Over the past couple years, it’s been something of a running joke, Terry Murray’s tendency to change line combinations. It gets more attention than it should, because there’s no coach in the NHL who doesn’t change lines when things aren’t going well, but the Kings players have had a good nature and joked about it. This season, though, it’s been different. The first line of Anze Kopitar, Simon Gagne and Justin Williams has been together all season, and the other lines have, for the most part, changed only because of injuries to players such as Dustin Penner and Scott Parse.
WILLIAMS: “We certainly have noticed. I think, some days we lose and he switches them up during the games and you expect, the next day, there to be a little bit of a shuffle, but we’ve always reverted back to what we started the year with. If you said, 22 games in, that we’d have the same line, I wouldn’t believe you, but we started off quite well and we’ve kind of slowed down a bit of late. He has given us a chance to get hot again. I know we’re going to do that soon.’’
“been something of a running joke” -hit that nail on the head hammond..
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Bama Kings Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
@jess, Williams makes comments that have a bit of bite to them, at least that’s how they read to me.
“We certainly noticed.” He didn’t say, “the coach does what’s best,” he said, ” no kidding, right?”
When I read his comments, I sense frustration and a hint of honesty.
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 9:05 pm
@Bama Kings, Think Williams will perk up against Chicago? Sure hope so, he’s definitely got what it takes.
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the more things change, the more things stay the same…
or will it be…
the more things stay the same, the more things change…
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@variable,
I’m wondering -and maybe you can help me with this, but did Murph’s contract come with a fog horn and a light house?
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variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@jess,
hehe…
he’s not that bad…
i’m more inclined to continue to be supportive towards tm and hope that during this next stretch of games, things start to take better shape and we move forward with winning hockey…
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@variable,
Good point, and though I do poke fun at Murph quite a bit, I still retain hope for his success now, and in the future because we all know what that would mean
What are Moreau and Hunter doing on any NHL lines, especially ours? After that STUPID penalty that gave Dallas 2 points on Wednesday (and countless others), TM better wake up, review the senseless penalty, that he warned his players about, and then Moreau had better be a scratch.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@David Katzner, its the samething as saying…Y Richardson a die hard player that wont take stupid penalties in the dog house?
WHY TM?? I like Richardson!! Moreau bring bad plays that cost use 2 points 99%
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Gustavo Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@David Katzner,
or else, lol?
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Onetimer1966 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@David Katzner, Yes, Yes and yes.
What is TM Thinking, I want to hear from him.
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Scott Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 10:50 am
@David Katzner, It’s also like why is JJ still playing D for LA. He looks more in his element as a power forward at LW. His early goals this season were on the LW side of the net, maybe that could be TM’s answer to what to do with Voynov and Martinez when Martinez comes back.
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And Hunter on the power play? Really?
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Moreau continues to STAY and nothing CHANGES
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SOONER rather than later please Justin!!!!
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Clicked on a few links to other team blogs… They don’t even come close to this one. Most of them are all scattered with advertisements. The only logo you see on this site is the crown! I also noticed there weren’t many comments/posts from readers. This site gets a lot of traffic and deservedly so.
The only thing I do wish we had, which was brought up before the season started, was linking this to our facebook account. It would be cool to know when I’m tagged in a post or in a picture(s).
Nonetheless, this is probably the most visited website on my work & personal computer.
One week ago…. sigh
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wavesinair Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@California Royalty,
I agree there can be an amazing improvement of the interactive user experience on here. Those “dramatic changes” Rich talked about never materialized that I can see. I know some backend changes have occurred for people who used multiple names, but nothing on the frontend. The emails I receive letting me know someone replied to my comment are very intermittent and not reliable at all.
Here’s the link from the summer: http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/07/22/thoughts-on-commenting/
On my site, I made a little comment tracker that I use constantly. I find it very useful in tracking my comments because it shows when people respond to you. But it only tracks the last 10 comments, which is the default RSS setting on a wordpress blog. Here’s that link: http://deepinsidethekings.com/la-kings-insider-comment-tracker/
You can also search old threads via a google search I set up, which I also use all the time: http://deepinsidethekings.com/lakings-insider-search/
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TM has a line changing “fetish” and he is taking care of that with the defense this time
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The Kings are one of the worst offensive teams in the league so it clearly makes sense to not mix things up…
Gagne scored 7 of his 14 points in the first 5 games of the season. Williams has 1 goal in the last 18 games. It’s not like that line has really been tearing it up.
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Neither Moreau nor Hunter have made anywhere near as many point or game costing bad plays as your beloved $7.0 a year man, Mr. Drew ‘Unfocused’ Doughty.
Should TM scratch DD, as well? Or ahead of them? Or instead of them? All of them, perhaps?
Give it a break, ffs, people..These are 3rd and 4th liners you’re bitching about. They have shortcoming, skills and experience packaged in a manner that management the coaching staff find good enough to include in the line up.
Let it be.
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Jason4Kings Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@Gustavo, Lines 3 and 4 are very important, arguably our biggest shortcoming right now. No breaks.
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Canadian King Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Gustavo, I love how DD is everyones whipping boy. As I recall the precious JJ was the moron who did an ill-advised pinch for the big hit and cost us the game in ot, which shouldn’t have happened in the first place if Moreau wasn’t so lazy with his stick.
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gene Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@Gustavo, I agree 100%. Why dont you scratch DD and let him wake up a little bit. He is not worth $7,000,000.
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Be realistic all…….given this is a buisness not a game at this level. The big money or traded for players will play, bottom line.
If the bloggers ran the team this would occur……..
-Doughty would be in the pressbox spending his $7 million on chicken fingers and fries
-Moreau would long be back in Manchester as a draw for the crowd
-Hunter would be gone all together, release and bought out
-one of our goalies would be traded for another 20 goal scorer
-Penner would definitely be in the press box with Doughty
-Mitchell, Greene, Martinez, Scuderi, Voynov, Johnson, Drewiski would be told to just clear the puck, no giveaways at either blueline
-top line would be told to act like a top line and show effort every shift (Williams, Gagne especially) Kopi just play your game
-second line would be the place for the other 20 goal scorer with MR and DB
-Lotkionov would be in Ontario or Manchester
-our 4th line would stay Clifford, Stoll, Westgarth
-our 3rd line who is supposed to check the other teams top line would be Lewis, Richardson, Parse (all can skate well)
-finally not sure if TM survives this list or not, likely not so thanks Terry see ya
…..and with all that lets get ready for the Hawks and have a big effort all night long.
Enjoy the game if your going, now that I’ve played owner thanks for spending $200 or more with me and the Kings for the night.
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outsider Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@Harty, wow, realy nice post!
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Harty Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@outsider, one person’s opinion outsider, but it all matters when things are going south for the kings
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Shakes Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
@Harty,
You also forget these potential gems:
- JMFJ would be moved to a winger
- Patrick O’Sullivan would be on our top line
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chip Reply:
November 26th, 2011 at 1:16 am
@Shakes, Quick to left wing.
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Who’s defense is worse, the Hawks or the Sucks?
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Our 1st line didn’t look good lately but we don’t have any better… And damn, bench Hunter & Moreau!!!
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Thinking of the lack of production from this week’s whipping boys, Moreau and Hunter, causes me to think realistically about what options the Kings have right now. With Parse and Penner out the only two available forwards are Richardson and Lewis. The Lewis who played the last 50 games last year, and the Richardson who played in the playoffs are with out a doubt an upgrade from Hunter and moreau. Unfortunately, both of those guys haven’t shown up yet this year.
Although my emotional response tells me that Moreau should be placed on waivers, my brain tells me that this is not a viable option for a couple of reasons:
1) The Kings are presently thin at LW;
2) There really isn’t anyone in Manchester to call up to replace him;
3) Should the Kings release him so quickly, what kind of message would that send to other possible UFA’s;
4) Ethan is a human being, not a character on a video game. He signed for a minimal price and moved his family to play for the Kings. The Kings probably owe him another 20 games before they could justify letting him go.
I think the best option is to allow Ethan the chance to work through his struggles and earn his spot in the lineup.
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@Michael J.,
Well, good points, and regarding ethan, if a drunk dumps enough quarters in a slot machine it’s eventually going to turn up with three strawberries.
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Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@jess,
Is that like “even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while”? I would take “keeps out of the penalty box” for starters.
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@Michael J.,
Yes, scientifically speaking that would be an excellent starting point. One has to wonder what all the penalties are about though. Is it cold legs or what. I have to say I expected an elevated game from Moreau. I think we all did… Maybe his time will come and we can only hope…
TradedForADraftPick Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@Michael J.,
No way do you waive Moreau or Hunter right now. Just sit em one game at least. Get a speedy, pesky, and solid defensive line of Richie, Stoll, and Lewis and a heavy, gritty line of Cliffy, Fraser (who has been awesome), and Westie (who is clearly now a goal scoring threat). I think Hunter and Moreau have plenty to offer the team, but their play right now needs a wake up call.
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Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@TradedForADraftPick,
I like your line suggestions. I gotta believe that these guys (Richie, Lewis) might be what Stoll needs to get back on track. Stoll is not the typical playmaking center. He scores off of rebounds and passes from his wingers to him in the slot (see last year with Williams and Smyth). I think that Richardson & Lewis might be able to do this with him thatnks to their speed. Another option is to put Lokti on his line when Penner returns (mane what you want of that).
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Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@Michael J.,
*thanks
**make
TradedForADraftPick Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
@Michael J.,
I’ve been wondering what’s going to happen with Lokti whenever Penner gets back. Likely back to Manchester, but can’t tell with management ever it seems. And the bottom six (well, the whole team really) can’t much worse in regards to offense. Try anything at this point.
Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@TradedForADraftPick,
Since camp begun I have refuted the idea of keeping Lokti with Stoll and moving Jarret to the wing. Now, with Stoll’s lack of production being such an issus I am in favor of trying it out. If management and coaches try this out I hope they give it 10 to 12 games, not two or three.
variable Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@Michael J.,
good post…
i said something similar to what you have said about moreau on a prior post…however, i do think it’s okay to scratch him for a game…
he won the king clancy trophy in ’09, so tm is giving him the respect he probably has earned based upon his reputation by giving him more time to get it right…
i think you said it best with…”my emotional response tells me that Moreau should be placed on waivers, my brain tells me that this is not a viable option”…
well said…(!)
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Michael J. Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@variable,
Of course our emotional responses come from our brains, so I guess i contradict myself. So, I’ll rephrase that and choose my frontal lobe over the lymbic system
Rather than scratch him for one game, how about replacing him in the everyday lineup until circumstances dictate otherwise?
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g smith86 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
@Michael J., earn a spot? Seems like he is penciled in there already…So, you are saying that it’s the GM(s) call on this one…interesting
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Hello, you have reached the voicemail for Dean Lombardi, general manager of the Los Angeles Kings hockey club. I’m sorry I can’t take your call right now since I am hosting a car wash to raise the money for DD’s fine, but please follow the prompts. If you are a team seeking a trade including Moreau, please press one to receive an automatic “yes.” If you are calling to complain reference TM constantly changing line, please press “2″ and then change it and press “3″ and then change it again and press “4.” If you ate too much turkey and are suffering from tryptophan overdose, please hang up and dial 9-1-1 before your nap becomes permanent. If you are calling to say you want me to fire TM, press “5.” If you are calling to say you want me to keep TM, press “6.” If you are looking for Santa Claus, he was in Dallas on Wednesday night dropping off their present. If this is Santa, I already told you, the Ice Crew calendar is in the mail. For everyone else, please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I finish waxing Gretzky’s Benz.
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@DesertKing, Haha Dez! That made my day (!!)
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I’m really hoping Lewis and Richardson get put back into the lineup. Far more speed, far more discipline, and are just as responsible defensively as Moreau. And can TM start using Lokti on the powerplay more instead of Hunter and Moreau? I know both guys are big net presences but 0 goals and they got a playmaking kid they aren’t isn’t utilizing.
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sdgolfer Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 9:23 pm
@TradedForADraftPick, how many goals do lewis and richardson have? Zero.
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TradedForADraftPick Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
@sdgolfer,
moreau and hunter? 0. by that logic fraser and westgarth are the team’s offensive standouts. might as well try the speedsters out. can only improve.
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This may seem like a totally weird question, but do any of you bloggers actually talk to the players other than Rich? I’m curious to know if any of them read this blog. Does management read it?
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Harty Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@Poorman,
Here is my answers…..
yes
no
no
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puck73 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@Poorman, Dont worry Jimmy, I am paying attention to you for sure !!
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KC23 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@Poorman, I talk to the players every game, doesn’t everyone? I’ve yet to get a response however.
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DesertKing Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@KC23,
I have the opposite problem. They keep talking to me and I keep hearing them but my psychiatrist told me not to worry about it too much, just take medication
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nykingfan Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@DesertKing,
lol
Wow the ducks suck.
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jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@KC23,
Hey this looks familliar.. Wait a minute, have Carlisle and Murray been sharing their lead protection strategies?
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KC23 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@jess, Don’t we have like 1 loss in 60 after leading in the 3rd? Tough crowd.
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nykingfan Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@KC23,
none..only in ot/so. the Kings haven’t lost a lead going into the 3rd and lost in regulations in a couple of years..I think it covers roughly 70-80 games
jess Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@KC23,
You’re right, -my memory tends to favor the short term, maybe I’ll look into to some quality fish oil supplements.
Just woke up from a nap ….. so any inconsistencies here can be attributed to that
Watched as others did the Det Bos game today. Couldn’t help but notice that the Bruins so called ‘gritty’ players have the following: Marchard (7 goals), Lucic (8 goals) Chris Kelly (7 goals). Don’t know if Nathan Horton goes under the gritty category, but he has 6.
The Kings gritty players have on the other hand Clifford (1), Fraser (1), Moreau (0), Hunter (0), Westgarth (1), Stoll (1), Brown (4).
So, that to me says a lot about where the Kings are as a team, regardless of where the winning percentage is or isn’t. It needs to improve. I’m not sure what to add to that. If there is an insistence in bringing in ‘leadership and grit’ thats fine, but when it’s spread out over seven players (thats a lot!) and 8 goals…..
I’m still not feeling great about not sitting Moreau. I’m not sure what his leadership contributions are or are not, but that sort of irresponsible play can’t continue.
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number 6 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@number 6,
Sorry, forgot Penner. That doesn’t change the total, so nevermind.
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Harty Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
@number 6, they may be gritty but playing larger minutes then Clifford, Fraser, Moreau, Hunter Westgarth.
Becareful measuring apples and oranges……
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number 6 Reply:
November 25th, 2011 at 7:32 pm
@Harty,
I don’t know if you have the mins numbers, but I can assure you of one thing…… they most certainly aren’t proportionate. How exactly do you figure zero goals into x number of mins? Whatever the minutes it still comes out to zero.
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Ive seen the posts about how bad the Ducks suck and that’s great, but now the Kings have to play the Blackhawks. This is a team that never seems to panic when they are behind and we are a team that lately has struggled holding a lead. Let’s hope for a come from behibd victory from the Kings
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the arabic translation for “behind”
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TM needs to bench Moreau…
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