Well, there’s an interesting addition on the ice. Bernie Nicholls is on the ice, looking very much like a coach, although at this point the Kings — via team spokesperson — aren’t calling him a coach. Why is he here? Good question. Hopefully Darryl Sutter will answer it after practice. Sutter and Nicholls have a history in Chicago and San Jose. Assistant coaches John Stevens, Jamie Kompon and Bill Ranford are also participating in practice.
Slava Voynov is not practicing. Otherwise, no changes to the practice group. More updates to come…
[UPDATE: Officially, the Kings are saying Nicholls is "in L.A. for a couple days" and helping out Sutter, as he previously did in San Jose. A spokesperson reiterated that Nicholls is not a new coach.]
Very interesting. A guy like Nicholls would be a welcome addition to the coaching staff. That is, unless they plan on starting him ahead of Penner.
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Telos Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:33 am
@KingsCast, I very much hope that that is just a PR line and they are giving Bernie a shot with the PP, and if it improves it means the end of Kompon. This guy has to go… How many lives does this guy have? He has outlasted several head coaches and defensive assistants now and we have continues to struggle offensively since the firing of Crawford. This guy must have something really good on Lombardi…
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Cruiznblue Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:14 am
@KingsCast,
A decent PP could make or break this season for the Kings…hopefully were getting some changes soon.
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mash-ola Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:54 am
@KingsCast, The way the Kings aren’t scoring, Nicholls might be a welcome addition ON the ice! lol
Love Broadway Bernie… That guy was slow and had no posture and an ugly stride, but man could that guy score goals. It sucks not having a goal scorer on the team like Bernie, Luc or Palffy…
GO KINGS GO!
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PARKING_053 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
@mash-ola, What we need on the PP is at least one defenseman willing to shoot the puck!JJ and DD get too cute passing the puck. I’d like to see us try Greene with Johnson and Mitchell with Doughty. Greene and Willie will shoot the puck when they’re open instead of trying one more “perfect” pass.
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Hopefully Bernie will be our new PP coach. I hope.
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Maybe…just maybe…Kompon’s exit coming?
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King-C Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:27 am
@Cruiznblue, I don’t think the kings would bring in a replacement before firing someone. Tampon mist be feeling the heat though!
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Ish Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:29 am
@King-C, Whos Tampon?
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Glass banger Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:48 am
@King-C, Whatever it takes to stop the bleeding…
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:50 am
@Glass banger, i see what you did there
Mars Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Glass banger, OMG, I started laughing so effin hard everyone was asking what’s so funny, the didn’t think it was so funny when I showed them though.
Maybe there to fill in the power play coaching void.
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Sounds fishy!?????????? But I like it!!!!!!!
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Bernie N is a positive happy go lucky guy. Should provide some positive karma. I’m sure this is to help with feeling positive about scoring goals. Our guys are really gripping it tight. Just ask Williams.
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Bernie could score more pp goals at his age than the Kings are now.
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Shakes Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:38 am
@Happy Lappy, to be fair when we’re not scoring at all on the PP then even Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber technically has a better chance of scoring…
Lloyd: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me… ending up together?
Mary: Well, Lloyd, that’s difficult to say. I mean, we don’t really…
Lloyd: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances?
Mary: Not good.
Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred?
Mary: I’d say more like one out of a million.
Lloyd: So you’re telling me there’s a chance… *YEAH!*
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dahack11 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:42 am
@Shakes, Still a CLASSIC routine & one my friends & i still recite (altho you have it dead on) to this day!
Good one!
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Shakes Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:10 am
@dahack11, ok ok i admit, i copied it from a movie lines website because i always forget the middle part when Mary says “Well Lloyd it’s difficult to say” i find that i’m only able to recollect from memory all of Lloyd’s lines and her saying one in a million…
i really like this move…would love to see him join the coaching staff. get back soon Slava!
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I really really hope Slava doesn’t have a concussion.
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King-C Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:28 am
@RobSD, Same here… I don’t want him to start making boneheaded plays like JJ and DD…lol
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Happy Lappy Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:29 am
@RobSD, I may have one, I don’t remember how VV got hurt. Do you?
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TheAcaciaStrain Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:36 am
@Happy Lappy, got hit twice bad in the vancouver game
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wavesinair Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:24 am
@RobSD,
He’s on the ice skating after practice.
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VV still injured. Time for AM to step it up and do it quickly. Like I said AM looked a little slow his first game back, but hopefully he can pick it up tomorrow.
We need a hat-trick, I feel one coming. Is laBarbara in goal tomorrow?
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He’s holding a post goal celebration clinic after practice.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:31 am
@Cup B4 I Die, haha ;P
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i for one would love to have Bernie as the new PP coach, very interesting if true, plus he seems like just a fun guy to be around haha
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Bernie has offered his services before, to no avail. Maybe someone heard him this time…
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So Nicholls is coaching Kompon? That’s a good news, isn’t it?
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Mars Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@goldielocks, that’s what I am hoping for, DS already said no coaching changes now, I expect him to stick to his word, so I imagine it is help or training.
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It’s all about the ozone entry at practice… video on twitter @deepinsidekings
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Nichols…Kompon…Nichols…Kompon…Nichols…Kompon… Goood…Bad…Good…Bad…Good…Bad…Win…Lose…Win…Lose…Win…Lose…Up…Down…Up…Down…Up…Down…Hmmmmmmmmm, I CHOOSE UP -Go Nichols!!!
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Lake Forest Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:39 am
@DesertKing, I’m more of a win type of guy
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DesertKing Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:02 am
@Lake Forest,
I CHOOSE WIN with Lake Forest!
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Lake Forest Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:20 am
@DesertKing, Up Win(d)
Is “reiterated that Nicholls is not a new coach” like “no coaching change imminent”?
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It’s amazing Kompon is still employed. Bernie is the man and would love to see some other influences on the PP. He was at the game the other night.
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Cam someone advise me what BN has been doing lately? Great player, but would he really add what is needed to the O and PP?
I’m sure everyone on here loves BN and respects BN. Just wondering if the feelings are directing people’s opinions rather than knowing what he could do and also whether he has stayed close to the game?????
I am JUST ASKING. so no crying please.
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Jorgen Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:30 am
@Lake Forest, exactly my view as well. It seems that majority of posters here knows something about BN’s coaching days in…well I don’t know. Any one here who can fill us in?
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furrylats Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 1:00 pm
@Jorgen, Noodles?
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ViperHockey Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@Lake Forest, I got to spend a few minutes with him on his legends night. He’s been hunting and fishing a lot up in Canada.
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I read on a Kings blog that we may go with 4 total coaches. (including bernie) Sutter, Tompon, Stevens and Berns
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Newf Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 10:51 am
@Harry, link?
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Mars Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@Harry, I wanna read that article, link pls!
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Hmm. Already in the organization is one of the 2 or 3 best power play guys ever. Wonder if they thought about having Luc give a pep talk?
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i like this. even if it’s not a permanent thing, maybe kompon can learn a few things from Bernie. always a class act. i don’t think there’s a single person who doesn’t respect him.
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My take is the Kings are a class organization that won’t throw Coupon out on the street until the end of the year. This is perhaps just giving Bernie a chance to see what he’s got. We all focus on the PP problems, but our 5 on 5 scoring is just as bad, if not worse.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:21 am
@KC23,
And I believe that Kompon coaches that as well.
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for an organization that has very rarely strayed from its conventional operations practices, the kings have done some things this season that are anything but ordinary and predictable…
i’m not against this by any means – partly because i have no idea other than what RICH has reported as to what/why the pumpernicholl has been summoned to assist at practice…
WAVES mentioned that today’s practice is concentrating on offensive zone entry…that sounds like something bernie knows much about…
i would be shocked out of my shorts if this is the way they plan on adding a coach and replacing another…that would be completely classless and totally inappropriate by the kings…i seriously doubt that’s in the offing…
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jess Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:26 am
@variable,
Maybe just an additional consultant? Whatever the case, fresh ideas and problem solving is a welcome approach.
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variable Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
@jess,
that’s what it sound like…
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Can Bernie suit up for the PP tomorrow night
If not, Not sure how much he can help. The thing I always notice about the kings PP is they don’t move the puck quickly to get someone open…especially on the 5 onn 3.
Most of its because they can’t make a tape to tape pass…that and the annoying habit of a couple of our D’men (JJ in particular)receiving a pass and instead of shooting right away, stickhandle for a brief moment to tee up the shot. that brief moment puts guys in the line of the shot to block it. It also gives the pk time to respond.
Get the puck and shoot it right away!
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Pesus Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
@nykingfan,
Yup, and yup, quick passes and one-timers is what the PP needs, not only does the defender gey back in position but so does the goalie. The goalie is square to the shooter almost everytime we shoot on the PP.
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FYI, Voynov doing quite a bit of skating post-practice.
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jess Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@wavesinair, Good we need him on that powerplay.
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Mike Richards doing the “Pumpernickel”. Worth the price of admission. Off topic but heard next years Winter Classic will be at Michigan Stadium (109,901) with Detroit and Toronto. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Mars Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Forum Gold, they REALLY need to have a winter classic on the beach in Hermosa Beach.
How effin sweet would that be?
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Pesus Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
@Mars,
We cant get good ice in staples, good luck on the beach!
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I hope he stays to coach the powerplay
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It would be great to have Nicholls as the new PP coach. He at least played in the NHL and scored a tonne of goals unlike Kompon who seems to be all talk. Player respect coaches that have been to war and fought the good fight…Go Bernie Go! Go Kings Go!!!
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nykingfan Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 11:50 am
@andy,
That’s a ridiculous comment.
I guess players didn’t respect Scotty Bowman or Ken Hitchcock…neither one ever played in the NHL.
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For all we know, Bernie might just have wanted to stop by to observe a practice and maybe give a little advice on a few areas of the game. I’m sure Lombardi/The Coaches would have allowed one of the Kings most respected players that opportunity.
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Sign Bernie and some guy named, “Luc” and put them on the power play.
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I was wondering how many comments on Kompon their would be, you guys didn’t let me down.
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Please take over the Power Play Bernie.
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i would welcome back some old king blood. in my opinion they got rid of too much legacy personnel when they cleaned house.
bernie in particular would bring his smile and love for playing the game to this kings team. i’ll always remember standing under the tunnel near where they walked to the ice at the forum and screaming ‘hey bernie” and seeing him get his big goofy smile.
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“Gretzky filled the building, I provided the entertainment..” Bernie Nicholls.
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A friend of a friend from Montreal had Tampon as his high school hockey coach. I think that was his past coaching experience… anyone aware of any other?
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Unless I am mistaken he coaches both PK/PP and you can’t complain about the PK. It’s hard to knock him on the PP when 5v5 scoring is crappy. At least, as a GM you have to see it that way. Doesn’t mean he should stay but it’s not PP = suck, JK goes.
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luuc Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
@Dilapidus,
You are mistaken, Stevens runs the PK
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Dilapidus Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
@luuc,
Thanks. Still with little 5v5 it’s hard to chuck a PP coach, but you gotta think that’s an option.
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JMFJ#3 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@Dilapidus, Kompon only took over the defense when John Stevens was interim coach. he is back to the offense and PP. John Stevens is back to the Defense and PK I believe.
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Dilapidus Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@JMFJ#3,
Ok.. I didn’t have any idea that Kompon was both 5v5 and PP. Yeah.. he’s gonna be looking for a job unless DS thinks he can train him up to his way of doing things.
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Mars Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@Dilapidus, Would it be up to DS? Not sure if it could be DL’s overall call.
Not sure why, but I’ve always had it in my mind that Bernie was the class clown, pie in the face kind of a guy. Very hard for me to imagine him coaching, but stranger things have happened. I’m sure it wouldn’t officially happen until after the season and even then I have my doubts that this is likely.
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jess Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@KC23,
What about Sutter’s ole brown jacket with the fake flower that squirts water?
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KC23 Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
@jess, Hehee. My favorite was Bernier sneaking in a hotel room with a monster mask to scare the crap out of a couple of rookies … only to scare the daylights out of two elderly women who had taken the room because the rookies got cut eariler in the day and the room became available.
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Voynov STILL on the ice skating and doing drills. Good sign!
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Bernie sure could put the biscuit in the basket! Let’s hope he can impart something to the kids!
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