No real practice for the Kings today. About five or six guys were on the ice, but for everyone else, it was off-ice workouts and meetings.
That’s not to say, though, that the Kings’ attention wasn’t brought to a certain area. There’s a lot of good feelings, with the team on a seven-game winning streak, but 26 games remain and it would be pure folly to suggest that the Kings’ job is done. One bad week, and they’ll be right back there slugging it out for No. 8 in the West.
The question to Terry Murray today, essentially, was, how does he keep the players from believing their own hype?
MURRAY: “Well, we had our video review this morning, our team meeting, and that basically was the theme of the meeting. The start to the game, the first period, the win, the bottom line is that it’s all really good stuff, but… From there, the bunch of clips were about areas that we need to get a focus on again, execution-wise, with the puck and system play. There was attention brought to several areas of the game that you just have to have awareness to. You’re not going to get through the next game with a couple of these looks that we showed.
“The focus was just last night, but it could be any of the last couple road trip games, also. It’s a matter of keeping a very level head about the whole thing, and you’ve got to come back and play a big game tomorrow. That’s where you’ve got to get focused, and in order to do that, this is the attention to detail that you’ve got to apply to the game.”
As a secondary question, I asked Murray if his emphasis in these meetings has changed. Is he getting “finer” on some of his critiques? Brining emphasis to certain specific details that, last season — when the Kings were not a good team — he wouldn’t bother trying to emphasize? Essentially, has his level of expectation for the team risen since last season?
MURRAY: “Yes, absolutely. Most of the meetings and reviews that we had last year had to do with structure, system, the reads that you make in our own play, in our execution. Now, you stay with that, but you move on also, to stuff we’ve talked about recently. Sticks on pucks, more on the communication. `Are you talking? Are you giving the help?’ With the pressure that’s applied by opponents on areas of the ice now, there has to be that communication, to execute on a consistent basis.
“So yeah, you refine it. You get into the more detailed part of it. You get more into the mental intensity, the physical intensity, the attitude, the mental part of the game. That’s where you grow. So we’ve been pushing that more this year, probably more in the last couple months.”
Not sure if I am more impressed with Murray’s or Rich’s expert knowledge of hockey.
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Yes, Kopi and Greene should have “communicated” on the one Rangers goal last night. Those 2 captains should be practicing this consistently.
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“One bad week, and they’ll be right back there slugging it out for No. 8 in the West.”
That’s a quick way to bring focus! It’s not that bad, but close. What’s been sick is watching the Kings keep winning and seeing the ‘Yotes continue to be ahead of them in the standings (though the Kings have the game to give.)
If anything, they have confirmation that their best game is good enough, and anything less isn’t, so they should be confident to go out there every night and play their best, without trying to do anything other than is asked of them, and expect to win, even when they have to play from behind.
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Hockey is a streaky game. Look where the Pens came from last year.
No team wins every game. And Western teams are stealing lots of extra points from the East. No telling where the cutoff will be.
There is no slacking. It will be a dog fight for the final six teams in the West to make the playoffs… Playing .500 hockey just won’t cut it.
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I’m not sure I believe that the Yotes are for real. If you look, they have played MANY more home games than the Kings and, this last homestand aside, the Kings are sure to pick up some more wins at home/Yotes some losses on the road.
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five or six players on the ice. It sounds like we traded 12 players for Kovi.
My only source in Atlanta has gone silent. Has anyone heard anything?
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TSN Reporting Kovalchuk’s GM told Kovalchuk he will be traded within hours or Days. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=308800
I hope it’s the KINGS!
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POWERPLAY radio show and NHL.COM are reporting that KOVI was told that he will be traded in the next cpl hours/days. Hopefully all the rumors floating around don’t cause our KINGS to lose focus.
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@Jet – LOL
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Apparently we are offering prospects and prospects only. I don’t think Atlanta will bite, considering they are playoff hopefuls and want a return NOW. My guess? Chicago Blackhawks. They can get rid of salary by giving Atlanta roster players (after blowing the bank on Toews, Kane, etc.) and if Ilya decides to sign with another team in July, so what? The Blackhawks will probably have their Cup they can cry into.
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I like that the guys are buying into the system.There’s no panic at all,just do your part.Reinforcing how to do it better is a good thing.I hope TM continues to find a way to keep these guys focused.Things are only going to get even tighter.
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Good…let Chicago have him and perhaps the Kings would nab him in the summer.
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Sorry to do this.
I HATE to add fuel to the Kovi debate.. and I’ve started to skip postings that start w/ the Trade Gate situation.. but has anyone addressed the following?
How much salary cap will the Kings have to free up if they sign him beyond 7/1? If they’re $3m under cap now and we sign him for close to $10m (keep in mind he just rejected the “highest contract ever” today… will that put us in a cash pinch? We’ve got a lot of young guys that are going to want more money in the next 2-3 years. 1) I dont want to see good roster prospect players go in a trade 2) I dont want to see even MORE roster/prospect spots empty cuz we’re using all spare money paying Kovi.
I really dont want to start another long debate.. but if someone has a simple answer??
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Jonathan
“Prospects and prospects only”??
Where did you hear this?
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Hrudey,
Bob McKenzie’s twitter as of 1 hour ago.
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hrudey:
I think a lot of us agree with you, and its one of the reasons why we do not want the trade to happen. Like we were discussing yesterday. The Rangers are ruined with huge contracts to Drury and Redden, who are not producing nearly what they should for the money. They are lucky they got Montreal to take Gomez’s contract, but then they went and spent it on Gabby…. I give you the portrait of a struggling team.
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Dan Rosen and the TSN staf writes an story saying a Kovy trade is about to happen, the whole blog speculates. Gotta love it. The drinking game for today, one drink for every time that TSN story (or any version of it) is posted. lol
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Just heard that Hitchcock was fired…. not too surprising considering CBJ was supposed to be above the Kings at this point
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Hrudey32…I agree 100%. when it comes time to sign kopi, brown, doughty, simmonds, quick etc. how much will we have left to keep these core players Kings?
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“”That’s why Lyle Richardson, honcho of the authoritative trade rumors blog spectorshockey.net, sees the Kings as a possible destination. The Kings have the cap space, assets and eagerness to reach the playoffs needed to make the deal.
However, Rich Hammond, a well-connected Kings blogger, says he doubts GM Dean Lombardi would make a whopper of a deal for a rental player.”"
Rich getting some love on TSN.com.
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Hrudey32–about what’ Fro would be using up.
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i don’t think its going to be LA. I bet will get whitney, but the kovy stuff i’ve heard it could possibly be this
3 way trade
To Boston
Ilya Kovalchuk
To Atlanta
Sam Gagner
Andrew Coglanio
Micheal Ryder
Edm 2nd
To Edm
David Krecji
Leafs 1st previously acquired by bos
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Rob Ray just said on Buffalo radio, that he heard the Kings have a deal done for Whitney, but he wants a 3 year extention to wave his no trade, if true NO Thank You.
i just want Kovi to get dealt, so i don’t have to hear about it anymore. i am a Kovi fan, but it just doesnt make sense for the Kings right now imo. Rob Ray also said he knows where Kovi is going, but wouldnt spill it for what its worth.
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What a great win last night.
I asked a friend of mine if there was any good news out there about the Kings today and he said not yet other than this page of course, but he found an article about the kings written by TJ Simers on LATIMES.com – http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-simers3-2010feb03,0,7204181.column
Cant say i was ever a fan of his when he made guest appearances on Around the Horn on ESPN, but after reading that waste of a column I am pissed.
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consider the pressure the SHARKS are under to win this year…they cant afford to sign Marleau and Nabby this summer unless they are willing to take less $$$
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Wow…it’s a dog-eat-Hitchcock world out there for NHL coaches.
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It’s gonna get stupid real soon…RUMORS BABY!
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haha okay Rob Ray… we all bow to your inside knowledge… tell US tell us oh mighty Rob Ray
MikeL:
Thats a pretty crazy three way deal.. how did you come to that conclusion (Edmonton looks to win by a mile in my opinion).
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Todd M
Kopi, Brown and Quick are already signed long term, so they are in good shape there.
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Boston is up to their arse in cap issues…that deal mention above is lame…like I said the stupidity is starting….I LOVE IT NONETHELESS!
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Fyzzix-
Trust me the Yotes are for real. I’ve never seen this team play this well. They got the right pieces in place and finally got a competent head coach (no offense to Gretzky). Scottie Upshall, who leads team in goals, just went down with a long-term injury, but like the Kings losing one piece is not going to slow them down much.
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ok, final offer:
Harrold, a second round pick and a case of newcastle for Kovy.
done deal.
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If Waddell did indeed say “you’ll be traded,” like today’s news says, I can’t see this dragging out for longer than two days or so. How can you expect him to play another game if he knows he’s not going to be there long??
This is going to happen w/in the next 36 hours (Their next game is Friday).
Leave the Kings out of it!! As a rental he’s only going to do so much. As a long term signing he’s going to eat up the cap space we need so badly. We’ll be resigning Simmer, DD, Bernier, Zatkof, Zeus and Fro w/in the next 2-3 seasons.
Kovi’s going to want big money, long term.
This is lose-lose to me. We aren’t THAT far under the salary cap. We’ve been winning because we have DEPTH (something we wont have if there’s no money to go around). Stick to the plan. Hopefully this win streak has helped DL’s decision.
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Hrudey…I’m leaning heavily in your direction!
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>VanKingsFan
I’m with you 100%. Got to just trust DL to do his job and not do it like some other GMs/teams have done recently, like the Rangers.
Watching Anze Kopitar mature and become the superstar we all hoped he’d become…….PRICELESS!!!
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I f KOVI did turn down a huge offer from Atlanta then he might just want to go to the KHL next year, and if thats true he is just a rental. DL…..please…NO DEAL!!!
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By reading some of these posts, you would think Kovi is going to guarantee his future team a trip to the Cup Final. This guy is good, but really? The Kings have already exceeded expectations so far, and I believe they will make the playoffs. There is just too much risk in trying to get this guy for a couple of months, especially if we give up a part of what is working and developing so well right now. I also agree with the perspective that a player like him may not fit so well with the defensive mindset of our team. Set your sights elsewhere Kings fans, and let him go!!!
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Can’t say I’m looking forward to losing a few players/prospects and dealing with cap woes…especially as happy as we are with the team now. Seems DL would benefit from being more conservative, at the end of the year, unless he works some form of miracle.
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my bad, Ray only works for the Sabres and has inside info, why would i even post something he said.
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Does a team really make the playoffs just for the sake of making the playoffs? No.
A team makes the playoffs to try to win the Cup. Anyone who says otherwise isn’t playing hockey for the right reasons. If a team can acquire a player that they think can help give them a legitimate shot at going deep, they’ll take it.
I’m not referring to Kovi specifically here, but in general. If DL thinks he can make a deal that will turn the Kings into a legitimate contender, he’s going to do it. I trust DL and his ability to build a winning cohesive team. Regardless of who he brings in, someone will have to go, there will always be cap issues, and DL is well aware of that so I’m sure he’s crunching the numbers on every deal possible. There’s a lot of things we don’t know behind the scenes, so speculation doesn’t get us anywhere.
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That wasn’t just Ray… TSN (McKenzie) reported that. I’d love to have Whitney… for one year. Two at the most.
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News flash: Kings will be a contender with or without Kovi. This isn’t to say they can’t use a couple players, but it’s really not that urgent.
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>Hrudey32
As I sit here typing in my signed Hrudey jersey (sic!), I also lean heavily in your direction!
Wearing a blue bandana and old 32 jersey out to dinner and only one person high fives me in a crowded restaurant……..PRICELESS!!!
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good points newf….let’s all let the captain (DL) steer the ship…we’re just here for the cruise, chicks and beer! Who are we to tell him how to do his job???
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WTFK…agree. We have shown that we can compete with the best on any given night. I believe that we have a system and team that is built for the playoffs.
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By the by, does the crowd actually realize that Ziggy Palffy is still playing in a league in Russia or someplace??? I bring this up because I still wear my Palffy jersey to Staples every now and again, and I was shocked to hear he is still playing at a pretty high level, but obviously, not in the NHL. Wow!!! Google him.
Looking at my Palffy poster in my office and thinking, what if……..PRICELESS!!!
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I just thought it was funny, saying he knows where he is going but he wont tell us.
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Die Hard #66, I read the attached article. I am guessing that might be my response to a soccer game, but really I would never go to events I had no interest or understanding of and tear the sport and fans a new one in a article. If him and Elliott are the typical LA Times Writers it is easy to see why the paper is going bankrupt.
DL stay the course no Kovi. Lets develop the prospects and use reasonable rentals like R. Whitney, Jussi Jolkenin, A. Vermette, E. Belanger, or RJ Umberger.
I think Atlanta is thinking playoffs for this year and will be asking for more than Kovi under a long term small contract is worth. Do we really want to try and sign the 12th to 15th best player in the league to the highest paid contract ever(10mil/yr is way to big of a cap hit.) We have built some thing solid here with depth we have never known to give that up for Cap Hell is not the answer.
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Like I said before “Screw the trades”. The team is beginning to gel and buy into the system. Now management has to buy into the system or all is lost. Live by the sword, die by the sword. GO KINGS!!
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I love how the Kings have been playing lately. 7-game win streak? Doesn’t happen too often.
It’s really exciting to see where the Kings go from here on out. I hope they can stay focused and just play with effort and not stay complacent.
I think DL and the Kings have found a core group of guys to build off of. TM has been an excellent coach, IMO. From teaching defense & fore-checking last season to seeing the Kings advance and grow this season. The future looks bright and I hope the Kings Organization take full advantage.
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I would like to offer Nick Nickson, two practice nets, and a few dozen of those fancy yellow cut-resistant socks for Kovalchuk, unless he agrees to sign long term.
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As for Noovalchuk, let him go to hel…er, make that New York
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USHA#17 said:
It will be a dog fight for the final six teams in the West to make the playoffs… Playing .500 hockey just won’t cut it.
Actually, it might cut it for us – 47 wins & 97 points is a great season!
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It sounds like, as it should be, there is a lot of attention put on the 4-guy’s play without the puck… ie: hitting the open spots with speed, etc… Let’s face it, if you’re 50-feet away and the pass doesn’t connect you’re 50-feet away; But if you’re 10-feet away and the pass doesn’t connect you’re still close enough to help out defensively… at least this is what I’ve been noticing. Sometimes their little passes backwards don’t seem to make sense as far as getting the darn thing OUT of your own end… BUT that’s their system I guess…
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Perhaps Kova deal is slowed because the Kings want a multi year signed for whatever is being offered in return such as JJ.
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