The Kings have recalled Alec Martinez and put Davis Drewiske on injured reserve, retroactive to last week.
Big changes to the practice lines today. Here’s how they’re skating…
Frolov-Kopitar-Parse
Smyth-Stoll-Simmonds
Richardson-Handzus-Brown
Ivanans/Moller/Segal/Purcell
After practice, we will find out if those lines will stick…
Interesting changed, but I’d like to see them in action!
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WOW, that’s a huge change. Splitting up Kopi and Smyth is interesting, although I’m glad that Parse is playing on the first line. Lord knows he deserves that chance more than Teddy deserved that third shot. Message to Kopi: earn your keep. We know what you’re capable of even without Smyth, so make it happen!
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Lastly, I do love the idea of Stoll’s shot with Smyth in front of the net. And Simmonds is a solid third man on that line. SSS?
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Ah, Kopitar demoted to the third line. Finally.
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No big surprise that Martinez is back. Gee, I wonder who he’ll replace in the lineup JONESY???!!!
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can you say sSs line?
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good for martinez,
maybe this would due the team some good, but i hope they rest ivanans, or set him lose, or something. don’t think we need him on this team, are they useing harrold the other d-man,
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What’s this panic all about!!! Frolov and Kopi cannot play together, if this is the line up tomorrow then we will have a 6-2 score just the other way around.
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Wow, that was very much unexpected. Quite the shake up there, but I’m not sure how I feel about Smytty being away from Kopi. We are one step closer to seeing the Smyth – Stoll – Brown line that a lot of us wanted before the season start though. I don’t believe we’ve tried that one yet, no?
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That works as long as Frolov/Kopitar is the fourth line. At what point does Kopi start to play like the $7 million-dollar man again? Other than the goal on the PP last night, his play was atrocious.
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I don’t want to change the subject, but I found something Kings fans should be interested in. A couple weeks ago, I proposed that the Kings would be smart to go for Ilya Kovalchuk, only to be shot down by a few people in this blog. Check out
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/rumors
We may have something going.
I also like the new line changes, I think they needed to happen. Smyth and Kopitar have been unable to recapture the potent chemistry they had before Smyth’s injury, although they do look good together. Hopefully they will stay together on the PP.
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Click on “rumors” if you use that hyperlink, I messed it up.
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Wow, those are pretty unexpected. I’m intrigued though…I want to see the new lines in action.
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Great to see Marty back. Rich, can you find out and post about Martinez last 24 hours. I’m sure its been very interesting from practicing in the morning to getting sent down to getting recalled all in 24 hours. I wondered if he boarded a plan last night or if they had only “sent” him down put kept him in LA until after the game. I know the rules say he has to leave within 24 hours of being sent down so it possible he never actually got on a plane. Can you shed some light.
About the line changes. Not really excited that they broke up Kopi and Smyth. If anything those were the two guys who always had chemistry.
One other question Rich, could Marty being recalled mean another D is possibly hurt or do you think TM just didn’t like Jones’ game last night?
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Well, this certainly fits in with the posts about the season going downhill fast because anybody that was still saying “hey everyone, calm down…we are not in trouble yet”, must certainly agreee that there IS trouble with these lines being shuffled now.
It’s panic mode…as usual when a team starts to spiral down.
Get Bernier up here now, go into defensive mode (since we can’t score anyway) and prepare him for next year.
I wouldn’t bother trading for a scorer now either, since it’s panic mode and nobody knows what’s going on anymore.
Unbelievable!
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DL on his way to GA??
Interesting…… Maybe giving Fro a last look on the first line??
Fro and Hickey for Kovi and Zack!
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yes…….. I know Fro and Hickey won’t be that easy for Kovi and Zack…if anything, Kovi and a late pick?
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Kovalchuk..
I’d love to see it, except I think that Kovalchuk would have to be re-signed long term immediately.. Give Teubert, Frolov & Ersberg for Kovy
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Thrashers aren’t trading Zack Bogosian lmao, I hope you’re joking man
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The SSS Line, nice. The original SS Line of Reichart Heydrich, Heinrich Himmler and Heinrich Muller will be hard to top.
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I wonder if Rich could tell us if Dean is in his office or on a “vacation” somewhere….maybe…to atlanta?
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Not sure about the smyth to 2nd line move, they haven’t been scoring as much as the start of the season but smyth has what 4-5 goals in the last 6 games and kopi has been producing too although not as much as the start of the season, we will see…
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I was joking, and I know Thrashers aren’t giving up Zack…..but wouldn’t that be nice? lol “WOULDN’T”
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Ya, imagine a Doughty-Bogosian pairing… wow
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-4 Jonsey I hope next time he’s in the line up he’s really ready.I’m sure St.louis scouted out that Detroit game.They seemed to have a lot of answers to catching us out of position.TM’s new lines hopefully are just adjustments to preparing for Monday and not a shuffle to try to find some kind of chemistry.We’ve been playing solid lately and just seemed under prepared to play last night.I would hate to think that this late in the season TM is starting over.San Jose will have their game plan ready,and they’ll be extra motivated to beat us.Preparation,Preparation,Preparation.
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I’m very puzzled and disappointed to see Moller and Segal on the fourth line when in my opinion they were two of only several forwards (probably Stoll being the only other) that didn’t bring a mediocre or worse game. I’m a Murray fan, but this one has me shaking my head.
I’ve definitely got the impression Brown can do no wrong in TM’s eyes.
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Brown is respected by the coaching staff for his energy and I get that. I like seeing him on the 3rd line since that is supposed to be the “energy line.” I hate paying a 3rd line player 3.5 million a season but I think he is worth it.
If we could get frolov and brownie back to the 30 goal mark they have shown they are capable of we could be dangerous but that is a big “if.” I must say fro has shown some jump in his game lately. Seems to be going after the loose pucks with some speed.
I do not understand why we have only seen TM address kopi’s lack of production once this season, about a month ago. We will not go anywhere unless he is scoring 40 goals and a point a game.
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Rich,
Any updates on a time table for JW? We need a solid right winger. If we acquire Kovalchuk, I wonder what the lines will look like?
Smyth does not seem to have the same jump he did prior to his injury.
I assume:
Kovalchuk-Kopitar-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Richardson-Handzus-Parse
Thoughts?
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I thought the best line combo was zus, fro, segal. They worked the cycle very well together, Jones i think needs to be waved or sent down to manchester and get his game back.
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Jeff, agree with you 100%. Especially about Kopitar. Only thing I can think of is he is hurt. That’s what I’m hoping anyway. I’d hate to think he just became a perimeter player for no reason.
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I would give Moller, Frolov and Teubert for Kovy..
Kovalchuk-Kopitar-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Parse-Handzus-Simmonds
Segal-Richardson-Ivanans/Purcell
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Jeff I don’t see Simmers on your lines.Are you assuming we traded him for Kovi.lol
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Or
Kovalchuk-Kopitar-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Parse-Richardson-Simmonds
Segal-Handzus-Ivanans
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Question for anybody at practice today…Was Matt Greene participating?
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You guys have to kidding. Enough with this Kovi thing. DL will not unload too assets for a rental. Itts ridiculous. Unless you are trading someone like Fro who is a UFA in the summer which we all know ATL is not going to take then its only a dream. We have a great core. We can’t be in such a hurry to won a cup and such a hurry to unload talent because we lost two games. Stop the madness already.
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personally,,, i’d include johnson in a deal for Kovi…
fro, johnson, purcell/lewis/or 2nd rd pick… johnson has nhl experience which is a huge assett amongst young d-men, but with doughty he is expendable… and the depth we have in the system… teubert, muzzin, hickey, etc… personally i’ve seen enough of johnson… his inate ability to almost never get a shot on net from the point… (especially in the last minutes of the 3rd period… on the powerplay with the extra attacker on) also… theres a whole lot less “MF” in his JJ than we originally expected… i’d gladly get Kovi for him and just have Colton “MF-ing” Teubert up here next season or soon after… personally i’d like to see Frolov stay and play with Kovi & Loki next season… have a russian line…
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There is lots of talk about Kovi today.
On HNIC last night, “the hot stove,” they seemed to be be quite sure that the Thrashers are now seeing what they can get for Kovi in addition to trying to sign him. The pannel were all in agreement that the Kings were going to be the major player in negotiations (you can see it on the web at cbc.ca).
These line changes would seem to indicate that the Kings might be anticipating Kovi because they are not going to trade Ryan Smith and he simply would not fit on the left of any other line combination that the Kings have had to this point.
This would be a bold move. I must repeat as I have done in the past, however, the offense will have to change significantly in order to accommodate and maximize the talent of Kovi. It will have to be opened up to a much greater degree than what TM has ever been know for. This could be a major problem if a trade is eventually made. The possibility of it working is nonetheless a very exciting thing to contemplate(I reference Joel Quennville and the Chicago Blackhawks here).
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Agreed with EASportsMgt on finding out what Martinez’ last day or so was like and finding out more on the reason for bringing him back up.
Very eye-opening line changes, Kopitar and Frolov haven’t been together for a while… and I love how Parse has played so far, so good on him for getting a chance to play with Kopi! Would have liked to see more of the Stoll – Möller pairing though, but Möller should still see some PP time I hope.
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interesting indeed!
initially I thought “no! do not take smyth away from kopi!” ’cause kopi’s having enough trouble scoring right now.. but it really comes down to total goals, so if these line-combos can get me more goals than the others, then so be it…
it seems to me it’s simmonds, not smyth, who’s not quite back to full speed intensity yet…
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As for Kovalchuk (mentioned in the comments above), if we can sign him after trading for him I’m all for it – but giving up assets for a rental (other than pending UFAs like Frolov) doesn’t sound like it’s worth it for a couple of months of Kovi mania…
I trust Dean Lombardi to not make a deal unless it makes sense for the future though, will be interesting to see what happens.
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I love all the talk about getting Kovalchuk. Do you actually think that the Thrashers would even consider giving up a guy like that for Frolov, Teubert and Moller(or Ersberg)????? More to the point, I think all this line changing is ridiculous. I think it is far more important to see the Kings change their lame, boring offensive systen (work it around the edges, then lose it…).
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Hmm…if you put numbers on lines, I’d interpret that as Kopitar being demoted to 2nd or 3rd line. Of course, I think numbering lines is silly, but then, so is all the drama around here lately.
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The best line combinations that always seem to work, are a mucker (in the corners), a net man and a sniper as in Taylor, Simmer and Dione.
I think the reason the Kings got off well was because of similar: Kopi (in he corners), Smyth (at the net) and Williams (as the sniper).
Ever since, they have messed with the lines. Also, Stoll (sniper) should be with Fro (corner) and Zeus (at the net) I think that line was working…whatever..they just don’t have the guys to get the right lines anymore. You can’t just start throwing guys around now like Murray is doing. He’s in panic mode, as I’ve said before. THey might as well bring up some kids and see if they can play. Get some snipers up here or trade for one or two. Otherewise it’s finito!
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The Kings have two snipers now that can blast a shot and they are STOLL and MOELLER (sp?). Put em on the top two lines with whoever, Kopi and Smyth, then For and Zeus and put Brown on the frigging “energy” line that everyone seems to like, with Simmonds and Richardson. Then bang away with Parse, Segal and anybody but Ivanans or Pucell…call up Elkins or ANYBODY that isnt hurt in the minors who can skate and bang!
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IMO lines should be
Smyth Kopi Moller
Fro Handzus Simmonds
Richardson Stoll Brown
Purcell Seagal Parse
Fro is incredible down low. It’s absolutely amazing how he’s able to keep and control the puck. He’s more a play maker than a pure goal scorer which is fine. He just needs more goal scorers on his line. Moller is just a scrapy player with a LOT of speed. And he’s not always falling down and losing the puck in the offensive zone like Brown! When Brown carries the puck in the zone now I’m just waiting for him to fall and cough up the puck! Richardson has been playing like a champ lately! Keep it up man!
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Shrugs. We’ll see. Just glad Brown is off the first line.
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Don Waddell and Atlanta are not stupid. They’ll do whatever they can to keep him in with the Thrashers. Now, provided that the other 28 NHL teams don’t offer up something better, if I’m Waddell and I HAVE to trade Kovalchuk, here’s what I’d ask for:
-1st Round Pick in this years draft (+/-15th pick or so)
- Alexander Frolov
- My choice of either Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson or Davis Drewiske
-My choice of either Thomas Hickey, Colten Teubert, Viachaslov Voynov or Nicalas Deslaurier
-My choice of Wayne Simmonds, Scott Parse or Oscar Moller.
Maybe I’ll throw in a draft pick or lower tier player off the Thrasher roster or a prospect to even out payroll issues, etc. But that’s what I’d ask for at the bare minimum: 4 or 5 pieces for Kovalchuk.
But if I’m trading my franchise player, one of the league’s premier snipers and one of the few players fans will come out to see, then I’m not giving him away for cheap.
Otherwise the Kings could offer up a 2nd Rd. pick, Teddy Purcell Sean O’Donnell and Gabe Gauthier and a bag of pucks.
Will he be cheap if the Kings are to make an offer? NO WAY!
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Good points, I think I will definitely subscribe! I’ll go and read some more! What do you see the future of this being?
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