My LAKings.com feature for this week takes a closer look on Kevin Westgarth, and the desire of the “enforcer’’ to make a positive impact on the team with more than just his fists….
Also, a couple videos for your afternoon. First, it’s the Kings’ “plays of the week.’’ Then, those of you who were at Staples Center a couple games back will remember the video of Daryl Evans interacting with the “Twilight’’ fans at L.A. Live, with some hockey-related banter that Daryl handled really well…
Beast
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Westgarth for President
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Steve W Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
@408kingsfan, He’s Canadian, so Westgarth for prime Minister.
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California Royalty Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
@Steve W, that’s Prime Minister
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Steve W Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
@California Royalty, Yep, The post was submitted before I caught the error.
g smith86 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
@California Royalty, Actually it should be West Minister
Ahh Thank you
jonsey Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 9:39 pm
@408kingsfan, Murray for President; you’re not allowed to have more than one job at that point.
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Steve W Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@jonsey, He’s also Canadian, Though Governor of California is possible, if he is now an American.
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He’s in a slump
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Most improved King……. If some of our other players improved(Cliffy,Lewis etc) like Westy did..we would be rolling. He had no where to go but up…but he did the work and deserves more ice time…Great Job Westy!!!!
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AZ King Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
@neil,
+1
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Harty Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
@neil, and if our trades and accusitions did the same we would be in a better position then if Clifford and Lewis was moving at a faster pace, cause we really should blame the fact we are 2 or 4 points out of first on the 20 year old…..
Nice that’s why I like this blog, may opinions.
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CB14 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
@Harty, You rang? Sincerly Dustin Penner.
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Silk Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:39 am
@neil, Yeah +1 and don’t forget he actually scored a goal! TM probably thinks he’s a top goal scorer now- just like he’s a stellar “Enforcer”! Has he won a single scrap this year? Nope. Why Westy is even on our team is a mystery to me when we have great energy and quickness sitting on the sidelines, like Richardson. We need guys like Richy playing because they create opportunities for others to put it into the net. Why TM continues to play Hunter, Moreau, Westy and Penner when we have other quick, young talent waitinissue an opportunity is a mystery to me.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:57 am
@Silk, Did you happen to watch any other games last night by chance, there were numerous scraps, just because an enforcer doesnt fight much doesnt mean he isnt doing his job, on the contrary, he is.
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purple and gold Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 10:13 am
@Silk, watch the games where Westy is not in, kopi, etc. take more of a beating. Its a mentality thing to have him in the game. Westy was in the Daily Breeze last season and mentioned a book he read to learn the ropes of fighting in the NHL. On his recommendation I picked it up it’s called “The Code: The Unwritten Rules of Fighting and Retaliation in the NHL” by Ross Bernstein. It’s a great read with a lot of history, anyone who unsure about enforcers being in the game should give it a read.
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370455vinSD Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@purple and gold, Just checked out this book on Amazon and it has a forward by Marty McSorely. I have to pick it up now.
Silk Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@purple and gold, Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check it out.
However, the game has changed quite a bit over the past several years where an enforcer isn’t as important as it was in McSorely’s time. I believe that Clifford does as an effective job as Westy, plus we do have some scrapers that are very good players that won’t put up with much crap, like Fraser (who was a very nice surprise pick-up).
I know it’s off-topic, my apologies up front.
Bobby Ryan and a second round pick (predictably early in the 2nd round, for obvious reasons) for Jack Johnson, Dustin Penner and a first round pick?
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kings king Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
@Dom, Just posted this! haha! I doubt we have a 1st round pick left, but JJ and Penner should be more than enough compensation. We can put Voynov on the 2nd paring and we really need that LW presence. Sounds like it would make our team better.
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kings king Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
@kings king, Although I guess the backside of that trade is dealing with
Visnovsky-Lydman
Johnson-Fowler
Beauchaman-Foster
Sbisa
6 times a year. Yikes!
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
@kings king, JJ and Penner is basically saying JJ for Ryan; that’s not going to happen. Penner is a throwaway that we need to keep under the cap, not really trade value. Ducks really need a goalie more than JJ since Hiller really is not doing the job. Problem is that Bernier is still basically untested in the NHL so his value not too high.
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crashin'da net Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
@Dom, I just proposed Bernier and Penner for Ryan but where “richer” in Dmen so I’ll take your proposal alright..
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CB14 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
@Dom, The Quacks had a chance to choose Johnson over Ryan in the draft, and chose Ryan. I doubt they’d want JJ now. Also, the only way the Quacks trade one of their best players to a division opponent is if they get blown away by what they get in return and simply can’t refuse it. JJ, Penner, and a 1st isn’t gonna blow them away. Penner has zero trade value at this point. He makes too much money and produces too little, the only way he gets traded is for another player who makes alot of money and isn’t producing either. Or he’s a throw in in a bigger trade to even out the cap hits going both ways.
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DEH Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
@CB14, like Ovechkin?
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CB14 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
@DEH, LOL. I wish. Ovechkin isn’t going anywhere. They just fired their coach because Ovechkin didn’t like him.
DEH Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
@DEH, A man can dream.
CB14 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
@DEH, Yes you can.
Regarding what you said a little lower, I think it would take a ton to get Nash. I think Iginla is a real possibility for the Kings if he requests a trade. Iginla for Penner, Martinez, Vey, and Hickey? Just thinking out loud. Bernier is probably the Kings #1 trade chip, but Kiprusoff has another 2 years on his deal after this year, so I don’t think they would be in the market for a goalie.
DEH Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
@Dom, Martinez, Penner, and Toffoli for Ryan and maybe a second or third round pick.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
@DEH, Tyler is a pure sniper; I’d like the Kings to keep this guy; let’s get rid of the Hickey’s instead
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DEH Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:00 pm
@BringbackButchGoring, true, then again the whole talk for Ryan is moot, no way are the Ducks going to trade one of their best players to a cross town rival. We would have better luck getting Iginla or Nash.
xeropoint Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
@Dom, Ryan for Brown, Martinez (or voynov if you must sweeten the pot) and a 1st.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
@Dom, BRyan has never impressed me. Just another name who’ll have his ups and downs like anybody else.
There’s gonna be a time, I’m afraid that DL will lose the fabric of the team if he keeps trying to tweak it. Kinda reminds me of the mid 70′s Kings when they had an awesome team and started futzing with it. I say, what we have in the line-up and Manchester is enough!! GO WITH IT!! MAKE IT GOOD!! Too many “name” players look good on paper-doesn’t mean it’s going to gel.
Felt like the team lost steadiness when Zeus went to the Sharks.
Pls DL, LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!
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So I didn’t see this because it’s not a headline but there’s an interesting article on Bobby Ryan.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=4434
Some interesting parts.
The center of recent trade speculation, Ryan told Eric Stephens of the Orange County (Calif.) Register that he’s heard all about it, and said at this point being traded wouldn’t be a shocker.
…
In regards to Ryan, however, Ducks General Manager Bob Murray told the newspaper, “At any time if we get offered a deal on any player that makes this team better, we would have to take a long, hard look at that.”
…
Sportsnet has reported the Ducks are shopping Ryan, while the New York Post has reported the New York Rangers are among a number of teams to show serious interest in Ryan.
…
Ryan told the newspaper he’s spoken with Murray in regard to the rumors, but said he never received any indication that he hasn’t been or wouldn’t be shopped.
Penner for Ryan? hehe yeah right.
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Bobby Ryan not in the line up tonight against the Habs. Talks are heating up he could be a flyer. For the love of God don’t let Simmonds and/or Schenn be part of the deal.
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CB14 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
@California Royalty, Looks like he’s in the line-up to me.
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He just assisted the 2nd goal on PP.
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Glad to see Westy get some recognition (even if Bobby Ryan has high jacked his comment section). I have to admit that I am starting to feel very comfortable with having Westy in the line up. Last season, I would cringe every time I saw his name on the roster. Even during the playoffs.
I still wish he would develope some hitting to his game, and learn to agitate more, but his playing is developing well for a sophmore. He’s already got 2 points this season in only 10 games. It took him 56 games to get 3 last season, and he didn’t even score a goal all season long last year.
Way to go Westy!
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Really happy for Westgarth. He helps round out the line up better IMHO.
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I admit I was angry when TM put Westy in, but the way he has been playing overall(not just his 1 goal), has been very good. Hoping he continues to play the way he has. and that TM proves me wrong (when it benefits the team).
BTW, his goal was a snipe!
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RobSD Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 11:37 am
@Lake Forest,
I think he has played well the last few games he was in. He doesn’t seem to be the enormous liability he once looked like out there.
The goal was great but I thought he was playing well before it.
He has the same amount of points as Penner in much less ice time and 4 less games. Westy is a plus 2, Penner a -2.
If Penner goes back on the first line, how many games of the same Penner before all the lovers say he needs to not play?
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Now that Westy has become a complete, high-powered sniper scoring machine, I say we trade him straight up for Parise or Ryan. Maybe we can get NJ or the Ducks to throw in a draft pick also?
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g smith86 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
@DesertKing, That about sums up this thread
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Wow a move the kings should’ve made
Bruce boudreau replaces randy carlyle as coach of Ducks
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Osaka Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
@KH, I guess Bobby Ryan is staying put.
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
@Osaka
I was suprised to see this.
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Steve W Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 1:04 am
@Michael_DD8, Especially since they beat Montreal tonight.
CB14 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
@KH, I thought Caryle had earned a little more time to turn things around given the fact that he has a Cup on his resume. Kinda odd it happened so fast after the game.
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Shakes Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
@KH,
very unexpected, i thought he got the support of the GM a few days back… which is like the kiss of the death, and plus when Bruce became available that probably sped things up
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Dominick Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
@KH,
Toodaloo Randy. I’m gonna have some fun making fun of Bruce when he gets situated.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:00 am
@KH, boudreau < tm
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Stuart Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:09 am
@KH, I absolutely love love LOVE when I see/read news on this site first that leaves me saying WTF… One of my favorites things about this online community! good work fellas!
That being said, it will be interesting to see what BB does with the ducks…
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Perro Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:28 am
@KH, Now the kings should take Carlyle and fire Murray. Not only is he a better coach but it would piss off Ducks fans.
This would never happen though as Carlyle still is getting paid by the ducks so other team must have permission to talk to him first.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:32 am
@Perro,
Uh, what? He gets fired and has to get permission? Where did you read that? That would be shocking if it’s true.
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David Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 10:09 am
@wavesinair,
The blues had to ask the BlueJackets for permission to hire Hitchcock.
Quote of the decade. Marc Crawford on TSN talking about Vancouver winning the last 5 game while playing with Schneider in net, not Luongo. “Having two good goalies is not a problem. That is not a goaltending controversy. A controversy is when you have J.S. Aubin and Fukujima. That is a goaltending problem.” I kind of feel bad for Crawford now.
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Scot Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
@Osaka,
LOL!
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Dominick Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
@Osaka,
Not me. His answer when he was the coach here was to force feed us Cloutier.
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CB14 Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
@Dominick, Plus who do you think convinced Dean Lombardi to bring Cloutier here? I would guess his former coach. Crawford can choke on it.
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Scot Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
@CB14,
But then who signed him to a 2-year contract extension before he even played a game here?
CB14 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 5:22 pm
@CB14, See Dominick’s response right below. DL did it due to Crawford’s endorsement.
Osaka Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:02 am
@Dominick, So Aubin and Fukujima should have played more? He played what he had.
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Dominick Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:16 am
@Osaka, Aubin was never a #1. He played a whole 19 games for the Kings in 2007-08. Fukujima i’m unfamiliar with. Yutaka Fukufuji wasn’t a #1 if that’s who he meant. He played a whole 4 games for the Kings in 2006-07.
Dominick Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:25 am
@Osaka, I say he shouldn’t of brought Cloutier in at all, and the Kings had plenty of other options, but went with Cloutier based on the strength of Crawfords endorsement, which ultimately Cloutier repayed his loyalty with an .868 save %.
Osaka Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 1:48 am
@Osaka, Yeah Crawford liked him from his Vancouver days, the guy did put up a couple solid seasons in Vancouver. He liked him and I am sure he asked Dean for him, he didn’t know he would do a Dustin Penner. I don’t blame Crawford for Cloutier sucking. You have to blame Dean also if you blame Crawford. It happens, especially with goalies. Yes I meant Fukufuji, Fukujima is the guy who works at my climbing gym. My bad. I am just saying what do you do when your goalie sucks? Oh that was a train wreck!
kind off topic, anyone hear Bruce Boudreau replaced Carlyle? that didn’t take long..
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@Gustavo, That’s so 30 minutes ago. LOL
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Gustavo Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
@CB14,
Hey..I just heard it, lol
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Former Caps coach Brodreur takes over the Quacks…I can name one LA Kings coach who is not going to sleep well tonight.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 6:07 am
@Gustavo,
tell us why a coach who’s 2 or 3 points out of 1st place needs to worry because a last place coach got fired?
Do you have some type of issue with Murray personally that no matter who loses there job or no matter whether the Kings awe winning or not, he’s the next one to go?
dude, every single one of your posts has to do with firing Murray.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:02 am
@nykingfan, thank you, something about constantly posting the same old stuff over and over
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@Gustavo, seriously! this is where the kings fire Terry Murray and hire him! Everyone knows he’s out coached the kings coaches since the lockout and now would be a perfect time to get someone who’s hungry and would love to stick it to their old boss!
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nykingfan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 6:03 am
@Timmy tim tim,
If he was so hungry, he would still be coaching the ducks and be in a bettter spot than last.
change for change sakes I guess, ha?
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fsd1 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:01 am
@Timmy tim tim, TM is not going anywhere!
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I’m excited to hear Brian Hayward’s take on the new Ducks coach. Surely Anaheim now has the Kings right where they want them
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jess Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
@Shakes, That Shmo actually said that?
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Shakes Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 4:44 am
@jess, nono he didn’t say anything, I just assumed that would be his take. Also that is gonna be my new tag line comment going forward… WWBHS. What Would Brian Hayward Say
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:54 am
@Shakes,
WWBHS = SS (“something stupid”)
Scot Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 11:43 pm
@Shakes,
Hahaha. Touche. Ohhh Hazy..
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Funny that all you guys were foaming at the mouth to get Bobby Ryan. The Ducks owners were so mad that Randy moved him to the 3rd line that even though the Ducks won, they still fired him. Ha ha ha.
Now you guys can go back to dreaming about Parise.
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Shakes Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
@Dominick,
Praise is dreamy
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King John Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:10 am
@Shakes, You must be praising Parise….
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Osaka Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:13 am
@Dominick, Dustin Brown has more points than Parise, wasn’t everyone bagging on Brown?
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Dominick Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:30 am
@Osaka, Funny how that works huh?
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Scot Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:40 am
@Osaka,
You have to be absolutely nuts if you are suggesting that Brown is better, or more valuable, than Parise in any way, based on their point totals this season. It’s not even close. You don’t even need numbers or stats to prove it, but has Dustin Brown ever come close to 45 goals or 94 points in a season? I’m gonna sayyy, no.
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Dominick Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:49 am
@Scot,
Kopitar never has either. Surprising thing is that the last King to even score 35 goals was Frolov. Nobodies saying Brown’s better, just that so many rate him based on point totals, and he’s got more points than Parise.
Scot Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 1:04 am
@Dominick,
Yeah, I was a little off base in my post. Apologies Osaka.
P.S. Dom you throw some wild stats out there, you’re a stats guru. If you’d asked me who the last King was to score 35 in a season, I don’t know what I would have said, but it probably wouldn’t have been Frolov.
I think I would have said Ivanans.
Scot Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:41 am
@Osaka,
That being said, I’m sure that is not what you were suggesting.
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Osaka Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 1:35 am
@Scot, No I don’t think Brown is a better player, I was sort of being sarcastic, but I also wanted to point out that people were bagging on Brown yet drooling over Parise. I say Parise is a better player when he is scoring 45 goals but he only has 6. Of course he is capable of scoring more but so is Brown. I think it is the grass is always greener scenario.
Now that I think of it, this season so far Brown is a better player and more valuable. I didn’t mean it that way at first but your comments made me think about it. Brown has more points. Brown has 61 hits and is a +3, Parise has 21 hits and is a -8. Dustin plays on the PP and PK. Why is Parise better or more valuable so far this year? Because he could score more? Until he does, he isn’t.
colo king fan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 1:04 am
@Dominick,
The guy who sits in the cube next to me at work knows Zach Parise (they went to high school and played sports together). I told him that next time they talk he should chat up the Kings for me.
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jason Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:11 am
@Dominick, i’m just enjoying watching the 18 year old on edmonton and ryan smyth pass up and stay even with our bestguys kopi and richards
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fsd1 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:28 am
@jason, You’re enjoying that??????
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Boudreau’s cell phone must have been ringing long distance from Anaheim the second he was fired.
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Dominick Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
@jess,
I thought it was classless for the Ducks to let Randy coach a game, then fire him 1 hour after they just won. They obviously had talked to Bruce before hand, and they should of at least waited till tomorrow, or did it before the game started, and let one of the assistant coaches coach the game.
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jess Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 11:45 pm
@Dominick, Agreed. That was a low rent move.
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:11 am
@Dominick,
What else would you expect from that organization?
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Stuart Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:16 am
@Dominick, the even more classless move would have been to have fired him, yet expected him to coach their next game!!!
respectfully yours,
Rick Neuheisel
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Scot Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 11:48 pm
@jess,
And if you saw HBO’s 24/7 last year, you know he probably answered and said..
“&*@$%^&*(@#* @*(@#& ARE YOU @#$*(&&##(*&@#(*&##@&^ DUCKS? #@&*)( YEAH!”
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:12 am
@Scot,
$%&*@ fer sure!
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Carlyle to LA?;p
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This is the life of an NHL coach. I always liked Randy, even going back to his playing days in Winnipeg. He was a good coach but something gotta give. I just wish Hayward would get fired. I love hockey and can watch anyone play, but can’t put myself through the Hayward torture.
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Cynic Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:19 am
@Osaka, If I had a spare wish, I’d be sending it to you just for that purpose. What’s worse is Duck fans actually believe everyone else is more biased than Hayward! It’s comedy…you wouldn’t believe that until you go to a Kings/Ducks game at the Pond like I did. Someone lady actually told me verbatim: ‘Jim Fox is the most biased announcer in hockey and that other guy is such a homer’.
That ‘Other Guy’??? I just about lost my mind calling Bob Miller ‘That other guy’ but nothing you say or logically do will help. It’s unreal.
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colo king fan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 1:03 am
@Cynic,
Well, Ducks fans are kinda dumb, aren’t they?
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Osaka Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 1:21 am
@Cynic, I’m embarrassed for Hayward when I hear him, that is how bad it is.
That Duck fan is way off base, I have the upmost respect for Fox, he is very professional. At times it seems he goes out of the way to explain a situation that goes against the Kings and if he agrees he says so. Now his first year or two were a different story, Jim was a homer back then. He did struggle at first and he got emotional but he played with all those guys. I’ve said before I was not a big Jim Fox fan his first yea,r BUT now I have to say he is one of the best in the business.
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KC23 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:53 am
@Osaka, Also didn’t like Fox his first couple of years, but he has grown on me and is MUCH better than he started out. I still think Daryle Evans is better though.
IceGuy Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:06 am
@Osaka,
My daughters will be 21 next month. Their first game was vs Detroit @ the Forum (we won, 5-0).
They have learned a lot of Hockey from Mr. Fox, and I thank him for actually teaching the game during the games through his comments. Thanks Jim!
They’ve got the basics down pat:
Nothing bad happens if you shoot the puck at the goalie.
Always skate toward the puck.
Never look down.
Gustavo Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:57 am
@Osaka,
Has anyone noticed that Bob Miller NEVER uses the word ‘NETMINDER’?
That’s how badly he wants to distance himself from the ducks announcers.
Who in their right minds these days hire phony nasal voiced announcers to broadcast live sports events?? The ducks announcers (I refuse to name them) must have some serious dirt on the Samuelis to keep their jobs these long.
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Here’s the thing about Boudreau..
He’s just like Terry Murray except he cusses a lot. He’s another TEACHING Coach. We have one of those. TM is just as good as Bruce when it comes to coaching. He’s a player’s coach like Terry. To hire Bruce would seem like the ‘Popular’ ‘Feel Good’ thing to do, but it would b the wrong move IMHO.
Now RANDY CARLYLE is a TOTALLY different story. Whoever said TM won’t sleep well tonight just might be right. Now I don;t see Deano making this ove right away, but if the boys start to stink up the joint just a little bit…..WHAMO! We could see the mop headed curmudgeon behind our bench in no time. He is the ‘Anti-Matter’ per se’ of Terry Murray. A coach who has not only won The Cup, but is simply thye opposite of TM in style and presence. Honestly, I really believe his type of coach is what these Kings players need right now. Their job won’t be as fun for a while, but when they’re in the Finals, I think they’ll forget about any hardships getting there.
Besides, how much will Carlyle want to pummel the Ducks every time we play them. Wouldn’t it be a kick in the netherregions to see Carlyle’s 3 man forecheck with Kopi, Gagne and Williams against the new Ducks defensive first system? That would just be backwardsville!
Again, I hope TM can re-invent himself and finish the job he started. That would be the best ending. It just looks like the heat got turned up on that a bit.
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Gustavo Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:39 am
@Cynic,
Amazing how close this hits to home, uh?
I said TM will not sleep well tonight, but without malice. I’m not quite sure all this drastic events bring the stability the team needs to string significant series of wins. But at least is early enough in the season where we can all ride it and survive, lol
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carrie Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 4:22 am
@Cynic, The thing with Boudreau is that he doesn’t always play nicely with the other children, hence his departure from Manchester.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:44 am
@carrie, Plus the Ducks have taken the first half of the season off for two straight years now. That reflects on the coach as well as the players.
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Poe Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:49 am
@Cynic, TM cannot reinvent himself. The mud he is stuck in will not allow him to move.Boudreau was not the answer for the Kings. He is just a foul mouthed version of TM..when AEG bought the Monarchs it waa determined they would use the same system as the Kings so when called up, the system was familiar to them. Boudreau was fired because he couldn’t bring home the bacon and did not get along with his players. Morris is a junior TM. We need new blood
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BluLiner Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:54 am
@Cynic, What defensive first system? That’s Boudreau’s problem. He was never able to put together a defensive scheme in Washington. I agree TM and BB are both teaching coaches, but Murray teaches defense, BB teaches offense. You are absolutely right about Carlyle – totally different and with a cup to boot. So it would be tempting.
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Ilya Kovalchuk: 5 goals this year, -8 rating.
Serendipity!
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puck73 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:54 am
@Scot, The guy that covers the Devils on Hockey Buzz just wrote an article saying that Kovi is not the same player that he was in Atlanta, and it is obvious. I think at this point, it is time to give DL and Leiweike credit for not overspending the way Jeff Vanderbeek did. Guess what ? Who is going to take this contract off the devils hands with the Salary cap the league currently has?
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:33 am
@puck73,
Hey DL – (pat on the back)
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KC23 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:55 am
@Scot, Turns out Kovabucks helped us more by not joining. Thank God we didn’t get that mess.
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King John Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:07 am
@KC23, but perhaps Doughty’s contract is too high….
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RobSD Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@King John,
Perhaps? I was glad they finally came to a deal but I wished they wouldn’t have caved. DD has not been good this year… just like Kovi. The difference is that Kovulsuck actually earned his big contract and then took a dump. DD didn’t earn anything and is taking a dump.
Westie, keep up your good play. Years past I was a Westie basher but he has figured it out and the article confirms that just being a goon isn’t any longer in the NHL. Not withstanding you have to know your spots……………now Kevin will be up and down with some bloggers and I may rip him from time to time however he is a good guy with and committed to making his team better everyday.
Harty
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Westy rocks!!! Nuff Said.
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Wow! The Ducks fire Carlisle after a win? Should he be considered as a possible successor to TM if the Kings tank in the playoffs again?
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number 6 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 5:58 am
@deadcatbounce,
No. People have doubts about TM’s future it seems, but every single time a coach is let go we think he should be the new coach of the Kings? The guy was fired for a reason.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 6:14 am
@number 6,
Hey man’
see my reply below to Kinginslatlake you’re one of the people I enjoy reading as well.
there are quite a few, but unfortunately the others are taking this blog over and killing it.
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Shakes Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 6:41 am
@deadcatbounce,
no b/c he’s only won one playoff series since their Cup run
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KC23 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:56 am
@Shakes, We haven’t won any.
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Here we gooooo. It will start on the next Kings loss. Mark my words. Fire TM. Hire RC. It will be plastered all over this web site. Ducks were classless with how they fired RC. I’m sure the players must have known something. RC is the first coach to have won a Cup in Cali. for that he deserved better. Oh Well, good luck!! Kings need to be ready for this Panthers team. They are the hottest team going. Get after them early.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 6:13 am
@kinginsaltlake,
It started already bro
It didn’t take long for the Gustavo’s of the world and others to salivate over hiring a last place coach to take over for a coach 2 or 3 points out of first.
I always enjoy reading your posts because you talk about the Kings on the ice..
you would hope at some point someone would put a stop to the coaching BS that permeates this blog every minute of the day..
We used to talk mostly about the team’s play on the ice and which players are performing well and which ones aren’t. that’s gone completely out the window.
I really wish it would come back because I enjoy the product on the ice and watching these incredibly talented players perform nightly for us.
Oh well..I digress!
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Gustavo Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:47 am
@nykingfan,
All we, the fans, can do is speculate.
The GM should be the one stepping up to the microphone and put a stop to this so called coaching BS by throwing his support behind TM. But he hasn’t, feeding the ‘Fire TM’ revolution even farther. Other than announcing the season demise of poor Scott Parse, DL has been suspiciously silent.
Many fans have NOT enjoyed the product on the ice like you have. The lack of solid and fluid play that the team promised on paper has not materialized after the several major summer upgrades, specially when playing the elite teams that are listed as contenders. Vancouver, Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburg….even Edmonton slapped us around like a redheaded stepson.
Yes, Monday against San Jose was a solid win and I hope to see many more of those against top teams. But I agree with those who say we’ve waited to long for our team to develop well, trade up well only to perform in a mediocre manner during the first 25 games of the season.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:34 am
@Gustavo,
How may points out of 1st plce are we?
I agree we haven’t played our best hockey..not by a long shot, but if we’re only a couple of points out of 1st overall, then shouldn’t about 30 coaches be on the hot seat..and by extension shouldn’t every gm be getting up to tell their fans that we’re not firing the coach? that’s ridiculous.
The speculation about his job status has been flamed by the silly fans looking for blood.. and nobody else and for absolutely no good reason other than he doesn’t open up the game offensively…perhaps that’s because he knows defense wins!
I don’t need DL to give him a vote of confidence. When you do those things, you’re pretty much tightening the noose on him anyway.
the man has been a successful coach for us during the time that he’s been here. Why should there even be a hint of him possibly losing his job? I guess unless we’re undefeated or we start losing games 7-6 it will never satisfy the likes of you and others.
I noticed how you also failed to mention how we beat the NYR one of the top teams in the league…I understand because it doesn’t help your argument.
Every team in the league has and will continue to have bad losses during the course of the season. It’s an 82 game marathon…these things happen. It’s ridficulous to take the temperature of the team on a nightly basis and make long term observations based on a limited number of games…
If you don’t like the product on the ice, that’s fine. Start talking about the players you don’t like as opposed to the coach who can’t put the puck in the net for the players.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/ducks-fire-carlyle-hire-boudreau/article2256124/
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When the Kings win the cup, I seriously doubt TM will be at the helm.
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Shakes Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:18 am
@Munchrat,
i’m sure in a parallel universe there’s a TM blog where someone just wrote “When TM wins the cup, I seriously doubt the Kings will be the team he coaches”
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:51 am
@Shakes,
Contemplating that made my head hurt because I then started to project that alternate universe back to 1993 and …. oooo, the pain!
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Shakes Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:01 am
@DesertKing,
don’t do it! don’t cross the streams! not 1993!
DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:05 am
@Shakes
OMG!! Rod Serling!! McSorley!! The horror!!! Make it stop!!!
Mikey J. Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:25 am
@Munchrat, I seriously doubt they’ll be playing that awkward Eric Cartman GKG! as well.
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1. We should never ever hire Randy Carlyle
2. Carlyle last night looked like a poster boy for the Rolaids commercials. He was sweating and looked like he had really bad indigestion. I said to myself “That poor guy looks really stressed”
3. Can anyone tell me when Tippet’s contract in Phoenix expires? That guy seems to get more out of his players than anyone else.
4. How can the stupid Habs lose to the Ducks?
5. Now the important one – Dominoes or Pizza Hut?
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Shakes Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:20 am
@DesertKing,
Pizza Hut… the crust is soooo gooood
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 7:49 am
@Shakes,
Gotta agree
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KC23 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:00 am
@DesertKing, Tippet has got to be the finest coach I’ve seen break into the NHL in a long long time. I keep looking at that crap line up and wondering how the heck are they doing it?
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jason Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:16 am
@KC23, i wouldnt take any coach over murray besides tippet or bylsma.. the rest are so so compared to them.
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:37 am
@KC23,
Exactly. When you watch him during games, his players are definitely paying attention to him. You can see in their body language that they are buying into his plan. They don’t seem to have the talent to fully execute his plan, but they always seem to give 110% for him on the ice.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:47 am
@DesertKing, Round Table!
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My favorite Carlyle clip after a Simmonds goal was allowed… of course, there’s lip reading involved.
http://deepinsidethekings.com/2010/01/read-lips/
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DesertKing Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 8:41 am
@wavesinair,
ROTHFLMAO! I remember that game and actually admiring that stream of expletives he delivered in such rapid fashion. Then I wondered why he didn’t get an “unsportsman like call” when TM had received one a couple of games before that one for dropping a similar single expletive on a ref. You made my whole day with that! Thanks
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wavesinair Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:46 am
@DesertKing,
I’m glad to be of service! I’ll miss him just for rants like this. If he ends up being the Kings coach, then we’ll have tons of laughs to look forward to!
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Cynic Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:34 am
@wavesinair, This is ‘Hall of fame’ stuff right here. If you’re having a bad day, just watch this. It’ll change instantly. This should have it’s own link on the side of the blog, just for that reason.
Thanks Waves!
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wavesinair Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:44 am
@Cynic,
We’ll have to consider this a must-see after any Kings loss just to take away the sting a little bit.
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Cynic Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:52 am
@wavesinair, LOL! You know, I had a funny thought….
Maybe we should hire Randy Carlyle to beat Montreal and then rehire Terry Murray back afterwards. What are we, 2-8-1 in our last 11 against them or something? Maybe put Kompon on IR for that game and hire Carlyle on a tryout?
Workin on that stuff BTW. I have a shell up for the site, you can check it out. Click the name.
Scot Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 10:41 am
@Cynic,
You can also Youtube some of John Tortorella’s best blow ups, & it’s also proven to turn a bad day around for me!
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LA_1968 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:44 am
@wavesinair, The funny thing is that my lips were doing the exact same thing the other night right when Brown’s goal was disallowed.
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One thing worrisome about Boudreau taking over the Ducks is that the Ducks may start winning a whole bunch of games. We hadn’t really had to think about that this season.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:17 am
@King John, who knows.If Boudreau has a system Defense first then well lets just say we out beat them to it
Because of the King TM system still effects LOL jk jk while feels like it.The Kings has been doing it when TM first got here.Ducks will struggle because they dont have that great of a Defense
So we have a great advantage
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Sebastian Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:56 am
@King John, The Ducks are a poorly built team…from the front back. they depend way too much on Hiller who has been very inconsistent since his vertigo issue. Who cares if the Ducks win more, with the team the Kings have, we should not worry about anyone else other than the Kings. Id rather the ducks sneak into the playoffs and hopefully end up facing the Kings. Kings ending their season would be a dream come true.
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I’ve got to agree with an earlier post, posted by nykingfan. We do need to start looking at the players on the ice {3/4 Lines} players who we know are not living up to what we expect. Now I have lowered my expectations for this club. I set them way to high, due to the warm and fuzzy feeling we all got back at Hockey Fest 11′. Now I’m back to watching each game, not trying to predict what our next 10 games will be like, but just looking at each game as games for growth. We are NOT a grown up team yet, we are getting there. Still growing pains arise and we go two steps back. It was just a few short years ago we fought just to get into the playoffs. Each game was a big deal. We won some we lost some, but we made it. Yes this year we were fed some magic cool-aid. All of us really thought this was the year that we would take the next step. Funny thing is the season isn’t over, the days barely started. We have 12 wins, 8 loses. In those losses I admit were against some of the more GROWN teams in the league. Those I understand some what. Losing to the Devils, Oilers, And that stinger of a game in Dallas really hurt us as fans. I do believe that TM wants to win hockey games. I do not think he goes out there wanting his team to lose. He has his players back. Never have we heard TM get down on any of his guys. He takes all the heat, especially from us fans and Helene Elliot. Look when we lose let us all look within and see that none of us is perfect. We all screw up. Some of you out there have probably made some good choices in your life and need no pat on the back, but if you are like most of us who don’t reside in the flashing lights of LA. You need a little pick me up when your down. Kicking TM right after a loss is just as bad as firing a coach after a win. Shows no class. Have I been classless this season YES. Have I ripped TM Yes I have. I ‘m pointing the finger right at me. I cant change the Kings, for I am only an Insider blogger who likes to write. No, but I sure can change myself. Only thing paying 180.00 bucks a year gets me is Center Ice, so I can watch my favorite team skate. I can’t change the coach, players, or GM. I can only watch. oh and thanks to Rich and his STAFF post on this blog site. Let’s give it up to Rich’s staff the guys and gals behind the scene who help put on this great site. THANKS TO ALL WE DON’T SEE.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:23 am
@kinginsaltlake,
excellent post!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:29 am
@kinginsaltlake, I’ve had patience for several years. The time for patience is over. The time for winning is here.
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KFII Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:35 am
@kinginsaltlake, You show so much heart for this team. I love your posts. Same goes for you nykingfan. I really enjoy reading your early morning posts. My cup of brew and the insider, first thing every morning and there you are, always writing what makes the most sense to me. Well except that one time you came on here drunk and wasn’t yourself. That blew me away. LOL Anyway, I don’t know what I’d do without Center Ice and this blog, it is the only thing that keeps me connected to this addicting game of hockey and my Kings.
Thank you to Rich and all the fans that post here.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:46 am
@KFII, And thanks to you my dear friend. You have the ability to ALWAYS say something good.
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puck73 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:50 am
@KFII, We like you too fellow Kings fan.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:56 am
@KFII,
I forgot about my drunk post!
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Cynic Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:46 am
@kinginsaltlake, Really solid post Salt. Just a few opinions though:
- I wouldn’t back down your expectations of this team. That is what we as fans have ALWAYS done. I’ve done it the last 31 seasons, even when I didn’t want to because it hurt too much. This season is different. I’m not changing my expectations and this is MUCH more on Dean Lombardi than it is on Terry Murray. HE is the one who dictates the expectatioins, Terry is the one expected to craft them into happening. If TM can’t make them happen, it is DL’s job to find the guy who can. Why should we as fans change what is really, the natural progression of this franchise in the right direction. If TM can’t do his job, he goes. If DL can’t find the right guy to do it, HE goes. Pretty simple. I want ACCOUNTABILITY in their jobs, not acceptance of failure by the fans by backing off expectations the GM set. I’ll bet Dean would agree with this 100%. I know it’ll hurt sometimes, but DON’T BACK DOWN off those expectations. Keep the pressure on by calling them out when necessary.
- You are right that kicking TM out of frustration after a loss is wrong. I think we’re all guilty of it (Thank you human nature), but personally, I try to keep my comments on TM based on what I see and his actions. I see that from a lot of people here. Of course we all try to guess what should happen next, it’s fun and sometimes relieves the sting of failure. TM MUST CHANGE as a coach or this team will not go any further. I hope he does it. I do agree that constructive criticism is MUCH more enjoyable to read than most of the ‘Frustration’ stuff we see. Some of it is downright hilarious though.
Nice post though. We are still growing. This KoolAid has much better flavor than the stuff from the early 2000′s.
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puck73 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 10:00 am
@Cynic, I said when DL took over that it would take 6 to 9 seasons to get this thing running on autopilot like it does in Detroit. The Kings not only are deep on defense and goaltending which was Deans #1 priority, but we have offensive talent in the system now as well. Guys like Moller, Holloway, Vey, Toffoli, Weal, Kozun, Kitsyn, Loktionov, and even Azevedo.
I guess what I am saying is that Dean is building from within, and developing players so we dont have to be put in a situation where we have another teams GM with a gun to our head…for that, I am grateful.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 10:02 am
@Cynic, Thanks for your words. Getting a reply from others always makes for a better day. The reason why I have lowered my expectations is due to my high blood pressure and wife. Due to a few Kings losses my Vizio HDTV was in jeopardy of losing it’s life. You are right… it all goes down hill right to the door step of DL if the Kings don’t make noise in the playoffs. Now he never said we would win the CUP, but he did promise us a season we would always rememeber. Hopefully he means for the good.
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Cynic Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 10:41 am
@kinginsaltlake, LOL! I completely understand, but there are ways around it. My wife makes me wear headphones when I watch the games because I like it loud. It’s actually better. I’ve also learned that you can’t have too many pillows on a sofa. I have learned their purpose. You beat the crap out of them, yell into them, stomp on them, etc. They are the perfect replacement for vented frustration on the expensive stuff.;)
Now as far as the blood pressure goes, that’s a tough one. If I have to choose between lowering my expectations for this team or my blood pressure…
…I’d probably do the guy thing and ask my doctor for better meds.
jess Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 11:12 am
@kinginsaltlake,
Thanks Salty! You have given me an idea for the next great product for sports fans whilst watching the game.
It’s called the Panic Puppet, and on it’s little T-shirt written in crude CAPS with black magic marker, is the word FAILURE!! And so in moments of complete rage one can have the instant satisfaction of slugging him in the mid-section in which case the Panic Puppet coughs up one of those little airplane sized bottles of booze until the next freak out in which case, the procedure is repeated until the desired level of numbness and slugging satisfaction has been acheived.
KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 9:58 am
@kinginsaltlake, MY Expectations are to go to round 2,Round 2 game 7 loss…..If they mark it and even pass it they have completed my Expectations
If they fail it again then i be very very very Disappointment to this team…
If they dont pass round 1..I be even more Disappointment to this team..
If they dont make the Playoffs i be soo mad at this team …
My expectations will not go down or will not go up.
I believe this team is lacking some talent to make it to go to a Cup run and win it.
But I believe we are soo close to it.
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bbb7 Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 11:51 am
@kinginsaltlake, I havent been one here to panic or call for the coach to be fired or to trade everyone we have; I just like to point out reality. The team isnt bad but isnt as good as we all expected it would be, but it’s still not 1/3 into the season.
However, I cant agree that this team is still not ‘grown’. The past few seasons it was correctly pointed out the Kings were a young team, needing time for all the youngsters to develop and gel. We are no longer a young team; in fact, our average age is just about in the middle of the pack, league-wise. We cant use that anymore. We lack finishers of any sort after the first 2 lines and – either coincidentally or because of that – we play a defensive style, and I believe there are limits as to how well a team can be in today’s NHL playing this style. Good enough to win the Cup? Maybe, but it’s a loooong season if you have to win 2-1 every night.
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