Nobody needs to tell Scott Parse how important this training camp is for him. Parse, 27, is in the final year of his contract and, for a second consecutive season, has been penciled into the lineup in a key role. Last year, Parse entered camp as the de facto second-line left winger, but played only five games before he was sidelined by season-ending hip surgery. Publicly and privately, the Kings have expressed some concern about Parse’s long-term ability to stay healthy, which is a big reason why veterans such as Ethan Moreau and Trent Hunter will be getting long looks during training camp.
For now, Parse said he feels 100-percent healthy and is playing right wing on the third line, alongside center Jarret Stoll and left winger Kyle Clifford. Parse has 12 goals in 64 career NHL games, so his potential is clear, but can he stay on the ice? Here’s what Parse said today about his camp, so far, and his recovery.
PARSE: “It’s good. It’s good to be back out here and it’s getting better every day.”
Question: And everything is good with the hip?
PARSE: “The hip is good, 100 percent and ready to go, ready to get playing again. It’s good.”
Question: What was that like last season? There had to be a lot of frustration, when you decided to have the surgery…
PARSE: “I just couldn’t skate anymore, and everyone knew. I was going to need the surgery, at the end of last year or during the year or whenever. It wasn’t any good, so I had to get it done.”
Question: You started skating near the end of last season. Was there a time when it really started to feel better?
PARSE: “It’s just been getting better, and I feel absolutely fine, 100 percent on the ice.”
Question: Do you feel like this is an important training camp for you?
PARSE: “Yes, absolutely. I’ve got to show what I can do. I’m confident going in here, so I’m just going to play my game and I’m looking forward to it.”
Question: Have they talked to you about your role, what they expect?
PARSE: “Not really, but I know what I have to do. I’ve been here for a couple years, so I know what he [Terry Murray] expects and I’ve just got to go out there and play.”
Question: That line, with you and Stoll and Clifford, seems like it can be a line with some scoring and some defense as well…
PARSE: “Yeah. I think we’re playing pretty well out here so far. I played with Stolly my first year, and we had some good games there, so I’m looking forward to it.”
well i want to see what Parse can do as everyone see in him
I dont really know Parse at all :/ some Kings fan i am,its sad but its the truth lol
I am curious what Parse be like..
But i am glad that his hip at 100% and not bothering him…
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Geoff Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 12:51 am
@KingsFanFTW, In fairness, I don’t think any of us have had a chance to get to know him at all, given how frequently he’s been out with injuries.
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Time to put up Scott!
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Parse has potential his injuries have always ruined his chances to shine.
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cue the haters
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Zamboni Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
@tornado12, Are people not allowed to have opinions unless they’re positive?
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TC Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
@Zamboni, Positive/Negative opinions are fine. But there are people who have nothing but negative remarks 100% of the time. Those are the haters tornado12 were probably referring to.
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Paul G Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
@tornado12, Cueing in……
“potential?” he’s 27, that’s prime-time baby not development time
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Paul G Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@Paul G, Wouldnt it make more sense to do the bottom lines as such…
Clifford-Stoll-Lewis
Moreau-Richardson-Parse
Lewis has potential let him develop!
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MadMatt Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@Paul G, No worries… you know TM, he will make that change in a snap if Parse isn’t putting up #’s. It seems to make sense to put him in that 3rd line role and see if he can make it happen. I think Lewis has just a touch longer to develop…so we don’t have another Moulson/Boyle/Purcell situation.
Stang Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
@Paul G, You’re splitting hairs. Let’s see how they do.
Cynic Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
@Paul G, Two Words:
TIM THOMAS
Development starts when it starts man.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
@Cynic, Good point. It’s more about realizing you’re still developing until you reach that potential.
InTheCrease Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@tornado12, I HATE the haters. HATE ‘EM. I hate them sooo much. I’ve got so much hate for the haters that I hate it. I hate myself for being such a hater. Oh, God, please, make it stop!
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tornado12 Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
@InTheCrease, I hate that your comment made me lol
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He has shown some real flashes in the limited time he has been healthy.
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looking forward to it…
just got to get out there and play…
Everyone is positive during camp. But hip surgery this young isn’t a good thing. These injuries tend to be degenerative and can shorten careers fast.
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If Parse has developed his 2 way game, he is gonna SMOKE this year! The knock on him has been is defense, especially his backchecking. The last few games we saw him, He looked as if that improved.
This dude has SERIOUS vision on the ice. He really can make plays happen and is quick to improvise. If he stays healthy all year and with the quickness that line he is on (KFC – Stolly – Parse), it could be just the thing to solidify his position on the team.
The only question I have now is if he’s comfortable on the right side. Don’t know if he’s played much over there or not.
Good luck Scott! Tear it up!
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tornado12 Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
@Cynic, some have argued he is the best pure shooter on the roster…that says a lot!
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Cynic Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
@tornado12, It’s hard to argue that except we haven’t really seen enough to make that call. There’s no doubt that he can place his shots. The knock has always been when he misses, he can’t backcheck. His last few games looked better though. I could easily see Parse being the breakout star of the season.
Between Parse and Williams, there could be serious offensive damage done.
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Injuries have a nasty way to end, limit or reduce a players ability to play at the highest levels. Best wishes, Scott!!
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we need this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0QKtuUbEzc
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 7:11 am
@sloppy joe, Drives to the net; great stick handling; good speed; finishing touch. What is there not to like?
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rumpa#19 Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@sloppy joe, Nice clip Joe.
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This line is going to be much better than the Simmons line last year.
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Last player left with an NHL shot from the King’s 2004 NHL draft. King’s took Parse round Six.
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NHL TOTALS GP 64 G 12 A 16 P 28 +/- 18 PIM 22 S 84 S% 14.3
All injuries aside, he’s got the stats to be someone on a team. His TOI/g in 2009 was that of a 3rd liner, so putting up these stats is pretty impressive especially the +/-. He’s definitely a player that scores more than he’s scored on. If he stays healthy you can almost guarantee the kings will be getting solid secondary scoring and 5 on 5 scoring. Still tough to see where he’s at though, he says the hip is 100% but he also said he was 100% ready for the playoffs.. How good is the hip when your own team questions it? He’ll be a player to watch.
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tornado12 Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
@danglebagel, BAM! you nailed it…strong post
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Cynic Reply:
September 19th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
@danglebagel, Agree. Solid take. The bonus to this is the way he finishes. He is a finisher. He can place shots, pass through the smallest seams and create.
There is a very outside chance (Just me thinking) that is Scott lives up to his potential, he could even switch places with Justin williams for a shift or two a game, considering JW and Stoll play very well together.
Penner – Kopitar – Parse could be a dangerous line. Big centerman with a speedy finisher like Scott and a big off wing like Penner to keep pucks in the O-Zone or just to plant in front of the net.
Options….we have a lot of them this season.
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
September 20th, 2011 at 7:12 am
@Cynic, This!
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Parse had great potential, and if he can stay healthy, he has the ability to make a huge impact. Our third line could end up being one of the best in the league. Can’t wait for the season to start.
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Parse’s defense is his liability. I know TM gets nervous playing him because of it.
However like some others have pointed out, he does have touch and speed. His points gained per ice time is up there.
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Well, I had hoped Parse would make it last year. This is probably his last chance with the Kings, barring someone else’s injury. If he can step up, we will have a great 3rd line, both offensive and defensive. He showed some good play two years ago on the 3rd line. Also, if there is an injury on the wing of the top two lines, he might be able to step in. He did well with Kopitar and Brown in five games last year. Well, we’ll see what happens; there’s a lot of competition here at camp! I wish you the best, Parsely. Really dig in and be hard-nosed in the corners and on back-checks, and I think you’ll be okay with TM.
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