Question: What will you look to do with the free agents?
LOMBARDI: “Well, there’s no real urgency in terms of, `We’ve got to get it done now.’ July 1 is still a ways away, but as a practical matter, the ones are the two unrestricted, Handzus and Ponikarovsky. The other guys, you’ve got your offer-sheet possibilities, but I think the most important thing right now is to evaluate where we are, what we have to get better at, where our holes are, and now start placing them in, start trying to project where some kids could be, whether it’s Schenn or Loktionov or some of these guys in the minors who can help us. Is there another Clifford there, that has a chance? Then we’ll get to the guys, and then there’s the (salary) number. The cap is going up, so obviously we’re in pretty good shape there. Let’s not kid ourselves. Part of this is, do we go short-term with Doughty for now, and keep it down, or try to go long-term? It’s similar to the issue with Jack Johnson. A lot of what you do is going to revolve around whether that is short-term or long-term. That will determine a lot about your space.”
Question: Have they given you any indication of what the salary cap will be?
LOMBARDI: “I believe it’s going to be around 63 million. That’s generally what we’re told. I’m not sure. I don’t want to be an idiot. We don’t know this for sure, but the preliminary analysis we’re getting is anywhere from 62.50 to 63 (million). That could be wrong, but that’s kind of what…they’re not telling you that, but they’re giving you an idea of what they think it’s going to be. So that’s not written in stone.”
Question: Looking at free agents, you will probably discuss this with Dean, but would you want Handzus back?
MURRAY: “Yeah. Yeah.”
Question: And Ponikarovsky?
MURRAY: “Yeah. Big body. A 6-(foot-)5 guy. I need him to score more, though. I relayed that to him, in the last talk I had with him on the morning of Game 6 here, in the morning skate, that this is the reason why (he wasn’t playing). It wasn’t because of poor play. I mean, he’s trying, he cares. He’s going to the net. He’s using his size most of the time. I just need more of what you’ve shown for seven years in your resume, a 20-goal scorer. What happened? He can do some good things. Handzus, he’s a real linchpin kind of a guy. He’s a leader. He’s a great example. He’s a professional in all senses of the word, getting ready, doing the work that needs to be done to be a player. The tough part for him (was that) I had to elevate him to a situation in the playoffs, because of circumstances. Somebody might look at it and say, `Jeez, I don’t know,’ but we know. He’s an important guy.”
sorry TM, I highly doubt Zues will be back, unless at a incredibly reduced figure! Poni is GONE
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NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@tornado12, I agree. I think Murray doesn’t want to just come out and say Poni and Zues are gone. But there needs to be room made for Schenn and Loki.
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AZ King Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:43 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED,
Assuming Schenn and Lokti are ready for the NHL. So far Schenn has not shown that he can make any sort of impact outside of juniors, and Lokti’s future rests in his ability to bulk up and deal with NHl defenders better.
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RLane420 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
@tornado12, Do you think he is going to ask for 4 mil. I highly doubt it.
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Christian T Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
@tornado12, I would take Zues at a reduced price. He is one of the best leaders on this team. If he could stay on a third line role he would be worth 1-2 mil. Poni? I could go either way if it was 1 mil but not above. I kinda laugh when everyone complains about zues being slow. Every team has slow guys. We just don’t have fast skilled players.
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Jim S. Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
@Christian T,
Great comments! I agree 100%
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Well i like Handzus but i think his time is up
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ChiKingFan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 9:01 pm
@KingsFanFTW The loss of the Zeus would leave a huge hole in our PK. Don’t expect a top 5 PK unit next season if he’s gone. That man is clutch in the 5 on 4′s. Even better on the 5 on the 3′s. He just loves to smash PP dreams. I like that about him. Compete level is always high, he has a nice veteran presence and a calming demeanor which can help unwind the young players. Everything about this man is gold on a defensive standpoint. He steps up in desperate offensive situations as well.
Poni is big and good for a shutdown role, but we shouldn’t pay him according to his long-gone 20 goal seasons.
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Paul G Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 4:34 am
@ChiKingFan, Actually that’s a plus to our PK….I’m tired of watching him struggle to skate after the two point men as they pass it back and forth
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I like Murray’s answer here.
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the fact that TM can go through a season like this with Handzus and Ponikarovsky and WANT THEM BACK tells you exactly why he shouldn’t be the coach.
Zues and Poni are straight out of the 70s. Big grinding guys. Zues was a helluva player but not in his prime right now. And meanwhile Murray looks right through guys like Loktionov, even Moller.
Here’s an interesting quiz. Assuming DL isn’t totally nuts and Zues and Poni walk, do they get hired anywhere else in today’s NHL or is Murray the only guy who says, yeah, give me more of that?
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Brownkingsfan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket, Our system doesn’t allow for a guy like Poni to score. The dump and chase and hope for a dirty goal offense drops everyone’s numbers. I think Poni could be a 20 goal scorer somewhere else. Unless our offensive look changes dramatically, I would expect the same result next year if he stays with the Kings.
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Matt R Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket, But imagine if TM says “no, I don’t want them back” and they end up on the team next season. Now he’s got two players who know that the coach doesn’t want them. For all we know, Murray is thinking to himself “oh please let them be gone!” He has to say he wants them back even if he doesn’t.
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket, Politics man. He’s going to say he wants everyone back, but he knows he’s not getting them.
Unless a player is a total cancer to the team, he’s not going to say “I don’t want them back.” and then make it so they not only don’t come back to the team, but they have trouble finding other teams as well. That’s not fair to do to the players, especially Handzus who gave his all, every game. TM isn’t expecting them in a Kings uniform next year. He’s probably not even expecting Lewis next year, but he’ll say he wants them all back because if he says he doesn’t, and they do come back, it’s a lot harder to deal with then if he says he wants them back, and they don’t come.
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tornado12 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@Bluecoconuts, Lewis better be back next year!
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@tornado12, I would like it, but he and Richardson are both RFA, and I think that the Kings will decide between the two… Lewis was great on the PK, and improved all year, but Richardson was the better overall player, and was able to play in all positions pretty well.
If they feel that Schenn and Loktionov are ready, they might let him go… Or sign him at a really low one year deal to be the healthy scratch hanging out if someone goes down. It’s a tough call with Lewis, probably one of the tougher choices they’ll have to make.
tornado12 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@blue, I dont see why we cant resign them both. They are RFA, so they kinda dont have a choice. DL will resign them both, but cost become a factor! I doubt either will demand more then 1 to 1.5 per and likely short term contracts.
Duckhunter Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@tornado12, both will be resigned…Lokti will be enough of a question with the injury that one will play the other will be there just in case depth
Token Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
@Bluecoconuts, RFA qualifying offer 101:
If an RFA earned $660K or less, the offer must be 10% higher.
If an RFA earned less than $1M, the offer must be 5% higher.
That’s it. That’s the obligation the team has and those are the expectations the players have.
Unless you are the star player and the team wants you locked up in a five,seven,ten+ year contract, there are no negotiations, no deals etc. You get an offer and you either sign or don’t sign.
This is why you never let RFAs walk. It doesn’t cost you anything to keep them. You must have those warm bodies anyway per league rules.
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tornado12 Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 10:13 am
@Token, what happens if they dont sign? do they have to play in another league?
donald_s Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket,
Zeus is not going to have trouble finding a job. He has one of the best hockey minds I’ve ever seen. I remember Jim Fox talking about how coaches went to him when they wanted to find out what was going on on the ice. But they probably can’t afford him and they need room for some of the new guys. So we’ll thank him and send him on his way.
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nykingfan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket,
Read between the lines man…He said he didn’t get scoring from Poni and that’s what he needed. He can’t understand what happened to the guy.
He’s too smart to say..No, I don’t want this guy…If he doesn’t’ trust him to play the biggest game of the year, do you really believe he wants him back?
As for Zus, you don’t understand the importance of leadership and true team guy. It sounds like they want him back, I’m sure for the right price, and that’s good news for the franchise. He shouldn’t have to be the top line center. He’s a perfect checking center.
If they do bring him back, someone’s going.
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Poni had some games where he was a powerful presence. Given our lack of depth at left wing I think that a committment to him would give him the confidence to bring it big every night…
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Duckhunter Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
@King Homer, only if he has a lower cap value than this year.
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Before anyone freaks out about Poni coming back (based on TM’s comments) realistically it ain’t happening. As the coach of the players, it wouldn’t be wise of TM to say anything other than what was said. You tell the press you don’t want a player back, or don’t see him coming back and that GM decides differently, you’ll have a major issue in the locker room.
There’s always a chance that they’ll sign Zeus again, but I’d be shocked if they made that decision before the rookie camp or even before training camp evaluations when they get a better look at Schenn and Lokti’s progression. I have a feeling he may be “Plan C” right now.
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Yay! Hercules! Hercules! I love me some Zeus…hope he stays!
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Paul G Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 4:36 am
@lowegirl, I think the reply “yeah, yeah” is more of a “next question” then a real answer
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Guess Harrold is moving on. Wonder if you can re-sign Handzus for, say, two million? If not, I’m sure another team will ink him, as he’s still a very good defensive player.
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Doug in Sacramento Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@deadcatbounce, Serious. No mention of Harrold. That’s too bad. Guy deserves a shot somewhere.
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“I just need more of what you’ve shown for seven years in your resume, a 20-goal scorer. What happened?”
He played in a different system?
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Kinger Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Hit the nail on the head.
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Both are good on the third line. We can’t expect more
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Zus 4 Life!!!
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Off subject, but some idiot wrote a “eulogy” about the Kings at Yahoo!sports. Absolutely not funny nor clever. It was written by someone who wanted to rub our noses in it and made assumptions based on the stat sheet alone. Stupid.
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Lili Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@thustable, Actually they write eulogies on every team that loses. they are always written by a fan of the other team. This one just happened to be very unclever… except for Doughty’s creepy beard!
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thrustable Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
@Lili, I know its done for every team.
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bbb7 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@thustable, Agreed, It’s almost as if he didnt actually watch any of the games. But to the winners, the spoils, I guess.
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Mike Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
@thustable, The Sharks won a playoff series! B F D!
I’m sure that there are good hockey fans who are also Shark fans, but that guy isn’t one of them, imho.
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c4sraser Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
@Mike, totally agree FTP
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“I just need more of what you’ve shown for seven years in your resume, a 20-goal scorer. What happened?” Hmmm, I dunno. Maybe ask Penner, Frolov, Boyle, Moulson, Purcell..
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Kingsfanone Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
@PP Anybody?,
Soooooo, what you’re saying is you cut off someone’s arms, then keep asking why he isn’t using his arms more often? Does that sound about right?
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Jason Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 8:55 am
@PP Anybody?, Frolov? Really? Tell me…what did he do in NY? Or…is that because its a different system? 7 goals and a season ending injury…not very impressive to me.
What about the guys that did score over 20,Kopi, Brown, Smith, Stoll? Dont those same reasons why Poni couldnt score 20 apply to them?
I lot of people bash TM, I dont think he is the problem here, I think it was some of the players, and Ponni is one of them. Let him go. Keep Zues and Penner, he will get better, and bring up some young guys. Look for a new LW and get better for next season.
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i actually want Poni back im sick of all the haters that forgot that at the beginning of the season he was one of our best players and the 3rd line with Handzus and Simmonds was probably our best line….hes a big gritty type of player we dont have anybody on the team that can match his speed for as a big as he is but the he has to be used correctly…give him 2yrs
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RyanSD Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@mike martinez, Thank you Mike. I totally agree. I would like to see both guys back next year. Give Poni a full, healthy season and he will do some damage.
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GG Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@mike martinez, if they bring him back and sit and play wasti instead he better be gone.
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Kings x Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
@mike martinez, Poni would do better on the first line than penner
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Dean,
please go after Zach Parise!!!!!!!!! perfect fit for the team and the top LW we need.
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Would they dare give Frolov a one year deal to see if he can get back to an offensive threat? Assuming that he is fully recovered from his knee injury?
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Anyone think a trade is possible? Like Bernier to Philly for one of the top forwards. I like Bernier but we do not need him. Quick is our goalie for at least another 10 yrs. We need a top 6 forward in case another (Kopitar injury) happens in the future.
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408KingsFan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
@DaveinSD, We could probably use Zatkoff as a back-up. Bernier is starter material but the market for goalies is like real estate right now. We probably wouldn’t get much for him.
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40 year fan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@DaveinSD, I think that it is time to trade Bernier as Quick has established himself as a top tier goalie and it is not fair to Bernier to have him back up again net year. Besides, he should be able to bring in some great return in a trade with, for instance, NY Islanders who are loaded with young great players and desperartely need a goaltender to take over the net for them. I for one, would take Moulson back in a heartbeat, plus they have others worth looking at as well.
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Helvetica Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@DaveinSD, I dont think you trade Bernier. He’s done everything asked of him these past 2 years and he certainly has the potential to be a top goalie. He has earned his shot at taking the top spot in camp next year, or at the very least seeing a lot more game time during next season. I think the prospects beneath him are potentially tradable, but like others have said… the goalies are not exactly in high demand right now. If you are going to trade goalies, maybe wait a season or two until their value is higher. We also have a ton of defensive prospects we can trade for a skilled winger.
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BringBackKingston Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
@DaveinSD,
Have to agree with the poster above about the value of goalies, even a Bernier. Goalies just don’t seem to have the value that they once did. These days systems are more important than having a top flight goalie to rely on. If Bernier is traded for a top line forward he would probably have to be packaged with another player. I can’t remember when the last time a goalie prospect was traded for anything of significance by himself.
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Stuart Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@BringBackKingston, Would JB still be considered a “prospect”? I called it before game 5 that JB would end up being traded away. With JQ we have our #1 for several years to come, what’s going to become of JB? Perennial back-up? I don’t think so. I can think of several teams that would salivate over the thought of him being thier #1 (NJ, NYI, COL, EDM, TOR…). I just hope it’s worthwhile for us!
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Kings x Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
@BringBackKingston, Is the market the same for those markets that value a French Canadian goalie?
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bill donnelly Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
@DaveinSD, Highly unlikely since both have low salaries and time rmaining on their contracts. Most likely DL will make a move for Richards the ufa and not much else will happen.
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5hole Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 1:13 am
@DaveinSD, I think there’s a real possibility that Bernier moves. Brodeur in New Jersey is about done, and it might be a way to pry Parise free…also rumors that Colorado is interested, perhaps a deal to bring Duschesne here? I think Simmonds could also be trade bait. It’s unfortunate because I like this team, but they are going to have to give up something significant to get the scorer(s) they need, and I don’t see Kopi/Williams/Brown/JJ/Doughty/Mitchell/Greene/Stoll/Clifford/Quick going anywhere, plus I don’t think Penner or the other guys have enough trade value to bring in the right sniper. Things are going to look different in October, let’s just hope it’s a GOOD different.
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Interesting how in the Penner interview Murray said he doesn’t look at the score sheet to evaluate him but when it comes to Poni, how wants to see numbers. The same type of output should be expected from these two players.
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Helvetica Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@Daniel, I think it was a different situation. In penner, you have a guy that is pretty skilled but was new to the team and new to the system and obviously wasn’t giving consistent effort. With Poni and Zeus, you have 2 guys that are probably not as skilled but were giving the effort. In Poni’s case specifically, he seemed to be doing the right things and wasn’t getting on the board, so obviously points were the issue with him.
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dMan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@Daniel, Situations are different; Penner still on a learning curve. More important to get Penner on board with the system than his goal production. Poni has been with the team for over a year, knows the system, at this point, he should be able to produce a little more, force more turnovers, setup plays, create net presence.
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Poni is a great player and can not play TM style hockey! I think Poni is thinking going else-wear then playing for TM!!
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dMan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@Sammuch, I disagree with this. I think overall Poni played Murray’s system pretty well. Now, whether he liked it or not remains to be seen.
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Sammuch Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
@dMan, Yes that what I ment, so I agree.
It just that TM wants him score over 20 goals, so if that what TM wants, he wont get that out of Poni unless he lets him play two-way hockcy like he did with the leafs. Poni played great d for a forward and did a good job at it.
I think DL got him to score goals and TM used him as a D forward instead of his two-game that he has played all his career.
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With Zues most people say he’s getting slow but man what a penalty killer!! I would hope we can sign him to a 2 yr deal. Thats the time we need to win a cup and I would like to see him be a part of it. With Poni, na na na na hey hey hey goodbye
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Kings x Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
@408KingsFan, Since he is slower. He has to dive to make the play to make up for the lost step. What a player
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Obviously they aren’t going to throw anybody under the bus a few days after getting eliminated from the playoffs.
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I love Zeus, he reads plays so well. One moment he’s coasting and looks exhausted, the next he takes two strides, prevents a pass and forces a turnover, or intercepts a pass in the slot. On the powerplay, he is economical and rarely out of position. He’s also IMO a steadying influence for the young ones.
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dMan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@dMan, Oh, and great at face-offs!
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I wonder if Kopi’s recovery from injury will play any part of Zeus coming back for 1 more year. Zeus can be insurance up the middle if for some reason Kopi can’t go right off the bat, or he can be insurance in case schenn/lokti struggle with playing with the big boys. If the middle is fine, then Zeus rotates to wing like he did this season.
I guess it all depends on much $$$. For the right price he’s back and the rest will be sorted out later.
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I think Lewis is going to fill the Zues position, he’s young, has very good defensive skills and will improve on offense. He’ll come cheap and IMHO has great potential. Love his speed entering the zone. Poni and Zues need to move on, it’s time to see what the farm can produce, and I think they will.
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Id love to give Frolov another go(:
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I would love to see Zues back. He doesn’t have to play center. He could play winger and take draws when Loktionov get kicked out. I liked watching Poni in the games after TM called him out. He was great in that Min game.
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I feel conflicted on this. He is one of my favorite Kings. To me he’s just a beautiful hockey player…. but, and there is a but, when you combine (imo) Smyth (speed), Zues (speed) and Poni (no production)….. congratulations….. you’re maybe 25-30% of the way there to repeating what you had this season. Not addressing the issues of speed, but then maybe we’ll get the goals from 20 goal scorer Poni? Well he showed nothing in 2 months with the Pens and a year with the Kings to make me believe that that’s gonna change.
Change it could, but you’re taking a big chance. Big bodies are cool. Great. Fantastic. The Kings have gotten knocked out of two consecutive first round series, Both of which in the third game they had under control. Do you want to change that. If you don’t then best plan is don’t change anything.
Certain of the young ones may evolve (may is the operative word)…. DD didn’t nor did Simmer….. so you could be well on your way to the third time not being the charm.
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number 6 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
@number 6,
By the way, I was referring to Zues when speaking of my favorite Kings.
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I just don’t think there is room at center for Zus. We have Kopi, Lewis, Stoll, Richardson, Lokti, Schenn. I think Richardson established himself as the 3rd line C during the playoffs so I would be suprised not to see him back. Same goes for Lewis his speed alone should guarantee him to be re-signed. I think the team should look into trading Stoll if Schenn is ready for the NHL. I know it isn’t the best thing to lose your top 2 face off guys in the same off season but I think Lewis and Richardson are better overall players than Stoll.
Here’s my starting lines for next year.
Penner-Kopi-Williams
Parse-Lewis-Brown
Clifford-Richardson-Simmonds
Smyth-Schenn-Westgarth
roll 4 lines I doubt Schenn will be able to step into the 2nd line center roll next year look for TM to break him in on the 4th line so he won’t be overwhelmed.
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puddle Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 11:29 pm
@justlu, Stoll has such immense value in the faceoff circle AND in the shootout (he and Quick pretty much combined to make us unbeatable in the SO), it would be a big loss to replace him with Richie, as much as I love Richie. Plus, isn’t Stoll going into a contract year? If you need to trade him midseason, I think you do it then.
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5hole Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 1:27 am
@justlu, Schenn is not ready! He’s been playing against teenagers for the past year, he really needs to spend some time in Manchester learning the Kings’ system and developing his skills; it’s a waste to put him on the roster and then bury him on the 4th line. Give him top 6 ice time in the AHL! As for Stoll, you CANNOT TRADE THE TOP FACE-OFF GUY! Not this year, anyway.
Lewis, Penner, and Simmonds play better on a lower line when scoring is not expected. Don’t pencil in lines just yet, as Simmonds or Bernier (or both) could become legit trade prospects. UFA class is really thin this year, so let’s see what DL can pull off. I really think trade is the best option, plus it allows the team to pursue RFA’s without making other GM’s mad with offer sheets; it’s the only way a Parise or a Sharp or a Grabner or a Semin or someone like that becomes available.
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Paul G Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 4:38 am
@justlu, …….I respectfully disagree
Penner-Kopitar-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Clifford-Schenn-Simmonds
Parse-Lewis-Richardson
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garry Reply:
April 29th, 2011 at 9:46 am
@Paul G, This line-up will be lucky to make the play-offs. We have to replace Smyth and Stoll and when will this group realize in Schenn we have a young super-star arriving next season.
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I don’t think we change too much from where we ended. We get Kopi back. We drop Poni. I would keep Schenn and Lokti at Manchester with the other kids for one more year. Next year many of our contracts expire and we should then evaluate the youngsters. Our team in the playoffs with Kopi and an added bonifide sniper would be sufficient for next season, Then we roll our domination kids into the mix in 2012. Take a look at them at Manchester and bring one or two up as needed. I like Lokti, Schenn and Tofoli. Who knows… but I really don’t think too many changes are needed right away except as Lombardi said, adding the right sniper to the mix. I think this team had so many youngsters gain invaluable playoff experience and that will payoff next season for us. AND I say sign Zues for another year. He has experience, face-offs, PK (did you see him diving to knock the puck out of our zone MORE THAN ONCE!) reguklar season shootout skills and is solid both ways even though he has lost a step. Very smart player that would help the kids grow……
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Jim S. Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
@boxtime17,
agree 100%. don’t rush schenn & loktionov let them carry the torch in Manchester. sign handzus for 2 more years…
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puddle Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
@boxtime17, +1
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I don’t think anybody here would say Handzus is in his prime or has world class speed, but we’ve all watched the games. When was the last time he made anything but a smart hockey play. Probably as dependable and consistent player as there is on the roster. I want him back. It’s all going to depend on the salary. If it’s reasonable you’ve got to have him back. You can’t have 25 superstars. The world needs grinders too. And players with high hockey IQ’s.
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Kings in CO Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 8:20 am
@ZimPuck, We have a lot of grinders, too many, IMO.
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Stuart Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@ZimPuck, +10!
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Peter Harold is also a UFA
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Schenn can not fill Zeus’s shoes. Lewis has the best chance. Perhaps Zeus could play wing on a line with Lewis so he can help him to learn to play Zeus hockey. I also like Schenn in Manchester so he can learn to play against men. Ritchie would not be as successful as a shut down guy. The development of chemistry between he and Clifford begs energy line with offense. It seems to me even going back to last year that the more Richie plays the better we do. I was puzzled to see him riding the bench so much this year.
Poni is a complimentary scorer and needs someone good with puck control to set him up. Pretty much means unless he can play with Williams he is not going to get 20 goals, However he was great in a shutdown role and didn’t complain and gave it his’ all. He stopped taking dumb penalties and finished his checks and was often first to the puck. I made up a korny rhyme for when I coached that said; “first to the puck earns good luck”. He was responsible for causing a fair share of turnovers.
If you have read my blather before you know that I think Murray’s system is necessary due to the skill(or lack thereof) we have. We need to be a shut down defense hockey team who capitalize on turnovers. We are a horrible passing team and you only had to watch the Shark’s breakout to realize we are not going to be able to play like that with what we have. No way. I think our skill level has a lot to do with the power play personality as well. Playing against one less defender is not going to suddenly turn into a good passing team.
The Sharks system might be like a BMW. We are a dump truck:) Doesn’t mean that we can’t reach the finish line. All the parts have to be operating properly. Bmw look nice rolling down the road but they might break down more often? Again all the parts need to operate properly. If we add skill we can start to take curves faster or climb hills with more horsepower.
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Kopi will not be the same next season, he will not have the metal ability to get past his injury and will need a full season to get back to pre-injury shape. He will be scared to break his leg…guaranteed.
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Kings x Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
@SOS, He does not have a reconstructed knee. JWs injury was worse, how did he look this season?
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