Here’s the latest on the Kings’ three injured players, Alec Martinez, Scott Parse and Dustin Penner. All three are on injured reserve. Martinez, who out since he was checked, shoulder-first, into the boards by Minnesota’s Warren Peters, would be eligible to return Tuesday at St. Louis. Parse (lower-body) would be eligible to return tomorrow. Penner (hand) would be eligible to return Saturday. It seems as though Martinez is the only one who might return close to his “eligible” date. Penner is skating in a yellow no-contact jersey while Martinez and Parse have not returned to the ice. Here is Terry Murray’s update on the three…
(on Penner’s status…)
MURRAY: “Well, that’s the trainers’ call, I guess, on that one. He’s getting better. He’s going to get better every day. There’s swelling, and that needs to get taken care of, and then they will see where he’s at after the swelling goes down. With the I.R., he’s seven days for sure, and then we’ll just make a decision after that.”
(on Martinez’s status…)
MURRAY: “He’s going to improve. The off-ice conditioning program and the rehab is going to help him get better every day. He didn’t lose all of his strength, which was surprising with the kind of injury that he has. We’re hoping, with seven days, that he will be able to get himself back on the ice and start to practice, and we can get a read on him.”
(on Parse’s status…)
MURRAY: “I don’t even know how to answer that, quite honestly. There’s nothing new. Nothing has changed. It hasn’t improved, it hasn’t gotten worse. It’s definitely more than a day-to-day situation with him. We’ll have to make a decision on where this goes.”
Parse’s status has been a bit murky since last season. He underwent hip surgery, but there has still been the possibility that more surgery might be needed. I asked Murray whether the current injury is tied to Parse’s previous troubles and, well, it’s still murky…
MURRAY: “There’s still an issue there. Again, I don’t know all the terms for even how to describe this thing. He had the operation last year and took care of the hip on that side. I don’t know if it’s all tied together or not. I think there needs to be a thorough examination here, by a specialist, and see where that’s at.”
Sound’s like a lowerbody injury to me.
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Too bad Penner, I’m choked over your swelling hand, tape it and get out there and earn $4m
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Stuart Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@Harty, Ha! Maybe if he sits on it ala “the stranger” style it will keep the blood from flowing into it?
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fsd1 Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@Harty, really? I mean really? you think him and the whole team might be faking the seriousness of it? What a conspiricy world we live in. Thats like telling a biker with a swollen knee to suck it up and race. really?
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Harty Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@fsd1, he doesn’t skate on his hand, how many guys play through injuries constantly, this is not a guy anyone should defend hurt or otherwise he has ripped us off for $4m bucks
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fsd1 Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Harty, Regardless of how you feel about it, this year he is an important part of this team and will play when he is healthy again. And if you really think not being able to use your hands in a hockey game isnt important than i have nothing else to say to you.
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
@Harty, You mean he ripped off the owner of the KINGS?
tkecanuck341 Reply:
November 17th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@fsd1, Tomas Sandstrom played through the 1993 Stanley Cup run with a broken hand and got 25 points in 24 games. Tell him to suck it up, grow a pair and get out there.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@Harty, I would honestly agree with Harty…. but its Penner and I am kind of glad he is sitting…
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ValleyKingsFan Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
@VanKingsFan, It has been said already that it is a broken knuckle. It is not just a swollen hand. The swelling is a result of the broken bone. Yes, plenty of players play through injuries, but Penner said himself that he is unable to perform a wrist shot or a snap shot and is miles away from being able to perform a slap shot. Considering that a pass is a similar motion to a wrist shot, the need to avoid getting his hand slammed in a check, along with the previously mentioned inability to shoot the puck, is it really reasonable to expect Penner to be out on the ice and practicing? He would, not just because of his lack of scoring, be a waste of space on the ice. In the NHL, it is ridiculous to expect a Stanley Cup contending team to keep a player who physically can’t pass, shoot, or check out on the ice and in their top 6.
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Stuart Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@ValleyKingsFan, if it’s a broken knuckle, then I’d expect 3-6 weeks of no Penns…
g smith86 Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@ValleyKingsFan, injury or not, Penner wasn’t doing anything anyways…you know…performing wrist shots and snap shots and passes and skating. I guess this broken knuckle has been affecting him since he was traded here.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@VanKingsFan, However cruelly, I feel the same way. It’s hard to look at an injury as good fortune, but, there’s (gee, this is awful) up side to him being off the ice and someone else being on the ice. Fortunately, the team is deeper than it was a year or two ago.
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Extended IR for Schleprock? At least that will leave a spot open for Fraser to stay in the mix… injuries suck.
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Take it easy boys. It’s a long season, and luckily we have the depth to absorbe those injuries throughout the season. Get well soon.
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Harty Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@Dominick, Dom com’on you and I both know regardless how long the season is Penner isn’t going to do much…..
Let him have it, he has done nothing since his arrival and isn’t about to change so IR is likely a good spot for him….
How was his Tip-a-King with Penner I hear he didn’t have a big lineup??
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Dominick Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@Harty, Believe what you want to believe. The Kings will play Penner as soon as he’s eligible, and your perfect reasoning won’t make a difference.
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Harty Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@Dominick, Dom your correct and its all upper management and 4 million reasons to play, not one hockey related
kingszzz Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@Dominick, Penner has had more leash than the Dog Whisperer! Sit the “Cooler”.
Poor Parse. Love him or hate him ya gotta feel for the guy.
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Harty Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
@KC23, that I do, he was just starting to show some promise, this is a serious injury no doubt, could perhaps threaten his career……..
on the other hand, what’s up with Penner and his hand, break, sprain, bruise, hang nail????
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
@Harty, Loved all those penalties Parse was taking.
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@KC23, Did it appear to anyone else that TM was sort of hinting that this could be a career ending injury. Is it his other hip this time? I’m a Parse fan so really hoping to see him back at some point this season
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Harty Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, no bashing on Parse from me I think he’s an honest player that outright contribute if healthy
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Oh, I am sooooooooo sad to hear that Penner is going to be out of the game for a while. Quite frankly, I don’t know how the Kings are going to win without him.
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Harty Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@John, its going to be tough John as Penner plays a heavy game (obvious by lack of foot speed)
then there’s the big shot (typically fans on passes let alone shots)
but the team player for the other guys (does he speak to anyone)
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@Harty, you forgot that he is a real fan favorite…
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Harty Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, right that’s his outgoing attitude as a professional in the entertainment buisness
John Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@Harty, Excellent points. Well, since he scores so many goals its going to be hard to find someone that equals him.
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Penner hasn’t produced for the Kings but I kind of like the guy from what I see from interviews. Cerebral with an ascerbic sense of humor. (from what a buddy tells me from his minor league hockey days, bet Penner’s been under pressure to be a goon from early on…) Sounds like he broke a finger or other bone in his hand. Maybe Edmonton will take him back for Teubert and Ed can keep the #1 pick?
Maybe its time for a poll Who has worse luck while they have been with the Kings: Parse or Penner?
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Harty Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@vicarious,
Polling up…….Parse has had the worst luck, Penner has had the worst effort….
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These are all “let’s create a roster spot injuries, and see if one of these guys chomping on the bit can help…”
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AZ King Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@KIMO,
So you’re saying that the coaches and the trainers are essentially lying, and keeping guys out of the line up, just so Lokti and Voynov can have a chance?
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Cruiznblue Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@KIMO,
I highly doubt it…
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KING-C Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
@KIMO, Yeah, Parse and Penner are bound and gagged in some basement so we won’t find out that their not really injured…..lol
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By far the best positioning Penner has done all season. Nicely position himself on the IR. He will get just as many points but without weighing everyone else down with his slow speed, atrocious passing and terrible everything.
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Can VV go up and down all season or is there a limit to the number of times you can send down a player (to minors) per season?
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kevin from toronto Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, No limit. But it would ware on him physically and mentally.
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RobSD Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@kevin from toronto,
Mentally maybe but how does that ware him physically more than a typical NHL or AHL schedule?
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Duckbasher Reply:
November 17th, 2011 at 8:58 am
@RobSD, I would think that switching cities, leagues, teams, teammates, linemates too much would wear on anyone.
John Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@kevin from toronto, I can see both sides of this one. If I were getting another shot at the NHl level, mentally I’m doing everything I possible can to bring my A game.
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The worst part of it is… if everyone does play great and we win the next 2 out of 3, it won’t matter. VV and Lotki will not stay. It will be interesting to see how they do though. I’m excited to see multiple games without Penner and including VV.
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Just when the thought of Loktionov and Voynov being regulars is sinking in… Parse & Penner sound like they’re returning…Dammit
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AZ King Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@kevin from toronto,
Loktionov won’t be a regular on this team until he can be a center. So next season at the earliest.
Martinez earned a lot of respect for coming back and finishing the game against the Wild, so Voynov is going to have to be pretty amazing if he hopes to stay up for the season. Plus it’s nice having him available to fill in for injuries, and there’s no way Martinez would clear waiver IMO.
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kevco Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@AZ King, Not sure the Loktionov is a third line center, and that would be the only center position available next year unless we trade away Kopi or Richards.
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Duckbasher Reply:
November 17th, 2011 at 9:02 am
@kevco, Exactly right. So he either plays wing, stays put in Manchester or is traded. I vote for him on that second line wing spot. Give him some time and he’ll make the transition. He’s got speed, hands and the smarts. I’m actually surprised the Kings haven’t asked Manchester to play him on wing knowing they have Kopi and Richards and no top line spot for Lokti.
I hope they all get better soon, but for now I can still be excited that:
Parse’s injury gave us a chance to see Fraser show up for us.
Martinez’s injury brings back up VV and let’s us see our favorite defensive tandem.
And Penner’s injury paired with his lack of production allow us to be excited for Lotki.
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AZ King Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Arun,
Sorry, but after only 5 games Voynov is hardly part of my favorite defensive tendem…
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Arun Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@AZ King,
Oh I agree I meant DD and JMFJ sir, I believe they are paired until Martinez gets back right?
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AZ King Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@Arun,
gotcha, yes you are correct. I though I was following the theme of your post, about the kids getting a chance, and I assumed you meant Voynov.
Wow. Parse’s situation seems bleak. This is exactly what I was thinking about coming out of camp… that he may not be 100%. It appears that’s been the case. Many a career have ended because of that hip injury. Bo knows.
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variable Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@wavesinair,
yeah, it doesn’t seem like a good prognosis, even if it’s from trapper terry, m.d….
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wavesinair Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@variable,
lol. man we’re showing our age. i’m sure there’s a silver spoons – penner joke in there somewhere…
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variable Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@wavesinair,
let me know when you find it…(emoticon expressing anticipation)…
im so tired of penner having these minor injuries ridiculous have some hurt dude
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Kyle Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@Robert, if it’s a broken bone/knuckle as some have suggested, you are way off base.
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it always feels that we are in the dark when a coach discusses player injuries…well, if it’s not the dark, it’s a very dimly lit, unidentifiable area – kind of like where the injury lies itself…i think i just blew my own mind…(!)
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wavesinair Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@variable,
“i think i just blew my own mind”
…talk about dimly lit! (walka walka)
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variable Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@wavesinair,
yr not kidding…
it’s all above my head, so i guess i should enjoy the dim vacation…(!)
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We need Mike Richards to Bitch-slap Penner ( ala Tocchet & Lindros) wright in front of the whole team, “my hand is sore”……are you kidding me!!!! Suck it up PENNER and play like a man, a guy his size should be a monster in this league with all the talent he has to play with…
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AZ King Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@Gross Misconduct,
At least your name sense, because nothing else you said does. Sinse we don’t actually know whats’s wrong with his hand how can we expect him to “suck it up”. TM said his hand is swollen, when was the last time you tried to play a game with a swollen hand?
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Gross Misconduct Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@AZ King, Penner??….Penner….is that you? Are you reading this stuff? Read this….SUCK IT UP…
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TheCrazyWhls Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@Gross Misconduct, How do you suggest one play hockey and make fine stick-handling moves with broken knuckles?
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wes Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Gross Misconduct, wow.. most people that follow this team are pleased to see Penner in a suit. Nothing malicious, it just that if Penner is healthy Murray is compelled to force him into a top-6 role, and he’s been nothing but too much ballast on the top two lines. Now, Parse is a guy we’d love to see healthy.
Wondering if you’re a conflicted Penner fan (angry with him, want to see him take a beat down, but want to see him in the game), or have a bit of an anger management thing. Go to your happy place, guy. Kings are deep.
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If this new configuration ends up being the recipe for success, then a creative way needs to be figured out how to keep it intact. It’s about winning games and pushing towards the cup and nothing else period.
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Penner always equals, getting better, potential, seeing him more out there, more effort.
I’ve given up on him.
(claps hands once, shows back and front of hands)
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Lake Forest Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@Lake Forest, This also has nothing to do with his injury. I hope he is alright and recovers, just hope he doesnt get back into the line up.
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Do we know the exact injury to Martinez?
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John Reply:
November 16th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@GHS kings fan, some sort of shoulder injury. It is possible that it was a dislocation??
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I don’t like that quote about Parse. Sounds bad. Hope things work out for him, he was just picking up his game.
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