The Kings are back on the ice this morning with the same lines/pairs they started Wednesday’s game with. Alec Martinez is on the ice in a no-contact jersey but Dustin Penner is not on the ice. Penner and Martinez had a lengthy workout yesterday. More updates to come…
Gagne-Kopitar-Williams
Loktionov-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Stoll-Hunter
Moreau-Fraser-Westgarth
Lewis/Richardson
Scuderi-Doughty
Mitchell-Johnson
Voynov-Greene
Drewiske
Martinez
Quick/Bernier
[UPDATE: Penner participated in the second half-hour of practice drills.]
Go Kings Go!
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Same lines…Really ?????
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AZ King Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@neil,
I’ve been trying to give Moraeu the benift of the doubt, but he really needs to sit after last game.
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LB Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:51 am
@AZ King,
Yup he really does! Plus against the Blackhawks, the Kings need all the team speed they can get – which means putting Lewis and Richardson in.
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Onetimer1966 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@LB, Agree, completely.
rumpa#19 Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 11:39 am
@LB, And they west coast fans don’t know hockey. Spot on LB.
Moreau again, ha?
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number 6 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:18 am
@nykingfan,
No need to worry. TM won’t skate him on Saturday. If he does then TM has an issue to deal with. If Bruce Boudreau can sit out Alexander Semin for undisciplined penalties (a guy who does bring something to the table offensively) then I repeat, there is an issue there.
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rumpa#19 Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 11:44 am
@number 6, Totally agree about Moreau, but Semin has stunk it up and should have been sat with out any penalties.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:19 am
@nykingfan,
Moreau is getting more chances than I can honestly say I’d give him, but I’m a nobody, and certainly I’m not the coach. I hope it works.
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I’ve been jonesing for the next game. Games like the last one will do that to you.
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No Penner? Hmmm….Smells fishy..maybe something in the works??
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When TM should change the lines…he doenst…..When TM changes the lines….He shouldnt…If Iam Lewis and Richardson..I would be pissed off. I dont see Moreau doing anything that is worthy of a spot instead of Lewis/Richardson.Also the last two games it seemed we went back to the old system.Only 24 shots last game and not too many grade A chances.22 games and waiting for the team to look better then last year….
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nykingfan Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:39 am
@neil,
Lewis and Richrdson with their combined 0 goals have absolutely nothing to be pissed off about other than their own pathetic offensive output.
And I like both of them!
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Carey Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:44 am
@nykingfan, Yeah, and Moreau with his 0 goals and plethora of costly penalties is really worthy of playing over them.
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nykingfan Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:49 am
@Carey,
dude..read my posts..I can’t stand Moreau.
My point was Richardson and Lewis can’t be pissed over not playing..
I personally would rather have them in the lineup over Moreau..heck I’d rather have me or you in there instead of Moreau
Scot Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@nykingfan,
Lol. totally
Gustavo Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@Carey,
Moreau, and Hunter, for that matter, provides more than twice the physical presence of both Lewis and Richardson combined. I’ll go with this guys, despite their shortcmings.
Dumphy Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@nykingfan, I completely understand what you’re saying, but the offensive upside of these 2 players is far greater than Moreau and Hunter (based on how he has looked thus far). What is really blowing my mind is the fact that the top 2 lines haven’t really been shuffled -JW 3 goals, DB 4 goals, JS 1 goal. These are players that play big time minutes and need to put the puck in the net, yet TM isn’t willing to change things up. I know there are plenty of intangibles that these players bring, but what harm could a change really bring? Maybe they’ll average 2.20 goals/game for a few, as opposed to the blistering 2.4/game they’re averging right now . In my personal opinion the approach needs to change, or TM will lose touch with his players (if he hasn’t already), just like Boudreau in WSH.
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nykingfan Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@Dumphy,
Upside? 0 goals is a downside to me…and the 2 of them are bsically mirror images of each other..at least right now..the season’s still young. The only thing you may be able to hang your hat on Moreau and Hunter is they’re both physical and are supposed to be veterans..hard to tell in Moreau’s case..Rookies would be ashamed the way he’s played.
TM’s not close to losing any of his players. He’s a players coach, but he’s demanding and they understand that and respect that.
He gets crucified if he doesn’t change them up..he gets it when he doesn’t. Tough crowd! lol
It’s up to the players to do the job on the ice..no excuses!
Puckn-A Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 10:54 am
@Dumphy, I haven’t checked the stats, but would be willing to bet that Hunter has had more goals in one season than Richardson and Lewis’ entire career combined.
I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving and plenty to be thankful for. Lets turn the page on our record vs Chicago and come up with a big win. For those of you going to the game enjoy, it will be a good one.
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tornado12 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:24 am
@408kingsfan, suite tix with puck and dominick. I will be surrounded by hockey knowledge and no matter the outcome this will be an experience to remember!
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408kingsfan Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
@tornado12, Enjoy and say hi to the boys for me, I have the in-laws for the weekend, care to trade places for a couple days? he he
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Richardson and Lewis need to play. Especially against a team like the Blackhawks. Are we going to continue to play two lines of grinders? Someone needs to tell TM this is 2011.
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It’s one good game, one ok game, against Chicago don’t be surprised
if they tank. That’s the pattern this season..
The Good, the bad and the ugly.
Where did I hear that?
Go Kings Go
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I think TM should leave the line of Fraser, Westgarth, and Clifford alone. I think Clifford and Westgarth play effective together on the same line. I believe it creates a comfort level for Clifford who is still very young, and it allows him to be himself.
And I am no coach, but I think Moreau needs to sit for a game.
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OldKingsFan Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:28 am
@puck73, concur – the needs to sit. To many stupid and untimely penalties.
Is he past his prime? Bring up one of the kids to replace him.
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Gustavo Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@OldKingsFan,
Who?
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neil Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@puck73, for a 4th line those 3 would be good together and try Lewis,Stoll and Richardson together.It would give us a speed line and a tough line.Cant be any worse then the way the bottom 6 is laid out…
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@puck73,
I agree, drop Moreau off with his Scooby lunch box @ the greyhound bus terminal and replace him with Clifford and you have a regular demolition squad!
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Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
@puck73,
My short-sightedness and emotions would favor placing Moreau on waivers today. The way that I see it, he does more boneheaded plays than good. Hopefully there is a lot more to see than what I see. With parse out and Penner injured the Kings are thin on the left side, although Richardson cuold go in there.
I will have to trust that TM and DL know a whole lot more about the game than I do. Lets hope they are right.
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If I said the Kings could pick up a 25 year old left winger who scored 22 goals last year….would anyone say no??? Then how come the Kings didnt go after Comeau??? He was picked up on waivers by Calagy today.I know the Kings are ahead of Cal. in the standings but a trade trumps a waiver claim..right??? The big moves are easy to do(Richards,Gagne,Etc)but the little moves are the ones that will make a difference.Halpern,Modin,Hunter,Moreau etc are all busts…..Maybe DL can explain this one….
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Kingsfanone Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:31 am
@neil,
Might it be the difference between shopping at Target and the 99 cents store?
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OldKingsFan Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:32 am
@neil, Hunter and Moreau are slow starters. They will warm up come May.
Hopefully not with us. Because that should be on the golf course.
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puck73 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:35 am
@neil, Actually, Modin played very well for the Kings down the stretch and against Vancouver in the playoffs. As far as Halpern goes, you are right, that trade was a big bust.
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variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:38 am
@neil,
comeau this year…:
no goals, no assists, no points in 16 games played and was a -11 with a 13:04 atoi…
his salary $2.5mil…
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Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@variable,
Run, don’t walk. Looks like POS without the offensive contribution.
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Scot Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@neil,
Yes, easy for us to say that we’d want a 25 year old winger who scored 22 goals last year. But if you are getting dumped off the Island, you must be doing something seriously wrong because the Islanders are one of the worst teams in the NHL. I don’t think I would want a player the Islanders are trying to get rid of for nothing.
Even if it was a player coming from, say, the Boston Bruins, Dean Lombardi is not looking for another 20-goal scorer. Ethan Moreau scored 20 goals once. We need a major impact winger, who can score 40 goals a season– That’s what DL is after. That, and some character added to the bottom 6. I kept suggesting Jamie Langenbrunner in the offseason but we went with Moreau, and Hunter I guess.
Even if DL had first dibs on Blake Comeau, he wouldn’t have claimed him, and I wouldn’t have wanted him to. He wouldn’t help us. The Kings want to make another HUGE acquisition, & we will all be happy when that happens!
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Perro Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@neil, I can’t believe that teams below Calgary didn’t tkae him. I thought Columbus would have been all over him.
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Gustavo Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@neil,
Add Ponikarovsky to the list of busts. But DL does not own you or any of us an explanation. Team gods work in mysterious ways..:)
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Goring 19 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
@neil, sometimes all a player needs is a change of scenery i.e. Teddy Purcell, Matt Moulson, etc…
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variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@Goring 19,
that’s exactly what feaster said today about the pick up…
maybe that’s what he needs…
but i don;t think he’s even close to being the impact player that this team still needs…
amazing how little separates today’s teams…lots ‘o’ parity…
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KC23 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@neil, Modin was pretty good for the Kings, but for some reason under rated by many King’s fans.
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I’m trying not to bash TM as much as I usually do, but seriously, you cannot leave Ethan Moreau in the lineup. We need a new coach badly.
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puck73 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@Scot, TM is really starting to make me wonder alot. It is very hard to justify firing someone who has helped get us into the playoffs the last 2 seasons. However, with the upgrades Dean has made so far with Richards and Gagne on board, I have a feeling that nothing less then a 2nd round appearance will do for TM.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@puck73, I know everyone likes to give credit to Murray for getting the Kings into the playoffs the last two years, but honestly, 16 out of 30 teams make the playoffs each year in the NHL. That means every team and every coach has a better than 50 percent chance of making the playoffs. I’d argue the Kings didn’t make the playoffs before, more out of what players we had at the time. I’d also argue that what DL has done with players has more to do with them making the playoffs than coaching.
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Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@Scot,
I agree with you… that Moreau needs to be sat, or driven (to the airport).
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lvkingaholic Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 9:04 am
@Michael J., nope, more like a shock collar……. so when he decides to raise the stick for a good ole over the head tree chopping swing………. zapp………… just like my hunting dogs……… really gets their attention
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It looks to me like Penner is on the ice wearing a purple jersey.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:33 am
@Luke M,
Ok……I’ll say.
“Use the Force, Luke”
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Good news….The Kings have only lost 7 games in regulation out of 22
Bad news…..The Kings have only won 11 games in regulation out of 22
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For me Hunter is even worse than Moreau. I would sit them both. TM should bring Lewis & Richardson over Hunter & Moreau!
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moreau won the king clancy memorial trophy for best exemplifying leadership qualities on and off the ice in ’09…
he does have a great reputation, but how is he above reproach if when at fault…?…
tm seems to be going a lot of respect towards moreau’s past…however, we are not privy to the dynamics of the locker room and maybe that’s where he’s earning his money…he’s definitely the type of veteran character guy that dl loves to have around…i think we would all like to see more leadership with him in the form of being smarter and more responsible on the ice…and i seriously doubt that moreau is happy with his game, so maybe by giving him another game to figure it out is tm’s way of extending even more understanding and trust to someone whom they consider to be an important figure on the team…
moreau might be getting it right in the locker room, but we also need moreau to get it right on the ice, too…
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variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@variable,
“giving a lot of respect…”…ugh….(!)
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@variable, I’ve come to realize that it’s my keyboard’s fault -and if need be, I will “fire it” even though I don’t have a replacement for it yet:)
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variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@jess,
hehehe…very good…(!)
Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@variable,
Don’t worry, I think I made three spelling errors in one post above.
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The choice to leave Moreau in the lineup is without a doubt puzzling, perplexing and bewildering..
Hey, I just described all of TM’s facial expressions in the course of one game…
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Kingsfanone Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@jess,
“I’ll pass it along.”
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Bottom 6 should be:
Clifford-Stoll-Lewis
Richardson-Fraser-Westgarth
Hunter looked horrible last game and Moreau has been pretty undiciplined. He did assist on Westy’s goal though and that was a nice play. Other than that though…
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variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
@Cynic,
i can see those lines, as well…
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Kingsfanone Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@variable,
But can TM see those lines?
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variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@Kingsfanone,
good advices in you,
despite what’s seen through
an old prescription that can’t correct…
KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@Cynic, i never give Moreau a shot…So i can agree but if have to pick i will pick Hunter to stay because yea he isnt better or anything but he doesnt take too much dumb penalties like Moreau does and mostly at the most important time of the game
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outsider Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@Cynic, good lines!
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off-topic…:
just watching and marveling at the play of pavel datsyuk vs boston now…
sid and him are the only two players in the league that on a regular basis do something that i’ve never seen before…
ovie used to, but not of late…
datsyuk pulled off a move today that maybe only he and gretzky know how to do…
he’s a treat to watch…
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Kingsfanone Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@variable,
And that’s some hockey game going there!
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Scot Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@variable,
I saw it too, amazing. Wish he could have finished that with a goal, it might have been goal of the year so far. Along with Matt Duchene’s.
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variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@Scot, @Kingsfanone,
great game, indeed…
wasn’t that play amazing…?!
wow…
it gave me chills…
he saw the whole thing, like a chessboard…
and yr right, if he would have scored, that would have been right up there with duchene’s goal…
unreal player that pavel datsyuk…
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there is no hope for TM if he plays Moreau after the last game.
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Well, I want the Hawks to win, but hopefully the Ducks bang them up just enough for tomorrow’s game.
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outsider Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@jess, Ducks up by two!
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@outsider, Up by three now, heck they’re gonna be mad as hornets when they play us tomorrow! Should make for interesting hockey though
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I wanna see Clifford Fraser Westgarth as our 4th line. Moreau living off his rep when his skill falls well short of the mark.
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@KC23, Agreed – +1000!!
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Cynic Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@KC23, I wouldn’t mind that. He’d be good with Fraser.
Richie-Stoll-Lewis would be a pretty fast line, but none of them are scoring worth a damn. Clifford isn’t either though, so I guess it’s really just the idea of more speed on the 3rd line to create havoc and turnovers.
As long as Moreau and Hunter sit, I’d be fine. THose two need a time out.
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TradedForADraftPick Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Cynic,
Only direction for the bottom six to go is up. Considering the goal scoring threats there have been Fraser who has been in under a dozen games and Westgarth I’d really like to see those line combos. Fast, pesky, and solid defensive third line and a heavy fourth? Seems plenty reasonable to me
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My biggest thing is all the talk of the chemistry between Richards and Gagne and yet TM hasn’t played them together at all! Not even, not PP, not SH. Didn’t Bob Miller mention the other night how many shorties they’ve scored together? Or was the Emerick? The first line will be fine as long as Kopy is on it. Anyway…
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joe Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Los Reyes, the team is out of shape they can’t play 60 m they can’t play back to back games
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./facepalm
I thought for sure without a doubt after another dismal performance and another beautifully timed idiotic penalty, I would come on here and see Moreau as a healthy scratch. He must know some pretty cool magic tricks for the boys during Intermission to keep him on instead of Richie and Lewis.
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Moreau really? This is one of many reasons why everyone is calling for TM to be fired. When your stupid penalties is directly causing your team to lose, it’s time to watch from the press box.
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Who is this Drewiske person you speak of?
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Patience is virtue. Hunter and Moreau will produce. Just give it time, I have faith (though not much) haha. Westie needed to get it going.
The top 6 are producing a heck of a lot, so half of “the system” must be working.
We are taking very dumb penalties, penalties that have cost us a game, or two. I like the fact that people don’t approach us with the respect we deserve. I’d rather fly below the radar then to be number one with teams looking at us with a fine tooth comb. Like vancouver last year….
anyway, hope everyone and their family had a good day yesterday and that the important things were cherished!!!
Once the newborn gets a little older I hope to make it out to a game (though not with the kids).
I hope to meet you guys when that time comes!!!
GO KINGS GO!!!!
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Hell, I’d take Penner back to push Ethan M. or Hunter out.
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I’m off Moderation! I’m off Moderation. Holy Cow, I’m off Moderation!
Thank you, Rich. I’ll do my best to be good. (it’s hard with some of these commentors, but I’ll do my best!)
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Penner is about to go the way of Tom Preissing without the degree.
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put richie and lewie on third line with stoll……….scratch moreau and hunter and put them on waivers…….we have players in manchester with young legs and heart and more skill……….these guys arent fast enough for the drive thru at burger king…we need more new blood in there to give us more puck control…………..and quit telling these guys the offense goes thru the point men we need to get it down low in the high percentage scoring areas if we want more goals…………….the only person getting the puck close to scoring from the point is voynov because hes not shooting at the crowd behind the glass or the other teams legs……..oh i almost forgot fire murray…….stil as lame as ever
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