Andrei Loktionov has been assigned back to the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs. Loktionov had three goals and two assists during his most recent stint with the Kings, but given Terry Murray’s recent comments, the writing seemed to be on the wall for Loktionov. The move also potentially opens a roster spot for Marco Sturm.
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Not much of a choice, but a mistake… Keep winning without him boys!
[Reply]
andy Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
@DB6, this was a terrible decision
[Reply]
Alton Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
@andy, This decision ranks up there with the signing of poni, sturm, halpern. Must i go on. He played really well. Bettr than Lewis ( why we have him im not sure of) and some of the other roster players. Really for the first time this year i am begining to get frustrated with management. Whats next a stupid trade, for who lazy penner of useless hemsky!
[Reply]
Alton Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
@Alton, Oh by the way who is this parse guy that i keep hearing is supposed to save the team?
PRMan Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:23 am
@Alton, Actually, I’m starting to appreciate Trevor Lewis’ game as long as he stays out of the top 6.
But we were scoring 3 GPG with Loktionov in the lineup and now we are back to 0. We need to waive Harrold instead.
King John Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
I don’t think we’re allowed to have someone that flashes some offensive spark. Only blue collar players.
These type of skill players also spark fan interest.
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:33 am
@King John,
And if we do have them show some spark TM turns them into great back checking centers
[Reply]
Boooooooooooooo
[Reply]
Peter32 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@KH, So booooooo!
[Reply]
A promising youngster who still has a lot to learn.
[Reply]
pitty Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@Belexes, Unlike Doughty who has it all figured out.
[Reply]
Jamer Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@pitty, Surely you jest…….Doughty has more turnovers than any other D on the team. Still a rookie as far as I am concerned.
[Reply]
pitty Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
@Jamer, Sorry, yes i was joking
Paul G Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
@Jamer, Best d man in the NHL…..so give him a break
Someone explain to me why everyone commenting on this blog hates him and Brown and loves Handus….
I’ll answer that, bcuz no one here plays hockey on a high level and doesn’t have a feel for the game
Matt George Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@Belexes,
Could learn a LOT with more NHL experience.
[Reply]
He is better off down, not having to deal with TMs crazy bs
[Reply]
zulov Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:08 am
@pr0cess, Ha! Agreed. DL is super dumb. TM is delusional. Worst decision this season.
[Reply]
I’ve just jumped on the Terry Murray haters band wagon. Simply unbelievable. Hey Terry your “heavy” players arn’t scoring.
[Reply]
Peter32 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@uknojata, He likes them heavy and slow.
[Reply]
jayhay Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@Peter32,
so did the Islanders
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@jayhay, nice !
Detroit Sons Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
@Peter32, Really Slllllllooooowwwwwww= about 65% of the Kings. Ryan, Greene, Handzus, Scuderi, Westgarth, Poni, Doughty, Clifford and Kopitar* *fast only when he wants to be but no real speedster.
[Reply]
Luuc Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:29 am
@Detroit Sons,
I wouldn’t lump Doughty in there, unless of course you put him in Kopi’s category. He can fly when he wants to.
sid the kid Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:04 pm
@Detroit Sons, I never thought about speed for the entire team prior to this post, i only thought of it per player. Yeah, if you look at most of our forwards, the only real speedster is richardson
PRMan Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:25 am
@Detroit Sons, Doughty is pretty fast. Stoll, Williams, Richardson just flat-out fly. Trevor Lewis is deceptively fast as well.
nykingfan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@uknojata,
What makes you think this was Murray’s idea only?
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 6:12 am
@nykingfan, and the last 11 games tell you what about Murray, he doens’t know what he’s doing…..
oh ye have little faith
[Reply]
snbrdsummit Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:16 am
@nykingfan,
“Nobody loses their spot to injury”
Except Drewiske
[Reply]
Does anyone have the website that shows the team’s record with certain players in the line up?
[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@dailymehow,
I’m the one who does that. I am posting an updated chart in about an hour.
[Reply]
dailymehow Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Quisp,
Thanks!
[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
@dailymehow,
it’s up.
Cynic Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@Quisp,
Quisp is the King of ‘The Land of Misfit Stats’. When you’re not sure about something hockey related, Q always seems to find a number somehwhere that helps.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@dailymehow, If you go to sports.yahoo.com/nhl, click on players and type in the player, then when his page comes up click on ‘game log’ you can see the results of all the games that player participated in:
For lokti: 13-3-3
So of course send him down. Thing is, he’ll be back in 9 days.
[Reply]
RLane420 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@bbb7, 13-3-3 he must be the problem
[Reply]
dailymehow Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
@RLane420,
If only it had been 16-3-0. Oh wait, Lokti doesn’t fit into 4-on-4 play and he doesn’t have the hands for the shootout.
Player-X Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
@bbb7, super helpul, cool to know, thank you very much
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:53 am
@bbb7, 9 days why?
[Reply]
As much as I understand this move, why not healthy scratch a player like Handzus… not just to possible send a message for his recent play but to give the guy a rest, he’s looked so slow and off the last couple games. Lokti brings a much needed speed to this team.
[Reply]
54FIGHTING Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
@Jstin,
The problem is TM and his loyalty. Does this team really need Peter Harrold. Really? We have Davis Drewiske already a healthy scratch every night and Lewis, Poni, Westgarth, Richardson as our forwards who see the press box so what does Harrold give us? Nothing but a guy that won’t complain and does what he is told. That’s a roster spot that Loktionov or Moller should have or should of had all year.
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
@54FIGHTING, Is it possible to place TOO much emphasis on character over skill?
[Reply]
Brian D. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
@Bob Bobson,
I’ve been told to look at the character of every ‘prima donna’ goal scorer in this league… They’ve learned from their day’s of yore. I’ve heard it first hand from youth league coaches and junior coaches. When the question of character comes up with certain players they always say something like, “Look at the guys you work with for example, character and work ethic isn’t always the key, if they have a knack to produce, we will put up with the bs.” And so they do….
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:08 am
@Brian D, I agree with you on this. I understand that the playoffs (especially) are where leadership, character and grit come into play but skill has to play a role too. Dean has even acknowledged that it’s ok to have someone like a less than stellar personality around as long as the locker room is strong enough to keep him in check. I think the young guys have grown up enough together where it might be ok to place less emphasis on character.
USHA#17 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
@54FIGHTING,
They will be gone next week.
[Reply]
raise your hand if you are surprised. let’s see – Loktionov in the lineup the teams scores 3-4 goals a night. he comes out and they get shutout by the worst defensive team in the league. sure, that makes sense.
if there isn’t a trade made in the next 48 hours this move makes absolutely no sense. if DL is working on a deal and needs the roster space then i can understand.
i’m not sure if anyone noticed but these last 23 games are important and throwing points away is not helping.
[Reply]
jayhay Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@Dave,
nope, just Marco Sturm. joy.
[Reply]
iekingfan71 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:47 am
@Dave, I agree, if there is a trade in place, then this move might make sense. I don’t understand why we boast about our farm system talent if we never use them and they leave us to be utilized by other teams. Seems like a waste. Give the kids a chance.
[Reply]
I loved all the debate as to why Lokti was scratched, but I think my simple sentence said it all…
———————-
wavesinair Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@Quisp, My guess? DL simply told TM that AL is going back to NH.
[Reply]
Quisp Reply:
February 18th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@wavesinair, Yeah, but I don’t think he is. (I’m probably wrong. But **** it.)
———————
The question now is, can DL pull off a productive move? Or will he stick with the VERY questionable Sturm/Parse combo?
[Reply]
I don’t like this even a bit, I thought he showed incredible maturity during this roadtrip compared to his first stint with the Kings earlier this season. He has nothing to learn in Manchester.
[Reply]
Dean better bring in Ales Hemsky.
[Reply]
ringo Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@Scaught, we allready have too many injury prone players, no thanks.
[Reply]
2hitnik Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@Scaught, I second that motion!
[Reply]
neil Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@2hitnik, third….
[Reply]
Brian D. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
@neil,
4th it!
JDB Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:54 am
@Scaught,
5th
[Reply]
1HKYLVR Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 10:39 am
@Scaught, dean will bring in a 2 or 3 line player not a number 1 player
[Reply]
While a difficult move, this was the only one to be made without exposing another rostered player to waivers. The only other option was sending Martinez down, which makes no sense since you need a roster spot for Sturm-a forward. Like it or not, we need Sturm in the lineup to see what he can bring in order to increase Lombardi’s leverage in the trade market. Having 3 rookies in the line up on the offensive end really takes away a lot of his bargaining power. It’s the nature of the business.
We’ll see Lotki for the playoff run. He’ll have learned a whole bunch more by then after being sent down with instructions to work on his game. He will be a full time King before we know it.
[Reply]
EJ Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Kristie, hey someone who gets it! Nice.
[Reply]
54FIGHTING Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@EJ,
Peter Harrold – don’t need.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
@Kristie,
There was another option of sending Sturm down on a conditioning assignment to Manchester until the 28th when there is no roster limit, then bring him back up. This was brought up by Token (I believe) as a possibility last week and I didn’t see any holes in it.
Other than that, you are correct.
[Reply]
Token Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@Cynic, Yeah, and now I gotta eat crow for it. Wow. I did not see that happening with the trade deadline so close.
Let’s hope Marco is at 110%.
[Reply]
Brian D. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@Token,
Are you kidding after playing a handful of games in over a season?!
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@Kristie, is it really that big of a deal to expose Harrold to waivers? players much better than Harrold have gone through the waiver system untouched.
getting 2 points in the Ducks game is much more important that protecting a player you probably won’t lose to waivers, and if you do it’s not a huge deal.
[Reply]
jayhay Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@Dave, he’s the guy i’ve been thinkin should be moved. UFA next year even if he is claimed, but youre right, likelihood he get claimed is not much. if it is for Sturm, i’m disappointed by the lack of vision on this one.
[Reply]
Kristie Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@Dave, You are still missing the point. Harrold is already a healthy scratch and a defenseman. Sturm is a forward and needs to be in the lineup. You have to sit a forward to put him in the lineup. Sending Harrold, Driewiske, Johnson, Doughty, Suderi and Greene down to Manchester still does not open up a spot for Sturm. You will still need to sit a forward. There is a healthy discussion to be made about the necessity of having Westgarth now that Clifford has emerged. Perhaps he would have been the better player to expose. But the fact remains there are holes in Lotki’s game that need to be worked out. This will happen with some tight instruction in Manchester. He has the desire and the ability to be a very good player for the Kings. I have little doubt he will come back stronger towards the end of the season.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@Kristie, All valid points. But face it, most people want to criticize *any decision* TM and DL make, without thinking it through……
Cynic Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@Kristie, I can say I see your point, but it’s not entirely true. You can expose Harry to waivers, which frees up a roster spot for some other forward to sit and have Sturm take his place. When Sturm returns from IR, he will occupy a roster spot, which is not position specific.
That being said, we’d be running with 7 d- on the roster (Drewiskie scratched + 6 d-) and no utility guy, which I personally think is a big negative, but it can be done that way.
Jason4Kings Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Kristie,
I don’t understand why you’re saying they have to take a forward off the active roster to fit him in. This is a rule? If so, my mistake.
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@Kristie, yes, i’m ok with that. first off, sit Westgarth. that takes care of one spot.
and i’d rather see Loktionov in over Lewis. use the same lineup when Loktionov was in and rotate Sturm and Lewis in and out and see who plays better. Lewis is fine but he doesn’t provide a lot of offense and that is what this team needs.
Sturm will be rusty, at best. replacing a guy that provides offense (Lokti) with Sturm is going to cost us offense and that is not a good thing. move Richie to 4th line center and put Sturm on the 4th line until he gets his legs.
THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@Kristie, Harrold on waivers would be claimed almost immediately. You may not like him but he’s a very good positional d-man wasted in the current system.
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@Kristie, i doubt Harrold would get claimed and even if he did we still have Muzzin, Voynov and Hickey that all could be called into duty if needed, not to mention Drewiske in the press box. better players than Harrold have gone through waivers without a claim.
zulov Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:16 am
@Kristie, This “brilliant strategery” will only increase the numbers in the loss column. We need goals and wins now – not in 10 games after we have fallen to the bottom of the devision again.
THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@Kristie, There won’t be a playoff run. Can’t win in the playoffs with checkers, checkers and more checkers.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, Yeah, I must have been mistaken about the THREE stanley cups I saw from those…what were they called….the New Jersey Devils??????
[Reply]
THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
@HockeyNerd, Different team under different rules that allowed players to maul the opposing team and that will never happen again in the “New NHL.”
kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:55 am
@Kristie, Thanks for some good insight.
[Reply]
BobKnob Reply:
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:33 pm
@Kristie,
I agree, as long as he is brought back up after that roster limit deadline and gets enough playing time.
[Reply]
I think this is a bad move.
[Reply]
With Moeller and Lotki…all the Kings did was score more and win more……Maybe Manchester needs both to win their championship more then help our Kings….
[Reply]
Let’s trade both Lokti and Schenn. Coach doesnt like them! (irony)
[Reply]
royalmonarch Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@Peter32, Lokti and Schenn arent going anywhere , they are part of the Kings next young core .. while Im happy to have Lokti back in Manchester .. and he will help the Monarchs playoff push , he belongs on the Kings and just like Martinez will see fulltime NHL duty before too long . everytime i see him play i see a player who is figuring it out , yea he makes some mistakes in the defensive zone .. but he will only get better in that part of his game with experience.
[Reply]
Ryan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@royalmonarch, Good point. Just don’t feel like sharing Lokti. Lol. Manchester will see a difference in him though.
[Reply]
royalmonarch Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Ryan, yea i wouldnt expect you to want to share him with Manchester lol , its all good .. i just hope he continues to improve , work on his game , away from the puck , once he does that , his offense will flow up there , much like it did for Kopi last season , once he figured it all out ..
CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@Peter32, Throw Moller in there too. Mabye trade all 3 of them for Randy Jones. TM certainly loved him last year.
[Reply]
Lotki and Moeller are plus and Lewis and Cliffy has the two worse minuses…..I know stats can be misleading but winning with those two and a losing record with Westy is not misleading…Also only 2 goals ALL year for Lewis and Cliffy not doing much better..So Cliffy fights..that really helped us last game didnt it???
[Reply]
THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@neil, Now, now. It’s not fair to see things as they really are. After all, TM and DM like 4 kinds of players: those from Philadephia, those from San Jose, checkers and defenders. No room for fast, offensively minded players.
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@neil, Lotikonov has nothing to do with Kyle Clifford, he’s wing and Lotki according to all is a center. Why not pick on some lazy, real lazy players.
[Reply]
I have a weird feeling something is about to happen.
DL is getting ready to pull a rabbit out of his posterior.
My stomach is all screwed up right now.
Can’t seem to enjoy “Hockey Day in America”
Time will tell.
[Reply]
Slim Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@Slim, Really unhappy about the Lokti move,
[Reply]
deadcatbounce Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
@Slim, I hope that feeling in your stomach didn’t mean that you actually had a rabbit in your posterior, too.
[Reply]
To quote Mr. Horse from Ren and Stimpy…
‘No sir, I don’t like it!’
I think Sturm has a lot to prove (At least to me anyway, like that’s important). Lokti was fine. Showed some unbelieveable vision in the games he played, in spite of his mistakes (Which BTW seemed no different than a LOT of the mistakes made by everyone last night…)
[Reply]
pitty Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@Cynic, You are correct sir
[Reply]
Puckn-A Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Cynic, MMMMMHM hog jowels. There is no dog but there’s a baboon!
[Reply]
Brian D. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
@Cynic, Sturm has certainly more to prove than Lokti. I know he WAS a proven scorer, but is he worth the spot of an up-and-comer who can produce and keep opposing defenses a bit on their heels…
[Reply]
not a fan. we could have used Lokti’s speed in yesterday’s game, and we can use it for the rest of the season. if this is just so sturm will have a spot again, i’m going to be pissed.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@lilwaynesimmonds, Did you really excpect anything less from Murray or Lombardi ! Come on, you and I live in the real world…most of the time anyway. OF COURSE STURM IS COMING BACK ! I will be shocked if Dean does anything major. I really am of the firm opinion that Dean will not sacrifice the future of this organization by pulling a “rabbit” out of the hat. But I agree with you..I am disapointed as well that the kid got sent back down as well.
[Reply]
jayhay Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@puck73, watching CHI/PIT, i’m reminded that Frolik was available for Jack Skille.
[Reply]
Zon27 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:15 am
@jayhay,
Both of those guys are former 1st round draft picks…who would we have given up to get Frolik?
That sucks
[Reply]
If this means DL is about to comlete a trade, I’ll pet my neighbor’s dog. (I hate that dog)
[Reply]
BUNK
Complete … total … BUNK.
I’m speechless right now …. unreal.
[Reply]
i think lokti has 4goals and 3assist
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I’m hoping this is part of something bigger, though I can’t imagine what. I’d also like to say, booooo.
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I can’t believe after TM watched a smaller quicker team skate around him on Saturday night he decides to stick to the hard and heavies. Small guys can be effective too TM not every guy on the ice has to be cut from the same 6’2 mold. Variety is the spice of life and right now the Kings game is very bland without the likes of Lokti. The team has been shutout 3 times in the last 13 and they send down a guy who has been putting up points for a guy who hasn’t been effective in an nhl game in almost a year. Where is the logic please explain TM.
[Reply]
THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@justlu, There ain’t any.
[Reply]
PK Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
@justlu, I get a kick out of how you all blame this on TM. There are multiple owners, assistant coaches, Hextall, Robataille, the Manchester coaches, and others who all have a say on these things. Lokti can always come back.
[Reply]
Well well,
Lokti will probably end up someplace and be a budding star while lombardi will get us some 3rd line retread so we can watch him burn out playing our 3rd man high two men behind the net offense.( all in superslowmo ! )
Something has to change. I know we had a good road trip but, This lombardiMurray Kompon machine just wont get us to the promised land. I’m still trying to believe but deep down I really don’t see them getting it done, This year, next year, ever!
[Reply]
linny Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@johnjuan, welcome to my world,which appears to be much more realistic than most of the hopes and dreams by others posting here
[Reply]
@Jonathan, Statistically he didnt do much better than anyone else that was brought up. I think this is the right move. He needs more seasoning and a little more grit. In the long run this will be good for him. As for the king….. Hopefully we will make a trade that gets us a scorer and eases the pressure for us to score. Good luck to Sturm getting back healthy and putting up big #s.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@before99, I am vey proud of you, you really understand the game well and will do fine in the game of life….Respectfully Yours Terry Murray, Head Coach, Emeritus Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club.
[Reply]
Jadedtool Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@puck73, Haha, he’s clearly thinking “the right way”.
[Reply]
kingfletch Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:11 am
@puck73, that was good lol.
[Reply]
This is how TM operates. Players that have skill sit. I’m not surprised by this at all. What is Westgarth’s role on this team? Clifford would be fine as the enforcer.
Lewis is the biggest waste of a 1st round pick. Keep the puck along the boards at all costs. Do something beside keeping the puck along boards and making waist high cycle passes. Holy Crap! I understand that coaches have a system but you can take the puck to the net. It looks like Lewis is scared out there. Scared to shoot and always passing. Loktionov could do that except he would actually produce chances. Put someone else out there to kill penalties. Lewis is nothing special. Don’t understand why people love this guy so much.
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@Rene, Westgarth is not a bad hockey player. He just needs to remember he’s a hockey player not an enforcer. And LA’s motto is not in the right order…Pride-Passion-Power should be Passion-Pride-Power. Power is the result of first your passion coming through for them game and your pride for not performing equal to the level of your passion resulting in power (in Westgarth’s case fighting but increased hitting/harder skating etc). Go watch the footage of Adam Deadmarsh and Jason Allison Westie that is what we want (again from the Passion-Pride-Power stand point).
[Reply]
holly Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
@Lime, Exactly. Last season we saw in Manchester that when Westgarth is focusing on playing hockey, he’s a decent player. He’ll never top any of the points categories, but he can be an asset on the fourth line as more than a brawler.
That said, in order for him to remember that he’s a hockey player, the message needs to be sent to him that he’s valuable for more than just a vaguely imposing body. Right now, though, the message he seems to be getting is that there is a clear division, you’re either a points guy or you’re there for your physical presence and nothing more. It was the same way early on in Manchester. He focused solely on his ability to fight (which is understandable given that it would be his primary asset in the future) for his early career and then transitioned into a little bit more of a well rounded player.
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@holly, Glad i’m not alone on this thought process.
mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
@Lime, you haven’t been alone all year; I’ve been Westgarth’s biggest defender, I think, until lately. If Westgarth is to have a future in the NHL he will need to round out his skill set. I argued a lot earlier in the season that KW needed MORE time on ice, rather than to be benched unless we were facing Scott or MacIntyre, neither of whom do I think I want to see Clifford take on. Of late I wondered if Westy had seen enough game time to be effective late in the season. I would have preferred to see him a bit more experienced. Regardless of the opinions of Westy’s detractors, I expect he is here for a few more years, anyway. I just hope he has the opportunity to grow into that 20-30 point a year player who is a responsible and capable checker, able to eat minutes and kill penalties, besides taking on the heaviest weights in the league. That is what he was brought up to be; I’d love to see him achieve that.
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RLane420 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@Rene, What are you thinking if Lewis shows and creativity he will get sent down to Manch. Or traded like Boyle, Purcell, Moulson. TM is too critical of Forward rookies. I really dont think he is the greatest offensive coach, great d coach but lacks badly at o coaching.
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Bob Bobson Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
@RLane420, This is really what concerns me. Yes, TM had success but that was when dog sledding across the ice with a skilled player in front of you was ignored. I think sometimes he and DL expect too much or don’t use players the right way. For example, TM’s main issue with Boyle was he did not use his body enough. I don’t have Center Ice but it would be interesting to see if he has started doing that with the Rangers or if he has found success w/o having to play the “heavy” game that TM and DL keep harping on.
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OJ Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:36 am
@Bob Bobson, I’ve watched some Rangers games and Boyle has certainly come into this year with more bite to his game. Even Bob and Jim mentioned that Boyle had made it a point to come in this year and make a difference. The Rangers were even thinking of having him start the season in the AHL. Boyle decided he wasn’t going to let them. Good for him!
The problem was that the Kings organ-eye-zation wasn’t patient enough with him. Maybe the messed with his head too much (the whole D position thing). But he came around and is the big player he was projected to be. But while he was here, he didn’t really show any promise.
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:10 am
@OJ, I also think messing with him by shifting him back and forth between D and C really affected his confidence and comfort level playing in this league. But I am glad he started to put it all together. The Rangers are going to have a good one on their hands if he can keep up his level of effort. He could be a gi-normous Thomas Holmstrom.
Detroit Sons Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
@Rene, As far as staying along the boards, you must be talking about Kopitar, Lewis goes to the front more in real time then Kopi could ever think of doing it.
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As far as I can tell, no one said anything about Sturm being off IR.
For all we know the roster move may have been done for other reasons, like a trade so many have been asking for.
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Slim Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@Token, I’m thinking along the same lines as you. How many times has it been
mentioned in the hockey media that LA is missing a piece to make a decent
run this year. Everybody see’s it. Does DL?
I know he has to sell the team to do it. Heard it!
Don’t other teams do this?
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Ryan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@Slim, He does. I think also Lokti got sent down is to keep him in LA. Cause teams can’t pick pocket other team’s farm.
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royalmonarch Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@Ryan, I dont think that has anything to do with it , if you remember , a few years back jeff tambellini got traded off Manchester’s roster to the Islanders.
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@Slim, The only problem is D.L. will not pull the trigger unless the price is right and the guy fits the team,most likely there will not be a major move this season.
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LW Anybody? Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
@Token, Everyone needs to get off the trade idea. No one wants any of our 3rd rate checkers, and DL won’t trade Schenn or Bernier or anyone else of any value, so we won’t be getting anything more than something like Johnathan Cheechoo. Man, that would be just sad if that one happens…
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kings better get someone who can score
if we make playoffs knock out in first
maybe not ever make playoffs
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Stupid move, just make a move Laimbo, jesus
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hopefully the Kings will make a trade for some scoring before the deadline , i still think the Kings are offensively challenged , especially with Kopi not playing up to his usual standards… other guys need to step it up as well .The wildcard is Sturm , but the jury is still out on whether he can help the KIngs this year or not given his long layoff.
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Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@royalmonarch, I think through this whole thing perhaps the biggest oversight is the play of Kopi. Dionne called him out and I think that is on the money. We cannot hide behind the ‘he needs a LW’ excuse anymore. His shots are not hitting the net and there is a serious lack of drive sometimes. He scored a goal with Simmonds and Zues but that looked like a 3rd line grinder goal, to be candid. We have three run and gun/ cycle and spin lines…we need Kopi to snap out of his funk.
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1HKYLVR Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@Lime, try something new kopi on second line
take the second line and make it the first line
why not tm likes makeing line changeing
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royalmonarch Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@Lime, its the same thing happening here in Manchester altho the guys are better now at not just shooting wildly but actually putting pucks on net and crashing the goalie, because of that we are scoring more goals .. i watch all the Kings games on Center Ice. and thats what i dont see happening with regularity up there .. the Kings need more accuracy and drive around the net and finishers not cyclers for sure.
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Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@royalmonarch, It’s true. Tough loss today aye? Wish I could watch the Monarchs via Center Ice. And speaking of tough losses, thanks Detroit for letting Minnesota grab a point from you…
Player-X Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
@Lime, I liked every post you wrote in this thread so far.
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LW Anybody? Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
@Lime, To sight that goal you’re talking about that Kopi scored, well, that’s exactly what TM asked for isn’t it? A 3rd line mucking goal? Go to the gritty area? So, maybe Kopi is doing exactly what TM IS asking, and that’s exactly why he is at where he’s at. Kopi is a dynamic player, and can virtually do whatever he wants compared to most players, yet in a system where he is designed to stay as far away from the center of the slot, what exactly can he do, when he is being told to stay high or along the walls? He is completely handcuffed out there, and amazingly, he is still about a point a game player. Pretty impressive for a guy on a team that can’t score more than a goal or 2 a game.
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Pesus Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:53 am
@Lime, Thats our system, grind it out. Kopi will never be the true scorer we need in this dump chase. I think he spends too much energy in our own zone. Too much pressure from TM to back check & play D
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Detroit Sons Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@royalmonarch, Scoring goals is not the only thing they’re challed at. Did you hear Fox tell Bob last night, “What are they doing”? You can’t score in a setup like that. I about fell off my recliner.
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THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
@royalmonarch, I say forget this year – the Kings staff apparently has – and go for next year. Trade Kopi for Parise, draft speedy o-men, let the skilled kids play and finally watch a team that is fun to watch. So tired of watching dump and hit.
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WOW! Completely shocked. Lokti was very fast on this road trip. It better be the start of something bigger. If not, here we go again! I say what I said a couple of days ago when Lokti was benched, BOOOOOOOOOO TM!!!!!!!!!! DL, I hope we bring in some scoring soon.
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Alot of buzz about possible upcoming trade, and the Lokti move is being made to clear up room. One possibility is Kessel/Kadri, for B.Schenn and W. Simmonds.
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friarking Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@Belexes, No thanks on that one.
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puck73 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
@friarking, Totally agree, I think that would be a huge mistake !
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royalmonarch Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@friarking, i agree with you , Kessel was nothing but a headache here in Boston and is doing the same thing in Toronto, i would be very disapointed to see him become a King.. if he doesnt score he is of no use because he gives you absolutely zero defensively.
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Cynic Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@Belexes, Dude, if that happens, DL will lose all credibility. That’s like trading Gold coins for Silver! Doesn’t make any sense.
Right Now:
Simmonds > Kessel
Schenn > Kadri
Besides, Jack Johnson doesn’t exactly think the world of Kessel. Why ‘Jack’ up your locker room like that (No Pun intended). http://ndgoon.blogspot.com/2006/07/espn-kessels-draft-combine-wasnt.html
Big N-O!
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Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Cynic, really? Simmonds is better than Kessel? i disagree. this team has multiple players like Simmonds (clifford, poni, brown, sturm) but no goal scorers. Kessel would be awesome with Kopitar.
i don’t love giving up Schenn but if there was a way to get Kessel out of Toronto i would be interested.
trading a grinder winger for a goal scoring winger is exactly what this team needs.
i would offer simmonds + teubert + first for kessel and see what happens. Burke loves those big d-men and maybe he’ll bite on that.
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Cynic Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@Dave, Really…
Kessel has been a 30 goal scorer (Last & This year). I’d love to have that. Now what is the COST for that? We have a core guy on our team that called him a ‘Dirtbag’ (JJ). He’s not the only one who thinks this guy is a pud. Kessel is a ‘Hot’ & ‘Cold’ player. Streaky. Hasn’t that been our problem with key guys all season? Why add another? How would Kessel mesh with Kopitar? How about our system (Which I’m not the biggest fan of, but I digress…)? I think he’d be a big bust here.
Overall, Simmonds is a better all-around player IMO. Well-Liked, Hard working, can score, still young, plays DEFENSE, fits the team mold.
Maybe I should have said better ‘for us’. Personally though, I still think the overall value of Simmonds is worth more than Kessel, simply because of what they bring to your team. I know that’s not the POPULAR opinion, but it is mine.
BTW, if I’m going to give up a Schenn & a Simmonds, I’d just add a 1st or Bernier and get Parise after he signs an RFA sheet for 4-5 years. He’s friends with Dustin Brown, a two way guy with sniper abilities, has scored 30+ the last 4 seasons with one 40+ season. There are better options than Kessel.
Just my thoughts..
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@Cynic, i agree that i would rather have Parise. i don’t know all the ins and outs of who likes who but they are paid to play hockey, not like each other. i’m sure they would get over whatever issues they have.
i’m not saying Kessel is the best option but he is a better player than Simmonds, especially for what this team needs. this team is loaded with guys like Simmonds but has no one to bury the puck. i believe kessel and kopitar would play off each other well. but i think kopi and Parise would as well.
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jayhay Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@Belexes, let me guess, Eklund?
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LV is the way Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
@jayhay, lol
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@Belexes, keep Schenn. Package Simmonds + ??? if we can get a 30 goal scorer. I’d take Parise over Kessel in a heartbeat.
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
@Belexes, Bad trade for the kings.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
@Belexes, Pass!!
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king lopez Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
@Belexes, And were did you see/hear this??
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kingfletch Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:16 am
Pretty sure the Leafs arent going to trade Kessel yet either, they gave up 2 1st round draft picks for him, and i dont think they can give up on him yet.
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Instead of criticizing TM and DL because they had to make a *decision* (and naturally we have to criticize any decision they make every time we lose), let’s think this through.
1. Lokti is a (say it with me people) a first or second line CENTER.
2. We *already* have (say it with me people) two CENTERS of this type.
3. To activate Sturm at this point, someone had to go. The only player we could send down without ntaking a chance of losing was (say it with me again people) ….Lokti.
Some other things needing to be pointed out: Lokti could have had a hat trick last night, and we STILL might have lost. He is NOT the answer at LW, he looks very uncomfortable there. Clifford (and yes even Westgarth) are staying NOT because they are more “skilled” then Lokti (of course not) but because they are the best we have at THEIR roles, Lokti is not. (Before you type your rebuttal you have to explain why Lokti should be playing ahead of Kopi or Stoll. Can you do it?)
And last but not least, you guys will never make your local debate team by arguing “This player or this situation which has NOTHING to do with what is happening NOW proves my point”.
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puck73 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@HockeyNerd, Good afternoon, my name is @nykingfan and I approve this message.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@puck73,
LOL
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Belexes Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@HockeyNerd,
A*
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Belexes Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@Belexes,
Even A+
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fsd1 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@HockeyNerd, thank you!
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LAPD line Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@HockeyNerd, Westgarths role is not needed. What did he do for us in the Islanders game? Nothing. Their team still took cheap shots… where is this intimidation factor i keep hearing about? If this move is just about protecting Westgarth from the waiver wire at the expense of sending down Loktionov it sucks. Prepare for a season killing losing streak, which if it means the end of Murray as coach, ma not be the worst thing in the long run. Sorry if i sound so pessimistic, but this move, unless it’s for a trade, has just pushed me over the edge…………………………………………..
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@LAPD line, I am no big fan of KW either. To say he can do *anything* better than Lokti (except fight) would be nonsense. My question remains: if you keep Lokti on the roster at this point, what are you going to do with him?
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
@HockeyNerd, Centering clifford and brown.
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@HockeyNerd, i agree that Loktionov isn’t a winger but he could be the #3 center (or #2 depending on how you # the lines).
Handzus on Kopi’s wing + Lokti in the middle is much better than Richie on Kopi’s wing and Westgarth in the lineup and it’s not even close.
plus, we don’t have to activate Sturm. from what I understand he could have been sent on a conditioning assignment to get some games in (much like Schenn did earlier this season) which would have kept Lokti playing until after the deadline.
the simple fact is this team is struggling to score goals and Loktionov is one of a few players that brings creativity and playmaking ability to the offense.
my concern is the Ducks – we play them next and if we ice the same lineup as we did last night we can expect a similar result.
the only excuse for this move is if DL is planning on making a trade before the Ducks game. if that is the case i understand it. otherwise it doesn’t make any sense.
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LAPD line Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@Dave, Something tells me Lokti, Sturm, and Clifford would be an awesome line…
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Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@LAPD line, could be – i think Sturm needs to play some games though. he’s been away for a while. why isn’t he in Manchester getting a few games in?
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Dave, I give you tremendous credit for arguing with facts rather than nearly everyone’s tone of “another dumb move by TM”.
We badly need a first line LW. Lokti isn’t one. Sturm is the best we’ve got. Sure, you can argue about the “first line”, but unlike Lokti he IS a LW.
Lokti, if he stays, would have to play on the 3rd or 4th line and coaching TRADITION (no, not JUST TM) says that’s where you want someone who can CHECK. Lokti has a way to go before his game is well rounded, and his future is NOT to be a 3rd or 4th line center.
All that aside, I’m not trying to argue 3rd or 4th line with Lokti on it would be the worst thing in the world. What I AM trying to do is get everyone to stop throwing their keyboards at TM and DL and THINK a little……
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Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@HockeyNerd, i agree with you on not just getting upset because we lost last night.
i actually liked Handzus on the line with Kopi. it gave some more faceoff options and put a couple of big bodies to take up space to give Kopitar some room.
putting Loktionov with a couple of guys with skill should be the priority. if TM wants to keep smyth-stoll-willams together that is fine but putting out a line like clifford-loktionov-brown gives the team another scoring line and a line that can bang the defense.
putting Westgarth on the 4th line makes the team a 3 line team. that is my first issue with TM. Westgarth is useless this time of year.
i propose these lines for now and give Sturm a conditioning assignment in Manchester and re-evaluate then.
Handzus-Kopitar-Simmonds (that line worked well when it was together)
Smyth-Stoll-Williams
Poni-Lokti-Brown – some beef, some bang, some skill
Clifford-Lewis-Richie – good defensive line but can produce as well and Lewis and Richie are good on the PK.
when Sturm is ready then we re-evaluate. but it doesn’t make any sense to throw Sturm right back into the lineup and makes even less sense to play Westgarth.
bbb7 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@HockeyNerd, Well put. Our main need is a LW for the 1st line and Lokti just doesnt fit. But Zus doesnt either, he has to go. I hope Sturm is 100% cause at 100% his speed would definitely help.
Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@HockeyNerd,
“What I AM trying to do is get everyone to stop throwing their keyboards at TM and DL and THINK a little……”
Good luck with that one!
TA Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
@Dave, Dave you took the words right out of my mouth.
During the lastest road trip where we had 13 out of 16 possible points (before yesterday showing) the lines were.
1A Zues-Kopi-Simmonds
1B Smyth-Stoll-Williams
3rd Clifford- Lokti-Brown
4th- Poni-Lewis-Richardson
Those lines seemed to be working pretty well as we 11 straight games with 1 or2 points.
Tied a King record i think. So why change it????????
I only hope that this is necessary move for a trade coming.
The right move like you said whould be to have Strum (who’s not ready anyway)go down for a rehab assignment.
Remember the roster opens in 9 days anyways. But before then we have VERY important with the Quacks and Wild coming where he could be a help.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Brilliant analysis and arguments…
If it’s true that you only have a certain number of keys you can hit in your lifetime, thanks for saving a few seconds of my life! lol
I couldn’t have said it or explained it any better.
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justlu Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:40 pm
@HockeyNerd,
I understand your arguement but scoring depth is a major problem on this team and it has become apparent over the past couple of games that Lokti at center has made the offense more productive. Here’s a look at the numbers since Lokti has moved back to center 4 games ago.
Lokti: 2G 1A +3 rating 0 PM TOI AVG 13min FO% 35 13/37
Stoll: 1G 0A -3 rating 0 PM TOI AVG 17min FO% 44 28/64
It’s not like Stoll was producing like a 2nd line center the last 4 games and he isn’t tearing up the dot either. The knock on Lokti is defense but looking at the last 4 since he moved back to his natural position he has been a better defensive player according to the numbers.
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Player-X Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
@HockeyNerd, Pure genius, simple and clear, correct. I would only add that losing Lokti until March 1 is really not that big a deal, anyway, they can just call him back up. Peeps be freakin’, as usual.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
@Player-X, Good point. You send a rookie down for 2 weeks and in return you don’t have to put yourself in a situation where you lose somebody for nothing. Maybe not the RIGHT decision but I just can’t see it as a HORRIBLE decision. But then again the Kings don’t pay me either…..
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LW Anybody? Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
@HockeyNerd, Just for the sake of arguing, I would challenge your 2nd point. I would say we have one 1st line center, and the rest are 3rd or 4th line centers. But other than that, I don’t think Lokti is quite ready for the 2nd line anyways, regardless of his obvious potential. Probably not until the next year or two. Besides, he’ll be back here after the roster deadline, so this whole point is moot anyways. I had been saying on here that Lokti would get sent down before Westgarth, cause he was the only one that wouldn’t be exposed to waivers, so I don’t know why this is such a surprise to people anyways.
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Player-X Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:59 am
@LW Anybody?, The idea that Stoll is not a second-line center has been totally debunked. http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/01/27/open-forum-time-4/ Use “find on this page” to search for Cynic and Player-x.
To get any better than Stoll would cost in the 5 million range for guys like Kesler or Carter/Richards from Philly. Those guys are aberrations when looking at second centers league-wide. Stoll is top ten in all meaningful categories, not to mention the game winners and shoot-out success.
If you then say, “Well, I want a guy like Kesler then” you would also have to explain how you think Loktionov is gonna do that anytime soon. The whole idea that Lokti is gonna replace Stoll is long-term if at all, and is not really a plan but is more accurately a hope.
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We need a proven LW, and I’m pretty sure DL will get what available. But I’m not so sure the only one guy can make that much difference under our current system. It seems so-called our system cannot use offensive talent effectively. Brian Boyle (19G, 10A, 29P), Matt Moulson (23G, 15A, 38P), Teddy Purcell (12G, 24A, 36P). They are obviously very effective under the different system but not ours. What if Kopi can score more goals under Tortorella’s system or Brown can be more productive under Boucher’s system?
I was watching Canucks game last night and wondering since when we haven’t gotten those kind of creative goals. Is that because simply they have more talented players than us? I understand there should be different systems and strategies for different teams. They should have their own team colors. But the system can’t maintain the balance between offense and defense, it’s not good enough or something is wrong. The Kings are now trying to use D-man to help out offense but it’s not working. Goal scorers must score goals. We do have goal scorers but they are used as a bunch of midfielders who can pass and defend but can’t score like a striker.
I remember when the Kings were in the winning streak at the beginning of the season, they could ganarate the speed in the neutral zone and attack with speed but now it’s all gone. Why? Could that be they are afraid of making play in the neutral zone or the coach forbids plays like that because they are too scared to turn the puck over? Don’t make a fancy pass just get it deep before you trun it over. Really? Then what you need the talent for? Nothing but hard work? Those players are not slaves. They are professional athletes and some of them are even artists in their own crafts. Don’t make them blue-color workers and waste their talents.
I feel sorry for those talented forwards we have especially Kopi and Brownie, and now the kid who has proven enough about his offensive talent was sent down. I can only hope the coaching stuff will find the way to use their talents soon, though, that hope seems really thin.
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Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@goldielocks, TM’s system definitely frowns on a player like Loktionov. Murray would rather win games 2-1 than 5-4. he cares more about how the game is played in the corners than in open spaces. unfortunately that means the Kings will be a team of grinders as long as TM is here. he has taken whatever creativity Poni has and sucked it right out of him and turned him into a 4th line grinder.
TM’s system produces a good PK, puck possession and low shots against. but it doesn’t produce many goals and we are seeing that. i don’t imagine Loktionov will see the ice much more this year as he’s not a TM type of player.
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Gmo Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@goldielocks,
TM system sucks period. I just can’t wait till he is done in LA
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poe Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
@goldielocks, I do not foresee TM changing his system. Maybe beause it is the only one he knows. Under him, players who were scorers b4 are now mostly on D duty. I also donot see DL making any apreciable trades.Name a player in the league who needs a rehab situation for a couple of months and that is who he will go after. I am disenchanted
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kingfletch Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:28 am
Im glad they got rid of Purcell, he wasnt good on the Kings. So he found a groove on Tampa Bay…a team that has Stamkos, Lecalvier, St. Louis, Ganger. Malone. Moulson i wish we could have kept, but none of us forseen a 30 goal scorer at the time, neither did the Kings management, or the Islanders. Boyle was one player that forced his turn around, he worked really hard in the off season to impvove, because he felt it was his last chance. If he didnt recommit himself he would be AHL lifer. All 3 of those players left the kings and improved afterwards, not like we traded prospects that were labled cant miss…
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flex Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
@goldielocks, ..agree 99%. Brown is not a taleted player.TM sucks and must lieve and would be better he takes Brown and Green with him.We have more holes this years than year before…
Fro was much better than Poni and Drago much better than westgarth. I said this back in summer and time shows I am right….this team got a lot of talent ,but our system is just
very premitive. We have the best core player than any team in Pacific ,but …TM time is over.Also,remember what DL said-promissed us after famous Kovi fail..”…We been in this businees for long time and we knew somebody always is coming up..(???) DID NOT HAPPEN.
TM destroyed our first line of KOPI WILLIAMS SMITH….to save brown. This was a year of experiment in expense of paitint LA fans,…about 1.5 months ago he said DD would be better next year (???) Next year….that is aproblem with this place…there is always next year.
I am not expecting anything good this upcoming months.We may be in playoffs with fast exit. Than NEW BLA BLA….This upcoming new bla blas would be 32.7 % newer than old new bla blas…So ,who cares…This is a bussiness , Good bussinees for AEG…new futball stadium is comming to LA. KINGS ??? what Kings ???
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Ya lets just send someone who can actually score goals to the minors. Brilliant move.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@Mike in LA, See above, and as they say “If the shoe fits, wear it”.
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neil Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@HockeyNerd, your response was good but the simple answer is…When Lotki was playing we were on a streak…dont change..play Sturm when the rosters are expanded…at that time you can scratch who ever isnt playing well. Overcoaching will posion you….That is what Phil Jackson is a great coach…Let the players figure it out….mico-managing is BAD…
[Reply]
Better yet Kopi on the second line and second line on first line
why not tm loves changeing lines
[Reply]
I just read a trade rumor about Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner possibly coming to the kings in a trade.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@Chuck, Who or what would we be giving up? Can you give us the source? Thanks.
[Reply]
Chuck Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Bleacher report…Brayden Schenn and first round draft pick 2011
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
@Chuck, Wow. Hope it DOESN’T happen……
royalmonarch Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@Chuck, that seems like a lot to give up , how about we keep schenn and trade the first round pick and a prospect , id hate to see schenn included in any deal , thats one that could come back and haunt you .The glimpse i had of him playing in Manchester , he was one of the best players on the ice in the short time he was here ,, great vision and puck sense.
Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@Chuck,
Shenn??? Sure, give them the next Mark Mark Messier!
royalmonarch Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@Chuck, now that would be good for the Kings depending on what they would have to give up to get them.
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Chuck, Would we still be called Philly West or would we now be Edmonton South?
[Reply]
Chuck Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@Lime, hahahahaha. Edmonton south, for sure
[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@Chuck, Keep Schenn. Sweeten the pot with something else.
[Reply]
Detroit Sons Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@Chuck, Penner has had 2 shifts in the lst 2 games, only Hemsky has been playing, but yesterday after he assisted on Hall’s first 2 goals he wasn’t on his line from then on.
[Reply]
LW Anybody? Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
@Chuck, Rumors are all about what other teams want. Sure, DL would like Penner or Hemsky. Sure, Tambellini would like Schenn and a 1st rounder, or maybe even Simmonds. The reason this trade didn’t happen weeks ago, is cause DL isn’t trading Schenn, and Edmonton isn’t going to give away Penner or Hemsky for Peter Harrold and a bag of pucks.
[Reply]
Brian D. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
@Chuck,
That sounds about right, a guy who spends more time in the training room getting treatment for some ‘body’ injury and a big, slow forward who could produce but won’t. Typical LA trade…
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We only scratched him because we have enough offensive weapons in the line up like Perimitar, and Casper Brown.
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We’ve all hoped a guy like Sturm could get himself healthy and help us down the stretch.
Well, it seems that he’s had enough time to heal and get himself into playing shape.
We’ve reached the stretch run..this is what he was brought in for. Let’s see how he does.
[Reply]
The Kings have more issues than finding a top scorer and making the playoffs!!… They have contract issues,they have players that they need to resign and a few not to resign.. I’ve seen the possible trades and IMO, they are too costly.. Losing Brown,Simmer,Schenn and high draft picks for a single will make them weaker in other areas on the team… they have alot of talent now and in the future,they’ll be alright……………
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
@kfan, This. 1st (late round probably but still a 1st) and 3rd for Versteeg? I will gladly skip those market rates. Also, what top flight LW is available? Lou is not trading Parise and guys like Hemsky or Penner are too inconsistent or injury prone. Booth’s concussion a year ago scares the bejeesus out of me.
I think we will need to live with the idea that this is the team down the stretch. Remember, trading away prospects for quick fixes (that’s really that is available) is why the Kings do not have a good playoff history except for 1993.
[Reply]
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
@Bob Bobson, 100% right The kings need to stop being the farm club for the rest of the league lets keep our top prospects and develop them for our selves like the Redwings.
[Reply]
iekingfan71 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:08 am
@Bob Bobson, The problem is that our kids are not making it to the NHL on the Kings. We don’t use them and then ship them away or leave when they are a free agent. Let’s get whatever we can for them before they leave us for nothing.
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:13 am
@iekingfan71, Loktionov is slowly getting his playing time just like Lewis is. Guys get called up if they prove themselves or injuries open up a spot. Harrold and Drewiske sit in favor of higher end players.
@royalmonarch, tough loss for the Monarchs today against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (Islanders farm team), Zatkoff was in net, the score was 4-2, i didnt go to the game . it was the Monarchs 4th game in 5 days, and 3rd game in the last 3 days. the boys didnt seem to have it today ,we are still 3 points up on Portland for first place , but Portland has 4 games in hand and plays a matinee tomorrow .
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also dont forget Brandon Kozun , the kid is Briere, Gerbe and Cammalleri small , but he has some mad skills and is just starting to heat up … he scored his 16th goal today and Dwight King , who is also progressing nicely scored his 20th.
[Reply]
@Chuck, that seems like a lot to give up , how about we keep schenn and trade the first round pick and a prospect , id hate to see schenn included in any deal , thats one that could come back and haunt you .The glimpse i had of him playing in Manchester , he was one of the best players on the ice in the short time he was here ,, great vision and puck sense. not to mention the kid knows how to bury the biscuit in the basket
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@royalmonarch, Well put, and well worth saying twice, lol.
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Loktionov to Manchester. I think this incomprehensible. Forget all you guys explaining this business mumbo jumbo involved in sending him down. All I care about is putting the best team on the ice. I think somebody said it best earlier in this post. They’re 13-3-3 with him in the lineup. His speed was glaringly missed in the Isles game. Don’t spin it that they were in the final game of a long road trip. The time they could have most folded was against the Rangers after playing in Columbus the night before. I hope I’m wrong, but this simple move could cost the team the playoffs. Their best chance to avoid this given the speed and offensive creativity of the team is hurt considerably is to hope for bigtime goaltendinding which could happen. But again, I feel this move with Loktionov is demoralizing to the team itself. Horrible Murray, DL decision. But then, we’ll see won’t we.
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Jason4Kings Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@Poorman,
I love you calling out the business mumbo jumbo. Like at some point we need to all step back and say….wait, I don’t actually WORK for the Kings, yet I am very busy solving even their office problems. Staples needs to give DL one of those big red easy buttons.
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This makes no sense. Put sturm on the waiver wire or conditioning assignment until after roster expands. Or dump Lewis
The whole “loktionov is a center” argument is nonsense. I’m sorry, he absolutely killed it while up.
The only way this borderline makes sense is if parse is ready without conditioning. But then, send down sturm or Lewis. A trade would presumably involve roster players going back, no?
[Reply]
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket, not sure we would trade a roster player to get someone. many teams are looking for picks and prospects vs. roster players. Edmonton would be one that would not require a roster player.
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Really don’t know what all the hoopla is about. I told eeryone weeks ago he would be sent down, now that he has been it’s a shock. Maybe I am just posting for my own benefit. Just like the power play.
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off topic: MIN lost 1 point, CHI 2… Let’s go MTL!!!
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outsider Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@outsider, I was to quick… CHI actually won in SO…
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Terry Murray is an IDIOT. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. He messed with the lines after we come up with big wins in WASH and Philly…and we have one iffy game in NY and he blows it up, scratches Lokti and reorganizes the lines…and guess what..we LOST TO THE ISLANDERS.
I hate this guy as coach and his “old school” style. Fire him. Please.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@Jay, Agreed, why don’t we just have the bloggers coach and GM the team instead? We are so much more knowledgeable. Here are some ACTUAL things that have been posted in the last few weeks:
1. Lokti should not be benched, but Kopitar should be.
2. Drew Doughty for Semin would be a good trade for the Kings.
3. We aren’t scoring enough Goals, therefore one of our leading Goal scorers, Ryan Smythe, should be traded. His only job here was to make Kopitar a better player.
4. Dallas would gladly give us Brad Richards for a player who has never played in the NHL and a draft pick.
5. Ponikoravosky should not be held accountable for a dumb penalty because we didn’t see the play, and after all the Rangers didn’t score.
6. Bernier should be traded for what we can get because Martin Jones will do just fine as the backup.
7. Bernier should have been pulled in favor of Quick once the shootout began. A cold Goalie off the bench is better than one who has faced over 30 shots.
8. Quick should start back to back games. It’s OK to overwork him and not have him at his best in the stretch. Other teams do it.
But hey, it’s TM and DL who are the idiots, right?
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Gold! Very well stated. Lets remember that thiss blog is for all “fans”- That includes the informed (see Dom), the statistically informed (see Quisp), the “passionate” (see quotes above), the old (see puck 73, me), and the young (see “fire him”, “trade that guy”, etc.).
[Reply]
mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:29 pm
@Michael J., and me, the deranged…lol
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@HockeyNerd, lol
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jp Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
@HockeyNerd, You’re one of the only commenters on this site that makes any sense. Thanks!
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:29 pm
@HockeyNerd, Thank you once again!!
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@Jay, he a idiot because we lost against one team so far in reg that why he an idiot wow
u guys dont blame the players for not even trying
I only see kopi line trying the rest was asleep
JJ let a goal in because he failed to take the body
The PP coach need to get fired my opinion
DL put up a good team in along time since its not winning a cup this year u guys are piss off give him a break it will come
think about next season we will have new legs and better players
if u guys cna wait this long i think another season wont kill anyone
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
“The PP coach need to get fired my opinion”?
Really??? Was it he who passed that marshmallow last night that led to the short handed goal?
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@Michael J., No that not it just we score way too much on the PP ………
NO DUH!!! what made u think of that???
Because it happen …..stupid everyone seen that soft pass and score
JJ could of stop it but he didnt,He didnt even do anything beside block Quick View of seening the puck
So next time dont try to be a smartas* to me okay i dont need it cause i can go right back at u with it
CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@Michael J., Seriously? You are gonna defend KOMPON? How can you defend him? Here are the PP stats the last 2 years.
2009-2010 – 7th in the league at 20.8%
2010-2011 – 20th in the league at 16.8%
The stats speak for themselves.
Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
Relax dude…
I’m just trying to point out that it is the players who score the goals and let the goals in. We can blame the coaches and referees all we want, but when it gets down to it, it’s the players who win or lose.
crashin' da net Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
@Michael J., Fire Kompon. Our PPP has been butt ugly for a long time. It wasn’t the pass but the system.
KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@Michael J., sorry to me sounds like u being a smarta** and i dont like that at all so sorry again
yea that what i was talking about the first time
JJ let a goal in because he failed to take the body,,
Kopi not scoring at all he too dependable on a 40 LW when he doesnt need it yea it helps him out alot dont gte me wrong
But a 40 LW scorer guy doesnt make Kopi score only Kopi makes himself score but he too busy worry about that LW when he can do it with any LW he has
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@KingsFanFTW, you are right.
[Reply]
absolutely priceless. 5 for fighting just performs at the Heritage Classic, and then gives a hearty “Go Kings” after the song!
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xeropoint Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@Belexes, That’s awesome. They must have been bood mercilessly!
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Slim Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@xeropoint, I’m rewatching it again. Way to go 5 for Fighting.
He’s a smart hockey fan. Might buy tier record now.
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Sparman Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:18 am
@xeropoint,
NHL.com has a video of the performance, with “GO Kings” intact. It ends just as the boo’ing starts. Classic!
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Am likeing this team alot cant wait for next season to see him up and maybe Schenn too there going to be alot of good players like Moller
We will make the playoff this year i got a feeling we will
Just not a getting a cup this year time will come for this young team
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The future so bright, I gotta where shades.
GKG
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Slim Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@Slim, That would be WEAR. Duh!
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Well Loktionov might turn into Radulov and ditch the Kings for the KHL and then never play here again. I wonder if Voynov will get a chance in an emergency call up this year? What is this team going to do without offense? Sturm is an expensive 3rd liner. We might as well trade for Hecht to keep him company. Loktionov is the only one recently who brought both speed and skill. Handzus, neither of those. As much as we all hoped Lewis would do something, he only brings speed, no skill. Why not make a move, unless you think Ponikarovsky and Sturm are the key to winning in the playoffs that was missing last year?
[Reply]
Ryan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
@Jonsey, Well, I have seen improvements in Poni since he came back from injury as far as skating wise overall. And when Sturm is healthy, and I’ve seen him, I really would not want to be the goalie. He gas a very deceptive shot. And pretty accurate. I think he had the best accurate shots at one of the all-star game if I am not mistaken. Funny enough, 1 month ago I was saying that I can’t see Poni returning. Now I think there is a possibility of seeing him next year. And Sturm was in the same boat as Williams was when he came.
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If according to the GM we are in year two of our rebuild…then wouldnt it make sense to have Lotki practicing and playing in a playoff race with the big boys…We are not going to win the SC this year so let Lotki learn up here…You keep Sturm off the team until the roster s are expended…and remember …we were winning with Lotki IN the line up so it wasnt like he was hurting us..he was actually helping us…(star #2 in one of the road games)
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They didn’t have much choice though… Sturm looks like he’ll be activated before their next game
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If we put a ratio of how many good decisions Terry Murray make to how many bad well it would be 1/ 99999 because we Obviously do better w/ lokti!
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You know who has way too many LWs? Dallas. We should give them whatever they want for Neal or Erikson. Maybe we’re due to offer cash and prospects.
Trade idea #1: Schenn and one of Martin Jones or Andre Loktionov and a first for Erikson
Trade idea #2: Brown for Neal
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
@Jonsey, NO to both trade ideas. The Kings should be trading prospects not named Schenn and Loktionov. Trade anyone not on the roster besides twose 2.
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Osaka Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@Jonsey, Brad Richards! Them move Kopi to LW.
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THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@Osaka, if all men are equal, Kopitar and Brown should have been sent down to Manchester for their lack of scoring!
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Scoring goals and winning as a result is clearly overrated.
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Jonsey Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@Bobby Scribe, More important are a full 16 minutes of playing and to play the system. Dump and chase people. Dump and chase. Be scared of handling the puck. Dump your problems on someone else.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@Bobby Scribe, Of course on the other hand you have to remember minimizing defensive mistakes, limiting quality chances and good goaltending never won anybody any cups either. Don’t forget not to give credit where credit is not due……….
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I hate this move. Tm should know that he could bench certain players out of line up and put kids like Lotianav in there instead to show them there are young guys within organization who are ready to take their spots. And I am not talking about Harold or Drewskie.I am talking about any of 1st to 3rd line players who don’t perform to his standards. That would make more sense than sending a young and upcoming talent who is doing reasonably well down to Manchester. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@Leo4kings, yea i dont like it at all either
should of keep JJ and DD out of the PP together both Make mistakes dont need that
Two people making mistake doesnt make a good goal,,
Handzus and Smyth dont need to be together on the number 1 PP line
Lokti is a good player…..Sending him down to the minor can ruined him..Just hope it doesnt
[Reply]
Horrible move. Harrold hasn’t played, Drewiske hasn’t played, Westgarth hasn’t…well, uh…
And we’re going to send down Loktionov? Brilliant.
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@THEROCKNROLL80S, Take a deep breath, count to 10, and turn your caps lock off…..
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CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@HockeyNerd, LOL!
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Jonsey Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
@HockeyNerd, Hahahaha, I know right. And really, THIS is the tipping point? It must be Lokti’s mama. What made me the angriest? Losing out to Kovalchuk and then not getting ANYTHING to replace Frolov.
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THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
the guys’ father recently died too.
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Hockey101 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@Jonsey, They got Poni to replace Frolov.
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jonsey Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
@Hockey101, Yeah Poni? I thought he was a replacement for Purcell. Never scores. Is slow. Pisses fans off.
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@HockeyNerd, LOL.
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day off and a post about sending down a player to the minors and……….almost 200 posts!!!!!! We are the best fans!!!!!!
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neil Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@neil, or we all dont have lives!!!!!!!!
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Jonsey Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@neil, A little of both? It’s my weekend and I’m sick. I am just going to waste it complaining from the armchair about how to GM and coach the best team in the league.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@Jonsey, That is the problem, we are fans trying to be GM’s. If you want to be a GM you can’t be a fan.
Osaka Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@neil, For the last few days Lokti has been an emotional issue, lots of post when Rich throws something up about him.
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You guys don’t get it, they couldn’t send down Harrold or Drewiske, that would leave the Kings thin on available D. Manchester is on the other side of the country, you are one injury away from trouble being short on D. No matter how much everyone hates Westgarth TM and DL like him and he isn’t going anywhere. Lokti will be back on the 28th when the roster limit is lifted. There will be lots of hockey left. The world won’t end. Every game here on out is againt the Western division, lots of chances to climb in the standings. This move opens a spot for Sturm or maybe DL is looking to make a move.
[Reply]
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@Osaka, if they send down Harrold they still have a 7th d-man. very few teams carry 8 d-men. we do because harrold can play both forward and defense.
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Osaka Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@Dave, Like I said it is a distance issue with the Pacific Div. Out of the 5 teams in the Pacific only Phoenix carries 7 D-men.
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Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@Osaka, the chances of losing 2 d-men in one game is pretty small. plus, a player could get across the country in 8 hours and be ready to go. it’s not worth sending down one of your better offensive players to sit an 8th d-man in the press box just in case two players get hurt.
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@Osaka, Harrold or Drewiske would never pass waivers. They would be taken instantly.
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Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@Lime, why would you say that? some guys that have cleared recently…
john mitchell, voros, ritola, stortini, m.smith, m.walker, a.kotalik
most of all those guys are more established or have higher upside.
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
@Dave, at just under 617,000 for Drewiske and just over 583,000 for Harrold teams wouldn’t hesitate. That’s a bargain.
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
@Lime, i agree with Drewiske but Harrold can go if he gets picked up. he’s UFA anyway and likely won’t see the ice the rest of the season.
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
@Dave, True but you got to feel for Harrold he really has put in his time and always plays hard when he gets the call. Unfortunately he just isn’t bulky enough to be that #7 D man. Drewiske has the ability to replace Greene if we need him to which makes him the #7. Harrold, given the chance, could be a great puck moving #5 dman for another organization. Come July hopefully the Yotes don’t pick him up the last thing we need is another driven King killer on that squad.
@THEROCKNROLL80S, for call ups, its a win, healthy scratch and then you are sent back to Manchester to work on your “checking”! What a bunch of bs TM and DL!
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The Kings are going to be just fine. It wasn’t Wayne, Mario or Sidney that was sent down. ESPN has them 6th in the Power Rankings and they are 6th in the Western Conference. They will make the playoffs and lose in the first or second round and all will be right in the universe while we watch Detroit battle for the Cup in June.
[Reply]
jonsey Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
@Hockey101, Why in the hell should we settle for a first round exit?
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rick Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
@jonsey, Very much agreed. How is it that a perennial loser like Phoenix reloaded ovenight, finished above us last year and appears to be on the way to doing the same thing this year? The Great DL Rebuild is a bit overrated in my view. Too slow, too conservative, too many mistakes along the way.
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neil Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
@rick, better coach….
http://www.versus.com/nhl/videos/five-for-fighting/
In case anyone is interested the singer does say “Go Kings” at the end of their performance.
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Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@Lime, lol what a huge **** you to Habs fans
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gmo Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@Lime,
take that HABS AND FLAMES
GO KINGS GO
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LW Anybody? Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
@Lime, Haha! I totally missed that. That’s pretty funny and awesome.
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Really, why not let Harrold play somewhere else. He is like 28 years old and never plays with us. Let him go.
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Looking at it as what fielded team helps the Kings the most, it seems a reasonable choice to–as Hockey Nerd pointed out–field a team with Sturm at LW and handzus as a centerman than to play Handzus at LW, a talented youngster at center. Looking at it as how Lotki can develop best, he’s still young, filling out, and gearing up for and playing big minutes in the AHL playoffs are good experiences for the kid. Its not like the Kings can’t recall him as needed. And its good for Lokti to have a bit of time to reflect on whatever Lokti learned while playing an extended NHL stretch. As Rich H pointed out several times, its likely Sturm will be back healthy and playing soon. Unlike raising the ticket prices, sending the kid down seems like a reasonable move. Kudo’s to the kid for making it a hard choice.
My view from the bleachers, Lokti has improved a lot from his 1st pre-season experience and in general I like DL’s stated philospohy not to rush the kids and to err on the side of more rather than less seasoning. I hope they can squeeze in a few games for the Voynov Kid as his AHL #’s are huge.
Oh,can the Canadian fans let this long suffering King’s fan know what the word is for fans who believe that any time the opposing team scores a goal or the home team scores less than 3 goals in a game, the home team should fire an NHL coach or trade a player. Maybe “Leaf Nation”?
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Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
@vicarious, do you really think Sturm should get thrust into a top-6 role after not playing for nearly a month? that is my issue with the decision. Westgarth is not helpful whatsoever and Sturm could use 3-4 games in Manchester to get his legs/hands back.
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Flames are up 3-0 after 2 periods
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They can bring him back after the 28th. No biggy.
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Loskingpride Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
@KC23, Aren’t there a limited number of moves you can make after the 28th? May as well have Sturm go for a conditioning assignment or just wait the 8 days.
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Token Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
@Loskingpride, Three non-emergency callups, IIRC.
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I really think he was bringing skill and speed. When Sturm & Parse come back…
Three Scoring Lines and one Checking line
Sturm, Kopi, Simmonds
Parse, Lokti, Brown,
Smyth, Stoll, Willams
Clifford, Zues, Richardson(Lewis)
Waive Westy and Poni
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number 6 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
@JMFJ#3,
At this point it’s probably too late in the season to expect much from Parse. He would spend the rest of the season having the equivalent of training camp it seems to me.
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regulate Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
@number 6,
Obviously with Parse, it depends on his health, and even though he was playing injured, he put up 1 goal, 4 assists, and was a +5 playing on the first line in a brief stint of 5 games. The Kings need a player who can make space for other players on the ice with their puck handling skills and speed. Those players make everyone around them better. The only players the Kings have that create space on a regular basis with lateral movement are Kopitar and Williams. Hemsky does this well, and except for his injury woes, is the kind of player that makes others around him better. Thats the type of skill level player we need. Others become better scorers with playmakers around them.
[Reply]
Ari Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@JMFJ#3, SICK lineup!
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ahhh yes..take out the one player that puts the other back on their heals… TM did the same thing with Oscar M… grrrrr
[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
@pokerdaniel, couldn’t agree with you more. Then trade them DL because they’re all about offense: Camillieri, Moulson, Purcell, Boyle, who’s next. Here’s 1 thing that no one has brought up. Both DL (San Jose) and TM (Phil, etc.) have been fired by other organizations in the NHL, and neither has ever won a Cup as Coach or GM. Flawed to begin with. How many more years do they get if we either don’t make the playoffs or are out in the first round this year?
[Reply]
Michael_J Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
@Poorman,
Who should AEG replace them with?
[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
@Michael_J, Luc as coach. Don’t know much about GMs.
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
@Poorman, Well, that’s a fair point b/c no other sitting GM or coach has ever been fired.
[Reply]
smallest center sent down, can’t handle things in our end.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
@Harty, if that was true we wouldve been losing with in the line up…..
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 5:35 am
@neil, not necessarily its a team game
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:18 am
@Harty, Lokti is a plus player, that arguement doesnt hold water
[Reply]
Too bad Oscar is so small. If his shot were better no one would care a la St. Louis, but unfortunately he looks more like Pavel Rosa.
[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:22 pm
@jonsey, But the do these guys ever get much of a chance?
[Reply]
jonsey Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@Poorman, Nope! Like Moulson!
[Reply]
Whatever DL or TM’s reasons are for moving Loktionov down to Manchester, they don’t need to publicly bad mouth him. On Saturday’s game Jim Fox and Bob Miller said that TM thought that Loktionov wasn’t playing well and now they are sending him down to the minors. They did the exact same thing to Frolov by benching him when he didn’t score for 10 games straight in the last season when he was here. Both Brown and Kopitar have had similar streaks this season and previous seasons but they’re in the lineup regardless, with their ice time untouched.
If the bench space was needed for Sturm to return why not just say that instead of treating a player this way, he (Loktionov) has been nothing but good for this team and has been playing at an NHL level every game. Handzus and Smyth have both not been playing well recently Handzus with his lack of speed or energy and Smyth with being the last person to enter the zone on attack on most occasions. But neither DL or TM say anything about their play, take away ice time, scratch them from a game, or send them to Manchester.
If you remember when DL sent Schenn back to the minors the Kings started their losing streak after they had started so well. I think that the team either see what DL and TM are doing to players like Schenn and Loktionov and get demoralized, or they stop playing to spite their coaches. If you’ve been an avid reader of this site and its comments as I am and have been, you would remember that when it was announced that TM was going to be coaching we had several Philly fans come on here and say that their Flyers’ players were saying on the NHL Network that they didn’t like playing for him and they fired him as a result. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same thing is happening here.
[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
@TheAcaciaStrain, Interesting, hadn’t heard that dude.
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KC23 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 6:08 am
@TheAcaciaStrain, Diffence being, Froloaf actually wasn’t playing well. Loktionov didn’t look too bad to me.
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TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:36 am
@KC23,
Frolov wasn’t playing any worse than Handzus is now, or Smyth, or Kopitar in the earlier parts of this season.
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Anze Kopitar: 3 goals in past 30 games
Dustin Brown: 3 goals in past 24 games
Justin Williams: 6 goals in past 25 games
Ryan Smyth: 5 goals in past 22 games.
Jarret Stoll: 8 goals in past 35 games.
Michal Handzus: 6 goals in past 48 games
Stole this from another thread. my bad..
It speaks volumes tho
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Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
@Slim, It’s a good thing I have a beer in my hand or that would have been really depressing.
[Reply]
friarking Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
@Slim,
Sturm: 4 goals in 15 games
Loktionov: 4 goals in 19 games.
[Reply]
xeropoint Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
@Slim, I posted something similar recently and got flamed for “using one stat and throwing out others” to support my argument.
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Slim Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
@xeropoint, I guess the truth hurts.
“you can’t handle the truth”.
It is what it is and other stats don’t matter.
WE are not putting the puck in the net and as I
posted below no matter how good we are defensively
we have to get better in scoring. Period…
At least we are on the same page..
[Reply]
Alberto Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
@Slim, They are not playing because it does not matter.
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So Lokti goes down. Now I realized watching the Isles game that there was at least one player on two of our top three lines (Cliffy and Richardson) who were highly unlikely to score, plus not terribly offensive minded players (at this point at least, not saying that Clifford can’t become one). So really what does that do for the team’s offense.
I don’t know, they had trouble scoring before and at least Loktionov brings the element of skill which is sorely missing from all of our forwards except Kopi and to a certain extent JW.
That will clearly not get it done if they do make the playoffs. Allowing an opposing team to concentrate on only one or two of your forwards limits your options.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
@number 6, Lewis and Westy dont score either…
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Alberto Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
@neil, That is correct. Lombardi is behind every move, and Leiweke is behind every Lombardi move. This all about not willing to spend a few $mil on a better player. But publicly humilating Russian players Frolov, Ponti and now Locti is not acceptable. This is why core players are not playing.
[Reply]
Player-X Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:06 am
@Alberto, preposterous thinking…They are paying for Sturm and he was a longshot to contrubute meaningfully, plus Loktionov is already under contract and keeping him with the Kings would have had zero financial impact.
TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:38 am
@Alberto,
You’re right it’s because Staples Center is filled every night so why worry about spending the extra millions to grab a good player
Has anyone mentioned that TM doesn’t move the players. Dean does.
I read through about 50 comments and people are laying their opinions of this all on Murray.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
@Gary Livingston, Iam sure if Murray wanted him here that the gm would be ok with that….whey comunicate….or they should….
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It’s pretty funny that there are over 200 posts about Lokti getting sent down. He’ll be back in a week, so what’s all the hub-bub?
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Something has to be said about our defensive system.Yes it keeps our GA down
but when we meet a fast offensive team with creativity, they will find ways
to put pucks in our net..eg Isles..Without a better balance we will constantly
be fighting an uphill battle. Yes our goalscorers have been quiet for quite awhile
as witnessed in above thread. Do we battle it out waiting for this to get better.?.
Do we pick up a new piece? I love this team and will as a fan stick by it.
Was putting down Lokti a smart move. I’m not a GM and don’t know what his
plan is. I just hope it’s a good one….
[Reply]
@EJHradek_ESPN EJ what’s your expertise say about the Kings? Is Hemsky/Penner really the right fit?Or do you see something else progressing?
Legend_Lime_32 Message
Response from @EJHradek Kings are working on several fronts. they will make a deal … maybe a big one. watching and waiting …
[Reply]
Guss Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
@Lime, i love hearing rumors! But suck at finding them :p, rhanks for posting
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Bob Bobson Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
@Lime, Was this a tweet? Nice that he responds to these. Would be very surprised to see DL make a huge trade b/c those usually involve picks or propsects, two things he loves to hoard.
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@Bob Bobson, lol True.
Ya EJ is a real classy dude. Responds to as many tweets as he can as long as they’re not all about one team. I’m sure throwing in a Western conference team gives him a break from the Eastern conference grind he goes through daily.
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
@Lime, Yah and 98% are probably Leafs fans
ColoKingFan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
@Lime, in 10 minutes of searching i can attach the kings to these players:
Kovalev, Richards, Penner, Hemsky, Booth, Kessel, some random player from Montreal, and a few more… just rumors.
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:12 am
@ColoKingFan, Lots of question marks there. If there is a trade it will be probably be a minor one like getting Modin last year.
[Reply]
I hate getting shut out by goalies who have “no photo” when you click on their profile.
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Jay Go LA Kings Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@Scot,
He will now, cause he shut out the Kings.
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Scot Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
@Jay Go LA Kings,
Haha, yeah seriously..
“Hey Al, would you mind coming in 15 minutes early tomorrow? TSN is requesting a photo to put next to your name after your shutout the other day.”
We might have given him an official NHL job.
Ok, he earned it.
But let’s get some more traffic in front of the net, boys.
[Reply]
Bob Bobson Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
@Scot, Like pouring salt on an open wound.
[Reply]
jason Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
@Scot, i bet montoya becomes a #1 starter in the nhl… Hes a #1 draft like bernier and the games hes played in the NHL hes looked awesome… I am surprised islanders havent used him yet.. I think he will be their guy from this point on
[Reply]
It’s like a trainwreck in here, when there are no new topics to discuss. Enjoy your day off, Rich but I don’t think this is good for everyones sanity!
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
@xeropoint, Much frustration in the fan base and you cant blame people for being frustrated,So close yet so far away from the goal of a Stanley Cup Championship.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@xeropoint,
Sheeple always brake for train wrecks:)
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I smell a trade brewing… this doesn’t make any sense if a trade doesn’t happen. I wouldn’t mind seeing harrold go he doesn’t do much when he is in the line up.
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THEROCKNROLL80S Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Have you seen Harrold play? Perhaps not.
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jason Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
@Nick, i just watch an interview with DL, i doubt he will trade anyone by the way he talks… Honestly we have the skill, just not the coaching to use the skill… Look at Devils, they get their old coach back who is Defensively minded and they start scoring more.. Kovalchuck is now putting up points and devils are winning. I had faith in murray early on but with all the line changes there will never be chemistry
[Reply]
This move, and the response to it, are indicative of the larger problem. Could Lotki use more seasoning in the minors? Perhaps. Did he get exposed a bit defensively? Yes. With Sturm coming back, did it become a numbers game? Probably. Is it a bad move? All things being equal, yes. But, the bigger issue is that we’re so up in arms in the first place about sending down a kid with little track record in the NHL other than a good run of about the last 10 games. If the veterans on the roster were actually performing to expectations, this wouldn’t even be an issue. But because the Top 6 forwards aren’t scoring, and Doughty and JJ aren’t getting it done from the blueline, and DL seems unwilling or unable to make a move, the system has been exposed–and badly–for its outmoded dump and chase style with a roster that is not suited for it in the first place, especially against quicker, more offensively-minded teams. Lotki’s presence–and now absence–on the roster only magnifies this problem. And having Sturm back in the line-up won’t do a damn thing to change anything.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
@ziggy, Great Post. You hit on all the Kings Major Problems. Top 6 not scoring, D-men not scoring, and a no offense system. Once again, great post.
[Reply]
Slim Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:03 pm
@ziggy, Exactly what i said earlier but perhaps more eloquently
We have bigger problems than the kid being sent down but I
will miss his play it made watching more exciting.
That is what’s missing with the Kings. This system is borderline
boring. I wonder how the players actually feel.
[Reply]
TA Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
@ziggy, Great post the only thing I would add is a HUGH weekness of this team a effective PP. TM has changed lines so much this year but they haven’t yet to change the PP system that hasn’t worked all year. There’s no movement, very preditable, lazy passes and the only shots we get are from the point 50 feet away. Effective teams have players moving and creating open lanes and finding back door and quality chances.
[Reply]
jason Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
@ziggy, great post but i think DD and Johnson are putting up decent points.. Its bad when they have more than half the forwards lol
[Reply]
red49er Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
@ziggy, good point. best so far that didnt take a 1000 words.
[Reply]
Want another rumor?
http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2011/02/20/avs-now-with-five-centers-whos-going-to-go/6559/
read that
[Reply]
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
@Lime, What a joke of a trade, i will be glad when the trade deadline is passed.
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
@Bkrs-Bud, amen
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CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
@Lime, How does that trade help us? Stastny and Galiardi for Johnson, Bernier,and Stoll. NO THANK YOU. Not in a million years.
[Reply]
ColoKingFan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
@Lime, stastny is a beast, galliardi is hurt… thats giving waaaaaay too much. besides JJ just signed… im filing that one under ridiculous.
[Reply]
ColoKingFan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
@Lime, ALSO, the avs just locked stastny up for something like 8 years… thats so absurd.
[Reply]
Goring 19 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
@Lime, that article made me laugh.
[Reply]
jayhay Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
@Goring 19, the part that made me laugh was that Dater, the reporter, who writes locally in Denver but does other stuff for VS.com, said HE wouldn’t make that deal if he was the GM—- from the Avalanche perspective!!! WHAT????
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
@Lime, Ya well by the way DL drafts I think going after 2 centers would be a terrible strategy.
[Reply]
Dave Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
@Lime, that writer does realize that Stoll is a center, no? his whole point is that they have 5 centers and need to trade one so they trade Stastny. i wonder how some of these guys have a job.
[Reply]
ColoKingFan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
@Dave,
i have a phrase i like to use – in the age of 34 hour news, it has never been harder to find journalistic integrity – sports (and particularly blogs about rumors, are no exception.
[Reply]
ColoKingFan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@ColoKingFan, 24 NOT 34.
CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@Dave, I posted that same type of comment on the page the rumor was on. Some bloggers just don’t have any idea about anything. I’m so glad Rich doesn’t post insane trade rumors like that one.
[Reply]
TheRussianKing Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:11 am
@CB14, I did find a few fresh rumors that claim the Avs really want Bernier. Didnt mention Stolly or picks but they’re willing to throw in a package for Bernier. I dont really know what to think of that. He’s been inconsistent as of late and the Shootout at NYR was really tough to watch. If they had someone or even a package of promising scorers that would be different. Duchene for Bernier? Idk, maybe its just trade fever getting to me.
Ok, lewis, handzus, stoll and kopi play center. Lewis and handzus are the lowest in my opinion. Murray will not let these guys go because they are defensive. Handzus and Lewis are two of the kings top penalty killers and Handzus is used on powerplays. Lewis is probably liked because hes responsble defensively. I think murray likes this from a 4th liner.
Also everyone is bagging on sturm but dont worry, he put up decent points when he played this season with kings. More than Loktionov. Hes a natural let wiinger so he fits well on the number 1 line. I honestly think he will be hurt again soon and lokti wll come up.
If i were coaching lokti, moller and schenn would be in. I would sacrifice the D for some more offensive talent. Guys like Handzus, Simmons, lewis have been dissapointing and not putting up points.
[Reply]
accepting all your, “gee colokingfan, you suck for questioning TM” comments at this time.. go ahead, i’ll wait.
[Reply]
ColoKingFan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
@ColoKingFan, if lokti isn’t traded this is shocking.. something has to be up.
[Reply]
ColoKingFan Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
@ColoKingFan,
ignore the last bit, i had a few margs and got stuck between thoughts… thats jibberish.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
@ColoKingFan, I like how you posted a comment, then responded to your own comment, then responded to your response. LMAO. Those margaritas must be pretty strong. LOL
ColoKingFan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 12:01 am
@CB14, 4 parts booze, 3 parts non-booze… had 3 doubles, not a great idea… head.. owwwww.
my lines
sturm-kopi-moller
parse-schenn-williams
smyth-stoll-brown
(poni)handzus-lokti-simmons
some players i could care less if they play
mitchell-doughty
scuderi-johnson
greene-martinez
its hard because kings have so many centers… Some options may to be try lewis on a wing.. Hes quick and maybe with kopi he puts some in.. If Schenn and lokti are kings future then that creates a problem for stoll, handzus and moller unless someone starts playing wing.. Moller is good wherever he plays..
If kings arent going to use harold or drewiske there is no point in keeping them. Muzzin and hickey could come up and do just fine.. Muzzin already proved himself and physical and pretty solid.
[Reply]
Token Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:29 am
@jason, Funny that Dallas has a truckload of good LW and few centers to fill the roster.
Too bad we don’t have trade mojo with the stars. Big wingers like Benn and Neil are attractive options but alas, we just don’t have the caliber of center to reciprocate.
Most of our available centers are 3-4 line type right now.
[Reply]
eklund has Schenn to Toronto, in case you needed a laugh.
although i did read that they were shopping kessel around… also apparently, according to the same “journalist” the kings like Josh Bailey.
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There may be something about the Peter Harrold situation that some people might not be thinking of. Firstly, he’ll be a UFA at the end of the season and most likely not offered a contract by the Kings, hence losing him to waivers if he were to be sent down isn’t really an issue. The bigger issue could be that Harrold is on a one-way contract and the Kings would have to pay him his NHL salary were he unclaimed, so it makes more sense to keep him with the team as a practice guy and healthy scratch. The Kings save money this way, and the more money AEG saves on the Kings the more they can put toward getting a frigging football team in L.A.
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
February 20th, 2011 at 11:45 pm
@deadcatbounce, Business is always first.
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cmon guys you blame the loss on sitting loki? the whole team played like garbage! no tape to tape passes or at least a string of them. loki is not strong enough yet to play down on the boards. loki is a great player just needs to get some more strength. a trade will be coming or we are doomed
[Reply]
Let’s see if Loktionov comes right back up as soon the rosters expand. In other words, 4 or 5 games back down in Manchester and then right back to the Kings.
Sturm has to get going again and needs to play. But Loktionov also needs to play and not just sit. So in a way it does make sense since Lokti doesn’t have to pass thru waivers like I think anyone else would.
[Reply]
KingTrojan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 1:26 am
@Pumpernicholl, Yep. Agreed.
[Reply]
DL potential trade list…http://tsn.ca/nhl/injuries/
[Reply]
Ryan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:56 am
@Hockey101, Hahaha!!!
Immediately saw the /injuries. Aren’t they usually 1/2 the price?
[Reply]
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@Hockey101, lol.
[Reply]
What ever happen to LORD Mincus or what ever his name was??
[Reply]
Meh.
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I haven’t read all of the posts here, so this may have been mentioned, but Loktionov was the only King that was able to be assigned to Manchester without clearing waivers. So with that in mind, and Sturm needing a sport on the 23-Man, this makes sense despite Loktionov, with Doughty and Stoll being the spark plugs the last month.
Having said that, this has to be a sign of a trade. There are still a couple days before Wednesday, so a lot could happen between now and the game in Anaheim.
[Reply]
Loki can come back up after the trade deadline. Right?
[Reply]
I wanted the Kings to go for Gaborik, thank god DL didn’t. Guy got a concussion today in the first period of the game. Sorry for him, but luckily it’s not our loss.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 9:26 am
@TheRussianKing, Concussions hadnt been his problem in the past.
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Wow!!!! Will anyone read this post? After some 360 Post, That’s alot. More then we have seen in a long time. It’s great knowing that fans are getting into this Kings club. We need all of us to stay together during this post season run. I like most of you loved Lokti. I was at first upset, but now not so much. The kid will be back in 9 days. Stop with all of the Doom. It’s like some of you guys write your best stuff when the club makes bad moves. I understand writing about the ugly is a lot more enjoyable. Most of us when we read a novel, we reach for Steven King or some freaked out murderous babble. Start something new peeps, read a prayer book or maybe some Zen. Go out and smell the flowers, look around you and get lost in the things you own that is free…….. Then come back and watch hockey get lost in the hitting , the slamming, the curseing, the blood. the race to the playoffs. Getting mad at TM because he’s the front man and we want his head. Hurt the other team, no matter what the cost, do all you can to make the post season and you better not miss or it’s over between us{not}………. After a kings loss go back and visit your ex-wife and do 1 or 2 things HAAAAAA HAAAAAAA
[Reply]
jess Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 1:57 pm
@kinginsaltlake,
ROFL –you didn’t have to witness the debauchery cause your wife made you watch american idol:)
I guess to a lot of people, it doesn’t make much sense to pull lokti from the isles game (and folks in here were pissed about that myself included) –only to see that lame experiment fail, then when TM fails he tops it off by sending the guy who could have made a difference down to manchester for 10 days.
There may be an alterior motive behind this, so I’m wait and see.
[Reply]
I sure hope someone reads this post……
Montreal is looking for young, hard nose LW. They need someone for thier top 6 to protect the little guys. Montreal knows that having little guys skating around they are at a huge deficit when the playoffs come around.
So is the Kings willing to trade with the Habs?? Do we have any player we can give up that fits their plans? Who could we give for what?
[Reply]
Belexes Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:16 am
@Harty,
On feb. 9th, the Boston Bruins exposed the Canadians for what they were. A small, soft team, and literally handed them their asses and bounced the embarassed Montreal team out of their building. When you go small, this is always a concern.
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:22 am
@Harty, I don’t think they have anyone we need.
[Reply]
I don’t post very often and leave a lot of the great analysis to the many who do post. I really enjoy reading the various comments. I am no expert on hockey, just an avid fan of the Kings. There are a few observations: 1. In the Islanders game, the Kings looked flat tired. The long string of away games and finishing with 3 games in 4 nights may have taken their toll. Yes, they did have a break before the last game, but fatigue is hard to overcome. 2. I was upset over the fact that Lotkionov has been returned to Manchester. With all the comments as to why, I can buy into that. But, when he played center he was at his best. An observation I had with both Lotki and Moller, was that when on the ice, they BOTH set up consistently in and around the slot, sticks down ready for a pass. Both were rather successful for the time they were up with the Kings. I have not seen any other forwards on the Kings consistently set up as they did. The rest of the team is playing in “Perimeterville” with little success. Maybe, I just overlooked the other players if they did go to the slot. Am I wrong in my observation?? It seems to be successful. In recent games Lotki was right on the doorstep for a rebound from a Clifford shot on goal and, in another game, also was on the doorstep after Greene’s rare drive to the net followed by a no look pass to the front of the net. My last obvervation is one that I thnk all agree with. The Kings Powder(not a typo) Play has to be sent to the showers.
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:24 am
@YooperSkip, I appreciate your comments, but…there is a reason they aren’t ready yet. They aren’t physically nor mentally ready to handle the physical play nor the DEFENSIVE side of the game in the NHL.
You can set up as many guys on this team as you wish, there is one finisher on this roster, and that is Anze Kopitar. Loktionov and Moller aren’t finishers either.
So, how can they win games? By playing defense and counter attacking…play puck control. These two simply are not ready to play that type of game. Therefore, having them on the ice, despite the fact that YES, they are offensively gifted, hurts you on the defensive side of the puck. Your basically in a penalty kill when they are out there because they do not have the physical strength to match what opponents can and DO do against them.
You want to see what happens when you try to just run and gun with teams? When you cannot physically match what an opponent is doing to you? Look no further than the Colorado Avalanche. Offensively a VERY gifted team. Not just Stastney and Duschene…but overall…very fast, and quite talented offensively. Defensively, they couldn’t stop most AHL teams. Why? Too small and don’t have the physical prowess. Living here in Denver, I unfortunately get to watch them often. Teams beat them the SAME WAY EVERY GAME. Put the puck along the boards, and physically beat the crap out of them.
Now watch Loktionov and Moller…on the defensive side of the puck, yes, they DO know what they are doing, but physically, RIGHT NOW, they simply cannot handle the NHL.
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YooperSkip Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:59 am
@mrbrett7, You are absolutley correct regarding AL and OM. I was just wondering why no others go into the slot. Yes it is a two-way game that the Kings MUST play. I thought maybe at times someone should go into that area, but at the right time (don’t ask me to define that!). We are definitely NOT a run and gun type team.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:47 am
@YooperSkip, I think they do…just no to the success we all would like.
I don’t claim to be an expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night…my opinion here. Speed…it’s something we severly lack up front with our top 6 forwards.
We have guys with speed, but there is speed, and speed with purpose. Guys like Lewis, Richardson, Simmonds, Brown…all can skate, and skate quite well, north south. However, skating north/south with purpose is quite the difference. You can be the fastest stater in the world (see Craig Johnson), but if all you are is a fast skater, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.
A good example is Michael Gragner on the Islanders. That kid can flat out fly, but until he learned how to use that speed, actually slow down some within the offensive zone, and play under control, he was pretty much useless.
As for who we have…eventually, guys like Loktionov and Moller, both of whom are very good skaters, in my opinion, will be fine in the NHL. However, right now, they will get killed out there.
kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:27 am
@YooperSkip, You should post more often. You were right those two cats always looking to get in there doing their thing in the middle. I also agree that our top players are on the outside looking in. bring the puck up the middle more and along the broads less. Thanks for your post. Lokti will be back in a few days.
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People do realize this isn’t Terry Murray’s decision, right? Last time I checked, a coach doesn’t decide who goes up and down.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:29 am
@mrbrett7, I know. It seems that everyone loves to get on TM. I say, Get of his back.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:41 am
@kinginsaltlake, I will grant that it is his decision to play him, not play him and how he plays him, but personnel decisions are made by Lombardi and Hextall…nobody else.
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The kings better not trade Schenn, Lokitionov, the team could be so strong down the middle of the ice for alot of years to come. Dont move players like that for rentals. I would love Hemsky but i would trade draft picks and offer Moller/Tuebert. Dont think anyone wants Richardson, Westgarth cause im not attached to them.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:43 am
@kingfletch, Unless it’s for a far superior center, I sincerely doubt either of those two are going anywhere.
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Save us from ourselves Rich: we need a new post STAT!
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It comes down to one word….Talent.
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Kingme20 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 8:52 am
@Kings in CO,
Talent isn’t what lost the game against the Islanders. The problems there were preparation, attitude, and effort. That game’s story to me could be summed up by watching Drew Doughty circle his own net with the puck with one hand on his stick. It made him look lazy and disinterested in whether or not they won the game.
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Does anyone have a read on Thomas Hickey? I’m beginning to wonder if we ever see him in a Kings uniform, or if he’d be more useful as trade bait…
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This system isn’t very fun to watch. I would like the team to open up and get creative. Great Centers make scoring LW’s. ( Lemiex got Kevin Stevens to score 30+ , not Steavens getting Lemiex pts) So unleash Kopi and put anyone on LW and they can take out the garbage. Starts with the system though so unless TM changes it up Kopi, Lotki, Kozun, Moeller are wasted on this team.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 11:49 am
@Puckn-A, Would you prefer fun to watch or wins?
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Puckn-A Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:36 am
@mrbrett7, I would take wins but even you can see that our trash does a whole lot better on other teams. Our cycle down low is awful and dump and chase might win in the regular season but won’t when a team has 4-7 games to adjust. Why didn’t those Philly or Washington Caps teams in the 90′s never win even though they were contenders? They were busy loosing to the creative teams that elevated thier D for the playoffs and were creative with the puck like Detroit, Colorado, Pitt, the only exception was New Jersey and the Dallas / Florida finals.
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forgot some U’s : u & u for the spelling trolls.
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Pure Crap
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Love the potential trade talk. For me, I would love to see Michael Grabner in a Kings uniform. The dude skated around us with ease and made us look like we were in a production of Disney on Ice.
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What an idot!! just shocked really
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Let’s face it, this is a very disappointing move. But not necessarily the wrong one. He does need more seasoning and so far Marco Sturm is a disappointment as well. Sturms a speed player and when you injury your knee you sometimes are never the same player. We took a flier on a guy who has proven he can score at the NHL level (for basically nothing), just don’t know if he’s completely healthy yet or not.
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Absolutely ridiculous decision.
By the way, our season-long failure on the power play continues to put our playoff hopes in jeopardy. How does this help?
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The guy will be back in 9 days
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he’s too small, leave him in the AHL
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Bad call.
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