When the Kings signed Ethan Moreau to a one-year, $600,000 contract in August, they hoped he would bring some grit, leadership and experience. Assistant general manager Ron Hextall talked about Moreau in terms of replacing some of the aspects that Michal Handzus brought to the table. It’s fair to say that it didn’t work out the way the Kings had hoped. Moreau had one goal and three assists in 28 games, and while he wasn’t really brought on board for scoring, he didn’t offer enough other things on the ice. In the locker room, he was a strong, positive presence, but that only goes so far, and rather than send a promising rookie such as Andrei Loktionov or Slava Voynov back to the AHL, or risk losing another player on waivers, the Kings decided to cut loose 36-year-old Moreau. I asked Terry Murray today for his thoughts on Moreau.
Question: Clearly you didn’t bring Moreau in for scoring, necessarily, but did he show you enough of the other parts of the game that he is known for?
MURRAY: “I can’t answer that with a positive, the way you phrased it, because if he did, he would be here. I needed a little bit more from him. He’s a great veteran guy. He’s been a captain. He’s had a letter on his sweater, pretty much everywhere he’s been as a player. He’s a high-character guy. I think his leadership in the locker room was, in a quiet way, very effective. He gave us everything he could. He wanted to win, he cared, he tried hard every time he was on the ice. He was great in practices. At the end of the day, though, that’s part of your job, unfortunately. You’re making a decision that effects people’s lives and families, and that’s not the easy part of the job. But that’s what we had to do today.’’
Thanks Ethan.
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tornado12 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@fsd1, concur! Is it over though? what if he isnt claimed? isnt he still Kings property?
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fsd1 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@tornado12, Manch or release would be my guess
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tornado12 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@fsd1, send him to MAN. if injuries occur would be noce to have him as an option
Duckbasher Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
@fsd1, Manchester could use someone like him right now. Is this a possibility Rich?
Whodawat Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
@fsd1, bet he really regrets that stupid slashing penalty vs DAL now…
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thrustable Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
@fsd1, for? taking stupid penalties or being a non factor?
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Thanks for your time Ethan.. Sure wish he could’ve been more productive.
As mentioned, this team misses what Zus brought to the table and I think the signing of Moreau was to fill that hole.
My favorite # is available again on this team. Hopefully I get a better 17 to cheer for.
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Jimmyo777 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
@rubo17, Jeff Carter always wears #17 !!!!!! Just dreaming I guess
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great move
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Murray needs his letter
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Paul G Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 7:42 am
@Brian, I find it funny how Murray talks about his departure and mentions that he didn’t provide enough
If that was the case, then why play him so much, more than Lewis and co. ?
This was DL’s warning to Murray to pick up the slack or else…
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Thanks Ethan. Hope you find a good match.
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I actually feel bad. He did seem like a rather nice guy. Too bad he took insanely dumb costly penalties that made me (and a lot of others) hate him as a player. Needed more, Ethan. Sorry bud
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“I needed a little more from him”.
Hmmmm. You have the need, and you still play him every game without much demonstrated upside?
You “need more” from Lewis and Richardson, and they sit?
Terry, what you really needed, or more accurately wanted, was a guy closer to your own age you could relate to.
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iansez Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@IceGuy, age discrimination maybe? Really don’t get the point of your post…
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IceGuy Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@iansez,
Not age discrimination at all. It’s about relating to players, or, more specifically, people. I know it’s tough. I’m old. I have to work hard to at least try to understand the world my 21 year old daughters live in. But, in order to understand, you have to be open to the new, the different and the changes.
I don’t honestly believe Terry Murray is that comfortable with the “young core” this team has. It’s like the first time, as a kid, you hear, or worse, as an adult utter, “Because I said so!”
A leader, above all else, is a motivator. He can get people to do exactly what he wants them to do, while at the same time make them think it’s actually THEIR idea.
I have nothing against Terry Murray’s age. I have some conflict with his ability to leads this edition of the LA Kings.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@IceGuy, I agree. So much has been said about Murray’s “system” but I think more important than any of the playbook or hockey philosophy, he has lost the ability or never had the ability to motivate and inspire this team to play hard for 60 minutes and believe in themselves. This year’s Kings have quit in several games and I hold Murray responsible. Either he knew and he didn’t care because he’d given up too, or he didn’t even see it. Either way, his fault.
iansez Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@IceGuy, Ok, yeah I get what you’re saying now. I tend to think that TM has a good ability to communicate and that “relating” to the youthful players isn’t of higher importance. He doesn’t need to be their “bro”, just to find a way to get the best out of them individually and collectively every night. Was at last nights game and must admit I had my thoughts about how appropriate TM is as the King coach these days. I guess we’ll see, if they bring it together in the next month, all will be peaceful in the Kingdom..)
TD Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@IceGuy, Couldn’t agree with you more! Today’s NHL is about speed and puck pursuit, which is why you have guys like Richardson and Lewis! Hey, Terry! What the hell is Hunter doing? This might be the worse player in the NHL! He is definitely the slowest!
Our “system” calls for puck support in the O-zone…well, why do u have the slowest guy in the league playing everynight? Doesn’t quite equate!
Wake up TM! I think the team will be fine this season, but TM, you are having some real questionable lineup decisions!
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@TD, same argument. What has richardson and lewis brought with their speed and puck pursuit? Nothing. which sucks because i like richardson out of those three (and over Hunter).
Hopefully putting Richardson in this spot makes him angry and motivated to play. If he starts scoring, does TM get blamed for keeping him off the ice, or should he get praised for benching him a few games?
By most here, no matter what scenario happens TM will be blamed for the negative.
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TD Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@Lake Forest, You don’t understand. Hunter can’t do ANYTHING! Richardson and Lewis mihgt not score but they do retrive pucks and make things difficult on the opponent.
They have not played great, and I understand that, but they’re much better options! This team has always struggled with team speed, cause you put guys like Hunter in the line-up!
Zues would skate circles around Hunter!
King Sachmo Stallion Maximus The Great Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@IceGuy, “Terry, what you really needed, or more accurately wanted, was a guy closer to your own age you could relate to.”
That’s friggin hilarious.
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Life as a pro athlete would certainly suck at times…good luck dude.
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g smith86 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@iansez, Don’t feel too bad for him,…he made 600k for 25 games and didn’t contribute much…that’s 24k a game…Why is everybody being so nice,…oh cause he got waived? Moreau was getting slammed every night on this blog…
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Everyone may not like Terry Murray but I will tell you what, he gets it as a player’s coach. That’s a straight and honest answer that has some decency and compassion to it.
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IceGuy Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@PaulCat,
Decency & compassion. Yes.
Honesty. No.
“We” didn’t put him on waivers – Lombardi did.
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@IceGuy, By recommendation.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@PaulCat, agree with you 1010%
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fsd1 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@fsd1, 110
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
@fsd1, I liked 1010% better.
If and when Murray leaves this team, who is available to coach?
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Bill M. Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@NealyBoy, Carlyle is it, as far as coaches out of a job right now with NHL resumes.
I believe that Carlyle publicly stated that the firing was emotional for him and that he was going to take a little vacation to put some distance between it before deciding whether to jump right back in or not.
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c4sraser Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
@NealyBoy, how about Marty Mcsorely. if they dont win he can pound em!!!
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Kasey9 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
@NealyBoy, He is not leaving anytime soon so you dont have to worry about whose available
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Good move, long overdue though, lets not stop there send Hunter packing too. I would rather see a rookie in there with some speed than those two. Our lack of speed is showing this year.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@Canadian King, Agree. However, anyone less than 6’2″ & 200+ lbs. has a built-in bias against from TM!
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Kenny44 Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 12:07 am
@FdoFmFull, TM is like Moto-Moto in Madagascar. (Sorry, I’ve got kids). Sometimes it seems like he can’t think about anything but a player’s size.
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With all due respect to Ethan Moreau (and I do wish him well) what ever led the Kings to believe he would fill any part of the hole Handzus left? Zus was an unbelievably slow skater, but he took faceoffs, killed penalties, scored the occasional timely goal, and played veteran hockey with very few costly mistakes. Moreau is a charactar guy I’m sure but he didn’t appear to have the ability to do any of those things.
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g smith86 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
@40YearKingsFan, yea i know…Hextall said that…I was thinking the same thing…you can’t replace a guy that played such a huge role for us ( and that the Kings sorely miss ) with …wait, what?…Ethan Moreau? Moreau does other things well when he plays it simple…but you certainly wouldn’t put him in on a dzone faceoff or on the PK…totally agree with your take
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I agree. I can’t tell you how many times the last couple of years that watched him getting pounded on as he stood in front of the crease. You don’t have to skate very fast to win face-offs and maintain puck posession the way he does. He did so many things that didn’t show up on the scoresheet. I don’t know about you, but I miss that guy. And so do the Kings.
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I wish the guy the best and all, but really I never saw him do anything significant in his time as a King. Always seemed liked a place holder. Just someone to fill out the roster and take some ice time without really sucking when he’s out there. That might have been enough for the Kings roster 3 years ago but not today.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
@bickleton Wigglesworth III, It was certainly enough to NEVER be scratched!
Think about it…
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Sorry Ethan..but you really did take some costly penalties..good luck with your career elsewhere.
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The Kings should do 3 things ASAP. Trade Greene, fire Murray, and send someone to Russia to see if Frolov wants to come back to the Kings.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@Todd, That’s the first negative thing I’ve heard anyone say about Greene on this site and I’ve got to agree. He’s prone to turnover the puck and gets caught out of position regularly and he’s a “stay at home” defenseman! Charactar guy? Yes. But he’s a defensive liability. And that will probably be an unpopular post, but oh well. Just my opinion.
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Todd Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
I haven’t been a big fan of Greene really since the beginning of the year. Our depth is so good now that I believe he is expendable. He is not the greatest stick handler and takes a lot of bad penalties. He just is not the smartest hockey player and we can do without him now.
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TradedForADraftPick Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@Todd,
The only thing I got from this was bringing Fro back and I can only wish. Plenty of Fro-love from me
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Todd Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
@TradedForADraftPick,
Getting Frolov back would be great. He would add great depth to our 3rd line and could always move up to the 2nd and 1st line as well. I was sad to see him go when we decided not to bring him back. He also knows our system already and could possibly be a good match with Loktionov. We having nothing to lose and everything to gain. Waiver Hunter and figure out how to bring back Frolov.
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
@Todd, Holloway is leading his team in scoring of there.
g smith86 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@Todd, There it is…this weird fondness for Fro…He has had some great moments with the Kings…no doubt, but the last couple of seasons(with the Kings) he dissappeared in a lot of games and It looked like he was playing all by himself on a lot of nights. I always loved his puck possession skills, but those last couple of years he would turn the puck over constantly…
I think a lot of fans look at Fro as another casualty of Murrays system…
but as i recall he didn’t fare very well in NYC either
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Beast88 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
@g smith86, Yeah, true he had a poor season in NY. But then, I think he was even less a John Tortorella type of player than he was a Terry Murray type of player…
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flex Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
@g smith86, Fro was regular 25-32 goal scrorer. I do not remember him as a puck turnoverer…dissappearanc in some games..maybe,but who does not? The sad truth is after FRO teams productivity is down big. That is a fact….Poni ,under TM system ,scored less than 15% what Fro did.
Same with Ethan…no more than 15%( not goals) what Hanzus did.This are two big losses.Still not clear who is going replace Handzus in front of the net. …He was also good in shootout…btw..
Now about Murreys so called system. This guy is the oldest coach in NHL and so far his system never proof enything.He is behind of todays NHL and with his attidute I do not expect any ajastment…because he does not how. One more ,Having db as C and green as a A
was one of the first mistakes Tm made.
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
@g smith86, Wasn’t he injured most of the year he played in NY?
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Paul G Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 7:40 am
@Todd, +1
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#1faninVegas Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 10:40 am
@Todd,
Trade Greene? Wha.. WHAT?? He is the closet thing (hitting wise) to Rob Blake on this team since Rob Blake. We need Greener.
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good guy, bad fit. it was a worth a shot for what DL got him for, but it just didn’t work out.
i know everyone will be shocked to hear this, but TM mismanaged him. there is no way Moreau should be on the third line and the 2nd power play unit. that’s not his game.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@Dave, Nor in every fn game to the detriment of Richardson, Lewis, Westgarth, or Drewiske!
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MURRAY needs to be put on waivers
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TYLER Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
@chuckrocks, +1
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flex Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
@chuckrocks, Nobady in NHL would claim him,Nobady. Swiss or even better …who cares!!
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“I needed a little bit more from him” Like I said in the last page, then why did you continue to play him every single game? TM obviously had a hand in getting rid of him, this wasn’t DL making a move behind his back. TM also needed more from Lewis and Richardson, yet those guys sat and Moreau didn’t. Why keep playing 1 guy while needing more from him, and sit 2 others while using the same excuse?
Also, from the sound of what TM said, it seems like he thought Moreau just flat out doesn’t have it anymore. So why not play one of the younger guys who’s better days are ahead of them, not behind them? And don’t say they just now realized that he doesn’t have it. His play has been poor all season long. Mabye a week of rest, and a wake up call that he needs to improve, would’ve brought something out of him. Instead he plays every single game, and then gets cut. That would shock me if I were a player.
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@CB14,
It does at times seem as though TM punishes the dog for what the cat did. Then when the dog sees that it has done something wrong and expects the cat to get it, the dog still gets it with a mouthful of cliches.
Even if EM was playing decently, it would’ve been ok to have him as a healthy scratch just to get in SP (when he was healthy), Lewis or Richardson. But it seems there was (or is) an underlying reason why TM scratches players for stretches at a time to the detriment of the team.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
@CB14, I think it’s simple.
In TM’s mind,the following:
- Size
- Strength
- Experience
- Letter on the sweater (from a previous life)
- “Heavy stick”
- “Compete”
- Bad breath
Will always trump:
- Speed
- Quickness
- Skill
- Creativeness
- Enthusiasm
- IQ
Think of TM’s unexplainable choices and this formula will resolve it for you…
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Ok! So if TM docent get this team going in December, can we put him on waivers too!!!!!!!!! ;-[]
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Sammuch Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
iPad error. Does not…
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+1
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Guess I picked the wrong game to record and watch later…wow, things went from bad to worse quick!
Just finished watching that uninspired, passionless effort… and I’m not just talking about the coach. Boy this team is in such a funk and I know exactly what to say…
Time for leadership change.
Don’t care who, but scapegoating Chopper is hardly a shakeup. It’s akin to a light nudge, afraid to wake a grouchy morning person.
I have no desire to have change just for the sake of it. But who can honestly say this team is going to turn it around on their own?
It’s the exact same script from last year. Inconsistent, uninspired, wait-until-the-last-moment to play with desperation kind of team.
Sure, they may go on a streak, but we all know the end result… a let down at the end of the year while limping into the post season… IF we’re lucky!
Leaders lead without hesitation. And quite frankly, that’s exactly the kind of leadership this team has lacked for a long time. Paralysis by analysis. Over-thinking. Inarticulate doublespeak.
Hesitation will only get you one thing in this league… losses.
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CB14 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@wavesinair, Leadership starts at the top.
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Cynic Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@wavesinair, We’re on the same page. Read below.
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number 6 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@wavesinair,
Waves…. wow. That was ….. um, well expressed to say the least. Quisp on his blog seems to also be of a similar bent.
The whole thing is almost ridiculous now. They actually aren’t even playing ‘up’ to the level of a .500 team…. regardless of what their record is.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 7:58 pm
@wavesinair,
I don’t think “funk” is necessarily correct.
Disarray might fit better.
As for leadership? Yeah, that lead by example premise doesn’t always work the same as a vocal type leader.
But crap doesn’t roll uphill. It always starts at the top and rolls downhill.
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I will not miss his stellar production on the power play (WTF Murray?!) but I know the penalty box will miss him. Sorry Staples center penalty box! Perhaps,if Moreau plays for another team, he can come back and visit!
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I agree with the notion of cutting Ethan before Lokti (Who took a step forward last night) or Voynov being sent down, but the idea that Murray ‘Needed a little more from him’?!?! Clearly the expectations of him were not clear then. If scoring is our problem, you cut the guy you’re not expecting to score?
Is this supposed to send a message? Ethan took some dumb penalties, but you could tell the guys looked up to him. I think I would have let Trent Hunter go before Chopper. I don’t know man….
In the back of my mind, the conspiracy theorist that lives there believes somethings fishy. I’d like to leave him there, but this just doesn’t add up to reasonable.
Good luck Ethan. Sorry it didn’t work out.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
@Cynic,
If you’re looking for logical thinking, you surely can’t be looking at Murray, right?
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I have heard a little bit on this from other posters, but I sure do miss Wayne Simmonds. Sure he had a down year last year, but he had speed to chase down pucks, he played a heavy-ish game and he could retrieve pucks and keep plays going along the boards. What I also miss was his willingness to drop the gloves for his teammates, while rearely doing it for his own bravado. When given a few chance he even played fairly well on our first line. He may only have 6 goals so far for the Flyers, but that still outscores many of the guys we still have on our roster. He even plays on special teams for Philly, when TM only saw him as a 3rd liner. I thought Cliffy would slide into the role, but hasnt yet taken it. Maybe with more seasoning, I hope. I think along with other shortcomings, we lack an edge and a guy willing to get dirty for his teammates. Some of those scraps Simmer had, could change momentum. Thus far this year we are lacking a physical game changer or two and the attitude to be one. Westgarth is an enforcer, not a sparkplug. Just my opinion.
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number 6 Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@BlackKnight,
I saw a bit of Philly’s game vs. Buffalo the other night. He didn’t score but he was absolutely relentless in the offensive zone. I mean that ‘attitude’….. it looked like another sport. Then last night he scored and also had an assist. You’ve gotta give up something to get something, and we did. However, his departure and the departure of Smyth shows how terribly lacking the Kings depth is on wing.
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CaLiSwAg Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@BlackKnight, I completely agree with you. As a team we don’t have an identity. Were a balanced team that does everything OK. I have RARELY seen players stick up for their teammates this year and drop the gloves(other than Richards)this team needs to show toughness and not back down from anyone. I know D. Brown is a top six player but as a captain sometimes you need to start something in order to light a fire under neath your teamamtes. Where has he been? Kyle Clifford is not the same this year. Westgarth can’t even get into a fight with Anaheim and that’s suppose to be our Rivarly game! We get pushed around a lot and i’m disappointed in the way this team responds!
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CaLiSwAg Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@CaLiSwAg, I surely miss Wayne Simmonds and his GAME.
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jeff Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
@CaLiSwAg, i say amen to that bring him back and Matt moulsen
SpunkyTheBeagle Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
@BlackKnight, I miss the “tude”… simmer always, always had everyone’s back..
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 6:14 pm
@BlackKnight, Ha! Westgarth and enforcer? Maybe in college where they didn’t allow fighting.
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My prayers have been answered. Seems like a nice guy but he’s on the verge of taking a penalty every second he’s on the ice.
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This is TM and DL realizing that the nativs are restless. They are simply throwing someone in the volcano to quiet things down. Won’t work!
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FdoFmFull Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
@KING-C, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
|||||||||||||||||||||||||| THIS!
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Pesus Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@KING-C,
Natives getting restless now
Mutiny in the air
Got some death to do
Mirror stares back hard
Kill is such a friendly word
Seems the only way
For reaching out agaaaaaaaaain
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Wish him the best. Now we don’t have to hear Bob call him ‘Morrow’ anymore.
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818kingsfan Reply:
December 10th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@Cup B4 I Die, lulslusulsul hahahah – go Bob ; )
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Well since this season is a wash why don’t we call up some of the young guys and bring them into the lineup. We can free up a couple spots on offense by getting rid of Hunter, Stoll and on defense sit Greener. While we’re at it why don’t we sit Gagne and Williams as they’ve not been consistent and blow this mofo up.
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
@bonvivant1, I find it quite interesting that Bud Holloway is leading his team in scoring.
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It’s just the first of what is sure to be an action packed couple of weeks…buckle your seat belts and get ready for a wild ride. I’m excited and am looking forward to what the Kings do next…should be pretty interesting to say the least…
…meanwhile…on the ice…
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I have been a Kings fan for 17 years. Seen all the ups and seen all the downs. Here is my take.
1. Get a new Captain, DB does not impress me. The players need to have fire in there eyes when they come out for the first period. Did you see the Wild last night. Wow came out all fired up.
2. All I have heard the coaches and players say since Oct is we need to do this, we need to do
that. You are 1/3 of the way into the season, its time to quit saying we need to do this and that. Kings have to many veterans to not be playing like veterans. Not to be playing with a passion and gritty attitude.
3. If you watch the Panthers or Wild this year, they come out flying, speed and intensity. The kings almost never do. Its like wait till the secon or third period. You have to play 60 minutes. Again this is a veteran laidened team. No excuses.
4. Then there is Coach TM. They are not listening to him anymore. His speeches are not getting thru now. Need to change coaches.
5. Westgarth and rest of players start getting mean. Look at Boston or New York Ranges or most East coast teams. They all play on the edge.
This team will not make the play offs if they continue to play like they have the first 26 or 27 games.
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#3 netminder Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@gene, concur…
#1 was thinking the same thing about Brownie last night. Like him, but from looking in on the outside a new “C” is needed.
#2 100%
#3 100%
#4 end of the year or else. (hopefully not too late if they were to cut him loose.
#5 It’s in the attitude!
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FdoFmFull Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
@gene, Excellent post gene!
1) Both the coach and the captain need to inspire – in this case neither do.
2) The players have tuned out and it’s becoming more than obvious by their lack of performance.
3) No one is held accoutable on this team. It’s a squad of “sacred cows” and only the bottom of the roster gets cycled, often with no logic (see Lewis or Richardson),
4) They’re plugging their ears and screaming “la la la la la” ad naseum.
5) We’re in trouble when about the only guy standing up for his team mates has been a mostly-injured Penner…
Buckle up and be ready, Moreau is just the tip of the iceberg.
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gene Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@FdoFmFull, You also brought up a great point. Top 7 or 8 players on this team are not held accountable for there play. Why doesn’t TM grow some big ones and start benching a few multi-millionaires. First one to be benched should be DD. He is a joke at $7,000,000.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
@gene, Too late now. If he “grew some big ones” now, the mutiny would turn into chaos.
Oh wait….
Whodawat Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
@FdoFmFull, 2nd should be Brown.
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
@gene, I find it perplexing that the Kings took Westgarth as their enforcer out of college when he never fought in college (they don’t allow it). What was up with that? And now the role that he’s supposed to fill seems to be one that’s missing the most. I think Moreau was expected to play a more physical game and it didn’t work out. Last year it was Simmer who dropped the gloves in support of his teammates… NOT Westgarth. This year we have no one to do that. Mike Richards will do it, but for heaven’s sake you don’t want our franchise player to have to fight when someone takes a run at a teammate. With the new rules on hits, do we really need a spot being used by someone who is ‘just” an enforcer? The league is doing a great job of being the enforcer if you ask me. I’d way rather have a guy like Simmer who drops the gloves when it’s time to, agitates, gets in a guys face, rattles the opponents to some degree but can also score. Westgarth is a guy who also needs to go. We could have Bud Holloway right now instead of him or Moreau or Hunter. By the way, Bud Holloway is leading his team in scoring in the KHL. Take that Dean Lombardi.
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No doubt TM misses Zus…a veteran who was always in the right position, backchecked hard and did all the little things correctly…he was someone that TM could point out to the younger players and say, “see, that guy doesn’t have to score every game to be happy…he just goes and does his job.”
Oh and apparently Moreau was just like him
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Maybe this is the first step………..He was one of TM’s favs…..don’t look behind you TM…your next
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Pesus Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@weequahic68,
This proves to me that management and TM are not on the same page. He played every game (almost) in favor of lewis and richardson who DL rewarded with a 2 year deal. Even got pp time. So seems like TM really liked him. Then management lets him go. Talk about mixed messages.
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Pesus Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
@Pesus,
Prove is a strong word, lets replace it with “seems to me”
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Either TM is gone or all kings members need to move out of Manhattan beach, stop playing volleyball and move to El Segundo & play Hockey????????
All in favor say,IIIIIIIIIIIIII….
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gene Reply:
December 9th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
@Sammuch, 100%
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Is it possible to put the coach on waivers
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I don’t know if this is a case of loving Moreau as it was that Moreau was signed to fill a perceived hole, and Murray couldn’t suggest getting rid of him until he was given AMPLE opportunity to be better than Richardson and Lewis. It’s like you can’t convince your boss to go back to the old printer until you’ve proven that the new one is worse than what you had, especially when your old one doesn’t seem to be performing like it should.
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I am surprised TM didnt say “this really messes up my starting lineup for Sat”
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Moreau probably disagreed with how things were being done.. probably a system basher lol
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good luck Ethan Moreau………
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Good luck, Ethan.
I truly hope this is the beginning of a major shake up. People keep saying, “Hey – we’re only x points out of first and we’re sixth in the division. So lay off!”
Well, the guppies are playing the way they should now, Luongo has officially pulled his head out of his butt and the west has awakened.
So, where are we now? 11th. And we’re going to be 14th if the ship doesn’t abort path.
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Good luck Ethan! I always saw you put strong effort in and I will root for you on your next team.
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I felt bad for Ethan M. How about having Mike Keenan replacing TM.. Then Luc Robitaille as the next Kings GM ..Rob Blake as the next Kings President…Get rid of that Flyers connection.. all we nedd are true kings blood in the front office.
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Murray out!!
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Should have gotten rid of Hunter. He is useless
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to me he didnt get enough opportunity to show his skills and he still scored 4 points…u guys gotta remember hes playing 4th line average maybe 7mins a game-just guess havent actually check…but look at other players that were expected to score goals? and they getting paid millions per season…look at the coach who is messing team up since the season started why dont lot of people understand that hes the one to be blamed for
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