After the team meeting today, Terry Murray said he hadn’t yet decided whether he would make any line changes tonight, but indicated that he was considering it.
Murray said Anze Kopitar was OK, and Murray again maintained that Phaneuf’s hit was reckless.
Other than that, not a lot of news this afternoon. I’ll have some stuff a bit later…
Any thoughts of seperating Smyth and Kopitar? Someone had mentioned putting him between Simmonds and Parse in another post. Sounds like a good idea to me. A demotion, yet still puts him with two very hard workers who may set a good example for him.
I’d go with
Smyth Zeus Brown
Simmonds Kopitar Parse
Frolov Richards Purcell
[Reply]
I agree that a change needs to be made, but if I were Murray, I’d be a little hesitant to change the lines without having an opportunity to have the lines skate together during practice.
[Reply]
concur with Sebastian
[Reply]
I was at the game last night and Teddy Purcell should be sent back to Manchester and never be recalled again.. He is a bag of shit.. Watch the replay of the Kopitar hit.. When the scrum started, he looked like a little bitch trying to get away from everybody.. Robyn Reghr began hitting him in the head from behind and he turtled… Im sorry, but you are lucky to be in the NHl and your star player gets greased.. You need to earn you spot.. Terry is being a little soft with some of these guys..
Second, why the hell did Raitis go after David Moss like that.. I agree with the cheap shot and I wanted to see it happen but why try and hit a guy that on most nights is a healthy scratch.. If you’re gonna do it and take the penalty then do it on kipper, boumeester, iginla or langkow.. Come on boys, we have got to stop getting pushed around like little kids… Hopefully, Dean will make a deal soon and wake our boys up..
[Reply]
Benoit you are so right about that. Watched the game last night, and Purcell is just a wimp, my 13 year old son could put a smack down on him.
Regardless of the outcome of the game, the Kings better step up now or they could miss out once again for the playoffs.
A trade needs to happen now if you ask me. If no trade happens, but it will be just another wasted season of hard work.
[Reply]
Smyth/Kopitar/Moller
Parse/Richardson/Simmonds
Frolov/Handzus/Brown
Ivanans/(double-shift)/Segal
[Reply]
Parse is flying right now.. Lets give him more than 8 minutes a night please.. You have given purcell chance after chance.. Lets give Scottie a shot… If I see Purcell on that top unit again with 0 emotion I am going to start watching the Clippers or something…
[Reply]
Benoit, when did Purcell turtle? I watched the replay again and just saw him holding someone. I didn’t see him shy away from anyone. In addition, Reghr never threw a punch at Purcell from the replay that I saw.
I don’t think that Purcell is a bag of shit. That’s harsh. He just haven’t found his game at the NHL level.
[Reply]
I think Smyth and Kopitar need more time together, but Kopitar probably needs to sit out a game and watch someone else play first line center. That, and let’s call an end to the Purcell on first line experiment. Give Simmonds another shot at it.
As for sending Purcell down–I’m ready to see them take the chance (because he may not clear waivers) of sending him down. He’s just not doing the team any good up here, and he’s had enough chances to.
[Reply]
Kopi has looked like crap for a while. I don’t know what his deal is the last 22 games, maybe he’s too gassed and can not get so much work every night. You know who never looks gassed? Richie…
Smyth-Richardson-Moller
Parse-Kopitar-Simmonds
Frolov-Zues-Brown
Line 4 (throw 3 dudes on the ice to suck up 5 mins a game…whatever)
[Reply]
sorry quisp, made enough of a change that it’s not a true idea theft…read “line 4″ HA HA
[Reply]
I hate to say it but playoff run is over. They turned to be the “same old Kings” loosing one goal games. But most of all it’s the way theare playing. Watching Minnesota game I was so upset watching our team playing like they have no clue what to do with a puck. No first pass, no pressure, no hits. For 2 periods it was more like a figure skating then hockey!..What’s happend with Kopitar??? As far as I know he is not injured. So it 100% mental thing. TM and DL must talk to him, maybe send him to a doctor or something. I have no explanation why he cooled off. Same for Brown and Frolov. If our star players wouldn’t score we can’t win many games. Well, at least I enjoyed half a year. Thank you “Kings”! I hope next year DL will bring some help and we might make a playoffs.
[Reply]
LUCKYLUC13 Reply:
April 12th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
@MikeV, ahhhhhhh
[Reply]
Benoit
I don’t know if your full of s**t or just a moron looking to cause s**t.
You say you watched the game and Purcell turtled. Yeah, whatever. Go back and look at the replay and show me when that happened.
FYI genius. If you really have been watching the last two games you should be well aware that Purcell is not the first lines problem. He’s been the best player on it for the last two games.
Another case of idiots posting s**t here without even watching the games.
[Reply]
This team needs Stoll back now.
Fro-Stoll-Smyth
Parse-Kopitar-Simmonds
Brown-Handzus-Richie
Segal-Moller-Harrold/Ivanans
Purcell’s line is skating at the Citizens Bank arena in Ontario.
[Reply]
hahaha lol ya purcells line is skating at pickwick in Burbank.
[Reply]
I like Quisps lines. I also mentioned my preference for Moller getting the shot. Double shift Richie occasionally and its a done deal.
Bottom line we need a clear cut 2 points without OT.
Happy New Year to all and lets get a “W”!
[Reply]
I really see no need at all to play ivanans since he has not been a deterrant against other teams taking runs at our players as evidenced by the Calgary, Minnesota games. How about creating a fourth line that can actually play more than 5 mins? If AK is indeed wearing down this will help reduce his ice time so that he can be more effective.
[Reply]
fro-kopitar- smyth (give fro more then 5-shifts on it this time.)
parse-handsz- brown
moller-richardson-simmonds
3 legit lines
[Reply]
Eternal, I thought shortening the lines could work too, but I never played hockey so I don’t know if there’s any drawbacks to that. Like not getting into the flow of the game or whatever….
I know TM’s done it, before the break he did it I think.
[Reply]
Gee…anytime I say anything remotely as strong as Benoit, it disappears.
[Reply]
i think in order to be a deterent against another team, that enforcer
has to be able to HIT hard and frequently. Brown does that-Phanuef
does that. Ivanans is not so much a deterent in my eyes. But he’s a
tough monster. I dont think is a problem being in the line-up.
[Reply]
Shrimp,I didn’t watch the game last night(listened to it on radio),but I was at the Minnasota game and I agree even though that line did not score much.Almost every time they were on the Ice they were in the offensive zone,pushing the play up Ice.I’m not defending Purse it’s just my humble observation.
[Reply]
I mean…”bag of shit?”
[Reply]
shorting the lines with what we have at this level; is suicide.
especially in the 2nd game of a back-to-back.
players would be gased- and when your tired on the ice
your brain doesnt work.
[Reply]
this looks good to me…
fro-kopi-purcell
smyth-richardson-brown
simmonds-zeus-parse
ivanans-moller-segal
although i do think kopi should stay on a line with smyth but since we’re not scoring why not shake it up!!
[Reply]
I’m sorry, he didn’t turtle to the ice.. However, he was the first one to react to the situation and all he did was grab Phaneuf.. Then Regeher grabbed him from behind and he put his head down and tried to backpedal out of the scrum… I guess I said turtle because he had ample opportunity to take Phaneuf out.. Instead, Odonnell had to come from the other end of the ice and take care of business.. He is a pussy and has done nothing for this team.. Please give me an example of when he has done something productive for this team..
In regards to the first lines problems: Smyth is only 2 games in after missing 8 weeks… He looked better last night compared to his first game where he took 2 penalty’s (including the one that cost us the game against minny).. He is getting his legs now but 2 guys cant do it alone… Sounds like we got some Purcell fans out there.. You are probably the only two with his jersey I’m guessing…
[Reply]
Now he’s a “pussy?”
Maybe you should break the news to him, and see how that works out for you…
[Reply]
I found this lead in to a story on a Calgary blog. I fully agree with his last line.
Robust Affair: Calgary 2 – LA 1December 30, 2009 at 11:30 pm – By: Barry Flames · Filed under Post Game
The New Year brings 3 hockey games in four nights, great for fans, and even better if the home team wins. Tonight the Flames looked to extend their monster one game win -streak to two games versus the resurgent LA Kings. Things barely got underway when the tone was set by Dion Phaneuf’s hellacious hit on Anze Kopitar in the Calgary end. Dion got a 5 minute penalty thanks to the acting job by Kopitar. Replays showed a play where two players chasing towards into the boards ready to fight for the loose puck; this kind of play happens 50 times a period. The difference seemed to be both Kopitar’s embellishment and Phaneuf going for the man too soon and not angling towards the puck.
The game misconduct will be reviewed by the league and it will be interesting to see if they make a comment. The refs in general tonight, however, were atrocious. Granted Calgary got too many powerplays-which they did nothing with- but some huge questionable calls were made.
[Reply]
“Your language is offensive!” (Hangover, haha)
I know we’re all upset about losing 4 in a row, but lets take it easy. Hopefully a win tonight will get us back on track.
[Reply]
I’m with Benoit for the most part. I think the only reason Teddy’s on this team was for hopes of potential tradebait and they couldn’t keep him down in ‘chester. I was stoked when he started the season off well, then he just dissapeared. I’ve seen in a few games he does something good and thought, wow…nice play Teddy. Most nights however, I just get pissed he’s on a line. It’s not that I want him to suck, he just sort of….does.
[Reply]
It’s tough to make roster wide line changes without a chance to practice together. Swap Parse & Purcell. I would like to see what Parse can do on the first line, playing first line minutes.
He has chances every game he plays due to the fact he moves exceptionally well without the puck finding seems. He has a good shot and can pass. Give him a chance on the first line!
[Reply]
BTW — the kings have pulled the hit off of the game summary video on the Kings website. Interesting
[Reply]
I’d like to see:
Smyth-Kopi-Frolov – I don’t care if they’re both RW’ers
Brown-Richardson-Parse
Simmonds-Zues-Moller
Purcell-Segal-Ivanans
I’d rather see Purcell in New England.
[Reply]
sure POS scores 2 last night and he is back
[Reply]
Anthony — Dion will put POS through the glass tonight and he can call it a season.
[Reply]
Tookie – If the players keep the shifts short then rolling 4 lines will not prevent anyone from being in the flow of the game.
Rich, has there been any discussion with TM about whether he thinks AK is wearing down with the additional ice time this season?
[Reply]
and they are LWers, hey at least you did not suggest they play in goal.
[Reply]
Benoit-
As much as I am not a fan of Teddy Ballgame, You need to look at this realistically. The coach doesn’t make roster moves in and out of the organ-eye-zation, the GM does. DL has to make a deal for TP due to his potential waiver status. It takes time to deal someone who is not exactly lighting up the lamp. What are you going to do with a guy like TP then? Place him on waivers and take the cap hit when someone claims him? It may not be much, but if you’re thinking you need all you cap space to get that massive player to compliment Kopi like a Kovalchuk, you don’t want any more cap hits. TP is getting played (I believe, no proof) so that he hopefully catches fire a bit and his value goes up to make a trade happen. I’m pretty sure a former AHL scoring leader is not going to pass through waivers when the cap hit to take a chance is around 300K. Therefore, DL needs value to make a trade, even for a pick. We have the rest of the season to make it happen and we’re not even close to the deadline yet.
I believe it’s just a matter of time. Unless TP starts producing a goal a game, his time is done.
As far as taking Phaneuf (Bless You) out, That’s not TP’s job. Maybe you’re one of those ‘Everyone has to fight’ types like a Khanon or something, but I’m a believer that roughly 1/2 of your team should be able to drop them at any given time, the other half are the ones protected.
Now this is Hockey. If you get a line brawl, you better drop ‘em. Don’t get me wrong, but I certainly don’t expect my skilled guys to come rushing FIRST to the aid of anyone on my squad, I’m expecting my bigger guys to do that. I would LIKE it, but the skilled guys score GOALS, which is what is usually needed to win games. This is, of course, unless your skilled guys would rather be checked off the puck instead of driving to the net. I need skilled guys on the ICE, not in the BOX.
Emotions are a big part of hockey. The team who controls them more usually wins. That doesn’t mean you don’t get fired up, it just means you control WHEN to do it. TM is good at that. IMHO, he does need to amp it up a bit as the team balance seems to be more towards ‘Stoic’, but TM’s comments and demeanor last night should be an indicator that he gets this and he’s doing something about it.
My guess is that we see one pissed-off, focused and determined team tonight.
[Reply]
Smyth – Kopi – Brown (or Frolov, or Simmons) (purcell cannot hang with Smyth adn Kopi bring up Schenn)
Simmons – Richardson – Parse
Fro – Zeus – Moller
Ivanans – Segal – Purcell
Give Brownie the 1st line winger duties, lift Kopi’s energy and commitment level…Brownie will open space with fore-check…Brownie can be so much more than he’s been this season and needs a boost of confidence…
[Reply]
LOL at “only difference.” The only difference is it was an icing play. Until they find a way to tell both players focused on a puck that icing’s been waved off, perhaps an elbow to the face against the boards isn’t the right response. At least this writer figured out that Phaneuf had an obligation to play the puck, or the man and the puck (if they were together.) He chose to interfere/injure. I’m glad the writer also figured out Calgary got more than their share of the calls.
[Reply]
It may be the last game for us Time Warner folks today. I am going to be so pissed if Fox is gone come Jan 1. Anyone heard any good news? Sorry to be off-topic.
[Reply]
He had to say Kopi did an acting job, otherwise nobody in Calgary would ever read his blog again! LOL
[Reply]
That whole thing amazes me…have any of you EVER seen Kopi do anything REMOTELY close to acting or diving even? I can’t say I have.
I watched it on youtube this AM when I heard what happened, and phuker didn’t even look at the puck to feign he attempted to play it. He just saw an opporunity to grease our best player(maybe) and took it. He’s a scummy scummy scum bag and if we meet in the playoffs someone needs to break him, drago style.
[Reply]
Time Warner can derelict my &@%*s!
[Reply]
Randy Jones:
What’s his deal? When will he be back?
[Reply]
the only time the Kings would take a cap hit if Purcell was claimed would be re-entry waivers. that is, if he got sent down, then re-called. I dont think he’d be recalled. And if he claimed the first time around, no harm done, cap wise at least.
[Reply]
Calgary Fans < Raider Fans IMO
[Reply]
guys — you have to love it when the home town blogger says the Flames got too many power plays. Can you imagine Rich ever getting to the point where he says, “The kings had too many PPs”?
[Reply]
-Elkins bring him back
-Purcell send him to Manchester
[Reply]
“BTW — the kings have pulled the hit off of the game summary video on the Kings website. Interesting.”
Yeah…that’s really interesting. Can we get an explanation, Rich? Why would that happen?
[Reply]
Phaneuf is just a bigger version of Avery but Kopitar needs to get tougher and fight thru the abuse. I like the earlier idea of Moller on the#1 line. He is a tough little guy who fights thru stuff. Kopitar should watch Moller and learn.
[Reply]
I hated seeing Kopi get drilled,but I think the Kings are missing a little of that nastiness.I can except the hit because it’s in the game regardless.I just wish it was the other way around,where we hit Iginla.
[Reply]
Benoit – and also as far as purcell is concerned, it appeared to me he was looking down to avoid stepping on kopitar, not dodging regher. and i don’t expect him to fight, that is what OD was there for. he did jump in, as he should have.
[Reply]
DOES EVERYONE SEE WHY FROM GAME ONE I SAID DRAGO (IVANANS) DOES NOT DESERVE A ROSTER SPOT. IF FACT HE IS INFURIATING TEAMS AND NOT DETURING TEAMS FROM NOT GOING AFTER OUR TOP PLAYERS. I KNOW I AM USING KOPITAR HERE AS A TOP PLAYER IN REFERENCE ONLY. NOW ITH LATVIA SOMEHOW PASSING ON RAITAS FOR TH OLYMPICS I THINK NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME FOR MURRAY TO STOP SHOWCASING HIM (iTS OVER JOHNNY)ALSO WE HAVE A PLAYER IN PURCELL WHO IS OUT OF OPTIONS SO WE WOULD LOSE HIM TO WAIVERS – A VERY GOOD THING NOT ONLY FOR THE TEAM BUT FOR THIS BLOG AS WELL. BACK TO OUR TOP 6 (WHO?) WE PICKED UP A VERY GOOD HARD NOSE PLAYER IN SMYTH BUT BY NO MEANS DOES HE STRIKE FEAR INTO ANY TEAMS WE PLAY WHEN HE STEPS ON THE ICE. KOPI PROJECT OVER! TRADE THIS KID FOR A TOP TOP PLAYER AND A PICK. HE DOES NOT CREATE AND HE HAS ZERO HEART. BROWN- I LIKE HIS HEART BUT NO SKILLS (NICE PENALTY SHOT)WILLIAMS- JUST A BODY THAT WONT BE AROUND FOR THE BALANCE OF THE YEAR ..AGAIN.(SOMETHING WE EXPECTED) HE HAS AN INJURY HISTORY PEOPLE. STOLL- TOO BAD THIS KID CANT STAY HEALTHY. FROLOV- PACKAGE HIM FOR A PLAYER NOT IN THE NHL BUT IS OLYMPIC BOUND FOR RUSSIA. I HAVE TO TAKE A BREATH NOW..
AS MURRY PUTS IT I AM BUILDING ON THIS GAME..
[Reply]
Man, everyone should check out the posts on TSN on how Dion did nothing wrong and how Kopi ia a pu55y for laying on the ground.
I thought Sharks fans were the dumbest around, but maybe it is all teams that sutter touches…
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=304159
[Reply]
SIDE NOTE: EE.. IF YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO PLAY 7 GAMES THIS YEAR IN NET LETS NOT WASTE ANY OF THAT TIME NOT BEING IN NET.. (OUTSIDE OF THE NET-BEHIND THE NET -ON TOP OF THE NET- HAIR NET- INTERNET -FISHING NET – DRAG NET) SHALL WE?
[Reply]
wow! trade everyone? 3 years not enough for a rebuild?
plenty of cap space – package fro/hickey/1st for kovi and bring up bernier
[Reply]
Yes, by all means, Kopitar needs to be jump-started. Promote him to the first line:
Parse/Kopitar/Simmonds
Moller can be demoted to an energy line:
Smyth/Richardson/Moller
[Reply]
read DDs quote on the right side of the article.
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/30395-THNcom-Top-10-2010-resolutions.html
[Reply]
Purcell is in the lineup to provide offense — Murray has said many times he is there to “score goals.” He has one goal in last 32 or 33 games. He has to be replaced. Why not Moller on the first line? He is fast, agile and has a good shot. His speed creates space (yes, I know he can be pushed off the puck but that is offset by his speed in the neutral zone).
The larger issue is…that we Kings fans have seen this movie SO MANY TIMES…the noticeable decline in aggression, the inability to protect a lead short-term (so often we allow a goal a minute after we score) and the lack of our highly paid players (Kopi, Frolov, Brown) to produce in close games.
That is why a trade is a must if we want to see the playoffs. Otherwise…it’s another 10th place finish, lots of blather about “rebuilding” and “progress” and “bulding boxes” and “giving the young kids a chance” and NEXT New Year’s Eve we are in exactly the same place.
C’mon, Dean. DO SOMETHING!
[Reply]
Cynic, I totally agree with the majority of your points.. Keep in mind we are both Kings fans here… My main point looks at the fact that we only got 1 minute on the PP after that potential season ending hit (if Kopi was hurt). Reason we only got 1 minute PP is because if Purcell had grabbed phaneuf and hit him or engaged before the linesman jumped in then both would have got an additional 2 minutes each for roughing plus the 5 minute PP for the game misconduct.. Instead nobody did anything while Kopi laid on the ice and Odonnell had to charge in from the other end of the ice.. If all players intimidate the opposition and act or react to dirty plays then it all evens out and we still would have had a 5 min PP.. Well, hopefully anywas…
My second beef is with Phaneuf and the reffing.. I live in Calgary and I hate the flames more than anything, epecially Phaneuf… He only hits Europeans or smaller players, he is a dirty pussy and the league ignores it.. There were 3 potential hooks in the 3rd against Calgary that didn’t get called after all the PP’s they got… High profile teams with stressful environments for refs like Calgary can dictate a game.. I am a little biased since I’m a kings fan but I watch other games and the fans can intimidate a ref and so can Phaneuf… Brutal…
Anyways, the Kings will win 4-1 tonight so lets just enjoy the boys getting back on the winning side of things…
[Reply]
I think that is the nail on the head thing about all this, We have seen this play out before. With out question there needs to be a shake up. But my only fear is we have no one that can gel in the top line to get things going. And with the shifting of people its hard for the other lines to get the same.
[Reply]
Why would Kovi want to come to LA? One player will not make a difference on this team unless you are prepared to play the style in which he is successful…remember getting killed in Atlanta…thats a dangerous offense.
Why would he want to play in LA and play 2-1 games all year long? Were frustrated as hell watching, how do you think Kopi, Brown, Frolov and Smyth all feel having to play this way? All these guys have talent and talent just doesn’t disappear like this.
You have to ask yourself WTF happened in two months that we can’t score more than 2 goals per game…and quit being lazy with the same lame excuses because its not Purcell!
[Reply]
I say give it one more game with Ted(going against everything my heart is telling me). It’s not that this team is tremendously different than the one that was winning. We get Stoll back hopefully Saturday, and change lines up then.
Teddy’s had way too many chances already but tonight, I think, will be IT. If he doesn’t even notch a point, doesn’t need to be a goal even, he’s donezo’d. Waive him, cut him, suspend him..don’t care, just don’t have him in the line up.
I’m hoping tonight will be an offensive onslought like 5 or 6 to zip with Quickers first shutout of the year.
[Reply]
With all the ridiculous trade suggestions last night I’m surprised no one mentioned that we had our chance to pick0 Kyle Calder back up on waivers yesterday, when the Quacks sent him down to the minors. He surely would have been the answer to our problems right now. Oh well, missed the boat on that one, guess we’re just going to have to stick with the lot we have now.
(Feel free to inject a sarcastic tone wherever it seems appropriate.)
[Reply]
Hey I’m Just Saying” ,
You need to change your name to I’m Just Screaming”, because thats what I think about when I try to read your ALL CAPS posts. All caps = don’t read
Face it kiddies, unless the first and second lines pull their heads out of their collective arses the Kings are out of the playoffs.
[Reply]
Purcell scored 41 goals in 100 games the last two years at Manchester. He has scored 3 goals in 37 games up in teh bigs: ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH
[Reply]
oooooooooooooooooooooooh darn.(sarcastic tone inserted).
[Reply]
Sorry AZ.just trying to lighten the mood.
[Reply]
I’m right there with you Dominick.
[Reply]
That was the goal of my post. Just can’t handle all the negativity. Need some humor
[Reply]
Benoit-
I get what you’re saying, but I think the penalty would have just went to Teddy rather than Phaneuf and we would have ended up shorthanded, wiping out the 1 minute we got. The reffing was HORRIBLE last night and again, Maybe (I’m not Teddy) he was playing it smart. O’d was right for doing his part. Teddy just tied up waiting for the calvary. I can’t blame Ted for that. That is what he is taught to do. He’s a scorer (Allegedly).
I totally feel for you living behind enemy lines like that. What sucks is that I can go to Toronto and have an intelligent, non-biased hockey conversation, Kings fan to Leafs fan (Even with the hatred they have for ’93), yet in Calgary it’s practically impossible. Is it the culture? The People? The weather? The team? Kinda sucks. Again, I wouldn’t blame you for never wearing a Kings jersey in downtown Calgary as they might lynch you. I’ll do it only because I’m visiting.
Mullet- Why would Kovy come to a team that is consistently playing 1 goal games? Well, probably because Kovy knows he can turn a 2-1 game into a 4-2 game by himself on a consistent basis, especially if he has a defense that backs him up. It that game changing confidence that makes him elite. Something Kopitar should (and better) learn over time. Kopi’s only 22, so I’m pretty confident he’ll get it soon enough. With Kovi on the team, he’ll get it much faster.
[Reply]
we have seen Kopi’s game for 3 years now. He is a good player but not a go to kind of guy. He is not a creator. He needs to play with a superstar on his line. Not Smyth and Not Williams they are complimentary players. This team will always be only as good as it’s owners.
Sorry for screaming earlier my button was stuck in Scream mode.
[Reply]