Here’s the next division preview, with a glance at the summer outlook for the Northeast Division teams, starting with how they finished this season…
1. Boston Bruins, 103 points (3rd in Eastern Conference)
2. Montreal Canadiens, 96 points (6th in Eastern Conference)
3. Buffalo Sabres, 96 points (7th in Eastern Conference)
4. Toronto Maple Leafs, 85 points (10th in Eastern Conference)
5. Ottawa Senators, 74 points (13th in Eastern Conference)
BOSTON BRUINS
Hanging around?: The Bruins have good balance and depth returning all around the ice, although the status of Marc Savard — because of recurrent concussion issues — remains unknown for next season. Boston ranked third in the East in goals scored and first in goals against, and the Bruins return both goalies plus their defensive anchors — led by Zdeno Chara — and are deep up front, with Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton, Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin.
Saying goodbye?: Boston is getting what it wanted from midseason acquisition Tomas Kaberle on defense, but as an unrestricted free agent, is he really in their long-term plans? Beyond that, the Bruins’ only notable unrestricted free agents are Michael Ryder, a talented but inconsistent winger, and 43-year-old Mark Recchi. Brad Marchand is the only significant restricted free agent who will require a new contract this summer.
Draft card: The cupboard is a little barren for the Bruins right now, largely because most of their prospects are already transitioning to the NHL or, in some cases, have been traded. For instance, is 20-year-old Jordan Caron ready to make the full-time jump to the Bruins, after getting in 23 NHL games this season?
(Restricted free agents: Andrew Bodnarchuk, D; Stefan Chaput, C; Matt Dalton, G; Zach Hamill, C; Anton Khudobin, G; Brad Marchand, RW; Zach McKelvie, D; Juraj Simek, LW; Boris Valabik, D; Cody Wild, D.)
(Unrestricted free agents: Shane Hnidy, D; Tomas Kaberle, D; David Laliberte, RW; Kirk MacDonald, F; Mark Recchi, RW; Jeremy Reich, F; Michael Ryder, RW; Nolan Schaefer, G; Wyatt Smith, C; Trent Whitfield, C.)
BUFFALO SABRES
Hanging around?: There’s a lot of excitement in Buffalo because of new ownership, and the Sabres have some solid pieces to build around, with forwards Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville, defenseman Tyler Myers and goalie Ryan Miller, plus likely long-term keepers such as restricted free agents Nathan Gerbe and Drew Stafford. The Sabres were one of the top goal-scoring teams in the East this season and don’t figure to have much of a drop-off, if any, in 2011-12.
Saying goodbye?: There’s definitely some work to get done, in terms of getting players under contract. In addition to RFAs Gerbe and Stafford, defensemen Chris Butler, Marc-Andre Gragnani and Mike Weber and goalie prospect Jhonas Enroth are in the same boat. Up front, will the Sabres make a push to keep 30-year-old unrestricted free agent Tim Connolly? They’ve also got a handful of bottom-six forwards that must either be re-signed or replaced.
Draft card: Assuming they can keep their top-six forwards intact, the Sabres might be able to start filling holes by bringing along top prospects such as forwards Zack Kassian and Luke Adam. The Sabres appear relatively set on defense, which is good because there aren’t many top prospects on the horizon there.
(Restricted free agents: Chris Butler, D; Jhonas Enroth, G; Nathan Gerbe, C/LW; Marc-Andre Gragnani, D; David Leggio, G; Dennis McCauley, F; Dennis Persson, D; Felix Schutz, C; Andrej Sekera, D; Drew Stafford, RW; Travis Turnbull, F; Mike Weaver, D.)
(Unrestricted free agents: Tim Conboy, F; Tim Connolly, C; Matt Ellis, C; Mike Grier, RW; Patrick Lalime, G; Mark Mancari, RW; Cody McCormick, C; Steve Montador, D; Rob Niedermayer, C; Mark Parrish, RW; Colin Stuart, LW; Derek Whitmore, F.)
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Hanging around?: Up front, it’s a good news-bad news situation for the Canadiens. By re-signing their restricted free agents, they basically have the ability to bring back their entire core of forwards. Then again, only six teams in the NHL scored fewer goals than Montreal this season. Brian Gionta led the way with 29 goals, but no other Montreal player scored more than 22. Montreal will need more from proven scorers such as Michael Cammalleri and Scott Gomez. Carey Price is a rock in goal.
Saying goodbye?: While the forwards could remain intact, the defense has some potentially large holes. Hal Gill was re-signed this week, and joins P.K. Subban and Jaroslav Spacek for a solid core, but three veterans on the back end — Roman Hamrlik, Brent Sopel and James Wisniewski — are due to become restricted free agents, as is backup goalie Alex Auld, with no clear backup goalie in the system under contract.
Draft card: The Canadiens have some solid prospects, but perhaps none that will make a short-term impact. They’re high on winger Danny Kristo, but he just completed his second season at North Dakota, and they’re high on center Louis LeBlanc, but he’s a veteran of only one season of junior hockey after one season of college hockey.
(Restricted free agents: Dustin Boyd, C; Mathieu Carle, D; Nigel Dawes, LW; David Desharnais, C; Josh Gorges, D; Kyle Klubertanz, D; Andrei Kostitsyn, RW; Max Pacioretty, LW; Alexandre Picard, D; Benoit Pouliot, LW; Tom Pyatt, C; Ryan Russell, C; Frederic St. Denis, D; Yannick Weber, D; Ryan White, C.)
(Unrestricted free agents: Alex Auld, G; Mathieu Darche, LW; Jeff Halpern, C/LW; Roman Hamrlik, D; Drew MacIntyre, G; Paul Mara, D; Andrei Markov, D; Curtis Sanford, G; Brent Sopel, D; James Wisniewski, D; J.T. Wyman, RW.)
OTTAWA SENATORS
Hanging around?: Can this team get better with age? The Senators narrowly avoided the cellar in the East and were consistently substandard, as they finished in the bottom four in the conference in goals scored and goals allowed. All of the team’s major pieces will remain in place heading into next season, with Jason Spezza leading the way, so the Senators will hope for better results, better health and will hope that Craig Anderson is the long-term answer in goal.
Saying goodbye?: The Senators have only one free agent — restricted or unrestricted — who played more than 36 games at the NHL level this season, and that’s veteran depth center Ryan Shannon. The Senators will also need to find an insurance policy behind Anderson, given that Pascal Leclaire is an unrestricted free agent and that the minor-league goalies have not been overly impressive. Or will the Senators seek a goalie to push Anderson?
Draft card: The Senators had some success at the AHL level this season, but it also came in the playoffs, when a handful of NHL-tested players were sent down and helped eliminate Manchester. The short-term help in the system is almost certain to come on the back end, from defensemen such as Jared Cowen and David Rundblad. One of the top forward prospects, Jakob Silfverberg, has yet to come over from Sweden.
(Restricted free agents: Jason Bailey, RW; Cody Bass, C; Bobby Butler, F; Erik Condra, RW; Kaspars Daugavins, LW; Geoff Kinrade, D; Ryan Potulny, C; Roman Wick, RW.)
(Unrestricted free agents: Andre Benoit, D; Mike Brodeur, G; David Hale, D; Ryan Keller, RW; Pascal Leclaire, G; Francis Lessard, RW; Curtis McElhinney, G; Ryan Shannon, C; Derek Smith, D; Marek Svatos, RW.)
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Hanging around?: It’s the Maple Leafs, and it’s Brian Burke, so the roster is subject to constant volatility. For now, the Maple Leafs have stockpiled quite a few 26-and-under players who should improve going forward. Phil Kessel finished with 32 goals, Mikhail Grabovski had a very since season with 29 goals and the Leafs brought in rookie Joe Colborne as a potential second-line center. The defense is young but could be deep, and Toronto is pleased with young goalie James Reimer.
Saying goodbye?: Toronto has a handful of young restricted free agents to get under contract — most notably Reimer, Luke Schenn and Clarke MacArthur — but they will get a salary-cap boost when the $6-million contract of goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere comes off the board. The Leafs’ only other semi-notable unrestricted free agents are energy-line forwards Tim Brent and Joey Crabb, who combined to make just over $1 million this season.
Draft card: Toronto flirted with keeping forward prospect Nazem Kadri in the NHL, and he got 29 games with the Leafs but also scored 17 goals in only 44 games in the AHL. He seems likely to make the jump, as does Colborne, who came over with an in-season trade. There doesn’t appear to be much room for a defensive prospect to make an impact. Is Reimer ready to handle the No. 1 job in the NHL?
(Restricted free agents: Tyler Bozak, C; Fabian Brunnstrom, LW; Luca Caputi, LW; Carl Gunnarsson, D; Ryan Hamilton, LW; Christian Hanson, C; Brayden Irwin, F; Matt Lashoff, D; Clarke MacArthur, LW; James Reimer, G; Luke Schenn, D; Greg Scott, RW; Ben Scrivens, G.)
(Unrestricted free agents: Darryl Boyce, C; Tim Brent, C; Joey Crabb, RW; Alex Foster, C; Jean-Sebastien Giguere, G; Danny Richmond, D; Jay Rosehill, F; Fredrik Sjostrom, RW; Aaron Voros, RW; Mike Zigomanis, C.)
3 original 6 teams and one of the weakest in the league. Boston is clearly the top of the class in this division. I still would like to see Kessel in a Kings uniform. I bet Toronto goes after Bryz. I would like to see him moved to some other team and get him out of our division. There will be a significant drop off in points for the Yotes when he is gone.
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Duckbasher Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 6:33 pm
@bonvivant1, – Is it just me, or does it look like there’s not a lot out there to pick from this off-season? It’s a good thing the Kings are in the best position I can remember (and I’ve been a fan since ’68) in the way of potential in the pipeline. Lombardi deserves credit for making us a team with lots of potential for the upcoming years. And I’m excited about it. My only hope is we get a head coach who recognizes each players potential and allows them to find it. Boyle was a skilled guy, and Murray wanted him to be a grinder. Same with Purcell. You watch, Poni will go to another team and will score 20 again.
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bonvivant1 Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 6:41 pm
@Duckbasher, so you think TM is not the right coach for LA? I’m somewhat ambivalent. I don’t think it is fair to boil his tenure down to riding certain players hard, with many eventually leaving. All teams have let players go and months later scratch their heads in dismay. You are right about their depth and you sound optimistic. I was born in 1968 and had no clue about the existence of hockey. Kudos to you for being such a durable fan.
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number 6 Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 8:15 pm
@bonvivant1,
I have to disagree with your comments about all teams letting players go. Detroit hasn’t let anyone go other than Kyle Quincey because he had to be put on waivers. Pens would be the same thing for quite some time now. I’m certain there are others. The Kings were really raising it to epidemic proportions between the three that were let go and the possibility that Oscar Moller becomes the fourth.
There may be reasons such as the depth of the Kings (i.e. who would each player have replaced) but as they had 68 goals between them this season (the three) and it’s something the Kings were lacking (sniper qualities – in this case Moulson and Purcell) for me it is an issue.
ArmChairKingsFan Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 11:21 pm
@number 6, det let ville leino go as well… it happens to every team. Its not so much a gamble, but an evaluation of where a player us compared to where you want/think he should be.
CB14 Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 11:34 pm
@ArmChairKingsFan, Detroit was also winning their division every year when they let guys like Leino and Quincey go. While the Kings were bottom feeders and in a rebuilding process when they let their guys go. BIG difference. Detroit had no room for those young guys to play, we had room but weren’t able to develope them properly.
Osaka Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:28 am
@number 6, Detroit let Adam Graves go, you don’t get much bigger than that.
nykingfan Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:32 am
@Duckbasher,
Boyle became a grinder with NYR. That’s what he should have been with the Kings all along. It took a trade to NY for him to wake up and realize where he fits in the NHL. He’s not a top 6 forward. He’s a 3rd/4th line big, grinding center who needs to continue to use his size to his advantage.
btw he also had a brutal 2nd half of the season.
Let’s not blame TM for seeing exactly what he was and trying to get him to play that way.
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Osaka Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:49 am
@Duckbasher, I don’t understand how people can praise DL and bash TM. Murray is Deans hire, that is his man. Dean isn’t some weak little boy cowering in the corner. Murray doesn’t pull Deans strings. You don’t like the system it is Deans system too. DL hired TM because they worked together in Phil. Have you heard DL, they are very much on the same page. You don’t like those players being moved but you blame Murray?!?! DL is the GM! He traded them! He takes full responsibility for trades, even if you think the player was “misused”. You think DL is that weak or imcompetent that his soft spoken coach tells him what to do? People wake up! You can’t have it both ways. Maybe the Kings haven’t developed enough talent in the past where they only discarded trash that nobody would ever want, maybe Kings fans aren’t use to seeing castoffs having success elsewhere. Get used to it. The Kings have a lot more depth and they WILL let more players go that will have some success on other teams. There are only so many roster spots and late bloomers have to play or be exposed to waviers. The Kings with their prospects have the luxury to be picky and choose the type of players they want on the team.
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txkingsfan Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 7:03 am
@Osaka, nice job! be patient with some Kings fans: liking hockey, assessing talent, creating a team based on different parts and needs, and understanding business decisions are too, entirely different decisions – and, as you said, the final decisions are made be DL. I personally think that he has done a pretty good job.
Osaka Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 7:10 am
@txkingsfan, I think Dean has done a great job. I am really excited for next season.
Zamboni Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 8:31 pm
@bonvivant1, No you don’t, Kessel would frustrate the hell out of you.
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bonvivant1 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:54 pm
@Zamboni, I don’t think I could be anymore frustrated than I am with our lack of depth on the left wing.
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holly Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 9:51 pm
@bonvivant1, Meh. Kessel is good when he’s good, but when he gets pouty it’s a wreck. He may have matured, but when he was in Boston he always had an ‘it’s all about me’ chip on his shoulder.
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the dude from the southeast Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:31 am
@holly, IMO, i would not like to see any trade between us and toronto cuz somewere in that tgrade either Brayden Schenn or bernier would have to be in that list of players leaving
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39scars Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:36 pm
@holly, Best thing that could have happened to B, TS and the 10th pic in Jun
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Gislaw Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 10:54 pm
@bonvivant1,
@number 6…recently, Ville Leino. Solid player.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:43 am
@bonvivant1, When three teams make the playoffs, its hardly a weak division.
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39scars Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:39 pm
@FKA PakiFro, The hol conf is weak
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bonvivant1 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:57 pm
@FKA PakiFro, True Dat. but it is the Eastern Conference. If I recall 8 points separated the eighth seed in the East from a comparable seeding in the West. Obviously in the West’s favor.
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KC23 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@bonvivant1, Dunno about Kessel. Getting picked last in the All-star game makes me wonder just how well respected he is in the league. Must be some serious locker room issues imho.
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thomas carpenter Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@bonvivant1,
Not sure about kessel. Toronto paid to much for him and I am not sure the experment is over. What would it cost to get Mike richards out of Dallas. According to Joe N they want to move him before free agency
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bonvivant1 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:59 pm
@thomas carpenter, Richards is a long shot. The guy is going o draw a lot of attention in the East. There are teams like NY Rangers and possibly Toronto that will make cap space for him. His price will go up and we won’t budge.
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thomas carpenter Reply:
June 4th, 2011 at 1:22 am
@bonvivant1, I see where you are going.If not richards then who? the kinks are one or two players away from the cup. so this player has to be very special. Who besides richards fits this
Seems A Good Fellow Reply:
June 5th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@bonvivant1, I just don’t see the Kings having enough cap space for Richards after Doughty is signed. I think a guy DL should really look into is Tim Connelly. I feel we need a little more speed up front and he fits the bill. Also he is a pretty solid 2 way player that can put in 20 or so goals. There aren’t many other UGA’s that fit DL’s MO. Opinions?
Bonvivant1 Reply:
June 5th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
@thomas carpenter, Just confirmed. Richards is not going to resign with Dallas. Now what? Are we going to go through the same debacle that we went through last year with he who must not be named. I’d love to have him as a second center but at what price? I’m sure DL’s wheels are spinning.
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Of course that wasn’t offsides. It was Ryan Kesler people. He commits no penalties, is never offsides, and never dives.
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I would love to get Schenn here in the 3rd pairing with Martinez. He’s got speed and mobility for a shut down type. Be perfect to get the brothers going together. A package that includes Greene and some prospects maybe.
I would love to stick it to Burke who has always coveted Brayden, so that he could have the brothers together for years to come.
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Dave Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 8:51 pm
@Dominick, Schenn is gonna make a ton of money and i don’t think he’s worth that much, especially to play as a third-pairing guy.
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Dominick Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 9:12 pm
@Dave,
It’s just a thought, and he wouldn’t stay a 3rd pair for ever. Mitchells contract is up the following year, and Schenn would benefit from a year with Mitchell mentoring him. He’d be a well groomed replacement, for the future of this franchise.
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SLIM Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@Dominick,
Not to mention that Doughty and Luke grew up
together and are great friends..
CB14 Reply:
June 1st, 2011 at 9:39 pm
@Dominick, I don’t think Burke would trade Schenn, especially for a guy who plays a similar style of play. I would think he would want forwards, or a goalie if he were to trade him. Also Schenn would fit in perfectly on the second pairing with JJ IMO. He played over 22 minutes a game with Toronto, so I think he’s more than a 3rd line guy.
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Scot Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@Dominick,
Brian Burke wouldn’t trade a Schenn unless he got a Schenn in return and that defeats the purpose. As long as those two are on the Kings, and Leafs, they won’t ever play together in the NHL. It’s like a game of chicken between DL and BB. But that didn’t stop me from illegally acquiring Luke to play with my Kings on Xbox NHL 11
I had Luke Schenn springing Brayden with lots of speed through the neutral zone many times!
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I’ve got a trade proposal for all of us who want to see an all Russian line in the future for the Kings. Assuming we sign Brad Richards (a big assumtion), or re-sign Zues, we trade Jarret Stoll and Alec Martinez to Washington for Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitri Orlov. They are 2 of Washington’s top prospects. EK is a RW, and DO is a d-man. They performed exceptionally well at the World Juniors, and Orlov is already playing in the states. They would fit in perfectly alongside Kitsyn (L.W.), Loktionov (C), and Voynov (D). Trading Stoll would open up cap space, and trading Martinez would open up a spot for either Hickey, Voynov, or Muzzin. Washington’s second best center, Brooks Laich, is a UFA so they could need a number 2 Center, plus they need to win now and can’t wait for their prospects to develope.
That would solve our missing ruskies problem. Whose with me?
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Dominick Reply:
June 3rd, 2011 at 1:52 pm
@CB14,
Ruskies are only allowed to be prospects here. If they actually make the team their only allowed to be a 3rd line LW. LOL
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CB14 Reply:
June 3rd, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@Dominick, Haha. Nice one!
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tuan jim Reply:
June 4th, 2011 at 2:17 am
@CB14,
I’m definitely not with you.
We’re doing fine with American players. I prefer them brash, steady, coarse, and BIG. Russian artistes are a prescription for playoff death. Or am I mistaken about what happened to the Capitals?
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KC23 Reply:
June 4th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@tuan jim, The Russians haven’t done to bad for Detroit in the past.
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Interesting DL says he sees the core of the team as 7 players: 4 defensemen, 2 centers, and a goalie. That would mean #2 center would be the top priority of the Kings, maybe he does make a play for Richards and then suffles out some salary. http://video.kings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=-6&id=116499
Sounds like to me Dean said the team was immature last season
http://video.kings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=-6&id=116375
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just copying and pasting comments from a fan on the puckdaddy site. Clearly a frustrated Bruins fan.
‘if the bruins had a real coach they would have won the game. claude julien is a sorry excuse of a coach. they have the worste powerplay in the history of the playoffs and that comes down to the coach’
So, see Kings fans… could be worse. At least we scored some goals on the PP vs. SJ.
That guy could though use some help with his spelling.
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Osaka Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:53 am
@number 6, I would give up all PP goals to be in the finals.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 7:46 am
@number 6,
As much as I hate our power play, I can’t help but think how wrong everybody is (including myself), in saying “we could never make it too the Stanley Cup finals without being able to score on the power play”.
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Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:20 am
@number 6, can you imagine all the complaining that will be going on when we make it to the 4th round??? People here will still be bashing TM even though we’re playing for the SC… That’s why FAN is short for fanatical.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:37 am
@Stuart,
If we make it out of the first couple of rounds, I’ll personally defend him next summer.
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number 6 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:58 am
@Dominick,
They have one heck of a lot of work to do to make it out of the first couple of rounds next summer.
To me, watching vancouver just reinforces what I’ve been seeing the last number of years. The teams that have not only the strongest mental aspect, and great d and goaltending, but have some speed (which you and i discussed yesterday in slightly differing terms, but i got what you were saying) AND skill and creativity.
My point is that with the scouting and schemes being utilized today, you can’t JUST do the same thing over and over, because the opponent will make the adjustment. You wanna Win the SC. Fine. I read an article and I can’t remember if they interviewed Scotty Bowman or someone important. But there was a list of like five things you have to do to win the Cup. I only remember two. One was keep the series relatively short (SJ learned That the hard way), and the other was be able to make adjustments, from game to game, series to series. They said last night on Versus that the Nucks can play it anyway you want to play. It’s true. The Kings can’t. That isn’t a criticism, it’s just how it is at the moment.
Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:08 am
@number 6, don’t get me wrong, I don’t see 4 rounds for us next year either, but I do think we’ll have enough to get out of the 1st, especially with a good high spot and home ice. It’s going to take some winning to build the right kind of experience and with <12 games under our belts we won't be world beaters and march to the Stanley. But, baby steps. Win 1st round, surprise us and take a 2nd… Would you mark a 3rd round appearance next season a success? I think I would.
KC23 Reply:
June 4th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@Dominick, Bookmarked.
number 6 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:53 am
@Stuart,
was thinking the same
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@number 6,
You and I have simular views, for sure. A little different how we break it down, but pretty much the same end result. I agree the Kings have to adjust in order to be successful in the playoffs (or anytime), and the Kings have been extremely slow to adjust, if at all.
The only way to mimic the results that Vancouver has, is to not only have fast players, but adapt a wide open style simular to theirs (and by wide open, I don’t mean irresponsible). Lets face it, no matter how many fast players you put out there, if their grinding out along the boards their speed doesn’t matter.
I totally agree with you that the Kings can’t play it anyway you want to play it. They force the tempo to be slowed down no matter who the opponent is. The last time I saw the Kings play with the proper speed was when we played the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the NY Islanders earlier in the season. After that the grind game was here to stay for the rest of the season.
I believe the Kings are already capable, they just have to abandon this slow the game down mentality. Regardless of the slugs in the line up, the Kings do have some very fine players who would benefit from playing thru the middle, and not along the boards.
Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@Dominick, but the Kings lack puck-possession players. I don’t care how much speed we have, it would seem harder to me to play stick-to-stick at 2x the speed than it is at their current speed. All year for the past umpteen we’ve had “area” passers. Aside from AK and maybe a couple of our D, tell me who makes tape-to-tape regularly? Nobody. It was discussed during the season, and toward the end I remember TM running a practice where he stopped it for every bad pass. I wasn’t there but it should’ve raised some eyebrows as to how often he was stopping them. I’m tired of “area” passes as much as people are tired of dump-and-chase. I think our offense gains by leaps and bounds if we only passed the puck better.
Kingsrule Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@number 6, unfortunately home ice doesn’t a winner make. Remember?
Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Stuart,
I agree with you there. Kings passing can be so frustrating to watch, especially when their trying to break out during the power play, and can’t even gain the red line because of crappy passes. I don’t know if it’s the skill level or not, but some of the passes look like passes a pee wee player could of made with his eyes closed. Definately some issues there.
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Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Dominick, for sure. It’s like they practice the system so much at the expense of super-basic stuff. I hope maturity brings that calmness to their play, maybe then the game will slow down a little bit so they have better vision and can actually try to connect a pass or three. I think it will help lift their confidence and from there they’ll start to try that pass through small seems that when connect lead to open-net goals or at the very least excellent shooting position and scoring chances.
Ravens Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@Dominick, So right Dominick. I too have been saying and thinking the same thing, it really shows on the power play, the puck goes to one side, and instead of a quick pass or shot that has the defenders off balance, the puck is always bobbled for that split second that allows the D and Goalie to adjust, when we had our long losing steaks this was magnified, it seems that all confidence starts with good puck handling and passing, I see it with Detroit year after year, and I herd they work hard on the tape to tape, more than anything else. When you accept a hard pass and take it quick on the stick, your mind can go right to the next step quicker, and your able to think quicker. Kings at times seemed a split second slower game speed than the other teams, not becuase of foot speed, but instead from mental speed, which comes from good clean passes and recieving, allowing fatser offensive thinking
Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 7:47 pm
@Ravens,
I agree. I mentioned that game against Tampa earlier, and just for fun I went back and read the threads. Everyone was shocked at the speed of the game, and the high tempo it was being played at. An almost flawless game IMO.
Some couldn’t even believe it was our same team, and expressed their amazement saying “Where has this team been all season long”. We’re so used to seeing this team play such a methodical game that when they did open it up, it was a shock.
That’s the team I want next season. Thinking fast, reacting fast, attacking through the middle. Passes were skillful, and execution was unbelievable. Too bad it didn’t last. That’s the team we’re capable of being, and should aspire to be, not this sufficating defensive, grinding team, that can’t connect 2 passes together.
This story is completely unrelated to the Kings or this topic but it’s too sweet to pass up. Oilers player Gilbert Brule picked up a hitch hiker in western Vancouver yesterday. That hitch hiker was none other then Bono from U2!
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/star+Gilbert+Brule+gave+lift+hitchhiking+singer+Bono+West+Vancouver+Tuesday/4880360/story.html
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Goring 19 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:11 am
@PaulHB, that’s too funny. How come these things never happen to me when I’m driving down the road. Of course if it were me it probably wouldn’t be Bono, just some nucks fan and I’d get robbed.
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PaulHB Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:13 am
@Goring 19, lol. Yeah, so is the moral of the story that you should always pick up hitch hikers because they could be rock stars?
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:15 am
@PaulHB,
See! that onky happens to peole of extra ordinary luck. If it were me, the guy would have been a seriel killer, on his way to murder a govenor.
There was a story in the early 70′s (I think), of a guy picking up a hitch hiker. The guy needed a lift and no one would give him a ride. The guy was greatful and promissed to make sure his deed didn’t go unrewarded.
The guy ended up being Howard Hughes, and gave the guy an oil feild.
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DesertKing Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:51 am
@PaulHB,
I once knew a guy who picked up Howard Hughes outside of Area 51. they made a movie about him, but I can’t (and nobody else) remembers his name or the movie.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:37 am
@DesertKing,
I thought is was a cool story to remember, that seemed simular. I didn’t know all the details, but I researched it and the guys name was Dummar who was a gas station owner. He was eventually deneyed the award of 156 billion. Here’s the link to the movie information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvin_and_Howard .
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DesertKing Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:42 am
@Dominick,
Only in Nevada can you win it all and then lose it all. Thats goes for both Hughes and Dummar. If one of us could only find Elvis hitchhiking today wearing a Kings original jersey, then that would be a real story
Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@DesertKing, If I remember correctly, there’s a simular story with Rod Stewart being picked up for hitchiking, after his car broke down along the highway.
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puck73 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:41 am
@PaulHB, Wow, thats an unbelievable event that happened to Brule and company, amazing. In November, I was up against the stage at the Wiltern theatre and literaly within 5 feet of Paul Weller, my favorite musician. Also was backstage at the Pasadena civic in Deember 1977 for Van Halen (at the time, I didnt know who they were) and being only 14 I thought if you were playing in a club, and you werent on the radio then you must be a loser. After hearing those guys for less then 5 minutes, I couldnt believe they werent on the radio and famous already because I had never heard a guitar sound like that before, amazing. Also, David Lee Roth was more drunk then any human I had ever met in the history of the world that night, how he finished the concert is still a mystery to me.
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Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:20 am
@puck73, diamond Dave, he’s a cult hero in some circles…LOL Bet he got more pie than I can shake a stick at, and I can shake a stick!
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SLIM Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@PaulHB,
He sold his tickets to the Stanley Cup game
to go to the concert…..So here’s the question?
Would you have sold your tickets to go to see Bono backstage?
Seems like a silly question but maybe not.
Great story though…Go figure…Called out to, on stage..
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PaulHB Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@SLIM, If it was a Kings game in the Finals, I ask Bono for tix to another concert date. Any other teams I probably wouldn’t have tickets but if I did yes, I’d sell them to go to see U2 for free, backstage passes or not.
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Ravens Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:36 pm
my old 80′s band Wall of Voodoo was the first band that U2 toured with in the UK, I think me and Bono where 17 at the time
PaulHB Reply:
June 3rd, 2011 at 4:21 am
@Ravens, You were in Wall of Voodoo? That’s cool man!
bonvivant1 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:04 pm
@SLIM, I’m sure his girlfriend was the major impetus to go to the concert.
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Just wanted to pass along this excellent article by TSN’s Gord Miller on his trip to visit Canadian troops in Afghanistan along with Jarome Iginla and a few of the Womens Gold Medal winning team.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=367643
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yooperskip Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:44 am
@Sebastian, Awesome!!!!! Agreat read.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:46 am
@Sebastian,
Great story, and I’m not even Canadian.
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SLIM Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@Dominick,
My country tis of thee..
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bonvivant1 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:07 pm
@Sebastian, All the more reason to be a proud fan of hockey and the players who represent the NHL and their respective countries.
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I am so tired of hearing that Montreal is the last Canadian team to win the cup (Thanks Marty) ..That is the only reason why I want Vancouver to win.
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Goring 19 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:40 am
@Vahe, it still hurts.
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Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:21 am
@Goring 19, it even made me mad when they showed the little graphic (I think it at the start of the 2nd) that showed longest distance traveled by teams in the finals and the ’93 finals was second to this year… seems like 3 lifetimes ago.
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Vahe Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:30 am
@Stuart, Kings Road to the Finals: “Calgary (in 6), Vancouver(in 6), Toronto (in 7), Montreal
Montreal Road: Quebec (In 6), Buffalo (in 4), Islanders (In 5)
Kings traveled a lot back then..Not sure if they had chartered flights back then..but no wonder they lost all those OT games, they were worn out.
I was 11 then..will be 30 during next season..I only have been a fan for 20 years, the original fans from ’67, I bow down to you guys..
KC23 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@Vahe, If it wasn’t for Marty, we wouldn’t of gotten out of the Toronto series that got us into the cup.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@KC23,
Yea, hard to hold the stick thing against him, because he was a big part of why we got there in the first place. I do love to joke at Marty’s expense though.
It’s all in fun of course.
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Vahe Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@Dominick, My memories of the ’93 playoffs were fuzzy I guess
KC23 Reply:
June 4th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@Dominick, That hit Marty laid on Gilmore at the end of the first game (which we lost) changed the entire series IMHO.
Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@Vahe, No worries. I’m sick of hearing about us being the last team to lose the cup to a Canadian team too.
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No word on the suspension for Burrows yet? Mike Murphy is at the disciplenary controls until the finals are over, so we’ll see what he thinks about biting. I think that should be a 2-gamer. 1 is for your run-of-the-mill suspensions, but biting another player??? That’s not even bush-league, it’s flat out unacceptable! 2 games in my book. Any other playoff series and I’d have him sit 3. Regular season, he’s missing quite a few.
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Vahe Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:46 am
@Stuart, just heard on NHL Home Ice..there will be no suspension
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Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@Vahe, just read that from Helen @ the times…. WHAT A JOKE
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@Stuart,
If he did bite him, I think it’s funny as hell. Leave it on the ice.
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Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@Dominick, I hope a Bruin clips his grill with a slapper so he can gum the next guy…
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SLIM Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:47 pm
@Stuart,
That game was a nail-biter…Literally..
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@SLIM,
Good thing he wasn’t on his knees when……
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puddle Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@Dominick, LOL! This one literally made me guffaw.
Ravens Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@Dominick, A bite should be a bite, whether your wearing a flyers Jersey or a Nux Jersey. NHL looks like ajoke for this ruling
Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@Ravens,
I saw it. He put his hand over it and covered it up. No one could say it was conclusive, even if you can see him drawing the hand in, after he covering it.
Obviously he’s a big fan of Mike Tyson and learned from his mistakes. He didn’t learn enough though since he only bit him once.
SLIM Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@Dominick,
Would that be a face helmet wash?
Off Topic:::
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=367672
Brad Richards is available..Do we want him….
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@SLIM, Give’m a 6th or 7th round choice for the rights to try and negotiate. That would give us an edge over NY, or Toronto. At the very least it would exclude us right from the start, of waiting around all summer to try and improve the team, like we did with Kovalspank.
That would be worth a 7th pick at least. Maybe we could buy him a cup of coffee.
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Ravens Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@Dominick, maybe we could trade Kompon and a 7th for the trade rights to Richards
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408kingsfan Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@Ravens, That would be sweet Hey I will be in Tiajuana tomorrow but I aint eating no barbeque iguana
Ravens Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:19 pm
@Ravens, 408Kingsfan..I’m jealous, I haven’t been there in years
FKA PakiFro Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@Dominick,
7th rounder? Didnt the flyers trade Parent for right to Hamhuis? Calgary gave a 2nd i think for JayBo’s rights. I dont think a 7th rounder will do the trick.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
I know. I was just throwing it out there. That’s why I said “at least”. Tell you the truth, I don’t see us giving them anything, DL will take his chances like everybody else, and let the chips fall where they may.
McFame Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@Dominick,
He’s the top UFA by a longshot and you got GM’s like Burke and Sather licking their chops at this guy. Dallas was smart to make it public they’re not siging Richards. Now the bidding can begin. They’re getting nothing less than a 2nd round pick for negotiating rights for BR.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@McFame,
Not from the Kings I bet.
CB14 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@Dominick, I would give Dallas a third to talk to him, and a second if he does sign with us. He’s worth it IMO.
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Stuart Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@SLIM, somebody on there said the Leafs will win 2 cups in the next 5 years??? They got some potent herb back east I guess… even if its the last two of those 5 sounds outlandish.
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39scars Reply:
June 4th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
@Stuart, Dixie cups
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Osaka Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 5:03 pm
@SLIM, I would totally make a play for Richards. DL sayd the core of the team is 7 players: 2 centers, top 4 D, and a goalie. I think it could work cap wise too if we move Green and Stoll, that’s 6.6 million there. We would be upgrading C2 so all we would loose is a 3rd pairing D-man. Better yet is get Smyth to waive his no trade clause and move him and Stoll. Pick up Leino to replace Smyth at a huge discount. Of course who would want Smyth’s 6.25 Mil cap hit. Anyways if you keep the cap hit under 7 I think room could be made for Richards without sacrificing too much.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 6:57 pm
@Osaka,
I agree it could work. DL would have to do some serious shuffling of the deck though. I don’t know if he could sell off any of those 3 and not take back some payroll in return. If he could, I’d say DL for life.
The only thing that would worry me would be, we couldn’t sell them off till after the fact. We would be talking mainly Greene, because Stoll would still be valuable as a 3rd C, or 2nd with Richards as a #1 LW, and Lokti as a 3rd once he got acclimated. Smyth? Like you said “who would”.
Good news is that DL has had plenty of time to think this through, and doesn’t strike me as a guy who would make that decision without thinking it through first. So I believe he’s got a plan if it pans out. DL’s a planner, not a reactionary.
That’s why I love the guy as a GM.
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Osaka Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 7:08 pm
@Dominick, I don’t think Doughty will get a big contract this summer, I see a one year deal and then the big contract next summer when we have room. His actual salary is like $875,000 with 2.6 mil in bonus. I see him with one year at or around 4 mil. Also if we signed a center we could keep Schenn in Manchester for the year to save 3 mil cap hit. Richardson is ideal because he can play LW also. IF and I and saying IF Schenn developes like we hope he can play C2 in a couple years and Richardson could play LW. I can see a lot of different things DL could do, we are in pretty good shape cap wise.
How about this (just saying) Quick and Schenn to Phil for Carter and JVR?
CB14 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:44 pm
@Osaka, I’ve been saying the same exact thing about the Kings going after Richards. He’s the PERFECT fit for this team. I also have been saying the same thing about DD. Sign him to a one year deal at 4 million, then sign him long term next year when we have cap room. I don’t see DL trading Quick without dumping either Penner or Smyth’s contracts with him. Carter makes a lot of dough next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, and the, well you get the drift.
Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:08 pm
@Osaka,
I personally want to see Quick break all Kings goaltending records, since he has the possibility to do it in the next 3 years. No other goalie has even come this close in decades. I wouldn’t fight it if DL could pull off a Carter, and JVR deal though. To high to add Schenn to that.
I agree DD will get a short 1 year contract. It will give him an opportunity to bring his level of play back up to Norris trophy levels, and he has to know that with the capspace we’ll have next season, he’ll get a fatter contract then, rather than force a big one now.
If DL does have trouble with DD’s contract this summer, I think it would signal the possibility that DD is unhappy here. If he agrees to a 1 year it would definately signal that DD’s ready to make the commitment when the Kings have the money to offer longterm.
If we sign Richards, I can’t see Schenn staying here because of the cap (which wouldn’t be a bad thing for Schenn or us). He’ll go to Manchester after 9 games.
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Osaka Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:26 pm
@Dominick, Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to trade Quick. He is solid and should be our goalie for years. It was just a “what if”. Actually with Quick and Schenn I don’t think we would be giving up enough for those players. Schenn is just a prospect and Quick is not even allstar level goalie. He might be to us but we are fans. In order to be GM you can’t be a fan. You don’t not sell a stock because it had been good to you. Phil needs a goalie not a prospect and Quick will be an UFR when his contract is up while Bernier will still be a RFA when his expires. I don’t know if I would make this deal, maybe. Easy for me to sit here and say it though.
Like I said Richardson would be ideal. It would be good to play Schenn a year in the AHL and make him earn a spot. If he tears it up we can bring him up 1/2 way through the season with a reduced cap hit.
CB14 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:47 pm
@Osaka, He wasn’t an all star, but he was right below that level of goalies.
And it’s Richards not Richardson. We already have him, too bad it’s not the other way around.
Osaka Reply:
June 3rd, 2011 at 1:05 am
@CB14 I see I did that a lot in these comments. Yes I mean Brad Richards, thank you.
Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:37 pm
@Osaka, That’s a very good point about Schenn. I hadn’t even thought of a reduced cap hit later in the season.
I believe with Quick being traded in your hypothetical situation, I’m am not looking at it from a fans point of view at all. It’s more a view from a strength perspective. They are desperate to fill that position with someone solid. Quick has proven that he is. If they’d be willing to trade Carter for Quick I believe their at the disadvantage, not us, because we don’t have to trade Quick at all.
They would most definately have to sweeten the pot to pry Quick awy. I think that would definately cut into JVR’s value in the trade. We would have to give up something significant, but not a future franchise player.
I’d go with Simmers, or Clifford, along with Quick, but god would I miss them.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:18 pm
@Osaka,
I also forgot to mention that Schenn was deemed by Hockeys future to be the #1 prospect for the entire NHL. I think with Quick, and Schenn strait up it’s a fair value, but I see Philly at a disadvantage because they have to force the trade, so they will have to pay more.
Same thing when we got Penner. Strait up he wasn’t worth what we paid, but we had to make it sweet enough that they couldn’t say no.
Osaka Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 11:54 pm
@Dominick, Yeah Philly would be getting their goalie whose cap hit is a bargain and would be freeing themselves of Carter’s contract. Carter’s cap hit is reasonable at 5.2 a year but it is for another 11 years, they have too many centers, and Carter is the only one without a no trade clause.
I wouldn’t want to make Philly too good. I still have family back there with big mouths. 1975 Flyers was the first Stanley Cup I went to.
CB14 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:38 pm
@SLIM, One word. YES
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KC23 Reply:
June 4th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@SLIM, I personally don’t think we have a shot of getting Richards. He is going to be way too expensive for DL.
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@Dominick
Hey Dom. It’s hours later now back here in ny. Just wanted to say to you that I read your post starting w ‘you and I have basically the same view’ or something like that. Yeah, it was exactly that. I SO agree with how you explained things (guess that’s why we see things similarly). But wanted to share this too.
Was out in LA very briefly over the holidays and went with my ex wife to that horrible Philly game. Sat behind the goal the Kings attack twice. I hadn’t been to a game in ages. Well the first Kings goal was scored by Smyth from near the goal line on a flub by Michael Leighton. I also recall the Kings scoring a PP goal by JJ but he shot from very near the boards.
It was really that night where I realized how little time they spend anywhere near the high scoring areas of the offensive zone. I mean, everything seemed to be coming from near the boards. Not speaking of the Kings, but ANY nhl team, if there is one that wins a Cup I will say blimey and dance the jig down Figueroa. Any team. Not just the Kings. Because w/o flow and movement (exactly what you were alluding to… it Does Not Mean That You Have To Be Irresponsible in that context to play that sort of a game, I don’t care what anyone says). Well that’s clearly the case. It’s enough to just study the recent past champions.
Anyway, its late and I’m going to bed. Urgh.
Btw, even the B’s play (having watched them a decent amount this season) in spite of their wretched PP, with more skill and creativity up front.
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number 6 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@number 6,
I meant to say, I’ll react like that w a little dance if a team wins a Cup playing a dump and chase game.
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Dominick Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 9:49 pm
@number 6,
Have a good night, and I look forward to talking more about that very subject with you.
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I would trade any Kings’ player for Parise! Parise is better than any player or prospect we have!!!
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Ravens Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:14 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, your right. but when I think about what they’ll ask in return, it reminds me of that movie “The Professional” rememebr where in the end when the “Itallian guy” is held up in the apartment and Gary Olman tells the other cop..”Bring Everyone” …and the other cop answers, “everyone?” Gary Oldman “EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
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CB14 Reply:
June 2nd, 2011 at 10:38 pm
@Ravens, I wouldn’t trade Kopi for Parise. Anyone else Yes, but not Kopi. He’s just so well rounded and is younger than Parise as well.
Regarding “The Professional”. That was a great movie. The beginning of Natalie Portman’s career. I could tell then she was going to turn out to be smokin hot. It’s not creepy because I’m around her age.
P.S. I’d love to see a sequal of that movie with Natalie Portman as the cleaner. Mabye with her taking in a young kid and teaching them how to be one.
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Ravens Reply:
June 3rd, 2011 at 4:23 pm
@CB14, That’s a great idea,,,I you should do a script and pitch it
CB14 Reply:
June 3rd, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@Ravens, If I could write at all I would. Too bad I can’t. You can feel free to do it.
KC23 Reply:
June 4th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
@THEROCKNROLL80S, Not Kopitar or DD. No way, no how.
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NIckolai Kulemin is a steal…the young Russian has more goals (30+) than anyone on LA and he works his butt off every shift
hes also a LW and is way cheaper than Penner
maybe a trsde for some of our prospects (no one too special) and a pick or 2 and itll be worth it
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