In terms of ice time, we know exactly what Drew Doughty is capable of. During the playoffs last season, Doughty played more than 28 minutes in three of the six games, including an enormous 32:56 in the Game 2 overtime win for the Kings. Doughty started this season by playing 29:19 in the overtime season opener, but the ice time has been reduced from then, to 23:25, then 23:00, then 21:48 on Friday against Vancouver. I asked Terry Murray today about those numbers, and whether the Kings’ schedule — they started with four games in seven days, and now face seven games in 11 days — factored into Doughty’s ice time.
MURRAY: “I think part of it is that we want to get a good look at (Jake) Muzzin. Matt Greene is out with the injury, and (Muzzin) is the player we put in to get ice time. It’s important to give him a lot of minutes in important situations. He’s on the power play and he’s actually done a very good job for us. We’ve been pleased with that, so we’re trying to encourage it and keep it going. We’re very aware that Jack (Johnson) and Drew are players that we’re going to rely on very heavily. Their minutes, I’m sure, as we get going here, will increase. I’d like to see them up close to that 25-, 27-minute average over the course of the year. I’m sure that we’ll get there.”
Doughty also started last season with relatively limited ice time. In the Kings’ first five games, he played more than 22 minutes just twice and never played more than 24:28. By mid-November, he was regularly playing in the range of 24-26 minutes per game.
Muzzin was top offensive d-man, and the number 2 defensive d-man in the OHL. I’m just surprised at how well he’s settled in basically straight out of juniors. I love this kid’s game and his upside.
[Reply]
Rich, The Kings organization seems like they are pretty cooperative when it comes to working with you and giving you interviews. Is there an NHL team that you know of that is not “press friendly” at all? Just a question of curiosity…thanks!
[Reply]
Not even worried about him. Hell be fine.
[Reply]
i do miss that DD JJ combo on the power play though.
[Reply]
2hitnik Reply:
October 20th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
@OC KINGS FAN, DD-JJ is the 1st PP unit? The magic just isnt there yet.
[Reply]
dd and jj are near the top of the league–the top ten, more or less–this year so far in ice time.
[Reply]
You do get the feeling watching Doughty that he hasn’t kicked it into high gear yet this year. You know it’s coming though….
[Reply]
The Kings just want to figure out which defenseman will be the odd man out when Matt Greene returns. So they are evaluating both Muzzin and Drewiske. One will be playing and the other #7, unless sent down. I don’t know what will happen to Harrold.
[Reply]
Bill M. Reply:
October 20th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
@King John, I imagine that Harrold gets the destiny not bestowed upon the other odd man out. (i.e., #7 or send down).
He might move to a winger spot, but then we would be sending down two forwards instead of one.
[Reply]
Mucker Reply:
October 20th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@King John, Hey KJ – long time no see…moving on: doesn’t it concern you that TM is experimenting with so many rookies this year? It does me…
[Reply]
King John Reply:
October 20th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
@Mucker,
No, I want to see what the rookies can do now before Parse comes up. Then I can root for Parse knowing where the other guys stand. And we know Schenn is a keeper already. We need to figure these things out now so that we know later on if we need a LW or not if none of these guys fit the bill. But I hope Parse steps up and even makes it with Kopitar.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
October 20th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
@Mucker, TM would be a fool not to take a real good look at the rookies early on.
Muzzin, to me, is the shocker. This guys is clearly NHL ready. He’ll be a top 4 def one day imho.
[Reply]
I think DD is a guy who needs games to stay in shape… In other words, he can have weight issues & playing in the NHL keeps him in shape… I don’t think he is the biggest fitness buff in the world… So a slow start is typical as he works himself into his best game shape…
[Reply]