DUSTIN PENNER
This season (with Kings): 19 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, 2 penalty minutes, 17:01 average ice time.
The good: The mere idea of Penner was almost as uplifting to the Kings as Penner himself. The Kings, at the Feb. 28 trade deadline, landed a top-level scorer, and players were enthused at the idea of adding a big, powerful scorer to their lineup for the stretch run of the regular season. Penner immediately went onto the Kings’ top line and made an immediate impact, as he totaled two goals and four assists in his first seven games with the Kings. The Kings had a 5-2-1 record in those seven games.
The bad: Well, then the eighth game arrived. And the ninth, and the 10th, etc. Penner finished the regular season with 12 consecutive games without a point. By the latter stages of the first-round series against San Jose, Penner was demoted to the fourth line and seemed to be in danger of being a healthy scratch. After the season, Terry Murray and Dean Lombardi carefully but pointedly said that Penner needed to be in much better shape for the start of the 2011-12 season.
Going forward: It’s not hyperbole to say that Penner’s situation is the most important one faced by the Kings heading into next season. Which version of Penner will they get in October? Will it be the in-shape, motivated 30-goal threat, the offensive force who they can put with Anze Kopitar and finally have a stable, threatening first line? Or will it be the slowed-down, hesitant Penner who took short shifts late in the season? The Kings will be anxiously awaiting the answer.
Let the bashing begin!
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@tornado12,
Now there will only be a couple, just to spite you. LOL
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TomasSandstrom Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@tornado12, You couldnt tell the entire story by watching the games on TV but i was at the last 6 king home games and Penner looked like a slow apathetic piece of trash. He used to be a party boy in Anaheim and got bashed in Edmonton for it. I think hes back to his old ways and dont get me wrong Im all for having a little fun and staying loose but its the PLAYOFFS. We worked our butts off to make it and dude looks like he cant wait to go home so he doesnt miss his keg-stand appointment.
Penner if you read this, have your fun in the summer and get it out of your system but be ready to play the entire season come training camp.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@TomasSandstrom, I loved Sandstrom!!!!! and Millen
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jet Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Me too, but he did not seem the same after the shoulder problem.
tornado12 Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
@TomasSandstrom, where are you now? i grew up with the 90′s kings so all of those guys have a special place in my memory. I will never forget that game against the oilers (Feb 28, 1990) at home where it was just one big fight and we won on TS goal. I think it was petr prajsler who just wound up and clocked kevin lowe was it? my memory is fading. I kept that game on my VHS cassete (remember those?) for several years! Ah memories
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DaveinSD Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
@tornado12, F-
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dahack11 Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@tornado12, The only player so far given an “F” by me….if that says anything about what I think. And I LOVED this trade when it was made.
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gmo Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
@tornado12,
lol crucifixition ill say…lol he willl be better next year end of story
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http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/How-Lightning-fan-outwitted-petty-HOA-over-playo?urn=nhl-wp4283
In case you live in a condo and we make it to the second round next year
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DamnRandall Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
@jet,
Pretty funny. That guy is a Redditor, and we’ve been following the HOA saga on the /r/hockey subreddit for a while now.
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GBOI Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@jet,
That is amazing.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@jet, I read this earlier..
Do the Kings send out a playoff prep package to seat holders? They should…
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jet Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Is “prep” package short for pissoff real estate peeps?
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Tmik Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@jet, This is awesome! This man is instantly a Hockey Hero!
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NoDoughty Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
@jet, very creative way to get around the BS
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An offensive-minded player floundering in TM’s defense-first style. Hopefully he can learn the system over the summer and not look so lost out there all the time. He still has a lot to offer if he can get with the program.
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jet Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@CheebaHawk95, yah, it sucks having to cross the redline every shift
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Michael J. Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@jet,
Just imagine, having to be responsible in your own end… what a concept
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Penns never was and never will be a star player. He is a very good complimentary player.
If you put him on a line with a star, he rocks. If you put him on a line with average talent, he’s average.
Pens will do fine if he can lay off the brew this summer, show up in decent shape, and play with Kopi and Williams on the first line.
Other than that, man what a stinker in this playoff.
Granted, he did click with Westy …
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@Token,
I sense a TOKEN appointment to the fourth line for Penner, with Westgarth…
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Duckhunter Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
@Token, So you just admitted that Westy has talent….lol j/k……agree with you 100% on the he’s a complimentary player…thought that when he signed with Edmonton and Burke got so pissed…just looking at him, if he’d do what his body is designed to do (plop down right in front of the net)…he’d make even more money. How you can be his size and like more of the finesse game I’ll never know.
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Get in shape Penner and prove everyone wrong…let’s hope.
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Please, no excuses about Kopi being hurt, new system, being out of shape, alleged personal problems, etc. The guy was not motivated, did not compete, played soft, and gave a half-assed effort. I NEVER WANT TO SEE HIM IN A KINGS UNIFORM AGAIN.
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@rick,
Please, no guys too soft, can’t compete, not motivated, 1/2 assed effort stuff. YOU HAVE NO CHOICE, MAKE THE BEST OF IT! LOL
sorry, couldn’t resist.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
@Dominick,
Beat me to that…
DRAT!
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Rick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@Dominick, You win. I STILL want him gone….
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@Rick,
…I hear a certain group of U.S. Navy Seals are available.
Jest Sayin’…
jet Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@Bako, almost like being a Kings fan, something to be proud of again.
Dave Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@rick, although he did have 6 points in 7 games with Kopi and the KIngs were winning – but someone has to be the scapegoat.
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rick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@Dave, The guy just did not play hard. Everybody saw it. If that is scapegoating, I plead guilty.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@rick, Yup. The smoking gun was that goal in the playoffs where he was a step or two behind the eventual scorer and coasting.
bill donnelly Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
@rick, He will probably have a great season next year because it is a contract year. Funny how money is the motivation
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he was a 100% disappointment. I wish we had out 1st round pick back and player that went there also. The thing is he is knowen for being a lazy player and thats what we got. 2 goals and 4 assists gee thanks for showing up. And were lucky to have him for another year. That just plain sucks
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Duckhunter Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
@Alan, I really think it was a gamble that DL needed to make…every expert I’ve seen has said this draft is weak (why pay 1st round money for 2nd round talent)…better value in our later round picks…our minor league system is starting to get filled and we could part with a d-man that wasn’t in our plans (trade bait…Kings weren’t high on him as Voynov, Muzzin, Hickey..etc).
Granted if you’d known it would turn out like this would you make the trade…probably not…but who else was out there at that price…probably not much better.
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All the way down I haven’t been more than a bar away from the main call, until now. Apparently I was grading on optimism…
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F. F!!!!! This is not hard. $4.5m next year??? Oh crap
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jess Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@5buckcolonnadeticket, LOL
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Handzous three years ago
Richardson two years ago
Little Willy one year ago
Penner it is your turn to prove the haters wrong again. Tip: eat, drink and sleep with Richy or Clune. Well, not sleep with, but copy their habits.
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
@jet, Is kind of amazing how the most hated guy is the most improved the next year.
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KingMe20 Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
@jet,
Yeah, that’s certainly been the pattern. He’s got a few months to get in gear. We’ll know soon enough, and I hope he follows suit of the guys before him.
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He didn’t look that great but I’m not going to dump all over him. See what he does next year with a full off season to learn “the system” and all that.
That being said if he scores 25 goals under TM’s defense first, offense last priority system it’ll be a good year.
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@Dan H.,
If any King scores 25, everyone should be happy. Except for Brown who could score 28 and lead us in goals, and still not be considered a first liner who can finnish.
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sebastian Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 11:46 pm
@Dominick, yeah, and hes a bad captain too right, and he doesnt fight enough. lol
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Larouche Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
It’s his defensive skills that are the most worrying. Every tine he was on the ice in the playoffs, it seemed like we were in danger of being scored on.
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Anybody remember his exit press conference from Edmonton where he almost cried? That’s because he knew he wouldn’t score more than five points in the King’s system under Murray. Sure, he’s unmotivated, coasts, and whatnot, but he’s still a good player. Hopefully he sucks it up next year, and plays hard enough, with the thinking that if he plays well enough, he will get an offer from another team that plays more offensively once his contract is up. Might just work out for both of us.
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D to C. I was one of those who was happy to get Penner at the trade deadline (although he was not my first choice). But I also saw him for what he was; a big body who is not fast and will not create his own offense. Kopitar and creative linemates is a must for Penner to be successful. What also became very clear was that he was out of shape. While that is somewhat hard to believe, that he would be out of shape so late in the season, it has to be remembered that unlike, Edmonton, the Kings are a defensive minded team. Defense is the hard part of the game, the part that takes the most energy and requires to most in terms of physical fitness. Hopefully, Penner will get with the program this summer and get into the kind of shape that is necessary to be an LA King. The good news is that he seemed well liked by his teammates and his closest friends are probably Green and Stoll. You know that Green will do whatever he has to do to point Pens in the right direction and I am sure DL had, or will have, the same conversation with Penner that he had with Kopi a few years ago about physical fitness.
If Penner gets into the kind of shape that is necessary to be a King, he could be the answer at left wing.
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Dan H. Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@HawKings,
Good poins on all. You see a lot of players coasting back but skating forward when they have the puck. It’s a mental change that takes time and discipline.
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Dave Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@HawKings, i’d like to personally thank you for knowing what you are talking about.
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We all know he CAN be good, but he wasn’t, and his body language and facial expressions showed me why: he just did not want to be there. Half the time I felt like he wasn’t even trying. For devoted Kings fans, watching him mope around the ice like a petulant child forced to do chores was a slap in the face. I felt like he was letting down the fans but more importantly he was letting down his teammates. I don’t ever want to see that again. This summer he needs to find his reason for being here. He needs to get in shape. He needs to start scoring some goals. And he needs to play with heart.
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who is the joker who gave him an “A”?
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Jamesonafterawin Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@red49er, Who are the 365 jokers that didn’t give him an F?
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The big question here is why Penner struggled. I was one of those that was very happy with the trade when it was announced. He did seem disinterested out on the ice by the time the playoffs started, but every professional athlete at this level is highly competitive, and it’s hard to believe he had given up.
Career wise he has proven to be a consistent goal scorer. The coaching staff need to help him find a way to be successful next season.
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jkking Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@ForumFan, i believe he was getting a divorce or he had girl issues.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@ForumFan, This is where i think you are wrong, he has never proven to be consistent at anything.
He is dynamite for stretches, and a bag of dirt for stretches. He started out great with the Kings, and then went into a trademark slump. If we had 15-20 more games this year I am betting he would have put up some solid numbers.
Same story as Frolov, or Nagy, or guys like that; they have a ton of talent, but they don’t have the passion. If Penner gave as much effort as Brad Richardson; he would be a 50 goal scorer
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Dave Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@VanKingsFan, again, he played with Kopitar for the first few games = dynamite. take away his playmaker and he won’t succeed in a TM system. he’s not a third line grinder and to expect him to be after 3+ years in Edmonton is ridiculous. it’s those folks that should get an “F” for not understanding hockey.
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After watching him on TV and then watching him live during the playoffs, he gets a D+. Complete lack of effort, hits like my chihuahua named Daisy, and even his photo looks like he is still wearing a Smuck’s jersey. The man has talent and could be a huge contributor to this team, but he appears to have Roenicke disease, aka the inability to come into a King’s game in shape and mentally prepared to contribute. I agree with Rich, how Whenner reacts to the off-season and his level or preparedness when the season starts will be key points for next season. Maybe we could trade him for Schenn (oh, wait, we already have that guy).
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Hey Rich,
Question for you. With all this mgmt talk of players (IE Doughty and Penner) being out of shape, I would love to see an Insider interview with these guys to get their reaction to those comments, and how they plan to deal with it.
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Jeremy Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
@Jeff, more importantly, I’d like to know what their training program is like. Are they put on strict diets and workouts or left to fend for themselves and hope they come into camp in “good enough” shape the way Doughty did?
We all saw this year how “great” Doughty played coming out of camp as a fatty. /sarcasm.
I can’t really see how any team in the NHL or professional sports can allow their players to be “out of shape” at all. I religiously watch Formula 1 and the drivers are held to extremely strict diet and training programs. They are flying all over the world every other week for races and/or media events and they still maintain their fitness. There is zero excuse for a professional athlete to be out of shape. Doesn’t matter if he’s paid 500k/yr or 4.5M/yr.
I personally believe they need to add a clause to new contracts reflecting their fitness levels.
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BobKnob Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
@Jeremy,
lol. dude, they drive cars, exactly how much fitness does that require? It’s not even close to any professional sport involving humans who actually move their body.
But I agree with you w/r/t the fitness thing. I would make the default requirement that they have to train with the team trainer in the offseason or hire a qualified S&C coach, and make exceptions for players who the trainer knows will get it done without any hand holding.
And I would also like an inside look on their offseason workouts.
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jeremy Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
@BobKnob, its obvious you don’t watch f1, so you have zero room to comment.
why everyone giving him s C’s and stuff he wasnt that good playoff he only scored once and had one assist that weak
I give him a F
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gmo Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 10:56 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
i gave him a C…………..what is it to you lol……………..dude he came into the kings to compliment both kopi and jw….both got hurt and jw came back but wanst 100%….he came to a team that is D first and did what he could with the amount of time he had to learn the system with………….he seemed very tentative out there because he was afraid to make a mistake………..
he will be much better next year
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Right up there with Petr Klima during his short stay in a Kings uniform. Maybe the Isles would want him.
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KingMe20 Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@In the Net,
Wow, I’d somehow managed to erase those days from my mind.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
@In the Net, Anson Carter!!!! Woooooo!!!
Thankfully we only gave up Jared Aulin… who turned into a dud
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My prediction for Penner is that he’ll become a very good defensive-minded forward and the TM system will completely ruin his scoring numbers. We’ll trade him by the deadline and he’ll kick major ass or win the cup wherever he goes.
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@thanatossassin,
Kind of my thoughts, but I see him turning into a 40 goal 2-way player once he leaves. He should ignore TM and just cherry pick all season long to boost his numbers.
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goldielocks Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@Dominick,
I’d bet Kopi can be easily 40 goal scorer if TM doesn’t pull his legs. Under TM’s system, everyone’s career would be in jeopardy. And no top scorer wants to come to LA because of that. The system can be changed though … if only TM’s willing to do so.
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
@goldielocks,
I worry about that too. I just got through commenting on another thread how everbody except for Brown has taken a hit on their offensive numbers across the board. Can’t tell me that it’s not the coaches fault that every player on the team just forgot how to score. Open it up TM.
bill donnelly Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
@goldielocks, More likely the only way to change the system is to change coaches and get rid of TM. TM is not one to change.
How anyone voted higher than an “F”, is beyond me…
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Dan H. Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@Chuck,
Because they were objective?
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Chuck Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@Dan H.,
I’m objective too. 2 First’s (Teubert plus pick) and a 2nd for 2 goals & 2 assists is not acceptable…
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Dan H. Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@Chuck,
I didn’t know we had just rented him for this season. I thought he had another year on the contract. I guess for a two month rental you’re right. We gave up too much.
BobKnob Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
@Dan H,
We have him for one more year.
I gave Penner a “C” – here’s my reasoning…
First off, he was good and the Kings were good in the first 7 games when Kopi and Williams were healthy. There is absolutely no reason to think that Penner would not have continued to score at a point per game clip and possibly even more as that line developed some chemistry.
Then the injury to Williams and the injury to Kopitar and we know the story from there. Could Penner be in better shape? Yes. Could he have learned the system a little quicker? Yes. Could he have given a little more effort, especially on the defensive side of things? Yes. And for that he gets a “C”.
But we need to remember that Penner wasn’t brought in to be Kyle Clifford. He’s a scorer with good hands and needs to play with top players to be effective. Clifford has a better motor, but Penner has great hands and that’s where he produces. The Kings have precious few players with good hands so Penner could be a great fit. But the Kings went from a team with a great scoring line to a team of grinders and Penner just did not fit.
Penner does need to take this off season seriously and get himself in better shape. I believe he will be motivated as he will only have one year left on his deal and he is still young enough to get at least one more big contract with a productive season. If he plays a full season with Kopitar there is no reason he can’t score 30-35 goals. And if Penner can do that next year DL will have definitely got his money’s worth in the deal he made.
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KFII Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@Dave, I agree with your reasoning. I guess I grade on a curve though, I gave him a B.
I have high hopes for him next season. I don’t think I’m going to be disappointed either.
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King Alex Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@Dave, I completely agree with your assessments. Sure the playoffs did not go as we would have liked, but who here can honestly say we should have won the cup, beat the Sharks or even advanced to the second round once we fell to the 7 spot at the end of the season? How many people would be calling out DL if he did not make this move and our season ended the same way? Some people just want immediate results & unfortunately, sometimes it just takes some time to adjust and become acclimated. Penner will be here next season & I for one expect we will see a better player. If not, he packs his bags and move on. Let’s see what he looks like next season coming into camp and base the results of this trade then.
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i saw this and started LAUGHING!!! what a joke. but i see him doing better next year. i can’t blame him really, his center and right winger was gone in playoffs. we gave kopi a pass with just a left winger out.
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We gave up Mike Cammalleri, 2011 1st round pick, 2011 3rd round pick, 2008 1st round pick(Colten Teubert)
for Dustin Penner.
Nice job Dean Lombardi. Nice job.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@Chris P. Bacon, And we got Ryan Smyth for basically free. Excellent job!
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Dan H. Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@VanKingsFan,
For Kyle Quincy who was free!
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Chris P. Bacon Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Yeah, great dumpster diving, Dean. Give him another extension!
This fool needs to do what the Avs did. Get rid of Smyth’s contract. 6+ cap hit for a washed 2nd line winger. Easily one of the worst forwards after the all-star break. Thank goodness he played better in the playoffs.
Now we got two slugs on the left-side (Penner, Smyth), no cap room to bring in somebody worthy, unless Dean trades one of these slowpokes.
Dean Lombardi = good scout, good player development, decent drafting. That’s it. Tweeeeeener GM overall.
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Dan H. Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@Chris P. Bacon,
23 goals in a defensive system doing the hard work in front of the net that everyone says we need more of.
Not sure you got Ryan Smyth right here.
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@Dan H.,
Wait a sec, “In front of the net that everyone says we need more of”, where did you pull that from? Dean Lombardi already admitted the team lacks natural skill. It’s painfully obvious.
and where was this hard work in the 2nd half of the season? How about that terrific defence!? Look how many(or lack thereof) goals Smyth scored after the all-star break. How effective can Smyth be without Justin Williams and/or Anze Kopitar. It’s more than likely he’ll be playing without them next season. It’s dead weight, get rid it, and use the enormous capspace for speed and skill.
jet Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@Chris P. Bacon, Decent drafting, did you just say decent drafting? Who has drafted better over the past 5 years than DL? Can we also count the players he picked up for nothing, Quincy, Muzzin, Jones, Whiskey, OD?
Chris P. Bacon Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
@jet,
It was a compliment. He’s done good in that regard. Top 5 in the league in drafting over the past few years. Only dud was 2007 4th overall Thomas Hickey, other than that it looks good.
Those other players you mentioned (Muzzin, Jones etc), so what? There’s nothing out of the ordinary here, no reason to celebrate. Every team picks up those unsigned/undrafted/college every year.
bill donnelly Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
@VanKingsFan, And we got rid of Priessing
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jess Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
@Chris P. Bacon, Everyone who plays under TM’s choke system will under perform, we will trade them, then watch them blossom elsewhere.
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Chris P. Bacon Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
@jess,
We might have to endure the coaching for at least 1 more year, then I’m hopefully Lombardi has the balls to bring in someone fresh with a different approach. Tired of our skill guys getting the shaft because of the outdated coaching system.
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LBlocal Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Must not forget that DL traded down from 12 to 13 to draft Colten Teubert. Got a ‘flier’ in a 3rd and drafted Robbie Czarnik at 63. (HEAVY SIGH)
Tyler Myers would look royally magestic in any Kings jersey right about now…
(OK, no more arm-chair GM’ing for me.. (for at least a day))
gKg!
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I think Penner’s headshot still being in an Oilers uniform says a lot.
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Dave Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@GBOI, i think it says the Kings were to busy to update his photo. what do you think it says?
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Dave Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
@Dave, oops, too busy – i hate when people do that and i did it
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Dave Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@GBOI, and btw, on NHL.com he has a picture in a Kings uni – i guess Rich doesn’t have the updated photo.
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He was so much better in Anaheim, not so good in Edmonton and less good in L.A. He needs to get in shape!!!! He always looked as if he was having trouble breathing while on the ice and couldn’t wait for his shift to be over. This should be checked by the medical staff. Then, he just couldn’t buy into the Murray system which stifles scoring because everything is defense defense defense. Ask any big time scorer if his game should emphasize defense and you know the answer will be in the negative. Murray is so intractable that he does not play anyone who does not buy into his system. It is NOT a system for everyone.
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Dave Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
@poe, how can you say he wasn’t good in Edmonton? he scored 32 goals and had 31 assists and was a +6 on the worst team in the league in 09-10. and he was on pace for close to 30 goals again last year when Kopitar went down.
once everyone understands he’s not Ovechkin but rather Ryan Smyth in his prime and they see him play a few more games with Kopitar everyone will chill out.
yes, TM’s system requires more stamina than Edmonton’s did. let’s remember that Kopitar, Doughty and others have struggled with conditioning in TM’s system.
but there is no reason to think Penner won’t be a 25-35 goal scorer next year. he should be motivated in his last year of his contract.
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408KingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@Dave, He was good in Edmonton but his me first attitude put Edmonton in the toilet.
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Dave Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 12:23 am
@408KingsFan, their complete lack of goaltending or any sort of defense put them in the toilet. they were bad when Penner got there. blaming Penner for Edmonton’s woes is even more ridiculous than blaming him for the Kings not getting out of the first round.
puddle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
@Dave, How DARE you be objective and look at things rationally. That’s just uncalled for!
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Is it too late to trade back!!
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I can only assume he reads this blog and gave himself an A. Even his own mother couldn’t have voted an A for this guy after that awful finish to the season.
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there is a video(youtube) of Penner scoring all his goals two years ago….On one he went from end to end and past everyone and scored.Its the system and the coach.Its the coach’s job to put players in the best position to be successfull.The coach did nt put Penner in that position. Put in front of the net.He is not and never will be a grinder.This is the same reason Poni didnt score either.For some players(Poni,Penner,Boyle,Moulson,Frolov,ETC)you need to coach a little differently.That is what makes a great coach..
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gmo Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
@neil,
good points my friend
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What does everyone think the Handcuff System does to players like this… My honest opinion is if Guy Boucher was our coach with the same exact players, we would be sweeping detroit right now and the sharks would be dust in our rear view mirror. Our team is better than Tampa Bay but look at the spirit and resolve. Failure is not an option with these guys and it is because of the leadership.
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408KingsFan Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
@jess, Brown scored a few goals this year under TM’s system
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jess Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
@408KingsFan, Brown did a hell of a job:) Brown will pay dividends wherever he goes becaue he is a warrior. I think we have the best players in the NHL.
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Dominick Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
@408KingsFan,
Brown is the only one to improve. Everybody else scored less. Imagine how much better his #’rs would have been if he wasn’t seperated from Kopi. Also, most of Browns goals were scored with Kopi.
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“D” stands for Dustin.
However. Unlike most, I fully expect a career year in 2011-12 for Mr. Penner. Playing next season with a healthy Kopitar & Williams… Combined with a focused off-season training regiment that MUST INCLUDE 1-on-1 disciplined sessions with Tim Adams & Jamie Kompon, (good god I said it). And regular visits to El Segundo in June/July/August for voluntary off-season team workouts. That would convince me.. Anything less… GET LOST, BOY!
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bill donnelly Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
@LBlocal, Plus it’s a contract year.
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D for former Duck
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I love that Rich posted the picture of this guy in an Oilers jersey. its not murrays fault this guy took a crap and did not compete. not scoring is fine, but being so lazy and not playing or acting like he gives a damn on and off the ice is unacceptable. trade this clown and try to find a real first line LWer. Building from the back out has worked well, but theres still a huge hole up front without a competitive winger on Kopis left.
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Who in the hell gave this fool an “A”? I gave him a “B” for “BUST”!
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sebastian Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
@Kingsrock80, the Ducks trolls. haha. they gave everyone else F’s and they know how terrible penner was so they give him A’s
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I don’t know what’s more shocking, that 4 people gave him an A or that 233 gave him a C. What is not shocking is that there are people here who insist on blaming Penner’s failures on Murray & his system. This is Penner’s failure, not Murray’s. Of course it’s hard coming to a new team & learning a new system. But he was the one who wasn’t in shape & who gave no effort. But the good news for him is the season is over and he’s got the whole summer to get in shape & learn Murray’s system. If he turns it around next season then all will be forgiven, at least for me.
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wes Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 12:03 am
@Marc, exactly right
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wog Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 10:15 am
@wes, completely agree…
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Only King to earn … and I do mean earn … an F. His numbers don’t say the story it was just watching him do next to nothing on the ice. The only burst of speed I ever noticed was to get off the ice.
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number 6 Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 6:06 am
@KC23,
Did you happen to see isolations during the playoffs (on tv) of Alex Burrows and/or Ryan Kesler. Wow weee. He sure didn’t look anything like that (speaking of effort here…. not talking about highlight plays). We’re not stupid. No one plays an identical style as another player, but we can sure see effort, and effort imo was lacking bigtime.
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Is there anything lower than F?
Disgrace!
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Package him along with Westgarth and Drewiski and maybe we can get a 15th rounder.
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He’s done nothing, I told everyone prior to the trade he would not be the saviour……….ha, he is terrible, bottom line now we have to eat a big contract for what…….everyone was saying we need a big scoring winger.
Well guess what we didn’t, and I still say bad move.
He is bad, horrible, terrible trade him now, right now.
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Let’s see, we aquire Penner at the trade deadline, out of shape, enthusiasm and options, from Edmonton, where the only thing to do after a game is drink. Now he moves to LA, (Manhatten Beach) where ther is evrything to do after a game and drink. Oooops!!!! Ok, all kidding aside, i was very happy when he arrived and had high expectations, and still do. I bashed him as much as anybody during the playoffs and gave him a D+ as a grade. But, I’m a Kings fan, which means the benifit of the doubt has to be given at all times. Lets give him a chance to prove us wrong next year. GKG
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He is Jason Allison all over again
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ToughD Reply:
May 10th, 2011 at 1:36 am
@Kingsblack, you’ve gotta be kidding. Even for such a short stint, Allison was probably top 5 power forwards for our sorry franchise!
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fat boy will be back, slimmed down and ready to play, you just watch and see
go get em fat boy
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the Kings’s version of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bimonthly rolled into one. D.
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Tin Man….nuff said.
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