Dustin Penner knows what is coming. When the Kings finish their morning skate in Edmonton tomorrow, Penner is likely to be swarmed by Edmonton-based media members looking for reaction to Penner’s “homecoming.” As of today, Penner has been a King for exactly one month, so it’s not as though years have passed, but Penner’s three-plus years with the Oilers were notable, so it’s certain that his return will be a major topic of discussion. It’s all the more relevant now, given that Penner is the only remaining member of the Kings’ first line. A week ago, he was skating with Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams. Now they’re both out with serious injuries, and Penner is left to carry the water with Michal Handzus and Oscar Moller. After practice today, Penner talked about that challenge, as well as his emotions about his return to Edmonton…
PENNER: “Maybe a bit of excitement, to see some old friends. Not that old, I guess. It will be kind of weird. I haven’t experienced being traded midseason and then going back there and playing the same year. It will be nice to see the familiar faces and the people that I had friendships with for the past three-and-a-half, four years. … I was there for a long time. Obviously I laid some roots down and it was tough to leave.”
Question: It’s only been a month, but have you been able to put your time in Edmonton in any perspective? It was kind of a roller coaster there…
PENNER: “It’s tough to get a full grasp of my time there, right now. I haven’t had time to power down, like you do in the offseason, and just kind of think about the season before. I think, as the summer wears on, and the years, I’ll be able to understand exactly what that meant to me and how it helped me. I know it was a great experience for me, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Question: What’s going to be the most important thing, going forward without two of your top forwards?
PENNER: “It’s tough to replace not only Willy but now Anze. It’s not five or 10 days, a muscle strain. Injuries are normal, but when you get the ones with the severity of these, it puts a lot of onus on the rest of the guys in the room but it’s also a great challenge and a great opportunity for guys like Oscar and myself. When you take 23 minutes from Kopi and 20 from Justin and you spread them around to the guys in the room, everybody is going to get extra playing time, and with more playing time comes more success.”
GKG
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This will be a good time for Penner to get on track and pick up some of the expected slack. We are all thinking of you JW and Kopi! GKG!
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Carry the water? Interesting way to put it..Frozen water perhaps?
I do think that Penner will start scoring and he has gone all the
way in the “show”… Bottom line::
Penner needs to step up!
GKG
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We will find out who on this team really belongs and who can take the step to the next level. I know there are players who aren’t playing as they should such as Simmonds, and JJ, but it’s now time for someone like Dustin Brown to go to the elite level and carry this team on his back. He’s the player that can replace Kopi as the best player. He’s played well, but he needs to bring his heavy hitting game every night and punish the opposition. It’s when he does that, that he is an unstoppable force.
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Lets go Kings the whole team needs to step up
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With nicknames like Greener, Simmer and Quicker what happens with a name like Penner?
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CB14 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Pennerer!
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IceGuy Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
Penner-er (played by Jim Carrey)!
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jp Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Pens
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MM Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Penny a la Kopi and Brownie?
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Melissa Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 9:02 am
@MM, lucky penny?
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Brown called him Pens.
I think most of them call Quick, Quickie. He probably goes by both.. I wanna know if Mitchell gets confused with Williams being called Willie.
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Jamesonafterawin Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@JackKent Cooke, I still say Penzoil! Get it?
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I like Penner’s genuine straight talk. There’s no agenda in him, but I suppose that can be said of most hockey players. The guys seem to welcome the upcoming battles and good thing they have a hockey club adjustment starter kit, a game against edmonton.
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Scot Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 2:45 am
@jess,
Haha, I like it.
Hopefully this starter kit isn’t missing any parts because there’s a potential explosion kit waiting 2 nights later.
P.S. In a way, I’m glad the uncertainty of Kopitar’s return is gone, now the players can focus and know that he isn’t coming back, and they will go into battle with the people on the ice tomorrow night. No one has a “play hard for 6 weeks” frame of mind, where they can historically ease up if/when he were to return.
This can be a potentially dangerous situation for the Kings financial plan. A player can REALLY turn up his game because of this opportunity (Lewis, potentially) and subsequently price himself out of the Kings range for next season, or if they are deserving of a contract extension. It happens all the time. This is when no-names around the league can make a name for themselves. I hope it happens!
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Scot Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 2:47 am
@Scot,
In the Playoffs is where players earn their money.
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jess Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:10 am
@Scot, slamming for dollars:)
jess Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:12 am
@Scot, you took my 2D observation and made it into a 3D model with textures and lighting -Nice!
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OT:Just another reason to be thankful we have hockey …
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40153870/vp/42313323#42313323
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I love that last answer by Penner. Well said. Go Kings.
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Y does he wait by the boards for a pass all the time?
He should go to the net like Holmstrom or better yet last years version of Byfuglien….he’s over 250 pounds USE UR WEIGHT!!!
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TSN reporting that Anze has high ankle sprain with torn ligaments that will require surgery. Not coming back this year!
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=359897
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AZ King Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
@Cry Baby,
Go back 2 posts and you’ll see that Rich reported the same thing.
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Cry Baby Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
@AZ King, Ha, I didn’t even see it. Broken or not broken?
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Slim Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
@Cry Baby, Yeah! I saw that too..
Apparantely not a broken bone..
What’s going on?
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Slim Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@Slim, Nevermind..I’m getting confused again.. Duh!
Rich did report it…and I read it..
All this Bone stuff had spun me around..
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KDinUT Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
@Cry Baby, Interesting that the article failed to mention the fact he also has a broken leg . . .
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capt jam Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
@KDinUT,
Credit where it’s apparently due: Anze’s pop, who didn’t think he broke the ankle when he saw the video.
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KDinUT Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
@capt jam, Googling Anze for news and at least some of the media are reporting that he has the high ankle sprain/torn ligaments in addition to the fracture. I guess I’m confused at this point . . .
Penner needs to carry the first line. Everyone needs to show how bad they really want it. Bring the cup back to L.A.! Let’s Go Kings!
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Dude Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
@Brian Bailey, bring the cup “back” to L.A? it’s never been here man
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LAnutClinger Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 8:16 am
@Dude, It was here in 1993 at the forum in the finals VS the canadiens. we just didn’t seal the deal!
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cris Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
@Brian Bailey, back to LA? its never been in LA
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Score a goal Penner.
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Ooh! The Schmucks are flirting ever so closely with falling to the dreaded trap game. C’mon Avs!!
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KDinUT Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
@capt jam, Dang Quacks just scored! Come on Avs, a little help please . . .
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friarking Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 12:14 am
@KDinUT, Selanne couldn’t be stopped. =/
That guy must eat his pregame meal with Chuck Norris or something.
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I really thought it was to soon to be able to lure a big UFA. I thought maybe at the start of UFA bidding go for a sure thing like get a older guy that could prove how deep we were capable of going like Selanne or Ray Whitney to a big 1 year or medium 2 year deal was safer a sure thing. I even got greif for thinking we should offer Teemu Selanne a one year 5 million contract after being stiffed by Kovi. He just scored Goal # 28 this year. Would have likely scored more on our team on the first line with Kopi and JW Kings likely would have 5+ more wins this year and would be just slightly ahead of SJ for 1st in the Division, and we wouldn’t have lost a 1 & 3 round draft picks and Tuebert for Penner. If we were really lucky also not playing so many OTs maybe not lost one of Kopi or Williams to injury. That would have made it necessary to fill 1st line LW in the offseason again. But really aren’t we planning to anyway?
No point in crying over spilled milk the Kings D is still solid and I believe we will make a strong push on D and Goaltending. I believe in the team. We are still poised to make a tweak or major splash in the summer or 2 summers, but I believe we need to atleast make the conference finals to make top 10 in the league UFAs feel, yeah LA thats a place I can win the cup(s).
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Exactly a month since we have had Penner and that shoould be enough time to bond with his new team and start producing more as his linemate just went down. I like him, but at the end of the day we did not trade for his big body alone, we need points. But, I have to say that now our two of our top six scorers are gone, I expect the rest to pick up the tap rather than hoping for some emergency call out for schenn. R u listening Mr. Simmonds? R u listening Mr. Smyth? Your efforts and work is never questioned, but your point production is another story. Pick it up guys. We need it, the team needs it.
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I have a way off topic way out of the blue question.
Pretend the kings win the cup and all that good stuff..is Kopitar get recognition in that seems how he was are leading scorer but didn’t play in the playoffs? Does his name go on the cup?
I’ve always wondered stuff like this
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CB14 Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
@Subby, Someone posted the same question earlier and the answer is yes. If you play in 1 finals game or half of your teams regular season games then that player is automatically put on the cup. Teams can also request that other players be put on the cup, and unless they are outrageous, like John Zeiler whose only played 4 games this season, it’s usually allowed.
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
March 28th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
@Subby, Yes.
They would probably have him come to the ice to hold the cup and celebrate with them as well
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KingMe20 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 7:56 am
@Subby,
I believe that a player must play at least 41 games in the regular season or at least one game in the Finals to be eligible. He would get his name on the Cup.
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Stay healthy Defance… its all we have!!
Penner time to score for 5 mil
Smyth time to put more pts on the board for 6mil
Simms bring it on now!!
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GO KINGS GO we just have to believe in them and just support them. we still have a solid defense, solid goaltending just will need to win mostly low scoring games which we are capable of doing. Just remember guys that oilers team that made the finals in 05 i think so anything is possible just believe.
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I’m just chuckling at Rich being able to use the words “Fast” and “Penner” in the same headline.
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Scot Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 2:33 am
@Marc Nathan,
You just did too, technically!
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“It’s all the more relevant now, given that Penner is the only remaining member of the Kings’ first line.”
There’s irony for you!
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Another thought:
The fate of Kopi and Willie sorta deprives us of any really good way to judge the usefulness of Penner going forward. I mean, to blame him for being unable to play like a “top line forward” in this environment would be very cruel. Therefore, though we expected to know whether Penner “worked out” by the end of postseason, it’s quite possible we’ll be uncertain. We’re probably fortunate he’s signed for an additional year, because it would probably be unfair for everyone if he was immediately on the UFA block after the playoffs.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 7:59 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Kind of reminds me a little of Kovalchuk last season.
He never really bonded with the Devils until this season. It takes time. I’m not a big fan of in seson trads for this reason.
You make the trade and you have to expect the player to adapt quickly, and most times that’s just not a reasonable expectation.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:11 am
@nykingfan, Sometimes it works out, but it’s certainly not fair to say because it didn’t work out it’s that player’s “fault.”
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Spreading around the minutes . . .
Kopi was good for 20+ minutes per game, on BOTH sides of the puck. No matter what we say, he’s irreplaceable. But thank God we do have a system, that the system is defense-oriented, grind-it-out oriented, and we have guys who CAN step it up in situations just like this.
Getting Penner may not be as dramatic as getting Mitchell, but I don’t think we’ll be “uncertain” about his value at the end of the season. We paid value, and we got bang for our buck.
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Dustin “it’s time to move my @$$ and score some goals and earn my money and show DL why he thinks I am the right fit for this team and step up for the rest of my team” Penner. That guy?
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Kings x Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 1:33 am
@Kings x, Can smyth score anything besides a tip in or a wrap around? Dead serious question.
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Scot Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 2:32 am
@Kings x,
Yes. An empty netter.
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KingMe20 Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 7:59 am
@Kings x,
He did score on a slap shot against Luongo in the playoffs last year. Not sure about this year, but at least he gets to the net, which is more than we’ve seen out of Penner so far. However, if ever there was a time for him to turn it around, it would be going into a former team’s house and hearing the boos from his former fans.
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nykingfan Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 8:00 am
@Kings x,
I don’t care if the pucks go in off his teeth..as long as they go in and count!
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BayAreaKingsFan Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 8:36 am
@nykingfan, Seriously, whether he bounces one in from the red line or bycycle kicks the darn thing in, I really dont care. And we knew what we were getting from him, 20+ goals within 5 feet of the net. I’ll take it all day, with a little bit more frequency.
Sitting in the San Diego airport waiting to start my journey up to Edmonton to watch the boys play tonight…not sure if I want to rock my black 3rd jersey or the white road jersey tonight to aggrivate the people sitting next to me?
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KFII Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 6:21 am
@JacquesQ, Have a great time, and aggrevate away!
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BayAreaKingsFan Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 8:38 am
@KFII, Find an 80′s puprle and gold, not the throw backs they’re wearing this year, but Luc’s rookie year jersey’s. By far the best in franchise history. That would be my choice.
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kevin from toronto Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 8:42 am
@JacquesQ, Road whites
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stivo Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 11:57 am
@JacquesQ, Give us Oilers fan a treat and rock it in a good ole purple and gold, feather your hair 80s style. We could use the laugh. Seriously. Very serious.
I’m looking forward to seeing if D.P. is as much of a pylon for you guys as he was for us. These fan reports sound familiar… doesn’t go to the net, doesn’t use his weight, hangs on the boards waiting, doesn’t move his feet… passionless Penner.
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Time for Penner’s hat trick. Show them how much you miss them. LOL
Okay, I’ll settle for one goal. The game winner! GKG!
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Penner’s got a new home now. Especially if he carries the load and produces during these grim times.
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It is gut check time!!!!!
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I think we need Doughty and Johnson to really step up their games as well. Not so much offensively, but just being more responsible defensively. We just can’t afford to give up any mistake goals right now. Our current offense can probably give us two goals per game, but expecting any more than that is pretty hopeful. I think the team defnce and goaltending are up to the task if we can eliminate the mistake type goals. I’m still optimistic…. Just wish Kopi and JW could be part of this playoff run, I know they will miss it.
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kevin from toronto Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 8:39 am
@LAPD line, That’s what stings the most… I was so happy to see Kopi play in his first playoff last year, and was excited about him playing in the playoffs again this year. It will be tough not seeing him out there with the boys.
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The Kings are already being written off on sports shows. Even Roenick wasn’t showing any support. I think with a couple guys getting a 5+ more minutes a game now, we will start to see more production from them. We have won 3 in a row and I don’t even know out of our last 25 but we are still on a roll, just gotta keep rolling with the punches. GKG! We need to start by rolling over Edmonton, because the rest of our games are going to be no cake walk.
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Forum to Staples Fan Reply:
March 29th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@RobSD, No offense, but who cares what Roenick thinks? I can’t understand why they ever use him on Kings broadcasts. He may have played here briefly, but he’s not a true King.
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Being a king fan all my life makes me proud of how far they made it as a TEAM today. Kings had a pretty healthy season and it just shows how much potential and fight they really have in them! Hopefully bringing schenn up next year helping kopi out with penner williams, and just all the great players we have and will have in the future of the kings franchise brings the cup to the city it really belongs in!!! LOS ANGELES!!!!! DUSTY STEP UP, ZEUS STEP UP, PENNER STEP UP, SIMMONDS STEP UP, MOLLER(( A GREAT PLAYER IN NEED OF ICE TIME)) STEP UP!! lets do this L.A!! GkG!!
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