Should we call them the University of Los Angeles Kings? Darryl Sutter made a good point today when he compared the rest of the season to a “college schedule.” It’s 32 teams, including seven sets of back-to-back games, and a total of 20 road games. That’s a lot of planes and buses and hotel rooms and, even though 2 1/2 months seems like a long time, it will feel like a sprint for the players.
What does it mean for goalies? Jonathan Quick has started 42 of 50 games so far. Before the break, Sutter indicated that Bernier would play more frequently after the All-Star break, but he sounded less certain today. Asked about his general plan for the goalies, Sutter sounded — and this is just one interpretation — that he would start out with Quick and then see what develops from there.
SUTTER: “It’s about winning. We’re in a college schedule now, right? Thirty-two games. It’s about winning hockey games. We’ve got to make the playoffs. It doesn’t bother me who plays. It’s about winning games. You look at our schedule, and we’ve got seven back-to-backs, six of them are on the road. This one (stretch) breaks up into one game at home and six on the road. It’s easy to break our schedule up and look at it and say, `That’s a logical game for Quick, or that’s a logical game for Bernier,’ but now it’s about performance and winning games. It’s simple.”
So essentially he’s said ‘Quick’ w/o saying Quick. Read between the lines. I hope I’m wrong though. If they can’t manage to beat CBJ At Home…. If they get SWEPT at home by the Blue Jackets, well….. it really doesn’t say so much for the team, does it. Unless Sutter thinks they need Quick to hold CBJ to one or two, so the Kings can manage to stay with em and get it into OT and a shoot out..
If that’s the way they’re thinking……… good luck first round vs. SJ, Detroit, Chicago or Vancouver.
A bit caustic I admit. But really, Quick may be 17 years old and superman, but the fact is, he just travelled across the country, was busy, travelled back across the country, and then has to go across 2/3 or the country the day after the game vs. the vaunted Jackets.
That’s how I see it. But they know more about hockey than I do.
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Steve W Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
@number 6, Not an afternoon game against the Jackets…advantage Kings.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 6:35 am
@number 6, The NY Giants lost both games against The Washington Redskins this season. They alos lost to Seattle amongst others (losing 7).
This is pro sports…just make the playoffs.
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Tim Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 8:18 am
@number 6,
Ummm….except for travelling back 2/3 across the country to play the Jackets. It’s a home game on Wednesday before their road trip. You are very knowledgeable.
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Que the “Quick will burn out” theorys.
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I get games right now are all about getting 2 points. It will do the team and organization good to give Bernier starts. You don’t want to crawl to the playoffs with a burnt out goalie. You want Quick to be ready physically.
On the other side, if the Kings are eventually going to trade Bernier (which I think is becoming the general consensus) Bernier has to play games to increase his value.
Thirdly, I don’t even want to mention it… Bernier just needs to be ready!
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@California Royalty,
-ding ding ding. -Congratulations! You just played right into KC23′s master prediction /\
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California Royalty Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
@jess, Haha It’s an accurate prediction though!
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
@California Royalty,
Well question is, who gets the prize? You for being the 1st to post it, or KC for predicting it?
-And what is the prize? A night with Terry Murray @ the bowling alley?
number 6 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
@Jess
I Get It Jess!! Me. Me. I had the first post that subliminally suggested it. You had to be in a relatively calm state to see it, but I DID suggest it. Do you happen to know what the prize is? When you find out please let me know and I’ll get my info to whoever it may concern so I can collect it.
Thanks.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
@number 6,
Maybe I can just re-package the prize I won from dropping a double duece and hand it over to ya!
\/
I’m right on Que! As I’ve said many times, look for Bernier to get his chances, including playoff starts. As good as Quick has been in Season 1st halves, he hasn’t proven he’s World Class beyond the All Star break. I’m glad Sutter isn’t like TM was, only playing a second half “not so Quick” based on 1st half performance. I’m not being negative here, and obviously Sutter has noticed what Quick has done in the past as well. Again, don’t be surprised when the Kings ride a hot Bernier into the playoffs as the starter.
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Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
@Poorman,
Hopefully Bernier gets hot. So far every step Berneir has taken, Quick has taken 2 steps to stay in front of him.
Regarding your world class comment on Quick, Bernier hasn’t proven he’s a world class goalie in the 2nd 1/2 either. He should get more of a chance with Sutter than he did with Murray though.
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Poorman Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
@Dominick, Agreed and Dominick, they’re not trading Bernier for that very reason that he might be the hot hand if Quick tanks for the 3rd year in a row. That being said, I hope I’m wrong. Unfortunately, I don’t think I am.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
@Poorman, I don’t know where you get “tanks for the 3rd year in a row.” A couple years ago, he had a baby and didn’t get much sleep (which of course he didn’t admit.) Last season, he had no issues.
Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
@Poorman, You do realize last season, after that horrendus slump the Kings were in last January, Quick finished out the season 16-8-2?
What do we think? http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1046123-nhl-trade-rumors-blue-jackets-hapless-season-may-mean-jeff-carter-la-bound
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
@TheRussianKing,
Looks like he is just not having chemistry in Columbus. He has heck of a career.
http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470604
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Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
@TheRussianKing,
I feel sorry for Carter. I new it was a headache during the summer, and feel Columbus is years away from any true build of a dominant team (even if they started doing things right from here on out, which they won’t).
Dean would have to be creative to trade for him, and not give up too much to a team that’s starving for talent, and bottom feeding the league..
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
@Dominick,
The only stats for Carter which don’t look so hot are his playoff numbers. Otherwise, the guy could be a monster and could do quite well with Richards.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 6:10 am
@Dominick, Hey Dom, if Gagne goes on LTIR, does that make Carter affordable for us at least in the short term? I have no idea how the LTIR cap relief works.
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408kingsfan Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
@TheRussianKing,
Carter would make a great complimentary player on Richards line for sure but I think we would need a fire sale to get him signed under the salary cap.
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KC23 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
@TheRussianKing, No thanks. Richards and Carter in LA together? Scarey, but not as scarey as Carter’s contract.
I’d pass on that one.
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
@KC23,
The Phillifornia Kings?
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
@jess, Calidelphla.
CB14 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
@TheRussianKing, That’s a tough one. On one hand Carter may flourish playing with his best bud, on the other hand the rumors about their partying together might be true and living on the strand in Manhattan Beach won’t help that. Carter’s contract makes it a big risk, but a risk Lombardi might have to take because if the Kings don’t make it beyond the first round he may be a goner. I’m not against that, but you’ve got to really know what went down in Philly.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 6:18 am
@CB14, If we can afford him this year and he produces I don’t think the risk is really that big. We’ll be dumping 8 to 10 million in salary in the offseason I imagine. The IF is whether this guy would be the legit 30-40 goal sniper we all want, or will he disappear into our system as another expensive disappointment.
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number 6 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
@TheRussianKing,
WHAT A FANTASTIC IDEA!! I Can’t WAIT to get Carter. What I like most is the comments of Buccicross or whatever his name is: ‘ Poor playoff numbers and casual play are turnoffs for me. ‘ I LIKE it!! Then we can make a line out of Dustin Penner and Carter. Wow. Fantastic. Then with any luck the team can sink like a stone and we can get another lottery pick.
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YooperSkip 24 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
@TheRussianKing, Isn’t Carter on injured reserve now with a separated shoulder??
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
@TheRussianKing, It can’t possibly work unless they take Penner and someone else who’s heavy on the cap, or will be.
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Eggplant Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 2:20 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Penner and Stoll, but would Columbus make that trade? Doubt it.
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LA_1968 Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 6:44 am
@TheRussianKing, On top of that huge, long contract what nobody talks about is Carter’s looming no trade clause. I’m sure he would approve a deal to LA. But, DL does not like those clauses that he would be inheriting in this case. To me, this makes Carter a no deal for the Kings. Sharp much more likely.
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I’d be very surprised if Bernier wasn’t in net on Wednesday for a whole host of reasons.
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CB14 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:21 pm
@jess, I think he rides Quick until the end, including on Wednesday night.
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:35 pm
@CB14,
Man I hope not. Need to keep Bernier’s confidence and value up. General maintainence on all fronts etc..
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CB14 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
@jess, I hope not also, but just judging from what Sutter’s said I don’t see Bernier getting too many games. I think Quick ends up at 70 starts and his playoff performance is negatively affected by it.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
@CB14,
I think Sutter has shown he is much smarter than that. We shall see tho.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
@jess, There’s always the possibility Sutter knows more than you do.
CB14 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, You’re probably right, but all of TM’s backers were saying the same thing when he sat Quick after 3 straight shutouts. We all know how that turned out.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
@What’s the frequency Kenneth?,
It’s not just a possibility, it’s a fact. What I’m saying and guess it’s lost in cyber translation is that I’m betting on Sutter to start Bernier. If I’m wrong, so what, I’m wrong! No big deal.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
@jess, Well, Sutter isn’t TM, and I never heard all that. What I heard is a whole lot of people agreeing with me that you don’t pull a guy with three straight shutouts.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
@What’s the frequency Kenneth?,
And I was in that mix too (ask any other blogger here). When I said it’s a fact, I was agreeing with you that sutter knows more than me. Think were having comprehension problems here.
CB14 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, I didn’t mean to imply that you said that, sorry about the confusion. But they were saying that to me, trust me I remember it quite well. The point I was trying to make is that nobody makes the right decisions 100% of the time and that while Sutter certainly knows more than me, that doesn’t necessarily mean he will ultimately make the right decision with regards to possibly overplaying Quick. I’m not saying it’s the wrong decision, just that that statement doesn’t mean every decision he makes is the right one.
CB14 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
@jess, I think he might have been replying to me and just forgot to change the name.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@CB14, 10-4
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 7:42 am
@jess, Sorry if I misunderstood and/or got you guys crossed.
Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
@jess, Are you really this stressed about 1 game? I was just on a New York blog, and a Boston blog, and not 1 single fan is cryin because their goalie might start the next game. How come Quick is the only goalie no one has any faith in?
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number 6 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
@Dominick,
Dominick….Lundquist went from NY to Ottawa. Tim T went from Boston to Ottawa. They could’ve hitchhiked there together. JQ had to do a cross country flight and then another cross country flight to get back. And then play against a team that the Kings Should be able to beat with Zatkoff in the nets.
Also, Lundquist has been used very wisely as Biron has done a great job as a backup playinag 12 games to Bernier’s 8. Same more or less w Rask for Thomas. The Kings have lots of travel and then an incredibly difficult March ahead. That’s why. I don’t think it has anything to do with no one having faith in Quick.
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Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
@number 6,
I think he can take it. If he’s ready to go, then give it too him. If he starts to show any chinks in the armor (which he hasn’t in the slightest), rest him. It’s not rocket science.
Murray micro-managed everything roght into the ground in the past, but I feel Sutter will most definately be aware of the situation, and has no problems adjusting. Ranford is the best goalie coach I’ve ever seen for the Kings, and he will definately be watching for signs of fatigue (knowing Quicks history). These guys are paid to keep an eye on those things, and if their confident, I’m fine to wait and see how they handle it..
It’s OK to worry I guess, but I think it’s starting to border on panic. Just sayin is all.
number 6 Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 6:04 am
@Dominick…..
agree w your comments on JJ (see below), don’t agree with the above about Quick. When you have a great car, you don’t wait for it to brake down. You take care of it and get it serviced properly.
And Quick isn’t a car that you can take to the mechanics. If he ‘loses’ it right at the end of the season going into the playoffs….. then what? Replace him with Bernier once you’re down 2-0 in a seven game series?
Better to be prudent. The Kings have done a really poor job with some of their assets. Particularly Bernier.
Imagine if he’d been developed like he was last year, a real serious goalie with an unlimited future instead of a goalie who probably has a lot of upside? He would unquestionably bring more in trade value if they wished to trade him, and he would be a better insurance policy if they have problems resigning Quick.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:03 pm
@Dominick,
Stressed out? No faith? Left field is way too close to describe where that reply came out of.
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Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
@jess, I’m not attacking you, and I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was you I was replying too. I just read the comment, and was trying to put to rest all this worrying about Quick burning out.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
@Dominick,
No worries bro! We’re just having fun here. Interesting times right now -you’ll have to admit!
Speaking of Columbus, they get the ASG next year. It would be ironic if a bottom feeding team next season has more players selected than the Blackhawks, for example. And I thought that Ottawa had too many players selected!
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Wouldn’t be surprised to see Jeff Carter wearing the #17 Kings sweater within the next month. Seems like a good fit if LA can handle his contract..The Press garbage that came out of Philly last year was blown all out of proportion and only a small bit was even true..Also, there was one player on the Flyers that wanted them both out but he’s on IR now ????.Carter is a sniper on RW and LA could certainly use one.
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
@Jimmyo777,
Only 27, high 30′s goal scorer and a plus 42 until he landed in Columbus this year. He must be miserable there. If we could get it done without losing Bernier and maybe giving up Stoll I would be all for it. His playoff numbers are kind of weak tho. Sharp would be a slam dunk IMO.
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number 6 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
@jess,
Highly unlikely they do it for Stoll. No, change that. Impossible that they do it for Stoll. My best guess is they’d insist on Bernier – otherwise the minimum would be JJ.
And yes his playoff numbers are weak. And I’ve heard several pundits call him out during the playoffs. If he can’t cut it (Other than the goals scored) in Philly, how exactly is he gonna come to life in LA with the distractions that are all over the place. Also, I don’t know the specifics, but when there was at the very least a buzz about problems in Philly, I have to believe that where there is smoke there’s fire.
I mean, the press didn’t just invent this stuff.
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
@number 6,
Good points. Wait n see type deal.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
@Jimmyo777,
Only 27, high 30′s goal scorer and a plus 42 until he landed in Columbus this year. He must be miserable there. If we could get it done without losing Bernier and maybe giving up Stoll I would be all for it. His playoff numbers are kind of weak tho. Sharp would be a slam dunk IMO.
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
@jess, Oops got a duece.
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CB14 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
@jess, Actually I think that’s called dropping a duece.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
@CB14,
Do I win anything?
Kingsfanone Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
@jess,
You don’t wanna know what you win.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
@Kingsfanone,
Does it come in a big plywood box with ‘SCHLEMKO’ stenciled on it?
CB14 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
@jess, Lets just say it’s a present from Dustin BROWN.
Mik3ysfv Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
@jess, its called a triple knuckle baby
Jimmyo777 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
@jess, The only reason why Carter didn’t have good playoff numbers is because he was playing hurt both of the last two years..He can put the puck in the net with the right center and the Kings have three of those.
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
@Jimmyo777, That’s good to know. -And I agree BTW. He would be much happier in LA.
KopiSTAR Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
@Jimmyo777, But would his liver be happy?
I don’t want Carter. Consensus from Philly fans is that he lacks the hustle and grit of Richards. He seems like Penner redux. We got the better of the two Philadelphia forwards last summer.
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jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
@Choralone,
In Penner’s wildest dreams is he like Carter.
2009: 46 goals with Philly
2010: 33 goals with Philly
2011: 36 goals with Philly
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
@jess, Choralone is saying Penner, not Richards. And I’d take Richards hands down over the other two anyday of the week.
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
@Mik3ysfv, sorry meant richards, not penner.
number 6 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
@jess,
So to me he’s trending down. Penner scored 30 twice as well. Dany Heatley scored like 40 or 50 and San Jose couldn’t wait to get rid of him. There are Far more imo than just stats to take into consideration.
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number 6 Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
@number 6,
He obviously didn’t score that many WITH San Jose, but prior to SJ.
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@number 6,
Again, solid points. -Maybe you can get @Dominick to give you a breakdown on his Corsi / Fenwick stats
Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
@Jess,
Which ones? Penner, Richards, Heatley, or Carter?
jess Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
@Dominick,
I’m sure you can do them all simultaneously like Rainman with toothpicks
Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 10:22 pm
@Jess,
On their Corsi
Penner has played 37 games,
TOI/60 is 12.81
Corsi Rel QoC is 0.959
Corsi QoC is 0.716
Corsi relative is 7.8
Corsi on ice is 14.31
On ice shooting percentage is 5.58 (Kings average is 2.4)
On ice save percentage is .918
PDO is 974
PIM/60 1.0
PIM drawn/60 is 0.6
Off zone start % is 56.5
Off zone finish % is 57.1
Richards ia……….
All you get is Penner bacause I’m too lazy! lol
variable Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 10:35 pm
@Choralone,
if columbus wants bernier for carter, i’m against it…
i just don’t see the kings trading bernier UNLESS they make a simultaneous move for a veteran backup…
i know DOM will object to what i’m about to say, but after bernier, the next biggest tradable asset that i imagine most all teams wanting to complete a trade with us would ask for is jj…it’s not that i want jj to be traded…it’s just that if i’m an opposing team, jj is the second most attractive asset we have, in terms of long-term impact and manageable salary…
i think carter is a very good player that can help us…but i’m not sure we can afford to give up what it would take to get him…i still think that if we want to land a big fish, like carter, and don’t want to part with bernier in the process, jj would have to be moved in order to accommodate salary…penner and stoll won’t garner us the catch we desire for obvious reasons…
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Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
@variable, I wouldn’t fight a tade with JJ involved, I just think Kingsfans sell him short. Next to DD, JJ is the only puck moving defenseman who can play a heavy game, with speed. If you get rid of JJ, VV will have to take those match ups, and VV has no size, let alone be able to deliver a hit with authority. Next on the list for Puck movers is Muzzin, or Hickey. JJ, and DD are in the Kings future whether JJ has trade value or not. We can’t afford to lose him.
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variable Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@Dominick,
i agree about jj’s talent and ability…but, y’know how the saying goes…: If you want to get something good, you have to give up something good in the process…
in terms of positional depth, jj can be moved more so than bernier for the seasons i already stated above…however, i agree, you risk losing that depth in jj – a puck-moving, offensive-minded defensemen who can play a heavy game…
it’s a hard choice no matter how you look at it…and that’s why i think it might be best for dl/the kings to wait until after the season before making any big moves…dl still has to have that convo with quick’s agent in the off-season and see how tenable that situation is gonna be before you start talking about huge organizational changes in net…at least, i think that that’s how dl should…and will approach it…
variable Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 10:59 pm
@Dominick,
“for the reasons”…sorry…
number 6 Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 5:58 am
@Dominick,
Dom, while we don’t always see eye to eye, I have to agree with you on this one. Every point you bring up wrt JJ is accurate. We’re already on the ‘d light’ side of things. If no Matt Greeene and no JJ then there’s trouble.
Plus, who knows how much JJ might improve. While he has maddeningly repeated mistakes that you would hope he would sort out by now, he’s still young and seems to have a lot of upside.
Dominick Reply:
January 30th, 2012 at 11:13 pm
@variable, I agree on DL waiting. Hickey new this to be true, and during camp, came in throwing the body around more than he ever did in the past. TM actually talked about how surprised he was at Hickeys physical game. You can’t split up Mitchell and VV because Mitchell is a high brid, who can not only play physical, but do it with speed as a shut down D-man, he compliments VV’s lack of physicality. So moving JJ, leaves Greene with no speed to back him up (and he is slow, think Sean O’Donnell). There is speedy puck movers in the system, but none of them can play bigger wingers, and move the puck well (yet).
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 10:01 am
@variable, I’m thinking that depending upon who else gets in the bidding for Carter he may be available w/o giving up JJ or Bernier (I would not do either deal). Carter has a NTC I believe so Columbus is limited in what they can do and if they have truly given up on the guy, the value proposition to Columbus may well be getting shed of the 5+ million dollar long term contract. They’re not making a move to get better, certainly not this year. They’re making a move to get flexibility. If there’s a limited number of teams interested that Carter would go to, we might not have to give up what we would under different circumstances. Agree? Disagree?
[Reply]
variable Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 10:28 am
@40YearKingsFan,
well i think carter would cost us both in personnel and in being able to manage his salary in the coming seasons…it’s possible that trading for him wouldn’t costs us the bigger names, but that would have to mean the blue jackets are really keen on prospects not named berneir…i guess i’m just trying to look at this objectively…lokti, kozun, richardson, martinez, hickey and zatkoff are some of the guys i would think teams would be looking at, as well…
The good thing about our team ties with the Flyers organization is that, if Carter was truly up to some shenanigans that sabotaged their cup run, John Stevens was in a position to be aware of it, first hand at the beginning of the season. On the other hand, people can grow up. It has been known to happen.
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There’s no way the Kings aren’t going to rely heavily on JQ the rest of the way.
as Sutter said, it’s all about the 2 points now.
I disagree with Poorman’s assessment that JQ didn’t play well last year down the stretch. From my recollection, he played very well.
He’s a year older with a another years experience. So far he looks better this year than at any time previously.
You don’t want to burn him out, but you also can’t afford to give up points. If Bernier is on top of his game, you can give JQ a little more rest, but there’s no time to shake the rust off.
Every game is a playoff game in ther west.
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number 6 Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 6:08 am
@nykingfan,
Point taken. But if they are unable to beat CBJ at Staples with Bernier in the nets, then really why would we all be concerned about the playoffs? If they can’t get that done, then they would have a hard time in a seven game series with any goaltender vs. the four elite teams of the west.
Think about it…. if your forwards can’t get you enough goals to beat the worst team in hockey?
Everyone is focused on How Much JQ is playing. I’m focused on the fact that he has just done a cross country trip. Someone said that Lundquist and Thomas played the all-star game. Yeah, and they could drive there and back home.
Imo you have to factor in everything…… not Just the games played. We all know that the Kings and Ducks have the most difficult travel in the league.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 7:00 am
@number 6,
I think you have to go with JQ tomorrow.
He’s had a day off and its the type of game we should win no matter, but to get off to a good start post ASB is huge..especially because we’re going on a long trip.
I like Bernier and think he’ll be a type flight goalie, but sometimes he struggles early after being off for a while.
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DLB Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 1:31 pm
@nykingfan, Quick also had a lot of rest down the stretch — Bernier had many quality starts from January on, and had his own winning streak going.
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Upon further reflection I think the Kings can afford to move Bernier, on the condition that they’d replace him with Kari Ramo.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Karri-Ramo-gives-up-terrible-rink-length-?urn=nhl-275650
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variable Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 10:32 am
@number 6,
didn’t you know that andrei kuteykin is deadly from his own crease…???
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number 6 Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 4:49 pm
I wonder if the Kings can sign him. He does better from 200 ft away than Penner does w an empty net…. and the same could be said for a few other forwards this season.
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Do we really have to learn this lesson all over again?
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number 6 Reply:
January 31st, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@DLB,
If you don’t learn it the first time you have to do it until you get it.
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