Today’s post-practice skating club included scratched players Andrei Loktionov and Slava Voynov, plus injured players Willie Mitchell and Mike Richards. Afterward, Mitchell, who is out with a groin injury, said he expects to play Monday in Toronto. For Richards, it was the most he had been pushed since taking a blow to the head in the Dec. 1 game against Florida. He was on the ice for a solid hour, and hasn’t been cleared for contact yet — so there’s no timetable for a return — but afterward he talked about his recovery and how he’s feeling…
RICHARDS: “Better. It’s a slow process. You can only go on how you feel, and there’s never a timeline, which I think is the most frustrating part of it. Whenever you feel ready to play, you play.’’
Question: Are you still feelings any symptoms?
RICHARDS: “Yeah, a little bit. It’s hard to distinguish, though, whether it’s taking two weeks off and then going out there and skating, or whether it’s lingering effects. We’re going to take it slow. We’re going to skate a couple times and see how I feel after that. I obviously hope to be back sooner than later.’’
Question: But just to be here, around the team, must be nice…
RICHARDS: “It’s nice to be around the team. You never like being away from them. I’ve been at home, clearing my head a bit for a couple days and getting some rest and kind of trying to regroup a little bit, and come out here to meet the team. To be around, it could be nothing but good for me.’’
And here’s what Mitchell had to say about his recovery, and when he might return to game action.
MITCHELL: “Next game, barring anything crazy happening. I think we’re trying to be smart about it this time. Not that we weren’t smart last time. I think it was just maybe because I played some tough minutes in that game against Dallas, and a lot of it was penalty-kill minutes, so you get a little more tired on penalty-kill minutes. So it probably wasn’t strong enough at that point in time, and it started to get weak and worse and worse and worse. This time, we’re trying to be a little more sure. I probably, if it was the playoffs, get in there tonight, but we’re going to wait one more, just to make sure it doesn’t come back and we’re done with this. But I’ve had a couple good skates. I skated yesterday and felt good. Those skates are never fun, but I felt fine doing that. I’ll have a skate tomorrow and get after it.’’
please be cautious with the ricker…if you look at the big-picture regarding concussions and how it’s effected the league this year, you take all the necessary precautions before you clear him…
willie seems like he’s almost there, so that’s good news…
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I think the Kings will play well against the Red Wings tonight. I predict a victory. My bigger concern is this Darryl Sutter hiring. I think it’s a horrible mood. Rich posted his coaching record earlier. 11 seasons and one finals appearance. Only 5 of 11 time times beyond the 1st round. Sounds like another recycle job from the recycled GM. Personally, I’d let Stevens complete this year. It seems like he’s connecting well. My feeling is this is DL’s final rodeo, and he’ll be replaced if this season doesn’t turn around. With Sutter, it won’t. With Stevens, it will.
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Andrew: The second coming Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 10:53 am
@Poorman, I actually agree with you let Stevens finish the year.
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joan fondell Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 11:13 am
@Andrew: The second coming, I’d vote for either keeping Stevens, which will keep things somewhat static, but stable…OR go with someone like Jacques Martin. Sutter is a sour personality. THe Kings need a passionate guy…not an autotron kind of Coach. THe Kings coaching staff needs to be serious..but be passionate!
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chuckrocks Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@Poorman, let stevens end the year, then try to get tippet.
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Simarosa Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@chuckrocks,
Sounds like a plan to me.
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ta Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
@chuckrocks, agree
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Forum67 Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@Poorman,
With Murray gone the next head on the chopping block is Lombardi’s and he knows it. With that being the case I am 100% behind him hiring whomever he’s comfortable with, not whomever we’re comfortable with. That being said I wish he was comfortable with somebody other than Sutter.
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horrible move puts me in a horrible mood.
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We really just need Mike Richards around the team, if nothing else. Players respect and play for this guy and just having him around, I believe, will create some accountability. It will be an absolute plus having him around. I wish we could have him in a suit behind the bench. I think his presence and talk alone would help.
I read Lokti is sitting tonight. I thought he moved his feet well in Columbus, but defensively he was hesitating again. Probably the reason he’s sitting. Lewis is getting a grade A opportunity here to show what he can do as a center. My only fear is Trent Hunter slowing this line down. I hope he can keep up. Lokti could. I kind of have a thought to make it a little better, although it involves moving Hunter up, which I shudder to think about:
Penner-Stoll-Hunter
Richardson-Lewis-Williams
Really, this is like 2a & 2b. I think Williams would be MUCH better with Richie & Lewie, simply because of the speed and ability to finish (If he can get it going). I hope John Stevens reads this blog….(LOL)
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variable Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 11:06 am
@Cynic,
lokti only played 9:09 in columbus and had no shots and was 1 for 3 on face offs…
yeah…his game is not very fluid right now, in stark contrast to what he’s capable of…
he’s going through the peaks and valleys that most young rookies go through…
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Since I don’t know Sutter and don’t know how the team will respond to him, I guess we’ll see but IMO I share Poorman’s doubts about Sutter. I don’t think these guys need someone to clamp down on them. I think they’ve always played hard. Maybe not good, but IMO the efforts been there. I just think this team has too many grinders and not enough NHL skill up front.
So I think it all comes down to DL’s call that he put together a team which should win. I hate to say it, but if DL’s judgment is wrong, or if Richards is out for an extended period, it ain’t gonna matter who coaches this team.
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B’s schooling the Flyers 4-0 in the 1st?? Wow, we can only wish for such an early lead against an upper half NHL club.
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Luke M. Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 11:54 am
@jess, Both of those teams are top teams. They’re 1 & 2 in their conference.
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so is voynov scratched tonight then?
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Paul G Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@letswinthecup2012, maybe they are trying to shop Alec Martinez around for the trade deadline
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Kings are gonna have to work like hell regardless, but so looking forward to seeing Mitchell and Richards being back in the everyday line up. That’s all I want for Christmas. Also an elbow to the head of Bergenheim too. Thanks Santa.
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Sit Loktionov for sure, but why sit Voynov???? Does Stevens see something totally, completely out of whack with Slava?? One bad game my god, let’s move on and put him
Back in, take Martinez out.
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Take it slow, Mike Richards. You’re 26, unmarried and have your whole life ahed of you. I’m 40, belive me, you haven’t begun to live. Think about your future. Games be damned.
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@Mik3ysfv, dadgummit “ahead” not “ahed”
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
December 17th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@Mik3ysfv, oh and “believe” not “belive”
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