Gagne, juniors and the dads

Simon Gagne, out of the lineup since hitting his head near the boards against Phoenix four days ago, remains on injured reserve and is certainly out for tomorrow night’s game, and there’s no timetable for Gagne’s return. Gagne did not do any skating today, and Darryl Sutter offered only this as an update on Gagne: “He’s progressing,’’ Sutter said. “He’s getting that soft-tissue work today. So he’s making progress. That’s the protocol.’’

Things aren’t any sunnier for Team USA, which has been all but eliminated from medal-round contention in the World Junior Championships. The United States, with Kings prospects Derek Forbort and Kevin Gravel, lost 5-2 to the Czech Republic today and fell to 1-2 in the preliminary round. Unless Denmark upsets Finland tonight, USA will go to the relegation round and will not get a chance to play for a medal. Russia and Canada are the two group leaders now, and the U.S. plays Canada tomorrow, but unless Finland loses tonight, that game won’t matter to the U.S.

Finally, a lighter note… The Kings’ “dads trip” ended after last night’s game in Winnipeg. Click below for the final two installments of KingsVision’s series with the dads…

81 Comments

  1. tornado12 says:

    got my answer…DAD’s record 4-0-1…

    [Reply]

    - ViC - Reply:

    @tornado12, hopefully they pretend their dads are still on trips with them

    [Reply]

    Eric Reply:

    @- ViC -, I gotta figure they play well with the dads around because they aren’t out late drinking and get a lot more sleep.

    [Reply]

    seanster48 Reply:

    @Eric, actually, you are probably right!

    USHA#17 Reply:

    @tornado12,

    Even the Dads were tired by the time the trip reached Winnipeg

    [Reply]

  2. cpmc29 says:

    This might be a dumb question, but if Gange hit his head on the boards. What soft tissue work is being done?

    [Reply]

    Harty Reply:

    @cpmc29, They consider the brain a soft tissue and its has to pass base line testing before anyone can begin to skate again. All medical clearance. NHL protocol.

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @Harty, How do you do work on the soft tissue if it’s inside the head?

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Dominick,

    Very carefully! never use any soft tissue labelled as “ABNORMAL”

    Dominick Reply:

    @DesrtKing,
    Isn’t it pronounced “Abi-normal”?

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Dominick,

    “yessss doctor!”

    Dominick Reply:

    @DesrtKing,
    Found this little fun/useless piece.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnXREoZojso

    Helvetica Reply:

    @cpmc29, maybe its his neck

    [Reply]

    seanster48 Reply:

    @cpmc29, maybe repairing the boards! just sayin. hopefully its just in the way of the SCORING tissue!!

    [Reply]

  3. Harty says:

    Put the Dad’s on the payroll and keep them around.

    The US team looked as if they were over confident and they met a really hot goalie. Geez they could have and should have scored 6 goals that either hit the post/crossbar or the goalie made a save he had no buisness making.

    To all my US friends on the blog, sorry for the boo’s or cheers from the crowd. I certainly wanted our North American friends to win.

    [Reply]

    Steve W Reply:

    @Harty, How about the US play Canada first next time.

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:

    @Harty,

    It’s not the boos…
    It was the ‘Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye!’ cheer.

    USA couldn’t beat Canada by enough goals on New Year’s Eve…

    [Reply]

    Harty Reply:

    @BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Lets just chalk it up to a learning curve for those with little class, sorry again.

    [Reply]

    BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:

    @Harty,

    Thanks.
    Not for you to apologize, though…

    #USAwjc blew cheese/ Coach needs to be fired.

    California Royalty Reply:

    @Harty, With little class? Americans take any shot at Canadians they can get. The Americans would have been singing the same songs in the stands.
    GO CANADA (kings) GO!

    40YearKingsFan Reply:

    @Harty, Certainly nothing you need to apologize for. That element seems to show up in equal percentages regardless whether the venue is in Canada or the US. I don’t feel at all responsible for every rude US crowd and those of us with more than 2 brain cells bumping together would never hold you responsible for a rowdy Canadian crowd. It happens. I agree that it seems Juniors would be a place for fans to set more of an example for the young folks, like the LL World Series, but it’s no different here than Canada.

    masterhans Reply:

    @Harty, at least we’re not canadian

    [Reply]

    RJC76 Reply:

    @masterhans, Nice response to a classy post by harty.

    [Reply]

    Canadian King Reply:

    @RJC76,
    Stay classy buddy, your showing why the americans got booed and always will by your comments. Oh and I think were good at alot more than Hockey, just look at baseball, Votto, Morneau, Bay, Martin are just to name a few.

    California Royalty Reply:

    @masterhans, some of us are pal. And if the tables were turned and it was Canada being eliminated and the games were in the US, the fans would have been singing the same thing.

    [Reply]

    40YearKingsFan Reply:

    @California Royalty, You’re absolutely right.

    masterhans Reply:

    @California Royalty, i think the U.S. fans would laugh at the suicidal canadians because they would have lost at the only thing they’re good at. be real, american hockey fans dont take it a s seriously as candian fans do. TSN board are still talking about jack johnsons elbow from 2006. by the way the games were in buffalo 2 years ago and the canadian fans were booing us there too. its ok but dont deny the fact that canadians take tons of pleasure cheering for denmark, or finland or the czechs when they play the americans. rub it in when they beat the u.s., and cry like babies when they lose a tournament for 18 year olds. besides havent you noticed 4 out of 5 years the tourney is hosted by canada?

  4. puck73 says:

    Really loved those videos, brought a smile to my face. Thanks Rich

    [Reply]

  5. KC23 says:

    I watch a fair amount of hockey on game center. One thing that gives me hope this year is there is no dominate teams in the west this year at all. All very beatable. I’m very interested to see how the Kings do tomorrow night against Vancouver.

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @KC23, I hear what your saying, and their is some parity involved, but it is hard to not consider Vancouver, and Chicago dominant. The seasons not even 1/2 over for them yet (38 games), and they both have 50 points each already.

    [Reply]

    40YearKingsFan Reply:

    @Dominick, I agree. They might both be beatable, but they are certainly the dominant teams out west. BUT, after them I consider it wide open and we are right in that mix so it’s all about who finds their stride. What encourages me is that there’s reason to believe that our worst hockey is behind us!

    [Reply]

    Scot Reply:

    @KC23,

    Well, you need to watch game center a little more often then. Vancouver, San Jose and Chicago would all qualify as dominant in my book, & I would even throw Detroit in there.

    [Reply]

  6. DesertKing says:

    Going to do the ultimate Staples trip tomorrow. Lakers at 12:30 and the Kings at 7. That is the way to end the year!

    [Reply]

    Dominick Reply:

    @DesertKing, With only a few hours to convert the floor to ice, the ice is gonna stink. Have a great time though. If your looking for something to do in between, Manns Chinese theatre is pretty cool, and the mall next to it has a rockin food court that’s a couple levels high. City Walk near Universal Studios is pretty cool too.

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Dominick,

    Nice, thanks! We will be doing the superman uniform swap in the parking lot between games. Ice will be even worse since the Clippers are playing on it tonight.

    [Reply]

    petemagoop Reply:

    @Dominick, is there not enough coin in LA for a rink devoted strictly to hockey?

    [Reply]

    California Royalty Reply:

    @petemagoop, Of course, but not enough demand

    40YearKingsFan Reply:

    @Dominick, In this case, who, if anybody, do you feel the bad ice will benefit? I read somewhere that this year the ice quality at Staples has been questioned by many. Seems like such a simple thing, start with water and freeze it! Why can’t we get that right?

    [Reply]

    DY Reply:

    @DesertKing, Hopefully the slow ice will benefit the Kings, and slow the Sedin’s down.

    [Reply]

    40YearKingsFan Reply:

    @DesertKing, Cool! I’m extremely jealous! Hope you have a fantasic time!

    [Reply]

  7. Bopuck says:

    This idea with the dads on the road trip is one of the best things the Kings could ever come up with. It was fun to look for familiar features in the fathers’ faces. This really created a very intimate look inside the team!!!

    [Reply]

  8. goldielocks says:

    Team USA is done. But I’m glad I could watch those very talented kids. I liked T.J Tynan alot. He has a tremendous skating skill. Too bad he was drafted by CBJ.

    [Reply]

  9. snickoless says:

    I loved these video clips of the Dads having a good time with their boys! I think its a great thing the team does.

    [Reply]

  10. Dom says:

    Thanks, Rich, for getting us those videos……! They mean much to fathers…….

    [Reply]

  11. FiG17 says:

    Brown’s dad made me tear up a bit.

    [Reply]

    BluLiner Reply:

    @FiG17, I think Brown’s Dad teared up a bit talking about the dream of his son being the first King to hold the Stanley Cup high. – Wow – how can you not tear up!

    [Reply]

    seanster48 Reply:

    @BluLiner, That was very cool to see, Explains a lot about Brownies character, IMO Dustin Brown is a true KING!

    [Reply]

    FiG17 Reply:

    @BluLiner,

    I guess it’s just a preview of when that actually happens… I’m going to be crying like a baby. lol

    [Reply]

  12. DEH says:

    So we need a winger, here’s a trade that might help us… Defensive or center prospects and a draft pick to the Islanders for Matt Moulson? You have a guy who is scoring goals on a team that isn’t scoring goals… exactly what we need and the Islanders are definite sellers, soo DL make it happen.

    [Reply]

    Kings x Reply:

    @DEH, Ah no

    [Reply]

    DEH Reply:

    @Kings x, It seams like a win to me, the guy can score, and he’s Quick’s brother in law… Bring the family closer, I mean look what happened when we brought the dads closer. I mean he scored 4 goals in one game, how many times have the Kings done that this year, let alone a player? His cap hit is relatively small, but large for the Islanders, (a tad over 3 mil). Why not trade for a young winger who is reaching his prime instead of signing washed up wingers who are past their primes?

    [Reply]

  13. paige says:

    Look at Doughty’s face as he walks up to his dad after being booed by the entire crowd at Winnipeg all night long. I know some fans don’t want to forgive him for the hold out and the contract and the slow start to the season, but it’s hard not to feel for such a young kid carrying so much pressure…hope he has more fun the second half of the season.

    [Reply]

    petemagoop Reply:

    @paige, one last time – Winnipeg boos the opposing teams star players – it’s a compliment

    [Reply]

    California Royalty Reply:

    @petemagoop, Or the fact that Bogosian was #3 overall and Doughty was #2

    [Reply]

    paige Reply:

    @California Royalty, of course it’s a compliment, but some compliments aren’t as fun as others. nearly 20,000 people booing you isn’t that fun, i would think. the fans wouldn’t do it if it were fun to be booed.

  14. JunkyDare says:

    off topic but…WOW. One Half of the season is gone, and it’s still a tight race..
    where were the kings exactly this time last season, how does one check that?..

    [Reply]

    JunkyDare Reply:

    @JunkyDare, Nevermind got it, we were 4th with 45 points.

    [Reply]

  15. California Royalty says:

    So would a sport like… Chess get more coverage in the States than the world Juniors?

    [Reply]

    40YearKingsFan Reply:

    @California Royalty, I would tune into the Chess…. But only if the chess board were on ice and the participants were permitted to drop the gloves and have a go looking for a momentum shift!

    [Reply]

    DEH Reply:

    @40YearKingsFan, like chess boxing?

    [Reply]

  16. Dave K. says:

    Awesome videos. What a treat for the dads – they deserve it!

    [Reply]

  17. Harty says:

    @California Royalty, I respect your opinion and as Rich clearly states no political messaging, however I think your post is really off the base and do not reflect the thoughts of the majority of Canadians.

    Its hockey yes, but above all that some class has to be shown, these are 16-18 kids, just kids not seasoned professional players who come to expect this reception.

    Finally two wrongs don’t make a right……….

    [Reply]

    California Royalty Reply:

    @Harty, I don’t get what point you’re trying to make. I’m saying if the roles were reversed, Americans would do the same thing and I would expect nothing less. It’s no secret that Canadians and Americans have a rivalry in many sports. It’s all in good fun.
    I know Rich doesn’t want political references on here and I respect that, but when people are saying negative things about my country and other Canadians, saying we’re suicidal over a sport, I feel I have to step in. Yeah we’re passionate about hockey and Americans have a tough time with that, but you guys are just as passionate about baseball and that’s okay?

    [Reply]

    Harty Reply:

    @California Royalty, my only point of view is it shouldn’t happened, as a Canadian I was embarrassed.

    [Reply]

    Canadian King Reply:

    @Harty, As a Canadian I wasn’t that embarrassed cause I am sick of every other country and their fans taking shots at us. It happens to us all the time in other countries arenas. I have witnessed this many times. On the other side the Americans don’t need you defending them as I’m sure they weren’t that bothered by it. I do however respect what your saying and you do make good points.

    Harty Reply:

    @Canadian King:

    thanks,

  18. @spencerlakings says:

    Great Awesome videos…Thanks for sharing!

    [Reply]

  19. gene says:

    That is something all Hockey Dads would truly love to do.

    [Reply]

  20. petemagoop says:

    here’s an excerpt from something I just came across

    Jaromir Jagr Answers a Stupid Question

    Reporter: “What’s different about you playing in Pittsburgh now (as opposed to when you were a Penguin)?”

    Jaromir Jagr: “I’m on a different team.”

    here’s an excerpt from something I just came across

    [Reply]

    seanster48 Reply:

    @petemagoop, Yagr has Great hockey sense!! lol

    [Reply]

  21. Christian says:

    Cool vid’s – Kopitar’s dad was fun. Is he still coaching the national Slovenian hockey team?

    By the way, I didn’t see Mike Richard’s dad?

    [Reply]

  22. dutch says:

    Classy thing for Kings’ management to do. I bet these memories never die. I hope Mr. Brown gets to see his son’s dream come true soon!!

    [Reply]

  23. BluLiner says:

    Justin’s Williams father – “It’s been a great friggin weekend” hahaha

    [Reply]

  24. 40YearKingsFan says:

    I know it’s a tough topic, but after 4 concussions does anyone figure Gags is done or pretty close to it? I think that’s becoming the number 1 thing you need to look at when making trades or acquisitions these days. It doesn’t matter how talented the guy is, he not going to do you any good when he’s out.

    [Reply]

    DEH Reply:

    @40YearKingsFan, trade for Matt Moulson, he’s young, no concussion history, is Quick’s brother in law (family seems to improve the team), is a 30 goal scorer, Islanders are not going anywhere so they would be willing to trade, and let’s face it, a trade for Moulson is easier on the cap than Parise.

    [Reply]

    40YearKingsFan Reply:

    @DEH, I would love to see him back in a Kings uniform. What would it take to get him though?

    [Reply]

    DEH Reply:

    @40YearKingsFan, Islanders need building pieces and lack defense. We hare full of defense prospects and have 2 solid future goalies in minors and a back-up goalie who would be a starter on many NHL teams. It might take Martinez, Voynov, or Whiskey along with some another prospect and/or draft picks.

    CabbagesAndKings Reply:

    @40YearKingsFan, Hopefully it’s nothing to bad and Gagne will be back in a month or so. As far as production, I think Gagne hasn’t been getting a very fair shake on these boards. In four less games, Gagne has 2 more goals then Williams, and only 2 less then Brown — Which is only 3 less goals then Kopitar.

    That’s not to bad. More importantly, Gagne is a playoff machine. He is always in and out of a regular season lineup with having hot and cold streaks. But look at his playoff numbers.

    2005: 6 games, 4 points
    2008: 6 games, 4 points
    2009: 19 games, 12 points
    2010: 15 games, 12 points

    He may fly under the radar this season, but we are going to love him in the playoffs.

    But to your point — yeah, I hope his injury isn’t to bad.

    [Reply]

    40YearKingsFan Reply:

    @CabbagesAndKings, I am a Gagne fan too and still feel he’s an acquisititio that will pay big dividends. Just worried about the 4th concussion and how they say they’re accumulative. And I’m still the league took no action on what they say is exactly the type of hit they’re trying to eliminate. Words are cheap, aren’t they Shanny?

    [Reply]

  25. bonvivant1 says:

    I wonder if the collective intelligence of the “dad factor” could find a way to get out of this horrendous goal scoring slump?

    [Reply]

  26. Kingstane9 says:

    GO DADS 4-0-1 & GO KINGS

    [Reply]

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