Somewhat quietly, Trevor Lewis has become a lineup regular for the Kings. Lewis was a healthy scratch in 10 of the Kings’ first 13 games, but has since played in 27 consecutive games, mostly as the fourth-line center, and for the season Lewis has two goals and three assists in 30 games. Moreover, though, Terry Murray has shown his trust in Lewis by including Lewis in his penalty-kill unit. For Lewis, a first-round pick of the Kings in 2006, this is his first extended opportunity to show his wares at the NHL level. Given that Murray said today that he wants Kevin Westgarth to play against Columbus and Toronto, and that Alexei Ponikarovsky is set to return, it’s possible that Lewis might be looking at a healthy-scratch situation in the near future. Here’s what Murray said about Lewis’ recent play…
MURRAY: “Some games, he’s very effective. He carries the puck with a lot of speed. He can get the team out of trouble, in its own end, because of his puck-carrying ability and speed. Then there’s other games where he shows his inexperience in that area and has a difficult time. But we like what he brings, in that he’s an honest player. He really cares about becoming a good hockey player. He has speed, he has quickness. He can do a good job on the forecheck, to stir up loose pucks, and he’s a very effective penalty-killer. He’s been good for us in that area all year long. But it’s that consistency, in high-level performance, that we want to have from him. That’s typical of a young player. We just have to keep demanding it and pushing it, and I think as we get into the final part of the season, he can give us what we need from him every night.”
Ive liked this kid, hes fast, very agile, not many turnovers that i notice and he seems hungry!!!
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Personally, I think Lewis has the potential to be the #2 Center. His speed is his biggest asset. The scoring ability is there, but once again its just potential.
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Rich, you seem to be the hardest working man on the team
right now, thanks for all your hard work and dedicated
effort!!
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KC23 Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
@K-Dog, Well said.
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Once it’s Kopi, Schenn, Loktionov, and Lewis down the center we’re going to have one hell of a team.
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Bill M. Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
@MR King, yeah. we still seem a little weak in spots now, and there’s definite locker room problems that are contributing to the inconsistency this season, but in a couple years, we won’t really have much of a fourth line, it will be more like a first line, two second lines, and a third line. When you can roll 4 lines and keep everybody fresh and still have dangerous scoring at all times on the ice…we start to really look unbeatable.
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MR King Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
@Bill M., My only worry is who replaces the bridge players and who gets re-signed.
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USHA#17 Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@MR King,
Right you are about the bridge.
So only two certainties:
Fans will mull over the changes and decide they are really happy and we now have the greatest team
Fans will call for the heads of the Coach and GM during the first losing streak of that season.
With the team playing as it is now the ability of the core to carry the next wave of rookies who will make the squad is iffy…for the time being at least. That could change with a three game winning streak!
I hate to say that I think TM is wrong on Lewis. I can’t think of a game where Lewis did not play well, albeit breifly, in some instances. Some nights he has been better than others, but I think his play has been acceptable at the minimum. Hard to think that Lewis could be a scratch, what with the mediocre play and effort we have seen for the better part of two weeks from most of the roster. Scratch Lewis for Westgarth? That can’t be true.
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kylecliffordfan Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
@scvking, “I can’t think of a game where Lewis did not play well”
Last night? He gave up on a play (but to be fair, so did Richardson). I am sure giving no effort on a back check is 100 times worse than making a mistake.
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“Some games, he’s very effective.” Doesn’t eveyone have to be effective, each and every single game?
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Bill M. Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@Harry, Everyone SHOULD be effective every game, but you kind of expect that the young players with little experience will not be there yet.
Lewis isn’t technically a rookie, but he’s only played a smattering of fill in games for us before. This is his first chance to fill a consistent role on a regular basis. Thus, he is still learning and will have good days and bad days. Murray is saying that is exactly what he is looking for as Lewis gains the experience this year – to push through that struggle and become consistent.
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USHA#17 Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
@Bill M.,
That’s right. Its rare to see a Detroit, Washington, Philly or Pit player taking a night off.
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It hurts to write this out loud……Whatever TM and his staff are telling the boys….isn’t working, at all……….
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Yeah, but I wonder if we were in the hunt for Langenbrunner. He could have helped our team at a midiocre price. hmmmmm. Guess there under the cap now and no hope to pick any Devil up???
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Bill M. Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
@crashin’ da net, Not true. They are only under cap until Parise comes off IR. They will have to move a couple mil more in order to get Parise back on the roster. Speculation is that Jason Arnott is the next target.
The sweetness of it all – The Kocalchuk move has forced them to clear cap, moving veterans. They will do so in order to make room for Parise to come off IR. Then they will lose him to an offer sheet this summer because he won’t want to stay in Kovi’s shadow, he will know that they can’t afford the raise he deserves to get, and he will see that this whole mess is going to force a rebuild that he won’t want to stick around for, because he, like most really gifted players, wants a cup.
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crashin' da net Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
@Bill M., Bill,,thanks. I wasn’t certain of their current cap status nor Jaimee’s salary. I hope DL remains on good terms with LL. We can alleviate him of his “burden”.
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dave kanaley Reply:
January 8th, 2011 at 8:11 am
@crashin’ da net, Zach Parise should be pursued this offseason, he would fit in and solve some of ths scoring challenges that press the Kings. LA is going to be a contender for quite awhile ,seems like a good destination for any free agent.
I agree with TM that “some games” Lewis has been effective. He has been inconsistent, but is effort is there, that’s for sure. If you watch him closely, he spends a lot of time on his backside along the boards, similar to Simmonds. Knocked off the puck very easily.
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bulldog13lak Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
@regulate, almost everyone was knocked off the puck last night! Even giant Zeus!! The one thing I like in Lewis is his heads up vision, getting into the slot and getting shots on goal instead of crashing the boards behind the goal and getting pinned there.
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I like Lewis, but do question whether he was worth a first round pick. Solid player, but I don’t see that he has top 6 talent.
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