alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Here’s the fourth set of questions and answers…
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deadcatbounce asked: Rich, I was just curious about, in your professional career covering sports, who has been your best and worst interviews and why (hockey or otherwise)? Thanks in advance.
Answer: Wow, “best” is very, very tough, mostly because I could take it in a couple different directions. Most fun? Most informative? Most memorable? It’s going to be hard to beat the linguistic experience of interviewing Rickey Henderson. The most memorable interview I did was for a story on former Dodgers outfielder Sweet Lou Johnson, who got his World Series ring back after he lost it in a botched cocaine deal. Worst? That isn’t even close. Former Dodgers pitcher Kevin Brown, by a country mile.
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Ziggy Stardust asked: Rich, do you believe that Dean Lombardi is willing to give up assets for a rental who will only be here for a short duration? Or, is Dean looking to make a deal similar to the Williams trade, where he obtains a player who is signed beyond this season? It seems as though the most attractive names on the market (Kovalchuk, Whitney, Ponikarovsky, etc.) are all short term solutions. Also, if the Kings are to go after another defenseman, what type of player will the Kings pursue? A puck mover or a crushing stay-at-home type? It seems like another physical presence could help, but, the Kings could also use help moving the puck faster out of their zone. Someone like Kaberle can help the special teams…
Answer: 1) I think, for the first time during his stint with the Kings, Lombardi would consider giving up assets for a rental. It’s still ideal to get a Justin Williams type, a guy with a couple years under contract, but if there’s a rental who would be a good fit, Lombardi will look at it. I don’t think, however, that he would give up the farm for a rental. 2) Good question on the D-man. I think they would lean toward a puck-mover, but not a guy who is going to expose them in their own end. Between Scuderi, Greene and (potentially) Drewiske, that’s a fairly solid trio. You’re probably not going to find Doughty or Johnson type skill out there, but perhaps a guy who fits in between.
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GreyPaws asked: I see Kopi turn around and say something to the wingers and d-men at the start of the period before the puck is dropped. What is he saying to them? Is it always the same thing or does he mix it up?
Answer: No idea on that one. I would assume it has something to do with positioning, as far as winning the faceoff.
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Jerry Mitchell asked: It seems to me a team can’t have two number one goaltenders. So if Quick proves himself a number 1 and Bernier comes up and proves himself a number 1, isn’t it likely one is moved?
Answer: Yes, I would agree that in the long term, a team can’t (and shouldn’t) keep two No. 1 goaltenders. But in terms of the Kings, that’s still a bit down the road. Again, Quick is only two-thirds of his way through his first NHL season. Bernier has four NHL games. It’s far too early to say that either, let alone both, is a true No. 1 goalie. But as far as the premise of your question, yes, I agree.
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RealDrew asked: 1) I know it’s a different experience when you are reporting for a team, but are you enjoying the Kings success this year? 2) Are you secretly a fan of another team (if it’s the Ducks I’d advise you to plead the fifth)? 3) What pieces need to be added for the Kings to become real cup contender? 4) In two years who do you think will be playing goaltender for the Kings? 5) Which King player do you enjoy interviewing the most?
Answers: 1) Most importantly, I enjoy what I do. It’s a remarkably fun job and I haven’t regretted it for a second. Second, it’s sort of how I answered a previous question. I “enjoy” it in the sense that it’s a compelling team to cover right now. Covering a bad team — hi, Clippers — every single year is no fun at all. So in that sense, yes. 2) No, I’m really not. I have allegiances in college football and Major League Baseball, but I’m neutral in everything else. 3) One top-six forward, one top-four defenseman and a top-flight goalie (something Quick or Bernier could develop into). 4) Wow, tough. I think it’s Bernier. 5) Current Kings? Tough call, but Jarret Stoll probably provides the best insight, overall.
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Berniernextroy asked: Rich can you see the Kings trading for either Ty Conklin, Manny Legace, Biron? A veteran with some playoff experience to have that insurance in case something happens with Quick. I wouldn’t trust Ersberg in important games since has only started 5 games, and Quick is on pace to start about 70 games.
Answer: No. If the Kings were concerned that goaltending was going to keep them out of the playoffs, they have one of the best young goalies in hockey down in Manchester, and they would very quickly call him up — even knowing that the plan is to let him thrive down there. Unless one of those teams wants to give up a goalie for a fifth-round pick, I see no wisdom in the Kings giving up any assets for a goalie.
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puckbabe asked: My question is about you Rich. How are you adjusting to being on TV? What’s it like on the road with the team and what do you do being away all the time? How much are you loving this job. How many hours a day do you spend doing this job, seems like I see something new no matter when I log on. What/who’s been your favorite interview/story? I know we all love and appreciate your work and this blog.
Answers: 1) The TV segments go so fast. They’re usually three minutes or so, but they seem to go by in 15 seconds. Jim is a big help. 2) I’ve been on the road before, covering baseball, basketball and hockey. Managing sleep is important, and there isn’t as much down time as you might suspect. I try to go out for walks and see the cities. 3) It really is fun. I’m enjoying it every bit as much as I had hoped. 4) I honestly try not to think about the hours. I will go back and forth with the work throughout the day, taking breaks for meals etc. 5) The most memorable story of the season has probably been Luc Robitaille’s Hall of Fame induction. It was amazing to be able to track his career, from talking to his parents, his friends, his teammates and then seeing it all come together at the ceremony. Thanks for the kind words as well.
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Coppper10-8 asked: By the short looks we’ve had during Kings broadcasts, i.e. when the players’ dads went to the PHX game, the Kings use a charter aircraft (Boeing 737) for road trips. Does the aircraft have any special type of/VIP layout? Anyone else gets to travel that way besides the team/support staff/announcers/yourself? Does the flight crew/cabin staff go to the games? Is the aircraft theirs (the Kings) for the entire season? Beats flying “the friendly skies” of United!
Answer: I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to answer your question well, if only because I don’t know much about aviation! It is a charter flight, but I wouldn’t say there’s any type of VIP layout. Just your standard rows of seats with one aisle. The entire traveling party is on the plane, which is players, management, coaches, support staff and media. I honestly don’t know if the crew goes to any of the games, but I doubt it because they have to have the plane ready very quickly after the game. And no, it’s not the same plane. So far this season we’ve probably had five different planes.
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Matt R asked: More of an idea than a question. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to do a feature on Bob and/or Jim and how they prepare for upcoming games. Also, I’d like to know more about their setup while calling games. Do they have a computer screen in front of them that tells them who is on the ice or are they just so good that they know every player all the time? That sort of thing. Would this perhaps be something that would lend itself better to a Heidi Kings Vision segment or something?
Answer: A fantastic idea, no doubt! You’re right, it might lend itself better to video, or perhaps some type of print/video combo. I’ll talk to some folks about that. It’s a great idea.
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kozak asked: the coaching staff seems to be in a quandry about what to do with Moeller. he starts on the 4th line due to lack of centers but seems to move up a line and play wing when Parse / Purcell don’t play the system. Management has already said that they envision him as a winger so is playing him at center right now the best thing for him? I know you don’t like to address rumors but do you think it’s possible for DL to get a 4th line cneter so Oscar can move up and play wing on another line?
Answer: I don’t think it’s so much about Moller as it is about the guys he is having to replace during games. For the most part, the reason Moller has been bumped up is because the player he’s replacing — either Parse or Purcell of late — hasn’t been getting the job done. The Kings have fourth-line centers they could bring up (Cliche and Elkins, to name two), so if you’re talking about bringing in a player, it would more likely be someone who could fill that third-line roll, so that Terry Murray doesn’t feel the need to play “musical lines” during the game. Moller has been doing fine, but it’s not as though he’s really forcing himself into that position, at least not yet. It’s more that he’s being forced into it.
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kluk68 asked: 1. DL in one of the interviews said that he is looking for the three players to improve this team. What do you think these players should be (forward, defense or goalie)?
2. As of right now we are playoff team, but when do you think we will become contender team? Or should I say based on our young player’s development how long do you think it will take to become a contender? And if there is anything else in this transaction other then become more mature, confident and adding those three players which I mention before?
Answers: 1) I didn’t see the interview you’re talking about, so it’s a little hard for me to reference it. My understanding has been that the Kings need two more “impact” players, one winger and one defenseman, in order to have the long-term framework in place. I suspect that the third position Lombardi might have been referencing would be one of the young centers, either Schenn or Loktionov, filling a spot. 2) Well, there’s so much parity in the NHL that just getting into the playoffs makes you a “contender.” Really, when you look at this season, which teams would you clearly identify as “contenders”? San Jose? Chicago? Washington? There aren’t many. The key is to get yourself in a position to be a playoff team every season, then be as prepared as you can for the crapshoot that is the postseason. The maturity and development that you speak of, that’s the key to being a perennial playoff team.
well u have a major league baseball team. well which team is it? and the kevin brown interview matches his career with the dodgers. BAD
if it’s not staples center, which is your favorite arena to visit?
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Hey Rich…what the %#@$ is Calgary doing?
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Shhh….Don’t tell them maybe they’ll trade iginla and kipper next
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Not to step on KD’s toes, but I know that you have said that you are a C.. Cu.. Cub fan (there I said it). But why? And do you think that the Cubs will win a WS before the White Sox do it again?
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Coppper10-8: according to this post this is the type of plane the Kings fly.
http://www.letsgokings.com/bbs/f4/look_inside_la_kings_charter_737_a-145991.html
also, if you go to the 2nd page you’ll see a video on the style the Stars fly in.
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Hey Rich,
I noticed Helene Elliott of the LA Times has been covering most of the road games this year which hasn’t been in the case for the past few years. Does she travel with the team? Are you two the only local reporters on the road? In the past she has been real brutal in her stories on the Kings (sometimes too much) but you can tell now she likes the team. Her articles used to be hard to read because she always had to bring up how futile the Kings hisory like we didn’t know.
Do you see Doughty becoming captain of the team in a few years? You can just tell that he is bound for greatness (knock on wood). I know he is really young but do you see any leadership skills in him already?
Have you had a chance to meet any of the ice girls? I’d be curious if they are real fans of the Kings or game of hockey or it’s just a job for them. I always thought it was a good idea when they had kids shovel the snow because you know it was something special for them. Don’t get me wrong, I like the eye candy.
Thanks again for everything you do Rich. Hopefully I’m not too late in getting my questions in.
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Hey Rich, where can we read this Kevin Brown interview? Why was it so bad?
King Dodger: Rich has said before that he is a Chicago Cubs fan (Sorry Rich :p)
As for forum questions: Do many of the Kings listen to their iPods before games to individually pump themselves up? Is there a song to pump them up played throughout the whole locker room? Are there any chants or cheers or anything like that? Has there been any talk about the players having to buy their own sticks instead of the team providing them? Who do you think has been the biggest improvement and dissappointment of the season?
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so I’ll change my question. Rich, since u are a cubs fan. do you blame Steve Bartman at all for the cubs losing the playoffs? it must have been pretty hard
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and I feel I must apologize to you for the beating my team gave yours in the playoffs two years ago. :)
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Rich when your on the road with the team do you get a Per Diem for meals and such or is that all out of your pocket? Also whats the nicest hotel you and the team have stayed at on the road this season?
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Why does Jack Johnson seem to insist on leading the kings rush? I can’t convince myself that our coaching encourages this type of play. I know he can skate and power through many opposing players but he is supposed to be a D man! It feels as though every game he does multiple times but does not produce the points(clearly proved in his stats) and not only does he not score goals or set plays when he does, this play style often leads to odd man rushes in our zone.(I think this explains why he has the lowest plus-minus on the team). Am I missing something or being overly critical? Is he trying to improve his D game at some point or can we put him where his play style dictates as a forward.
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Rich, I was wondering what a typical day is like when the team is on the road, mainly the off-ice stuff. Do groups of guys go to the local museums, movie theaters, sight-see, take in the culture of the city, etc…? Or is it more of a been there done that lets get out the race cars on the bed, ala the Hanson Brothers, or play poker, or figure out how to get back at Greener kind of stuff? Also, home or away, how much time do the players spend on watching video, or is it all done by the coaches ahead of teaching/preaching time?
BTW, how was the road-trip for you? Does the excitement of such a trip carry over into your work as well? (I have to imagine it sure makes interviewing the guys a lot easier, lol). Was the excitement a loose fun atmosphere, or was it a somewhat contained one – you know, work as usual, don’t get too up we still have a long way to go? Was there any team talk about the deals done in the league yesterday? (They were probably glad Big-Goofy wasn’t a Maple Leaf ’til after they went through Toronto, lol).
Also, how does TM plan on using that energy/belief/attitude going back home where they have not been as successful?
As always many thanks Rich, incredible job!!!
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The Kings are a contender right now. To say they need another top 6 forward and top 4 d-man in order to be a contender is ludicrous. They are one of the top teams in the NHL at the moment. In fact they are in almost the same spot Chicago was in a year ago and there is no question the Hawks were considered contenders, except that the Kings have a better defensive corps and more depth at goal throughout the organization than the Hawks do.
Over the course of this season the Kings have defeated Chicago, San Jose (3 times), Washington, New Jersey, the defending champion Penguins, Buffalo, the defending 2-time conference champion Detroit Red Wings, and the surprisingly good Coyotes (3 times). I don’t think there is any question that a team that has such an impressive win-loss against those teams this season and currently sits 5th in the conference and 9th in the league (with enough games in hand to be 4th and 7th respectively) can be called anything but a contender.
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Garrett says,
“The Kings are a contender…”
Yes they are, but I completely agree with Rich that to be taken as SERIOUS contenders, especially when you get to multiple 7-game playoff series, they do indeed need a little more depth up front as well as on the blue-line..!
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Jim K:
Re: the ice girls: I know a couple of them and both are hockey fans. One actually plays in a league. I don’t believe that either grew up a Kings fan since they are both transplants. One of the girls is with a guy from Calgary so she may have a Flames interest (something missed in the “interview” apparently). Agree that it was cool for the kids to shovel the snow, but I too would much rather look at the ice girls vs pre-teen hockey players.
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There’s been several questions about your personal take on the Kings. I was wondering if you feel that being a Kings fan would hinder your reporting. In other words, do you consider it an ethical obligation to stay nuetral, or are you not a Kings fan because you just aren’t a Kings fan?
While you’re not necessarily a fan of the Kings as a team, are you a fan of any specific players (Kings or otherwise)?
I’d like to second the request for the after-game stats, no problem if they come the next morning.. but I’d also like to request more defense pairing lists before games, you often list the forward lines and I find defense just as interesting.
On the subject of player interviews here on the blog, I’ve seen a method on other blogs that might be interesting. The blogger announces the upcoming interview and then takes questions from the readers they’d like answered. Then the blogger interviews with the top (or most appropriate) questions and then posts it. Similar to these open forums.
Just curious, what are the reasons you post so few images here on the blog? Would the kings provide you with an assistant or at least images so it wasn’t more work for you?
Thanks for all your hard work Rich. I really consider this blog to be equal measure with the Kings success as why it’s so good to be a Kings fan this season.
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Jim, can you give us a status update on Thomas Hickey and Andrei Loktionov? How did their surgery’s go? I haven’t been able to find any information on them lately.
Thanks!
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Hey Rich, when did you start going by the name Jim?
Thanks, and love the work! Keep it coming.
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Hey Rich,
What do you think about talking Dean into a lengthy interview during the olympic break? He’ll need a break from the negotiations and I think he actually enjoys educating the fans. Maybe even TM and some of his coaching philosophies beginning with painting “home-base” on the ice last year.
I think you have mentioned this but I cannot see us getting Kovi and even Whitney at this point because I don’t think Dean would give up much off our current team. Prospects and our 1st but that is it.
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Thanks Rich for all the great answers,
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I can’t for the life of me why people, even yourself, talk about JJ like he is a good defenseman.
His numbers are not even average, they horrible. He has the worst plus/minus in the LEAGUE for defensmen and the other defenseman who also have a terrible plus/minus are all from sub 500 teams.
This means that JJ not only is the worst defenseman plus/minus in the league, but he has it with a team that, at worst is considered the 8th best and espn even puts them as 5th best in the League?
While no expert, I’ve been watching the NHL closely since 1970 and JJ is not even an average defenseman let alone a good one.
Keep up the great work, you are the best!!!
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On the “Kopi turning around to say something to the forwards and defensemen” question… I believe he is asking if his pants make his butt look big.
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I don’t think I’d call the Kings a Cup contender yet. Are they a contender to make the playoffs and win a round or 2? Sure. But it feels to me like they need more scoring if they want to contend for a Cup. Yes, I know the Kings are 8th in the NHL in goals per game, but it just doesn’t feel like it. It seems like they go through stretches when they struggle to score goals. Get the Kings a proven consistent finisher on the 1st line wing and it’s a different story.
I don’t however think the Kings need a top 4 defenseman, UNLESS you’re talking about moving Jack Johnson for someone better. If the Kings are looking for another D-man, here are a couple of guys I could see fitting the bill:
Pavel Kubina (could come with Kovalchuk from Atlanta if that deal is ever made)
Derek Morris (Boston)
Toni Lydman or Henrik Tallinder (Buffalo)
Brian Pothier (WSH)
I could also see the Kings trying to get former Kings like Sydor or Corvo back.
But if the Kings are going to make a big splash, I’d wager that they’d get both Kovalchuk & Kubina from the Thrashers for a package of players, picks, and prospects.
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Matt R-
Heidi actually did the kind of segment you’re talking about, last year. She went into the broadcast booth and showed how Bob and Jim get themselves set up for games. It might still be somewhere on kings vision. If not I’m sure you could find it somewhere.
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Hi Rich,
Thank you for this site and the dedication it takes to stay on top of it.
I love the idea from Matt R. “A feature on Bob and Jim” Since our move to Idaho, we depend on television broadcasts to enjoy the game, and those two are the absolute best when it comes to calling the game. Bob and Jim rock!
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Rickey!! Did you come away from that interview having trouble fighting the urge to talk in third person?
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For those interested here’s a nice write up on Elkins from one of the staff writers at NHL.com. Kid seems to have a real good head on his shoulders.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=515769
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***ARTICLE ALERT***
Bob MacKenzie from TSN did a piece this morning on The Mark Stuart-Wayne Simmonds fight from the Boston game. Apparantely Stuart broke his pinky finger in the tilt and is now out for a few weeks. Bob brings up an interesting question. I think this would make a great thread here.
Read the article: http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=308652
Here’s my response (Although probably not up yet, being moderated):
OK. Bob, I love ya and I get your point, but now this question you’ve posed is going to confuse the NHL mucky-mucks even MORE. First of all, if the NHL was allowed to police itself without fear of instigating penalties or any of the other shackles the NHL has tried to implement to cut down on fighting, your scenarios would play out just fine! Teams wouldn’t feel the need to exact an immediate response. They know the opportunity to even up will come in time, as long as they don’t have to worry about the extra penalty or doing it in the last 5 minutes of a game or getting fined, etc. Being a Kings fan, and this will sound biased, Simmonds exacted the proper response in TODAY’S NHL, because effectively, that’s all he’s got. If it was old school rules, Simmer is yapping, Ivanans hits the ice and then squares up with Boston’s tough guy and we move on. Now, players feel they need to respond immediately. Let’s not forget how many devastating hits we’ve had on good players this year. David Booth is a PERFECT Example. What kind of justice did Richards (I said Stevens originally and didn’t change it. DOH!) get for that elbow to the noggin? Not enough I’m sure for Booth’s teammates to think it was evened up. Thanks to Colin Campbell’s ‘On The Fly’ style of judgement for these types of instances, players simply believe justice NOW is better served immediately, rather than waiting for CC to screw it up, so they do what Simmonds did. As a Kings fan, I was happy to see Simmers reaction (We’ve needed those public displays of camraderie and protection of teammates, so from our team’s and fan’s standpoint, it was good for us). I’m sorry MArk Stuart broke his pinky and wish him a speedy recovery. Not sure why he can’t tape it up and play with it, especially at this time of the season, but I’m not him. The NHL has created this mess themselves. The BIGGEST and BEST thing they could do in the offseason is to lay down the law in a straightforward fashion so it’s plain and simple to follow OR go back to letting players police themselves with a fining system for incidences that go beyond the ‘Honour’ code. Mark Stuart, thank Colin Campbell for your broken pinky.
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Cynic: I agree with you i think… I agree that it was Waynes only real option, and if he didnt do something then we might be talking about why this team didnt respond.
BUT I also remember thinking at the time that it happened “Wow, clean hit, why does he have to fight Simmonds right now”
If it is Matt Greene who crushes Ryan Getzlaf, and then he is forced to fight (whoever) and hurts himself (again), I am also questioning the validity of the fight and screaming for Getzlaf’s head for not fighting his own battles… these things are always easier to figure out when it doesn’t involve your favourite team lol
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I’m morbidly curious about exactly why Kevin Brown was such a bad interview. I mean, I think I want to know, but maybe I don’t. I know he was notoriously difficult with the press, and I always thought he had mean, beady-looking eyes….
About the Kings being a Cup contender, it’s all relative. Rich is right that the playoff tournament is a crapshoot, as is any single-elimination tournament. If you read Moneyball, Billy Bean talks at one point about how it’s impossible to engineer a team that is certain to win the World Series because short-term variations in luck make too much of a difference in the post-season (unlike the regular season, where there’s always time for things to even out).
But I also agree with Paul from Oxnard that the Kings aren’t yet favorites to win the Cup. Doesn’t mean they won’t/can’t this year, but I think it would be an upset. But I also think that next year they’ll be where Chicago is this year (except without the salary cap problems), and they’ll clearly be one of the elite teams in the league, with a better chance of going all the way.
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Thanks for the response Rich and thanks for yours, BringBackKingston, Much obliged!
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I’m going to get hammered here but i don’t care. I’m one who doesn’t understand why fights occur or feelings get hurt when a players get clocked cleanly. That’s competition, that’s a strategy that works and is allowed within the rules(clean shots of course). Kopitar’s hit was squeaky clean, why must Simmonds’ or anyone else respond? Getting hit is part of the game last time I checked. Retaliation within the rules is fine. Who says someone can’t line Stuart up sometime during the game and crush him, cleanly. I personally don’t like retaliation(fights) after good solid hits.
But certainly don’t get the wrong impression of me. On the other hand, let me say, regarding the hit Malkin put on Simmonds last year is a complete different animal. Not only would I expect someone to respond, I would expect all players to go after Malkin, all five. I would also give Ivan the green light to leave the bench. If we finish the game with 5 players, so be it. In my mind there is no “honor code” after a hit like that. Honor has been thrown out the window and retribution is in order. I would also expect the response to be nasty and with intent.
I certainly believe standing up for your teammates is essential and mandatory in some instances, just not after a clean hit.
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Shoot after my response, I forgot to ask my question. Rich, what’s your take on fights after a clean hit?
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DuckHunter: Im assuming you read the article by Bob Mackenzie this morning as well. A good read, and I remember thinking the exact same thing as you when that hit/fight happened. Its unfortunate because I think Wayne felt obligated to do it, even though he might feel the same way we do on the inside.
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Van-
Just read the article. Yes, indeed, a good read. I agree with Bob on this(and you).
I would like to hear how TM and DL handle these situations. I would be interested in knowing the guidelines they lay out for the boys. It seem to me over the last year or two they don’t respond when they should, then on occasions, jump when maybe they shouldn’t. The boys seem to be confused or unsure of when to respond. Do you get that impression sometimes?
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Duckhunter:
Honestly I think part of the problem is just like you said
“It seem to me over the last year or two they don’t respond when they should, then on occasions, jump when maybe they shouldn’t.”
I think the players might be just as confused as you sometimes. “Do I jump in? Is it the right time? Will I get benched for taking a penalty? Will I get benched if I dont stick up for my team mate? Does the team mate being hit want me to jump in for him?
All those questions must go through the players head and then they have to make a split second decision on what to do. Then i think it depends on who you ask whether they responded appropriately or not.
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