Kings prospects Thomas Hickey and Jeff Zatkoff were named to the American Hockey League All-Star Game, which will be played Jan. 30 in Atlantic City. Hickey, a defenseman, and Zatkoff, a goalie, will represent the Eastern Conference on behalf of the Manchester Monarchs, the Kings’ AHL affiliate.
Hickey, 22, was the Kings’ first-round pick (No. 4 overall) in 2007. He has one goal and 10 assists in 35 games this season and is tied for sixth in the AHL with a plus-15 rating. Zatkoff, 24, was a third-round pick of the Kings in 2006. This season, he has a 10-4-1 record and ranks third in the AHL with a 2.04 goals-against average and second with a .935 save percentage. This will be the first AHL All-Star appearance for both players, and neither has appeared in an NHL game.
The Monarchs, after a slow start, are in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 21-13-2 record. Marc-Andre Cliche leads the Monarchs with 11 goals and 21 points in 36 games.
Nice.
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Disappointed that we’re not sending a forward….Also Kozun is struggling
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I feel that Zatkoff might be close to NHL ready and can replace Bernier, allowing us to package Bernier in a trade for a pure sniper.
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jonsey Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
@408kingsfan, I remember when the Sharks had Kipper AND Nabakov AND Toskala. I’m not sure who was in charge of that team at the time, but it might be better for the team to keep them all. While it didn’t work out for some of those players personally, the team benefited immensely. Bernier and Quick are a good 1-2 punch. Quick could get hurt or hold out in a couple of years. You never know what you got til it’s gone.
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714KINGS Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@jonsey, Lombardi?
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Scootty Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@408kingsfan, I wouldn’t go that far. The AHL to the NHL is a BIG difference. Remember the numbers that LaBarbera had in the AHL. No need to move Bernier, if that’s who Lombardi chooses to move, until Quick is signed long term.
Also, don’t forget about Jones.
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art Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
@Scootty,
Yes the AHL and NHL are different, but by that logic Bernier is no more proven than Zatkoff. Bernier is just sitting on the bench doing nothing and as time keeps going by it is becoming more apparent that Quick is and will be the franchise goalie. Why not package Bernier for an everyday player that can help score some goals? Zatkoff and Jones have played well, albeit at the AHL level, and they drafted Chris Gibson for the future. I think they can step up and fill in the 2-4-1 .893 Sv pctg back-up role.
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Osaka Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
@art, Be fair to Bernier, he lost his last start after pitching a shutout. I agree it is a great luxury to have 2 great goalies on the team. I agree it is great to have Bernier in case Quick gets hurt. But I agree with you having 2 great goalies is a luxury and the Kings have needs to address on the wing in order to make themselves serious contenders. If we could package Bernier for a scoring winger I can’t see a logical argument not to. Goaltending and defensemen we don’t need. Now I wouldn’t trade him for a rent a player, but I would move him. Give Quick an extension now if he is the only guy we are going to play.
src Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
@art,
My understanding is that Quick cannot be signed until after June. With the contract Rinne signed for 7mil, this could be a problem. Bernier is not going anywhere until Quick is signed for 5+ years or traded. so trading Bernier is not an option until off season.
Gustavo Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 8:49 am
@art,
Sending Bernier off before Quick is signed to a long term contract is financially suicidal for the team. Come July 1st, that will probably be Lombardi’s #1 priority on his summer platter.
I would much rather see DL use Penner and Stoll salaries after their contracts expire to resign Quick. There is no rush.
As for the so called ‘desperate need to sign a scorer”, sign Bernie Nicholls to coach the PP and the firs two lines and we’ll be fine.
fuzzerson Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 8:19 am
@Scootty, ….and Berube and Gibson
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Alex Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:50 am
@Scootty, Bernier will never be a back up goaltender. I do not see any reason why would DL will have a problem signing Quick. I would definitely use Bernier in the package to get a Scorer and maybe stay at home physical d-man also. Our defense way to soft,it’s good but soft. And some suggest for Bernie Nicholls to run our offense or power play..:), just because he was a good scorer and even scored 70 goal in one season does not mean he will be a good coach. Maybe he will.
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CT King Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 5:14 am
@408kingsfan, Zatkoff will no longer be Waiver Exempt next year so we need to do something or risk losing him. I suspect a goalie will be moved between now and the start of next season. Bernier has significant value, Zatkoff less so. Jones was an all-star last season in the AHL but has struggled this year. Zatkoff had a rough October but was ligths out in November and December winning the AHL Goaltender of the month in December.
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408kingsfan Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:10 am
@CT King, Yeah true ,I am not putting Bernier down whatsoever I am simply pointing out he doesnt get utilized enough anyway
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MacSwede Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:59 am
@408kingsfan, Good points by everyone. Though I think 1-2 punch mostly refers to a center duo, or two top scoring lines.
I think it is the perfect time to trade Bernier. He has a good renome in the league, and he is highly ranked among different prospect lists. So this is the perfect time. It may hurt him to always be in the shadow of Quick, and therefore a risk that his value drops.
Quick will be resignd, no doubt.
Use Bernier to get that sniper we always wanted. Get rid of Penner after the season. Stoll, well, maybe him too, but he has to be replaced.
Sniper-Kopitar-Brown
Gagne-Richards-Williams
And fill in the rest..
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Alex Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 11:18 am
@MacSwede, Would love to see Tofolli in the line up.What a talent this kid is. Just do not want to see another very talented kid be shipped somewhere else.
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Congrats to Zatkoff and Hickey! I hope to see them on the Staple Center Ice soon!
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fuzzerson Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 8:20 am
@Mongo88, How can Hickey be an All-Star? I thought he was a bust.
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Canadian King Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:34 am
@fuzzerson, Thats because everyone who said he is doesn’t know what there talking about or how to read stats.
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Eric K Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:27 am
@fuzzerson, And that’s why you don’t listen to everything the commenters say =)
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Sebastian Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@fuzzerson, if you consider how high he was picked, and how long ago that was, and that he has still not played in the NHL, he pretty much is a bust. that doesnt mean hes not doing well in AHL.
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Monarchs are doing just fine, where’s Nolan in the balloting, are Manchester fans not voting??
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CT King Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 5:08 am
@Harty,
There is no balloting in the AHL. All-stars are chosen by the league. As for Nolan, he has played well but missed nearly a month with an injury before returning last night.
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Simarosa Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:24 am
@Harty,
Unfortunately, fans can’t vote as the rosters were determined by committees of AHL coaches. If we could vote, Nolan certainly would have got my vote.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:37 am
@Harty, Its a good thing having fans not vote.
The NHL All Star starting lineup has 4 Ottawa Senators and one Maple Leaf.
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KC23 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:53 am
@VanKingsFan, Amen.
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Speaking of prospects, has DL drafted or have we, or is one close, to be a NHL top 6 winger, hopefully left side? I was thinking today how I couldn’t think of any home grown top 6 forwards we’ve drafted in the last few years. I love how we drafted and produced some NHL d-men but we seem so weak with forwards that can play top 6 roles. Who’s coming up?
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josh e. Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
@Kevco,
toffoli is our best best
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puck73 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
@josh e., Toffoli is great. And you know what? He would have a chance to play under Sutter if Lombardi for whatever reason were to bring him in. The reason? He wouldnt have to be “thick” and “heavy” to play here anymore. Too bad Holloway didnt get to try out under Sutter!
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Token Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 6:32 am
@puck73, Toffoli, Vey, Kozun, Kitsyn, Holloway, Moler … All are wingers.
KC23 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:56 am
@Token, Moler is a center. Moler and Holloway have signed to a Swiss team for a couple of years so they won’t be available. In Holloway’s case, it has cost him a job in the NHL imho.
CT King Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 5:11 am
@Kevco, We had Schenn but traded him for Richards. Ty Tof is probably the best forward prospect. Lokti is already in LA. I watch a lot of Monarchs games and Kozun is too inconsistant at this time. I look for Linden Vey to make the jump in a year or two. No other Top 6 type guys here.
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KC23 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:58 am
@CT King, Cliche?
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CT King Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:17 am
@KC23, Cliche will never be a top 6 NHL forward. Roster filler at best. 13th guy, 3rd line type.
Paul G Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 7:35 am
@Kevco, with all of these goalies and dmen that provide us with unmatched depth in those positions…
as for forwards well that’s what this coming draft will be used for…we still have a first round pick
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Man … Hiller sucks. That spin move Bobby Ryan made was just sick! I want that kid. Pretty please?
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Gustavo Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 8:58 am
@goldielocks,
How does it feel to want, lol? It’s never going to happen. We have never traded with the Ducks, as far as I know. Players who moved up or down the freeway have done so after being waived, traded from other team or had contracts expire.
Lubo
Parros
Blake
O’Donnell
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luuc Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:41 am
@Gustavo,
Jean-Sebastien Aubin
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goldielocks Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:42 am
@Gustavo,
Yeah, I know. I just thought the only card they can play is Bobby Ryan. And if they are so desperate, maybe they will consider the option with the Kings. But I hate to lose our players to Sucks so … we’ll see.
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Marc-Andre Cliche leads the team in scoring with 21 points in 36 games? I guess Manchester cant score goals either?
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Eric Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:21 pm
@pimpinhockey, Hah! Good one!
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Osaka Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:16 pm
@pimpinhockey, They play the same style of hockey down there. Defensive system is an organizational direction, not the whim of the head coach.
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justmyopinion Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:13 am
@Osaka, Do you know, are they making any changes since the Kings changed coaches?
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Never trust the Ducks……………
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goldielocks Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
@DesertKing,
Quick makes Hiller look like just an average goaltender.
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Duncan Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:39 pm
@goldielocks, I think Hiller does that himself.
He doesn’t merit mention in the same paragraph as our inestimable JQ!!
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A little off topic, but…Bruce Boudreau…BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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for the past 10 games, the Kings had been the 2nd hottest club in the NHL. only 1 less point than the Av.
if the Kings had won the last game, the Kings would have had the best 10 games points total of 16 points and the Av 15 points.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/standings
so things are not looking bad afterall
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Cortex949 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@gcheng, Yea if we hadn’t had our first goal called back by “To-WRONG-to” upon video review we would be the hottest. Hahah
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vplaza Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:08 am
@gcheng,
Things are certainly not looking too bad. But…
It’s nice to be only one point out of first in the Pacific, but we’re 8th place in the conference with only a few points separating us from 9-12.
Scoring definitely has to improve. The two worst teams in the league, Anaslime and Columbus, have more goals than the Kings. If the Kings were in the middle of the pack in goals scored…
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Ducks lose again. Is Bruce Boudreau going to be fired TWICE in the same year?
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src Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:27 pm
@rick,
Doubt it, but a roster dump is coming. Selanne will go to a playoff team and possibly Koivu. Interesting to see if Ryan goes as well. Alot of chatter about Getzloaf, but I see them trading Ryan before their nr. 1 center. Centers are too hard to come by.
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Duncan Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
@src, Yeah and Getz woud be a load without Perry and on a team he was gong to have to develop chemistry with .
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VanKingsFan Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:42 am
@src, Funny that last night the Ducks said Selanne and Koivu are the only untouchables on the team lol. NTC
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Gustavo Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:08 am
@rick,
Not this time. Boudreau inherited a losing team, it will time and upgrades to fix it. Keep in mind the quacks are known to make successful second half season pushes.
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Tade deadline is coming fast.. Anyone see us trading up for Erik Cole?
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Sammuch Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 12:15 am
@kings king, Not happening!
But Ducks so behind the 8 ball! You just might see the two make a trade, they need D we need O!
Ryan & Ellis for JB, AM, Green & 3rd round pick
This will give room DD2 and VV to stay on the team. With ducks not a threat this year, I beat DL is thinking it!?
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puck73 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 12:24 am
@Sammuch, NOPE.
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Sammuch Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 12:42 am
DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 7:20 am
@Sammuch,
Good thought, but I believe a general rule is never trade within your division and give your division opponents the ability to get better. It was just last year that the Ducks knocked us down a couple of conference spots with those late season wins.
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Canadian King Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:38 am
@kings king, Not a chance mtl will not trade their only forward with size. Plus he has a bad contract and I wouldn’t want him here, we need a sniper not another Penner type player.
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Congrats to Hickey but honestly when does DL have to answer the question: why did you draft him #4 overall. I know everyone makes mistakes but he was not rated in the top 20 that year. DL just thought he was smarter than everyone else! He was wrong!
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CT King Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 5:22 am
@Tony, NO question Hickey has not played up to #4 potential. He did spend the first 3 years injured however. Now that he has been healthy he has been playing the best hockey of his life. He’s an NHL talent, just not #4 overall.
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Paul G Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 7:38 am
@CT King, I don’t doubt his ability I just wonder who he will replace on the roster…only possibility that I can think of is Matt Greene, as the game evolves dmen like Greene become less important and faster 2-way dmen become more important
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Gustavo Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:13 am
@Paul G,
Easy to say that when we have Mitchell and Scuderi covering the turnovers caused by those ‘more important offensive minded d-men”, uh?
puck73 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 7:48 am
@Tony, Thomas Hickey might be in the NHL already if not for injuries. He has been an assistant captain or captain on every level of competetive hockey he has ever played on. Also captained Canada to a gold medal as well.
This guy makes smart reads, and has also been a plus player when he has been healthy. No question this guy has better hockey IQ then even Jack Johnson. There is no question this guy will play in the NHL very shortly, probably by next season. I think the big question is, because of our depth on defense, will it be with the Kings, or will he be used as a tradeable asset?
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Perro Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 7:49 am
@Tony, I was so pissed when he took Hickey. He could have at least traded down. Every time I see Alzner play I think how he should be a king.
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KC23 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:03 am
@Tony, Typically defenseman mature at age 24-26, which is what we’re seeing with Hickey and Martinez. We just got very very lucky with Voynov. This opens the door to make Martinez expendable imho. I perfer not to make Whisky expendable because he is more of a stay at home defenseman which we are not deep in. Not to mention Mitchel, Scudes and Greene’s contracts are all nearly up.
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Eric K Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:33 am
@Tony, Wait for the guy to contribute on the NHL level before you make that judgment. He’s not the 4th best player from that draft, but I think he will be a fixture on this blue line if we lose one of our trio of veteran D-men (Mitchell, Scuderi, Greene). He’d probably be in the NHL now if Voynov wasn’t around.
Kings fans know how to be patient, so let’s wait another year before we write him off.
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billanthony Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
@Eric K, I thought Hickey was pretty impressive in preseason. Voynov beat him out for that last spot but he still made a decent showing. Hickey is likely on the cusp NHL ready and a solid asset. He could, perhaps, pan out as a solid top 4 puck moving dman on a good Western Conference team not far down the road.
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haha, he said “Hickey”
haha.
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Off Topic: even though I’m Canadian I’m glad we lost at the WJC….Canada picks there players politically (taking players from every province regardless of talent) and try seem to hate one way forwards like Toffoli and Weal
we need a chnage of attitude! Russia won because they took the best players…period.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 8:33 am
@Paul G,
I keep saying it was karma/payback for what Burrows (POC) did the other night at Staples.
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Sebastian Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:25 am
@DesertKing, what are you talkin about willis?
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DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:29 am
@Sebastian,
Prior to the start of the game last Saturday at Staples, while the US national anthem was still being sung, Burrows (POC) put his helmet on and started skating down around the net well before the anthem was finished. Very rude and disrespectful, thus his new tag of POC since O’Sullivan is POS.
Sebastian Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:36 am
@Sebastian, ahh, i see, wow. thanks for explaining that. one thing i never understood and they completely ignored during the broadcast was why the Canucks were upset after the Greene goal.
DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:02 am
@Sebastian,
Because they are whining sniveling actors. One of the earlier threads mentioned that Richardson ran into one of the Gingers right after the goal (which I didn’t see). Burrows (POC) was just a little punk all night long, trying to pick fights with DD, so it may have just been the POC trying to start something with Richardson. OF course, when Grrene scores, the other team should be upset, since that was only Greener’s 10th career goal (2nd this season so he is muy caliente on offense).
KC23 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:05 am
@DesertKing, I dislike Burrows with a passion. The scum of the league now that Avery is gone.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:13 am
@KC23,
Absolutely 100% agree!! well said!!
Perro Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:25 am
@KC23, I agree with the scum of the league. I will always like Avery.
Canadian King Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:47 am
@Paul G, I agree and disagree. Toffoli probably should have been there but his skating needs work, so who would you have taken off in his place? Don’t get me wrong both Weal and Toffoli are great talents and could have easily made this team. However it is the Canadian way to NOT send over 4 scoring lines like the Russians do, we send over 2 scoring lines an energy/scoring line and a checking line. I think we lost to Russia because of lucky bounces and some poor decisions by Murray early on in the game. Remember their first three goals were all tipped in by our own players.
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I’m sure it’s already been said in all the comments, but while it’s great to have all this talent at goalie, it would be great to trade one of them for a little firepower. I’m not being unrealistic and saying a top 5-10 scorer, but anything is better than what we’ve been producing.
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Generally speaking, in the AHL, is scoring less than the NHL. The Monarchs have a very good record but don’t have any big scoring at all.
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Exactly what type of defenseman is Hickey? If he were to make the Kings roster what role would be best for him.
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Tullskull Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:11 am
@Weasel, He is kind of like Lubo. Puck moving, positional defenseman who is also a power play QB.
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Gustavo Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:16 am
@Tullskull,
Damn, I miss Lubo..,
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VanKingsFan Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:43 am
@Tullskull, I would say he is more like Quincey. Less offensively explosive than Lubo, but smarter hockey sense.
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puck73 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:56 am
@VanKingsFan, Thats a very good analogy of him I believe. Myself, I have always said he reminds me of a left handed version of Brian Rafalski….we can only hope !
Weasel Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:24 am
@VanKingsFan,
Assuming he forced his way onto the orster, whom would you pair him with?
Tullskull Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@VanKingsFan, Fair enough. I don’t remember Quincy QB’ing the PP. My point was more to the comparison that Lubo and Hickey are effective defenseman due to positional rather than physical styles of play.
Weasel that is a very good question. He is a puck moving defenseman, so usually they are paired with a stay at home type, at least on the Kings.
OFF TOPIC!!
Sorry to bring this up but Flyer fans beating up Ranger fans haven’t we learned anything from this Brian Stowe incident? The Rangers fan were an off duty cop with his son.
It’s just a freaking game Philly fan!! Do you understand that?! Get it in your thick neanderthal heads.
Sorry for the rant but this just makes me sick!
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KOHO Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:23 am
Oh..one more thing..hey Philly fans..
BOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:30 am
@KOHO,
Excellent multi-use of the “O” key. Wish I had thought of it
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fsd1 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 9:37 am
@DesertKing, dont let puck73 see this….;)
jess Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:00 am
@DesertKing, you can get some zeros in there and REALLY change it up.
DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:03 am
@fsdl and jess
So many g00d ideas, I d0n’t know where to st@rt!
nykingfan Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:00 am
@KOHO,
it’s sad that fans feel the need to take it so personal as to start throwing punches over rooting for a team.
It’s not only Philly fans though. SF Ginats fan that beats up the Dodger fan earlier this year.
I’ll never forget..I was at an Islanders-Kings game at the Nassau Mausaleum..and I have no problem cheering for my team. I don’t throw it in the face of otehr fans, but I will cheer for goals.
One tool decided he had enough of listening to me cheer for all of the Kings goals (we had a few that night) and poured a beer on me and said something deragaotry to my wife..who wasn’t even cheering.
I ended up getting thown out of the game because I went after the guy…I wasn’t arrested because it was considered self defense. The other guy did get arrested!
Security knew what was going on and did nothing
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goldielocks Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:28 am
@nykingfan,
Um … that was Dodgers fan beat Giants fan if I’m not mistaken? I was so ashamed even though I’m not a Dodgers fan, and felt sorry for Giants fan.
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puck73 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:03 am
@KOHO, Philly fans are very tough for sure. That being said, nothing will ever top Los Angeles Raider fan. Tackle football in the parking lot before the game. Slide Cowboy fan face first in the Urinal. Wait for guy with Jim Everett Jersey to come out of restroom and beat him senseless. Pelt anyone with mustard covered pretzel who wear’s an Elway Jersey. Kick Steeler fan with steel toe boot in the dome. Blow marijuana smoke towards the press box to show your displeasure to Al Davis for benching Marcus Allen. Leave unattended mini Weber BBq under Chevy Nova so it will explode and cause laughter in parking lot…..
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jess Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:08 am
@puck73, And what about Terry Murray? j/k
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puck73 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:13 am
@jess, Terry Murray was quoted in a Philadelphia newspaper the other day that the Flyer fan who threw the punches shouldnt be punished because they werent “thick” or “heavy” enough to cause any damage.
KC23 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:11 am
@puck73, The worst sporting event I was ever at was a Raider Ram game. I counted the fights in the stands, but lost count when it hit double digets. Many of those fights were multiple fans fighting multiple fans. I stopped going to football games from that point on. Had I been in the wrong place at the wrong time it would of been easy to get seriously hurt.
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puck73 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:16 am
@KC23, Nothing worse then those long haired, maggot infested, dope smoking, KNAC listening losers getting fueled up on booze and drugs and thinking they were bad ass because they were Raider fans!
DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:22 am
@KC23,
I was just at the Raider/Lions game in Oakland and didn’t see a single fight or altercation of any type. There was a minimal police presence in the stadium. While attending a Raiders/Chargers game in san Diego a few years back there were multiple fights. As an observer who doesn’t drink at events where I have to drive home,I can tell you that 95% of those fights were started by the Charger fans. The same thing when I watched the Raiders at the LA Coliseum. The #1 culprit is alcohol, followed by the bravado of alcohol fueled idiots who think it is fun and manly to stick their head into the “lions mouth (aka – challenge the fans of the other team to fight)” and the incessant and constant badgering. Yes, I am a Raider fan. Yes, I am a Kings fan, and yes, I was embarrassed by the behavior of a Kings fan during the last Frozen Fury game. I have even seen Kings fans removed from Ducks games for the same reasons, and Dodger fans removed from Angel stadium. You can’t blanket one sport or one team (even Philly). Heck, while following the Angels last season on their road trip to New York and Toronto, we met and made friends with Yankee and Blue Jay fans and had a great time (while proudly wearing our Angel gear). Go to the games, have fun, represent your team with dignity, then go home and bask in the happiness of having been there.
DesertKing Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:31 am
@puck73
Hey Puck, weren’t we supposed to meet up at the Raider game a couple of weeks ago
408kingsfan Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:17 am
@puck73, hey! that was my Nova!!
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Just in case anyone doesn’t know that DL like his arrogant self, picked Hickey because he thought he was on some next level of brilliance, so smart in fact that all the NHL scouts and analysts where sleeping on TH. Here is TSN’s coverage of Hickey’s selection. It’s cool though, he knows offense. At least he picked Trevor Lewis ahead of Chris Stewart, Claude Girioux, Milan Lucic and Patrick Berglund.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsOg8ifwcXs
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puck73 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 10:51 am
@KingVern, Wouldnt have mattered any way. TM would have stifled their growth, and they would either be still in the minors trying to be thick and heavy, or they would have been traded away.
TM….BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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KingVern Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 11:10 am
@puck73, Who knows what would’ve happened to Giroux under TM. I guess my point is that DL has been anointed a genius by so many and he’s done so little. He’s the Kardashian GM.
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fsd1 Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@KingVern, I think Dl has done a GREAT job. I tire of the what if’s. what might have beens, should not have traded, should have traded, should not have drafted, should of drafted. It is a crapshoot, I tho, live in the present.
kings king Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
@KingVern, I see you did some research. How ’bout some common sense? How many other GM’s passed over big stars? It happens every year. Calling Dean out for this is silly. 2007 Kyle Turris 3rd pick. Logan Couture 9th. Jordan Eberle was selected 22nd in 2008 Washington with the 21st pick selected Anton Gustafsson and he’s back in Europe. So the caps GM is an idiot? No. There’s no way to tell how a player will do in the NHL. Lewis for example was a more than a point per game player in the minors and it hasn’t been here yet. You also have to address what you need. Who was the guy they mentioned as being a top 5 pick, guess what he’s not in the NHL. Would you rather Dean listen to the announcers?
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KingVern Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
@kings king, If we had anyone in our system ready to come score goals at the NHL level I would not be calling out Dean for his ineptitude in drafting offense.
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DLB Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@KingVern, You don’t seem to understand how drafting works, since no team hits more than 30% of their draft picks; but you can sure handicap with 20/20 vision. Bravo.
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KingVern Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@DLB, I don’t understand how anything works because you’re not with me everyday to guide me through life, but If the Kings miss the playoffs like they very well might, Dean Kardashian will be looking for work, and a large part of his demise will be his poor recognition of offensive talent. See Manchester.
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Osaka Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@KingVern, The first place team in Manchester?
KingVern Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
@Osaka, Yes, Manchester, whose leading scorer (Cliche) has 21 pts in 36 games and whose powerplay is 27th in the league.
@Kevco, I think Toffoli and Kitsyn are our best forward prospects.
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