Well, there’s one significant roster move…center Andrei Loktionov has been assigned to Manchester of the AHL. As noted in a post a couple days ago, Loktionov essentially got caught in a numbers game. The Kings prefer him at center, but that position is already manned by Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, Jarret Stoll and Trevor Lewis. That leaves the Kings with 15 healthy forwards, plus Colin Fraser. They will start the season with 13 or 14, depending on how many defensemen Terry Murray wants to carry at the start of the season.
FORWARDS
Dustin Brown, Kyle Clifford, Colin Fraser (injured), Simon Gagne, Trent Hunter, Dwight King, Anze Kopitar, Trevor Lewis, Ethan Moreau, Scott Parse, Dustin Penner, Mike Richards, Brad Richardson, Jarret Stoll, Kevin Westgarth, Justin Williams.
Awe man, I feel bad for this kid!
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What is THAT all about?
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Duckbasher Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
@scootty, – They figured Westgarth was showing signs of becoming the young sniper tgey were looking for. The only problem… it was with his face on the opposing teams fists.
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Why would they send him down before King???? I’ll trust that they confirmed that he wouldn’t bolt for the KHL if sent back to Manchester
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@Otto Ped, Loktionov isn’t going to play anything but Center, like Hammond said, numbers game. He’s not going to take Kopitar Richards or Stoll’s spot obviously, so that leaves it between Lewis and Loktionov, and Lewis is great at the defensive aspect so he has an edge. Not shocking really, I bet King drops tomorrow.
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
@Otto Ped, I don’t believe that is an option for Lokti this season.
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Otto Ped Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@Dominick, I hope not Dom
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Peter90210 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@Otto Ped, Another year in the minors will only make him stronger. He’ll be playing many more minutes there and it will make him that much better. He’s shown he’s ready for the NHL, so now it’s just a question of when his number gets called. God! It’s great when we’ve got this kind of depth.
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Osaka Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
@Otto Ped, If you believe he would go to the KHL, then why do you want him on the Kings? Wouldn’t you want a guy that has more commitment and determination than that? Is bolting to the KHL the type of character you want in a player? A player that would threaten the organization if he doesn’t make the team.
I don’t Lokti as that type of player at all.
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Ughhh. Really would have liked to see him start the season with the Kings. He deserves it, IMO.
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Well i hate to say it, but he needs to work on his defensive game a bit. Also needs to get stronger on the boards, he was almost killed the last 2 games.
Hopefully he listens and gets better… I would hate to see he bolt to the KHL like he was threatening.
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Raitis Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@hockeykingsguy, He never threatened to bolt, and he was boarded twice. Nothing to do with strength
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EJ Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@hockeykingsguy, I agree with Raitis. I believe it was Voynov who was making noises about the KHL.
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Tyfighter77 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@EJ,
That’s only a rumor at this point. I have yet to see a reputable source report that Voynov ever made that threat.
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Buffoonery!!! He’ll come back..
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@Mikey,
There should be some kind of jackpot for working “buffonery” into a hockey conversation! That was pure money!
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Mikey Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@40YearKingsFan, haha thanx. i actually heard it from a commentator during the islanders european football re-enactment last season. have been saying it since.
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Mikey Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@Mikey, by european football- i mean the fighting and dirty hits/talk/suspensions.. you know.. buffoonery
Player-X Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
@Mikey, I belive the scale is tom-foolery, buffoonery, and then skullduggery.
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Off topic:
Doughty video #3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o8z0d8e4AM
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- ViC - Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@wavesinair, So,is he in shape or not?
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@- ViC -, If he is, some Kingsfans owe me some money!
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BringBackKingston Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@Dominick, I hope they pay up. the whole out of shape thing was ridiculous and overblown.
Belexes Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@wavesinair,
He looks sharp doesn’t he?
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wavesinair Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@Belexes, He really does. Kid’s got skills…7mil worth!
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Mark Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@wavesinair, What’s he resting for?
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@Mark, It takes alot out of you skating backwards,especially with a big fat wallet in your back pocket.
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EJ Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@wavesinair, nothing like a smooth, fresh sheet of ice.
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MyKay Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@wavesinair, thank you for sharing
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Belexes Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@wavesinair,
I wonder if Rich takes a peak at these vid clips of #8 as well?
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Belexes Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
@Belexes,
‘peek!
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wavesinair Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@Belexes, Not when he sees it with his own eyes!
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I blame Drew for this. jk. This sucks, wouldve liked to see him play this year.
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Sucks for Lotki but it’s nice to know he’s waiting in the wings when we need him. Keep your head up Lotki, your time will come!!!
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rubo17 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@King Alex,
“he’s waiting in the wings”
I think he’s waiting in the middle
Would’ve liked to see him make the team!
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Darrell Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
@King Alex, He’s waiting to play FOR the Wings.
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I don’t think this was a huge surprise, despite how much many of us wanted him to stay. I expect we’ll see him at some point during the season though.
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If you are not a 2 way player it will be hard to crack TM’s lineup.
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puddle Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@Kopi Bryant, I really don’t think that’s the issue. It’s truly a numbers game and Lokti hasn’t paid his dues like the 4 guys above him. Watching Lokti this preseason, he has been much, much improved at the defensive end of the ice.
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CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:14 pm
@puddle, I disagree. Lokti’s paid his dues more than King has, and is a better player IMO. Why couldn’t they just have moved Lewis to R.W., a position he’s played before, and play Lokti as 4th line center with Richardson on the left side. Speed, skill, and more speed. Lokti deserves to be here more than King and Parse do. Even if he’s not as good defensively as TM would like, he would be playing with 2 above average defensive players, and the 3 other Centers are good defensively as well. Thus Lokti could be matched up against other teams 3rd and 4th lines, and as you said he’s improved a lot defensively. Even getting some PK time in the game against Phoenix.
Clifford – Stoll – Moreau/Hunter
Richardson – Lokti – Lewis
Extras – Westy and Moreau/Hunter
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puddle Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@CB14, “Why couldn’t they just have moved Lewis to R.W., a position he’s played before, and play Lokti as 4th line center with Richardson on the left side.”
Preaching to the choir, my man. This has been my thinking as well. But here’s why I think it didn’t happen, and as I said in my first post, I don’t think it had anything to do with Lokti’s defensive ability. What I meant by the “4 guys ahead of him” were the 4 centers already guaranteed spots (AK, MR, JS, and TL). King will be sent down as well, I’m pretty sure, but the only reason he still has a shot is there is less depth on the wings than at center.
I think the Kings are reluctant to put him on the 4th line for two main reasons:
1) 4th line center role is a waste of Loktionov’s abilities (what would he get, 8 minutes of ice time per game?) and he can get 20 minutes per night in Manchester
2) 4th line centers are traditionally checking grinders and the Kings have a very traditional philosophy with their lines (much to my – and probably your – chagrin)
I agree with you, I’m only saying what I THINK the Kings are thinking here. I can understand both sides. I think we’ll see him take Stoll’s role full time next season.
red49er Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
@CB14, if it helps you to feel better King and Parse are the next and last to go. Frasier too, when he’s healthy enough.
PRMan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
@CB14, Also, Loki has rotten faceoff skills so far…
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@puddle, Glad to see were on the same page. Thanks for the clarification on the 4 guys ahead of him, I should’ve gotten that one.
Trevor Lewis averaged 11:29 of ice time last year as our 4th line center. Given that most of those games were with Westy on his wing, who plays about half of what Lewis does, I think Lokti could easily get around 13 minutes a game as our 4th line Center if he gets additional PP time. I don’t think that would limit his development. Simmonds played 13:27 per game last year and I think that’s a decent amount for Lokti.
@PRMan, Trevor Lewis was under 40% on faceoffs last year so I doubt Lokti could do much worse.
Mike Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
@Kopi Bryant, Terry Murray doesn’t like small guys. I believe that is why he didn’t make it. I really liked his offensive creativity. Everybody is talking about Stanley, but you need to play defensive and you need guys that can put the puck in the back of the net.
Go Kings,
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Mike Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I also though management messed up sending him down last year and then he got injured.
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tornado12 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@Kopi Bryant, exactly. Hopefully he adds that to his game and doesnt decide to bolt to the KHL next season. If we dont resign Stoll, then its Lokti’s to lose IMHO
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
@tornado12, I agree
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Damn I was hoping he would make the team.
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bummer.he.gives.the.team.extra.points.in.all.categories.
Truly.hope.we.dont.lose.Loki
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Has Dwight King really been that impressive? Haven’t heard TM speak of him once this whole pre season.
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jet Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@CanadianKing, LW vs. Center?
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AZ King Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@CanadianKing,
It comes down to position. It’s not that King is better than Lokti, but King is a winger, and the tran wants Lokti at center. Like Rich said it’s a numbers game at center, and unfortunately Lokti is the oddi man out.
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CanadianKing Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@AZ King, I can think of alot of wingers already sent to Man who deserve to be here ahead of King. That’s mainly my point.
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Westcoaster Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@CanadianKing, sorry my misunderstanding it didn’t really come across that way (to me) as your post was, and this tread is mostly referring to lokti. I must have interpreted it wrong my mistake. I guess TM and management seem to disagree also when it comes to king or parse. Lucky for them they don’t take into account what insividal fans think or want.
I really hope this kid doesn’t bolt to the KHL like Voynov is threatening to do if he doesn’t crack the lineup, both guys are extremely skilled players and have a bright future in the league they just have to continue to develop and wait for their shot, I would honestly be shocked if both of these guys weren’t in our lineup next season. Hopefully they both realize this and just keep working hard, get better, and we can see them in the lineup next year, plus if there are any injuries I could see these two guys being the one’s called up according to their position.
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Sam Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@OCKingsFan, Do you really want a guy who has such thin skin? I’d have to wonder about someone so easily willing to leave. Does he do the same when the coach is mad at him? Does he do the same when he doesn’t see 18 or more minutes a night?
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EJ Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@Sam, c’mon, man. These guys are young, in a foreign land, and probably have family and teams trying to coax them back to Russia. It takes a boatload of fortitude to do what they’re doing. IMOSHO, of course.
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jet Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@EJ, good points
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@Sam, I think Lokti has every right to be upset. He’s played better than both Parse and King. No doubt. Parse has been all hype and has shown nothing at all. King isn’t a bad player, but we already have a big physical 4th line L.W. His name is Ethan Moreau. Lokti has played great this pre-season and deserves to be in the NHL, especially over Scott Parse and Dwight King.
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Westcoaster Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@CB14, you really cannot compare these players lokti is a center parse is right wing king is left wing, Loki being sent down has nothing to do with king or parse? it’s a numbers game. It sucks for lokti but good for la to have ao much depth. King is a big body 4th line grinder why are you even trying to compare him with Lokti who is an a small offensive talent and a natural center? ita just a little tiring to hear how some guys don’t deserve to still be up, obviously they are doing something right. There is so much more positive things to be focusing on.
hockeynerd Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@CB14, Lokti is a center, if he proved he could be a winger (like he had the chance to do so last season with Kopi to boot.) then maybe your analysis would be relevant. Lokti is a centre, he is most comfortable at center, LA wants him at center. so i will have to respectfully disagree that he deserves it more the Parse or King, them being Wingers and all.
Osaka Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
@CB14, Parse and King play different positions. That is like saying Martin Jones played better than Parse and King.
Another issue is doesn’t Parse have to clear waivers when he is sent down (not if but when)?
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:17 pm
@hockeynerd, Good to see you back.
hockeynerd and Osaka, It would figure when I make a comment disagreeing with TM’s coaching decisions I see you 2 disagreeing with me. If player-X and fsd1 would also reply to my comment that would make the quartet complete!
I’m not complaining about it guys, I welcome a good TM argument after all those DD arguments. It gets me back to my bread and butter, ragging on Terry Murray!
Trevor Lewis played R.W. when he first came up with the Kings 2 years ago, and can still do so now IMO. That’s why I feel Lokti should’ve made the team. Rotate Moreau and Hunter on the right side with Clifford and Stoll, and put the 3 speedsters together on the 4th line.
Clifford – Stoll – Moreau/Hunter
Richardson – Lokti – Lewis
That would give TM a big and physical 3rd line and a speedy quick 4th line, both of which can chip in offensively and be defensively responsible. Didn’t Vancouver have a real quick 3rd line? Lokti’s line could match up very well against them, and both Richardson and Lewis are above average defensively so it’s not like that line would suffer very much from having Lokti in the middle. Also, Lewis’ faceoff % was below 40% last year so it’s not like you’re losing that many more faceoffs having Lokti in the Center and Lewis on the wing. Plus Lewis played about 11 and a half minutes a game last year, given the fact that Lokti would see some PP time, I could see him in the 13 minute range. Which is more than enough for him and wouldn’t stunt his developement like some have argued. The thought of those 3 guys skating circles around the opposition just gets me so excited! I hate being the slow, grind it out team with a defense first mentality. I would much rather have speed and open things up offensively, and basically let guys like Kopi, Richards, and Lokti do what they do best, create things offensively. Instead I’m stuck with another year of grinding it out hockey.
I said it about 2 weeks ago when someone mentioned that 4th line combo, “I like it too much I know TM won’t let it happen”, And it looks like I was right, unfortunatly.
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@Weatcoaster, Lokti was one of our top 5 players this pre-season, that’s why I feel he should still be up here. He was SO much better than Parse it’s laughable to think Parse has a better chance of making the team compared to Lokti. We already have a big bodied 4th line grinder that I can’t stand, we don’t need another one. King stunk up the joint last year when he played in the NHL while Lokti played like he deserved a spot in his tenure last year with the Kings.
Player-X Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
@CB14, You rang?
Actually, I agree with you about Lokti, he should stay up and play wing, Lewis should be a right wing, and Richardson should be a center. Lewis in the faceoffs sux, he already gets PK time so he won’t just sit. Lokti could have used limited minutes in various roles, especially after our power play or penalty kill when Murray has frankensteined the lines for specialty teams. Lokti could come out and do exactly what Richardson would do last year, skate fast, provide some offensive threat but keep a high tempo to sustain momentum.
As far as ragging on Murray, well, one disagreement about one player in preseason isn’t all that bad, so I am not raggin on him here I hope.
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
@Player-X, LOL. Agree completly with mostly all your points. I would just have Lokti at center because that’s where he seems most comfortable, but I understand the logic of putting Richardson there. He’s much better in the faceoff circle and defensively as well. I would be happy simply to have him in the line-up every night.
No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Not sure where Loki fits in at all, honestly. Richards is center #2 and Kopi is center #1. Loki is a top 6 forward. That’s a numbers game that’s never going to get solved.
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puddle Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@Sam, This is going under the old assumption that you have to have your bottom two lines be checking lines. I don’t see why it has to be that way. If you can roll out 4 skilled scoring lines, what’s to keep you from doing so? Lokti could very easily replace Stoll next season as the C3 and center a very dangerous offensive line.
This isn’t even to mention the fact that Kopi and Richards are two of the best “checking” defensive centers in the game – often matched up with the top centers in the league anyway. So this would leave Lokti free to do what he does best.
Losing a skilled player like Loktionov to make room for less skilled centers who fit the stereotypical bottom line “grinder” role just makes no sense to me.
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IceGuy Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@puddle,
Exactly the point I’ve been making. Hockey traditional approach, or using the talent and skills available. I don’t think Murray has the stones to think past what he’s done in the past. This is apparently true, even tho 3 2/3 of the 4 Lines are good on D!
Roll four lines and you simply wear down the opposition by the end of the 2nd period. They have no time to breathe.
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jet Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@IceGuy, but for the past two years we have worn down the opposition with our big lines. Why would you want to change that?
quisp Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
@Sam,
Loktionov replaces Stoll next year.
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Osaka Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@quisp, Possible
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Player-X Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
@quisp, Doubt it, we’ll see. Stoll is the checking center, and Lokti is not now and never will be.
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Wow. Bummer. I wonder how Jimmy Neutron took it. He’s still young and he’ll help light it up in Manch. THe first center to go down this season, if it happens, Lokti will get the call.
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I know most everyone of us like this kid and see his potential, especially now that he’s starting to fill out and not get pushed around anymore, but this is hardly a surprise. He doesn’t currently fit a role on this team. He can’t really play wing, and as much as everyone likes the dream of having four elite scoring lines, it just ain’t gonna happen. The 4th line is the 4th line. It’s a different breed of player that fills that role, and Lokti deserves to be a top 6 forward. So, off he goes to Manchester where he can be the dominant force on that team, and grow into the role he is meant for even more.
We all know he will be one of the first to come back if someone gets hurt, so we will probably see him at some point this season anyway.
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Rich, can we get a Trent Hunter interview with his thoughts on earning a contract?
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Rich Hammond Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Planning on feature story on him in coming days.
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Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
@Rich Hammond,
Awesome, thanks for the response. Hope to finally say hi at a suite event this year.
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Lokti is too good not to be playing in the NHL…this is nuts.
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jet Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Chucker, welcome to a cup team. By the end of the year we could have a half dozen players in manchester who could play for half the teams in the league. And OM and Holli could be added to that list. There is little doubt that we have the best scouts in the business.
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Lokotionov deserves to be in LA but I see the logic in him going down to Manchester to get stronger and work on defensive game which is so important in North America. Wishing for a healthy season for Lokti where he scores 30-35 goals and 45-50 assists with the Monarchs! Go Lokti Go! Go Manchester Go! Go Kings Go!
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Upsetting to hear, but I can understand. I know he was playing RW in Manchester a little, they should keep him there for an entire year maybe he’ll catch on. Really hope he doesn’t leave North America.
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kings king Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@kings king, Also I really hope we dont lose him at the trade deadline.. :X
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Move Stoll to wing! That’s a serious line with Clifford Lokti Stoll
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puck73 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@dcaps55, How bout this, why dont we put Harrold at wing, Loktionov at wing, Schenn at wing, and trade Purcell, how does that sound to you?
Respectfully Yours, Terry Murray Head Coach Los Angeles Kings Hockey club.
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Bill M. Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@puck73, dcaps55 thinks he’s smarter than you because he has the extra-letter advantage in the “series of letters followed by a two digit number” screenname contest!
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ATTENTION KINGS FANS WHO ARE HERE IN LAS VEGAS. Some of the insiders will be meeting at 9 PM at the bar in Time square at Hotel New York New York. Any one who is here, or is going to be here is more then welcome to stop by…See ya tonite Kings Fans !
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Rich (or anyone that knows), will the first two reg season games be played on olympic size rinks?
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SLIM Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@Stuart,
I believe so..Scuds mentioned it in his interview..
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SLIM Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@SLIM,
Or maybe it was Mitchell…
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@Stuart, Yes.
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This saddens me greatly…Can’t wait to see him play top minutes for
the LA Kings one day..This kid is something special in my opinion…
I think he will be brought up at sometime this season…
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How is Loki on faceoffs ? He’ll need to be strong there to chase Stoll and/or Lewis to the wing…..I have seen enough of this guy to know he is a center, not a winger….
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Bill M. Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@Jim, I think that’s really his issue. He has more offensive upside than either, and probably enough to offset his slight defensive weakness over them. EXCEPT FOR FACEOFFS. Lokti has been poor on faceoffs and the Kings style is REALLY dependent on faceoffs for success. Over the last two years you can see a definite trend in that our control of the game flow lives and dies with faceoff success.
Lokti will NOT displace Stoll or Lewis until he can manage at least respectable numbers at the dots.
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CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Bill M., Lewis was under 40% last year on faceoffs. Could Lokti do any worse? I’m just sayin.
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jet Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@CB14, just an FYI, Kampon worked with Lewis after regular practice last season. expect him to be better this season.
Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Jim, He sucks at face offs. Lewis does too though. Richardson is better at face offs, but is a better winger. I have a feeling Lewis will switch with Richardson till Richardson can hold on to that position permanently. Lokti hopefully will gets some grooming at right wing in Manchester while he’s there so that he doesn’t end up buried in a system that’s currently too deep at center.
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Player-X Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
@Dominick, Lokti shoots left, was he at RW last year? I think of him as LW if he is gonna play wing, can’t remember for sure.
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
@Player-X,
I remember when they asked him last season if he’d played left wing, he said no he never had. He’d played right wing before, and center most of his career, but never left wing. Just seems logical to groom him for another position since Richards, and Kopi aren’t going anywhere for a long time. He should pan out at top 6, but center is jammed.
He’ll be under used at bottom 6, even if it’s at his natural position at center.
Can’t really say this was a surprise. Like Rich said, it’s a numbers game at center and unless Stoll gets injured, Lokti wasn’t going to be able to play his natural position.
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Is tonight’s game streamed?
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@Bruin18, Radio only.
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Folks, relax. lotki will be back. Parse will be givien maybe 10 games to show something. If he doesn’t, he will be shopped or waived and Lotki will be back.
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As TM said “We clearly have some very hard decisions to make at the end of this one.”
Good problem to have!!!
I believe we will see Lokti brought up during the year along with Voynov*
*If TM sends him Manchester
Go Kings Go!!!
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hockeynerd Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@JayGoLAKings, Hate to state the obvious but Slaya is not under contract. This kid is not playing in manchester I promise you.
The kings can sign him and keep him in la OR sign him to a one way deal send him down to manchester BUT he will need to clear waivers and we WILL be picked up.
Slava is either playing for LA, for another NHL team (Picked up on Waivers) or he’s packing for the KHL.
Slava will not dress for Manchester.
Hickey can use one more healthy FULL year in manchester, he is not a flight risk and I am sure i am not the only one who agrees Slava beats out Hicky
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JayGoLAKings Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@hockeynerd, thanks for the info.
If the Kings take 8 D-men, who will they be? I say one of them will be Voynov.
In an earlier post:
“As noted earlier, Drew Doughty will not play in tomorrow’s game in Las Vegas, but Murray said Doughty might play in Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Hamburg Freezers. Murray might also have tipped his hand in terms of the roster, when he noted that he might play “eight defensemen” in Hamburg. That would mean, of course, that he intends to take eight defensemen — meaning only one extra forward — to Europe.”
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PP Anybody? Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
@hockeynerd, According to CapGeek, Slava is signed till 2013.
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Lokti will be back in time to shine this season, or save the bacon. Either way, we will be seeing him this season. Them’s the rules of averages.
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Welcome to my little town Kings junkies!! (:
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jet Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@Happy Lappy, wait, someone still lives in Vegas?
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Why do so many posters here fall victim to so many bogus rumors? Loktionov and Slava Voynov have never shown any interest in the KHL. They cannot use the KHL for leverage against LAK organization, as they are both under contract to the Kings. Dewey was never going to paly anywhere but LA, if for no other reason then he had no options, no rights and no choices….but a nice(not complimentary here!) job by Meehan of bending over Lombardi for the bigger pay day with longer term that LA insisted on! Touche to Meehan, but he can go to the guillotine anyway for his efforts!
Sometimes I see this post as a place for the terminally depressed to cry their tunes of woe for the Kings organization. Self pity does not write well either!! Take a pill and get a grip sad ones! It is a GREAT TIME TO BE A KINGS FAN RIGHT NOW! ENJOY IT FOR THE MOMENT FOR A CHANGE! Every other NHL team should have that many problems with their roster glut as LA does!! Its a niiice new problem with this regime. Yikes!
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In years past, Lokti at this point in his career would’ve been a shoe-in to play with the big boys. There’s just too much talent at center for the kid to make it, he just isn’t a winger, everyone knows it. I never thought we’d have a problem such as this. In Dean We Trust GKG
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puck73 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@Goring 19, another solid take.
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Kenny44 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@Goring 19, He reminds me of Yachmenev, the 19-year old who came up in the later Gretzky days. We were so excited to find anyone with an ounce of hockey sense that Yachmeneve was immediately deemed top 6 worthy. Sorry Lokti, it’s not like that anymore. See you soon, though.
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I imagine it’s Parse and King that will get sent down before Europe. Loktionov is going to be a good player but it’s better for him to get a lot of minutes in all phases of the game than 4th line duty in the NHL.
Lewis or Richardson can handle 4th line center and kill penalties and Loktionov will put up a ton of points in Manchester and hopefully stay healthy.
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Huge mistake!!!!! Put this kid 4th line center and put Lewis on wing
damn lokti is really creative and has finally bulked up enough to play in the show.
Theyd better keep voynov!!!!!
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Chucker Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:45 pm
@Kingfish, Absolutely agree!! Lewis played wing a bunch last year…Lokti should be centering the 4th line!!
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Disappointing, but not a surprise. The crazy thing is that Lokti is not going to be a top 6 center on the Kings for years to come. Kopi and Richards – barring injury – are going to be the top two centers for several years more. Lokti’s place on the Kings – if he has one – is third line center. I am assuming Stoll will hold that down this year, but all bets are off at that point.
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tullskull Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
@rick, someone finally said it. There really is no room for Lokti on the Kings at his natural position. Someone is going to have to convert to wing and that sure will not be Kopi or Richards. Do the math.
We all want him to succeed but I hate to think that it might be on a different team!
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This is just wrong, he should be here, even if it’s in the “floater” role…
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Disappointed in this move. Hope he gets called up quick. Center the line with Stoll playing right wing, to guide him.
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This fine young center iceman will be the first offensive player called up from Manchester this season.
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It’s his year to dominate at the AHL level, and then come up to be our third scoring center next season. And it’s nice to know that we have someone that is competent to fill in at center in case of an injury.
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PREDICTION: Murray takes the hyped up LA Kings to #7 defensively in the league, #14 offensively, with a south of #15 on the PP, and Western Conference finals AT BEST – but most likely round one or two.
Why? Because he is as predictable as a bag of sand. Lokti, Richardson, Lewis would give opposing teams hell when they just spent time defending against Kopi and Williams, Richards, DB, & Gagne.
But no – he wants Westgarth to take it in the face for 5 minutes a game instead. TM is as STUPID as EVER.
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