The Kings are on the ice for Sunday’s practice, without Dustin Brown. Initial word is that Brown might have been ill this morning, but I’ll try to confirm that with Darryl Sutter after practice. Brown’s absence means we probably won’t know, until tomorrow, what line combination changes (if any) Sutter has in mind.
Simon Gagne and Jarret Stoll were on the ice before practice, working with Bernie Nicholls. Stoll has stayed out on the ice for the full-team practice.
watch brown’s absence be blown out of proportion with obsessive speculation from the like until we get further clarification…
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nykingfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@variable,
Bingo!
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pitty Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:46 am
@nykingfan, Well that game made me feel sick
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nykingfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:52 am
@pitty,
not feeling too good either
LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:48 am
@variable, He did seem find last night only 12 hours earlier. Anyway, I hope he’s okay. The man’s got a lot of heart.
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TRade!!!!
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fuzzerson Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@flakingsfan, Actually he is hurt. Lost a lot of chest hair when the “C” was ripped off his chest after last nights game.
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puck73 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:40 am
@fuzzerson, LMAO ! Outstanding kick in the mouth Fuzzy !
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Deadendcruiser Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:46 am
@fuzzerson, Only men have chest hair……..not boys playing a mans sport.
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Word is he was traded for stamkos
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I’m hoping he is gone. (healthy) but gone nonetheless.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:26 am
@Jeffreyryan, Brown would work better if we had a top 3 sniper to play with him and Kopi. he would do a lot better in that situation.
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Jeffreyryan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@Jeff_R, We need a leader.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:31 am
@Jeffreyryan, Kopi should be that offensive leader. The type that puts the team on his back and wills the team to win. Like Malkin does for Pittsburgh.
Bluecoconuts Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Jeffreyryan, A letter doesn’t make a leader, guys don’t need a “C” or an “A” on their chest to speak up.
Jeffreyryan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@Jeff_R, not just an offensive leader (although I agree with you) we need someone who is captain material. Not just goals.. It’s hard to explain
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tornado12 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@Jeffreyryan, Because brown is the reason the kings are last in offense? DB is not a goal scorer first. He is the best hitter in the NHL. U don’t replace that
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:36 am
@tornado12, Maybe Brown would get his other parts going again if he relinquishes the Captaincy and gives it to Richards. Dustin can have an A.
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Soureen Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:47 am
@Jeff_R, I agree with you 1000%
justmyopinion Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@Jeff_R, If they gave the Captaincy to Richards I think I’ll be the one throwing up. Richards hasn’t brought as much to this team as so many fans seem to think. If being the captain has dragged Brown down then why give it to Richards and drag him down? The Flyers got rid of him for a reason, even though he was their captain. The entire team is underachieving and I doubt that suddenly after being captain for several years Brown is the reason, and they did make the playoffs during his captaincy.
408kingsfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:54 am
@Jeff_R, Brown is a right winger, playing him on left wing is stupid and painful to watch.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
@justmyopinion, We haven’t seen the real Richards that much this season, except for one spurt in November. The concussion and the fact that he really hasn’t had anybody to play with (the worst being on a line with Stoll and Penner) is what has kept Richards down. Look who he played with in Philly, he was a awesome. The fact that they traded him was because he and Carter were on one side with Pronger on the other. Philly chose Pronger and traded Richards and Carter basically saying it was because they had bad attitudes, party too much. As Captain he helped lead Philly to the Stanley Cup Finals. He was the heart and soul of Philly and they traded him because of a 35+ year old cancer named Pronger. Not to mention the media in philly really killed him there. Here there won’t be the pressures that there was in Philly and he would do a much better job here.
The key word is might be ill….
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:27 am
@lakingbob(chi), Maybe he can throw up goals. Might be the only way they could score now
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Kingsfanone Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:34 am
@Jeff_R,
It is the only way, apparently!
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He better not b traded!
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Gmo Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@tornado12,
I hope he is, he is not captain material . He needs a change of scenery and kings need a better player
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:40 am
@Gmo, While I can admit he might be better off relinquishing the Captaincy, I don’t think getting rid of Brown is the answer. He is a hard working heart and soul player that this team needs and looks better when things are going well. I don’t have a problem with Dustin as a Captain. However it might be best if he let it go, like Marleau was stripped of it and he had one of his best seasons without the pressures of being Captain.
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Gut just dropped. I don’t think Lombardi is foolish enough to trade him though, you don’t fill a hole on the wing by creating one.
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If brown was traded we become instant wussies
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Phil the Mountain Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@408kingsfan, Thank you! who else on this team plays physical up front?
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I would be ill too after being shut out twice in a row at home them being booed off the ice and knowing the GM amd coaching staff have no idea of hpw to fix it. Uh oh, now I am feeling ill.
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rabidhockeyfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@DesertKing, I know I’m ill after last night
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Someone said we are not on Nash’s list. Can anyone confirm that?
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Gmo Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:36 am
@Jeffreyryan,
I believe after hearing about our last 2 games he changed his mind and took us off
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Jeffreyryan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:38 am
@Gmo, as much as I agree with that… Is that just your thinking or…? Did you read that somewhere
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Gmo Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:41 am
@Jeffreyryan,
Just my crazy thinking lol
Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:43 am
@Gmo, Why would he take us off the list because of that? Actually I would think it make him want to come here more as he can be like a savior for the franchise and also the fact that even though LA is a big city, hockey is mostly insignificant and the media isn’t around a whole lot. I hear that Nash likes his privacy. Well that would fit well in LA.
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Gmo Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:46 am
@Jeff_R,
At the end of the day I just hope our genius gm is working on something to make us better
Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@Gmo, There is no way that DL is going to come out of the Feb 27th deadline without making a deal or 2, no matter big or small. Sometimes the small trade works wonders more so then a big trade. I remember last year or 2 years ago the Wild made a small trade for Latendresse and went off like a firecracker scoring 25 goals in 55 games. Would love if DL can make a deal like that. Even Dallas trading for Nystrom has worked out well.
Remember the days when he would hit like thunder and score before he had the C sewn on him? I miss those days…
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Stagger Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:40 am
@Darren,
It is true that he’s never been as good with the C as he was just before he got it.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@Stagger, Captaincy brings a lot of pressure and some guys sink under the pressure. They do and play better without it. Maybe that is Dustins problem. He was given the captaincy at too young an age.
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Soureen Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@Jeff_R, Agree DB is an awesome player not a captain
Steve W Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@Jeff_R, Didn’t Marleau start to play better for the Sharks after the C was taken away from him?
I’ll be ill if they trade him.
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The whole team is ill.
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Trade em all
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spidey35 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:53 am
@Darren, Funny how the Ducks GM comes out and says everyone is open for trades except Selanne and Koivu. Look what happens after that. They go out and perform. Right now, everyone should be tradeable except Quick and Kopitar.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
@spidey35, The Ducks don’t like playing the first few months. They have done this the last few years. Of course so have we, but we usually take off in Feb. I remember a deadline trade for Adam Deadmarsh, Aaron Miller and Felix Potvin and the Kings took off including beating Detroit in the first round. I’d like to see a repeat of that at this trade deadline.
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KingMe20 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
@spidey35,
If you want to shake it up, you’ve gotta put Kopitar on notice too. Everyone is tradeable but Quick and Lewis! (sarcasm, because Koivu made no sense on that list, if you ask me)
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Darren Helm scores for Detroit on a Hard shot from the Slot. 3-1 Detroit. How many time have we heard the Kings scoring on a hard shot from the slot?
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Gmo Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:47 am
@Jeff_R,
I’m watching that game, great game
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:51 am
@Gmo, I got the Chicago-St.Louis game on also good..
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:47 am
@Jeff_R, Pavelski and Vlasic are both out. If they miss these 2 guys for any time, will try hard to make a trade or 2. Nash for instance.
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:48 am
@Jeff_R, More less hard shot wide of the net!!
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Deadendcruiser Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:49 am
@Jeff_R, Saw that one too, nice feed and nice finish……..oh how I hate Detroit
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:54 am
@Deadendcruiser, I hate Detroit too but happy they are winning today. Beat SJ!!!!
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
@Jeff_R, Shooty. Marleau scores 3-2 Detroit.
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“Doughty’s too fat, fire Coach Murray” was the theme early in the season. Today it seems to be “Trade Brown, fire Lombardi.” What’s next? “Deport Voynov, depose Anschutz?”
The first person who should be fired is whoever runs the public address system. How can anyone — fan or player — concentrate on a hockey game when nonsensical cacophony is continuously blared at 150 decibels?
In a 1 – 0 game like last night, why is the “Dancecam” on? Why is there a t-shirt toss? Why is Gold’s Gym on display? Is Barnum & Bailey in charge?
The Game is on the line. There should be some nexus between what is happening on the ice and what is blaring through Staples Center.
We are so minor league in so many ways.
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when was Brown named captain?
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:54 am
@petemagoop, When TM became coach.
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@Jeff_R, Was Norstrom the captain before Brown??
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
@lakingbob(chi), No Dean trade Norstrom and Blake took over as Captain. When Blake then left Brown became Captain.
petemagoop Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:57 am
@petemagoop, got the answer from Mr. Google -> October 8, 2008
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Well, what can I say. You guys have made my decisions much easier for me to make. Just when I decided I wasn’t going to waste my money for playoffs on a team that is going nowhere, you decide to tank and fall out of a playoff spot.
Then, just when I think it’s getting to be too much money to have season tickets, they decide to raise prices for next year.
Guess what, as REO Speedwagon would say, “time for me to fly”, Can’t take anymore. I actually think it was easier to follow this team when there were no expectations as opposed to this team that was supposed to be cup contenders.
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The real problem for the kings and DBrown is called DOUGHTY, dean trade doughy for Nash
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Sick from the last two games.
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OH MY GOD, St.Louis justscored on themselves!!!
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 11:55 am
@lakingbob(chi), Why can’t teams do that for us?
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Michael J. Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
@lakingbob(chi),
Empty net?
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Haven’t read any of the previous posts yet, but it’ll be interesting to see how many of the conspiracy theorists are in overdrive, thinking that this is the precursor to a huge, huge, huge trade.
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variable Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
@deadcatbounce,
look no further than the very first post…:)
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Michael J. Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
@deadcatbounce,
As not to alert anyone the Kings management will quietly remove Bernier, Johnson and Martinez one at a time from practice in anticipation of announcing the Carter and Nash deal…
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
@Michael J., Those 3 will get us both Nash AND Carter? Think you have to put more in it.
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Another six goal game this weekend at Buffalo.
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There seems to be an elephant in the Kings dressing room that no one is willing to recognize (no, not talking about Penner), and it really struck me last night as particularly evident, but no one seems to say anything about it.
I think the emphasis on defensive hockey over the last few years has really created a mindset of fear on this team. They’ve had it drilled into their heads: “Whatever you do, don’t turn the puck over.” So, they play on the walls, go back to the point for a shot that either misses wide, gets blocked, or if it gets through, it’s an easy stop, and it’s time to play defense again. It’s low percentage offensive hockey in exchange for safe defensive hockey. But hey, they didn’t turn the puck over, so the coach will say that was a job well done.
The mindset has so infected their game that they forget some of the most fundamental things about offense. For instance, there’s this area between the circles and the crease called the slot. I define it only because the players don’t seem to know it exists. When was the last time any one parked himself there in a position to get a rebound? How many times did we see a rebound in an area where players used to be all the time, but instead they’re standing next to the posts on the wrong side of the goal line? Rebounds don’t come off to the sides as often as they come out dead center of the net.
Granted, the slot is a tough place to be. Lots of crosschecks, pushing, hitting… it’s painful territory. However, plenty of guys went to the Hall of Fame by parking themselves there. Look at three players we lost from last year: Simmonds, Handzus and Smyth. True, Smyth didn’t want to be here, and Handzus is past his prime, but they have the mindset that the rest of this team doesn’t. Those guys don’t score their goals from more than 5-10 feet from the crease, because they’re willing to play where they might get hurt. Look no further than the headgear Simmonds was sporting yesterday when he scored his goal for evidence of his toughness. Meanwhile, Kopitar, who could absolutely dominate if he had the will, is content to skate circles around the walls, and occasionally line up a slap shot from 35-60 feet away. But hey, he won’t get hurt that way, or worse yet, turn the puck over. Dustin Brown? Every time I see him break up the wing with the puck, I know he’s going to get to the circle, stop, spin and look to pass to the point. And if I’m seeing it, the rest of the NHL saw it that way before I even got out of bed.
There was only one player who drove the net with any sort of reckless disregard for his own safety last night, and that was Drew Doughty. He played one of his best games last night, and it’s a shame he didn’t put that one home. I was hoping that his teammates would feed off that, but then I remembered who I was watching.
You know that nickname that fans of other teams like to use to deride our beloved Kings? I’ll give you a hint: It begins with a “Q.” Hate to say it, but it’s becoming more and more appropriate.
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Soureen Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
@KingMe20, Still not worthy of 7 mil a year
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Michael J. Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@KingMe20,
I totally agree with what you said about Kopitar’s lack of will, and Brown’s impressive stopping abilities before he looke back to the point.
Regarding Doughty’s rush – where was anyone for the nice fat rebound?
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KingMe20 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@Michael J.,
Yeah, you’re right, and that’s exactly the point. That would have been a tap-in had anyone been there.
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Watch Brown get traded and he puts up 25 goals in the last 24 games for some other team…Mark my works if hes traded thats exactly what will happen
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Soureen Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
@Lvhatrick, Don’t say that that would be a nightmare
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Positive thoughts…We are set at D and at goalie….we are set on our 4th line(King..Lotki…Nolan)We are set at line 1or2 with Brown/Kopi or Richards/Williams.So we need to pick up 5 players/forwards….we now have Bernier,Martinez,Hickey,DD8,VV,Lewis,Richardson,Cliffy,..to trade to try and upgrade for 5 forwards….We can also trade Stoll and Penner now to a contender for anything(picks…)Then either you fire DL/DS or demand they change the system…Not a complete overhaul..just let DD and Johnson carry the puck more….activate the D….. We are not that far if DL makes the right moves!!!
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Trade kopi
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JAYC Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Knucklehead, DD, AK and JB for RN & JC get it done!
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Kingstane9 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
@Knucklehead, look we need production=goals, assisst and on Kings scoreboard we have Kopitar on top with 59 points, 11 ahead of Williams and 21(!) points ahead of Brown on third place, where’s Richards (28) btw. LOL, still wanna trade our best guy out there? I’d say trade those who doesn’t seem to be able to produce anything, but really should have (Penns, Richardson, Stoll…)
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trade bernier for carter
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