The Kings finished last season with the seventh-ranked power play in the NHL (20.8 percent), but it appears as though the unit will get a new look this season. Brayden Schenn has been practicing with the first power-play unit, which also includes Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Anze Kopitar and Ryan Smyth. Another rookie, defenseman Jake Muzzin, has been practicing with the second power-play unit along with Jarret Stoll, Dustin Brown, Michal Handzus and Justin Williams. Coach Terry Murray said he won’t be shy about using either rookie in special-teams situations…
MURRAY: “Schenn has been a big part of that power play throughout the training camp. He’s got good vision, he’s composed, he makes good plays. He’s going to start there with Kopitar on that group right now. We sure liked what we saw in the practice today.
“Muzzin had a good training camp. He’s made huge strides from the time he joined the organization last year. I like what he has contributed on the power play in the exhibition games, and we feel that we need to take advantage of the opportunity that is here right now and get him into the lineup, let him play and get some experience and contribute on the power play.”
I’m so excited about this! that first powerplay unit looks sick. can’t wait to see schenn on some pp action
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49puckstothenuts Reply:
October 8th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
@What’s up,
I thought Loki was suppose to have the better hands and scoring touch. why not him on the pp?
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Looks like Schenn is going to have every opportunity to stay with the big club.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
@KC23, Good thing too, i think it will pay off. I dont see Brian Burke getting all hussy fussy over someone who doesnt have the potential to be star!
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AndrewG Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, yeah i like the confidence that TMs showing in all of the players
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Lokti look good on the first power play line when the Kings played the Ducks. Kopi Smyth Loki Drew Jack
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It is plain to see, and IMHO the right thing to do, that TM is going to take full advantage of the first 9 games to see what to do with Schenn.
Lokti can wait until after that time period as he has no return to juniors deadline.
None of this is bad for either of them.
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GoKings09 Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
@Larry,
Then why not send Lokti down to get playing time with the Monarchs before calling him up when he would actually be playing in games?
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Larry Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
@GoKings09, I am not sure how many more times we can send and recall Lokti without creating a risk of losing him on waivers.
I am sure he will get some time in with the big club so he isn;t just sitting around.
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GoKings09 Reply:
October 8th, 2010 at 1:55 am
@Larry,
I’m not totally positive but I think the rules are that the player is waiver exempt until they play a certain number of NHL games so Lokti could be sent up and down however often the Kings feel like until he plays a certain number of games.
I agree though that Lokti will probably get in at least a few games and its unlikely they sit him the first 9 games just to take a look at Schenn. As soon as Parse comes off IR, they will have some choices to make again. One of Lokti or Schenn is gone and then Richardson moves back to the 4th line which means that either Clifford or Schenn now has to be scratched(assuming Westgarth’s spot is safe). I doubt they keep Schenn or Clifford just to ride the bench most games so another guy could be sent back to juniors.
Rich–is that “bit” part or “big” part? Figured it’s probably the latter, but…
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Rich Hammond Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Correct…thanks…
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i thought Lokti may be the guy that sticks when we have to send someone back down (hence my 49 points for him to lead rookies in the predicitions earlier), but after TM’s comments yesterday (or was it Tues) and now Schenn skating w/ the #1 PP unit, maybe its Schenn thats gonna have to “play his way off” the roster
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
@jayhay, i went with Lokti with my predictions as well. either way we are getting a quality player.
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im really liking all of our rookies! which ever ones stick around im good with. I for sure have my favorites but like i said in my reply to jayhay whom ever does stick with the big boys this year will be a benefit to us.
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I still like Kopi, Zeus and Smyth up front with JJ and DD manning the points. They were dynamite in the first round last season. Schenn isn’t a big body and probably won’t be crashing the net. Kopitar, DD and JJ can all quarterback; Zeus and Smyth provide the net presence.
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lilwaynesimmonds Reply:
October 7th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
@bmova,
This. Both Smyth and Zeus up front was VERY effective.
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KC23 Reply:
October 8th, 2010 at 6:29 am
@bmova, You get my vote bmova. They were unstoppable against Vancouver during the playoffs.
Remember though, the Canucks has shored up their defense in the off season. That is why they could afford to let loose of Mitchel.
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Is it too late to change my rookie points prediction? We might be seeing a little more of Schenn this year…
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You guys dont understand the vision Schenn has on the ice. This kid has amazing vision, his passing ability and patience with the puck are amazing. Lokti is a similar player they both will get a chance at really making the team. Who ever has more impact to the team will take the job. I love both players but I think its going to be MR.Schenn, gotta love our DEPTH baby!
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Schenn on 1st PP=exciting!
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I like everything but THIS from the second power play unit.
Muzzin to Stoll shot WIDE
Muzzin to Stoll shot WIDE
Muzzin to Stoll shot WIDE
I saw too much of that last year.
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Muzzin and Stoll? Yeah, that’s about as funny as it gets. Where is Ashton Kutcher running out saying we were just “Punked?”
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Ok, I want to change one of my predictions. The rookie scoring looks as thought it is going to be Schenn instead of Loktionov. It appears as though management is really looking to be a bigger and tougher team. While I am excited to see the season begin, I think that the skill side of the game still needs to be taken into account.
But I trust management to guide the team. So I have offically changed my prediction on rookie scoring as follows.
Schenn—25 pts.
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If there’s a spot for Jarret Stoll on any PP line, then this team is doomed. He reached the 20-goals/season mark ONCE five years ago! And, the 2nd scoring line will really be what Murray has been calling the “checking” line: Simmonds/Handzus/Ponikarovsky — that line will have a huge year behind the 1st line of Smyth/Kopitar/(and someone to step in for Brown unless he gets on an early 30-goal/season pace). What’s not to love about the heart and soul play of guys like Stoll & Brown, but they’ve got to light up the lamp early and often to be considered scorers. I’d love to see Brown surpass his only season scoring more than 24-goals (33 in 2007-08)…
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