Hextall talks about Moreau signing

The Kings’ signing of Ethan Moreau to a one-year, $600,000 contract is now official, and I’m hoping to get Moreau for a quick chat this afternoon. For now, here’s what assistant general manager Ron Hextall had to say about the Moreau signing…

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Question: This is an experienced guy with a history of leadership — being a former captain — and some gritty play. What was the primary motivation in terms of bringing him aboard?

HEXTALL: “It’s a combination of those things. It’s leadership. He’s been a captain. He’s been to the Finals. He’s got a lot of intangibles that we value. He’s a veteran presence. I think when you lose a Michal Handzus, you’ve got to try to compensate for that. I think Michal brought a lot to the table that we need to replace. Mike Richards brings a lot of intangibles in, no question, but we lost some size there as well with Handzus and Ponikarovsky, and we felt like we wanted to bring it back into the lineup because it was valuable to us during the playoffs. Again, it’s the intangibles. He’s a hard-nosed, win-at-all-costs kind of player, and those are clearly the players that you win with when it comes down to it. So we’re excited about Ethan and he’s excited about being here. He knows a lot of our players and he’s very comfortable here. I know he spends his offseasons here and his brother is here, so there are a lot of things that were attractive to us, but I guess in the end it was the intangibles, if you had to put it down to one word.”

Question: What are the conversations like, when you talk to him? Obviously he’s a bit of an older guy and the role might not be the same as he has had in the past. Is a guy like that accepting that things might change a little?

HEXTALL: “It’s funny. I had a conversation with him two days ago, and his whole motivation, the only thing he talked about, was winning the Cup. Here’s a guy who has played a long time, and he has been close, and his full motivation is to win the Cup. When you have guys with that mentality, they’re going to accept their role and do what they can for the team. I think Ethan understands that he’s not 20 years old anymore. He’s going to be in a role and he’s going to do the best he can in his role. He’s got a great attitude and, from everything we’ve heard about him, he’s a wonderful young man and he’s going to help our group. I think that when you get an Ethan Moreau in with guys like Kyle Clifford and Drew Doughty and Alec Martinez, he rubs off on them, just as Michal Handzus has in the past. Ethan Moreau is going to be that type of guy.

Question: And what does this do for you on the ice? I know a lot of it is up to Terry Murray, but when you look at it on paper, with Moreau, what type of options or versatility do you see on those third and fourth lines?

HEXTALL: “It’s really hard to say. Training camp and preseason will help that play out. Ethan plays both wings. I think he’s a little more comfortable on the left side but he can play both wings. Scott Parse can play both wings, so we’ve got some flexibility that’s going to have to play out. To sit here right now and say I can project where he’s going to be, I can’t necessarily say that. But again, we’ve got the flexibility with him and Parse both being able to play the right side. They’re going to have to play it out in camp, among a number of guys, and we’ll see what fits. When you try to do line combinations before the year, you put them on paper and then you get into it and you go, `Nah, this isn’t working.’ They’re hard to project, but Ethan, he’s an honest player. He’s a straight-line player and I think he’s an easy guy to play with, so I think he will fit into numerous roles.”

89 Comments

  1. Stuart says:

    Flexibility is key!!!

    [Reply]

    Jack the Lad Reply:

    @Stuart, Thank you for not saying first.

    Also, I like the signing, he’ll make a great 4th liner and a good 3rd liner if needed.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Jack the Lad, too old for that shizz!! :)

    [Reply]

    Jack the Lad Reply:

    @Stuart, Me too, 42 year fan and still waiting for Stanley!

    Stuart Reply:

    @Jack the Lad, your fandom is older than I am, but I had nothing to do with that! LOL 25 year fan for my part with no end in sight!!

    GKG! The force is strong with this one (group)!!

  2. Dave says:

    i really like that the bottom six can play everywhere. Stoll is probably the #3 center, Clifford will probably play LW and Westgarth will fill the 4th line RW role much of the time, but everything else is up for grabs and anyone can take any spot. Moreau can play both wings, Parse can play both wings, Lewis and Richie can play all three spots.
    But TM can go with what’s working and be able to change things up when they aren’t – not that he ever does that :)

    [Reply]

    StillneedDewey FKA PakiFro Reply:

    @Dave,

    Richie – Stoll – Clifford
    Moreau – Lewis – Parse/Westgarth

    What do you think?

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @StillneedDewey FKA PakiFro, why not swap Ritchie and Mareau? That was Ritchie can take the faceoffs. I’d say have TL try to “cheat” on every face-off, so he either wins them or gets kicked out, in which case Ritchie can step and take it…

    [Reply]

    King John Reply:

    @StillneedDewey FKA PakiFro,

    Here are possibilities of those already on the team:

    Center: Stoll, Lewis, Richardson
    Left wing: Parse, Moreau, Clifford, Richardson
    Right wing: Lewis, Parse, Moreau, Westgarth

    This allows for a lot of flexibility. I think it’s too early to say who would be good with whom. My preference is for Westgarth to sit out often and let the other six align.

    [Reply]

    Belexes Reply:

    @King John,

    Hextall spells it out clearly what they’re looking for to fill out these bottom two lines.

    1. an honest player.
    2. a straight-line player
    3. an easy guy to play with
    4. A guy whos presence rubs off on the young guys.
    5. Leadership
    6. Intangibles
    7. Experience

    Now with that list, go back over your bottom six and see who best fits the role.

    Belexes Reply:

    @King John,

    Forgot to add one –

    8. Hard-nosed player

    tornado12 Reply:

    @Belexes, so what you are saying is scott parse is an excellent fit there?

  3. Brian says:

    Yeah buddy! Love the signing and I think he’s going to have a huge year and impact on the team. Nice to get some feisty vets who are tired of losing.

    So excited for the season. GKG!!!

    [Reply]

  4. MadMatt says:

    This guy fits right into what DL values most… “Culture”. We have a lot of skill right now,and I have a feeling these intangibles are going to be important for us to get out of the first round and go all the way.

    [Reply]

  5. Eric says:

    I like Parse, but he’s not the kind of player the Kings need. I would rather have Clune play on the fourth line than Parse. Parse is the kind of player that has to play on the top two lines because he’s not much of a gritty player. I don’t see him as a physical, tough, gritty player that is needed on the bottom two lines like Clifford, Richardson, Westgarth, and Moreau.

    They should trade him to a team like the Isles and give him a chance to flourish with some real playing time. The Kings have enough quality young wingers they can bring up if there’s an injury to a top six forward…

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Eric, but when you figure that someone like SG maight be a little fraile, you want to have SP to be around to fill that hole…

    [Reply]

    Weasel Reply:

    @Stuart,

    An inexpensive player with talent like Parse (or Lokti) is great to have around. Someone, at some point is going to get injured of nicked and having a Parse to step in for a game or two (or five, etc) is going to be of great value. We have not yet seens what he can do at all so he might still surprise. After all the Kings thought he was going to be a top 6 forward before his injury — So, a borderline top-6 guy as a plug and play piece sounds great at the start of a long physical season.

    [Reply]

    Stuart Reply:

    @Weasel, so we’re in aggreance?

    And I do think that TM will find ice-time for all the peripheral playres on our roster…

    Weasel Reply:

    Stuart Reply:
    August 23rd, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    @Weasel, so we’re in aggreance?

    And I do think that TM will find ice-time for all the peripheral playres on our roster…

    ****
    Heck yes, and we really have no idea how good he could become. Anyone who says they don’t like him at this point is really basing their opinion of very little NHL action.

    King John Reply:

    @Eric, Let’s see how training camp plays out first. I don’t want to give up on Parse yet.

    [Reply]

    danglebagel Reply:

    @Eric, Bottom six players dont have to be gritty, their job is to push the puck to the offensive zone and keep it there. Lewis isn’t much of a grit guy but he still plays the 4th line well. King John is spot on with it. Every player in this organization is valuable, only training camp will tell.

    [Reply]

    PP Anybody? Reply:

    @Eric, Clune is a waste of a roster spot. That guy gets beat up every time he steps on the ice and opens his mouth. I get that you like his effort and style of play, but he needs to be about 3 inches taller, 30 lbs heavier, and actually learn how to scrap if he ever is to make it on an NHL squad.

    [Reply]

    vtecjunkie Reply:

    @Eric,
    Trade him and he is guaranteed to score twenty plus goals. Cough…Purcell cough… Molson cough… Boyle.
    He plays here or he doesn’t play at all. I couldn’t take another one of our forwards lighting it up somewhere else.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @Eric, I had no idea that Parse could play both wings. If that is the case …

    Penner Kopitar Williams
    Gagne Richards Brown
    Clifford Stoll Parse
    Moneau Lewis Richardson

    [Reply]

    JMFJ#3 Reply:

    @KC23, I don’t see why everyone thinks we can only have grinder on the bottom 6. why would they not want one shut down line/grinding line and three scoring lines?

    Penner, Kopi, JW
    Gagne, Richards, Brown
    Parse, Stoll, Richardson
    Clifford, Lewis, Moreau (grind/defensive line)

    [Reply]

  6. Kings x says:

    Fast forward to October, pause, watch DD signing, resume….October sweet! Wait, we’re in Europe??

    [Reply]

  7. 408kingsfan says:

    Intangibles it is

    [Reply]

    MK Ultra Reply:

    @408kingsfan,

    Concur.

    [Reply]

  8. JackKent Cooke says:

    If the narrative for three days running is the signing of a 36-year-old, $500,000 per year bottom six forward, it must be August.

    [Reply]

    JackKent Cooke Reply:

    @JackKent Cooke,
    $600,000 per year. Sorry, typo.
    Even typing is harder in August.

    [Reply]

    Weasel Reply:

    @JackKent Cooke,

    Dog days of August indeed. Which takes longer, getting DD back in the fold or running Frank McCourt out of the city. For now the Kings are the only good sports story going….

    [Reply]

  9. hapakid says:

    dang, i remember watching EDM/Kings game and Moreau hitting everyone and being feisty as all hell; thinking that I hate this guy and hate to play against him but love him on my team…gulp, here he is… boom.. here we go boys!!!

    I see Moreau as a leadership role on any line that features 2 young guys. whether it’s Cliffy, Lewis, Parse or even Richie who got a lil squirrly out there at times. decent pickup… it makes sense off the ice..go kings!!!

    [Reply]

    Pili Reply:

    @hapakid, Great post. I have the same memories. I say welcome aboard and it’s a good to possibly a very good addition to the Kings.

    [Reply]

  10. pat says:

    WOW!! i love that Ethan sees potential in the Kings about winning the whole thing. I love his flexilibity and versatility on playing each wing. But what caught me was the win at all cost mentality, that’s something you can’t teach. Maybe have a Moreau-Stoll-Parse line. and a Clifford-Lewis-Richardson line.Of course switch out Westgarth for the bigger physical teams. That would be really good 4 lines. If we plays the 3rd or 4th line i think we can see alot of Ethan Moreau on the PK maybe even the PP situations. But my question is since having the numbers he wore in the past occupied what number will he wear as a LA King?

    [Reply]

  11. DLB says:

    “Young man”? OK I keed.

    Good luck to you, Moreau. :)

    [Reply]

  12. dirtmover says:

    - I thought we had enough of these guys already – a space eater – I hear all about the intangibles – what exactly is the guy going to give us on the ice – Columbus had no use for him ( with all his intangibles ) but he is a good fit with us – HUH – I hope it works out for us – I have my doubts – watching him last yr – all I saw was a slow unproductive stiff – I say roll the dice with the youth -

    [Reply]

    NOT IMPRESSED Reply:

    @dirtmover, I agree!! We’ve got the number 1 team in terms of prospects, but we sign a 36 year old guy that Columbus didn’t want?

    [Reply]

    fsd1 Reply:

    @NOT IMPRESSED, because columbus doesnt have a chance in hell of winning the cup? Who care what columbus thinks of him, Dean has a plan or haven’t you noticed? Character big time from this guy. And with the past whining about how we gave good players away (purcell etc) dont think that anyone can come here and help us and have a good year?

    [Reply]

    kevco Reply:

    @NOT IMPRESSED, How do you know he wanted to go back to Columbus? Perhaps they wanted him but he wanted to be with a team that a chance to win something.

    [Reply]

    gene Reply:

    @NOT IMPRESSED, Man you are way out in left field. Give the man a chance and lets see how it plays out. Glad you are on the team Ethan. GKG

    [Reply]

    NOT IMPRESSED Reply:

    @gene, The off season enthusiasm you guys have about signing a 36 year old for $600,000 cracks me up.

    Pesus Reply:

    @dirtmover,
    If he is washed up then all he will do is take harolds spot at league minimum. You dont want a young kid to sit for a long peroid of time, thats something a veteran can do. This is an absolute no risk sign. Dont lose any sleep over it. If he brings all the good stuff hex talked about, great! If not he sits. No big deal.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @Pesus, Thank you. Exactly right. Why do people whine about something that we really can’t lose with. Minimum salary that adds debth with good size and experience. No brainer.

    [Reply]

  13. OnTheFly says:

    Let’s say Drew is signed. Is Dean done now? Are we set for camp?
    Has everything been addressed that DL talked about at the end of the season?
    Which player’s are untouchable’s (team built around) and who is trade bait?
    How long a look, do the Kings give Parse? Anyone think he might not make the
    team out of training camp? Do we have enough depth to go into the playoffs
    healthy? Team Health is my biggest worry at this point. We have so many in your face,
    play hard, leave it all on the ice, win at all costs type of guys. That come
    playoffs they may not be 100%. I know a lot of teams are not 100% come playoffs,
    but we seem to have more than our share of those kinds of players.

    [Reply]

    408kingsfan Reply:

    @OnTheFly, I would say we are all set when Doughty signs, however there are plenty of contingincies. The first would be if Kopi and Williams are at 100%. 2nd would be the question surrounding Penners performance or lack of. On the Parse question, I would say with our current depth there is a possibility he may not make training camp. I think we have plenty of depth to go in healthy even if a key player goes down. Go Kings see you all in Vegas baby!

    [Reply]

    OnTheFly Reply:

    @408kingsfan,

    Yes.. See you in Vegas.

    [Reply]

  14. McCheese says:

    “the only thing he talked about, was winning the Cup”… whether you like the signing or hate the signing, the fact that he came here to win it all says a lot about where we are now. That do anything attitude rubs off on everyone, especially our younger players. I imagine that Ethan will have no problem speaking his mind in the locker room when someone loafs a period or isn’t pulling his weight. Love it!

    [Reply]

    Chris Reply:

    @McCheese, Totally agree! I was about to post the same exact comment!!!!!!!! Getting excited!

    [Reply]

    McCheese Reply:

    @Chris, at 6:01 pm this Friday, it will be less than 1,000 hours until the puck drops in Stockholm, but who’s counting?

    [Reply]

    Shakes Reply:

    @McCheese,
    The wait is killing me. I’ll be at Berlin and I got the gf to buy a jerz yday. The master plan is working

  15. Weasel says:

    Hey – A Quick thought — Does this indicate that we no longer have to overpay for talent? Do the players now recognize that LA can win and that the beach climate is worth the extra travel on road trips?

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Weasel, I think that mentality is just starting. I predicted it would take Dean 6 to 9 seasons to rebuild this organization from the bottom up, and look where we are getting ready to start season 6…a possible stanley cup contender!

    [Reply]

    USHA#1 Reply:

    @Weasel,

    Not exactly. In five seasons Ethan managed 30 goals, minus 35. Who’s to say what overpayment is? But I do think if we get into or past the 2nd round this year we will see a lot more quality free agents interested in LA.

    [Reply]

    Weasel Reply:

    @USHA#1,

    The Gagne signing appears to be about right or do you think we overpaid for him a bit?

    [Reply]

  16. DesertKing says:

    Could Moreau be this years Recchi?

    [Reply]

    KingsGuy Reply:

    @DesertKing, Possible – not probable :)

    [Reply]

    Harry Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    “History will be made”

    [Reply]

    Zorzi Reply:

    @DesertKing, Isn’t he almost 10 years younger? :P

    [Reply]

  17. tuan jim says:

    “Mike Richards brings a lot of intangibles in, no question, but we lost some size there as well with Handzus and Ponikarovsky, and we felt like we wanted to bring it back into the lineup because it was valuable to us during the playoffs.”

    SIZE.

    I have harped and harped on this subject. It is my fetish and my mantra.

    SIZE.

    [Reply]

    Terry Reply:

    @tuan jim, Just so I’m clear – are you saying you’d rather have Zues and Pony instead of Richards? This is an a/b thing – it’s not ‘I’d rather have _____ than Richards. I’m asking exactly about the players you mentioned. Thanks for your reply.

    [Reply]

    tuan jim Reply:

    @Terry,

    I’d rather have Poni than Moreau. At $1.5-mil he wouldn’t have broken our bank and would likely play twice as many games over the season. To be frank, I think he would have given us much more this season than last, when he was injured and his role changed so much.

    I’d rather have Zus than Poni or Moreau. Of course, his current $2.5-mil hit might have cramped our efforts to get Gagne. If SG produces anything like he gave Philly a few years ago, then throb! Spurt!

    But it’s still hard to lose a player as smart as Zus. Losing him to THE ENEMY causes particular grief.

    To lose both Zus and Poni at the same time. (sigh) Their SIZE made them tough to play against — especially in those grinding third periods where just leaning your bodyweight for an extra second on some guy can work defensive wonders.

    Richards is supposed to be the Son of God. I hope so. But he’s 5’11′ and doesn’t even look THAT big. I don’t care how much spunk and frisk he has. Zus and Poni were close to 13 feet long and cleared a good 440 lbs.

    So MR had better be THAT much better to take up the slack of losing two of our most effective sides of beef.

    [Reply]

  18. Dominick says:

    Detroit for years took veteran guys who had never won a cup, but wanted too, and played them in lesser roles, but roles that they could far exceed in, for the betterment of the team, as a whole. Robitaille won a cup this exact same way. Hopefully this is a sign that guys will come here and do whatever is asked of them for a chance to be a part of this team, and what we’re trying to accomplish here.

    Welcome to LA Ethan.

    [Reply]

    tornado12 Reply:

    @Dominick, I like the sound of that!

    [Reply]

    xeropoint Reply:

    @Dominick, I like where your heads at Dom and I see a lot of potential in the team as well but I don’t think this is a sign of anything – Aside from an aging vet taking a near league minimum deal after a bad (injury depleted) season.
    With that said, I like the signing and am chomping at the bit for October to rear it’s beautiful head!

    [Reply]

  19. Jamesonafterawin says:

    http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=587310

    So if Mike Richards plays like Mike Richards, then the Kings will be contending for the cup?

    I also found the poll result intersting.

    [Reply]

    xeropoint Reply:

    @Jamesonafterawin, I noticed that. 48% think some other team will win the conference? I don’t see the Kings finishing first but it would SEEM a lot of other people do.

    [Reply]

    Jamesonafterawin Reply:

    @xeropoint, Well, you are a Kings fan, so you have to think like that! History is hard to ignore. But if you didn’t know every bit of history of the Kings, you might be in that 48%. You know what I mean!

    I was flagged down the other day by a stanger while getting in my company car, and he said “good luck to your Kngs this season, they look real good”. Even my company car has Kings decor. And I live in San Diego, where if your a Kings fan you must be from Sacramento. Admitting your a hockey fan usually draws a “a what”.

    [Reply]

    Klong Reply:

    @Jamesonafterawin,

    Ha, I love the Sacramento reference. I live in SD as well and as a gift to my girl for a baby shower, my friend bought a King’s onesie. Sacramento Kings style.

    It’s the thought that counts!

    Most people in San Diego think hockey sucks.

  20. kinginsaltlake says:

    Our team is Stacked!!! Talk about having a great team. I guess the cheery on top will be when Drew signs. I’m so pumped to get this season going. Yet, I fear the fact that it may take sometime for these guys to jell. It’s a long season, you “end of the world”, “Sky is falling” fans, relax if it takes us a few games to get on the same page. It’s been nice not having to hear the Fire Coach Murray and Dean talk. I know we all get a chance to express ourselves, but let’s save all the drama till later in the season. We have so many good players it’s going to be hard, trying to figure out who gets to skate, and who sits. As much as I like Lokti game, I just don’t know where he is going to fit. Penner had better be on his game or he’ll be on the fast train out of town. Hopefully, Drew signs soon and all will be well in the Kingdom!!!

    [Reply]

    Jamesonafterawin Reply:

    @kinginsaltlake, Well said.

    [Reply]

  21. art says:

    Kings steal Selanne from Ducks, then trade Penner, Drewiske and Parse to NJ for Parise. Then roll out

    Parise-Kopitar-Selanne
    Gagne-Richards-Williams
    Clifford-Stoll-Brown
    Moreau-Lewis-Richardson

    Of course, for any of this to happen, DD needs to sign soon and with a reasonable cap hit

    [Reply]

    RolePlayer Reply:

    @art, I just don’t think I could stomach Selanne.

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @art, Just say no to drugs.

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Dominick, Good afternoon, my name is Nancy Reagan and I approve this message.

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @puck73, LOL!

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @Dominick, I LOLd!

    [Reply]

    tuan jim Reply:

    @Dominick,

    Other than his spectacular play as an old forward, what evidence do you have that suggests Selanne is doping steroids?

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @art, sure would be nice if Jeff Vanderbeek forced Lou’s hand and we could get Parise for that. If that trade happened I would laugh my ass off at Devils fan on their blog!

    [Reply]

    Cortex949 Reply:

    @art, Yea I couldn’t stand looking at his thin lips in a kings jersey. I want to punch him

    [Reply]

    puck73 Reply:

    @Cortex949, Hopefully Westgarth or Clifford will take care of that thought for you if he re-signs with the Ducks.

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @art, Man I love this blog. Funny stuff.

    [Reply]

    Terry Reply:

    @art, Can’t ever see a day where Teemu plays for the Kings. Maybe I’m wrong though. Now, the Jets – that could happen.

    [Reply]

  22. blahblah says:

    not many guys can do this to dustin brown…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQS-igF7QyQ

    [Reply]

  23. paulhb says:

    For anyone interested the NHL Network has a series called “voices” that’s airing over the next couple of weeks. It’s “a day in the life” series of various NHL radio play by play announcers. This coming Monday is the episode on Nick Nickson. It airs twice that night.

    [Reply]

    KingsRule99 Reply:

    @paulhb,

    Are you actually getting these programs (Voices, Pioneers, Vintage Games, etc)? My NHL Network on Dish lists these as being on air, but instead it’s a marathon of last year’s playoff games. (And of course, it’s mostly series from the Eastern Conference.)

    [Reply]

    paulhb Reply:

    @KingsRule99, I haven’t actually watched much lately because the whole summer has been bruins vs flyers playoff games. I’m just. assuming it’ll air as scheduled

    [Reply]

  24. FVkinhsFAN says:

    Ahhhhh he’s taking simmers number!! This will be weird..

    [Reply]

  25. JDB says:

    Jared Weaver just signed an extension with the Angels and said ” If 85 million is not enough to take care of my family for generations to come, then I’m pretty stupid…how much money do you really need in life?” That speaks volumes about the man’s character. Then DD goes on TSN and tells the world how bad he wants to be a King. If he really wanted to be a King, he would have signed already. How many millions does he really need? BTW, he still really hasn’t done anything. Also, paying a guy on how good he “is going to be”…worked great with Eric Lindros, Rick Diepetro among others. DD, fire your agent and hire a PR guy!

    [Reply]

    Weasel Reply:

    @JDB,

    Good teams focus on the positives things, during a season they will emphasize what a player can do and try to put him in that role. Bad teams focus on what their best players CAN’T do. In many ways Philly’s moves seem like the moves of a bad team focusing on supposed negatives in Richards/Carter’s play/makeup.

    As far as DD goes, let it play out a bit and let’s see. And just so you know Weaver’s possible $25M/year was with the Yankees and his according to the stories he and his brother (Jeff) discussed how tough it is to play in NYC. so the $25M was never really an option as they decdided together that NYC would not be a fun place to play.

    Anyway, let’s wait and see what DD does in the end before calling him out as disloyal, etc.

    [Reply]

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