It’s an early afternoon practice in Toronto, with all the Kings on the ice. The only change is another Parse-for-Purcell flip, with Parse moving back up to the third line with Frolov and Handzus.
The practice facility here, not surprisingly, is quite nice, and we’re lucky to have some relatively mild weather. More to come after practice.
Regardless of giving up on Moulson, I cannot see Purcell given any more chances, especially with others playing well in Manchester-Holloway, Elkins and Cavanaugh to name a few. Thanks Rich.
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remember the five game road trip last year that began with 3 huge wins, only to see are 5-0-0 trip get tarnished by that horrible loss in MTL. that win would have put us in the playoffs at that time. instead, we went downhill from there.
this time, lets do it right and solidify are spot before the olympics with a huge win vs the struggling leafs. last night was such a gigantic win
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Joey
cavanaugh was a great addition – he saw some action for SJ in the NHL last year and would definitely be a good fit on the team currently.
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Are those willing to give up on Purcell the same ones who were willing to give up on Richardson last year or even earlier this year and now laud what a presence he is?
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I wouldn`t change the line up at all right now.The men have it going, leave well enough alone.Just IMO.Go Kings!
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We need Ivanans against Toronto.
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Dont remind me of the Montreal game…..I remember it will in the officials did everything they could to give the Habs the game. From the non-call of Doughty getting dragged down to the perplexing Double Minor assessed to Brown after Komisarek went out of his way to rough up Brown.
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Good call BluLiner, that’s all Toronto is decent at, having useless tough guys. Man I hate Burke
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I would love to see the conditioning stats on purcell, he looked totally worn out after 1/2 a shift last night. I never liked this guy, he is at best a streaky “scorer” that plays soft and relies on teammates to feed him chances after they do the work. Now, he’s a finisher that does not finish. Since he came back in the lineup, he has played better than before defensively, has has been able to free some pucks and pressure the opponents on breakout. Right now, I would expect his “power play” time TM was talking about was motivational only, toward the existing units. “Play better or I put Purcell in for you”. PP still struggling with scoring but looked marginally better generating chances. Purcell is an enigma, it can’t be hard to earn his salary cuz he is so cheap, but even so he still seems weak. Maybe he can play himself into game shape, but he looks, still, subpar to the NHL regular season game. Does his game even break even in the Playoffs? Nopeski.
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Parse for Purcell, se no more! Im now ready, bring on TOR
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Sorry that was Norwegien for “say”. Been here too long.
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Another demotion for Purcell? Are we going for some kind of record? Enough already! There are better options, and no Ivanans is not one of them. Bring up a hungry kid. Is this because we’re hoping he picks it up a bit so we can package him? I was all for Teddy last year and at the start of this year but enough already, we’re not blind!!!
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Personal feelings aside,the Kings are going to play Purcell till his contract runs out.They can’t trade him,they can’t send him down,and they won’t be able to get full value if they package him.All TM can do is use him where he thinks he can get the most out of him,and hope he can contribute.I didn’t think he was all that bad,but this game I wasn’t paying as close attention to his play as maybe I should have.
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Purcell is more of an after thought until he shows he can score.Purcell is a mystery rapped in an enigma.
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dMan – to be honest I like many others, am not particularly impressed with TP’s play at all, but you bring up a very good point in the comparison to BR last year. TP needs to step it up now!
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Purcell will be moved in a package deal by the trade deadline, to send him to Manchester is useless because someone claims him, the kings would get nothing in return, now on the other hand i don’t even think the other 29 teams would take a chance on this guy to be honest.
I have been watching some of Manchester games online, and i like Elkins, Meckler seems to have it going as well driving to net. Campbell was blocking everything except the kitchen sink friday night.
So whatever happens down the stretch, i do see the kings making a move or two.
Keep up the good play and let it be known to the hockey world that the Kings are for real..
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Question about the need to have Raitis Ivanans back in line up. I am guessing he is the team enforcer. The question is, what does he enforce? Seems he always goes after the other team’s enforcer to what end? Get the his troopers fired up? Rare if ever does he go after someone who took a run at one of our boys. I know a lot has to do with when he is on the ice, the shift to match up against the offending player. This tactic doesn’t really send a message not to mess with our stars. I’ve watched a lot of games, other teams, seems their Enforcers seem to work at getting under the skin of the opponents. I’d like to hear what Ivanans thinks his role is, what TM thinks Ivanans role is. I ask this remembering the Ivanans vs Laraque fight Nov 30, 2006. Seems it was more for entertainment than enforcing.
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And yet we have won the last two games after Teddy was inserted into the lineup….
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Too late for Purcell. We cannot afford to lose valuable points at this stage of the season. Too crowded between 4-10 spots.
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amen vankingsfan
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Id love to see Elkins back up, there’s something about his game that I like…plus you could put Moller back on wing.
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VanKingsFan, you took the words right out of my mouth! Purcell blows, but we’re winning. KEEP PLAYING HIM!!!
Perhaps there is some sort of live-instructional-counterbalance to Purcell’s suckyness. Perhaps other players see him playing during the game and think, “If I do the opposite of that, then I’ll be playing well.”
Seems to be working…
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Hahah exactly … I dont know what it is… but I seem to remember us in 1st in the West nearer to the start of the year, and Im pretty sure TEddy was in the lineup that whole time. then we took him out …
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DMan-
It’s a good point about Richie and wanting to give up on him. The only problem with your thought is Ritchie had NHL experience with Colorado and HAD an NHL game before he came to the Kings. It was a 4th line role, but MUCH better than Purcell has ever shown. Richie is playing better than ever now and made that step or 2 up.
Purcell has NEVER HAD an ‘NHL Game’ in terms of effort or style. He’s always been the ‘Prospect’ waiting to breakout since he’s been up with the big club. We already HAVE an enigma on this team in Frolov, but at least he can score 30 goals a season. One enigma per team, and he still has to produce. That has to be an unwritten rule, doesn’t it?
I see your comparison and it’s logical, but I think the situations are a little different here. Been wrong before though.
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I will say that if I have to choose Purcell or Ivanans. Teddy gets a break. Would be nice to see Westgarth get a shot, but it’s kind of getting late in the season for these ‘Chances’. Oh well.
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Somebody has to sit against Toronto and it can’t be Ivan. Toronto doesn’t mind playing over the edge. They suck and they’re dirty and chippy.
I can’t see why keeping Purcell in the lineup against Toronto makes sense.
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When other teams look at the lineup and see Purcell’s name, it causes them to become instantly overconfident. They can’t help it. This phenomenon is especially potent when the opposing team comes out playing strong and goes up 2 goals. From that moment on, they have no hope. Parse takes over Purcell’s duties and the other team is left asking themselves after the game, “what the hell happened?”
Conclusion: Purcell must play. Sit any other player.
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Purcell was a not factor last night. What is a factor is he keeps those who play against our 4th line honest.
Ivans will be back in against Toronto and Boston and for good reason. Until we have another option or upgrade, I don’t mind seeing Purcell get minutes on the 4th line the rest of the way. Managment can’t send him down and their not going to trade to get another 4th line player.
I’m wondering who gets moved if DL decides to add a vet foward. Depending on what day it is, no one on this board will want to move a Richie, Parse or Moller and one of those spots will need to open up to bring someone in.
I think the Kings getting Kovi is a crap shoot at best…so what is plan B?
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i said before on a previous thread what DOMM has already said here…: purcell is highly likely to stay a king throughout the season, EXCEPT…:
- a team out of playoff contention is looking towards the future and thinks he’s matt moulson and not brian boyle…(?)
how does purcell make a team in contention better…?
why would a team heading towards a playoff spot trade for purcell as if he’s the “missing link”…?
as of right now,
toronto
carolina
edmonton
are the ONLY teams realistically done for the season…
that’s why it’s hard to make a deal – everybody believes they are still in it…
if anybody here can convince me that teddy purcell is somehow gonna make atlanta better this year…or help the rangers master their secondary scoring woes…or help boston solidify a division title…or the blackhawks win the west…yr crazy…
now…if the kid decides to go off on a streak and scores a dozen in a dozen…i would be the happiest person alive to be wrong about the kid…
however, it’s highly unlikely…and we have to figure out to get that quality 8-12 mins a game from him…
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Rich,
One thing that I think would add a great touch to your blog would be taking lots of pictures of the places you visit, especially the training facilities, arenas, etc. You just mentioned that the training facility in Toronto is great. I’m sure lots of us, myself included, would LOVE to see pics. Just a thought. Keep up the great work.
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SAM…
i agree and it’s a great suggestion…:)
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I also agree.That empty space to the left an the right would be awsome.
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Totally agree with the photos idea! Photographs always help to enhance the setting, especially in sports, particularly in hockey.
What would be cool is if posters with cameras could occasionally add to the pictures, from the practices and games they see. It’s a full time job editing a photo site, but it surely would be cool…
Rich: a photo intern?
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Variable,
I’m with you.The only thing I would like to add is Columbus to your list,who surprisingly we play real soon.
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Dom — It’s Toronto, a joker to the right, a clown to the left.
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Ivanans should be backs against TOR. They are too big and we don’t need Greene fighting anymore!!!!
If not, bring up Westgarth. He will be in the line up soon anyway. He has good numbers.
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Cynic — Richie was up and down for about 5 years. This Purcell’s second year. Do we no longer have the patience to develop our youth?
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Interesting — 37, now make it 38 posts about a story about the nice weather in Toronto. Is it any wonder that the LA Times has figured it out and gotten on the band wagon for the Kings, sending Helene Elliott to cover the team on the road. They seem to have figured out that the strategy of “if you ignore them, they will come” doesn’t seem to be working.
Congratulations, Rich, it’s blogs such as yours, and others, that is getting the main stream press to see the light.
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I have stated I didn’t think he was all that bad.For those looking to trade him or what ever.They have no choice.Also Columbus is some where on this trip soon.Which was more to those who thought we would come out of this road trip with nothing.
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DOMM…
re: columbus…
i know…i thought about adding them, but they could make a run in the second half…nash is that good…and maybe mason finds his game…
getting back to our man teddy…:
if he isn’t already, get tp to room with richie…i don’t know either, guys, how to get this guy started…
i gotta say though, the way he shies away from driving to the net reminds me of pos…just a bigger version…i say that knowing pos is playing someof his best hockey he’s ever played the last couple of games…
so the “patience” argument that JET lends credence to has weight…it’s the same in hockey as it is in finances or time…the paradigms of investment…it makes or breaks men, companies and hockey clubs…
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MIKE…
i’m watching football and talking hockey on a january sunday…
it may not be eden or summer in greece…but it’s pretty close…thanks to rich…:)
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Having Purcell in the lineup allows the 4th line to play more than 5 mins a game which is a benefit to the other lines especially AK. Ivanans is not going to deter Toronto from playing a chippy, physical game so I would go with the same winning lineup.
I think inserting Harrold back on D was more of a factor in our recent success.
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Jet-
I don;t think it’s a matter of time to develop our youth, it’s what is in the heart of the player that truly matters at this point.
Colorado had no issue letting Richie go and they don’t seem to be suffering right now for it. Richie got off slow here and I think he himself realized that this was his opportunity to stay in the NHL and lifted his own game. He had a benchmark of solid NHL play at one time to refer to.
Purcell was undrafted. Now I’m no GM, but I’m sure there was a reason for it, I’m having to guess what those reasons are, but being afraid to pay the price to score might be one of them. He wasn’t like this in his first year in the AHL. Where did that guy go? Maybe the pace of the NHL is too much for him. Plenty of top AHL guys can’t think at the pace of the NHL level. Some AHL stars can’t take the punishment of the NHL either. Purcell is looking like one of those guys.
Moulson being allowed to walk woke him up. That has to do with the heart and character of a player being awakened to change his game. It might be what TP needs to change his. Of course I don’t want him to turn into another Moulson, but give me an alternative that makes us productive with him and gives TP that shot in the arm he needs to suddenly get better. He may need to go to develop. Maybe the Defense first system the Kings have is not condusive to his game.
He cannot take up a roster spot out of fear he’ll turn into something later. I don’t think Colorado is kicking themselves because they gave up on Richie. They’re doing just fine ahead of us in the standings. I’m not gonna be upset of TP goes to make room for someone who does fit our system and can contribute. It’s how the NHL is. There’s always someone else behind you.
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Okay. Teddy is still not scoring. That’s a problem, of course. But I think this has something to do with why Terry Murray trusts him:
Purcell is tops on the Kings in terms of GA/60 (goals against per 60 minutes of icetime). He is 11th overall in the LEAGUE. Has he been on the ice for any goals against since his return? No. He’s been on the ice for 8 goals against all year.
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CYNIC/JET…
d.l. has remained focused on keeping all the “burgeoning” prospects and first/second year+ upstarts together with the other home grown “core” – brown, kopi, fro, dd, simmer, etc…
so therein lies the dilemma with teddy and because the kings are in contention of doing good…or perhaps, great things…makes it all that more of a conundrum…
how do you keep an asset…and teddy is…(rememebr, every player in the nhl has SOME value)…who’s not producing the way you want, but has to learn how to win by playing…? he’s hard to move via trade or waivers for the various reasons already stated, so whaddaya gonna do…?
he stays…and you hope he plays through it and becomes our teddy purcell in hopes that he doesn’t become someone else’s matt moulson…
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Hmmm, perhaps Teddy’s calling is on defense then? Let’s flip positions and put JJ on O and Teddy on D and see what happens…
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did we not learn from the boyle experiment…?
purcell on defense…?…
hmmmmmm….
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Well, I’ve always wanted Teddy to do well and succeed. It’s hard to know if he just needs more time for him to find himself.
I’d like to see him keep playing on the 4th line. Moller is skilled and maybe with the two of them and workhorse Segal, something could get going. Maybe they’ll play just 8 minutes a game, but it can be a good contribution like last night (with Parce starting there). These three (Purcell–Moller–Segal) really can generate something, as opposed to having Ivanans on the line.
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Cynic: Agree.
There is something to the arguement that you don’t want a good player to walk. There is more to the arguement that a good player sometimes needs a kick in the @ss to understand that he must leave it all on the ice during a game. That last extra 5% effort may get you to a puck first, or may help you finish a check that creates a goal.
In competition, a player must force the issue. For a lot of these extremely skilled hockey players, success has never required that last bit of effort. It would be postcard perfect if a draft choice would automatically play up to the levels of his ability, but it doesn’t have to happen that way.
It would’ve been so perfect if the scorer of the USA’s junior winning goal had turned into Wayne Gretzky. It didn’t happen, so POS is traded. Maybe he gets the wake-up call; maybe he doesn’t. Time waits for no man.
As fans, our dreams grow as we see player potential arrive on our team. Those dreams can end up as false promises. It’s like a betrayal of love. It’s part of the reason our blogs sometimes get so bitter towards certain players.
But it’s the responsibility of the GM and Coach to ferret out those who won’t make it, then find those who can. As fans we can see our dreams fading as false, but our loyalty to the dream keeps us from making the tough decision. In my mind’s eye I can see POS and Purcell succeed. I don’t want to let go. I get mad when the player is cut or traded.
But that is the measure of a good Coach/GM. They were hired just to make that judgement. For all of you who doubt the judgement of DL, just look at the year-end roster this season and compare that to the roster two years ago.
I think the emergence of players like Brad Richardson and Wayne Simmonds–taking different routes to this team but each over-achieving on this team–show the acumen of DL.
That’s why I may not always like it, but I give my support to DL/TM to eventually get the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup.
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His body language and visible attitude speak wonders. The guy looks and acts intimidated and doesn’t play hungry.
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His body language and visible attitude speak volumes. The guy looks and acts intimidated and doesn’t play hungry.
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B…
nice cherry on top of this thread…on a…eh, um…sunday…
yeah…most of us are in agreement…50/50 players are always gonna give you an ulcer…and if you really look at it from his track record, d.l. seems to be drawn to the high risk/high reward player…
remember when drew went second and people thought that was a riverboat gambler move…
but so was cloutier…
the lists on both sides of d.l.’s ledger can be debated…and will…until we win something important…
but at this point, we are in a relationship with teddy and have to make the most out of him and it…
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Wow Quisp. That’s a very, very, very impressive stat. I guess he’s not as much of a liability as some here would like to believe.
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Some of the comments here are absolutely laughable.
Jay Miller
The one thing Purcell is doing is hustling and working hard. He is playing hungry.
“His body language and visible attitude speak volumes”
Could you please explain what you mean here?
The only thing Purcell is not doing is putting points on the board. The rest of his game is better than fine (see Quisps earlier post).
So if you want to knock him, knock him for the lack of offensive production.
BTW. If the guys who he setup for point blank scoring chances against Buffalo had to finish he could have finished with a 4 or 5 point night. He more than did his part.
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Personnally I thought Purcy played very well vs. Detroit.
It’s better having 4 lines that can skate on many nights.
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Quisp says:
Okay. Teddy is still not scoring. That’s a problem, of course. But I think this has something to do with why Terry Murray trusts him:
Purcell is tops on the Kings in terms of GA/60 (goals against per 60 minutes of icetime). He is 11th overall in the LEAGUE. Has he been on the ice for any goals against since his return? No. He’s been on the ice for 8 goals against all year.
Quisp, this morning I watched the highlights on nhl.com (as I don’t get the game on tv back here). Teddy made a poor centering pass in the Ozone which led immediately to a Wings breakaway. Quick came up big as the game was tied 2-2 at that time. His +/- stayed the same, but he was darn fortunate, and so were the Kings otherwise it could have ended 3-2 for the Wings.
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Number 6
So, you saw the highlights. So, did the highlights show that play developing. It was a centering pass on the PP to Zeus who was fanned on the pass. Go back and look at it again.
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Jumping-
I really would like to ask you to watch some of the footage again. Sometimes Teddy plays hungry, but I see it as only when he’s comfortable. There are times where he needs to go to the slot or especially when he has the puck and is going to get drilled that I notice what JayMiller is is saying. He has the body language that he’s intimidated. I could be misreading it, but that is what I see. There is a noticeable difference in aggression between TP and Dustin Brown, Richie, Simmonds, Moller, Parse, Segal and the like. Tell me there’s not. I’d disagree. Big differnce IMHO.
Teddy needs to have a little ‘Reckless Abandon’ on the forecheck. Even Frolov is hitting more than him!
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Cristobal
Purcell has played very well the past two games. Since he’s return they’ve been able to roll four solid lines and have beaten the Sabres and the Wings in the process. Not bad for a team that had been struggling as of late.
I’ve seen the haters on here who watch the games to see the guys they dislike make a mistake and rush to the blogs to dump all over them. Nevermind that they played great the rest of the game. It’s absolutely pathetic!!!
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Cynic
Why does everybody have to hit all the time? What ever happened to the skill aspect of the game? Your right, Purcell and Frolov are not like the rest that you mentioned. Those other guys you listed are grinders. That’s Murrays problem. He’s trying to win the Stanley Cup with a team full of grinders. Have fun. It’ll never happen.
Did you even see the Buffalo game where Purcell setup four or five guys right in the slot? If three of those guys had to finish everybody here would be talking about Teddy the playmaker and would care less if he ever hit anybody ever again.
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Jump,
Hit them enough and the opposing players turn away from the puck…
Agreed, Purcell played well except on the PP.
And, a few bounces and who knows?
And the Kings have played well lately so why change?
Toronto is the type of team that good teams wipe points off of while the Kings typically sag against season after season.
If the Kings are a playoff team then Toronto is a key two points and an important intensity and focus check for the Kings.
So, is TP willing to lose another tooth for this game?
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bakokingscondofan, and my fellow LAKI posters…
I took some pics at Kings practice last season here in Boston and I’m happy to do so there and at the game this Saturday if there is enough interest.
I’m hoping Rich can give me the heads up to the whereabouts of Fridays practice if there is one in Boston. BU again Rich? lemme know!! love to say hello to you this year.
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JS-
I guess the confusion lies in what TP was really brought here for. TM & DL are saying it is for his FINISH. You’re talking about his PLAYMAKING. TM wants him to go to the dirty areas like the rest of the team and play dot to boards hard checking hockey because he’s part of the team.
I’ve seen his ability to make plays. Parse has been much better at it and last night was a good example of it. Again, I’m thinking TP doesn’t do well in a Defense First system like TM and the Kings have. Just my opinion, that’s all it’s worth, but not everyone you bring up is going to always fit in the system you run.
In a heavy forecheck system , yes, EVERYONE has to hit for it to be effective. I mentioned Frolov is even hitting and I believe he has been MORE effective in this system since he has.
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Geez, I was going to say good post bako, cynic, var, but let’s just say everyone brought something good to this thread. thanks
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Agreed Jet – I love threads like this.
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I do not understand why there are any Purcell supporters in here. He has been given everything, including the kitchen sink. Here Teddy, you are going to play the 2nd line, here Teddy, you are going to play on the first line.
Meanwhile, a guy like Parse, comes in and outplays him in every category, including scoring. Enough of this Purcell madness already.
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