Davis Drewiske will be back in the Kings’ lineup tonight for the first time since he injured his shoulder in a Jan. 4 game against San Jose. Terry Murray often talks about the Ducks’ big bodies, and the Kings’ need for defensemen and the goalie to be ready for a physical game in front of the net. No doubt, Murray hopes that Drewiske, at 6-foot-2, 222 pounds, can help the Kings in that area. Here’s what Drewiske said about his return, followed by Murray’s thoughts…
DREWISKE: “I’m excited to get back in. I’ll just try to do my part. We’ve been on a good roll here, so I just have to keep it simple and take care of our own end, and hopefully we can keep winning.”
Question: You’ve been practicing for a while, but nothing can really duplicate the game situation, right?
DREWISKE: “That’s true. Nothing does duplicate the game situation, but I made it a real point to try to get back on the ice as soon as possible after the injury. I’ve been skating, trying to keep that conditioning up, and keep some of the timing. Game intensity is a little different, a little higher, but I tried to stay as close to that as I thought I could.”
Question: You’re going to be partnered with Jack Johnson. How do you feel the two of you can complement each other’s game?
DREWISKE: “I think I just try to play my game. Be simple, try to be physical in our end and let Jack do his thing. He’s a good all-around player and I’m looking forward to playing with him.”
And Murray’s thoughts…
Question: With Drewiske going in, does that give you a little different look on defense?
MURRAY: “It’s a different look, but he’s been a pretty important player for us, before his injury, and it’s just time to get him going again. He’s working extremely hard in the practices, to get himself ready, and I feel he is there, so it’s a big body against some big players. They’re going to go to the net and hang out there. Whiskey is a big guy, and he’s got to use his bulk and size in those areas of the game.”
go get them Whiskey!!!
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Thanks Rich for the updates. I can’t even remember what work was like before your blog.
And thanks to the Kings for always signing all those autographs at the Toyota Sports Center parking lot.
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Hard to believe that he wants DD in there because of his “big” body. Harrold plays a more physical game than Whiskey…
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Personally I thought Drewiske was playing great before his injury. Solid #4.
I’m sorry if this was asked, answered or addressed earlier. But why does it seem as if Murray’s policy of injured players not losing their spot in the line up due to injury was sort of lost in the shuffle of this 9 game win streak on Drewiske. It seemed like as soon as Ryan Smyth was healthy enough to get on the ice he was back on the top line, but Drewiske seems to have been ready for almost a week. Does anyone else feel like there is some inconsistency there ?
Personally I like Drewiske on D much more than Jones and or Harrold. His play has been solid all year and he was even starting to get more comfortable playing and skating with the puck.
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have a good game…and welcome back, dd sq’rd…:)
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Drewiske was occasionally a healthy scratch even before his injury.
Definitely I like him in the lineup as much as possible, but making him a scratch even if he was ready to go last week was actually not a departure from what T.Murray already had been doing with DD.
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@ typicaljs – my guess is conditioning and/or type of injury
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On this “DD” thing. I suggest “Dewey” or “Doughnuts” versus “Wiskie” or “Wiskey.” Was there another one I forgot?
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I’d take Drewiske over Jones any day. Jones just doesn’t seem to have it all together at times and gets sloppy with the puck. I’ve seen him cough up the puck too many times leading to a goal, or at least a grade A scoring chance. Hate to see Harrold out though. I don’t think he’s as physical as Drewiske, but he always plays pretty solid, whether he’s at the forward or defensive position. In any case, let’s go out and get #10!
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GIVE THE QUACKERS HELL TONIGHT………
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Just a reminder. There are only 7 seats left to our LAK Insider Suite for Thursday. We really need to sell the remaining 7 tickets, so now is the time to purchase if you haven’t already done so. I am sending out the details to the event shortly. Here is the link for the event.
http://www.easportsmanagement.com/events.html
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WTFK – “Dewey” is Donald Duck’s nephew. Besides, who doesn’t like a shot of whiskey??
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I’m sure many of you saw that Tom Murray ESPN article about Zus.. but did anyone else notice that the whole scope of the article, ESPECIALLY the ‘Notes’ section after it was almost a mirror image of the last week’s worth of Rich’s posts?
Zus spotlight: CHECK
Quick’s playing time and Olympics: CHECK
Non-Trade of Kovi to Kings: CHECK
Brown and Greene getting veteran time off: CHECK
Looks like Rich’s blog has become “research” for some writers!
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I would love to know from rich if any of the players or coaches read this blog?
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make it 10 boys….KINGS ALL THE WAY….GO KINGS GO
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Kings getting some love. THN has them ranked #2. Lovin it!
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The Kings defensive corps is much more balanced with DD in the lineup. Nice move, TM. Roll on, Kings!
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Why, why, why is Harrold coming out of the defensive lineup???
Send Jones to Alaska, and let Harrold play some defense (and powerplay) until we actually lose a game with him playing D. This season we’re undefeated with Harrold on defense, I believe.
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Kyle Clifford gets the KO -
http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/92388
Kings have great hope for the future!
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DD a solid #4?!?
Wow, lemme guess ahead of JJ right?
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Belexes-
I loved Clifford in pre-season. The kid is tough and skilled. Looking forward to him and Schenn joining the team in the(hopefully near)future.
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“WTFK – ‘Dewey’ is Donald Duck’s nephew. Besides, who doesn’t like a shot of whiskey??”
Perhaps you haven’t heard multiple teammates call him Dewey.
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