Well, The Great Lineup Shakeup of 2011 has taken place, with Andrei Loktionov moving to center, Jarret Stoll to wing and only the fourth line remaining intact. Here’s how the forwards and defensemen are lined up early in practice…
Brown-Kopitar-Hunter
Gagne-Richards-Stoll
Clifford-Loktionov-Williams
Moreau-Fraser-Westgarth
Penner/Richardson/Lewis
Scuderi-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Johnson-Greene
Drewiske-Martinez (no-contact)
HUNTER?!!!! WTF!
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:43 am
@Krusher, I don’t know what to say…
[Reply]
Scott Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@Bama Kings, Oh these lines are awful. Can the Kings just let me do it please?
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Scott Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@Scott, I would much, much rather this:
Johnson-Kopitar-Brown
Gagne-Richards-Williams
Clifford-Loktionov-Richardson
Moreau/Lewis-Fraser-Hunter
Scuderi-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Drewiske-Greene
Quick
Bernier
Alex Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Bama Kings, Well it did not look that bad yesterday. Yes he missed the net, but remember when was the last time he had that kind of a look at the net. He will not miss this kind of the opportunity again. But second line?????? Stall??????? Clifford should be there. He will give that line a bit more punch.
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@Alex, Stoll (not Stall) has been a good player for us and while he’s in a slump, he’s worth betting on long term. Clifford is young and developing, but isn’t where Stoll is by any stretch of the imagination.
Alex Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
@Bama Kings I do not care how it spells. I care about the scoring and Stoll has not produce anything, not even close. So it’s time to let someone else to try.
Steve C Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:45 am
@Krusher, Shocked me as well. I guess Murray thought Trent worked well with Anze despite missing that open net late in the 3rd.
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Räikkönen Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@Steve C,
well lets be honest, Hunter worked hard for those chances. Sucks he lacked the finish.
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Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
@Räikkönen,
I see a lot of people getting on Hunter. I don’t think they’ve seen much of him because he was in the east. He plays a somewhat heavier game much like Simmer did. The effort hasn’t been lacking from TH. I’ve been impressed with his effort. Lokti at Center? ’bout time. Now we really see if he’s got NHL talent or not. Go Lokti, Go Hunter, GO KINGS!
Alex Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@Steve C, Actually he did. He looked better than Williams there. It’s like last year, Penner looked good with Kopi before the injury. And would try him there again. Maybe Kopi needs this kind of guys on his line, gives him a lot more room to do his magic.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@Alex, I would bet we see Penner back (at least another try?) if Hunter doesn’t take advantage of this opportunity.
KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@Krusher, LMAO i know i laughed it made me laugh hard LOL
[Reply]
LomitaKingsFan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@Krusher, Yeah, Im kind of in shock at that. I mean I know there is a lack of depth at wing currently, but does TM really thing Hunter is the best fit for that spot?
[Reply]
justmyopinion Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@Krusher,
Hunter shouldn’t even be on the ice. He’s been nothing on the power play so now he’s going to be on the top line?!?! One lucky, descent play other than that…
[Reply]
Eric Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@Krusher,
I don’t mind Hunter up on the first line. It’s clearly evident that the Kopitar line has been too soft and finesse to bring it every game. Kopitar needs some gritty wingers to battle in the corners and in front of the net, which is exactly what Hunter “should” do. I’m actually curious to see how that line transpires against the Sharks.
[Reply]
paige Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@Krusher, My thoughts exactly!!!!!!!!!! Hunter doesn’t finish- don’t know that he can!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
King John Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@Krusher,
Hunter’s there until Penner or Parse get back—don’t worry. Anyway, who knows how long these lines will last?
Parse/Penner – Kopi – Brown (did well last year)
Gagne – Richards – Williams/Stoll (we’ll see how long Stoll is there)
I’m glad to finally see Gagne with Richards; it seems like he’s been missing a LW.
I’m glad to see Loktionov at center; we may have three good scoring lines.
This is better than staying status quo the way the offense has been inconsistent. I just hope Penner or Parse work, because I don’t think Hunter will—but who knows?
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
@Krusher, My head hurts…make it stop
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 9:02 am
@Krusher, Dr Feelgood to Terry Murray’s office please…Paging Dr Feelgood.
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What the heck is that? Did he just put Williams on the third line and promote Hunter?
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@Bama Kings, yup
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Räikkönen Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@Bama Kings,
Looks balanced, its like 3 scoring lines. Loktionov is back at center, so thats good for him. And lets face it, Williams has been awful the last 3 games.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
@Räikkönen, Clifford, Lokti, Williams? Lokti could really benefit from playing with a very hungry Justin Williams.
[Reply]
What the heck is that? Did he just put Williams on the third line and promote Hunter?
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:43 am
@Bama Kings,
You can say that again!
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:44 am
@Michael J., Ya, didn’t mean to do that…. I was having a seizure and clicked the button twice. Must have been a seizure, cause my eye sight is failing me. It looks like he promoted Hunter and demoted Williams, so I have to be sick, right?
[Reply]
justmyopinion Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@Bama Kings, You’re not the one who’s sick. The sick one has the initials TM.
Alex Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@Bama Kings, Oh, please. Williams has been playing horrible hockey lately. Let him think about it. And Hunter showed up yesterday at least he looked like he has a chemistry with Kopi. I know it’s only one game but let see if he can do this every game. Nothing else worked so far, so why not.
Are you serious….Brown and Kopitar do not work….we have learned this from the past. Its time for Terry Murray to go….FIRE TERRY MURRAY!
[Reply]
Donald Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:45 am
@PucktheDucks, Maybe someone else calling the shots?
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Dan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:46 am
@PucktheDucks, Terry Murray is a complete idiot. Trent Hunter couldn’t make the Islanders. The worst team in Hockey and now he is on the 1st line. Epic Fail.
[Reply]
zulov Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
@Dan, Thats funny. And true.
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Jt22 Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 8:28 am
@zulov, It just goes to show how little the people who post in here know about hockey. The islanders are full of young talent and they decided to rebuild THAT’S why Trent hunter isn’t there anymore he has had seasons of 20+ goals , get over yourselves and let the players deal with the game.
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:46 am
@PucktheDucks, This has to be it, right? I mean, TM is going to be fired for this – he has to be fired for this. Either (1% chance) this works and he’s an evil genius OR it’s his way of sticking it to the Kings on his way out.
Cause this can’t be for real…
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:48 am
@PucktheDucks,
You mean last year when they played at their best when they played together? Most of their points came from each other last year.
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LB Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@PucktheDucks,
The previous lines were not working. Why is anybody surprised that the lines got shuffled up? He’s trying to get something going.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@LB, yea but why Hunter there?? i Rather have Clifford yea i know he not going to be a top 6 forwards but Hunter cant be one either
and Beside Brown on the left he sucks in the left side
[Reply]
TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@LB, yes but he has tried this stuff before (brown – kopitar) and it didn’t even close to work. And hunter on the first line? The only ones Murray is going to get going is the fans, with that kind of BS decision.
[Reply]
Alex Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@TheAcaciaStrain, Penner worked there for short time before Kopis injury. Why not try him there again.
Palffy33 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@LB,
The lines aren’t working because TM’s system is the worst in the nhl. You don’t have a roster like ours this year and do a dump and chase system still. You can put Kovalchuck and B. Richards on this team and we still would have 5 on 5 scoring. It is all on TM from his line combos, to line juggling, to his horrible system for this caliber team. He needs the boot. If he doesn’t and the Kings don’t make playoffs or lose in the first round again, then DL should be held responsible as well and both should be gone.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
@LB, I agree. Let Lokti play center with JW (who was just demoted and should be in attack mode).
[Reply]
Eric Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
@PucktheDucks,
Murray should not be fired for switching up the lines. Rather, he should be canned for not taking this team to the next level. The lines actually make sense if you objectively sit down and think about it.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
@Eric, With Penner coming back from injury someone goes back to Manchester. Why not let Lokti play at least a game at center? King’s management seems to betting on Loktionov so that means he’s going to be there next year fro sure. That is unless someone else wants him bad enough to make DL and offer he can’t refuse. It’s worth a shot.
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
@PucktheDucks, Free Dave Tippett
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@PucktheDucks,
send Lotkionov home or to Manchester (too small)
send Hunter packing somewhere
send Moreau to the pressbox
let Lewis and Richardson back in
then ticker with the lines………
[Reply]
Okay, switch Brown and Hunter.
Then switch Hunter again, but this time with Stoll (I guess that’s all we got)
Then switch Hunter one last time, with Williams
Then maybe we’re onto something.
[Reply]
Markisonfire Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@Bluecoconuts, And then one more switch, with Lewis.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@Markisonfire, while we’re at it, switch Moreau and Hunter for Zeus and then maybe we’re getting close?
[Reply]
With this move he really crossed the line!!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:52 am
@outsider,
what line might that be?
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:59 am
@nykingfan, Sanity.
[Reply]
Looks like were spreading the wealth to three lines, I approve
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Donald Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:47 am
@408kingsfan, Me too!!
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:48 am
@408kingsfan, Hey everyone, TM does read this blog and user name is 408kingsfan!
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:53 am
@Bama Kings,
Yeah because he disagrees with you and the rest of the lynch mob “geniuses”
comical!
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:56 am
@nykingfan, You needed a comma there, genius.
408kingsfan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:56 am
@Bama Kings, ha ha ouch
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:58 am
@408kingsfan, All in good fun my friend. I’m often way out there with my thoughts. In all truth, you’re not that far off. It’s either a trade, a system change, a coach change or line changes.
He can’t do the first, he won’t do the second, I’m pretty sure he’s against the third, so the fourth is all that’s left.
The only real problem i have is Williams on the third line. He’s just too good. Then again, TM says the third line ism’t the checking line, so….
408kingsfan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
@Bama Kings, You need three lines with some level of skill. You need all three lines scoring. You need shot mentality, net presence, heavy play, good old fashion north south hockey on the checking part of the game. uh oh! I am Terry Murray please please kill me now!
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@408kingsfan, Quick, get this guy to the ER!
Happy Holidays, bro!
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
@Bama Kings, I’m actually a close friend of Terry Murray’s cousins’ friend’s neighbor’s plumber. So I really have a pipeline into Terry Murray’s brain. I think he’s got some mojo going with this line change. It’s clear the boys need “something” to light some scoring fire. So this is “something”. Let’s see what it brings. Hunter has some grit to his game much like DB, and it’s not been there recently with Williams or Gagne. Plus it will be nice to see if Gagne and Richards can recreate some chemistry. Williams will be anxious to show that he’s just been in a funk and hopefully can help Loktionov show that he’s worth all the investment the Kings have place in his development (at CENTER). All around I think it’s all potentially Terry Murray’s best changes of the season.
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@408kingsfan, I also agree with this move. I posted last night that spreading it out might be useful. If anything else, it is at least a change from what WASN’T working.
[Reply]
CheezyPoofs Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 7:58 am
@tornado12, what wasn’t working was Hunter’s shot. That guy had two wide open shots and didn’t do anything but upset me and every Kings fan. Moving a guy who’s been invisible on the power play and has yet to score a goal (even though he’s had ample opportunity) to the first line is madness. I’ve never been one to advocate this sentiment, but TM needs to be let go. Sorry to break it to you folks, but TM is NOT the coach that will lead the Kings to the Finals. He may not even be the coach to lead them to the playoffs this year.
[Reply]
I’m dumbfounded. Why give Kopi wingers that can’t finish?
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@kozak, because aside from Gagne, that’s all we have right now…
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What kind of line up have I just read? D:
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You know, I’ve said this before, but Williams is a bit critical in a sly way with his comments of the system. Looks like Hunter is all, “TM, I really like your system, Sir. It’s great!.”
TM: “What that you say, you get fist line time!”
Williams: “What the heck just happened?”
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:50 am
@Bama Kings, Can I have your email address ? I am really starting to like the posts you are shooting out, very impressive in my book.
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:54 am
@puck73, Stop being so mean to me, Puck. You’re going to give me a complex!
[Reply]
FYI Ryan Smyth has 12 goals.
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:49 am
@Dan, Moulson scored a niffty one last night.
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Dan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:50 am
@Dan, to go along with 12 assists. He would be the leading scorer on the Kings. Great trade Lombardi. Great trade.
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:54 am
@Dan,
Oh come on, it’s not like Lombardi had a choice there, Smyth asked for a trade and then told the media about it, Lombardi had nothing else he could do. You can’t pin that on him.
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@Bluecoconuts, Ya, my employees always want days off with pay and I have to give it to them, what choice do I have…. wait a minute.
Dan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@Bluecoconuts, He could of said. Too bad. I know you don’t like playing for Terry Murray but you have a contract. 1 year isn’t that long in someone’s lifetime. His family could have moved back and he joined them in a year. 4.25 million would allow for flights to see each other.
Pesus Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Bluecoconuts,
He wanted out to get away from TM, and TM is still around because DL didnt fire him last year. So you can put some blame on Dean on Smyth wanting out. Dont believe all the family stuff, Im sure that played into but if Smyth thought there was any chance this team had at winning a cup he would of stayed.
Dave's a Killer Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Dan, I would venture to say that Smythe would not have 12 goals had he been playing for the Kings and the Kings would not have Gagne. I would take Gagne over Smythe any day.
[Reply]
Dan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@Dave’s a Killer, ya gagne is way better than smyth. scores more, goes to the front of the net and does the dirty work. Oh wait no he doesn’t and of course he wouldn’t have those points on the Kings. TM wouldn’t go for scoring goals he would rather lose 2-1 than win 7-5.
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
@Dan, 12 additional “timely” goals for the Kings and they are the best team in the NHL.
[Reply]
Crownme87 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
@Dan,
haha this is hilarious. Last year everyone was ragging on Smyth for being slow and lazy. Now everyone is lamenting why we “traded” him.
[Reply]
TYLER Reply:
November 28th, 2011 at 9:46 am
@Crownme87, +1
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As if Kopi had it any easier, he sticks him with hunter?! Mind as well stick westy in there, at least he can hit an open net
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Scarletcat Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
**PLAYING DEVILS ADVOCATE**
Perhaps the thought behind Hunter (or Westy) on the line with Kopi is that both have “heart”. Skill at the moment perhaps not so much (I don’t have a clue what’s going on with Brown). Moving Hunter is to give some sort of momentum or drive to the line? Is it to get Kopi moving instead of waiting for a play to come to him?
Remember all, I put the DEVILS ADVOCATE warning before I wrote it!!
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
@Scarletcat, I think you’re onto something. Kopi needs someone who will drive to the net. Williams has been too busy stick handling of recent. Hunter has no problem going into the dirty areas. And we all know that Dustin isn’t either.
[Reply]
HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
@Scarletcat, Three things that Hunter can do better then Westy, 1. Skate, 2. Shoot and 3. Get back faster then Westgarth.
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yooperskip24 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@Mikey, Maybe that is the way he is “punishing” Kopi for that “look” on his face late in last nights game. He wouldn’t dare move him from the 1st line, so that is the only way he can punish him.
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I hope this is something to do with Pennner coming back tomorrow. Hunter is taking the place for Penner in the prectice. Other than that this is completely madness.
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Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:51 am
@goldielocks, How bad are these lines, when Penner coming back is the bright side!
DL, for the love man…
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
@Bama Kings, Yeah he’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. That’s scary
[Reply]
is this some kind of joke?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:51 am
@California Royalty, No, its not a joke, you wont be sitting next to Lupe and @Kopi Bryant at Daimon next friday.
[Reply]
California Royalty Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:57 am
@puck73, hahaha team event?
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Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:52 am
@California Royalty, Two guys walk into a bar… get really plastered and then meet the team at practice with these lines.
Knock knock
Who’s There
Terry Murray
Terry Murray Who?
Terry Murray-don’t-worry I was just play’n around.
[Reply]
I approve of the second line. Finally, Richards is reunited with Gagne, and that’s always a plus. Williams on the third line doesn’t bother me that much because it looks like Murray wants to distribute the scoring power, and thinks maybe, Williams can be productive there. The only big concern is why the heck is Hunter on the first line? He missed the net twice last night, if I recalled correctly, so why is he being rewarded by playing with the top line?
One of the things that really irks me is how with Murray, the players don’t necessarily have to earn their spots to play on the top two lines with top-notch players; it’s like anyone can play there and Murray will just hope and pray the big guys will make the slumping players score some big ones miraculously. That just puts a lot of pressure on Kopitar and Richards. They shouldn’t have to deal with that.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
@big_T, At this level, players are also judged on how many scoring opportunities they create. All players miss the net. Right now the kings need more scoring. The more opportunities the more they WILL score.
[Reply]
Rich, any chance for a Lombardi interview before Christmas?
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 11:55 am
@Kwvin, Oh, please! I say we boycot the games until we get an explanation!
(Easy for me, I’m in Alabama now.
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
@Bama Kings, Easy for me I’m in Cali but I’m broke. “MADNESS I tell you MADNESS”. Right now this team isn’t worth watching on TV let alone live,but I’m a fan so I’ll do it anywa.,You know being a Kings fan is like being a crack addict, I’m waiting for Dave Chappele to do a Kings promo “saying Kings crack kills”LOL.
[Reply]
Williams is one of the best players on the team and he puts him on the 3rd line… what the heck.
Also, brown has not been playing well lately, he takes the puck up to the zone and ALWAYS gets it stolen from him, why brown on the first line but he is still really good for the kings
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@kopi1164, Ultimately, it doesnt matter what line someone is on. The most imporfant thing on a team is, is the ability of 3 to think as 1. All you are trying to do is find 3 guys that have chemistry, nothing more nothing less.
Look back in history, do you think Deadmarsh had the skill level of Palffy or Allison? NOT A CHANCE IN HELL!. But guess what? When he was put on that line with those 2, what happened? It Clicked ! Why? Who knows ? who cares! The bottom line is, those 3 players performed as 1, bottom line !
[Reply]
kopi1164 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@puck73, still
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Pesus Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@puck73,
Good point, but havent we leared 3 times over kopi and brown dont work?
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
@puck73, Although I agree… I have to say that I think just about anyone could have scored playing on a line with Ziggy.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@kopi1164, i will demote Williams because he hasnt been soo great as he was in the beginning of the season..Right now something different ike he lost his groove so he in this slump…
I would of demoted him in the 2nd line tho with Richards and Gagne
and put Lokti – Kopi – Brown
into Penner healthy…Penner – Kopi – Brown…That line hasnt been made yet and it might work.
Cant lose hope on one player when ur whole team isnt doing anything
[Reply]
I keep waiting for Murph to kick the trash can over or break something but that’s not how he rolls. He just tortures the guys with bizzarro line combinations until they ask to get traded.
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Here is a thought from above and I’d love your thoughts….
All in good fun my friend. I’m often way out there with my thoughts. In all truth, you’re not that far off. It’s either a trade, a system change, a coach change or line changes.
He can’t do the first, he won’t do the second, I’m pretty sure he’s against the third, so the fourth is all that’s left.
The only real problem i have is Williams on the third line. He’s just too good. Then again, TM says the third line ism’t the checking line, so….
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@Bama Kings, I would trade Doughty straight up for Vanek, I think that move would put us over the top IMO.
[Reply]
Belexes Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@puck73,
But how will that trade look in 7 years?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@Belexes, Was just tryin to get Bama to bite on it ! lol
Pesus Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Belexes,
If we win a cup who cares
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Belexes, Who cares how it would look in 7 years! Tomorrow is guaranteed. Look at the hundreds of hockey players who never met their “all-star” promises.
It’s no different than moving Shenn for Richards. You get now (maybe even a little less) than what you MIGHT get in the future.
And like @pesus said, if we win a cup, who the hell cares!
@puck73 is about to jump on me here, but I didn’t start this one – HE DID!
If you wanted to win the cup,right now – you move Bernier and DD for St. Louis and Iginla. You may have to add some extra pieces or a three way miracle trade, but my overall point is – those guys make us Cup winners, not DD.
Everybody needs to take a deep breath and relax. What’s been going on isn’t working for them so lets see what happens. I’d rather it wasn’t against the Sharts but….. If you all had ALL of the answers, you wouldn’t be here loosing your minds…. You’d be coaching in the NHL. Maybe, just maybe, this lights a fire in theses guys to produce and get back to their respective lines. Everybody is so quick to throw TM under the bus but the boys have to take a lot of the responsibility in this. They’re the one missing a lot of opportunities out there.
[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@LBCKingsfan, LBC in the hizzie! My man isn’t crab or a slob, straight up King wit-da purple and black attack, yo-yo!
Long Beach in da houuuuussseee!
Sorry, just took my afternoon pain killers, this is a by-product.
[Reply]
Daren Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@Bama Kings, Try not to drink alcohol with them.
[Reply]
pfffffffffffff
Just shows this coach is kind of out of ideas. Give this a couple games, & if this doesn’t work, it might be the end for him.
[Reply]
and why are the defensive pairs switched again? Their problem hasn’t been defense…
[Reply]
zulov Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
@California Royalty, I bet he switched the D pairs cause he had VV playing on the left which is not his normal side and he couldn’t be as effective keeping the puck in the zone – even Jim Fox mentioned that normally you have your wingers and especially your D playing the wing that their forehand is on so they can easily get to the puck along the boards…
Just another bizare experiment that he would have the D playing on their opposite side…
[Reply]
I don’t think I’ll ever figure this guy out (TM) I mean @ 1st glance this line up looks like wonder women with aligator arms.
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One thing is for sure, I will not be wasting my hard earned money going to games with lines like that. Hunter is slow, absolute terrible shot missing that empty net and another great setup last night and yet this guy gets promoted. Unreal Murray, unreal.
[Reply]
And I love how he FINALLY puts Gagne and Richards together but leaves Williams off that line, and puts Stoll there. Really??? It’s like he’s so stubborn & knows that if it works, he will look bad for not doing it sooner, so he doesn’t want to try it!
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@Scot,
I think it the other way around, if that proven line doesnt work, his system would be to blame.
[Reply]
This coach is a complete MORON!
[Reply]
I say, Terry Murray will be fired no later then the middle of January, if we keep playing the way we do.
[Reply]
Desperate move from a desperate man. What more can I say?
[Reply]
jess Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@Agame,
Well, I think I’ve figured out the true definition of insanity.
It’s when someone realizes they’re heading the wrong direction, instead of pulling over to study a map, they stick their foot in the accelerator.
[Reply]
Personally I love the changes. You have to shake this team up they are so dang lethargic. Brown/Kopi together is great. They were are number 1 and number 2 scorers last year and do play well together, no matter what other people say. I’ve been calling for Stoll at wing for awhile so obviously glad to see that. Williams should be dropped to third line. If you haven’t scored in fourteen games, you need something to get you going. The most important thing is that everybody knows that TM is mad and need to work their butts off on Monday. The Kings are too soft this year. I predict Stoll will get at least four hits and one goal against SJ
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@BringbackButchGoring, be better if Brown was on the right side tho..
[Reply]
KopiSTAR Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
@BringbackButchGoring,
And your explanation for hunter? Brown/kopi line was last year and it just didn’t work. Williams is a great player and hustles every game just hasn’t been looking for him. But demote him to third line
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@KopiSTAR, Brown and Kopi worked well they justd idnt have a true LW if u think about it..
Just got split fast because u know TM
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@KopiSTAR, oh yea most likely it wont work because Brown on the LW and well u got Hunter that miss two empty nets soo yea the first line going to look like a joke while the Second line might look good other than having Stoll there
[Reply]
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@KopiSTAR, Brown/Kopi line worked better than you remember; certainly better than our current 1st line over the last 10-12 games. Hunter I think is in there just to make a point and will be temporary. Williams is a great player that has done nothing in the last ten games. Let him work his way back up to the first line by actually putting points on the board.
[Reply]
TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@BringbackButchGoring, How is Brown/Kopitar together great? Neither one of them are behind the net grinders, they have been paired together many many times, and they always end up being broken up because it does not generate any offense.
[Reply]
justmyopinion Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@BringbackButchGoring, Stoll hadn’t scored a goal in 17 games and it’s now been 14 for Williams. During those games of no goals I’m pretty sure Williams got more points than Stoll did. Moving Williams to play with Richards and Gagne would have made sense, this does not.
[Reply]
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@justmyopinion, If Kings are going to try Stoll on the wing, why not give him a realistic chance to succeed with Richards as your center. I think the second line is brilliant. I would move Williams back to first line after a game or so, however.
[Reply]
E Gads!! I thought TM couldn’t do any worse…but these lines..Get the man some PeptoBismal!!!
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If we beat the Sharks tomorrow and get scoring from something other than the top line, I will be impressed with the line shake up, if we don’t then I would expect a coaching shake up.
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LomitaKingsFan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@408kingsfan, Really that is the only answer to any move a coach makes. If it works he’s a genius. If it fails then burn him at the stake.
[Reply]
Dan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@408kingsfan, Sharks will roll tomorrow night. The Kings have no chance. Sharks will score 3 goals and the Kings can’t with the dump and chase pass it back to the defense so they can have their shot blocked, stay out of the middle at all costs and whatever you do don’t go to the front of the net system that Murray has. Robitaille never would have scored in this system. Murray doesn’t allow guys to be anywhere near the net. That is why Smyth had to go. If you aren’t will to play with the puck on the half wall back and forth with the defenseman than you won’t play. Oh and god forbid a cross ice pass from the point for a one timer. Congrats TM you have taken a team with a ton of talent and turned them into a sub .500 team. You are awesome my friend just AWESOME.
[Reply]
KingsRule99 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
@Dan,
“A ton of talent”……..and where, exactly, is this ton of talent?
I think you, like many others on here, are over-assessing our talent pool.
[Reply]
Bkrs-Bud Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@KingsRule99, You are right,where is all this elite talent? i get fired up when i see 1 stick to stick pass completed.
Wow, what punishment for AK… Say bye-bye to whatever puck possession time Kopi was looking forward to… two anti-finishers will kill any scoring by Kopi, maybe TM’s trying to get Kopi to play more selfishly because he’ll never see any passes coming back his way now for sure… If you can’t beat em, join em Kopi, and start putting your head down inside the blue, or better yet wait until your near the goal line by the boards with the worst possible angle and fling it on net just for the hell of it to kill whatever momentum might possibly be building… The only people that approve of this lineup are the Sharts…
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puck73 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@Stuart, Dustin Brown would really help Kopitar at this point dont you think ?
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this is an april fools joke right???
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@Henry, yup happy early April Fools!!
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Out this whole line-up the one thing that disappoints the most is that Moreau is still starting on a line. In my opinion he should be the one sitting in the press box instead of either Richardson or Lewis.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@LomitaKingsFan, well he wasnt that bad last game didnt take any dumb penalties but then again we never had to lead sooo i guess yea he deserves to be in the press box…
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@LomitaKingsFan, There is nothing better then you at a Hammond event, screaming out..GO KINGS GO! Even @Subby would have a hard time matching your enthusiasm and intensity !
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justmyopinion Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@LomitaKingsFan, Even without the scoring, Richardson brings more to the game than both Moreau and Hunter yet he sits.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@justmyopinion, Couldn’t agree more.
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I want Gagne with Richards because they belong together, three years of high rate of success and ALOT of goals proves that. Brown and Richards have nothing going…nothing and maybe playing with Lopi will change that for Brown. As for Hunter, that will be temporary until Penner returns most likely and Penner will replace Hunter there.
The third line has Loke and Williams for speed. With Stoll moving to the 2nd, it adds a defensive element. Both Richards and Gagne are very very good defensvily, so that can still be the line that goes against the top lines. Difference is that with Richards high raet of anticipation and stolen pucks, he now FINALLY has a winger who is fast and talented to apass to, like they did in Philly, shut ‘em down, steal it, break it out and score.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@Deirdre, Don’t think Penner will replace anyone at right wing. He sucks at left wing already so would be worse on his oft side.
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goldielocks Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@BringbackButchGoring,
Penner(LW)-Kopitar(C)-Brown(RW)
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408kingsfan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@BringbackButchGoring, Yeah could you imagine taking Penner out of his comfort zone! It would be a train wreck on top of another train wreck and then the whole thing would catch fire, spill hazardous material, and eventually explode. lol
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man what a joke… So am i the crazy one for saying 10 games ago that i dont think TM was the coach for this team now….
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Everybody needs to take a deep breath. From reading the board for the past couple of months all I’ve been reading is that….
1. Gagne and Richards need to play together
2. Brown and Kopi worked last year
3. Loktionov isn’t a a natural wing
So instead of blaming TM about sticking to his same old broken system, now your blaming him for shaking up lines that weren’t producing?
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King John Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@ehdx3, These are what I like about the changes too.
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I cannot maintain my silence any longer. The Hunter/Moreau experiment has to stop. Richardson and Lewis are sitting due to a lack of production. Hunter misses an open net at a critical time of the game and gets promoted to the top line. Moreau has taken costly penalties time and time again and they keep playing. I don’t understand. Players have said time and time again this year that Kopi has been more productive because of the help he has around him. So lets take that away and put Hunter up on the first line? What in the world is TM thinking?
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Here is my guess on Terry Murray’s theory / intent with these lines.
http://wp.me/pEXFL-2wo
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Dave's a Killer Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@Bobby Scribe, Thanks – Analysis instead of hysteria. Sure helps in trying and sort things out
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Michael J. Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@Bobby Scribe,
Good analys. Thanks.
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very interesting line combos…
gagne/richards/stoll line could be a good combo…
i think the way kopi is playing now, you could be flexible with whom you pair with him…i’m not so dismissive regarding kopi and brown playing together again…and hunter, even though he missed two golden opportunities last night, actually played his best game as a king…if he scores on either of those plays, he’s celebrated by the reactionary crowd…but he didn’t and the noticeable improvement in his game gets overlooked by a wrath of frustration from the many on here…
clifford looked really good last night and i like the possibilities of the third line…i think giving lokti a shot is a good idea at this point and why not add jw on that line – it could work…
tm is trying to mix things up to generate more scoring that just getting it from one or two lines…i can understand the criticism towards not liking what he came up with – that’s a personal preference by those who disagree with his practice combos…
but he’s being proactive and trying to find combos to make it work…i mean, what else do you expect him to do in this case…?…this is our lineup, guys – and with the exception of players coming back from ir, it’s not likely to change immediately…give tm some credit in trying to be creative during practice…because if you don’t try things then, when can you…?…
practice…(yes, a.i)…is where you tinker with things to see if you can spark chemistry…and just like during last night’s game and historically with tm, he likes to shake things up when they are not working…this year, however, as we all have witnessed, tm has been extra patient in keeping things consistent with the lines in order to gain consistency…after 23 games, it hasn’t helped…so now, he’s trying some new things…don’t be so sure that they won’t or can’t work…
and once again, a coach cannot be blamed for the teams inability to finish plays…the coach has been stressing all season long, each and every game, about having a “shot mentality” – and as we do on here, we love to ridicule that phrase and many others he uses…but that was exactly the problem last night…too many extra passes and not enough grind…
if you want to say that it’s time for someone else to deliver the message to this team, fine – i could definitely understand that sentiment regardless if i agree with it or not…but, in this case, the coach is and has been sending the right message to his players…
there are peeps on here that want to let it be known with every chance they get that they don’t approve of tm and/or the system, etc…
to those peeps, this is an organizational system – it’s the same system that is played at the minor league level…this system is how dl wants his teams to play…this system is how dl wants the organization to win…
firing tm doesn’t change the system…it only ensure that the message of how to play the system gets delivered by someone else…
could someone else get more out of these guys…?…i don’t know…maybe…maybe not…there are sometimes that i wonder whether or not tm is limited in his ability to get a team above the last hurdles in order to reach the holy grail…
but he has had success during his tenure here…and i think that he’s gonna be given the whole season to make it work…unless, of course, the wheels fall off the team and dl is forced to make a change…but that is less likely to happen before dl tries other methods, like trades, waiver pickups, etc…
it’s hard to be patient…we’ve all been patient for a long time, some more than others…
but the type of sweeping changes are gonna come from within first before anything else…mixing things up in practice is a good attempt to start that process…
[Reply]
DanFan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@variable, you make a lot of sense with what you are saying. But after three years of repeating, “shot mentality” with no response, it says one of two things. Either the players don’t believe in their coach or don’t believe in the system.
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LomitaKingsFan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@variable, Well said, agree wholeheartedly with this.
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dMan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@variable, amen, brother
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fridgemagnet57 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@variable,
The type of system that does not adjust to Dallas faceoff arrangement before they tied it up with 20sec left?
The type of system that doesnt’ call timeouts and says a commercial timeout is enough and calls time out later in the very next playoff game?
The type of system that keeps putting Dustin Brown on the penalty shot and finally changed it after half a season?
The type of system that you are baffled as to who plays and why and which goalie will start?
[Reply]
Dave's a Killer Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
@fridgemagnet57, Many mistakes have been made but I need to respectfully disagree with a couple of your points.
First, I don’t see how it would have been possible to “adjust” to their face-off alignment. You can’t call a time-out in that situation. Also, I am sure that Dallas did not plan on bouncing the puck off of Mitchell
Second, when has Dustin Brown taken a penalty shot? If he has, the choice of who shoots is dictated by the rules, not the coach.
I will agree on TM’s seemingly lost focus on your other observations. In hindsight they were terrible decisions
[Reply]
fridgemagnet57 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
@Dave’s a Killer,
Thanks for the response and I also respect your opinions.
I think I wanted to hear more about the game plan that TM had in that situation and what had transpired. Was it just a Mitchell bounce or was that play what the Stars generally wanted to accomplish? Was there something we could’ve done to have stopped that or for future reference?
Apologies for saying penalty shot, but I meant shootout. Brown was 3rd and last for the longest time in our shootout lineup, which wasn’t working yet TM kept plugging him back in there.
This is just a short list of what I recalled, but this isnt’ to say TM never makes the right calls. He just takes a while to get them done. Such as even putting JJ and DD together took quite some time on the powerplay. Stoll was always the first guy he thought of and I’m not crazy about Stoll being on the point.
BobKnob Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@Dave’s a Killer,
You adjust your face-off alignment by lining up on the inside BY DEFAULT when shorthanded. Not sure why Kopi lined up on the outside, but if he was instructed to do so that was a loldumb call. Even if TM told him to lineup that way, he should have moved over to the inside before the faceoff anyways. This is basic hockey that you learn in peewees.
The play DAL made with the faceoff was exactly what they intended, punch it forward towards the middle of the ice hoping to catch a lucky bounce and have one of the three players lined up gain possession, and they did just that. Certainly there was an element of luck involved, but the probability of success goes waaaaaay down if you have your faceoff alignment biased towards center ice.
If we had a forward there on the inside wing, he likely could have slowed down or obstructed one of their streaking forwards, or picked up the loose puck.
TM selected Brown for a recent shootout, btw.
variable Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@fridgemagnet57,
tm has his flaws – and i’m not apologizing for him or them…
i think three out of the four criticisms you have are valid with my lone exception being brown taking penalty shots…
the dallas play was definitely a breakdown and deserves to be criticized…
calling more timeouts – sure, there are times when he probably could have…but part of the team maturation process is for the leaders on the ice to figure it out on their own and not need a timeout every time something goes wrong…and most coaches like to save the timeout for late game faceoff situations…
the goalie criticism is fair…and if there was any one situation that i think tm would like to have a do-over on, (he probably wouldn’t admit it), would be deciding not to play quick during the streak…
at first, i didn’t want it to be an issue because, like the coach, i though the team had a nice mix of leaders and veterans to be focused in spite of who’s in net…but in retrospect, tm’s decision put his decision into focus rather than the team…so, i think it’s fair to go back at his decision and question why he felt that his word to jb was more important to honor than not…however, at this particular point of the season, i seriously doubt that any one player or even management is using his reasoning as a turning point in team direction…curious decision – yes…season-changer – i don’t think so…and if that’s the excuse he team wants to wrap itself around, then we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon…
[Reply]
fridgemagnet57 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@variable,
Overall, I think I’m frustrated and I was the guy the past 2 seasons saying be patient guys are learning still and etc.
This season, IMO, that is out the window. Expectations are high not through just management rhetoric, but also the members of the NHL. They know we have a good team and for us to be mediocre as we are now is unacceptable to me.
We are mediocre because of continued tiny correctable mistakes and that is the most frustrating thing about this season.
BobKnob Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@variable,
Brown was selected for a recent shootout btw. I think vs PIT.
Cynic Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
@variable, Good analysis. I agree with most. The thing that gets me is Hunter. I get about having his best game as a King last night and all, but missing those 2 grade ‘AAA’ chances would be more acceptable for a young, unproven NHLer rather than a proven 10+ vet scorer like TH. You’re not teaching an old dog new tricks at this point with Hunter, he is what he is….or was (Which is what I’m afraid of).
I almost wonder if TH was put on the first line to deflect from the ‘Shot Mentality’ issue we’ve hardly spoke of since this was announced….NAH, to conspiracy laden.
Richardson should be in Hunter’s spot on the first line with Kopi. He’s proven he can play there and opens up chances for Kopi with his forecheck. A bit frustrating to see him still on the bench with Lewis. Our best forechecker and one of our best defensive forwards are sitting in lieu of a veteran taking undisciplined penalties and a veteran who can’t hit the open net from 10 feet. Sorry to both Hunter and Moreau for sounding so harsh, but that is what is here NOW. Change it. Change my perspective. PLEASE! I’m about to break my hockey stick too with these coaching choices.
[Reply]
kingkrazy Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
@Cynic, Agreed. I would also switch Hunter with Richardson on the first line, and sit Moreau.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@variable, Great post, took the words out of my mouth.
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
@variable, Nice post, thank you.
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If this isn’t a cry for intervention I don’t know what is.
Dr. Drew..Dr. Phil..Buehler?!
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Richardson/(Penner)-Kopitar-Brown
Gagne-Richards-Williams
Clifford-Loktionov-Stoll
Moreau/Richardson-Lewis-Westgarth
Lewis moves to RW when Westgarth sits and Fraser plays center.
Murray’s lines are too desperate to last long term. Just a desperate move by a coach with no ideas how to coach post-lockout. Kings are 29th in 5-on-5 offense. They were 30th his first season. Does anyone think the Kings roster in 2008-09 is even close to the skill level of this year’s team? Same results, almost all new players. What is the constant?
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@Sydor25,
You need to come up with these stats before I pay for season tickets, thanks for nothing! Not you, the kings.
[Reply]
So, in order to be on the first line, you have to have completely whiffed on an easy goal in a previous game?
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@Blueline, That about sums it up but I think the important thing to remember is at least he had the chance to screw up big time.
[Reply]
Philli line. i like. i posted recently about spreading the talent. At this point why not.If the team would just play instead of thinking.
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Kings are 29th in 5-on-5 offense. Kings finished 30th in Murray’s first season. Almost a completely different roster and the same results.
This from a coach who has said the Kings need to get better 5-on-5. Do you really want a coach who talks and talks and gets zero results? Why do some think it will change any time soon with Murray at the helm?
I like what Dean has done with the roster, but he may have to go to get the coaching staff and style changed. AEG can’t be happy with the results of their money spending. When the sellouts stop at Staples with the team playing boring and losing hockey, maybe AEG will force a major shakeup.
Moving Hunter to the first line RW does nothing to improve the Kings long term success. What has Moreau and Hunter done that keeps them in the lineup over Richardson and Lewis? The two fastest Kings sitting for the same production that Moreau and Hunter have provided.
[Reply]
Eric Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@Sydor25,
Please explain to me what Lewis has done to earn a spot on this team? Yes, he can skate well, but big deal. He doesn’t score, hit, fight, play with grit or heart.
Richardson, on the other hand, deserves a spot over Loktionov.
[Reply]
Sydor25 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@Eric, In the post -lockout NHL, you want to push the play with speed. Murray wants to slow the game down and play a “board-to-dot” offense. How has that style worked for the Kings?
30th in 2008-09 and 29th right now. 5-on-5 scoring. Murray doesn’t work post-lockout.
Does anyone really expect Hunter to be the top line RW in the playoffs? Is this Murray’s only answer to the offensive problems? Hasn’t worked for 4 years, why would it work now?
[Reply]
Gmo Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@Sydor25,
I think fans need to start the change. As long as the kings keep selling out owners won’t care about results on the ice , they care about profits. Fans should stop going to games and demand change , only way to get owners and upper management attention is to hit them where it hurts, their wallet
Go Kings Go
[Reply]
If these new lines don’t work I think that Murray should move Quick and Bernier up to the first line and see how that goes. Maybe bring Moreau back in goal. That’ll shake ‘em up! I like it!!!
[Reply]
TM must be trying these lines to see the look on the Sharks faces, especially coach Todd. I’m sure the words will be…..”what the hell?”
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@Kingsfanone,
Maybe TM has a gambling problem and bets the under every night. We might have another Pete Rose.
[Reply]
The GM is responsible for the personnel the coaching staff has to work with. Can’t fault TM for having Hunter and Moreau in the team or in lineup if his boss tells him: “Here are your players you got to work with. Use them”
It is still early in the season for TM to risk his job by giving Hunter every possible opportunity to perform of choke before he tells DL; “See?, I told you he/they’d not work out here”. So far it’s choke in just about every position and line he’s played Hunter.
The entire offensive line up looks built for physical play, though. A plan to deal with San Jose tomorrow or is it a drowning man’s last desperate attempt to stay afloat?
[Reply]
#1faninVegas Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@Gustavo,
See I disagree with Hunter, he did play his best game yesterday all year. I think he is deserving of a few more chances.
[Reply]
I don’t think these lines will last two periods. I don’t think Murray will last past Christmas if he keeps this up. Kings are 11-12 now and on the outside looking in.
[Reply]
ok if we are going to shake it up then I want:
Loktionov-Kopitar-Brown
Gagne-Richards-Williams
Richardson-Stoll-Lewis
Clifford-Fraser-Westgarth
[Reply]
What’s everyone complaining about?? The only wings that have shown they can score is Williams and gagne . Can’t put them on every line . Hope somebody responds to this shake up
[Reply]
I like the idea of moving Williams to RW3 to (try to) produce more scoring. I also kinda like the defensive pairings. But not having Richardson in this line-up with 2 left wingers injured is a huge miss. Also, at least keep a couple of pairings together that have showed some chemistry:
GAGNE-KOPITAR-Stoll
Richardson-RICHARDS-BROWN
Hunter-Loktionov-Williams
Clifford-Fraser-Westgarth/Lewis
Thank you Murray… now carry on
[Reply]
vinaski Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
I like the lines.Except put clifford on the third line.Move hunter with fraser, lewis. I feel clifford had played with loktionov last year.They played good together and with williams you have grit finesse speed.Could work.
Just thinking out loud.
[Reply]
colo king 8 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
@vinaski, yea but so did Richardson, Lewis and Clifford last year in the playoffs, but won’t be seeing that anytime soon
[Reply]
vinaski Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Actually it was clifford,,richardson, simmonds.
tkecanuck341 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@WildKard, If you put Richards and Richardson on the same line, Bob Miller’s head will explode.
[Reply]
enough is enough fire TM bring in the great one
[Reply]
It’s official TM HAS LOST IT.
[Reply]
You keep grasping for straws there Terry, while your job keeps slipping away at a rapid pace.
[Reply]
The Great One (Dan Bylsma) is working in Pittsburgh and is not available to replace TM
[Reply]
#1faninVegas Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@Gustavo,
WOW!!!
[Reply]
TM is begging to get fired
[Reply]
They’re not scoring with the lines now… Why not try something different it cant get any worse (can it?)
[Reply]
Quack quack, lets give it a chance, complain complain all you guys do, lets wait and see, Not all all TM fault at all sorry to say, players have to step up and make the right moves to the net, and how they let the puck fly to the new, lets see what happens tomorrow night.
Still love my Kings!
Lets get it started in here!
Make some noise!
Go Kings Go!
It seems in my section kings fans too passive for me and in the rest of the stands too, stand behind our guys I say thanks for listing.
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LOL. I’m speechless Wow But I guess it doesn’t hurt to try it as we seem to be struggling to score I think TM is trying to confuse and stun opposing coaches. They will be like WTF when they seem our lines could be a distraction lol. I’ll remain positive. Still I do think we need a new coach
GKG
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OK, lets try this one.
Brown-Kopitar-Richards
Gagne-Loktionov-Stoll
Clifford-Fraser-Williams
Bench the rest only use replacements for an injury/illness
GreeneScuderi-Doughty
Scuderi-Voynov
Johnson-Mitchell
Bench the rest only use replacements for an injury/illness
BUT this has to be accompanied by TM flipping out and kicking guys from the ice for lack of performance. The wax figure has to come to life.
No more weekend and murrays!
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what the hell is this logic? HUNTER?? This is a joke right? How to re-create Terry Murray’s line creation strategy: put 4 monkeys in a room with an endless supply of bananas and a barrel full of rum, then place the names of Kings players on the wall. After the drunken monkeys defecate and throw feces at the wall count the turds on each name. Names with 1 piece of dung go on line one, 2 pieces = line 2.. etc. Hunter… God you have to be joking Murray.
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and stop scratching Richardson FFS.
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Hunter couldn’t hit an empty net twice last night and he’s still in the lineup? If you can’t finish in this league you shouldn’t be playing, period. When Penner comes back they should put him on a line with Kopi and Williams, that was a line that had chemistry and got Penner going until Kopi went down with an injury last season. You can even interchange Brown and Williams right now but I think the lines should look like this:
Penner-Kopi-Williams/Brown
Gagne-Richards-Brown/Williams
Clifford-Stoll-Richardson
Moreau-Lewis/Loktionov-Hunter/Westgarth
Mitchell-Doughty
Johnson-Scuderi
Voynov/Martinez-Greene
Whats everyone think?
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zulov Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 7:30 pm
@OCKingsFan, I would almost rather see Westy play then Penner. Unless there is a coaching and system change first.
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tkecanuck341 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@OCKingsFan, Exactly how many times has Penner finished in his tenure in LA?
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Bkrs-Bud Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
@OCKingsFan, If you can’t finish ,that is why Lewis and Richardson are currently in the dog house.
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It’s almost like Murray has a special deck of cards with Kings players on them….He shuffles the deck and comes up with lines. Does Dean ever watch any of the games??? If he does, he would plainly see that a change MUST be made in coaching staff. Staples may start looking like Honda Center….empty empty seats.
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If it works TM is a keen observer and looks like a genius. If it does not work than TM is no less for the try. The way thIngs are going now a line shake up was inevitable. Let’s see what happens. Tough Sharks team tomorrow. Go Broncos erhhhhh…. Go Kings!!!!
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tkecanuck341 Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
@Bonvivant1, If it doesn’t work, then TM should start dusting off his resume.
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I guess I must be bored with bashing TM or something, but I can sorta see the logic here.
The formula you see now from teams with 2 skilled scorers on a line is the 3rd guys is a grinder. Vancouver never really puts anyone on the Sedin line other then a hard nose go get the puck type.
TM is actually trying to create 3 lines like that. The only problem is Brown is a cross between a scorer and a grinder, but here’s how I see it:
Brown and Kopi can carry the puck into the zone. Brown has occasionally shown signs of pulling up after backing the D off and creating space. Hopefully he will be able to then dish to an open man – big hope here, but what choice do we have? Hunter obviously is the hard nose guy, and hopefully he can deliver.
Stoll is the go get the puck dude on the Richards Gagne line. All three can cycle well enough, and there can be some good chemistry here. Stoll also has a good wrister, and if he opens up more with the opposition focusing on MR and Gags, perhaps he can start scoring.
Cliffy is of course the uber grinder for Lokti and Williams. I remember a brief stint where Lokti centered a line with Cliffy last year, and it looked good.
The 4th line is, well the 4th line.
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zulov Reply:
November 27th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
@zulov, BTW – putting Penner in for Hunter on the first line could potentially be worse – as penner has proven to be neither a grinder or a scorer so far for the Kings.
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We saw Hunter miss, I mean MISS the net last game. HE CANNOT FINISH!!! However, this will finish TM…
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I like the lines. Let’s wait and see before shutting them down. These things are written in pencil people. Relax
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As long as Penner is on the “scratch” line, I’m content.
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im sure hunter deserves a promotion to line 1 with that wide open net miss with a minute left against the hawks… WTF????!!!!
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What the heck is Hunter doing on the 1st line?! He hasn’t done much for the Kings on the 3rd line and now he’s on the 1st? Looks like TM is throwing in the towel to get off this sinking ship.
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I do have to laugh because these people who are commenting were all big believers in Heinze, Chartrand, Eloranta, Rasmussen and dozens of others over the years. Then when we finally got a team to believe in, Lombardi adds Trent Hunter and Ethan Moreau to the mix, which sends people like Moller and Holloway (and Zeiler and Elkins) to Europe, and now we can’t seem to figure out what the hell is wrong… Here’s the good news… we don’t have Heinze, Chartrand, Eloranta or Rasmussen any more
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Why shake up the lines a day before our Divisional Match-up for 1st Place?
I hope this works, but I have serious doubts about the timing.
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Hunter 1st line RW? great call TM. sheesh
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Honestly, the decision to shake things up is not a bad one. But Murray’s perpetual decision to play Hunter/Fraser/Moreau over Richardson/Lewis is completely and utterly baffling. I understand their productivity has not been supreme, but their effort and skill is there, and their chemistry and experience with the team is key. Sitting them for one game was understandable, although not ideal. But this pattern need to stop immediately. Nothing against Hunter/Fraser/Moreau, but their productivity has not been good either, and yet Murray rewards them. Hunter to the 1st line? Are you kidding me? We don’t need 4 big fighting bodies — we need people to score. Moreau, while he plays with intensity, has consistently taken dumb offensive zone penalties in key moments that has cost us games. What in the world is Murray thinking right now? Richardson and Lewis deserve to play.
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yes! I hope he sticks with these a little. The advantage is this..
Instead of a guy like williams going against other #1 lines he will be against other #3 players with loktionov. Mark my words, that 3rd line may be pretty nasty.. second line may be pretty good too because stoll shoots, richards passes and gagne find loose pucks
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