In the immediate aftermath of Justin Williams’ broken leg, coach Terry Murray went with Wayne Simmonds on first line, then thought better of it in the third period and elevated Dustin Brown. Today, and presumably in tomorrow’s game, Teddy Purcell got the call to skate with Anze Kopitar and Ryan Smyth. I asked Murray today about the choice of Purcell over Simmonds…
MURRAY: “I put Simmer there last night, after the injury happened, for a few shifts, and it just didn’t feel right to me. Simmer is just coming back from his injury. He’s not on top of his game, and I felt the same with Smytty. Having two players in the same position now, serious injuries, timing, a little bit of game-situations not in place, it wasn’t really the right thing, so I made the change with Brownie.”
Murray also talked about Purcell getting another opportunity in a high-profile role. Of course, Purcell started the season as the second-line left winger, and also played two games on the first line during Ryan Smyth’s absence. Purcell has one goal and zero assists in his last 21 games, but now moves to his more natural right wing. Will that make a difference, as Purcell gets another opportunity?
MURRAY: “It is another opportunity, and that’s where he has to play. He has to play on your top two lines. He’s a skill player, makes plays, supposed to score goals, and he can. He just has to find it, and take advantage of the opportunity, now that he has been moved out, and down to different positions. This is where he does have to play, on the top two lines, and it so happens, because of Willie’s injury, that it’s going to be with Kopi. It’s a pretty exciting opportunity for a young guy to get put in that position right now. We talked about it with him, and this is a critical point in the year for him, to take advantage of this opportunity.”
how many “exciting opportunities” have come his way?
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Stop The Puck…… OUCH!
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So I guess Teddy has some compromising photos of Terry, thats the only explanation of yet another chance for Teddy to fail. I’d rather see Segal play there than watch Teddy continue to make poor plays with the puck. Sorry, but I’m looking for more than a defensively sound 1st line RW. The only thing that Teddy has proven this season is that he doesn’t belong in the NHL. Enough is enough.
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This should bring a resolution to the Teddy P debate. It’s all up to him now. No excuses!
I never thought in terms of how playing 2 guys just back from injury, affected Kopitar. He was ineffective all night. That would be a logical conclusion.
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Rich,
Thank you for mentioning that Purcell’s a natural RW. It may not make a great deal of difference among the majority of posters here but I do think a few of the posters are willing to understand and be somewhat empathetic.
Honestly, if it isn’t tough enough for a prospect to adjust to the NHL from AHL, but add to that, TM had him play majority of games on his off wing spot (not blaming TM as we’re loaded on RW). I’m sure Purcell would never complaint as he’s just grateful for any opportunity. However, I’m sure he was frustrated playing LW and thus pressing to produce.
I truly hope for the best for Teddy because not only is he a great talent but a very likable individual.
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Enough with Ted Purcell already. The guy has demonstrated that he doesn’t have what it takes to be a top 6 forward.
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JackC,
Obviously you didn’t get to see quisp’s posts in the other threads.
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I say TP better take advantage of the opportunity this time, or we flush the Charmin down the drain!
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An opening on the right side at last. Now we can really see what Purcell can or can’t do. He always looks limited & uncomfortable on the left side. Could be a perfect fit on top right if it works. His style of play is similar to Williams. A crucial opportunity whose outcome could make or break the season.
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Teddy to the Kopi/Smyth line is the right move. Leaves the other guys in their more appropriate roles. Maybe he can get Kopi going who hasn’t outscored him by a lot in the last 10-15 games
. I think some people unfaily rag on Teddy. There are a lot of other players that have gone through bit droughts — Brown, Handzus, etc.
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Not considering the injury issue, Simmonds would be the logical choice. However, with that in mind, Purcell is the right guy. Better still, he will have his big chance to make a tangible contribution. And I agree with Ronso, whether or not he plays well over the next few games does have the chance to make – or break – this season.
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Purcell wasn’t the right call. I guess he’ll have to find out the hard way.
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I’m not saying he will,but I hope Teddy comes out firing and closes the book on this chapter of General hospital the same way Quick did on his chapter.
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how many opportunities does he need?
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Purcell better “find it” some time before June.
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Does this injury force the hand of DL to make a trade? Bad thing is almost every team is still in the mix for a playoff spot.
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Brymarsh,Yeah a trade won’t happen until teams start falling out of contension.No one is foolish enough to tip their hand while they still have a chance.The only exception would be if a player is unhappy.
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What kind of hand do the Kings really have..? Making a move isn’t really a shocker to me at this stage of the season. The trade deadline if you ask me is really to late. Not enough time for the new guy to gel with the team. With Willy going down for at least 6 weeks. by that time the trade deadline has come to pass..
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How about Fro, Ersberg, Johnson to Carolina for Taylor Ha.. er, their 1st round draft pick? I remember the good ol days earlier in the season when we were the only team in the league not injured.
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The only way to force a trade would be to entice a team by offering more than what that player is worth so that the other team will take that risk of missing the playoffs.Which would ultimately take us back to the days of Sam McMaster.If they could move the date on the deadline maybe.
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I’ve gotta find a new way to refer to that era.I know it wasn’t all Sams faughlt.
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Yes indeedy! It’s time for Teddy to shine. He will get his opportunity now- and if he has the opportunity- he might make the most of it. Teddy has speed- and considerable size- where Williams did not- it’s a matter of meshing with Kopi and Smitty. Never say never-I like this move- and let the games begin!
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I still think Vicent Lecavlier might be tradable to the Kings- the Lightning want to get younger- and dump the big salary- can Vinney be any more expensive than Williams or any less productive?
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Does anyone else feel like this pattern has happened before to the Kings?
For those of you that don’t remember, we have always waited to long to change things up, and adjust to our really precarious position with injured players. A move sooner as opposed to later is called for. Unfortunately Frolov can’t be traded because he is on the downhill side of his career now. Nobody will pay him, or play him. So we have to ride that one out this year. If it were up to me I would trade Ersberg (for his sake), Purcell (for ours) and throw in the PP coach as an added bonus so that we can score on another team while they have a 5-3 advantage.
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Purple Ghost- you made a good point- did Williams ever get Kopi going? I think not. I speedy Purcel just might be the answer- so we shall see!
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I actually kinda like this. Ted P. has been probably the most discussed/ranted about player on this blog throughout the year (with Fro a close second). Let’s see what he can do at his “right” wing, and with two skill players with him. Sometimes you either gotta fish or cut bait. This may well be that time for Purcell. I have my doubts – as do most of us – but I am willing to see what the guy can do with this opportunity. If he does nothing with it, then he makes decisions easier for DL – if he makes something happen, great for the team. Either way, let’s clear up the haze around this guy and see what we’ve got.
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“think some people unfaily rag on Teddy. There are a lot of other players that have gone through bit droughts — Brown, Handzus, etc.”
That’s taking the easy way out, my friend. Purcell is a COMPLETELY different player. If you are going to compare players – ever heard of apple for apples?
If Purcell ain’t scoring or assisting on a goal, he ain’t doing much of anything else. Oh wait, he DID have 1 block shot like 3 games ago. WOW!
Brown and Handzus hit, block shots, play on the penalty kill, do all the little things that an NHL player needs to do to stay afloat in the NHL (see Richardson – THIS is a kid who has come around full circle and has exposed TP and what he needs to do to COMPETE!).
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Every season needs its scapegoat. Even with the Kings close to the top of the league (!), old habits die hard. I can see why people would single out Purcell, as a kind of alternative to bashing Frolov, but here’s my problem with it (well, besides the fact that Purcell appears to me to be doing everything right except putting pucks in the net): if I’m going to knock anyone for underperforming I’m going to look first to the established players with big contracts and it’s pretty obvious that Frolov, Brown, Stoll and Kopitar (since the Smyth injury) are all underperforming. It was this fact that made Parse’s performance when he was first called up so striking; Parse was playing at the level the others were supposed to be but weren’t. So Purcell isn’t the only problem or even the main problem. But people are less likely to knock Brown or Kopitar. Even though I’m pretty sure Purcell wasn’t out there for the 6-on-3 last night.
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Very well said Quisp.Myself i like Purcell,and hope he performs well against the wild.
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OLD MAN I WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW
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WOW, I thought T.Murray shaked the cobwebs off and was starting to come around and being a respectable coach. Then he hits me with this. Murray, I swear you make it impossible for me to like you. The only positive I seen of Williams getting injured, was to see the Simmer, Kopi, Smyth line back together…THATS right BACK together, when Williams went down earlier in the year, simmer started to have people question whether Williams deserves his spot back. That line was HOT. Now we throw in Purcell who you complained about all year? I don’t understand you Murray…sorry I try over and over to like you since you are technically part of the team, but man…stop the madness
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…. Purcell was scratched last night so it’s impossible to be on that 6-on-3. Didn’t you even know that?
(well, besides the fact that Purcell appears to me to be doing everything right except putting pucks in the net)
Have you been really watching the game? I seriously doubt you have cause he could not keep the puck down low, breaking offensive cycle constantly, losing edge and fell even though he wasn’t under any kind of pressure, was unable to shoot when he was on clear cut 2 on 1 with Brown. Sure he made some nice outlet passes and goal which were noticeable, showing some talent he possesses but hardly recognized him as a player who does everything right. Geez.
I really hope he could be a very good asset to the team but so far he has failed to show his quality and we are getting impatient. I think it’s a very natural reactions from fans who are watching every game closely.
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I hope they make him wear sunglasses like the invisiblwe man did so we can see where Purcell is at all times. C’mon Teddy, make an ass of me, prove me wrong and do freakin’ something, anything!! I will be the guy in the stands tomorrow night yelling “C’mon Purcell, let it all loose and at least throw a nudge!”
With any luck, maybe he could cause mild chafing on one of the Wild, but I’m a dreamer, I know.
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I’m glad Teddy will have the opportunity to play on the top line. He needs to be in the top six. He needs some quality minutes to find his game. He needs to be on a line without Brown, because that chemistry doesn’t work.
Smyth—Kopitar—Purcell
Several possibilities with the other lines until Stoll is back. It also depends on whether Parce is called up.
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considering Williams was never the jam on the 1st line… It’s very possible that this line can be successful. If Kopi and Smyth embrace Teddy and give him the puck at opportune times then this line can be a success. Teddy will also have to step up more physically taking the puck and gaining body position in front of the net.
It can work!
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by saying “jam” I mean that he was not the catalyst of the line. I am not saying he wasn’t valuable. He was doing great but Smyth Kopi made the line…
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I’m all in favor of giving Williams spot to Purcell for the next 20 games or until Williams returns. This guy put up some great numbers in the AHL and I can’t imagine he’s going to get another chance like this ever again. Purcell is a natural RW and with Williams, Brown and Simmonds, he has never been given the opportunity to play in his natural position.
Forget Brown playing in Williams spot, that puts our two best wingers at crashing the net on the same line…not going to happen.
Forget Simmonds playing in Williams spot, that puts our best checking forward on the scoring line…not going to happen.
This is really Purcells last best shot to make something happen and get his mojo back. If he can gain some confidence I think the goals and points will come…than again, what other options do the Kings really have?
Smyth/Kopitar/Purcell
Richardson/Stoll/Brown
Frolov/Handzus/Simmonds
Ivanans/Moller/Segal
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Yes, goldielocks, it was a joke. Purcell was scratched last night. So it’s funny to me that people are taking their frustrations out on him.
As far as your comments regarding how outrageous it is for me to think that Purcell has been doing everything right except putting pucks in the net –
Well, since Teddy can skate, the fact that he fell down whenever that was doesn’t concern me. I would chalk it up to a rut in the ice or something. Pros, or frankly, even peewees or bantams, don’t really stress out over blowing a tire. It happens. It’s funny. Move on…
(also, p.s., you don’t lose an edge because you’re “under pressure”; you lose an edge because you lose an edge; that’s why they call it losing an edge; it’s usually a rut in the ice or a nick in the blade; it’s not a mental problem)
As far as being “unable to shoot on a 2-on-1″ — I don’t remember that one, though I do remember the two on one where he shot it right into the goalie’s glove, which didn’t move. But, you see, I have seen Purcell do it consistently and well, so I know when he chokes in a situation like that, it’s just something that will come out in the wash. I’m not more concerned at whatever supposedly sure-goal Purcell blew than I am about the millions of nets Brown has missed lately, or for that matter the 2-on-0 with Brown and Kopitar last year when they failed even to get a shot on goal or even any kind of shot. That was literally the worst display of offensive skill I have ever seen — but it would be stupid to infer from that that, oh, Brown and Kopitar suck. All you can infer from a thing like that is, damn that was lame, let’s never do that again. It’s no reflection on anything.
And, for future reference, when I say “Purcell appears to me to be doing everything right except putting pucks in the net,” I am referring to two things: x’s and o’s and effort; not to whether he is masterful on the cycle on his off-wing with a steady parade of different line-mates. Remember, Brown refuses even to play off-wing. It just freaks him out.
I agree it’s frustrating that Teddy hasn’t put it together yet; and also that his clock is ticking. Comments like yours (the “what game are you watching” variety) sound just like things people said to me last year about Moulson. If you recall, people piled on to deride a prospect with proven superior scoring skills, because he wasn’t able to click with established players who incidentally weren’t clicking and continued to not be able to click with anyone. And then he went somewhere else and voila. As I said in my original comment, I’m not going to pick on Purcell when Brown, Frolov, Stoll and Kopitar are also underperforming.
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I am definitely not a fan of Purcell’s, but I do think that this may be a position in which we start to see him have a little success. No offense to Williams, but I think he’s a little overrated. Williams does the “little things” very well, but he isn’t the scorer he once was.
Moving Purcell back to his natural RW position and letting him legitimately be the “playmaker” on this line makes a lot of sense.
That being said though, I would have to imagine that he only has a small handful of games in order to prove himself or else he could no longer be wearing a Kings jersey anymore and Lombardi is forced to make a trade at a greater expense than he would have liked.
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Kingsfan -
I think you are right. I personally hope he gets the 23 games before the Olympic break. As long as the Kings don’t falter, I think he’ll get them.
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I’m sorry Purcell but it looks like fans are expecting a hat trick or bust.The fact that the hole team looked out of sinc last knight,and has a lot to work on, changes nothing.If your line generates alot of scoring chances but doesn’t score,It’s your fault.If you guys need time to build some chemistry(a couple of games),Too f****en bad.This is your one and only shot.If you don’t score your a looser.If the economy crashes you were driving.If the U.S.doesn’t catch Osama Benladin,it’s because he’s hiding in your closet.Shape up or ship out.
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Quisp,
Not sure you feel the need to go on a single fan crusade, fighting for Teddy’s honor. I’m not trying to make him the teams scapegoat, and I agree he isn’t our biggest problem/concern. However, he has not produced points and that is whats needed from him.
Its frustrating to hear Terry talk about players needing to earn ice time, but continues to give Teddy time on a line that he hasn’t earned. As far as him doing everything else but score is a bit overstated. I don’t see him making smart decisions with the puck. He seems to have a huge confidence problem right now. He has looked most effective on the 4th line this year, when the pressure is off him. But Terry insists on throwing him back in to the fire.
I hope that I’m wrong, and Teddy turns it around. I’ve seen flashes of his talent, but at what point do you cut your losses? Last year it took Murray 19 games to figure out Labs wasn’t the answer. I’m not rooting for anyone to fail, I just want to see the team win like everyone else.
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I don’t think anybody belittles Purcell for his effort; but the fact is, he is invisible on about 75% of his shifts. And more times than not, it is an error of some sort that shows he is on the ice, mishandled pucks, blowing tires, fanning shots, missing open nets, passes that bounce of his blade cause he’s just gripping the twig too hard… He knows it, and is playing with that in his head. He finally scored a couple of weeks ago, and people said finally, now the drought is over. But alas…. I feel for the guy. But I would rather see a Moller in the line up, a guy getting beat up, but truly trying to get into nasty areas and coming back shift after shift. Makes a mistake here and there but truly playing hard to stay with the big boys, I wouldn’t think Oscar will be the scratch to make room for Teddy, just using him as an example. But that’s more effective than ‘appearing’ to do everything right in my opinion.
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Quisp, great post…
Amazing how some people have no clue outside of W and L’s… That said, teddy needs to step up this time. No excuses. Teddy also needs to play PP1 for this line to work… Leave Brown on PP2. Fact!
Kopitar is an incredibly difficult player to play with but with his asset Smyth back, Purcell should do nothing but complement the already established chemistry between these two.
Teddy needs to be more hardnosed going to the net….And Smyth and Kopi need to trust to give him the puck otherwise it won’t work…
Essential line 1 is PP1.
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Let’s face it folks, we are short one Left Winger. The roster lists as Left Wingers:
Smyth
Frolov
Ivanans
Six RW, 3 LW. That is the roster (including Williams). RW=Brown, Purcell, Richardson (C/RW), Simmonds, Segal, Williams. (And by the way, this roster does not come from the Kings website; their roster stills lists, incredibly, Stoll, Parse and Williams. I know it was a holiday and all, but still…)
Moller is a center that has played wing, but it’s expecting alot from a young guy to bounce him around and then expect consistency. Same with Harrold, funny how he plays as if he were rusty when he gets 5 minutes a night at a position de jour.
Brown is a RW. Although Brown is listed as LW/RW, it is only because he was forced to play there at LW for a bit. We were short LW’s then and we still are now.
Purcell cannot be sent down to Manchester without having to clear waivers, and at half his salary he would be a good deal for almost any team since he is a breathing skater that once scored.
I take Terry Murray’s comments to mean that Purcell is it for now because that is all he has on the shelf at the moment and the Kings are still looking for Purcell to “get there” eventually.
Barry’s Mullet has 4 lines, but he puts Richardson on LW, who lists as a Center and RW. It does not fit.
Scott Parse is a Left Winger, but his recent send-down seemed like a mandatory period of adjustment before he can be considered to have “worked on his game from dots to boards, etc.” But, he is the best prospect yet on LW, so I agree with Rich that he will be back up, soon. Of course, Williams is hurt and on IR, so there is a roster spot open until Stoll returns. DL and TM are the experts, I am sure they are seeing this 3 moves ahead: what to do now, what to do next, and what to do if a RW, or a LW, or a Center gets hurt imemdiately or in the near future.
Purcell is going to be it, so get used to it. I hate it, but it seems inevitable. If DL is going to balance the RW and LW in our roster, Williams’ spot will be taken by a LW.
That way the glory of the ice and pine will be given his moment to evolve, the beautiful butterfly that is inside Teddy Purcell will stop being the fat caterpillar we think we see. Or Not… I mean, OR NOT.
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You almost get the idea from some people that they would like to see Teddy fail so they can be right.
He wears the Kings sweater, how can you not root for the guy to succeed?
WWAMD
Did you see the performance of the top line when JW went down? He put together Kopi/Simmer/Smyth they were terrible. As TM said, you have 2 guys just back from injury. How much could you expect from them?
This makes sense…Give TP the opportunity to play his natural side as a top 6 forward. The rest is up to him.
There are no trades on the horizon, so this team needs to win with what they have. I think they will.
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I got a feeling TP might surprise us all.
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how do you go from scratching a player to promoting him to the first line. that is BS! if youre gonna put teddy back in the lineup fine, but please promote someone else to the first line and make teddy earn his first line minutes.
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Well, as a King’s fan for life, I do hope TP comes around and shows us just how good everyone says he’s supposed to be. He has shown nothing to me in the NHL that would explain his minor league stats. As a matter of fact, I remember vaguely (a while ago, not this season)the coach saying that TP needs to bring more to the NHL to score and can’t float around scoring the same type of goals he was used to scoring in the AHL. Anyone remember that?
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TP, does that not stand for something else? Lemme think… Here , I’ll go digging around in my irony drawer, must be something in there somewhere.
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WWAMD says:
December 27, 2009 at 9:29 PM
(When Williams went down earlier in the year, simmer started to have people question whether Williams deserves his spot back. That line was HOT.)
Actually I think the best line all year, with the exception of the Smyth/Williams/Kopitar line was the Simmonds/Handzus/Parse line. That line was exciting and full of energy every time they were on the ice. I thought that combination was WAY better than the KopiSmittySimmers combo hands down.
Maybe that’s just me.
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Sebastian
This is no longer about promotions from one line to the next. Purcell’s not a 4th line player. His skill level and hands makes him a top 6 forward. If he doesn’t succeed now, he probably never will. but you have to give him that opportunity to play with skilled players for an extended period.
If this experiment doesn’t work, it’s probable that DL will have to go out and make a trade for a top 6 forward. That means giving up quality assets. I’d rather have Teddy be that guy.
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Ridiculous. The guy couldn’t put a puck in the ocean at this point. Why not Frolov?
We need Frolov to score and score often. In a contract year, the guy has disappeared once again.
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i wish it was clear what line of player purcell is. maybe this is the chance he needs to reveal his identity as as a player.
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I wouldn’t include Stoll in the list of players who are underperforming. For one, he’s been injured on and off. Second, each time he comes back into the lineup, the team gets a spark.
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Brown, Frolov, Stoll, and Kopitar are NOT under-performing to the extent that Purcell is. Are you guys cousins or something?
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Brown, Frolov and Kopitar appear to be underperforming to me (not that it’s been a mantra I’m that interested in.)
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