First, the latest news. Scott Parse was on the ice today for the first time since he had hip surgery in November. Parse hit the ice in a practice jersey and sweat pants — and skates, of course — for some post-practice conditioning skating, but he’s still probably looking at an early-March return, at best.
On the other hand, the Kings were able to breathe two sighs of relief, as both Wayne Simmonds and Ryan Smyth are able to play tonight. Simmonds missed two games, but apparently had nothing more than some swelling and discomfort. Smyth required stitches to his lower leg after he was hit by a slap shot in practice yesterday, but he was back on the ice for today’s morning skate after some worrisome moments yesterday.
SMYTH: “I couldn’t feel my foot for a little while there. It was a pressure cut, and I had to get some stitches. It was right down by the shin pad, the outside of the shin pad above the skate. Not very comfortable.”
The Kings got the good news, on Monday, that Simmonds did not have any serious issues, but even Terry Murray was surprised at how quickly Simmonds returned.
MURRAY: “That’s a surprise for me, quite honestly. To be able to get on the ice yesterday for the full practice, and then come back today and have minimal swelling, that was great news. I talked to him in our meetings that we had this morning, and he felt good and wants to go. I asked him again on the ice, after his skate, so he will be in.”
Simmonds was grateful not to have a long-term injury…
SIMMONDS: “Thank God it wasn’t. When I went down, someone fell on my knee and then on my toe pick, and I just kind of went over. So that’s all it was. I’m good. It’s one of those things where it didn’t swell right off the bat, but the longer I sat there, and got my X-rays done, it just blew up. The swelling went down, so it looks pretty good and it feels good too.”
Parse? Who is this Parse guy? Never heard of him.
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jpizzle313 Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@markisonfire, can he play first line left wing?
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bmova Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@jpizzle313, Probably not!
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CB14 Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@jpizzle313, Why doesn’t Parse add an I into his last name? He would instantly become a 40 goal scorer. Just Kidding!
Side Note. How great would Parise look on the left wing with Kopi and Brown next year? He’s a restricted free agent not unrestricted but with New Jersey’s cap issues, they are only 8 mil. under the projected cap next year, the Kings could make him an offer the Devils couldn’t match. I can dream can’t I.
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rontheking Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
@CB14,
Because there is no “I” in Parse’s game–he’s a team player, man….
Space_Shot Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@markisonfire,
He’s our missing 1st line left winger and the savior to our season, come March — DUH!
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King John Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@markisonfire,
GO, PARSE, GO!!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
@markisonfire,
Something to help you remember…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cameraguy105c10/5373445101/in/set-72157625744615805/
From the LA Kings Insider Game on 01-11-2010.
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A pressure cut? I knew Kopi could shoot hard, but wow.
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Ike Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@Kingme20, Serious! Thats gotta hurt. If it was the fleshy backside of the leg that is even more impressive. I once took a slash on the glove and it cut my thumb. I didn’t know ti was called a “pressure cut”, lol.
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jet Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@Ike, you get great colors in four or five days.
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Ike Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
@jet, Fox said it was on his calf. Dang! Getting cut from the puck on the fleshy calf! OUCH!!
David R Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@Kingme20, better that than a bad bruise, at least with a cut everything bleeds out, not as much swelling.
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@David R,
Yeah without the cut you get some major swelling and one awesome bruise haha
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At the beginning of the season the team had Clifford, Schenn, Moller, and Loktionov on the roster, whether they were dressing or not. They were around for certain reasons, injuries, deciding if they would be sent back to juniors, etc…The team was hustling, hitting, forechecking, just playing all around solid hockey…winning hockey. Schenn went to the WJC and back to Juniors, Lokti and Moller got sent to the AHL, and Clifford found a spot on the roster (rightfully so). The interesting thing is, is since these roster decisions were finalized the team has not performed as well, and as we all know are now at the bottom of the division standings. I bring this up because I now wonder if not having that competition for roster spots may have made this young team somewhat complacent and too comfortable. Competition for roster spots is a logical reason for playing hard every shift, and therefore, being successful. Maybe that’s what this team is now missing. Just a theory and could be totally off base, but just came to mind as I was reading this. Somethings wrong with them! I’ve gone with the theory that its coaching, not enough talent, and so on. But the roster is basically the same one that went 12-3, except for these changes…Hmmm???
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David R Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@Shotongoal, i agree about your competition for a spot theory. the only problem is, arent there rules about sending guys up and down the minors and majors? i ask cause im really not sure, somebody let me know. but they always have the scratch section i guess, so they could use that. i guess it all comes down to money unfortunately
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@Shotongoal, good point! as much as im a Hockey fan i am a soccer fan as well and thats what you get in Soccer, guys fighting every week for a spot on the 1st team. Its super competative all year and if you dont show that you are a better option than the next guy then you dont play. The problem i think is our coach and GM thinking that these kids need to develop more before they hold down a roster spot all year and go with the over the hill dumpster trash from other teams to fill those spots! Also that we can only carry so many guys at any one time and we waste a roster spot on Westgarth.
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bfstyle33 Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@Shotongoal, ditto. I was thinking about this too for awhile now. Stoll’s slump I believe started right after we sent Schenn back to juniors.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@bfstyle33,
Stoll is not young.
That is not to say the complacency thesis is incorrect; perhaps it makes the thesis stronger. But Stoll is a wily veteran whose play has dropped off significantly.
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CB14 Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
@bfstyle33, True. Also Stoll only recently started playing better after he was demoted to the 3rd line. Mabye he just needs some competition to get him to play well. When you think about it Stoll hasn’t had any competition for his spot the last 3 yrs.
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So Parse won’t be ready before the trade deadline? Or will he? I assume he would have to go back to Manchester first and get some of his conditioning back.
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King John Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@kylecliffordfan, NO trade please.
We still don’t know who will be the LW on the top line:
Parse or Loktionov or Sturm or ?_?
Who will step up?
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David R Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@King John, ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha, nah, but i would skate till I was dead and fight everyone at least (so basically i would be good for about two shifts)
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@David R, you would be worth more than westgarth at that point!
Good news on Parsley.
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puck73 Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@Dominick, Wish we had a healthy Parse, he made Kopitar and Brown better in the 5 games he played with them and as usual he was a plus player again.
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King John Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@puck73,
Agree fully. Maybe it would’ve been a different season.
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This team is so careful with saying “Lower body injury,” I’m surprised that Smyth was so candid with the specificity of his injury.
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Ike Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
@Blue Liner, When he parks himself in front of the net goalies will be hacking at his legs looking for the sweet spot.
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CEFox17 Reply:
January 20th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@Ike, and when he takes a good fall from a tripping call it will all be worth it. Wait and see. At least 1 tripping penalty will be drawn tonight from a stick to Smyth’s skates.
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Parse will take the kings back to the playoffs next year. Meanwhile they should also recall moller, and try out some other kids. Holloway? No point in playing poni or zues anymore. Since the kings are unlikely to finish with .650 hockey and get into playoffs, might as well give the kids some NHL time.
Rich any word on extending Justin Williams? They should really try to retain him… If he goes feb 28 we’re in trouble…
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If Simmonds has a “toe Pick” he’s wearing the wrong kind of skates for hockey!
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Any update on Muzzin???? Been out for a while
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At least we have Parse for the playoffs, oh wait, we are not going to play this year
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