The Kings did not practice this morning and are on their way to Chicago for the start of the semi-annual “fathers’ trip.” About a dozen of the dads were at last night’s game and are on today’s flight, and a few more will meet the team in Chicago and continue on to Winnipeg. There’s a big team dinner scheduled for tonight.
Not sure when there will be an update on the status of Simon Gagne, since there’s no practice, but the Kings do have to make a roster move today to get back to 23 players. They were allowed to carry 24 during the roster freeze after Mike Richards returned.
So Gags will go to the IR and then what?
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Jeff Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@40YearKingsFan, Gags will go on IR saving Lokti from going down. Any moves made will be by trade, which rumors suggest is likely to happen soon. Although rumors is just that rumors, but this team needs a kick in the pants offensively.
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boxtime17 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@Jeff,
I hope the rumors include Iginla… what are you hearing??
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Jeff Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@boxtime17, The rumors are one of Iginla, Parise or Eric Staal. I would rather have Parise or Staal over Iginla based solely on age. However any is fine with me. Parise and Iginla would probably be easier to get as Parise is a UFA and Iginla I believe Calgary is close to the cap. Staal though has won a cup and played with Willie, plus if Kopi and or Richards get hurt, Staal can take there place.
TMik Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
@boxtime17, As nice as Iggy would be, He isn’t going anywhere.
(I’d happily eat that crow.)
He has a concussion …..
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Anjin Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
@Bay area kings fan, any more info about this?
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Bay area kings fan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@Anjin, since Theres no practice today it’s hard to get get info… Will know more tomorrow.. I don’t think he made the trip with the team
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OMG Xmas came true thank you rich!!! i lub you man!!
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Hey Rich,
Just wondering is there any plans for the Kings and their dads while in Winnipeg or is this game a fly in fly out deal?
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Do you think the Dads and players and coaches might be consuming a few adult beverages tonight?
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puck73 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Poorman, For my new years resolution, I am inviting you to a Kings game at Staples, a suite ticket for you, hopefully it will be a Hammond suite game like the one on January 21st vs Colorado. I think its about time, I havent seen you since the summer of 1985 at your palatial estate on 26th street in Newport Beach, its been to long Jimmy. Contact me at mikebrnstn@gmail.com and I will forward you my cell number and get you hooked up to the insider kingdom, talk to ya soon.
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tornado12 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@puck73, whoa! i just choked on my crouton!
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Scot Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@puck73,
I was kicking the inside of my mommy’s tummy the last time you saw @Poorman. She popped at the end of that summer! And there I was.
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@puck73,
That vacation must have been really good. Now, we need to start marketing. I was thinking kind of a mix between MMA and WWF with lots of “GRRRRing” and “BOOOOOOing”. We could get you guys some costumes, add the Ice Girls, bring Heidi back to do the bewteen round interviews, have Rich do a special thread with updates, and better yet, put it on PPV. “Insider Death Match I – Battle Bloggers.” I ask only for nachos
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Poorman Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
@puck73, Dude, I will totally be in touch. Would love to go. My big problem is I noe live in New York. I’m in L.A. until Friday, but I’ll try and fly back for a game and hang even if it’s not this one. Thanks for the invite dude, and I’ll email you.
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I just saw Gagne’s last shift near the end of the 2nd period on the game replay. Whatever happened to him, took place out of the camera’s view. If anyone went to the game and saw it please comment.
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Gustavo Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@Pumpernicholl,
Did not see that play, but saw Doughty boink Richards on the back of head while trying to clear a puck. MR gave him a WTF? look and left the game for a few minutes.
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@Poorman, Hopefully Drew’s Dad won’t encourage his Son to join in the Adult stuff.
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OK I will bite, what are the trade rumors???
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A shame Gagne is injured. Among the obvious concerns over his health, it also means we have to keep Lokti. Most solid performance since being called up has been riding the bench. Sutter has already win me over by scratching him.
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KingsGuy Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@Et219, Nice pun on Lotki.
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When Richards, and Mitchell had concussions, and nobody got traded. 1/2 a day after Gagne gets one, trade rumors. Is this a worse case scenario hype, or am I missing something? because I haven’t seen anything yet telling me Gagne is out for the rest of the season.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
I think DD’s on that list also, but not sure.
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puck73 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@Dominick, Drew Doughty for Eric Staal? Would you make that Deal ? Or how bout Bernier, Stoll and Martinez for Parise ?
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@puck73, If you trade Bernier, you ruin negotiations for Quick next season because the Kings will be forced to sign Quick or die.
JMFJ#3 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@puck73, hmmm interesting… DD for Staal is great trade but does he play wing? or do you move Richard to wing with Kopi and brown? as far as the Parise deal i would do that deal anyday
40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
@puck73, The Bernier, Martinex, Stoll for Parise deal I’d make in a heartbeat.
Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@puck73, Also, if you trade Stoll, you guarantee that Lokti takes his place as the #3 center, and I don’t think Lokti’s ready quite yet. You fill a need, but it opens up another hole somewhere else.
Kings4Stanley Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@puck73, Don’t anyone dare to put on a trade list. He may be in a slump atm, but he’s our best faceoff man and a solid, hardworking player!
Kings4Stanley Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@puck73, speaking about Stoll. Typing too fast
pr0cess Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@Dominick, Does anyone know what happen? I didnt see him get hurt? Plus i was watching the AZ feed!! (ugg being in NM) and all they did was talk about the refs not calling stuff….
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
@pr0cess,
I’m like you. I never saw the play. I looked last night biut didn’t see anything. Can’t understand where everybody is getting their information that Gagne’s finished. As I pointed out, it’s happened to at least 3 other top players on our roster, and we should wait for some confirmation on how serious it is before speculation starts.
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EJ Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@pr0cess, apparently his head hit the glass in the first period. He continued to skate his shift, but left during the second.
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pr0cess Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@EJ, Man! Any video of the hit or ect??
BigMikeonD Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Dominick, Staal is not being traded. Parise will cost a ton. Lord knows what it would take to get Jerome. I like the idea of adding offensive firepower but not at the cost of gutting the team. Maybe Bernier but if you thought Bernier is going to bet the next great one like hes been labeled how do you let him go, and he has the coolest mask. I can part with A-mart, picks and a prospect but Bernier is to steep. Plus with Parise he’s not under contract after this year.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@BigMikeonD, I agree on all points. That is my reasoning for sure. I would not give up the future for a player that will only be signed through the end of this season either. It’s too short sighted, and as I mentioned, if you trade Bernier, and Quick wants 8 mill (not that he would), the Kings not only won’t be able to afford it, but will have no other goalie to take his place.
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jeff Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@BigMikeonD, There were a ton of rumors that Staal wanted out as he didn’t want to go through a rebuild. However it changed when Carolina went on a tear and almost made the playoffs last season. This season has gone terrible and with Skinner out indefinately, the talk about him wanting out will heat up again.
Parise won’t cost a lot, as he is a UFA and no GM in their right mind will give up a lot when there is a chance to get him in the off season without giving up anything. Look how little NJ gave up to get Kolvachuk at the deadline.
Iginla I am not sure what it will take to get him. Calgary is up against the cap and they to do a total rebuild, so I can’t see them getting a whole lot for him especially at his age.
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ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 2:19 am
@jeff, The only reason why Parise would be traded by the NJD is that the player already told the GM that he wouldn’t stay with the Devils, and quite frankly I am struggling to even think he did that already.
40YearKingsFan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@Dominick, I can only speak for me, but from my perspective it’s definitely just worst case scenario. I didn’t even see how or when Gags got hurt, let alone if anyone has any idea how long he’ll be out. I’m just thinking that since he will be out some unspecified length of time, how will that be handled? I really liked what Sutter was doing with some continuity with the line combos and I’m hoping this injury is handled smoothly.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I’m just as worried. I replied about that on one of your previous posts.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
That Lewis-Richards-Richardson line looked pretty good after Gags went down.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
@FKA PakiFro, I thought so too.
I would take anything right now, to improve r teams scoring.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Rom27, The new coach has only had 3 games.
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PRMan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Dominick, And he’s got a 2-ZERO!!!-1 record.
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408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@Rom27, Jagr and Simmonds for Penner, Stoll, and Martinez. Hey I can dream
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@408kingsfan, If you trade Stoll, you have to have a replacement, unless you think Lewis, Richardson, Lokti, or Fraser is ready.
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KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@Dominick, I’m ready compared to Stoll. That guy is 99% useless and imho a very large part of our offensive problems on the PP and overall.
408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@Dominick, Richardson Maybe, Although Fraser is starting to impress me more and more. Lewis is perfect for the fourth line and is a damn good penalty killer.
O-Dawg Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@408kingsfan, How about we package up DD and a few players for Nash? I would also try and get Iginla or Parise
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fsd1 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@O-Dawg, Do any of us know if Doughty has a NTC? If he does he wont be going anywhere and the rumor becomes moot.
408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@O-Dawg, On trading Doughty, we would need to be very careful to get the most bang for our buck. Teams with a defense problem will overpay out of desperation and those our the teams we would want to deal with.
The only play I do recall seeing was when Gag’s was checked in the boards hard, was on all 4′s for quite some time before getting up. Could be a concussion,not sure. Everyone is real silent, which is kind of odd in itself. Maybe, just maybe, he’s part of a package and the silence re: injury is part of this?
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Agood question for some of the insiders is this..how much would you give up for 34 year old Jarome Iginla? IMO, if we were able to obtain this guy, even at 34 this guy can finish, especially if he plays with 2 centers like Richards and Kopitar.
But again the question, how much should the Kings give up for a 34 year old?
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O-Dawg Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@puck73, One or two prospects and maybe a draft pick…2nd rounder at best.
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tornado12 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@puck73, id give martinez, a high draft pick, stoll, and rights to moller but that prob wouldnt be enough
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@puck73, Calgary wont make that move no matter what the other team offers unless it’s extremely weighted in their favor. Iginla is their only marketable player, he’s been in Calgary all his career, and all their offense runs through the guy. Calgary fans would not only riot, but would hang management figures in effigy. They would have to have given up on the season before that trade would even be considered. I doubt Iginla is even being shopped right now, will be, or even wants to be.
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Scot Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
@Dominick,
I agree, whoever gets Iginla would have to WAY overpay. He is their franchise, even at 34. He’s still got game.
Like I said below, (and I was just answering puck73′s question of “Who would I (as a blog reader) trade for Iginla?”) I would trade Brown for him. And, I bet 95% of readers on here will want to hang ME for that. But the funny thing is, there is no way Calgary would consider that to be a satisfactory return.
I like Brown too, but it pains me so much seeing how many people overvalue Brown because of how much they love him in their hearts. It’s why they would never make us a contending team, because they don’t think with their heads. Trading Brown and getting Iginla would give the Kings a much better chance to win the Cup, but it would never happen from Calgary’s point of view.
They’ll have to be blown away, and be given a new franchise player in order to trade Iggy.
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Scot Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@puck73,
I don’t think we have what Calgary needs, which is a big top center.
Stoll ain’t gonna cut it.. Loktionov’s trade value has gone down this year.
I would trade Jack Johnson for him, but they already have a solid core of D-men 1 through 6.
But if they subtract Iginla from their roster, they are going to need more than just a center, they are going to need someone to replace Iginla.
Yes, I would trade Dustin Brown for him. I couldn’t care less how many people think that’s foolish. Yes, you give up some age, 34 to Brown is what, 26? If Brown becomes Iginla, we are a much better team NOW, and from what I’m hearing, the time for the Kings to win is NOW. I would do it in a heartbeat. It would also allow the Kings to give the “C” to the real captain of this team, Mike Richards. (Or Iginla!)
Of course, they would want more than just Brown. Probably a top prospect and a high draft pick, & yes, I would oblige them.
That being said, I would prefer someone younger that we could lock up long term, like Parise. But, I think the fact of the matter is, this team, even with the coaching change, needs a major facelift on the roster.
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Scot Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@puck73,
Like Dom said, if I were you, I’d wish for someone other than Iginla. It’s going to take way too much to pry him away from Calgary, and the fact is.. He’s 34. If we was 28 or 29 even, then I’d be more willing to overpay for him.
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ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 2:27 am
@Scot, Milan Lucic? Costs you about the same as Iginla, at this stage.
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ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 4:17 am
@Scot, Or Cammalleri… I’d do anything to get him back to the LAK.
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KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@puck73, I wouldn’t give up much at all. Just too old. I don’t think he’s a good fit.
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neil Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@puck73, 2 17 year olds????
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408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@puck73, If we were taking a run for the cup at the trade deadline I would give up our entire future. But its a tough call when our play has been sub-par
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bbb7 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
@puck73, I wouldnt want to part with much. Maybe a D prospect, Lokti and a pick. I dont want the organization to go back to the old days of trading young talent for ex-stars who have perhaps 2 years left.
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I don’t write in detail much, but here is my take so far on Sutter and it is mostly based on his comments after the first game when he said the forwards played well (and by his silence, not being happy with the defense).
Based on that it seems Sutter thought Murray pampered and protected the Kings young defenseman by playing a system that required the forwards to stay back and by playing a system that prevented the forwards from attacking the net with more than one person at a time.
Under the new system, Sutter is actually holding the young defenseman accountable – they are being expected to play like professional NHL defensemen, not someone who needs to be protected and coddled. Last night was a great example, the Kings often went to the net strong, the defensemen shot from the point and the Kings scored from screens or deflections (or arguably due to a weak goalie). On the flip side, the King’s defense was not very good preventing Coyote breakaways or in Doughty’s case getting beat just before the Langkow rebound.
Sutter’s new design will only work if the Kings young defenseman step up and learn to play a professional two way game, minimize risky passes that result in breakaways and learn proper positioning to minimize great offensive opportunities and rebounds. I don’t know if it will work, but I like Sutter holding them more accountable. And if it works, the Kings may have a dynamic two way team that will be exciting to watch over the next few weeks.
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soyokaze Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@BluLiner, Those are some great points BluLiner! The Kings did have a number of out-numbered attacks against them than usual. Although it’s fun as a fan to watch that type of hockey, Sutter must have been going ape**** behind the bench. Explains the raspy voice.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@BluLiner,
Good post.
The Langkow rebound was Scuds fault more than DD’s. DD followed his man all the way to the net, and Quick made a good poke check to save his beacon. The rebound was just sitting there, and Scuds turned to cover the man DD was covering, and his man skated in, picked up the rebound, and scored. Sometimes you just have to let your partner get burned, and play your position.
On the breakaways, it was the forwards fault just as much as it was the defense.
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KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@Dominick, At least Voynov made it obvious he felt the breakaway cause by his blocked shot was his own fault, otherwise he wouldn’t of reacted (broke his stick against the post) the way he did if he felt it was someone elses fault.
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@KC23, Yes the D had a few moments, but it wasn’t all the D’s fault that breakaways happened all game long. It’s a team game, and I saw plenty of forward breakdowns also.
Ah — Love the trade rumors.
If we package Stoll for a winger, then Richardson can hold the fort on that 3rd line center until Loktionov is ready. Trading Stoll would not create any hole we can’t already fill.
As of right now, Martinez is the odd Dman out. So obviously you could include him in any package. I’m actually a big fan of Martinez, I wouldn’t mind dangling some other Dmen and then allowing Martinez to fill the spot. Either way — we have one available Dman that would not create any hole we can’t already fill.
Stoll+Bernier+Dman+Pick for Parise+Hedberg
Works for me.
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I have always supported a deal to get Parise, but as others have mentioned, it would cost us. He will want big money on his next contract, but not as much as originally projected due to his past injury and he isn’t having a crazy good season so far. He is a good fit by adding more offense while still being responsible defensively. He works hard and does the little things to make others better. With either DS or a new coach brought in after this season,someone like Parise would defnitely do better than if TM was still here. Get Parise and GKG!!!
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tim Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@DesertKing, Sutter isn’t going anywhere for a while. He signed a long term contract.
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
@tim,
If DL goes, DS goes too.
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ta Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
@DesertKing, I agree i would love to see Parise.here.
Maybe Bernier/Martinez/ and Stoll or Penner.
Next year both Penner and Stoll’s contracts are up so it would free up cap space.
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Anybody ever thought that maybe Stoll has already a new contract in his pocket (which does not come from the LAK)? That’d explain the lack of commitment towards the Kings….
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