With a 5-0-1 record in their last six games, the Kings appear to be back on the upswing, but they’ve been winning without much production from top scorer Anze Kopitar. Kopitar still leads the team with 50 points in 53 games, but he has gone nine consecutive games without a goal and has only one goal in his last 19 games. Kopitar does have 14 assists during those 19 games, but the Kings want to see more goal production. Kopitar had more goals (two) in the All-Star Game alone than he has had for the Kings, total, since late December. The work ethic is still there, but the goals aren’t, and today Terry Murray talked about what Kopitar needs to do in order to start scoring goals.
MURRAY: “I wish I had the one answer that could turn it around. You just have to work your way out of it. Just about every player that has played sports, you’re going to go through a hard time. There is no magic. It’s just getting back to the hard work, the fundamentals. The most important thing, especially on the offensive part of the game, from a player that you’re looking for goal production from, you have a tendency as a player to get away from things. You think you have to find space, that you have to get open, that you have to get to a nice, quiet area out there, so that you’re available for somebody to get you the puck. That’s what you think, but that’s the wrong thing. You’ve got to go where it’s really hard, really nasty and dirty, and you’re looking for one to get off your backside or your stick, just a loose puck or a rebound. That’s the ice-breaker sometimes. Then it clicks, and away you go.”
Only twice in the last 10 games has Kopitar led the Kings in shots on goal — or been tied for the team lead — although he does lead the team in shots on goal for the season, with 174. Murray was asked today whether Kopitar needs to be more “selfish,” in a positive sense, in terms of shooting the puck more.
MURRAY: “I would love that. I think, you always find over the history of the game that the guys who are big goal scorers, they always tend to shoot before passing. As long as the puck is going in, that’s OK. I watched a game yesterday with Tampa Bay, and (Steven) Stamkos has 40 (goals) already. There’s no doubt what he’s going to do. Everybody knows where it’s coming from, and he obliges. He’s shooting every time. And that’s OK. I’d like to see that a little bit more, from maybe all of us in our group. Have more of a shooter mentality than passing, than a passing option.”
i havent been able to watch the games I do feel there a confidence issue. Kopitar goes through these spells like he did last season as well. He just needs to get more an attack mentality
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KC23 Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@josh e., The only lack of confidence I see is his lack of confidence in his LW. Who could blame him.
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ponce Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@KC23, Josh is right, as the revolving door at left wing continues, there is no continuity and chemistry, therefore, no scoring. Throw in the fact that any one they put on his line is about two tiers under his scoring level,leaving there no need to gaurd the other guys on his line, opponets defense can sag on Kopi. DL is wasting our best players best years by having no one else to have him play off of. Phill…..sell the team.
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Chris P. Bacon Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@KC23,
Sturm wasnt too bad in December, that was the month Kopi and Brown were hot. So hopefully by the weekend he can come back.
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DlParker Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@josh e., I think it he playing more on the Defense side of the Game covering up for his LW then concentrating on the Offensive side. He needs a legit LW and you will see him scoring again. One name Milan Michalek
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LW Anybody Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@DlParker, I like how TM calls him out, wanting him to go to the dirty areas down low, but the wants him to be the 3rd man high. Can’t have it both ways…
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Chris P. Bacon Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
@LW Anybody,
Where does Murray state he wants Kopitar being the 3rd man? In hockey the 3rd man is the last forward to enter the offensive zone. Doesnt matter which position you play.
Last game was good for kopi, he was fired up throwing checks and moving alot more then he has been. I hope its a sign of good things to come. I know we can all say”if he has a good LWer, he would be better” And ya that is true, but untill that happens just got to do the best you can with what you have.
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I think Kopi is to worried about playing solid on the D side of the puck that it hurts his offense. IMO i think its TM fault that kopitars goal production is down. The system we use does not provide much room for imagination and i think Kopi is a victom of that. I think TM quote says it all You’ve got to go where it’s really hard, really nasty and dirty, and you’re looking for one to get off your backside or your stick, just a loose puck or a rebound. That’s the ice-breaker sometimes. Then it clicks, and away you go.” this IMO is not what you want a guy like Kopitar to do, we have Smyth, Zeus and others for that. I think he needs to find the open ice and take a line into the slot if possible and fire away. Hell, just be in the O zone and fire away. maybe its just me but someone with Kopi’s skill and the ability to snipe he should not be getting pounded by the opposition getting into real hard nasty area’s.
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Fully concur. Much of the time it seems Kopi’s just plain too tired to get creative in the Ozone because of his need to backcheck (often I’m beginning to see him lag behind the play). Don’t get me wrong, he is probably the best 2way player out there and he has a very uncanny ability to separate the man form the puck, but unfortunately I think he is spread too thin and has very little serious help on the top line. I think he was doing OK for awhile with Sturm getting a little bit of chemistry going but that swiftly evaporated with Marco’s injury. Speaking of that, when is he expected back? We sure can use some more offensive prowess (if he has any left!).
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@crashin’ da net, from the previous posts it seems Sturm is back in full practices and is going to see the doctor today for more of an update.
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@crashin’ da net, PS remember hoe we used to see him lower the shoulder, lean, dig that edge in, and power it from the boards with speed to the front of the net? When was the last time he’s done that? Tired of seeing him circle the back of the net just to reverse it.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@crashin’ da net, agreed! Kopi is still my hero though, glad he is a king and hope it stays that way the rest of his career.
Gislaw Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
@crashin’ da net,
He did that a few games ago from the right side. It ended up as an easy rebound goal for Brown. I’d also like to see it more…from everybody.
Go Kings!
Kenny44 Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Kopi is a coach’s kid, so it’s no surprise he sacrifices to make the system work for his coach. Maybe he needs to be more selfish in how he plays, and i’m not just talking about shooting more.
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Chris P. Bacon Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
This is a faulty argument blaming the coach because Kopitar has shown plenty of flash for the last two years, so blaming the coach doesnt work. YEAH let’s blame a tried and true system of success for Kopitar’s lack of confidence.
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You see, this is exactly what bugs me about Murray. Everything has to be a dirty goal. Everything revolves around shot mentality. Everything revolves around that low-to-high play. I don’t see Kopitar going to either the dirty areas OR the soft, between coverage areas. He’s been living on the boards and kicking it out to the defense.
Everything looks good when the blueline is scoring but there is NO attack from the forwards, minus the creativity and will of Williams.
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Dominick Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@xeropoint, I agree. I wouldn’t mind seeing Kopi play a more puck possesion style. If his line played a left wing lock like Detroit, or Vancouver, Kopi would be free to attack more. The Left winger wouldn’t even need to be some offensive dynamo who’s going to have to make Kopi better. Doesn’t even have to be a lock, as long as he’s playing a possesion game through the middle, instead of a mangement game along the boards.
I’ve always thought Kopi could be one of the best offensive players in the game today, if TM would just let loose of the reins a bit.
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Player-X Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 9:24 am
@Dominick, I disagree with xeropoint, only in that production has been spotty and that means that at times production has been good, and creative. But anyway, dominick you were asking me to respond about a left wing lock…
First, thanks for the compliment about systems, etc., very kind.
I agree that Murray is not likely to institute a left wing lock system, for either just Kopi’s line or for all lines, sot the discussion is purely academic. Doing so for just one line is especially problematic within the team game simply because he cannot always have his chosen defensive pair out there to play that lock with Kopi’s line. The Soviet teams used to ice five-man units at once, but I don’t see it nowadays at all. And, with Murray mixing power play units from among three lines, he needs a hybrid line afterwards which would further delay getting one pair that knows the left wing lock out there with Kopi’s full line. Inevitably, you would get Kopi out there with other linemates, also, that do not do the left wing lock, so you would be asking Kopi to play two systems…
The idea of the left-wing lock seems to be your way of compensating for the missing left winger. Take Smyth and move him up, you need a second line LW, keep Smyth with Williams and you need a first line LW. Lokti, in my opinion, isn’t there yet. As I wrote somewhere else, it really isn’t fair to expect him to fill that position, as he is a first year player, a natural center, and also I really think his game would need different types of players than Kopi and Brown. Lokti needs guys that “dart” with quick hands; Kopi “powers” and grinds, and Brown is not the prototypical finisher for a passer like Lokti.
Instead of the left-wing lock (LWL), Murray’s two way forward is primarily the center, the F3. Where the LWL, as you envision, gives freedom to the two defenseman by reducing their coverage obligations (you said the LW takes one third of the ice, leaving the D a third each instead of half), the F3 Murray uses isn’t as rigid as the LWL, in that all forwards are expected to rotate into being F3.
Also, F3 gives flexibility for the defensemen to join the play, as well, so you could say that the third of the ice thing still happens, but with F3 there is more variety as the “umbrella” shifts to compensate. An example would be when Stoll, say, is in the high slot, and the D are at the points. If a D-man comes down the half-wall, Stoll could go to the point, and another winger should be prepared to go high slot, or the D-man himself might just circle thru the middle of the ice and go high-slot himself. Letting these rotations occur on both sides might lend more versatility than would be expected by requiring the LW to maintain a defensive posture more often.
Detroit used to do the LWL, but as I recall it ended when the European influence overtook the system, and then Babcock continued it. Maybe the skill outgrew the LWL, maybe the new system developed the skill and grew together in harmony, but Detroit now has a system known for five-man attacks, movement away from the puck, and point men being very stubborn in yielding possession by pinching. The D are at the points, the forwards do a freaking Harlem Globetrotter weave, and soon I expect the goalie to be at the center ice face-off dot throwing checks against the breakout.
Murray seems like he is agreeing in principle to the idea that suggests a defensive posture like the LWL when he talks about putting Handzus on Kopi’s line late in the game, but Murray accomplishes what the LWL would do in another way. It isn’t all that far different, really, by putting a center at left wing is seems tailor-made to the LWL, but Handzus is being asked to control the puck in the corners as part of the regular puck-possession cycle and is not expected to always be the first man back on his wing.
Maybe what Murray uses, the F3, could also be called a “Center-ice lock,” with the player responsible for being F3 determined by timing and circumstance, giving freedom to both sides of the ice for offensive creativity from forwards and defensemen.
Anyway, that’s how I see it, for what it’s worth. Maybe I only got it half-right, who knows. It’s always dangerous to actually post anything of this length, too, but whatever, ya know?
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Dominick Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@Player-X,
Exactly what I was hoping for. Your breakdown was spot on, I was just trying to find a way to compensate with what we already have. I also didn’t take into account the changing line mates. I did see the D pairing as simply reading Kopi being on the ice and shifting coverage from the 2/3′rds to the 1/2 and 1/2 and back. Excellent breakdown on the F3 also, gives me a lot more to think about. I’ll keep looking at it.
Thanks!
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@xeropoint,
The pretty stuff doesnt win in the playoffs, unless your name is the detroit red wings. The “dirty” is actually the true beauty of winning. The sacrifices, the scars, thats real hockey. Looks at Toews, nothing pretty about him. Big bad Philly, players like Richards, Hartnell, Carter, Pronger, bad mofos they are. Kopitar is a softy, this is why hes not scoring. You need to go hard in the dirty areas and work hard for them. He has the size and skill to dominate.
Why would you complain about “low-to-high”, Murray has excellent defenseman to work with, and he’s getting them involved. Why do you think Doughty looks so darn good? Murray utilizes their talents.
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Dominick Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@Chris P. Bacon,
I think that xeropoints original feeling was that Kopi’s line spends to much grinding, with too much emphasis on grinding, or manufacturing goals. The low to high works but not if that is the only play you make 70% of the time (say for instance on the power play). All those players you mention have the freedom to play talented creative passing plays if the option arises, with a hard charge to the net if they need to finnish.
Doughty looks good, but had some stretches that made people question how good he really is (not me), even calling him fat and lazy. All he’s asking for is a little less restraint on the 2 way with a little more emphasis on letting them create more.
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Kopi will get back on track. As we know all players goes through slumps. Looks a little slow and draging behind. As long as he keeps shooting the puck will go in. He’s to good to stay in a slump for to long. We don’t give him much love for his defensive work. He has picked up his game in that area. It’s good seeing other guys stepping up. Kopi settles down, Brown feeds off his last game, JmfJ@DD#8 keeping the D in focus, “The Old Guys” clogging up the middle, and the Roll Players play their rolls, then these up coming road games don’t look to frighting. One game at a time= streak=points=movement=wins=post season. Kings 4 Life
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“Kopitar does have 14 goals during those 19 games…”
Rich, I think you meant 14 assists during those 19 games, yes?
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No question we need Kopi to start scoring regularly, but these are the times you need guys like Stoll, Smytty, JW to pick up the scoring slack.
Any thoughts on Loktionov’s play on the line? I haven’t seen much of the creativity that was advertised..especially 5 on 5 playing with Brown and Kopi.
This has to do with Lokti’s play and not system, coach or anything else so please let’s not go there. I’m thinking just in terms of his game what’s missing and what looks promising.
Any thoughts?
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@nykingfan, I think he needs either more size or some toughness. He gets checked off the puck to easy IMO. the skill is there the vision is there but his board game needs some work. when all a guy has to do is take the body and the puck is his then there is an issue there.
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Cristobal Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@nykingfan,
Well, he IS playing in a system. And, he’s playing out of position. There have been good signs from Lokti, but he’s young and just playing his first string of games.
If Kopi had Cammy on his LW I’m sure the point production would be much different.
Sorry to reinforce the obvious, but system and player personnel (general management) has created things this way. Either appreciate the effectiveness of Kopi’s 2 way game or adjust the system and players.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
@Cristobal,
I knew you would say that
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Dominick Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@nykingfan,
He does have speed. A lot of his 1 on 1 moves seem rehearsed. He doesn’t play with a heavy stick, or a heavy position which makes him easy prey to someone who does. He’s got a decent shot, but could use some work on getting it off quicker, like a Paul Kariya, or a Cammilleri. Play away from the puck is hard to tell since he’s a rookie, and still trying to figure out the left side at the same time.
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Dominick Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Before anybody critisizes me for the heavy references. I’m talking physical force it takes to get the puck from him, not his size. Marty StLouis is 5ft nothing, but try to muscle him off the puck and he plays well beyond his size.
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Forum67 Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:53 am
@Dominick,
I won’t criticize you because I agree with you 100%.
KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
@nykingfan, Smyth has more goal than Kopi so i dont see him slacking but u are right about Stoll and the others Kopi slacking too
Smyth yea he slacking alittle but i dont see him as a high scorer never did just a guy that can score in the PP but the PP sucking well getting better at least
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nykingfan Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 6:44 am
@KingsFanFTW,
I didn’t mean that Smytty’s goal production has been lacking. I actually think that line has been the most effective line all season. Even when they aren’t scoring, they are getting more chances than any other line. JWs play has been solid from game 1.
I meant that when your top line doesn’t produce, you need the other line to pick up the slack..which for the most part they have done pretty consistently for us.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 11:15 am
@nykingfan, oh yea i know our number one line is pretty much a dead line we need all the lines to be scary really but most of all Number 1 line but that never scored at all and when they do its a ugly goal like they just got lucky
He seemed to do fairly well playing with Sturm and Parse. Is he worried about playing the F3 too much with Loktionov?
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puck73 Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@friarking, Kopi and Brown were flying out there when Parse was playing for those 5 games. BTW Parse was also a plus 5 in that short time as well. He was a plus 13 last season too. Only problem is I dont think he will be back until March after the report that Rich posted today.
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Good call Rich. That whole line is in a funk right now goal scoring wise 5 on 5. I think it boils down to not having that consistency there with the top line LW. Also, DB is slumping offensively that doesnt help Kopi either
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puck73 Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@tornado12, Exactly ! Either wait for Parse to return or make a move for Parise or Penner !
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CB14 Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
@puck73, Parise please. Penner is too inconsistant for me. I seem to remember Parise and Brown playing well together in the olympics last year. I think they were the best line against the canadians in the gold medal game. Trade Voynov, Moller, Jones, and a couple of 1st round picks for Parise.
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tornado12 Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
@puck73, Parse played well even though he was hurt in the few games he was on the top line, so he needs another kick at the can for sure. I would love those players you metion, but I dont see it happening without moving some of our top players in return. It would be addition by subtraction.
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King John Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
@puck73,
Parise does not have an “i” for the Kings—that means it’s Parse….
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The other thng to remember is that you often see at least one if not two players shadowing Kopi at all times. Since he doesn’t have another legitimate threat out there with him, opposing teams know that they can shut him down and take their chances with the less skilled players. Hopefully the coaching staff can find a way to get him some more space on the ice and let him do this thing. Just imagine where we would be if Kopi was scoing more goals.
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Dave Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@DesertKing, Spot on opinion. If Dl would ever get Kopi the proper talent around him, he would be a 100 point man!
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puck73 Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@Dave, Thanx for some sanity, Kopi would agree too !
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I hate to be “that guy” but change the word goals after the word 14 there. We got it, but did you mean 14 assists in 19 games? Or 14 points in 19 games? Or 14 goals in the same 19 games in which he has 1 goal?
On another note. If Kopitar were meaner and hit more -he’d be Keith Primeau and Eric Lindros rolled into one (minus the injuries of course *knock on wood*)
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Rich Hammond Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Thanks…
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He’ll get back into his groove again. Guys with that much talent can’t go too long between goals. But it does seem like he doesn’t recognize how much talent he actually has. He needs a little more cocky, Ovechkin-like mentality.
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But the geezers are hot again
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Right now, teams can easily shut down Kopi. Brown is awesome but he is a gritty checking forward, not very dangerous creatively. Kopi is the only one on that line who can create, and without a pure sniper he is going to have stretches when he doesn’t score.
He’s had good looks through this stretch, what’s really killing him is Brown has been struggling and his confidence looks a little shaky.
Kopi is probably the best two way center in the game that can still score 80pts season. Can you imagine what he will do when he has someone to play with. I’ve said it before, he reminds me alot in his skating and his two way play with Ron Francis….take a look at his offensive totals.
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A star player goes 2 to 3 games without scoring a goal. Kopitar is not a star player nor a point per game player. Trade him to New Jersey for Parise.
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Player-X Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, silly. totally silly. Unkess you are a New Jersey fan….
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Tony Granato Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, 2010: 81 points in 82 games. 2011: 50 points in 53 games.
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King John Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S,
He showed star qualities during the all-star game. I think the line will do better with a good LW.
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It doesn’t help that Kopitar plays in a defensive system.
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Pesus Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S,
Doesnt help anybody, so why do we still keep the coach around? To be the 8th seed and get bounced in the 1st round? Bring in a real coach and this team could be a 4 or 5 seed with the current roster.
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Is there any news on any trade rumors with the NJ Devils? Scott Parise would be a nice addition but probably an “untouchable” player…. Lou and Deano round 2?
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CB14 Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@paul_guillen, I don’t think he’s untouchable, but it would definately take alot to get him.
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Pesus Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
@CB14, Dont think it would take alot to get him if he tells Lou that he wants out. Why would he stay in that mess they created over there?
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It was hilarious watching Kopitar in the All-Star game. Everyone was floating and looking for offensive breaks and Kopitar was the 3rd defenseman in his own zone every single time and was usually the last to join in on offensive attacks. The defense-first system is burned into him now. It is pure habit.
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Harty Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
@Telos, when we get to the 2nd season (playoffs) that system will pay dividends, Kopi is awesome to watch…..
I think he is top 1-5 player in NHL, big, strong, fast, great shot, and good leader
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 7th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
@Harty, I think he COULD be a top 1-5 player but not with the Kings.
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Here is my answer and its pretty easy. SHOOOOOTTTTTT the puck and drive to the net. He is the franchise offensive player so if he shoots the puck things happen, even if its a block shot or a wide shot. Thats why the kings pay him big money. Just shot the puck.
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Dear Dean, Kopi is a 50 goal scorer BUT he will never live up to that without having a true, good natural LW by his side! Thank you for making a strong push with Kovalchuck but it didn’t happen so can you PLEASE move on and get that key LW? PLEASE!!! I’m sick of this!!! you look at other teams with good young players and management makes it a point to compliment that key player with a good addition! The right addition! With us kings however that is NOT the case! The progress is turtle slow!!!! This team is destroying Kopi’s maximum talent and personally it’s pathetic! It’s not that Heatley,Briere,Kovalchuck etc didn’t wanna join L.A but rather ownership & management are CHEAP and NOT willing to pay TOP DOLLAR for TOP PLAYERS!!
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For starters put Brown on another line. Sorry Brownie i love your hustle and grittiness but Kopi does too much damn work down low. Brownie needs to have a more checking role. he just doesn’t have the skill necessary to help Kopi make it happen.
I say put Williams up on that line with Kopi and Loktionov. Williams hustles like a mofo AND he’s got the skill.
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So many times in recent games Kopitar has had the puck and hasn’t shot it. You don’t score if you don’t shoot. Just shoot the puck more because your linemates can’t score for you.
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Gee, Terry Murray saying “shoot more”. Well that’s one we haven’t heard before. (sarc)
Does he have any other coaching ideas or is that about it? ‘Cuz it sure seems like that’s about all I hear from him.
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