The end, finally, as arrived. In less than three weeks, the Kings have gone from Kansas City to Denver to home (briefly) to Anaheim to Las Vegas to Hamburg to Stockholm to Berlin to Annapolis to Newark to Philadelphia. I counted, and over an 18-night span I slept in 11 different places, if you include the airplane and a friend’s couch. Everybody is excited about going home, but for the players, there’s a rub there. The coaching staff wants the players’ focus to be on tonight’s game, and not on the postgame flight back to Los Angeles, something Terry Murray addressed yesterday…
MURRAY: “When I pulled the team together on the ice at the end of (Friday’s) practice, that was the message. I complimented the guys. I think they’ve done an incredible job, through the end of the exhibition season with five games in seven days, then moving through the European part of it. There was a lot of movement. They’ve handled it very well emotionally. We just need to pull it together after a game that we were in and out of. We ended up chasing the game, at the end of the night, and that’s not the way you want to do it but we’ll regroup and play a big game.’’
Hey Rich, is this the longest road trip you’ve been on while covering the Kings? It seems like the longest one that I can remember in terms of days away from LA.
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kevin from toronto Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@CB14, Last season’s road trip is probably up there.
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WIN IT! and come home byz..
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Seems like we were playing pretty well before the “coaching” kicked in.
Hope I’m wrong. Maybe we come out swinging tonight!
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fsd1 Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@johnjuan, Really? Which of the last 20 seasons you talking about? Perhaps the best thing for this team is to fire all staff and let the guys just do it? And yes, the SARCASM tag is ON. On a side note, what would you have said to the team under the same circumstance? Please enlighten me.
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johnjuan Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@fsd1, I am talking about a continuation of the team not living up to expectations despite adding more talent. Other teams make adjustments and get stronger against us while this team so far has come out of the gate strong in the 1st 10 minutes and then seem flat. Not talking seasons bro, talking coaching. One thing I would have told them is to play puck possession and quit the dump and chase routine, attack with your D men and not just your forwards. Consider yourself enlightened.
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5 to 3 Kings
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Hi Rich,
So is Dean ever gonna comment on signing Doughty? I keep waiting… Or should I read between the lines on this one?
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steve Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
@roxo, dean doesnt want to admit he caved
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EASportsMgt Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@steve, I’m not sure I agree with the “caved in” comment. Do you guys remember when Dean was essentially stumped by the reporter’s question if he is comfortable making DD the highest paid King? DL said that with the right number of free agent years he would. I would think he got that plus salary wise, Kopi.makes the same if not more money every year of his contract so I don’t see how DL caved in at all here guys.
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Stagger Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@roxo,
I was wondering the same thing. We haven’t heard much from him since DD signed. I have to assume that he is not happy with Doughty and/or Meehan.
“If you’re not going to say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.” This is my guess of why we haven’t heard from Dean.
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CB14 Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
@Stagger, I think it’s more Liewike than Meehan. I think Timmy told Dean to cave, and he did.
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Steve Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@CB14, I agree, management has a good thing going with this team and they realize that there is a lot of money in this teams bright future. It’s a business first and foremost
fsd1 Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@roxo, I’m pretty sure its none of our business, and you wont hear anything.
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LittleRhody Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@roxo, Just my two cents… I don’t see it as DL caving, I think DD caved.
The rumored original offer in JUNE was 6.8 for 7-9 years. DD camp was rumored to be looking for a shorter term, like maybe 4-5 yrs. The only difference in the deal DL presented and the one signed is 1.6 million spread over 8 years. That’s basically peanuts and I feel confident that if in JUME, DD said just make it 7 mil and we’re done, DL would have done it then.
Therefore, I feel that DD moved much further than DL did.
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Dominick Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@LittleRhody, It was also rumored that DD’s side wanted 7 million during the 7-9 year offer by DL for 6.8. DL could of paid him 7 mill for 8 years back then, but refused to pay 7 mill, thus the whole thing took 2 1/2 more months till someone caved in.
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Dominick Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@roxo, At this point it would be counter productive, unless fans became too ornery, and DL had to say something. Technically it doesn’t say anything to not make a comment, because when DD was asked he said “The past is the past, it’s time to move on”. I don’t think either side will ever confirm anything that might embarass the other side.
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Looking forward to be able to go to one of the Kings “home” games finally. I wish they could wear the white uni’s at home. Love the white stripes on the breezers.
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neil Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@yetiman_oc, I believe on Tuesday the Kings are wearing white(at least according to their promotion schedule on LAKINGS>COM)
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Rich, you scared me. The ‘end has arrived’ just didn’t sound like a good article title. I was afraid you were announcing your retirement for the blog. This ‘end’ though, is a good one for the team.
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Dominick Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@Donald_S, He was really referring to December 2012. lol
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Rich is there any truth that the kings announced Scott parse as a healthy scratch for tonights game?
twitter.com/DennisTFP <<<< He announced it on twitter
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Kings win, Ducks lose Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@KH, Rich said two changes: Westgarth in for Hunter, and Drewiske in for Martinez… that would mean that Parse is still a healthy scratch.
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KH Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@Kings win, Ducks lose, I replied and told him the same thing and he told me I was wrong so who knows
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I’m surprised no one has mentioned on the blog yet..
The fact that Stoll has been pretty much invisible so far..
Also I hope they don’t play like they did in Vegas
getting ready to start the trip..But this time their mind
on getting home already….
And I think whatever player really stands out in today”s game
will go a long way in Richard’s mind for being on board with this win..
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LaKingBob[chi] Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@SLIM, Hey, I think the Kings will all be up for this one for MR. And lets remember Wayne 17!! Hate to see him gone but the new era has begun . Again remember this one is for MR and also remember what he stated yesturday I AM A KING!!!!
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Downsy89 Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@SLIM, I am not sure, but I believe Stoll has changed his game to be the third line center. Staying home more.
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Rich, why was my post deleted? I didn’t insult anyone or use profanity, please let me know thanks
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Rich Hammond Reply:
October 15th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
You didn’t have a comment deleted.
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Kings look great wearing white at home.
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