Friday morning light skate « LA Kings Insider

Friday morning light skate

Posted by Rich Hammond on 17 February 2012, 11:18 am

Darryl Sutter has kept almost all of the Kings off the ice this morning, opting for an off-ice workout. On the ice are Alec Martinez, Dustin Penner, Jonathan Bernier, Jarret Stoll and Simon Gagne, with the assistant coaches. Stoll is going through vigorous skating and drills, so we’ll see about his status for tomorrow’s game. More updates to come…

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63 Comments

variable says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:22 am

ho hum…
all is the same so far today…

maybe getting gagne back into the swing of things will help give some offensive inspiration to others…

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TheCrazyWhls says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:27 am

Good to see Gagne keep skating. Just take it slow and steady man! Does he still have a beard?

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steve Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:36 am
@TheCrazyWhls, oh yeah the beard shaved means hes doing better

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BluLiner says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:28 am

I couldn’t sleep last night. The Kings offense is not this bad, it can only be a terrible funk. Punishment for past misdeeds of which I am unaware. Hollywood karma. Kopitar isnt scoring, Richards isnt scoring, Brown isnt scoring, Williams isnt scoring … These are not bad players. But, the puck is shot into the pads when the top of the net is open, the puck is shot over the net when the top of the net is open, the puck hits the goalpost when the entire net is open, the puck stops on the goalline with only a stickblade, goalie arm or skate to push the puck by, the puck hits the goalie in the chest plate 9 out of 10 times, the puck goes wide or high 9 out of 10 times. The puck bounces over a Kings stick 9 out of 10 times. The puck hits a defenders body part 9 out of 10 times. This can’t be happening . . . over and over and over again!

Yet, I am a delusional unabashed Kings fan. Someday soon, the Kings will find the 5-hole, the 7-hole,etc, the puck will bounce off the post INTO the net, shots will not miss wide or high, juicy rebounds will abound! Pucks will go in off Lokti’s stick and not his skate. Lewis will get the puck over the stacked pads. Kopi and Richards will find the openings and cause the back of the net to flinch over and over and over again. Stoll will be number three in the shootout and score to win the game (just like the old days). rant, rant, rant.

and the playoffs THIS YEAR will bring joy to Kings fans.

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CabbagesAndKings Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:37 am
@BluLiner,

Amen.

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CupRun2012 Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:57 am
@BluLiner, +2

It’s like the “yips” in golf where you can’t make a 3′ putt…the Kings can’t put the puck away…they need a belly putter!

And I don’t think getting Rick Nash will solve this problem either…CBJ would be scoring more and not be 30th place.

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wavesinair says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:29 am

For a light practice, it sure is lively here at TSC. Large group loving the action.

Gagne: Short beard, looks like he’s really enjoying himself. Good news.

See it LIVE here: http://deepinsidethekings.com/2012/02/la-kings-practice-live/

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Dominick Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
@wavesinair, Tried to watch. Seems my pop up blocker won’t let me watch it. Hope you leave it up so I can watch it later when I have more time.

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wavesinair Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@Dominick,

It should play on my page and not ‘pop out’ but it’s a free ustream account so sometimes it tries to take you there. You might have to try a few times to play it, refresh etc. I didn’t record today’s practice so no viewing it later.

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variable says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:31 am

jj in play…according to multiple legitimate sources…

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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@variable, For?

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variable Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@mrbrett7,

if we want a big fish, we are thought to be willing to offer jj in such a deal…nothing specifically being reported – of course…(!)

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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@variable,
I read that in several places too. And for all the reasons (upside, friendly contract, youth, etc) he’s considered a valuable asset in a trade, I am opposed to trading him. He’s the future and he gets better every game. We suffered through, and continue to suffer through his growing pains, why should some other team reap the benefits?

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variable Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@40YearKingsFan,

imo…

the two most tradeable realistic assets we have are jj and brown…it would be very difficult to give up bernier if you don’t make a parallel move to replace him – kind of like turning keys to launch a missile…

i think if the kings want a major shake up and want to bring in an infusion of offensive talent, moving jj and brown make the most sense to me…and again, i’m not advocating that they trade these guys…but, if i’m another team, after bernier, i’m looking at these two guys to make an immediate impact on a roster…

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Deke'r Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
@variable, …really??…just to band-aid this miserable season….what a waste…

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JDB says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:31 am

Did they pait Penner orange like a road cone for Stoll and others to run drills around him while he just stands there?

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StillKingly Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:34 am
@JDB, finny, needed that!

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Dominick Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:09 pm
@JDB, No, they painted him white like those big cement barriers the military uses in front of foriegn embassies. Their trying to deploy him in front of the opposing net, but they can’t move him because he’s too heavy to move the 200 ft.

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StillKingly says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:34 am

funny

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KingsFanFTW says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:39 am

Doesnt even matter if they practice or not…They dont know what passion is.

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goldielocks says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:40 am

The hockey ain’t a farm. Farmers get rewarded if they work hard but hockey players don’t always get result by working hard. Who are the hardworkers in this team? Yes. Players like Lewis and Richardson. They buzz around and recover the loose pucks. They might be very annoying to the oppornrnt. But that’s all they can do. Frankly, Lewis’s 18:49 TOI was wasted from offensive stand of point while Richards had 17:34, Williams 16:42, King 14:51, Nolan 12:08. King had a point blank chance and almost hit the 7 hole but Smith Squeezed his arm, and the puck hit his jersey. There was no chance or effectiveness with Lewis’s and Richardsons shots as the puck always ended up going wide or right into the goalie’s crest or pad.

This is a professional forward hockey player we are talking about. If it’s a defenseman we are talking about, it’s OK if they have only 2 or 3 goals by this point. Those incompetent players are getting grade A chances game after game but never scored innovative goal (aside from few breakaway or penalty shot cause they are more about the move not a shot). So why in the world they just can’t do it? Do they simply have no skills? I don’t think so. They do have skills. That’s why they’ve become pros. No one would make a pro with no skills at all. Then what’s wrong with them? I really don’t know but I think they are shooting in the panic mode. When they have the chance to shoot they just shoot. No patience or no calmness to control the angle or velocity. Their shots always seems the same. All I can think of is, this is the side effect of “shot mentality”. Other than that, I really don’t know the answer. But if that is it, they need rehab to be former themselves. Bench them or send them to the miner for that purpose. They could use some recovery time.

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King John Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:43 am
@goldielocks, I think you’re right; some players don’t have the poise to properly pull the trigger when an opportunity comes to shoot the puck.

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crashin'da net Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:52 am
@goldielocks, agreed. When the pressure is on these kids to either produce-or-we-turn-you-loose, they are being selfish and trying to put the puck on net from anywhere. Lokti has been quite apt to this the last ~4 games.

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Cry Baby Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@crashin’da net, The problem with lokti is that he won’t live up to your namesake!

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goldielocks Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@crashin’da net,

I can see Lokti is trying to be creative, and that’s a good sign for a young player. But unfortunately, he doesn’t have wingers to utiliza his skills. Cliffy is definitely better than Lewis but he’s a power forward in nature.

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King John says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:40 am

It’s interesting about the lack of finish on the team. You know Richards had an open net on the 6-on-4 at the last minute of the game but shanked the puck, which was only about six inches from the goal line and just a push forward would’ve scored it. He shanked it to the left practically sideways. Mike Smith was way over on the other side. You would think any player on the team would score that one 19 out of 20 times. If we can’t even score that to tie the game, we really are showing a lack of skilled forwards. I know in years past, we had goal-scoring skilled forwards we were always excited about. Forwards through the third line should have some ability to score, otherwise the other team focuses on the few players it needs to shut down. We don’t seem like much of a threat to them, so most teams bring a defensive game and their goalie is pumped up, so they end up allowing the Kings 0-2 goals and are usually winning.

If we do bring a scorer, I hope our system gives them room to play and score. I’m worried that anyway who plays for us gets stifled.

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LA_1968 Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:43 am
@King John, The D-Man for PHX got a piece of MR shot from close in.

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King John Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:56 am
@LA_1968, One of the replays showed that the dman’s stick came in after the shot.

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Deke'r Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
@LA_1968, ….no…just more bad luck….

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kings king Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:56 am
@King John, It’s not the skill. That’s why it’s frustrating, because there’s so much skill and no goals. It starts with individual effort, the kings players aren’t playing smart enough. Not opening up to accept the puck, not leaving your stick on the ice in shooting position, looking to go bardown every shot. Brown, Kopitar and Williams are solid 1st liners, but it’s lackadasical. I couldn’t sit and describe all the things they aren’t doing right out there, but if I were to replay a game there’s hundreds of little comments I could make on the offensive attack of this team. Take a guy like Drew Doughty, if the Kings could actually score on the rush, his assist numbers would go up 10 or 15. Everyone is infecting everyone. They’ve got to realize they need to change individually, not as a team, to get back into it.

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LA_1968 says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:42 am

@Rich Hammond, Would you be knowing and willing to say if there were any scouts from other teams at the game last night? I doubt they go to practices.

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crashin'da net Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:54 am
@LA_1968, I was just going to say hope there are a alot of scouts at today’s king’s practice!

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outsider says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:44 am

I wonder how long would it take to move Brown from the first line? He definitely doesn’t belong there!

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wavesinair says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:45 am

I’ve never seen a group of scratched/injured players have so much fun. Good to see actually.

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variable Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:46 am
@wavesinair,

if that kind of attitude and spirit could only translate into scoring more goals during the game, we’d be all set…(!)

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Deke'r Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
@wavesinair, …LOL….they are probably glad they weren’t playing last night…

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PB FRANK says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:46 am

Trade all of them for rick nash.

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Paul G says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:51 am

This lack of scoring….correction: NO scoring, can only be blamed on the coaches and management. Players like Mike Richards and Justin Williams have scored at ease with other teams. They come to LA and the scoring runs dry. On the OTHER hand, Simmonds has already scored 20 goals with Phill this season, Matt Moulson has even more. Players expereience droughts in LA due to this over-coached, defensive style of play

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Munchrat says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:51 am

Congratulations to TM for developing Kopi into a great third line checking center.

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Munchrat Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@Munchrat, and he even scores the occasional goal!!

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crashin'da net Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 11:56 am
@Munchrat, ocassionally!

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NB22 Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@Munchrat,

So then Richards is 4th line checking center?

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JD Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
@Munchrat, Thinking the same thing, TM lives on

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JD Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 10:56 pm
@JD, Also think that after the season DL needs to send DS back to the farm, and get a young coach with some fresh new ideas in here

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StillKingly says:

February 17, 2012 at 11:59 am

this team is horrible, just open up the system, screw defense and score some fing goals. Bring Back Crawford and Cloutier, at least we scored a lot. I rather watch a 6-4 loss than a agonizing 1-0 shutout every damn night

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Munchrat Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
@StillKingly, I said the same thing about a month ago!

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Gmo Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@StillKingly,

Amen

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King John says:

February 17, 2012 at 12:04 pm

Possible lines: Should we give Penner a chance if his RW changes?

Brown – Kopitar – Williams
Penner – Richards – NASH
King – Loktionov – Nolan (rookie line)
Clifford – Fraser – Lewis/Westgarth

Stoll will fit in where most needed (not sure yet).
Richardson (utility)

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Ashykon Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
@King John, Over the cap

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CabbagesAndKings Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@King John, My thinking is similar. (without Nash — since you know — we are without him).

Brown – Kopitar – Penner
Richardson – Richards – Williams
Nolan – Loktionov – King
Clifford – Stoll – Lewis/Westgarth

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bmova Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@King John, Why Loktionov over Stoll? At least Stoll can win the a faceoff.

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Munchrat says:

February 17, 2012 at 12:07 pm

The last two lines could not cut it on any other team.

We have no depth.

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Dominick Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
@Munchrat, I like our 4rth line, and have no problems with what they provide. Could use some goals on all 4 lines, but that’s not a depth issue talent wise. That’s a system issue that all 4 lines play.

You could throw in all 3 pairings on defense as well. Everybodies doing the job defensively, but no one is scoring.

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Mikey says:

February 17, 2012 at 12:09 pm

Its obvious that the penny in the ice is the cause for this lack of scoring. Get it out before its too late!

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Dominick Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@Mikey, Fire whoever came up with putting it there. That person is obviously a bad omen.

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Mikey Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
@Dominick,

Done.

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Steve W Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
@Mikey, Or replace it with a Dollar coin.

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rogiesbackup says:

February 17, 2012 at 12:11 pm

1st——Rick Nash has chosen the Kings as one of the teams he does NOT want to be traded to. So, fans move on with life/hockey and forget about Nash. Pretend he is the X-girlfriend you wish you never met!!

2nd—–Obviously the Kings have plenty of guys(finishers) who can put the puck in the net(as records indicate), however they still lack that creative guy(play maker)who can FEED the finishers the puck to score.

3rd—–Being a team that is “creatively-challenged” I respectfully DISAGREE with Foxy(and team) about it’s “no longer about the x’s and o’s.” If the players ARE NOT creative then its up to DL to GET a creative offensive coach and create a diagram of plays(X’s and O’s)to get people open. That Radim Vrabata goal looked like a well designed diagram play.

4th—As I blogged last season, the man WITHOUT the puck who doesn’t settle in ONE spot for a very long time IS the MOST dangerous!! Vrabata’s goal is a great example of this. He didn’t sit there and wait for the puck but actually moved from right wing position and AROUND the goalie crease BACK to the right wing slot. Defense CANNOT possibley keep track of a guy WITHOUT the puck moving constantly like this. Imagine if TWO guys WITHOUT the puck did this in the oZone!! Defense will be SO distracted!!!

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purple and gold Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
@rogiesbackup, where did you see that Nash doesn’t want to come here article posted yesterday said we were on his list?

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goldielocks Reply:
February 17th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
@purple and gold,

I don’t know if that’s just a speculation but I think it’s quite possible Nash changed his mind after watching last night game (hope he wasn’t). I mean to be realistic, why would he choose the team that has a huge offensive black hole if not volunteer himself?

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Capt Jam says:

February 17, 2012 at 12:14 pm

I’m hoping Penner gets back into the lineup on Sat. He was finally starting to put points up and create problems for the opposition (instead of just us) when he got yanked. Alright, so he cruised through a few shifts – the Kings don’t have the luxury of pulling guys out with even a lukewarm scoring hand to make an example out of them at this point. Every game is must win. Sutter needs to stop with the mind games and get all hands on board.

Plus, it truly pains me to see Westgarth out there.

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ILLEGALSTICK33 says:

February 17, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Time for Flapjacks to get a go in the lineup. Pens would be an upgrade over King. Lets give him another shot. King is not an NHL player. I’m happy that he scored a goal the other night but he’s not ready. I thought Pens was the slowest king on the roster till I watched Kinger skate.

Wow MR’s scrap with that tall Yote last night was crazy! It reminded me of Rocky VS Drago. “If he dies he dies”. Gotta love MR’s response for a shot to the head. I just wish we weren’t on the PP.

Perfect game for Westy but again he fails to impress. I know he didn’t get much ice time but I really wish DS would have sent him out to pick on Hanzel. That dude was Picking our guys on the PK and he tried to squash MR’s melon. Westy is the least of our problems but he’s too nice. He plays under the radar. We need an upgrade in that department as well. Are Torres and Ott Related? They make my blood boil just the same. The closest thing we have to a penalty drawer is Fraser. He’s the only guy I see willing to yuck it up and try to get under the other teams skin. We really miss a player who can draw some penalties. Clifford plays like he interviews very ho hum. He works hard but plays to the whistle way too much. He needs to agitate more.

Finally whats wrong with Kopi? He folded under the pressure last night! He used to take over in the o zone! Come on Kopi we need you! DL please do NOT trade Dustin Brown. He is every thing a King should be. He plays on the PK and the PP..4 on 4..4 on 3…3 on 4…You name it he does it. He might not have 1st line talent but he’s a BEAST! If you trade him who’s going to check the other team? He’s the only King player who can punish the other team with LEGAL hits. If I’m on the other team and DB’s on the ice I’m keeping my head up. Everyone else is just like pesky flys. Greene throws some decent checks but Ive never seen a player use a punching motion to knock people down more then Greene. Bad habit when the playoffs come around.

If we pick up Carter do we have to change our team name to the Los Angeles Oil Flys???

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Deke'r says:

February 17, 2012 at 5:57 pm

…yeah cause they don’t need shooting practice….

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