In the absence of Anze Kopitar, it’s no stretch to say that the most dramatic move will be made by Trevor Lewis, who moves from the fourth-line center spot to the second line, between Ryan Smyth and Dustin Brown. Lewis had a four-game stint in December as the Kings’ second-line right winger, but this will be a new challenge, playing center in a high-profile role and playing big minutes. Lewis is averaging just over 11 minutes per game this season, and that’s likely to jump significantly going forward. Lewis has three goals and six assists in 65 games this season, and has established himself as a responsible two-play player and a strong penalty killer, and now the Kings hope Lewis has more offense in him as well. After practice today, Lewis talked about the Kings’ challenge going forward and his thoughts on his new role…
LEWIS: “Obviously two of your best offensive players are down. That hurts, but I think everybody is just going to chip in a little bit more, and everyone has got to show more responsibility.”
Question: Can you talk about how your game has evolved since the start of the season?
LEWIS: “At the start of the season, I just wanted to show that I belong here. I think I’ve just been pretty consistent throughout the year, and I’ve got to keep going with that, stick with everything I’ve been doing with the defensive responsibility but just kind of chip in a little bit more. Playing with those two good players, I should be all right.”
Question: And you don’t really want to change the way you play too much, with that energy and responsibility, right?
LEWIS: “Stick with it, stick with being solid defensively, and then look to get the puck to these guys and hopefully pop a few more goals.”
come on Lewis prove to everyone that disagrees that ur can be in that role
Lets go Kings GO!!!
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I like Lewis’s energy night in night out. It’ll be interesting to see how he adapts to the longer minutes with less recovery time.
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This guy is a great player. Our future permanent C3. Lewis it is your time to shine
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Mongo88 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
@brandyn, you took the words right out of my mouth.
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Paul G Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
@brandyn,
Kopitar
Loktionov
Schenn
Lewis
He’ll stay as a 4th but he’ll be our version of Darren Helm
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Harty Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 4:52 am
@Paul G, Loktionov will not be in our long term plans, his size is not enough for NHL, constantly injured in his career no doubt
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Djspock92 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 5:52 am
@Harty, Bringing up size again? Do we need to list again all the players smaller than Loki that have flourished in the NHL?
I forsee Lewis taking over Handzus’s role if he’s not resigned as our defensive line center. Hopefully, he’ll go to Jarred Stoll school of Faceoffs during the offseason.
Well partly the way I predicted. Now just move Stoll up to the first line and we have a proper alignment. LOL
Way to go Trevor! Perfect place time to take the next step. Could go a long way in convincing those watching as to who really gets that 2nd or 3rd line center roll next season.
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KingsGuy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
@Dominick, Ya, I am assuming he will be under the microscope for the next couple games. Doesn’t perform he goes to 3rd line center, Stoll Moves up to 2nd.
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NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 8:59 am
@KingsGuy, Yea I agree. I don’t see how through all this that Stoll gets demoted to the 3rd line.
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Former first round pick, so you’d think the potential is there
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Ike Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
@McDonalds, That’s what I was thinking.
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Dominick Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
@McDonalds, I thought the same thing too.
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MindGeyser Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
@McDonalds, Lombardi sees Lewis as a John Madden type, with potential for better offense. Let’s keep our expectations level.
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That’s a lot of weight to put on this kids shoulders…
Take the load off granny…
And put the load, right on me..
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stone Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
@Slim, granny?
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Slim Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
@stone, It’s a line from the Band’s song the”Weight”"
sung by Levon Helm, no relation to Darren…
I should have written::
Take the load off Kopi,
And put the load, right on me…
Hope that helps explain..You are probably young..
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broncokings Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
@Slim, its a great song!
Jason4Kings Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
@Slim,
It’s “Anny”, not granny.
threepwood Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
@Slim,
Actually it’s “Fanny”…and not “Anny” or “Granny”
GKG
KC23 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 7:02 am
@Slim, One of my favorite bands. Saw them several times, once with Bob Dillian at the Forum. Stage Fright is still one of my favorites to listen to.
oscar Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
@Slim, (It’s “Anny”, not granny) that awkward
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Will he be the “Chris Kontos” for the Kings this year?
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CupRun2011 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
@CupRun2011, or maybe it’ll be Richie (with the same number)!
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TiredOfIt Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
@CupRun2011, How about Scott Thomas?
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I’ve always like Lewis’ game and I’m not too worried about him. I think we will see his production improve with better linemates and more minutes. Dustin Brown has also been playing the best hockey of the season (and possibly his career) and if the trend continues it’s safe to say he’s finally figured out his game. He will be the most important forward piece now.
I agree with most others that my biggest worry is Westgarth. Not someone you need come playoff time.
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CupRun2011 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@xeropoint, Brownie and Zeus have some mojo working for them the past couple of games.
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Kenny44 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
@CupRun2011, Indeed they do. I’ve seen them work a few very nice give and go plays lately, which is very refreshing to see. Most of the season it’s been too much give and watch.
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EternalOptimist Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
@xeropoint,
Totally agree, he’s upped his game in all areas (scoring, hitting, strong PK, blocking shots) recently. It will be exciting to see how DB and the rest of the forwards respond in Kopi and JW’s absence. What’s so encouraging is that we have so many guys who are capable of stepping up their game to help mitigate the loss of our top 2 scorers. Now is there chance to show what they are capable of.
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Time to find out what this team is made of. I liked what I saw out of Lewis and Smyth the other night. Let’s hope they develop into something great together.
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Off Topic here, but Could someone who can make a difference call Cox cable and tell them to add Fox Sports West 2 to their programing channels? And stop blacking out Prime Ticket games on Center Ice. The whole reason to get Center Ice is to get those games. What a waiste of $179.00 bucks. Can’t even pay for a live stream on the computer because it’s blacked out in my area.
It’s almost like someone out there is conspiring against me.
O.K. rant over, carry on.
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408kingsfan Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
@Dominick, There is a way to bounce off a server out of your area and the local games do not get blacked out that way. Lots of people are doing that. You need an IT guy to help you.
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408kingsfan Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
@408kingsfan, correction, not bounce off a server but connect to a server out of your area.
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
@Dominick, Or do like I do. I live very far from L.A. now but I got a Dish Network receiver with an address in LA. I get all the games on PT and Fox West in HD with a basic subscription. Once hockey and basketball (yeah I know) are over I will cancel the subscription until next Oct.. The are about 5 games per year I can’t get when they’re on KCOP.
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408kingsfan Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
@LA_1968, Yeah I do the exact same thing at my place in Rosarito Mexico. All the locals come over to watch the Kings games and drink tequila
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I think Trevor will be fine. He plays a great defensive game and pk. I think the offensive abilities aren’t lacking, they’ve just stymied a bit by the defense mindset. However, that being said, Trevor’s been snakebit several times this year when he had a few goal scoring chances, but I feel if he expands a bit on offense, he has the potential to be quite a threat to our opponents. I don’t know fellow bloggers, but I feel with Kopi going out for the year, I sense the team is really going to get tight and come together and shut down our opponents. I think other teams look at us as a 1-Kopi team and don’t realize we have a bunch of other great guys that can play the game. So, we’ll see what happens, I hope the Kings prove me right in this statement. GKG
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Dominick Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@Goring 19, Hey did anyone end up joining you and Puck?
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Goring 19 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
@Dominick, no, I couldn’t go myself so puck gave the ticket to an appreciative lady. Nice gesture from puck73. Class guy.
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KC23 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 7:08 am
@Goring 19, Puck73 sure is a class guy. He set me up in a Suite for the opener and also at a King’s game at the Pond. Too bad some moderator has got him all wrong. Shame on you whoever you are.
xeropoint Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@Goring 19, The positive, in my mind, is that there are several very good players who have a lot of room for improvement. We’ve gotten this far WITHOUT Doughty and Simmonds having great years. Without Handzus chipping in his 18 or so goals. Without Ryan Smyth producing for long stretches. Without a 20 goal season from Ponikarovski.
If these guys can take it up just ONE more notch, I like our chances a lot.
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Goring 19 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
@xeropoint, well said. Therein is the cliche about “stepping up” and I believe they will all do that, nothing short of playing their hearts out because it’s all so clear now what they’re up against.
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Slim Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
@xeropoint,
There is some very poignant reasoning here..
If this indeed does happen, we would be in good standing..
Well said!
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It seems to me that the Kings should be bringing up somebody with some scoring touch and giving whoever it is a chance to acclimate before the playoffs. Clearly Westgarth should not see any playoff ice at all, and at this point of the season I don’t see much use for him regardless. Give someone else a chance to prepare for the playoffs so they don’t have to come in cold when and if somebody else goes down.
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fsd1 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 7:25 am
@rontheking, Who would you bring up with an offensive upside who isn’t injured?
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Djspock92 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:10 am
@fsd1, Give Kozun a shot. He’s small but has proven he can score in Juniors and in the AHL.
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rontheking Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@Djspock92,
I’d bring up Dwight King, Kozun, or Elkins.
rontheking Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@Djspock92,
I like the idea of Kozun as well, because of his speed–that alone would make him worth bringing in–just because it would give the other teams’ defenses fits, create confusion for them, and in so doing create some openings for the other Kings to get scoring opportunities….
I expect pavol demitra numbers from him. Maybe half since the kings traded demitra for osully nd lewis
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CB14 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
@fernando, Then we traded O’Sully for Williams. Not a bad trade considering Williams just signed a 4 yr. contract extension, and O’Sully was waived earlier this year.
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Bring back Gary Shuchuck!
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Off-topic here but everyone keep in mind that the Kings-Sharks game on April 4th is on versus. Just thought I’d mention that.
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Playoffs are coming, the kings will dress 7 defensemen in csse a dman goes down. I think
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KC23 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 7:11 am
@fernando, Not a chance. TM hates going with 7 defenseman. Has stated it outright.
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First interview with Lewis all year?
Go get em Trevor!!
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Well I would have thought if they could do it to bring up Loktionov, Andrei,he has played well on the centering side of things! I wonder why they wouldnt if they could!
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BobKnob Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
@KingsFan1974,
He’s injured.
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KingsFan1974 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
@BobKnob, thanks for the update
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Time to see what the guy we drafted right after Bernier can do.
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That is where Lewis should be playing! Go Lewis and Kings!!!!!!
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In Trevor I trust!
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Very excited about Lewis getting a chance finally in the high profile role,I really do like him a lot and have been rooting hard for him all year,he’s no Schenn(who I also love and can’t wait till he’s with the Kings full time)but I love his hustle. He’s been in great position other times this year to score more goals than he has but has just had a little bad luck,I was so happy at the game the other night to see him score,glad Smyth hooked him up. So I think between his intensity and now with way more minutes which will create more scoring chances for him,he will be really good.
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Does anyone recall how long Lokti was expected to be out? I don’t remember if he had surgery or not. I know he was hurt over 1 month ago before the trade deadline, I don’t remember how long he was out for. Was it the rest of the year? Anyone remember or have an update? Thanks
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Djspock92 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:13 am
@ta, Loki is out this season. Will be ready for training camp in the fall.
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The guy I hope will step up is Brad Richardson. He’s almost an afterthought these days because he hasn’t played well all year, but he has demonstrated the ability to be an effective second-line player. When he’s on his game I think he can contribute more offensively than Trevor Lewis.
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com’on Lew’ie show everyone that your the guy, he is very good, better then Loktionov by far.
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Lewis won me over with his PK play. The guy is a stud on the PK. As good as almost anyone.
Lewis could really make my year if he steps up offensively cause can’t help but love the way the kid battles every night and so consistantly. I about jumped up 10′ when he scored the other day.
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