The coach’s seat, for now, still belongs to John Stevens, who is expected to be behind the bench when the Kings play Columbus tomorrow. After today’s practice, and after Dean Lombardi met with players, Stevens said he’s aware that his status could change at any time, and that the Kings could hire a permanent coach, but Stevens said, “As of right now, I don’t anticipate that happening by tomorrow night.’’ The leading candidate — and the only known candidate, for that matter — is Darryl Sutter, and if the players have been spending a lot of time in recent days talking about Sutter, well, they’ve done a good job of masking it. Anze Kopitar, asked about Sutter, wasn’t totally sure whether he was being asked about Darryl, Brent or one of the 428 other Sutters to come through the NHL.
KOPITAR: “Well, we all know that it’s out in the media that he’s the, one of the candidates for this job, but we can’t look into that. We can’t worry about that. We just have to worry about what we can control.’’
Jarret Stoll, asked about the likely sea of change about to come the Kings’ way, said the players are trying to minimize distractions…
STOLL: “As a team, as a group, we don’t want to worry about, think about, dwell on all the negatives or everything that’s surrounding this team outside the dressing room. We’ve got to worry about inside the dressing room and that’s it, period. That means, how we get ready for games, how we play on the ice and how we come together and try to win hockey games. We can’t worry about the media articles, trying to hire a new coach, whatever the case may be. That’s the outside, that we don’t need to worry about, the distractions that we don’t need to worry about. And we’ll get out of it, just from everybody in here together pulling together. That’s the only way we’ll get out of it.’’
Then there’s Stevens, who is in the most difficult of spots. Not only is Stevens, as interim coach, trying to keep things together in the moment, he also has no assurance that the next coach will retain him. Stevens was asked today, essentially, why it’s worth it, to put forth the effort as interim coach…
STEVENS: “I have an obligation to the L.A. Kings here. I’m an employee of the L.A. Kings and I’m indebted to try to help this team win. If they want me to run the team for a short period of time, then I think it’s my obligation to do so. Nobody feels more guilty than me that we’re in this situation. A good man got let go, and I feel as responsible for that as anybody else. I think any time your team struggles, you want to stay together and get through it. It’s no different than when I was in Philadelphia. I wanted to stay. The team struggles and you want to stay and turn it around. You believe you can make it happen. You believe that you get through those hard times and you come out stronger on the other side. But those changes get made, and when your boss asks you to do something, you change your responsibility, and I’m sure it could change again, obviously. That’s what we do. I’m a hockey man. I care about the players on this team and I care about the organization. I’m willing to do what’s asked.’’
Stevens was asked if he had been in touch with Murray since Monday’s firing. He has not and, for the record, I also attempted to contact Murray and haven’t heard back yet.
STEVENS: “I left him a couple messages. He got out of town real quick and got back home. Having gone through this situation myself, I think it’s good to remove yourself from the game and get your thoughts in order before you start returning a lot of phone calls. The one thing you find out in these situations is that the support of the hockey community is probably second to none. With the respect that he has in the hockey world, I would suspect that my call was one of thousands.’’
Why would you fire a coach without an available upgrade…? Not smart…
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@InfiN8, because it might be worse if Deano was snooping around with Sutter about hiring him while TM was still here. If word got out, and Sutter also decided against the move for whatever reason (which is still obviously possible) then Kings management would be left with a betrayed coach, egg on their face, and a public debacle
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deadcatbounce Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@Shakes, So you’re saying that the Kings could have turned into the Lakers? That might not have been an entirely bad thing…
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@deadcatbounce, Are you talking about the Rudy T fiasco? Lakers are going to struggle mightily as soon as the Buss-boy has total control of daddy’s org.
Harry Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@Shakes,
Word on the street is that Lombardi was in talk with Sutter on Sunday, when Murray was still a King.
[Reply]
Krash Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@InfiN8, Murray gor fired because they can not fire the players. Desperate move.
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Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Krash, I believe that DL would of waited until Darryl Sutter was ready and then fired TM. However the article written by Helene Elliot changed all that and made DL go to Boston and fire TM. He owed it to him to do it in person.
As for Darryl Sutter I am sure the holdup has to do with family, family farm and work visa for the U.S.. I am sure once that is all taken care of, he will come.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@Jeff,
Can’t wait
DEH Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@InfiN8, because DL didn’t want to but ownership said “The Time is Now”
[Reply]
STEVENS: “I have an obligation to the L.A. Kings here
Ok take a hike pal we want wins from an obligated coaching staff and obligated players
[Reply]
Giz Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@408kingsfan, I’ll say this again: Stevens was in charge of the PK and defense this year. Has that been the problem? Enough said. Stevens is a stand up guy. He’s in a horrible situation and has to stand there and answer questions like that.
[Reply]
Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@408kingsfan, Stevens is a good guy. The players like him and he is good to have in the interim. Until the permanent coach comes in. Whether or not he is kept after that will be Sutter’s decision. I have heard though that he will bring in his own people. I wouldn’t mind that including some Kings Alumni.
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C-Note20 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@408kingsfan, and they want support from obligated Kings fans.
I hear the team down the 405 is looking for new fans.
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@C-Note20, Oh I have been an obligated Kings fan since the 70s boy.
And with the line up we have now, I have zero tolerance for the results I’m seeing. Stevens set our PK straight but i’m afraid it’s time for whole cell change. And for your info pal I used to pass right by the duck pond to go to Kings games. So if your ok with losing I suggest you head down the 405 and join em
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
wouldnt that be the 5?
KingMe20 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@tornado12,
405 South to the 55 North to the 22 West to the 57 North… same difference.
Good luck, Mr. Stevens. Please insert Alec in the lineup tomorrow because we could really use the offense he could bring.
[Reply]
Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@deadcatbounce, If Alec Martinez is the difference between us scoring goals or not then we are in deeper trouble then we thought.
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LAK27 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@Jeff, He’s more apt to get a goal than DD2
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Shakes Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@LAK27,
or DD1
FdoFmFull Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@Jeff, WADR, when you score ZERO goals, a bounce off an ice girls cleavage and into the opponents goal is huge! Never know what happens after you get things rolling!
If Alec can make a net difference of 0.25 goals/game (PUDOMA) more than another DMan, then he becomes part of the solution that this needs to put in place.
[Reply]
Stevens is a good man. Character guy.
[Reply]
doscatiKid Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@The Puck Stops Here, I agree. My opinion stands from last year, ” John Stevens is the answer to the current Kings coaching situation. I have been watching him and rooting for him to be the head hancho for the Kings coaching staff. Right on, buddy.. Show everyone who you are. This will also quiet up those rude Flyer fans. D.L., sit down at watch Stevens do his stuff.. He’s your guy.. now believe!
[Reply]
Jim Martin Reply:
December 15th, 2011 at 1:47 am
@doscatiKid, He is too passive. They need somebody tough. Some one that will get on their butts when they are taken the night off. To be a good coach you have to be firm and I don’t think that Stevens fits that mold.
[Reply]
I gotta say, going through a firing process while we have a have Rich’s blog is kinda bizarre. I mean I know TM is still going to get his pay and all that, but it all feels so bad seeing how much everyone respected the coach.
[Reply]
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@Shakes,
Having the blog is amazingly cool. Not just Rich, but the input from all the other posters too. Even the posts i don’t like, i still like them being here to gauge the tone of other fans. Getting all this news everyday reminds me of the year i spent going…. Where’s Jason Allison? Did he die? Is he ever coming back?
[Reply]
RobSD Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@Jason4Kings,
He lives on a farm in Canada. He tried to come back apparently and it didn’t happen.
[Reply]
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@RobSD, I know that now, i meant back then.
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@Shakes,
I agree with you. We tend to forget that these are people, like you and me, with wives, children and families that are affected by trades, firings and releases. ALthough I do think that the season got to the point where DL had no other option than to fire Murray, it is a shame that it all came crashing down on him the way that it did. Murray has his faults, but he didn’t deserve it to happen like it did. Lombardi was right to chew out the players.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@Shakes, I love this blog, also DITK wish there were more, Love the different ideas and opinions. Learning more and more, I usually ONLY follow the kings and am happy to be learning more.
Thanks RH!
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
@Shakes,
Hey Shakes. How ya doin? Me, it’s been stressful preparing to travel for the holidays and then this stuff w the team.
Tell you what though. I appreciate your comments above a lot, and I agree totally with you. It’s impossible to break this down in percentage terms. For sure, for sure TM had his bit in the deal. But…. but Dean absolutely positively has his share in it as well. For me, there is no doubt whatsoever of that, as did the players.
So to see a man who I could see is a truly good man get hit so hard as he did was for my eyes not a pretty sight at all. I feel very badly for him even though it was clear something had to be done. To make matters worse, I’m equally if not more disappointed in the ‘what has been done’ as I was in what led to it.
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“I’m a hockey man.” Thank you Stevens.
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I don’t really want to see some old re-tread coach. I think the game has changed, and it’s going to take somebody with a new perspective on how to create offense in this new evolution of the NHL. (I’d nominate myself but I’m already pretty busy remodelling one of my bathrooms–trying to remodel the kings offense might be a little too much for me at the moment….)
It’s too bad Dave Tippett isn’t available…he would have been perfect….
[Reply]
johnjuan Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@rontheking,
Yup!
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Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@johnjuan, While I agree with you…I don’t think in the middle of a season a drastic change like that is needed. If you look at all the coaching hires midseason so far, only one has worked. That is St Louis with re-tread coach Ken Hitchcock. I am hoping with re-tread Darryl Sutter that it will be similar with us…St Louis.
[Reply]
Naturallawyer Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@rontheking, there was a time when Tippett was hired as a “retread,” in that he had just been fired…
[Reply]
rontheking Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@Naturallawyer,
What I like about Tippett is he’s still relatively young and able to adapt, and he’s a cerebral guy. A guy like Tippett looks at the assembled cast and says to himself, What’s the best strategy for getting the most out of the particular skill set of these assets…?
[Reply]
I’d like an update on Mike Richards status. Was it ever determined whart was wrong with him or why he has been out so long? Or when he will be back?
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Not having a coach ready shows me a inept gm. only team this year that didnt have someone in place…….no e
[Reply]
Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@neil, That is because all the other teams had a coach in place at the time of the firing…It wasn’t leaked in the media that they were about to fire their coach. Obviously DL started the process on Sunday asking for permission from Calgary to talk to Daryl Sutter. Unfortunately it leaked out via Helene Elliot that he was about to fire TM. He wasn’t going to do it until he had Darryl in place, but the article by Helene moved up the process making it so he had to fire TM on Monday. So he went to Boston to do it in person, which was the right thing to do.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@neil,
No news…
No news is bad news.
[Reply]
Not having a coach ready shows me a inept gm. only team this year that didnt have someone in place…….no excuses
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@neil,
What would be worse asking permission from Calgary before he fired TM or this?
Somehow, I think either way you would find nothing but negative spin to put on either scenario.
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@neil,
I think he doesnt have somebody in place yet is because he wasnt ready to fire TM. I think he was forced to do so by upper management, this is why I think he had to fly to bos to do it. If DL wanted to fire TM he would of done it after the Dal game, like how the quacks dismissed Carlye. JMO
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@neil,
Neil, I don’t even have a problem so much w that other than it making a lousy situation for TM. But what I do have a distinct problem with is……. where the hell is this gm’s capacity to actually do something with someone he doesn’t Already Know? I Wish you could hear my tone of voice as I say that. My voice lilts Up.
I mean really. Ron Hextall, Justin Williams, Terry Murray, Marc Crawford, Randy Jones, Simon Gagne, Mike Richards, the scouts I suppose…. and now Daryl Sutter. You know what they say? What they say is, no risk, no gain.
Does anyone really expect Daryl Sutter to lead the Kings to a Stanley Cup. If he does, I will be the first person to get on this blog and hold up my hand. Promise.
THAT is why Dallas is doing well. That is why Toronto is improving markedly. That is why the Wild are doing so well. That is why Florida is doing well. And the Rangers. They Take Chances on something. Not just recycling thru what they already know. I bet the Stones can do a wicked version of Satisfaction live, but personally I’m not that interested in hearing it.
[Reply]
I just read something @silk wrote on a previous thread pointing out that in Sutter’s entire career he has only missed the playoffs one time. If this is true, no cup but not too shabby.
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Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@jess,
His former players seem to think that he got the most out his players. Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@jess, And the one year he missed the playoffs was when he entered the season mid-stream, not unlike this situation. Still, I’m looking forward to someone who will have a little bit more emotion about things. I found it very frustrating at times that TM will just seem to take it when things weren’t being executed by the players.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
@KC23,
I think that, if hired, DS will bring plenty of emotion into the dressing room and behind the bench as well.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@KC23,
Agreed, the lack of emotion like you pointed out, but also the lack of self-accountability factor, made want to chew on tinfoil balls, and dip cigerettes in Rocko’s Old School Tattoo Balm just for starters. But the true authority on self-torture techniques, @poorman probably knows of 100 other ways to produce similar results.
[Reply]
When the Patriots hired Bill Belichick was he a “retread”?
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@Michael J., Yep, good point.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@Michael J.,
-Answer: Yes, but they were diamond belted radials
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@Michael J.,
I would say no he was not a retread. His only head coaching job before he took over for NE was in CLE from 91-95.
[Reply]
Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@Pesus, A re-tread is someone who coached before. SO the Pats did hire a retread.
[Reply]
the term “retread” is getting awully played out around here…I think I would rather have a coach that has been around the league long enough to forget more than I know about the game rather than some young cat who would cut his teeth with our supped-up sports car and pretty much “try” what he thinks will work with what we got…
Bring Sutter into the room already if that’s what it’s going to be!
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@Stuart,
HIRE SUTTER!
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Jason4Kings Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@Michael J., Funny.
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@Stuart,
I was gonna say, a lot of the comments asking for a non re-tread coach is akin to saying “i want someone for an important job with little direct experience!”… i mean it sounds good at first “fresh start! young! modern coach!” but those same people will turn the moment we ever struggle again. Sure there are example of young new coaches who have done well, and that’s great, we just forget all the ones that didn’t end up great. Many young coaches seem to do better at their second coaching chance versus their very first.
By the way, put me in the “can we also please interview Ted Nolan as well” camp
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Shakes, I am definitely all for Ted! I wonder if he’s even on DL’s radar?
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@Shakes,
When the Kings hired Melrose he was the up and coming guy. He’d had success, including winning the Calder Cup with Adirondack (sp?) the previous season. I’m not sure, but since there were something like four first time coaches hired since the end of last season that cupboard may be empty.
[Reply]
Lombardi should have flown to Boston and yelled at the players and if things didn’t turn around on the trip he then should have fired Murray. DL should have fired him Sunday or waited until after the road trip. Other than Richards DL sure makes a ton of mistakes. If I was T Leiweke I would be wondering if I had the right guy in my GM. DL seems to be a dick and not someone I would want to work with.
[Reply]
Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@Billy, He didn’t want to fire TM until he had Darryl Sutter in place. Whomever leaked the story to Helene Elliot is the reason it has worked out the way it has. Anyway we are stuck with John Stevens for the road trip and Darryl will hopefully be introduced when the Kings get home. Hopefully they can win a game or 2 the rest of the road trip. Columbus and Toronto are teams they can beat, Detroit is another matter. Hopefully the fact that they are having fun again in practice will translate to the games.
[Reply]
Id love to read that interview when you get it. I think its fair to say the kings fans wish him the best and hope he finds a spot somewhere in the league. He did wonders compared to what Crawford had done. Brought respect to the team again.
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“one of the 428 other Sutters”
Is that all? Hmm, I could have sworn there were more.
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It’s time for all of us to accept the changes that are being made. We have to support the changes if we want to be a successful organization. We all have believed in DL. I still do. The team and roster today are much better than years ago. We are an elite team under performing. Sutter will come in and kick butt. That is what he is known for and has been successful with other teams. Let’s not throw in the towel 30 games into a campaign where we are still in the thick of the Western Conf leader board. (Shocking as it might sound) I believe in the organization and have been supporting them for 35 years. I’m behind the team, players, and leadership. Let’s right the ship and turn the corner and start playing the hockey we know we can. Go Kings Go!
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@Kings Fan South, …tied for 11th place in our conference is “in the thick of it”?….that’s what I call optomistic…
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@Deke’r,
5 points out of the division lead and 10 points back in the conference with 52 games left isn’t exactly out of it either.
[Reply]
letswinthecup2012 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
@Michael J.,
i like it. a good stretch and the kings are right back in the thick of it. it’s been bad, but at least JQ has given the team a chance with his stellar performance early on…
I thought all you guys wanted a “young” and upcoming coach” Tippet is 51 ish isn’t he? I personally don’t care if the coach is 100 yrs old I just want him to motivate!
[Reply]
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
@tellmeY, How can you say “all you guys”? You think we’re all on the same page around here?
[Reply]
Kings x Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
@tellmeY, Suter is the master fire lighter
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-From milking cows in Alberta, to herding cats on ice on Los Angeles…
You Mr. Sutter, Sir, -have quite the task laid before you!
[Reply]
jess Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@jess, *in -dangit (as the van crushes the tuperware sample -just keep driving dude!)
[Reply]
Hockeyfanb4Gretzky Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
@jess, Now that’s (dynamite)
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@jess,
lol i laughed
[Reply]
I’m curious how much of the recent media attention about the possibility of firing Murray played into actually getting him fired. The more i try to wrap my brain around everything, the more i feel like the move was made above DL. Clearly the results are not there, but the amount of praise for this guy, and the level of disappointment with him being let go by players and management seems to be pretty high.
Now DL is tasked with pulling a legit coach out of thin air.
[Reply]
Mik3ysfv Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
@Helvetica: Carlyle.
[Reply]
Helvetica Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@Mik3ysfv, You think once he became available, they decided the time was right? Or are you just suggesting he’s the best choice and a legit coach that is available?
It’s funny that there’s been little to no media coverage of the possibility of him signing on with LA. The little i have seen where his name is mentioned, gets mostly dismissed right away.
[Reply]
God, please not Darryl. Murray 2.0
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The first thing Stevens needs to do is hire a top rated offense coach as an assistant.
If DL will let him.
[Reply]
letswinthecup2012 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@empire,
i like it.
[Reply]
doscatiKid Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
@empire,Yes, a good solution to a not so difficult situation.
[Reply]
This season was the most highly anticipated that I can ever remember. It has turned out to be the biggest bust and disaster. At this rate we are probably going to win the cup.
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I am not ready to bash DL. name me a better GM we’ve had…
[Reply]
DanD Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@Shuchuck, I haven’t heard any DL bashing til TM was fired. All of the sudden, there is noone to blame. Kings fans can’t cope with this, always have to have someone to blame, so DL becomes the target. It’s insane, it is.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@DanD,
I can think of one who bashes DL everytime he posts…
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@Michael J., Does his name start with Poor and end with man?
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@Stuart,
Kings x Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@Shuchuck, I dont think we’ve had one
[Reply]
Hammond, can we get an update on clifford? I mean obviously something is wrong, Willie pretty much got hurt again because somebody had to stand up to Ott for taking runs at him and his teammates
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@rudedogg, Willie did finish that game though, didn’t he? That game seems like forever ago…
[Reply]
Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@rudedogg, What is wrong with Clifford is the so called sophomore slump. Hopefully Sutter, will get him back to how he played last season, including the physical aspect of his game. One thing I know about Sutter is he likes a physical, aggressive style game. That is perfect for the team we have now.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@Jeff, Is it? I think we’re in a transition right now. Our physical has left the building. Of our top6, DB used to be physical. Of our bottom6 the same can be said of Cliffy. As I see it, only Fraser is taking the physical ball and running with it, I can’t recall seeing very many Kings finishing checks the last few weeks.
[Reply]
Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@Stuart, I am not sure if Clifford’s slump is due to his physical game or if the slump is the cause of the lack of his physical game. It is a real quandry where the physical games of the Kings has gone, as with the scoring prowess. But one might have to do with the other. I just hope it comes back quickly and I believe that Darryl Sutter can hopefully do it.
I know nothing about Sutter so I cant say anything about him. I would love to see Grananto behind our bench. Sure he wasnt great in col but he said it himself he wasnt ready. Plus he’s been with Pitt for a few seasons and I wouldnt mind if he brought over a carbon copy of what Pitt is doing.
[Reply]
lol I hate to say it but im loving how everyone was fire TM and now it seems like everyone will want him back if Sutter gets hired. I hope Stevens stays with the Kings either head coach or who ever gets hired keeps him. The defense and PK has been so much better since he came last season.
Kompon had Defense responsibilities last night ya that worked well worst Defense game ive seen all year
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@Kasey9,
What exactly was Kompon’s contribution to the “worst Defensive game ive seen all year”?
[Reply]
Jeff Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@Michael J., Yes Kompon was responsible for the defense, but I think it was more of the fact that the Kings were trying to open up the offense. Most of the bad defense was attributed to the turnovers.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@Jeff,
Pretty much all Kompon did was remind which guys to be out there in which situations (call out line changes). He more than likely had nothing to do with anything new that wasn’t there before.
Yes, he did not turn over the puck one time.
fsd1 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@Kasey9, please, he had the responsibility of shifting the defensemen, nothing changed except the d were much more active then i have seen them so chalk one up for JK. Again, he did not give away the puck once last night so not sure what your point is.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
@fsd1,
I actually liked it that the D were more active than previously in the year.
I think @Kasey9 just wants to bitch about Kompon because he has nothing of value to add to this thread.
[Reply]
John Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@Kasey9, I was on the fire TM side (glad that happened BTW), and I’m looking forward to giving Sutter a chance. Even if this guy does NOTHING to change the style of play, he will get on players’ butts if they are not performing. And I don’t know about where everyone else works, but when my boss is ripping me a new one, I respond if I want to keep my job!!
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Kasey9 Reply:
December 14th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@John, well hopefully if Sutter comes on he can do something lol ill be interested to see what happens tomorrow now that they got there first game outta the way
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Give Stevens a chance. Put DL on the clock though.
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I’d love to see Stevens given a chance to play a few more games, or even round out the season. He seems like a great guy really dedicated to the sport.
I also think that would give us the offseason to seriously court some coaches rather than gun for one. I’d love to see Tippett behind our bench should the opportunity arise.
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IMO hiring Daryl Sutter would be a huge mistake..His track record is terrible, hasn’t coached in the NHL since 2006 5 years (the game has changes a lot since the lockout)..Also, he’s got the communication skills and personality of a lamp-post…Please have Senior management talk some sense into DL and discourage the possibility of hiring this over-the-hil farmer from Alberta…GIVE STEVENS A FAIR SHOT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR, AND IF THINGS DON’T TURN AROUND, THEN GO SHOPPING FOR A COACH THAT WILL FIT IN WITH THE PLAYERS WE HAVE ON THE KINGS….Stevens is a good coach and hockey man – please give the man a chance.
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Poor Stevens is like the guy at the store going out of business who gets the job of hanging around and selling the left-over merchandise. I feel badly for him.
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Stuart Reply:
December 15th, 2011 at 9:51 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, It’s his own personal Kobayashi Maru… should he keep playing the same system or try to change it up knowing he won’t be there for any considerable length of time?? lose-lose.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 15th, 2011 at 10:10 am
@Stuart, I’d be in WTF mode, trying to create more offense, knowing that people would see that when I was at the helm, at least I made a notable effort. Since he’s obviously being written out of the story, it seems that’s the best he can do for himself and for the team. Why continue to do what’s not working?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 15th, 2011 at 10:12 am
@Stuart, I’ll tell you what–if they’d somehow managed to clean the clocks of the next three of four teams, which can happen with the emotions in the right order, Lombardi might have to slow down his talks.
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Stuart Reply:
December 15th, 2011 at 10:14 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, And I would be A-OK with that scenario as well…