There was quite a bit of talk on the ice in practice today. It started after about 20 minutes, when Terry Murray stopped a drill and, somewhat uncharacteristically, lectured the team in a raised voice, expressing displeasure about the way a drill was being executed. Then, after drills ended, the players skated to a corner of the ice and met. Matt Greene called the meeting, but all players were invited to talk and share thoughts about the Kings’ recent slump. Afterward, I talked to Greene, Rob Scuderi and Murray about the on-ice chatter.
GREENE: “We just talked things out a little bit, a little regroup with the guys. It’s not every day that you get a chance to talk to everybody, all at once, without emotions flying or anything like that. After a game, especially right now, with us losing games, it’s not the best time to talk, because your emotions are high and maybe the thing that you’re thinking isn’t the right thing at the time. It’s always good to have a meeting maybe when you’re more on an even keel, and guys can express some things without having something else on their mind.”
Question: Is it a matter of, when you’re playing games every other day, it’s tough to catch your breath a little and regroup?
GREENE: “It’s just a more relaxed atmosphere. It’s rare. You might thing that you get everybody in the room, or you think you’re around all 23, 24 guys all the time. That’s not the case. Guys are getting rehab, or warming up in their own ways. It’s not every day that you get the whole group at once, and that you get a chance to talk with level heads, when you’re not just coming down from an experience or getting ready to go into one. So everybody is a little more civil. You can bring up things that maybe you wouldn’t.
“Myself, personally, after a game, if we lose or something, you find yourself getting pretty defensive. If it’s a little more relaxed atmosphere, speaking for myself, I can take criticism a little bit easier. In the same way, I’m less liable to lash out at someone. It’s just a different atmosphere for guys to meet and talk and make sure that everybody is on the same page, which we are. That was never a question. But it’s just kind of a little regroup, a little reassurance for everybody, and a good time for us to get together.”
Here’s what Scuderi had to say about the players-only chat…
SCUDERI: “No shock. I think it’s been a long time coming. Usually, when you go through a slump, you just try to leave the guys alone and see if we can work ourselves out of it. It hasn’t happened, win-loss wise, so we just wanted to reaffirm a couple things that I think everyone knows, deep down inside, but it’s good to get them out in the air sometimes.”
Question: Maybe just try to loosen guys up a little, get them talking?
SCUDERI: “That’s part of it. I think it’s more about attention to detail, and the little things. If you take care of the little things, the big things seem to take care of themselves. If we can get back to that… It might seem like a little play, but usually in a game, it can have a big-time influence.”
Question: Is this sort of a weird time right now? You’ve still got more than four months left in the season, but you also don’t want things to get too far away…
SCUDERI: “Right. As far as the standings go, we’re not incredibly worried about it, but we’re not really happy with it either. It is still early. We’re still technically a winning team, but we certainly don’t like the direction that we’re headed. We’re just trying to do some things to maybe lighten the attitude, lighten the atmosphere, and hopefully that leads to good things.”
While the players met and talked, for perhaps five minutes, the coaches skated at the other end of the rink, shooting pucks and chatting. In general, coaches like to see team leaders taking charge like that, but Murray stayed away from commenting on the players’ chat…
MURRAY: “I don’t know what it was about. I’ve been a part of those in the past myself, as a player. Everybody wants to get going here. Everybody wants to win games, and it comes to a time when enough is enough. We want to build on the good things that we feel we did in the Anaheim game. There were a lot of offensive opportunities. We missed them. We just want to make sure we’re staying with it, though. You don’t want to get frustrated. You don’t want to make any changes on that side of it, when you’re seeing the opportunities that are created.
“On the checking part of the game, we felt real good about the way we played defensively, as a team and as individuals. In our 3-on-3 play, down low, there was some great execution, strong play. We didn’t give up a lot of opportunities to some of the best players in the game, in particular the Getzlaf line. So again, just build on that, reinforce the positive stuff — which is what we did in our team meeting this morning — and when you’re a part of those meetings, as a player, that’s the stuff you’re hitting on. `Just stay with it. Let’s keep working hard. Let’s make sure we’re not outworked in the game, and do the right stuff, and it will break through.”’
Ok, but it is time for less talking and more winning
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AZ King Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 12:56 pm
@brandyn,
The former usually brings the latter. Once players start talking and working things out amongst themselves a turn around isn’t usually too far behind.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 12:59 pm
ORLY?
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RabidZiggy Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:03 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, YARLY!
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They brought Terry Murray in a ‘teaching coach’. There may come a point here where Terry’s job will be done and they’ll need more of a motivator. Probably not there yet, but maybe soon.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:02 pm
@Donald_S, You know he won a cup, right?
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lv is the way Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:23 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Murray was a runner up with the Flyers. lost the series to the redwings i believe.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@lv is the way, fair enough. I thought he won it with the Panthers, but I was incorrect. From the media guide:
“As the head coach of the Flyers for three seasons (1994-95 through 1996-97), Murray compiled a 118-64-30 record. In addition to the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals/Eastern Conference Championship, Murray coached the team to two Atlantic Division Championships (1995 and 1996).”
FKA PakiFro Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@lv is the way,
You are correct. Never won a cup, at least as a head coach.
Mickey Keenan Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:49 pm
@lv is the way, Of course Marc Crawford won a cup… and what has he done since….? Winning a cup and not winning a cup mean the same damn thing at this level… nothing.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
@Mickey Keenan, I don’t follow you. I think having “been there” (or even more so, having done what it takes to get there) provides valuable perspective.
Erik4Kings Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:56 pm
@Donald_S,
I’ve been saying this since we got him and its not a negative remark either.
TM did a good job of helping us go from the basement to a competitive every year, but I think that is where his coaching skillset maxes out. No offense to him, I like what hes done, thats just how I feel watching his previous teams, his composure (and complete lack of emotion whatsoever), his complete lack of offensive strategy (probably best reason why he’ll never win a Cup, dump chase and cycle is dead.)
Time for that next step…
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Michael J. Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@Erik4Kings, I’m not lookng to defend TM, but he hasn’t committed one turnover leading to two-on-ones, he has yet to let a soft goal in, he hasn’t missed the net on a great scoring chance, or taken one stupid penalty over the last eight games.
On the other hand, he did make some great saves, scored about a dozen goals and won three fights during the first fifteen games this year.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@Erik4Kings, My opinion only.
Not yet. Eventually, yes, but this team still has learning to do, and Murray is the proper coach to teach.
The time is coming soon though, the only question is, who is the proper coach to take them over the hump.
It really bothers me to read posts of fire fire fire, without any reall suggestions of replacements. It’s quite easy to just fire, it’s a whole other thing to replace properly.
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Erik4Kings Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 6:48 pm
@mrbrett7,
Touche, touche. Where is Herb Brooks when you need an all around leader? LOL. Thanks for that reminder
)
kingfisher Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 9:07 pm
@mrbrett7, mike keenan,he won a cup and has some intellegence………wow what a thought,
quit making excuses for murray ,we will not get to the next level with him period.
this powerplay dilema is really pathetic,
any good hockey fan can watch it one time and
see what the problem…….quit putting the passes in the overnite mail its getting way too old seeing it every other day.
zulov Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 11:27 pm
@Erik4Kings, Agree whole-heartedly. Working hard, forechecking, dumping and chasing, cycling – all those things are necessary fundamentals, but not unstopable offensive dynamics.
Just look at the PP…
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I think Greene’s first response should be the standard on here after a loss. Right after a loss is not the best time to come around a spouting all kinds of crazy ideas. Everyone gets hot headed and defensive after a loss, sometimes you’ve just got to step back for a little bit.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:03 pm
@AZ King, LOL, that’s why I gave up coming here after losses. I’m already pretty cranky, but when I read some of the insane stuff here (not you!) I tend to snap.
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:08 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Agree with both! Great posts! haha
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Shakes Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:22 pm
@AZ King,
I totally agree with you guys. It was almost easier when we were a .500 team in years past to read the post game comments, now it’s like a circus of the crazies.
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BringBackTheShieldJersey Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:31 pm
@AZ King,
I like reading the post-loss venom; makes me feel not so alone in my frustration. Try not to comment too much at that time, though.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:43 pm
@BringBackTheShieldJersey, I don’t mind the frustration, which tends to mirror my own. I’m a bit more irate about the ridiculous faux-analysis type comments from people who are obviously clueless.
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Paulislav Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 6:37 pm
@AZ King, Yeah well, we’re not talking about “a loss”, we’re talking about a free-fall where there really hasn’t been a lot of effort for big chunks of these past eight or so games. It’s called accountability, and this team’s in dire need of it. The “after a loss” question should bother them, but not nearly as much as their own performance in said losses, and as stated, we’re not talking about “a loss”, we’re talking 7 out of 8, with even that 8th one played really poorly (only Quick kept them in that game). This team needs to be ridiculed & pissed-off.
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xeropoint Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 7:41 pm
@Paulislav,
Gonna have to disagree with you. What I’ve been seeing isn’t a lack of effort. Definitely a lack of composure and smart plays.
Being outplayed and shooting yourself in the foot might look similar, especially if you are feeling pissed and depressed during this slide (like we all do).
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KFII Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 7:47 am
@xeropoint, Good post. I bet at least some of the players feel depressed and pissed over this slide, pretty much a given really, some of them are just kids. And if they read half of these posts after a game, I kind of feel sorry for them.
I agree with you that these losses are not for lack of effort. It’s been the mental mistakes, the ones made when you lose your composure. If they could just start playing with confidence again, that would bring the composure and the smart plays back. What this team needs is a BIG dose of confidence to start winning again!
I’m curious what input our “c” had in this meeting? I’m hopig someone told him that he doesnt ALWAYS have to try to bull his way into the zone and take a shot from the walls…
I think TM’s “shot-mentality” has been taking a little too far with serious repurcusions effecting our passing game. Granted, we’ve never been nor will be the passing gods that are Detroit, but some good passing will go along way in ending our slump!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:06 pm
@Stuart, I was pretty impressed with their passing early in the season…maybe there’s something there. I also wondered about Brown not being the guy calling this, but I’m not one of the players, so I don’t want to pretend to understand their interpersonal relationships.
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King o' Philly Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:23 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
i totally agree. the idea of being a “puck possession team” didn’t seem as absurd then (12-3) as it does lately.
we can’t even break out cleanly these days
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zulov Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 11:31 pm
@Stuart, Totally – drives me up the wall when Brownie rushes in and swings at the puck wildly…
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About time someone stepped up and did something like that. Where’s Brown at? He should be the first one calling these huddles. Thankful for Greene. Yeah he’s slumping a little but everyone is at least he’s got the will and leadership to Do something about it.
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Why doesn’t Greene have the C? Brown is no captain, that’s for sure.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:07 pm
maybeheneedstogettoughanddropthegloves
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AZ King Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:11 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, \
LOL, that was awesome!!
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:24 pm
@AZ King,
Took me a minute, but you can add “classic” to your “awesome.” The guys wearing the “C’s” and the “A’s” play different leadership roles. Greene, based upon his comments, is definitely the “get everyone together and talk as a group” leader. Browne is more of a “officially representing the team” type leader. Kopi serves as the “best player example” leader while players like Scud serve as the experienced mentoring leaders. Each has a role which they have to utilize in the right place at the right time tobe effective. I am still laughing at WTFK’s response!!!
AZ King Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:13 pm
@theKingsNeedTogettoughanddropthegloves,
There are a lot of experts around the league that disagree with you, but what do they know?
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Erik4Kings Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
@theKingsNeedTogettoughanddropthegloves,
Brown is by far one of the best on and off ice examples of a Captain in the NHL. There is a reason he has been nominated three years running as most charitable player in NHL. Also he has been top in the league at penalties drawn to taken past three years a stat hardly anyone realizes. He only scores 20+ goals a year to contribute to an average of what 70 points? and oh yeah 300+ hits every season…plus I doubt you ever attend team practices like many of us do, Brown is most definitely this team’s captain.
If you don’t see that you obviously value a much different set of criteria then NHL coaches, staff and a majority of fans.
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xeropoint Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 4:59 pm
@Erik4Kings,
I like Brown just fine, but lets get some facts straight here.
He averages 41.33 points a season, a far cry from 70. Yes, 20+ goals, but only for the last 3 seasons.
His “drawn penalties” is also viewable from two different perspectives. Either he is so super effective, that other teams are forced to take more penalties against him…
or
He dives A LOT.
Brown is definitely not the Rah-Rah type guy, so I don’t fault him for not calling team meetings or whatever. He is also very active in the community so I’m sure he’s a great person. I will never question the guys heart, he absolutely leaves it all out on the ice.
It’s his head that worries me. Numbers aside, there are very legitimate concerns about his play the last couple of years.
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zulov Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 11:34 pm
@xeropoint,
Great post. I think Brownie’s toothless grin says it all
theKingsNeedTogettoughanddropthegloves Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 5:22 pm
@Erik4Kings,
Brown is a serial diver and doesn’t stand up for his teammates nor himself. I actually like Brown, but just not as the captain.
When I think of captains, I think of Iginla, Getzlaf, Ladd, Chara, Foot, Nash, Morrow, McCabe, Weber, Langenbruner, Richards, Doan, Phaneuf, and Crosby.
These captains are real captains.. they don’t dive. they stand up for themselves and the team. Brown doesn’t even deserve an A with him “I will turn my back and skate away if you get in my or a teammates face” attitude.
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xeropoint Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 6:34 pm
@theKingsNeedTogettoughanddropthegloves,
To be fair, I think Crosby is pretty well known for diving too.
Paulislav Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 6:41 pm
@theKingsNeedTogettoughanddropthegloves, Brown is a solid third liner, and no where NEAR being captain material.
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zulov Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 11:38 pm
@Paulislav,
Let face it – compared to the guys listed above, like Richards and Crosby, no one on the Kings deserves to wear the C – no one.
The Kings have talent – they just lack a mental toughness that true champs have. And I am not sure they will find that mental toughness anytime soon – if ever.
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I found the following baffling:
“It’s just a different atmosphere for guys to meet and talk and make sure that everybody is on the same page, which we are. That was never a question.”
To me, it doesn’t follow that if you need to make sure everybody is on the same page, that it was never a question. Maybe I totally misunderstood him.
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Erik4Kings Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:01 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Oxymoronic right? Lets just say Greene will never win a public speaking award, LOL.
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Mucker Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:34 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I know that comment sounds contradictory, but here’s what it means…what he’s saying essentially is that following a loss – especially after a series of losses – it’s really easy to stand up in the locker room and start saying, “hey…you…what the F were thinking on that play…c’mon…you’ve got to stick to the system and do x / y / z”.
Because it’s inevetible that someone else will stand up and say, “hey…shut the F up and give the guy a break”.
This will start to divide the room with a faction of guys that will take one side, while the other will take the other side…and when you have that happen, the whole, ‘house divided shall fall’ scenario comes into play.
I suspect that what happened in practice on the drill in question was that one or more players were not executing properly or with the tempo that they’ve been discussing off ice and in video meetings.
It was likely then, that Greene stood up and said ‘hey…everyone…hold up…let’s huddle down here and confirm that we’re all understanding what we’ve been discussing…that we’re all interpreting what the expectations are for everyone’.
In doing this – it’s less hostile.
I’ve been on some teams where we go through a losing streak and after several games, it goes beyond old and moves into an area where it turns into anger and dis/mis-trust of your team mates.
I suspect Greener was addressing everyone to avoide any further escallation of hostilities / finger pointing.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:42 pm
@Mucker, Do you decipher meanings for a living? Your pretty good at it.
I agree with you…that is exactly what he was talking about.
I’ve experienced it myself. During the game, right after a loss, standing up and pointing out a mistake or whatnot does NO GOOD at all. These guys have huge ego’s and plenty of pride…you need to give them time to cool off. Believe me, they know when they screwed up, probably more so than anyone else does. Sticking the needle in right after it happens does NOT help.
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BACKCHECKER Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
@mrbrett7, you and TM however the greatest coach ver would not agree with you do your job or get out SCOTTY BOWMAN MONTREAL CANADIENS
kinginsaltlake Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:14 pm
@mrbrett7, I agree
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:41 pm
@Mucker, It sounds like you have a pretty good grip on what he meant. I could never have deciphered it from the words he used. It becomes clear after reading your explanation that deciphering it requires understanding when people say things like that, in context.
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Time for Greener and Brownie to assert their roles.
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Wow..Greene cant even have a meeting without people taking blows at Dustin’s Captaincy?
Just because Greene had the meeting doesn’t/shouldnt mean anything about Dustins situation as captain. Greene does wear the “A”.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:08 pm
@Michael_DD8, Felt awkward to me too.
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Stuart Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@Michael_DD8, you’re right, it’s not “just because Greene had the meeting”…it’s probably more because our “C” should have had the meeting a few games ago and didn’t so our “A” had to take it upon himself to do so. I want to pick the brain of DB while in this meeting. I wonder if he ever for a second thought to himself “self-these are the types of things real “c’s” do…”
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Jamer Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:39 pm
@Stuart, It all starts with the Captain. Look at some of the great captains-Messier for one..got into it with the players and his teammates. Not afraid to drop the gloves. Our Captain (DB) is not that type of a leader. Does he ever challenge the ref’s? No way. Drops the gloves-No way. Leads by example-No way. Leader on the bench–no way. He know he will be traded soon along with Simpson in the next month.
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therope Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:43 pm
@Jamer, but i’m sure you will say you’ve been a fan since 1979 right?
Erik4Kings Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:02 pm
@Michael_DD8,
Michael I agree 100% and I’ll repost this comment until they ban me…
For the Brown haters – Brown is by far one of the best on and off ice examples of a Captain in the NHL. There is a reason he has been nominated three years running as most charitable player in NHL. Also he has been top in the league at penalties drawn to taken past three years a stat hardly anyone realizes. He only scores 20+ goals a year to contribute to an average of what 70 points? and oh yeah 300+ hits every season…plus I doubt you ever attend team practices like many of us do, Brown is most definitely this team’s captain.
If you don’t see that you obviously value a much different set of criteria then NHL coaches, staff and a majority of fans.
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KC23 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:49 pm
@Michael_DD8, Yeah, I just love it when people start taking cheap shoots when the the going gets tuff. (rolls eyes)
Still behind the team, coaches and GM 100%. I like what is going on as a whole despite the recent troubles.
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This is what we need!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i_D6oQO6b8
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SplattDaddy Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
@pr0cess, Whurd……………”I’m listening to the….
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GkingsG99 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:32 pm
@pr0cess, Hahaha
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Go Kings, lets turn this thing around.
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ok just the Ducks we have to play them 5 more times still got this now focus on panthers we got this team this is the team we stop our loosing streak like that guy said less talking more action lets turn that L to a W and get that 2 points cant always loose or we will get harder to make the playoff get alot a points then lose dont have to worry so much then haveing small points and loose games then u have to panic and try to keep winning all the time that not a way to go like i siad i believe in u guys just having bad luck No more turn over JJ and stupid mistakce DD learn from ur mistakes
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In 6 months we will all look back at mustache misery and laugh.
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BACKCHECKER Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:30 pm
@jet, IF NOT IAM ALMOST 99.9 PCT DL is gone
ANSHULTZ AND LEWEIKE DIDNT BUILD EMPIRES BY EXCUSES
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mrbrett7 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:44 pm
@BACKCHECKER, Why are you yelling?
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BACKCHECKER Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:57 pm
@mrbrett7, had my caps on sorry
let me ask you why are you so antagonistic if i dont agree with ANYTHING you say
you love DL Fine I dont you think the kings are a good team fine i dont you think you know hockey more than i fine i dont
thats why there is this blog
xeropoint Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 5:38 pm
@mrbrett7,
I know it’s hard… but maybe if we don’t reply, this will go away all on it’s own.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:46 pm
@Backchecker, to be fair, many of is fund all caps very irritating. I often just don’t read posts that are in all-caps. I have responded angrily to all-caps in the past too, and when I did it wasn’t personal. I guess it irritates me the most when I think I’m wasting my time trying to concentrate on reading a post because I find it less legible than it could be.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:47 pm
wow…my blow-it. That should have been “to be fair, many of us find…
That’s a real good sign of some professionals who just got their butts handed to them by the cross-town rivals.
Go right out and have a lazy practice that the coach has to stop and scold you like second graders !
REAL GOOD
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I hope someone suggested a shave. Kings are 5-7 for the month of Movember.
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I agree with most, lets take the high road here…….
however this is simple game and coaches make it complicated….
Attention King Players, move your feet, shorter shifts and win the battles. Stop trying to act like cup winners because we are a long way off
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Scuderi said the coaches were down at the other end of the ice shooting pucks during the meeting. Maybe they (the coaches) were trying to see if any of them could play left wing with Kopitar? I kind of doubt it though.
TM would insist on playing center on the third line. Kompon would take Stoll’s place on the left point of the powerplay and should the puck wide time and again. Stevens, of course, would play defense. First he would grow a silly mustache like DD, pass the puck to the other team on a nifty backhander like JJ then fall down without being touched like Greene.
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JJ 2 LW Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:52 pm
@Crown Royal,
Jack Johnson for 1st line left wing!
JJ2LW! Make it happen!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
@JJ 2 LW, There are days when I wish he wasn’t playing defenseman. I’ll tell you that much.
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Erik4Kings Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:05 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
LOL right? I love Jack as a person. I’ve met him and had the opportunity to talk to his mom and little brother pregame a few times. They are great people, so as far as character and effort I love the hell out of the kid.
As for the business side of NHL, I’m starting to close the chapter on JMFJ and just call him JJ. He is now in his 5th full year in the league, top 5 draft picks should be stars by now, ie. stamkos, doughty, crosby, ovi, hell Fowler is making a better impact on ANA now than JJ here…
I say trade him while he still has high trade value. Lets make this our new Lubo for Stoll and Greene deal…just saying…
JJ 2 LW Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:14 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
It would solve 2 issues right?
LW for Kopi and Brownie: Solved
Blueline turnovers, D-man not getting back because he pinched too low: Addressed
JJ2LW! Spread the word!
TM and DL are correct, mostly.
The only game we really got “cliniced” (Bob Miller’s words) was Montreal.
But, our PP is really really really deflating the team and NOT working. Isn’t replacing Kompon a good way to shake things up without replacing the head coach or players?
Also, if DL is correct, and it’s just a matter of luck or bounces, what makes this team special? Nothing. After 5 years of rebuilding we need to be better than that.
Fire Kompon, get a motivaing intelligent assistant, and get this back on track. I don’t know if this call is TM’s or DL’s, but if things don’t turn around noticeably their jobs will be on the line, too.
These guys were quick to hang Cammy, Frolov, Boyle, and POS. Why has Kompon gotten so much rope?
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Crown Royal Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 1:51 pm
@Cristobal,
You’re making a good point!
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BACKCHECKER Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:40 pm
@Crown Royal,
asst coaches do not get fired before the head coach is gone thats the equivalent of going over ones head TM brought him in remember
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xeropoint Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 6:38 pm
@BACKCHECKER,
Actually, you’re the only one that remembers this since it DIDN’T HAPPEN. Kompon was here before Murray.
mrbrett7 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@Cristobal, For the most part, your right.
However, most teams, if not all, are one bounce away from winning/losing, and you know it. The difference is the elite teams create those lucky bounces in their favor more times than not. That has nothing to do with luck or talent or anything else other than playing hard. The luck will come, law of averages.
I agree regarding Kompon. The PP under his tenure has been fine, however, the creativity is gone, and it’s pretty obvious. Since their arrival, the PP has gone through Doughty, and now JJ. Teams know this, and are taking them away. Oh, they can dangle all they want, but there are ZERO shooting lanes. No point shot, equates to all that traffic in front being meaningless. I don’t know what the answer is because I play the point, so I know how frustrated those guys are when you get a nice pass, look up, and all you see are legs, sticks and bodies. You don’t even see the net. I see that, and I either pass to someone else, or shoot wide on purpose hoping for a bounce off the boards. Your really left without a choice.
But, you talk about hanging certain guys out to dry. Cammy…at his price tag, no thanks. Frolov, eh. I would still like to have him, but he is replaceable, problem is that guy is hurt right now. Boyle…well, I still like him very much, and he has worked hard to make himself an NHL player, however, players at his age you will ALWAYS fish or cut bait. POS…really? He’s on his, what, 4th team in less than a year now? Bad example dude.
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Cristobal Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:45 pm
@mrbrett7,
I was just pointing out, with those players, how fast they were thrown under the bus. Whereas, Kompon has continued to misfire without any “recall” on his abilities.
Our offensive record is offensive. I feel we need a better hockey brain to help maximize our offensive potential.
And POS may be a huge cancer. I don’t know. But, the reality is that he has skill, and our organization has a dismal record at developing skill.
Some players are probably unreachable. Maybe POS is one of those. But DL is the one who acquired him. So, that is really not my bad example.
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xeropoint Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 5:10 pm
@Cristobal,
I think a fresh voice, regarding the PP could do wonders for the players.
Oh and how many teams have to waive POS before people stop bringing his name up? He kind of reminds me of Alexander Daigle in that he was highly touted and highly skilled, but could never put it all together.
zulov Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 11:54 pm
@Cristobal,
Word. Fro was a good player, far better on the puck then anyone that has replaced him. Outside of the “nounces” going our way for the first 15 games, Kings were a better team last year.
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I would like to add…
’08-’09 – franchise record for being shutout.
’09′-’10 – horrible 5 on 5 scoring record, followed by the non-re-signing of Frolov (who was 3rd or 4th on the team in scoring and rarely missed playing time to injury.
’09-’10 – horrible 5 on 3 scoring record. Was it something like 2 of 22?
This season – continued scoring troubles and a PP that is not working, helping us win close games, or showing any sign of changing methods.
I feel we need an assistant coach that has an offensive strategy that can change this viscious cycle.
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EJ Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:34 pm
@Cristobal, when you ask the centers to drop as low defensively as the Kings do, you don’t often have explosive rushes up the ice. And of course, that means generating offense with the cycle. Without a legitimate sniper in the group, there aren’t many options. It’s work the boards, feed the point, crash the net.
I’m sure this group could score goals for you, if you modified that defensive posture. But that isn’t going to make them a winning team either, and fans would be grumbling about DL getting better d-men and a proven #1 goalie.
They have to just keep at what their built for, and get their heads back into games.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@EJ, And there you have it.
Pick your poison Cristobal. Prevent goals, which this team has proven has worked for them, or gamble to score goals, which this team has proven does NOT work for them (although they didn’t have a goaltender at the time).
Personally, I would prefer to prevent the goals. Outside of Chicago last year, no team in the last 25 years or so of the NHL has won consistently with a terrible defense, and Chicago did it BECAUSE of two unbelievable studs on defense in Seabrook and Keith, along with two top picks on offense in Kane and Toews…something virtually no team has the luxery of.
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BACKCHECKER Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:59 pm
@mrbrett7, how about pitts pens dear sir
mrbrett7 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:10 pm
@mrbrett7, @ Backchecker…what about them? They are a DEFENSE first team. Do you have a point or are you just stalking me now?
Cristobal Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:54 pm
@mrbrett7,
Chicago nearly shut us out Saturday night.
The Ducks DID shut us out.
Neither team is a defensive powerhouse.
I think my point is proven.
We will continue to NOT develop offensively unless we get an offensive mind to work with the youth we have.
Cristobal Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:51 pm
@EJ,
How does this explain a Power Play that actually works to defeat us?
Look at Kompon on the bench, as he talks with the forwards. Look at the body language of the players he’s talking to. Look at the body language of the team lately.
I understand our defensive strategy will necessarily weaken the team when working 200 feet towards the opposition’s goal. But it doesn’t explain why we can’t “create” in the offensive zone, for 3 years now.
I love the, usually, strong defensive system we have under TM.
I just hate the banality of our offensive game.
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zulov Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:04 am
@Cristobal,
I agree – Kings are an eyesore. With the rules once again favoring a fast paced offensive game, the Kings are left in the dust.
After all, the way you win is score more goals then the other team – not allow less then the other team…
Kingstane9 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@Cristobal, This just made me asking myself, why/how has Kompon kept his job with the Kings up to this day.
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Is it me or do others believe that you make you own luck ?? good bounces and luck come to those that put the work in and go the extra mile – from my seat I just haven’t seen that “want it” no matter what recently – that hunger or desire to have to have it — I would like to see more goalie interference penalties – more cross cks – make other teams players pay a price to be in front of our net – I don’t recall when I saw our guys really whack a guy in front of JQ make him pay a hard price for setting up there – were just not very hard to play against right now – I think -
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Shakes Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:08 pm
@dirtmover,
Juraj Mikus doesn’t get lucky. Luck gets Juraj’d.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
@dirtmover, Your not allowed to anymore…the NHL won’t allow you to whack someone without taking a penalty.
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Dean Lombardi is nothing if not the most plan ahead GM in the NHL. He is also as competitive as they come, and although Fleischmann may not have started as the chief target, the fact the Avalanche landed him is not sitting all that well with Lombardi and others in LA.
Recall how the Kings signed Ponikarovsky hours after Frolov was lost? I am told to be on alert for another Kings deal soon now to counter the Avalanche…. i know puck daddy said something was in the works but dose anyone know if there any truth too something going on here???
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VanKingsFan Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:20 pm
@nate101, at least credit the source…
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brandyn Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@VanKingsFan, this was from Eklund. lmao not a credible source
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Kings Fan Vancouver, WA Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:24 pm
@nate101, Puck daddy is very reliable, Spector is another
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Gold Dust Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@nate101, I heard they called Chris Kontos and told him to get his skates sharpened ASAP !!!!
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KC23 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:53 pm
@nate101, DL is one of the most respected GMs in the league. Ask the fan who wants him fired who he would replace him with that is available and then watch the silence.
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I’m not throwing in the towel but until we get that real winger on the first line we will have problems with scoring. We identified a hole in this team that DL was willing to spend upwards of 80 million to fill. And even thought it didn’t work out with Kovi the hole is still there. If that hole is worth 80 million and we are now looking at rookies to fill it, we are living a dream. I know this team is deep with prospects but that’s what they are – Prospects! And most of them are 3rd or 4th liners. I’m not assigning blame to anyone just noting that this is a glaring problem that needs to be addressed now.
Even in our worst games I see some good things. There is most certainly the feeling of a “Team” out there. However, even the mistakes that lead to goals against us would not seem so much of a concern if we could score our fair share of goals. You can’t expect a goalie to be perfect every game and with that in mind, we are not losing games by the goals we give up but rather loosing by not scoring.
Most of the game we are doing good things to get the puck in the O zone but we just end up scrambling because we don’t have that “finisher”.
DL needs to stop looking under rocks for a top line winger. And although he might be trying to do something about it, it certainly doesn’t appear to have the urgency. We need a winger that makes Kopi a better player and not just a player made better by playing with Kopi.
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Dustin Brown is a shy guy just like Matty Norstrom. They dont motivate there teammates and scream at them when making bonehead plays.
I want a captain that is a jibber jaber and get his team going. A captain preferably with offensive skills.
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IMO Kompon gets more rope because he’s an assistant coach, not a player. That still doesn’t mean he gets a pass from me. Come up with a better plan for the PP, because I think it’s obvious it isn’t working and is putting more stress on 5-on-5 to score.
You’re point is good, and the bottom line is if the players have to do their jobs, what about the coaches? This team doesn’t pass like the Wings, so you can’t put plays in place that only work for them. You have to design plays that work for the players you have. Maybe I missed it, but is that being done here?
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AZ King Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@Kingsfanone,
Has an assistant coach ever been fired mid-season, or even in the off-season without an entire coaching staff change. Just wondering, I can’t think of a time when that’s ever happened.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:57 pm
@AZ King,
I cannot remember that ever happening, but then I have to wear a badge so I know who I am sometimes.
Maybe an assistant doesn’t need to be fired, if he shows enough flexibility to try something different if what he’s doing isn’t working. If someone is not going to change, that should be the time a personnel change has to be made, be it a player or coach. Just my opinion.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@Cristobal,
Sorry, I wanted this reply to you just above.
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These Kings are killing me…just when I got my Kings strut going! I haven’t been reading most of the posts lately and I don’t blame just Drew, but he has been playing really crappy lately. Of course we could use some scoring too…
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8ball Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 5:34 pm
scoring was supposed to be the big deal but it
didn’t happen.
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I’m pleased to hear of Terry Murry throwing some emotion around.
He’s so calm and collected during games, and that’s amazing to see, but sometimes it’s good to hear your coach get passionate about the process, right or wrong.
Both sides of the coin definitely have their time and place.
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Just outta curiosity did or does anyone here play ice hockey?
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mike Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:46 pm
@Hat trick,
i do, and love it!
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Hat trick Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
@mike, Nice! where at Toyota?
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Hat trick Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@Hat trick, sorry forgot to mention I’ve been playing and still do for about 8 years now. Beer leaguer but still fun.
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mike Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 7:02 pm
@Hat trick,
toyota? i’m assuming thats an arena, i live in BC, Canada… in the Okanagan north of Kelowna.. i played up until midget rep but now i’m playing in a beer league, its great… i finally got 4 goals in a game the other night!
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Hat trick Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:34 pm
@mike, BC is beautiful! Ok I thought you might be local here in LA. 4 goals nice and the best part after the game Ice Cold Beers!
edwood2 Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 7:23 pm
@Hat trick, Fifteen years, in Wyoming, no less. Played several games against Bob Kudelski.
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Hat trick Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@edwood2, Nice! a little pond hockey? Would love to just get on a pond and play pick up with buddies.
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good, finally… i really don’t care about the things you do right when you lose a game… just because you lost and it was “close” doesn’t mean that you should walk away feeling good about some tight checking situations… i as a fan hate hearing that kind of stuff from a coach, and as a player too, sure you feel a little better because you may not have been the worst one on the ice, but if you aren’t collectively sound, what happens the next game… and the next? Players and coaches HAVE to come undone and get mad about poor play, be held responsible and be humiliated, how else are you going to learn?
I”m glad TM (the robot) got a little hot under the collar during practice… his team is 1-7 in the last 8 games, there is nothing good to take from those games, when you lose you should be unhappy with the effort… this is a game and a career and the only way to be the best is too admit you suck when you suck and learn from it… after all, this is your job.
after a loss yes you should say the good things that happened, get that out of the way first, then focus on all the sh*t plays you made and why you made them… how are you going to change it? why was i out of position?
don’t treat the fans like we don’t know whats going on, be honest for a change! And for christs sake already… CHANGE!
Go Kings!
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zulov Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:12 am
@mike,
ABSO-EFN-LUTELY. Put TMs defensive nerdiness with Melrose’s irrational volitility and we are 2/3 of the way there…
We would still need a scoring LW tho..
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Here is the reality. The team is looking for answers. This is a team that wins and loses as a team and meetings mean they are coming together as a team. It will come. Get off of your arm chair coach bs. Murray is fine and this team will be fine. No need to do anything stupid.
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I agree with BigMikeonD. Let’s look at some facts. This is more or less still the same team that went 12-3 in 15 games and they can do it again. They have been losing by one or two goals, not 7-0. Ponikarovsky and Mitchell will return soon. You don’t fire a coach that has done what he has with this team, and you don’t get rid a jack Johnson, Schenn, or Bernier without getting something REALLY good in return, and by that I mean Ovechkin or Crosby, not Kulemin. I know the hardest thing to do is be patient and wait for better puck bounces and officiating but that is absolutely what needs to happen here.
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rick Reply:
December 1st, 2010 at 7:23 pm
@HockeyNerd, Any or all of Johnson, Schenn and Bernier for Crosby???? Let’s do it.
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zulov Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:14 am
@rick,
Right – I think the kings couldn’t trade their entire roster for Crosby or Ovechkin…
Thats why DL is not as good as some say he is…
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The comment that stood out to me in the original report was the part ablut how uncharacteristic it was for Murray to raise his voice.Maybe that’s part of the problem.
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I lost respect for TM after the Senators game, I was hoping he would say something to get fined or even suspended. I played sports my hole life and when you get robbed like we did you want your coach to be pissed and blow up, it shows hes got your back. Kind of like a baseball coach gets thrown out on purpose sometimes. Picture being in the locker room after that game, TM saying we should of played better, instead of saying good game we really won 4-2. It seams like the players are not playing for him anymore, maybe this is one reason. I lost some respect for him that night, maybe the players did too.
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zulov Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 12:18 am
@Pesus,
Dude – thats when it happenned for me too. TM is weak.
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Buster Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 7:52 am
@Pesus,
I’m even thinking the players are tuning TM out and it might be a good time for a change IF this happens to be the case.
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I’ve been noticing a pattern with the Kings losses (from mid-November to present) and it’s not pretty. Last year on the days that I was ringing for THE Salvation Army and taking the bus to my location, the Kings were 9-0-1. This year, where we’re forced to report to the corps every day before our bell ringing assignments, to date we’re 1-8-0.
Something’s telling me that the corps is bad luck.
Besides the last time I had a scheduled day off, we won, so let’s make this TWO in a row because today was scheduled off for me.
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KFII Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 7:51 am
@Buster, Think positive! Go Kings Go!
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