In each of the previous two seasons, the Kings identified, in training camp, a young player who they hoped would be able to fill a top-six role. It didn’t work out either time. Will the third time be a charm?
In 2008, the Kings broke camp with Matt Moulson on the first line. Last year, it was Teddy Purcell with a second-line role. Neither player ended up even playing a full season with the Kings, although Moulson went on to have success with the Islanders last season.
Now, enter Scott Parse, who will get an opportunity to fill the second-line left-wing role, alongside center Jarret Stoll and right winger Justin Williams. As a rookie last season, Parse had 11 goals and 13 assists in 59 games, including a plus-13 rating, even though he played irregular minutes, often on the fourth line.
Now 26, Parse still needs to overcome questions about consistency and defensive play, but he will get a chance to play a high-profile role.
“When he was in and out of the lineup last year, and as a practice player, he showed me a lot,” coach Terry Murray said. “I liked some of the highlight-reel goals that he scored. He’s a very high-skilled player, and I think he needs that opportunity to be successful to fail. He’s going to be there on the left side with Stoll, right now, and Williams on the right. I think the line has great potential. They’ve got a good mind for the game, and I hope he comes out on the right side and is going to be very successful.
“He needs to gain my trust. He needs to show me that he can bring that every day, in practice and games, so that I can trust him, to keep going with him, and he can respond to that challenge. I’m going to give him the opportunity.”
Parse said that coaches hadn’t stressed anything in particular to him at the start of camp.
“Not really, but I know what I have to do,” Parse said. “He [Murray] talked to me last year about what I need to do, to compete hard and be consistent, and I think if I do that, playing with good players, I think I can have a good year. … I’d like to be a better player and have a bigger role on this team, and that’s what I’m looking to do this year. If I do that, be consistent, I think I should have a good year.”
Here’s hoping the Kings get 25 goals from the Parse this year. That would make this a very good year for the Kings.
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playing with good players, I think I can have a good year
Wait ’til TM starts doing his Wheel Of Line Combinations and then will Scott be playing with “bad” players?
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Parse is a sniper who is the best passing winger the Kings have. TM needs to leave him on left wing and not mess around playing him on the right side as he did at times last year. He is MUCH better on left wing.
Smyth wss really good early last season and did nothing after coming back from injury. Parse may have more upside and might be a better fit with Kopitar. Stoll is effective in some roles but is no playmaker.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Parse this year. He and Drewiske both have the ability to make a difference. If they get the chance they need to take advantage of it and quickly.
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I don’t think Parse will last at the #2 left wing position. He was too Inconsistent last year for me to think otherwise. I do like how Murray is leaving it open and the is no guarantee Parse will be the #2 left wing on opening night (Murray quote..”“He needs to gain my trust. He needs to show me that he can bring that every day, in practice and games, so that I can trust him, to keep going with him, and he can respond to that challenge. I’m going to give him the opportunity.”).
To me if parse shows the same inconsistent play during camp as he did last year, Murray wouldn’t make the same mistake he did with Purcell last season.
I have to believe Poni will be the #2 left winger by the time the season starts. I am Clifford will be filling in the 3rd left wing role. The kid has hands and never takes shifts off and plays hards. He is defensively sound, drives hard to the net, has hands for a gritty player, and doesn’t mind taking the Body.
I hope oopening night lines look like this.
Smyth-Kopi-Brown
Poni-Stoll-Williams
Clifford-Hanz-Simmer
Clune-Richardson-Westgarth
I just don’t see Parse being that guy on the second line and he isn’t the right fit for the 3rd or 4th line. It’s Purcell all over.
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EJ Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
@kylecliffordfan, are you sure you’re not just projecting your man-love for Clifford into your critique of Parse?
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kylecliffordfan Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
@EJ,
I call it how i see it and Parse hasn’t proved anything yet. I can care less about 15-20 goals if you not going to play hard in your back in. Yeah, parse should skill at times last year, but he landed himself on the bench and a trip to Manchester because he was inconsitent. We went out and got Poni, let Poni take that 2nd line role. I wouldn’t even mind Clune in the 3rd line spot when that group is out to shutdown a line. If Parse doesn’t fit in the 2nd line spot, he doesn’t fit in spot 3 or 4, he doesn’t have the checking and physical play to make it tough to play against. That’s all I am saying. Poni should be the #2 left winger.
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OneTimer Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@kylecliffordfan,
Last time we all checked … Clifford “hasn’t proved anything yet” either.
Jus’ sayin.
Dr.Gonzo Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
@kylecliffordfan,
Yea, we went out and got Poni… To play alongside Zeus and Simmer. I mean come on buddy, did u not get the memo or something!? This “opportunity” is exactly what Parse needs and deserves right now. It’s his time to shine or not, and IMO he will most definately shine for us. I’m really pleased with how TM has the lines right now… Is it opening night yet!? GKG!!!
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hockyplaya035 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
@kylecliffordfan, I totally agree!! thank you for someone else finally noticing the truth. I was at training camp and so far parse showed absolutley nothing. He had such a brutal first practice it was ridiculous. Richardson is better than parse, clifford is better than parse, loktionov is better than parse, and moller is better than parse!.. I dont know why he is handed this oppurtunity, he has Not proven anything to be given this oppurtunity.
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LAfan13 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
@kylecliffordfan,
I saw clifford at practice today, he was pretty good. But not the best one on the ice…
Poni wasnt that “skilled” from what i saw with the puck and wouldnt fit too well on line 2…
The part the stood out the most was… Zues, simmonds, and poni, were prolly the 3 biggest, skaters on the ice, and i was watching them muscle their way through battles behind the net. It was like me fighting a 4th grader for an oreo cookie. The size and strength of that 3rd line was impressive. I dont see clifford being as big or as strong as those 3 players.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
@LAfan13, Handzus & Poni are physically large, and Simmonds has and plays with the heart of 10 champions.
The reason Parse is given the 2nd line LW slot is he is the most skilled as a scorer. He has the most accurate one time and wrist shot on the team. All the people arguing that he doesn’t check or play D, please explain to me how he was a +13 last year. Please keep in mind much of that was played on the no help offensive/defensive void known as Ivanans.
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USHA#17 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
@LAfan13,
Now, have not seen the camps or practices…
I would not be shocked if Parse has a break out season. He played well last season in odd situations and lines. He produced considerable offense in relation to his TOI (ice time) and the lines he worked with.
Sometimes through I can’t see the tree for the leaves. I had problems understanding why he wasn’t used more last season. I would be interested to hear the opinions of others
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LAfan13 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
@USHA#17,
Dont get me wrong, I never said anything bad bout parse… I also belive he is a good fit in line #2 and given this opprotunity, can score 25-30 goals in my opinion.
I was just stating my observations between poni and clifford really.
Side note. Schenn looked decent. I didnt see him playing with same intensity as kopi and crew though.
Who stood out the most for me though was Kozun. Prolly one of the smallest guys on the rink, But he was fast as hell. Great puck skills, and looks to be a natural sniper in the slot. His play on the boards was a bit worrysome, but in the middle of the ice he was very good.
Looks like brownie has been working on his shot too, saw him fire some lazer beams at Berube today. Felt bad for that goalie.
and highlight of the day. seeing willie mitchell plaster some dude into the boards right infront of me.
twas a good day.
crashin' da net Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
@lafan13, yup Kozun reminds me of Gionta.
Hey Rich,
could you bring up the “winners” of the 1 day training day tests? I mean some numeric values of some of the specific tests?
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I really didn’t see inconsistency from Parse objectively.
The fact that the coaching staff can’t articulate it makes it sound more like one of the following:
“We just really didn’t like you.”
“You’re big, therefore you need to hit, even if it’s not your game.”
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The parse h8rs make no sense at all. the guy is awesome! all he does is score, and if he is such a liability on his end he wouldn’t have ended +13
parse made a difference playing super limited minutes with scrub linemates. He should easily do 20 or 25 goals this season. I do worry that if he doesn’t have a hat trick in the first day, murray will bench him.
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launch Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket,
I too, can’t figure out why there are so many haters for Parse.
he is IMO one of the purest goal scores on the roster. I say watch out for this guy to make a difference this season. He just signed a new contract, and he’ll get 2nd line minutes…..could be the breakout player of the year
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USHA#17 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
@launch,
Funny, I didn’t see you comment down here and said exactly the same thing myself (see my comment about 4″ up)
I feel this man is just a likely as anyone on the team to have a break out season. Other then a few misreads (caught too deep on offense) I had difficulty seeing what kept him off the ice last season.
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rontheking Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket,
I agree…+13 says a lot to me, along with 11 goals and 13 assists in 59 games–as a rookie! Most rookies end up on the wrong end of the +/-.
I saw this guy make some phenomenal plays both offensively and defensively. Not only does he have NHL skills, he has a hockey mind–and that’s the intangible that will help him to make the next step.
Which he will. I am positive. (And Paul the Octopus is very big on Parse!)
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Seems A Good Fellow Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket,
100% Agreed!!!
Smart player who flashed some brilliance as a rookie and played at a +13. I think he deserves the chance to prove he can bring it night after night on a scoring line.
I think lines 1 and 3 are set…with that said, there isn’t anyone else I see that can fill that hole.
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Deke'r Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket, I’m all in! Scottie’s the man and he’s gonna terrorize the neighborhood!(can I say terrorize here?)
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Smyth-Kopi-Brown
Parse-Stoll-Williams
Poni-Hanz-Simmer
Clune-Richardson-Westgarth
Clifford
Harrold
Baring a trade or injury, this is the opening night lineup. Schenn’s cap hit is too high, so until they move a Stoll or Williams, he goes back to junior. Loki, Moller and others will have to steal a spot to start the season with the big club. I think the Kings are still shopping for a forward and NJ needs to unload a player to two.
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number 6 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,
see my post below
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Parse has a 60% chance of having a good season based on his past inconsistencies.
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I don’t think that they’re shopping for a forward at all. There is no one out there available, certainly not from NJ that would be a huge upgrade relative to their projections on numerous players – Schenn, Lokti, maybe even Moller. It’s not like they’d just get one of these guys from NJ for this yr and then plug the others in later. You get someone w two or three yrs left on his contract, that does nothing put plug up the available spots that if not there this yr will certainly be there next yr with the development of the above mentioned players and maybe even others.
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USHA#17 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
@number 6, I just don’t see any fit out there at this time to be trading the chips. All the good one’s are core guys or have silly contracts.
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Parse rocks. He has the hands and shot to make a difference.
Skating with Williams and Stollie will have a beneficial effect on his productivity.
I like Clifford, but Scott Parse is 25 (almost an elder statesman for this team) and he has NHL experience.
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I hope to see Williams Kopi Smyth toghether in pure form right out the gate for line 1.
I would expect Parse to be a staple on the 2nd line, Moller to make the team and have a big year and Westgarth to punch a lot of people in the nose and the Kings to finaly win a cup. Those are my projections
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A little off topic but Cikiri over at The LA kings outsider found this update on The Fro, playing with Gaboric in scrimmages http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=538031&navid=DL%7CNYR%7Chome# . I’m gonna be watching them closely to see how they do together. Wether fans admit it or not, I have a feeling he’s going to prove a lot of people wrong this season, and those of us that supported him while he was here are going to miss him.
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USHA#17 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
@Dominick,
Perhaps he needed someone to make him better rather then in LA were he was expected to make those around him better.
We’ll see, 3 against a prospect however.
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
@Dominick,
Damn!!! I hate when people say this. Frolov has been on the kings for his WHOLE career. At first he showed us who he is, and his ability to put out. The problem was , he never ever really peaked. 9 out of 10 of the times, when a player is traded, they are always going to do good. Its called a “Fresh Start” , and usually will have alot more jump in their play, cause they have alot to prove. There is NO doubt in my mind, that if he stayed here another season, he would be mediocre…AGAIN.
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jayhay Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 8:31 am
@Dominick,
geez, they think they got a 40 goal scorer. we’ll see how that goes come mid-November.
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tuan jim Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 1:51 pm
@jayhay,
When Fro was playing for Crawford he was putting the puck in the net. In comes the defense-oriented Murray who chews Fro’s ass for a blown play in the defensive zone and benches him for a game. Fro’s defense picks up greatly but, like what happened to Kopitar during Murray’s first year here, his offense drops a bit.
Fro’s gone to a team that’s hungry for goal production. He WILL make the Rangers happy. In fact, if we hadn’t pissed away so much time and effort on the Kovy fiasco, DL would definitely have re-signed Fro. I’m glad we have Poni, but he’s nowhere near as talented as Fro.
All that nonsense about Fro becoming mediocre is ridiculous. I hate Sather for gettig him at a bargain price.
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Dominick Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 5:11 pm
@tuan jim,
I see you and I are probably the minority.lol
Interesting interview. I’m kind of a nut about listening to how players respond to questions. Prior to this interview my opinion was that Parse would likely come in and have a breakout year. Now I’m not so sure … lets break down his response.
“I think I can have a good year.”
Sounds almost like he is trying to convience himself. A very unconfident like response imho.
“I’d like to be a better player and have a bigger role on this team,”
The way he phrases this is like saying … he’d like to, but he is not sure he can.
“and that’s what I’m looking to do this year. If I do that, be consistent, I think I should have a good year.”
What I’m looking to do? IF I do that? I think I SHOULD have a good year?
Everything reeks of … he doesn’t believe it himself, but hopes it will happen.
My take is this guy has some large confidence issues and it doesn’t sound like the coach is helping by his words and actions either last year or this.
I personally think it is obvious Parse has the talent to go to the next level. I also think the coach has been stunting his growth by going over board with trying to motivate him with negative feed back on the areas he needs to work on. Not every player responds the same way. My take is Parse needs more positive feedback to build his self confidence, but then again … what do I know.
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jayhay Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 8:34 am
@KC23,
by contrast, check out Clune’s answers. i like ur break down, i think we’re all just ready for some damn hockey!!
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I like Stoll, but he has no creativity or playmaking ability. Nobody (including Parse) is going to light it up on his wing.
Stoll should be on the wing with Schenn in the middle. Stoll has speed and a good shot which I think would make him a good winger. Stoll can take the draws if Schenn isn’t winning them just like Marleau does in San Jose. Schenn in the middle with Stoll and Williams.
Also – I think Brown will light it up this year on the top line with Kopi.
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@UpperV
I hope Brown does… BUT my concern is that he is more of a power forward than a sniper.
Every first line needs a sniper to thrive… I think that would be too drastic of a change to expect from any player, let alone Brown who misses the net 50% of the time.
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opening night lineup.
Smyth-Kopi-Brown
Moller-Stoll-Williams
Ponil-Hanz-Simmer
Clune-Richardson-Westgarth
Parse
Hicky
To much pressure for Parse already..remember Moulson and Purcell…I think Oscar will win the battle for 2-nd line spot. He is smart, great knowledge of the game, and can play any position. He will excell because nobody is giving him the shot…
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tuan jim Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@The other Rich,
Not a lotta size on that second line. Mice may be smart and talented, but they still gotta get loose to find the cheese.
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Size doesn’t put the puck in the net. Smarts, hands and talent do……… Parse is a good palyer and I like hime, but he is not top 6-th forward. 3-4 liner with potential to score some goals….
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I’m happy that Parse gets a shot as a top 6 forward. Hopefully that line will gel and we may have a sniper or new scorer on the team. If it pans out, it will be much cheaper than having gotten Ilya-nator (the alienator). Best wishes to Scott!
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All he has to do is be consistent and I think he can put up 25-30 goals, which is what we need from him. I think he can do it but want him to play well at both ends with that same consistency! Stoll is expected to perform better this season and god knows JW hasn’t done a thing so he is certainly expected to get it together, so this line MUST gel and do it quick- if these guys are going to accomplish these things and help the Kings win more games.
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