Here’s the lineup the Kings are expected to go with tonight…
Gagne-Kopitar-Williams
Richardson-Lewis-Hunter
King-Azevedo-Moreau
Clifford-Loktionov-Parse
Mitchell-Voynov
Martinez-Johnson
Campbell-Hickey
Quick
Zatoff
Colorado is expected to go with the following…
Goalies: Semyon Varlamov, Trevor Cann.
Defensemen: Ryan O’Byrne, Shane O’Brien, Erik Johnson, Tyson Barrie, Ryan Wilson, Stefan Elliott.
Forwards: Matt Duchene, Jay McClement, Chuck Kobasew, Milan Hejduk, Paul Stastny, T.J. Galiardi, Brad Malone, David Jones, Cody McLeod, Patrick Mordeleau, Peter Mueller, Gabriel Landeskog.
Tonight’s game is radio only; no TV/stream. More to come later, including Terry Murray’s thoughts on potentially starting the season without Drew Doughty…
This is the top line I would like to see during the regular season
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outsider Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@Darren, Me too!
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The Realtor Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@Darren, Love that line
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ArmChairKingsFan Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@Darren, I was actually having a discussion with @puck73 about how we will inevitably see this line at some pont during the season. I think Gagne’s speed and creativity will free up Kopi and Willie more than Penner “does” now.
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KC23 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@Darren, Gagne better get better than what we saw against the Ducks to earn that spot. Penner was much better than Gagne in the Ducks game imho.
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puddle Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@KC23, I agree with this. Gags hasn’t done anything to impress me, either in practice or in the pre-season games. Penner has looked better, however.
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Lotki should be up on the 3rd line at least
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jordan Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@408kingsfan, One could argue that a line at this level having King and Azavedo on it would indeed be the fourth line.
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KC23 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@408kingsfan, I wonder how King faired in the Pens game?
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Terry Murray’s thoughts on potentially starting the season without Drew Doughty…
Well $#%*!
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Should take Loti-Parse, and switch them with Lewis-Hunter since that’s where those 4 are projected to play normally. I know Murray likes to play all the lines the same, so it shouldn’t matter, but I wouldn’t mind seeing the guys playing roles their meant to play. I’m sure when I look at the TOI that’s how it will pan out.
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wavesinair Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@Dominick, You’re making far too much sense this early in the season.
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Shotongoal Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
@wavesinair, I know, right!!
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KC23 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@wavesinair, hehee, well said.
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BringBackKingston Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Dominick, responded to your last post in our continuing discussion.
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The banana thrower has just been charged with a crime
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@408kingsfan, Possible $2000.00 fine (canadian)
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jkking Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, that’s like 10 zillion dollars in US dollars.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@jkking, with the US dollar tanking the way it is your probably not to far off there
fuzzerson Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
@jkking, Thanks to QE2
pr0cess Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@408kingsfan, Christopher Moorhouse
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Sebastian Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@408kingsfan, not enough, i fully support the “vigilante justice” they are trying to avoid.
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Interesting line up. The 3rd line will be something to keep your eye on as well as the Campbell/Hickey pairing. Seems to me like the 3rd and 4rth line should swap or be the other way around.
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I think I would’ve liked to see Lewie and Lokti flipped… more ice time with a faster pace for Lokti. We know what Lewie brings to the table.
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It’s interesting that Moreau is penciled in on right wing. He’s normally a left winger so maybe TM is thinking that with Penner-Gagne-Clifford likely to be the top three left wingers maybe he can move Moreau over leaving Richardson as the fourth line left winger being centered by Lewis.
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Crown Royal Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@Crown Royal,
The point is, what’s listed as the 2nd line tonight may actually be the fourth line when the season starts particularly with Westgarth possibly injured.
The fourth line would be LW Richardson, C Lewis, RW Hunter.
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KC23 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@Crown Royal, Moreau can play RW and that is our weak spot debth wise.
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Crown Royal Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@KC23,
Moreau can probably play there or Richardson so it may not be a huge problem. If Hunter stays and Westgarth is healthy there will be a lot of options on the third and fourth line wings.
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Can we please assign DD to shadow Stastny everywhere he goes tonight since that guy always kills us? Oh wait, DD isn’t here. As KFII said “Well $#%*”
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Richardson for a Hat-Trick?
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MadMatt Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, That’s right… Richardson is an Av killer!
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I really don’t see Lokti making this club. It’s just my personal feeling but I would assume that if Murray wanted to give Lokti a better look, he would have used him in the shootout last night and he would play a higher profile role last night and tonight on a higher line. I am thinking that there is something in his game that TM is not liking. Either his compete or his decisions or his coverage. Really the only explanation for not using him on the shootout last night was because he didn’t feel he was one of the best players on the ice. TM has always said he goes with who gives a better effort during the game.
I would say that the chances for Lokti on opening roster are diminishing unless he turns this around.
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Crown Royal Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@EASportsMgt,
I agree. I think Lokti starts the season in Manchester and stays until somebody gets injured. TM loves to use the third line as a checking line so that will be Stoll. Kopi and Richards are going to get a lot of minutes so the Kings don’t figure to play the fourth line center as much.
Lewis will center the fourth line and get some extra minutes on the penalty kill. I don’t think the Kings will move Lokti to the wing at this time. If he remains at center he will be in the minors for now.
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EASportsMgt Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@Crown Royal, Agree 100% I wrote this earlier, it actually makes the most sense. Hunter seems to have played himself into a roster spot. Depending on how long Westie is out then Lokti may stay till then, but seeing as he is the last forward battling for a roster spot who is waiver exempt, it will make the most sense. That would be the smartest thing to do. There is no need to rush him anyways, he has talent, we all know that, but this team is deep, he will get his shot, in the mean time let him keep developing.
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408kingsfan Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@EASportsMgt, Yeah the writings on the wall for Lotki, If he gets ice time tonight it will be his last chance to impress
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scott Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@408kingsfan, yea the writing is on the wall. looks like he will make the team. the only player to play in every single preseason game. i think he has already impressed
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408kingsfan Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@scott, yeah I hope so, he posseses the creativity the Kings are currently lacking.
wavesinair Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
@EASportsMgt,
“I am thinking that there is something in his game that TM is not liking.”
Yeah, that he’s 5 foot nothing and weighs a buck fiddy five.
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hockeykingsguy Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@wavesinair,
Yeah, he lost the puck several times last night in the corners and was bumped off the puck a few times. Granted one of the times was big MAC. I think we should all be lucky Lokti didn’t get hurt last night.
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dduffy Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@EASportsMgt,
Agreed- He’s got the skills but seems to lack the fire and compete and intensity and Size – Think Frolov Light.
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Helvetica Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@EASportsMgt, It’s possible Murray is just trying to run some line ups that give each player some different responsibilities to see how they respond. I’ll be the first to admit i get pretty frustrated watching these guys lose some of these preseason games, but in all honesty, i doubt the KIngs care that much about their preseason record. I certainly dont think they care about winning the shoot out. These are the opportunities to see how the players respond to game situations with a variety of line mates.
So far, i think Lokti has shown strong reason to stay up with the team. Its both a blessing and a curse that there are so many guys competing for those bottom line spots.
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EASportsMgt Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@Helvetica, I thought about that too. Maybe that he was giving Lokti more of a chance to see a role he may more likely play during the year. Still very possible. There is no way he takes over Richards or even Stoll’s job. So the 4th line center is really the only spot for him, so it would make sense the TM just wants to see him in that spot.
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KC23 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@EASportsMgt, You might be right about Loktionov because he doesn’t have to clear wavers to be sent down, but I bet Parse is on a very short chain.
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REPOST….
It’s interesting to see AEG on trial today..
In the Michael Jackson case…
They are being sued by Catherine Jackson for negligence…
I only mention this as to the amount of money they
will probably have to pay out and hockey player’s negotiations…
While DD is being called greedy it’s safe to say he is not the only
greedy person in this deal…They are a HUGE corporation…
Don’t get me wrong …I’m glad the haven’t been excessively cheap with the Kings..
Just trying to point out 2 sides of the coin..
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fsd1 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@SLIM, I’m sorry, does the doctor work for aeg?
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EASportsMgt Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@SLIM, I will respectively disagree with you. In a non salary cap world, your point makes much more sense. Although AEG is a huge corp with potential Billions of dollars, the truth is it doesn’t matter if they have millions to throw at Doughty or anyone else, you need to manage your cap. I’ve heard it several times over and over again. “Just give Doughty the extra 200k, it can’t hurt that much it’s only 200k” one guy asked for someone to show how a measily 200k could honestly affect the team down the road. And the truth is it can, Big Time. It may just seem like it’s only 200k, but then what happens when your next RFA’s need an additional 200k, or you pay an extra 300k for a UFA. Now you’ve taken one full roster spot away.
I give Jeff Solomon a lot of credit. Being a capologist isn’t easy, you need to project how every dollar spent can affect your team. The last thing anyone wants is for 5 years from now to lose Kopi and Doughty to Free Agency. And essentially that’s what Doughty is looking for, a deal that puts him at UFA status that same year. If I was DL I would avoid that at all cost.
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SLIM Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
@EASportsMgt,
Please then explain the amount of money they
were willing to give B.Richards…Wouldn’t that contract handcuffed them
in regard to cap…
BTW…Being in the music business for a long time..I certainly have been
concerned of the fact that Live Nation and AEG have taken completely over
the Music tours and business and Venues…Not a big fan of take-overs or AEG..
So I’m am somewhat biased with the company that owns the kings…
Full disclosure..
Also..Frank I believe your’e an agent…How would you handle this DD business?
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EASportsMgt Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@SLIM, That’s a good point. By signing B. Richards, then you don’t add Gagne and you don’t add Moreau (more than likely) you also probably don’t bring in Hunter on a tryout. That makes up a majority of the difference. The other thing would be that if you add a B. Richards, you probably don’t need to add another piece come trade deadline. If you do, then we would have to trade a roster spot along with a prospect and probably overpay just to stay within the cap. But it’s still possible.
I think DL made a point about this, that he wanted Doughty signed before all this, so he could know for sure how much money he had to spend on a B Richards. One can also argue that because DL didn’t know how much money he needed to keep for Doughty, the offer to Richards was probably not as strong as it could have been. It is very much possible that not having Doughty signed affected the Kings not landing Richards.
wavesinair Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
@SLIM,
I’m as critical of AEG as the next guy, but I have to agree with EA here. Cap and term are critical. If what TL says is true, that the Kings will butt up against the cap limit, then I can’t fault AEG for not spending the dough. They either do or do not, and apparently they do.
The only thing I’m uncertain about is the term. There’s a lot of speculation on years, but I don’t believe we really know what both sides are actually offering. Please correct me if I’m wrong here.
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wavesinair Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
I’ll also note that if DD is truly the cornerstone of the franchise as TL says, there can be an argument made that he is the highest paid player on the team AND that perhaps DD should be given control of possibly later restructuring his contract IF there is an RFA who needs extra cash. Just a thought…
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EASportsMgt Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@wavesinair, Per CBA rules, he can’t restructure his contract for any reason.
I am slo quite positive that if Kopi was up for a contract, we would also hear that Kopi is the cornerstone of the franchise. Paying them both equal I think is fair. Is one better than the other? We can debate that all season I am sure. But why not take identical contracts, this happens more often than not.
wavesinair Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Ah, yes. No restructuring. Thanks for the reminder. I know there’s a reason for that (maybe something to do with big market teams?) but it really blows to not have that in the CBA.
SLIM Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@wavesinair,
I agree with you..I don’t think we {the fans} have the whole story…
If I were to choose who would be more likely to lie in this situation..
I would bet that it would be AEG ..Because of my bias I explained above..
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EASportsMgt Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@wavesinair, Well although not confirmed directly by DL I believe, it has been written several times by Helene and I believe by Rich that the Kings have offered a range of years from 7-9, with one report that they also offered a 6 year deal. So one could only speculate that the Doughty wants anything shorter than 6, so the 5 year like Ryan which others have also signed makes the most sense. Again nto confirmed by Doughty’s camp. Which will then mean Kopi and Dought hit UFA the same year and that will be bad. Very bad. They could do a 4 year deal, but if I am not mistaken, that would still leave Doughty to be a RFA then, so I doubt he wants that.
I think the major problem is the fact that Meehan and DL don’t like each other. Truly, that leads to unproductive discussions because they are trying to one up each other. If I come in, I will make sense to Doughty and explain to DL his side more clearly, there is room for compromise but I don’t think Meehan and DL can do that. It’s like asking Isreal and the Palestinians to sit down and come to an agreement. Sorry but wont happen.
I need to be Doughty’s agent for real.
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SLIM Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@EASportsMgt,
That does it!!!
I vote Frank becomes DD’s agent..
KC23 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@EASportsMgt, Doughty needs to grow a pair and tell his agent to get it done or get out of the way.
Michael J. Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@SLIM,
So, what I am getting from the above posts is: 1) That AIG is not a bunch of money grubbing idiots; that the salary cap actually has something to do with how much the Kings acn offer Doughty? And 2) That the real hold-up might be the length of the contract and that the Kings management is looking at this thing long-term?
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TM is prob giving some prospects at least one more game before sending them to Manchester
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dduffy Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Matthew Motush,
Yeah I think he’s giving them one more chance for knowledge about how they do in pressure situations – pressure is all on them to make an impression, then he will use what he learns to figure out who to cal up in the inevitable need during the season. It give him the rankings he needs for that purpose in a couple of months.
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KC23 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@Matthew Motush, No doubt. When/if Loktionov goes to Manchester and Parse stays on the roster this blog is gonna get ugly in a hurry.
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Dear Kings: Please do not hurt Matt Duchene or Jay McClement. I don’t want to go up to Toronto next summer and miss them at a wedding I am attending.
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i wonder if anyone else on the kings gets the “C” for this game
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REPOST:
“But that’s just not given to you. You earn that, that leadership. You need the respect from your teammates, which he has, and you have to earn that every year, which he will again this year. It’s part of maturing, and he’s on the right path.” – Martin St. Louis
That’s his thoughts on the maturation of Stamkos, and his role as a potential leader on the team. If Doughty ever sees himself as a leader, these words should resonate.
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It seems to me that who is NOT on tonight’s roster matter’s more than WHERE people are playing.
Murray is still looking at a lot of alternatives/possibilities. This is really the first time since Murray has been here that he’s actually been faced with such choices. It used to be, “Can you stand on ice skates? Are you breathing?”
Tinker away, Terry. Find that ever elusive combination of talent – desire – chemistry to build a dynamic hockey team.
My thought is that we won’t see what the 2011-12 Kings look like until Frozen Fury.
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KC23 Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@IceGuy, I’m thinking we won’t see with the 2011 – 2012 will look like until late October.
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Jeez, Hickey and Campbell together is a scarey thought….I don’t want to see those 2 on the ice at the same time with the Monarchs, let alone with the Kings, however, I just might be surprised!
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Shane O’brien is now with the ‘lanche? Him along with the turtle Cody McCloud are definitely two of my least favorite players in this league.
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My gut feeling is that DD will not be better player than last year. I Hope I am wrong. Before this info becomes public let’s get 2 good players for him. How many of you have this negative vibe, second guessing feeling about this situation? If last year he played like Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith,Shea Weber,Nicklas Lidstrom and Pronger(past years) I would disregard this second guessing thoughts. We hope that other teams will respect and fear DD like they fear above mentioned players. We can’t hope and pray. I feel this is the year.We need a lot of depth just in case. This is also why I think about the trade.Las Vegas thinks we might win West and a good to moderate chance for winning the cup.
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Yo Rich, there is a mispelling in the Av’s line-up. The Av’s have Patrick Bordeleau, not Mordeleau, and he’s a big tough guy.
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Too bad we can’t watch. I’m interested in seeing Gabriel Landeskoog play. I hear he’s a real gamer. Kings/’Lanche games are always entertaining, too…
Oh well, the words-eye view of Nick and Daryl will suit me just fine.
GO KINGS GO!
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Its too bad the Kings are not playing any games vs. Canadian teams as most are on TV each night.
Tonight we get Winnipeg home game.
Question King fan’s does the Kings pre-season always look and feel like this, in the dark from the TV games?
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Radio link anyone? One that actually is allowed to broadcast outside the US?
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