Open Forum answers VI

Getting back to the Open Forum answers, before the start of practice… Here’s the sixth set.

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Ben asked: I am wondering what TM thinks the chances are of Quick getting burned-out? He’s been AWESOME and I would hate to see that happen.

Answer: It’s safe to say that if Murray thought there was a risk in Quick getting burned out, he wouldn’t be starting as many games as he is. At every turn, Quick has said he enjoys playing a lot, and he seems to thrive on it. Is there a chance that it will catch up to him later in the season? Sure, but that’s something that’s quite hard to predict.

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gas man asked: In regards to a big trade, I hear multiple opinions and information from you, the fans and Kings Management. Just wondering what the players themselves think. Do they feel like they need to change anything? I tend to doubt it, but what do you know?

Answer: I’m certain of two things. One, players do have opinions as to whether or not changes need to be made. Two, players will never, ever make such declarations public (or even private) to reporters. To do so would be a potential disaster for a locker room. Players are smarter than that.

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Andy asked: Tim Leiweke was the main proponent behind instituting the salary cap to end the lockout and he then declared that the Kings would now be able to compete on an even footing financially with every team in the league. Has AEG given the green light to Lombardi to pry open the company wallet and allow him to spend money on Kovalchuk or other free agents? Or was the salary cap talk just more hot air, laughable ignorance and broken dreams from AEG’s master salesman?

Answer: I believe that the Kings, at the moment, are approximately $3 million below the salary-cap ceiling, by Lombardi’s design in order to be available to take on salary during the season if needed. The days of free spending — something AEG never did anyway — are over. Given the constraints of the cap, the wallet is about as open as it can get, and it will stay open as long as there are young players needing extensions.

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JWR asked: Have any of the players or coaches shared any good stories from this years Tip-A-King?

Answer: I haven’t really heard anything, no.

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YeahWhatever asked: Are the boys all going to Canada to cheer on their teammates over the break?

Answer: Not that I know of. I’m relatively sure that they’ll be home resting and spending time with family, etc.

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john_oc asked: Rich, whats the deal with bob miller not doing canada broadcasts? Is there some sort of contract deal?

Answer: I’m really getting more mileage out of this post than I expected.

Fox Sports says…

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kings fan in dallas asked: Hey RICH ! We all know the owners are quiet… to say the least. But has dean or anyone heard from them on how the team is doing? Are they as proud as we are? Any feed back coming from him? I would think they would be on the phone…or meeting with dean saying that the improvement is there good job…maybe a pat on the back for Dean and Terry

Answer: Given everything I know about Phil Anschutz, I’d have to say it’s not in his character to be that type of rah-rah guy. My understanding is that Anschutz attends quite a few games but, true to his nature, prefers to be quiet and behind the scenes. For better or worse, that’s always been the case. To my knowledge, he hasn’t been in the locker room, etc., this season.

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Joey Drillings asked: Are the Kings organization in love with Simmonds as much as the fans are? Why are the Kings not bringing up Elkins or Holloway for Parse and Segal (press box last game)? All things being equal, do the Kings see Bernier or Quick as the number one goalie in 2010-2011?

Answers: 1) Probably not quite to the same extent, but they like him. 2) Ivanans, not Parse, was a healthy scratch in New Jersey, and Ivanans and Segal were healthy scratches only because of the back-to-back games and Murray’s desire to roll four lines on a more conistent basis and not worry so much about a “physical” fourth line. 3) If Quick continues the way he’s going right now, he won’t be unseated.

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Surly Jacob (JDM) asked: 1. I’m curious about the players living arrangements, both at home and on the road. Who lives with who, or by themselves? Who bunks with who on the road (I believe these pairings are consistent, right)? 2. Also, was Dean on the entire recent road trip with the team, or did he show up partway through? 3. Is there a growing buzz around the team about the Olympics, or are they keeping that off the table for the most part? 4. Finally, do you think Simmonds’ fight against Mark Stuart on Saturday had anything to do with Ivanans coming out of the lineup against the Devils? Do you think that as players like Simmonds step up more in those situations, Murray will feel less and less like he needs Raitis to keep things in check?

Answers: 1) Well, obviously the married players live with their families. Single guys either have their own place or, in a couple instances, live together. I know Doughty and Simmonds have a place together, and there are a couple guys living in Stoll’s house but I can’t remember who exactly. There are regular roommates on the road, but it’s hard to go through all of them off the top of my head. If you’re wondering about someone in particular, I can find out. 2) Lombardi was on the entire trip. 3) For the most part, it only comes up when reporters from the other city ask about it. It doesn’t seem to be a big topic of discussion right now. 4) The way Murray described it, he scratched Ivanans and Segal because he wanted to roll four lines more consistently, and putting in Purcell and Harrold gave him more versatility on that. I didn’t get any indication, at all, that there was any message being sent to Ivanans. And no, given what Murray has consistently said for two seasons, I don’t anticipate him going away from having a “heavyweight” in the lineup regularly.

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Surly Jacob (JDM) asked: Almost forgot the most important question Rich! Are you a beer or wine guy, if either? If so, what’s you favorite?

Answer: Either or, really. Probably prefer beer, but I’m slowly learning about wine from Jim Fox.