Just in time for the biggest road trip of the season, Dustin Brown gets his road roommate back. Brown and Drew Doughty are good friends, so it’s fair to say that on several fronts, Brown will be glad to have Doughty back in the fold. Here’s what Brown said, after this morning’s skate, about Doughty’s return to the Kings…
BROWN: “Everyone kind of knew it was a matter of time, and they finally figured it out, a deal that works for both parties. It’s good to have him back. Going through training camp, I think that was probably the biggest story, unfortunately, was him not being here. So we’ve got him back now, and now it’s just a matter of getting ready to go.”
Question: Did you talk to him at all along the way?
BROWN: “I probably talked to him two or three times a week, whether by text or voice. So I’ve been in contact with him, probably since the beginning of June, really, just seeing how things were going and also just talking to him about what was going on here, once training camp got started, and also trying to give him perspectives. When you’re in a negotiation like that, it’s very hard to step outside (of it). Sometimes you need someone, just to bounce ideas off of. Sometimes he asked for ideas or opinions, so you just try to be there for him.”
Question: Is there a sense of relief inside the team that it’s over now?
BROWN: “I think maybe in the organization. From a player’s standpoint, guys aren’t coming to the rink and saying, `Oh wow, we’re going to have to start the regular season without Dewey.’ That’s not the mentality of the group of guys that is in here. I think it was more, `Let’s get ready to go, whatever happens.’ It was a non-concern for players. I’m sure, from the coaches’ side, management, ownership, they were all worrying about it. I think, from the group of players, we did a pretty good job. The situation was what it was. It was more about getting ourselves ready. Had he not signed, we were going to have to play without him. Now that he is signed, that’s a big plus.”
Question: Did you talk to him at all last night?
BROWN: “I talked to him last night through text, for a bit.”
Question: Tell him he’s buying lunch?
BROWN: “He’s buying more than lunch, that’s for sure. [smiles] I just wanted to congratulate him. I just texted him a little bit. I think, for him, it’s maybe just a sigh of relief. I think what a lot of people forget is that he’s 21 years old, and in a situation that not a lot of 21-year-olds have to deal with. Whatever your opinion of how it went down, he definitely wanted to be here from day one. What happens in negotiations, a lot of people don’t understand. He had to deal with it, pretty much by himself, seeing how he wasn’t around the guys at all. So, again, last night was just congratulations. I told him he needed to be early so he could get his fitness testing done.”
DB, “I told him he needed to be early so he could get his fitness testing done.” So I assume he didn’t have to re-take it this year?
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jpizzle313 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
@CB14, So his new nick name is Drew “Albert Hainsworth” doughty??
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luc20rules Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
@CB14, “Question: Tell him he’s buying lunch?” I think Rich, was fishing for a free Five Guys Burger. While Brown’s “He’s buying alot more than Lunch, thats for sure.” was a bit too vague to figure out.
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No hard feelings on my end. I think most people figured he would sign in time for the regular season. I’m just glad to have him back. What a relief.
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Anjin Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@HawaiiKingsFan, now we can focus on 1 thing; getting 2 points every game.
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TradedForAPick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@HawaiiKingsFan,
I’m glad he is back and I am willing to overlook the whole holdout drama. go get em drew
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Bickleton Wigglesworth III Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@HawaiiKingsFan,
Agreed. It’s just business. When you’re talking about millions of dollars and years of your life, you can’t rush into those things. Glad it’s over.
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oahukingzfan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@HawaiiKingsFan, hey hawaii, wher e are u located? Oahu?
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Glad to see they’re reunited and ready to go.
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I know they usually closely guard the results of physicals, etc, and it was an abberation that Lombardi shared the results of Penner’s weight loss with Helene Elliot (I think it was 18 pounds.)
But I wonder, given the controversial physical results that went public last year, if there will be any mention, even vague of his results this year?
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vplaza Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@Bill M.,
Doubt it.
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I really hope not to hear boos.
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Gustavo Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@Subby,
You will hear some BOOs that will be drown by the majority of the DREEEWWWWs.
The drama is over, both sides got what the wanted. There is NOTHING to boo about, now. I’ll be the last person booing any player for off ice issues.
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@Gustavo, You’ll just be the first one to bury them for it.
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wavesinair Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
@Gustavo, That’s the one thing with names that rhyme with boo…you can never tell the difference! Are they booing Luc or saying Luuuuuc? LOL.
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WhatHappendedToKingston? Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
@Gustavo,
I won’t boo DD8, but I won’t cheer until he does something on the ice deserving of it. I suspect the first time they call his name at Staples Center this season you’ll hear only crickets chirping.
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RobSD Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@Subby,
BOOOOOOO! Haha. Whatever, I’m happy with the eight years. I still think it could have been done much sooner with both parties getting what they wanted.
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Rich, any word on how DD’s fitness testing went?
So glad it’s all done now.
So looking forward to this season! See some of you at the Colorado game in the Suite!
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I think it’s an interesting dynamic that Doughty went to Brown for advice on the situation, given that Brown has one of the most team-friendly AAVs on the Kings, and is our biggest example of a hometown discount.
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vplaza Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
Zactly. Back on ’07, he was poised to be an RFA at the end of the season. They got an extension done before the year was out.
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
I think it’s good, and really shows the respect that Brown gets from the players. Exactly what a captain should do, maintain constant contact, helping them out giving advice and feedback, I like to hear that. Brown is all class really, I can’t wait to see him lift the cup over his head, he really deserves it.
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RobSD Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
Brown is wise beyond his years, which I think is only what? 26? And what a class act.
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Maybe DB hoists the cup before his contract is up. Would love to see him do it for LA. He got his extension back ’07 without much hassle and I hope he gets a raise in his next one. He may not be one to score the most goals, but he is part of the heart and soul of this team.
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CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@vplaza, FYI, He led the Kings in Goals last year.
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vplaza Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@CB14,
Sorry, meant most goals in the league. Besides, if Anze is healthy all year, he probably would have had the team lead there.
However, I would never want to take anything away from DB. The guy is great for the Kings.
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Dustin Brown….I swear when I listen to this guy talk he soubds like a guy that has been in the league for 20 years. No wonder this guy wear’s a C.
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vplaza Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@puck73,
Totally agree. He’s someone I’d love to see retire as a King. In this day and age, I know that’s rare, but DB is the quintessential team player and seems to have the team first mentality.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@vplaza, i dont think its rare that he will retire as a Kings…I believe he will..Hes whole career he been a King so i believe he will retire as a King
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5holer Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@puck73, Let me chime in on that one in the affirmative! I’ll just add to it that DB is by far and away the BEST CAPTAIN on any NHL Team, including Crosby or anyone else of higher star recognition in this league. In my humble opinion, he is the heart of LA and the straw the stirs the drink here! He is in the Jean Beliveau class of Team Captains, much like in the style of Davey Keon and Timmy Horton were to the Leafs of old in my youth! The closest LA King Captain to compare DB with was Bobby Pulford! LA is not steeped in big time captains in their history either….and No, Not Gretzky either! Celebrity Status was Gretzky! Don’t forget that Messier was the real Captain of the dynasty Oilers of the day and not Gretzky!
Take note of DB, he bleeds LA Kings blood!
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Maximus93101 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@puck73,
I was struck by this sentiment as well. Not just Dustin Brown, but ALL of the guys on the team. There is a maturity there that I have not picked up on for several years. We may very well have fully turned the corner in player growth.
I can’t wait for this season to start!
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Sometimes the business aspect of sports entertainment gets in the way of what this is really all about, but now that its over and done with, its time to focus on the season and bring a cup to Los Angeles!
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Off topic. NHL Live had a pool for which team that starts opening game in Europe has the best chance to win the cup. And the results were
Kings 39%
Sabres 24%
Rangers 20%
Ducks 17%
How sweet!
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Bill M. Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@goldielocks, yeah, posted that in a earlier thread. pretty nice!
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@goldielocks, A lot of noise for the Sabres this off season. I like their chances coming out of the East.
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5holer Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
@goldielocks, Looks good too! The Crown may finally fit the task at last. May gripe with these poll results is the position of the Sabres in it. That is nuts to me. They do not know what it takes to win there. New ownership or not, their style is not conducive to Cup Winning. No chance to get out of the 2nd round. NY Rangers will always find a way to lose the Big games. I say the Ducks will be tough again with Hiller returning to form in nets. They are not good enough to win it all, but they will be tough to knock off because they have won it before. Cocky air of confidence still persists in Anaheim, no doubt about it! The Sharks will fall down some this year again. I see no other real threats in the Western Conference as Vancouver will be on a sabbatical this year and fall out completely! Good bye to Luongo this year! Its just my opinion, but LA has its best shot this year to go all the way, since it came into the league in 1967! Bank on it barring major injuries of course. Best depth in the league is in LA at 30 deep and more on the way!
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Here we go…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU5CjMFe2RE&feature=fvsr
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I think DD should buy brats for the whole team in Germany
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RobSD Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@jet,
Brats? You mean 24 karat brats?
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RobSD Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@RobSD,
$85,000 a game. 21 and makes more money in 3 hours than most of the country makes all year. I know how good he is but it’s ridiculous $83,000 a game wasn’t enough
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@RobSD, Basketball players make more than that. Football, and Baseball players too. Hockey in terms of pay is small by comparison.
LAK1ngs Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@RobSD, It took so long over the length of the contract, not the $$$$. Although one could argue wanting a contact to expire when he was an UFA could be about $$$.
Belexes Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
@RobSD,
Why don’t you figure what Phillip Anshutz makes in 3 hrs?
rednats7 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@RobSD,Hey Rob never begrudge an athlete their money, they have a limited time to make it. Just because you don’t make that kind of cash don’t hate on guys who have special talents that are able to command that money. Save us the righteous indignation!
SDGolfer Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
@RobSD, Again, why are people comparing what an elite athlete makes to what an average person makes?
Hey rich do you know if the game will be stream anywhere.
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Is the game going to be streamed?
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@RobSD, This will be the link http://www.ktlkam1150.com/mediaplayer/
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
@RobSD, sorry. That is for the radio only tonight.
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puck73 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Dominick, CMON DOMMER ! none of these weak posts! I want you to tee off on some people who have ripped Doughty a new one recently and slowly slice and dice them to pieces with fact after fact ! Thats the Dommer we know and love !
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Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
@puck73, I’m actually waiting. When DD was voted for the Norris, He did it dragging a whole lot of whining crying Kingsfans with him all the way to the nomination, then everyone jumped on the bandwagon, and I refused to let them enjoy it. LOL
So can we now start getting back to trash talking the rest of the league rather than our own???
Too early to rip on the power play and not enough games for TM to be a serial line-changer yet, so we should put some focus on schmuck-bashing or something more fun like that.
161 hours and 5 minutes until the puck drops in Stockholm!
All have fun in Vegas… wish I was there!
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wavesinair Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@McCheese,
Sure! I’ll start.
Apparently the Sharks are the rising stars in the west…whatever.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=590622
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McCheese Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@wavesinair, Must have been before DD signed…
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Bill M. Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@McCheese, No it mentions the signing. And really? fifth? I can buy that maybe we don’t catch the sharks, or Vancouver. Chicago is always a thorn in the side. But I think we can at least come out on top of the wings to get home ice in the first round.
Dustin Brown is a great Captain.
Welcome back Drew!
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Don’t know if anyone posted this article about Doughty from ESPN yet, but it kinda sums things up pretty well.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@PP Anybody?, http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/hockey/post/_/id/3869/kings-drew-doughty-got-the-dough-now-he-must-put-on-a-show
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Hopefully its an omen, but after 33 games in my NHL12 season, Doughty is leading the league with 14 goals and 41 assists.
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