve the Die hard,purple and gold bleeding,crappy goaltending(not so much lately),Luke lovin,Sheild jersey wearin,nose bleed sittin,Gretzky statue posing,Bob Miller worshiping,Tip a king attending,Hiedi lover that I am.
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