Alexei Ponikarovsky (broken finger) and Willie Mitchell (broken wrist) were back on the ice today, toward the end of practice. By Mitchell’s own admission, Ponikarovsky is further along in his recovery — and that was expected, from the time both players were hurt — and today, Terry Murray said Ponikarovsky’s return is on the horizon. The initial target dates I heard were either Dec. 4 or Dec. 9. It won’t be Saturday, but given what Murray said today, it’s possible that Ponikarovsky might return for next Thursday’s game against Calgary.
MURRAY: “Things are moving in the right direction. He has made a lot of progress. I can’t put a time frame on it, quite honestly, but I will say that I’m hoping that, within a week, he’s able to get in the lineup and start to be a part of the team again.”
A subplot to the story would be the Kings’ possible acquisition of Marco Sturm. If that goes down, Sturm — who is in the final stages of recovery from offseason knee surgery — might also be in line to return sometime next week.
The Sturm trade could provide a scoring boost, while getting Poni and Mitchell back will be a huge lift to the defense.
Sturm-Kopitar-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Ponikarovsky-Handzus-Simmonds
Clifford-Lewis-Westgarth
Doughty-Mitchell
Johnson-Scuderi
Greene-Drewiske
Not bad.
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OCKingsFan Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
@markisonfire, I liked the fourth line a lot with Richardson on it. If we don’t need Westy out there every game I loved Clifford-Lewis-Richardson. I don’t know about the second line though Brown and Williams are interchangeable, but I think I like Williams with Stoll and Smyth still.
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Arthur Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@OCKingsFan,
I can’t understand why Richardson is even in the NHL. Not big, can’t check, makes mistakes, offensive creativity non-existent, shot weak. Other than that, he’s great. The other team always takes advantage of him and Harrold. Not even shifts where the puck goes in, even the ones where momentum turns against them. Of course Harrold is the Richardson of the defense. Two guys who should only play when there are no other bodies available. PS… I the only one that notices the WORST shifts in a game are when the 3rd D pair is on the ice along with the 4th line?? Happens A LOT. Should happen NEVER. Just awful coaching. If you need to rest your offense, then you throw out a reliable D group with your 4th line stiffs. If you need to play the left over D, you play a good line, one that controls the puck. Amateur coaching! Lost on Murray. Happened in the playoffs last year too… in OVERTIME even. Unforgivable.
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xeropoint Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 4:54 pm
@Arthur,
What? Why, of all people, are you picking on Richardson? He has been consistently one of the best forwards on the team all season.
Sam Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@markisonfire, I like that line-up, I’d just flip Smyth and Sturm to start.
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outsider Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:43 pm
@Sam, exactly! 100% agreed!!!!!!!!
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Harty Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:42 pm
@markisonfire, looks mighty fine and this should resolve some defensive issues
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:48 pm
@markisonfire, looks good but I would re-unite last years first line. Swap Sturm and Smyth and i couldnt agree more! also I would put Richardson on the fourth line and use Westie as a healthy scatch until needed.
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Ike Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:08 pm
@markisonfire, You are missing Richardson.
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I can not wait until every one is healthy and ready to go. We need to be back on the W Streak!!
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nice…there’s finally a carrot at the end of the tunnel. we need Poni!
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xeropoint Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
@Sebastian,
Heh. I see what you did there!
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Sturm-kopi-brown
Smyth-stoll-williams
Poni-zues-simmonds
Clifford-lewis-rich
DD-mitchell
Jj-scudi
Greene-dd2
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Section 103 Fan Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:23 pm
@lex,
That looks just about right.
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jet Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@lex, That is a team with a lot of speed and tough players. DL is getting closer.
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OCKingsFan Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:36 pm
@lex, dd2 needs to go bring in a more seasoned and solid vet please God! Possibility that we may still bring in a 1st line winger at the deadline though.
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outsider Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:39 pm
@lex, I would change Kopi with Stoll as soon as posssible. Finallly our 1st line should be Smith – Kopi – Williams anyway. I think it’s just the matter of time when it happens…
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@markisonfire (the reply button does not work on iPhone) where are you planning on putting Richardson?
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Things are looking a whole lot better on LW in the near future.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:43 pm
@KC23,
That they are.
I was just thinking…you know what this trade for Sturm allows (if he is healthy). The ability to trade a roster player like a Richardson for a 6th/7th veteren d-man if one is available for a playoff run.
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I’m a little surprised by how much losing Ponikarovsky seems to have hurt the team. But I guess losing Parse (again) sort of compounds it by opening up a crater at LW.
And when you consider that Murray is once again using the Handzus line as the stopper line this season, anything that breaks up that line is trouble.
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This Marco Sturm pickup could just be it!
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Remember that Sturm is coming off of a knee surgery and isn’t expected to play for three more weeks. I don’t see how this move helps us this year
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kylecliffordfan Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
@JimmyShine, And he is a free agent next season I think too..
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:39 pm
@JimmyShine,
Dang there is only 3 weeks left in the season? Where has time gone! ….
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Kevin Y Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:42 pm
@Michael_DD8,
The 2010 year… not the 2010-11 season (I assume?)
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2hitnik Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:44 pm
@JimmyShine, My concern exactly. You’ll never know how long it takes to come back from knee surgery. We all love Zues now, but do you guys remember his first year? He looked like he was pulling a piano with Gretzky and his brothers sitting on it. If Sturm has the same kind of recovery time, he is no improvement.
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Dominick Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:35 pm
@JimmyShine,
The article does mention that “If” it goes down, Sturm could be in the line up as soon as next week. Just ahead of December 31rst.
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JimmyShine Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Even “if” this deal goes down I can’t see how this helps the Los Angeles Kings organization at all.
#1. Sturm is still hurt, recovering from a knee surgery.
#2. He’s a UFA at seasons end.
#3. Recovery will take some time.
#4. This season has no time to spare.
I’m just wondering why this is all DL could muster up as a plug in our lineup.
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DLB Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 4:13 pm
@JimmyShine, well, Jimmy, what else is on the market? Teams were fairly set since late last summer.
It’s easy to hope someone will move big pieces right when we’d want them to, but our needs don’t determine what’s out there.
So would you trade Greene to get…Fleischmann? Opening up a gap in D, especially the physical type.
Or do you pick up a responsible two-way forward who might work out well for next to nothing. If he doesn’t work out, whatever. Low risk, high reward.
PS, I wouldn’t assume a long recovery time, either. He’s been skating for weeks. But if that’s the case, he will cost us even less.
Dominick Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 4:25 pm
@JimmyShine,
DL should send out a memo stating what our needs are, and tell the other teams to give it up, or we’re not going to be their friends anymore.
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
@JimmyShine, we got the guy for a bag of pucks and a pair of beat up skates… where’s the downside??
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it will be a big night for the kings with Florida in town…..
got some friends coming over (TNHL Thursday Night Hockey League) guys and good times especially if the Kings win…..
all good and GKG!!!!!!!!
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If we get both Sturm AND Poni back in the lineup at the same time, it’s kinda like a perfect midseason trade without giving anybody up. And with Mitchell coming back shortly thereafter…
All the Kings need to do is win the few games directly preceeding their returns, and we’ll feel confident going forth.
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Wonder who the Kings gave up.
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Harry Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:56 pm
@GkingsG99, Conditional draft pick. At the moment, its a 5th round pick.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:57 pm
@GkingsG99, i dont think we gave up anything at the moment. all in all i thinks its just a conditional pick though. Good value if you ask me!
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Brent Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@GkingsG99, No one just yet.
Many of the reports are saying a conditional draft pick. A 5th to start and as high as a 2nd depending on the number of games and performance or something.
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FanoKings Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:43 pm
@GkingsG99, A 5th round conditional pick based on games played / Points. Also, we picked-up his 3.5 mil salary…correct?
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Dominick Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:48 pm
@FanoKings,
I think it’s pro-rated. We wouldn’t take a complete 3.5 hit to our cap, but yeah, we’ll pay something close.
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watch out LA opponents…..zeee German is comin’
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Agame Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:07 pm
@launch, United nations of LA Kings!
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Sparman Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
@launch,
Das Kraut a cometh.
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Pony NEEDS to be on the FIRST line. That is what he has done his entire career. Mat Sundin made him, then Antropov continued. Kopitar could do the same. He’s a shoot, who can hit the net, unlike Brown. Kopitar is a passer. Duh. So.. let’s make him a checker!!!!!! Of course!
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VanKingsFan Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:46 pm
@Arthur, I agree with giving him a host on the first line. BUT he is not ideal first liner, even with Sundin and Antropov (who sucks mostly) on the same line he was never a great scorer. He has always been good defensively however, so putting him on the 3rd line makes sense.
Checking shut down line that can also score.
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KC23 Reply:
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@VanKingsFan, I agree. Poni is a checking line guy and a good one. Not to mention an outstanding PK guy which is extremely important. Back when we had Mitchell and Scuds with Kopitar and Poni on the PK the other team wouldn’t get a sniff at a PP goal.
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