Can Trent Hunter give the Kings what they’re searching for, in terms of secondary scoring? Hunter, signed to a one-year contract after he came to training camp as a non-roster player, has proven to be a former capable of scoring 12-20 goals in the post-lockout NHL. He had one goal in 17 games with the New York Islanders last season, before a serious knee injury, but had been a double-digit scorer in every full season before that. Hunter has zero goals and one assist in five games this season, and will be returning to the lineup after a five-game absence as a healthy scratch…
HUNTER: “I think part of it, when you are sitting out, is that you do have to focus a little bit more. When you do get that call, you want to be as mentally and physically ready as you can be. I think I’ve done a good job of staying ready, and I’m definitely ready to get back in and contribute as much as possible tonight.’’
Question: This line, with Clifford and Stoll, it’s two guys who can play in their own end but also score a little bit, right?
HUNTER: “Absolutely. You get Cliffy in there to crash and bang, and he’s got a great shot too. They’re both offensive guys, and Stolly creates a lot. Regardless of who you’re playing with, you always want to be good in your own end. You take care of your own end, and then the other end will hopefully take care of itself.’’
Go get um Hunter, have fun and play hard. ITs your time to shine tonight. GO KINGS
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TM’s biggest challenge right now is to get scoring from the third and 4th line.The first two lines are starting to click.The scoring from the defense will come…….Now it’s TM’s job to devolop the bottom six.Offensivly Cliffy,Lewis,Richardson,Maureau,Hunter and Stoll are getting worse. That needs to change before we really are contenders….
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Unfortunately for Richardson, Hunter only has to score a goal or get an assist and he will be statitically superior to Richie (and make TM look like he belongs in a Guiness commercial – “Brilliant!!”)
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Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@DesertKing, Well that tells you something about Richardson doesn’t it?
Sounds like you don’t want the Kings to succeed because that would mean success for Murray.
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DesertKing Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@Osaka,
Just the opposite. Ihave a lot of heart, emotion, time and money invested in being a Kings fan. It is something spcial to my kids and I that we get to enjoy together. It is a passion that is alway best enjoyed with “success.” I think you are confusing my negative comments abou TM’s coaching with a personal desire to see him fail. Nothing could be further from the truth. If TM is successful, and DL is successful, and the 20+ players who were ight, the Kings uniform are successful, then we really get to enjoy being a King’s fan. If one of these components is stinking up the effort, then one should naturally want to see that changed so success can be obtained. If TM is a bad coach, the get rid of him. If Kopi is playing like cr@p, then we should criticize him. They play and coach on a public stage which opens them up for praise and, yes, I know you don’t want to hear this, criticism. I will be at the game tonight, cheering on our Kings, supporting TM, praying that Fraser plays well, hoping that Hunter scores, booing the Gingers,yelling that the Nuck’s suck, and enjoying the LA King fan experience. Always look beyoned a books cover t0 discover the depth and truth of its contents. OH, and don’t forget, GKG!!!!!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@DesertKing,
I hate auto-correct – “wearing the King’s uniforms”
Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@DesertKing, My bad and I agree with everything you said 100%. I have read so many unreasonable post that I thought all books told the same story. I agree the coach, the players, management should all be held accountable if they don’t perform as to be expected. Critique and criticism is not only a right of a Kings fan but an obligation. GKG!!!!
DesertKing Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@Osaka
We are all Kimgs fans which is a good book to be in
jess Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@Osaka,
Just so you know, I looked into putting out some Murph bobble heads for dedicated fans such as yourself, but when I ran the numbers the market is just too limited. Sorry!
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DesertKing Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@jess,
Hopefully TM makes those of us who are doubters into true believers and you can make some major $$$ off those bobble-heads. GKG!!
Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@jess, I’ll take a Murph bobble head! Do you take yen?
Onetimer1966 Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@DesertKing, In This case Voynov should have never been sent back.
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I’m sorry, but when we have to get excited about Trent Hunter and/or Colin Fraser coming into the lineup, something’s wrong. To me, they are Moreau, Westgarth, Lewis, Clifford, etc. – just with different names on the backs of their jerseys. Neither one has the history to even suggest that they are going to be difference makers of any kind on this team. Decent players I hope, but neither is going to address our serious need for secondary scoring. There is this guy named Andrei Loktionov, however, who might have the ability to do that. Anyone heard of him?
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Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@rick, What you say is true, they are all interchangeable parts, but what is hoped for here are the right combinations or chemistry. Still how much offense does he hope to create with that bunch? Anything at all would be an improvement.
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Helvetica Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@rick, Actually, i’d say hunter DOES have the history to suggest that he could be a difference maker on the bottom 6. He is, or was, the epitome of secondary scoring earlier in his career. Either way, the 3rd and 4th lines needed something to get them going. Maybe this work, maybe it doesn’t. But i’m hoping it pays off.
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As I’ve said in a couple of responses. I think TM is putting the goods on display for an up coming trade and Richardson and Lewis are not being shopped. Hunter, Moreau and Fraser are.
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Helvetica Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@KC23, Given the circumstances in which they all wound up here and the rationale for signing a couple of them, i have a hard time believing that they are being shopped. I’m more inclined to look at this as a move towards more size and physical play, as well as a shot in the arm for our bottom 6.
Just my opinion though.
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rick Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@KC23, Maybe true, but what are you gonna get for any of them except a late round draft pick?
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Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@KC23, Hunter, Moreau, and Fraser being shopped? Hunter made the team on a tryout, Moreau commented that there was a lack of interest in him as an UFA, and Fraser was a throw in on the Symth deal. Those guys just don’t have any trade value at all. There were better players picked up today on the waiver wire. Now it is not to say these guys can’t be productive in their roles and help us win, they just have no trade value.
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Jumblehead Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
@KC23, if those guys are the trade bait, the bag of pucks must be getting half empty… jk
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I like Hunter Ive been trying to figure out why he has been sitting so long when hes known for being a scorer unlike Moreau or even Lewis so hopefully it works out
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Dominick Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@Kasey9, I think it has more to do with missing some defensive assignments. Consistancy, and compete level need to be there at all times, and he’s a veteran player. I don’t think it was anything personal. He was slated before the season to play around 40 to 60 games this season, and he will go stretches where he sits.
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puck73 Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@Dominick, Why is your phone off Dom?
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Dominick Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@puck73, Didn’t realize. It hasn’t been on the charger all day, and the batteries dead.
Thanks! I wouldn’t of noticed till tonight when I tried to call you. lol
I’m concerned… Hunter AND Fraser in the lineup tonight? Hmmmm….
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Come on Kings beat the Canucks!!
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Whether you like/dislike who is sitting on the 3rd/4th lines right now, you have to agree that something needed to happen to give them a jolt. Maybe throwing a couple of guys that are hungry for a shot turns into just what the doctor ordered. regardless of who had to sit tonight, i hope this pays off.
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Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@Helvetica, Absolutely, production was not there so change was in order.
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In other news … Weekes put Quick as number 4 in the league. BTW, Quick didn’t even make his top 15 earlier in the year.
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puck73 Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@KC23, Quick is slowly but surely becoming recongnized as one of the best goalies in the league, and he is only 25 and still hasnt hit his ceiling yet.
You and I have discussed this but it bears repeating, I believe Quick has the mental makeup to win multiple Stanley Cups if Dean Lombardi puts a good team and coach around him.
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Dominick Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@KC23, Wish he’d take Quick out. Last time he didn’t pick Quick and posted his results, Quick had 3 shutouts.
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Helvetica Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@KC23, I think the 3 SO in a row put him on everybody’s map. He’s been playing decent since then, but I think he’s going to wind up having a very good year.
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Edmonton sent Teubert back down to the AHL.
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jess Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@DesertKing,
Edmonton, now there is a hockey club that brings a really exciting brand of hockey. They also took TM’s “system” and stuffed it like a bell pepper. Hopefully we don’t see a similar result in our next meeting.
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Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@jess, ???? Exciting? You do realize they have scored fewer goals than the Kings right?
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jess Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
@Osaka,
Well no I didn’t, I was only commenting on what I saw the other night. I’m sure it’s luck but -better not happen to us again!
Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 6:40 pm
@Osaka, Agreed, I think it was the Kings’ worse game of the season.
@KC23, Only thing positive i’ve heard from Weeks is Quicks play and Berniers mask.
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KingsGuy Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
@KingsGuy, odd this didn’t post ^
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Dominick Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@KingsGuy, I’ve seen that a few times today, and thought is was a pnone issue.
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Helvetica Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@Dominick, I dont think it’s a phone issue. I’ve had it happen a couple times to me posting from a desk top.
Dominick Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@Helvetica,
Strange indeed. I had a post the other day where I could of swore I posted it at the bottom, but it ended up under someone elses post.
Off topic,
Tyler Toffoli is playing in the Super Series vs Russia.
If anyone is unaware what that is, it’s a 6 game exhibition series of the 3 Canadian Junior leagues (WHL, OHL, QMJHL) vs Russia’s Juniors. It’s basically all star teams from each league vs Russia’s all stars. Most of the same players play in the World Juniors.
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puck73 Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@kevin from toronto, I like Toffoli alot, he is a pure goal scorer. Hopefully tinkering Terry doesnt get his hands on this guy and turn him into a mucker and a plumber.
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kevin from toronto Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@puck73, Yeah he led the OHL in scoring last year and is off to another great start. He’s leading the league in goals with 16 in 16GP. This is last year of Juniors too.
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Dominick Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@kevin from toronto, Link?
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kevin from toronto Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
@Dominick, Nah sorry, I don’t know where you can watch it online. It’s on cable here.
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Osaka Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@kevin from toronto, When does it take place?
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kevin from toronto Reply:
November 10th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@Osaka, Out of the 6 games, Toffoli and the OHL team only play 2 games. Tonight they play in Ottawa (Toffoli’s Junior team) and on the 14th. Then the tournament moves out West.
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When he was at training camp trying to earn a contract, he stood out amongst the others trying to make the team. He was scoring more than most in the drills. If he can revisit that desire and drive, I think he will do well tonight.
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I’ve seen comments from Islander fans to the effect that they liked Hunter and wish him good luck. I’ve seen comments from Edmonton fans that he is fantastic for taking unwanted penalties and are glad to be rid of him. I think we see the truth in both those evaluations.
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