The second day of training camp brought the first line-combination movement. Justin Williams stayed home Sunday because of flu symptoms, and taking his place on the line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Penner was veteran winger Trent Hunter, who is in Kings camp on a pro tryout agreement. First, here’s what Terry Murray said today about Williams’ absence, and why Hunter inherited that spot for a day.
MURRAY: “Justin Williams, he texted Kinger [trainer Chris Kingsley] last night. There’s a little bit of the flu going through his family. He’s got some kids there, so who knows where it comes from. I’m hoping it’s just a 24-hour thing. … Get him away from the big group. That’s the most important thing, I think.”
It’s an important camp for Hunter, 31, who is without an NHL contract after he was traded from the New York Islanders to New Jersey this summer and had his contract bought out. Hunter had his 2010-11 season ended in November when he tore a knee ligament but is now healthy. The Kings see him as insurance policy, particularly in case Scott Parse isn’t ready to fill a regular role. Parse played only five games last season because of hip surgery, and even though he’s a full participant in training camp, some doubt remains as to the status of Parse’s hip and if he will hold up. So, for Hunter, that’s an opportunity. In parts of eight seasons with the Islanders, Hunter totaled 99 goals and 130 assists in 459 games and twice was a 20-goal scorer. Here’s what Murray said about Hunter, followed by Hunter’s thoughts on his training-camp experience so far.
MURRAY: “He’s coming off an injury from last year, missed a big part of the season. I think it’s a real good opportunity for him to come and show his stuff with the L.A. Kings. I definitely am going to put him in some exhibition games. He’s going to play three, four games. I want to give him the opportunity to see if he can make this hockey club. He’s going to obviously have to play very well to knock somebody out of a spot, but he’s an experienced player who’s got size, strength, grit to his game. He’s going to score some goals. He’s a big shooter of the puck and we’ll just let his game unfold. He’s up on the line with Kopitar today. The reason for that is, with Williams out with the flu, I think, after the first day yesterday, he’s the guy who deserved a look up with that line.”
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Question: What has the experience with the Kings been like so far?
HUNTER: “After last year, and all the time I missed, I’m just enjoying being back on the ice with the guys, just being out there handling the puck and trying to learn the new systems.”
Question: Can you talk about your decision to come here? I don’t know what your options were like during the summer, but what led you to come here?
HUNTER: “It was a little bit hectic. It just kind of came down to sitting down with my agent, and we had a few options but when we looked at the situations, I think we felt like this was the best fit for me. We’d spoken a little bit with (the Kings) and we liked what we were saying, so it made the most sense to come here.”
Question: Terry said he plans to play you a lot in the preseason. What have they told you, as far as your opportunity here?
HUNTER: “They just said to come in and work hard, and that’s all I can do. I want to try to get my timing back and get comfortable. It’s been since December since I played a game, so I’m just trying to shake off all the rust and learn the systems. All I can do is work hard and see what happens.”
Question: You’re still a young guy. Does this seem like a bit of a fresh start, a reboot?
HUNTER: “Yeah. I was in New York a long time, and I’m very grateful for every opportunity they gave me, but I think it’s a fresh start for me now. Turn the page and start a new chapter in my career. I’m going to come in here and work hard and try to get that done.”
Question: Dean Lombardi mentioned how you’re a hard-nosed guy but you can score some goals here. Is that key for you, to be as versatile as possible?
HUNTER: “Absolutely. I want to try to be the best all-around player I can be. I want to be responsible in my own end and be physical, hitting guys and knocking guys off the puck. And I like to shoot the puck too. I’d like to try to contributed as best as I can, and help the team in whichever way I can.”
For those of you who don’t know about this guy, let me just tell you he likes to hit people. A LOT. Like as much as Brown does. Imagine him on a line with Brown and Richards! Although he’s a right wing so it probably won’t happen.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@CB14,
I’m less excited about seeing three hitters together on one line than I am seeing one or two on EVERY line. That’s a lot of continuous punishment for the opposing team. Every line of theirs is getting hit. Not just the line matched up against our line that likes to hit a lot.
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CB14 Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@Gary Livingston, Good point, but you’ve gotta admit it would be awesome to see all 3 of these guys crushing the Sedin sisters and Burrows, or Katie Perry, Bobby Cryin, and Ryan Getzlaugh. Man I can’t wait for the season to start!
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Player-X Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
@CB14, CB, you have mellowed. Me likee what you sayee all the timeee.
O-Dawg Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 11:45 pm
@CB14, Lol. That was good stuff.
Tullskull Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 10:45 am
@CB14, A healthy Trent Hunter would be a valuable asset come playoff time. Just the type of player to do some damage.
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Seems like a character guy, I’d like to see what he’s got.
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Hunter looked really good to me yesterday. Lets see how this all unfolds…
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I don’t get this. We don’t need Parse or Hunter. Penner-Kopitar-Williams, Gagne-Richards-Brown, Clifford-Stoll-Richardson, Moreau-Lewis-Westgarth/Fraser. Are we going to scratch Richardson so Hunter or Parse can play? Give me a break. Parse’s skill set is only suited for a top-six role, and there’s no room for him there. He’s useless in a bottom-six role because he won’t get much opportunity to create offense and he’s a defensive liability. I have no idea where Hunter would play. It’s easy to say “scratch Westy”, but you know Murray’s going to want to play Westgarth almost every game because of the need for an “enforcer”, even though we already have Clifford who not only fights but is a good hockey player. Richardson deserves to be in the lineup, and he’s very versatile and a good defensive forward who is much more suited for a bottom-six role than Parse. Send Parse to the minors, and there’s no room for Hunter, so either send him to the Monarchs with him or release him. I’ll be disgusted if we scratch Richardson so Murray can play guys like Hunter, Parse, and Westgarth. Richie the Original was unfairly a healthy scratch too often last year because Murray insisted on playing Ponikarovsky and Westgarth even though Richardson is much more useful than both of them, and Richardson was one of our best players in the playoffs.
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Bo Siemsen Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Zamboni, Why would Fraser get a spot ahead of guys like Parse or Hunter ? Dude was a 4th liner on the Oilers … and he is injured here in camp isn’t he. I think Parse and Hunter are a lot more interesting options. From what I remember about Hunter – he could be a good option for that 3rd line RW spot alongside Clifford and Stoll.
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Christian T Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@Zamboni,
It doesn’t really matter who has the opportunity. Who gets scratched. A championship team is deep. So whoever sits will be pushed to work harder and when someone is injured we will have depth. I hope he can make the team even if he plays a limited amount of games. Come playoffs our character players will be needed.
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Blake Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@Christian T,
Couldn’t have said it better myself, if we want to win the cup were going to be deep where players will always be pushing to make the line up.
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jess Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
@Christian T, well said
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danglebagel Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@Christian T, exactly, you want that insurance come playoff time. when guys get injured you want guys who you can count on to come in and fill the void, it would be more of a liability if we were losing players and didnt have the depth. look at the canucks in the finals last season, they lost two really good defensemen and they had guys who were able to step in and at least plug up the holes. thats what the kings are preparing for here. if they were giving try outs to a bunch of defensemen it would be a little weird, but seeing as kozun, toffoli etc. need more time. it would be good to have forwards ready to come up.
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CB14 Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@Zamboni, Hunter, Parse, and Moreau are all coming off injuries so they’re no given to be in the line-up. Fraser is still injured. Kopi and Williams are healthy, but both had major off-season surgies. Plus Gagne and Williams haven’t always been known to play 82 games a year. Needless to say, we need all the depth possible. As Terry Murray said, Hunter will have to beat out a guy for a spot on this team.
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USHA#17 Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@Zamboni,
Perhaps its size. 6’3″ 217# may have something to do with it.
They may be looking at Hunger vs Moreau even through on is amright and the other a left winger. Here’s a quick comparison:
Hunter, RW, 31, averaged 16G 21A over 6 years and has some size. His D looks suspect but he was stuck on a dog team.
Moreau, LW, 36, is the same size and also played on dog teams. Ethan is likely better defensively while his offensive numbers are slightly below those of Hunter’s.
If Hunter can play defense and left wing he may be a better bet then Moreau due to age.
Plus, given his history I question if Parse is up to the grind.
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BlueStang Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 1:10 am
@Zamboni, I’ll beat the same drum. Why do we need an enforcer? Westgarth is the greatest liability on the team. Anyway, Hunter can through his weight around as well as many others. Let’s just play the game hard and that is the best beating the other teams can get from the Kings. The refs know who to watch, they can sort out the penalties.
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Another Flyer type guy. Perfect for the Flyers of the West.
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Anjin Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@Phillip, A former Islander now trying out for the kings is a ‘Flyer type guy’???
This entire Flyers of the west thing is getting old…
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CB14 Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@Anjin, I agree completly. Sincerly, Dean Lombardi, Ron Hextall, Terry Murray, John Stevens, Justin Williams, Mike Richards, and Simon Gagne. LOL.
The funny thing is that we actually are more Oilers south than Flyers west. Matt Greene, Jarrett Stoll, Dustin Penner, Ethan Moreau, and Colin Frasier have all played with Edmonton.
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BlueStang Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 1:18 am
@CB14, The reason why is because the Kings work (trade) well with certain teams.
Cricket Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Anjin,
Especially since we have 4 former Oilers (5 with Fraser) as opposed to only 3 former Flyers.
Yes, I get Lombardi, Hextall, Stevens, and Murray have Flyers’ connections too, but they’re not on the ice so the whole Flyers west thing can sound a little misleading.
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Anjin Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Phillip, looking over Phiily’s roster I think you could actually call them the Kings of the East?
Adam Mair, Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds, Andreas Lilja, and Kimmo Timonen
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Its hard to imagine where you are coming from. I had the opportunity to watch Hunter play for the Islanders, and he brings a hello of alot to the table. Htits and is not afraid to go to the corners or front of net. Give him a chance, he will out do Parse or Richardson. Trust me on that.
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tornado12 Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
@gene, nobody should count out richardson. He is a tireless worker and always in motion, great skater and hits people. Frankly, im not sure why TM was sitting him for that short stint there last year. Maybe he was injured? he was great for us in the playoffs!
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Being at Training Camp yesterday the player that stood out the most was Trent Hunter… Seemed like every shot was going in by him
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puddle Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
@Kopi Bryant, I agree with this. I kept looking down at my sheet going “Who the heck is this #47 dude?” He was very impressive.
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tornado12 Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
@Kopi Bryant, I am hearing many good things about him and the fact TM put him up with the first line says A LOT!
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I’m a fan of Hunter. i feel he would a good fall back guy just in case ( GOD FORBID!! ) if someone get hurt and i dont he would be on the third line to replace Richie… Richie’s too valuable with his consistanty and speed,but i can see Hunter banging bodies along with Clifford on the 4th line while scoring a few timely goals asweell…With Hunter,Lokti,Parse,Fraser and Westy being there to give players a game off here and there are a pretty good group to have.. Best of luck Hunter….. GO KINGS!!!!
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I like the possibilities here…Hunter can be a good and tough player. You never know what kind of injuries you can get in camp. Parse was scheduled for top-6 duty and never made it out of camp and Loktionov had to fill in.
Assuming everyone is healthy, I think the top 2 lines are set…
Penner-Kopi-Williams
Gagne-Richards-Brown
But after that there are a lot of possibilities…
Stoll is likely the 3rd line center unless he gets moved, but i think he’s not going anywhere. But there are lots of options for the other remaining 5 forwards.
The 4th line center could be Lewis, Richardson or even Fraser but I have to guess it will be Lewis given what he provides on the PK.
So then you a ton of guys for bottom 4 wings…
Clifford is probably a sure bet
Richardson is likely to be in given he just signed the new deal
Moreau seems like a good bet to make it but we’ll see how he plays.
Westgarth seems likely to make the team but if Fraser or Hunter play well maybe there is less need for an enforcer.
Parse I think is a long shot – I think he has to play his way on to the team and I think he’s trade bait if he does play well.
Hunter has both skill and grit and if he’s healthy he can be a force.
I don’t think Fraser makes the team and will likely have to clear waivers and be sent to Manchester.
Loktionov is likely headed to Manchester to center the top line – both for his growth and so guys like Kozun and Toffoli can play with a talented center.
It’s a good problem to have and gives DL some possibilities if everyone plays well and stays healthy. But it’s a safe bet that at least one forward starts the year on IR.
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Stonewall Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
@Dave, “Loktionov is likely headed to Manchester to center the top line – both for his growth and so guys like Kozun and Toffoli can play with a talented center.”
This.
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Dave Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
I’ve thought about it some and here is what I’d like to see…
Penner-Kopi-Williams
Gagne-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Stoll-Hunter
Moreau-Lewis-Richardson
Westgarth/Fraser
Johnson-Mitchell
Voynov-Scuderi
Martinez-Greene
Drewiske
Quick/Bernier
Trade Parse if you can – hopefully he has a good camp and DL can get some value for him.
Loktionov to Manchester to play 1st line center, power play and work on his faceoffs
Let Doughty hold out as long as he wants and let Voynov show what he’s got.
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Alex Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 2:47 am
@Dave, Like it a lot!!!!!!!!!
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roachie007 Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 4:03 am
@Dave, Well your lines are pretty exactly what i have except the fact the kings are close to trading for parise so here’s what I have now. The trade is parse and bernier for parise and 2nd round draft pick.
1) Parise, Kopitar, Williams
2) Brown, Richards, Gagne
3) Penner, Stoll, Hunter
4) Richardson, Moreau, Clifford
Realistically who is gonna beat this team, stanley cup is all ours this year.
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gene Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 8:51 am
@Dave, Like this a hell of alot. GO Hunter, Westy and Moreau
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Kings x Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@Dave, Those would be the lines exactly…well put together.
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This is an interesting situation and I am very curious to see how it plays out. Extra depth is never a bad thing, especially with the amount of quality players we have battling for the wing positions on the bottom six lines. I would still prefer to have one or two rookies in that bottom six to add some youth and begin developing some our prospects. And I do think parse if 100% could add some much needed depth scoring to the lines 3 or 4.
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Jerry B Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@HawaiiKingsFan, Yesterday Parse make several nice goals that made him look like the sniper people have been saying we need.
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Stonewall Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@HawaiiKingsFan, “I would still prefer to have one or two rookies in that bottom six to add some youth and begin developing some our prospects”
This is why we have Manchester. You not only want to build a winner in the LA Kings, but also in the Manchester Monarchs. Let them rookies/prospects simmer down there. We’re MUCH better off bringing up a guy a year later rather than a year earlier (Yes. That is a three year difference!). We want a tough line-up to crack!
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Anyone see how Brown looked with Richards and Gagne today?
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I’d take a healthy Hunter over a healthy Parse.
just my .02¢
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gene Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 8:53 am
@Bickleton Wigglesworth III, Agree 100%, he is big, he likes to hit, isnt afraid to fight and will got to the corners and front of net. Go Hunter
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We need some experienced depth on the wings, especially with Parse a huge question mark coming off hip surgery and never having even proven himself as a NHL regular. I nights where Westgarth sits, I like the idea of Lewis-Richardson-Hunter for a 4th line.
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If Hunter is healthy I think he can make an impact playing on the top line with Kopi and Penner. He never really had any talented teammates playing in New York and still managed to be one of their top scorers in his early years. I really like his size and grit to fit on the top line. We all like Penner’s size, but he just doesn’t have the grit that TM likes. They tried Dwight King with Kopi last year, and Hunter’s size is similar and he is very aggressive when it comes to taking shots. I hope Hunter can keep up his good play and he may be able to not only make the team, but play on the top line. That would allow Williams to play with Gagne and Richards and allow Brown to move down to Stoll’s line and play with Clifford. We’d be able to roll out 3 solid lines every night, while keeping minutes lower for the top lines and keeping them fresh for playoff time.
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Alex Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 2:51 am
@art, Very interesting idea.
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Well he’s better than Dwight King and that goof got on the first line briefly….he’ll be perfect to play on the 4th line with Lewis and Moreau
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Much like Richards = Schenn + five year’s NHL experience, Hunter = Simmonds + 10 years’ experience. Not as explosive offensively, not as energetic, but a solid third-line vet who can make a role contribution, hit as well as score from the bottom six, effectively spell someone in the top six, and sit in the press box occasionally without drama. Simmonds has much higher offensive upside, but Hunter fits the checking/grinding role Simmonds was slotted for here better, in many ways.
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Player-X Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
@Maz, nice post
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When I saw his pic at the top of the thread, I thought he was already outfitted for Ontario! Looks a lot like the Reign Orange Jersey. Hell, if he doesn’t make the big club, then send him to the Reign, and you have a plug and play replacement 45 miles away if needed.
I know, wishful thinking on my part.
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hey rich, do the teams still get to carry an extra forward and dman for two weeks for playing in Europe?
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I’ve watched Hunter from his initial season with the Isles. I’m excited he’s here and I think he’ll be a great fit, both for the offense he can add and the physical side of his game. The NYI team never had the personnel support that the Kings now have, and Hunter should be able to capitalize on that to great benefit. As a side note, there’s lots of “Parse this, Parse that…” in this thread but I just don’t have the same sense of his capabilities as others seem to have. I’d be happy t see him as trade bait.
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gene Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 8:55 am
@Jack Aubrey, Agree 100%
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That’s some of the worst facial hair I’ve ever seen.
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Hunter may not make the team, and his age is part of the problem for him, but his skill set seems a lot like Wayne Simmonds’ so he might be a piece we can use!
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