Andrei Loktionov got called up from the AHL after injuries to Dustin Penner and Scott Parse. Shortly thereafter, he got moved to his natural position of center, where Loktionov is presumed to be more comfortable and productive. Still, the points have not followed. Nine games into his latest stint with the Kings, Loktionov has zero goals and two assists. The Kings like the potential of Loktionov, who doesn’t turn 22 until May, and he’s likely to stay in the lineup at least until Mike Richards returns from injury, but Terry Murray would like to see some production from the young center, who is expected to play on the third line tonight with wingers Dustin Penner and Ethan Moreau.
MURRAY: “I need more. I need more from him. He’s getting a pretty good opportunity here to show us what he can do as a player in the center of the ice, playing consistently in an important role. I’d like to see that creativity, that offensive look that I had a good sense for when he was here last year. I felt good about his play with the puck and what he was doing to make plays, just holding onto it and making good decisions in the offensive zone. It’s not quite there yet, with his overall play, but his work is good. I just want to see him hold onto the puck and make some more plays in the offensive zone.’’
I think we all want more production out of players not named Kopitar or Richards (and to some extent Johnson). This whole team is in a scoring funk and you can’t just single out Lokti.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 9:55 am
@LomitaKingsFan,
I don’t thhink he’s singling him out, the question posed to him was specifically about Lokti and he’s right. We do need a lot more from him
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 9:58 am
@LomitaKingsFan,
Agree, lets single out a young kid who has played 9 games and blame him for not being able to score for 3 years now. The 22 year old must have alot of confidence now. Good job TM, great coaching.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:08 am
@Pesus, How did he single lokti out and blame him? Alot of people on this blog thought he was the 2nd coming of Gretzky and now he needs to produce just like everyone else does. If his confidence is “shaken” then perhaps he shouldn’t be playing in the NHL and should find some other profession i guess.
[Reply]
RobSD Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:36 am
@fsd1,
Produce like everyone else does??? HAHAHA. Who is producing?
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:38 am
@fsd1, On the other hand, most TM fans on this site said over and over that Loktionov should only be in a top six role. Now that there’s a place for him he’s up, but not playing a top 6 role.
Pesus Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:43 am
@fsd1,
He is producing like everyone else, so how do you single him out over guys like Stoll, hunter, moron?
Deke'r Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
@fsd1, Agreed…evidently his confidence is as easy to knock down as he is..
King Homer Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:09 am
@Pesus, There’s no reason for coach to walk on eggshells with his players. You’ve got guys all over these posts saying TM needs more of a killer instinct, then when he urges a player to give more guys like you jump up and want to shield the poor little fella…Lokti is a pro. He’s being treated like a pro. I suspect that is exactly what he would want…
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@King Homer,
Your right he is a pro, and TM needs to jump on a few players. But to jump on a guy who has been here for 9 games is crazy. We’ve been in a scoring slump for 3 years, lokti has been here 9 games. TM needs to look in the mirror for answers is my point.
freezer flatten Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@King Homer, he does have to produce more. he is constanly losing one on one battles or getting knocked off the puck, but so does everyone else.
pitty Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:34 am
@Pesus, Your right TM should just give him lots of hugs and tell him everything is going to ok.
It is not up to a coach of a professional athlete to motivate him, if a professional athlete can’t motivate himself at this stage he should find a new job
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@RobSD Perhaps it would have helped if I had added “Like everyone else should be….
[Reply]
dahack11 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@Pesus, I’m sick & tired (as i guess the players are) of TM blaming EVERY player for their offensive woes. It’s your system TM. It’s not EVERYONE else’s fault.
Helene Elliott said in today’s LA Times, EXACTLY what I’ve been saying for a year now.
[Reply]
tmp32 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:02 am
@LomitaKingsFan, Lomita’s right. However, I find it interesting that the only person Murray is willing to truly call out is the rookie. Takes a lot of balls to jump on the rookie for not being productive playing out of position, and with seven different line mates, then back to center, playing with seven different line mates, not playing on the powerplay. If Murray wasn’t so busy making excuses for Penner and Parse, if DL had picked up better than Moreau and Hunter, this team may be what everyone hoped for this year. Why isn’t Murray or Lombardi calling out the Captain. Why is it they believe that Lokitonov is going to flourish playing with The Band of Stiffs on the third and fourth lines? Did Lewis ? Did Richardson ? When did The Band of Stiffs turn into playmakers that only needed the rookie center to play better. Murray…the horns lie with you. Right on top of that silver mop of yours. Lokitonov isn’t the problem. Your anemic or invisible offensive philosophy (shoot the puck-shot mentality) works in PeeWee’s, not the NHL. You got to have a little more coaching depth than that. Don’t you ??
[Reply]
Ashykon Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:41 am
@tmp32, I dont understand what dl needed to get other than hunter or moreau… He tried replacing Simmonds with them and that is a tough task because there isn’t anyone like Simmonds. He got us a proven scoring left einger(gagne) a first line center(Richards), Penner who should be putting in goals… That’s a tough top six already with brown kopi and Williams. So he went and grabbed a couple bottom six role playing forwards who frankly are doing there jobs fine other than the scoring. I don’t see how dl could have done this any better with out selling his soul for Crosby
[Reply]
CanadianKing Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:04 am
@tmp32, Whats with all the hate today? TM was asked directly about the performance of Lokti and gave an honest assessment (which you can’t argue with because its true). If he was asked about Brown he probably would give another honest answer. Not sure what the problem is here.
[Reply]
Daren Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@CanadianKing, Maybe the person doing the asking needs to ask questions about the captain, etc?
Roger Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@CanadianKing, we are underachieving. Dump and chase is not working.
LosKingos Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@tmp32, I have been watching this team since ’88. I am a long time season ticket holder, and I can’t remember the last time I was this frustrated with the Kings. When we were bad, I expected us to be bad. TM has done a lot to get us to this point. I have been a supporter of his since he was hired. Now I have to ask the question, should we fire him and hire Randy Carlysle? There has been no improvement on the offensive side of the puck, regardless of who is playing for the Kings. Anyone notice Matt Moulson got named 1 star of the week? Remember him? Let’s grab Carlysle now, before someone else does. He knows our team, he knows our division, and his hardnose attitude should help straighten out some of our more wish-washy players. Nevermind the fact that he already won a cup, and would probably be ready to stick it to the Ducks immediately.
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@tmp32, Nice rant! That’s a keeper.
[Reply]
TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:44 am
@LomitaKingsFan, Loktionov also has a 50% faceoff win percentage. and only has 2 penalty minutes for 9 games this season, he may not be scoring, but neither are the million dollar forwards, to single him out like this is not fair. He can’t be a scapegoat for Terry Murray’s bad coaching
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
@TheAcaciaStrain, TM has not called anyone out, he was answering a freaking question poised to him specifically about lokti.
[Reply]
Kevin Ebel Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@LomitaKingsFan, I WANT MORE FROM MURRAY. If you really want some scoreing from him how about putting him on the PP where he can get some help and a little bit more creative?
[Reply]
Sean Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
@LomitaKingsFan,
I see TM doing exactly what we want him to do at this point, challenge players! He is not ‘jumping’ on him as so many say or does he in anyway blame the kid for the offensive slump we are in. I read the blog and comments daily and it is funny how many ‘fans’ have nothing positive to say. So many times I have read that TM’s work with young players is one of his strengths, so MAYBE he knows what he is doing with Lokti. If he felt it was time to challenge him to get his play up to what he witnessed last year.
I wouldn’t mind TM putting the kid up to center line 2, but we don’t know what TM is seeing in practice. I think a coach with 500 wins (499, but 500 tonight) knows more about coaching a professional hockey team has more hockey sense in his pinkie finger than most of us combined.
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@LomitaKingsFan, there’s no problem with Murray wanting more from Lotkionov, he has played on all lines and even the PP and hasn’t produced, don’t give us the crap he hasn’t had time to adjust nonsense……
I’ve said from the beginning he’s too small and shouldn’t be playing in the NHL with his talent level to match. All other small players are much more talented.
[Reply]
Whats with the new font?
[Reply]
I hear Murray say I need more from this guy and that guy, and while that may be true, I’m just at the point where I question whether it’s really the player anymore.
Has any player come here under TM’s era and actually had an improvement in points other than Raitis Ivanans?
[Reply]
DLB Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 9:54 am
@Whodawat, If you’re a Selke caliber superstar you’ll do all right. No one else is gonna break out for career highs.
[Reply]
Harrison Merkin Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:02 am
@DLB, Several players have had career or near career years under TM. I’m pretty sure MR is okay with the system. Kopi’s not crying and has bought in 100%. I’m not saying that I like the style of play or the results to this point but this TM sucks thread is getting old. If he coddles a player the blog is a fire with TM needs to hold people accountable. If he steps on a guy he’s taking it out on the wrong guy. If poor little Lokti gets his feelers hurt by his coach expecting more from him when asked to speak specifically about said player then how is it singling out the rookie? everyone on this team is gripping. We know it and they know it. If we play perfect or near perfect the system is flat out dominant. Learning to control the ebb and flow within the system is the next step for this team. We are still very very good and will ultimately have the results we deserve. In the mean time we should keep bashing our team, it’s players and coaches. Hell the guy in Sec 301 hasn’t scored all year. What’s his deal? GKG!!!
[Reply]
Whodawat Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@Harrison Merkin, I think you’re missing the point. He singles out players by saying he needs more from them. You look at some of the players who TM needed more from and have moved on to other teams and they are doing well offensively. At some point, is it really the players anymore?
Also, you bring up Kopi. He’s a great player with god given talent, but don’t you ever find yourself wondering what kind of numbers he could put up under a different coach?
And before you start to question my focus on points/offense, go look up the last 10 SC champions and see where they ranked in league offense.
And if that isn’t enough… the Kings are just plain boring to watch. We struggle to remain .500, we can’t make it out of the first round and now I find myself channel hopping during games cause I know not much will happen.
I could understand the boredom if we were actually living up to the contender title that was so easily thrown around when talking about the Kings, but the fact remains, we haven’t improved much over the last few years. Adding Richards and Gagne were great, but we’re still sitting at .500.
FemaleFan #1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:53 am
@Whodawat, I’ve been wondering, since last season, how long this can continue. Yes, the players have to step up. They need to give a complete effort for a full 60 minutes. But I believe, TM is a huge problem here. There’s isn’t only one problem…to be successful, it all has to mesh. But we’ve acquired key players, we have some great talent, the lines have been moved around at nauseum….I believe a fresh, innovative, passionate coach would work wonders for us.
[Reply]
Weasel Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:24 am
@Whodawat,
Thought about this a bit. It’s the wrong question. If you play a defense first system you won’t have huge offensive breakout seasons. The question could be asked which players have improved in plus/minus in this system.
[Reply]
Whodawat Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@Weasel, Thats a valid point. It leads me to another thought… does a defense first sytem really have a place in the game today? I can’t remember the last SC champion who finished lower than 15th in league offense (New Jersey in 2003 or whenver). Other than that, the rest for the last 10 years have been in the top 10…
[Reply]
Harrison Merkin Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@Whodawat,
I don’t think I missed your point at all. I get what you and everyone else on this blog is saying. Here’s an idea…maybe everyone should pick their favorite coach and follow his team. We have a good hockey club. All cylinders are not yet firing and this may not be the perfect bland of players, coaches and system but for the love of Pete the TM/System horse is long since dead.
[Reply]
Whodawat Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@Harrison Merkin, it’s not really a good idea considered we are all LA Kings fans…
We do have a good hockey club with world class players. Unfortunately, the results aren’t at the level everyone feels they should be.
How can the horse be dead when it’s widely believed to be THE reason the team isn’t firing on all cylinders. Perhaps you’re in the same belief as TM that we need more from Loki, Richardson, Lewis and Hunter before things get turned around?
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
@Whodawat, ….relax buddy…the Lakers will be on in a couple of weeks and you won’t have to watch the boring Kings….GKG!
[Reply]
“I need more from him” …said the Coach who has never had this team in the top half of the NHL in scoring and whose changes to his system have resulted in his team currently ranked dead last in the league.
“We need more from you coach” …said the entire Kings fan base with a deafening roar.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 9:54 am
@wavesinair,
dis·place·ment [dis-pleys-muhnt] – NOUN – An unconscious defense mechanism whereby the mind redirects effects from an object felt to be dangerous or unacceptable to an object felt to be safe or acceptable. Displacement operates in the mind unconsciously and involves emotions, ideas, or wishes being transferred from their original object to a more acceptable substitute. It is most often used to allay anxiety. See TERRY MURRAY, LOS ANGELES KINGS, NHL
[Reply]
dMan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:25 am
@Cynic, LMAO!!!
[Reply]
gralx Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:00 am
@wavesinair, I am about over this coaching staff. Do I wish for the Kings to play like the Jets, playing 8-6 games once a week? No. But, there is WAY too much offensive talent on this team to be playing 2-1 every night. Open it up and see what falls out!
[Reply]
tmp32 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:05 am
@wavesinair, Here !! Here!!
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:16 am
@tmp32,
…or Hear! Hear! if you prefer. Pond, pool. Pond would be good for you.
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:36 am
@wavesinair, Nice one!
[Reply]
I want more out of Murray frankly. Tired of seeing him call out players in the media like Phil Jackson used to. He doesn’t have Phil’s credentials to be doing that. If he did, maybe the players would care. Show some fire, make in-game adjustments, sit a player for a game who’s in a slump like they do in baseball. I wanna see more from Murray who apparently isn’t accountable for the teams inexcusable .500 record, seeing as where he still has a job and doesn’t seem to be in any danger of losing it.
[Reply]
Eric Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@FaceWash,
Please sit Justin “never wins a battle” Williams.
[Reply]
face wash Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:38 am
@Eric, the guy needs to watch a game from the press box. Coach doesn’t have the guts.
[Reply]
Raunq12 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@Eric,
Yup
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
@FaceWash, Seriously, why hasn’t Justin Williams been benched for one game? Or Stoll? Both of them have been on autopilot most of the season. Or what about Doughty? He definitely deserves to be benched.
[Reply]
Anjin Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@PRMan, I guess if we’re talking about offensive production you also sit Kopitar, Gagne and well, everyone….
[Reply]
Wearing thin.
[Reply]
Man, I really don’t want to say this, but the thought has crossed my mind more than a few times and it bumms me out, but I can’t deny the possibility from what I’m seeing:
Frolov 2.0?
Could Loktionov be the next ‘Enigma’? He’s got this penchant for awesome vision and passing, but from what we’ve seen so far, it’s been pretty hot & cold. Now he doesn’t have nearly the years of The Loaf, but the signs of tenative, hot/cold play are everywhere.
Say it ain’t so Jimmy Neutron!
Alexander Frolov – First name starts with ‘A’, last name ends in ‘Ov’. 15 letters in full name.
Andrei Loktionov – First name starts with ‘A’, last name ends in ‘Ov’. 15 letters in full name.
Coincidence? no…
/conspiracy /conspiracy /conspiracy /conspiracy AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 9:48 am
@Cynic,
Cant judge him playing for TM.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:02 am
@Pesus,
ridiculous!
what the heck is the coaches record with the Kings?
You make it sound like he’s led us to last place finishes every single year he’s been here instead of taking us to the playoffs 2 out 3…
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:39 am
@nykingfan, Agree. My take here is strictly on what I see from Loktionov and nothing else. The player has a responsibility to perform well in any system and although I still believe TM’s system is no longer working for us, AL is not even playing the current defensive system correctly. That’s what I’m looking at. Frolov had the same problem most times.
Christian T Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:45 am
@nykingfan, He has taken us as far as he can. He has expired like many coaches this season. Murray is a teaching coach. He taught. Anze will be an MVP because of this. But its time for a motivating coach. Really? calling out Lokti? Next thing he’ll put Hunter on the PP… Oh wait.
PP Anybody? Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:46 am
@nykingfan, 16 out of 30 teams make it to the playoffs, making it more than 50%. Not really impressive to make it, seeing how more than 50% of all teams do anyways.
Pesus Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:59 am
@nykingfan,
Ok, sorry let me repharse. You cant judge is offence under TM. He plays great D!
nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:32 am
@Christian T,
How do you know that??????
it’s so easy to say he’s taken us as far as he can…but enlighten us all and tell us why??????
nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:34 am
@Pesus,
I’m really wondering how Rich hasn’t kciked you off yet.
There’s a rule on the blog about repeating the same thing over and over again without anything to back it up.
We could be talking about the moon and you’d be the one to mention how it goes dark because of TM..
Unbelievable.
Anjin Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@nykingfan, we have way too much talent to be sitting last in the NHL in production. A change is needed, do you make a trade or a coaching change?
The answer seems pretty simple to me.
nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Anjin,
wht makes you think that a change in coaches is going to help more than a trade?
If I really thought that a change in coaching would turn this team around, I would be ok with it…I don’t see it helping.
Anjin Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@nykingfan, we have one of the most talented rosters in the NHL and we can’t score goals. I don’t see how that responsibility falls on anyone other than the coaching staff.
I’m not saying TM is a bad coach, in fact I think he’s a very good coach but the team we have now is ready to get out of the rebuilding/underdog mindset and we need a coach and system that will reflect that.
RobSD Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:40 am
@Cynic,
Frolov had a ton of talent but no work ethic, heart or hustle… IMO of course. Loki to me looks like he is busting his hump. Nobody comes out as a rookie and blows it away under TM… our stars and veterans can barely score.
[Reply]
You want production yet look who you put on his wings TM is a joke. I say it when we win and lose. We have a horrible system and if not for Quick would be at the bottom with the Ducks and the Jackets.
[Reply]
This kid is getting a really nice look and some huge minutes and has shown very little to this point.
Kopi and Richards have the C1 and C2 spots locked up for a very long time. Stoll has a ton more NHL experience and is a faceoff/shootout magician…all this with a low cap hit. Perfect C3
Having said all that, if DL can make a deal happen (Lokti/Martinez/Bernier) to get us that scoring winger and depth…make the deal.
Regardless of who the coach is, we have too many grinders who dont’ grind and way too many forwards who cant find the back of the net.
[Reply]
Eric Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:33 am
@Barry’s Mullet,
Nobody wants Loktionov and Martinez. Bernier has some stock, but I wonder if his stock has fallen a bit due to his shakiness night in and night out.
[Reply]
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@Eric, There are teams who would like Martinez.
[Reply]
kings king Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Eric, I guarantee any team that prides themselves on team speed would love Loktionov. Not too many guys can stick handle top speed and still have the vision to make plays. TM’s system is too focused on slowing the game down.
[Reply]
Don’t know if it’s been mentioned as I haven’t checked in in a while but, Carlyle? The guy has a track record of getting the most out of his scorers.
[Reply]
kings king Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@AnaheimKingsFan, He wasn’t getting the most out of the best line in hockey so..
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
@AnaheimKingsFan, ….so that’s why he got canned….
[Reply]
Loktionov looked good with Gagne and Williams, and he’s a playmaker. Which is obviously why Terry Murray gave the better wingers to Stoll.
Sigh.
[Reply]
LAK1ngs Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:58 am
@DLB, Nice!
[Reply]
I want more cowbell from Lokti
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:01 am
@Lake Forest,
I got a fever and the only prescription is a win.
[Reply]
We need more from…………….
Nagy
Frolov
Sturm
Stoll
Penner
Williams
Lokti…….send him back to manchester before TM kills what confidence he has left.
We need more from TM.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:48 am
@Pesus, rinse and repeat
[Reply]
Andrew:The Second Coming Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
@Pesus, Or less. Alot less. Like packing your bags less.
[Reply]
TM needs the media to motivate his players to produce more? Isn’t that what the coach’s office is, among other things? To hold close door meeting with players who need a talking to?
Way to go, coach!!…Nice way to burn yet another young offensive talent.
[Reply]
If anybody could clog up offense, its this coach. Its unbelievable! TM has actually changed his system to a degree, and the team still cant score goals!
Tell ya what. I am going to be at the game tonite, and I think this is a safe observation…If the Kings get down by 2 goals or more at any point in the game, you can kiss their ass goodbye because they have not shown they have the ability to come back from that kind of deficit. The Kings need to get up on Anaheim early to win IMO.
As for Lokti, he is still a young player, and is still developing. I guess if anybody could destroy a forward, it would probably this coach, who seems to think every forward should be able to backcheck as good as Guy Carbonneau.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:04 am
@puck73,
The first goal is usually the tale of the tape. The Ducks are scoring goals, have lost 2 in a row plus 2 in a row to the Kings.
All signs point to a disaster night for the Kings. I hope to Mikus I’m wrong.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:08 am
@wavesinair,
Afraid you may be correct, no matter the Quack have lost how many in a row? There seems to be another team in SoCal in dire straits like one that’s already changed a coach.
Next? I don’t see a quick fix, other than making a goalie stand on his head every single game for this team to stand a chance of winning. Have the players stopped listening? Seems like it, doesn’t it?
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@Kingsfanone,
How the kings have been playing, and how the ducks have been playing, the ducks have had strong first half of the games and have totally caved in. Unfortunately like you guys said, kings have shown absolutely no ability to come back in a game, the only one i can think of is the first game of the season vs the NYR ( Mike Richards tying goal , JJ OT). SO if this game goes just like it has been for both teams, it could be a long night.
Deke'r Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
@wavesinair, You may be right with all the Kings “fans” hoping the team loses just to get a coaching change….let the negativity reign!
[Reply]
I remember a few games back that Lokti was on fire for several minutes when he was teamed
with Williams and Gagne. In fact the few minutes they were together they created havoc. I wonder
why? Has everything with putting the right players together. Coach, coach, coach!!!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:05 am
@simiarnie, It is becoming very apparrent from reading comments on this site that the majority of the people think that TM is the problem, and its not even close.
[Reply]
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:58 am
@puck73, Just talked to Dean, he says as soon as fsd1 and nykingfan turn he’ll pull the trigger.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@Jason4Kings, lol, Be strong NYkingfan, I got your back!
He’s right..we need to see a lot more of Lokti…it’s up to the player to make his wingers better.
If it wasn’t for the fact that I love this team and root like heck for them every game..I’d almost wish you’d all get your wish and he’d be fired and you end up back where you all belong..out of the playoffs which apparently you all must have enjoyed a lot more than the recent success we’ve had.
Shameful…ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:06 am
@nykingfan, I thought about that too. Glad someone said it.
However, I think it’s just better to have TM and do well and let people be people.
Coaches lose teams win.
[Reply]
FaceWash Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:10 am
@nykingfan, so you’re saying no other coach could get this team as the roster stands now to the playoffs? That’s not a rhetorical question by the way.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:16 am
@FaceWash, Take it easy on my good friend nyK. He has had a long year, and needs a vacation like I do !
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:22 am
@FaceWash, do you think a new coach would make all your wishes come true?
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FaceWash Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@Lake Forest, For one, I haven’t been on a FIRE TM tear around here however two facts are clear. Coaches are hired to be fired and Terry Murray isn’t Scotty Bowman. I think the team needs a better communicator. Notice what happened when Murray called a time out and lit into the team… They scored a goal about 40 seconds later. But that’s not TM’s style so you won’t see much of that in the future from him. He’s Del Harris.. which was great for the Lakers when they had a young team, but they needed a communicator with a track record of winning to finish the job. That’s what this team needs. Talent’s there. Up to the GM to show that even the coach has to be held accountable for poor performances.
nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:36 am
@FaceWash,
do you know that another coach could have made this team into the defensive standout that’s its been over the past several seasons which turned the org around from a doormat to a contender?
this is not a rhetorical question either
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FaceWash Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@nykingfan, Let’s see Jacques Lemaire, Ken Hitchcock any coach that coaches a trap…of which there are several. What has playing defense-first hockey gotten us? two 1st round exits…including a series against SJ in which the defense FAILED them miserably. He doesn’t coach to the talent he has he tries to get guys to conform to his way of thinking. He has offensive talent and depth and he’s wasting it with this play defense and shoot the puck philosophy.
But honestly, that’s not why I’d fire him, I’d fire him because he obviously doesn’t know how to reach his players. Being a leader means knowing who to pat on the back and who to kick in the ass. He doesn’t kick anyone in the ass, but he has no problem going to the papers and talking about the players lack of production. He believes players don’t need motivation…well that sounds nice in theory considering all the money they make, but Human Beings ALWAYS need motivation. Whether it be records or goals or just play better or I’ll trade you to Winnipeg! He doesn’t prescribe to this thinking and in the end, it’s his undoing as a coach. These guys are playing like they don’t care whether he’s the coach or not tomorrow… doesn’t say much.
I predict a loss tonite in ANA will bring major media scrutiny and could be the beginning of the end.
PP Anybody? Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:54 am
@nykingfan, If anyone is being doom and gloom, it’s that kind of attitude. Why would you assume that by changing the coach we’d automatically be out of the playoffs? If anything, where is the evidence that TM will lead this team to the playoffs this year? As it stands, the Kings are teetering on the edge of missing them already.
The issues haven’t changed. This team has added several players throughout the last couple years, and still can’t score. It cannot compete with playoff caliber teams as it is currently coached. Change can be a very good thing. Don’t be afraid.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@PP Anybody?,
I’m not saying we’d be out of the playoffs…not by a longshot.
It’s going to be up to the players whether we make the playoffs or not.
That’s been my point all along. The players are the guys on the ice not handling passes..making poor breakout passes..missing the net..
I think they’re going to turn it around and be where we expected them to be.
I don’t see the reason for panicking the way most of the people here have been. We certainly haven’t lost contact with the field, so there’s plenty of time.
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Pesus Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:19 am
@nykingfan,
If we get a new coach and fail is fine, we are failing now! just sitting on our hands and hoping things get better is not working. What do we have to loose? The 8-10 spot. Whats the point of making the playoffs if you can win a series?
We might not agree on whats wrong with this team but we have to agree that something is wrong. Somethings been wrong.
I find it hard to believe that every player not named kopi or richards sucks. If you think its the players thats fine, we have a right to our own opinions.
I dont want just playoffs, I want a parrade. We fans deserve it.
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:26 am
@Pesus, I disagree that we are failing. We aren’t, we’re just not doing as well as we expect from the talent we have.
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Pesus Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:44 am
@Lake Forest,
Thats fair, if this team barely makes the playoffs or doesnt make it, would that be a failure? Some of us have more patiences than others and thats fine. Im just sick and tired of going to staples just to be bored to death.
fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:52 am
@Pesus You know you have a choice right?
nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:37 am
@Pesus,
we’re 2 points out of 1st place…what are you looking for??????
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Pesus Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:50 am
@nykingfan,
Above .500 would be nice, 3 goals would be nice. Dont let the standings fool, this teams stinks
nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:57 am
@Pesus,
If we stink so bad, go watch another team…
We don’t stink. We’re not playing our best hockey and we need to improve our scoring 5 on 5..but for all of our warts, we’re just 2 points out of 1st.
The Islanders would be a good team for you to root for…nobody would disagree about stinking..or if need be you can become a Ducks fan. They stink as well and you’d fit in with those people who hate where their team is right now.
If we won tonight 2-1 or 1-0..you wouldn’t be happy?
fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:51 am
@Pesus, Im sorry, the fans do not “deserve” anything. They may want it but thats a different story.
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Oh he’s getting a really good opportunity? Is that why Hunter gets PP over Loktionov? The entire team is struggling to score 5-on-5. I expect more from Kopitar 5-on-5 so singling out Loki is asinine but also typical of Murray.
The PP is the only place we can score and Hunter can’t even do that. Give Loki PP time with the first unit and watch what happens. Stop expecting Penner and Williams and Hunter, guys all in major slumps, to produce on the PP and don’t expect anything better from the rookie when he is perpetually playing with veterans who are struggling more than thy he at any other time of their careers.
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puck73 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:08 am
@Surly Jacob (JDM), Very solid take.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:14 am
@Surly Jacob (JDM),
I love that you still put JDM in your name. I was looking through old posts the other day and your name was all over the place. Good times.
I agree in principle with your take, but (and not to defend TM) I will point out that a few things happen here quite regularly. First, we don’t get the full context of the quote above. Murray is asked many questions and he gives many answers, not all of which are selected by Rich. Just because he said this about Lokti, doesn’t mean he didn’t say it about everyone else also.
It’s a cherry picking approach that boarders on reality television IMO, whereby these quotes are clearly chosen to elicit a response and create drama. That’s my opinion, of course and I believe there’s a patter to it. BUT I don’t mind it and I contribute to it daily because it’s fun.
However, I always take these kinds of quotes with a grain of salt until I can read (or especially hear) the entire interview for myself. Doing that often makes seemingly important quotes seem banal.
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Jason4Kings Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:52 am
@wavesinair,
Right. But asking more from Loktionov is too easy, i’d like to see some thoughts on Doughty, Williams, etc. Not saying he wouldn’t comment in the same way, but we don’t see that as much.
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Sebastian Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:29 am
@Surly Jacob (JDM), i agree 100%. a young player needs to gain confidence in himself, no better way to do that than to have the puck on his stick, no better way to do that than to get PP time. Hunter is useless on the PP, so is Moreau, yet Murray keeps trying the same damn thing. give someone else a chance Murray!!!!
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colo king fan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:36 am
@Surly Jacob (JDM),
He always singles out scape goats, that’s the TM way…. its Penner, it’s Richardson, it’s Lokti… its all of them, and the reason why is TM!!
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I’m so pick me Murray. How about calling out players you are in love with Murray like hunter. You keep praising how good he is playing yet he has produced nothing. How bout Williams? Stoll? I could go on and on. His wingers have sucked. What do you expect him to do?
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winger23 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:05 am
@winger23, sick of that is…..
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I agree with the comments on here. How is it that every single player that leaves the kings, somehow always performs better else where?! Maybe it is the system. Murray need to make adjustments to the system and incorporate a bit of an offensive style.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@PurpleNGold, ok, lets get this argument finished so it doesnt come up on every single post. Teams trade players that suck after the trade and teams trade players that do better after the trade. Here is a list.
Lubo
Hersley
Lukavich
Tukonen
Labarbara
O’sullivan
Boyle
Preissing
Quincy
Purcell
Bjustad (pick)
Zucker (pick)
Olden (pick)
So what percentage of these guys are tearing up the league, and who do you think would suddenly be succesful here? And please add in the fact that TM does not make trades and if anyone thinks that TM wasnt hired for the job AFTER Kings mgmt decided what kind of team they wanted and what kind of system mgmt wanted to run then that would be a mistake. Teams all over the league trade players that sometimes suceed elsewhere and sometimes they dont. I dont care who we have traded in the past, I care about our players we have now. Ok, done with my 60 hail murrays for the day.
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Kings4life Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:37 am
@fsd1, Forgot Moulson
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PP Anybody? Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:06 am
@fsd1, I like that you started off with Lubo, who LED all defensemen in scoring last year, to prove your point that other players who leave the Kings don’t do very well.
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mash-ola Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
@PP Anybody?, Lubo was not worth the price of his contract IMO, and the Kings got Greene and Stoll in the deal. I say it helped both sides. Why didn’t Lubo stick in EDM? He didn’t have a great season. He had a great season last year with the Ducks, but it’s hard to tell how he would have fared had he avoided injury this season.
Yeah, fsd1 forgot about Moulson, but again, Moulson had a four goal night the other night, but he’s playing on the first line with John Tavares. Would he be a first-line winger in LA? And at the time the Kings had him, he played a lot, and got decent numbers, but nothing astounding.
Ok, so that’s Lubo and Moulson. You can add Purcell and maybe Boyle to the mix of players everyone rue’s the Kings for not keeping. I still don’t understand why some people are dwelling on these players. I really don’t think they would be franchise players with the Kings. I’m with fsd1.
Do the Wild/Vancouver regret giving up on Willie Mitchell? Do the Cane’s wish they hadn’t traded Jack Johnson to the Kings for Tim Gleason and Eric Belanger? Do you think the Penguins could still use Rob Scuderi? Or Tampa Bay for not keeping Simon Gagne?
We can’t keep every single player, nor do we want to. It’s just part of the game.
Dave's a Killer Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@fsd1 ,Well done fsd1.
Don’t see this as a Hail Murray. Just an educated response to a very general statement that every player that has left the Kings has gone on to greater success.
This living in the past displayed in this blog is really quite comical
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mash-ola Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
@Dave’s a Killer, Exactly.
And like I’ve said before, all the personell movement is on Dean Lombardi and Ron Hextall. THE COACH OF THE L.A. KINGS, OR ANY COACH FOR THAT MATTER DO NOT MAKE THE TRADES!
Last time I checked, he doesn’t have anything to do with the weather or global warming or the sun coming up, either, although that would be debatable by some here on this blog!
Lokti does need to produce more, but he ain’t getting a jumpstart on a line with Penner and Moreau.
Also, this response sounds like an answer to “What do you think of Loktionov’s play?” and not “Who on the Kings is struggling?” Murray is responding to a question about Loktionov. If he got the same question about Hunter or Penner he’d respond the same way…
… right?
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fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:22 am
@Eric K, yes!
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mash-ola Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 6:58 pm
@Eric K, Loktionov would more than likely produce more working on the first or second line, true. But who are you going to bump down a line to make space for him?
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I want more from Murray.
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Poe Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:46 am
@Dave, I don’t want more from Murray—I want Murray GONE!!!!!!
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I’m not quite certain that putting him with someone who isn’t a big goal scorer like Moreau helps his chances to rack up the points all that much.
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DL please put TM out of his misery
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Quick is single handedly keep Murray employed. TM knows this. That is why he scrapped the goalie rotation. Gotta keep his job as long as Quick let’s him.
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Christian T Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 10:47 am
@Christian T,
*keeping*
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Roger Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Christian T, yep Quick is standing on his head night in and night out
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Lokti needs to do more but I can’t figure out how he will ever get it done playing in this system. Murray’s system takes away almost everything that a guy like Lokti does well and in a system emphasizing grinding and defensive accountability, he will never shine. Potentially a 20 goal, 40 assist guy somewhere that utilized his talents, but it ain’t gonna happen here under Murray. So Murray “wants more” from Lokti? The kid’s between a rock and a herd place.
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CanadianKing Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:22 am
@40YearKingsFan, I’m getting tired of everyone complaining about our “system” holding back players. Yes, I agree its a defensive minded system that isn’t going to produce alot of goals, but I’m sorry, if you can’t adapt to a different system then you’re not that great of a player. I think Gagne and Richards adapted to this system relatively well, but no one seems to see that side of things. Do I think TM is the wrong coach for this team? Yes, but not because of the system. I think it’s his inability to adapt mid-game. I’ve seen many games where he is clearly getting out-coached. If you watch any Penguins or Wings game, you’ll see how effective adapting on the fly is. Example: I was watching a Pens-Canadiens game a couple weeks ago. Montreal got stuck with their fourth line out against Crosby. Bylsma decides to get Malkin out there with Crosby, and they no sooner score a goal. That’s what TM lacks in my opinion, and ability to react quickly to the change in game.
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Roger Rabbit Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:51 am
@CanadianKing, If this system worked we wouldn’t be having this problem with scorers that don’t score and a team that struggles nightly to play as a team. The system is broken.
RR
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Andrew:The Second Coming Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@CanadianKing, No I think players like Gagne and Richards play thier own game. TM always says that Richards goes by the feel of the play not really letting the system be the decideing factor.
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mash-ola Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I think it’s more people’s perspective of the so-called “system” that gives them the impression that that is the sole reason the Kings are not scoring.
It is a ‘defense-first’ mentality, true, but it does not or should not diminish offensive creativity or productivity once the team is in the offensive zone.
Someone has been posting that OFFENSE wins Stanley Cups. But I think traditionally, the opposite is true. A team that is all offense and no defense will usually lose against a team that has a more sound defense and goaltending structure.
And you have to give credit where credit is due: players like Richards and Gagne are finding ways to score within the system. To say they are playing their own game is, I feel incorrect. Once inside that blueline, TM WANTS his team to display that offensive creativity and to create shots and scoring chances.
Do you think TM or ‘the system’ stressed to Drew Doughty to hold onto the puck in the final moments of the Kings/Canadien’s game on Saturday? That answer would be ‘NO’. That was all on the player.
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This should have read: Loktionov, team, want more from Murray.
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Lokti is strictly a playmaker…he needs to start making some plays! I cant recall him setting up a linemate for a decent scoring opportunity in recent games, altho if your linemates dont get into open spaces, you cant. That’s the problem with the entire team, actually.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:11 am
@bbb7, It’s pretty hard to set up your wingers for scoring opportunities when they are always stuck facing the boards.
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Andrew:The Second Coming Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@bbb7, Williams hitting the post, Gagne hitting the post, Hunters wide open net.. all of them off of lokti stick.
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Rich Hammond coming up on NHL Home Ice. Promote bro!
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It’s easy to please this coach. Shoot the puck where or whenever you have it even if it’s from the board or outside the blue line or behind the goal. Lokti is trying to make a play before he shoots the puck. He’s gonna be sent down if he continues to do it. And Hunter stays becuase he does all of above. Only trigger happy can help this team scoring more. That’s what TM believes.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@goldielocks,
I like this opinion.
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colo king fan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:37 am
@goldielocks,
dig it.
He’s like a boarding school master who stifles creativity and fun… and scoring.
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I agree with TM’s comments here. Oh, the irony! But all we’ve been hearing previously from TM in the time Lokti has been up was “shot mentality.” Now TM wants more “holding onto the puck” and making plays from Lokti. I hope Lokti isn’t feeling as whipsawed as I am.
I posted this late yesterday after Hammonds posted the new line combos:
Loktionov is getting so totally Terry’d now, like Purcell and Parse before him. Move him around all over the place and try to force his peg into one of the uniform round holes on the pegboard TM uses to make his lineup. B’bye Lokti, we hardly knew ye.
If you believe in a player’s ability (especially a young one), you should try to put him in the best position to succeed. Get his confidence going, rather than harp on his perceived limitations.
TM seems to have a compulsion to force all players to his grind it out system (including finesse / fast players). And if they happen to have enough skill to overcome and create offense for themselves, well that’s just something you can’t coach.
Finally, I think a big reason that many bloggers express frustration with TM is his apparently total lack of accountability. I mean, even Lane Kiffin, the most hated coach in America, freely admits when his game plan gets exposed or when he fails to make adequate in-game adjustments.
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puck73 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:32 am
@Kenny44, Agree about Lane Kiffin. Also, Pete Carroll was also a master at making half time adjustments when his great teams werent playing well in the first half. Saw it many, many times.
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Kenny44 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@puck73, I was going to try to meet you and the Insiders tonight at the Ponda, but I ended up with a schedule conflict so I gave up the company tix. I’ll be listening in the third period for Go Kings Go chants. Have a great time. GKG and Fight On!
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number 6 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:33 am
@Kenny44,
Kenny, I wrote a post so very similar to yours what seems an eternity ago now. It was if I’m not mistaken about Teddy Purcell. Many have said that he had every chance here. I’m not all that certain about that. If you put a guy like that with 12 different line mates and call him out constantly on his d you’re certainly not giving him a chance to succeed. And by the way, I’m Not saying you shouldn’t call him out on the defensive end. But lord, give him a chance first to get a tiny bit of confidence.
I and others agree that there are mixed signals floating around to some players, and that doesn’t help anyone.
I don’t think Purcell got mixed signals in TB, he was put consistently w better players… and now…. he’s a full fledged nhl’er.
Oh, and by the way, he did make a mistake in a game I saw on Versus last week. It was pointed out, but you don’t see Guy Boucher benching him.
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Wow more from Lokti… Yea I think we would all like to see some offense from him. What about drew? What about Williams? What about stoll? I think we would like more from 65% of our team. It’s kinda insane to think that we have added so much offensive firepower and our scoring got worse! Hilarious… If we keep TM we could actually miss the playoffs, don’t see a reason to think that offensive woes are a personnel issue. I mean Matt Cooke has 6 goals so far…. If he can score…
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Loktionov is not the answer to the Kings problems. He needs to produce soon or he will be sent down to Manchester. The Kings
players have not improved. Doughty is an above average player but not an elite defenseman at this point. Kopitar has plateaued at around 25 goals per year. Johnson is continuing to gradually improve. Quick is only player to continue to make large improvements each year. Kings lack team speed and offensive instincts. Minnesota plays a much less passive ame aand is leading the West. We need to change the approach and style of the team . Terry Murray has ceased to make any impact as a Coach. Lombardi has made poor drafts and personnel decisions. Leiweke should change both and start another rebuild. This team wil not get through the first round if it does make the playoffs. Kings follower and loyal fan since 1968. I feel like a Cubs,Chargers, or Warriors fan.
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Andrew:The Second Coming Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@rmartin1951, Poor drafts? You have to be joking.
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Rich Hammond coming up on NHL Home Ice, real soon…
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Every game another partner. Who can play consistently ? Only …..
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Yeah, Andrei. You need to produce more with the revolving door of has been and never was wingers we’ve thrown your way. We’re going to give you Dustin Penner, a slow cycling board battling winger who up until last game had less points than Jonathan Quick. We’ll also give ya’ Ethan “Bad Penalty” Moreau, who was the worst player on the worst team last season, has never thrived in a scoring role in his entire mediocre career, and to boot, will play his off-wing. That will surely get your points a churnin’, right, Andrei? RIGHT???
Oh, and never mind Richardson and Lewis, two speedy forwards who both have experience on the left and right wings, respectively. We’re sitting those guys. They surely wouldn’t help your open ice, transition attack game.
Murray needs to get a clue.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@aegwillnotwinthecup, by your moniker, shouldn’t you be yelling at AEG?
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I cant read all the post, I am sorry if it has been said. I want more production out of TM, its your system!
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Slapshot Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:15 am
@Slapshot, at thisoimt im ready to gove jon stevens a crack at it.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 11:44 am
@Slapshot,
I believe the only time Stevens coached the Kings was the split squad games on the same day with Phoenix during preseason. Stevens team won, Murray’s lost. Difficult to compare, but just putting that out there.
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Everyone is shouting for TM to be fired on this site.. DL doesn’t check this site too often for our opinions.. for those who really really want to be heard, why dont you just email DL regarding TM?
Take this as “either place a bet, or get off the table, sir”
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Can someone compare MR from his first 25 guys with the Flyers last year to how he is doing this year? (Not that i would actually use this as an argument, more for those that do the opposite for people who left our organization and do better)
If he is doing worse (which i would be surprised) I would maybe think it’s TM’s system where change needs to happen.
If he is doing better, I guess I could argue (with the same points referenced above) that it isn’t TM’s system, but the players.
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Jorgen Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@Lake Forest, in his first 25 games last season he had 9 goals and 8 helpers but it hardly proves or disproves your theory.
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@Jorgen, Like I said, it’s not something that i would use in an argument, just like I disagree with people using the same argument for players that have left and are doing well.
Smyth, Poni (HA), Moulson
they all blamed TM’s system for when those players were here, so I am just using the same argument. It’s holds as much water I would think.
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@Jorgen, Oh and thanks for having that info!!!
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Rich is ON!
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I want more out of Terry Murray.
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I’m pretty disappointed in how Lokti is being used right now. He’s scouted as a top 2 center, with high playmaking ability. Unfortunately he’ll never see minutes in that role, as we have Kopitar and Richards. The only chance he’ll ever get is if one of our top two centers gets injured.
Well. We call Lokti up so he can play some wing for us, strike one. Then Richards gets hurt and opens up that perfect spot for Lokti to succeed – and instead we put Stoll on the 2nd line and let Lokti play a bottom six role – strike two.
Why does Mr. Murray keep putting him everywhere except the place that everyone knows that he is meant to play?
And for goodness sake – put him on the powerplay.
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
@CabbagesAndKings,
Right? With Richards out, and Lokti already called up, that a perfect opportunity to give Lokti that look. Baffled me too :/
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how about the team and fans want and expect more from TM….
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Murray puts him between Penner and Moreau and expects more out of him?
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Northern Fan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@Whiskey_King, TM is in panic mode. If he isn’t happy with Loki’s play then why isn’t he being parked in the press box, or better yet sent back down. Time for TM to show some intestinal fortitude. Personally I believe that the Kings are being out-coached. It is frightful when the fans hope that the team loses so that DL will make a coaching change. I agree with previous posts, that if we don’t turn this around very soon, the thought of making the playoffs with be a pipe dream.
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I would have expected he wants a “heavy” shot mentality out of him.
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@Nykingfan
5 on 5 scoring backs up my posts. Last in the league in scoring backs up my posts.
Seems like the only excuse you have in favor of TM is that we made the playoffs the last 2 years.
So I ask you. Would Crawford of made the playoffs with the talent TM has been given? Not that I think Crawford is the answer but what Im saying is the playoffs with the roster TM has been given is not enough.
Are you a season ticket holder? I pay for this garbage. If you watch from home you can turn it off.
(I know i dont have to go, believe me if TM is the coach next year I wont)
Am I crazy for expecting more from this team? Some so called experts picked the kings to compete for a cup. So I dont think that I am. Dont get mad a me because this team stinks.
For the next thread: TM has to go!
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nykingfan Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@Pesus,
I pay for the center Ice package, but if I lived out there, I’d buy season tickets and appreciate what I have..a good hockey club!
btw I watch every game and end up staying awake until after 1:30am to do so and still ge to work the next morning..I’m as loyal as anyone else.
Why is the 5 on 5 scoring the end all, be all?
If we were near the top in 5 on 5 scoring but near the bottom in defense, would that be better?
You’ve given them 25 games…how do you know they won’t be playing better and end up getting to a cup?
None of us know that and it’s silly to predict something that based on a small segement of games.
By your calculations..when Boston got off to a slow start, they should have fired the coach because there was no way they were getting back to the cup the way they were playing.
It took time, but they figured it out.
Good teams figure out whats wrong and how to win.
This team is good enough to do that in my opinion.
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In TM fashion he is trying to spur bottom six point production with his comments. Getting Lotki going might get penner going. We all want things to change, this is his way of shaking it up.
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Loktionov without a doubt looked best with Gagne and Williams. I think he would do well with Gags, Lokti needs someone who will actually support the play. Williams is a rush player and we have no rush right now, therefore he’s not scoring.
Let’s be honest Terry, you need more out of all of your players point wise. Wonder why we have such a hard time just gaining the red line.. Oh maybe it’s because we pass back and forth to our defensemen until the other team clogs up the middle. How about beating the back checker with a pass? Teams have it easy when they play the kings, no one has to back check. By the time the puck is moved to the forward there’s no back checker, he’s already in the neutral zone. It seems our most obvious structural problems have not discussed. That’s one.
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g smith86 Reply:
December 6th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@kings king, Well said…Couldn’t agree more…The other teams in this league have figured out how to defend our breakouts making the Kings expend too much energy in their own zone…It then becomes this elaborate game of “chase the puck” and Kings defensemen are the ones paying the price in the corners…They are getting hammered!
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so let me get this straight.. You want the kid to come all the way back to collect the puck from behind the net then skate it out through neutral zone traffic around that hazard cone called Penner then maybe dishing it out to Moreau who is probably too busy cross checking someone from behind into the boards???? Got it…….
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I’m getting real tired of Mr. Terry Murray and you have to think the players are too. A coaching change is needed. We have offensive talent on this team. Enough is enough, I have a feeling a change will be made.
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Jesus. None of our top prospects are there yet. Without our top scoring no one is contributing on offense. I’m goign to hold my breath this month. This could be make or break for this team. There’s too much competition and our team can not even afford to take a bloody shift off.
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I getting tired about TM and DL bias against Russian players. You watch – Voynov is next. Like many said it above, Lokti is playmaker. TM kills the talent with this idiotic “shot mentality” BS. Instead of playing and developing speed-pass hockey he makes them shoot impossible angles. Nobody plays this hockey any more. This is why players like Willams and Gagne are not scroring. We need more from TM and DL – fire them both today! Or we are going to start another decade of team rebuilding soon.
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That’s not calling out a player. Go to NY, Philly, Toronto … that’s where the pressure is. It’s a breeze here for the players from a pressure standpoint and they know it. Loki is not producing, everybody knows it and Murray stated the obvious. Now go produce, you’re getting ice time, do something.
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