Among the Kings’ forwards, there’s still considerable question as to who will be on the fourth line. Kevin Westgarth is certain to play on one wing, but the center and left-wing spots are still very much up for grabs. Almost every practice and preseason game features a different combination, and today it was Brayden Schenn and Kyle Clifford teaming with Westgarth. Others in contention include Rich Clune, Andrei Loktionov, Trevor Lewis and John Zeiler. If Scott Parse is healthy for the start of the season, Brad Richardson likely moves to the fourth line, making the competition even tighter. Here’s what Terry Murray said about the fourth-line race today…
MURRAY: “Well, Westgarth is on the fourth line. Parse is out, so that moves Richardson into that spot. I had him as the fourth-line center iceman at the start of the training camp. With the young players still here — Schenn, Loktionov — I clearly want to use them while they’re here. Clune, Zeiler and Lewis are here. I’ve got to play around with that and try to get the best looks that I possibly can. Clifford and Schenn are with Westgarth today. It’s two young guys who are junior-eligible, and I’m giving them every look that I possibly can, to be in there and show the best that they can. It’s a hard thing to deal with, with the number of players, but it’s a nice situation to be in. It clearly says that we have a pretty good group of guys who are vying for spots.”
Clifford has been an intriguing player throughout training camp. He had a goal in Tuesday’s victory over Anaheim and looks comfortable with the type of physical play that is expected from a fourth-line player. Clifford is only 19 and would return to his junior team (Barrie of the OHL) if he doesn’t make the NHL roster.
MURRAY: “He’s a 19-year-old in a man’s body. That’s what I see. He’s a powerful guy. His test results, his on- and off-ice stuff, and you can see the play that he made on his goal the other night, just driving through to the front of the net. He’s a fearless guy. He’s a gritty guy. He’s impressive, he’s very impressive for his age. Last year, I look back and I remember that he ran out of gas at the latter part of the training camp. This year, he seems to be getting stronger. He’s physically maturing, and he’s blending in, in all of the drills. He listens well. He’s a player on the rise, obviously, and we’re excited to have him in the organization.”
I think Schenn will be in and given a long look…and I’d like to see Clifford given a chance over Clune or Zeiler. He can always be sent down, right?
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rumpa#19 Reply:
September 30th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
@rontheking, 9 games I think he’s in juniors and drafted last year.
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David Reply:
September 30th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
@rumpa#19, They can play any amount of games and still be sent down. However, if they play more than 9 games, they will burn a year of their ELC.
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Like that Clifford is a decent middle weight also.Mess with us ,ect.
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Would like to see Loktionov fill the second line role instead of Richardson at least until Parse gets back. It seems he would fit better there as a scorer than on the fourth line. Richardson, on the other hand seems like a much better fourth line center than second line scorer.
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This is what I have been lobbying for Schenn & Clifford for 9 games in pencil. They can be sent to Juniors at that point or earlier if they don’t show enough. I do remember though at breakfast with the GM DL still regrets giving Bernier the 9 game audition at 18. DL felt it delayed his development as he sulked after being sent down for a two years. The other complication is are have the other reserve options reached the age where they would be exposed to waivers if called up from the AHL. I know thats why we didn’t send Purcell down to get confidence & find his game last year.
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I believe that was the most praise I’ve heard TM dish out(Clifford). Nice to hear. Future looks very bright.
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The future looks awesome.
Based on the numbers, etc. Both Schenn and Clifford will most likely be heading back to Juniors. Simply put, because they have junior eligibility remaining, AND, there are capable players here RIGHT now where there isn’t much of a drop off without them here, that is the correct choice to make for the longer term future of the franchise.
HOWEVER…part of me is still hoping that Schenn sticks and stays.
Clifford, based on the little I have seen and heard, could use another year in Juniors to work on skating and such, which is just fine. He’s still just a kid.
I gaurantee you that they do NOT want to have Loktionov centering the 4th line, not long term anyway. It’s really not the long term role they see him filling, but, for right now, it will work until Parse comes back.
The time is ripe for Deano to pull off a deal here.
This may indeed be Richardson’s last year with the team, for the simple reason, his role can be filled by a younger kid with more upside, who is less expensive (i.e. Schenn, Clifford, Loktionov, etc.). Nothing against Richardson, as he has really proven himself, but this is part of growing as a franchise. Especially with the way the CBA is set up, this is how you have to do it…replace veterens with younger kids who can play the same role for half the price.
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Is it me or did this sound like a sales pitch to deal Clifford?
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markisonfire Reply:
October 1st, 2010 at 1:30 am
@KC23,
It was just you. You’ll see Clifford on the third line with Handzus and Simmonds (and maybe in future years, Schenn instead of Handzus) by next year.
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Forth line; Westgarth, Schenn and Clifford. Loktionov will go back to Manchester but will get plenty of time on recall We will not renew Kandzus because of the $4M. Stoll will be moved next year leaving it for Schenn and Loktionov centering the 2nd and 3rd lines. Clifford will most likely be our future at left wing on one of the top two lines. I have been watching this team for a long time and I’m jacked! I still don’t have a clue on the fifth and sixth D — non have shown enough so far.
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Stoll is a guy who seems that he has two guys really ready to step in. If he can’t distribute or score in that #2 role I don’t see him sticking long with Lokti and Schenn ready to fill it with some seasoning. I’m not saying they’re ready NOW but if Stoll doesn’t get 25 this year and like 60 points I think his days in the #2 roll are numbered especially with the amount of PP time he gets.
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This was one of the reasons why that russian guy didn’t sign here. Our GM has a budget, and he is being very smart in getting the most band for his buck.
Unfortunetly, the contracts they took by trading for Smyth, Stoll and Williams count for over 15 million, most of which impacts the CAP.
Handzus and his 4 million contract is worth it for his experience and seeing him feeling good, he is starting to look like the Handzus of old. He was one of the Kings most productive and best players in the playoffs.
Smyth was a great acquisition, however the price is way to steep for a guy his age, and in terms of value for money. He was injured last year, and the Kopitar/Smyth/Williams line was one of the best lines in the NHL before Smyth and Williams got hurt.
Stoll is a good faceoff guy, but he seems like he is really grippin his stick a little to tight, and is missing the net more times than he hits it. His inconsistency really needs to improve if the Kings are looking for increased offensive production from him.
Williams, father time, seems to be impacting his bones, and his durability has been on a decline, with significant games lost over the past few seasons because of injury, or broken bones.
Loktionov is skilled enough to be a 2nd line center or wing, and I think he is probably going to put up better numbers than Parse, but hopefully Parse can put up the numbers that the Kings were talking about at Fan Fest.
Schenn is going to be a few years away from being considered a 2nd line center, but after another year in juniors, there shouldn’t be any reason why next season he can take a 3rd line spot, and eventually grow into a 2nd line center.
I’ve watched Schenn, and he reminds me of Dustin Brown, and if he can improve his skating, and improve his scoring touch in closer to the net, then he also will be a good 2nd line center. I just don’t think his hand speed is at the level you would want a 2nd line player to have.
I don’t think he’s going to score numbers close to what he was putting up in Brandon, but he shouldn’t have a problem being good for 25+ goals a season, and 45+ assists once he grows in the NHL.
The Kings still need a gifted goal scorer, and they seem to have plenty of prospects and younger veteran NHL players to offer in a trade.
Maybe we get a nice gift this season, and one of our young guys or lesser known guys has a good showing and puts up 25+ goals, which would be a a big help, since based on the current team, the Kings are going to be going with, the only real area in question is scoring.
If the Kings want to build on last year, they first have to make the playoffs, and adding some speed on the wings, and a gifted puck handling centers could get them further into the playoff picture this season.
We have what looks to be a pretty solid group on defense, and with our goalie situation, the Kings are setting themselves up for many years of success, and hopefully a Stanley Cup.
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What a waist of talent, send Schenn and Clifford down. Oh crap —– we still have Harold.
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