Here’s the reaction from the Kings’ locker room to the loss of Anze Kopitar to a broken ankle…
DUSTIN BROWN
“He’s our best player. We’ve got to find a way, either way. Injuries happen during the year. You don’t want to have your best player go down, but if that’s the case, we need to shoulder the responsibility collectively and find a way. No other team is going to feel sorry for us.
“We’ll maybe find out what we’re made of. You have our top two scorers possibly out. … That’s part of an 82-game schedule, and we have to find a way to keep going as a team.”
RYAN SMYTH
“Not one guy can replace a guy like Kopitar. Everybody has to collectively come together and regroup. Everybody has got to fill a good role and it’s all about opportunity.”
TERRY MURRAY
“He’s your top player, your top forward. There’s quite a hole that’s going to be there now, with him out of the lineup for this length of time. But I’ve been through these kinds of things before, with top guys being out because of injuries. It’s an opportunity. Other guys step up. The character of the team needs to step up. Everybody needs to do the right things and, just talking about the way we finished up the game in the third period, that’s critical now. You’ve got to trust your structure and your system and give it the best opportunity you can, as a group now, to finish games off and play the right way.”
(on the possibility of calling up a player…)
“That will be something we discuss.”
Brayden
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Paul G Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@Kings win, Ducks lose, somebody get that kid on a plane!!
And tell Saskatoon to forfeit the playoffs
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AZ King Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@Kings win, Ducks lose,
Not even an option until his junior season is over.
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wavesinair Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@AZ King,
Actually, it is…but I don’t know the circumstances. I’m hoping, and it’s a huge reach, that losing your #1 center may be a reason, but I doubt it.
——————-
Rich Hammond Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Schenn is not eligible to be called up, to the NHL or AHL, until his junior season has been completed, unless it falls under a very narrow emergency-recall situation.
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Paul G Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@wavesinair, I was gonna say there has to be an exception beecause it’ll be stupid if a junior team has rights over an NHL organization
Lilcarp Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
@wavesinair, How did Hammond go back in time to post that?
Tomb Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 8:27 am
@wavesinair, The Kings are not going to find a replacement for Kopitar. Someone like Handzus will replace Kopitar on that line. There are several players in Manchester who the Kings can call up. Schenn is a few years away from having any kind of offensive impact in the NHL.
Doughty2Simmonds Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@Kings win, Ducks lose, The Kings CANNOT call up Schenn until the Saskatoon Blades are eliminated from the Playoffs…month and a half from now minimum…they’re the top ranked team.
[Reply]
JohnnyVirgil Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@Kings win, Ducks lose, Everybody needs to relax and take a deep breath…………..No time to panic……(i think……..)
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DesertKing Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@JohnnyVirgil,
Agreed, and think about what people are suggesting reference Schenn? An 18 year-old kid who has played a handful of NHL games is going to come in and propel us into and through the playoffs? Hardly. Next year he gets his shot and by the end of next year, he may be the player we can depend on.
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Danny Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Great as Schenn played at World juniors, that’s still a major leap of faith to think he could jump to the NHL level and have that great an impact….even if he could get here w/the rules imposed…Dean will look big picture and not consider Schenn anyway (then use up an option year)
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wavesinair Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
@Danny,
“major leap of faith”
Yep. But that’s all we got! NO ONE thought Clifford would ready this fast and look what he’s done. I highly doubt Lombardi will do it, but who knows. Stranger things have happened.
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Danny Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@wavesinair, No doubt Schenn has skill/talent…but to shoulder him with the burden (more perception of course) of taking Kopi’s place would be tough…keep the faith in the team! Sold D and excellent continued net play from Quickie, and MAJOR SUPPORT FROM KINGS FANS is what this team needs now.
Blue Coconuts Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@Kings win, Ducks lose, As much as we’d all like him here, even if they can, I doubt they do. Let the guy have his shot at the memorial cup, and lets not burn a year of his contract yet. There are other guys.
[Reply]
kevin from toronto Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@Blue Coconuts, Exactly. Bringing Schenn up would be a dumb move.
Dwight King perhaps?
[Reply]
Paul G Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
@kevin from toronto, Dwight King can never make the NHL…maybe Toronto…
Ravens Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
@kevin from toronto, I disagree about Dwight King,,I think he will make an impact in the NHL, and soon
Paul G Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
@Blue Coconuts, Who cares about 1 year! They will have to pay him a big contract and money soon anyway so it doesn’t matter which year it is
Call him up
[Reply]
kevin from toronto Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@Paul G, What’s your fascination about associating me with Toronto? (re: your previous remark about Grabovski) I live in Toronto. Im a Kings fan. Period.
and FYI – Dwight King played on the 1st line this season already. You honestly think bringing up Schenn is a good idea? He will have played less than 20 games by seasons end, have little to no impact, and a year off his contract. He has 2 assists for the Kings this year. So you play him for 17 games and the biggest impact he has, is the year off the contract. Makes zero sense.
LA HOCKEY Girl Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
I was happy when DL got Penner….but now it seems like very weird karma–add Penner to the team and his teammates drop off like flies. Kings have to pull together. I guess our luck just stopped in terms of significant injuries all year–but now the Kings will have to play team strong….and hope that strong defense keeps them ahead. Kopi and Willy–get back quickly! You’ve helped to get us so far….now the rest of the team will hopefully honor you both with great play!!!
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
@LA HOCKEY Girl, Don’t blame Penner or DL. There was a thread on this blog about how the Kings had been injury free this year, right before Williams got hurt. I blame us.
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Bruce Penton Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Why not bring up Bud Holloway from Manchester?
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Good to see his teammates know how valuable he is. Hopefully they don;t have to learn the hard way and everyone comes together to make a good playoff run.
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Drake Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@Barrie G, can’t.
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brown…
“we’ll maybe find out what we’re made of.”
no maybe’s…
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wavesinair Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@variable,
Yeah, no “maybe” about it. They WILL find out what they’re made of, one way or the other. I’m all for keeping hope alive, but man, JW and now Kopi.
They’re saying all the right things, but my expectations just fell about as far as they can. If they collapse, I won’t blame them. This will be extremely difficulty to overcome.
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The Canadian Junior system is too screwed up and will never allow their best player to come up to the NHL during the playoffs. So lame.
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Tomb Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 9:12 am
@Wally, many young American hockey players such as Dustin Brown, Mike Modano, Chris Chelios, and Patrick Kane went to Canada to play junior hockey because it is a great system and produces the best hockey players in the world.
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anyone else curious to see what borwn would look like on the top line with moller and penner?
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Derek Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@Derek, *brown
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MightyKings Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@Derek, no cus there’s no center on that line
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robby d Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@MightyKings, oscar can play it.
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cjms Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@MightyKings, Moller is a natural center, just not in Murray’s big C system.
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Mongo88 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
@MightyKings, so did penner in edm.
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BluLiner Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Derek,
You have actually put my mind at ease a little bit. You are correct, Moller is a center and with Brown and Penner could make a great line.
The Kings should then bring up the best two way player from Manchester (probably not Schenn) and stay with the system that is working. Good defense and great goaltending!
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“The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail. But hope remains, if friends stay true.” …. GANDAlF DIED AND THE RING WAS STILL DESTROYED!!.. just saying.
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Paul G Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@kb, Id use Obi Wan as an example or Yoda….Star Wars > Lord of the Rings
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centericeman Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@Paul G, Paul: hum. maybe not! Lord of the Rings is the 2nd best book of all time. Star wars, good movie, different league. Kind of like the Monarchs and Kings…Star wars-monarchs—-Lord of the Rings–Kings.
Sorry dude, the movie man has spoken.
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Puckn-A Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@centericeman, no way, even if you count the awful prequels Star Wars thumps LOTR. Randal in Clerks 2 nails it perfectly!
Kings x Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
@centericeman, If you’re old enough to have grown up with the old stars wars then it is better. Might as well lump lord in with trekies
MeanMrMustard Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
@Paul G, Help us Kopi-wan Kanobi, you’re our only hope!
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Belexes Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
@Paul G,
hmm, which Star wars won best picture? hmmmm
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centericeman Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@kb, Ah, maybe a step back into reality? Great book, awesome movie…but you do know that was fantasy right?
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FiG17 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@kb,
Dumbledore died and Voldy was still defeated.
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So what are our realistic options for a call up. Suggestions?
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jackj43 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@before99, Cliche
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Blue Coconuts Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@before99, Realistic? Even with Kopitar, they were pretty low.
Most predicted a second round exit at best. Kings will get some more experience, and be ready next year with Schenn and Loktionov adding some goals. Then we can start talking about the finals. Kings are close, but they’re not there yet.
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Drake Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@before99, Cliche is pretty much it. Put him on the 3rd or 4th and move everyone up. Personally I wouldn’t mind Azevedo, but that’s only cause I played with him on NHL 10 and we were AWESOME.
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TradedForAPick Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
@Drake,
We need more decisions like this. Alex Smith was lights out when I was running routes for him on the Niners.
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lvkingaholic Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@Drake, thats funny….. good one!
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mmlakings Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@Drake, cliche is out for rest of season
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wavesinair Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
@before99,
Elkins before both Cliche and Azevedo.
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kevin from toronto Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
@before99, I’m guessing Dwight King. Maybe Cliche.
But they don’t necessarily have to call up a centre.
Stoll
Handzus
Richardson
Lewis/Moller
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
@kevin from toronto,
That is a good point. Richardson could easily take over. I still think Holloway deserves a call up. It’s kind of funny because he was so money in the playoffs last year it was crazy.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s some kind of cosmic opening for Holloway to come to the NHL and blow some minds.
Yeah, I know, I’m dreaming. But at this point, why not.
[Reply]
Smithe said it correctly. Yes it’s tough that Kopi went down, but an opportunity arises. It’s time (as if it weren’t already) for the entire team to step up and play hard every minute. Go Kings!
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lvkingaholic Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@Bob Harold, words of wisdom from a wise man………….
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jim Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@Bob Harold, I think they will dig deep and save a playoff spot but not really hopeful they will advance, would be tough even with Kopi. If JQ gets really hot it could get us to the second round. Stranger things have happened, GO KINGS!
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The one thing to take solace in this situation is that this team, young as it is, has very strong leadership, Brown, Mitchell, Smyth, Scuderi to keep the team glued together. They will need to show tremendous resolve, but if they keep playing solid D and Quickie keeps making saves standing on his head, then a second round playoff run is still very doable…..
[Reply]
man i’m seriously depressed
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Voice Of Reason Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@MightyKings, +1
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lafan13 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
@MightyKings,
Do the kings provide grief counseling for us fans??? Cuz i seriously feel like someone just died….
[Reply]
bobbyh62 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
@MightyKings, I feel like I just got kicked in the gut, last time I felt like this Marty McSorley’s stick cost us the cup
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redlight Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@bobbyh62, Whoa, whoa. Pump the brakes. Marty’s stick was a penalty in game 2 of a series the Kings led 1-0. The power play goal only tied the game. Quiiiite a stretch to say it cost them the series. It cost them a goal is as far as I’d take it. Wayne Gretzky, from what I’ve heard a pretty good hockey player, scoffs at the notion it cost them the series. Losing MULTIPLE games in overtime is a more culpable villain, if we’re still assessing blame 18 years later. Before Kopi yesterday, the worst I’ve felt for the Kings was failing to win Game 2 last year in Vancouver.
[Reply]
redlight Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@redlight, I meant Game 1.
redlight Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@redlight, Game 4 was a close second.
Character
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Now we find out what Murray can get out of a team that faces a huge challenge.
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Cry Baby Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, There you have it…I believe this team has character. It’s time to shine as a team. I don’t believe this is the end of it for the Kings. As long as goaltending is strong this team has a chance every night. For the most part the Kings goalies have given them that chance.
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gmo Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@Cry Baby,
im with you Cry Baby BELIEVE GO KINGS GO!!!
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DougS Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Yes, and this is why Lombardi looks for character and temperament when he brings players into the organization. Stuff like this happens, and it sucks, but the only thing you can control is how you respond to it.
What really burns me right now is Loktionov’s injury. TM is right to point out that one player’s injury is another player’s opportunity. It would be a perfect opportunity for Lokti most of all. But he can’t take advantage of it….
[Reply]
Schenn in unavailable until after Junior playoffs.
Lokti is injured. I have no idea what they’re going to do.
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gmo Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@Thunderbird,
i thought we had depth?didnt we? or do we?
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Hockey Dad Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
@gmo, having depth is a lot different than replacing your number one center and best player on the team. The Kings have enough depth to remain competitive, but it’ll be a LOT harder to go past the first round of the playoffs now.
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Who should the Kings call up? I don’t follow the Monarchs closely so I don’t have a clue about who they should bring up. I just wish Loktionov wasn’t hurt, or Schenn wasn’t in the OHL.
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holly Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
@CB14, Cliche has been out the past two games and the Monarchs signed Jordan Weal to a tryout prior to the weekend to fill his slot (I assume). Both Holloway and King are pretty hot right now (King with a hat trick last night) so if the team was willing to shift a wing to center, there is the potential for one of them. Azevedo has been a quality player all season, as always, but his size is probably going to be a concern for many people. Elkins is a fairly obvious possibility as he’s had time with the team before, but imo has been fairly invisible on the ice for much of the season.
As far as centers the Monarchs are currently skating Azevedo, Elkins, Weal and Zeiler. Out of the four, I’d say that Zeiler is the most likely to get the call if the Kings are looking specifically to pull a center and not have a wing already with the team move in and recall a wing. At this point I don’t know that the team would try to fill a spot on the top lines from Manchester where most of the players are untested.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
@holly,
Thanks Holly again for your insights!
[Reply]
holly Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
@Kingsfanone, No problem. If only armchair GM/Coaching could be a full time, paying position… Probably a heck of a lot easier than trying to get a job in today’s world.
If there is ever a time for a shift to shift mentality, this would be it.
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Avs way of taking our top player our after we took out Mueller before the season even started…. Both were not meant to injure either player but I think it Karma.
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HEY PENNER!!
If there ever was a time for you to shine
It’s right now big guy.. We got you for a
reason..I know to set up Kopi..
But your a goal scorer..You won a cup..
C’mon.. the spotlight can be on you…
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@Slim,
Seriously though. Penner must be like, “Is it something I said?” Both linemates gone, just like that.
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Slim Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@wavesinair, Do you think the “Mesiah”" “antichrist”-ed us?
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DLB Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Slim, hey now. We must give our love to the Penz.
bbb7 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
@wavesinair, Yeah, Oscar has to be thinking “Uh oh.”
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Darrell Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
@Slim, When he first came here, people thought it would be a good change of scenery – he didn’t have to be “the savior”, he could just fit in and play with Kopi. So much for that theory!
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I’d love to see them call up Schenn, but until his season’s over, I think the Kings should move Lewis up with Richie centering the 4th line. Give Harrold some playing time on the 4th line and sit Westy.
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Put JJ up front and call up a defenseman. He is terrible on theblueline anyways so might as well use him on offense.
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KC23 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
@Matt, I like it.
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cpmc29 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@KC23, Why not. Big buff did for chicago, and look what happend.
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Puckn-A Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@Matt, said this after we didn’t get Kovalschmuck, make JMFJ a LW, he plays like one anyway.
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Ike Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
@Matt, Worst idea ever.
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before99 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@Ike, agree….
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redlight Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@Ike, that gives it too much credit as an “idea”. Jack at Left Wing is, well, laughable.
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Maybe this will be the great awakening of Ryan Smyth? He looked great in the 3rd period…Bring back the mullet…and we’re good to go…
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GO KINGS GO
well said BROWN AND SMYTHE
time for someone to step it up, let see what this team is made out of…they will have to stick to the system and get through this together as a team. i believe they can.
GO KINGS GO
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KNX is saying Kopi has a strained knee. Is there any chance that they’re correct?
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Rich Hammond Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
No, there isn’t.
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lvkingaholic Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@Rich Hammond, how ya doin rich…….. thanks for the right poop everytime
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Drake Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@Rich Hammond, When I read this I laughed, then I cried…
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TradedForAPick Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Holloway anyone?
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
@Rich Hammond, Dammit. I was afraid of that. I wasn’t doubting you; it was a desperate hope from a passionate fan.
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Rich Hammond Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Definitely…I knew what you meant. Just wanted to clarify.
Darrell Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
@mcsorleyfan, It’s possible he has a broken ankle AND a strained knee, yes.
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Does anyone know what the rule is if Schenn is brought up AFTER the junior playoffs? Does he still lose a full contract year? My understanding is that if he is called up before the end of his season, it will take a full year off his contract eligibility.
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If TM had changed the PP scheme as everyone has suggested, Kopitar wouldnt have been where he was
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Drake Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
@The ZamboniMechanic, If the queen had balls she’d be the King. Wait…what?
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Belexes Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
@Drake,
Funniest thing I’ve read in quite a while! Kudos.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@The ZamboniMechanic, OMG…you’re actually going to blame TM for this.
The world has indeed gone nuts.
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Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@The ZamboniMechanic,
Ridiculous. Why are you looking for someone to blame? Injuries happen.
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centericeman Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@The ZamboniMechanic, Zamboni mechanic, from zombie land! Terry murray’s fault.
Stay off the koolaid
[Reply]
lvkingaholic Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
@centericeman, open mouth and………………
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centericeman Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
@lvkingaholic, and?
lvkingaholic Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@lvkingaholic, trust me, would have been deleted by rich………….
historyguy Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@The ZamboniMechanic, Dude…do you have a macro on your computer where you hit F10 and it types out “It’s all TM’s fault!!!”?
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DLB Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
@historyguy, really
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DBking Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
@The ZamboniMechanic, That’s ridiculous
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This is where we truly find out what this team is made of. Let’s hope they have the character we all believe they have.
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Last I checked the Los Angeles Kings are a TEAM, not a singular person.. WE CAN and WE WILL step up and NOT slack off… WE WILL WORK HARDER THAN WE HAVE so far with our world class talent, that is #11. SILVER LINING: everyone is IN IT for sure now. I know this group can make things happen… And now, today, they must make things happen or they’re checking in at the pro shop and next on the tee very soon. MISSION IS CLEAR: win it for Kopi!!! and he’ll join us fresh and ready to bring it home…. “KINGS FINALLY CROWNED!” < L.A. Times headline June 4th 2011
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sid the kid Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
@C leb, all the capital letters in the world will not allow the kings to get past the first round of the playoffs without willi and kopi.
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C leb Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
@sid the kid, you really are going out on a limb with that prediction, there.. you should be an analist or something, very bold, indeed. LOL SID.
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Great News…. listening to Wings broadcast and they’re talking about how Crosby will be coming back. Lucky them. Pity Kopi didn’t go down much earlier and would be coming back soon. Whaddaya gonna do. Sort of lets air out of the balloon that is hockey season. I’ll still be pulling for the boys, but it would be nicer if they were goin with all the amo that they have on the roster.
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sse you all on tuesday…….. may we all have a better weekend.
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man what a tough injury for us. We will find out where we stand on Thursday in Vancouver. I’m glad it’s televised so I can watch. Got a keep the faith…GKG!
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Minnesota Kings Fan Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@DaveinSD,
Agreed. That game will really tell us something.
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Well, someone has to go first, so it might as well be me. Here is what I would do with the lineup if I were king of the Kings.
Smyth-Stoll-Moller
Ponikarovsky-Lewis-Brown
Penner-Handzus-Simmonds
Clifford-Richardson-Harrold
[Reply]
TradedForAPick Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@UglyinLA,
I’d say Smyth-Stoll-Brown just because Penner, Smyth, and Zus are really damn slow and shouldn’t ever play on the same line.
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sid the kid Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
@TradedForAPick, i wouldn’t put penner in the slow camp. he’s not fast, but he’s not slow either
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C leb Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
@UglyinLA, i thought 94-26-23 was working out there… 25-28-9 looks do-able too… 27-22-17 seems right.. Richie can even center any of the lines.. you never know what ice time and heart can add up to.. the oilers await.. we’re lucky the kings get to try it all out on the best sheet in the league.. that ice is part of the glacier that is under rexall.. GO KINGS!!!
[Reply]
UglyinLA Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
@UglyinLA,
Seems to me there is no #1 line. Penner is not a #1 liner. Lucky for us ew have four guys who can play center at a 2nd line level. In essense, we have four 2nd lines.Thats not so bad. It will be a different team without Kopi and Williams, but I still like the lineup and we will have the D-femce that has given up the 4th fewest goals.
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bbb7 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
@UglyinLA, Unfortunately, any way you mix and match, the lineup isnt going to scare anyone now.
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redlight Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@bbb7, Did it ever? This team is D and goaltending with above average, not great, offense. Bunch of 20 goal scorers with a few who MAY crack the 30 plateau in a given season. Make the playoffs, hold the opposition to under two goals and see what unfolds. The playoffs are a surprise EVERY year. Superstars go into hiding and role players make a name for themselves. I’m not saying the Kings are better off now than a week ago. Not at all. But in the postseason,you just never know. Thats why they play the games.
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They just need to step up. Look what the Pens have been doing without Malkin and Crosby
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DougS Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
@dbiz,
I think that if there is any sport in which you can withstand the loss of one or two key players, it’s hockey. Because your best skaters are only going to be on the ice for about 1/3 of the game, or maybe 40%. It’s not like the Lakers losing Kobe, who typically plays 75-80% of the game because that’s just what star players have to do in the NBA.
It will be tough without Kopi, no doubt, but I would not be surprised if the Kings pull it together well enough in the short term to finish the season strong. Over the longer term (especially advancing through the playoff tournament), I’m less hopeful. But the playoff tournament is also the time of year when odd things can happen, and a hot team can do a lot of damage even if it’s outmanned on paper. So it’s not that all is lost.
BTW, this just goes to show why the cries that we heard almost a year ago to sign Kovalchuk at any price were so foolish. Investing so much of your payroll in any one player is an invitation to be struck down by lightning. I actually read people arguing that it was worth the risk or that there was no injury risk at all. But even a workhorse like Kopi can go down with a bad injury just like snapping your fingers. And if you don’t have team depth to help cover for him while he’s gone — that’s when you’re screwed.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 12:02 am
@DougS, and now that Kopi is down, we still would have Kovalchuk in that scenario. Better to have a Kovi to pick up the slack, than a Dwight King. Just sayin..
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redlight Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@PP Anybody?, “we still would have…” You mean maybe, right? Like if he didn’t blow out his knee or have sports hernia surgery or whatever. My point is that speculating on what a player who MIGHT have played on this team MIGHT have done IF he was healthy and IF the Kings season turned out well is, well, I don’t know WHAT it is, but it sure doesn’t seem like very good analysis. Theres enough KNOWN that we can look at and factor in without peering into a crystal ball or stepping into a time machine.
Way to go Brownie. Hard times, but that’s when you stand up.
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Kings just need to take it one game at a time. Yeah we lost two quality forwards but there is a lot of hockey to be played and we have got a lot of gamers on our team.
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If you can’t WIN it with the one you love…
Then WIN it with the one your with!
GKG..
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I think the greatest impact of the loss of Kopitar will be on defense rather than offense. He has consistently neutralized the top centermen of opposing teams. So when proposing line changes, who do you think will be the best defender? Richie?
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Hate to say it..but
it’s probably a happy day in Duckland…
God I hate them..
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lvkingaholic Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@Slim, probably the whole pacific division………..
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With the loss of Kopitar, the Kings coaching staff will have to emphasize the defensive part of the game. Oh wait…
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KOPI YOU CAN HAVE MY ANKLE! I miss him already
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Positives – Moller is 2-0, Quick didn’t give up a softie, PK was great, Lewis and Smitty scored, Penner was more invovled. There were a lot of positives to this game. We also dominated a team we should have and and did not play down to them.
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puck73 Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 3:39 am
@DesertKing, Totally concur
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Okay, we can’t change what happened. Starting with the Calgary game, here is my take on the rest of the offense;
Brown- solid, playing his game (please do not change now!)
Simmonds- seems to have some of the jump back
Entire fourth line- about as good as you can get from a fourth line
Moller, Zeus- solid
Smyth- Really picked it up after Kopi’s injury
Stoll, Poni, Penner- You are the guys that need to find another level. If you do, we will be alright. Maybe not the cup this year, but alright.
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sid the kid Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
@edwood2, did you have cup delusions when we were injury free? seriously, dude, there’s no hockey analyst out there who thinks the kings have a shadow of a chance at the cup this year
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Kings x Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
@edwood2, Why don’t we break Zeus’ leg and smyth will turn into a 40 goal scorer
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I think anyone we can get from the minors is just going to be a guy. Nothing flashy or even proven. We’re probably looking at Westgarth on a nightly basis on the fourth line. Then shuffle the centers up a line.
It really stinks that there is no Laktionav to turn to right now.
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before99 Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
@LA_1968, anyone but westgarth please……
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Smyth Stoll Brown (Have played together; goals and experience)
Penner Lewis Simmonds (Speed and grit)
Ponikarovsky Handzus Moller (Veterans with some heart)
Clifford Richardson Holloway (All young guys who can hopefully provide a spark)
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Fox – Hammond – Miller
Penner – Zues – Brown
Poni – Stoll – Smyth
Simmonds – Lewis – Clifford
With a top line like that any team would fine… GKG
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MagicARc Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
@DBking,
Not sure Jim Fox is ready to get back on the ice…who knows tho.
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no willy, no kopi. let me spell it out for anyone who doesn’t get what this means: the king will lose the first round of the playoffs. no may hockey for the kings!
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jess Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
@sid the kid,
Answer: Wrong
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Well, at least the team has experience shuffling the line combinations!
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Time to bring back Mikus
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We were headed for a first round exit anyway. Who are we really kidding? Time to get some more “playoff experience” this year and look to the offseason. Only now we can hope DL doesn’t waste it securing the pieces we need that would have put us in contention to go past the first round in the playoffs this year. I love everything DL has done, including the mistakes. Except the kovi pursuit which cost us the acquisition of the players we will be getting this year. Basically cost us a year.
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jess Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
@Kings x, wrong
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for those sayin one and done in the 1st round. wrong –and im usually the jerk here sayin the downer stuff.
we’ll be fine, quit with the chick feelings..
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The injury produced a quiet I hadn’t experienced at Staples before. We couldnt tell who was down froour seats, but as soon as Kopitar was lifted from the ice I saw the ‘A’ on the jersey before his number and immediately sat down – so depressing. All I could think of as I watched the reply when I got home was the replay of Charlie Simmers injury years ago…
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tuan jim Reply:
March 27th, 2011 at 2:27 am
@PedregosaJoe,
I saw that same Simmer image in my mind.
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I’m starting believe this franchise is jinxed
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penguins without Crosby and Malkin have been surviving. kings can too.
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I know this team is good without Kopitar, but the silence after he went down tells you what everyone in Staples Center was thinking–prepare for next season…. Now, if it were just Kopitar, and we still had Williams, I’d say we could survive. But come on guys! Who are we kidding here? Just devastating.
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