The wait is finally over for Marco Sturm, who is on track to return to the Kings’ lineup for Wednesday’s game at Anaheim after missing 12 games because of knee tendinitis. When the Kings left, on Feb. 9, for their latest six-game road trip, it seemed as though Sturm’s return was only days away. Turns out, it was a couple weeks. Sturm was with the team during the entire road trip, but got on the ice only for extensive skating during and after practice. Now, Sturm will be back in the lineup, in a first-line role with Anze Kopitar and Wayne Simmonds, and I talked to him today after practice about his health…
STURM: “It feels good. Today’s practice, well, it obviously feels better when you’re on the top line there. But it feels good, it feels stronger. So hopefully it stays like this after I get some games in. … Hopefully, knock on wood, it’s going to stay like this. We did a lot of work, on it and around it, and a lot of treatment. I just have to make sure I stay on top on it. Even if it feels good, I’ve got to make sure I do my stuff, and hopefully it stays like this.”
Question: There’s been talk about how to get Kopitar’s production going. With your game, is that something you think you can help?
STURM: “Definitely. Open up some ice and some room for him. He’s pretty good with that, and he’s also good about giving it to me, when I’m there. I’ve just got to make sure I use my speed more, and create some room and chances.”
Also, Terry Murray talked about practice about getting Sturm back in the lineup…
MURRAY: “He has put a lot of work in, through all the practices on the day away from here, on the road. Practice days, morning skates, he got into the skating clubs pretty heavily each one of those days. I think he’s as good as we’re going to get him to, from not playing the game. Physically, he’s 100 percent. Emotionally, now, he’s hungry. I had a conversation with him on the road, about where he is at on the mental, emotional side of the game, and he’s hungry. He’s ready to play, and it’s now time to put him on a line where he has an opportunity to play his game, with good players, and then for us to evaluate him and see where he’s at. And also for him to play good for the team, to help us win some games.”
Question: Before you left for the road trip, you talked about getting him back in. Was there something particular you were looking for?
MURRAY: “You’re watching him in practice. You watch him in doing the extra, heavy work after the practice, after the morning of the game whenever there’s a small group out there. I just felt that it wasn’t where I wanted to see it to be, on the physical conditioning side of it. He’s coming through a very serious injury, but on the other part of it — and I mentioned this before, when we first got him here — he’s going through training camp, kind of mentally too, to get himself physically ready and emotionally ready to play. I kept watching and looking for that extra gear that I really need him to play at. I think he started to hit his stride in the last couple days of practice on the road. He seemed to have better jump, better stamina, better endurance. Now it’s time to see where he’s at in a game, competitive situation.”
Before eveyone goes bs on TM and DL……see, there was a top six left wing in the organization, go figure
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@fsd1, And the guy should be back to his old self next season most likely playing for some other team.
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GOKINGS Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 6:52 am
@fsd1, he better produce…
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OK, finally something to talk about
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I’m of the opinion that TM pushed him to the tendinitis. I think when he “started to hit his stride” he was responding to pressure by pushing it too hard, and the result was he had to come back out.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I understand what you’re saying, but if he did, it’s because we needed a top 6 winger to get in there and help Kopi.
You can’t be be babying guys when every game is life and death as far as playoff’s go.
If you’re the coach and the guy tells you he’s ok, what would you do?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@nykingfan, IMO, veterans know their bodies and when they’re resisting being pushed to come back from an injury, things like this are a concern. I wasn’t surprised, after reading between the lines in the comments by Murray and by Sturm when he joined the Kings.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:54 pm
…and more importantly, having pushed him, they were without his services for an extended period of time…
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Dominick Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, You have a point. Just before he went down TM critisized him publicly by stating that he needed to see more out of Sturm. I think generally TM was excited to have Sturm to begin with which made the comments so confusing. Sturm went down 2 games later (I think).
KC23 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, You might be right, but its still the player’s decission in the end.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@KC23, What do you think it’s like to wonder if you’re ever going to pay hockey again, and to have to decide what you have to do to please your coach?
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linny Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 6:08 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Murray “pushed him”? What do you think is going to happen during the next 3 games in 4 days? Maybe…let’s see…knee problems? He’ll be out before you can say “a trade would have been better”. Too bad DL couldn’t pick up a top 6 for nothing which is all he’s interested in.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:44 am
@linny, You don’t get it. You push someone in reconditioning, and you get problems. I don’t agree with you about DL either.
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linny Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 10:06 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, all I’m saying is that if he can’t handle the reconditioning how is he going to handle the much more intense games? As for DL…heMs just sitting around again while all the decent players are being moved. He wants a “Sturm” deal where he gets an injured player for part of salary or a “Modin” deal where you get next to nothing for a c@onditional. That’s his M.O. and it was repeated in today’s LA Times. The Kings have to play well over .500 to get in this year and it won’t happen without help!
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:09 am
@linny, He can handle the reconditioning. Ever had tendinitis? I have. If you push yourself to work too long for too hard instead of gradually working your way in, you get tendons that give you a lot of pain because they’re not up to the work. Stretching more helps, but it’s not a panacea.
The way he’ll handle the much more intense games is by slowly working his minutes up, which he HAD (and perhaps HAS) time to do. Murray pushed him to work harder and more than he should have.
Yes, we’re all aware of the King-hater’s article in the Times, where she attacked DL for not mortgaging the future for a second-round exit.
Michael J. Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:17 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
“… not mortgaging the future for a second-round exit.” Now that is GOLD. Only if some could unserstand the intelligence within your statement Kenneth. I don’t care who the Kings could pick up (save 99, 66 or 4), one player, or one new piece, will not get this team into the finals.
Pens get Neal from Stars for Goligoski
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CB14 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@DetroitSons1952, Neal would’ve looked good on our team. He’s 23 years old, and has scored 24, 27, and 21 goals the last two and a half years. That 21 was this year so he’s projected to score 29 this year. Too bad Dallas wanted a top 4 d-man like Goligoski. I just wish more teams would want prospects instead of NHL players. We’ve got a lot of prospects, but not a lot of guys ready to play in the NHL now.
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number 6 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@CB14,
No way does a team in our division give us a player like that. That’s why he went to the east.
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CB14 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:33 pm
@number 6, Yeah I know. I’m just noticing it seems like teams don’t want prospects for their players, they want NHLers or draft picks. We don’t have alot of NHLers that we can give up without weakining part of our club. We have 3 RW’s (Brown Williams Simmonds), that teams would want, but no other RW’s on our team or in the minors ready to take their spots. We only have 1 LW ( Clifford ) that teams would want, but I would hate to see him traded. We’re not trading Kopi, Schenn, DD, JJ, Quick, Bernier. I can’t see us getting much for Stoll, Handzus, or any of our other players on the roster. I just don’t see us getting anyone of significance this year.
bbb7 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@DetroitSons1952, While the Stars have been struggling Neal has contributed little; just one goal, two points in his last 11 games. He would be an upgrade for us, but at what cost? Someone like JJ?… (In Obiwon voice): He is not the left wing you are looking for.
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DetroitSons1952 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@bbb7, I wasn’t saying we should trade for him, although I like him (as a player) our big need is still the Go To Guy, which we don’t have and if we do I sure wish he’d show up at our important games.
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Well hopefully he sparks them on to a nice 3 game win streak, but I still think a move has to be made to help this offense.
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I just hope his hands are better than they have been, the guy made a lot of flubs. He was also slow on his first step, probably from both being rusty making the mental read and just plain physical rust. It’s not gonna be pretty, I think, for the first two weeks, but I really hope I am totally wrong and Surm makes me look stupid.
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Dominick Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@Player-X, I think 2 weeks is a fair adjustment period. I hope it doesn’t hurt us. Probably see Sturm bounced around a little between the first, second, and third line with added power play time as he gets more comfortable. In a perfect world it will only take 2 games.
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Player-X Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 7:40 pm
@Dominick, They say first game, or two, you play on adrenaline, but the next few are tougher. Like you said, we’ll see…
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They are talking on nhl live about DL giving up Schenn in a trade – but they are saying that clearly DL would struggle with that. I personally would be absolutely amazed if they gave up Schenn for anyone other than Zach Parise or Rick Nash and neither CBJ nor NJ Devils would go for that. They say that they’re waiting for the shoe to drop. Well, we’ll see.
Anyway, no way do I believe they move Schenn.
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puck73 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@number 6, Totally agree with every thing you just posted. You got to understand just how bad Leaf fan wants Schenn..its hilarious. The problem is…they dont have anything we want that would warrant giving up Schenn, not even Kessell.
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sid the kid Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:09 am
@puck73, don’t forget about jiggy. he would be a good backup to quick. or would it be the other way around?
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@number 6, i dont want to give up Schenn for a guy that most likely going to stay with the Kings this year only
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royalmonarch Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Im with you all the way on that .
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Welcome back. Hopefully he can step right back into the level he was playing at. strum is exactly what we need. The Ducks game is one of those crucial games during a season. The Ducks have a bunch of statues on the back line. We should get some out numbered attacks.
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Dominick Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@jet, If Hiller’s out they’ll have a couple of orange parking lot cones in goal to.
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sid the kid Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:10 am
@Dominick, macelhenny is no slouch. i’ve been to a few dux games and he was absolutely phenomenal, don’t count him out as a cone
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puck73 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@jet, That sounds good in theory, and on paper. The problem is the Kings offense and powerplay stinks, and has pretty much all season. As far as the Ducks go, you and I have been fans long enough that it should be no surprise that the Ducks, in particular Selanne, always get up for this game, especially at Honda Center. Even though the Ducks have struggled the last 3 games, I am 99% sure they will be up for this one…the question is….will the Kings be up for it?
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Datacloud Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@puck73, The Kings’ issues on offense are many, but I’ll just harp on one that seems to have been an issue for years: the shooting into sticks and skates. Brown is an expert at this, but I’m seeing it more from Kopi and Williams as well. There seem to be better ways to go about getting the shot in that position. In the past few games, we’ve seen Ovi and…whoever scored the first goal for NYI. Use the defenseman as a screen – get him backing up and shoot between the legs. Easier said than done, but it doesn’t take an idiot to realize that when backing off, the dmen open their stance at times. That’s when you shoot. Just a random observation.
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puck73 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@Datacloud, No disagreement there. But again, Teams like the Ducks, and especially Phoenix make it a point of frustrating, and beating the Kings. Maybe thats why it didnt come as a shock to me that former Phoenix goalie Al Montoya played over his head and shut out the Kings…wow, big surprise.
DetroitSons1952 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@puck73, You’re right and you know you just can’t keep a Super Star like Teemu down.
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sid the kid Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:11 am
@puck73, the honda center on a kings vs. dux game is a home game for the kings. i’ve done a real count of jerseys and applause. there’s more kings fans at honda than dux fans. that’s because all older men who are dux fans used to be kings fans who no longer wanted to drive 1.5+ hours each way for a game.
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pr0cess Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:29 pm
@jet, remember the islanders? and there depleted lines? o ya that is right didn’t stop them….
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 5:47 pm
@pr0cess, nor the Hershey Penguins.
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leo of pico Reply:
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 am
@jet, the ducks have alot of stautes on the back you must not watch the LA Kings their in mud check out green scudrie and mittchell the Kings are not very mobile neither and doughty he gets bet alot be honest
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SIMMONDS is a checker, 3rd line player and needs to be removed from the first line if the Kings expect any scoring from the 1st fine.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, Simmonds has been making good plays
Just Kopi doesnt shoot at all if he life depends on him shooting it he will be dead by now
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, agreed.
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sid the kid Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:12 am
@THEROCKNROLL80S, simmonds is a bit deeper player than just a checker. he makes plays, he can dump and chase, he’s got speed, and he can occasionally get a goal. i agree he’s a third liner though
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I really expected to wake up today and find out that the Kings made the trade they needed. Between Lotki going down and Rich not posting since Noon yesterday I really thought all cards were falling into place. We’ve tried Sturm, not saying he’s bad but he’s past the realm of superstar winger. I’m not saying we dont need him, he can play 2nd or 3rd line duty and create scoring depth throughout the lines. But he’s not the answer for a #1 LW and neither is anyone else within the organization. I dont think DL should trade Schenn, and it’s pretty messed up that all these teams think he’s that expendable to us. That kid is going to be our franchise if we let him blossom and dont let TM taint him into a streaky 2 way player and just let him become the scoring machine he can be.
Expendable list: (For trade power)
Harry
DD2
Poni
Lewis
Richie
Zues (We can sign him back if we really need him)
Sturm
Prospects:
Moller, Hickey or Teubert (not both), Muzzin or Voynov (not both), Lokti is expendable if he’ll get us a superstar in return.
This is not a proposition to trade all for one, but just showing who we can work with for a trade. If it gets bad enough and they want more roster-ish player then Clifford and Simmonds are the most expendable but that is for a superstar blockbuster trade (i.e. Nash, Richards, and a Penner/Hemsky duel trade.
Hope this doesn’t inspire flaming, but I think AEG is being cheap and not letting DL work or DL simply has no vision. But the issue is this team needs a charge and that can be created from the right trade.
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fsd1 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@TheRussianKing, I think you are reading way too much into the scenario. And you know the Dl has no vision is incorrect dontcha?
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TheRussianKing Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@fsd1, In terms of organization building and the “farm” he is a visionary, he built us a great farm, but we’re so overstocked on certain positions but not others. We’re loaded with centers and defense, I think we can strategically make a trade or two mixed throughout prospects, picks, and roster that wont ruin the farm. Notice how I wrote or but not both on certain scenarios. He has vision but not the kind that has been getting us good players through trades mid-season. Modin and Halpern, Freddy played good in the playoffs but even when we got him no one expected much. I’d like DL to make a trade that we can expect results from, even Sturm couldn’t be held responsible for our expectations. He had major knee surgery, moved into a new system with a ‘creatively color-blind coach’.(I’m copy-writing that). Dean hasn’t proved to me yet that he is the GM that will lead us to a cup, he hasn’t made those tough decisions or taken any chances, we could be the next Philly squeaking into the playoffs and shutting a lot of people up, but we need the spark of a good trade to do it.
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puck73 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@TheRussianKing, I dont think AEG is cheap..especially with a 59 million dollar salary cap that applies to all teams, I think DL is being extremely cautious.
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KC23 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@puck73, My take also. I think DL is an outstanding GM that doesn’t let himeself get caught up in the hype when making decissions … although he nearly blew it with Kolvachuk.
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TheRussianKing Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@KC23, Also I know we need to leave enough cap to resign DD because there’s no way in hell we can risk losing him to FA this summer. But for a GM to be remembered as a good one he needs to take some risks, Philly is doing it right now for their cup run, Chicago did it last year for theres.( And I dont mean take a run for it and over-stretch ourselves for next year where we have to trade everyone. I’m just asking him to take a risk on one explosive trade that can turn our whole image around. Kopi isnt putting up superstar numbers, he could but he looks bored out there.
TheRussianKing Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@puck73, Just because there is a cap doesn’t mean AEG will spend to the brink of it, they’re trying to privately fund the building of a football arena and still trying to entice teams to come to it. Word is they want 2 NFL teams in LA, so they are penny-pinching.
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number 6 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@TheRussianKing,
Russian King…. this isn’t aimed at you but just a general response:
You said ‘But he’s not the answer for a #1 LW and neither is anyone else within the organization. I dont think DL should trade Schenn, and it’s pretty messed up that all these teams think he’s that expendable to us. ‘
That’s exactly the same thing I think when I see posters on this site (and I like all you guys – don’t take it personally) talk about how we can get Zach Parise from the Devils. I mean What do you think the Devils fans must think when they see that?!!
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TheRussianKing Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@number 6, I’m in agreement, I’m not aiming back. Everyone is trade-able, that’s just the bottom line (Gretzky). Team’s and GM’s know we’re against the ropes and we could use some help, but they’re trying to corner us into making a bad-trade (Schenn-related) and DL is trying to stick to his guns and ignore our desperation to keep a level head and not jump to a bad trade. I understand this, but he can get Booth without Schenn’s name coming up. Rumor has it Avs will give almost anything for Bernier after they traded Anderson. I think the cards are falling into place for DL to make a multi-team trade that doesnt expose Schenn or Roster (outside of Bernier) I’m not saying I love or hate this, I want to get the general consensus if Bernier is expendable to get us a great return?
Go Kings Go
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 5:50 pm
@TheRussianKing, yup. But honestly, I’d take Richie off of the list and add Simmers.
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sid the kid Reply:
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:17 am
@TheRussianKing, i don’t think poni and richie are as expendable as your list suggests they are. poni is a 20-25+ goal scorer in a different system than the one tm is running him in here. he’s got more potential than we give him credit for. richardson’s our best skater on the ice and makes smart plays and passes and is also good without the puck. he will also continue to get better as time goes bye. i say keep those two and the rest of the guys on your list are expendable and on the trade list
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i think the kings should invest in sheldon souray? What does the kingdom think?
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TheRussianKing Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@chris2277, He would be taking Martinez’s spot and that kid has a lot of upside in his game. I wouldn’t touch Souray with a 10 ft pole for our team. DD is better than him, JJ is better than him, and Marty is doing his own thing and getting better every game.
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Why can so many other teams make THE DEAL and improve and the Kings can not?
We are no better than last year even though a few pieces are better.
We simply cant score when needed.!!!!!!!!!!!!
We dont have the sniper that a lot of other teams have.
Think of the beautiful goals this year against us by such players as, Jason Spezza , Rick Nash, Matt Moulson, and so many other goals made by our opponents.
If we had just a few more goals when needed we would avoid a lot of overtimes and have alot more wins.
The defense and goaltending are tops in the league.
We are so close yet still lack this key critical piece !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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number 6 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@hip-check,
I don’t think DL is gonna make a move just to make a move. Remember last season he brought in Halpern and I can’t remember who else (forgot name) but that isn’t what we need anymore. We already have too many slots filled up. Someone earlier on mentioned literally like all the good LW’s out there and said it didn’t seem any of them would be possible to get without giving up the farm. I agree.
Just cause we need to fill a certain hole it’s not like all the other GM’s are getting stressed out trying to figure out what and how fast they can help the Kings.
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king lopez Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@number 6, It was Modin and he was huge for us in the playoffs. He was one of the leading goal scorers.
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 5:51 pm
@king lopez, yup. But halpern was a no show.
fsd1 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@hip-check, you dont know if the deals other teams have made are good or not until the end of the season so please stop saying things like that. Because some of our players have flourished after being traded doesn’t mean that every player we have ever traded became some gifted player by just moving teams, Just as many hapless crappy players have been traqded from the kings and never made any diff anywhere else. This what if crap is getting so old! DL will do what he thinks should be done, period.
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DetroitSons1952 Reply:
February 21st, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@hip-check, Moulson bloomed because he was put in the tight situation and wasn’t stifeled by the type of system????? the Kings run with their forwards. I’ve seen more rushes by the “D” this season then any of the forwards.
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