It’s a question similar to the one a child might ask from the back seat at the start of a family vacation: is Drew Doughty there yet? In this case, “there’’ means back to the elite level he showed in 2009-10 and in parts of last season. So far, reviews have been mixed. Doughty missed most of training camp because of a contract dispute, then had an early-season injury, and has two goals and five assists in 15 game so far. That’s similar to his 15-game start last season, when he had one goal and six assists. Asked for his assessment of Doughty’s recent play, Terry Murray was not entirely complimentary.
MURRAY: “I think Drew, he gets his game to a pretty good level for a game or two, and then there’s a little bit of a lull there that kind of takes over. We’re just trying to get him into the games, playing lots in critical situations, and get his game to the level that we want it to get to. He’s a very determined guy. He’s a very positive player. When you have conversations with him, there’s real good feedback coming from him. Just keep pushing it along. Missing training camp is a big deal. It takes time, and then unfortunately you have an injury and it’s a setback, so you’ve got to work through it and stay positive with it and, on the other side, good things will happen.’’
The much-anticipated pairing of Doughty and Jack Johnson on defense hasn’t led to much so far, at least in even-strength situations, but Murray seems inclined to stay with it for now, with other pairings of Willie Mitchell with Slava Voynov and Rob Scuderi with Matt Greene.
MURRAY: “I didn’t like much of what happened in the Detroit game. That includes everybody, though. It was one of those games where Detroit came out with a lot of determination. They lost three in a row, and they’re coming with everything they’ve got, and pushed things to where we were kind of standing and watching, I felt. So it’s tough to evaluate any one pair, because when you play a team like that, you have to have all 20 guys on board, and the five guys on the ice at that time have to be playing very well. So we’ve got to regroup here and get back on track, ready to go tomorrow.’’
Hey…give the kid a break…it’s not like he’s gettin Matt Kemp money!
[Reply]
kingkrazy Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 6:56 pm
@Deke’r, True, but he is the highest paid King…
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:02 pm
@kingkrazy,
Whats the problem?
His excuse? “its tough to get motivated for a 1pm game”
$19,178/day. Every day. Trade him.
[Reply]
KingsGuy Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:04 pm
@USHA#17, I could pay off my house in less than a month. Ha.
KC23 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:55 pm
@kingkrazy, Actually, Kopitar is the highest paid King. DD’s contract ramps up over time so during the years DDs and Kopitar’s present contracts exist every year Kopitar makes more than DD. DD’s contract is goes on longer than Kopitars, but hopefully we’ll be able to resign Kopitar and he’ll continue to be the highest paid King.
[Reply]
Gokings Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:28 am
@KC23, 7 yrs 49mil. More money invested in this contract than any other on the roster
Gokings Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:28 am
@KC23, 7 yrs 49mil. More money invested in this contract than any other on the roster
BallPointHammer Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:18 am
@KC23, Actually, actually Richards is highest paid King this year – $6.6 mil, followed by Kopitar – $6.4 mil, then Doughty – $6.0 mil. Also, through the end of Kopitar’s contract, Doughty never makes more money in a season than Kopitar.
Gokings Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 10:31 pm
@Deke’r, Ok I have been trying to hold off on this because it is just too easy. Drew Doughty IS NOT and will never be an elite defensemen in the NHL. Best way to prove it is name top 10 dmen and see where/if Doighty is there. So he is the list:
Lindstrom, Charra, Shea Weber, Phaneuf, Boyle, Keith, Ryan Suter, Edler, Pronger, Kronwall. I would rather have any of these people in our locker room. Would love to trade him for a young scorer and let Voynov take his spot with Mitchell.
Next the coach. There is a reason the Flyers didn’t win a cup until After TM left. Point made!
Think of it like this. Doughty makes most money on the team. Can you think of any game where he was the best play on our team? Kopitar stirs the drink baby. Trade doughty for a winger that can score the puck.
Stevens and kompon are both minor league guys, would love to bring back tony granato from Colorado. He knows a thing or two about how to get guys to play around great players…
I call Lombardi’s job! Don’t worry guys I’m keeping Luc and Hexy!
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:10 pm
@Gokings,
Sorry Gokings fan, dont mean to disrespect. Numerous things you said that makes me doubt the knowledge you have about the kings, or maybe hockey. When you told us to “think of it like this” Doughty has been our best player NUMEROUS times, and in the 2009-2010 season he prob was our best player as many times as Kopi if not MORE. Lombardi’s job? Sounds like the only criticism you have of Lombardi’s work here is Doughty. Logic please?
[Reply]
Gokings Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:12 am
@Michael_DD8, Ok no cup for Philly, and it’s Lindstrom and Granato is in Pittsburg.
Still Philly didn’t get over the hump till TM left, and Doughty does make more money then Kopi and THIS YEAR doughty has been average at best. TMs system is dated, kills creativity…
You so happy with Lombardi, you think we have a shot in a 7 game series against Pittsburg or Boston?
Yea thought so… We have away 1st round D for PENNER… Oopsie
USHA#17 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:22 am
@Michael_DD8,
RE Penner…and a 1st and 2nd pick…Kings were not ready…Had no need for Penner…Jumped the gun…Should have waited for Richards and Gagne first. Ain’t hindsight a wonderful thing?
If no Penner we might still have Schenn or Simmonds
Cathy Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:43 am
@Michael_DD8, Doughty had one great season. Does he have great moments? Yes, but the team needs consistent play from him not this yoyo play of his. Give the kid a break, give us a break. He held out for money and his missing training camp showed. I don’t care about his injury. Look how long Crosby has been out with a far worse injury and he comes out his first game back and gets 2g and 2a. Doughty needs to grow up. Last night, the first goal, what D was the guy in front of the net, Doughty. He wanted the big bucks. He needs to play like he is worth it.
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@Gokings, Wow, where do I start. It’s Lidstrom, not LINDSTROM, the Flyers STILL HAVEN’T won a Cup even without TM(point made?), and Granato hasn’t been with Colorado for over two years. He is an assistant with Pittsburgh. But hey, Doughty could step it up a notch I suppose anyways.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:57 pm
@Gokings, Again, DD is NOT the highest paid King, Kopitar is (see my post above).
[Reply]
TYLER Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:59 pm
@Gokings, um….philly didnt win the cup…
[Reply]
Jim Martin Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:16 am
@Gokings, I have to agree with you. I would rather see anyone of the defense group you mentioned on the Kings other than Doughty. Drew and his agent put one over on Kings management. He is constantly out of position and doesn’t like to get physical in front of the net. The only thing he has going for him is his skating ability. And even with that he is not worth the money the Kings are paying him.
[Reply]
KFII Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:16 am
@Gokings, I bet you wish there was an edit option eh? LOL
Not to worry though, DD will get it in gear.
[Reply]
brian spain Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:40 am
@Gokings, Do you know anything about hockey? Tony Granato is a coach for Pittsburg. Doughty is a good player, not great, he is still a kid, he missed camp, hey, give him a break, You and anybody in this blog room would try to get what they think they deserve in the form of the contract, its 7 years, so he wanted what he wanted, He is with the team now, This team is very good, it is going to take some time to all gel together. Its a long season, they are right in the mix. Lets support the team and enjoy this ride, this could be the year…’THE TIME IS NOW’ RIGHT/…Go Kings
[Reply]
Yes THANK YOU. So what TM is saying is we paid too much. DD owes us $30K every game he doesn’t score a goal or make a great play. He’s been invisible (i know most will disagree).
[Reply]
KingsGuy Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 6:58 pm
@Lake Forest, Ha, waste of 7 Mil? Voynov was a cheaper option. At least we got trade bait…
[Reply]
JD Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:06 pm
@KingsGuy, you must mean trade vonov, because doughty,s not going anywhere, he,s a cornerstone. once he calms down and quit trying to do to much, he’ll be an all star for many years to come
[Reply]
KingsGuy Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:40 pm
@JD, Hope so
but this was sarcastic ^
JD Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:52 pm
@JD, my bad
dahack11 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 10:12 pm
@JD, All he is, is fat.
He was in every year except brefore being drafted. It’s his DNA.
“F” “A” “T”
Gokings Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 10:37 pm
@JD, It is IF not when. Hasn’t “calmed down” in two years. I’ll believe it when I see it. Voynov is already coming along faster than drew. Lol look at the plus minus and points lol! Drew 7 pts 15 gms even. Slava 5pts 8gms +2 Who is the all star?
Brownkingsfan Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:27 am
@dahack11, Why would you say DD is fat? I can understand questioning his position as an elite NHL defenseman, but even “out of shape” NHL players are in far superior shape than most people! It’s just ignorant to call him fat. And honestly he doesn’t look out of shape at all this year.
brian spain Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:42 am
@KingsGuy, really, What has Voynov done that makes you think he is anywhere near the player doughty is? give me a break. Just like Loktionov, he hasn’t shown much, and everybody has been screaming for him. He is no better than Oscar Moeller, not strong enough to handle the big boys in the NHL.
[Reply]
We need a cartoonist to draw Lombardi driving a van and all of us in the back scearming, “When are we gonna win the cup?!?!” …or some version thereof.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:06 pm
@wavesinair,
Now you’ve done it.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:20 pm
@wavesinair,
Maybe a “wagon” would be more appropriate?
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:46 pm
@Kingsfanone, No, because alot of us would’ve jumped off the wagon by now, and I mean both the bandwagon and just the wagon. The Van is enclosed, and thus keeps us from jumping off. LOL
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:52 pm
@CB14,
Excellent! Kinda like a “trap game!”
jess Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:30 pm
@wavesinair, DL fronting a taco truck -but secretly rounding up dissenting Insiders?
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:12 pm
@jess, All while Bob Miller calls the play by play
[Reply]
What I find a bit ‘sorrowful’ is that Crosby totaled in points in one game back almost the total point total of our entire third line for 20 games. Well, not quite…… but, for sure going that direction. I think I best not check out the stats for said suspects tonight. I could find out that it’s true
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:02 am
@number 6,
Why do people insist in comparing apples to grandma’s underwear?
[Reply]
DanD Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:40 am
@number 6, You’re companring the greatest hockey player in the world right now to the Kings third line? Really?
[Reply]
We got the best out of Doughty in 2010 thats it .I guess he gets bad to worse ..but thats just me
[Reply]
Poni got 2 goal and 1 assist today.
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:24 pm
@goldielocks, Just goes to show you what a Murray lead team does to scorers.
[Reply]
dolly Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:39 pm
@kinginsaltlake, How true…I could list many who “break out” after being traded.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:49 pm
@dolly,
Hello dolly!
Sorry, it almost wrote itself!
KC23 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:58 pm
@kinginsaltlake, Doesn’t seem to be bothering Gagne.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:27 pm
@goldielocks, He has 5 goals total this year. Can you guess how many he had in nearly 3 times as many games last year with the Kings? Go ahead, give it a shot.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:36 pm
@CB14,
I would say 2 goals.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:39 pm
@goldielocks, Nope, 5. He’s scored 5 in 22 games with Carolina, and he scored 5 in 61 games with the Kings.
Kevco Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:16 pm
@goldielocks, He now has equalled his point total for last year with the kings.
[Reply]
Kevco Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:16 pm
@Kevco, Correction, GOAL total, sorry.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:02 am
@Kevco, He’s also a -1. Shrugs, nothing to write home about.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 10:08 pm
@goldielocks, I call BS. What is Carolina’s record?
[Reply]
McCheese Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:06 am
@goldielocks, He could score 30 this year… wouldn’t want him back.
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fOR THOSE THAT REMEMBER HIM, LA KINGS FORMER INFORCER RAITIS IVANANS PLAYED HIS FIRST GAME SINCE BEING COAL COCKED BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR. HE IS PLAYING FOR THE ABISFORD TEAM IN THE AHL NOW.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:39 pm
@gene,
OK THANKS GOOD FOR… er I mean, good for him
[Reply]
jess Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:41 pm
@DesertKing, -Sorry I had my ear muffs on. What did he say?
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:57 pm
@gene, …..and now for the news for the hard of hearing with Garrett Morris….
[Reply]
jess Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@Deke’r,
haha lol.. OH SORRY!! LMFAO HAHAHA!!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:15 pm
@Deke’r,
Thats all for tonight, say goodnight Rosanne Rosanna Danna – GOODNIGHT ROSANNE ROSANNA DANNA!!
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:19 pm
@DesertKing, Ah the good old days
DesertKing Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:30 pm
@408kingsfan
You said it. I still is those wild and crazy guys with the samurai dry cleaner. Excuse me while I get a Pepsi, no Coke.
Goring 19 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:07 pm
@DesertKing, goodnight and have a pleasant tomorrow!
LittleRhody Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:10 pm
@DesertKing, Mr Hands?? Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!! (Mr. Bill talking about Penner?? lol)
IceGuy Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:26 am
@DesertKing,
“Jane, you ignorant slut.”
PP Anybody? Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:47 pm
@gene, I’ve heard of being cold cocked before, but never COAL COCKED. Ahh you kids these days. Is that like taking a chicken and stuffing it with lumps of coal, then hitting someone over the head with it?
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:38 am
@PP Anybody?, that’s one interpretation… lol.
[Reply]
Unlike Penner,
Doughty will get going at some point. Hopefully sooner than later. He will be relied on heavily down the stretch and into the playoffs. He is an elite player and I know many of us our still sore over the contract issues but that will all be forgotten once he starts playing his game.
[Reply]
JD Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:18 pm
@408kingsfan, playoffs?
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:21 pm
@JD, It crossed my mind lol
[Reply]
JD Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:20 pm
@408kingsfan, seriously, i think your right, love doughty
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:03 am
@408kingsfan, That’s what I keep hearing. Still waiting on our 7 mil boy wonder who is getting out played by a rookie making a fraction of what he is making.
[Reply]
Jim Martin Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:37 am
@408kingsfan, He’s a joke. Over paid, overweight and hates the physical part of the game.
[Reply]
Drew is still a awesome player. Let’s forget about his money, because trust me none of us will see a dime of it, so why worry about it. “Drew is a elite hockey player”, this coming from the month of Rob Blake. I got the chance to meet him during training camp. I think he would know moreabout Defensmen then we do. #8 will come through this year. Once this settleing period is over with. I just don’t know where the boys head is at at times. He plays with much passion, yet seems to want to do to much. Maybe he’s trying to shoew us that he is worth the money. Over playing and such will only get him in trouble. From my chair he needs to relax and let the game come to him and be more into the flow of whats going on out there on the ice. Someone said earlier ” Keep it simple”. This shpould be our motto for the next few games. Hate to see what this blog site will look like if we lay an egg on National TV tomorrow. Time for bed the snow is begainning to fall here in Utah. Nothing like the white stuff to get you through. Good Night NOW!!!
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:44 pm
@kinginsaltlake, Rob Blake also knows alot more about money then we do too. LOL
I thought the white stuff kept you up all night.
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:50 pm
@CB14, It did back in the day… Now it melts and turns to water.
[Reply]
Cortex949 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:54 pm
@CB14, Oh that is so true. And no eating for a few hours hahah
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:05 pm
@Cortex949, How the Hell are you Pal>
Cortex949 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:08 pm
@Cortex949 I’m hanging in there. Everything ok for the time being
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:58 pm
@CB14,
Rob Blake does know something about money. He’s got a very nice house! Actually, Brandi may be better at the money management for the family.
The house is very nice & she decorated it nicely too.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:05 am
@kinginsaltlake, DD hasn’t been elite for 2 years. Jury is still out.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 5:06 am
@kinginsaltlake,
Excellent points!
[Reply]
just looked up the Bruins record for last year at this time. Damn close to what ours is. Nobody knows whats going to happen, except for maybe Vegas.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 7:42 pm
@kinginsaltlake, That’s positive Salty..
[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:13 pm
@kinginsaltlake,
It’s not how we start, but how we finish. I agree with you.
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:19 pm
@OnTheFly, Dude call me some time I lost my phone and all the #. I feel bad that we didn’t meet up
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 10:11 pm
@kinginsaltlake, PREMATURE EVALUATION
[Reply]
IceGuy Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:28 am
@Lake Forest,
No! MATURE evaluation!
[Reply]
Annnnnnnd scene.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:00 pm
@California Royalty,
Nice new handle!
[Reply]
Goring 19 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:10 pm
@California Royalty, alright Kev…errrr Cali Royalty!
[Reply]
LittleRhody Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:13 pm
@California Royalty, You remind me a lot of this guy Kevin I met last week. I think he was from Toronto or something.
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:21 pm
@LittleRhody, What ever happened to you that day at staples. I turned after grabing a beer and Dog and you were gone.
[Reply]
LittleRhody Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:33 pm
@kinginsaltlake, I thought we would see you down by the glass during warm ups. When you didn’t show I turned and saw where you were sitting and tried to get your attention. Afterward we had to go up to our nosebleeds. Trust me though, I looked down often enough in envy of your seats.
Great game though. History-making watching Quicks 3rd straight shut out
IceGuy Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 6:30 am
@California Royalty,
“You can call me … Roy.”
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:41 am
@California Royalty,
Kalifornia Royalty? Hmmm, another name change perhaps.
[Reply]
Poni had 2 goals and an assist tonight.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 8:09 pm
@kingszzz, I’m experiencing some deja-vu right now.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:15 pm
@CB14,
The scary thing is I’m having the same deja vu as you are. Am I in your dream?
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:29 pm
@Kingsfanone, No, I’m in yours.
Kingsfanone Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:16 pm
@CB14,
I was afraid of that! LOL
I know that they are looking for DD to get back to normal, but I am still looking for change in my couch to pay for my seats. Hmmm, petrified pretzels, yum!
[Reply]
Doughty still looking for best from McNugget sauce selection, “I’ve tried at least 8 of them, but I want to see what I can do with this 50 piece family meal”
[Reply]
One might expect that, -for 7M he could grow a decent stache
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wrt the third and 4th lines……Penner and Parse would ve made a huge difference…..if healthy and playing in the updated system.Their injuries just show our lack of depth on offense. Hunter and Moreau have shown scoring abilities in the past so lets see what happens….
[Reply]
Goring 19 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:15 pm
@neil, Hunter and Moreau haven’t shown me anything yet, except how to take a couple of stupid penalties. Their scoring and playmaking abilities seem to be limited, then again so has Stoll recently, but they’ll probably prove me wrong in the next few games. I hope so anyway.
[Reply]
Doughty should not have been paid what he was paid. He isn’t even in the top 10 of defensemen in the league and he is paid like a top 3. He will turn out to be the Wade Redden of this team. He can’t play defense and doesn’t do a whole lot on offense. You can’t think he will ever be better than Rob Blake and the Kings never paid him this kind of money.
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:17 pm
@Dan, Let me just say that by the end of #8 career you will NOT be feeling this way!!! Drew has loads of talent and he’s worth the 7 mil. Just because the club payed him dos’nt make him a bad apple. Rob Blake is no doubt the best D man we as a team have had. Drew is still young, I would advise you not to talk bad about him again. Thank You.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:17 pm
@kinginsaltlake, Doughty will never live up to his salary. He peaked two years ago. He is a 7 million dollar Barry Beck.
[Reply]
Scot Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:58 am
@Osaka,
ouch!
Goring 19 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:25 pm
@Dan, I wouldn’t exactly say all that. Missing training camp had a lot to do with his early season performance not to mention the injury he took early in the season. I find it difficult to believe that he won’t be able to get back to his 09-10 season form sometime. When? I wish I knew. Everyone knows what he’s capable of so they key on him and he has to mature to the point where he can get around that and get back to the Norris Trophy form. Then he will be considered elite. I have no reason to believe he’s not capable of that.
[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:29 pm
@Goring 19, Thank for speaking for me.
[Reply]
Goring 19 Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:36 pm
@kinginsaltlake, the gist of our posts are the same. I’m not gonna bag on DD because we know the potential of the kid like every GM in the league does. BTW, been to the southwest corner of UTAH in the mountains above Cedar City, been going camping there for 30 some years, absolutely beautiful. I love the Beehive State!
LittleRhody Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 9:34 pm
@Goring 19, Well said
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
November 21st, 2011 at 11:27 pm
@Dan, This is true Dan. There is no guarantee he will ever be an elite defenseman but he is guaranteed elite money. There is a big difference between young and promising and being an elite level player. Patrick Stefan was young and promising.
[Reply]
Scot Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:00 am
@Osaka,
Another ouch!
Anyone see when Patrik Stefan skated in alone on an empty net when he was with Dallas, and he MISSED!? The puck rolled off his stick while there were about 10 seconds left. Edmonton picked up the puck in the corner, made a couple passes up the ice, and TIED the game with under a second left! And then of course, they also won the game in overtime. I’ll never forget that, I was watching it live. That was about it for Stefan in the NHL.
[Reply]
Everyone….read the book by Steve Simmons “The Lost Dream” about hockey players and the relationship with thier agents. That’s all I’m going to comment on…..but it’s a VERY GOOD book about this type of issue…seriously…read it.
[Reply]
Unrelated, but I find it increasingly sad that it is mathematically impossible to compare Crosby’s goal total with Penner’s in terms of multiplication. Crosby has 2. Penner has 0. 0*2 = 0 , 0*x = 0. All I can say is that Crosby holds two more goals than Penner’s “imaginary” concept of a goal.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:32 am
@Alexb20, Who cares? Apples and Oranges
[Reply]
Crosby has more points than 15 of our players : (
[Reply]
I think the defensive pairings should be Drew with Scuderi, Mitchell with Voynov, JJ with Greene. That way you get left and right shots on each pairing, its balanced because one guy is offensive minded and the other is defensive minded/stay at home defender, and Drew had his best year and developed rapidly when he was paired up with Scuderi. I don’t why he isn’t playing with him again.
[Reply]
I don’t want any more excuses for DD – elite? SHOW IT. Crosby out for 1000 games scores 2 + 2 on his FIRST game back. “Oh DD missed training, oh DD was injured for 1 week”… oh boo flippin hoo
Too much pressure? Thats what the 7 mill is for – so you eat, sleep, and poop hockey.
[Reply]
If 7m a season isn’t enough to “get him in the game” I don’t know what is.
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I know it’s just rumors, & quite honestly, I don’t spend much time reading them at all.. But I do hear about New Jersey & the Kings possibly talking. Anyone buying the Parise for Bernier, etc. rumors? Here’s my take..
It does seem like the Devils need to trade Parise before the trade deadline, because you cannot risk losing that player to free agency. It does not seem like they will be able to sign him to a long extension, thanks to the Kovalchuk contract! Even without Kovalchuk’s contract, it’s not clear that Parise wants to stay there.
So let’s say they trade him.. They DO need a goalie at some point in the next year or two to take over for Marty Brodeur. If they indeed want Bernier to have that chance, & they use Parise to get him, that would mean the Devils would have Brodeur, Bernier, & The Moose, Johan Hedberg, on the roster, all NHL-caliber goalies. They aren’t trading Marty, they aren’t sending Hedberg to the minors, & it doesn’t make sense to carry all 3, so that means that Hedberg likely would come back this way in a trade. (I would LOVE if Hedberg was Quick’s backup — SO reliable).
So, we have Parise and Hedberg potentially coming to the Kings (this is seriously all potential — likely won’t happen, at least anytime soon). What would the Kings need to send back?
Obviously, you start with Bernier. Obviously, you have to send back a top-six forward. The most obvious choice would be Dustin Brown, for a million reasons. One reason is he heads to New York, closer to where he’s from (not sure if his family still lives there or not). Secondly, in adding Parise, you are adding another potential Captain for the Kings – he is the Captain for the Devils right now. I wouldn’t be shocked if Kopitar was subsequently given the Captaincy – I think he’s ready. OK, off topic.
After Bernier and Brown, now what? They *could* ask for another depth forward if they wanted to, someone like Lewis or Richardson. And they *will* ask for at least one top prospect. Depending on how good the prospect is, that may mean we don’t need to give that extra depth forward. They have a young, puck-moving Adam Larsson on Defense, so I’m not sure if Voynov would be their first choice, although I’m sure any team would be happy to take him, but I’d hate to lose him. When you lose a forward as good as Parise though, you want another young forward back who could potentially replace him.
Here’s my final guess on what the trade *could* look like if it ever happened.
Kings get:
-Zach Parise
-Johan Hedberg
-Some draft pick.
Devils get:
-Jonathan Bernier
-Dustin Brown
-Alec Martinez
-Tyler Toffoli
-Some draft pick.
It may look lopsided in the Devils favor to some of you, but really, it isn’t as much as you think. They say the team that gets the best player in the trade, wins the trade. I’m not sure if everyone around here knows how good Zach Parise is, but he is, by far, the best player in the trade. He is AMAZING. He has “it” that we talk about with Mike Richards, & he has all the off-ice qualities you would want in a player. He is Captain material, & I would be willing to give up Toffoli to get him if I could. Also, don’t sleep on Hedberg — He is regarded as possibly the best backup goalie in the NHL these days.
Like I said, it’s all rumors, but it’s just fun to spitball about these things sometimes.
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nykingfan Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 5:10 am
@Scot,
Cap-wise it doesn’t make sense for the Kings.
They’re going to have to pay Quick $4+ mil after the season…you have no leverage if you trade Bernier.
add to that what Parise’s going to be asking for and the Kings will probably be over the cap. You’re subtracting fairly low cap guys. Brownie’s on a reasonable contract..and the rest make no $ (cap) at all.
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number 6 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:03 am
@nykingfan,
No, the Kings Will be over the cap. They’re right up against it now if I’m not mistaken.
Also, you live back east here and you probably feel as I do that the Devs much prefer to keep Parise, and my guess is that he’d prefer to stay with them. Don’t you think?
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nykingfan Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:39 am
@number 6,
I think they kight deal him…
they’re in a bad sitaution with ownership and money….I’m not sure they can afford to keep him..
number 6 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:49 am
@nykingfan,
Yeah, for sure I knew about their financial situation, but to me, the mere fact that they made him captain…. sorry but I just don’t see Lou letting him go w/o a massive job of trying to make it work financially first.
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Scot Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:28 am
@nykingfan,
True. See what I posted to Michael J below. As he pointed out, it may not be possible, thanks to Doughty’s contract. This is why you only sign “team” players, & not greedy players. If Doughty was a team player, he would have over-ruled his agent & taken less money to give this team more flexibility for future moves. I’m betting he doesn’t spend his entire career as a King. Especially if DL is here the whole time.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 5:54 am
@Scot, trading Brown would be flat out wrong. Brown has given his heart and soul to get the Kings back in the playoffs. Remember we got him when we had nothing. It would be an injustice for him not to be here when we lift the cup.
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Dan Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:01 am
@kinginsaltlake, why would you throw Brown in? He isn’t going anywhere.
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Scot Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:20 am
@kinginsaltlake,
Trading Brown but acquiring Zach Parise would not be a flat out wrong, it would be flat out smart. Parise is an elite NHL forward. Brown is.. not anywhere near elite.
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Michael J. Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:21 am
@Scot,
Nice trade idea. Unfortunately the Kings had this guy hold out over the Summer and demanded that he should be paid on his potential. The Kings cannot afford another big contract like Parise deserves.
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Scot Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:25 am
@Michael J.,
Yeah, I didn’t consider much about the contract situations. I know Quick will be getting paid, that’s for sure. With Stoll (3.6 million), and Penner (4.25 million) coming off the books, I suppose it’s possible, but still unlikely. Willie Mitchell (3.5 million) is also un-signed after this year, but I’m hoping we can keep him. Maybe he’ll agree to a minor pay cut, but the fact that he’s stayed mostly healthy the past year may mean he won’t want a pay cut.
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To those who were so happy with the Kings in First place a few days ago, look at the standings now. They’re a .500 team with only the Ducks between them and the basement, and everybody still seems to have games in hand. This is not a “the sky is falling” post. It’s a reality check. This team has not played near its potential, except when Quick stood on his head.
Speaking of Quick’s head, Murray seems to be doing his best to get inside it and screw it up. The last set of comments from Murray about goaltending are a start in the right direction. No more claims of “going with the hot hand” then switching unnecessarily after a shutout by your starter. No more playing a goaltender on back-to-back nights as though you’re afraid to play your backup. In short, this team needs to believe Murray has a clue what he’s doing, and he’s not making it look that way.
The same thing goes for the forwards. Stop juggling lines for a while, and let players get used to each other.
That all said, this post wasn’t about the Redwings game. I think they’re generally on the right track, and they need stability now, more than anything (and I might be wrong, but I think Penner’s injury is more serious than first thought.)
For those looking for trades–don’t. The players aren’t the problem, at least not the ones playing now, and not any more. Yes, Dewey probably thought he was going to jump into the lineup and score a bunch of goals, and he learned a lesson at everyone’s expense. Yes, the Kings got schooled by a bunch of veterans, but they did it after an emotional back-to-back with the waterfowl. Yes, scoring’s down, but it’s down around the league.
I hope this short roadie has an effect more like a long roadie, because this team needs bonding time. Fortunately, if they play good hockey, there’s plenty of time for them to get to the level at which we expect them to play. Let’s hope Murray doesn’t shunt their growth by screwing with things any more than opening up his boring system, as he seems to have started doing.
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Michael J. Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:26 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Well said. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in your argument. I do wonder why there are four skaters that have been with the team for a while that have produced nothing thus far? I don’t think we can blame the system on that. The players have to pick it up.
No trades??? I totally agree…
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:51 am
@Michael J., I’d look to chemistry. The players they’ve brought in know they were brought in to perform at the highest level. The players who remain are expected to meet or exceed their performance before. Where they have not been able to do that, you have to look at the differences in the rest of the team, and the differences in how Murray’s using them now. I haven’t kept track of who those “four skaters” are, but I’d say they need to get together with Murray and discuss it.
This isn’t the time to add more uncertainty by screwing with the roster. This is the time to develop a complete understanding of who you have and what they have to offer in the long term. If this team isn’t well above .500 by January, Murray will have a lot of explaining to do. He’ll probably have his job until June, but how he responds to the adversity will be key to whether he comes back–and if they don’t win at least one round in the playoffs, I give him 0% chance of coming back.
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Michael J. Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:20 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Four skaters should have read: four returning players currently on 3rd & 4th lines = Clifford, Lewis, Richardson & Stoll. These guys need to produce.
wavesinair Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:59 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
It seems like TM isn’t juggling as much as he normally does. But that could just be my perception and not reality. The whole thing about “scoring’s down, but it’s down around the league” simply doesn’t matter.
The Kings goals per game average is still 25th in the NHL. So in a league where scoring is down, the Kings scoring is that much worse. There is no way to get around that stat IMO. They need to add at least 1/2 goal more per game to be able to say they’re a legit threat.
Of course, this stat is due to inept 5 on 5 scoring, which sees the Kings tied with the Ducks at 28th in the NHL. The Kings have scored almost 1/2 fewer goals than Boston (50) PLUS the King have played one more game! This is a HUGE glaring hole in this team/system (take your pick).
5 on 5 scoring has been and will continue to be the Kings weakness. Personally, I blame the system. I love our defense, but something about TM’s system has put the Kings 5 on 5 scoring at the bottom of the league, REGARDLESS of who is on this team.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:53 pm
@wavesinair, In a league where the scoring is down, the Kings are a defensive-oriented team. Its’ all in the formula. Of course we want more scoring…it is what it is….
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red49er Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:43 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, your 2nd paragraph is spot on, perfectly accurate and something Murray should read and take to heart. The rest of your comments may be good too, but I stopped reading when the 2nd one rang so true.
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Again, and until this plays out, the Kings Coach is Terry Murray. If the Kings were coached by Danny Bylsma or the Chicago Coach, we wouldn’t have these player performance issues. In reading the TM quotes, I don’t like TM’s attitude. Brace yourselves Fellow Bloggers for a “not so pretty” St. Louis game. If I’m wrong, I’ll come in and admit it.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 5:59 am
@Poorman, I have got that same feeling this morning. Something just isn’t right. This blog site will blow up if the Kings lay an egg tonight. As we all know sometimes getting away from home is for the best.
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KFII Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:03 am
@kinginsaltlake, You must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed! Try again okay? I actually feel optimistic this morning…imagine that. LOL
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Michael J. Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:27 am
@Poorman,
I’m rooting for your boy to get the start tonight.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:53 am
@Michael J., All things considered, Bernier should start tonight, and Quick tomorrow, but with Murray, you never know.
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KC23 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:39 am
@Poorman, Oh, of course. It’s all about the coach. Malkin, Neil, Fluery, Letang, Staal, Kunitz, Toews, Sharpe, Kane, Hossa, Keith have had nothing to do with the Pens/Hawks success. If TM suddenly became the Pens/Hawks coach magically all the players would stop scoring, the world would stop spinning and the sun would no longer come up in the east.
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Poorman Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@KC23, Kopitar, Williams, Gagne, Richards, Brown, Doughty, Johnson, Voynov, Loktionov, Stoll. Come on KC, this group is scoring only 1,2 goals a game. Yes, I believe TM could screw up the Pens. ? is what could Bylsma do with this group. Is this really a ninth place team?
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Hang in there everybody. Yes, we are a quarter way through the season and our scoring sucks, DD is not playing at the $7 mil level, Crosby is the new scoring leader in the NHL, the former Kings are lighting it up on other teams, Quick is having a pretty good season, Kopi and Richards look great, the Big Red Dog is stuck on the training papers, half our team hasn’t scored, our major trade from last year is still MIA (both physically and mentally), but with all of this, we are still only 2 points out of first in our division, TM has actually used a time-out, the PP has improved, Kopi shows no affects from his injury, Gagne is still cruising under the rader, Voynov has shown he is human, and WE STILL HAVE 62 GAMES TO GO. GKG and lets take 2 points from the Blues tonight!!!!!
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Happy Lappy Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:17 am
@DesertKing, you’re the first one on this site (as far as I know) to make the point about Kopi, and it is so true, we are very lucky to have Kopi come back at top form. Think where we’d be if he was struggling to get back to his old form.
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DesertKing Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:33 am
@Happy Lappy,
There you go, stay positive!After all,whats the worst that can happen, we don’t win the Cup again?
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Murray, Lombardi, the coaching stuff and specially us, the fans, are still waiting for DD to show us the best he’s got. Like he did two years ago. I see that as a positive sign for optimism, not a basis for final judgement and hanging (or trade).
As much as I hated the preseason contract drama, I have never denied DD’s talents.
There is a period in every athlete’s career where his natural talents meet and match his emotional and mental maturity. If DD is not there yet, so be it. I’m willing to stay positive until it happens. I’m pretty sure all those elite defense men like Lidstrom, Webber, etc etc had to go through it, as well.
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Happy Lappy Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:25 am
@Gustavo, Frankly, I don’t see much to be excited about in DD’s game. From where I sit, he’s not that smart for one, I hear about his hockey IQ all the time from Fox and Miller. To me, he continues to make the same old mistakes as last yr., doesn’t appear to be able to rally the troops (not a leader), and is still a selfish player. I was hoping he would be traded during his holdout, just not a player you throw Kopi type money at, he’s been our wait til next year guy, only now it’s 7 mil. a year, wait til next year guy.
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Gustavo Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:12 am
@Happy Lappy,
I felt like you do during the contract saga. And I also wanted his rights traded based on attitude, not his skills…However, those in charge who are supposed to know better, count on this kid to develop and mature into a phenom player.
I think Voynov is developing faster and will perform better than DD will this season. But that does not rob DD from his skill set in any manner.
Management will have a nice little problem to worry about when Martinez heals. I would like to anchor the future of the team’s blue line with Voynoy, DD, JMFJ, Martines, Scuderi & Mitchell. I’d let go of Drewiski & Greene and bring up Muzzin.
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number 6 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:26 am
@Gustavo,
‘I’m pretty sure all those elite defense men like Lidstrom, Webber, etc etc had to go through it, as well.’
I’m not as convinced as you are. You can see that Lidstrom has an extraordinary maturity about him…. and not just because of his age. He’s always been a ‘mench’. Webber I’m not sure about.
Drew could do w a bit of growing up. On the other hand, to back up your point, Mike Milbury traded Chara, so of course there is always the possibility that Doughty will grow emotionally and w his game on the ice as well.
He most definitely has the chops. My question has to do w what’s between the ears. I don’t pretend to have an answer for that. I do have my doubts, but also my hope that he’ll get back to where he was several years ago.
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If only everybody had the heart and intensity of MR we’d be huge
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Doughty has been absolutely unimpressive so far. the 7M average is absolutely wasted on this guy if he plays like this the rest of the year. you would think he would be motivated to go out and earn his massive salary.
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Gustavo Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:14 am
@Sebastian,
I think he IS motivated to do better, but often falls into the ‘trying to do too much’ trap…then he ends up brain farting on some dumb plays like he did vs Detroit.
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number 6 Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 9:28 am
@Gustavo,
I didn’t see the play vs. Detroit, but I did see the one vs. Vancouver.
I don’t like to play some sort of sage…. but I’ll go out on a limb w this one…….. when you’re playing the best teams, I think your best players need to be your best players.
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I do believe that what we are seeing with Doughty is his immaturity. He does not need to perform because he and his agent got what they wanted from the Kings…much $$$$$. He is obviously not worth it!!! However good or bad he plays, he still gets his enormous paycheck. As for the Kings coaching…..I do believe we have said it over and over again. TM was good for teaching the young guys how to play defense but the time has come for someone else to coach who can motivate!!!
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the brass was so focused on giving DD this big contract i really feel they should start negotiating with willie and attempt to lock him up for 3-4 years as he really impreeses me..if we lose this guy it would be hard to replace him…
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See Kyle Turris (PHX) signed today after holding out through training camp and the first 7 weeks of season? He knew once Dec. 1st arrived, he’d miss entire season due to CBA rules. That’s what the Kings should’ve done with DD. They would’ve had Voynov cover his spot until now, and maybe Drewiske would’ve got some PT with these recent injuries.
Problem is Kings management had such a history of being cheap and by ID’d DD as the future of this franchise, they overdid it once they made the decision to change gears from rebuild to winning. That’s what baggage does, affects future decisions. Maybe DD should earn $7M/yr on his next contract, but this one was too much too soon. I believe the team would’ve been better off in every area (salary cap, principle, chemistry and future) if they had held a tough line with DD and let him hold out as long as Turris did. I really don’t think DD was the most popular guy in the dressing room before this season and I believe his teammates quietly hold a little against him for draining all that cap money when the goal should be the Cup. Chemistry gets affected in that regard as opposed to the benefits of more practice/game time together without a holdout.
There are numerous pro athletes (some of you have mentioned Matt Kemp) who have taken a little less money to achieve a larger objective, DD not being on of them.
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Drew Doughty is the best defenseman in the National Hockey League — period.
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egold44 Reply:
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@Hadley, Ur kidding yourself. He was the best D at the ’10 Olympics, and also great during that regular NHL season. But starting in the ’10 playoffs, and continuing all last season and this season, he’s no $7M/yr D. Rare D like Lidstrom gets their recognition because they are so steady, they make almost no misplays (weak coverage). Judging D at this level, it’s never about how much they do, it’s about how mistake-proof they play. Then, with no miscues, add on top of that stellar offense and you’ve got a Norris candidate (although Norris is often offensively biased). DD deserved being a Norris finalist in ’10, but the way he’s been playing since, it will never happen again. I do hope he gets back to ’10 form and wins a future Norris, but he might just be that rare player (as a D) who roars into the league and tails off, usually happens with a forward (like Jimmy Carson). Flaming out on D is less likely, but not being worth $7M/yr is unfortunately very likely. And that matters big time in the salary cap era…
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