We’ve reached the point in the season at which those of us in the media/broadcast camp start to toss around ideas for the Kings’ unofficial “awards,” among them being most-improved player. A number of names have been debated — Jonathan Bernier, Kyle Clifford, Alec Martinez among them — but one that gets continued support is Trevor Lewis. After starting the season as a healthy scratch in 10 of the Kings’ first 13 games, Lewis has been a lineup staple since. As the fourth-line center, Lewis’ point totals and ice time are both modest, but he’s been a steady, responsible player who has been entrusted, by Terry Murray, for significant minutes on the penalty kill. That’s a big indication of a coach’s confidence level in a player. Murray was asked whether he would include Lewis in the “most improved” camp this season…
MURRAY: “Absolutely. What else can I say? He has really improved. His composure, his penalty-killing in particular has taken a big step. I rely on him big time, now. He’s one of the first two forwards out, and I’m coming back with him now, after the second group. I have a lot of confidence in his special-teams play, and his composure in his own end is what really stood out, from the start of training camp, and it has improved. When you get to this time of year, any time things are getting hectic, he has that ability to get a hold of the puck, show composure, get his feet moving. There was a play in Columbus that was exactly what I’m talking about. He grabs the puck in the second period, and he carried it the whole length of the ice. And he’s under pressure the whole time. That shows a lot of confidence. Russell, I think, was the defenseman, and he’s one of their quicker guys back there. (Lewis) actually blew around him, and he was scrambling to make his pivot and recover and get to him. So, there are a lot of good things with Lewis. He has really become an important player for us.”
Lewis, a former first-round pick, has two goals and six assists in 59 games entering tonight, and Murray was asked whether, in the long term, he saw the potential for more offense in Lewis’ game…
MURRAY: “When he watch him in practice, in the shooting drills, he’s got a great release, a quick release. He hits the spot that he’s looking for. It’s a little bit different in a game situation, as we know, but I think that will come along. You’ve got to be able to do it, to begin with, and I see that.”
Yes!
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Jamer Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@Scot, Good Grief….Lewis? How many games has he scored/won? CLifford by far!
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Luc20Rules Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
@Jamer, I really like Clifford and I believe he will ultimatly be the better player, but Cliffy has been a improving no doubt, but not to the level Lewis has expanded his game. Perhaps being a center and a solid faceoff guy has given him more opportunities to grow. Lewis hasn’t been a goal scorer, but he has played solely on PK and 4th line. That means 80% of the ice time he sees is either on PK or with Westie as a linemate IMHO not favorable for scoring situations. He is given shutdown first like Zues & Poni assignment by TM. PK is 4th in the NHL thru Feb 26 2 G 2 A -11, since Feb 27 0G 4A +1 placed in PK in early Nov PK time increased ever since.
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Luc20Rules Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
@Scot, If this is just for rookies, then I agree. If it is most improved as the series has been last featuring Poni? I just have 2 words that will close this debate “JUSTIN WILLIAMS”.
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Lewis would get my vote. But Bernier also should get consideration.
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Raitis Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@Pumpernicholl, How is bernier most improved? He came up a couple games and performed really well. Not much more improvement from last season.
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Raitis,
On a team with five rookies it difficult to judge.
Yes, through he slumped shortly Bernier has been consistently good. Martinez has been consistent. Clifford has been good from the gate and maintains that level. So since all these guys are consistent they must be overlooked for the most improved award.
That leave Westgarth and Lewis….
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Luc20Rules Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
@USHA#17, Your right since Bernier was 3-0 last year even though he had a rough first 10 starts this year its hard to give it to him. That leaves Westgarth and Lewis, although Westie has played better of late his ice time is only pushing 7 minutes on a good day.
Where I differ is Most Improved Player is not only rookies. So Poni, JJ, Quick, Kopi, my favorite for this honor Williams, are in the running with Lewis.
Lewis gets my vote..Clifford is a really close 2nd.
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Lewis is definitely very improved this season but I do think that Bernier, Clifford and Martinez are more improved. Particularly Bernier and Clifford are leaps and bounds above the players that they were at the beginning of the year.
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Very impressed with Lewis skating and positioning this year. he’s become solid defensively and makes smart plays even offensively. His numbers aren’t there because you can still see his reactions with the stick are a half step slow, but that will come as he adjusts to the game. On a team so deep at center, he will probably stay in the fourth line role, but with our up coming depth at center, in a couple years, we won’t really have a second or fourth line, we’ll have two nearly equal scoring and checking lines.
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I don’t know. It’s hard for me to give the “most improved” award to a Rookie. I think JJ would be a better nomination. Maybe Lewis was this good in Manchester last year and I just didn’t follow it. I think we all know how good JB was in Manchester last year. So, I think something more on the line of “Unsung Hero”, or “Damn this Kid can Play” award would be more fitting. Either way, TL, AM, and JB have all been huge for this team this year.
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mask0425x Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@Belexes, agreed on both that rookies should not be considered since there is no baseline full season to compare it to and that JJ is arguably most improved although his improvement comes with a few asterisks and I still would rather have Lubo back. If not JJ, then Kopi and Quick would be next in line for consideration.
As far the four guys mentioned:
Jonathan Bernier – rookie
Kyle Clifford – rookie
Alec Martinez – rookie
Trevor Lewis – yes, still technically a rookie. Besides, would you expect a LOT more from a 24 y.o. 1st round pick?
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fuzzerson Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
@mask0425x, It is nice to see the development system bearing fruit.
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Kings Win, Ducks Lose Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Belexes, +1
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uknojata Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Belexes, very good points. And I agree, JJ would get my vote. I’ve been very critical of him in the past, making mistakes with the puck that made me pull my hair out. But ever since he signed his extension the kid has been rock solid, and overall our best D-man of the season thus far.
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Martinez – He started the first 2 games last season then disappeared. He came up this season, had an instant impact on the team, and as a defenseman has scored (and thus contributed more) more than Lewis who is a forward. Martinez has also been pretty responsible on the defense and has improved his skills to the point that he is on the PP, not Lewis (even though withour PP, that ain’t saying much – yes, I know it is improving!). Lewis is that terrific steady player who you know what you are going to get every game, but Iwouldn’t say most improved. In fact, I think his numbers this season are lower than last year.
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Dominick Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@DesertKing,
Martinez also came up midseason, last year and didn’t do much to change anybody’s opinion. In fact I think he fell farther down on the pecking order after. LOL
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DesertKing Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Dominick,
I forgot about that. I sure am glad he is with us now. I like Lewis too.
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A responsible player with speed…
Kings need as many of them as they can get, to play teams like Dallas, Phoenix, Montreal, etc.
I say ‘Yes’.
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I won’t take anything away from Lewis but in my mind I would say that Martinez is most improved by far. Everyone should remember how shaky he played last year and to come from Manchester and play thus well, he gets my vote.
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My vote goes for Martinez. Lewis and Bernier are now playing up to their 1ST round picks potential. This is Clifford’s first year, so how can he get “most improved” votes. Martinez is playing much better than last year’s few games. He’s playing up to and beyond his potential.
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1rst place goes to Martinez (he was farther down on the pecking order).
2nd goes to Lewis (barely edging out Berier, because Lewis was a big ? mark).
3rd goes to Berier (he’s exactly where he was predicted to be at the start of the season).
4rth goes to Clifford (stud)
Martinez made the biggest jump.
If you want to talk veterans? Williams (hands down).
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Dominick Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
“Bernier” I couldn’t type properly, even if my life depended on it.
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rick Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@Dominick, I agree with you on all. Martinez is now a top 6 defenseman, and looks to be a top 4 guy someday soon. Last year, he was in the minors and was unimpressive in his few games with the big boys. He is clearly most improved.
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@rick,
Don’t know about that. He was benched against Dallas after the Richards goal.
Most of this guys have been very good out the gate and maintained that level. Lewis was a slow start and is not pretty good. That’s improvement.
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@USHA#17,
change that “not” to “now” pretty good. Wheres the edit????
Dominick Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@USHA#17, I need an easy button.
There needs to be multiple winners.
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The Kings seem like they’re going on all cylinders right now. Lewis is definitely up for most improved. I think multiple winners is the only way to go. I think that, if things fall just right, something good could happen this year! Did someone say “Stanley Cup?”
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KingOfHockey Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@Minnesota Kings Fan,
I like where your head is at as for as Stanley Cup aspirations, but lets make the playoffs first. We have to crawl before we can walk… Lets not jinx anything!
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Lewis has definitely anchored the 4th line and I can see him in that role for several years, but my vote for most improved would be Martinez. He has been the piece to the blueliners that was missing on this team last year. Bernier has been an outstanding backup goalie. Reminds me of Gary Edwards in the 74-75 season, who was a perfect compliment to Rogie. Bernier has been that for Quick this year. I don’t see Clifford in this category because he had nothing to improve on because no one could have expected he would have any impact this year. I would label him as the biggest surprise prospect this season.
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If you are talking MVP, then I’d have to put 3 players on the list that are no brainers… Quick, Kopitar and Williams. Obviously without Quick, we’d be in a heap of trouble so he’d be my #1. I’d have a hard time figuring out my #2 as Kopitar has been a great 2 way presence on the ice, however Williams has been the player that has been the spark for both the 1st and 2nd lines that he’s played on. No doubt that if he wasn’t playing like he is right now, we wouldn’t be where we are at in the standings. Most inspirational has to go to Clifford
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Ponikarovsky seemed to struggle early in the season, and has improved his game pretty significantly as of late.
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Splinter Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@Kostamojen, Poni gets most improved over the last 2 months. What a turn around he has had in a short time.
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USHA#17 Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@Splinter,
True but is this intended to be among rookies or the entire team?
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Clifford definately should get some consideration, but it technically was a battle between him and Clune for that 4rth line roll. Clifford has improved enough beyond that, that he can be considered a solid 3rd line player also. Quite a few breakout seasons for some youngsters this season, with more to come next season. It might sound redundant but the Kings future is looking scary.
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I dont know how you qualify most improved for these players unless you mean most improved over the length of the season, but I’ve said before here that Lewis has been a revelation to me – his speed and lateral pursuit in the neutral zone on PK has been outstanding in hindering opponents’ entering the zone, and his positioning in the D zone excellent. Once he develops a little more shooting patience and understands NHL goalies’ ‘weak spots’ a little better he will also chip in 10 or so goals (heck, if he had a half-way decent shooting percentage this season he’d have 8 or so already).
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Marty, toughest position to make the jump
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I would liken Trevor Lewis to Rob Scuderi. He’s not a flashy player by any metrics but my fiancee and I were attendance at the game in Dallas on Sunday and he was absolutely a rock on the Kings’ penalty kill. It’s these intangibles that will make him a reliable “defensive” forward for the Kings going forward. We’ve attempted to find that player for the past few seasons in the form of guys like Rich Clune and I believe Trevor Lewis has finally solidified himself in that role.
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Most improved…..THE COACH………hasnt burned out Quick …..changed the PP(little late but still)….showed emotion after a game…..made adjustments during the season…..played Lewis,Cliffy and Martinez……….
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I believe this should occur for the award…..
-Most improved (should really be someone with more then one season under their belt)
-Rookie of the year (Clifford is hands down the most impactful player with these characteristics for the award, heart, drive, caring attitude towards team mates)
*I say all this for Clifford based on the fact he is really a rookie of age, Trevor is much older with more professional experience in the AHL, etc.
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Most improved – Justin Williams, hands down
2009-10 – 10 goals 19 assists = 29 pts in 50 games
2010-11 – 22 goals 35 assists = 57 pts in 69 games
Lewis is great [b}defensively[/b} and on penalty kills but the Kings need offense and Williams has stepped it up big time this season.
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djspock92 Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
I think I have set the bar a little too high for Lewis, since he was selected in the 1st round, 17th overall, and he’ll be a lifetime bottom 6 forward. (in my opinion)
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Dominick Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@djspock92,
Give it time. It’s only his 1rst full season. Some guys just take a little while longer. Just ask Boyle, Purcell, and some of the other young players that people complain about losing, that didn’t show near as much their first years.
Note: I know Boyle was a defenseman with us already, for those of you who want to get technical. Even when he was a forward he still doesn’t match up to Lewis’ contributions his 1rst full year.
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Most Improved…Unfortunately, it’s NOT Simmonds.
While he has moments here and there, and while his defensive game is generally strong, WS seems to have flatlined in his overall development. Not to be too hard on the guy, he’s young, and players do have off seasons. I’m still on your side, Wayne, but would like to see more creativity with the puck.
Trevor Lewis gets my vote for MI, with Martinez a close second, and Williams honorable mention, for improving to the point this season where he became the player he was touted to be.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 15th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@18,118, Yeah, gotta admit for someone who had such a high profile last season, Simmonds…hasn’t…this season.
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Can’t honestly understand why Bernier is in the discussion. He’s looked better, overall, than he has this season.
Clifford has really opened my eyes, and I think Martinez has come a long way.
Honestly, I have to tip my hat to Jack Johnson, too. He was downright irresponsible in the past, and has become a pleasant surprise this season, in my mind.
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I have been on the Lewis bandwagon all season and am very pleased with his play and his tremendous improvement. He deserves a lot of attention for Most Improved Player. But, maybe Clifford has improved more??? KC was pretty rough when the season began and had very little impact other than fighting. Now he makes much better plays getting out of the defensive zone and is much more effective on the forecheck.
Tough call.
I also agree with the JJ supporters about his game improving so much on the back end.
I really don’t care who wins it. I’m just glad that all three are Kings!
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This kid is solid! really glad he made the team this year and when his hands catch up to his feet he will be a huge part to our offensive output.
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As a fan who saw Martinez in last season’s opener (omg he stunk) I have to disagree. Martinez is way way way the most improved. Lewis is 2nd, but a distant 2nd in my book to Martinez.
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williams??? i mean, i cant believe he isnt even talked about for it
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Ever since we decided to keep Clifford this year, he’s been an absolute monster. He is what this teams been missing since Lappy left. I dont know of another 20 year old in the league that can play the game and put fear into the other teams minds. Just ask Ott, he wants to keep him a sticks length apart.
I can understand someones argument that most improved cant go to a rookie. But 10 games into the season, I had no idea Clifford would be this menacing.
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Martinez gets my vote considering where he was last year. Lewis and Clifford have definitely improved, but the gap between where they were last year and this year isn’t quite as big as the gap Martinez overcame.
But, I’d be good with any of the three. I do think Williams deserves a mention as well.
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@Kostamojen, I’m pretty sure part of Poni’s early problems were injury related. Or course, he had to adjust to a new team as well. I think he sprained an ankle(?) Missed most of November. Then I think he came back and started plaing better, and maybe had another injury b/c his play tailed off again. Last few months, Poni’s been playing better and better. Almost clumsy by NHL standards he plays a hard game for sure. One big muscled dude.
I’ll go with Lewis as most improved. He just seems to be playing better and better. Just a matter of time before he scores as he’s getting chances in limited minutes. Marty close 2nd; Bernier close 3rd. All 3 contributed tonight. Bernier was a rock. Good team!
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