Willie Mitchell’s postgame thoughts…
(on Voynov’s play…)
MITCHELL: “I think he has played pretty well defensively, for a guy who is really young, and it’s nice to see him get rewarded with some offensive stuff, because I know that’s a big part of his game. We’ve seen that he moves the puck well, and he gets a couple nice shots at net tonight. It’s nice for him to get rewarded on that, because he did the things that you have to when you’re a young defenseman in the league. You come in and not try to do too much early on, just settle in and make sure you’re responsible for your partner, your teammates. I think he’s done that very well. He’s played great. I said in the preseason, after his first game, I think he’s ready to play.
“Obviously with his performance here, he’s making it really tough on the coaching staff and the management, that’s for sure. That’s what you’ve got to do. We’re pretty lucky to be in that spot. I played in Vancouver when Alex Edler broke in. I played with him that year and saw him mature and grow as a player. I’m seeing Slav kind of do the same things. It’s fun to be around that and fun to see guys grow their game and continue to be good for us. Like I said, he’s putting them in a tough situation.’’
Josh Hamilton is a beast
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chip Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 12:04 am
@DBking, Berkman
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DBking Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 12:13 am
@chip, touche my friend, touche
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If Willie Mitchell is sold, thats good enough for me.
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Socalr6 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
@puck73,
Risk Drewiskie to waivers. I want to keep this kid now
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Kevin Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
@Socalr6, drewiskie isn’t even playing so even by sending him down voynov isn’t going to have a spot. the only thing is a cap on dressed/scratched players that I don’t know, but drewiskie isn’t really going to change much besides maybe voynov playing a few games once in a while anyway and just sitting out and watching games instead of actually playing and improving in the AHL
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Perro Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 8:25 am
@Kevin, Sadly for Slava it’s true. Great dilema to have though.
Throughout the pre-season and the last five games I have been wondering if voynov is russian for “Drew who?”
RobSD Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
@Socalr6,
I think DD2 goes to wavers and you split games between Martinez and VV. I don’t know how they make this work but this kid deserves to be here.
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King Cobra Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 7:03 am
@RobSD, I will tell you how it can work. Trade Doughty and free up 7 million.
Alex Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
@Socalr6, Maybe Drewiskie and A.Martinez to Philadelphia for Hartnell. And Voynov stays. Philadelphia need to shed some cap space and they just lost Pronger to injury. Just a thought.
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CB14 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
@Alex, Hartnell makes too much money, wouldn’t fit under the cap.
Cricket Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
@Alex,
Hartnell has a 4.2 million dollar cap hit.
puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
@Alex, I would laugh my ass off if Dean took Holmgren to the cleaners yet again ! lol
petemagoop Reply:
October 29th, 2011 at 5:56 am
@Alex, Hartnell can’t skate 10 seconds before he falls down – philly can keep him
hapakid Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
@Socalr6, i feel yah.. ahow about send down Voynov, PLay the hell out of Drewiskie and hopefully he builds up his value.. Trade him for a #3 or #4rd pick… dunno.. something for something, not nothing for Starting Voynov…just saying… we can be a lil greedy, patient, season is early, team is solid, no need to panic or drastic moves yet… just saying… but damn, i like voynov too..
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ChiTownKingsFan Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 8:40 am
@hapakid, why would we ever play drewskie? We brought up voynov for a reason – we didn’t want to play drewskie!
Alex Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 8:48 am
@hapakid, $4.2 mil. cap hit? We have that. But you going to get a real power forward who knows where the net is, very physical big body and i beleive he is only 28/29 years old.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love hearing from Mitchell. You can tell he’s a smart guy and that he really thinks about what he’s saying.
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Mitchell is a class act…
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Our blue line is very well equipped..
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Unfortunately for Willie, his contract is up after this year, so he’s probably going to be the one to go after this year to make room for Slava.
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number 6 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
@Zamboni,
Totally disagree. They don’t play even remotely the same type of game.
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Zamboni Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
@number 6, I don’t want to see Mitchell go, I love him, but his contract’s up. Don’t see anyone else getting traded. No one else’s contract is up.
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Kings win, Ducks lose Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
@Zamboni, I agree, Ironic that Mitch is interviewed for Voynov’s coming out party!
Next year’s pairing:
JMFJ – DD8
Scuds – Slava
A-Mart – Greener
Evens out the pairings r/l shooters… Hate to lose Mitch, but we need his money to sign Parise
puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
@Zamboni, We dont have a ton of stay at home d men that are NHL ready. If I was Dean, I would try and extend this guy at least another 2 years.
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Moondoggie Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
@puck73, Agreed. The Kings are a much different team without him. Scuds & Mitch are rock solid, stay at home D’s…..
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RobSD Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
@Moondoggie,
I agree. I think Greene goes. We need a trade or something.
By the way… JMFJ leads the Kings in plus minus! How awesome is that! Way to go JJ, keep it up. He has made a few blunders but nothing like the disasters he did last year. Nice to see.
Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:26 pm
@puck73, I agree I saw a stat that with Mitchell in they are something like 34-14-3 and with out him its like 12-17-3 or something to that affect lol
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Shotongoal Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
@puck73, Willie will be extended before he end of the season ……..Hopefully! Hey Puck at the El Rey watching the Lemonheads tonight. Remember them?
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
@Shotongoal, Your such a rocker dude !
Shotongoal Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
@Shotongoal, So the bloggers are ready to trade everyone to keep Slava up? Funny they wanted to do other horrible things after Sat game! Lol
Sorry I’m a little drunk! I’m very happy with this team in this first month of the season.
tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
@puck73,
Yes sir.. I don’t think anyone is comfortable to have Drewiske fill Mitchell’s shoes right now. Mitchell has the experience and the hockey sense that is way more valuable that bringing in youth to the system.
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
@tacomakingsfan, No question about it. Willie Mitchells tecnique is what hockey coaches all over try to teach, but very few can execute at the NHL level. The Kings record without Mitchell in the lineup speaks for itself.
Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
@tacomakingsfan, TACOmakingsfan, how are you on this fine afternoon?
tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
@Andrew: the second coming
Missed the game!! Got out of class late and had to go to the commissary to shop for some food Lol…. I wish I could’ve seen VV score them goals though.
BTW…. I’ve been working on my cardio to outrun you. Lol Beware!
Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
@tacomakingsfan, Lol like you said a bullet in the arsh;), That sucks I missed the first as well I got hom late and had to finsh up my midterm.College life is redonkulis.
Anjin Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
@Zamboni, we need to resign him. He’s a huge part of our defense.
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
@Zamboni, WM allows for DD or VV to be in the plays offensively while WM guards the house. He will most likely be re-signed especially if his concussion issues are in the past.
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King-C Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
@Zamboni, I don’t agree with that. Mitchell has been solid. It would be insane to not resign him. I’m thinking maybe it’s Green who goes.
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ziggyfan Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
@King-C, I don’t agree with you on Green being expendable. Green may take a few penalties but, he brings certain intangible to the Kings and to the locker room.
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Forum67 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
@ziggyfan,
Greene is here at least until his contract runs out.
Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
@ziggyfan, Who will stare down doughty during locker interviews?!?!?
IceGuy Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
@King-C,
I agree with you on this one, and I said it in August after I got a look at Voynov. Greener is on the bubble here. I honestly think A-Mart can be groomed to replace Matt Greene. Alec has demonstrated that he can be good as a stay at home D-man, and he can offer some offense as well. Yes, Greene is a character and he brings some leadership, but with the likes of Mitchell, Scuds, Richards, Gagne and Moreau in the room, his role is less “necessary”.
Mitchell – Doughty
Suds – JMFJ
Martinez – Voynov.
None of these guys is huge, but all of them are smart.
I’ll take that any day.
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Occupy Mitchell. We really need to bring him back next year. Other than Voynov, I don’t think we have any waiver exempt players. Maybe we should place our highest paid player on waivers so other teams would be discouraged from taking him and if they did, we would dump the salary. Oh, wait a minute…..
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CB14 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
@DesertKing, Hunter is as well, and I think Clifford is too.
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DesertKing Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:18 pm
@CB14,
Now the plot thickens.
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so sad Voynov is going down. Its hockey he will be up in not to long to stay.
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
@Andrew: the second coming, Your probably right, stay tuned. Oh, and check your email.
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DesertKing Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
@puck73,
Hey Puck, we are actually in 116 for the game on the 10th and not PR2, but we will do that Gretzky thing for sure and meet up.
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
@DesertKing, Sounds good D. King !
Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
@puck73, Done, also do you not have texting because it will not let me let you haha.
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Not to stir the pot or anything, but we have seen what JJ and Doughty can do when the play together. And JJ has certainly improved on his defensive play, so would it be likely to see
Doughty / Johnson
Voynov / Scuderi
Martinez / Mitchell or Greene (Mitchell is on last year of contract but if re-signed, Greene becomes weakest link. However he is one tough guy to play against and a great leader)
Anyway you slice this up it’s a tough decision for management, that’s for sure.
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
@EASportsMgt, Good post. I guess this is where Lombardi, Hextall, and Soloman really earn their money.
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CB14 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
@EASportsMgt, Funny, I was thinking the same thing. But I would have:
Johnson / Doughty
Mitchell / Voynov
Scuderi / Greene
Then again, it’s kind of insane to move JJ away from Scuderi given how great he’s played this year. Then again, Murray has said that he envisions JJ and DD playing together sooner or later. Then again, why mess with anything, keep everything the same and send VV down. Then again, VV has been GREAT and it would be insane to send him down. I have no idea what to do.
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Moondoggie Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
@EASportsMgt, Trade Martinez or DD2 for a pick?? Probably wouldn’t get much more than a 4th or 5th rounder….Thoughts??
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EASportsMgt Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
@Moondoggie, it all depends on when you trade. If you are saying right now then yeah you may not get a high pick. You trade later on, to a cap strap team, making the push to playoffs, who needs a young D puck mover with a low cap hit, well I would think DL can get a pretty high return. Possible 1st rounder especially to a team with 1st round picks or definitely a 2nd rounder. But as posted before, I wouldn’t do that and don’t think DL would either. At least I don’t think he will.
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RobSD Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
@EASportsMgt,
Duuuuuude. Greene’s forehead was gnarly!
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Kings win, Ducks lose Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
@EASportsMgt, as posted above, but probably better in this thread:
Ironic that Mitch is interviewed for Voynov’s coming out party!
Next year’s pairing:
JMFJ – DD8
Scuds – Slava
A-Mart – Greener
Evens out the pairings r/l shooters… Hate to lose Mitch, but we need his money to sign Parise
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King Cobra Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 7:14 am
@Kings win, Ducks lose, We do not want to lose Mitchell, the guy is way to key. I wold trade Green.
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Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
@EASportsMgt, So many line options for Tm, its like Rebbecca Black having to pick which seat she is going to take, Speaking of seat mannnnn there sure were tons of empty ones tonight.
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jet Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@EASportsMgt, Who is Doughty
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Anyone notice whos got the best plus minus so far? yes its johnson!
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
@albertakingsfan, Oh boy, I am going to get tarred and feathered ! At 25, maybe JJ has finally come into his own, we will see.
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DesertKing Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
@puck73,
we will make the feathers purple and gold.
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Shotongoal Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
@puck73, Remember what I told u first day of training camp Puck!?
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
@Shotongoal, Yes you did, and I said I will be a believer when I see consistency in his own end…so far so good.
Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
@Shotongoal, If you get hit one more time you are going to pee yourself?
Shotongoal Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:01 pm
@Shotongoal, Huh ?
Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
@Shotongoal, Slapshot apperently I failed at the quote.
Moondoggie Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
@albertakingsfan, JMFJ has been ripping it this year. He’s always been a good offensive defenseman but he’s been so strong on positioning on the D end this year. Frankly and with all due respect to the 7mil man, JMFJ has IMO been our best defenseman this year so far.
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Its easy…
Trade Green and Hickey and Penner or Parse for Parise.
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:31 pm
@hip- check, I know you mean well, but thats just not going to happen.
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hip- check Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
@puck73, I know it wont , but I can dream and send out hints . Smiles
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Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:34 pm
@hip- check, Parse has played one game with top 6 talent so far and has produced lets see if he can keep it up.
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tuan jim Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
@hip- check,
Parise will die in New Jersey. He will not be coming to the Kings.
Voynov will go back to Manchester, unless he replaces Martinez.
Period.
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Or choose between Hickey and Drewiske….And keep Voynev
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Moondoggie Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
@hip- check, I was thinking something of the same thing….Keep Hicks as your back-up to Slava. I know this sux, you can tell the players really like VV.
Same question I’ve asked before, how do you send Slava down?? He has played his heart out; everyone see how he threw the puck in then went in to the corner to set up the PP? The kid has great skill and plays like a veteran.
Glad I’m not DL….again!
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
@Moondoggie, Only Doughty has come into his own Quicker then Voynov. And lets be honest about JJ, the only reason he wasnt sent down to Manchester when he first got here is because we didnt have nearly the type of depth that we have now.
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Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
@puck73, I think that helped his game thou, He was such a man child his first year he didnt really understand the whole picture always tried to make the perfect pass. I think he learned from his mistakes.
Moondoggie Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 12:47 am
@puck73, Good call…JMFJ’s talent was pretty raw, he did make mistakes but the Kings depth at D was practically nil. Now…..
Still glad I’m not DL. I wouldn’t send down VV tho, there, I said it. You’ve gotta keep him up, he’s very good and the Kings need the offensive punch he brings. He’s not a bad defender either, is a good skater with excellent speed. As TM said, he has tremendous ice vision, especially for a 20 year old. And what a shot from the point, he shoots rockets!
Thought about it all nite, waive DD2, let Martinez take his spot in the press box and let Slava play.
I feel better, now I can get some sleep!
Thanks for all of your work Davis Drewiske….was nice knowing you and thanks for being a good guy to my kids when I met you at a signing. Best wishes for you on your next team.
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puck73 Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
@hipcheck, Dean Lombardi, is this you?
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hip- check Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
@hipcheck, hey pick another name dude…Ive asked u this before…
To clarify I posted then you just did. Ive had this name for a year. You are newbie , and I think it was you that tried toi copy as OC hipcheck
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
@hip- check,
You guys need to do what Andrew: the second coming did.. Fight to the DEATH!!!! FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!
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Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
@tacomakingsfan, I don’t always fight over my blog name, but when I do it is to the death;). Stay thirsty my friends.
hip- check Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 7:54 am
@tacomakingsfan, Smiles…I just hate when someone plagerizes….I think he is the same dude that tried to use hip check from OC…Where is our inhouse lawyer so we can get patent protection for a name haha.
My favorite check is the hip check hence the name. I love that in hockey and Ive attended kings games since 1972. So this other rookie can design a new name, I dont plan to give it up.
I dont want to be child like and rename as” hip-check the Original” . I simply want this other dude to go away.
RICH do you have a policy on such things?
Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@tacomakingsfan, Yes it is a blog fight to the death duh.
I’m so glad Voynov wsa rewarded for his smart playing the last few games. It’s so impressive for a young player to come in and not try and show off and impress in the offensive zone. He played
smart, waited for his chance — and was rewarded. I love it.
How about -
JMFJ / Doughty
Mitchell / Voynov (these two are awesome — keep them together)
Scuderi / Martinez
Greene
It improves our D while keeping Greene in the fold — he’s a pro who can step in at any time if needs be.
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Andrew: the second coming Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, Not saying I don’t like it but Greene has a A for a reason. He won’t be scrathed.
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Moondoggie Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 1:06 am
@CabbagesAndKings, I do like Mitchell/VV but I wouldn’t seat Greener….tonite wasn’t the first time he’s thrown his face in front of a puck. DD2 is the only way the Kings can keep Slava, I hate to say it but it’s the only way. Slava has too much talent to send him back to Manch and what better Dman to train him other than Mitchell??
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If Voynov keeps it up at this rate, Drew Doughty may be on the trading block???????
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AZ King Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 8:10 am
@King Cobra,
That’s a joke right?
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The energy VV brings is unquestionable. Plus, “Voynov” even just sounds more dangerous that “Drewiskie”
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Do you guys know anything about defensive pairings? You need one OFD and one stay-at-home defenseman to free up the offensive potential of the OFD and make sure you don’t get destroyed on a break-away/ give-away if you turn over the puck in neutral ice. Pairing Doughty and Johnson together on the power play is one thing – you’re playing a team with 1 man short, so defense takes a back seat. Sure johnson has improved his defensive game, but a pairing with doughty would be catastrophic. Not to mention the fact that having 2 OFD’s paired together will severely stifle the offensive contribution of both defensive, respectively.
Here are the correct pairings:
Doughty/Mitchell
Johnson/Scuds
Voynov/ Greene
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CabbagesAndKings Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 9:43 am
@ChiTownKingsFan, I thought Doughty did now how to play defense? Oh man, this is going to come as a serious blow to the organization.
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CabbagesAndKings Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 10:10 am
@CabbagesAndKings, *know how.
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Kings win, Ducks lose Reply:
October 29th, 2011 at 12:04 am
@ChiTownKingsFan, The bigger question is, Do YOU know anything about defensive pairings? You have 2 leftys on one line and two rightys on another! WRONG
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