alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Terry Murray said Justin Williams is visiting the team doctor today, and Murray estimated Williams’ return at three months, meaning it’s possible Williams could play again this season. There should be an update later.
Scott Parse will be in the lineup tonight, giving the Kings forward lines of…
Smyth-Kopitar-Purcell
Frolov-Handzus-Brown
Parse-Richardson-Simmonds
Ivanans-Moller-Segal
Jarret Stoll participated in the morning skate, but it’s highly doubtful that he will be able to play this week.
I can live with those lines.
Lets get em boys!
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Anyone know of an address to send a player fan mail? I would like to send Justin Williams some encouragement during what must be another ordeal for him.
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That’s one hell of a “third” line!
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Thanks Rich. Yeah, I like that third line as well.
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That Parse-Richie-Simmonds line is gonna be FUN to watch! Hopefully Simmer has a little more jump in his step after getting a game in with that knee of his.
I probably would have went with Moller-Elkins-Segal instead of Ivanans though. I know Boogaard is around, but again with the liability issue with Ivan. Of COURSE I wanna see Boogey take on Drago. I just don’t want to see Greener take on Boogey…LOL!
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Regarding fan mail:
Fan Mail
If you would like to email a player, coach, or any member of the Kings organization, please chose one of the following:
Via email: Please send your email to feedback@lakings.com and your email will be forwarded to the appropriate person.
Via regular mail: Please send letters to [player’s name], c/o Toyota Sports Center, 555 Nash Street, El Segundo, CA 90245 USA
http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=41376
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Not horrible. Minnesota’s been playing fairly well over the past month or so, but moreso at home than on the road. Would be nice to see a win tonight just to give them a little confidence heading out on the road.
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I’ve been supporting the Parse-Richardson-Simmonds line for a while now, it’s a very good line, you’ll see for yourselves tonight. I also like the Ivanans-Moller-Segal line, 2 big dudes that will make up for the undersized moller, let’s get ‘em tonight boys
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ALL the lines are good. The only other option would be to change the centers:
2nd line: Moller
3rd line: Handzus
4th line: Richardson
But TM wants to play Richardson more than Moller, so I really like these lines TM has today. Parse with Simmonds is great, and maybe it won’t matter that Richie is center instead of Handzus.
I’ve wanted to see Brown and Frolov together as well.
Also, I really look forward to seeing how Teddy does on the first line, right side!
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PS:
Skate the PUCK UP THE CENTER OF THE ICE AND NOT THE WALLS TONIGHT and you will see the results..
Just Saying
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GET RID OF Koppon and we will cruise into the playoffs. Am I the only one who is saying this out loud?
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You can only skate the puck up center ice if they let you. Sometimes you have to pass it across the blue line to get over the blue line.
YMMV.
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Those look like some desperate lines. I can see the Kings making a deal or three if they drop the next couple or few games.
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The Kings will not be making “three” deals. They probably won’t be making one deal, unless it presents itself at deadline and makes sense.
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Are you so sure? How are you so sure? I’d love to hear this so-called definitive information you have.
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coyotes play the sharks tonight,it’s either a win win situation or a lose lose situation for the Kings. The silver lining? we should be able to gain 2 points on atleast one of them. Hoping for a regulation win there.
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glad to see parse back.
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The center of the ice is almost always shut down by the opposing D. Yes, the opponents are NHLers too and sometimes they can stop the Kings from doing whatever they want to. That is exactly why players are told to drive the center lane _without_ the puck. The D can do very little to stop a guy driving the center lane without the puck, without taking an interference call.
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I hope Simmer was just shaking off the same rust that the rest of the Kings were skating with in the last game.He didn’t seem that effective at penatrating the opposing zone.I also think the Kings have gotta sort things out in the defensive zone a little better.I’m not worried about our forcheck,but the other team, figuring out to easily how to establish a forcheck on us.
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I like that first line… Purcell on the his natural side, with a go to the net guy like Smyth, and another shooter\passer in Kopitar… I think Purcell is a clone of Williams…. and that may bode well.
Parse on the third line is just as dangerous. That line will have speed in Richardson and Simmer (not Charlie)… and they will generate chances for Parse on the forecheck…
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I’m Just…
I’d rather hear from Jamie Kompon first. Yes, the PP looks like DooDoo, but he should have the opportunity to tell us what is going on. I’d like to see what his assessment is. Are the players breaking down in their coverages? Are they not being aggressive enough? Are his systems being scouted so well the other team knows how to shut us down effectively every night?
I want to know because I remember sometime last month, I saw one of the SCARIEST good power plays I have seen in all eternity come from this team. We were like magicians passing the puck, the D- had their heads on swivels, we kept possession for almost 2 minutes and wore them down, and then scored. Relentless and controlling.
I want to know where that PP went. Jamie Kompon was coaching that night, so he should get the credit as well as the players. I just want to know what happened to it and why we have not heard from him. The potential is seriously there. Maybe JK needs to watch the game video of that PP and redraw his plans up? Just want to hear from him.
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Rich or anybody,
Did anyone watching CANADA vs LATVIA hear one of the announcers say that Brandon Kozun had just been traded before the tourney started? Could have sworn I heard it but can’t find the info anywhere else.
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Yes, I’m sure they won’t be making “three deals.” Look at the trade history in this league. It doesn’t happen.
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Good points, Cynic.
From what I can tell based mostly on infromation gathered by Monsieur Hammer, Murray appears to be very communicative to players and staff. If there is any disappointment with the PP (and there apparently has been considering last week’s mini camp concentrated on it), Murray will have discussed his concerns with Kompon over the season and what’s expected. It’s possible that because of the tight schedule, there may not have been enough time to practice the PP as fully as they would have liked thereby resulting in a poor performance in that department. I would be curious to hear what Kompon’s philosophy for the PP is and how they go about implementing it and why there hasn’t been much progress or success in the execution of it. This might be a question for yu Rich to ask him.
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Does anyone want to bet what kind of game we get out of Parse tonight?
After the demotion, he’ll be playing like a man possessed.
Before we blame Kompon for all of the ills of the PP…remember, the key is getting shots to the net. Too many times our D is getting their shots blocked by the opponent. Once that happens, it’s an easy clear. They must get shots thru and have bodies in front to screen and get rebounds. That’s how they’ll score on the PP.
I’m also starting to believe that the 5 on 3 issues are becoming more mental than anything else. They look like they expect something bad to happen during 5-3. Lots of hesitation, especially from the point. You can’thave that during a 2 man advantage.
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I guess …fani… heard it too. Whats the scoop!?
kingsfaninri says:
December 26, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Bourque was drafted in the 5th round last year by Nashville.
Hey Rich, I thought I heard during this game that Calgary had traded Brandon Kozun. Any insight?
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http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=2705#comment-30323
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Seriously, you want to hear from Kompon? What can he say to change what we’ve seen? It’s the Umbrella formation and getting shots from the point being the Primary objective that are the problem. We had a 6-on-3 and were STILL outnumbered in front of the net. Yeah, that one PP a while ago was orgasmic (didn’t score on it though), but generally we stand around, no drive-and-dish, no back-door, no give-and-go from the corner. Frolov passes 95% of the time to the point. There’s a reason why the D gives you those shots: they’re low-percentage.
But Kompon gets wrongly blamed; it’s TM’s decision to make and Kompon’s job to implement. The PP personifies TM: safety first, low-risk, boring, lacking imagination. This is what a former stay-at-home defensman brings as a coach. The team is taking on the coach’s personality.
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KINGKRAZY
I was watching that game and noticed the comment in passing (but I was multitasking!). I think what they were talking about was only a trade within the minor system itself and, if I am not mistaken, he is going somewhere in Ontario Cananda.
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Teddy’s Last Stand……If he doesn’t get it in gear tonight……
I hate to see another Matt Moulson situation with Teddy but the fact is, he isn’t performing. If he can’t work with Kopi or Smitty……it may be time to move on.
The rest of the lines look very good…..That 3rd line is going to be fun to watch……
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Feet moving. That’s a major part of what’s wrong with the power play. It should be a hint when the defenders don’t move that you’re not threatening them. You need to keep your feet moving (with or without the puck) to get them to move, so you can catch them out of position.
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Boy I sure do like what I see with Richardson and Brown playing together.
For that reason I’d like to see the centers switched between lines 2 and 3.
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this game away?
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this is a crushing defeat… williams will never be the same.
the good news is the kings will be able to keep him because no other team will want such an injury prone player.
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Just read the three month estimate for JW to return.
That is really good news! No matter how badly anyone thought JW was injured (myself particularly), 3 months/12-13 weeks = end of March, early April. That leaves one month for hockey shape rehab, before the playoffs.
Given the possible alternatives, hoping for no complications, the 3 month estimate means very little fracture comminution or excessive soft tissue injury occurred.
With that info in the bank, I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of JW this year. JW came back in record time from his first ACL injury.
If–and this is a big if–there are no complications AND the Kings make the playoffs, I think JW will be able to make a contribution this year.
The question is: Can the Kings hold their position in the Western Conference while JW heals?
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Mark,
Yeah… I figured it’s within the minor System but was hoping it was to the Wheat Kings. Would love to see what him and Schenn could do together.
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BBTsheildjersey,I totally agree with your assesment”lack of imagination”.I also wonder at times Who Is The Real Puppet Master on the power play,and the penalty kill.Since JK has not chimed in,I wonder if he’s refraining from responding to a team concept set by TM.
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…There may be children present.
Wait! No–Guess that would include me…
;)
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The point was, “three” trades won’t happen, and one is unlikely. They happen when both teams think it’s good for them, and good trades never happen just exactly when and how you want them.
They usually happen at:
Trade Deadline
Start of Season
End of Season (really, offseason)
DL was very candid about this.
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One last thought, before duty/work calls:
Anyone else think the Kings were just a little flat in that game against PHX? Betcha the boys come out just a little more energized tonight. A big win is coming…
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Is any one concered that the Kings will try to go in a “more” def. mind set because of the inj. to everyone. I’m just speaking from very low level expereince but usually when people are inj. sick or under skilled a defensive schemes appear. My concern is with a team that is very def. minded team it may turn in to a bigger struggle to score goals? Thoughts?
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I think they started out flat. I think they think they started out flat. They seemed unsurprised by it, oddly. Sadly, Brysgalov, in particular, is a difficult goaltender to spot a half game to and come back. They were somewhat fortunate to get the goal they did in the first period, and still didn’t get that whole jump they were looking for until much later in the game.
Anyway, it was a roadie, and the team has been dealing with adversity. I think they’ll play better–particularly after they’ve had a chance to settle in with a fairly consistent lineup.
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The NHL Championship Season is all about playoff position. Now that the team has had its schedule-induced layoff, my worry is about momentum.
We have position against Detroit, of all the teams. Keep on a schedule, and we’ll cruise into the playoffs:
2 wins by 1/1/2010, 24 wins after 41 games
12 more wins the Olympic break, 36 wins after 62 games
12 more wins by season’s end, 48 wins after 82 games
Equals at least 99 points/possible top 4 seed.
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I definitely thought they started out flat.
Really wasn’t that surprised coming off an 8 day break.
Being off that long, I would think it would take a little bit to get used to the speed of the game again.
Tonight’s a game they must grab 2 points.
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For all those who blame Kompon for the PP problems…put down the crack pipe! The PP is very simple….You get big bodies in front of the net and SHOOT THE fu_kin PUCK….end of story!
The players are the ones who have to execute this on the ice and if the umbrella is not working and teams are coming all the way out to the points, everyone on the PP has to recognize this and make adjustments…not in practice, not after the PP is over but during the PP. It helps to have smart players on the ice and it seems like the players take what the opposing team is giving them when they should be dictating and ATTACKING the net.
Losing faceoffs, not being able to get in the zone, and missing the net on a 6 on 3 is NOT the coaches fault…that falls squarely on the players!
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BTW, thanks for the kind comments, Dominick, Bako, and anyone whose comment was a casualty.
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Jon Quick confirmed for tonight?
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I like NYKingsfan’s comments wrt to the PP. He’s absolutely right that the Dmen need to move and adjust to Create lanes thru which to shoot. In conjunction w that, I think the fact that the others move so little doesn’t help to get the Dstructure of the opposition to move, thus leaving the lanes jammed, so IMO it’s a two way street.
I really like (as most of you guys seem to) the Richardson Simmer Parse line. That has been my chief crit of the team even beyond the PP – getting some speed. This line should do quite nicely there.
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Looking Goooooooood!
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Whoa everyone. TM is no doctor or reader of the future. Three months is a wild wild guess. No one has any real idea how long it’ll be yet.
I like the lines and I’m glad to see Parse back.
I assume it will be Quick in goal tonight, who else would it be in a non back to back situation?
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Considering the Kings are averaging less than 2 goals in their last 5 games (with a sickening PP rate of 6% to match), I’d say someone needs to get it going pronto.
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i was thinking it would play out better…
Smyth-Kopitar-Purcell
Frolov-Handzus-Simmonds
Parse-Richardson-Brown
Ivanans-Moller-Segal
with maybe switching purcell and brownie depending on how purcell plays
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