The Kings might be short two defensemen tomorrow. Matt Greene had to leave the ice this morning, even before the first drill, due to a sore back that apparently has been bothering him for a couple days.
Alec Martinez was on the ice today, and almost certainly will play tomorrow. Terry Murray estimated that Davis Drewiske will be out approximately two weeks with his shoulder injury. More on all this, and more, soon…
these injuries are becoming like taxes – non-stop…:(
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Injuries are part of the game…. Time for others to step it up.
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aw crap…
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Do we have to sign yet another defensemen?!?! the Monarchs can’t handle any more call ups. Is Christian Backman still a free agent? Darryl Sydor anyone??
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Yeah, what’s Aki Berg up to these days?
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Noooooo!!!
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where’s Tomas Zizka when you need him…
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Dang
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It looks like all you Voynov lovers might get your chance to see him now. If Jones feels better however, I can see him getting off IR tomorrow and moving DD2 to the IR. Or of course they can opt for Harrold, which would say a lot about Voynov and whether or not they think he is ready.
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Green is a huge loss
he is our greatest warrior
We need him in front of the net
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get brad stuart back. that was one bad trade
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What’s Modry up to these days?
/sarcasm
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Bob Murdoch?
Sheldon Kannegeiser?
Neil Komodoski?
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Voynov and Martinez are both offensive defensemen, not shut-down shot-blocking types. Losing Greene and Drewiske at the same time is very bad.
Scuderi/Doughty
Johnson/SOD
Martinez/Harrold?
That sucks. Even getting Jones back, Martinez/SOD is a weak link (assuming we’d be going back to Johnson/Jones).
Also, I don’t think SOD is ready to play 30 minutes a game.
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Greene is going to be a great loss if he’s out for more than a couple of games.
Is it me, or does it seem like everytime Kings Live highlights a player, they get injured or have a bad game?
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Ugh! Well, at least that explains the decision to bring in Martinez. Agree this is definitely a tough one…he’s one of our best stoppers.
Take care of yourself Greener!
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Both Terry Murray and Mark Hardy have many years of NHL experience at D. Dress one of them.
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Sunuvabitch.
Piskula?
I hope its Voynov… I don’t agree that he is strictly an offensive defenseman. I think Voynov is well rounded and can shut down forwards in a hybrid Scuderi-Drewiske fashion. Not like Martinez and definitely better than Harrold.
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I believe Gauthier is available. He’ll bring a physical presence.
Nah, I’m sure we’ll be fine. No worrys here. Kings have overcome adversities all year and this one is no different.
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I agree with Surly Jacob. Would like to see Voinov get a shot with the big club.
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I think Jurka can play defense…….
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JDM(SJ) -
I don’t know. Maybe he is. Last I checked in, he was offensive-minded and slightly “unstable” in terms of “learning the N.A. game.” i.e. he’s young and he barely speaks English.
I don’t have a problem bringing him up and seeing what we have.
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scuderi/DD
JJ/harrold
martinez/OD
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we all remember d.l. saying that he will probably like to add a veteran blueliner before season’s end…
well…he got jonesy…
i imagine a few phone calls have taken place today from the cell phone of mr. dean lombardi…
i would not be surprised to see him pull the trigger on a minor deal before the weekend…
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Schneider?
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SEA…
nah…
i don’t think so…but not a bad call…
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Jones is close to coming back so, we can easily see him tomorrow.
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Juraj Mikus?
Why not? Not much else to lose.
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Mikus is a forward.
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No to the Schneider, played terrible so far this season, and he is tiny and old and frail… the opposite of Greener
How about this… (put the DUI aside) What about Chris Chelios…. think about it… we wont need to use him much, only when injuries come up and maybe playoffs…he’d be cheap
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Prefer Schneider over Chelios
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VAN…
and i thought i was the only crazy person thinking the same thing…?!?!
but after today, probably not the wisest decision…
we already have heidi to deal with and watch…
(mrs. androl…jk…all the best….:))
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I think Mark Hardy still has some eligibility left.
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time for Drew to play 30?
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All joking aside, is it too soon for Colten Teubert?
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Quisp,
Well, as usual I am speaking half out my mouth and half out my… You know.
I’ve only seen Voynov a handful of times, and I’m basing it on those few games and scouting reports. I think you are right that he is offensive minded, but whereas Martinez is a little shaky and not a guy that uses his size at all, I think voynov is capable of playing a physical game and is a very smart defenseman on both sides of the puck. Ultimately I don’t think he is really more offensive or defensive, but like I said, well rounded.
Though I was under the impression that he has adapted very well and very quickly to the NA style. Perhaps he is still rough around the edges. Either way, I want him to get a few games in, but I’m not getting my hopes up as I don’t expect it, even with this injury.
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COWBOY…
yes…
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JDM -
I don’t know any more than you do.
Cowboy Bill -
Having seen the game last night, I would have to say, yes. It’s too soon.
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Too bad Tuebert or Muzzin aren’t ready yet…
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Rich,
Do you know where Muzzin has been assigned to or is he still with his current team in the CHL?
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the rumors have everyone from paheuf to redden (as always) being bandied about…and everyone else on the fringe
wait…i did just say dion, did i…?
if you listen to that kooky espn insider page (i like reading the comics still), they have him asking for a trade…who knows…?
however, i stand behind what i said before that i wouldn’t be surprised at all to hear d.l getting a little bit of interest and giving some out, too…touchy feely time…:)
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Is Hickey hurt?
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Kozak,
You go back a ways to. How about Ab Demarco, Larry Brown and Gary Sergeant to fill out the roster (LOL)!!!
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Unless Voynov has improved tremendously since camp, he’s still too greene (hehe) to contribute effectively in the NHL. On the other hand, he does have 19 points.
However, Campbell, Bagnall or Piskula fit the Greene mold much better. Bagnall just got back from IR I believe so he’s not quite ready. I’d say Piskula is most likely.
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Mudfish, I was thinking the same thing. Talk about the chance to see what the Kings have got….
Losing Greene would be big (and note that Rich only said that Greener left practice because his back hurt, not that he’s actually injured). Let’s hope a therapy day does the trick.
At least we have a straight-ish answer on Drewiskie, instead of perpetuating this “upper body injury” nonsense.
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Perhaps Terry told him to take a therapy day and he’ll be better for tomorrow’s game. Greener doesn’t seem like the kind of player that would let a soar back keep him out of the game.
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sore
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JDM
My understanding is that Martinez was tasked to work on exactly that after his last recall. TM spoke iwth him about improving his positioning and clearing the “home plate” that TM talks about, and I have heard from sources that he has done a great job of improving his play there. I said this in another thread last night also.
It is very difficult to adjust from an AHL game speed to the NHL game speed. And you can’t compare the forwards who have come up, because when they make a mistake, there is a D to bail them out. When Martinez makes a mistake, we are talking about it here because it normally leads to a goal.
Voynov in camp had a very difficult time adjusting to the speed then, he may produce great numbers down in Manchester but we all know too well that doesn’t mean those numbers will come over to the NHL.
So you need to make sure you can take care of your back end first, and Martinez does a much better job at that.
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mudfish -
Hickey – shoulder surgery, out till April.
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He just needs a little blueberry to get him through.
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Oh, and for what it’s worth, I’d like to have Brad Stuart back too.
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I think the only ones who haven’t been injured yet this season are the coaches… Terry Murray are you next on the injured list? Hardy?
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Hickey is still out with upper body injury (shoulder I believe). He’s listed month to month. He’s been on I/R since 11/23.
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Teubert is still in the juniors anyways, so we cant call him up, except maybe the one gamer emergency like with Schenn
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To Wavesinair -
Manchester fans would give you anything to take Campbell off our hands.
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Piskula? Is he done with his three year conditioning assignment in manchester? i remember it was a big deal with Lombardi signed him because other GMs were after him and Lombardi sweetened the pot with a weird 5 games played signing bonus or something. The kings ended up paying that bonus, and havent seen him play an NHL game since the end of that season.
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Unless Teubert’s positioning has improved dramatically since camp, he’s not the answer. Let’s just hope Greener can get another day and a half of rest and some therapy and get back on the ice.
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VanKings, not necessarily correct. Schenn was used as a one game emergency only because he is not signed to the Kings as of yet. SO he can play on a ATO for one game and not receive any compensation for it.
Teubert on the other hand is signed and can in fact play up to 10 games with the Kings but after 11, he loses his Junior status and will have to play in Manchester. Either way he is not ready for the NHL.
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JDM, next time you second guess Quisp, consider the consequences…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry-rTHOpgxE
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We need beef on the back end. If Greene has to miss a game let it be against Detroit. They play stick to stick and puck possession, so Voynov could be a nice addition. Dress 7 D and just have Greene play the PK…thats all we can ask for until he’s 100%
The kid deserves a chance. A game or two in the NHL getting a look see on how he can perform with the big club can’t hurt.
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I thought that since he was too young, he could not play in the AHL until his Junior season was over?
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Brad Stuart will be playing at Staples Center come Thursday, guarenteed.
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Van,
If he plays more than 10 games in the NHL, then he can’t be sent back to Juniors.
If he doesnt’ play the 10 games, you are correct, he would have to go back to his Junior club and not the AHL.
However I can’t recall the last time, a player was brought up from his Junior club to play in the NHL. I know it has happened but I can’t recall it actually happening.
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VanKingsFan -
You are correct, but he CAN play for the Kings…just not the AHL
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Brad Stuart back thursday 7:30 pm.
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EASports -
Almost correct. If he plays more than 10 games in the NHL he can still go back to juniors but one year of his entry level contract is burned up..which most teams would rather not do..
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no denis gauthier???
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EA and tantrum: thanks, but i think it is a moot point, not going to happen based on skill and readiness.
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Three starting defensemen out . . . and the Wings up next — the same Wings who MUST beat us to stay in the play-off hunt.
Talk about big games . . .
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Tantrum, Thank you that is absolutely correct. His contract does slide, I just looked it up. Thanks
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Gut check time boys!
In a sick way I’m loving this…we’re getting a preview of our entire depth chart! And if we can come out of this string of recent injuries intact, its safe to say we’ve got a very strong and capable stable of talent moving into the playoffs.
Yes, I’m trying to see it as the glass half full.
p.s. I’m scared. Hold me and whisper into my ear that everything will be alright Rich.
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Drewiske, 2 weeks.
Greene, sore back.
Jones, on the road to recovery.
It’s not a thing of beauty but it could be a lot worse.
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And here I am thinking Gary Galley needs an excuse to come out of retirement. Silly me.
Piskula is the only ready comparable in my mind. We can go with our current 6 that are left as previously mentioned. Greene is obviously a BIG loss, hopefully he can heal soon. I don’t think we will (Or should) make a deal for another d-man. There are a few free agent D-men in Ontario that could fill in for Piskula at Manch if we brought him up. We’re not at a danger level yet, but let’s hope we don’t have any more injuries, especially to D-men, in the near future.
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well, you all beat me to Gary Sargent and Rob Palmer.
But we do have 1 big secret weapon no one mentioned yet:
LIE-WEEKLY!!! with his mouth swallowing up everything in site, i pity Detroit. he hasn’t done anything to help Kings fans, in a positive sense since he became MR.SPIN.
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who wouldn’t want to see Lie-weekly take a few body checks and hi-sticks?
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I’d say there is no chance that DL goes after a Dman at this point. He won’t make a deal from a position of weakness.
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Don’t worry about the Wings. Their injury list is way worse than ours.
I archieved and watched the one game we played the Wings earlier in the season in which we lost 5 to 2.
We have a much better team than what we put out on the ice that night. Not to mention the game was the 2nd game in a road back to back. Quick was still finding his game and we got jobed multiple times by the refs … that even coming from the Detroit announcers.
Kudo’s to the Detroit announcers. They didn’t call one single homer call all night. They really were honest about the multiple missed calls by the refs on obvious Detroit penilties and one case of giving us a completely bogus penilty where we were called for hooking when the Wing player was actually holding his stick under his arm pit.
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I agree with Skebo. I can’t see DL making a panic trade. If he can find another D through waivers or picking up a free agent on the cheap (i.e., minimal cap hit), maybe. Otherwise, he stands pat and sees what Martinez can do.
Besides, talk about getting more D-men is founded on three things, not all of which are proven true or consequential at this point:
1) That Greene will miss significant (or even any) playing time. Based on everything that’s been reported here so far today, that’s not a given.
2) That DD is severely injured. TM says it’s a shoulder sprain and guesses 2 weeks, based on how things were back in his playing days. The Kings can do without a third-pair D for 2 weeks without tanking.
3) That Jones being almost ready to go means nothing. Well, it means something; he’s already contributed beyond what was expected of him.
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lets see…..larry robinson is um……60ish…..never mind….no worries my kings brothers and sisters…
alec martinez (has allready been called up a
few times, so he has had a little taste of the
big club)
joe piskula(6’3″ 208 and still growing)
he plays with an edge to, one hell of a
combination!)
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You guys make me laugh. Why would DL sign anyone right now. Greener isn’t on IR, just a little back pain.
Denis Tsysuckinessurov
or
Dominic LeVeauix – I butchered his name but you can’t argue with a hat trick in your only NHL game.
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Voinov was coming back from a new injury when camp started. He wasn’t one hundred percent. That injury also affected his ability to “muscle up” quite as much in the off season. He still has the potential to be a top four D-man for years to come.
I’ve seen a couple of references to Gary Sargent on this topic tonight. Sargent was one of the ten best defensemen ever to put on a Kings uniform. He could skate, play the power play, defend and was tough in a fight. Being an upper Minnesota boy he decided to sign as a free agent with the North Stars. That next season the Kings defense when down the tubes. He was severely missed.
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Sorry just said new injury. I MEANT knee injury. Hope I didn’t jinx him.
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If you’ve ever had a back out or something of the like you know it’s not LITTLE pain. It’s debilitating. I hope it’s just a muscle pull or strain or something.
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Jovo- cop!
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