Greene injury « LA Kings Insider

Greene injury

Posted by Rich Hammond on 29 July 2010, 3:14 pm

I just got off the phone with Matt Greene, who went under the knife to repair his shoulder, a procedure with an estimated recovery time of 3-4 months. Greene said that he had the shoulder examined recently due to “general wear and tear,” but that examination revealed labrum and rotator-cuff issues, as well as bone spurs and arthritis. So, pretty much everything…

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354 Comments

KinguyJosh says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:16 pm

Well that sucks…..now we get to possibly see Hickey and Voynov…..

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softdumpnchase Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
@KinguyJosh, or Muzzin

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Moondoggie Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
@softdumpnchase, Or all three….

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Darko Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am
@Moondoggie, What the Kings should have done – and the NHL can use this slogan if they like
– was take somebody like Ian Laperriere(notes) when he was still on the team,
have a big portrait of his face, smiling with no teeth and his big, messed-up
nose, and the slogan – ‘You think you’re tough? KINGS.
“People don’t understand how tough those guys are. I mean, they make football
players look like they’re doing nothing. Hockey players play so motherf—ing
hard all the time, and I don’t think people get it. And they don’t market it
that way.
Rob Zombie

tmp32 Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:03 am
@KinguyJosh, you gotta be joking…Hickey…Voynov
why not Aki Berg. Where was the medical staff? Why is it they had no knowledge of the injury at the time the season ended? Are they so ostrich head in the sand that they are going to blame the player for not telling them that he was in pain. Man…how astute our guys are. Well there is always free agents. oh, I forgot, we don’t sign free agents. We’ll sure talk to them, and raise their profile and bargaining price, but sign, them, nah. that would make too much sense.

[Reply]
D Fence says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:17 pm

DL. . . Can we get some help on the back end? OD, and now Greener. Depth chart isn’t THAT good.

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Deke'r Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@D Fence, ….and we lost about 20% of our toughness!

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Jorgen says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Get well, Greene! Take your time…but hurry up!

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AK47 says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:21 pm

Better that he does the surgery now then in October. Westgarth is hurt too according to Matt Barry, he reported this injury way earlier today

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wirespeed14 says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:22 pm

Get well Greenie.

I’m starting to get the feeling we’re going to be in for a long year.

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itseric77 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@wirespeed14,….Im getting the feeling.

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hockeysureshot Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
@wirespeed14, I agree! Starting with the Ducks having such a great draft. Hasn’t been the best summer for the Kings thus far at all.

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tmp32 Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:09 pm
@wirespeed14, starting…dude…ya gotta get current.

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909kingsfan says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:25 pm

wow talk about when it rains it pours

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Dr.Gonzo says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Well then… Lost OD, lame ass Jones and now Greeny to injury. Hey Deano, I don’t play D but I’m willing to suit up for a reasonable price. Let’s say 1 yr @ 250k??? My agent awaits your call.

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Captain Material Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@Dr.Gonzo,

The minimum player salary is like twice that. Don’t sell yourself short.

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number 6 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
@Captain Material,

Captain Material… YOU are the man.

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909kingsfan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Dr.Gonzo,
hey damm make dean an offer of 2 mil for one year hell probably pay you cuz seems like everyoe gets over paid to come here.

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Eberlin Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 1:46 pm
@909kingsfan, I should an extra half a mil ’cause I like eating PHILLY cheese steaks. Or maybe ’cause I work in a part of socal that was formerly known as Rancho SAN JOSE? C’mon, with that kind of affiliation, Dean’s bound to like me, right?

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Krusher says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:27 pm

When did we exit the playoffs? And he waits until August to check? Yup, long season ahead folks.

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Larry Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@Krusher, You are totally right in wondering what took so darn long to get this checked and dealt with. 3-4 months from May is a big difference from 3-4 months from now. I just don’t get it.

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Kings Win, Duck's Lose Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
@Larry,

Maybe he injured it at the recent “Matt Greene Checking Clinic”!

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Jeff Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:12 am
@Kings Win, Duck’s Lose,

Is that the clinic where you learn how to get a good piece of glass and miss the player??

Great now along with not being able to skate, he has a bum shoulder.

sstephen17 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 6:56 am
@Larry, You know, I thought about this too. One possible reason is that he may have tried to rehab the injury instead of surgery. When he got the shoulder checked again, the doctors may have said that rehab wasn’t working and surgery was the only option. I don’t see Greene as the type to put off surgery so he can enjoy his off season.

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Matt George Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
@Krusher,

Agreed … WTH

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Harry Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
@Matt George,

Also, they announced that he will not be attending the cruise about 5-6 weeks ago.

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Paul From Oxnard Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
@Krusher, I agree. This was a known issue last season. What happened? He forgot? Pretty annoying.

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909kingsfan says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:27 pm

please dont go off and get kaberle but this is probably what is going to happen now. wow so much for making a big move ever since the trade deadline we got nothing

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wayn3 simmonds Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
@909kingsfan, yeah seriously we got nothing cept Poni whos a 6-5 russian who doesnt fight were gonna get pushed around like a buncha pussies

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Buster Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:50 pm
@909kingsfan,

I always thought that his brother Frank was better.

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Kevin Y says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:29 pm

Damn… Kings gonna start the year, the first month at least, without their alternate captain, not to mention a solid, gritty defenseman.

Looking forward to seeing Voynov and Hickey start out the year, but our already-thin defense looks even thinner now.

[Reply]
ADub87 says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:29 pm

This is a big loss. I didnt care when OD left, but this one is going to hurt us.

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Marc Nathan says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:30 pm

Muzzin, Martinez and maybe Hickey… Drewiske… Voinov… these are the names the team’s been touting, and now it’s time to see if the organization has been correct in their assessment of talent on the blue line. I’m excited, myself

[Reply]
Silence Dogood Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
@Marc Nathan, You got it right IMO. I think that Wiske is going to come up big, along with Muzzin and Martinez – and maybe Hickey.

Plus 1 new guy — maybe Andy Sutton.

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Mark Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
@Silence Dogood,
Fransson

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softdumpnchase Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
@Silence Dogood, I hope it isnt Sutton!

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anonandonanon Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
@Marc Nathan,
Realistically 1 of those guys must step in. Even if Harold can cover the # 6 we’d still need at least a # 4 outsider. The rookie who steps in will have to play at a high, very high level. Options seem to be out there for an established guy. We might end up with a revolving door situation. I see 2 youngsters on the team D in October. Other than the fact that Kaberle’s value has been over-estimated by Leafs fans he’d be ok with me. There are other real good options too. Mara and Carle come to mind. Jones might be ok way cheap as a last.resort.

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Tim from the OC says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:31 pm

Well….. How much longer until a we trade for Tim Gleason?

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Cry Baby Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
@Tim from the OC, Gleason would be great…someone above mentioned Andy Sutton, I dislike that guy so much it gives me a stomach ache.

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Pedro Kings says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:31 pm

Okay, I’ll ask:

Kings’ final game was April 26th. Today is July 29th.

Why did he wait?

Don’t they undergo some sort of physical exam, etc. once the season is over?

I criticize the player here. He is under contract and has a responsibility to his employer/team to bring this sort of issue to light.

What, did he think it was all going to heal on its own?

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909kingsfan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@Pedro Kings,
i totally agree on this one why did he wait this long was he waiting on the kocalchuk sitiation as well or what lol

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number 6 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
@909kingsfan,

He did actually. He was involved in hitting the refresh button for 17 days…

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Kwaz Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 3:05 am
@number 6,

Probably exacerbated the situation ; )

Jester's Dead Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
@Pedro Kings,

He also played in the world championships after the playoffs for the Americans w/ Jack so his final game was actually in mid to late May

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909kingsfan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
@Jester’s Dead,
that explains everything . but it was still funny you got to admit that .

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Desert King Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
@Pedro Kings, I can only speculate about this, but I think the reason why Greene only recently found out about his shoulder problem is due to him having a physical exam in preparation for training for the upcoming season. While I do not know to what extent that players are examined after the season, it is likely (seeing how tough he is on the ice) that whatever pain he might have felt in his shoulder was not serious enough for him to closely examine.

It might also be an issue where rest and rehab could potentially fix the problem, and only now has it been acknowledged that surgery is needed.

Greene would not be wearing an A on his jersey if he were not a responsible and reliable individual, and so I think it is a little hasty to be criticizing him before considering all the facts.

[Reply]
John Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
@Pedro Kings,

Did you not read what he told Rich? He thought it was just wear & tear

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Pedro Kings Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
@John, Yep. read that, but if it was serious enough to require surgery…..really, you just thought it was a little wear & tear?

It hurts one day, sure. Two days, yeah maybe. A week? Call the team and get to the doc immediately……

I definitely don’t question what he brings to the team. Just asking him to use a little better judgement I suppose.

[Reply]
John Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
@Pedro Kings,

It’s just that you guys seem to be pissing all over Greener now…with the same vehemence you sh!t all over DL.

Some people around here are like a split second from complete panic AT ALL TIMES!

KingsFan in OC Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
@Pedro Kings,

You’re talking about a guy that took a puck to the face and finished the game. I don’t really think he feels pain the same way you or I do. Easy to cast judgement when you have no idea what he was feeling.
Barry's Mullet says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:33 pm

Well…if we werent’ already short a veteran dman we are now. This guy is our #1 PK dman…not a good way to start the season!

Hopefully everything goes smooth and he gets back quiok but shoulder injuries are nasty, what happens if he’s out 4-6 months or worse?

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wirespeed14 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, I’d think Scuderi is our #1 PK dman.

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nickdoh says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:37 pm

get ready for willie mitchell.

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John Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@nickdoh,

Yup, that’d be perfect! IF he’s not all concussed & sh!t

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puck73 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:20 am
@nickdoh, I think Willie Mitchell is the best shutdown d man in the game and would replace OD perfectly.

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puck73 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:32 am
@nickdoh, I think Willie is the perfect replacement for OD.

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John Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 7:26 am
@puck73,

Agreed. I like nasty too! He’d come fairly cheap & short term, yeah?

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Tito Jackson says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:39 pm

Time to suit up Bailey.

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deelo Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
@Tito Jackson,

Funny

I was going to say something more to the effect of how the Kings just filled a hole on defense

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Icecrown says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:40 pm

Kaberle would be a dream come true!

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Capt Jam Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:04 am
@Icecrown,

You do realize this Tomas not Frantisek?

[Reply]
jet says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:41 pm

I had a torn labrum and was able to keep going for about 3 months. At that point I could no longer raise my arm to be parallel with the ground. I can understand how he would have thought he could go w/o going under the knife.
Hopefully, the kids are alright. Team toughness will be an issue. Who was that D kid that went from Atlanta to the leafs last season? Kind of a young goat?

[Reply]
pr0cess says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:46 pm

what guy will i miss?? This guy

http://viewfrommyseats.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/greene-bloody.jpg

waiting for more bad news…

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the dude from the southeast says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:47 pm

i dont think he waited it was more like it started to bother him now and not at the time of the end of the season IMO!!!!!^-^

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Mark says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:48 pm

Oh boy,
More toughness gone, Its ok, raitis can handle the toughness.. oh wait.

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gralx says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:49 pm

as it sits right now… we have 3 real, nhl ready d men. The other 3 spots, well….
Harrold
Whiskey
Voynov
Hickey
Tuebert
Forbert

Do I hear a Sixbert?

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Mark Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
@gralx,

Forgetting Fransson who MAY be ready

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John Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
@Mark,

And maybe even Nicolas Deslauriers

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puck73 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:28 am
@John, I think Niclas Deslauriers is a cant miss prospect. I have watched this kid play the last 2 years at El Segundo and I am telling you he just gets it ! Unlike Teubert currently, this kids hockey sense is off the charts. He makes the right decision pretty much every time at game speed and seems ta know when ta pinch in and when to stay back. Maybe thats why he was a plus 22 on his junior team last season. I am 99% sure that Dean would not include this guy in any trade!

Stop the Puck Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
@gralx,

muzzin should be at the top of that list. after watching him in manchester it was clear. this guy is the real deal: big, fast, good with the puck, and tough. he was able to stand up to a bigger, faster, stronger hershey team

[Reply]
EASportsMgt Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:47 am
@gralx,
Why does everyone leave out Martinez. Do you guys not realize one he was the last guy to get cut two years ago, he replaced OD at the start of the season last year, and he was the only young D man to get called up last year. This kid will make the club this year and probably stick all year long.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:00 am
@EASportsMgt, No, I dont think anyone is counting out Martinez but remember this..he made the team last year out of training camp then on opening night vs Phoenix he was burnt like toast and sent back to Manchester. Hopefully with another year of experience playing with grown men in Manchester he will be more prepared this time.

[Reply]
EASportsMgt Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
@puck73, Yes and so was Doughty and about 19 other Kings that night. All around it was a bad night. And he wasn’t sent down to Manchester because of that. The next day in practice he hurt his ankle. Which then left the door open for Jones to be picked up the waiver wire. So it’s not like the kid sucked so bad he got sent right back down. If he doesn’t get hurt, we probably don’t pick up Jones at all.
C-Note20 says:

July 29, 2010 at 3:55 pm

Get well soon Greener!!!!
Now Deans gotta get a D man!!!

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Dominick says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:02 pm

Off topic:Idon’t know if anyone reported this,but Max Talbot is now my hero.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/426164-max-talbot-calls-alex-ovechkin-a-douche

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OCKingsFan says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:07 pm

Oh no!! Not Greener! I’m glad he’s taking care of this now instead of it becoming an unexpected problem during the season.

Can’t wait to see you back on the ice, Hawk! Face time, baby!

[Reply]
Marc says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Rich, does this mean you’re back from vacation?

And for those of you wondering why he waited now before getting the surgery, Matt Barry (CBGB) seemed to indicate that he did get the surgery at the end of the season but that they found more damage & this is a 2nd procedure.

http://www.letsgokings.com/bbs/f4/greene_westie_out_cbgb-183582-6.html – it’s in one of the posts.

[Reply]
Marc says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:18 pm

And I forgot, Westgarth is out too. So we also don’t have an enforcer.

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KC23 says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:32 pm

Ouch. Kings are definately in trouble now. That is a loss where it hurts most.

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KRAZGRL says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:32 pm

Not Greener!! What a bummer! I am glad, however, that this is being taken care of now instead of it becoming an unexpected situation during the regular season.

Heal up fast, Hawk! Face time, baby!

[Reply]
edwood2 says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:39 pm

I hope DL has Andy Sutton’s number on speed dial. As much as I want to see the kids get a chance, we must remember that JJ and DD are still youngsters themselves. We need a veteran d-man for sure.

[Reply]
rontheking Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
@edwood2,

No! No! No! Anyone but andy sutton after what he did to jason allison on purpose! For all intents and purposes that ended allison’s career! Jeez!

[Reply]
tuan jim says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:43 pm

We’re screwed.

[Reply]
USCG Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
@tuan jim, woah woah woah, weren’t you the one that commented on my post a few days ago saying I was over reacting about not making the play offs or something like that? If you’re not then my bad but I’m pretty sure it was you.

[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
@USCG,

I can’t remember what I said and whom I said it to.

I’m screwed, too.

All I know is that we’re entering the next season with less than we had last year and against teams that won’t be taking us lightly this time round.

No Fro, no OD, no Greene for a coupla crucial months –

Are we gonna spend the season chasing other guys on the way to the play-offs? Instead of getting a quick lead, streaking when we have to, and coming home safe?

I’m already throwing my guts up about Fro. This fresh news is another twist of my intestines.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
@tuan jim,
Nobody took us lightly last season.Going into the season everyone pretty much new that we were a team on the rise.No ones going to look at us and say”there’s an easy 2 points”.Hopefully we don’t look at anyone that way either.

If we’re expected to suck,and still managed to get points,like Pheonix or Colorado did last season,than yea we took them by surprise,but most experts expected us to make the playoffs before the season even started.

Buster Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
@tuan jim,

The only way that we’re screwed is if Randy Jones is an option.

[Reply]
USCG says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:45 pm

hm…I don’t hear anything from all the people saying we’re still gonna make the play offs and have a greater season than last year even though we don’t have anyone on the wings, no enforcer, and only 3 true NHL defenders for a month or two.

[Reply]
John Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
@USCG,

We’ll make the playoffs, Nostradamus. And probably add a winger or two, a defensemen and a goalie to the core ;P
(which, if we were to finish 6th, 100 points AND developed 3 or 4 more bonifide NHL players, I’d consider a huge season)

Drewiske and Harrold are not fake NHL defenders, just so you know. And with at least one of Hickey, Muzzin, Voynov, Fransson, Martinez, Tuebert or Deslauriers making the club, we’re ok. Really, USCG!

Plus, the whole 40+ days till camp & GM’s having to dump salary & all…

[Reply]
thound Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:51 am
@John,

With Quick, Bernier, Zatkoff and Jones on board, Tender depth isn’t a problem in the organization for the first time in quite some time, so I see no reason why they’d go out of their way to add one to the core.

Hickey needs to prove he can stay healthy. And he’s still a year or more away from Staples Ice.

Voynov and Teubert are getting closer, Martinez as well. Kinda worried about Voynov’s attitude and mindset with his reported put me on the roster or it’s the KHL for me demands.

ALl these kids are young though I.e. 19 and 20. Not too many defensemen in the NHL at that age. Doughty was, but he’s like a freekin’ alien. Can’t compare the others to him.

[Reply]
John Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 7:21 am
@thound,

The core would be players we KNOW can play in the NHL at a high level, i.e. Kopitar, Doughty, Quick. I’m talking about adding Bernier to that mix.

Hickey is 21, Muzzin is 21, Martinez is 23, Fransson is 25 & Drewiske is 25.
Dave says:

July 29, 2010 at 4:54 pm

This is really quite bothersome news. You would think DL would have known about Greene’s shoulder issues this offseason. He waists his time with Kovi and now we are down 3 starting d-men from last season.

Any team that wants to trade with us now knows we have d-men issues and will ask for a Kings ransom.

Nice job DL!

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
@Dave,

Hey, you can’t expect DL to be responsible for Greene’s health!! He’s not his father. Calling each player after the season to see how they’re feeling is not part of his job description. Geez. I hope DL doesn’t read this stuff. Granted he’s made some errors at times but this doesn’t qualify as one of them.

Also, as for the Kovi ordeal, if I had the player fly out w his agent to see me And I offered him 13 yrs @ 85mil, while I wouldn’t assume that I’ve got him, I’d certainly not imagine that I would be trumped by another team offering him twilight zone money. Point being, he was deeply involved in that scenario and w good reason. So he did have other things on his mind.

[Reply]
dave Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
@number 6,

Really? Jersey’s offer was floating out there before Kovi flew out here. He waisted his time with Kovi, period, end of story.

DL should have gone in a completely different direction this off season.

We were already down two starting d-men and now we are down three.

[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
@dave, I would have been disappointed if DL had not made a run at Kovi. Grossman played Lou and Dean. I would hate to be a UFA next season with Grossman as my agent.

And, would you consider OD and Jones top 6 Dmen next season? This is the time to get the kids some experience.

the dude from the southeast Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
@dave, he did go after paul martin and gonchar before kovi so he tried but they chose their teams cant do anything about it
Aleks says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:01 pm

Great luckily we are already short one defensman.

[Reply]
John Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
@Aleks,

Spot on, Aleks!

[Reply]
McDonalds says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:01 pm

Ok…so now we have Doughty, JJ, and Scuderi

[Reply]
murf says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:31 pm

WOW really! not sure if youngsters are ready LOOKS LIKE A TRADE

[Reply]
Jim S. says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:35 pm

Rookie time!

Time to open up the Manchester pipeline!

[Reply]
insider#2 says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:41 pm

Greene will be in my players every night until he is back on the ice.

[Reply]
Howe 9 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
@insider#2,
Why do you say players every night? Most people just pray.

[Reply]
RoyalPain Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
@Howe 9,

Don’t be a plick.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
@RoyalPain, *ROFLMAO*!!!!!!!!

grega11 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:36 am
@RoyalPain,

that was so cool, dude
Forum67 says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:50 pm

It’s a little early to be hitting the panic button about next season. There are young defensemen in the pipeline that will get a good look AND there is still plenty of time to make a trade for a defenseman if Lombardi thinks it’s necessary. I suspect that unless whatever defenseman Lombardi has his eye on is available at the right trade price that we will be playing with a very young defensive corps next season. And Greener is not out for the season which would have been far worse.

[Reply]
nykingfan says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:51 pm

It’s time for these kids we’ve been touting as part of the best young org…to show us what they’ve got.
We’re certainly going to miss Greener in a lot of ways. Those tough, steady guys are easy to overlook until they’re not there.

I didn’t know about the Westgarth injury. This certainly opens up a spot for a guy like Clifford. He’s a big, tough kid. Playing 4th line is a nice way to break the kid in. He’ll also bring some more talent to the 4th line. Never a bad thing.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
@nykingfan, Hey Ny….Funny thing, I was wondering what you might say about this latest development….

I concur, the young defensive corps has been the Kings biggest strength so far. We’ve got some very good kids who are ready to play up with the big club. Granted, I’m certain that DL doesn’t want to go into next season with just three experienced defensemen but it could be worse. I think the kids we have can fill the bill until help arrives. Yes, another experienced Dman would help but everyone has to remember, while untried in the NHL (a big step, granted) guys like Hickey, Voinov, Martinez and Muzzin are right on the cusp of making the team anyway.

While I’d like to see our D just a little more experienced, you could probably at worst case put one of the kids with JMFJ, Dewey & Scuds and they’d be ok. DL will undoubedtly either make a trade or sign a UFA.

Don’t worry. All is not lost everyone, keep the faith. It’s working….everything is going to be just fine. Let DL work his magic…and stop comparing every move he makes to what Kovi did. It isn’t productive; Kovi in my humble opinion was never going to come to LA; he used the Kings to get the deal he wanted with NJ. We don’t want a player who doesn’t want to be a King, especially at the price he was asking. A Kings ransom? No way, he just wasn’t work it.

Perspective everyone, keep everything in perspective. The Kings are going to be just fine.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 5:11 am
@Moondoggie,

well said doggie!

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 7:54 am
@Moondoggie, i Agree with all of that and I would like to add this..I am very surprised that Dean offered a 27 year old player a 13 year contract which would take him till he is 40, that seems very unlike Dean and his philisophy. Now I know thats the way things are currently in the game and all these teams are trying to fit players under the cap any way they can but to me that was way too excessive on Deans part if thats true. Now, if the Kings were to offer Drew Doughty a 15 year 90 million dollar contract that would be fine because it would take him till he was 35, that I could see.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
@puck73, Yea, I know. I think there was much more at stake here than just putting a high scoring player on the ice. There was marketing, endorsements, promises that this guy would be the face of the franchise for years to come, etc. This was a purely business decision that I think came from way up in AEG. No, I don’t have any proof, just my gut feeling. It’s the same with Lou over in NJ; the way he threw his ownership under the bus when asked about the contract….well, I think his comments speak for themselves.

Yes, I’d have liked to have seen Kovi in a Kings jersey but not for a Kings ransom, it’s just that simple. Yes, the Kings sure could have used him but not at the price he was asking. Personally and particularly looking around the league at teams that are now saddled with cap issues (see the Blackhawks and soon the Devils too) I’m glad DL didn’t do it.

I really like this team and how DL has built this organization. I see great things coming out of the Kings for years to come if they stay the course. To throw it all away and paint yourself into a corner with a megacontract like Kovi was seeking strikes me as being just plain ludicrous.
Bkrs-Bud says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:56 pm

Wow we need a left winger for the 2nd line,3 starting D-men.

the roster looks like Swiss Cheese, full of holes.

The clock is running do we move forward or do we fall back.

It is getting hard to be optimistic.

More good than bad news would be nice for a change.

Maybe next month?

[Reply]
Dave says:

July 29, 2010 at 5:57 pm

jet Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:43 PM

@dave, I would have been disappointed if DL had not made a run at Kovi. Grossman played Lou and Dean. I would hate to be a UFA next season with Grossman as my agent.

And, would you consider OD and Jones top 6 Dmen next season? This is the time to get the kids some experience.

Jones definitely no and OD was starting to show his age. I figured we were going to have one of the youngsters from manchester make the roster and sign a free agent or trade for a D-man Now we are down three and in my opinion two inexperienced d-men should not be part of the opening day roster.

DL has been a re-active GM this off season, now he is going to really have to re-act…LOL. Hopefully he can find some serviceable free agent d-men that are still out there.

[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
@Dave, I would normally agree with you on starting out with 2 rookie Dmen, but Fransson is 25 and has been playing with men. DD2 and Harold have played for a couple of seasons. And I believe Martinez turns 23 during training camp and has a few games under his belt would work as a number 7. This may work for the first 10 games. Toughness still needs to be addressed, so bringing in a Dman may need to happen anyway.

I have to disagree on DLs effort this off season. As a matter of fact, I cannot think of one GM who has put more into this off season. Can you?

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
@jet, That was a pretty good read….thx!

[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard says:

July 29, 2010 at 6:02 pm

I’d love to see Teubert make this team. His chances keep going up…

[Reply]
regulate says:

July 29, 2010 at 6:19 pm

Teubert needs a lot of work before he is ready for the next level. Let’s see what a season at Manchester brings playing against men. Would love to get Kaberle (with a signed 2-3 year contract extension), but our trading position is now weaker than before since the the other GM’s know we are in a more desperate position.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
@regulate, Agreed. Teubert has a long way to go from what I’ve heard. He needs a very solid season at Manchester then we can go from there. From what I’ve heard, he didn’t exactly shine in Ontario.

[Reply]
King John says:

July 29, 2010 at 6:34 pm

Now I know why we’ve been drafting so many defensemen(!): We’re going to need three of them to play regularly come October….

[Reply]
michael_dd8 says:

July 29, 2010 at 6:47 pm

I know were bad in D right now , and greene out is making it even worse , he’s not gone and will be back. Its unfortunate but cmon stop being so dramatic. With or without him , we still need a dman , so maybe this is more incentive for dean?

[Reply]
Jim Jones says:

July 29, 2010 at 7:04 pm

Any info on the timeline?

When did he have the initial procedure and the bigger procedure?

The fact that there hasn’t been a specific date mentioned (by Rich, Helene, CBGB, press release) makes me wonder. I don’t know if it’s good or bad.

If he had the initial procedure right after the season, shouldn’t he have had the follow-up soon after? Or did he wait a while to have the follow-up for some reason?

[Reply]
luckyluc13 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
@Jim Jones,Having had almost the same issues and surgery in March I can tell you that it may take longer than 3 months.Doctors told me about 3 months to heal.It’s has been 5 months and I just got clearence to go back to work in mid Aug.I don’t have the facilities or training staff that Green has so hopefully he can recover more quickly.

[Reply]
Jim Jones says:

July 29, 2010 at 7:05 pm

PS. I think at worst he’ll miss 15 games. It’s not the end of the world.

Drewiske will get a longer look. That’s all.

[Reply]
kingsfan4life says:

July 29, 2010 at 7:06 pm

maybe just maybe this is what needed to happen….now DL will wake the F up and see oh damn time to make a trade for some good players. I know the dude has the prospects to make a sick trade, but seriously guy needs to show some balls here and do it. Im giving it till Sunday that he makes a very very good trade, ill even put money down on it…Kings will be great this year, Greene and Westgarth going down isnt the end of the world all its going to be ok I swear.

[Reply]
jofa6000 says:

July 29, 2010 at 7:26 pm

was up the panic? the season hasnt even started and ppl are already counting us out… we drafted D for the last 4 years and now this give some of the young guys a chance to step in and make a difference. All will be fine and we’ll have a good season.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:26 pm
@jofa6000, Better yet, these kids are ready. The Kings are going to be just fine. There will be certainly a learning curve and some patience as they will make mistakes. But overall and in the long run, the Kings are going to be fine.

[Reply]
alma says:

July 29, 2010 at 7:36 pm

That explains why Matt wasn’t at the clinic last nite… Rich Clune filled in, and with the way Rich was missing the net, maybe HE needs to fill in at D… ;-p /sarcasm

[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
@alma, Clune was just doing his Greene impression.

[Reply]
kevin from toronto says:

July 29, 2010 at 8:03 pm

he’ll miss like the first month of the season…

a chance for hickey, voynov, and teubert to get some action.

this could be a blessing is disguise!

stay positive boys!

[Reply]
hockeysureshot Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
@kevin from toronto, I hope so! Just another bit of bad news in a lackluster summer for Kings fans thus far. Thankfully it is only late July.

[Reply]
RJB says:

July 29, 2010 at 8:05 pm

Nice Physicals The Kings Have To endure In The Off Season..Dont tell me Matt and Salo where playing Floor Hockey together again. At what point does Green say to management I cant brush my teeth in the morning because of soreness? AEG said “wait until training camp because we wont pay for Xrays in the off season” Well that puts the responsibility solely back on DL’s shoulders..Oh Right…

Your Move Deano..

[Reply]
pr0cess says:

July 29, 2010 at 8:11 pm

I really feel there needs to be a better explanation on this one. I think a lot of valid points have come up. OK so he wanted to wait to see how if paned out, well even still he should have said something, you would think that with his livelihood at stake he would take advantage of the experts?? To me it just don’t all add up, i not a doc but maybe someone has knowledge if this would be a sudden pain? Or a building pain?

[Reply]
ERock says:

July 29, 2010 at 8:16 pm

Well…I see Doughty’s ice time keeps going up.

[Reply]
neil says:

July 29, 2010 at 8:23 pm

a blessing in disguez(sic) it will help us at the end of the season ..We are still ahead of schedule( Bad Joke)

[Reply]
RJB Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
@neil,

What Schedule? 44th Year!

[Reply]
John Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
@RJB,

Yeah, we’ve always built from within…

[Reply]
Gislaw says:

July 29, 2010 at 8:27 pm

That’s a shame…best wishes for a successful, and speedy recovery. His contributions will be missed this October.

[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 says:

July 29, 2010 at 8:31 pm

Hossa did the exact same thing last year. It does make one wonder; why not just get the medical work done in the summer?

There are plenty of D-men out there. Now is not the time to be shy about making a move.

I have hinted at this before but if we let the first 10-20 games get away from us this season, it will be tough getting back into the play-offs (see 09-10 Leafs).

[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968, really, you are comparing our roster to the leafs. Burke (mister I dont need 5 years to complete a rebuild) will never see the playoffs with his team.

[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:37 am
@jet,

The point is, losing is not good for the play-off future. It matters not what sweater the team happens to be wearing.

[Reply]
Stop the Puck Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,

one difference: hossa went to game 7 of the cup which ended in june and got the procedure right after. that was a 5 month injury

[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
@Stop the Puck,

I’m not sure that is entirely true. He got signed and went to the Blackhawks Convention before his operation; there is a funny video of some 12 year old girl asking him to lead the crowd in a “Wings suck” chant.

I can’t remember last year entirely but this year the Hawks’ Convention starts today. I think it was at the same time last year, if not later.

[Reply]
Stop the Puck Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,

yeah i believe youre right about him signing first…so then thats at least after july 1. in any case he took less time in going under to fix everything
Renbe says:

July 29, 2010 at 8:32 pm

I’m not positive but I think we are going in the wrong direction. I re-uped my tix but I was hoping for a better yr. I was going out of my mind thinking we were getting Kovi only to be disappointed. Now I’m scared Deno has backed himself into a corner. Do nothing or trade some kids. I vote trade some kids…JUST DON’T F@#* IT UP!

[Reply]
VanKingsFan says:

July 29, 2010 at 9:14 pm

Realistically we need to add another defensemen, but Greene is a tough SOB and will only miss about one month of the season, he will ease back in and play a solid 60-65 games still.

[Reply]
GloryHole says:

July 29, 2010 at 9:44 pm

Who really cares…a new season of Project Runaway started! FABULOUS!

[Reply]
Kris says:

July 29, 2010 at 10:23 pm

Get well fast! We are gonna need you!

[Reply]
Shutout says:

July 29, 2010 at 10:30 pm

I’d hate to see a bunch of kids start the season on the club. Better to get some vets in here pronto to absorb this serious lack of depth.

[Reply]
v918 says:

July 29, 2010 at 10:36 pm

This team, in my opinion, is a 2nd rate organization. We ARE the Clippers of Hockey. Raising the cup, yeah right! All you morons who remain in deniel, stay that way, because no one will change your mind. Most think that since we got ousted after the first round this year, next year we should at least get to the 2nd round. Look around folks. Look at some players who left and then what they became with other teams. Look at all the years of misery. Hell, the only way we went far one year was because we bought the old Edmonton Oilers, and guess what……we still could not win the cup! Also, I was not a big fan of Frolov, but we got rid of a 30 goal scorer and got a 20 goal scorer in return. Now that…. was a hell of a business move. Gee, who was that guy that we got, currently I can not even remember his name. Yes, I am a Kings fan. I have accepted that we have an entertaining team with hints of glimmer in Doughty, Johnson, and Handzus. Everybody else is either average or somewhat disappointing. Kopitar is not our answer, and not star quality. I am still searching for those qualities that some fans mention about him. Quick is, well….OK and I could go on and on. Yes I will continue to watch and root for the Kings, but I do the same thing for the Clippers. Do I expect much…not likely. Will I pay to go to a game, sure I would. They are my home team and I will continue to be loyal, but my expectations are not very high. Until we get rid of Murray, Lombardi and AEG, I don’t see much happening soon and foresee a mediocre year, at best. I have no idea how that will happen or even if it could happen, I am just giving you my opinion. I am a fan and could care less about salaries, payments, the CBA or any of that stuff. I just want a winning team, and do not foresee that soon, but I am a Kings fan….Go Kings

[Reply]
murf Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
@v918, There’s a boat leaving straight to the pond hope your on it

[Reply]
dMan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
@v918, why would you want to root for a 2nd rate organization?

There’s another club down the road looking for fans like you. They won a cup – you might want to change your allegiance.

[Reply]
v918 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
@dMan, Re., the Kings being a 2nd rate team… Sometimes I do ask myself why I do root for them. And I do root for the Ducks…when is the last time the Kings won the cup? I know, Dman…this year right? Get Real, better yet…Go with me and watch a Ducks game…Oh yes, Go Kings!!

[Reply]
OneTimer Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 5:15 am
@v918,

You lost me at “This team…”

Good luck in your misery and non-belief.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 6:30 am
@v918,

I don’t like you.

[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:34 am
@v918, LOL like everyone else said, dont let the door hit you on the way out. But after your out i hope something happens to you. And you can reflect on how much your life sucks, but do the right thing and stop being mommys little mistake.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:17 am
@v918, Wow ! After reading some of the replys to your posting I think it is safe ta speculate that you had better get a new call sign because when people see @v918 from now on they are gonna bury you in a verbal ditch so deep that you are gonna need a steam shovel ta dig yourself out of it! I think it is apparreent after reading your rant that you are in love with “Name Players”. Since that is the case, you ought to become a fan of the Rangers because they love Name players as well and piss away more money then the city of Bell or Bruce Mcnall.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
@puck73,

WINNER!
First city of Bell reference in regards to hockey this year. I like it.

[Reply]
v918 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
@puck73, first, you need to bone up on your spelling and grammer

[Reply]
Lexigirl Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
@v918, That would be grammar I believe…
You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, but why spew all the unconstructive negativity on here? I think there would be alot of division rivals who would enjoy your point of view much more. Just asking…

EJ Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 2:05 pm
@v918, oh pul-e-a-s-e!!! Your original post was barely readable. And you’re slagging someone about their spelling and grammar.

And after all of that, it’s pretty obvious that you are clueless when it comes to the game of hockey.
Token says:

July 29, 2010 at 10:51 pm

I just don’t understand all this hysteria.

Players get injured. It is part of the game. This is no different than Green or anyone else getting injured in the first game of the season.

Doesn’t change a thing with respect to trades and UFA signings. DL should stick with his plan, get another body on board and let the kids step up.

[Reply]
flex says:

July 29, 2010 at 10:56 pm

with or without Green,we still needed another good ,solid D.that’s for sure.In this case,this is good
opportunitie for those young prospect to come over to show who is who…voinov,muzzin..hickey?
I never was impresed with Greeni…No talent,no to much brain…Hard work only.So ,this so called bad news,could be….Good news.
…also,we need an explaination…why now..why so late.
and finaly…how smithi is doing after the surgury…any news?
I hope Dl stress is over,he can make good FORCED trade.
Yes,forced,because he is just not ready for high level moves…

[Reply]
notposimatt Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:40 am
@flex,
I’ve gotta get greenes back on this one the dude is a solid d zone dman but I think besides that he has a ton of heart look at the games he was out last year I think we lost em all I’m probally wrong on that stat but it sure as hell seemed like it, I think he makes the kids around him more passionate just sayin

[Reply]
McSorleyfan says:

July 30, 2010 at 12:04 am

Having had that surgery, it’s a pretty bad situation. Of all the surgeries I’ve endured, the mytak suture labral repair was the worst. Before they committ to it they want to wait and see and then wait and see some more. They’ll try cortizone injections, etc., before finally going in. FGirst they’d want to wait to see what rest would do… then therapy, and then the anti-inflamitories and steroids, etc., with therapy. I sustained my injury playing offensive tackle, not hockey, but a torn labrum is a bear. Understand, while there is a huge difference between 3 months from last May and 3 months from today, there’s no doubt the medical staff is making these calls. There’s never a guarentee for results in a shoulder surgery.

[Reply]
Scaught says:

July 30, 2010 at 12:19 am

Get Bernier or Quick some Stick ‘Em.

[Reply]
Kings Fan in Temecula Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:44 am
@Scaught, lmao, yeeah, they’ll need all the help they can get with a gaping hole on thier sides

[Reply]
KH says:

July 30, 2010 at 12:31 am

I <3 the kings

[Reply]
brandyn says:

July 30, 2010 at 1:40 am

Today is officially “Crosby Sucks Day” Happy holidays… oh and crosby sucks

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:02 am
@brandyn, yah, and that Gretzky was overrated, and Lemieux was a big Oaf, oh, and that Bobby Orr couldnt carry Randy Jones jock !

[Reply]
deadcatbounce says:

July 30, 2010 at 7:18 am

One thing a lot of you may be overlooking is that invasive therapy, i.e. surgery, is the treatment of last resort. Doctors will always prescribe conservative therapy first, only then move on to invasive therapy after conservative therapy has failed because of the nature of surgery. R&R is conservative therapy. Rest first, see how the injury heals with inactivity, maybe with some anti-inflammatory medication, etc., then move on to the next stage before finally resorting to surgery. If there is a conservative modality of treatment available, you will almost always choose that first.

[Reply]
luckyluc13 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 7:41 am
@deadcatbounce,So true.After my MRI,I had to go through 3 months of physical therapy that did not help,before they would consider surgery.Now I know things work differently for pro atheletes but my doctors,(Kerlan\Jobe,same guys that do the Kings)
held off surgery untill they felt there is was no other option.

[Reply]
deadcatbounce Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:24 am
@luckyluc13, I don’t think it’s too much different for pro athletes. You want to go with the least radical treatment option possible. For everyone who says that Green should have gone under the knife right after the playoffs, that’d be like if we went to the ER with chest pain and instead of the doctor suggesting lifestyle changes and prescribing medication he sent us off to the operating room for a heart transplant.

[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:32 am
@deadcatbounce,

Dead on.

The fact that they proceeded directly to surgery implies rotator cuff/labral damage that could only be repaired with surgery.

There would have been serious shoulder issues all year without the surgery. This isn’t so bad, in itself…

The season the Kings want to be ready at full strength for participation is the 2010-2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning 13 April, 2011…

He’ll be ready by then…

[Reply]
Chuck says:

July 30, 2010 at 8:11 am

Welcome to LA, Thomas Kaberle…

Really bad news for Greene, we’re very limited on big stay-at-home D-Men in the system.

[Reply]
Capt Jam Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:09 am
@Chuck,

For the love of God, no! That doom us to lottery contention again.

[Reply]
Capt Jam Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:10 am
@Chuck,

For the love of God, no! Maybe Deano can coax Sydor out of retirement.

[Reply]
the dude from the southeast Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
@Capt Jam, or blake hehehe

[Reply]
michelle says:

July 30, 2010 at 9:06 am

NOOOOOO!!!!!!! hope he gets better, and soon!!! not only are we losing the most physical defender that we have but i’m missing my future boyfriend.

wish you a speedy recovery babeh

[Reply]
Kings Fan in Vancouver, WA says:

July 30, 2010 at 9:15 am

Does anyone think that Poni looks like Jokinen with a lazy eye on the Kings website? Just sayin…

[Reply]
Simarosa says:

July 30, 2010 at 9:19 am

Now is the time for Andrew Campbell to make to move to LA.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:27 am
@Simarosa, Trust me on this…Neither Campbell, nor Teubert is ready for the NHL. While this organization is loaded with puck moving defensemen, where we are weak is stay at home guys. Thats why they should sign Willie Mitchell to replace Sean Odonnell and let the young puck movers fight it out for the last spot.

[Reply]
Simarosa Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
@puck73,

I was not serious about Campbell, it’s no secret in Manchester that he’s been a waste of a roster spot since the first day he put on a Monarchs jersey.

[Reply]
Atomic Steve says:

July 30, 2010 at 9:24 am

Lets think about this logically for a change, We are in a really good position right now. We have all our Rfas resigned and still have plenty of cap room. With all the arbitration hearings ending teams are now starting to go over the cap. As of today Calgary and Boston are both over the cap by more then 2 million dollars. I’m not going to speculate about who we trade for, but we can get a good d-man or 2 for picks and/or prospects at this point because we can take the salary. Dean waiting till this point just puts him in a stronger position because a lot of teams are going to have to shed salary.

[Reply]
Geno says:

July 30, 2010 at 9:28 am

Don’t forget the last time the kings went to the Stanley cup final was 1993 against Montreal with 3 rookie defensemen: rob Blake, daryl sydor, alexi zhitnik. So it is possible with the likes of hickey, voynov, muzzin, and fransson.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:14 am
@Geno,
Great point Geno, I didn’t realize this.

Of course all three of those guys had incredible careers and were destined for greatness when they began. But maybe the same goes with our young lot now.

[Reply]
Traded For A Pick Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
@Geno,

Interesting point but the team also had Wayne, Luc, and Kurri up front.

[Reply]
vicarious Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 2:09 pm
@Geno,

I hope you are right and the young players can fill in. Losing OD and Greene means the Kings need a big defenseman as they were two of our strongest if not fleetest.

FYI, Rob Blake’s 1st year with the Kings was 1989 and he stepped in and played big minutes even in the playoffs. The 92-93 playoff run was his 3rd or 4th year in the league.

92-93 was Sydor’s 2nd year. Zhitnick was the only rookie.

The Kings are thin at the back at the moment, that is for sure. They were thin even with Greene.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan says:

July 30, 2010 at 9:30 am

If we trade Stoll, Moller in a package for a D man (Kaberle). And then Sign Sutton.

Smyth – Kopitar – Williams
Parse – Savard – Brown
Poni – Handzus – Simmonds
Richie – Cliche – Westgarth/Clune

Doughty – Scuds
Johnson – Sutton
Kaberle – Rookie
Harrold

Thoughts?

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:31 am
@VanKingsFan,
Had Savard on the brain… I meant Schenn

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:52 am
@VanKingsFan,

I think you need to lower expectations on Schenn. He may make the team but to put him right up to 2nd line duties is a little to much to ask IMHO.

It’s not that I don’t like Kaberle, I just think they’re ask too much for a 1 year rental. Sutton’s a no brainer, we really need him now. After that I think we make a picks/prospect trade to get another D-man. Our forwards are pretty much the same as last year if you think about it. Just need a few kids out of camp to round out that 4th line.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:57 am
@VanKingsFan,

Smyth – Kopi – Williams
Richie – Stoll – Brown
Poni – Zues – Simmer
Parse – Moller/Cliche – Clune (We have like 8 prospects who could make up this line.)

Scuds – Doughty
Sutton – JMFJ
trade – Muzzin

Quick/Bernier

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:14 am
@Tookie,
I guess one of our main differences is Richie and Parse. For me, Parse is useless on the fourth line, but Richie can be very effecitve there with his attitude and work ethic.

I see Parse on the 2nd line because I see much more potential for scoring and point production from him. He made a few plays last year that made you stop and go, “wow, this guys got skills!”. I think this is a crucial camp for him and if he can step it up he has more potential to be a 2nd line 60 points, type of guy.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:18 am
@VanKingsFan,

Veeeeery good points. I hadn’t thought about it that way. In a sense I think you’re right, and if Parse can keep his work ethic up and do the right things I think he can stick on the second line.

My only point on Richie is that he already has proven he works hard and can produce. It just seems to me that he fits with Stoll and Brown. Not dynamic but just grinders.

Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:26 am
@VanKingsFan,

Veeeery good points. It makes sense that he could fit there. Parse would have to up his work ethic and continue to do the right thing throught the year though. He found himself in TM’s doghouse last year (not hard to do) but if he does it the right way he could be very good with that line.

I just think Richie has already proven his work ethic and attitude, and I think it works well with Stoll and Brown. Not a dynamic line by any stretch but grinds and works hard to get points.

slapshot Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:29 am
@Tookie,

I think Schenn is our guy. I want him on the second line. With the current line-up, I would move Stoll to center the fourth line. He’s great at faceoffs and the responsibility of the fourth line is to get the puck down to the other side of the rink giving the other lines a quick breather and winning faceoffs gives us that ability.

Toronto will want something decent in return for Kaberle. I’m thinking two really good prospects or one great one in Schenn. They aren’t getting Schenn, but are not sold on other players we have in the system. We may have to turn our attention elsewhere if this is the case.

[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:48 am
@Tookie,

Many post the line-up they think will be or that they want to see; yours seems the most accurate to me unless DL goes after another forward.

Let’s hope your “trade” in the 5 hole is Kaberle. Based on what I’ve read, Muzzin is the one youngster who has a chance to make it on the back end.

The only other thing that worries me is that the line-up this year has no real enforcer. This can be more of a problem than some might think.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:11 am
@Doc. Mark 1968,

I agree with you on Muzzin, I think he’ll fight it out with Drewiski and Martinez. I think Voynov, Hickey, Tuebert et all get another year in the Manch…
Kaberle is fine with me depending on the price. Like I said, if it’s Simmer I’ll be super pissed. I don’t think it’s worth it for one year.

I was fine with our enforcers until Westy went down. Now I’m worried…I don’t know if Dean goes after one to be honest. We can still get the rat back but do we really want him? or do we let a youngin’ take his lumps in the show?

neil Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@Tookie, why figure out lines since it changes game to game….

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
@neil,

Point of reference I guess. You gotta start somewhere right? Do you think TM puts all the LW names in a hat then has all the centers pull a name out?
“There you go…THAT’s your LW for tonight!…we may do this again after the 2nd period so stay frosty boys”

YES on 19 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:14 am
@VanKingsFan, I’m not so sold against Kaberle because he can move the puck, but Andy Sutton is a human orange cone.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:22 am
@YES on 19,

I don’t think the problem with Kaberle is his talent. He’s a good D-man, I think the issue some of us have is the cost of obtaining him for one year. Picks and prospects sure no problem, but if they want simmonds or something….forget it.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:28 am
@Tookie,

Here is my thinking on Tomas.

I am hoping they will accept Stoll and a prospect (I am thinking Moller probably, maybe one of our D prospects since we have so many).

I think either Schenn, or Lewis, or Loktionov or Holloway, can step in to the vacant centre position left by Stoll. I think we will be okay here because Zeus is one of the best “3rd line” centres in the game.

Kaberle will be great for one year, and then he will be replaced by one of our many prospects the following season, and we will gain cap space to re-sign Doughty, Johnson etc.

Two years from now I expect our defense to be

Doughty – Johnson
Greene – Scuderi
*Pick two of the following:
Hickey
Muzzin
Martinez
Voynoz
Campbell?
UFA?
Kings Fan In Idaho says:

July 30, 2010 at 9:48 am

Greene’s no slacker, he’ll be working hard in rehab as soon as the doc’s okay it. I’ll bet he misses no more than a month. Good luck Greene, for a full recovery. Just don’t jump the gun and come back too early. You will be missed.

[Reply]
Dazed N Confused says:

July 30, 2010 at 10:10 am

Greene will only be gone for about 17 games or so as long as rehab goes good. We need another D anyway so who do we go after? We will see something done in the next week or so. At least I am hoping for some positive news soon.

[Reply]
p0rcess Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:15 am
@Dazed N Confused, Well i think Kaberle is on the plate… and im not sure i like that idea. But we are in a pickle for sure i think.

[Reply]
Otto Ped Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@Dazed N Confused, ONLY????? That’s damn near a quarter of the season

[Reply]
Stop the Puck says:

July 30, 2010 at 10:46 am

we obtained quincey in a similar, but much more urgent scenario 2 years ago. look how that turned out. DL will do his due diligence and find the right fit, whether that happens now, when camp starts, or 2 days after the season starts is to be determined. im still more concerned with are impotent offense at this point. the only reason we were exposed on D by VAN was our lack of speed, not becasue we were a weak defensive team (not to mention quick faded like crazy). defense will not be our problem

[Reply]
Stop the Puck Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:47 am
@Stop the Puck,

our*

[Reply]
anonandonanon says:

July 30, 2010 at 10:52 am

Peter Harold. Uhh guys. We aren’t going into the finals and he is a serviceable and responsible guy. A couple of nights last year he was the only guy with any energy. And even if he’s the fourth line Rt. wing so he shaddows a rookie Defenseman or gives a tougher UFA Defenseman the green light to mix it up and be off the ice for five minutes. He can be a valuable component at this stage of the season. He might also have some trade value to a team who might be against the cap in New England.

[Reply]
paul says:

July 30, 2010 at 10:59 am

Brendon Witt Put on waivers…… what you think?

[Reply]
Cristobal says:

July 30, 2010 at 11:06 am

No need to panic – for us.
DL will be the one sweating this out because if we miss the playoffs he must be fired.
Ponikarovsky had better be a good defensive player because we’re getting worse and worse at this essential TM ingredient.
Last I checked, Smyth, Williams, Brown and Parse aren’t the greatest players in their own end.
Our defense from last year was fairly a horror-show in terms of helping produce offense. This years corps isn’t blossoming much better YET, so if DL goes with kids it’s going to mean even more time in the defensive end.
Unless, of course, we have guys who will come in a la PK Subban or Tyler Myers.
DL has rid himself of most of DT’s crop – minus only Parse, Quick, Kopitar, and Brown. Now we get to see his youth movement shine, or go up in flames.
Good luck DL.

[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:30 am
@Cristobal, every year for the past 4 years we have become younger and better. And yet, you still continue with the fire DL mantra. Let’s wait until the end of this season and evaluate if the Kings organization has improved over the 5 year rebuild. And yes, I will remind you if I must. BTW, let’s start the evaluation with GK and defense since DL stated upfront that those would be his priority. Ever had crow?

[Reply]
cristobal Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
@jet,

“If the Kings fail to make the playoffs…” was what I said.
If the Kings do miss the postseason, I should think that it would be an indictment of Lombardi as this is his 5th full season.
For all the talk of our system, really, we’ve only seen two players emerge yet – Doughty and Simmonds. Yes, we all expect Bernier to shine, but that still has to come to fruition.
I’m not raining on your parade, just stating realities. The team cannot go backwards and DL and TM stay in their positions.
We’ve gotten younger, and better, after 4 seasons, but the youth has yet to make their mark.
Last season – Scuderi, Modin, Halpern, Jones, OD, Handzus, Smyth. All over age and many are gonzo.

It’s not me harping on DL, its me wanting to see if what he’s been saying is true. Do we have the system in place to start bringing players through and continue to improve in the standings? We shall see.

I’ve already praised DL for some of his good moves, but I still see a GM who doesn’t have a trophy in the cabinet and, at some point, the talking has to give way to success.

Last season was a brilliant success for DL and TM. Making the playoffs is enough to satisfy me. But, we cannot now miss the playoffs.

Now proceed with your snide comment…

[Reply]
RJB says:

July 30, 2010 at 11:31 am

Dont you just love the Kings Ink? The Headlines the Kings grab are amazing..

Kings Lose Out On Top UFA Dman
Kings Lose On Kovi Sweepstakes
Kings Lose Frolov To N.Y.
Kings Lose Green and Westgarth To Injury

All In All Great Off Season DL..

Oh Right, I Forgot…Kings Sign DL To 2 Year Extension..I knew there was a silver Lining.

[Reply]
scvking says:

July 30, 2010 at 11:32 am

A few thoughts on the Greene, the defenseive situation and the possible trade scenarios…

Some are implying that Greene was wrong to wait so long to have surgery. I think some have spent too much time watching NBA players who routinely put off surgery as a means to miss part of the regular season. There is nothing I have seen from Greene that would warrant that. Obviously, he has earned the trust and he shall have it.

We are thin defensively, no question. But, we also have lots of possibilities. We have Harrold and Drewiske with limited experience, but at the least they are both good options, especially for the short term. Harrold is not the same player we saw struggling as a out-of-position forward. He is not bad defensively, and he will give an honest effort. Drewiske has shown that he can play in the NHL. He was good when he came up two years ago, good last season pre-injury. Once he came back, he was seldom used and lacking confidence. But, he has shown enough to believe that he is a reasonable 5-6 option.

As for trading for a D-Man, I think there is a little out there. I can see acquiring Kaberle providing we do not overpay. He is good, not great, has a year left and a hit of 4.25 (I believe). A mid-level prospect and a pick may not be enough to get him, but I would certainly not go much more than that. Sutton is fine, but I seriously think we must already have what he would bring.

As far a Hickey, Martinez, etal…I have no problem giving any of them a shot, IF the organization believes that any are ready, or close to that.

As far as the negativity on this site re the lack of moves, the injuries, the “we are less now than a year ago” talk…
I think we are fine. I am patient, which is nothing I actually have experience with in any facet of my life, except this situation. DL has put a plan in place, he feels it is not quite there yet, and I trust what he is doing. His plan has worked! We are so much better now than when he took over, and there is so much growth potential in the near future. Why would we make rash moves and derail that? The history shows that type of decision making is what led us to the misery of countless dismal years.

Yes, I want the Kings to win, but I don’t want to make mistakes with a panic assault based on where we stand now, 2 months from the season.

The future is bright, better days are ahead. It will happen soon, if we let it.

[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:46 am
@scvking,

I agree with 99% of what you just wrote. Good stuff.

[Reply]
scvking Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@Tookie,

Ok, I’ll bite. What is the %1?

[Reply]
w8ingame Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
@scvking,
Finally, someone with a positive outlook. All the negativity out there was starting to drag me down.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
@scvking,

Yeah, I spend much less time at present on the blog cause I’m fed up with hearing what a lousy organization the Kings have. Thanks for your post. There was a bit somewhere on the net that gave grades to every org for their work in the offseason. The Kings …. got (are you ready?) an A+.
Maybe that’s pushing the envelope a bit, but it’s not like they got a D which is what some here would lead you to believe.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
@scvking,

Good post. One thing that people are forgetting is JJ is going to start out the season a FAR FAR better defensemen than what he was for the entire first half of last season. It is hard to imagine that DD could be even better, but logic would say he should be. Simmons should also be a lot better than what he started out last season. Richardson should start out much better. Parse should be a lot better with the experience he got last season.

I could go on with some of the other youngsters like Whisky and Martinez.

We obviously have some holes left to fill, but I don’t believe it is all as bad as some are making it out to be. I think TM is a very good coach and I think Hardy’s replacement is an upgrade to help our PK.

I do still have my doubts about DL ability to sign high profile players. He certainly failed to even come close with Kovi and virtually all the strong UFA defensemen. I can forgive him for the Kovi joke, but I am troubled he didn’t get one of the UFA defensemen.

Even though it is probably unfounded … I can’t help but get the feeling DL is like a team playing not to lose instead of playing to win. So cautious to not end up paying to much, that he misses out on great opportunities to improve the team.

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
@scvking, Great write up….you’re dead on!

[Reply]
Michael_DD8 says:

July 30, 2010 at 11:40 am

System Arbirtrator set for kovi case, and jimmy muprhy is tweeting that were intrested (Re?) in savard (43 mins ago) .

Who knows?

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
@Michael_DD8,

I am interested in Savard, IF we trade/Stoll.

[Reply]
Renbe says:

July 30, 2010 at 11:54 am

Lost-Frolov, Modin, O’Donnell, Halprern, Jones, Ivanans. Injured Greene. Signed Poni.

Thats 6 spots available. What is Deno’s plan…6 rookie’s? No, maybe 3? Whats he going to do? Where has he been while everyone is signing players. Unless his plan is to take other team player who have to be dump because they are over the cap. Are this what the Kings need? Deno help me here.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
@Renbe, You have pointed out some problems, but that doesn’t really help anybody. How about some solutions from your point of view?

[Reply]
EASportsMgt Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
@VanKingsFan,
That’s funny and good point. Here is my analysis.

Frolov- replaced with Poni (I think we know what Fro brought but he would leave it at home sometimes, Poni knows his role and will be a good replacement)

Modin- Good Left Winger but not a missing piece. Would be good to re-sign and probably not out of the realm of possibility. But with Smyth, Richie on the 2nd line LW, Poni, do we really need him to be a 4th liner?

Halpern- Who? This guy was mostly invisible. Was given time with scorers and didn’t make good of the opportunity. I think any number of our prospects would be a better fit here.

O’Donnell – He is probably the only player that needs to be replaced with a similar or upgrade here. Veteran D man probably a trade coming in to replace.

Jones – Most everyone here complained about how bad he was and I wasn’t all that impressed. He was brought in after Martinez hurt his ankle in practice. I think Martinez is a younger Jones with more upside, so I’m ok with Martinez in that spot.

Ivanans – I think everyone including Ivan knew Westgarth was getting groomed for this role. Whether it be an upgrade is up for debate but most think Westgarth should be fine. I see him as another Parros.

Greene- He will be out a month or two during the season giving some time for Whiskey to gain his confidence again, Harrold can fill in, and of course opens the door for Voinov to prove if he has it, otherwise it’s the KHL for him.

I’m ok with how the team is structured. It’s going to be a fun training camp. I would be excited if I were one of the kids because they know they have a good camp, there is a good chance to make the club. What a time to be a Kings prospect.

[Reply]
Traded For A Pick Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
@EASportsMgt,

I would call Ponikarovsky more of a replacement for Modin. An expensive replacement but thankfully for only 1 year.

And as much as I like Richardson, he has a lot more to prove before he is a legit 2nd line winger. I still think the wing is the most glaring issue. Prospects can plug some holes on defense, but as for a top 6 winger (and potentially a top line winger) the Kings still are suspect. Richardson, Ponikarovsky, Parse, and Moller look like the options currently and I think it could be argued Frolov is bit more capable in that role. But with him leaving and Kovalchuk not signing the Kings are still faced with that dilemma.

And a veteran shutdown defender would be a nice addition still.

Renbe Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@EASportsMgt, I agree with you assessment of all those players but we are still left with 6 spots not including 2 or 3 other kings that are mediocre to be kind. My thought process was all this was know at the end of last season. If our only plan was to acquire Kovi this off season is a complete failure. There have been over 100 free agents signed this year and our plan now is rookie’s. Deno needs to set it up now!!!

scvking Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
@Renbe,

In my mind, at least 4 of the players we “lost” are addition by subtraction cases. If our touted depth can’t replace Halpern, Jones, OD, and Ivanans, we are in a world of hurt. But I think we have upgrades to fill at least those four spots in-house.

Drewiske, Harrold, Westgarth, Martinez sounds much better to me than the four I listed above.

[Reply]
Hockeyfanb4Gretzky says:

July 30, 2010 at 12:25 pm

Brendon Witt just placed on waivers…. just sayin.

[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? says:

July 30, 2010 at 12:35 pm

…no word on why he didn’t think of having it looked at in, say, May or June?

[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, KEN!! where the heck you been?? But ya man i am in the same boat, would like to know why he waited. But rich is semi here and there.

[Reply]
stagger Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,

As we all know, Greene is one tough S.O.B. My guess is he thought it would be something that would clear up on it’s own before the season started. When it didn’t get any better, he went to get it checked out and then got the news on how bad it really was.

[Reply]
Choralone Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@stagger, This. If Greene had issues with his shoulder, it must have been fairly low-key. “General wear and tear” is what Rich quoted. I imagine a tough SOB who plays a very physical game like Greene is used to a certain level of pain, and doesn’t think “injury” unless something is seriously wrong.

[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy says:

July 30, 2010 at 12:48 pm

From Puck Daddy, and Fire & Ice:

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/system_arbitrator_selected_hearing_scheduled_for_kovalchuk_grievance/

Of note–

Kovi will be in Russia, doesn’t have to come…
A Kings representative may be asked to testify…
NJ there as interested party only, may testify…

Will be resolved by next week.

-Good-

My Kovi Fever has long passed…

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,

But Bako. I don’t understand you. This isn’t just anyone. It’s …. oh nevermind. I’m with you. Just not that bothered.

[Reply]
number1fan says:

July 30, 2010 at 1:52 pm

Here’s an idea how bout we shift our focus away from Kovi and trade ideas and try to sign a guy like Afinegenov or go after RFA Bobby Ryan and Marc Staal…offer them contracts that they won’t refuse and that the Ducks and Rangers can’t match we have plenty of cap space and these two guys would be exactly what we need a top 6 forward and a top notch defenseman with some offensive upside…The cap hit for both would be at most $6 mil. and don’t we have $17 mil. in cap space? What do yall think?

[Reply]
number1fan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@number1fan, I mean the cap hit for both would be at most $6 mil. for each player probably less

[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@number1fan,

Ryan rejected 5M per from the Ducks. So you’re probably thinking at least 8M for both.

[Reply]
sup Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
@FKA PakiFro, I say we do it!!

number1fan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Stall and Ryan can’t demand $8 mil per season that’s absurd and no team in the NHL would sign either of them for that much money we weren’t even guna sign Kovalchuk to that type of cash. The only team willing to pay Kovi more was NJ…So again likely in the $6 $6.5 mil range per year and probably less for Staal but I would love to see these guys come to L.A. I think they would fantastic additions and help us take that next step

FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
I mean the cap hit for both would be at most $8 mil. for each player probably less
Geno says:

July 30, 2010 at 2:08 pm

What’s taking deano so long? Andy sutton is a no brainer? If dean feels he needs kaberle in addition then by all means,as long as he doesn’t have to get rid of the farm per say. Stoll or Williams and drewiske at most. You can not give away any of the following: schenn, hickey, bernier tuebert, muzzin, voynov, all should be untouchable,

[Reply]
slapshot Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
@Geno,

I think Toronto will want one of those players in you mentioned in addition to Stoll. I think the ball is in our court. He either pulls the trigger or we have to move on.

[Reply]
joe Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@Geno,

I don’t think that we need to rush this. There is enough time between now and the beginning of the season to make something happen. Just be patient. Personally, I think the ball is in our court regarding Kaberle. I don’t think DL is willing to pull the trigger as he won’t give up Schenn who I believe Tor is after.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@Geno, Maybe Dean has already offered him his best contract, and he is thinking about it. So much goes on every day that we aren’t privy to and I don’t think we should assume that Dean is sitting twiddling his thumbs.

Burke is going to wait til the last second to make his trade so that he can see if any higher offers come in.

I would give up Voynov.. he is leaning dangerously towards the KHL already if he doesnt make the Kings in camp, I don’t like that kind of attitude at such a young age.

[Reply]
matthew says:

July 30, 2010 at 2:13 pm

its gonna be weird wearing his jersey with him not playing

[Reply]
number 6 says:

July 30, 2010 at 3:17 pm

People on this site will not under any circumstances, no matter what happens get it thru their heads that even if we needed a winger to the point where that would save the franchise from going under, We Aren’t Going To Go After Bobby Ryan. It’s not My idea.

DL has said over and over and over that anyone who touches one of his RFA’s with an offer sheet will have a big price to pay. He literally threatened them! So why then would he go and put out an offer sheet? There is no possible answer to that question. It’s totally in the realm of fantasy, but I suppose people will keep suggesting it. While we’re at it, perhaps we can get Sidney Crosby to be his centerman.

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
@number 6, Thank you!

People so desperate for a splash they think things are so easy to do and will automatically fix your problems.

Also, if we did, offer them a contract, then we lose probably a 1st, a second and a third round draft pick.

[Reply]
number1fan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@VanKingsFan, Seriously? it has nothing to do with making a big splash it has to do with making this team better!!! We arguably have the best group of prospects in the entire league why would it matter even if we did lose a first a second and a third round pick? We have more prospects than we know what to do with. Plus if you sign a Staal and a Ryan you are getting 2 very young stars in this league how does that not help us? explain I would love to hear it

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
1. Business Ethics

2. The increased risk of someone doing the same (Rangers or Ducks) to Doughty next year.

3. The reason we have the best prospects, is because of our draft picks. This is about the franchise, not the next few years.

4. Like I said, if you sign one and give up the draft picks, you won’t be able to sign the other, due to lack of draft picks to give as compensation (i think this is how it works, don’t have the rulebook in front of me)

5. We would over pay for one or both of them IMO

6. “More prospects than we know what to do with” This statement is just wrong.

Thats my best go at explaining my thoughts.

number 6 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 6:49 am
@VanKingsFan,

Well don VanKingsFan. Yes, your list of 6 points is perfect and makes total sense. I do lose my patience w some people and I really shouldn’t cause perhaps they simply don’t understand the ramifications. So…. my bad.
But you’ve explained everything beautifully.
If people need a better explanation than that then it’s probably just best to leave it alone.
Thanks again!!

[Reply]
number1fan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
@number 6, Ya because it’s soooo outlandish to even suggest we go after a RFA if it could help our team…Don’t get this idea in your head that just because DL said not to go after our RFA doesn’t mean he won’t go out and try to sign others its called strategy! Last time I checked teams are allowed to offer RFA offer sheets where is that against the rules? If you think DL wouldn’t at least try to sign a RFA if it would help our team you are insane, but the most important thing to him is the right fit that is probably why we havn’t seen much movement since Kovi signing with NJ…You can’t sit there and tell me that Ryan and Staal would not help this team tremendously those two guys would be fantastic additions and a great plan B for losing out on Kovi…By the way do you even have any sources where DL quoted that if any team touches one of our RFA that there would be a big price to pay?

[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
@number1fan, As someone above pointed out, Ryan wants 5 Mil at least, which I feel would be too much, especially considering we need to offer him more than that or the Ducks will just match.

And again, then we also have to give up a 1st, 2nd and 3rd draft picks, thus also making it impossible to sign BOTH RFA’s because we don’t have the picks to give up.

It would just go against Dean’s stated plan of having the space to sign Doughy and Johnson and Simmonds next year.

[Reply]
number1fan Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
@VanKingsFan, no I can understand that I’m just saying if we were willing to pay Kovi that much I think we could drop it down a little down to pick up one or the other I did not know we had to give up draft picks as compensation, but I have never heard DL state that before, but again I think pick up one or the other would help then explore other options through free agency or trades I think Ryan turned down the Ducks offer was because of the years as well, but if he was asking for $5 or $5.5 and the Ducks didn’t match I think that would be a great move because of his production especially at a young age and he will only get better, so IMO, and yall don’t have to agree with me, I think it would be worth losing a few draft picks because of how many prospects we have so that’s an answer to VanKingsFan…How many prospects do we have on defense? 7 or 8 prospects that are capable of playing at the NHL level at some point I don’t think giving up a 1, 2, and 3 round draft pick for next year is too much to give up for a proven goal scorer and on offense we have Schenn, Loktionov, Kozun, Holloway, and others so that’s just my opinion

kasket Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@number1fan, “We’re not only going to match any offer sheet, we’ll have enough space to go after your guys. Go ahead and make our day. If you sign our guy, we’re coming back with both barrels firing. You’d better be damn straight that you have the cap space and all your guys are signed.”
That is what Lombardi told The Sporting News’ Craig Custance about any teams that dare to throw lucrative offers at Kings’ RFA’s Anze Kopitar and Jack Johnson.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 5:49 am
@kasket,

Thanks kasket…. I appreciate it. That story was getting very old. How anyone can think that the Ducks would even Let us take one of their RFA’s w/o matching is beyond me. Oh, and as we all know, sometimes DL does take a while to get our guys signed. Perfect. In the meantime the Ducks would come back and sign Simmer, JJ or Bernier (eventually) – or whoever to a nasty offer sheet. Then what? I was getting tired of trying to explain this by myself.

Anon Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@number1fan, “We’re not only going to match any offer sheet, we’ll have enough space to go after your guys. Go ahead and make our day. If you sign our guy, we’re coming back with both barrels firing. You’d better be damn straight that you have the cap space and all your guys are signed.”
That is what Dean said when Kopi was set to become a RFA.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 5:49 am
@Anon,

yes, and thank you Anon

number 6 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@number1fan,
If you’ve been reading this blog for some time he hasn’t just said it once, he’s said it several times. If you were to ask other bloggers on this site who’ve been here regularly they would back me up.
Listen, I’m not here to get in a dispute about this cause it’s silly. You’ve absolutely entitled to have whatever vision you’d like and I’m sorry if you took my comments as a slight.
But that being said, it’s highly highly unlikely that Bobby Ryan would end up a King.

If you look from another point of view, even if he did want to go after Ryan, Why would our arch rival allow for that to happen?

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
@number1fan,

Oh, and to be more specific about the sources, I’m sorry I don’t have the exact dates that DL made these comments, but it’s not something I tend to note down. I wish I could be more specific there.

[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
@number 6, I got your back…DL has said very emphatically several times something along the lines of “go ahead and make my day…”(I think that was the header on Rich’s post all those many days ago) or to that effect to other GM’s if they make offer sheets to his RFA’s. This is a non issue. DL will not make offer sheets to other teams RFA’s. End of story

Token Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
@number 6, Funny, Ducks signed Wisniewski to a 1 year 3.25M and promptly traded him to the Isles for a conditional 3rd round pick.

More than one way to go after an RFA.

Folks should keep in mind that there are 8 clubs over the cap right now.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 5:51 am
@Token,

You can create a fantastic debate about this actually….. with yourself and I hope you enjoy it.

[Reply]
Michael_DD8 says:

July 30, 2010 at 3:39 pm

One thing we do know, Dean told us that he is (i forgot the word he used) “thinking” (sum it up) about a trade. We dont know who , what , where or anything, but we know that Dean does have some stuff in mind, so im sure we will see something good here. I know this team is still going to be better then next season. Coming off the playoffs, all the boys involved are probably even more pumped for this upcoming season. We have some good depth of D that are ready, that i really wouldnt be too worried about either, we will see how camp goes. Greene’s injury is unfortunate, but he will be back prob withtin the first month of the season, too bad he is missing camp though. Im pretty excited to see what dean has in the bag, but to be completely honest, we still have our same team of boys, and weeded out all the sketchyness. There is no reason to doubt the capability of this team just because we havent gotten anyone with a recognizable name.

[Reply]
kasket says:

July 30, 2010 at 3:53 pm

Get well Greene!!!

[Reply]
DY says:

July 30, 2010 at 6:31 pm

Time to bring Matti Norstrom out of retirement!

[Reply]
Michael_DD8 says:

July 30, 2010 at 7:08 pm

http://www.versus.com/blogs/no-holding-back/crowning-kings-doughty-as-nhls-best-defenseman/

Really interesting story on the top 10 D-men currently in the NHL.. They gave doughty number one defense man (THATS MY BOYY!!!) , but in the article they said he hurt his wrist in game 1 against Vancouver? i never heard a thing, anyone know about that?

[Reply]
Gary Livingston Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 4:17 pm
@Michael_DD8,

I think he mentions that in the post season interviews with Rich on this blog. Just go looking for Drew articles here.

[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 says:

July 30, 2010 at 7:54 pm

From nhl.com:

“The New York Islanders acquired defenseman James Wisniewski from the Anaheim Ducks on Friday in exchange for an optional third-round selection in the 2011 Entry Draft.”

Good God Almighty!!!!!

Where the hell are the Kings on this!?!?!?

Where the hell is DL!?!?!? What a bunch of crap!!!!

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,I’m glad DL didn’t try that!Islanders put 3 quarters in the dime slot and took a Wiz.

[Reply]
hockeysureshot Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968, Glad to see the Ducks lose another defensemen. They are very thin on the blueline.

[Reply]
Eric K Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968, I see your point, but I don’t see us trading with Anaheim, especially not a trade that directly benefits us a lot more. Pretty sure the last time that happened was Aubin for a seventh-rounder…

[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
@Doc. Mark 1968,

For the life of me, I don’t see what the Ducks are doing here, unless they have an idea that they’ll be able to pull off something big soon. I think the Islanders got a bit of a steal here. He’s not a great player by any means, but he’s a top four on a lot of teams (the Isles included), so I’m surprised the Ducks didn’t try to also get a prospect with this deal.

[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 8:18 am
@Doc. Mark 1968, we shoulkd could use someone like Wisniewski right about now. I guess the Ducks didn’t want us to have him. I like the guy.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 8:41 am
You guys are crazy,Wisniewski was a Jones with a little dirtier play.He might help the Isles,but he has no where near the talent level to help us.I think the Ducks are looking at Kaberle.

[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 11:47 am
@Dominick,

Didn’t say I wanted him… I was just surprised at how little the Ducks got in return considering the Isles’ needs and resources. I think it’s mainly a salary dump after he got a nice award from the arbitrator.

John Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 10:46 am
@Doc. Mark 1968,

We have much better options then Wisniewski! Like Drewiske, Harrold, Hickey, Muzzin, Voynov and Fransson. Plus guys like Mitchell, Lilja and McKee are still available for a cheap/short term deal. And, of course, the likes of Bieksa and Kaberle through trade.

No reason to get worked up over missing out on a duck!

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 4:43 am
KingMe20,
I’m sorry I was’nt directing my comments at you.I was just responding to what I think the Ducks were up to.I see now that I lumped my comments together.

I also think there was some sour grapes there too.The Ducks sign him,then get rid of him immediately.Murray kind of said”fine if that’s what you want then see ya”.I’m sure the deal was worked out before he even signed.

I think he’s just stuck on stupid and is the Islanders problem now.

[Reply]
ducksuck says:

July 30, 2010 at 8:44 pm

Time for DL to trade for a d man. The Kings can’t expect to do anything with the defense they have now especially with no Greene. LOL people are talking about other teams thin on the blue line!! The Kings got Johnson and Doughty as the top d line. And just say and Scuderi and Drewiske as the 2nd d line. That leaves Greene on IR and the only d man available being Peter Harrold, so I for some reason feel DL will sign a d man or trade for a d man unless I am forgetting something and our young prospects are ready for the NHL level. GO KINGS!!

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 8:55 am
@ducksuck,
Johnson and DD will be split,as will Scuds and Whiskey.
DD-Whiskey
JJ-Scuds
A trade for a top defensive D man would drop Whiskey to the 3rd pairing,but Whiskey isn’t a slouch.He was a good player(big surprise last season)till he got injured.
JJ and DD will be combined on the PP and in key situations(for example when the games on the line),but other than that they’ll be split.

[Reply]
Token says:

July 30, 2010 at 9:42 pm

I’m going to play some Fantasy GM since I’m so bored with all the doom and gloom.

If I were GM for a Day, I pick up the phone and call up the Blackhawks.

Here would be the deal:

We will pickup Campbell off re-entry waivers.
We will take Hossa off your hands.
We trade Ersberg since you can now afford Niemi and need a good backup.
We trade a good D prospect since you are thin on the blue line, and maybe a pick.

Chicago gets to dump 8m, burry Huet in the minors for another 5.5M, kill the most toxic contract in the NHL and is left with a decent team.

We get to fill our blueline and get a star winger.

Anyone else want to play? Whats your fantasy?

[Reply]
Subby Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
@Token, that Frolov would come home :’[

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 8:58 am
@Subby, Parise.

[Reply]
some fan says:

July 31, 2010 at 3:36 am

Why does everyone want to trade Stoll?

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 6:55 am
@some fan,

Wondered that myself.

[Reply]
Jonsey Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 8:00 am
@some fan,

Stoll had a good year, and with all things considered a GREAT year.

However,

Stoll is not good enough to be a #2 C

Period.

He is an excellent teammate and a skilled faceoff guy, but Kings fans want to have a ridiculous #1 and #2 C combo.

The people who want Stoll gone are the same people who wanted Marleau (though he never became available) or Spezza (whose availability is questionable) or Savard (should he become available).

I think it really does no harm to keep Stoll.

He scores 20 goals and fills in on the PP.

Is he a dynamic game changer?

No.

Does he break the bank?

No.

Can the Kings STILL afford that game changing player?

Yes.

Can’t we just keep Handzus, Stoll, Kopitar, Richardson and have other C’s we may acquire fill in on the wing?

The C is supposed to be the first man back, right? So everyone who wanted Frolov gone because of his questionable 2-way play should rejoice to have a spare Stoll to throw around.

I personally don’t know anything about Brown, but I would like him to take his game to the next level and start scoring 30 on a consistent basis.

Any comment?

[Reply]
Stop the Puck Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 9:31 am
@Jonsey,
stoll misses the net so frequently on one timers from the point on the PP, its ridiculous. if a deal can improve the kings i have no problem with letting him go

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 9:47 am
@Stop the Puck, I think when he was injured our most pressing need was a shooter from the blue line.when he came back it was obvious that he could get the shot off faster(maybe not always on goal)than anyone on the team.

I like his shot from the point,and defensivly,in those situations he doesn’t hurt us(like alot of forwards who play that position).

It should also be noted that even with arthritis problems early in the season,he managed to still be our best face off man.

Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 9:48 am
@some fan,

I just don’t get it. Stoli fits right in where he is supposed to. He is a solid part of the Kings.

As far as the PP is concerned, I do not like the idea of a forward on the point anyway, unless it is a high zone cycle like the ‘Hawks use (with forwards rotating around).

If Stoll was ever to be traded, it would have to a big deal that re-fill his spot and presumably some other need as well. It might even involve another Kings player as well. We all know DL does not like those kind of wholesale changes on the top lines all at one time.

This is why it is surprising to me that the KIngs have not been more active on the UFA market this summer. Kovi ruined everything!

[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 9:54 pm
@some fan,

[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 10:00 pm
@some fan, As I was sayin’ before I was so rudely cutoff—not everyone just the ones that don’t understand the importance of faceoffs and desire.

[Reply]
crashin' da net says:

July 31, 2010 at 8:29 am

Stoll’s a keeper. Anyone sayin’ anything less is nuts. Never see him take a night off. Good vision, good D, great FO man, His high shot is predictable and he needs to improve his aim (passes seem good) but we all know his shot is not necessarily to go in but create slop for the big boys in front. Think he’s tipped in a few from the front himself. Solid 3rd line C.

[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 11:50 am
@crashin’ da net,

You can’t create slop for the guys in front of the net if your shot goes over their heads or off the boards every time. He needs to drastically improve his aim. We all saw how good the Kings’ power play was against Vancouver when they put Doughty and Johnson back there together on the first unit. Stoll can center the second unit, but I don’t want to see him on the point again.

[Reply]
Stealth says:

July 31, 2010 at 8:36 am

Brendan Witt is now available after waiver/buyout by Islanders. Nothing flashy but solid veteran D.

[Reply]
Dominick says:

July 31, 2010 at 9:07 am

I don’t know if any of you guys read Puck Prospectus but I read an article that gave me some real reasons to look forward to seeing Poni play with us this season.Enjoy the #’rs.

http://www.puckprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=609

[Reply]
OldmanSleepin Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 11:01 am
@Dominick,

Yup, Poni could look nice on that first line, and Kopi could use the help there. Look, replacing Fro with Poni is pretty much a lateral move IMO. In fact the more I think about it the better it looks to me. Fro will be missed but Poni is more of a TM “Hard and Heavy” type guy, who is not afraid to take the body unlike Fro. I’m looking forward to us going with a big second line of Poni-Handz-Brown. That would be a very difficult line to much up for most teams. Then build around that.

[Reply]
Bryan Agee Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 11:05 am
@Dominick,

Great read, thank you! Positive!

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@Dominick, Great article and I’ve been thinking the same thing. I think this was a great pick-up by DL. Time will tell but I like Poni’s physical presence. He’s another one who goes to the net and isn’t afraid to take the body. He’s huge, a good skater, will set up in front looking for deflections or screens and has decent hands although Fro’s may be just a little better. Still tho, I think Poni will be a more complete physical player that you need to have to be able to compete in the west.

I like the pick-up. Fro was one of my favorite players on the Kings. But there were just too many games last season when he just didn’t show up, this in the middle of a playoff race and Fro in his contract year. It just didn’t figure. Poni will do just fine. A good 3rd line wing and he can obviously play with Kopi & Williams as well. Good pick up DL!

[Reply]
Kings Fan In Idaho Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 9:21 pm
@Dominick,
Very encouraging read! Thanks for the link.

[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 10:06 pm
@Dominick, I guess all we can do at this point is “hope” ( to steal a quote!)

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 7:35 am
@Dominick,

Just when I’m starting to think I know a lot about hockey something like this comes up to remind just how much I don’t know.

I have never heard of this corsi stat before. I find it extremely interesting. My hockey IQ just went up a notch thanks to you.

Thank you very much!

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Thanks guys,
I’m not completely sold on Corsi as the only stat to look at.Quisp uses different #’rs to complete his anylsis,and I have come to respect his point of view.

The numbers are fun tho,and Corsi is still a new tool that is sure to have a few kinks in it.Others(including myself)have been trying to narrow exactly how to use this stat to it’s fullest potential,but it could still prove to be irrelevent.

Basically it’s just another stat for #’rs geeks.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 9:23 pm
@Dominick,

Quote: “I’m not completely sold on Corsi as the only stat to look at.Quisp uses different #’rs to complete his anylsis …”

I think that goes without saying. The Corsi stat has to be taken in context with the rest of the players individual stats. Seems to me it is a good compliment to the plus/minus stat and perhaps shot percentage.
Miller29 says:

July 31, 2010 at 9:12 am

If we sign Kovi, there will be no need to worry about the D. The best defense is a great offense. LOL

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 2:39 pm
@Miller29, Of course with Juraj Mikus who needs offense or defense??????

[Reply]
Kingstane9 says:

July 31, 2010 at 11:09 am

OMG, all that? Wish you all the best with the rehab Greener!

[Reply]
John says:

July 31, 2010 at 12:12 pm

Regehr would be a NICE pick up!

http://twitter.com/NHLSourcesSay

[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 1:18 pm
@John,

IM ALL FOR IT DEANNO!!

That would be a great pickup

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 9:29 pm
@John,

I’d like it just to shut up the DL bashers, many of which have completely gone off the deep end. Then again, they wouldn’t ever be satisfied. They are the kind of people who if given 10 million dollars would whine about how they would now have to put the money in so many banks to make sure it was insured.

[Reply]
Chaz says:

July 31, 2010 at 2:34 pm

I’d give ol DL a nice backrub if he could pry Regehr from the Flames, as they are already quite over the cap as it is. WE NEED A TOP 4 DMAN!!!

[Reply]
Moondoggie Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 2:49 pm
@Chaz, I’d give him a nice frontrub if he could get Regehr!

[Reply]
Tiger says:

July 31, 2010 at 2:58 pm

If we get kovi, dutch rudders all around!!

[Reply]
Kings fan says:

July 31, 2010 at 4:25 pm

As a passionate LA Kings fan, I have to keep things in prospective. I for one want all the best talent in the league to come and play for the kings. But as a fan for over 30 years I know that scenario is not going to magically materialize.
The NHL being a very competitive league, the other teams are going to compete for the pool of talent that’s out there. So then what’s really left for any team in this predicament to do? They are left with few viable options. Management also has the responsibility of promoting talent from within the organization. If that’s the case then they must give the youngsters a chance to try and make the team. If management strays away from this plan. Then they are sending the wrong message to their players. One, that we don’t have much faith in your abilities. And the other very damaging reason you are not in our future plans. DL has to give all these young up and coming rookies in the organization the opportunity to make it on the big club. Other wise DL’s plan and the organization as a whole is flawed at best. In conclusion as a die hard fan I have to sit back and see how all this plays out. Hopefully observe how masterfully DL is some how able to navigate through these very trying and difficult scenarios. And I for one hope he can pull it off.

Roger

[Reply]
paul Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 9:40 pm
@Kings fan,
well said kings fan.

[Reply]
ROYALKING88 says:

July 31, 2010 at 5:09 pm

hopefully this team will make the playoffs this year

[Reply]
lv is the way Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 7:06 am
@ROYALKING88, I hope your right. I cant afford forking out the money for season tickets. But as it looks on paper, i would have to say no way. No Greene. Williams is only half there and he was benched in the playoffs last year..? No D, and no scoring = no playoffs.

[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 11:20 am
@lv is the way,

By the looks on paper? If i were to look on paper, i would say forsure! Not only do we have argubably , the best defense man in the league, Greene will be back in a month of the season starting, so why are we freaking out? We got rid of our skectchy players,jones, OD, frolov (sometimes). Poni was a good addition for getting rid of frolov , and aslong as we make a trade for a defenseman, we will be better then last season. Voynov, Muzzin , martinez , Drewiskie, any of those guys can do a better job of clearing the zone (Succesfully) then jones was able to..

We will make the playoffs, what has changed?

[Reply]
brandyn Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 2:11 pm
@Michael_DD8,

not to mention the team is a year older, and has playoff experience

the thing about this year is that- we have to devlop players… stoll will be gone and schenn will replace him next year so he will get playing time, the 4th line will have limited nhl expericence and we really need to develop top line wingers, this might set us back a little
Miller29 says:

July 31, 2010 at 6:55 pm

If we get Kovi, Dutch rudders all around!!

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 5:03 am
@Miller29, Only if I’m standing next to an Ice Girl,but I’d give it up in a heart beat if Kovi would just go away.

[Reply]
crashin' da net says:

July 31, 2010 at 9:53 pm

What – pray tell – is a dutch rudder??!! On the second thought, perhaps I shouldn’t inquire…..

[Reply]
kasket Reply:
July 31st, 2010 at 11:28 pm
@crashin’ da net, Check Urban Dictionary….

[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 11:34 am
@kasket, I knew I shoudn’t have asked. LOL. Yeah some folks are just taking this Kovi thing a bit too seriously. Now, about some of them Icegirls however……. )

[Reply]
Miller29 says:

August 1, 2010 at 7:21 am

Lol. Tiger’s suggestion was so funny I had to repeat it! I agree with the ice girl suggestion, and while I too am fed up with Kovi, I think this past month has infused me with delirium.

[Reply]
neil says:

August 1, 2010 at 10:28 am

Training camp opens next month!!!!

[Reply]
John Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 2:16 pm
@neil,

Something like 48 days woo!

[Reply]
MiniKing says:

August 1, 2010 at 1:45 pm

Sucks, Greene is a good guy and a good player

Hopes he gets well soon!!!

[Reply]
paul says:

August 1, 2010 at 6:38 pm

http://video.thescore.com/watch/the-score-com-music-series-with-rob-zombie

[Reply]
AZ King says:

August 1, 2010 at 7:46 pm

A reason to be hopeful?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/427095-nhl-offseason-grades-for-all-30-teams?utm_source=nhl.com#page/15

[Reply]
paul Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 10:17 pm
THE KINGS
Next season when we sign our rfa’s we will get a A+ plus plus plus.
I have been hopeful for the kings for 20 years.
After last season i am a true believer we have many great years to come ahead of us.
Kings had heart and dedication all season long until the last second of their playoff run.to be able to watch and listen to the kings play was an honor.3/4 of the games i had to listen to them on my computer due to the fact i live in Montana and association rules and limited broad band and so on, To watch the kings in the playoffs again was one of the best feelings in the world.Reminded me why i am a hockey fan and most importantly a KINGS fan.To see Simmonds expressions and emotions he had fire in his eyes and hunger in his heart.so did all the players as well Stanley cup fever. well give me a tissue. Because that is how i felt to see our kings organization coming back together again.the kings came together as a whole and the fed off each others emotions and talent which makes a true nhl team.I hope next season our players with new contracts decide to sign for the KIngs again and for us fans again.for these players to make the NHL is a dream come true,TO become a super star and play in their home town well is the ultimate dream.if they think about signing close to home i wouldn’t blame them.So as kings fans lets do what we can to make them feel at home in LA not that we don’t already.And for our kings organization please don’t low ball them which might of happened in the past at times but what do i know i could be wrong. Make them feel like they are kings and they are the key to the KINGS dynasty which they are.That is why we picked them in the first place because we believed in them and still do.I am sure the king organization already makes them feel like they are the key to the kings new dynasty.DL us fans and the kings players are counting on you and believe in you.So thank you kings organization and especially to the kings players for giving us everything you have day in and day out and those long endless nights.
See u all kings fans at the frozen fury. Their will be over 50 of my friends going and we all been dedicated fans for over 20 years to start the season off right.
THE KINGS

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:43 am
@paul, Atta boy ! Remember..Dean is not only the General Manager, but also the President of hockey operations. When Dean was hired by Tim Leiweike, Tim admitted that he was not capable of building a winner and was going to hire someone that was..and that someone is Dean Lombardi.

[Reply]
paul says:

August 1, 2010 at 7:55 pm

I read on nhl.com
Report: Bloch named Kovalchuk arbitrator
Saturday, 07.31.2010 / 1:11 PM / NHL Free Agency 2010
By Dan Rosen – NHL.com Staff Writer
0Share
The person that will determine the status of Ilya Kovalchuk regarding his NHL-rejected 17-year contract with the New Jersey Devils is a 67-year-old New Jersey native and current Washington D.C.-based arbitrator named Richard Bloch, according to Tom Gulitti of The Bergen Record.
Gulitti reports that Bloch is a longtime D.C. resident, but he was born in East Orange, N.J. and graduated from Livingston High School prior to attending Dartmouth College as an undergrad. He earned his law degree and masters in business administration from the University of Michigan.

Bloch has reportedly served as an arbitrator and mediator in cases involving the NHL, Major League Baseball and the NFL.
Brilliant choice!
Bloch is from jersey.Bloch might be the best man for the job.How ever he decides people will scream the fix was on.i know that is harsh to say.But from reading hockey teams blogs it just scares me what people will say and think.

[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 7:58 pm
@paul,

Don’t be scared. Everything is going to be alright…

I promise…

[Reply]
paul Reply:
August 1st, 2010 at 8:08 pm
@5thLine,
Thanks 5thline
i feel better already.

[Reply]
Miller29 says:

August 2, 2010 at 6:53 am

Well, giving the Kings an A+ (in the article linked above) on this offseason is going way overboard. It must have written by an overly optomistic King’s fan while wearing rosy colored glasses and devouring Koolaid.

[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:07 pm
@Miller29,

Actually it was written by a columnist from Pittsburgh. Some who was actually able to look objectively at what we have, and not pin the entire future of this team on one player.

[Reply]
Goring 19 says:

August 2, 2010 at 9:04 am

Anything new Rich? I’m bored…..

[Reply]
dMan says:

August 2, 2010 at 9:15 am

So the Hawks have declined to re-sign Antti Niemi after an arbitration hearing awarded the tender $2.75M/year, preferring to sign UFA Marty Turco to a 1 yr/$1.3M.

Yet another indication that the cap and the upcoming CBA have teams playing a very conservative financial game. This off-season has been extremely interesting.

Some of the die-hard free-spenders on this site cannot appreciate it because they are blinded by star names, making moves for the sake of making moves, and an irrational fear of impending doom, but I applaud Lombardi for playing a very prudent game and keeping the long-term vision and health of the team in mind.

At best, he will make small moves to improve the team with younger players (combination of NHL vets and prospects or picks).

At worst, the team stays relatively the same as last year with the onus on the core to step up to a new level with the possibility of an acquisition at the trade deadline. Some will argue that the loss of O’Donnell and particularly Frolov will hurt the team. Personally, I think it’s a wash. The loss of a Kopitar or a Doughty or a Johnson would have been much worse.

The goaltending situation is very good and getting more stable; Quick has a full year of NHL and playoff experience and Bernier will most likely share Quick’s load. That’s a pretty powerful tandem.

Doughty, Scuderi, Johnson and Matt Greene form a very strong defensive backbone with offensive upside with Doughty and Johnson hopefully coming into camp bigger and stronger.

The forwards haven’t changed too much, with the subtraction of Frolov and the addition of Ponikarovski.

No doubt a Kovi or other sniper would be welcomed, and that player, whoever he is, will be acquired eventually, but as is, the Kings are icing a team that will remain very competitive in a very tough division.

For those who feel that any kind of activity is positive, in the words of coach Wooden “Don’t mistake activity for productivity.” In other words, sometimes the right move is no move.

[Reply]
John Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:32 am
@dMan,

I was just going to post something to this affect, but you said it much better. Thank you, dMan!

[Reply]
Joe Dirt Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:47 am
@dMan,

I agree that the team shouldn’t make moves for the sake of making moves. But at the same time this team has gaping holes to fill and really does need to make moves. We’re short a top 4 dman in Greene and noone in the system can fill his shoes right now. Not too mention our offense. Last year we were horrible at 5 on 5 for goodness sakes the only reason why we won games against Van. is because of our power play. You are quick to applaud Lombardi’s “strategy”. I on the other hand am not so easily impressed. I can only judge the man on what he has done and what hes going to do in the next month. So far, looks like a failure to me.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:42 am
@Joe Dirt, Failure huh, lets see..1st season 68 pts, 2nd season 71 points, 3rd season 79 points, and last season 101 pts..a 22 pt improvement. Let me ask you this..with that kind of improvement here with the Kings, how does Glen Sather still have a job in New York, or for that matter, Brian Burke in Toronto ? The fact is, when Dean took over here our goaltending and defensive depth in this organization were an effing joke thanks to Dave Taylor and Tim Leiweike. In 4 seasons, Deans teams have hsd steady improvement, do they need to improve 5 on 5? No question about it, but this organization is getting better and deeper so I disagree when you say that Dean has been a failure.

[Reply]
Joe Dirt Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:58 pm
@puck73,

I have no problem with the direction the organization is going. A matter of fact I am happy with the infrastructure that the team has. My problem is the lack of action and the tremendous inability to fill our roster holes. You cite Sather and Burke for their failures, but turn a blind eye to Lombardi’s. Burke has won a cup in Anaheim and outside of last season the Rangers have been a fairly consistent playoff team. Look, I am not dissatisfied with the current backbone that we have. What I am unhappy about is the current situation of the team and the strong possibility of it regressing due to the roster holes not being filled.

puck73 Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 1:54 pm
@Joe Dirt, And as far as why Dean hasnt done much this offseason, I think I have an unfortunate answer for you…like every other GM he is waiting around to see what happens with Kovalchuk. Yah, I know..I think most of think that ship has sailed but to quote Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber..”So your saying their’s a chance”

[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:21 pm
@Joe Dirt, Burke was lucky to win a cup. 3 odd things happened that gave him 2 future 1st ballot hall of fame
Defenceman.
1. Scott Niedermeyer decided he wanted to play on the same team as his brother. Oh, must have been great insight to have sign borderline NHLer Robb. Oh wait that was the GM before him.
2. Pronger whipped listens to wife its just too cold in Edminton? Ducks were the only playoff contender with enough cap & money to pay him at that point in the offseason.
3. Teemu Selanne decides he will play for peanuts and Duck comradary.
Great GM?

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:12 am
@dMan, Great post, I would like to see Braden Schenn be a dominant 2nd line center this year because that would put a lot of pressure on opposing teams if we are running two dominant centers at them every game. Now I know that is asking a lot from this kid and I dont know if he is capable right now…stay tuned !

[Reply]
jet says:

August 2, 2010 at 9:23 am

brashear is available. Can he convince DL that his head is screwed on straight?

[Reply]
John Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:35 am
@jet,

He was just traded to Atlanta

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=329303

[Reply]
Atomic Steve Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 9:53 am
@John, Atlanta is buying him out making him a ufa. Not sure we should be interested in him but he is available.

[Reply]
John Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 10:23 am
@Atomic Steve,

Well then, it IS an option eh
matt says:

August 2, 2010 at 1:09 pm

I had the same surgery, and not being an athlete with 24/7 physical therapy, I can say that once this is fixed, it wont ever bother him again, and it really should only take 3 months.

[Reply]
luc20rules says:

August 2, 2010 at 5:44 pm

James Wisniewski was had for a 3rd round pick from the NYI. Granted I doubt the Ducks would have traded him within the division, but it seems as though the Kings could have used him even if the cost was a 2nd rounder.
He ate up 24+ minutes a game last year and was only a
-5 last year despite how bad the Ducks were last year.
He led Anaheim in blocked shots with 102, had 129 hits and averaged 24:20 of ice time. The 3.25 mil/yr cap hit for 1 yr also shouldn’t have been a problem.

[Reply]
Shane says:

August 2, 2010 at 10:43 pm

Dont know if anyone has brought this up before, but I wondering what the possibility of using a Schenn bros reunion to work a deal for Kaberle to bulk up the D

[Reply]

Greene injury

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