Ponikarovsky stuff

We’re going to have to come up with shorthand for this guy, because Ponikarovsky really fills a headline…

Anyway, I’ve talked to both Dean Lombardi and Terry Murray about this signing within the last hour, and I’ll have the extensive quotes when I have time to transcribe them, but here are some highlights…

– The Kings liked Ponikarovsky last year and went after him before he was traded to Pittsburgh.

– The belief is that Ponikarovsky has the potential to fill that third-line left-wing role, alongside Handzus and Simmonds. Lombardi described him as being a stronger skater than Frolov, but perhaps less skilled with the puck.

– Lombardi said he talked to Alexander Frolov shortly after the (now-contested) Kovalchuk signing with New Jersey, but that it seemed clear that Frolov was interested in moving on.

– Speaking of moving on, Lombardi said he’s not keen on waiting to see how the Kovalchuk drama plays out, and that he is mulling one trade option in his mind. For obvious reasons, he didn’t disclose the player.

I’ll try to get these quotes up fairly soon. I also have a number for Ponikarovsky, so I’ll try to get to that at some point also.

102 Comments

  1. Tookie says:

    I swear to GOD Dean if it’s Kaberle…..
    He’ll have to give up too much to get a one year guy, if he even wants to come here. I don’t like it, it better not be him.

    [Reply]

    dMan Reply:

    @Tookie, or else…?

    [Reply]

    Tookie Reply:

    @dMan,

    Think scanners.

    [Reply]

    Paul From Oxnard Reply:

    @Tookie, You know if it’s Kaberle the Leafs want Braden Schenn in return. I don’t think I’d make that deal but I’m not an NHL GM.

    [Reply]

  2. Dominick says:

    How about Pon-ski?

    [Reply]

    guuny Reply:

    @Dominick,

    Poner

    [Reply]

    LA67 Reply:

    @Dominick,

    P-11

    [Reply]

    King John Reply:

    @Dominick,

    We’ve already been using ‘PONI’.

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @King John, Uhhhhhh! thanks.

    [Reply]

    FiG17 Reply:

    @Dominick,

    I’m calling him Ponyboy!

    Payin’ homage to a classic book. I’m a bit of a nerd, I know.

    [Reply]

  3. Jeff says:

    should have just kept frolov. This is another nothing move by the Kings

    [Reply]

    pr0cess Reply:

    @Jeff, Tell me how you keep a player that wants to move on?? Let me guess you tie up girl’s in your spare time to keep them when they want to go?

    [Reply]

    Puckin-A Reply:

    @pr0cess, Actually, you bash them in private and keep your options open for the offseason when you can’t sign the UFA’s the management and the fans covet. The simple fact Dean tried to get Fro back speaks volumes in itself. Why do that if he was so awful???

    [Reply]

    scvking Reply:

    @pr0cess,
    WOW! Nice response to Jeff! A bit much, don’t you think?

    We are all dealing with this from a hindsight perspective, now that the Fro and Poni moves are done.

    If true that Fro wanted to move on, it is all a moot point. But, had the Kings been a bit more evenhanded in regard to Fro over the last year-plus, maybe he would not have wanted to move on. Had the Kings not waited a month since the FA period started to speak with Fro, he may have wanted to stay. Had TM not made a special doghouse just for Fro, he may have been more inclined to remain with the Kings.

    I also think Jeff’s point is (and mine as well), for the same contract, we could have kept a guy who played well for the Kings for the past seven seasons. I understand that we are divided on this site, some put a high value on Fro and others less so, but those of us who put a pretty high value on Fro are sorry to see him leave, and in all honesty, this move seems rather curious. For my money, I would take Fro any day, every day, all day over Poni. It is not even close. I have to believe that is the point Jeff was making.

    For all the good seasons Fro had here in LA, I believe some of us feel a bit let down with the way the organization seemed to kick him to the curb.

    I don’t doubt when it was all said and done, Fro probably did want to leave. But he was surely treated pretty poorly at the end. Almost like trying to run the guy out of town, and then making it look like he wanted out.

    [Reply]

    USHA#17 Reply:

    @Jeff,

    The only problem with Frolov is that he didn’t change mouth guards (as I suggested). Had he done so he would still be a team favorite.

    Every time he missed a shot, blew a pass or took a stupid penalty his mouth guard made it look like he was smiling.

    Seeing this how could you help but question the guy?

    But, yes, a nothing move to fill a hole.

    [Reply]

    pr0cess Reply:

    @Jeff, Seems to be the master is here to put the leash on the old dog… i love you rich :P

    [Reply]

    The Real Coach Reply:

    @Jeff,

    You’re right on the money.

    In fact, money is the only thing that matters to the King’s ownership.

    Flo – $4m
    Cost minus Fro : $3 m.
    Savings: $1 m
    All other Kings acquisitions? 0

    Unless the Kings get a TOP LINE PLAYER, the Kings are in trouble.

    Don’t blame DL.
    Don’t blame TM.

    This team is run by the Ownership.

    Only the facts — From The Real Coach

    [Reply]

  4. wavesinair says:

    How about Fro-lite or Fro-sky? Or “the left winger that replaced Fro? (wait, that’s long too).

    I do, however, love that we have a new “sky” on the team… he’s the 13th Kings player with that suffix…

    http://deepinsidethekings.com/2010/07/27/sun-surf-ski/

    [Reply]

  5. LA Rob says:

    How about Pony Boy ???

    Outsiders movie…..

    [Reply]

    wavesinair Reply:

    @LA Rob,

    Stay golden.

    [Reply]

    chuckrocks Reply:

    @wavesinair, ya man lets do it for johnny

    [Reply]

    USHA#17 Reply:

    @LA Rob,

    Hitch ‘em up to a slight with…

    http://www.bay-area-sports-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dan_boyle_pretty.jpg

    ….Dan Boyle at the controls.

    [Reply]

    USHA#17 Reply:

    @USHA#17,

    Better make that a sleigh….

    [Reply]

    FiG17 Reply:

    @LA Rob,

    Dang, I replied to an earlier post with this suggestion… shoulda read further. I knew I wasn’t alone! :) Ponyboy ftw.

    [Reply]

  6. Larry says:

    I believe that the system that both DL and TM insist on imposing on each player is what hurts when true snipers consider coming to LA. Frolov, while definitely having motivation issues, IMO tried his best to be a defensive forward in the system but truly hated the role. I am not sure that things would have been any different had the Kings signed Kovi. I think the conflict between system and sniper would have been jusat as bad….only much more expensive. Shouldn’t there be some give in the system so a scorer can do what he is paid to do?

    [Reply]

    guuny Reply:

    @Larry, then he should have said “I HATE THIS ROLE” or “HEY TERRY I WANNA BE IN THE SHOOTOUT”, done something, anything so the coaches could know which buttons to push or how to motivate him instead of pouting like a little girl AFTER the fact. DL even read war and peace. have read that stuff. torture.

    [Reply]

  7. Tookie says:

    Pone

    [Reply]

    Puckin-A Reply:

    @Tookie, No that is my nickname !!!!!!

    [Reply]

  8. Puckn-A says:

    Just say no to Kaberle!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    NO more Flyers, no more Leafs!!!!

    Please oh please let it be Vanek!!!!

    [Reply]

    Kevin Reply:

    @Puckn-A, we don’t want that overinflated contract

    [Reply]

    Puckin-A Reply:

    @Kevin, however 80 mill for 15 years would be cool.

    [Reply]

  9. FKA PakiFro says:

    The Toronto media calls him “Poni”

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro, I think Poni will stick.What’s w/the FKA?

    [Reply]

    BluLiner Reply:

    @Dominick,

    “formerly know as”, very funny by PakiFro

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @BluLiner, I didn’t know him as anything else.:)

    LVKINGS88 Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro, You should call yourself PAKIPONI now,and I don’t think we’ll hear from Taun Jim anymore,I think he was Frolov in disguise,hehe.

    [Reply]

    FKA PakiFro Reply:

    @LVKINGS88,

    I think i’ll go with “BringBackFro” until I get over the denial of his departure.

    [Reply]

  10. –Gotta keep the name complete:

    Po-Ni-Ka-Rov-Sky!
    Just rolls off the tongue…

    In print, on the other hand, don’t know what to suggest…

    About K___: Over. NJ’s problem, now…
    About ____: Trade?/ Do it! Damn the Torpedoes! Full speed ahead! (Gotta love that Farragut!)

    Pony = Third line player?
    Not so much…

    [Reply]

  11. Starlight says:

    Poni!

    I wonder what number he will get, his Wikipedia article states he favors #23 but that is kind of occupied on the Kings roster already…

    [Reply]

    Keendog Reply:

    @Starlight, Maybe he’ll get to wear #23? I’d hate to see Brown go but for the right player I’d be willing to package him up and cut ties…..just would want to see him in the west……I don’t want Kopi getting hit by him!

    [Reply]

  12. brandyn says:

    And the trade option issssss ?

    [Reply]

  13. tuan jim says:

    Well . . . losing Fro is making me eat my guts out.

    But if it’s true DL tried to re-sign him and it was Fro who said, “No,” then DL did what he could.

    [Reply]

    just my opinion Reply:

    @tuan jim, “But if it’s true DL tried to re-sign him and it was Fro who said, “No,” then DL did what he could.”

    Just wondering how most people would feel about staying on a team after being put on the shelf until someone else made his decision. I’d tell them to take a hike. Frolov should have been signed to an extension long before the free agent saga began. So, no, DL didn’t do what he could until it was too late and had insulted the player. This is a poor sustitute to fill the hole that was created by not re-signing the better player.

    [Reply]

  14. Geoff says:

    I believe “Poni” is the common and accepted abbreviation

    [Reply]

  15. Kings4paul86 says:

    How about “A-Pon,” you know, like Akon? ha…

    Please let it be Williams leaving. He only has one year left on his salary.

    [Reply]

    Tookie Reply:

    @Kings4paul86,

    Wasn’t Apone in Aliens?

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:

    @Tookie,

    Yep.
    “Every meal is a banquet, every formation a parade, I love the Corps!”

    “Look into my Eye…”

    Ended up cocooned, Alien Food…

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    Damn you Bako!you beat me to it.LOL

    Dominick Reply:

    @Tookie, Look into my eye.

    [Reply]

  16. wavesinair says:

    Also, I notice the work being done on the site today.

    The old top banner is back with a little stylistic indent in it and the “slash” is gone.

    …however, the same bugs persist.

    1. the site jumps in and out of the mobile version.
    2. the comments take a while to show up on the post in question, but they do show up on the home page.

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:

    @wavesinair,

    I second that observation…

    [Reply]

    RQ@315 Reply:

    @wavesinair,
    Good eye.
    While they are at it…maybe try to post the most recent comments at top of page. Anybody else frustrated when we had to go to the bottom of 1500 comments to see the most recent (specially if we “refresh” every 10 minutes as we have been doing the 3 past weeks)?

    [Reply]

  17. Marc Nathan says:

    if DL was so high on Poni before, why did he wait til today to lock him up at an inflated price?

    [Reply]

    vplaza Reply:

    @Marc Nathan,

    Because Poni was Plan E?

    [Reply]

    chuckrocks Reply:

    @Marc Nathan, Thats because everyone else said no thanks to Dean so he signed him because there wasnt anyone else left and all the rest of the NHL teams said no to Poni. Perfect fit.

    [Reply]

    VanKingsFan Reply:

    @Marc Nathan, what is the price?

    [Reply]

    kingsfan4life Reply:

    @VanKingsFan, 3 mill a season, same for fro, poni got a 200k signing bonus…same price as fro, guy above mr. nathan has no clue about a good salary for a guy like him.

    [Reply]

    BluLiner Reply:

    @Marc Nathan,

    Poni wanted too much money, but when he saw what Fro got and he agreed to come down also.

    By the way, I am satisfied with Poni for Fro. I liked Fro a lot, but the relationship was doomed (especially after the Kings didn’t get much out of Fro in the playoffs)

    [Reply]

    YES on 19 Reply:

    @BluLiner, Don’t forget that the Pens didn’t exactly get much out of Ponikarovsky in the playoffs, as he was a healthy scratch more than once. TM’s kind of guy…

    [Reply]

  18. number 6 says:

    I feel very split. On one hand I’ve felt like something will shake out down the road. Could be a year from now…. who knows. But the more I think (probably not a good idea to do too much of that at the moment) it does make me wonder from where and How we are gonna fill holes up front on this team.
    Everyone seems to know what we need yet unless they have a dormant Luc Robataille in the system that we don’t know about I have no idea where it’s gonna come from.
    Given that we didn’t draft for that this year, if we draft for a pure goal scorer next year by the time he would develop enough to play at the nhl level we’re talking like min 3-4 years from now.

    That doesn’t sound the least bit enticing. I’m saying that because regardless of the upcoming UFA’s we’ve all seen A) how much they want (the bank) and B) that they seem to be able to get the bank elsewhere.

    Hopefully this will shift, but right at the moment I wouldn’t want to be in DL’s shoes. Yes we have Smyth, but where will he be in 3-4 years? Unless we have a glut of exceptional D’men and can trade one…..
    ….. just sayin (that’s a joke… that’s what everyone else says_

    [Reply]

    MacSwede Reply:

    @number 6, I agree with you 6 :)

    Upfront we lack skills, no doubt about it, and nothing in the pipes either. I think that maybe Schenn or Loktionov will someday be good 2nd line centers, but thats all.

    I wonder, has this signing something to do with the tradeoffer he is “mulling” over? If so, could it be that Smyth is a part of that deal, or maybe Richardson? I think Poni suits best in the third line, between Zuz and Simmonds.

    Well, we just have to wait and see. In Dean we trust?

    [Reply]

    number 6 Reply:

    @MacSwede,

    Well, we just have to wait and see. In Dean we trust?
    Ask me that in a year please my dear MacSwede. I don’t know what to add to what you’ve said, except as far as a potential trade, I highly doubt DL trading Smyth since A) he loves Smyth and Smyth in a strange way is probably more valuable to us because of the way he slots w Kopi then he might be to another team.
    Richardson….. that would surprise me equally. First he Didn’t end up taking them to arbitration (points for Richie for not getting on DL’s bad side) and what sort of skill level are we gonna get back for him, even him paired w a prospect.

    We aren’t talking Schenn and Richie or Bernier and Richie. Know what I mean?

    Sorry I just don’t have any good answers at the moment.
    Hang in there MacSwede.

    [Reply]

    Joe Dirt Reply:

    This seemed like the right year. We are a team on the up and up. Supposedly we were even the favorites for this years FA top dog. But, alas we struck out. Management says its because we have to worry about re-signing our RA crop next year i.e. DD, JJ and Simmer.
    Now, we are in a position where we need to give up some prospects to fill our holes so that we do not take a step back. I am frustrated because the timing was right and our GM failed to deliver. We can’t possibly expect to resign all of our kids. Some of them will want to leave for various reasons. IMO we need to give up something and take a shot at an FA some time or we will be stuck as a perennial playoff team much like the sharks or the preds…..

    [Reply]

    number 6 Reply:

    @Joe Dirt,

    We didn’t strike out. If you mean not offering 16 years at 105 million dollars, then yeah, I guess you could say we struck out. Personally I would call it avoiding an unexplainable moment of sheer madness. So I prefer that.

    There is more frustration in the feeling that we’re running in place than that we didn’t get IK. Personally I have not one single regret that we didn’t get IK and won’t ever unless we play NJ in the Cup finals and he scores the GW vs the Kings in one of the games. Otherwise, I’m fine w it.

    [Reply]

    Joe Dirt Reply:

    @number 6,

    lol…..that’s an interesting way of putting it. Well, I will side with you a bit in that we may have dodged a bullet with the IK contract but DL’s track record with the FA’s is still pretty dismal.
    Every FA we come across will ask for the bank. It’s DL’s job to reason with them and sell our team to them. At some point he’s going to have to sacrifice the cap space to sign a few kids for outside help. We have to risk it a certain point to win

  19. Skebo says:

    Pone-Loc

    [Reply]

    MR King Reply:

    @Skebo,

    I think we have a winner!

    [Reply]

  20. Johnny says:

    Well.

    It wouldn’t be like Dean Lombardi if the signing made sense. Let me see if I can decode his brilliance in my mortal way of thinking.

    We let go a younger, higher scoring, slightly less expensive, under achieving Russian winger for an older, slightly more expensive, ineffective in crunch time Russian winger, because we really needed to sure up that 3rd line?

    Go Kings management!

    [Reply]

    brandyn Reply:

    @Johnny,

    Management is high on Character and going to the het hard, two things Frolov lacked and Poni brings to the table…

    [Reply]

    Johnny Reply:

    @brandyn,

    No Kings management is high on half measures, innuendo, PR spin, and mediocrity.

    Character is great when you have a championship caliber roster and are contending for a cup.

    [Reply]

    number 6 Reply:

    @brandyn,

    Brandyn, I’ll believe it when I see it. Not to write him off. I do not like to write off anyone in any walk of life, but reading this:
    ‘After flopping with the Pittsburgh Penguins following his trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs — GM Ray Shero and some Pens fans might politely call it “underwhelming play,” but it was dismal at times’

    Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

    [Reply]

    David Reply:

    @Johnny, How exactly is Fro cheaper? They got the same exact contract. If Fro were to sign back with LA, it would have been for more. He got a cheap contract this year with NYR (with an offensive minded coach) to get his stats up. That way he will get a nice payday next year.

    [Reply]

    Jim Martin Reply:

    @Johnny, Two lugs and a wheel barrel. Poni is the first lug. Way to go Dean!! Can’t wait for your next move.

    [Reply]

  21. Cup B4 I Die says:

    THAT NOISE YOU JUST HEARD??…THAT WAS RICH OPENING THE FLOOD GATES ON THE TRADE SPECULATION…..HERE THEY COME!!!!

    [Reply]

  22. chuckrocks says:

    Matt Moulson got 2.45 mill, thats 1.225 mill per eyebrow. I forget who did he play for before he was on the NY Islanders? J/K

    [Reply]

  23. miracle.on.manchester says:

    As I had expected, when I broke the news of Frolov signing witht the NYR, my 7-year son’s eyes welled up and and he asked if he could like the NYR?

    I tried to console him by telling him that it is team first, then individual players 2nd. He then asked me who would be my new favorite player? I just gave him a stare and said we will see since there are plenty of players I like.

    I think the NYR will become my son’s 2nd-favorite team. Or at least I hope they are and not his fav.

    Frolov will be missed in our household.

    Well, good luck to Frolov but better luck to the KINGS!!!

    [Reply]

    threepwood Reply:

    @miracle.on.manchester,

    A year from now, your boy will likely have a favorite KHL team…

    [Reply]

    miracle.on.manchester Reply:

    @threepwood, Hopefully, by then since my son will be a year older and wiser, he will have latched onto another King as his fav and Frolov will be viewed as peripherial.

    I am already leaning towards Simmonds and my 6-year old already digs DD, so he may get some love,too!

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @miracle.on.manchester,Should of told him Fro retired.

    DLB Reply:

    @threepwood, That’s harsh, Guybrush.

    [Reply]

  24. macknight777 says:

    In the time it took to write “I also have a number for Ponikarovsky, so I’ll try to get to that at some point also,” Rich could have told us his number. (!)

    [Reply]

    Kings Fan In Idaho Reply:

    @macknight777,
    That was my exact thought. Gives us something more to anticipate I guess.

    [Reply]

  25. art says:

    Lets get Vanek. Would they take Stoll+Williams+D prospect? They’d prob ask for Simmonds+JJ+Prospects. Would you guys make that deal if both Simmonds and JMFJ were included?

    [Reply]

    tullskull Reply:

    @art,
    I think the problem is we really have no idea how good JJ can become with the right d-man and a green light. I could not make that trade in your second proposal.

    [Reply]

    ArmChairKingsFan Reply:

    @tullskull,

    I completely agree with the unkown for JJ. He has shown he can be a BEAST. Look at his Olympic performance. He was praised all over the place. He needs that anchor with him to be let loose. He did lead the team in assists in the playoffs, so it’s a sign of what he can bring.

    [Reply]

    number 6 Reply:

    @art,

    Art, what have you been drinking… I mean, thinking?
    Simmer and JJ? You Must be kidding. You bring in a scorer (dynamic at times at that) and you lose very key elements of your hockey team.
    Nope/

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @number 6,Liquid LSD in a kool aid cup.

    [Reply]

  26. Nickdoh says:

    “that guy who ended up scoring half the points as frolov in 2010-2011″ is a little longer than “ponikarovsky” but id still like to nominate it.

    [Reply]

    Puckin-A Reply:

    @Nickdoh, I second the motion.

    [Reply]

  27. kingsfan in Seattle says:

    Who is to say that Poni was brought in to take Modin place on the 3rd/PP line and the 1st/2nd LW is coming via trade. If that is true than Deano over payed for Poni. We still veteran D man.

    [Reply]

  28. s.weir says:

    @art
    can’t let simmonds and jj go even for vanek. we gotta use some of these prospects we’ve built up in the system — and as DL has said, we gotta hang onto the young core guys like jj, simmer, doughty, bernier, quick.
    i think ponikarovsky is ultimately a good move, much as i had grown to like fro. he’s bigger, faster, tougher, and he can score. third line from hell zus-simmer-poni. and third lines win playoff series. (now if we can just get those top 2 lines in shape, we’re good to go)

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @s.weir, Letting them go now would be kinda silly,since that was the main reason we didn’t offer Kovalschmuck 100 million dollars.

    [Reply]

  29. Josie says:

    We’ve always called him “Pot-a-coffee”. It rolls off the tongue a bit easier than “Pon-ah-ka-rov-ski”. ;-)

    [Reply]

  30. king_stoner says:

    I think he should be called pony boy.

    [Reply]

  31. Puckin-A says:

    My new name should be Frolover. Man, Dean always ruins my summers. Hope he gets demoted to scout again, which he seems better at anyway. Except when he takes 4 Dmen in the first round out of 5 picks. Durrrrrrrrrrrrrp, wonder why we have no snipers in the system durrrrrrrrrrrrp.

    [Reply]

  32. the dude from the southeast says:

    frolov if your reading this we will miss u and good luck with the rangers see u in atlanta and say hi to avery for me

    [Reply]

  33. Michael Martinez says:

    why has everyone forgotten that Eric Belanger is a FA he was great fro the Kings when he was here i know id sure like to see him back in a Kings uniform

    [Reply]

    King John Reply:

    @Michael Martinez,

    But he’s a 3rd line center…

    [Reply]

  34. kingfletch says:

    I think Poni will be fine on the kings. For losing Frolov they get a pretty decent replacement, i wont say better but its a decent 1 year fix. Its not like the commited massive years on him.
    Frolov wanted out and they got a quick fix replacement that is suitable. The kings still need a first line LW imo though, and or a second line center that is dangerous offensively on a nightly basis. Is Vanek available or is this just people hoping?

    [Reply]

  35. Jadedtool says:

    Unbelievable. I hit refresh and read that the Kings sign someone and I DON’T have an orgasm. Honestly, Ponikarovski? Reminds me of the time we let a LW walk by the name of Luc Robitaille and then signed Randy Robitaille thinking LA fans were so ignorant we wouldn’t know the difference.

    I know I know, it’s not that bad. But have you ever craved Taco Bell and then realize that you left your ATM card in your other shorts, and have to settle for the last 3 or 4 pretzels in a bag at the bottom of your backpack? Same damn thing ( I think?).

    [Reply]

    jamesonafterawin Reply:

    @Jadedtool, Yes, yes I have. Only the pretzels where a little stale and on the floor of the passenger side of the car. Probley a little stale do to the little holes the salt made in the bag from being stepped on by a passenger. Horsey suace made them more palateable.

    The joys of working a field job.
    No time for food, which works because of the the lack of available public bathrooms.

    So when does our team try to make themselves better this year? I hear we have some cap space!

    [Reply]

  36. Kings Fan In Idaho says:

    Rich,

    Could you let us in on which number Poni will be wearing? I hope it is not #23, Brown should get to keep his number, unless it is meaningless to him.
    Hope you are having a great vacation. I’m guessing you will be back by tomorrow.

    [Reply]

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