We’ve covered two of the goalies, so why not the third? It’s hard not to feel for Erik Ersberg a bit. He really hasn’t done anything wrong during his three seasons with the Kings, and in fact, at times he has been quite good. Yet the consensus seems to be that Ersberg is about to lose his spot on the roster to talented rookie Jonathan Bernier.
Terry Murray has essentially declared open a two-man competition between Ersberg and Bernier. Ersberg came ready to play today, with a handful of strong saves in practice. No doubt, Ersberg knows that his NHL life might be on the line in the next three weeks.
“Obviously there has been a lot of talk about this and that, and what’s going to happen, but everything is out of my control,” Ersberg said. “I’m just trying to do my thing and be as good as possible, and whatever happens… If I do the best I can, it’s going to be good for me, no matter what happens. It’s better than coming in thinking, `What’s he doing over there? What’s he doing over there?’ I’m just going to do my thing and see what happens.”
Ersberg spent the entire 2009-10 season with the Kings, even if it’s not obvious from the numbers. Ersberg appeared in only 11 games last season and often went weeks between appearances.
To his credit, Ersberg never publicly complained. After the season, Murray acknowledged that he might have played Quick too much — Quick appeared in 72 games — and might not have shown enough trust in Ersberg, who finished with a 2.40 goals-against average.
“We had a good conversation about the year,” Ersberg said. “I laid out what I thought about things, and he said how he looked at things. So we got a little better understanding of each other’s point of view. I think it was a good meeting. We ventilated a little bit. It’s what you do after a season. If you’ve got something on your mind, you need to say it. I think it was a good meeting.”
And what will happen at the end of camp, if Bernier beats out Ersberg? It’s tough to say. It’s highly unlikely that Ersberg, 28, would end up in the AHL, but the trade/free-agent market for goalies has also been quite slow. It’s possible that Ersberg might return to Europe, where he played three seasons in Sweden, but Ersberg said he hadn’t given much thought to what would happen if he lost out to Bernier.
“Not too much, to be honest,” Ersberg said. “I played here the last couple years, and I’m going to do everything I can to be here this year. If not, then I’ll just have to see what happens and just play it by ear. I don’t want to think too far ahead.”
No matter what, Ersberg, who maintains a calm, easy-going attitude even in the most stressful of times, doesn’t figure to get rattled.
“It’s kind of nice,” Ersberg said. “I don’t have to make any decisions. I just have to play hockey, so that’s always nice.”
It is indeed hard not to feel for him. You know that it’s a business and a huge chunk of this business is winning. At the same time, Ersberg is a cog in the machine and it’s sad to kind of see someone pushed aside.
Obviously, Quick/Bernier is best for the team, but I like Ersberg. It’s a human aspect that’s easy to overlook when you’re going big picture.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
@holly,
Are you the Holly from Manchester?
If so, Quispie’s got a proposition for you… And, I think you’d be GREAT doing it!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
And, that would be:
http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/
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holly Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
I am indeed.
I just don’t know if I’ve got the time to do it this season on a regular enough basis. I’m finishing up my degree and trying to find a job for when I finish up, which is a bear of a task in the sport field (especially if you want to do anything with an actual team vs consulting).
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@holly,
Then do what you can.
Priorities prevail.
Good hunting on your degree!
Whatever you can post, whenever you can post, will be appreciated, not only by me but by all fans of the Monarchs.
Dominick Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
@holly,
How’s things going out there in Manchester? Anything going on? Keep us updated.
holly Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Not much going on around here right now, guys. You’ve got 90% of our staff our West, from coaches to players.
There is though a big push on tickets this year (as there obviously is every year) from the new staff. Darren Abbott, the new president, brought up some of his staff from Charlotte and they’re really working on getting people into the arena. Our closest competitors folded at the end of the season when New Jersey transferred their affiliate to Albany. So now the Monarchs are really working on spreading their influence into northern Massachusetts to draw the fans in. Last I heard they’d doubled the number of new packages that had been sold at this time last year.
Overall, this is a big season for Manchester. Not only is our team looking to be better than ever, but it’s the team’s 10th season in Manchester as well.
Mostly business news, really. Can’t wait until they have their preseason game and see how things look to be shaping up.
I’m sure I’ll be around pretty frequently, but I just don’t know that I’d have the time to dedicate to something that substantial.
Also, it should be noted that there’s now a “Monarchs Flip Cam” out in LA and in the possession of Bud Holloway. They posted a video of the portrait session, which isn’t particularly interesting, but I’m willing to guarantee that there’ll be something good. And probably a lot of really good things that they won’t let us see. http://www.youtube.com/user/ManchesterMonarchsTV
Down towards the bottom (as in their oldest uploaded videos) are some of the player features and opening videos they’ve used. And sprinkled in are few of the cute features they’ve done in the past like Name that Tune and the Kid Reporter videos (one featuring Scott Pellerin’s son and two featuring Marty Murray’s).
Oh, and I almost forgot, they’re doing a mask design contest where the top few will be presented to Zatkoff and then he’ll choose his favorite and his mask for the season will be based off that design.
Dominick Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
@holly,
Is there a lot of interest with local businesses buying packages for employees or customers? I hope the added territory yeilds more fans. Out here in San Diego county the Gulls tried to get local merchants to invest in the team, but couldn’t generate enough interest, and ultimately folded.
I admit with the coverage that we’re getting with the insider now, I have developed quite a love for the Monarchs, and would love to see that teams fanbase grow.
Indio King Fan Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 2:09 am
@holly,
There is an college summer league baseball team in Palm Springs called the power that hires and pays interns. Check out there website at palmspriingspowerbaseball.com
PRMan Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 3:32 am
@holly, Let us know when you get one of the Monarchs to explain the Franco-Prussian war…
luc20rules Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
@holly, Good Luck with your Degree, and finding the right job. Quisp was wrote it would only be a article once a month or so. I have always enjoyed and thank you for your posts about the Monarchs. Just a thought, but writing for http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/ may also help add some color to your resume.
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Can’t help but think if he leaves, success will follow.
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konstrukt Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
@ice is nice, pretty much every goalie I remember from the past few years that started with the Kings and went elsewhere has had success…
Except LaBarbera.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
@konstrukt, LaBarbara has had good #s as a 2nd Goalie for Vancouver & Phx, but hasn’t been given a #1 chance.
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I think ersberg should have been played more to be given the chance to fight for a spot. I believe the days quick was off while his wife was giving berth to their child ersberg should have been put in nets. saying this i believe bernier should be their top golie but again i dont know who is better, quick or ersberg. people will fight and say did you not see the 39 wins from quick, and my reponse would be if you play 72 games out of 82, then you should be up there in wins. and take a look at his save percentage, 31st, in my books that not good. and he should not have played in game 6 against vancouver. but thats just my 2 cents
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I feel bad for Erik personally. I know it’s all a business but he did a good job and helped this franchise through the Labarbara period… briefly yes, but he helped. I have a soft spot for him… but I’ll be honest here, my thoughts are on Bernie. Sorry Erik, but he is the future. Sorry Quick too really…
Actually, the Quicker / Bernie combo is going to be delightful to watch. They will push each other. It’s going to be exciting!!
Crap, yeah, sorry Erik…
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The question should be, what to do about Bernier? If EE blows the socks off management, and Bernier doesn’t make a strong impression, do you still move EE? What would it do to Bernier if he doesn’t earn it and gets sent down? Does he sulk for another year?
Alot of fans are so confident in Bernier, that their ready to hand him the keys to the franchise, without even seeing how he’ll hold up over a 15 game stretch in the NHL.
So EE struggled in his sophmore year. A lot of great goalies have, and went on to have long careers in the NHL. I for one think the goaltending position should go to who is ready, let the other beware.
If Bernier wants it so bad, let him earn it, don’t just give it to him.
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holly Reply:
September 18th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
@Dominick,
Barring a collapse of epic proportions, I don’t think there’s a way that Ersberg can out show Bernier.
I however do feel the need to strongly disagree with your implication that Bernier sulked last year in the AHL. Sure, he’s admitted that he was disappointed not to make the NHL, but wouldn’t you be? Instead of sulking, he took it in stride, understood that it was for the best and rose to the challenge from the organization to be a true number one and carry his team into the playoffs. And he did just that. Believe me, I’ve seen sulking goalies in Manchester. Dan Cloutier being a prime example. Danny Taylor being another.
Bernier did anything but sulk.
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Dominick Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 12:14 am
@holly,
Trust me, last season Bernier made me proud. I was refering to the season before, and what might happen if, after such a great year, he got sent back down again. I do expect him to shine, but still think playing in the NHL is a job that he needs to take away from EE.
I’m only asking the question “what if” and will it ultimately hurt Bernier if he was sent back down again. I have been amazed at what he’s accomplished so far, and want to see him succeed. I just think if, and that’s a big if, he’s out played by Ersburg the Kings might still move EE.
I think that’s a tragedy for Ersburg, and I’m dissappointed that if the dicision was already made, why didn’t the Kings find EE another team? Why play games with him by stating that “things aren’t set in stone” if your just going to get rid of him anyway.
If they just wanted to push him, they could accomplish that with Quick. If the position is truly open, then good luck to both goalies.
Also thanks for the updates. You Rock!
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Didn’t you read a thing on this topic at all last year? Bernier did NOT sulk–he went down and was the best goalie in the AHL. He worked closely with Jeff Zatkoff and when Bernier was hurt for a stretch in the middle of the season, JZ stepped in and they hardly noticed Bernier was gone. Once his injury was healed he was back doing his job, the right way. You may not feel he is having to work for his job, but at least give him the credit he deserves…and you’re right, he should earn it. He will, but if he slips there are at least 3 other goalies waiting to slide right in there.
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Dominick Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 12:39 am
@Tim,
Yes I did read everything on this topic. Sorry if I wasn’t clear with my initial comment. I’m not a professional. My next response was a little more clear. I hope.
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blah blah Reply:
September 19th, 2010 at 3:13 am
@Dominick,
i agree with you dominick. TM keeps saying that its open competition between bernier and ersberg, but in all reality, i think its pretty clear that bernier will make the team and EE will be left out in the cold. this will be the case even if ersberg outplays bernier in camp. it’s already been said by management that bernier has nothing left to prove in the AHL, so that means there’s no reason for him to be sent down next year. Ersberg got shafted last year by TM, and even if he’s a better goalie than bernier in camp, will get shafted again this year.
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The Predators are actually entering camp without a legitimate backup and neither of the guys who they have competing for the spot appears ready. So there is at least one potential trading partner for a goalie, Rich. I’m not saying they’d get much, but you’re never really going to get much for a backup goalie.
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TradedForADraftPick Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:10 am
@Garrett,
The way Dallas looks in net, Ersberg could steal a starting job. Islanders possibly also since DiPietro is always hurt.
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I’m still not sold on Bernier myself and felt we played Quick WAY too much last year. Since we need more talent among our forwards, I say we trade EE if he doesn’t make the cut this year and bring in someone to help us score more goals 5 on 5.
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