It has been suggested here, and elsewhere, that two of the Kings’ players — Michal Handzus and Rob Scuderi — seem to have teammate-elevating powers because of their strong, responsible veteran play. Forwards always seem to look better when they’re skating with Handzus, and same goes with defensemen and Scuderi. It’s no accident, and it’s no coincidence that after a streak of wobbly play, Drew Doughty has put together two consecutive strong games. His partner? Scuderi. Terry Murray chuckled a bit today when a reporter suggested that Scuderi is something like a “defensive doctor,” but Murray acknowledged the merit behind the suggestion. Scuderi, who turns 32 at the end of the month, has a plus-8 rating and is averaging almost 21 minutes of ice time per game.
MURRAY: “He really is a solid player. It’s been a great signing for the Kings. I think, with his experience in the game, winning the Stanley Cup, he’s really brought a lot of leadership to the team, to the dressing room, especially with the back-end group. His mobility, and his stick is one of the best in the league. He’s always got it in the right place, breaking up rushes and attacks, 1-on-1, dealing with the low play in D-zone coverage. But it’s a good point. Whenever things are not the way you’d like to see sometimes, it ends up being Scuds that gets moved to that position, and he works very well with the young players, Doughty and Jack Johnson. I think he’s really a solid person and he’s a solid player in the fundamentals of his game. That’s where you look to that kind of a player, as a coach, to help out in situations where a player might need some of that experience to settle his game down.”
That’s it! He’s “Doc” to me now.
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The man was partly a key to Doughty’s success last season. He was able to do nothing for Johnson so reuniting him with Doughty is an obvious move.
Mitchell may be able to help Johnson…maybe…in reality only Johnson can help Johnson.
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puck73 Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
@USHA#17, I agree. Mitchell and Scuderi are 2 of the best stay at home defensemen in the NHL easily ! As for JJ..he better get act together quickly because guys like Martinez, Drewiske, Muzzin, and Harrold are playing better as time goes on. JJ needs to concentrate in his own end or he might be the odd man out here shortly !
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Gary L Reply:
December 8th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
@puck73, Johnson is not going anywhere. In case you guys have not noticed, both Lombardi and Murray see the tremendous potential in Jack. Unless he makes an outrageous salary demand he and Doughty are going to anchor the defense for many years to come. They are both young tremendously talented kids who may need a couple of years to fully develop. Most players their ages are still hoping for a shot in the bigs. These guys are making their marks, with a lot of potential for the future.
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sd Reply:
December 9th, 2010 at 10:47 am
@USHA#17, I disagree about Scuds not helping JJ. When Doughty was out, JJ picked up the offensive slack and led the defense with Scuderi as his partner. JJ’s mental slip ups came more when Mitchell got hurt and Scuds got moved to play with Doughty.
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Scuds and Zus are great players. They are “The Piece” that every great team needs to win. They make everyone around them so much better. Not only on that line but depth throughout the lineup.
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Scuds was a bigger part of the Pens Cup win than most give him credit. Just think about that save in net he made for Fleury. He’s always made his defensive partner better. The only good games JJ has had this season were when he was paired with Scuds.
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Wasn’t Doctor Scuderi a evil genius in some video game or Bond Film?
Seriously, Scuds is on of the best shutdown D-men in the
league great pick up by DL. The Pens realized what they
lost and paid up the wassau to replace Scuds in the last offseason.
I have a feeling that in 10 years or so when Scuds retires and
has a 1 or 2 year breather from the NHL. It will be Coach Scuderi,
I am just hoping he can be on the Kings Staff for he is a hockey genius.
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Scude is the backbone
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@kinginsaltlake,
Back on the E Center used to be in PC. Coached hockey there
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@kinginsaltlake,
& your right Scuds is the anchor
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JJ with Scudes … pretty much an even plus/minus. Put JJ with others … now a -8.
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ToughD Reply:
December 9th, 2010 at 12:48 am
@KC23, Like I said…I only trust Michell, Scuds and DD. With Mitchell injured, Scuds will be paired with DD, so it is a no-brainer that JJ paired with anyone else = minus play. Youngsters may have promise, JJ may not have deserved the blame for all the goals against, but it is what it is. At this time, we are obviously not deep enough to overcome a key injury to a dman (Mitchell). If we had not lost Poni, then we probably could have overcame a key injury to a forward (Parse).
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KC23 Reply:
December 9th, 2010 at 6:48 am
@ToughD, Good points. In looking at many of the goals that JJ got a minus on, Greene and sometimes a forward made the critical mistakes. Unlike players like Scuds, Mitchell and DD he isn’t yet good enough to make up for others mistakes.
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CC13 Reply:
December 9th, 2010 at 6:29 am
@KC23, haha so true
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Great praise by TM for Scuds. He deserves it. Yep, coach Scuds!
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I always like to see a few notes/blurbs on the players who don’t necessarily make all the headlines but who tend to be vital components of the team as a whole. They are typically only missed once they are out of the lineup. I also think that many times these players go unnoticed during regular game play due to their consistent and steady nature on the ice. Keep up the good work Zus and Scuds!!
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Scuds and Handzus, 2 men that we MUST retain in the upcoming years. I also see Smyth and Mitchell in that same category. Sometimes that locker room chemistry means more to a team than anything; those 4 guys are such an important part of the Kings near future. Hard to say that about Mitchell since he’s only been here a short little while, but you have to admit the guy has class, is a world class stopper and is an amazing team oriented player. To me, those 4 aren’t the glue that keeps the Kings together, they are more like SUPER GLUE. Leadership and responsibility can’t be taught, it has to come from within and you have to want it…they do!
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