It seems fair to say that the early winner of the Darryl Sutter sweepstakes is Brad Richardson. Relegated to part-time duty of late under Terry Murray — and third- or fourth-line duty in the best of times — Richardson practiced in a first-line role alongside Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown, and it appears as though he will play in that spot tonight. It’s never been about effort with Richardson. His work ethic and grit are unquestioned, but his ability to make plays has regularly held him back during his time with the Kings. Perhaps he can thrive under Sutter, a coach who values tenacity above almost all else? Richardson talked about the coaching transition and what it might mean for him…
RICHARDSON: “It was obviously a tough couple weeks there. You don’t ever want to see anyone get fired. Everyone has got families, and it’s their job, so it’s tough. Even if you agree with the coach or you don’t, it’s still a tough situation. It was a tough week, and we’re all happy, I think, just to get going again. Everyone was kind of anxious to get here this morning. Everyone was here a lot earlier than usual, to kind of get here and meet Darryl and see what was going on. It will be nice tomorrow. I talked to Darryl after practice and I will probably be playing with Kopi and Brownie. It’s about hard work and getting in on the forecheck. We’re probably going to be playing against the top line, so just play hard against them.’’
Question: It would seem, at least in theory, that you’re the type of player who might thrive under a coach like Sutter. Is that how you’re approaching this?
RICHARDSON: “I hope so. I know he likes guys who are honest, hard-working guys and guys who are going to work hard every night for him. We had a meeting before practice and that was kind of the thing. It’s got to be more hard work, quicker and driving to the net, and those are all things that I think I can bring to the team. Obviously it’s quickness, getting on pucks and stirring things up. I’m looking forward to getting in there and playing for him.’’
Hat trick tonight?
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USHA#17 Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:23 am
@Lake Forest,
Nope, not playing the AVs
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:29 am
@USHA#17, I know, I just say it before every game. Penner was my last suggestion to get a hat trick. but like anyone, I would be happy with 3 team goals and a win!
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Newf Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@Lake Forest, a hat trick for Penner at this point is 3 goals in a season.
DesertKing Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:40 am
@USHA#17,
What the heck, Westie will get a hat trick (its Christmas!)
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:08 am
@DesertKing,
Westie needs to start scoring because he’s the least effective large bodied enforcer in the league. He doesn’t hit and he can’t fight.
Cynic Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:07 am
@Lake Forest, How about THE TEAM getting a hat trick (3 goals in a game)? I’ll take that right now…
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:19 am
@Cynic, you missed my reply to myself
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Cynic Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Lake Forest, LOL, you’re right.
I’ll still take the win Quicksilver. Win at all costs, right?
QUICKsilver Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:05 pm
@Cynic, Cynic FTW
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gralx Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:08 am
@Lake Forest, Team hat trick. 3-2 win, cuz “its a 3-2 league” LOL (awwwww, our first Sutterism!)
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fuzzerson Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@gralx, Its not a 5-4 league.
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Goring 19 Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:53 am
@Lake Forest, maybe a Gordie Howe hat trick by anyone tonight?
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RLane420 Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@Lake Forest, Lets see the team get 3 before we start thinking one player will.
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DEH Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@Lake Forest, Quick gets a Gordie Howe hat trick!
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I thik that Brad Richardson will do very well under the Sutter time. He works hard, plays big even though he is not, and plays to win. Nice decision by Sutter. Good luck Brad keep up the good work.
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McCheese Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:11 am
@Edped, stop. suttertime.
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No just hard work and an assist or two would be nice.
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It looks like DS is going to try both Richardson and Lewis on the higher lines because he wants to add speed. Not old-school thinking. It is also consistent with trying to develop the younger forwards.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:24 am
@Purple Ghost,
Speed, yes. But also hard work. I rarely see Richie or Lewie take a shift off. That’s old school in the best possible way.
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Donald_S Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:46 am
@Purple Ghost,
Yeah, it’s the Kings achilles heel, their lack of team speed. Sutter’s added the fastest wheels he has to both of the top two lines. We’ll see.
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Fdofmfull Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:53 am
@Purple Ghost, excellent observation PG!
That whole philosophy of size/ strength over quickness; conservative, hang back, defensive-positioning in every zone over “the best defense is offense”, ferocious forecheck, disruptive N-Zone play; cycle-only-to-get-point-shot over pocess and drive to the dangerous areas (not just front of the net, but the high slot beteen the dots) and find your teammate with quick passes….
THAT IS NOT OLD SCHOOL, that’s post-lockout dynamic NHL winning hockey!
Add old school essential elements such as grit, tenacity, hard work, passion, desire, accountability….) = Success!
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DEH Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@Purple Ghost, Old school is dropping the gloves and head hitting
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great…if he can stay on his skates instead of constantly being knocked off the puck and onto his butt…doesnt have a heavy stick
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USHA#17 Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:25 am
@TheZamboniMechanic2,
Hey, hey, hey..that “heavy stick” comment harkens back to the bad old days, two weeks ago.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:31 am
@TheZamboniMechanic2, you must be mistaking Richardson with Lokti.
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Et219 Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:43 am
@fsd1, you beat me to the Lokti comment! Also, falling can be an asset if he learns to draw penalties like Brown. Hey now, can’t mention falling without thinking about our captain.
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:11 am
@Et219, Williams and Brown both seem to like the feel of the ice on their bellies. I used to wonder if it was the ice at Staples, but it’s happening in every venue so it must be their skates… right?
I think he will do great alongside some true talent! The same goes for Lewis as well. These guys give 200% when they are on the ice and are monsters on the forcheck and backcheck. I think given the talent and vision that both Kopi/Brown and Richards/Gagne posses having a hard working puck recovery guy who is responsible defensivly will do wonders for those lines. I never thought BR and TL got rewarded enough for their hard work under TM.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:25 am
they also bring some serious speed to our top 2 lines
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Stuart Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:30 am
@BrokeKingsFan, I would love nothing more than for TL to start filling the net!!! I see him growing more in the next 50 games than he has to this point in his career…
GTLG!!
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:09 am
@Stuart, Amen to that! couldnt agree more
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Sheesh. If TM had made this line change you guys would be blasting him.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:29 am
@MK Ultra,
This isn’t a line change. It’s the very FIRST lineup Sutter has put together!
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MK Ultra Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:45 am
@wavesinair,
Acknowledged and true.
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LB Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:46 am
@MK Ultra,
Actually I had said a few times before that it makes no sense to take so much speed out of the lineup (Richie and Lewis) when the problem was team speed and other teams outskating the Kings. Now Moreau is gone, Hunter is on the 4th line where he belongs and let’s see what these two guys can do.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:19 am
@LB, Many on this site have been calling for Lewis and Ritchie to have more time on a quality. I haven’t been one of them, but I’m sure you know what you’re talking about and i’m excited to see them get their shot. I just hope these lines stay together long enough to develop chemistry and identity.
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Lines definitely look interesting.
Kinda curious to see how frequent we see shifting lines under DS as opposed to TM.
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Over/Under – Richardson plays 3 games on the 1st line.
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:41 am
@California Royalty, oh nice…..I’ll say under, but I hope I am wrong!
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California Royalty Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:46 am
@Lake Forest, haha me too…. and me too.
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Excited to see things changed up, though i’ve never been too confident in Richardsons abilities even though I did sell him a Verizon cell Phone in el segundo when i worked for that crap ass company. Very excited to see some real fundemental changes in the line up, but I am 80% sure we’re ganna see richards on the 3rd or 4th line by dec. 26th game against pheonix. Good luck Sutter…..like what your style so far, but don’t get cought with your pants down betting on this kid in particular.
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I will be interested to see if DL makes a move for more offense after the trade freeze.
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KingsGuy Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:16 am
@DesertKing, Why is there a trade freeze? I keep hearing about it…
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DesertKing Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:22 am
@KingsGuy,
It is in place during the holidays. Not sure when it lifts.
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:41 am
@DesertKing, Dec. 28th according to Rich’s post.
scootty Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@DesertKing, Dec. 27th it is lifted.
So, we need something between 60%-70% of the available points to make the playoffs? In a way that’s great as a fan. If we make the playoffs we’ll have necessarily needed to play very well to get there, so we’ll be coming in as a dangerous team.
Now as a fan that means I get to watch each game as though it were a playoff type of game. All that matters is getting the 60%+ of the available points. Fall behind ina game? Fine. Just battle back and try to squeeze out one point.
I don’t care who plays well in any given game as long the results are good. If we lose games it just means we’ll have to play better later making us even more dangerous a playoff opponent (if we make it).
So, until the day the playoffs are out of reach it’s all about rooting them on and hoping for the result.
If they drop so far back it can’t be salavaged then fine too. Then it’s all about which of the young players is going to force their way into next year’s plans (VV and AM?). Which players will develop new roles? Will Clifford be able to replace Simmonds all around game? Will Richards take over the leadership role and the “C”? Can Penner’s game be fit to the rest of the team? Can Bernier force us to make a deal (either because someone pays a ransom to get him or because he proves that he’s the future)?
Either way I’m sticking it out with my favorite team in all of sports. And if not this year, then “wait till next year”. All that said, I believe the playoffs will be made.
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wavesinair Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:49 am
@Weasel,
Now that’s looking on the bright side! Me likey. Although not making the playoffs is going to sting considerably.
“Fall behind in a game? Fine. Just battle back and try to squeeze out one point.”
This has been the difference between this year and the past 2 seasons. The Kings have only one comeback victory this year. That’s just not going to cut it.
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Weasel Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:52 am
@wavesinair,
Yup and if that continues the focus becomes which young guy is going to force us to clear a roster spot for him next season. (And also who is the best coach/GM for the next season)
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Ian Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:50 am
@Weasel, What part of “The Time Is Now” did you not pick up on?
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Weasel Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 10:56 am
@Ian,
I don’t care about the marketing campaign. I want to be at Staples Center for game 7 of the Cup Finals. I’m just going to focus on what happens on the ice. I’m going to try to stay positive. Either we make the playoffs and to do so we habe to play some great hockey so I’ll be happy about that. Or, we miss the playoffs and the questions become about next year. In that case it’ll be like the so many seasons in the past focusing on a young player and hoping they develop. Of course that’s more fun now than say in the Pavel Rosa’s or Craig Johnson’s day (or even more recently waiting to see if Labarbera was going to be a long term solution).
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Mars Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@Weasel, I liked Pavel Rosa a lot, what ever happened to him I dont recall.
Harty Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:34 am
@Weasel, if you want Clifford to take of Simmonds, then he needs the same ice time. 4th oine will not do it.
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His speed up up front can really be an asset. Hope it works out!
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I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s noticed but there are times where it seems like richie is EVERYWHERE. I’ve found myself watching the game and we then the luck over in either end and he comes out of nowhere and digs it out. He plays hard and when he shines he shines just as brightly as anyone on the roster. Very excited for him to get this opportunity. Very excited to seed what he does with it.
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Always have loved Richies attitude. Leaves it all on the ice. I believe that that is an intangible that catalyzes others to play the same way. If he can harness it a bit more so its not reckless, but finessed into freeing the puck for kopi and brownie, this could be great. Follow up withe Richards line and you have the potential for two fast grinding lines with some skill players.
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The real question is, what kind of player will Penner be like under Sutter???
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:19 am
@Bean32, I dont think Sutter will have the patience that TM showed with Penner! If Pens is not giving it 100% every shift i dont think his skate blades will be getting to wet come game time. It has been pointed out before but DS doesnt owe anyone on this team anything…they are all on a level playing field and if you show hard work and hustle than you will get rewarded for it and on the flip side will be for lack of a better word “punished” if you dont.
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jason Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:20 am
@Bean32, after the last few weeks penner is the least of my worries…..
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Duckbasher Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:29 am
@Bean32, I was really hard on Dustin Penner last season (same as I am on Westgarth this season). Even though…. I do believe he’s a better player than his production so far. The last couple of weeks, he’s been at the center of a lot of scoring chances (and yep… he’s missed them). But for sure he doesn’t look like he’s slacking lately. Penner (more than anyone) has a lot to prove and I think we’ll see a huge boost from him here on out… especially with his career is at stake. GO PENNER GO KINGS!
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 11:34 am
@Bean32, That will be interesting indeed and I think a lot of us will be watching that closely. Personally I’ll be pulling for Pens. If he responds well that 3rd line could be the most dangerous of our top 3.
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THEFL Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I think Pens will rise to the opportunity. Play as of late has been great, sans converting opportunities.
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flex Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 6:22 pm
@Bean32, good kind
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What are the lines for tonight?
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I like the emphasis on driving to the net. Seems like the Kings never drive the net. Other teams end up with guys in the net, knocking the net off the hinges. Don’t see that much from the Kings. Driving to the net opens up space and creates more opportunities. Gotta have it!
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PRMan Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@RobSD, The problem with TM’s system in a nutshell.
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Richardson deserves a shot at playing in the top lines. Tm sat him when he should of been playing. This guy plays balls out every shift. Not having him in the line up was wrong and should of never taken place. It’s good to know that hard work pays off. Dude isn’t the highest paid guy out there, he just wants to skate and do his best to help the team win. Richardson is a stud!!! I liked hime when he played along side Richards also. Two dicks are always better than one. You know richards and richardson. OK not funny. Oh well, Merry X/Mas to all fans in Arizona and may Peace be with you.
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flex Reply:
December 22nd, 2011 at 6:28 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, good post Bro .Merry Christamas to you too.
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I have always likes Richardson’s work ethic. Congrats to him for finally being rewarded instead of punished. Make it count Richie.
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I like Richardson. He plays all out…but…
If all he brings is speed that doesn’t help that much. He has to bring speed but also be able to wrestle the puck out of scrubs and corners. This is his Achilles heel. If he can provide that, see the ice and finish a little more than this can work otherwise he will be quickly demoted.
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last year when kopitar and richardson had a ton of chemistry with simmonds on the right side.. i think richardson and kopi will do well tonight.. stoked to see this. i think it MAY work.
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Very Good.I always like BR ,plays with spirit. # 1 good move by Sutter.GKG
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