Tonight’s game story (Feb. 24)

Posted by Rich Hammond on 25 February 2011, 12:25 am

Here’s my LAKings.com game story for tonight, with stats and video included. Thanks for reading…

Kings beat Wild 4-2

The Kings are scheduled to practice tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo.

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66 Comments

puck73 says:

February 25, 2011 at 12:33 am

Very impressed with the Kings performance tonite. Tonite had the intensity of a playoff game, and right from the opening bell it was apparrent that the Captain came to play and wasnt taking any prisoners. When Dustin Brown plays with that type of intensity the Kings usually fare well..nice game Dustin, way to lead by example!

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McDonalds Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 12:45 am
@puck73,

Yea Brown was fantastic tonight

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nykingfan Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 5:12 am
@puck73,

He was great last night……

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jet Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@puck73, You are right. It is amazing that TM can keep such a young team so well focused for an extended period of time. I am with you in giving props to TM and DL. Sometimes the best trade available is no trade.

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KC23 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:49 am
@puck73, Good post and I definately concur. Brown drew the penilty that we scored on and that pass to DD was as good a pass as Brown has ever made.

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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:49 am
@puck73, Once again…who is posting under your name?

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pr0cess Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:12 am
@puck73, As goes leadership so does the team, He sets the pace and they follow

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Howe 9 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:48 am
@pr0cess,
I went to the game last night & read all the posts. I see nobody mentioned Richardson. As opposed to watching it on TV, when you are there you can look at whoever you want. and the one thing I notice most of all was number 15. He is everywhere. He puts the pressure on. He has the speed. Even my daughter who goes to games once in awhile said that number 15 really hustles. So – great game Richie!

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puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 10:13 am
@Howe 9, I dont think anybody on this site ever said that Richardson was lazy. You are right, when Richardson is in there he will do anything to help the team with his speed and forecheck…agree
Cynic says:

February 25, 2011 at 12:36 am

Marco Sturm played much better. GOtta give him his props. More intensity and was on pucks faster tonight.

But I can say that for pretty much everyone tonight. Did you all notice the seriousness on Doughty’s face right before the game in his interview with Heidi? You just knew it was gonna go off.

Brown was a monster tonight. It is the game we have been asking him to play for a while now and look what happened. When he plays his game, we become a deadly team because he does the gritty things that opens up space for others. VERY NICE WORK BROWNIE!

The only things I could really complain about are little things. A few breakdowns in coverage like on Minnys first goal, sloppy face-offs at times, etc. Overall though, the neutral zone was pretty well covered all night and gap control was solid.

HUGE Kill at the end. Smytty needs to buy the boys dinner for that one.

2 points at a time boys. Colorado is now your worst enemy. Take ‘em out!

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puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 12:45 am
@Cynic, Great post. You are right about Smyth, that was the 2nd worst penalty of the season only behind Ponikerovsky’s gem at MSG.

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Banez81 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 7:30 am
@puck73,

Actually, in Smyth’s defense, I thought that looked like a blatant dive. Look at the replay. I’m sure that Smyth is a strong guy but there is no way he can lift both legs out from under a guy with one hand on his stick from an awkward angle.

But that’s just my humble opinion.

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fsd1 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:30 am
@Banez81, and a good one at that! Amazing little old ryan can flip both feet up in the air with his stick…..

mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:49 am
@Banez81, It was…but, you can’t put yourself in that situation, and he knows it. Madden is a crafty vet, and the second he felt the stick on the back of his leg, he flew.

Token Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:08 am
@Banez81, Smyth used leverage; his stick got wedged on the boards at the blade end and when he pulled on it it did sweep out the guys legs. Whatever super-human strength was displayed was a result of the stick length amplifying his motion.

Was right there behind the goal and it was a thing of beauty.

Stay in school kids and study your math and physics!

BTW, we probably have a better GAA/60 on the PK than on 5 on 5.

You da man rich! Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
@Banez81, beside his (no) goal in the beginning of the year, that was the worst call besides I think it was Williams’ penalty. Blatant dive. Almost as bad as ovechkins and crosbys diving. Williams was behind the ref that supposedly saw
Saw him do sumthin wrong. The officiating was terrible as ever last night. Took me back to the days of faucette.

But that’s what u get when u let canadiansv run thingsx

mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:48 am
@puck73, I still think he slipped at MSG, but, whatever…that penalty by Smyth was innexcusable.

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DBking says:

February 25, 2011 at 1:18 am

I like Drewiske as a person. He couldn’t be a nicer guy. But I don’t understand why he turns DL and TM on so much? He gets exposed every game, and we have better players in Manchester that could fill his spot (Muzzin). I’m sure there is a good answer to this but I just dont know what it is.

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fsd1 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:31 am
@DBking, every player on this team gets exposed at one point or another, I like dd2.

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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:50 am
@DBking, He has his place/role. When he plays well, he uses his size quite well, and for that size, is a decent skater.

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mstar85 says:

February 25, 2011 at 1:57 am

What is going on with Matt Green his min are way down?

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tornado12 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 3:20 am
@mstar85, i didnt like DD2s game tonight at times and was nervous when he was out there! I think TM saw the same and didnt want to put that pair on the ice for long!

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puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:04 am
@tornado12, I agree. At this point I prefer in that spot…Martinez, Harrold, Muzzin, and Drewiske…in that order.

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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:51 am
@puck73, Only guessing, but, wonder if DD2 is being showcased as part of a trade. Just a guess though.

KC23 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:36 am
@puck73, That is exactly the way I see it as well, but I do think TM made a good move by sitting Martinez for a spell. Alex’s play had definately slipped a bit.

VanKingsFan Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:08 am
@mrbrett7, I honestly don’t think Drewiske has any value throughout the league. If Craig Rivet can go unclaimed on waivers than why would Whiskey attract any attention? I think every team in the league has their own version of Drewiske (a youngish mediocre D man who has come through their ranks)

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tornado12 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:35 am
@VanKingsFan, concur

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TheRussianKing says:

February 25, 2011 at 3:31 am

I honestly think TM’s been reading my comments on here. The neutral zone play changed the way I recently suggested, and the cycling with one-timers from quick passes into the slot, and pucks were hitting the back of the net. Great game, major improvement from last nights awesome game.

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Player-X Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:07 am
@TheRussianKing, wow.

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fsd1 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:32 am
@TheRussianKing, of course you are joking right?

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jet Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:51 am
@TheRussianKing, DL is on the phone, he wants to know who to take in the 5th round this draft.

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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:52 am
@TheRussianKing, Or, maybe, just maybe, those plays were available last night…ya think?

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Jason4Kings Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:04 am
@TheRussianKing,

CONGRATULATIONS!

I was hoping one of us anonymous ranters would get the team on track. Now come back and tell everyone you’re joking before this thread gets ugly.

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TheRussianKing Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@Jason4Kings, lol, that was a fun lil bunch of reply’s. No I’m kidding, but the boys played great, i liked a lot of what I saw.

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nykingfan says:

February 25, 2011 at 5:23 am

They came prepared to play last night and it showed. I like Doughty’s take on the 2nd half of the back to back…just let it all go. No need to hold anything back for the next day.

Simmer was finally rewarded for the good play he’s been showing ove the past month. He was on every loose puck quickly.
Brownie played awesome. When the captain leads the way he did last night, things can only go right.
I really liked the play of the top line. Sturm looked like a different player from the night before. He made good, smart decisions with the puck and did a good job in the defensive zone as well. Kopi also had some good jump in his game. Man, that empty netter got there really quick. What a shot…luck or not!
The Kings were able to roll all 4 lines consistently last night, which was huge with the back to back. I really like the play of Lewis a lot. He may not be scoring, but his hustle in the defensive zone and especially his PK work have been nothing short of outstanding.
Smytty..what were you thinking? It’s so hard to get mad at a guy like that though. No harm, no foul.
Bernier was solid when he needed to be. He’s a solid backup to have at this point of the season. I don’t think TM even hesitates when thinking of putting him in. What a beautiful thing to have when you get this late in the season. Night and day from last years mess with Ersberg.
5th place looks nice, but there’s no reason we can’t win this division.
Keep it rolling Saturday boys!

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puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 7:40 am
@nykingfan, Omce again, a hall of fame take from my favorite spin artist! I just want to expand on your take of Bernier, and TM if I may. I think TM’s treatment of Ersberg last season was not only bad by a coaches standards, but even worse it ended up hurting Quick, and the team going into the playoffs. Remember, TM really made Ersberg ride pine after Eric’s first game..a 4-2 loss to the Rangers at MSG and Eric was in the doghouse basically most of the season even though Eric came up huge down the stretch in March and April when Quick was clearly burned out. Fast forward to this season, sure Bernier struggled early, But I think TM really learned his lesson from last season and has let Bernier work thru it. I think it has payed off because IMO Bernier has played much better as the season has progressed…Sure am glad we dont have to trade for Dan Ellis and Ray Emery!

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nykingfan Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:40 am
@puck73,

I agree that Ersberg was doomed after that Ranger game.
I just don’t know if it was because of the really bad game that he had, or was it his practice habits or something else that bothered TM?
I know you and others don’t like Murray, but I can’t see him deliberetely trying to hurt the team just because a goalie had a bad game.
He played decent towards the end of the year, but far from huge down the stretch..at least that I recall. Seems like a lifetime ago.

I think we’re set with goalies for a long, long time to come.

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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:57 am
@puck73, TM had zero choice last season. His job as a coach is to win games, period. It is not to develop players. That is the job of the coach in Manchester. If playing Quick on a nightly basis gives the team the best opportunity to win, then he plays, period. That is his JOB.

Ersberg was what he was…a journyman (without actually having journey’d), backup, at best. He was a stop gap until someone better was ready (i.e. Bernier). Bernier, RIGHT NOW, is NOWHERE near the level of Quick. He isn’t on the same planet. He is adequate however. I don’t give a rats *** how the wins come, nor how they look…just that they win, and neither should anyone else.

But…Bernier has some SERIOUS lapses in concentration at this point in time. Something that normally effects most young goaltenders. The 2nd goal, I don’t really fault him on…deflection (something no goaltender should ever be blamed for), and a partial screen…it happens. The first one, defensive breakdown or not, a midget could have saved, and he knows it.

But…the team got the win, and that is ALL that matters. In the long run this IS better for Quick, that I agree with. He will be fresher. I agree with you on that…he was dead tired going into the playoffs last year…TM also had no other choice.

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VanKingsFan Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:17 am
@mrbrett7, I some what disagree on Bernier’s first goal.

At first I thought it was weak but then i saw that one angle. Bernier had it almost entirely shut down, paddle down, etc. But “whats his name” shoveled it one handed and chipped it over the stick but under the groin ricocheting off Jon’s thighs and somehow went in.

Ok, not the greatest goal, but nobody expected that type of chip one handed falling over from the Minny guy.

If we had lost I would have been more critical But if I am a Minny fan I would be saying “What a hard working sweet shovel shot!”

mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
@nykingfan, extremely well written!

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nykingfan Reply:
February 26th, 2011 at 9:34 am
@mcsorleyfan,
Thanks man

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Chuck says:

February 25, 2011 at 5:57 am

Kings are on a roll, even with TM’s system (that was meant for all the anti-TM guys out there). I don’t really care what system they play or how they get it done, as long as they get it done. If they play every game they way they played against Min, they have a great shot in the playoffs.

GO KINGS GO!!!

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DesertKing says:

February 25, 2011 at 7:27 am

Only got to see the last period but I like what I saw. The team seems to be building towards a more consistent peak and it would be great if that peak hits right at the playoffs. Cynic hit it on the head with 2 points at a time. Good teams have a different player step up each night and it looks like we are headed that way with Brown, Kopi and Simmonds each having pretty good games over the last few and one of them stepping up big individually each night. I am a little worried about Saturday’s game since it is at 1pm and our history with those afternoon games isn’t very good.

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kinginsaltlake says:

February 25, 2011 at 8:07 am

Last nights game was yet another hard fought win. This is some of the best hockey we have seen. You kind of get the feeling like they can tough out any game. There were periods of the Wild game that the Kings were backed up, fighting hard on the “D”, sticks moving in all directions. Sure they got a poke guy of a goal and Burns shoot was good, but we keep pushing, playing to win. Iknow we are not going to win every game going down the stretch, but it sure feels like it. As long as we keep our fighting edge, all will be well. We have always had a good team this year. Some of them games in Janurary I still don’t understand how we stunk so bad. Boys keep your edge and go after it Saturday afternoon. These are the gooood tiiiiimmes

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kinginsaltlake Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:08 am
@kinginsaltlake, Sorry folks grammer is way off this morning. Please excuse.

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puck73 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:15 am
@kinginsaltlake, Please keep me updated on your upcoming arrival in So.Cal and your appearance at Staples..looking forward to it.

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BigMikeonD says:

February 25, 2011 at 8:30 am

My favorite part about all these comments is no one has mentioned the need to make a move. If the Kings play like they did last night and Marco continues to improve this team is a force to be dealt with.
Simmonds is looking awesome on that line. He and Kopitar seem to be developing chemistry. That Doughty goal was a thing of beauty. The Matt Greene and Justin Williams penalties were horrible calls. Fox stopped short of saying it but he was thinking it.
All the goals scored, even the empty netter were hard fought, skilled, earned goals. No garbage.
Someone called Kopitar’s lucky. When you have his skill it’s hard to think that was luck.

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nykingfan Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:41 am
@BigMikeonD,
I said Lucky or not.
You’re right with Kopi..everything about him is skill!

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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:59 am
@BigMikeonD, That shot by Kopitar is downright skill.

As for a move…they do still need a top 6 LW…and this is coming from one of the perpetual defenders of the team.

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linny Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:03 am
@BigMikeonD, Marco…STURMO…………………Marco…STURMO! I watched the game twice,so far. Will watch again today and focus on him but aside from a few good plays on the PK I didn’t see much of anything, either way. Just. Seemed kind of invisible. IMO, he’s obviously going to need several games before we see if he can get his game back. If he continues to improve, then kudos to all of you who think we are ok now with him in there. I just don’t see that yet. GKG

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Hip-Check Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:06 am
@BigMikeonD,
Someone has to say it. SO here goes haha—– because my opinion has not and will not change until we get a first line LW sniper with a laser shot and speed in his legs.
We wont win the cup till we do. Grabner was one I coveted last year cheap and was available. Another I liked was Lombardi with Phoenix and traded to Nashville but injured this year. There are about 10 players Id consider.Parise number one , Penner, Booth…..Neal now traded….Louie Erickson …probably not available….Grabner Id still like a lot….Lucic..probably not available…Im trying to be realistic here as NASH is not available….But there are choices out there….now or in the summer.
It is the one piece we miss , and that is also the piece to make Kopi a 100 point scoring machine himself.

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BigMikeonD Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:16 am
@Hip-Check, A sniper would be nice and I agree that Kopitar’s production would go up. None of the guys you mentioned are going to be available at the deadline.

I would love Parise but don’t see him coming West. Penner is hit and miss. To call Booth a sniper might be a reach. Erickson is not leaving Dallas.

I would put Heatly in the class you are describing and it didn’t put San Jose over the top.

We need to keep drafting and developing. We will find the sniper. This is an off season thing, not a deadline deal thing.

We have a long wide open window of opportunity the way this team is built. If a deal can be made, DL will make it.

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LAPD line says:

February 25, 2011 at 8:37 am

I try to be as objective as I can, but to me, the officiating this year has really been anti-King. I can think of so many terrible calls going against the Kings (last nights high stick called on Green, and the trip called on Williams, as well as the infamous Ryan smith disallowed goal a few games back). I don’t know if I can think of any really blatant ones ging in the Kings favor. Am I just being paranoid, or are they really out to get us…..?

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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 8:59 am
@LAPD line, Eh, it hasn’t been that bad…however last night was pretty bad.

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DesertKing Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 10:36 am
@mrbrett7,

What about the night before? 0 penalties against the Sucks outisde of the fighting/roughing penalties.

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Stuart Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:01 am
@LAPD line, how about a lack of a 2x minor on the high stick that DB took??? I clearly saw a bloodied lower lip, regardless if it was on the inside or not, blood is blood and that should’ve been 4 minutes. And then, the fact that BR got a matching minor was RIDICULOUS!

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Slim Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 10:12 am
@Stuart, You know Iv’e always wondered why at key times the players don’t have blood capsules that they can bite down on and fool the refs. I mean this is Hollywood..
Of coarse I”m only kidding but have thought of it.
Cheaters never prosper!!

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KFII says:

February 25, 2011 at 8:57 am

Okay LA KING BOBchi, ask and you shall receive. I poet I am not, but this is fun. LOL

What are we Kings fans saying today?
That shooting the puck is the only sure way?

Or please fix that power play, you’ve heard us before,
and trade for a Left Winger, we need him to score!

Stop with the line changes, keep them the same.
Let the guys gel, they’ll win us more games.

Change up the goalies, it doesn’t matter to us.
We’ve got confidence in both, in the Jon’s we can trust!

Now they are shooting, they’re moving their feet.
They are taking the puck and putting it deep.

It’s focus, it’s pride, it’s really much more.
We’re so proud of our Kings, come on fans, let’s ROAR.

Forever faithful, that and more.
We are Kings fans,
In our hearts, in our core.

Stay the course Kings fans!

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jayhay says:

February 25, 2011 at 9:05 am

strum on waivers

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jayhay Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:06 am
@jayhay, sturm on waivers. stupid me

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Lime Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:07 am
@jayhay, just saw that too Lebrun is reporting it. Wow!

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Dayman Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:08 am
@jayhay, Just saw that from LeBrun.

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Dave's a Killer Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:13 am
@jayhay, NHL Network just reported it as well. Big deal comin?

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Pobo says:

February 25, 2011 at 9:09 am

Hey Rich,

I just read that Marco Sturm was placed on waivers, any word on this?

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Hip-Check Reply:
February 25th, 2011 at 9:14 am
@Pobo, I see that as well..
Terrible in my opinion unless he hurt himself last night. I like Sturm for this year and was hoping we sign him for another year. He has skill and look how DL picked Williams and how he has come back….
Sad if true about Sturm.
Maybe we are making cap space for Richards or Parise haha.

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mike says:

February 25, 2011 at 9:36 am

Brown is actually playing a little better now. Maybe it’s b/c he’s not on the “#1″ line anymore where he was playing, imop, out of his role. To me, he’s more of a 2nd 3rd line winger…but whatever it takes to win!

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