Terry Murray was gracious enough to take a few minutes, from his (sometimes) offseason home in Maine, to chat about the Kings’ acquisition of Mike Richards. Murray was an assistant coach in Philadelphia when Richards broke into the NHL, and the player and coach spent three seasons together. Murray said that he had spoken to Richards this afternoon as well. Here are Murray’s thoughts on the move…
Question: You obviously have some solid familiarity with Richards. What were your thoughts about the trade?
MURRAY: “Well, from the time he was drafted, in the Flyers’ organization, I was there. And during the lockout year, he came in and played with the Phantoms in the American Hockey League and they won the championship that year when John (Stevens) was coaching. And I was with him the first couple years in Philadelphia. So I’m very familiar with who he is and what he is and how he can play. There are a lot of positive things. This is an incredible add to our hockey club. I’m very, very excited about it. You don’t want to lose anybody, to take anybody off your hockey club. Simmer has been a great trooper and a great player for us, and I wish him all the luck, but on the other side of it, with adding a guy like Mike Richards, this really helps us start to live up to our own expectations, of just moving on and becoming a real good team. He’s a proven, quality player, a quality guy. He’s a captain. It’s going to be a tremendous fit, I think, to our hockey club.”
Question: Are there any areas of the game, in particular, that stand in your mind when you think of ways that Richards might be able to improve the team?
MURRAY: “Mike Richards, from when he was drafted by the Flyers, you’re not just looking at where the skills are. You’re looking at the character, the intensity, the way he plays the game with such a high level of compete all the time. He’s got incredible determination and ability to rise up to the next level, in high-level competition. He finds a way to get it done. On the playing side of things, he gives you everything, as far as what you need as a coach, in my opinion, when it comes to playing in any situation. On special teams, he’s one of the best penalty-killers in the National Hockey League. His anticipation skills are second to none in the league, in my opinion. That’s just his shorthanded ability, not to mention scoring goals. He’s got all of the skills and abilities to play in every situation. He’s just a great add to the center position.”
Question: Talking about the center position, that one-two punch with Kopitar and Richards must make you smile a bit…
MURRAY: “Well, just the name Mike Richards gives me a smile [laughs]. I was sitting here this afternoon when I spoke with Hexy [Ron Hextall]. It caught me by surprise, because I hadn’t heard a lot about this. Whenever the name Mike Richards was coming my way, boy, I got excited, because I just know the ability that he brings and the determination. He’s a compete player. He’s a compete player and he’s a complete player, in every situation. That’s why he ended up with the `C’ on his sweater in Philadelphia. He just has the uncanny ability to grab situations and to lead the way and push through a lot of very difficult situations through the season. It gives us a great punch, as you mentioned, with Kopitar there as our No. 1 guy. Mike Richards now slides right into that situation, right behind Kopi. You literally have a 1A-1B kind of a situation. It’s very nice to have a coach.”
Question: Wayne Simmonds’ time with the Kings was so interesting. He sort of came out of nowhere to make the team, and then seemed to take a bit of a step backward last season. Are you able to put that in any kind of perspective?
MURRAY: “Everything was positive with me, with Simmer. This is a guy who, when I first got there, came out of the development camp in the summer time, stepped right into the training camp and competed and battled and fought. He was a very gritty and hard player to play against. It brought our attention, as coaches and management, to him in every game that he played in that training camp. That’s why he was a part of the L.A. Kings on opening night that first year, because of what he showed, the attitude that he showed, that he was going to make the team at all costs. `Whatever it is, I’m going to do it.’ That’s a great skill of Simmer. He showed us that he has that determination and that character to go out and get the job done. And I really think that his game improved tremendously during his time with the L.A. Kings, from being that surprise out of the training camp to where he is today. He’s a goal scorer. He can move up into a No. 1 line situation, in which I often used him with Kopi, and he played very well. He probably fit the best with Handzus on that right side. Very responsible against top lines. Played hard, played determined, played a gritty game and was always there to support his teammates. You know, if you’re going to add a good player, you’re going to have to give up good players. Everything that Wayne Simmonds did for me, as a coach, and for the organization, it’s only positive and we’re very grateful to have had the time together.”
Terry Murray is making me feel giddy about adding Richards.
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lilwaynesimmonds Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@Choralone,
who would’ve thought that TeMu would stir any emotion besides anger and disbelief?
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@lilwaynesimmonds,
I want video that proves he knows how to laugh. Pics or it didn’t happen.
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tornado12 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:36 pm
@lilwaynesimmonds, are you going to change your handle now?
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oh, word.
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Let’s face it. With Clifford pulling a “Simmonds” last year in camp, he’s the young grit and “hard to play against” player we need, who just happens to have much more upside that Simmonds himself. Love Simmonds. Love Clifford even more.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@wavesinair,
Digression:
From ‘One more aspect of the trade’…
@kingsxstevenxkings,
Rob Bordson is just a reminder of the Omnipresent.
Brought here in anonymity, gone in a flash. Could it be anything but the work of the Most Interesting Hockey Player in the World, Juraj Mikus?
I think not.
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
All things Kings go through the mighty Juraj.
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Oldthunder Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Grats on invoking juraj. I’m glad the kings didn’t trade him.
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Jason Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@wavesinair, You nailed it! If we didnt have Cliffy, I then I would think we gave up too much. But with Cliffy, this is awesome! More upside, plus we got an amazing player in Richards! Very excited now!
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Osaka Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@wavesinair, Clifford is Simmonds 2.0
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:02 pm
@wavesinair, Agreed; KC made Wayneo dispensible. I didn’t see Mike Richards coming, nor Schenn leaving, but I did suspect one or the other of KC or Wayne would be gone, and I suspected it would be wayne, based on momentum. Cliffy seemed on his way up; WS seemed on his way down.
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Is it me, or did our PK get stronger and our PP get better?
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@Stuart, “I GOT A FEELIN”
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Stuart,
Can’t wait for that first shorthanded Richards goal…
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Harry Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@Stuart, It’ll get better when Kompon hits the exit door…
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:59 pm
@Harry, LOL i agree and made me laugh on this comment of the day u rock
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Heenan Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 pm
@Harry,
I agree, Kompon is lousy.
He coaches Terry Muurray’s powerplay system.
If only we could get someone else to coach Terry Murray’s powerplay system.
We’d really kick ass.
Except for Terry Murray.
He’d probably get pissed off and fire the new coach for insubordination.
Then we could get a new guy who could coach Terry Murray’s powerplay just as perfectly as Mr. Kompon does right now.
That would rule.
Err something.
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I know it doesn’t fit TM’s MO, but i’d like to see the pics of TM doing cartwheels in his front yard when he heard the news.
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sounds like murray has a man crush on richards?
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loskingpride Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@KH, Sounded like Dean had a man crush on Brayden too
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Thanks for getting us these interviews so quickly Rich. Richards is one player who you can say with confidence with thrive under Terry Murray hockey.
For my extensive thoughts on the trade, here is my article – http://lakingsnews.com/2011/06/23/the-positives-and-negatives-of-mike-richards-to-the-kings/
It’s truly a great day to be a Kings fan. No more waiting for ‘the big move’ because it just happened. I was hitting golf balls when i checked my phone and saw this trade. My only disappointment is that i was swinging pretty well, but after I saw this i couldn’t calm down and subsequently couldn’t hit a good shot! A small price to pay
. Schenn and Simmonds was definitely not a small price to pay, but I am confident that is was wholly worth it.
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Carol Vadnais Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@Surly Jacob (JDM), you summed it up perfectly. Schenn, by all accounts, is better than his brother and will probably be a terrific pro…someday. Maybe this year. Maybe not. Richards is a terrific player RIGHT NOW. So it’s really Richards for Simmonds. And that’s a no-brainer.
Down the line you might twinge when Schenn becomes great, but maybe we will use the money we would have had to sign Simmonds to get another scorer to really make us a great threat offensively.
(DARE I SAY IT: but what is stopping DL from tendering an offer to Simmonds?)
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Osaka Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@Carol Vadnais, Schenn’s entry level contract cap hit was also 3 mil. An unproven player getting 3 mil to play on the 3rd line. If he does have success what do we have to sign him for in 3 years? It is another Doughty situation. Richards is locked up long term for less than Smyth’s hit, 5.7 is a hit we can live with for a long time.
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wavesinair Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@Surly Jacob (JDM), I love how you keep using JDM.
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Surly Jacob (JDM) Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@wavesinair, lol, I can’t help it. This is the first place I started posting online about hockey. Its nostalgia
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Damn……… TM has never made me so excited when talking about a player. Im getting super giddy right now! Cant wait for the season to kick off! GO KINGS!!!!!!!!
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just like murray said, he’s a great guy, great character, great player. we had to give something to get something and i think simmonds should do well in philly, he will be missed.
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Most emotion ever shown by TM.
Fantastic trade all the way around. Looks like I’ll be adding a Richards jersey to my rotation.
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deelo Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:23 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
Hopefully it is a “M. Richards” jesey…
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CB14 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@deelo, I’d love to have a M. Richards AND a B. Richards jersey. Hey a guy can dream right?
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Probable: Poni and Zues are gone. 7.2 in extra cap space. Add to current cap space of approx 3.8 (nhlnumbers.com) for a total of 11mil.
An estimate: Subtract 6.5 (an estimate) for Drew. Down to 4.5.
A possibility: Trade Smyth to anywhere for maybe 3mil in returning cap hit, new cap space of 7.75 (add 6.25, subtract 3). That leaves us enough to sign a good LW to fill in the gaping hole and have a bit left over.
Do it Deano!
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kingshockeyguy Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:48 pm
@Matt R, Well I hope Poni is gone! I can’t see why they would bring him back.
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I can’t remember ever feeling like this…all dressed up and nowhere to go. We still have to wait until October???!!! Maybe Richards can suit up and skate a figure-8 for us at rookie camp real quick???
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so the question now is what happens next?
Smyth is as good as traded – could DL pull off another blockbuster for Iginla? not sure if that could work but i love that thought.
i’ve heard a Stastny rumor but that doesn’t make sense as we are set at center.
i wonder if DL moves out Smyth and just replaces him with Parse and then goes after one more winger to replace Simmonds. maybe Poni? what about a guy like Torres in UFA. Brooks Laich would be a great fit. Leino is still out there but i imagine PHI will re-sign him now. how about a couple of guys like Vrbata or Knuble or Upshall? any of those guys would be nice replacements for Simmonds on the right side.
i really like the idea of Upshall for the 3rd line for a trio of Clifford/Stoll/Upshall. skill, good defensively, tough to play against.
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Los Reyes Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@Dave,
Joel Ward has been rumored to be coming here…
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Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Los Reyes, would rather have Upshall but Ward would be OK. he would be a good fit on that 3rd line but he might be more expensive than he’s worth because of his good playoffs. i’m scared off by guys who have a breakout right before they are UFA. very rarely do you get the value you paid for.
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masterhans Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:43 pm
@Los Reyes, ERIC COLE!!
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@Los Reyes, Pardon the obvious, but Joel Ward is quite similar to Simmer in alot of ways…not as pugnacious, but decent hands…We need someone who can actually shoot left on the left side since we are so heavily right handed on the wings…and more than single digits in goals are a must! Upshall is left handed with an above average shot and excellent wheels….He seems more like what the doctor ordered to me! Doughty’s deal needs to be Cap friendly and Donnie Meehan is going to have to see that light…long term could help Cap number! Center position looks solid now, but still so short on wings…Good Bye to Ryan Smyth and thanks for the memories…off to Calgary I hear(closer to Banf then Moncton, oops Edmonton I mean!)…Feaster has a ton of LWs in Calgary to part with, but no low round pick for Smyth please! He needs an immediate replacement on our roster if he’s shipped North!
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Dave, Im liking the Brooks Laich idea! he plays C and LW
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Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:43 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, i like it too – i just think he might get a ton as UFA as there aren’t a lot of top-6 guys out there this year.
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, In a half a heart beat for sure! Gotta move some parts around abit to fit his expected Cap number though(4+ML)…Zues, Pony, and (if)Smyth gone does help Cap space, but a big Cap hit for DD would kill it and most anything else of good value on the UFA market. Laich is a sleeper in this FA crop, unless the word is out on him now? Could be very interesting at draft tables tomorrow night and Saturday too? 64.3 Cap helps alot, and AEG should provision a high Cap number, if Timmy Liewecke wants to win for sure! We’ll see how they show their colors in Cap spending!?
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Mongo88 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:45 pm
@Dave, I think you hit the nail on the head with Upshall. I’d think Laich would be a good fit too on the 2nd line. Torres/ Ben Eager would just be the cherry on top for the fourth line. My question for all of you is… what about Ward from nas?
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Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:53 pm
@Mongo88, i like Ward but i think someone is going to overpay him because of his good playoffs.
i actually like Torres for the third line but like Upshall better. he quietly scored 22 goals last year and he’s only 27. i like his game and he seems to always kill the Kings.
i think DL will go with Parse on the 2nd line and then try to find a third line RW. although i’d love to see Toffoli or Kozun step up and take that third line RW job.
i actually think we are pretty set on the LW with Penner-Parse-Clifford-Richardson. i really think DL will give Parse first crack at that 2nd line slot like he did last year and i think he could fit in well with Richards/Brown. he’ll have a lot of space to work with, that’s for sure.
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CB14 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:59 pm
@Dave, I don’t want a dirty player like Raffi Torres on the Kings. I prefer players who respect each other, not cheap shot artists like Torres. IMO
I started reading the commments on Philadelphia Inquirer’s website to get their view of the trade and then i realized, it’s just funny reading their comments on any article. What a fantastically depressed people they are!
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Matt R Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@Shakes, Well, it is Philly after all!
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snbrdsummit Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@Shakes,
Well, yeah… It’s kinda weird that they gave away their Captain and Alternative and signed Bryzzy to a $7M tag. Someone over there is smoking crack. Bryzzy is good, but not $7M good.
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Matt R Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm
@snbrdsummit, But is he $5.7M good? That’s what they actually signed him for.
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This is a world class player. Mike Richards is the guy you hate the most on the opposing team, simply because he has no holes in his game. He is relentless in pursuit as a checker, crafty with the puck, sees the ice like very few centers in this league. A welcome edition indeed, and as perfect a fit as DL could have ever hoped to get. Schenn is unproven, Simmer is a trooper all the way, and 2nd rounder isn’t much in this year’s lower quality draft lot to part with. Overall it is AAA+ deal for LAKs, and finally so! There are several holes to fill on this club still, especially on the left side, but this was an excellent move in the right direction. Mike R will be a master of TM’s system for certain. Now let’s look for something to move out Cap dollars with Smyth’s deal and bring in some left side speed up front and abit cheaper too. I have now renewed hope for some “Real Contenders Status” going forward instead of that “Uneasy Pretenders Illusions”. This should be the 1st move, with more mid level moves to come to upgrade the front end! Good, no Great Start DL…it somehow has the flavor of Tim Liewecke in the recipe too!
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anyone else notice that on the lakings.com page, with the announcement of Mike Richards, they changed the Kings logo? It is now black, gray, and white. No more purple at all
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Harry Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@Benjos12, Yes, that should be the primary jersey starting 11-12 season
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Benjos12 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@Harry, I know they are going to use the black and white 3rd sweaters as the new primary ones, but I had no idea they were going to change the purple on the crown to black.
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To be real honest, I can’t say that I knew much about Mike Richards, so I didn’t know how to feel at first and therefore didn’t cast a vote. I was sad at first because I love Simmonds, but after reading what TM has to say about Richards, I really am excited! Like it has been said already, you can’t get something without giving up something in return. So, good luck to Simmonds, he will be missed by many. I only hope that Brownie will still have the “C” on his sweater next season. I can hardly wait for the season to begin!!!
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I second everything that Terry said about Wayne Simmonds. Icommented on him during the Development Camp. I hope someone steps up to provide the extra little things that Wayne did.
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We have a hole on the right side that needs to be filled.
You figure the lines will look something like this.
Penner-Kopi-Williams
Smyth(if not traded)-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Stoll-???
Richardson(if resigned)-Lewis-Westgarth/???
I would like to see the kings go after Joel Ward (as brought up on another site by a Kings fan who knows his sh*t). He would be a perfect fit on the right side with Clifford and Stoll.
Then you got Parse and maybe someone from manchester to fill in at times. I am just not sure where Parse fits.
I don’t think the Kings are done yet.
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Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@kingshockeyguy, Parse in Smyth’s spot (when Smyth gets dealt) and i’d like to see DL go after Upshall. i think someone will give Ward too much money for what he’s worth based on his playoff performance.
Upshall is 27, he can score and he plays all out. i think he would be a great fit with Clifford and Stoll.
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:17 pm
@Dave, 100% on board with you on that! ….But Parse is, of course, right handed. Gotta have that left hander like Upshall or similar type with wheels! Parse is fine in the right mix with a left handed center to offset his off hand angles on left side. Did fine with Kopi but not with Stollie. No Zues, or maybe so if nothing else pans out?
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@kingshockeyguy, I think you meant to say on the Left side? The natural LWs on this team are Clifford, Penner & Smyth. Pony is gone, as is perhaps Smyth, leaving only Penner and Clifford as LW who soot left handed. Penner is a slow freight, Cliffy is a raw kid coming on abit and the only other thing in that mix is RFA Richie…The RW is loaded with natural RWs, Brownie, J Willie, Parsie and Westie, with Timmy Lewis available to take shifts on RW(played there in Manchester), and Moller is gone to Sweden. Loktionov is a natural center or an off hand right wing in European tradition may work? There isn’t much in Manchester on the left side either…for that matter not much up front down there at all!
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McKenzie reporting Smyth to CGY is close – another guy i would hate to see go but he’s just not worth the cap hit and i think DL has at least one more move up his sleeve.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@Dave, so is he going to be trade to Flames or no?
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Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@KingsFanFTW, that’s the word from Bob and DL pretty much said he’ll be gone in the next 48.
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CB14 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:01 pm
@Dave, Yeah, Smyth should go now that we’ve got Richards.
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@Dave, I said Feaster likes R Smyth a ton, but what is coming back? Gotta have a NHL LWinger back for sure at a lower number (Curtis Glencross would be a coupe!). Someone was saying Iginla…NEVER! TOO MUCH MONEY!.
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Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:31 pm
@5holer, Iginla’s cap hit is $7M for two more years. if there is a time to make that trade it is right now. just imagine…
Penner-Kopi-Iginla (wow)
Parse-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Stoll-Williams
Richie-Lewis-Westgarth
everything is dependent on Doughty’s deal at this point. i think DL has proven to DD that he is serious about winning right now with the Richards trade. if Doughty signs for a decent hit (say under $6M) then DL will know what he has to work with as far as cap space.
i am all sorts of excited right now.
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:41 pm
@Dave, Well stated! I would love to imagine Iggie in LA Colors. He’s got alot left in the tank too! That worx for me, but Donnie Meehan has to see the light on DDs deal or it doesn’t work? Or does Timmy Liewecke step in and make it work! Whenever I see Tim L at the games(often), I see the desperate desire to win now in his eyes!! So we run out DDs contract 10-15 years with a Nice Friendly Cap Hit around 5ML average. Come on Donnie Meehan you can jump on that for DDs sake(and the team’s sake), you still have Stamkos in your stable to fatten up on!!
Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 6:21 pm
@5holer, if wouldn’t be the end if DL didn’t get anything other than a pick for Smyth. he’ll have plenty of $ and space to go get someone.
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Roger Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 8:29 pm
@5holer, Glenncross would be perfect!
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Osaka Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@Dave, DL said he needs to replace Smyth so there will be more.
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:31 pm
@Osaka, Good, I love it when we can read the same pages from same book and stay on point! Replacements are necessary, since we are no longer building any longer. That is my read anyway! Never heard of 5-6 year Rebuilds….been long enough for rebuild, now its refining time!
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Jeff Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@Dave, Do we get anything in return or just a salary dump?
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Wow… I may have to get season tix again…
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@mcsorleyfan,
…Fire in the Hole!
Do it.
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I was working when my friend text me the trade..I could not even focus like the gentleman above who couldn’t hit a shot at the links after seeing the trade. I had a bad initial feeling hearing Schenn was in the trade, but realized Richards is the same player but ready now, and isn’t that the bast case senario, if we had Schenn ready to step up right out of the gate? well it’s the same thing. and with playoff experience, now with Smyth almost gone, and free agents looking at us like we are contenders is not out of the question to get Brad Richards as well? and then there’s Jagr, and supposedly the Kings are one of the teams in on him, I would however try to bring Poni back at half the price, or get Ward, to ad to the grit and size we need in playoffs
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Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:08 pm
@Ravens, i don’t see any way DL goes after Brad Richards. he’s going to get crazy money from someone.
Jagr would be a nice add but i think he’s going elsewhere.
i know it’s a long shot but i would love DL to find a way to pry Iginla out of Calgary.
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puck73 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@Dave, Iginla is a sniper, if Deano were to add him, our powerplay would be something to reckon with unless Jamie Kompon mucks it up.
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 6:01 pm
@puck73, @Dave, With Iggie & Mike R it would be the best line up here since the old Gretzky days for sure! Kompon is not a PP guy in my book either! With natural creativity it should not matter that much who the PP coach is anyway! I’d like to put the name of Bernie Nicholls out there as a suggested Asst Coach for the PP! I’ve talked to Boiny abit and he has been trying to get Coach’s ear for a year or better with no luck so far….somebody in the Kings Court should listen at some point, because 70 goals and 32 PP goals didn’t happen just by chance back in his hay day banner year! Bernie is no checking school guy, but he is a wealth of knowledge on goal scoring and the power play unit! He was a threat on PK too, just like Mike R is! Should we get a group advisory letter going to TM & DL for the next GM’s meeting at camp? Anyone second the motion? Gotta a better idea, I’m open for something constructive!
5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:49 pm
@Ravens, Forget about old Jaromir Jagr though! He hasn’t checked anyone in 22 years! His hands are all but gone just like his wheels(flats!). Brad Richards will require the US Mint and all the Canadian Loons left in circulation in Canada to sign. He is primed as Glen Sather’s replacement for all the other previous mistakes with bad contracts he has made!! That should bury the Rangers for about half a dozen more years….Gomez, Drury, Redden, Rosival, Gaborik, Frolov, just to name a few! If Richards was smart enough, he would take the right team and not the highest money! But I doubt he is that smart!
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Roger Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 8:30 pm
@Ravens, Poni is gone, he got benched in the playoffs. GOOD RIDDENS
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Brian Burke must be blowing a gasket…..he loses out on his dream of moving up to select B. Schenn in the 2009 draft. Then he can’t will B. Schenn away from Lombardi with his many attempts at seduction.
Now, not only does he say goodbye to “HIS” player, but he gets beat out by DL in a late in the negotiations coup for Mike Richards, who according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Burke was in hot pursuit of, and was told by Philly “we’ll get back to you…” but they never did, when DL swooped in and nailed it down.
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how about we get the Brad Richards to play 1st Line LW
FORWARDS
Brad Richards ($7.800m) / Anze Kopitar ($6.800m) / Justin Williams ($3.650m)
Dustin Penner ($4.250m) / Mike Richards ($5.750m) / Dustin Brown ($3.175m)
Scott Parse ($0.900m) / Jarret Stoll ($3.600m) / Brad Richardson ($1.100m)
Kyle Clifford ($0.870m) / Trevor Lewis ($1.100m) / Kevin Westgarth ($0.525m)
DEFENSEMEN
Willie Mitchell ($3.500m) / Drew Doughty ($5.575m)
Jack Johnson ($4.357m) / Rob Scuderi ($3.400m)
Alec Martinez ($1.275m) / Matt Greene ($2.950m)
Davis Drewiske ($0.616m)
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Quick ($1.800m) / Jonathan Bernier ($1.250m)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $64,243,810; BONUSES: $135,000
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $56,190
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JMFJ#3 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@JMFJ#3, that leaves richards at what he is currently paid, gives DD a big raise and gives Lewis and Richie a modest raise along with AMart a modest raise.
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Dave Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:33 pm
@JMFJ#3, what about Iginla instead of Richards? would probably be less of a cap hit and only for 2 more years. he is still very productive and has at least two good years left.
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JMFJ#3 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:38 pm
@Dave, he plays RW…but i dont know if he could move to the left? or you move DB back to one of the LW and have Williams and Iginla as your 1/2 RW with Brown/Penner as your 1/2 LW?
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JMFJ#3 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@Dave, i Also think it would be nice to pick up someone like Ville Lenio and have him play one of the left wing spots. with either Kopi or Richards either one
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5holer Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 6:12 pm
@JMFJ#3, If I could only fall asleep and have your dream, I would never want to wake up to face the truth! Nice try, but not in the Hard Cap world of the NHL! 23 roster players are required under NHL contract, plus entry levels at proportional Cap hits too…nearing 67-68ML area. 64.3Ml is top of scale, so say 2ML under it is safest position…your Caponomics don’t fit, but good try! Leino won’t be out there either. I think Iggie is also a pipe dream! Fantasy GM is a Good Game, don’t you think?
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Hate to lose Schenn but Mike Richards…holy crap Batman. We gained another top 5 NHL center that plays both ends. Kopi should be the happiest player in LA. Having Richards playing behind Kopi (only on the Kings) should really open up things for him. Richards can pass the puck way better than anyone we have or had, i.e. Zeus and Stoll, which makes his line mates better.
Schenn at best was a second line center on this team…and how many seasons away from being an impact player? How many seasons away from becoming the next Mike Richards….how about never! Schenn will be good but not the caliber player that Richards is on and off the ice…not even close.
The Kings have been slowly building and building to compete for the cup and this was the move we have all been waiting for. For all those who think we gave up too much…welcome to the NHL. DL used his ever growing bank of UNPROVEN youth and picks rather than wait another 4 or 5 years for Schenn and Lokti to develop and he still has plenty of ammo to make one more big splash.
If we had any shot before today at signing Brad Richards, it just doubled or tripled. If its not Brad Richards, DL can add a lot of depth with other FA who will now be willing to come and play in LA.
I liked Simmer but he’s an after thought. He was always a 4th line player on a very good team. On the Kings he was a solid 3rd line player but that was only due to the Kings lack of depth at RW. He became obsolete with the emergence of Clifford, not to mention he took a huge step back with his inconsistent play last year. Wish him all the best…great fit for him in Philly
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EternalOptimist Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:46 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,
I still can’t believe this happened! What is Philly thinking! Trading probably the most beloved player on your team… the fans in Philly must be rioting by now!
Really conflicted about the trade… had high hopes for Simmer and Schenn. But you got to give something to get something, especially a player of this calibre. Can’t wait for training camp to start to see what the line combos will be!
The only thing missing is to sign Brad Richards and Richardson. Imagine Bob Miller’s play by play… Richards to Richards to Richardson, he scores!!!
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Roger Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 8:33 pm
@EternalOptimist, You wont be conflicted come October
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Love it. Good job DL. A bird in the hand…
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I’m hearing that there is alot of chatter about Smyth in a three way deal bringing back an NHL roster player here. Its gonna be a most intriguing Draft weekend and going right up to the FA period on July 1. Surprises may reign supreme as they have already! Best off season in LA since August of 1988!…well its been a great start to it at this point! From Pretenders to Contenders, could happen with a few more tweeks! Until the morrow!
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congrats to la you got one hell of a player.typical flyers so cup focused thay never give the team a chance to grow together.one cant even call it a bad season and they totaly dismantal the team good luck kings and go get yous cup mike
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tuan jim Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 10:08 pm
@mark,
Thanks. Philly got back plenty of bang for its buck, too.
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Simmonds and Doughty are roommates and best friends. Any chance this has an impact on Doughty’s contract?
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Great deal! We get horsepower NOW! I was saying all of last season to trade Simmers. Too streaky. Could not depend on him. Also good to break up Simmers & “The Golden Boy”. Drew needs to focus on his game. Excellent move keeping Richardson. I think he’s gonna have a breakout season this year. Now we need to get one more player. Richards would be nice but too expensive. Iginla would be absolutely phenominol(sp)!! Iggie would know this is a Cup contending team and would gladly come over.
Now just get rid of Kompon. Can we trade Kompon for Iginla?????
GKG!
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red49er Reply:
June 24th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@crashin’ da net, Iginla is a great player, HOF great. I don’t think he would be a good fit ego or leadership wise. He is too used to being the Alpha dog, the #1 guy. How could he be just another player?
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