After practice, Mike Richards said he has been cleared to play, and it’s likely that he will be in the lineup tomorrow against Anaheim.
Drew Doughty left practice early, but there hasn’t yet been a reason why.
There’s a (relative) swarm of media in the locker room, but Darryl Sutter will not speak until his 1 p.m. press conference.
Merry Christmas. Go get em Ricky!!
[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@AZ King, How long till his first “set back”?
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:21 pm
@fuzzerson,
What’s the point of even asking that kind of question? It’s like you hoping he goes out again. Guess that gives you more of a reason to complain though, so maybe you are.
[Reply]
Perro Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@AZ King, he is covering his “I told you so Base”. I did the same thing with gagne and williams, so I cannot poke at.
King-C Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@fuzzerson, This has got to be the most ????? post I’ve seen here, and I’ve seen lots of em. What the hell is it supposed to mean. Stay off the crack dude. it does bad things to your brain!
[Reply]
mike in LA Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@fuzzerson, Really!!!!!! Wtf!!!!
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@fuzzerson, NO SOUP FOR YOU! 1 year!
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@fuzzerson,
Feel free to join the ducks blog.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@fuzzerson,
Bite your tongue!!!!
You will find that being optimistic about our players health is much more satisfying than worrying about it at every turn.
have a good xmass
[Reply]
RobSD Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@AZ King,
It’s a Festivus Miracle!!!!!!
[Reply]
RobSD Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@RobSD,
That he is back that is!!!!!
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@RobSD,
Yes, good thing. Although as we all know Festivus is celebrated Dec 23rd, but who’s counting…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus
[Reply]
Christmas came early .
[Reply]
Thats what im talkin about!!!!!
[Reply]
Good to see Richards is good to go.
[Reply]
Things are looking up!
[Reply]
Doughty left because Sutter wasn’t yelling at all. He really wanted to be brown-beaten and stormed off in a huff.
[Reply]
Capt Jam Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 11:58 am
@wavesinair,
“brown-beaten”? Freudian slip? LOL.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@Capt Jam, Totally! Oops.
[Reply]
Anjin Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:58 pm
@Capt Jam, haha, that was mt thought as well
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 11:59 am
@wavesinair,
Excellent take!
[Reply]
Perfect timing. Let’s start this new era off right, with a win against the sucks.
[Reply]
bmova Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@RobSD, Yes, and then a win against SJ!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@bmova, And then wins for the rest of the season.
[Reply]
Yeah, why did DD leave early? For 7mil I expect hime to be in every practice!
[Reply]
Colorado Kings Fan Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 11:57 am
@Mars, Maybe he had a medical reason?? Christ, maybe cut the guy a little slack?
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 11:59 am
@Mars, he got sliced open somewhere in the last game, i imagine they were looking at it or treating it.
[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@Mars, He left crying after DS yelled at him.
[Reply]
Dazed N confused Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@fuzzerson, Maybe he left for Sutters intro?
[Reply]
Kinger Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@Mars, PRACTICE?? We talkin bout practice! Practice? Come on, we talkin bout practice man!
[Reply]
toemas_sandstrom Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@Kinger, HA! Awesome…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI
[Reply]
ziggyfan Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@Mars, I have to admit that I have not been supporting DD for his bonehead plays at times this year but, everyone mentioning his “7 mil.” is getting really old now. The poor man is obviously putting a lot of pressure on himself not only because of the money but also that he knows he can do better. And picking on him for “7 mil” every turn is just not right.
LA Kings met his demand. Now, let’s let him play his game and not pile on him so much with money.
[Reply]
KindSir Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@ziggyfan, Sorry, but I don’t buy it. He signed up for increased scrutiny and criticism when he decided he was going to hold out on the team. I don’t feel sorry for him one bit. It comes with the territory. Even Kobe was booed by all of Staples after the offseason he had his trade demand, but then he went and helped the Lakers win two more championships. If Drew can do that I’m pretty sure everyone will love him again
[Reply]
JD Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 8:24 pm
@ziggyfan, nice post, its just the same few whinners complaining about doughty every day
[Reply]
JD Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 10:51 pm
@JD, ziggyfan tha reply was not for you, it should be in responce to mars and the other whinners who keep possting the same 7 mil thing over and over
John Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@Mars, I think he left early to spend some of that 7 mil on Christmas gifts!
I wonder what he’s going to get Sutter?!
[Reply]
I remember doughty being gone for a while last game (or probably the game before last?) and Bob and Jim said he had suffered a laceration but didnt say where. maybe this could be bothering him?
[Reply]
Colorado Kings Fan Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@Sebastian, For 7 million dollars a year he should be able to look at his laceration and will it to heal while scoring a goal.
[Reply]
OneTimer Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@Colorado Kings Fan,
Huh? Aren’t you the same fan who just (4 minutes ago, above) asked that the $7Mil Man be “cut a little slack”?
Split personality much?
[Reply]
DanD Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@OneTimer, hahahaha, ziiiiing!
mcsorleyfan Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@OneTimer, It’s called “Sarcasm”…lol
FiG17 Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@OneTimer,
I’m gonna go ahead and assume he was kidding. or, if he honestly believes someone can will cuts to heal, I’d say he has more issues than just split personalities… Lol.
Colorado Kings Fan Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@OneTimer, Yes it was sarcasm and a joke. The Doughty hate here is a little too much to take some times.
AZ King Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@Colorado Kings Fan,
haha, man the $7 million jokes just never get old do they….
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@Colorado Kings Fan, Even Lee Majors needed time to recover once they replaced an eye, arm, and both legs.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:23 pm
@Dominick,
And he was a million short!
Dominick Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@Kingsfanone,
Maybe DD didn’t have the bionic eye installed yet.
Awesome, finally looking forward to seeing the Kings play again.
Waves, Thanks for all the practice updates!!
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:21 pm
@Niko, You’re welcome!
[Reply]
Sutter benched Doughty already?
[Reply]
This news made my day!!! Can’t wait to see Richards back on the ice!!!
[Reply]
I hope Richards makes Darryl Sutter look like Scotty Bowman.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@Ian, I hope Darryl Sutter makes this team look like last year’s Boston Bruins!
[Reply]
Forum Gold Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@Cynic, Or this years Bruins team. GO KINGS GO!!!
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@Cynic,
All the way to that large silver chalice thing!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@Cynic, The only way that happens is if he gets them attacking through the middle, and actually making plays, instead of slapping it on net and hoping that the rebounds bounce their way. A more controlled game, and we’re golden.
[Reply]
I hope everyone prepares themselves for the media Iron Curtain that Sutter lives behind. The man hates everyone with a microphone. We were pretty blessed with Murray’s willingness to talk to reporters and his general availability to the media. Sutter is the exact opposite.
[Reply]
Colorado Kings Fan Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@aegwillnotwinthecup, I wonder if Sutter will allow the 2nd intermision interview. I really enjoy those.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
@aegwillnotwinthecup,
…But will that give Rich more access?
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
@aegwillnotwinthecup,
You might have enjoyed the access but did you enjoy Murray’s interviews?
I’ll take a coach who doesn’t like the media any day if it means winning.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:27 pm
@wavesinair, As long as the interviews aren’t a rehash of the last interview. TM’s interviews could be cut and pasted from week to week, and no one would’ve been the wiser.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@aegwillnotwinthecup,
Sutter can say more in one sentence than Murray could in 50 paragraphs.
[Reply]
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@aegwillnotwinthecup,
The coach and player interviews are interesting to skim over (and thanks Rich for doing them), but they’re just the same talking points over and over. I’d rather listen to Bryzgalov talk about the universe than hear about getting pucks deep and getting shots to the net.
[Reply]
soyokaze Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@aegwillnotwinthecup, I don’t really care too much about what the coach says. Now it’s all about the results (winning). If the Kings start winning again, all will be great again! Of course there will be some nitpickers over the lack of imperfection, but I’ll live with it!
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 1:46 pm
@aegwillnotwinthecup,
If they’re winning, then it doesn’t matter what or how much he says. But if they’re losing…
[Reply]
Oh thank the deity.
[Reply]
Jason4Kings Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@Mikefromearth, Praise the praiseworthy!
[Reply]
If DS were to yell “I am the LAW!!” from the bench that would be funny… Can’t wait to see how this is going to play out!
[Reply]
Yeah richards! This makes me happy
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@Cruiznblue, Oh joy of joys!
[Reply]
Richards is probably the most creative King since Ziggy. PP, SH, 5 on 5 he’s a danger to score. If Richards doesn’t have his concussion, I think it’s possible that Terry Murray would still have been coach awhile longer. But there is no way to get in the time machine and do a do over. So we’ll just have to be very content that he’s back. It’s certainly a good boost for the Sutter era.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Donald_S, I agree with you on Murray, only because I know DL didn’t want to fire TM. TM is ultimately accountable just as Sutter will be if the Kings have any injuries. I don’t care about the injuries if Sutter can adress the obvious flaws in how the Kings attack in the offensive zone, and that isn’t a line up issue, but a strategy issue.
Even with a skeleton crew, if your players are attacking the middle properly, your gonna score. The Kings weren’t doing that even when they were 100% healthy.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
December 21st, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@Donald_S,
I agree. If Richards doesn’t go down, they probably score more than 3 goals in some of the recent games, winning a few of them, potentially saving TM’s job a little longer.
But, the loss of one player shouldn’t have caused everyone to suddenly forget how to score goals. Other than the Toronto game, the team looked pretty bad and inept at times (especially on the PP) during this stretch of losses.
[Reply]
Rich, is there any chance you can stream the presser? Or do you know where we can catch it live?
[Reply]
Now let’s go and stomp on those Quaks on Thursday. Can’t wait!!!
[Reply]
Here is a list of player projected goals:
Kopitar: 24.8 goals (we’ll call it 25)
Richards: 27.3 goals
Williams: 12.4 goals (and we’ll call that horrible)
Brown: 17.39 goals
Gagne: 17.39 goals
Johnson: 12.4 goals (not bad)
Doughty: 4.9 goals (we’ll assume he has a good day and make it 5 [which is unacceptable])
Stoll: 7.45 goals
Assuming that the rest of the team has fewer than these guys (they do), the rest of the team projects to have fewer than 3-5 goals each).
Now, no NHL team can go on scoring 2 goals a game like the Kings have.
Enter Sutter.
Under Sutter Iginla went from a 52 goal guy to a 41 goal guy to 35 goal guy.
Exit Sutter.
Iginla becomes a 39 goal guy then a 50 goal guy then a 35 goal guy then a 32 goal guy then a 43 goal guy and is projected for 32 this year.
Analysis?
Coaches don’t produce goal scorers.
Iginla performed well before and after Sutter and performed less than excellent before and after Sutter.
He’ll do something with this team. But it is going to be up to Kings like Brown and Doughty who showed their ability in TOR, to step it up every game.
This team has the talent, and they’re going to need individual effort from everyone.
That means they can rely on guys like Gagne or Williams for goals regularly (which hasn’t happened)
AND AND AND
they need efforts from guys like Clifford (who took Simmonds job as a regular to be counted on for secondary scoring) who showed what they can do in clutch situations.
[Reply]
Welcome back Ricky! You were surely missed while you were gone. It’s starting to look & feel like the worm has turned for the Kings. May our remaining 60% of the season go much better than the 40% we are leaving behind. It’s time to live up to the pre-season expectations. Play hard & for each other & let’s get a nice winning streak going by bashing the Ducks!
[Reply]
More good news!
[Reply]
let’s go Kramerica!
[Reply]
I”ll be at Staples tomorrow night. Will you?
[Reply]
the line up clearly signals Lotkionov is going back to Manchester.
Hunter can stay around till they find another right winger to replace him, hey Darryl how about Jordan Nolan??
Imagine, Clifford, Fraser, Nolan ???
[Reply]
Great news!
Go KINGS Go!
[Reply]
I will repeat…someone let NHL on the Fly know, they can’t get over themselves reporting that Gireoux may come back tonight, but no mention of Richards. Maybe their Fax machine is down?
[Reply]
ALL HAIL KING RICHARDS!!!! this is exactly what we need cause he does it all. love his work ethic.
Christmas indeed came early this year and i will be roaring when we smash the ducks Thursday. 314 representin!
[Reply]