Dwight King and Jordan Nolan have been getting quite a bit of attention since being called up from Manchester, and understandably so. Both rookies turned in two solid games over the weekend, and both scored their first NHL goals on Sunday in Dallas. As far as Darryl Sutter is concerned, though, that’s only going to carry them until tomorrow night at about 7:29 p.m. After that, the two rookies will have to prove themselves all over again. Sutter, not surprisingly, hasn’t been effusive of his praise of King and Nolan. He’s not going to anoint them as saviors after two games. Jarret Stoll hasn’t returned to practice yet, but he’s eligible to return from injured reserve on Saturday, and by all indications, he won’t be out much longer than that (if at all), meaning that the roster spots of King and Nolan are far from secure.
SUTTER: “I just don’t want them to tail off. If they have one practice where they tail off… You know what? They’re nothing special. They’re kids who are trying to learn how to play the game. We’re in a position, because of injuries and not scoring enough goals, to give them a chance. They better take full advantage of it. Hey, they’re a year older than Kyle Clifford. They’re a year older than Lokti. So they’re nothing special. They should have a little more under their belts than those guys, and they better prove it. It’s simple. It’s not the L.A., Hollywood thing. It’s about trying to win games, and get the most out of them.’’
Question: Has that been your message to them?
SUTTER: “Absolutely. There’s got to be a reason why they didn’t make the team in September, so they better not come up with that again. Hey, you can’t have 25 guys, right? You can’t have 14 or 15 forwards. You can only have 23 men on your roster. So, in four or five days (when Stoll returns), somebody is not going to be here. And that’s not got to do with me. That’s got to do with just accounting, and performance. That’s being honest.’’
On the subject of calling up prospects, Sutter was asked about Brandon Kozun, the Kings’ sixth-round pick in 2009 who has 13 goals in 51 games this season and had 23 goals in 73 games last season, and if Kozun had been considered.
SUTTER: “You have a be a really dynamic player when you’re a little player. You have to be really dynamic. How many of them are? Those two kids who came in here now, they’re big kids who can skate. That’s what they are, right? When you’re a little guy, you better be really dynamic. How many of them is there? The only one I can think of, in the American League, off the top of my head is the little guy who is in Montreal, Desharnais. I saw him in the American League and I thought, `He’s going to play,’ because he was dynamic. It’s a tough league to play in. The average weight of a defenseman is 220, and they’re as fast as any players you have on your team, so you have to be a pretty special player if you’re 40 or 50 or 60 pounds less.’’
Wow.
Sutter seems more brutally verbose than usual. If my boss talked about me like that, I’d probably cry in the corner.
Then again, I don’t get paid to smash into people for a living.
[Reply]
Kevco Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@Blurker, there’s no crying in baseball!
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@Kevco,
this isn’t baseball…
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
Awesome! You win 10,000,000,000 internets!
USHA#17 Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:26 pm
@Blurker,
Because the we have a translator who understands “MushSpeak”
[Reply]
InTheCrease Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Raa, ru kin pay sat alin.
[Reply]
Nothing against TM, but DS is on a whole different level…
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@eric,
Level?
Take their souls to keep…
[Reply]
I really LOVE the honesty!
[Reply]
Where did the sugar coating go…
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Exospeed Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
@dmh012, Out the door with TM.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@dmh012, I’ve noticed the gloves are coming off. He sounded like such a softie for a month, but I think he’s getting comfortable now.
[Reply]
Sutter to vets: Keep proving it….
[Reply]
KingsGuy Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@Helvetica, To rookies: It’s not a Hollywood fairytale
[Reply]
Sorry Kozun! Looks like as long as Sutter is the man behind the bench you don’t have a shot at playing in the NHL.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@TD, or more accurately, sorry Kozun, you’re not DYNAMIC enough, so work on it so you get that chance.
[Reply]
TD Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@Stuart, is Lofti a DYNAMIC enough guy? Kozun, maybe you do have a shot!
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
@TD,
EXACTLY…
That was nothing if not a message to Loktionov.
rontheking Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
@TD,
Loktionov’s been looking pretty good of late…he looks like his comfort level has gone way up, he’s almost impossible to knock off the puck now…and he just looks like he’s having a lot of fun and coming into his own IMHO….
there’s is not even one speck of sugar on that coating… that’s awesome, even going so far as to say there’s a reason they didn’t stay on after camp! BRUTAL!! and honest, and fair. I like it.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
@Stuart, Well………..in Nolan and King’s defense, that was a long time ago(5 months). Just ask Ethan Moreau who DID make it to the team during the start of the season.
[Reply]
If that doesn’t motivate them to play I don’t know what will.
Hoping they play better than they did!
Thank you sutter for being honest and letting them no there is no free lunch here.
Earn a spot, Pretty simple.
[Reply]
Maybe more coaches in this league should GM for a while. There’s something to be said for knowing that other side to hockey. Love it. About damn time.
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Lou Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 7:20 pm
@Cynic, pretty sure DS already tried that…
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Shakes Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 4:53 am
@Lou, DS’s GM experience was exactly what Cynic was referring to
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number 6 Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 6:15 am
@Cynic,
Yeah, without sugar coating it……. so long as he doesn’t take over the Kings w his track record.
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If that isn’t MOTIVATION for the younger guys, I don’t know what to call it. He’s exactly right. You have to EARN your spot on the team through consistency, and there are opportunities available right now to make the move.
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Does he mean Gionta? Desharnais?
Which one is the articulate Sutter? I want a refund.
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Stuart Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@Greg, LMAO!!! I was wondering about the MON reference too
[Reply]
Sam Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@Greg, He was talking about guys in the AHL, I believe.
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Gary Livingston Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
@Sam,
And a goalie I think.
“is the little guy who is in Montreal, net.”
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SBKingsfan Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
@Gary Livingston, Sutter was referencing David Desharnais on Montreal in comparison to Kozun.
brian spain Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:22 pm
@Greg, He said a GOALIE in the AHL.
[Reply]
JWR Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 10:33 pm
@brian spain,
Sorry I did not see any mention of a goalie
“The only one I can think of, in the American League, off the top of my head is the little guy who is in Montreal, Desharnais. I saw him in the American League and I thought, `He’s going to play,’ because he was dynamic”.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 9:23 am
@JWR, i can almost swear that his name wasn’t in the initial post… but then again, maybeit was… and yeah, watched him last night, 5’7″ and he’s got skill.
Sutters logic should go for all the players, starting at the top.
[Reply]
FoKus Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:11 pm
@408kingsfan, This whole quote is flawed. Penner is the worst player in the SYSTEM, not the team, the SYSTEM. Kozun is way better than Penner and would produce way more than Penner yet Penner made the team…why is that?
[Reply]
there’s a big difference between being “hungry” and “starving”…
i think both nolan and king will understand this, if nothing else, once things are settled with the roster….
[Reply]
So Penner will never play again this season? What about Stoll if he keeps failing to score? Brown? Let’s start applying this to the veterans.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@PRMan, One difference between Stoll and Penner while both haven’t scored a heck of alot, Stoll does a lot of other things that keeps him in the lineup whereas Penner does absolutely nothing else.
[Reply]
Drew Doughty's Mustache Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@Jeff_R,
Agreed.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@Jeff_R, Yup. Stoll does a LOT. I’m not entirely down on him the way a lot of people are. That said, when scoring’s your problem, you’re looking at people who aren’t scoring AS the problem, and that hurts a lot.
[Reply]
Saucy Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@PRMan,
Penner needs to become a chef at Denny’s. WHO WANTS PANCAKES??!!
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If Nolan and King outplay Loktionov in the next two games I wonder who gets sent down when Stoll comes back? Stoll belongs in the 3C or 4c role not on the second line wing.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@Tom in 118, if Lokti doesn’t score/set-up any goals with his stick from now until the return of JS, then I can totally see and be cool with Lokti going down…
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Stuart, I think Lokti should go down either way once Stoll is back. Stoll should not come back to 2nd line Wing, but 3rd line Center. Sorry Lokti but your job is to go to Manchester and light it up during their playoff run. Than comes back and start next season as 3rd line center.
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
@Jeff_R, don’t forget – show me you’re “dynamic”
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@Jeff_R, I think he needs to be at center, too…if he plays…. :-/
vinny Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@Stuart,
find it hard to believe that youd be wrong,, but i wouldnt give js the 3c spot over lokti right now, just sayin..4c over fraser, sure
[Reply]
brian spain Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
@vinny, Vinny, Loktionov is awful, not strong enough for the NHL. king and Nolan are at least big nodies, the difference between this year and last year are two big bodies, Zues, Smyth, big boys like that wear down the team. Try playing in the corner in rec league, it wears you out, think about a guy all over you in the corner, at the end of the game your beat.
vinny Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
@brian spain,
as far as his size goes, you’re right, but this year/these past couple months ive seen him make some surprisingly strong second efforts when hes been muscled off the puck to either steal it back or lunge out to poke it away from his checker..as for him being awful, i dont see it that way..to me he’s improving, spinning away from guys in the corners creating time and space to make plays, create chances, skate the puck through the middle of the ice on breakouts pretty effectively, defends competently, doesnt turn the puck over that much and is actually starting to shoot, altho most of his shots seem to miss the net, but he’ll start to find his mark..and i dont think youre wrong about zues and smyth, but lokti brings a faster more skilled/creative game than those guys, and im fine with that change…just sayin id be happy with lokti at 3c and stoll at 4c
DEH Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
@Tom in 118, The way I see it Penner goes to Toronto either by trade or on waivers Lokti is sent back to Manchester and Cliche is brought up and given a shot, you know b/c Cliche is leading Man. in scoring and is about 30 lbs heavier and 2 inches taller.
[Reply]
Todd Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
@Tom in 118,
I like Loktionov. I am hoping when Stoll comes back they put Trent Hunter on waivers. Keep Lokti King, and Nolan up.
[Reply]
vinny Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
@Todd,
definitely
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
@Todd, hello, Penner is either going to be traded or waived… problem solved. As of right now Hunter gets more PT than Penner.
[Reply]
JD Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
@Todd, How can you say that, hunter is bigger than lokti
[Reply]
zulov Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:10 am
@Todd, I like Lokti as well. I think all the Lokti hate is short sighted. The guy has not been a liability at all, and he is a young player. He needs to have some time to develop and some wingers that can finish. He is not challenged at the AHL nearly enough. If the Kings are serious about him becoming an asset like they hope, they need to show him some love and keep him up.
There are plenty of less useful players on the roster with their best years already behind them. (cue list of under-performing veterans)
[Reply]
Gary Livingston Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
@Tom in 118,
I think only the rookies can go down without having to clear waivers.
[Reply]
Sounds like Kozun has a long way to go if he’s going to make it.
[Reply]
Jim Martin Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@steve mcqueen, I remember another player that was as big as Kozun but not as tough. And he went on to be a prolific goal scorer and not only that, he played for the Kings and then won a Stanley cup with the Islanders. And his name was BUTCH GORING!!
[Reply]
Anyone remember ‘The Matrix’?
“Oracle: You’re cuter than I thought. I can see why she likes you.
Neo: Who?
Oracle: Not too bright though. You know why Morpheus brought you to see me. So, what do you think? Do you think you are the one?
Neo: Honestly I don’t know.
The Oracle points to a sign over the kitchen door.
Oracle: You know what that means? It’s Latin. Means ‘know thyself’. I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. Being the One is just like being in love. No one can tell you if you’re in love, you just know it, through and through, balls to bone. Well, I better have a look at you. Open your mouth, say aaah.
The Oracle looks in his eyes, mouth, and looks at his palms.
Oracle: Ok… I’m supposed to say, hmmm, that’s interesting, but, then you say…
Neo: But what?
Oracle: But, you already know what I’m going to tell you.
Neo: I’m not the one.
Oracle: Sorry, kid. You got the gift, but it looks like you’re waiting for something.
Neo: What?
Oracle: You’re next life, maybe. Who knows. That’s the way these things go.”
And we all know, the Oracle told Neo exactly what he needed to hear..
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, as comicbook guy would say – worst…actor…EVER!
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@Stuart,
Go say that to Uncle Darryl…
Dare you.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@Stuart, hahahahah
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, at least the Oracle gave him a cookie.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
@Kenny44,
You’re right.
Uncle Darryl don’t give no stinkin’ cookies!
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
Don’t worry about the vase.
i think that is the longest set of quotes I have ever seen from DS. maybe spending to much time around DL?
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@tornado12, I wonder what Breakfast with DS would be like.
[Reply]
KopiSTAR Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
@Jeff_R, Lots of mimosas?
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
@Jeff_R, lots of one liners and then a blank stare?
[Reply]
Off topic:
Just finished a nice piece from Rich about Charlie Simmer.
But I have to challenge him on one fact. He said, “After the 1876-77 season, Simmer, then 23, was cut loose by Cleveland.”
I’m pretty sure it was the 1877-78 season because I distinctly remember Rutherford B. Hayes was president at that time.
http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=617113
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
@wavesinair, RutherFRAUD as his contemporaries new him?? kudos if you didn’t have to look up the president at the time!
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@wavesinair,
But really…
Wouldn’t Simmer be cut by Grover Cleveland Alexander?
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
@wavesinair,
Was that the year the railroad came through Ohio all the way to Illinois?
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 4:54 am
@wavesinair,
Reconstruction was a difficult time for many Americans. Hockey bore the brunt of it
[Reply]
….seems fairly obvious if you want to win….
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Ok here are a couple of things on Rick Nash. I believe he will be a King and it will happen shortly. I think Eklunds source was somewhat right, albeit they jumped the gun some. Now what could be the sticking point for it not happening as of yet? Could it be that Scott Howson wants JJ but Lombardi is balking on that? Would Howson accept Matt Greene after putting Voynov into the package? This trade is not happening without one of Johnson or Voynoc in the package. If Voynov, would Howson accept Greene as a consolation? Bernier will definitely be included in the package. Also Penner will be in the deal. So this is how it boils out….
Bernier
Greene
Voynov
Penner
1st Round draft pick for Nash and one of Mason/Sanford.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@Jeff_R, they can keep mason/sanford.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
@Lake Forest, With Bernier going to Columbus DL is going to want either Mason or Sanford. He isn’t going to go into the playoffs with the chance that we are stuck with Zatkoff or Jones.
[Reply]
JWR Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
@Jeff_R,
Of the 2 Goalies , I would say no to Mason since he would further complicate the cap getting 2.9 mil while Sanford is only 600k and then an UFA once the season ends.
KC23 Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@Jeff_R, My gut tells me Nash isn’t going anywhere until the season is over. Columbus will have a lot more options because a lot of other teams will have a lot more options.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
@KC23, While I agree with what you are saying I think Columbus is going to trade him now.
[Reply]
Niko Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
@Jeff_R,
I hope you’re right sir. I have read elsewhere DL really does not want to part with JJ. He signed a home town discount on his own, and is having a career season. I think DL respects his commitment to the Kings and acknowledges his potential at the same time. IMO, in DL’s eyes JJ is part of the core, and dealing him at this time could throw off team chemistry. We have many other prospects that are showing potential that should get the deal done. I actually believe Voynov could end up being better than Jack in a few seasons, DL just needs to convince the Jackets that’s the case. We all know DL is extremely stubborn and patient and I trust if we get Nash it will be for a fair price.
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
@Jeff_R, …..que Supertramp…”Dreamer….silly little dreamer”…
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
@Deke’r, While the trade for Nash may not happen to the Kings, it is not dreaming to think it might. The Kings have just as much chance as the other teams mentioned to get him. Wasn’t it DL who said he wouldn’t make a trade like this until he felt we were ready to do so? Well I believe the Kings are ready and I also think DL feels that way, as he tried last season for Penner.
As for the Supertramp reference…I love them. They were an awesome group. Would love for them to reunite.
[Reply]
brian spain Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
@Jeff_R, I don’t think I would let Voynov go. He is a star in a couple years. I would let Johnson go first, that free’s up some cap room also.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
@brian spain, I like Voynov also but the only way to get nash is one of Johnson or Voynov. DL really likes Johnson. I am not so sure how DS feels about Voynov though. He did scratch him and then sent him down. I know it had to do with Waivers and all, but he still scratched him. Johnson through all his faults keeps getting better and better every year. in a couple of years I think he will be a monster and between him and Doughty they will be a force, similar to Neidemeyer and Pronger in Anaslime. I know I kept putting Johnson in Nash proposals last few days, however I was hoping that Howson would accept Voynov instead and most of the media was saying Johnson.
[Reply]
Cruiznblue Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
@Jeff_R,
Eklund is a joke…he just blows smoke on a daily basis. I hope kings grab Nash though!
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
@Cruiznblue, Yea well whatever you think about Eklund, he only reports what he hears. He has sources and whether you choose to believe him or not it is still fun to talk about. But what he is saying about the Kings being frontrunners for Nash, I can believe that. I know that one package that he put out was totally off, but he explained all that.
[Reply]
Hey Rich, How many times do you need to listen to your recordings of Sutter interviews before you think you have it written down as he stated his comments?
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refreshingly honest. Kozun .. never thought he was anything special considering all the hype about him in camp from fellow bloggers.
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Now the other thing I have about Nash. Now this is kind of a fantasy trade but one that could really help us Salary Cap wise. How many people think that Kopitar will become the #1 center that we all thought he be? Our his slumps indicative of the lack of wingers he has had to play with (100+ LW’s )
or is it due to him being Young or worse yet will his ceiling be 80 pts? Do we take the chance to wait or do you do a blockbuster trade to really turn this team around and shake the core a little. Something like this…..
Kings
Carter
Nash
Mason/Sanford
Columbus
Kopitar
Bernier
Penner
Voynov
Now really look at that trade. Losing kopitar is tough, but that would knock off 6.8 off our Salary Cap. Our top two Centers will be Carter and Richards both making under 6 million Cap Wise. We get Nash at 7.8. Keep Jack. Then the Offseason we re-sign Quick and sign Parise with the money we saved from Kopitar leaving and the 7+ million we have from Stoll and Penner going bye bye. Would this make us a better team then we are now? I also think it would seriously help our scoring woes, as we will have gotten Nash and Parise without upsetting our Cap.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
@Jeff_R, Interesting.
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jeffreyryan Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
@Jeff_R, I stoped reading when i saw carter…then started again and called it quits when i saw kopitar. Last thing we need on this team is an unmotivated player. Cause we dont have enough of those. Kings need to stop getting other teams scraps (jeff carter) (dustin penner) and really go after the hard workers. Carter is penner 2.0
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
@jeffreyryan, Carter doesn’t want to be in Columbus and neither does Nash anymore. He will be fine here with his best friend Richards. All that talk out of Philly was overblown. Also Carter has done something that kopi has never done, score 40 goals.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
@Jeff_R, You are right on every point.
number 6 Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 6:18 am
@Jeff_R,
Hey Jeff. That’s cool. You were there!! Wow. What was it like? That sounds really neat.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@jeffreyryan, Tell me how scoring 12 goals in 33 games is Penner 2.0?
[Reply]
jeffreyryan Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
@Jeff_R, he also plays with an amazing left wing in rick nash. so 12 goals with nash feeding you the puck isnt amazing… he also has attiude problems. i dont think that would be good for the kids. he should be happy to be playing in the nhl but he wants out of columbus… how long before he wants out of la? and everybody hates him? no. we need a legit goal scorer.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
@jeffreyryan, Since 2007-2008 Carter has scored 144 goals. This season he has 12 goals in 36 games. I sincerely doubt that Carter needs Nash to score. The guy is more of a shooter then a playmaker. The thing is his linemates in Philly also had high goals/point totals while playing with him. As far as his attitude I believe a change of scenery to Los Angeles and a reuniting with Richards will help that. A lot of his problems have to do with him just signing long term (11 years) with Philly and then being traded right afterwards to Columbus of all places. Would you want to spend 11 years in Columbus on a team that has been around for a little over 10 years and been to the playoffs only once? The fact is he would of never signed with Philly that long if he knew they would trade him, especially if that trade is to Columbus. I know he doesn’t have a choice where he goes and his bad attitude in Columbus hasn’t truly affected his play, as he has scored 12 goals in 36 games. Yes he has been injured some but other then in 2006 he has played 70+ games every year cept the one mentioned and this year so he has relatively been healthy every season. I doubt he will want out of LA because with the package I mentioned above and the fact that we will have enough to get Parise, the Kings will be a perennial Cup Contender for many years plus the fact his best friend is here. He and Richards talk pretty much every day and would love to play again together.
Osaka Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:55 pm
@jeffreyryan, His trade proposal did seem crazy at first but after giving it a second it actually made a lot of sense. I don’t think I would do it, but it was interesting and thought provoking none the less.
Now where do you get this notion Carter is unmotivated? He is unhappy but I don’t see the facts he is or ever in his career has been unmotivated. You should give reasons why you think he is another Penner. Because he was traded out of Philly? That was because the locker room was divided and he was on the the side of his buddy Richards. Is Richards a cancer? He didn’t get along with the Philly media and had issues with Pronger. Now Pronger does have a history of issues in locker rooms on more than one team. Carter has been hurt this year ( a couple times) but has 21 points in 36 games. Richards has 28 points in 49 games. Carter’s +/- is a minus 8, Nash is a minus 22, and the Columbus team is a minus 53 in goals for vs. against. That actually looks pretty good to me. Dustin once scored over 30 goals (32), Carter in the 3 previous seasons scored 36, 33, and 46 goals respectfully. Has Kopi ever scored that many?
The knock on Carter is his contract, 10 more years. A player like him has how many productive years ahead, 3,4,5? Not too many people think 10.
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jeffreyryan Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
@Osaka, He gets a chance to play with rick nash. and he gets twelve goals. that speaks for its self. Hes not happy in columbus and he wants out. I hate it when players do that. You get a chance to play in the nhl and you whine and complain about how you arent happy. Rick Nash has been with the jackets for how long? and he sucked it up. Carter is with them for a season and he wants out. He can score. Theres not doubting that. I just think his motivation fluters. we dont need that.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
@jeffreyryan, Nash was drafted by Columbus and they promised him to build a winning team around him in 2002. It has been 10 years and they only made the playoffs one time. Now he wants out, as he doesn’t want to go through another rebuild. Carter however was drafted by Philly and signed a 11 year deal with them. He wasn’t expecting to be traded right after signing it and especially to Columbus. He was unhappy about being traded but I am sure he talked with Howson and Nash and was alleviated by hearing that things would change. Unfortunately it hasn’t changed and it only has gotten worse in Columbus, causing not only Carter wanting out but also Nash. It hasn’t helped that it has been a injury filled season, but he isn’t letting his unhappiness affect his play. The fact is he has 12 goals in 33 games. He was also unhappy that Philly basically lied to him in having him sign the 11 yr deal. They made him a promise that they wouldn’t trade him but they did and I am sure if you were in that situation you would be upset also. Most all that has been said bad about Carter was done by a Philly media that is notorious for lying.
Osaka Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
@jeffreyryan,
Rick Nash in 57 games has 18 goals, this could go round and round. They both are snippers more than playmakers so neither guy is setting up the other. That is the reason the whole Carter experiment isn’t working. Columbus is shopping both guys so be careful about reading too much into anything. I would love the Kings to get either guy while keeping Kopi. Both are guys that are a little selfish with the puck and would play great with Kopi or Richards setting them up. Now if your talking about character, I agree Nash is on another level. I give that guy a lot of credit, he really seems like a great guy and I would love to have a beer with him. It is also unfair to think someone else is a jerk because they don’t compare to him, not many do. Also I think i remember one of the King’s scouts was saying sometimes the traits that make a great hockey player don’t always make a model citizen. Anyways everyone has their own opinion, that is cool, if Carter is getting slammed by his actions I guess he brought it on himself. I just wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Kings uniform, not sure about the contract though.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
@jeffreyryan, You say that Carter having 12 goals playing with Nash isn’t amazing. Tell me how amazing the Wingers are playing with Kopi? We have had Kopi for 6 years now. Only once has a Winger scored 30 goals playing with him.
jeffreyryan Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
@Osaka, Ok you guys win. trust me i want whats best for this team as much as anybody. I just think the “Danny Heatly” method is not the right message to send to the younger players. If the reports out of philly were right then we are in trouble. I think richards and carter werent just split up for the heck of it. There was something wrong there. putting them back together here, in party city, isnt a great idea. Needless to say i would rather have nash, then locker room cancer. but maybe im wrong.
MindGeyser Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
@Jeff_R, Let me get this straight, you want the Kings to inherit Columbus’ mismatched parts, one of the only sets of players in clear view that are more dysfunctional talent-to-production wise than the Kings’ players.
For their trouble, the Kings get an outside chance at Parise with savings that aren’t savings, considering that Penner (4.25) + Bernier (1.25) is roughly Carter’s Salary (5.25), and Nash (7.8) makes more than Kopitar (6.8). Then with the money the Kings don’t have, they’re to resign Quick and add Parise?
This… doesn’t work. At all.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:37 pm
@MindGeyser, You are forgetting that Stoll won’t be back. So between Kopitar, Penner, Stoll, Bernier that equals 15.9 million. Nash (7.8), Carter(5.2). Then you have Quick and Parise which you don’t know what there Cap hits will be, plus there will be a new CBA and who knows what the Cap will be next season. With Carter and Nash on this team I feel that it will help to get Parise here a lot more then what our team is now and I am sure that Dean and Jeff Soloman can sign him at a Cap hit that helps the Kings and get him his money too. The same goes for Quick. Quick would be much better off as we will score more and he won’t have to be the savior that he has been this season. I am sure he will take a discount and work with Dean and Jeff to come to a good solution for himself. We would be a much better team with Carter and Nash on the team and also more attractive. You seen how we have been with Kopi. Do you really see that changing any time soon? Now I am not saying that Kopi sucks or that I think we should trade him. I am just showing what options we have. We also have to realize that what we have now is not working and any cosmetic changes made is not going to help that much. We need a minor shock to our core. Kopi would be that shock and really can you answer whether Kopi is going to reach any higher then the ceiling he has been on these last 6 years?
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MindGeyser Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
@Jeff_R, I’m not forgetting Stoll at all. The trade you proposed doesn’t clear any cap space to make any signing more likely than it already is. Furthermore, it’s a risky proposition considering the history of big-name free agents signing in LA. Without signing a big name like Parise, Carter-Nash is a downgrade from Kopitar-Nash.
Kopitar (6.8), Penner (4.25), and Bernier (1.25) = 12.3. Nash and Carter are 13 million. .7 million is lost unless more pieces are sent that already weren’t on expiring contracts. Stoll’s 3.6 (+ Hunter and Parse 1.7 combined = 5.3 mil) coming off the books is enough for Willie Mitchell and Jonathon Quick’s raises, but Parise wouldn’t even look at the entirety of the 5.3 mil in the first place.
Unless you think Jeff Carter is a solid upgrade over Kopitar (you might be the only one) or Parise would come to play in LA when he sees Carter paired with Nash (this time, in a sunnier city with a harder travel schedule), this trade is at best hoping for a change of scenery, and at worst trading the devil you know for the devil you don’t with a lot of gambling involved.
If there is another way to acquire Nash, it should be sought.
Do I see things changing with Kopitar? Kopitar, at all of 24 years of age, is more likely to improve than the Kings signing Parise.
zulov Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:27 am
@Jeff_R, Sorry man, but talking about a Kopitar trade is just silly. Not gonna happen. Unless Malkin is on the market which he is not. Kopi needs a winger that can create space and can score. With Nash, Kopi can easily have a 90 – 100 point season.
Right now he has stone hands Brown and run around Williams – both of which are good players, bu should be playing on the second line.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
@zulov, If Kopi is the 1st line center we know him to be, then he would be able to score regardless of who he is playing with and also make those that play with him better. That is what great players do. Kopi based on where he was drafted (would of been higher had he not been born in Slovenia), compensated and the fact that he is in his sixth year should be able to do that. How many years is it going to take to say well once he gets top wingers to play with then he will be better and score more. What if lets say we got a Nash and Parise (hypothetical) and he scores the same that he did with like Brown and Williams.
Now I am not saying to trade Kopi or am I saying this to bash him. At his salary, potential and talent level and what we have been told by Management about Kopi, I think these are legitimate questions to ask about your top player. I would do the same of Doughty or any other Kings player.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
@MindGeyser, Columbus’s mismatched parts made not of worked there, but put them in L.A. and you can have a different story. Carter will be a lot happier in L.A. on a winning team and playing with his Best Friend. Nash will be the Sniper that we have been looking for. That is 80 goals between the two. If Carter and Nash can’t play on the same line, then put Nash with Richards.
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rontheking Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:24 pm
@Jeff_R,
I wouldn’t trade Kopitar for any other player in this league…that is waaay over the top IMHO.
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jeffreyryan Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
@rontheking, thats a little much. Hes good. But there are a few players i would consider.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
@rontheking, What exactly has this team done with Kopi as the #1 Center? With him we have been one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL. Now before you say it isn’t Kopi’s fault, what about the fact that he is a #1 Center and he should be consistent in scoring no matter who his wingers are. No #1 center should go through 20 game scoring slumps. He has plateaued at 80 pts a season. He has never scored 40 goals or 100pts. Even last season he got hurt and we didn’t really hurt for offense and almost beat the Sharks in the 1st round.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
@Jeff_R, Plus he isn’t worth 6.8 million Cap wise based on his #’s.
rontheking Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@Jeff_R,
I’m sorry but that is whacked. Kopi has better numbers than Nash, he costs less, has less injuries (by far), and is three years younger–that would make no sense at all IMHO.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:31 am
@rontheking, Why are you comparing Nash and Kopi? First of they are different type of players, ones a sniper vs the other a playmaker. Plus they play different positions. I am not advocating trading Kopi for Nash. That would be a ridiculous trade. The reason to get Nash is to play with Kopi. However if you add Carter to the mix then I can see trading Kopi. Not only does Columbus get rid of there headache, but we can get rid of ours with Penner and Columbus can then flip Penner away, or just let him walk at the end of the season.
However getting back to Carter and Kopi. Yes Kopi is a few years younger and has the potential to get better while Carter is already there. Kopitar hasn’t progressed any in the 6 years he has been here. He is basically the same as he was as as rookie except he is better defensively and on faceoffs. However he has never gotten more then 81 pts in a season and he only has gotten 80 once. He has scored 30 goals twice. This season he is on pace to get his lowest points total since his rookie year. However Carter in the last 3 season (not counting this injury plagued one) has scored 36,33,46 goals. Those 3 seasons he had 66,61,84 points. Now the reason he hasn’t scored more then that is he was playing in Philly where they had multiple guys scoring, including 3 centers in Carter, Richards and Briere and then add in Giroux so it wasn’t like he was the only one whereas Kopi has pretty much been the only scoring Center the Kings have had, until Richards. Since 2006-7 Kopitar has gotten a total of 408 points and 155 goals. Carter has 322 points and 170 goals. Like I said take in account as for the teams the two players have played on. I think it is pretty comparable the two and I have no qualms with DL trading Kopi in this deal. Jeff is even good defensively, if +/- means anything. Even Nash has a total of 377 points and 188 goals since Kopis rookie year.
Kopi – 408 points 155 goals
Carter – 322 points 170 goals
Nash – 377 points 188 goals
What would you rather have 2 snipers like Carter and Nash or a playmaker like Kopi. I don’t know about you but the reason we are having so much trouble is scoring goals. With Carter and Nash our goal scoring would go up.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:36 am
@rontheking, I forgot since 06-07 both Carter and Nash have played most all of the season, missing a few games each. This is the first time Carter has had an injury plagued year. Nash is also pretty much healthy all season. Only time he missed a lot was in 05-06 when he only played 54 games. Carter until this season his lowest was in 06-07 when he played 62 games, his 2nd season. So yes Kopi is younger and hasn’t missed that many games, but health wise all 3 are very good with no real serious long term injuries.
MindGeyser Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
@Jeff_R, Carter, with all that firepower, didn’t rack up the mountain of assists one might suspect with all that scoring going on.
If we take in account the teams the players have played on, Kopitar is better than Carter by a large margin, seeing as Kopitar’s best winger has been Justin Williams, and his best center to support his offensive effort before Mike Richards has been Michael Handzus. Philly also plays a more wide open style than LA. That Kopitar outscored Carter since he got here makes me believe that Carter is a bigger downgrade than I previously suspected. And Kopitar can get even better.
I would rank this amongst the worst possible ways to acquire Nash. Carter isn’t worth the assets it would take the Kings to acquire him if LA can keep Kopitar and Richards.
Jose Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
@Jeff_R, get off the pipe!
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:41 am
@Jose, I admit this trade is most likely not to happen, but if you think real hard on it you would see how it is really a good trade for both teams and would help both teams. I really think that Dean needs to really make that one trade that will define him and this is one that would do it. It is a big blockbuster trade and whether or not Dean has the guts to do it remains to be seen. I am fine with getting Nash to play with Kopi. I think that would make Kopi a better player. However I would not be unhappy at all if this particular trade happened. Whether we have Kopi and Nash or Carter and Nash I will be happy either way. I am just trying to say that this trade makes a heck of a lot of sense and it would benefit both teams. I am not advocating for it to happen. If people actually look at the heart of the trade and go through the stats and everything, they would see it makes sense.
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MindGeyser Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
@Jeff_R, I don’t think the problem with the people who view this as a bad idea is that they’re not thinking hard enough.
I wonder if Loktionov doesn’t end up being the one sent back down.
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Osaka Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
@KC23, If King and Nolan keep it up they just might force Dean’s hand.
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At the end of the day, its a team game. And unless your talent equals Gretzky, Jagr, Federov, Lemiuex etc…. It takes a team to score goals. Laying it on Penner, lokti and others is a little unfair. this team was built with defense being the priority and it shows. They are not going to turn it around just like that. We are witnessing a change in philosophy and I would be very suprised if they snapped out of it by the playoffs, which I’m sure they will make. If Gagne is back by then and a couple of others dislodge their head from their rectum, it might be an interesting spring. But no one should be disappointed if it ends early. Changing philosophy’s in the middle of the year rarely ends well.
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I doubt DL would give up 2 of 8 Dmen that have been in the rotation this season with the big club unless 1 of the 2 is either Drewiskie or maybe Martinez. More likely Forbort or Hickey factor in the mix.
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I just was watching the NBC NHL show and they were talking about Nash and the biggest buy is and ‘must’ be the la kings. Not sure if they are just bsing but wow Nash is anproven goal scorer I doubt the kings could afford him and quick so if there was any deal with Nash at the deadline I feel JB and voynov would go off their age and talent. Both has a GREAT future and then give up Penner, Stoll, Scuds, Mitchell, Loki whatever it takes cause Penner and Stoll ate gone after this year whether they are traded or become ufa’s. So I hope the media hype is true and Nash becomes a LA King!
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Look i think these young kidare a great shot in the arm. Wen Stoll comes back we send Lokti down and trade penner for anyone willing to go to the front of the net. This is where I feel we are lacking. Once we get the puck deep we need bodies at the net. I still think that our defense will continue to be our idenity. Dean wants this team to be a big tough grind it out type of club. He seems to not want the sniper type of player. I guess all we can do is sit back and watch.
Also it was brought to my attention that I might of offended some with an earlier post. My hope is that if I had said anything that struck someone the wrong way, I am sorry. This is a hockey site. My comment should always relate to hockey and that is it.
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Say days ago Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
@KingCharlesofSalLake, don’t worry about it buddy. Some people on this blog take things way too seriously, I’m as big a kings fan as anyone but also understand everyone us entitled to their own opinion
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brian spain Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
@KingCharlesofSalLake, don’t go getting soft on us brotha. If you hurt someones feelings to bad for them. This is a tough guy sport, the bloggers needs to have some thick skin themselves.
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BluLiner Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
@KingCharlesofSalLake, I laughed too, and then regretted it.
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Daryl dispenses Tough Love.
I’ll bet he is a closet blogger.
It’s just a matter of time until we get a Sutter version of Lasorda’s Dave Kingman tirade…
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How about the fact that stoll hasn’t been contributing crap lately?….he’s good at face offs. Other than that he hasn’t been any better than Penner
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vinny Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:24 am
@Say days ago,
lol seriously..
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zulov Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:33 am
@vinny, Ok, I am gonna say it cause I can’t keep it in…. anyone on this site that would rather have Stoll then Lokti works for TM.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 10:16 am
@zulov, I would rather have Stoll then Lokti RIGHT NOW for the playoffs. However under no circumstances should Stoll be re-signed. Lokti, if not traded, should become the 3rd line center. This after a playoff run with the Monarchs where he breaks out.
vinny Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
@zulov,
lol i gotta agree with you..
vinny Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@zulov,
..but shh..dont look up..theres one of them watching us..haha jk jeff_r
Wonder how Darylcelebrated Valentine’s Day?
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Kopis contract was ridiculous thanks to AEG pressure….Doughty’s contract is ridiculous…thanks to AEG pressure….Quick is your best player this year thanks to DL keeping him…..he’s going to want more money than Kopi and Doughty…that leaves you with not alot to sign someone like Nash who makes $7mil…the mistake was paying Kopi too much in the first place. And that’s the way it is.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
@tellmeY, The contract problems have more to do with the way the CBA came out then pressure from AEG. That could be solved though with the package I mentioned above, which I didn’t come up with myself just repeating it from another person. Even though it most likely won’t happen, it makes you think and isn’t so outlandish. I also think it would make us a much better team.
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rontheking Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
@tellmeY,
Kopitar rhymes with superstar (sort of) and that is what he will be in another year or two….
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@rontheking, Whether or not he will be a superstar I don’t know. My problem is do the Kings have time to wait to find out whether he will be or not. The Kings have him for 4 more years at 6.8, will he be at the superstar staus where he can get a cap higher then 6.8? Or is it better to trade him now and go with a 1-2 punch of Richards and Carter both signed for 10+ years at just over $10 million combined.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
@Jeff_R, We got both Kopi and Doughty being paid loads of money based on potential. Can the Kings really afford both of them, with the scoring problems we are having. Plus can the Kings afford to wait for them both to get their play up to the level of there contract?
rontheking Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
@Jeff_R,
Uh…kopi’s only 24 which means he is three years younger than Nash (with a LOT less injuries) and still in his prime…and Carter is questionable in several aspects (attitude, production, etc.)–kopi is gold when it comes to character, production (point a game)…but I guess the grass is always greener….
A point a game isn’t living up to the level of his contract? Really?
vinny Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:27 am
@Jeff_R,
haha youre really not gonna let that whole bff carter, richards thing go are ya?
Jeff_R Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 10:14 am
@rontheking, Also Nash’s stats are similar to Kopi’s and he hasn’t been injured all that much in his career. Yes he is 3 years older, but he is now in his prime and ready to break out. Playing with Kopi just might transform Kopi into that great player we were expecting. However don’t you think that Kopi should be able to do that himself and not need help to do so? Crosby is a playmaker mostly but yet when Malkin was down injured Crosby took the team on his back and he ended up scoring 50 goals in the process. This season it is reverse with Crosby injured and Malkin taking the team on his back. I would love Kopi to be able to do that. But most of the time Kopi looks just like the average player.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 10:09 am
@rontheking, Point of game player means that Kopi would end up getting 82 points a year. However he has only gotten 80+ points once and he isn’t going to get it this season. Also if you think 82 points constitutes 6.8 million a year, then more power to you. But at 6.8 million and above I expect him to become more then a point a game player. I expect him to be averaging 100+ points a year. Right now he is an average 1st line Center being paid as a great 1st line center. yes he is only 24 and he can grow into that. But so far it isn’t there. Maybe a run in the playoffs will help him to take off. However be prepared that what you see with Kopi now is all you will get in his career. I hope I am wrong, but he hasn’t shown to me that he is capable of taking it to the next level YET.
@vinny Richards has said that he talks with Jeff 4 times a week or maybe with was 4 days a week. Either way they are best friends and would be a great duo together. They took a Philly team that made the playoffs on the last day via a shootout to the Stanley Cup finals. That right there is what we are hoping Kopi/Richards will do. As of now I don’t see it.
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Kopi isn’t going anywhere. He just may be the best two way center in the league. The reason you add a Nash is because you have Kopitar!
If Nash were a FA he would never sign with the Kings. DL finally has the chance to land the big fish that always seems to get away. It will cost him most of his chips, but were set in goal so JB is expendable. Were ridiculously deep on defense so you can give up one or two pieces there. Someone said DL may be hesitant to give up JJ I would agree, so much so I would sweeten the pot so much that they forget about JJ. The kid negotiated his own contract, never takes a shift off and is just starting to blossom and his cap hit is ridiculously cap friendly for a player of his age/caliber
Bernier + Voynov + Lokti + Penner + draft picks = Nash + Sanford/Mason
If CBJ insists on JJ I would only move JJ + Bernier + Penner and they can keep Sanford/Mason
Brown/Kopi/Nash
Gagne/Richards/Williams
King/Stoll/Nolan
Clifford/Fraser/Lewis
Mitchell/DD
Scuds/Voynov
Martinez/Greene
resign Mitchell for 3 or 4 years @ $3.5m
resign Stoll for 2 or 3 years @ $2.5m
resign Fraser for 1 or 2 years @ $.850m
extend Quick forever @ whatever it takes
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rontheking Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,
I’m with you on Kopi–24 and a point a game man already–and he can play defense AND he’s starting to hit opponents AND he has great character and work ethic AND except for the ankle he hasn’t had many injuries.
As for Voynov, I’m not sure I’d give him up either. At 22 he has a huge upside, has made huge strides and could already be a solid regular–and will get better. He has a great quick shot that is deceptive, good speed and instincts–he could end up being great.
Martinez and Drewiske could be expendable, and a prospect…but sometimes the best trades are the ones that are never made….
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 10:00 am
@rontheking, Kopi is a very good player but not a great one YET. Unfortunately he is being paid to be a GREAT PLAYER. Great players take over a game when needed, make thos players around him better, take the team on his back. Like in the 3rd period. How many games have we won going into the 3rd period down? That is a time where Kopi needs to step up and be the BEST player. Until he does that he won’t be a great player and he will not be worth his 6.8 a year contract. He should be getting 4-5 milliion. Not close to 7. In a few years if Doughty doesn’t become the dominant defenseman that he should, I will say the same thing about him and his 7 million contract.
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cameron Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 10:44 am
@Barry’s Mullet,
I love the trade but we would be taking a huge risk by trading JB before Quick is secured, with no plan B Quicks agent has a ton of leverage. Then again players like Nash are rarely available to us so I’m all for bringing him in but it would be interesting to watch the result unfold.
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If DL and or DS sends those two new players back to the AHL, that will be BS. Put Penner and Stoll on waivers or trade Pancakes. He never gives 100%. . This team has not played this good in a long time.
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number 6 Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 6:25 am
@gene,
I don’t understand. The team has not played this good in a long time? 5 points out of a possible 12? If that’s ‘this good’ then they are in mucho trouble. Last year they had an incredible finish to the season until Kopitar went down with injury. To be precise they’ve won 4 games out of the last 10.
The Ducks are 14-3-3 in the New Year. Thats good!!
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IMO we shouldn’t go after Nash. His caphit is too high, will make it difficult to resign Quick. I mean sure he scores 30 goals a year, but I don’t think he’s worth his contract or the pieces we would have to give up to get him. Do think we need to unload Penner for whatever we can get, heck I’d take coupons to Ihop.
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vinny Reply:
February 16th, 2012 at 12:31 am
@DEH,
with ya on that
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I agree – waive Penner, Stoll and Hunter. Trade Bernier and Amart and drewiski for a top 6 forward, and a backup. Keep Lokti up. Keep the 2 kids up if they keep producing. Bring Voynov back to the lineup. If Gagne comes back – good.
And ride that team till the end of the season whatever that brings. Make sure you resign Quick and Mitchel in the summer.
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Sometimes I have to remind myself that the Kings coach is not Stu Hart.
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