The player groups for the first three days of Kings training camp have been announced. Click below to check them out, as well as a re-posting of the schedule for the first three days. It’s always interesting to see which players are put together in the early days of training camp. Sometimes it means something, sometimes it means nothing. In this case, Anze Kopitar and Ryan Smyth are in a group together, but with Dustin Brown, not Justin Williams. Scott Parse and Jarret Stoll are with Williams. Not surprisingly, Michal Handzus, Alexei Ponikarovsky and Wayne Simmonds are together. Then you have potential combinations such as Richardson-Lewis-Westgarth and Clifford-Schenn-Moller and Clune-Elkins/Loktionov-Kozun/Holloway to name a couple. On the defensive side, there’s one group with Drew Doughty and Willie Mitchell, one with Jack Johnson and Rob Scuderi and one with Davis Drewiske, Peter Harrold and Thomas Hickey. Very interesting! Click below for the groups and schedule…
SATURDAY
GROUP A
Goalies: Jonathan Bernier, Erik Ersberg, Jonathan Quick.
Defensemen: Davis Drewiske, Peter Harrold, Jack Johnson, Dylan King, Alec Martinez, Patrick Mullen, Jake Muzzin, Rob Scuderi.
Centers: Justin Azevedo, Michal Handzus, Anze Kopitar, Andrei Loktionov, Michael Pelech, Jordan Weal.
Left wingers: Riley Brace, Ray Kaunisto, Dwight King, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Jordan Nolan, Ryan Smyth.
Right wingers: Dustin Brown, Brandon Kozun, Wayne Simmonds, Tyler Toffoli, Linden Vey.
GROUP B
Goalies: Jean-Francois Berube, Martin Jones, Jeff Zatkoff, Garrett Zemlak.
Defensemen: Andrew Campbell, Nicolas Deslauriers, Drew Doughty, Johan Fransson, Samuel Groulx, Thomas Hickey, David Kolomatis, Willie Mitchell.
Centers: Robert Czarnik, Corey Elkins, Trevor Lewis, Brayden Schenn, Jarret Stoll.
Left wingers: Kyle Clifford, Rich Clune, Zach Harnden, Scott Parse, Brad Richardson.
Right wingers: Bud Holloway, David Meckler, Oscar Moller, Kevin Westgarth, Justin Williams, John Zeiler.
SCHEDULE
Group A – Goaltending Session — 8:20-8:45 a.m.
Group A – Practice – NHL Ice — 9-10:00 a.m.
Group A – Practice – NHL Ice — 10:20-11:20 a.m.
Group A – Skate – Olympic Ice — 11:25 – 11:45 a.m.
Group B – Goaltending Session — 12:35-1 p.m.
Group B – Practice – NHL Ice — 1:15-2:15 p.m.
Group B – Practice – NHL Ice — 2:35-3:35 p.m.
Group B – Skate – NHL Ice — 3:40-4 p.m.
SUNDAY/MONDAY
GROUP A
Goalies: Jean-Francois Berube, Martin Jones, Garrett Zemlak.
Defensemen: Andrew Campbell, Davis Drewiske, Peter Harrold, Thomas Hickey, Patrick Mullen.
Centers: Justin Azevedo, Michael Handzus, Trevor Lewis, Michael Pelech.
Left wingers: Jordan Nolan, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Brad Richardson.
Right wingers: Wayne Simmonds, Linden Vey, Kevin Westgarth.
GROUP B
Goalies: Erik Ersberg, Jonathan Quick.
Defensemen: Drew Doughty, Samuel Groulx, Alec Martinez, Willie Mitchell, Jake Muzzin.
Centers: Corey Elkins, Anze Kopitar, Andrei Loktionov.
Left wingers: Riley Brace, Rich Clune, Dwight King, Ryan Smyth.
Right wingers: Dustin Brown, Bud Holloway, Brandon Kozun, David Meckler.
GROUP C
Goalies: Jonathan Bernier, Jeff Zatkoff.
Defensemen: Nicolas Deslauriers, Johan Fransson, Jack Johnson, Dylan King, David Kolomatis, Rob Scuderi.
Centers: Robert Czarnik, Brayden Schenn, Jarret Stoll, Jordan Weal.
Left wingers: Kyle Clifford, Zach Harnden, Scott Parse, Ray Kaunisto.
Right wingers: Oscar Moller, Tyler Toffoli, Justin Williams, John Zeiler.
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Group A – Practice – NHL Ice — 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Group A – Practice – NHL Ice — 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Group A – Skate – Olympic Ice — 10:50-11:15 a.m.
Group B – Practice – NHL Ice — 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Group B – Practice – NHL Ice — 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Group B – Skate – Olympic Ice — 1:35-2 p.m.
Group C – Practice – NHL Ice — 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Group C – Practice – NHL Ice — 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Group C – Skate – NHL Ice — 4:35-5 p.m.
MONDAY SCHEDULE
Group B – Practice – NHL Ice — 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Group B – Practice – NHL Ice — 9:45-10:40 a.m.
Group B – Skate – Olympic Ice — 10:45-11:15 a.m.
Group C – Practice – NHL Ice — 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Group C – Practice – NHL Ice — 12:30-1:25 p.m.
Group C – Skate – Olympic Ice — 1:30-2 p.m.
Group A – Practice – NHL Ice — 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Group A – Practice – NHL Ice –3:30-4:25 p.m.
Group A – Skate – NHL Ice — 4:30-5 p.m.
Come on Westgarth do your thing . Show DL and TM you belong with the big boys this year.
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hawkepunk Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 10:41 am
@gene, I still am not sure why everyone is so high on Westgarth. Have you seen him fight or skate? He is really lacking in both these areas! Yes, he is a downgrade from Ivanans. I’m hoping we just go with the middleweight (Clifford), who is a much better fighter and skater. No need for a true heavyweight this year…especially one who sucks at fighting.
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thekingsneedtogettoughanddropthegloves Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:00 am
@hawkepunk,
There’s always a need for a HW… I don’t about you, but I did not enjoy other teams taking liberties with Doughty and Kopitar without any resulting retribution. For the last 15-20 games of the season, Ivanans was more or less a healthy scratch, and we ALL witnessed the Kings get pushed around like no other team in the history of the NHL.
It seems like the Kings have too many forwards, which will inevitably prevent a couple tough players from making the line-up. Case in point: The Poni Signing didn’t make any sense. Richardson, Parse, Clune, and even Clifford could all fill that 3rd line role. Now that Poni is here, the Kings will still be a team that gets consistently pushed around, embarassed, and out-hit.
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John Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
@thekingsneedtogettoughanddropthegloves,
You named 4 players with little to no NHL experience. The signing of Ponikarovsky theoretically gave us a KILLER stopped 3rd line that can shut down any line in hockey! I’d MUCH rather have that than a heavyweight.
Plus, it really encourages the devolpment of team toughness until we can develop/sign a heavyweight.
(case in point: The Detroit Red Wings)
IStillBelieve Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:01 am
@hawkepunk, this is blatantly false. Westgarth is at least as good of a skater as Ivanans, but smarter (he went to princeton). He won’t take offensive zone penalties and showed last year he can score too. Besides, he’s got the personality.
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Hockey G Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:09 am
@hawkepunk, Westgarth can skate, he most certainly can fight, and he is a smarter player than Ivanans and does not take silly penalties.
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McSorleyfan Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:43 am
@hawkepunk, Westgarth is everything Ivanans was and more. He fights as well or better. He doesn’t take stupid penalties. He’s faster, and thus more likely to be in position when aomething occurs. He has a more protective attitude and is less likely to stand and watch when our players get creamed. His skill level can also offer 10-15 goals a year. Watch as the season plays out. Maybe we’ve seen something you’ve missed.
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John Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
@McSorleyfan,
He certainly won’t be as feared & respected a fighter!
…yet!
holly Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
@hawkepunk,
That’s pure BS.
Having watched the vast majority of his AHL games, I can honestly say that there is absolutely no way in hell that Westie is a downgrade from Ivanans. And certainly no way that his skating and fighting are worse than Ivanans. Since he’s put his mind to it (about the last season and a half), he’s been much more focused on his game as a whole, rather than simply fighting. That isn’t to say that Westie stopped fighting, but just that he has realized that at the NHL level he’ll be most successful if he can have a regular shift in addition to just being an enforcer.
He was one of our top scorers in Manchester last season (which, for the record, didn’t mean much because the whole team was scoring and no one was scoring a lot) and actually proved that he had hockey skills, not just fists.
And really, can anyone’s skating be worse than Ivanans?
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
@holly, It’s not so much if your a good fighter but whether or not you will drop em when the coach tells you to. I think Westy can handle himself and he certainly is a big boy. And YES, my skating is much worse than Ivanans’!
ike Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
@hawkepunk, I totally agree with you. Westgarth has shown nothing.
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BluLiner Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
@hawkepunk,
Ivanans could hang with Boogaard.
I dont think Westgarth can, but if in he can, it will be a big upgrade. If its a one-punch knockout so much for the Ivy Leaguer.
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Riofan Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@hawkepunk,
Lombardi/Murray are traditionalists when it comes to having an enforcer. Good thing you won’t have to wait long to find out about Westgarth and Ivanas: Sun Oct 10, 2010. Better have Center Ice
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Nyck Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@gene, with all due respect…WHAT!? I really feel as if alot of people haven’t watched him. He put up very good numbers in the AHL for someone in his role, he COULD and HAS hung with the big boys his entire career. And yes, him knocking long time NHL tough guy, Scott Parker flat on his ass at frozen fury, shows nothing.
Come on. I’d rather not compare him to cement gloves Ivanans. He had 0 points all of last season, to say Westgarth is a downgrade, is baffling.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
@gene, Haven’t seen Westie enough to comment here, but you sure stirred up the hornets nest. LOL
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When do the Kings play their first preseason game? I can’t wait anymore!
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MIckey Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 10:38 am
@YES on 19, Wed night in Denver… I will be there… at least I think that is the first pre-season game… who cares.. I will be there
[Reply]
Jordan Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:37 am
@MIckey,
Do you know how much tickets are for the Denver game? I live in Denver and don’t get to catch many Kings games as a result.
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Mickey Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
@Jordan, We got ours on StubHub for $9 for the lower bowl….
Sebastian Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 10:41 am
@YES on 19, Wed Sept. 22 @ Colorado 6pm
Thu Sept. 23 Split Squad game @ Phx 7pm, @ LA 7:30
Tue Sept. 28 @ LA vrs. Ducks 7:30pm
Sat Oct. 2 @ Las Vegas 6pm
Sun Oct. 3 @ Ana 5pm
[Reply]
YES on 19 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 10:46 am
@Sebastian, Thanks for the schedule. I was too lazy to look it up myself, so it’s appreciated.
@MIckey, Enjoy the game, dude! Go, Kings!
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Is Schenn definitely OK to skate for training camp now?
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Real 7 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 10:41 am
@Carey,
he’s on the list, so has [insert O word here] been cleared to skate….
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Carey Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 10:46 am
@Real 7,
I saw he was on the list so that’s why I was hoping he’s officially been cleared to play. I would imagine we would have been told if it’s official, though.
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are all of these times open and free to the public?
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Sebastian Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 10:37 am
@griddle, yes
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LAfan13 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:41 am
@Sebastian, is this confirmed somewhere??? id like to go, but dont wana make the trip just to get locked outside.
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LAfan13 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:44 am
@LAfan13, Nevermind, answered my own question…
Called em and they said yes = )
Marc-Andre Cliche is the only one missing from the above [other than the ones we already know about being injured]….is he injured?
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Actually, I like the idea of Brown with Smythe and Kopi.
Brown needs to prove himself and it is about time our Captian makes the impact we need him to make.
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jammer06 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
@Ari,
No more Bropitar, please I can’t take it.
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KellyHrudey Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 6:28 am
@jammer06, Couldnt agree more…
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I haven’t posted much, but half of my posts last year were begging for Brown to be put on the top line with Smyth and Kopi. Brown doesn’t get the credit he deserves offensively. He creates and has scoring chances all the time and just hasn’t been able to bury them for some reason. I think he’s capable though. I hope it sticks for a while and we get a chance to really find out.
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8ball Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 2:54 am
@UpperV, 100% here.i suspect he’s too wound up when he get’s a clear chance.i think he will calm down as time goes on.
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Here are my guesses on the LINES based on the groups combos
Smyth Kopitar Brown
Parse Stoll Williams
Poni Handzus Simmonds
Richardson Schenn Westgarth.
the 4th line is definitely up for grabs,
and 2nd line looks quite sad but these are my guesses.
[Reply]
AK47 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 11:29 am
@losingsand,
That second line is quite embarrassing lol
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Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
@AK47,
Why?
They have not yet played significant time together to form a judgement.
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KellyHrudey Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
@losingsand, If Williams is in fact 100% he will be moved back to the 1st line.
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8ball Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
@KellyHrudey, me too.why put kids at risk when
already have the parts if you didn’t believe in
the picks then why did you make them?
on the other side of the deal the same thing
applies to J Williams. i think DL’s chance will
pay off this season.sometimes a-given-up-on
oft-injured player finds the sneaky stuff and
comes through big.i’m looking for this.
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It seems funny that on Saturday Group A practices on the NHL ice & then they have to walk over to the Olympic ice for their after skate.
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Deke'r Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
@Howe 9, More room.
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Hawkspunk all due respect to you; there is absolutely a need for a big bad ass on our team. Have you looked at the rosters of the North East Teams. Have you look at the Ducks roster. There are only about two or three teams with no big bad asses on them. We will get run if we dont have a big heavey weight on our team. Please take that to the bank. We will get run if we dont.
[Reply]
Doc. Mark 1968 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
@gene,
The Ducks have Big George. The Rangers have The Boogey Man. The Isles have Z-man. The Flyers have Shelly and Carcillo. The Leafs have Orr. etc.
Indeed some teams are tougher than others, but it seems to me that there must be some enforcement. Not only that, there must be an enforcer who can contribute in other ways besides fighting as well. I reference the Kings/Canucks match-up from last year.
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Brown & Kopitar, “Bropitar”, together has not been all that successful in the past.
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8ball Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 3:54 am
@Will H.-k.clifford-remember simmmerenko? probably not.i’m an old sob.cementhead.
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Just the sight of “John Zeiler” gives me the heebee geebies.
Go DaviS Drewiske. Kick somebodies a$$, or go down trying. Or just play noticeably mean, tough, hard, and heavy (that’s what she said) like Murray wants, and you’ll stick. I’m rootin’ for ya!
[Reply]
BringBackTheShieldJersey Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey,
Make that “somebody’s”; a pre-emptive strike before the spelling police appear.
[Reply]
insider#2 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey,
I wouldn’t mind having a guy like Zeiler on the team this year. It would be great to have a player with his energy level, tenacity and willingness night in and night out to put the opposing defenders thought the end boards.
[Reply]
insider#2 Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey,
Remember, “Every good army needs a couple of criminals”.
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John Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
@insider#2,
Clune most definitely wants that role!
[Reply]
Bossy22 Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 9:03 am
@John,
The plus with Clune is his skating, and he does not take stupid penalties, instead he generates them, and gives us power play time.
The minus is that he is willing to drop them, but is not very strong at the fighting side.
Just remember the Rypien fight in the playoffs, he ended up in the fetal position very quickly.
Zeiler can handle himself, but he’s, well let’s just say he’s got a dark side…
Clifford if he’s ready should fill this role for years…
Patience young jedi’s………….
@UpperV and @Will Hutchison-
I think it all has to do with his lack of ability to finish.
He is great on the boards! He is great at checking and even playmaking – but he doesn’t have an accurate shot.
That needs to improve for him to truly be a top six forward, let alone on the first line.
[Reply]
I’ve not had the pleasure of watching any of the AHL games, so my only comment on Westgarth are the few games from last year (??) when he tried to thump somebody and he got his ass handed to him. I for one was sorry to see my boy Raitis go, he didnt have many fans on this board, but I was a supporter of him for the role that he played on this team. Doc Mark makes a good point about the other teams in the league. Who will challenge Sutton when he runs one of our guys? Greene will when he gets back, and he’ll lose the fight, Simmons would try and not do to well. I will never question any one of our guys heart (even Fro) but I question their ability to stand up to the large fellows that are on some of the teams we’ll be facing. We need a banger.
[Reply]
gene Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
@Dave in Torrance, Sir exceelent post. You are absolutely correct. There are 20 or 25 temas that can truely run the kings out of our rink. DL needs to wake up amd understand this.
[Reply]
rontheking Reply:
September 17th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@Dave in Torrance,
The kings should definitely give Westgarth a chance, and at the very least bring him up for any games against the ducks.
And once he’s delivered that one good shot (it only takes one to drop Sutton usually) I hope he says to him, “That one was for Jason Allison.”
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brown and kopitar just don’t mix!!! HELLO CAPTAIN OBVIOOUS111
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I think we can experiment a bit with the top prospects. I think Harold and Fransson may be up just, because we can’t send them up and down without being exposed to waivers( also they are the top 3 of bubble players at there repective positions). Enforcer if we play Muzzin or Clifford we could rest Westie, but it always depends on the opponent. Do we need a enforcer to play the Red Wings (6 fights all of last season 82 games)? I remember they had 10 or less fights each of the last 5 seasons, so that would mean they one a cup without a active enforcer.
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