Darryl Sutter said Dustin Brown has been ill the last couple days, so the team kept him away today to try to keep it from spreading. Sutter said he hoped Brown would be able to practice tomorrow.
Jarret Stoll seems to be on track to play Tuesday, and Sutter indicated he’s still mulling potential line-combination changes. Sutter sounded as though he’s inclined to break up the first line. More on this, and other notes and quotes, to come…
This is one of the only times I can root for Detroit. Feels horrible doing it tho
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
@Cortex949, I have no problem with it even though things are different now with the Kings way back in the standings now behind SJ.
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MOSH Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@LA_1968, way back? just 4 points
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@MOSH, You’re right. I guess I didn’t really feel tied a few games ago because of the four games in hand that SJ had. Now 4 points back with SJ having 2 games in hand. I guess you could say somehow the gap is about the same.
Deadendcruiser Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@Cortex949, Yea I know what you mean……..I feel dirty n need to take a shower now
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Ill… likely story…
I smell a trade coming
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AZ King Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@Michael J.,
Has to be right, I mean no one gets sick in February…
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Danny of Pasadena Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@AZ King, uh, I just had a TB Test done. There is a nasty chest infection out there.
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dahack11 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
@Michael J., I smell one too….only b/c Lombardi has to try anything to save his job. But Gretzky in his prime wouldn’t help this team who thruout the organization has no concept of offense.
A trade made in desperation really scares me for the future….
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i’d like to see nolan on the top line…maybe take a “look and see” with him there with richards…yes, i’d like to see a two-center presence on the top line with an energetic, hungry wing…so, if it’s not nolan, pick the winger who’s bringing it that night….
we can have richards play with kopi early on when stoll comes back and utilize one of the many center options on lines 3 and 4…
hey, it’s something different…
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@variable, I don’t mind the idea of Nolan with Kopi, but Richards did not look good to me playing wing with Anze earlier this year. Personally, I’d rather see Penner up on 1st with Kopi and Williams. He was brought here to score goals, and I’m tired of seeing him on the 3rd and 4th lines. Maybe he’ll get a goal or two and boost his trade value. Who knows.
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@PP Anybody?, highly doubtful
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Jimmyo777 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
@PP Anybody?, Have Richards play center and Kopi on the wing !!!!!!
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hockeynerd Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
@variable, I doubt the second line is going to be split up, sutter said it himself that line has been the best since the kids call up
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
@hockeynerd, If they can’t score then you try something different. Maybe the two kids can get Kopi going and Brown and Willie can help Richards.
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Jimmyo777 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
@Jeff_R, Brownie can’t help anybody except maybe the penalty time-keeper so he has something to do….Dump this bum and give the “C” to Richards. !!!!
Alex Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
@variable, Penner, Nolan with Kopi. Richards with King and Williams. Loktionov with Clifford and Brown.
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switching up the lines is not going to help, weve tried most of the possibilities.
its time to put doughty on the wing with richards and nolan
and bring up thomas hickey to play with scuds
= we score more than zero goals
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Gail Weber Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@7milforhickey, Sounds good, and looks like if illness does not leave soon then we can all save some money as no play offs for LA?
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If Dustin Brown was been ill so for the first line will be Kopitar,Nolan and Richards so what do you think
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@Adam M, Kopi on wing?
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Ryan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@408kingsfan,
Always said Kopitar would be a better winger and took a lot of heat for it.. I still believe he is better on the wing. I would love to see him on the Wing.
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AZ King Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
@Adam M,
Don’t like the idea of Richard and Kopi together. I’d rather see:
Brown – Kopi – Nolan
Lewis – Richards – Williams
King – Stoll – Richardson
Clifford – Fraser – Westgarth
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@AZ King, I rather see Brown with Richards. Haven’t seen that in a while, maybe it will help Brown.
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AZ King Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
@Jeff_R,
That could work too.
I didn’t read a lot of comments last night, but there is one that made me wonder. Is Kopi still our #1 center?
Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
@AZ King, To me Kopi at this time is a 2nd line center masking as a 1st line. Until he can take the next step that is what he is. I have brought up trading him in a package that would bring both Nash and Carter and a lot of people are bashing that proposal of mine. However we still can’t score and my proposal brings in two guys who can score 80+ goals between them. Will Kopi take it to the next level? Can he do so as a King? Can we afford to wait until he does? These are questions that need to be answered and looked at with your brain and not your heart. Emotions should not counter into this. You should not marry yourself to a player or else you will be disappointed.
AZ King Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@Jeff_R,
I think Carter is still a little overrated. He’s only scored 40 goals once, so it’s not like he’s a lock to score 40 every year. He’s also becoming an injury problem as well.
Kopi has never had a legitimate sniper on his wing. I think it’s hard to say how far he will go until he gets someone on his wing that can finish the opportunities he creates.
I agree about not making decisions based on emotion, I’ve often said that myself on here. If trading Kopi away makes this team better than I’m all for it. Right now I’m not completely convinced of that.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@AZ King, I agree about Kopi getting a top 3 winger/sniper to play with him might turn him into that first line guys, but also he should be able to score no matter who he is playing with and not go 20 plus games without scoring a goal. He should be, in his 6th season making those around him better.
As for carter he hasn’t really been injured like he has been this season. The last 4 years he played in over 70 games each season. This is his first season missing as much as he has. Yes he had scored 40+ goals once, but last 2 seasons he scored 33 and 36. That was done with all of the offensive weapons the Flyers had. On the Kings he might score more as there aren’t that many weapons on the Kings. He is more of a shooter then a playmaker.
Mars Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@AZ King, I think Richards and Willie might do well together.
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@AZ King, I endorse this product
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Adam M Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
@AZ King, okay @AZ King here is the deal is if Brown was not feeling well with a ill so the lines will be like
Kpoitar Nolan Stoll
Loktionov King Williams
Clifford Richards Richardson
Fraser Westgarth so what do you think
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Alex Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
@Adam M, Kopi-Penner-Nolan
Richards-King-Williams
Loktionov-Brown-Clifford
Stoll-Lewis-Richardson
Is it just me, or has the GM of the LA Kings said very VERY little about the state of play of his team since the firing of Terry Murray?
Pouting?
Pissed?
Passionless?
Really busy?
Getting his affairs in order?
Clueless?
“What, me worry?”
Auditioning for “Dancing with the Stars”?
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AZ King Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
@IceGuy,
What’s he supposed to say? “On paper I thought I put a teamm together that should be competing for the Stanley Cup, not fighting for a playoff spot. Turns out they have no chemistry, and remarkable lack of depth. I’m trying my hardest not to get raked over the coals by Columbus, Philly, and Toronto.”
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@AZ King, Well, Burke and Holmgren have been in the media a lot considering all the trade talk, yet DL is silent. To be fair though, no one in this city really cares about hockey compared to Toronto and Philly, so there isn’t much media trying to get answers out of him.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
@IceGuy, When do you really hear DL or any GM say much except at certain times of the year, trade deadline, ufa signing period, trades made. Rich interviews him every so often also. He is really busy now to say anything. Breakfast with him, which is usually in March, is going to be a really interesting time.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@Jeff_R,
HockeyFest, when certain fans pointed out the PP and offensive deficiencies from the past couple of years.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
@IceGuy,
He’s had very little to say since he was forced to sign Doubty to that ridiculous contract.
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gene Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@IceGuy, Lets take a look back. Traded for Pancakes, 100% bust. Signed Moreau, 100% bust. Signed Hunter, 100% bust. Year before, let go os Smith, simmons and schenn. 100% bust. Fired Tm, hired Sutter. Team is no different now than what it was under TM 100% bust. DL 100% bust.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
@gene, Penner trade was a good one. he didn’t give up that much to get him and he was a good player the last few years scoring 20+ goals. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out. Not all trades work out, there is no such thing as a perfect GM. Moreau and Hunter weren’t brought into score. They were brought in for veteran help and once in a while score. However with the team wide scoring drought there positives were outweighed by there negatives. Smyth asked to be traded what do you expect DL to do with that, plus he only made it so he was traded to ONE team. Simmonds and Schenn yes they are having good seasons, but do you really think they would have it here in L.A. Look who they are playing with.
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marty la king 1969 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
@gene, so many busts on this team its turning into a womens team
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AZ King Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@gene,
How was DL supposed to predict that Penner was going to be a bust? Blaming DL for the fact that Penner is lazy and uninspired makes no sense.
Moreau and Hunter were both low risk signings that have no impact on the way this team is performing. If you really think that the play of Moreau and Hunter made that much of a difference on this season I don’t know what to tell you. Both guys were signed to small contracts, were only meant to be 4th line role players. If you were expecting 10-15 goals from either of them than you need to reset your expectations.
Smyth didn’t want to be here anymore. How productive do you think he would have been this year if he he wasn’t traded. He screwed over DL by leaking the fact that he wanted to be traded to the press. After that DL had no leverage.
The Whole Schenn and Simmonds thing is getting tiresome. Yes they were traded, yes Simmonds is having a good year in Philly. Why couldn’t he do that while he was here? He was given the chance to play in the top 6 multiple times last year. As for Schenn, at best he will be as good as Mike Richards, for a fan base that demands winning now I don’t see how this is a bad trade. I definitely don’t see who you can call it a “bust”. Would you really rather have Simmonds instead of Richards? I wouldn’t.
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Mars Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@IceGuy,
@IceGuy Auditioning for skating with the stars (in Canada)
@AZ King I feel he should be saying something, this is his mess!
@Jeff_R True we dont hear from him enough, but at this point we should
@gene Agree the Penner deal was a good shot, but it went Stoll (high and wide) so its time to fix that.
I know DL wont be talking about trades, wont comment on Rumors, but to me he seems to be MIA, that is why I have lost all confidence in him; granted a sting of bad moves/trades/acquisitions havent helped.
Too bad there isnt a lemon law on trades.
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AZ King Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
@Mars,
And his coming out and saying something is going to help the situation how?
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@AZ King, Plus what exactly could he say. I am sorry that Penner is a bust I am working on a way to salvage that? There isn’t anything he could say that would change things. Exactly what GM’s say anything except when trades are made or ufa time.
kingrussell Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@IceGuy, He’s busy filling out resumes for his next job.
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@IceGuy, The clamps have been put on him probably by Lieweekly, haven’t heard anuthing from him either. Could it be the upper echolon is fed up?
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First of all, I’ve been ill the last couple of days, too, from watching this disaster. Who can blame Brown? But more to the point, does anyone else miss those heady, track-meet, run-and-gun days when it was a 3-2 league?
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Deadendcruiser Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
@Mel Powell, It’s a 1-0 league……didn’t you get the memo?
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@Deadendcruiser,
more like a 0-1 league
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So instead of sitting out and not being a 100% to play don’t you end up hurting your team in the end? Just my two cents
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
@Deadendcruiser, Has Dustin missed any games? He is sick yet still plays. He is just missing practice so as to not infect others. Wouldn’t that be lovely everybody else getting sick. Although maybe that would help the scoring.
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There is a reason to keep Kopitar, Brown, Johnson, Doughty & Quick, together. In 45 years we have never had a successful team core that was home grown, of the guys on the wall, only Dave, Taylor never played anywhere else, Robitaille was home grown, but the other guys Vachon, Dionne, Gretzky, were all great players in the league, before they became Kings and all 3 of them finished their playing careers elsewhere. AEG cares about selling the seats and the LA Kings, rather than the LA revolving all stars is the way to do it! Yes we need a trade to bring in a scorer on the wing, but we can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater to do it.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
@Steven H Brown, There might have to be a time where we will have to trade Kopi, Brown or Johnson. That time might be now to trade one or two of them.
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Sean Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@Steven H Brown, Couldn’t agree more. We need to hang on to the core we have worked hard to establish before we desperately start hocking off players unless its really, REALLY worth it.
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
@Sean, Then we shouldn’t be seeing any comments from you or S.H. Brown as the team keeps sucking and not scoring, right??
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My wife and I attended our first game last night ever eventhough, I have been a devoted TV Fan of the Kings this year. So much is different live. Amazing amount of disteractions during the actual game. Kings to me are an emotional team. I love that about them. Good people. Great coaching staff.
The problem is that there is a missing equation. Goals it to easy to say. I’m not an armchair critic.
May I suggest something? Wait- pass- shoot no matter what. Wait- wait- shoot. Crowd inside the blue line, take your positions. Don’t think- shoot and shoot. Dumb I know but this team could win the Stanley Cup. Demand more from yourselves than anyone could ever expect and disregard the mistakes. I was born in Toronto but the Kings have won me over forever. Play emotional- it’s who you are.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
@richard,
Makes sense,
and I’m sorry your first live game at Staples was a shutout.
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Richard Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@408kingsfan,
Yeah, oh well, it was still an amazing experience and we had great seats. Nice to joing this group of fans too!
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Richard, Congrats Richard. Don’t be discouraged. It’s THE beautiful game!
LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@richard, Congrats on your first game last night.
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Richard Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@LA_1968,
Thank you. Sorry for the typo’s. It’s wonderful to be a fan along with all you guys.
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@Richard, Typo’s allowed. GO KINGS GO!!!
Forum Gold Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
@richard, Come to a Canucks, Sharks or Ducks game for a different level of intensity and hopefully some “We Love LA”. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Richard Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@Forum Gold,
I would love too. I remember the New Years eve game on TV when the Kings killed it with a 4-1 over the Cannucks. Wow. I would have loved to been there for that one. But I mean it when I say that the Kings could win the Stanely Cup. They have all the strategic elements. I watched an interview with one of the players on TV with Jim Fox, I think. The player talked about the need for consistency. Yes. But my observation is that they’re still an emotional team. Just love being the crazy unpredicatable, hard digging Kings. That cup is within our grasp. Mark my words!
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The whole team is in a funk. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a similar situation Anaheim was having months ago but in reverse. They couldn’t keep the puck out of their net and the Kings can’t score. But the same roster turned it around in Anaheim albeit maybe too late but at least they seem to have recovered from their own funk.
It does seem like the Kings have been in this funk all season and they need something to happen beyond the coaching.
Maybe it’s a change in leadership? Maybe a new captain. Maybe a trade. Maybe a new asst. coach. Maybe a new GM
But whatever happens or has to happen, this roster CAN score and CAN win. Something or someone just needs to come stir the pot.
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number 6 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@bittter,
Well…. a ten game stretch is a slump…. twenty games they have real big problems…… but 46 out of 58 games (roughly) is not a funk. It’s an endemic problem that relates to management, the chemistry of the players and a very very definite lack of depth in terms of forwards.
Dean wanted to concentrate on the defense and he built a good defense.
Dean paid only cursory attention to the forwards, made one very poor trade which clearly didn’t help the offense and he has a lousy offense. It’s not complicated.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@number 6,
Exactly!!
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
@bittter, We really do have the right players and they have all proved it in the past,That said we maybe need to be looking at Kompon and Stevens and the direction that is set now.
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@lakingbob(chi), Pray tell me please, what have they proved??? Only one player has proved himself to be NHL worthy and that is Jonathan Quick.
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Let’s forget trades for a moment. The deadline just hypes that up. Deadline deals don’t win cups anyway. Instead, let’s return our collective gaze to Kompon and our PP. What a difference having a PP would have made this season.
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helvetica Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
@Eric, take a look at our 5on5 scoring. The PP is not our biggest concern at the moment.
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Eric Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@helvetica, PP or 5on5, scoring is our biggest concern. I think that the PP scoring should be an easier fix than 5on5. Scoring on the PP also allows for the team to keep the defensive mindset in 5on5. I don’t think a trade will solve anything. If anything, DL will overpay for another pile of horse dung.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love some 5on5 goals as well. I’m just looking for a solution not driven by media hype.
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@Eric, Spot on. PP gaols would spill over to the 5on5 scoring thru confidence.
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Now some of you have a right to your opinions and I’m not going bag on anyone for being pissed. But to single out 1 player as the scapegoat is flat out wrong. If you don’t like who plays on the ice then please stop watching. Some of us around here still back this team. If a trade goes down and a player gets traded then fine, but as long as they still put on the uniform of the LA Kings and go out there and skate please give them the benefit of the doubt. We all are frustrated. Do you guys really think that the boys don’t care? Because believe me they do. What most of you are doing is giving up on our club. These guys may just turn this season around and if they do, you guys will be right back on the BAND Wagon!! Some of us are here for the long run. Many of you have been fans for over 35 years, so we have seen worst. Couple of wins and were right back where we need to be. It’s all about winning our next game. Jumping all over Brown, laughing as if ripping the “C” of his chest is funny, just shows where your heart really is. It’s a team game. We are NOT the best team in the league, get over it. No one player is to blame, the whole team is to blame. But give the guys the room to change. Earlier I wrote that I wonder if anyone within the organization ever reads our blog. Sometimes I’m glad they don’t. Some of you come on here only to bag on the Kings. Get behind them or stop watching. I’ll be at the San Jose home game on March 20. I’ll gladly back up my words of team loyalty at that game. Go ahead and call me the cheerleader or whatever you like, but to those who know me, who have meet me, then you know that I am a man of pride and honor. Do not ever think that I will give up on this season. Until we are mathematically out of the playoffs then I will give up on that dream, but I will still root for this team to win games. I never like to lose nor do I like watching my team lose, but as my father would say,”that’s horse racing” Meaning you can’t win them all!!!
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake,
+1, but it sure is frustrating to watch.. ahhh happy thoughts happy thoughts..
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, I don’t think anybody is bashing any player. We are constructively saying what we think will make this team better. Brown relinquishing the captaincy might make the team better, as he might go back to how he played before he became Captain without all that pressure the Captaincy entails. Look at Marleau in San Jose he is playing a lot better since he lost the C.
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King Charles of Salt Lake Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@Jeff_R, That fine if that’s how you feel. But don’t come on here, a LA KINGS web site and start laughing as if ripping the “C” of his chest is funny. To me that making yourself feel better at some elses expense. It’s ok, fine if your pissed, fine if your not going to give a nother dollar to the Kings, but don’t spoil everyone’s time. We have alot of time invested in this team, be angry, but let us remember that this is a sport, not life or death.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, I never said to rip it off Dustin’s chest and I never laughed at anybody doing that. I do think the person who said that was being sarcastic and trying to lighten the mood of the room with all the gloom going on. I have said however that Dustin should relinquish the Captaincy himself and hand it to Richards. I never advised it to be taken away from him.
lakingbob(chi) Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, King Charles you are right on, We all know the heart of this Kingdom and for all others that want to jump ship , well JUMP.. I for one have been with this team since the beginning and living in Chicago area has always been tough being a Kings fan , but I will never jump..
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@lakingbob(chi), And you have a lake to jump into. My kind of Die Hard Kings fan.GO KINGS GO!!!
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, Way to go man. This board gets so negative so much of the time. I am hooked to this thing and I don’t know why. I guess I like talking about the Kings and it’s that simple. Bottom line is we have a GREAT defense and a GREAT goalie. We have a few top players at forward but we need a couple more. Maybe these two young, big guys can do something unexpected. That’s all we can hope for. As far as the trade stuff goes, I am afraid DL hits the panic button and gives away too much for one guy. We need a couple quality guys. I don’t think it can happen. I hope the boys figure some things out. That’s why I think we stay optimistic.
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King Charles of Salt Lake Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@LA_1968, Hey guys thanks for the upbeat words. We all need to stick together on this. This is my only outlet for Kings Hockey. I love coming on hear and talking Kings. Many of you I consider friends. I would give anything to be able to invite you to my place here in Salt Lake and watch a game, so If any of you are out this way always know you have a friend in King Charles…
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KingMe20 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake,
I laid out my feelings about what I see as wrong with the offense here: http://lakingsinsider.com/2012/02/19/sunday-practice-no-brown-2/#comment-1137687
In that comment, I examined Kopitar’s reluctance to get in the slot, but as an example of a problem I see that is widespread on this team. He’s one guy of 18 (Quick and Bernier aren’t the problem, that’s for sure) who doesn’t live up to what we know he can do. It’s not just him, nor is it just Penner, or Richards, or Johnson, or Brown. The collective group is struggling, and when you have this many proven players struggle simultaneously, the conclusion that most prominently presents itself is that they’re not being used in ways that harnesses their strengths.
We have the one of the best team defenses from the goaltender out, regardless of whether there’s a penalty to be killed or if it’s five-on-five. The problem is that at some point, “Defense First” became “Defense Only,” and the skills needed to score goals, such as mixing in wrist shots with slap shots, and low shots that produce rebounds eroded while no one was paying attention.
I watched the warmups for the game yesterday, and it seems like every player is doing his best to work on only hitting the top of the net. Those shots are often easy saves for an NHL-caliber goaltender, and there are no second-chance opportunities on glove saves (unless it’s Luongo). If you aim low for the far post from the wing, you’ll either score, or you’ll force a rebound dead-center in the slot. It’s a simple play that has worked for as long as hockey has been played, yet these guys prefer to shoot high and/or wide.
I don’t really want to see anybody go, but a roster change might be the only way this team gets anywhere, and with new blood, you often get new skills. In a league where its greatest player was traded twice, no one is untouchable.
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Deadendcruiser Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, I agree with you 100%, Ive backed this team for 24 years, I also bag on this team (out of frustration) but I’m always going to be a Kings fan! Players come and go but it’s all about the team. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion and mine haven’t always been positive, but I do love this team almost as much as my kids. So with that said I will be at that game also with a couple of my good friends who happen to be Sharks fans……hey we can’t all be perfect!
GKG
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I wonder why the Kings are so poor in the first period. Is it lack of preparation or focus? Or are they TOO focused on establishing a defensive game first?
Kings goals by period (rank in the league)
1st: 25 (by far the worst, 30th)
2nd: 56 (10th)
3rd: 36 (30th)
The team is 3rd in GA in the first period, but still gave up 32 and are the only team in the top 10 in GA in the first period who gave up more than they scored.
I might be inclined to think it’s a ‘defense first’ attitude but then I looked at the power play stats for the first period. If it’s just a defense first attitude that shouldnt carry into the PP.
Kings PPs in 1st period: 66 (right at league average of 65)
Kings PP goals in 1st period: 5!! All season!
Their PP% in the 1st periiod is 7.6%
It’s SO critical with the Kings team philosophy to get that first goal… yet they are ALWAYS terrible on PPs in the first period. It might be preparation (cause I think the PP is terribly prepared by the coaching staff) but I think it’s more a LACK OF URGENCY. A team that scores so little should focus on EVERY PP, even if it’s in the first minutes of the game; they cant afford to waste even one without 100% urgency and focus.
It all comes back to coaching. And the PP coaching MUST CHANGE.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@bbb7, That is why that all important first goal is HUGE for the Kings. They would be able to play a lot looser if they had a lead and be less inclined to sit back. As the game goes on and no scoring is done, that makes it harder and they sit back trying not to give up a goal. You can’t play like that. I do admit though that they need to be better on the PP, that is the biggest reason they aren’t scoring. You have to take advantage of your specialty teams. They do the PK but not the PP.
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bbb7 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@Jeff_R, Yeah, the PP is actually not bad if you ignore the 1st period; it’s 18.7% for periods 2 and on. It’s that 1st period lack of scoring that kills us so much.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
@bbb7, You would think that it shouldn’t carry over to the PP, but IT DOES. Even with a man advantage, the Kings will not drop a D man into the face off circles. Instead, they rely on both point men staying far a top the blue line. To illustrate, the Kings just so happen to have THE FEWEST short handed goals against, 1. (http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20122ALLSAAAll&sort=shortHandedGoalsAgainst&viewName=powerPlay) So yes, even on the Power Play, with a man advantage, they are still worried more about not giving the other team chances, instead of taking chances to score themselves. It’s that simple. It permeates every facet of the Kings play, and they are failing because of it.
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@PP Anybody?, Great analysis however again, not surprising. Glad to see he #’s to back it up. Been on this board forever – play not to lose & PPP = pathetic power play.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
@bbb7,
The number 1 key to every game should be first period scoring. We know we can hold a lead. All focus/practice etc. should be on scoring in the first period to set the tone. But lately we can’t score anything so I guess it doesn’t matter which period we don’t score in.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@408kingsfan, They really need to score in the 1st period. The longer the game goes without scoring the more the pressure amounts. If they can score in the first it would take away all that pressure and there defense can carry them the rest of the game along with Quick. Of course a 2nd and 3rd goal would do wonders, as they never lost in regulation scoring 3 or more.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@bbb7, Maybe it’s the cycle style and the bench being opposite in the 2nd makes it more effective.
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Terry Murray just took some acid and ripped a stomach muscle from laughing….
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This team is well coached from minors to the NHL, but the problem is that there coached only D, we need an all new coaching staff and a new GM. The only coaches we need to keep is Stevens and the goalie coaches. That’s all. DL is going to sink wit this ship, cuz his not going to make any trades so don’t get ur hopes up for no reason. GKG
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
@Rom27, Yea I really believe that DL, DS, TM believe that scoring goals doesn’t matter. They don’t give a dang about offense. Believe me that is totally not true. I mean DS was a goal scorer when he played. I doubt he would only care and thing about defense.
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King Charles of Salt Lake Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Jeff_R, Dude I do believe you are a great fan. Please do not think that I’m getting on your back. Lately you have been posting meaning good thing. So remember the love.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, I don’t think that. We all love the Kings and want the best for them and to win. We all have different views and opinions about what is going on and what to do to change things, but the one constant is we love the Kings and want them to win. This is a great place to be as we all have different views and even if we argue, we love each other as Kings fans.
So, I don’t think we’ll see a big move until the summer. A trade if it happens would most likely involve Johnson or Bernier. Caution must be used, if Quick walks and we trade Bernie we’re screwed. But we’re also screwed if we trade Johnson and Mitchell walks. So the summer it will be, unless talk of a contract renewal is in the works. If all the sudden Mitchell re-signs, look for the big one.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
@kings king, The only way they trade Bernier is if they are confident that they will re-sign Quick.
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Trade needed. Maybe Nash?
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Jody, Maybe Kane. GO KINGS GO!!!
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I agree 110% with DS…time to change up the lines, that’s the one thing I miss about TM. If its not working, why stick with it? Change up everyone!
Clifford – Kopi – Brown
Nolan – Richards – Williams
King – Lokti – Stoll
Richardson – Fraser – Lewis
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bbb7 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, These lines have been juggled every which way during this past 2 seasons, and nothing works. Too few talented pieces and too many grinders is all.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@bbb7, Yup. I don’t like splitting Nolan and King either. I do wonder what they would look like with giant Kopi though.
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What the heck is DL waiting for!!! your going to have to overpay… period. You have no other option at this point…
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
@flakingsfan, There hasn’t been a big trade yet. Just some minor ones. The big ones don’t usually happened til closer to deadline day or on deadline day.
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AZ King Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@flakingsfan,
Pulling of a big trade is not that easy in real life. You can’t just push the “A” button to make it happen.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@AZ King, Especially in Columbus’s case when that trade (Nash) is probably the most important trade the franchise has made and may make in there history.
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@Jeff_R, Columbus Blue Jackets star Rick Nash offered a pair of “no comment” responses at Madison Square Garden on Sunday evening when asked if he would accept a trade to the Rangers
DesertKing Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@AZ King,
DL needs one of those “EASY” buttons. Heck, we play at Staples.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@DesertKing, LOL
Word on the NHL.com is that Nash is in talks with PHILLY
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, More like Columbus with Philly right? They were saying yesterday that the Jackets had management at the last few Philly games.
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Cunning Plan Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake,
Curious, when to me Philly needs D not O???
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Cunning Plan, And a Goalie that can stop the puck. Plus they don’t have any defenseman or a Goalie that Columbus would accept, so if they were to get Nash it would have to be a bunch of there offensive players. So you might weekend there one positive to get Nash.
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HockeyOnlyAwaitingModeration Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@Jeff_R, Acquired defenseman Nicklas Grossman from the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2012 second-round pick and a 2013 third-round pick. And for Kabina they gave up Jon Kalinski, LW, 2013 2nd-rd pick (Conditional) and a
2013 4th-rd pick.
KingMe20 Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Cunning Plan,
Philly picked up two defensemen this week: Pavel Kubina and Nicklas Grossman.
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Gmo Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake,
I’m afraid DL will come up with the short end of the stick once again. This guy just diesnt seem to be able to pull the trigger, he is scared. He will probably end up trading for a washed up player, an injured player , an injury prone player. I’m tired of this gm, he honestly sucks.
I have no faith in DL no longer. Hope he can prove me wrong but I doubt it
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@Gmo, The Penner trade is him scared? Getting Mike Richards by trading Schenn and Simmonds is him scared? DL is not scared at all. He is cautious however, maybe overly so. However when you have as young a team as we have had these past few years it is better to go with them and not make any changes until you feel they are ready. They are ready now so Dean will make some trades to get them over the hump.
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Gmo Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@Jeff_R,
Oh yea and the Penner trade was a great one too , we are reaping the rewards from it right now
Jeff_R Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@Gmo, How is that DL’s fault? Penner despite his faults has scored 20+ goals the last 4 years. How was DL to know he would only score 5 this season. The trsde was a good one, it just didn’t work out the way it should have. As far as what Mctavish said about Penner, he said that for a guy being paid 4+ million a year he should be a first line winger and Penner isn’t a first line Winger.
These last two games and the last road trip have been disastrous for the Kings! Time to step it up, or the boys will get an early summer.
AEG must be having a stroke! No playoff revenue, and then we’ll see how much money they loose when significant portion of the season ticket holders don’t renew because they jacked the price way up!
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kingrussell Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@rabidhockeyfan, I hope most of the season ticket holder don’t renew. Those price increases are insane for a product like this.
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I got it!
Trade Bernier and Voynov to Philly for Simmonds and Schenn. Then Philly has the assets to acquire Nash! I should be the damn GM
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Is this the worst offensive team in NHL history? That may be saying a lot, but certainly has to rank as one of the worst in the last 15 years? Does someone know who might have been worse? I remember the Islanders being bad about 10 years ago, but not this bad!
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kingrussell Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@Edped, Not in history,but probably the worst since the fifties.
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Jeff R., why should we give Richards the “C”? Because he was the captain of the Flyers? Why didn’t you say that when Moreau was here? He was Captain of the Oilers longer then Richards was with Philly. They should take the “A” off of Kopitar as he hasn’t shown as much leadership as Brownie. I would give the “C” to Mitchell if I had my way. I’d make Williams an “A” also.
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