At least in the short term, the Kings’ roster situation has taken care of itself, but not the way they had hoped. Simon Gagne did not make the trip to Chicago because of his undisclosed injury, and it’s highly unlikely that he would show up in Winnipeg either. Assuming the Kings choose to put Gagne on injured reserve, retroactively, they can choose either Andrei Loktionov or Trent Hunter — or both, if they scratch another player — to replace Gagne.
[UPDATE: The Kings are indeed expected to put Gagne on injured reserve, retroactively.]
The Kings have arrived in Chicago and it will be dinner with the dads shortly, after an off-ice workout. The Kings will have a morning skate tomorrow at United Center.
why have the hockey gods forsaken us!!
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@pr0cess,
If this means the return of Hunter…forsaken and banished to one of the lower levels.
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@USHA#17, Sigh… Just when things seem to be slowly turning around BAM!
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@pr0cess,
But Loktionov!!! One thing that I really like is how the speed has been picking up since the change. If we get Loki back then we might get even faster.
I didn’t think much of Phoenix as an opponent (even Doan is beginning to slow down) but there was a lot more speed then I am used to with LA and Richards’ line was buzzing in the 3rd.
Marty's Fists Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@pr0cess, Really they haven’t. If you have watched the last 15 games you would have noticed the following about Gagne:
1. Is always not 1 but 2 or 3 steps behind with the puck or chasing the puck.
2. No other top 6 player has passed the puck to the other team more than Gagne.
3. He appears frightened of getting checked, thus he gives up the puck.
4. And the last time he had a few shots on goal was?
5. Doesn’t appear to play with heart. I cringe when he is on the ice.
I wish him the best health, but I am not here to watch the Kings give players ice time for charity. He is of little use to this team
[Reply]
TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
@Marty’s Fists, I agree C-moan certainly hasn’t been playing to the best of his abilities, or he’s just not that good of a player.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
@Marty’s Fists, The line of Gagne, Kopitar, Willams had a “good chemistry,” yet TM broke them up and they haven’t been put back together.
This is why Gagne/kopitar/Williams is in a slump.
Put them back together!!!
[Reply]
bonvivant1 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
@pr0cess, Stop the whining…….What about the Penguins? They keep winning despite the absence of the best player in the league. Gagne wasn’t doing much offensively.
[Reply]
Rich, are you allowed to tell us exactly which fathers are on the trip?
[Reply]
gmo Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@dahack11,
yes, im curious
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@gmo, Me too, We know Johnson and Mitchell are among them..
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JureEe Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 10:57 am
@lakingbob(chi), from Kopitar is too.. it was in our media few days ago that he is headed ti LA. (he is coach of SLovenian NT)
Gagne needs some time off. He seems a bit slow and not his normal self. Hate to see anyone go down to injury, but this may be just what the ordered. On the NHL Network their giving some love towards the Kings. They made EJ’s top 5 of the night. Acting as if scoring 4 goals was a miracle sent from heaven. Great game last night. Now we get to see where we really stand as we get ready to face the Hawks. I know we have the talent, but we never beat the Hawks at home. Last year we dropped all 4 and lost earlier this year. Take the Kings and the over!!!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake,
I agree, losing Gagne as of right now is no big deal since he has not been performing at the same level as the beginning of the season.
[Reply]
Ian Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, Trying to make a positive out of a concussion is impossible. Especially given the amount of concussions he’s had in his career. This is a scary situation for him.
I’m going to assume by the way you wrote this, and the way DesertKing responded, that you did not know what the injury was.
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
@Ian, I think what they meant to say is that maybe a good hard hit to the head might wake him up and he will come back ready to play.
[Reply]
Ian Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
@408kingsfan, A good hard hit to the head wont help Gagne any more than it would help someone dumb enough to believe a concussion wakes somebody up and somehow makes them more ready.
DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
@408kingsfan,
That was not what I meant. I would never want any player to be injured to get them to play better. My response was that losing Gagne is not a huge impact to us as a team since he has not been contributing as much as he was at the beginning of the season. It would be my hope that he recovers soon and becomes the productive team member that we hoped he would be. Sorry if my post was confusing.
408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
@Ian That was called sarcasm. Are you a head trauma specialist? I suffered a concussion in the past and it sure the hell woke me up.
Hadley Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 11:10 pm
@408kingsfan, I think concussion jokes are soooooooooooo funny. I had a double-hit concussion on March 5 of this year and I have not played since. OMG, concussion jokes are funny, I think.
Funny before they introduced WM’s dad when speaking with Patrick Oneal, you could just tell that was WM’s dad. Like a mirror image of what is to come regarding what WM will look like at that age.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@Lake Forest, My three sons have great fear of the same….lol
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@fsd1, Yeah my 3 daughters are hoping to look like their mother, and frankly I am hoping the same!
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Steve W Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@Lake Forest, He was harder to understand than Sutter!
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Marty's Fists Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@Lake Forest, Yah I asked myself who’s dad that was and I came up with the same answer. When they said it was his dad I said “yay me”
[Reply]
Rich on more important info, do u hear anything about a trade rumor.
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fsd1 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@Rom27, Trade rumors are not important “info” to rich.
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KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Rom27, Rich doesn’t do rumors.
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@Rom27,
You can never put the two “R’s” – “Rich” and “Rumors” together – now, for bloggers, yes, we will run rumors all day long and then make up new ones. Now excuse me while I go to Wikipedia and change the United States Constitution.
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Lake Forest Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@DesertKing, Rumor has it I am awesome and Rich is fighting the urge to post about it.
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@Lake Forest,
Sorry. I saw the same rumor, went to the internet, and now I am awesome and the Devils are thinking of sending Parise to the Kings fkr me. They were only offering Kovalchuk for you and
Lake Forest Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Yeah, but they know you could easily be traded for nachos, so need not negotiate.
DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@Lake Forest,
Dang it. I knew I needed a better agent. Anyone have Borras” number?
Jack Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@DesertKing, lol..that was funny!
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Christian T Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
@Rom27, I have always enjoyed the fact that Rich doesn’t deal in rumors. I can say we don’t have the cap space for anything major.
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For you fellow game center freaks out there … the games to watch tonight. Calgary at Columbus and the Avs play Winnepeg. Extremely valuable games to the King’s playoff cause. We want Calgary and Winnepeg!
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KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@KC23, errr … Columbus and Winnepeg … duh!
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
@KC23,
Are you sure? I was thinking Winnepeg and Columbus?
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ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 1:54 am
@KC23, Winnipeg & Columbus… Which is exactly what happened…
Of course, if we lose both games on the road trip, that wouldn’t be of much help. I would be more than happy with 3 pts out of this trip, honestly.
[Reply]
Humn, Gagne, Greene, Martinez….trade…don’t think so.
Ask yourself, who is out there that LA needs and is currently signed (at least a one or two year contract)?
Hint: Parise is a UFA next year.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@USHA#17, I think Washington is a good place to start to look. They are no doubt looking to shake things up there. Another good place to look is the Senators as they need defense in the worst way and that is our strong suite.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@KC23,
Michalic? Don’t know who else…that entire team is too soft to play in the Pacific
After that its Spezza (Affredson too old, soft) that’s the core.
Cherma? Playing as well this year as ever…but he’s kinda old. Backstrom is a center, no need there.
[Reply]
TSN is reporting Gagne has a concussion. Also, can we please rid ourselves of Trent Hunter? Please?!? At least can we try, I don’t know, an actual winger like Kozun instead of pushing Lokti on to the wing?
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@Sam,
My thoughts exactly. I’d love to see Kozun get a chance. Can’t be any less productive than Lokti has been on wing.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@Sam, Kozun is a RW, 160lbs and a -4 on the Monarches. King has the same number of points as Kozun, is 234lbs, LW and a +7. I’m just sayin.
Personally, I want to see Cliche and put Stoll on a wing.
[Reply]
Cup B4 I Die Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@KC23,
One problem is Sutter has never seen any of these Manchester guys play, so I guess it’s DL’s call, 100%?? Or is it always the GM’s decision, with little input from the coach?
[Reply]
Sam Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
@KC23, To be fair, Squid was never that big either but could fly and could score. Didn’t really play good defense either. Kings could use a ton more speed and Kozun can give them that and some finish.
[Reply]
Token Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:50 pm
@KC23, Last thing we need is small fry from Manchester.
King needs another year, then he needs the Penner treatment to get some pep.
Nolan is the next cat to make the callup circuit. Maybe Ray K.
[Reply]
Send down Lokti and call up Kozun!!!! Kid can score and deserves a chance.
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
@Kramsteezy, So did Lokti and then they brought him up
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Let’s get Jerome Iginla. Trade Bernier, JJ, Williams, draft picks, pick of Manchester, whatever it takes. We need scoring from the wing!
Now, I would rather have Parise, but that does not look like it is happening. Iginla will do.
[Reply]
tim chaney Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@Silence Dogood, squander talent and assets for an old vet? ever heard of george mc guire?
[Reply]
Silence Dogood Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@tim chaney, For an old vet winger who shoots, scores, is tough and has character — for him I would give a nice guy who has been producing as effectively as Williams; or who has the plus-minus and turnovers of JJ or the playing time of Bernier. Who do you have in mind who is better than Iginla who is available for the players mentioned? If the time is now, we need to start scoring – or speculate on who will be the next GM.
Who is George McGuire? I have not heard of him.
[Reply]
Hadley Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
@Silence Dogood, Storied alcoholic George Maguire was general manager of the Kings from 1977 to 1984. According to legend, after making some of the worst trades in the history of hockey, his face caught on fire one night in the Forum Club and he simply disappeared.
Steve W Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@tim chaney, Bob talks about him in his book.
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DEH Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@Silence Dogood, Calgery is looking for cap relief not a new team. Would rather have someone with little less mileage.
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Silence Dogood Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
@DEH, Cliffie? Martinez? Kozun? King? two or more of the above? Done!
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DEH Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@Silence Dogood, cap is an issue with Iginla
Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@Silence Dogood, Iginla isn’t happening either. Everybody should stop shopping for fantasy playerrs, and at least look at players that are at least possible.
This isn’t NHL 12 for the X-Box.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@Dominick,
ahem, uh, PS3 please!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
@Dominick, X-box? … please, at least insult with style.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
@KC23, Sorry guys but I own a PS3, and an X-Box 360, and I like the X-Box too.
DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
@KC23
Yea Dom, don’t make us bust out the Atari!
ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 1:57 am
@KC23, Commodore 64…
Sam Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@Silence Dogood, You can’t talk about trading JJ for someone as old as Iggy. JJ still have a few more years before, as far as defenseman go, he’ll be mature. That’s the type of move that bites you.
[Reply]
Silence Dogood Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
@Sam, Well, we can talk about it — you may be right — maybe it is not a good idea to move JJ, but how about Williams? or Bernier? We have got to give something to get something. I want someone who will and can SHOOT the puck! and SCORE!!!
We can’t count on facing Jason LaBarbera, or another such goaltender very often.
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 7:39 am
@Silence Dogood, Much like Rich Nash, Eric Staal, Iginla is the face of his franchise, they cannot afford to let him go. you gotta make the fans think that you still want to win. aint gonna happen
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ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 7:54 am
@Sebastian, As I mentioned earlier… I believe Montreal could have a winger that we’re looking for. Gionta, Cammalleri…??
[Reply]
new lines:
Richardson Kopi Brown
Penner Richards Lewis
Stoll/Lokti Lokti/Stoll Williams
Cliff Fraser Westy
Let Lokti and Stoll alternate faceoffs and when Gagne comes back send Lokti down.
[Reply]
I’ve been telling you guys since the season started, the Kings are not looking to build through trades. Even if you still believe they are, who’s been right so far?
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DEH Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@Dominick, if an opportunity presents itself, DL will pull the trigger. Look at Richards. DL isn’t actively shopping but if he sees an enticing add he will make a deal.
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Token Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@Dominick, Huh?
Did Penner and Rick just show up for a bag of pucks? Or did you mean to say Kings are no longer building through the draft?
We gave up a lot of picks and prospects for a couple guys.
Maybe it’s a temporally restricted statement from start of season through the end of season, but otherwise, makes no sense.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@Token, DL doenst do trades during the season…Penner is the only one during his 6 years as gm that I can remember. I mean an actually trade…Not a late pick for Modin type.Also…During the season not after….
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
@neil, Exact;y. Penner was the only one, and during Deans entire time here has never gutted the entire team to acquire a player to please the masses, or scrapped his original build to acquire a temporary fix . Penner was a need that DL was shopping for from eveen before the beginning of that season, and again, he didn’t gut the line up to get him midseason. He mainly used assets that were expendable, not key peices like Stoll, or DD.
Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@Token, Rick wasn’t acquired midseason, and was not really an abandonment from the build, because Rick is signed longer than any player in our line up. Penner was acquired for spare assets that the Kings could afford to spend. The Kings are up against the cap now, and can’t afford more payroll, so the situation isn’t as easy as just asking for a franchise player, and throwing the kitchen sink at their teams management.
The speculation is fun, but overall is just a knee jerk reaction to avoid addressing letting the Kings current line up to pull together, and let the coach find a groove and do the job he’s been hired to do. Mainly the lack of faith is obvious by those who don’t come out and say he will fail, but say if we don’t get different players than that must be the problem. The guys only coached 3 games, and here’s our chance to gut the line up.
Perfect timing? Not in the least.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
@Dominick,
Good post Dom.
KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
@Dominick, “who’s been right so far?” Not DL, unfortunately.
[Reply]
ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 2:04 am
@Dominick, I pretty much agree with what you’re saying. But even if it’s not in the politics of the LAK Franchise to trade mid-year, I also think that we never had better players/opportunities to trade away than this year. There are quite a few players we have and that most Franchises would want in their lineup and that we can do without.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@ZurichKingsFan, It is truly ironic that one of the most vocal guys to say I think the Kings are making a mistake in hiring a defense first coach, is telling everybody to give him sometime before making any changes. I do believe Sutter should be given the opportunity to mesh with his players. Making changes right now would just handcuff him into having to reestablish chemistry all over again.
[Reply]
Alex Semin might be someone we go after. He is a proven scorer, and we have the pieces to entice the Caps to make that deal (defensemen). Sure Semin hasn’t been producing this year, but that may be due to him being butthurt with the organization more than anything else and that benefits use. He wants out so he’s under producing, which lowers his trade value. We can get a good deal and maybe he’ll start producing with the change of environment.
[Reply]
Sam Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@DEH, Semin is the Tin Man = no heart.
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Weasel Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@Sam,
Stumpel???
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Token Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@DEH, And we have ZERO cap space, so no Semin.
If we trade it will be dollar for dollar trade, i.e. somewhere in the $4.5M range.
[Reply]
jeff Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@Token, As far as cap space is concerned it can be alleviated by trading Stoll and Penner, or sticking Penns in the minors if you can’t trade him. That would be almost 8 million off the cap there.
[Reply]
jeff Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@DEH, If you think Penner has been bad, just wait until you get a load of Semin. He is worse.
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
@jeff,
I believe you are correct. Like buying a Porsche with a VW Bug engine.
[Reply]
39scars Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
@DesertKing, u joke but, My 914 has a vw bus engine.
DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:35 pm
@39scars
I thought the 914 was a VW with a Porsche body?
KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
@DEH, This pretty much sums up Semin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDRCpN4OMpM
[Reply]
bonvivant1 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:41 pm
@KC23, He will never live that down.
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
@KC23,
That was rather disturbing for both players.
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DEH Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
@KC23, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pod9rW3bvg&feature=related
and it appears that Ovi will never let him live that down.
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Maybe Gagne got hit in the head with the Winnipeg weather forecast. You’d ask to go on IR, too. Remember, “unseasonably warm” in Winnipeg is still a colder-than-average day on most of Saturn’s moons…
[Reply]
Lindon Vey it’s his turn at a chance. plus he is a right wing that can play left wing much better than Penner.
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@408kingsfan, 2010-11
: Vey led the WHL and all of Canadian junior hockey in scoring in his fourth season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He scored 46 goals with 70 assists in 69 games and had a +37 plus/minus
[Reply]
Silence Dogood Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@408kingsfan, How big is Vey?
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
@Silence Dogood, 6′ 183 lbs
DEH Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@408kingsfan, why not.. A couple of games in the NHL mid season shouldn’t hurt him, worst case scenario we send him back to Manchester if it doesn’t work.
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
@408kingsfan, Vey is a kid and would get pushed around like a tumble weed in the wind at this level or end up getting hurt. he isnt ready yet. whats wrong with pennerlicious? you really need help…
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@tornado12, hey I took my pills everything is going to be fine. Vey is a kid like St luis or Cammi
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
@408kingsfan,
or Hall or that Nugent guy or Seguin or……
Weasel Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@408kingsfan,
Penner has been good the last 5 games — don’t jinx him now — let’s just stay really quiet and see where this takes us….
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@Weasel, oh I have been hearing that rubbish since last year at the trade deadline. When you say playing good what do you mean? how many goals does he have?
[Reply]
Let’s remember that it is Lombardi’s contract year too. I assume that he would prefer not to get the heave-ho from AEG for not delivering.
[Reply]
Weasel Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
@Silence Dogood,
Since when does AEG really care about the Kings? The team served its purpose in giving them an anchor to build Staples Center. Once that was done the Lakers moved in and became the prime tenant. Now th land development deals around Staples totally dwarf the Kings performance as far as importance to AEG.
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 12:01 am
@Weasel,
honestly i think the AEG bashing needs to chill out. they forked over serious dough for the team to add free agents in the offseason. i’d rather have a team where the owner let the hockey people do their thing, versus the owner meddling a lot which can either be hit (Cuban) or total miss (Al Davis the last 25yrs, the owner of the Redskins, etc)
[Reply]
JWR Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@Silence Dogood,
Lombardi is signed thru 2012-13
[Reply]
Rich why is it an undisclosed injury?? Everyone on the planet is tweeting he has a concussion, why not you? Just wondering? Are you not allowed to say something ‘concrete’ unless its blessed by U/Mgt?
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:02 pm
@Golfnut, Rich doesn’t do rumors. Unless it’s from DL, DS, or RH, it’s a rumor. That’s why.
[Reply]
Mongo88 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@CB14, He asking about the injury not a trade rumor! I’d like to know the answer to golfnut’s question too Rich!
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
@Mongo88,
As Sutter himself has stated, they don’t need to tell anyone anything, because “this isn’t baseball.”
Rich only divulges facts, and doesn’t address rumors. It’s a rumor unless the team says its a fact. Don’t you notice Sutter doesn’t disclose who’s in goal?
Unless you actually get hired by the team, and then they feel they want to tell you, well, you aren’t gonna find out. By league rules, all they have to tell anyone is upper or lower body injury.
Purple and Gold Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@Mongo88, The Kings haven’t announced concussion thus its a rumor. If the kings announce it he will report it.
KC23 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
@Golfnut, I love that fact Rich doesn’t entertain rumor or anything else of that nature.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
@KC23, Me too. Besides, there’s plenty of places where you can find rumors, we don’t need another one.
[Reply]
Donald_S Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
@KC23,
Yes, Rich doesn’t report rumors. But on the other hand, on the broadcast last night Bob Miller referred both to Mike Richard’s head injury and his ‘upper body injury’. Richards talked about his head injury. It was clear he had a concussion or concussion symptoms, yet the official Kings position is ‘upper body injury’. That’s not a rumor, it’s clear it’s what happened. It’s dumb for them to play that silly game when everyone knows exactly what it is.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 5:05 am
@Donald_S,
In the grand scheme of things..does it really matter?
We can all surmise what it is, but knowing the actual injury or just the fact that it’s an upper body injury that put’s him on the IR..does it make much of a difference to us as fans?
anonandonanon Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
@Golfnut, The other thing is last years injury to Gagne was neck related, whiplash and he was out a long time last year. Upperbody. All the Kings ever said about Richards was the same mantra. A different inury may actually be better long term. If its real serious Dean is shaking the trees.
[Reply]
Lokti has been useless thus far. I’d be willing to try just about anything different.
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
@crashin’da net, he hasn’t been exposed to the Sutter magic.
[Reply]
Purple and Gold Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:30 pm
@DEH, I think he is too small and or plays like he is too small. When Sutter put speed on the top two lines he didn’t add lokti even to the third, I don’t think Sutter sees him in that role yet.
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
@Purple and Gold, Lokti didn’t play b/c we had better options. Now one of our better options is out, expect him to get some ice time as either center or wing with Stoll possibly taking time at wing. I don’t see Sutter putting Hunter in unless it’s on the fourth line replacing Westy.
Rich has inclined towards things before. When he knows it first hand and knows the timing is right, he will let us know.
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Re: Lotki….I would like to see him play center with DS as coach…I feel that DS can help Lotki more then TM could….
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I’m outa town.. anyone know where I can stream the game?
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The next three games are critical.
If the Kings could get 3 points out of this 2 game road trip AND beat Vancouver on New Years Eve…then we can consider that they are an improved team to be reckoned with.
Fingers crossed…:)
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Gagne and Richards have not connected and played with the aggressiveness they had in Philadelphia. To bad, could you imagine the scoring if they did?
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
@iwant, Richards is actually scoring at a higher rate than his career average at 0.79 pts per game. Gagne was scoring better than his career average, but ran into a scoring slump. That happens to every player, and you can’t judge his play soley on when he hits a slump, because slumps end eventually. Sometimes they don’t but it’s hyperbole to wait till it happens then say that’s it for this guy. If so, then we should of traded Kopi at least twice a year since we drafted him.
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CabbagesAndKings Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
@iwant,
@Dominick,
To add a bit to what Dom is saying — Gagne has always had injuries and he has always been a streaky player. He also happens to always be healthy and hot in the playoffs.
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Here in Chicago it is cold. No sign and the boys and dads anywhere. Sure they went to one of the steak houses on ontario for dinner.. Anybody out thier going to the game?? If so let me know..
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Has anyone seen the video on nhl.com of Kovalchuk shooting the puck in his own net against the Hurricane? Cam Ward got credit for the goal. A goalie scoring a goal !!
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=608375
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DesertKing Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
@408kingsfan,
Thank goodness DL didn’t listen to us and sell our souls for Kovalsuk.
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On the radio sports news Chicago is reporting that the KINGS are a very dangerous team that is ready to score big on some one soon.That said we get to 4 tommorrow we will win the game.
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USHA#17 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
@lakingbob(chi),
Gotta sell dem tickets, boy.
Based upon season to date LA will have to outshoot Chicago roughty 7:5 just to tie. A tall order.
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Hey Rich, How bout some pictures if possible with the boys and dads???? I hope to see some of them at the game. We will be in the Kettle One before and after. Cant miss me with the Kings jersey
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Dominick Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
@lakingbob(chi), A list of the fathers would be nice also.
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I can’t express how happy I am to see Sutter:
1.) Pick decent lines right off the bat as new coach.
2.) Keep rolling those lines which were the right ones to begin with, and keep it that way with minor changes. It now appears that chemistry is actually having a chance to develop between linemates.
3.) Talks to the boys during the game and adjusts according to the organic flow of things in real time.
4.) Takes timeouts at appropriate moments.
5.) Has the D jumping into offensive attacks.
6.) Isn’t making goaltending starter choices way in advance with ink on his calender. As a matter of fact, to him less information is better for obvious strategic and psychological reasons.
It’s only been a few games but from what I can tell, Sutter actually does have a system and it appears 90% of it is about getting actively involved where and when it really counts.
-And one more thing, Terry Murray, BOOO00000oooooo!!!
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CB14 Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 7:40 pm
@jess, Puck73, is this you? LOL
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Marty's Fists Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
@CB14, No I think it’s Drew Doughty!
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Mars Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
@jess, Agreed, it is refreshing.
BUT you missed one point, he is excited and learning behind the bench, you see interaction talking discussion, He is active with the team and it makes me want to cheer and yell more vs. cursing and rolling my eyes!
I have been much happier watching and going to games.
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Seals2Kings Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 7:02 am
@Mars, Could not agree with you more. DS is engaged with the players in a way that TM was not. Now if we could only get Kompon replaced and get someone with fire to light up the PP, we would be moving in the right direction…
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jess Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@Mars, Point number three. And then again right after point number six pretty much has it covered.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 6:29 am
@jess,
Booing TM at this point? cmon!
You may not have liked the job he did this season, but you can’t boo the record he had as a Kings coach.
I like the job Sutter’s done so far but we’re a mere 3 games into his tenure…way too early to say whether his way will work long term or not..I certainly hope it will.
So far I like the line combos and the D pairings.
They’re basically playing the same system. They are taking a few more chances which is good, but we’re also seeing odd man rushes that we hadn’t seen before. I’m not saying it’s a good or bad thing, just different.
DS will be judged the same as TM and all other coaches…the final standings. I fully expect this team to make the playoffs this year and will judge based on that. They’re only a point out of 1st for the division, so there are no excuses for this team.
I’m certainly willing to give Sutter a fair shake with this team and will root for him as hard as I did TM..actually I’ve always rooted for the team. The guy behind the bench can’t sore or keep the pucks out of our net.
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ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 7:57 am
@nykingfan, Nuff said…
Also, don’t forget that statistically speaking the Kings have a 25% change of making the playoffs. Meaning: 1 out of 4 teams that isn’t in a playoff spot on Dec 25 makes it into the first 8 of the conference when the regular season’s over.
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nykingfan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:08 am
@ZurichKingsFan,
We have to be one of those 4
I look at it this way…we’ve played some lousy hockey over the first portion of the season..maybe not lousy but inconsistent. We know the talent is there, so to make up 1 point is not something that’s out of reach. If we can’t make up that point, then we have issues that go well beyond coaching.
ZurichKingsFan Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:32 am
@nykingfan, Quite so. And in addition to what you’ve said there’s another simple fact we have to consider: If we continue to play like this for the rest of the regular season, we just simply don’t deserve to make the playoffs. Period. PS: in my earlier post I meant chance, not change…
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jess Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@nykingfan, It’s not the same system. If it was, we would be losing right now.
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some funny stuff here
http://theroyalhalf.com/2011-articles/december/trh-in-depth-preview-darryl-sutter.html
go kings go
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408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
@gmo, that is hilarious, someone has a lot of time on their hands
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the only change Sutter will get to is playing a tough guy with kopi, wait and see and it will work big time.
seriously this is what the line needs, richie is good but not big or tough enough……….
it will happen and when it does everyone will say geez what took so long, but make no mistake you heard it hear first
Clifford, Kopitar, Brown
Richardson, Richards, Lewis
Penner, Stoll, Williams
whoever, Fraser, Westgarth
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JD Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 1:10 am
@Harty, those lines are as good as any, which is why we have 0 chance of making the playoffs
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Harty Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 7:02 am
@JD, wrong for sure. Kings not only make playoffs make a deeper run then last year………
Positive thinking brings positive results
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Kopi has been playing good, just cannot find net. I am curious how Sutter can build some confidence and get him on a scoring streak.
I wonder if DS has the low scorers shooting more to get everyone involved, asking the main guys to get the puck to others for more teamwork or just to shake things up.
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
@Mars, Kopi is fine. I think it is a team thing to shoot the puck, even kopi has been shooting.
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Kopi is fine. All the Kings have been shooting includes Kopi.
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I’m thinking things are actually going much better than one might expect, since the shake-up. They’ve obtained nine points in the last six games, five of which were on the road. If they actually continue to improve, they could actually resemble the team we originally expected. It does suck for Gags to be out, but for whatever reason, he hadn’t been playing as well as he did at the beginning of the season anyway.
I, for one, am looking forward to watching this team resume its growth process. IMHO, the thing to watch for is the next slump, and how it’s handled. If it doesn’t happen or is a mere blip, then I’m a true believer again (guess I wouldn’t know until the end of the season.) Of course, if they miss the playoffs, that’s a totally different story, but hey, they’re two points out of first in the division right now, and things looked really ugly a half dozen games ago.
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, This is a big next 4 games for us to believe we are back with DS. Slump has seem has passed and all is good. Big one with the Hawks and I will try and pull them through with 2 points. I am thier for all the Kingdom!!
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408kingsfan Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
@lakingbob(chi), represent in Chi Town! oh yeah don’t forget a warm coat
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crashin' da net Reply:
December 27th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, yes, two points but 3 games “out-of-hand”.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 10:37 am
@crashin’ da net, That’s only San Jose who has those games in hand, and they have to win for them to matter.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 10:44 am
By the way, their next two are against the Canucks, with two Socal teams sandwiched in for the Canucks.
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Kopitar has not scoring goals but he was awesome with the puck last nite in the offensive zone.
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Way off topic, but I just read somewhere that Barry Potomski (played a couple seasons for us in the 90s) died earlier this year. Anyone know anything about this? All i can find is that he collapsed at a fitness center, but no cause of death. Wasn’t even 40 years old.
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I think it was against Boston if memory serves me, but was watching the feed from another city and Murray had put Lokti with Richards for part of the game and the announcers noticed right away and were very intrigued with it, saying something to the effect of “Richards and Lokti are quickly developing a real synergy.” There were quite a few cross ice passes resulting in scoring opportunities. It might be an interesting fit while Gagne is out. Lokti-Richards-Richardson
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Harty Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 7:03 am
@Antonin, Lotki is too small for this league, recently I ran into him at an away game and are you kidding me I have larger Bantam’s and Midget’s on our rep team.
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The AP is reporting that former Kings coach Johnny Wilson passed away at age 82.
Johnny Wilson spent 11 years in the NHL with Detroit, Toronto, Chicago and the New York Rangers. He also coached seven seasons in the NHL with Los Angeles, Detroit, Colorado and Pittsburgh. Wilson was honored by the NHL in 1960 for an ironman streak at the time that totaled 580 consecutive regular-season games.
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I think Kopi took TM being fired the hardest of anyone on the team. TM was a major part of turning Kopi into the complete player he is today. It would be hard to imagine they didn’t form a pretty strong bond during that time.
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KC23 Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 6:39 am
@AZ King, You might be right, but I think Brown felt the most heat on what happened. Not much doubt in my mind that DL let the leadership crew on the team have it big time on their little talk after the firing.
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petemagoop Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 6:41 am
@KC23, Brown has certainly turned it around the most IMO
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In regards to the Gagne injury – TSN said yesterday it happened in the 1st periode – the highlight they showed more than convinced me they were correct
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Sebastian Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:03 am
@petemagoop, any chance there is an online link to the video of the hit? i have not been able to find it.
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petemagoop Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:44 am
@Sebastian, that I can’t find, but I do remember it was behind the net with about 15 seconds left in the 1st periode
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petemagoop Reply:
December 28th, 2011 at 8:57 am
@Sebastian, http://watch.tsn.ca/featured/#clip591817
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