The Kings will make one lineup change tonight, with Kevin Westgarth replacing Trent Hunter on the fourth line. It was an optional morning skate today, with about 15 players on the ice. Terry Murray said he was sensitive to the tough travel this month. More notes and quotes to come…
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Well That answers that questions, Thanks Rich.
[Reply]
PK Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
@The Third Vopat, i’m sure he will see his buddy Biz Nasty (Worst name ever).
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LicoriceBiscuit Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
@PK, Without a doubt PK. IMO there is nothing “nasty” about what he brings to the rink.
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luuc Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@The Third Vopat, <—that is my favorite username EVER! HAHA, love it!
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The Third Vopat Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@luuc, Thanks. Yeah, Ole Roman and Jan. Roman always comes to mind after a preseaon check he gave to that Quacker Paula Kariya. Kariya had just came back after his season ending concussion and Roman drilled him to the glass and put Paulina out for a few more weeks. Classic.
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Go Westie, make an impact out there… or something.
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Press Box Scratch Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@Davbot44, Should be a blog vote, what is more likely … a bad minor penalty or fighting to a draw (or worse) and clapping his hands on the way to the box. I say “B”
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Great, now a bunch of “Westy hater” posts…
Go #19 – Please lay someone out or score a goal tonight. I would love it!
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@KingsGuy, both would be better!
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Tommy Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
@KingsGuy, A true kings fan wouldn’t hate on any player. I’d like to see all these haters go out on the ice and do his job. Westy is a warrior in my opinion and gives it 100% every game.
I’m with you KingsGuy Hope he lays someone out tonight!
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KingsGuy Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@Tommy, Exactly…
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LicoriceBiscuit Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@Tommy, Well stated Tommy
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Gonna be a battle tonite boys.
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Wow…I travel a lot for work and my boss nEver makes showing up for my job “optional”.
I hope they stop talking about there trip and move on With the season.
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tantrum4 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@yetiman_oc,
And when you get to your job while on the road do you skate 7 days a week and have to take hits, punches and sticks from 230 pound men skating as fast as they can? No? Hmm, can’t imagine why your boss doesn’t make your job “optional”.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@tantrum4,
Don’t forget angry haters yelling at you that you screwed up, while you’re working at your job!
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DesertKing Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@tantrum4,
LOL, you sound like Kareem in “Airplane”
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KingVern Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@yetiman_oc, That might just be the lamest post I’ve ever read on here. Cool, you travel a lot. Are the buffet lines at the Holiday Inn express FULL CONTACT?
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linny Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@KingVern, Really ? You probably haven’t been around long
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so I guess this will be the norm for the season. platooning these guiys when a “heavy” is needed. i assume bisonette is playing…
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kovalking96 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@tornado12,
If that were true then he would have played against the blues and not against the flyers. It seems to more like 1 game in 1 game out.
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xeropoint Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@tornado12, For all the hooplah surrounding the issue, it’s a wash to me between Westgarth and Hunter spotting the 4th line. Hunter has shown the ability to finish and is a big body but I’m guessing it will take more time for him to get his game back, if it ever does.
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Nice number for an optional skate.
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I’m sure we’ll see some double shifting out there tonight as well… be it due to PK or PP time, or whatever…
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tornado12 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@Stuart, I hope so…step on their necks TM…
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@tornado12,
Love that line!
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Hopefully Westgarth can pound someone into oblivion this game. Other than his 5 minutes of ice time can go to someone else who can add to the score sheet.
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@tacomakingsfan,
“other than that”
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Capt Jam Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@tacomakingsfan,
Ha! I initially your handle read ‘taco making kings fan’ and thought, what genius! Then I looked at it a second time and realized it’s time for lunch.
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Perro Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@Capt Jam, I thought that was his handle till you pointed out outherwise. Thought maybe he worked at a taco place or something.
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Dominick Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@Capt Jam, I actually never looked at his handle and put that together. Absolutely hillarious since I’ve been calling him Tacoma. LMAO!
Now I’m gonna start calling him Taco!
[Reply]
tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Dominick,
HAHA you guys are hilarious! Someone already posted that awhile back but I never really paid attention to my handle. I actually do live in Tacoma, WA and I do have experience making tacos so I guess its a win win situation for me.
Stuart Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@Capt Jam, it wasn’t until earlier today that I thought the same thing!!! LMAO I’ve been to a few parties where there’s been taco making guys and I thought of all of them, none ever struck me as kings fans LOL OMG that was hilarious that I wasn’t alone!
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I wish they would sort out the second and third line, they are struggling… and from what I have seen this might work :
gagne/kopi/williams
moreau/richards/lewis -(moved from center)
penner/stoll/brown
clifford/richardson/hunter
seems to me with this line up teams would have to worry about 3 lines
anyways I hope we curb-stomp the yotes tonite SCREW YOU SHANE DOAN !!!!
[Reply]
kovalking96 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@CTD,
No way Brown plays on the 3rd line and Moreau and Lewis are not scoring line forwards at this point. If anything switch Richardson and Penner, Richardson can produce and has proved it before. And I think skating with his old oiler teammates in Stoll and Moreau might help Penner out, plus they could use his size on the checking line.
[Reply]
CTD Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@kovalking96,
somethings got to be done, I didn’t even consider the angles you posed at all. I was just looking at it from a chemistry point, not so much 1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd line or who’s a scoring forward or checking forward. I guess this is one of the problems with having a bunch of talent to fit together. wouldn’t mind seeing that stoll moreau penner line
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Stuart Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@CTD, how dare you say DB on the 3rd line!! (sarcasm) Someone should be jumping you soon…
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Weasel Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@CTD,
Wow, okay, but let’s not make too many line changes after a 5-0 win!
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CTD Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@Weasel,
maybe after 10 5 – 0 wins but lets face it, the first line is doing the heavy lifting
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Okay, Westie, the time has come for you to do something that is PRODUCTIVE towards the team winning this game. Otherwise, keep the reporters company in the press box….for the rest of the season.
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Take him out. Seriously. Hunter has done nothing wrong in his game play.
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Haters gonna hate. There’s a reason Westie got a 2yr contract. Hope he finds a willing “Biz” on the ice tonight.
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lakingsfan10 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@Nickdoh, Nick you SOB, we miss you on hockeyfights.com! We all thought you died.
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brymaster1 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@lakingsfan10, he is still alive!
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Nice.. Biz is in tonight and last year Biz ran around when Westgarth wasn’t in the game. Westgarth did get a solid win against Biz last year after feeding him some uppercuts.
Westie said he will be looking for Biz tonight.
Go Westie. Don’t listen to the haters!
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LicoriceBiscuit Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
@lakingsfan10, Are you “lakingsfan19″ on Hockeyfights.com?
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Westgarth seems like a very nice, intelligent guy and I don’t mean to disrespect him. But I don’t think he belongs in the NHL. Of the players with over 100 penalty minutes last year only 2 didn’t score a goal, Etic Godard (who also doesn’t belong in the league) and Westgarth. Godard only played in 19 games, Westgarth in 55.
I get the whole ‘heavyweight’ argument. But Parros (for example) scores on 9% of his shots. He contributes some offense. Westgarth is still looking for his first goal. Sometimes the whole Philly connection, Broadstreet Kings thing frustrates me. Somehow Detroit and Pittsburgh seem to get by without someone who’s sole NHL level skill is to punch someone in the face. It doesn’t seem to have hurt their ability to win Stanley Cups.
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variable Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@Donald_S,
it would be nice for him to produce a bit more for the five minutes a game he gets, but as long as he’s moving his legs and playing responsible, westy is gonna get a few games in every month…the kings believe that his physical presence and intimidation factor have more team value than his offensive/defensive capabilities…until dl/tm are forced to change philosophies due to the league eventually eliminating fighting, the role of the enforcer will always be a role filled on the kings roster….
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RobSD Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@variable,
They will not eliminate fighting, it’s pArt of the game. Would they eliminate ugly shorts from golf? (Greene & scuds)
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variable Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@RobSD,
i wouldn’t be so positive about that…the deaths of boogard, rypien and belak have the league seriously considering new rules and have increased the popularity and plausibility in eliminating fighting…although it might be several seasons away from commencing, i think fighting will be eventually phased-out…
do i believe there’s a need for fighting in today’s game…?…it’s hard to say, but i tend to think that watching physically tough-checking teams gives you a better product and is more enjoyable than rock’em, sock’em robots…but i also have an appreciation for what enforces do, too…
variable Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@RobSD,
“what enforcers do, too…” it should read…
wavesinair Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@variable,
I make a sharp distinction between fighting and enforcers. Don’t you?
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variable Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@wavesinair,
yes…i do, too…
and i think that’s where the league has a tough decision to make – how to make and police the distinction…i think that’s exactly what they are trying to figure out…but there is a growing faction of league officials that are starting to sway towards the side of eliminating fighting altogether…and that reaction is more the result of the recent off-ice tragedies that have intensified the spotlight on the issue…
i don’t think you can eliminate fighting from the game…there are some legitimate reasons for it to have some type of presence in the game…however, you can certainly make the penalties and suspensions harder and longer to make gm’s/coaches shy away from making it a roster factor…and i think the nhl is leaning towards a league where enforcers are gone and fighting is at a minimum…
wavesinair Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@vdog
“enforcers are gone and fighting is at a minimum”
I like the sound of that.
Belexes Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@Donald_S,
You do realize that Godard played with Pittsburgh last year? You do realize that Steve McIntyre plays with the Pens this year? You do realize that not all players are looked on to score goals?
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BluLiner Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Donald_S, I am sure the guys on the bench appreciate Westgarth’s presence and want him in the game keeping the goons off their back.
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Dan H. Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
@Donald_S,
I just wonder if TM said with a straight face how important the Pacific Division games were then mentioned he’s putting his worst player in the lineup that limits the 4th line to miniscule minutes like this…..after a 5-0 beating of a decent team I don’t think you should touch the lineup…but I’m not TM that has the 70′s mentality that you need stone hands in the lineup.
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Belexes Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@Dan H.,
Once again,
1. TM doesn’t roll 4 lines. Get used to it.
2. Westgarth’s point totals are the same as Hunters.
3. You think Hunter would be getting those late game minutes in a close game?
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fsd1 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@Dan H., Whatever
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brymaster1 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@Donald_S, It was also his first year in the NHL, calm down bro.
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jason Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
@Donald_S, i could care less if the 4th line scores, as long as they play solid and dont allow goals against
As far as I’m concerned, i’ve noticed westy more than Hunter this season.. Except for hunters shots from the red line lol
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bobknob Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@Donald_S,
lol. Pittsburgh was one of the toughest teams in the league last year. Nice try with that one.
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Westie stats tonight: 5:23 on ice, 7 minutes in penalties, 5 hand claps after the fight. Only reason I like Westie in is because maybe Kopi gets some more double shifts. Other than that, how is this guy even on an NHL roster.
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Jay GoLAKings Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@iekingfan71, I predict 4 claps & 2 swings of the hair back…
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Lake Forest Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@iekingfan71, hahahahahaha for a second there i was like “hand claps”???…what do you mean
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@iekingfan71, Yeah we should just eliminate fighting and only put scorers on the ice. Or we should keep fighting in the game, not play Westie and have the other team use our players as punching bags…or we can play Westie, have him support our players and kick some butt. Geez the guy plays 5 minutes. We are not going to lose the game because of Westgarth.
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fsd1 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, can’t convince the trolls of that…..
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RobSD Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@fsd1,
YEAH! Trolls!!! Lol
bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@fsd1, In all honesty, with Simmer gone, we have only two players that can win a fight on the team. Even without Westie sitting out half the games, I think that puts us at a disadvantage against all teams in our division, (toughness wise)
It’s nice that Penner jumped in but that’s not his forte and we are going to get players hurt doing that. It would be nice to have a tough guy that plays regular minutes.
CB14 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@fsd1, Just because you disagree with someone’s point of view, doesn’t mean they are a troll.
Dan H. Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@iekingfan71,
don’t forget the 6-7 rib punches while forgeoing punching someone in the face.
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regulate Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@iekingfan71,
Westgarth clapping after fights is the most bush league, amateur hour stunt I have ever scene at an NHL rink. If he would at least act like a pro, I could almost stand to have him on the team.
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regulate Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@regulate,
Oops, meant seen….
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I like westy being in the lineup tonight!!.. pacific div. teams are big and ugly! so we put dis guy in to make us look bigger and uglier!!.. the pacific teams are going to run our best players! I WONT BE SURPRISED.. if westy is in every pacific div. game we play this season!, and if him and cliffy fight in every one of those games! the way i see it, is we scare these other teams now! we are going to need westy to play like a champ if we are ever going to be!.. so im all for it!! GKG!!!
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Not much difference between Hunter, and Westy because of the minutes they play. I do find it interesting that TM inserts Westy in for size, but Westy does not play a heavy game. He wants an enforcer, but wants Westy to play a responsible game. He wants to intimidate, but doesn’t want Westy taking penalties for agitating. He doesn’t hit, he doesn’t run the goalie, and he doesn’t make life hell for any of the smaller players on the ice to force a fight with the bigger players.
TM needs to change Westies MO if he’s ever gonna get what he’s looking for out of Westy. Love Penners nasty streak so far, but Penner shouldn’t find it easier than Westy to find a willing combatant.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@Dominick, What an excellent post. I have felt the same things about Westgarth but didn’t know how to vocalize it. If he is in their for a job, let him do his job.
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Dan H. Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@Dominick,
I think the Kings have shown sufficient ball size when someone gets smoked. Penner stood up for Doughty nicely ( Westgarth wouldn’t have been on the ice or gone for that guy later on), Clifford stands up nicely and the other players have shown a team mentality about all of this. Westgarth’s non checks, 747 style wide turns, and stupid penalties (although not as bad as Ivanans) aren’t needed.
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@Dan H., Off topic but Greene’s got to take the dumbest penalties on our team. He loves the interference and holding penalties everytime a player makes a move on him with speed. That drives me crazy. I still love his physical style of play and his work ethic but you can’t take the same penalty every game and not learn from it, can you?
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von_swine Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, Greene has looked pretty slow so far. guys are getting around and away from him too easy. he’s great as a bottom 3 D-man, but is getting exposed pretty badly on the top half. he needs a pay cut.
fsd1 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Dan H., I get it, you dont like him….and you dont think teams need a fighter. ad naseum
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Dan H. Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@fsd1,
ad nauseum going right back at you. I’m allowed to have an opinion and I don’t call anyone out in a personal manner so thanks for remembering me I guess. I don’t see any value added and I know TM disagrees with me…but I still have my opinion that he’s a waste of a roster spot.
tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Dan H.,
The only time I see him needed is if there is a heavyweight in the other team. At the same time, teams like Detroit hasn’t really had one for years and still are leading their division. I for one don’t mind Westgarth as much but I wish he could round out his game more to be a positive factor.
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trytodethroneus Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@tacomakingsfan,
The fear of the detroit power play is enough of a deterrent.
Unfortunately, ours isn’t there (yet)
Belexes Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@Dan H.,
” Penner stood up for Doughty nicely ( Westgarth wouldn’t have been on the ice or gone for that guy later on)”
The Flyers game was a great one, you should have watched it!
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@Dan H.,
“747 style wide turns”
LOL. Good one.
With all our depth, I just hope we keep seeing as little as possible from a player who adds nothing to the team so far.
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variable Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@Dominick,
i agree, DOM…well said…
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bbb7 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@Dominick, Agree 100%; Westy is an enforcer who doesnt enforce. He never runs a skilled guy on the other team (tho the fact he couldnt catch them is probably a deterrent to that) and force the opponent’s enforcer to come to his aid; all his fights are staged ones off of faceoffs. How do those ‘intimidate’ anyone else on the opposition? They should poll the opponents players, “Do you ever avoid a heavy check on Kopi or Williams or Gagne or Johnson because Westgarth is on the bench intimidating you?” I doubt it.
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Dominick Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
@bbb7,
I agree with you totally. I think on the fact of him not matching up against the other teams top players is moot though. Penner wasn’t fighting their best forward out there after DD got hit, he was fighting a bottom 6 player at best.
Westy is going to be on the ice, and the other team is going to try and get there best offensive players out there against him when ever they can, because that gives them the best chance to score. It’s called mismatches, and both sides try to do that.
Westy as a player is useless, because he can’t keep up with the pace of the game against skilled players. Westy as an agitator works, because it gets them to concentrate on something other than using that skill.
Force the other team to deal with you, and you won’t have to beg players to fight you. I don’t necessarily blame Westy, because he’s oding what is asked of him by TM.
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Dominick Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@bbb7, Just want to add that Rinaldo had 331 PIM’s in the AHL last season, which should show what type of game he brought to that game. His job was to stir it up.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@Dominick,
1. “TM needs to change Westy’s MO if he’s ever gonna get what he’s looking for out of Westy.”
2. “I don’t necessarily blame Westy, because he’s doing what is asked of him by TM.”
Never the two shall meet…
If Westgarth is doing what is asked of him by TM, then by definition, TM is getting what he’s looking for out of Westy.
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Dominick Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@wavesinair, Point well taken. LOL
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variable Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@wavesinair,
good catch…
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wavesinair Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
@dom,
Which begs the question: What is TM doing with him?
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In this year’s Kings Media Guide, Kevin Westgarth said he wears jersey # 19 because he models his game after Steve Yzerman. I can’t wait to see him get his first NHL goal, then lookout NHL…
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@Chris,
Interesting.. In what way, shape or form does he model his game after Yzerman?? Maybe off the ice but I’m clueless to see it on ice.
[Reply]
Chris Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@tacomakingsfan,
I agree… Maybe it’s the hair… or maybe he’s a late bloomer…. I had to read that twice and I laughed louder each time.
[Reply]
Belexes Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
@Chris,
Yes and the Kings “top sniper” Scott Parse has 12 more career goals than Westgarth.
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Stuart Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@Belexes, LMAO! zing!
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SLIM Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@Belexes,
Hextall the goalie has more goals than Westy…
I just find that funny.. No hate for Westy..
[Reply]
Belexes Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@SLIM,
point well taken!
We are winning, lets all stop complaining who is in or out. Just imagine 20-1-0-1 as a start…………..
go westie go, hell go beer sellers go, who cares just keep winning isn’t that what it is all about?????
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Whip your hair ‘Garth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymKLymvwD2U
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the moment any opposing player takes a run at one of our top-6, all these trolls will be screaming for payback. And, where do they supposed it should come from?
DP? So he can hurt his knee again and not score goals and then hear how he is worthless?
KFC? He can’t take on the league all by himself, although, he would surely try.
MG? He will drop the gloves but really shouldn’t. He is better using his elbows.
MR? Don’t take him lightly, but i think we all prefer he not fight unless it is absolutely necessary.
TH? He will scrap but he was not brought in to be an enforcer.
EM? He really doesn’t fight so much as he wrestles.
so that leaves KW. So let him do his job and watch Biz avoid him all night long.
[Reply]
Belexes Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@miracle.on.manchester, <— Hey, I like this guy!
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@miracle.on.manchester, +1
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@miracle.on.manchester, So if a player other than Bisonette takes a run at a King, Westy will challenge the guy? When was the last time he fought anyone other than the other team’s fighter?
[Reply]
miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@bbb7, The point being that KW will take on the other teams’ enforcer (Biz, for tonight) while the rest of Kings can take on the rest, if necessary. Tell me which player on the Yotes who would be willing to take on KFC, MR or MG?
Not only would these guys handle their business but I am pretty sure it would harm the Yotes’ offense more than the Kings 5 minutes (or more) at a time.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@miracle.on.manchester, Did you miss the Philly game? Westie had his chance for revenge on Rinaldi, and failed to do so. There goes any credibility Westy had as an enforcer at all.
P.S. Can we please stop with calling people trolls? I’m not a troll, and neither is anyone else complaining about Westy playing. We’re all simply voicing our opinions on Westy’s game, just like you did. You didn’t see anyone calling you a troll did you?
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
@CB14, In a tight game, I am sure Tm had orders for KW not to do something dumb that could tilt the momentum into Philly’s favor as DP had already taken care of business.
If it was a blowout one way or the other, then who knows how things would have turned out with “revenge” tactics, which is not what TM would want in a tied game.
As for the term trolls, it was loosely thrown out and I imagine it could only offend those that it could offend.
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CB14 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
@miracle.on.manchester, Ok, but then why have him out there in the first place if he can’t take a penalty? Rinaldi isn’t going to fight someone 50 pounds heavier than him willingly.
“loosely thrown out and I imagine it could only offend those that it could offend”, what does that mean? It sounds like you’re still saying anyone who thinks Westy shouldn’t be playing is a troll. Am I reading that wrong? Again, just because you disagree with someone else’s opinion, doesn’t make them a troll. By your logic I should be calling you a troll. But i’m not, because you aren’t, and neither is anyone on this site who thinks Westy shouldn’t be playing tonight.
Keep it rolling boys. No opinion on westy except I think I like hunter a tad more.
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Press Box Scratch Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@jess, The good news is if we are debating our 12th forward then things must be ok …
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As much as i love Westgarth I would leave Hunter in because he can be one of those guys once he gets comfortable hes gonna score some goals and Westie is there mostly for physical play when Hunter can do both. Hopefully Hunter has a chance a lot more instead of getting taken out every other game
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Westy has improved his game. He’s not a top 9 guy by any means, but he keeps up with the play and in my view no longer a real liability for the few minutes he’s out there. There’s not going to be much of a difference Hunter vs Westy.
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Westy gets the call because of Bissonette plain and simple. it’s better to have your HW ready to go and not need him, than not have him and watch guys get mugged or hurt trying to fight someone out of their league/weight class. Westy might take another season to really get up to NHL caliber fighting on a nightly basis,and there’s no shame in that. not everyone is Troy Crowder or Tony Twist who shows up drilling already established league heavies form the get go.(Crowder being called up for the playoffs vs.Boston was EPIC!)
anyways, we’re not Detroit (thank god), and DO play Westy from time to time,…just deal with it! Go Kings! ~ Von S.
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The Westgarth criticisms are tedious.
Of course he does his job or he wouldn’t have gotten the new contract.
The bigger part of his job is really being prepared to do it — deterrence, in other words.
This is the part none of us sees, the preparation he puts in. Because Westgarth is prepared, he doesn’t have to have a fight every game he plays, or even most games he plays, but he does have to be prepared to have a fight and handle himself appropriately once he is in it.
Everyone who boxes, knows martial arts, or has a job working with the biggest weapons of the military, understands almost instinctively this last-line-of-defense philosophy.
Until no other NHL teams have heavyweight fighters, Westgarth has a place on this team and I am glad to see him get in tonight.
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@pumpernicholl, Indeed, sir! Indeed!
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Chris Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@pumpernicholl,
Hey Westie lets see your Steve Yzerman impression….
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fsd1 Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@pumpernicholl, +1
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Belexes Reply:
October 20th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@pumpernicholl,
Bernie shoots! HE SCORES!!
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