Before Saturday’s game, Terry Murray talked about his reunion of the Kopitar-Smyth-Williams line and his desire to see his top players on a line together for the rest of the season. It lasted all of one game, and now Jeff Halpern gets a chance to show what he can do. In yesterday’s interview, Dean Lombardi spoke of how Halpern had yet to find a role with the Kings, after playing top-line minutes for part of the season in Tampa Bay. Halpern has yet to record a point in 11 games with the Kings. He had nine goals and eight assists in 55 games with the Lightning. Here’s what Murray said about the latest line changes.
MURRAY: “We keep looking for that top-end play I guess, in particular from the Kopitar line. We’re looking for offense, a line that has that chemistry and can go out and really do the job against the opponent. I’m taking Williams off the line here tonight. It’s just not quite there for him right now. He’s had a very severe injury and a long rehab there. I’m just not seeing that strength, that quickness that he had before the injury, so I’m just going to back off and put Halpern there tonight. Halpern has played with some of the top players in the game this year, in Tampa, and I’m going to put him up there and give him a look, and hopefully there is something good that comes out of it.”
And the revolving door gets another push…
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Belexes Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
@Matt R,
Maybe Halpern will draw the short straw and have to drop the gloves with Boogie/Scott and then his revolving door will be knocked off the hinges for awhile…
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70+ games and Murray still hasn’t figured out his lines???
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Sebastian Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
@deadcatbounce,
Murray has figured out what lines he wants to use, but when they are not working, things need to change. It lets everyone know that they have to earn their minutes and the right to play on the top lines.
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Tmik Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@Sebastian,
Top lines don’t always work every night.
I understand changing a line on the fly in a period, but this relentless game to game switch is rediculous.
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Sam Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
@Tmik, Not if he’s not seeing good signs from a recently injured player.
runningman Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
@deadcatbounce,
I like the element of surprise!
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I guess the 94/11/14 line at the beginning of the season was an enigma and it’s not gonna come back this season. Next!
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yes, Jeff Halpern is clearly the answer to all our problems and will surely make my playoff ticket deposit worth it.
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variable Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@KingVern,
i actually did laugh out loud…thanx…:)
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Not to worry. After the first period, TM will make another change (number 5,436 for the year) and Halpern will be off this line replaced by any one of several more deserving candidates.
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I say 70 games and no lines have made TM stick with them. We are nearing the end in the midst of a slump I am glad he is still tring to something more out of his players.
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c’mon jeff…!
it’s passover and you have to work…do something special…:)
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HawKings Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
@variable, I get it.
So it shall be written, so it shall be done. And the chosen one passed over lines three and two so that he and his staff/stick could lead this chosen team to the promised land, etc., etc., etc.
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Andrew Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
@HawKings, LMAO!!! This made my day. Hopefully Halpern is NOT eating any matza otherwise he’ll be moving like Ivans
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HawKings Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
@Andrew, with all of the time zone changes, if he is dragging from his matza intake it will be tomorrow because he will have eaten his pre-game meal prior to sundown.
Another game…another line change. What happened to the lines that had the 9 game winning streak? Not good enough now? The boys better win this one tonight. This is beyond important.
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Can’t wait to read all the comments praising TM once the Kings clinch a playoff spot. Somehow, I’m sure the line-juggling will be forgotten.
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Hey, lets give ‘em a go at it. As long as he doesn’t score on Quick, I’m in.
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Capt Jam Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@Ersberg,
LOL. That’s not a lock these days.
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Dude..we got ripped off for Purcell.
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pr0cess Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@Nyck, um No, you should think about that statment.
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Nyck Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
@pr0cess, um I did, and um, what has he done?
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Belexes Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
@Nyck,
C’mon now. How much is a teddybear really worth?
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runningman Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
@Nyck,
I am a little upset about the 3rd round pick, other than that I am good with the trade.
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Not sure about anyone else, but I’m a bit tired of playing “Guess Kopi’s Linemates!”
For a organization that puts alot of stock into “Chemistry” no lines seem to last long enought o develop any.
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mark my words…you heard it here 1st…HALPERN is going to go on a tear. He will have a playoff like Todd Elik did the time he was called up for the playoffs.
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Kudos to Halpern but cheese others have played well. I guess Modin’s own goal, while not cutting his minutes, pushed him down to the 2nd line.
I thought one bad shift among the 10-12 shifts a game warranted a line change for this coach. Apparently, one bad 3-6 second stint amidst a 30 second shift warrants a line change. I never knew. But TM publically commented that these frequent ilne changes are not a sign of indecisiveness (or panic) so I hope the players understand.
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I think after all is said and done TM might not be here next year. I think he has been a good coach but not sure i understand all the line changes. Maybe he wants to make sure everyone can play with everyone lol
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murray continues to tread on thin ice with the line shuffles and lack of toughness dressed against tough teams with nothing but pride and fans to play for…
::praying boogie isnt dressed tonight::
regardless, i hope this sparks halpern into contributing and quick can put a game together. we arent out of the woods yet!
lets go kings!
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I’m all for line changes to change things up and try to spark something…but I just don’t get these anymore.
At some point, you need to keep guys together for more than 10 minutes to see what they have.
Look…the Kings WILL make the playoffs at this point. It would take a collapse of monumental proportions for them not to make it in. At some point, you need to let guys play together and just go at it.
I have been on record since the trades that I didn’t have an issue with any of them…I just didn’t feel that they were needed.
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pr0cess Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@mrbrett7, Tm just seems to be guessing out there, doesnt like whatever it is and switch it up. But ya needs to let it ride and see what develops
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
@pr0cess, Like I said…I’m all for changing things up if it’s not working…but change for changes sake…it’s getting out of hand right now.
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pr0cess Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
@mrbrett7, yep its why im thinking TM might be done after the end of the year but i dont know. He just doesnt seem to be on the same page.
bob Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
@mrbrett7,
Those trades were made with playoffs in mind. Until we see what these guys do in the playoffs, it’s pointless to constantly judge the acquisitions.
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pr0cess Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
@bob, I like Modin and halp, Dont get me wrong, But we arent talking about that here. we are talking about the shuffle game, every game
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Capt Jam Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@bob,
Agreed, and I can’t see what Deano was thinking when he dealt for those guys, but TM really has to stop basing on lines past performance and resumes. Kopi with Simmer and Richie were generating some offensive momentum and scoring occasionally. I don’t see why that combo had to be scratched.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
@bob, I know they were made with the playoffs in mind. Still doesn’t make them the moves that were needed (i.e. defenseman).
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“Halpern has played with some of the top players in the game this year, in Tampa, and I’m going to put him up there and give him a look, and hopefully there is something good that comes out of it.”
Better score on your first shift if TM is only going to give you a look. With 17 points in 55 games playing with Vinny in TB I say he is back on the 4th line by the 10 min mark of the first period. Not a knock on Hal but he’s not exactly know as a goal scorer.
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oh get over it ………they have to score and i see the lines changing every night till they do its time to put the DAMN PUCK IN THE NET ………so time to light up the other teams is now …….stop wondering why murray is doing this and dont complain its up to the guys on the ice to do the job plain and simple ……….stop talking playoffs and play game to game …….
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The magic 8 ball strikes again?
I don’t have anything personal against Jeff Halpern. He plays hard, and I haven’t seen him make a mistake that directly led to a goal. However, this move feels like desperation, and I don’t see any rhyme or reason to it. Chemistry takes time to build, and it can’t be built if the coach is juggling lines every game, unless you’re trying to make a team where everyone has played with everyone else.
And if that’s the case, when does Quick get his turn on Kopi’s line? I mean, I say that as a joke, but only slightly.
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i guess it would of been alot easier for him if we landed Kovalchuk no argument there who is on the first line… we just dont have the skill players that make up a top line yet.. simmonds will be someday, williams cant stay healthy and brown to me will never be 1st line guy, im not saying i dont like him its just that i dont count on him as an everyday scorer. Murray make the best of it for now just get some screens and just dish it out to Doughty
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There is one line combination we haven’t tried yet, and I think it’s definitely time:
22 – 9 – 22
That’s right…
Ian Laperriere / Oscar Moller / Tiger Williams
Domination!
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Capt Jam Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
@Simmer,
LOL
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What happened to that chemistry we didn’t want to lose?
That we had without 33, 22, and 14?
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I'm Just Saying" Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
@Cristobal, It’s in it 5th and final season called LOST
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I’m sorry is this the same Halperin that only just yesterday Lombardi said has not found himself or was kind of a mistake? Just a little insurance in case Williams would not be back..
I love these guys the way they dance…Next Stop..
DANCING WITH THE STARS>>OR IN THIS CASE DANCING WITH THE KINGS ……
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You are right …DL bring in a 4th line center who has done nothing and now move him to the 1st line wing…You guys are “killing Me Larry”
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Is it my imagination or is Simmonds’ demotion being swept under the rug here? Does he have a minor injury that he’s working through or is he really that far in TM’s doghouse? Either way, it seems strange that they are glossing over the reduced playing time of one of the Kings’ most consistent and impassioned players.
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Just for some perspective,
Last year:
Team GP W L OTL PTS
Los Angeles 82 34 37 11 79
Good for 14th in the Conference
This year (so far):
Los Angeles 74 42 26 6 90
currently 7th in the Conference with 8 to go.
TM has been doing the same thing all year (and last year and probably in his career as a head coach) and while on some level it would be nice to have lines stick together, it probably is not going to happen, so why keep complaining? And do any of you calling for TM to be fired really think that is going to happen with a team that has improved at least 11 points over last year?
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runningman Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
@HawKings,
If a total collapse happens, then it may happen. He may have lost this team. If they come out and play well these next two games then all is forgotten. If they play like they have then it may be over.
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Frankly, with as bad as we’ve looked since the Olympic break, I’m not opposed to mixing things up a little bit. It can’t get worse, right? Hope and change?
And, of course, 22-9-22
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I said it before and I will say it again,Halpern skates like he has a piano on his back. But I am not upset that Purcell is gone. He got plenty of chances like Boyle did and it just didnt work out here.
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Moulson, O’Sullivan, Boyle, Purcell, Segal……………………..Playoffs,anyone?
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runningman Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@Hat Trick,
I would take Moulson and Segal.
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Hat Trick Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
@runningman,
This wasn’t a list to pick from.
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Slow and Steady!
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After all the shuffling “I kind a got a sense” I could coach Kings
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Halpern is the Modry of forwards. Ugh.
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come on you people…coach is sending his team a message…DON”T SCORE FOR 11 GAMES AND YOU WILL BE MOVED UP TO THE TOP LINE…. sorry i dont respect this coach anymore….
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Masked Man Reply:
March 29th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
@neil, Don’t skate, pass, or play disciplined and you get a first line spot. Lets put Bailey on the top line.
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Maybe for the game against Nashville tomorrow Murray will pick names out of a hat for his lines.
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How is the guy from the Office help the top line?
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Halpern has to be the worst Kings pickup in history. Worse than Cloutier.
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