The Kings will play their first preseason game Wednesday at Colorado, and that will be a day both welcomed and challenging. Terry Murray talked about how today was a tough one in practice, because players temporarily hit a wall after three days of nothing but tough practice.
“A little bit of a `hump day’ today,” Murray said. “This is a hard one. The third day, historically, it’s the way it is. You can see where the players lose a little focus, a little concentration, so you’ve got to keep reminding them to stay with it, to push through it. It’s been hard, especially when you end the session with 10 (skating) reps, the way we did. It’s pretty demanding, but overall good.”
So the sight of Avalanche jerseys will be welcomed by the Kings, but the schedule presents a challenge to the coaching staff. With two games against Phoenix on Thursday — one in L.A. and one in Arizona — the Kings essentially have three games in two nights. There are certainly enough players to go around right now, but players typically wouldn’t play back-to-back games this early in preseason, and league rules mandate that at least eight “veterans” must play in each preseason game.
The Kings are helped by the fact that recent first-round picks also count as “veterans,” so players such as Thomas Hickey, Brayden Schenn and Trevor Lewis will help, but Murray will have to get a little creative to make sure he’s getting the most out of his lineups.
Split em up & see what happens next.With some looks at a lot more prospects .I like it.
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That seems a bit hairy to me this early in camp. Like everyone else, I’m looking forward to the games, but not at the cost of needless injury. That being said, I’m sure the coaching staff will have things under control.
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Harry Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
@Gislaw, We now have a different Murray now…Terry Murray, not Andy Murr-ay…heh
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Why isn’t the TV schedule posted yet? Are the preseason games not going to be televised at all?
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EJ Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 9:24 am
@James, nope, no TV for preseason games.
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T-BONE Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 11:02 am
@EJ,
FSW hasn’t televised a pre-season game in YEARS.
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So what are the lineups Rich?
Or at least who’s traveling on the road to CO and AZ? Who’s staying home in LA?
Give us da scoop!
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Should we go after Sheldon if he is cheap enough to get? I do not know what his cap hit would be but he would be really pissed when we played the Oilers. Is Westgarth our only “fighter” in our system right now? HURRY UP AND START THE SEASON!!!!!!!
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DougS Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 12:46 am
@Dazed N Confused,
I don’t see why. The top 4 are golden at this point, and there are more than enough promising young players to fill both the #6 slot and the #5 slot until Greene comes back.
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EJ Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 9:26 am
@Dazed N Confused, according to reports, the guy is a cancer, not someone you would want around young players. No team wants him, and that should speak volumes. When he was getting ready to report to camp, his agent was told by the Oiler GM to stay away.
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I like Mitchells answer here. (http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/425/have-kings-found-magic-blue-line-tandem)
“It’s going to be great,” said Mitchell. “By no means was it a bad departure from Vancouver. I had a great time there. I have a lot of great friends there in the city and on the team. And they’ve got a good hockey club, a great hockey club. … But I won’t lie, I want to win that game.”
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Can’t wait. I live in Denver now, and I’m going to the game! Sitting behind the net the Kings shoot at twice, and will be decked out in all my Kings gear…thinking of wearing a flack jacket as well. I’ve heard more than a few stories.
Already have my tickets for the game on October 23rd as well when the Kings come to town. Probably the only games I will be attending. I’ll be saving my money for the NHL package so I can watch as many games as possible, and the last thing I want is my money going to making the Av’s any better.
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who will be playing in LA on thursday any idea????
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Rich,
I’m pretty sure Hickey, Schenn and Lewis don’t count:
A Club shall be permitted to dress a minimum of eight (8) veterans for any Exhibition Game. For purposes of this Section, a veteran shall constitute either: (1) a forward or defenseman who played in thirty (30) NHL Games during the previous season, (2) a goaltender who either dressed in fifty (50) or more NHL Games or played in thirty (30) or more NHL Games in the previous season, (3) a first round draft choice from the most recent year’s Entry Draft or (4) any Player who has played one-hundred (100) or more career NHL Games.
Goalies: Quick, Ersberg
Defensemen: Mitchell, Doughty, Scuderi, Johnson, Drewiske, Harrold
Forwards: Kopitar, Williams, Smyth, Brown, Stoll, Richardson, Handzus, Ponikarovsky, Simmonds, Moller, Parse
We have 19 players that qualify, since Forbort is playing in the NCAA.
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Rich Hammond Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 8:55 am
Interesting…thanks. That came from Murray, but perhaps he meant something different than how it sounded. I’ll check.
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PRMan; We have two games thurs. one today ,they will have some vets playing back to back is all.Its interesting how they break them up is the ? Huge work load so early ,hope for no injurys from fatigue.
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I’d rather see Simmonds on the first line instead of Brownie. Simmonds would give pause to those who might take a run at Kopitar. Brown is a good hitter, but not known for fighting. Not sure if Simmonds could fill the net enough though and I’m sure that is why its not going to happen.
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DougS Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 9:45 pm
@KC23,
I would not be completely surprised if Simmonds develops into someone who could fill that role. His skill level last year improved markedly over his rookie year, and there is every reason to believe that he will continue to improve this year (basically, he’s still pretty young and hasn’t peaked yet).
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how do we know if the reply is from the “real” rich?
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