It’s been a long road back to the NHL for Marco Sturm — who hurt his knee in a May 1 playoff game — but the road ends tonight, as Sturm will make his Kings debut in a fourth-line role against Colorado. Sturm participated in this morning’s optional skate. Sturm’s play and conditioning will ultimately determine how long Sturm plays on the fourth line, as Terry Murray clearly has his eyes on a long-term first line of Sturm, Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown, but it’s been clear, in the past couple days, that Murray has been itching to get Sturm into the lineup and allow him to start that process. The Kings go into tonight’s game with the understanding, and thought, that Sturm might play only a handful of minutes.
MURRAY: “I just want to get him started. Get him onto a line where he’s going to play against, hopefully, their third or fourth line, and not put a lot of big responsibility on his shoulders in that first game. Get his feet under himself, get skating, get the feel of the game again and just start to get, physically and mentally, back into it.”
what will tm do when his 3rd and 4th lines are his best lines? naturally he will break them up
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Sam Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@kcul doog, The third line has been damn good and its staying in tact. I highly doubt anyone was ever worried about Lewis-Westy-Richie line.
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K9Jeeper Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
@Sam, I predict that with the play of Kyle Clifford, Westie’s days will be numbered.
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Section 103 Fan Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
@K9Jeeper,
Agreed… Cliffy can drop the gloves and net goals.
von_swine Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:27 pm
@K9Jeeper, yeah ok..you think Clifford is gonna fight guys like Scott, Orr and Boogaard? He’ll get murdered..he just doesnt have the size. He’s at best gonna be like a Konopka, Ott, McCLeod, or Carcillo, (which is no backhanded compliment) but never heavy enough to intimidate or deter the pedigree enforcers from running amok should they want to. Westy’s a decent deterrent for now, he doesnt need to go anywhere.
Mickey Keenan Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@K9Jeeper, Most enforcers cannot catch guys to hit, so who cares if we care an over sized goon in Westy… he has not hit anyone except the occasional other teams enforcer. So what is the point. The fact is 90% of the goons in the game today are too slow to catch the guys they supposedly need a deterrent from hitting.
Clifford does not need to fight Scott or Orr, or the Boogey man… since they are largely relevant only if the other team has one of similar size. Colorado does not have one which is why Westy sits…
von_swine Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@K9Jeeper, “Clifford does not need to fight Scott or Orr, or the Boogey man”..well he does if Westy’s sitting and those teams dress those dudes whenever we match up against them. And, David Koci IS a HW, McLeaod is more MW status like Cliffy, but he’ll get WORN OUT if he has to do any protecting all by himself. Keep in mind, the only reason Cliffy is lookin so good is that he’s not EXPECTED to keep the peace like Westy is. Tonight he’s gonna have that responsibility so we’ll see just how effective his forecheck and scoring touch will be w/that too on his plate. I have no probs w/Kyle in our lineup, nor Richard Clune, but there are still too many teams that carry 230+ lb enforcers to not have one ready to go ourselves. Just sayin,..(Go Kings!)
K9Jeeper Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
@kcul doog, Wait, are you saying that TM switches up the lines too much and the guys have a tough time meshing with certain players? (/sarcasm)
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Come on sturrmer! Give it your all! This can be a wonderful boost to our team if all goes well
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I have a hard time seeing Sturm as our savior, but I will be thrilled to eat my words.
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Vicar 4 the King Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@rick, I sure hope so. Just go to the Net!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:47 pm
@rick,
If some unnamed left wing would only pot a few goals while acting as though this is something which could recur on a regular basis, then pot a few more goals until other teams start shifting their defense around to get more favorable match ups…
This team is going to explode offensively.
Just watch.
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K9Jeeper Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:47 pm
@rick, I hear ya. I hope all King fans watch you eat your words too.
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Sam Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:49 pm
@rick, He’s not but he’s an upgrade and getting incrementally better does wonders.
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Welcome aboard Marco Sturm! Even though i know you will register a point tonight no need to rush things(nothing really to prove in your first game back from major surgery). Lewie and Poni will create enough space for you to get your little tootsies wet again and help regain that game fitness and mentality without all the pressure. I hope you make it a hard decision for TM only to play you 6min tonight. Cant wait for the Blitzkrieg tonight!!!!! go get em Marco!
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wavesinair Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Line of the day so far… “get your little tootsies wet” LOL. There be a Storm a brewin both here in LA and on the ice in CO. Tonight’s our night folks!
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you know what? in previous posts there was some discution on what Marco’s nickname should be. After my previous post, Blitzkrieg or Blitz would be fitting (hopefully) and here is why!
Blitzkrieg (German, “lightning war”; listen (help·info)) is an anglicized word[1][2][3][Notes 1] describing all-mechanized force concentration of tanks, infantry, artillery and air power, concentrating overwhelming force and rapid speed to break through enemy lines, and once the latter is broken, proceeding without regard to its flank. Through constant motion, the blitzkrieg attempts to keep its enemy off-balance, making it difficult to respond effectively at any given point before the front has already moved on.
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MR King Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I don’t know if you can consider Marco Sturm a blitzkrieg with those 2 injured knees of his. We’ll see tonight though.
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Shotongoal Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:43 pm
@MR King, Yeah I’m there with you, I mean he came cheap so that’s a good thing, but he’s never been the “savior” anywhere else so I don’t think he’s going to be that for the Kings. With that said, of course I hope he can contribute, on the #1 line soon, help the PP some and take some pressure off of Kopi with his speed, if its still there. Believe me I’m not being negative, not at all actually, but some of these posts would make you believe that the Kings just acquired Phil Kessel or Malkin or someone like that…..C’mon folks, lets be realistic.
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Shotongoal Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:44 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, how bout this nickname, as i guess sooo many people are so interested in giving a guy a nickname, so here it goes…..”The guy who helped make the Kings a little better”….I know, its a little lenghty, but maybe some can get behind it!!!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:49 pm
@Shotongoal,
In the US, it seems to me Marco sounds like a nickname. I think Marco is a great way to refer to him.
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Shotongoal Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:57 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Yeah I hear ya….BTW REM fan??
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
You know, the song became so popular, people seem to think that, but no, it’s actually about the story behind the song:
http://ask.yahoo.com/20010619.html
Shotongoal Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Yeah know the story well, big REM fan!! Anyway, nice moniker, makes me smile…and hum every time I see it here!
Kings Fan Vancouver, WA Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
@Shotongoal, ”The guy who helped make the Kings a little better” NICE!! I just hopes he helps Kopi stay consistent on the scoresheet.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
Please, let’s not repeatedly go for war references, or for labeling him as what amounts to a warring German.
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Rich Hammond Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:52 pm
This is not in reference to you, but those who followed. I maintain the blog, and its rules. I don’t need them interpreted, or enforced, for me. As usual, it only makes my job and life more difficult. I’ll handle it. Thanks.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
@Rich Hammond, The ole’ keyboard blitzkrieg by the Hammer! Nice. Und wenn Sie nicht wollen, dass sie interpretiert und wird jeden Kommentar, der nicht löschen, stelle ich Ihnen sollte, dass in der Regel auch posten.
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MmmmYummy Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 9:45 pm
@wavesinair, Einige Leute denken, die Schiedsrichter an diesem Ort ist Stéphane Auger.
LOL all in good humor, Mr. Hammond does have a difficult job of managing the circus here.
Good luck tonight Stormy.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
@Dominick, On a dark and sturmy night, marco polo sailed into an avalanche and escaped with is life in one hand and a goal in the other. Let the adventure begin!
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Kings Fan Vancouver, WA Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:47 pm
@wavesinair, Avs will be Sturminated!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA,
Like it! A little weird, but very funny! I can only imagine Bob Miller using it during the broadcast “Sturm shoots, he scores and Anderson has been sturminated!!!” GKG!
Kostamojen Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:08 pm
@Kings Fan Vancouver, WA, LOL, the STURMINATOR!
wavesinair Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:08 pm
@Dominick, “The Sturminator” is actually really good. Terminator or Exterminator is the closest thing to his name and conjures up great imagery. I remember him saying at the press conference after his injury in May, “I’ll be back.” And so he is!
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KFII Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 4:46 pm
@wavesinair, Man, I thought I was being original with my post down below. But I like it. Sturminator. Or just Sturms…
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When will TM understand that Brown is NOT a first liner?
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VanKingsFan Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:49 pm
@K9Jeeper, Ummmm maybe when he stops producing like one? Great point production, hits production, leadership production, defensive play… etc etc.
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K9Jeeper Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 2:55 pm
@VanKingsFan, Brown is not a first liner. He’s better at shut down, hitting and forechecking. His points are all attributed to Kopi or whomever is on the other wing. I seem to recall a line of Smyth, Kopi and Williams that really put up the points last season. Don’t get me wrong, I like Brown, his energy and his work ethic, but brown doesn’t belong on the first line or in the first three in a shoot-out scenario.
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Shotongoal Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
@K9Jeeper, Please you could say that about a lot of guys who play on 1st lines with bigtime playmakers! Its ridiculous to say that Brown doesn’t belong on the 1st line of this Kings team. Who are you going to replace him with. He brings a hustling, hitting, two-way style to the line, protects Kopi some, picks up goals, goes to the net….what more do you want? I’m sorry but this roster doesn’t really contain anyone who does those things better than Brown on a 1st line basis. I guess he’s not a 1st liner if Kopi was pared with Kessel and oh maybe Patrick Kane, but unfortunately the Kings don’t have those guys so appreciate what Brown DOES bring to the line….Geez!!!
VanKingsFan Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:09 pm
@K9Jeeper, 1. 11 for 34 is fairly respectable in shoot outs, a lot of “more skilled” players would love that kind of success.
2. Its very simple to just attribuite all his points to playing with Kopitar, as you well know several LWers have played with Kopi this year and have failed to produce at a decent level. Perhaps it is more a mutually beneficial relationship that you would admit.
3. What makes a player “belong” on the first line? As you have said yourself, he plays shut down D, forecheck’s hard (which is our system of offense), he hits, and he gets points, regardless of who or what you attribute those points to.
For the record I am usually on the fence with this question and often times I agree with your point of view. But at this point in time Dustin IS a first liner, and lately has been doing a damn good job of it.
Turk Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 7:11 pm
@K9Jeeper,
I guess the 11 goals are all because of Kopi also? Go to the Kings’ stat sheet and see that in the top ten, Brown is third in overall scoring, 2nd in +/-, fourth in shot pct., and first in hits. Maybe you should post your NHL coaching stats so we all can view them. Weak!
Bill M. Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
@VanKingsFan, Right. he’s right in there with Kopi and Williams in terms of goals. Not sure how that disqualifies him as a first liner. Maybe on a pure offensive powerhouse, he’d be a second or third liner, and he was for us in past years, but this year he’s really stepped up, and if he’s one of your top three goal scorers, you can’t really say he doesn’t belong on the first line. If he continues playing at this level all year, he’ll have a shot at a thirty goal year, which is certainly within his reach, and very respectable for a first line winger not named Ovechkin.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
@K9Jeeper, I’ve been thinking about that and my guess is TM is trying to get Brown to elevate his level of play and take the next step in his career by pairing him with Kopi. There’s no question that he isn’t a prototypical 1st line right winger.
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KC23 Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@K9Jeeper, Start of the season I was saying the same thing. Brown has proved himself though. Numbers don’t lie.
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King John Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 4:47 pm
@K9Jeeper,
Plus, having a potent 2nd line helps our first line. Teams can’t shut down every line.
I like having good wingers with Stoll; he’s been producing really well this year.
On Marcel Dionne’s line, Dave Taylor was hard-nosed like Brown and the line was successful. Yet Taylor could score and so can Brown.
With a legitimate LW with Kopi (hopefully Sturm), then we may get good two-line production again (I thought we had some of that with Parse there). We’ll see what happens. Good luck, Marco!
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Man, it’s not like he’s made of glass. If he says he’s ready i want to see him play. I don’t think a couple shifts with Kopi would kill him if he says he’s ready. I’m not gonna get on here and complain if he looks useless tonight, i want to get him going.
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KC23 Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@Jason4Kings, I think the key to what TM is doing with Sturm as he comes back is to put him against the other teams weaker lines. Throwing Sturm out there sparingly on the 4th line he can do that on the road. At home Sturm can switch to Kopitar’s line and still get put against the other teams weaker lines (home team last change for faceoffs). This hopefully will build Sturm’s confidence in his play and get him used to our system.
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Jason4Kings Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@KC23,
I hear you. I guess i’ve just grown tired of all the worrying about Sturm. I think he’s a smart veteran who knows if he’s ready to play or not.
I don’t expect miracles from him, but i really doubt he’ll be a liability. I think there’s a good chance we’ll see him with Kopi-Brown anyway. Seems like TM only sticks to line combinations for about a period lately. We’ll know soon!
Go Kings!
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I don’t think I’ll be able to watch tonight because of the Primeticket blackout. So Radio’s it for me tonight. Either I have to move closer to LA, or out of range of the blackouts locally.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
No luck finding it on Yahoo Sports tonight either. Keep in mind that there’s a game or two a night (we didn’t get lucky tonight) that they stream.
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Jason4Kings Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:02 pm
@Dominick,
Blackout huh? What?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
@Jason4Kings, If you’re outside the media market as he apparently is, they black out the games (they want you to pay for Center Ice to see them, since you don’t get the right commercials for the pigopolists.)
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Jason4Kings Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Thank you so much for responding! I’m in so. cal, and am ready to sit on my couch with a bean and cheese burrito and some chips and watch the game. I don’t like to see the words Prime and Blackout on game day for any reason.
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
PS….. Love “Pigopolists”.
Dominick Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 6:35 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Even center Ice gets blacked out sometimes. Fox sports 2 isn’t offered in this area. Kind of a crap shoot because there’s no notification before the game. So sometimes it’s wait and see, and keep your fingers crossed.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 22nd, 2010 at 11:43 am
@Dominick, To my knowledge, Center Ice gets blacked out when the same game is on a local station.
KingzzFan Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:03 pm
@Dominick, It’s on one of those sites Rich doesn’t like us posting here.
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@BrokeKingsFan, I loved it BrokeFan. If anybody is offended by that, then I hope they never watch a game of American football … especially not if it is the Steelers defense on display
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casual fans way over-ephasize this idea of chemistry. These players practice with each other, most of them have known each other, and are familiar enough with each others game to play togeather without huge minutes spent building chemistry. The current third line is an example. Cliff/Simmer/Zus togeather clicked right away. These guys are so good time doesnt mnater
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Who wants the Over/Under on games before he pulls a groin. Right now, it’s at 2
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germankingsfan Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@kevin from toronto, whats to over and under for you to be more positive…….give the guy a break!!!!!
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KC23 Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 4:05 pm
@germankingsfan, Please don’t say break. :p
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Score on first shot! (remember Donald Audette?)
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VanKingsFan Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@zdfun, LOVED Audette
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Welcome my fellow countryman wünsche euch ein fantastisches Spiel und erhalten Sie ein Ziel.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
December 21st, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@germankingsfan, Im wirklich Hoffnung, dass er leuchtet die Lampe am Abend!
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Good luck tonight Sturminator! Welcome to the Kings.
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Scorenzie OberSTURMbahnwinger! Vee neet ze golz!
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Marco Polo
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Ich freue mich fuer ihn, dass er endlich wieder speielen kann. Er ist herzlich bei uns wilkommen, und ich wuensche ihm viel Glueck. Los geht’s!
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I very much think that Marco Sturm will have a very positive impact on our beloved hockey team. His speed will open up the ice which will allow our more skilled players more room to work with. Plus, from what I hear, Marco Sturm is a great character guy and will bring more leadership to our club. That is something that a team can never have too much of.
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From seeing his interviews i love that he wanted to be here and even gave up his no trade clause to come here and I just hope everyone gives him a chance to get back into it and not get on his case if he does not do get on the scoreboard right away its been since the playoffs since he has played. It would be nice if he does tho looks like from his stats he can be a consistent scorer
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I hope Sturn will be an effective add on, and I think it will make ponikrovsky pick up his game.
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