Drew Doughty is back on the ice for practice, albeit in a yellow jersey that likely designates him as a “no-contact” player, but I’ll get a further update on that after practice.
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get;em byz!
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Looking forward to tomorrow night. Kings will get their revenge! Take your time DD…we want you @ 100%!
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Im pleasantly surprised at how well we are doing without Doughty…just goes to show that we are still a stacked team without him and could have challenged for the cup regardless. Im not sayin Drew doesnt make us better because he does for sure but we would have been just fine without him.
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Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 10:57 am
@BrokeKingsFan, not over 82 games. 3 or 4 maybe, but that would hurt for 1/2 a season.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@Dominick,
Agreed. There really is no question about Doughty > Voynov. And that’s not a knock on Voynov.
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rick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:44 am
@Dominick, Agreed. Doughty is a special talent. He is an upgrade over anyone else we could put in his place (yes – even Voynov).
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KC23 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:58 am
@Dominick, imho, we haven’t seen the best of DD … its yet to come.
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King Alex Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I am glad we don’t have to find out. We will be a better team with DD on the ice.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Voynov has stepped up eh? i’m psyched to have such a young d man in the organization with so much skill. it’s awesome knowing we have such depth and talent if anyone goes down with an injury. in my opinion voynov could be a starter in the nhl. we miss doughty of course, but there is no need to rush things. if he’s hurt, he’s hurt. once he’s back to 100%, we’ll have another powerhouse in the lineup. f ya kings!!
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If Doughty’s not 100% I hope the Kings staff keeps him out while he heals up. Its not like The Kings are playing poorly without him right now
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pr0cess Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@408kingsfan, Kiss of death… thanks
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It will be interesting to see if Doughty plays tomorrow or not. Personally, I wouldnt change the lineup and send Voynov down until we lose, in other words, ride that horse for all its worth.
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KingsGuy Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@puck73, Agreed – Even that 4th line with Westy lookin good…
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KC23 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:59 am
@puck73, I bet DD is going stir crazy having to watch.
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Has Voynov done enough to supplant Martinez??? Or at least enough to force a trade of some sort?
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Shotongoal Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 10:54 am
@VanKingsFan, NO!!! Stop the trade talk please! Martinez ain’t going anywhere. This team is SET right now. Sit back, relax, enjoy and take it all in.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 10:56 am
@Shotongoal, its getting ridiculious lol
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luuc Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 10:55 am
@VanKingsFan,
I see no reason for a trade at this point. unless there is a deal on the table that gives us an asset we really need (and there are not too many weaknesses on this team right now). Otherwise, you might as well keep those two rotating in and out of the lineup. No need to send away any depth unless you are getting great value in return, or are in a situation where you will lose them for nothing. If we see any of them moved, my guess is it will be closer to the trade deadline.
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KingsGuy Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@luuc, Only, thing could make us a little more lethal, is another bonafide scorer.
Although, on TM’s D system I don’t know that it would matter all too much…
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DesertKing Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 10:59 am
@VanKingsFan,
Brett Favre is still available
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Lake Forest Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:08 am
@DesertKing, I guess now that Heidi is gone, it wouldn’t hurt…..No picture of junk being sent to anyone.
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puck73 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:03 am
@VanKingsFan, Heard you are comimg in on the 5th for the Pittsburgh game. Contact me at mikebrnstn@gmail.com and I will give you my cell number and make sure you are taken care of while you are here. I will be at that game, and some of us on the site will be hanging out after that game. Get a hold of me and I will introduce you to many people on this site…Talk to ya soon, and enjoy your time down here!
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Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:04 am
@VanKingsFan, Equal value. We don’t have any holes to fill in the line up right now, and we can’t take on any more capspace. Martinez makes 0.73 mill, and the Kings couldn’t find that kind of depth at another position for that price that would be an upgrade for the team. Martinez is a 6th right now, and a damn good one (even by NHL standards).
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CB14 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@Dominick, Agree. Nothing happens until we have a need, which we don’t right now. God it feels good to say that! I can’t remember ever saying that about the Kings before.
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Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@CB14,
I agree. I think this is the first time we went into a season with depth even at our replacement positions in case of injury.
Before we usually entered the season with a full compliment, but would be screwed if we sustained any key injuries. In the short term, I can’t think of 1 position that we couldn’t make up for in a pinch.
miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:05 am
@VanKingsFan, Slow down!
There is no need nor rush to move any players. Let VV continue to develope (even if it is in Manchester) and for the rest of the d-men to roll as is. What AM, DD44 and VV provide is depth as does Lokti and maybe even Fraser (when he returns). This season will be long and hopefully an additional 4 series may call for as much depth as possible. No team makes it through an 82-game without man-games being missed.
From a player’s point of view, VV would like to be here now. From a franchise point of view, VV is on a need-to-use basis – for now.
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silver n black Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:06 am
@VanKingsFan, LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY. Since VOYNOV has been in the lineup, THERE HASN’T BEEN A SINGLE GOAL SCORED!
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variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:07 am
@VanKingsFan,
it doesn’t matter…
voynov doesn’t have to clear waivers…drewiske and martinez do have to clear and they won’t because they are both nhl-ready players who can contribute on most teams immediately…
it’s not a question of voynov’s talent and potential at this point…he should…and will…be sent down for this reason alone…
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trytodethroneus Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:19 am
@variable,
Just like when we picked up Quincey from detroit off waivers, and later used him in the ryan smyth trade.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:12 am
@VanKingsFan, Just to clarify, I wasn’t suggesting a trade is what we should do; just throwing the question out there.
I just think Voynov is too good for the AHL anymore. I personally do not really like DD2 and think that Martinez and Voynov should be 6 and 7 respectively.
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puck73 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:18 am
@VanKingsFan, I think Voynov can definately play in the NHL consistently as well. Unfortunately for him, we have too much depth at the moment and he is the only one that will clear waivers. Still, I wouldnt take Voynov out of the lineup, or for that matter change the lineup until we lose.
BTW, did you get my email address above?
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:23 am
@puck73, Check your email
Shakes Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:26 am
@VanKingsFan,
Let’s not forget that we tend to value our assets higher than other people (rightly or wrongly). In other words, when we look at Martinez we see all of his steady play and great upside, when another GM looks at him they probably see someone that is worth either a prospect or a 3rd/4th line player. Frankly we have enough high caliber young AHL players who may be on the fringe of making it into the NHL soon.
I’m not saying he shouldn’t be worth more, but just that for that type of return it doesn’t seem like there’s any cost/benefit upside in trading him. (putting aside the subjective element of me just liking him in a Kings uniform). Moreoever I think there is more to be gained from trades in the weeks/days preceding the trading deadline, not in the first week of the season when everyone, no matter how bad their start* is still in it.
* okay so maybe Columbus is out already… I don’t see them putting on a Devils-esque streak to make at least a run for it.
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jenny Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:38 am
@Shakes, There is a lot of hockey to be played still, and you never know how injuries may play out this season. Lets keep our depth in tact. Everything will be sorted out as need be in the future. Remember we’ve only played 7 games of 82 and we’re 5 – 1 -1 I don’t see a reason to panic yet lol.
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KC23 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@VanKingsFan, That’s the beauty of it all … we’re not forced to do a dam thing. We can just sit and wait for another GM to call with an offer we can refuse.
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KC23 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@KC23, … we *CAN’T refuse …
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Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
@KC23, Agreed. Let someone else overpay to force our hand.
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King Alex Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@VanKingsFan, Voynov is going back down. No trades, no placing any other player through waivers. Get used to having depth. There is no reason for change just to change. It’s a long season and we have just started.
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@VanKingsFan,
No not at all.. Why does everyone one want to trade our guys? It took DL this long to build our team the right way to only trade a ONCE prospect to make room for another prospect?? People need to relax and enjoy the show.
Plus.. this not directed only at you but also to all others who just wants to tinker with the team. No offense by the way.
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Your slackin Rich. Waves already called it on the last thread. lol
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@Dominick,
Rich was eating a doughnut!
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wavesinair Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Kingsfanone,
Really, I think he was! LOL.
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Martinez is doing just fine….
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Practice update: 4th line same too…
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wavesinair Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 10:59 am
Btw…the 5th line looks really good. Yes, the 5th line!
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DesertKing Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:05 am
@wavesinair,
Dang, $7 million a year and DD becomes his own line! He scores and he plays D, just want you want froma 5th line.
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variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:10 am
@wavesinair,
the 5th line…?
is that like a seventh sense…?
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:18 am
@variable,
This team is stacked!
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wavesinair Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:23 am
@variable,
It’s insane. Parse/Fraser/Hunter
Legit line.
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variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:28 am
@wavesinair,
is that tm of ours getting a lil’ giddy…?
how’s fraser looking…?
can we put tradegate ’11 to rest…?
wavesinair Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
I think Fraser looks good. He’s a big dude who has proven he can score and throw down. I still think he’d be a great fit centering the 4th line. I love Lewis but I’d like to see Fraser take a crack at that position.
Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@variable, Not till DL gets some money back. The value with clearing Smyth was worth it, but DL’s a man of principle. He made a deal, and they short changed him. It very well might of cost us Holloway, so I think DL’s not gonna let it go till he gets something.
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variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
@Dominick,
the last i heard of anything happening was that the nhl threw out the kings grievance claim against the oilers…
Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@variable, That would make sense too. I haven’t heard much since the Kings filed. I still think DL will remember it, and give Tambelweenie the buisiness first chance he gets.
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I like Martinez. I think Drewiske is the odd man out. I cant wait to see this team play again with DD. He takes a lot on this site, but I still don’t have a problem with how he handled his contract negotiations. He didn’t miss any games because of it. I would’ve done the same thing in his position.
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i find it hard to believe that there’s anyone out there thinking that the return of drew doughty doesn’t make us a legitimate top 5 team in the league…
i know were are not used to it, but the moderate success the team has had early on is only going to intensify the media spotlight on us since most preseason predictions already had us going deep into the playoffs…
as i said yesterday, is it a disappointment if the team doesn’t match or beat last year’s 12-3 start…?…how the team plays during the next eight games will answer that question…
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:13 am
@variable, Agreed.
And if the Kings could avoid that slump they went through shortly after, then they will be in much better position than last year. Hopefully, that experience coupled with the veteran experience brought in would have the Kings in a midset to prevent or minimize such long slumps.
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:14 am
@miracle.on.manchester, ***mindset
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@miracle.on.manchester, It’s not important that we “beat” the 12-3 start, it is more important that we play well consistently all year! No more extended slumps like last season.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:22 am
@VanKingsFan,
Bingo!
DesertKing Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:31 am
@VanKingsFan,
Excellent point!! That will help to keep pressure on the other teams to win also.
variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:22 am
@miracle.on.manchester,
yep…and that’s the part of the schedule that i’m waiting for to see if this team is really gonna be any different than past teams…we haven’t really achieved anything yet…
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:32 am
@variable, Indeed.
And as giddy as we all are, there will be many more tests and trials for the Kings to pass. And, as they do, we the fans will become even more giddier and the Kings will become even better.
But while the Kings go through those trials and struggle, many will be ready to eat one another and proclaim the season is lost.
Let us just hope that it will all be a learning process that will eventually result in the ultimate achievement – LSC!
JW Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:16 am
@variable, I would rather have us stay under the radar and have one of the commintator like Weeks be surprised that the Kings are in the Stanley Cups finals, they don’t even have a top 10 goalie
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:21 am
@variable,
If we go 10-3-2 to start the season, we’re on track for 120pts. I’m sure people will compare whatever we end up at… 13-1-1? 9-5-1? whatever, to last year’s start, but what really matters is consistency throughout the year. If we’re consistent, a 120pt season isn’t such a crazy idea (Vancouver had 117 last year).
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KC23 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@kingsxstevenxkings, I want what your smokin if you think anyone is gonna get 120 pts this year.
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CB14 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:27 am
@variable, I don’t think it is. As long as we don’t go through 2 long losing streaks like last year, we’ll be fine.
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Stuart Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:59 am
@CB14, I think as long as we never lose 3 in a row…at any point!
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KC23 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
@variable, Oh yeah, if we’re 11 – 3 – 1 its time to make some changes.
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….Yellow jersey……it could also mean that Doughty’s leading the Tour De France….
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:19 am
@PaulHB, Or DL is testing a new 3rd jersey?
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@PaulHB, Are you suggesting that Doughty is taking PED’s?
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kingsxstevenxkings Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:22 am
@VanKingsFan,
Performance Enhancing Doughnuts?
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:35 am
@kingsxstevenxkings, Classic!
Kingsfanone Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@PaulHB,
Hilarious!
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variable Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:25 am
@PaulHB,
hehe…as long as he doesn’t get a yellow card, he should be a-o-k….
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DesertKing Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:32 am
@PaulHB,
Why is he wearing a Predators home jersey?
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@DesertKing, He’s gonna be wearing the Aliens one vs the Predators.
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DesertKing Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@Dominick,
I just hope he can move that fast laterally.
Side Note if you havent read this yet;
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=597225
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KC23 Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@SplattDaddy, Love reading the comments from other hockey fans around the league. Only the trolls dare say much against the Kings.
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I would hold him out until Sunday. I would prefer to not see him play in back to backs.
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Did I read that Bernier is getting the start tomorrow?? What happened to riding the hot hand? If it was a back to back situation I would understand. How do you sit Quick? I hope what I read was wrong.
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Niko Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@LetsDoThis, You read correct. Although I would love to see Quick continue to dominate, I think he has earned himself a break. JB has yet to start at Staples, or in the country for that matter. With NJ not being in our division, or conference, it’s a good game for him to play. I think there are a couple division games coming up Quick should be rested for.
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I Agree with TM decision, If you think a little bit longer and emotions put aside it make good sense playing JB for tomorrow.
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