If such a prop bet existed in Las Vegas, one could have made a lot of money wagering that, on Feb. 20, Jordan Nolan would be Anze Kopitar’s left winger. Nolan, a 2009 seventh-round draft pick, wasn’t even expected to be in the NHL this season, at age 22, but after being called up last week, Nolan played four games on the second line and now has been moved up to play with Kopitar and Justin Williams. Part of the move is position-based. Nolan had been playing right wing but is a natural left winger. Darryl Sutter wanted to move Dustin Brown off the first line, and wanted to keep Mike Richards and Dwight King together, so Nolan was the most-viable option to move up.
SUTTER: “I think that’s totally interchangeable. We’re just trying to get Kopitar to play. It’s got nothing to do with Jordan Nolan, or who that winger is. That’s Jordan’s best position.’’
Nolan hasn’t been dynamic in his stint with the Kings thus far, but he’s brought energy and hard work and has been mostly responsible away from the puck. Also, Nolan is now going back to his preferred position. Nolan said the move to the right side had been made in Manchester this season.
NOLAN: “I didn’t do too bad, so they kept me there. … I think (on left wing) it’s a little easier for me to handle the pucks off the walls and break out of our zone.’’
Nolan also talked about his unexpected rise this season, in the context of having to work hard to prove himself after being a largely unheralded prospect coming out of junior hockey.
NOLAN: “I wasn’t expected to get drafted, in my last year of junior. It was definitely a surprise to get drafted in the seventh round, but also an honor to get drafted. I had to work hard to get that contract. I had to work hard to get to the American league and then I had to work hard to get called up here. It feels good, to have your dream happen. It’s exciting, so I want to work as hard as I can to stay here.’’
Keep working dude, maybe, just maybe you are the spark this team needs. Stranger things have happened in hockey.
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Shakes Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
@fsd1, No-Lin
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Duncanz Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
@Shakes, Sweeet!
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mcdangles Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
@fsd1, That is exactly why he is moved up to the 1st line, he is working hard, others aren’t, bottom line, it pays to work hard especially when you get the call up from the farm team
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
February 21st, 2012 at 2:21 am
@mcdangles, that is why I like Nic Deslaurier. Kids are dedicated.
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Kingsrule Reply:
February 21st, 2012 at 7:26 am
@fsd1, Lets see who was that other left wing that was drafted late by the kings???
Nobody thought he would make it he was too slow ect.
Wishful thinking. My bet is that this guy could park in front of the net and pick up a lot of garbage. Time tells all doesn’t it?
GKG
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fsd1 Reply:
February 21st, 2012 at 9:28 am
@Kingsrule, luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuccccccccccccccccccccccc!!!!!!!
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Last quarter of the season where we are sjpposed to bave our strongest run ever at the Cup and we are starting a rookie kn our 1st line with the intent of jumpstarting our top notch center? Ok………
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vplaza Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@DesertKing,
Yep, it’s gotten than bad. Desperate times mean desperate measures.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@vplaza, It is only for 3 games. I doubt it be this way for the game next Tuesday night against the Wild. Actually it might be 4 games because if all the Kings trades they make happen next Monday not sure they can get to Nashville in time, the new guys.
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dodgervern Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
@vplaza,
Too bad Dean hasn’t got that figured out yet and seemingly continues to gaze into space for like the third year in a row that Kings are near ability required for a serious cup run.Except you have to have a couple of guys that KNOW that any good puck belongs in the back of opponents net and are either born with the ability to do so or work at developing the necessary skills!I reckon that he should bring up Cliche and bring back Voynov if he isn’t going to look at a trade for scoring help and throw away this season.Don’t the playoffs bring in big money for the teams that get in?Its not rocket science,we need scoring help.
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Mik3ysfv Reply:
February 21st, 2012 at 2:24 am
@dodgervern, lets go for a lottery pick so Deano can grab another D-man
gene Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@DesertKing, Go Figure Brown. The phone is ringing, better answer the call before it is to late.
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Sean Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
@DesertKing, do the names Dave Taylor, Tiger Williams, or Luc Robitaille mean anything to you?…
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Sean Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
@Sean, (tiger williams being a joke, of course.)
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Reduced to 7th round picks on our top line. So much promise coming into this season. Then Penner pulls an LA Penner, Gagne, Richards get concussed, Doughty holds out, gets concussed, plays nowhere near 7 million.
Reduced to 7th rounders on top line. Ugh.
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king1jason Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@ShuttleButI heard that. I just threw up in my mouth. Wow hard to think that this is what it has come to.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@ShuttleBut, Wasn’t Luc a 7th round pick? I also think Datsuyk was a 7th rounder. Not saying that Nolan will turn into them, just don’t knock a guys draft round.
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In the Net Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@Jeff_R, Luc was 9th round. 171st pick. Teamed up with Jimmy Carson and scored 45 goals his first year. So much for draft position.
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ShuttleBut Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@Jeff_R, Robitaille was a ninth believe it or not. Datsyuk a sixth. You get the point im making.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@ShuttleBut, Yes. But it doesn’t matter where someone was drafted as opposed to what there success in the nhl will be. Luc would of been a lot higher had he been able to skate well and even Kopi wasn’t picked until #11 because he was from Slovenia. My point is doesn’t make a big whoop where you are drafted if you are any good it will come out regardless.
Duncanz Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
At least let’s give it a chance. Chemistry is a mysterious and amazing thing. Look at what playing with Phil Kessel did for Joffrey Lupul, all of a sudden!!
This might not be a fair comparison, lol, but I would take ANY possible chemistry at all over inert gaseousness.
If nothing’s going on, you’ve got to experiment and shake up the mixture a bit and see what you get!
Alanj21 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@ShuttleBut, Agreed! Draft number isn’t always important.
Kings x Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
@ShuttleBut, Deja vu from last year
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Novel idea. Play him at his natural position where he is comfortable. WOW! Maybe Sutter does have a clue.
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So, how many of the playoff bound teams have a 7th round pick playing on their top line? Just curious.
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fsd1 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@vplaza, Luc was like what, 277th or something like that.? you never know what might happen.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@fsd1, Like I said above Pavel Datsyuk was a late round pick also, 171th.
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Purple Ghost Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@Jeff_R, Alex Burrows wasn’t even drafted and also started in the ECHL. Plays with the Sedins.
Osaka Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@Jeff_R, Datsyuk 6th round Zetterberg 7th.
rick Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
@Jeff_R, I like what I have seen from Nolan so far, but he doesn’t belong in the same sentence – or paragraph – as Datsyuk.
JD Reply:
February 21st, 2012 at 1:07 am
@Jeff_R, I think this move says more about how far we’ve fallen
Osaka Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@vplaza, Let’s see, how about Detroit, Zetterberg was a 7th round in 99 and Datsyuk was a 6th round in 98. Of course there were some greats like Adam Graves and Ed Belfour who were never drafted.
Now why would it matter what round a player was taken?
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Token Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@Osaka, Here is more. Adding goalies and D.
Bret Hull, Tim Thomas, Ryan Miller, Peka Rine, Henric Lundquist, Patrick Sharp, Nick Lidstrom, Dustin Byfuglien, Pavol Demitra, Daniel Alfredson, Marty St Louis …
The list gets very long if you dig back, like Messier, Theo Fleury etc.
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vplaza Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@Osaka,
Pardon my memory, but was Datsyuk playing on the first line his firs season? How about the other players being mentioned here?
The point I was trying to make is not that a 7th round pick couldn’t eventually play on the first line in the league. I guess I wasn’t clearer in asking what current teams bound for the playoffs have a rookie 7th rounder on their first line. Not a 7th rounder that’s been in the league for years.
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
@vplaza,
Yeah, but how many 1st round draftees (including #1′s overall) have suited up their rookie year on someone’s first line and been a total bust?
Would rather have a hard-working Nolan than a coasting Daigle any day.
vplaza Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
@vplaza,
Thanks to all the replies. I guess given enough time, you never know. But how many current playoff bound teams have a “rookie” 7th rounder playing on the first line? The names I see here aren’t rookies this year.
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Osaka Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@vplaza, So it isn’t the 7th round that bothers you it is the rookie status? You should have just said rookie then. I am a little more understanding about a point of a guy with 4 games of NHL experience starting on the 1st line being a concern, but 7th round….. that is a zero factor. I would rather see more experience in that role myself, but these are the players we have. Gotta try something. I do feel more comfortable with a rookie like Nolan than a rookie like Lokti on the first line, I don’t see him getting abused.
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vplaza Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
@Osaka,
Actually, I believe there are rookies that have made a significant impact on their teams by playing on the first line this year, though I don’t know for sure if their teams are making the playoffs.
If it was a 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd round rookie playing on the first line, I can understand. But a 7th round rookie playing on the first line of a team that is trying desperately to hang on to a playoff spot? It reeks of desperation since that means no other veteran players can play that role on the first line.
Osaka Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@vplaza,
You just lost me again, why would it matter if the rookie was taken in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round of a draft? If a rookie was taken in the first round or the seventh makes no difference. Your hang up is a number? Really? The round means NOTHING. A higher percentage of 1st rounders make the NHL, but in no means does the fact that a guy taken in the first round makes a better player just because he was taken in the 1st round. Once they are prospects, they are prospects. If a guy can play he can play, doesn’t matter when he was taken.
vplaza Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
@Osaka,
What’s so difficult to see? There are reasons some players are taken early and some taken later. There are no guarantees, but generally speaking, the higher the pick, the more the teams have seen in that player that indicates a better chance of making the big club.
The round means something. I’m not sure why that’s difficult to follow. If by nothing, you mean that a 7th rounder can make an impact down the road, sure. But in their rookie year?
Kings x Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
@vplaza, Dont forget to add rookie to that statement
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Off Topic: Does anyone know how the winners of the game jerseys were determined the other night? Silent auction, randomly?
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HMCSFMFUSN Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@LA_1968, Kings Care Silent Auction – those were all the winners.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@HMCSFMFUSN, Was the silent auction held online before the game or during the game?
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HMCSFMFUSN Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
@LA_1968, during the game at the Kings Care booth, closed after the 2nd inter mission.
I’m stoked for Nolan! Not sure if he’s up for it or not, but he has size, and so far he has heart! Think positively people! =)
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@The Puck Stops Here, If he plays like he did with Richards then he will be fine. Just hit the opponents, be physical and then go to the net.
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Hockey & Rocky Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@The Puck Stops Here, If Penner played as well as Nolan is playing, we would all probably be happy. Go Nolan.. good kid and he’s got some dangles in him.
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Pili Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@Hockey & Rocky, I’ve been impressed with him since he came up. He seems to have a nose for where to be at crucial moments.
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gene Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@The Puck Stops Here, Not to many forwards have shown heart to go to the front like Smith did last year.
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Alright everyone. Check bleacher report says Denis Burnstien is reporting that the kings are willing to trade JJ,JB,Lokti and “plus” for Nash
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@alex101, Little late to the party Alex.
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alex101 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@Jeff_R, haha i feel like were getting ready to do something
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
@Jeff_R,
I like being late to party’s because everyone is already jacked up when you get there.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@408kingsfan, Good one
MindGeyser Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@alex101, If the Kings can keep JJ and throw Voynov + in there instead, they should.
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Token Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
@MindGeyser, Better throw in Kopi for Bernier and get both Nash and Carter.
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MindGeyser Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
@Token, Sarcasm? You’d rather have Voynov than JJ?
In the Net Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@alex101, Rather they send Doughty than Johnson. Getting tired of seeing DD try to drive the middle against 3 opposing players and lose the puck. Helllloooo…
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Gary Livingston Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
@In the Net,
It’s nice to see SOMEONE drive to the slot. That would be the last thing on my list of criticism against Doughty.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
@In the Net, Maybe if some of the other players would get into position and follow Drew then he have someone to pass it too, instead of losing it. I would say the same for Brown when he does his toe drag move. Also Justin Williams if the guys would move around and get into shooting position/scoring position maybe Justin wouldn’t have to make all those moves only to end up losing it.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
@Jeff_R, It would be nice if some of the other players supported Drew or Brown on offense, wouldn’t it? Too bad that the coaches would rather make sure the other players are hanging back in the neutral zone or atop the blue line just in case there is a turnover.
MattM Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
@alex101,
Sounds like a horrible trade for the kings in my opinion. The kings have a bigger hole than one person is capable of filling and to give up all of that up and coming talent for one person is a joke. Shame on Dean if he makes that trade. Let’s hope he has more sense than that.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
@MattM,
I’m with you, Nash should be at the 27 goal mark at this point of the season and he is not going to start scoring at a higher pace under the Kings system. So 7 million for what? a 20 goal player … someones smoking something to talk of giving up players like JJ or DD for Rick Nash
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
@MattM, Bernier can go as we have Quick and he is only going to play maybe 5 more games this season, plus it will give him a chance to be a #1 in the NHL. JJ can go as we have VV who can take his place. If Lokti is traded then Stoll will step in for the rest of the season and then we can either draft, trade or sign a 3rd line center in the off season. But of course it is too much to trade for Nash as Penner is irreplaceable when he leaves in the trade.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
@Jeff_R,
I’m comfortable giving up Bernier and Lokti for the reasons you mentioned but a 7mil Rick Nash is not the answer because his production will take a huge dip in a Kings Jersey
Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
@408kingsfan, I don’t agree that his production will go down. I believe it will go up. The problem with the Kings isn’t the system. If run correctly it should produce a good offense. Look at the Kings sometimes this season when it has been run correctly they scored 5 goals. However the problem is the Kings only play correctly sometimes instead of consistently. The correct way is to go to the prime scoring areas, dirty areas and parking yourself in front of the Goalie to bang in rebounds or deflect shots. Nash is one that goes to the dirty areas and the net and finally we will have someone to show the others to do so. For some reason even though they watched Smyth and Zeus do it for years, they didn’t copy them after they left when it comes to parking themselves in front of the Goalie. look at some of the Goals we have scored of late, like Cliffords’, he scored by crashing the net and putting in rebounds. I don’t understand more guys don’t do this.
marty la king 1969 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
@alex101, we do not need nash, just need a scoring winger and two tough wingers on third and forth lines.not just good fighters but tough in the corners and in front of the net
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Detroit Red Wings. Wasn’t Datsyuk drafted in the 8th round?
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KC23 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
@zulov, Dunno, but Dave Taylor was.
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Anze Kopitar is in the dreaded Sutter dog house. Hopefully he can find a way out.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@DBking,
only one way out,
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king o' philly Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@DBking,
i like it! tell it like it is, coach.
“just trying to get kopitar to play”
no more kid gloves or hackneyed, mealy TM-isms. it’s get your ass in gear time.
i think kopi will respond. he’s no slouch like penner.
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gene Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@king o’ philly, agree 100%
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The fact that nothing has come easy for Nolan might help. He’ll be busting his stump just to stay, and I think it’ll invigorate Kopitar.
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kingrussell Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@MindGeyser, I agree.
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I don’t see Kopi as bad as some people would think after DS’s latest remarks. This year he’s back from the major injury, played well at the start of the season, but than he felt in the hole, named system of this team (and the injury of Gagne influenced his play as well…). When you add Brownie on his off wing on his line (no chemistry, playing too selfish, with no hockey IQ) you have got the result… I agree that you could put anybody on his LW, but if you ask me I would put Penner to get a shot with Kopi and Williams first… That would be his last chance on this team at the same time as well!
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SLIM Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@outsider,
He fell in the hole…
What’s that…The K-Hole?
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outsider Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@SLIM, you should ask TM…
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MindGeyser Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@outsider, Kopi has been playing well, but not outstanding. The last two games were the types of moments when you want your dominant players to dominate and will the team to victory. That did not happen for the Kings against Phoenix or Calgary.
The other problem is, when people see the skills Kopitar has versus the results, it’s easy to think, “he can do more.” And he very likely can.
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outsider Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@MindGeyser, agreed…
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Token Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@outsider, Kopi has stunk it up extra special this year. He usually stinks it up for a month, then recovers. He done that the past three seasons, but this winter is an extra long slump.
Last couple years Stoll, Smyth and others bailed him out but no here this year to do it.
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Quick was just on NHL Live…
This kid is so humble it’s redick..
Rich will probably post it..
He says not scoring keeps him in
the playoff mode all year round…
What else is he gonna say…
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vplaza Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@SLIM,
He could say that he wished the guys would score more goals. Of course, he wouldn’t say it, but he’s allowed 1 goal in each of the last two games and has nothing to show for it.
The guy is third in the league in GAA and Save %, BUT, the top two guys don’t see nearly as many shots against as he does. The closest to him in the top 10 in GAA is Kiprusoff, but Quick has a much better GAA and Save %.
No other way to say it other than Quick is having a monster season. The only thing is he doesn’t have the wins to make it really stand out and that’s a shame because the offense is out of his control.
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i love quick. penner 4 mvp
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Bob Mckenzie is saying the Kings are inching into the lead for Nash with the Rangers refusing to put in Derek Stepan into the deal.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@Jeff_R, Actually the Derek Stepan part is TFP’s take on why the Rangers are falling behind the Kings.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@Jeff_R, My take is I feel the Rangers would be making a huge mistake trading for Nash unless they were guaranteed a trip to the finals. To trade some of there top prospects for Nash would be a mistake, plus they would also have to get rid of some of there top priced guys and could ruin the chemistry the team has had this season. Don’t ruin a good thing.
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Token Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@Jeff_R, They’re just driving up the price. No point in making it easy on the competition.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@Jeff_R, Bob Mckenzie commented that the Blue Jackets would be better off trading Nash now then in the Summer. Would get a better deal if they do it now.
LA_1968 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@Jeff_R, Best record in the east and then pull a couple guys out of there to make room and compensate Columbus would be a big mistake.
MindGeyser Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@Jeff_R, The Jackets would get more from the Kings now than any other team at any other point. I don’t think there are any other teams that are going to have such large amounts of money come off the books at once to allow themselves to take on a monster salary like Nash’s that also aren’t trying to keep their young players and have them develop, making them unavailable for the Jackets to acquire.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@LA_1968, I agree. I think Nash would be a mistake for NY to get now. If they want a guy like that they be better off waiting for the Summer to try and get Parise. Getting Nash would be a huge mistake. With all the flack Glen Sather has taken in building the rangers since he got there, signing guys he shouldn’t have to expensive long term contracts he finally has the team playing like a team with a couple of ufa’s and guys who grew in the Rangers system. Why mess with a good thing. Let it ride adding a few minor things this deadline and try that. Then in July 1st go after Parise.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
@MindGeyser, This is what I have saying all along. The Kings have the best deal with the best prospects/roster guys that Columbus needs to rebuild along with rentals that Columbus can use just to fill out a roster or flip if they can. Even with what we give up we still will have a lot left in terms of prospects to keep going in the future.
jeffreyryan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@Jeff_R, Kind of exciting. I really hope we get him.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
@jeffreyryan, Me too. But I don’t get my hopes up after all WE ARE THE KINGS!!!!!!
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Jordan Nolan is giving the fans what we expect from a 22 year old rookie..HARD WORK!
It is Management and Coaching that has let us down and keep blowing hot air up our rear ends with empty promises.
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Lets hope he can be our Jordan NoLIN. Sorry this is the best I can come with. Kings must be rubbing off on me.
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This kid Nolan has a big heart like Deadmarsh.I think he will end up being a great player.
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To all those who commeneted on my last thread that we should wait until the summer to get Nash, Token just above stated the reason why we need to pay NOW instead of later: They are just driving up the price.
Here’s the thing, CBJ has limited trading partners right now, especially with the cap implicatios and contracts not expiring yet. Wait until the offseason and the list of potential suitors expands tremendously. There will be more competition for nash and we’ll have to pay even more to get him later. Nash’s list doesn’t matter. Howson will always use the best deal offered as a benchmark REGARDLESS of Nash’s preference because it shows market value for his commodity.
Get Nash NOW at whatever the cost less Kopitar, Quick, Richards, or Brown. The rest are negotiable, some more than others.
Look at it this way: If we have the most dominate 1st line in hockey and play defense the way we do, we’ll win more games than we ever have in our history. Sure you want balance. Right now we have balanced failure and we’re losing games by 1 goal. It’s pretty simple.
- Get Nash at least
- Fix neutral zone play, make it aggressive and quick
- Allow guys to go to the slot and change up the cycle routine
That’s it. It’s not rocket science, it’s HOCKEY. Don’t be predictable, play solid defense, and attack the net. we’re 1 of 3 right now.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
@Cynic, Blue Jackets are not going to get as good a deal in the Summer then what they can get now and the Kings are the best team to deal with. Other teams just can’t afford to give up what Columbus would want whether salary cap related, chemistry related…..Then there are teams that need defense not offense. Kings are the best team in this race. THE TIME IS NOW to get Nash.
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Make the best out of it Nolan. Best of luck. Unlike in the past, I’m not getting my hopes up with this team.
Go Kings Go
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How come there are reports of the Kings offering JJ,Bernier, and lokti and our “insider” has given us nothing on the subject. The rest of the hockey world seems to have more inside info than Hammond does.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Michael666, Rich doesn’t report rumors. He reports facts when it comes to trades. If you want rumors go to one of those sites.
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Michael666 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
@Jeff_R, Yeah, and it’s pretty much a fact that the King’s offered those players
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
@Michael666, And how do you know that for sure? The Kings themselves most likely didn’t say anything. Not to mention that 95% of deals never happen the way the rumors say. Most likely it was Howson who said it, to drive up the price. Well Rich isn’t going to report something that the Blue Jackets GM said.
Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
@Michael666,
Source??? Or are you merely manufacturing something yourself, or propogating another’s rumor?
Back off of Rich.
tornado12 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
@Michael666, ya isn’t from round these parts are ya stranger?
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Michael J. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
@tornado12,
His address suggests he’s from Gehena.
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soyokaze Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
@Michael666, Michael666: Rich has stated NUMEROUS times that he will report only the facts. His job is not to speculate on rumors and add fuel to the fire. When the deal is finalized, he will report it. Simple as that.
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MmmmYummy Reply:
February 21st, 2012 at 1:57 am
@Michael666, There are plenty of rumor sites out there – you might find their content more to your pleasing. You’re likely not to like it here much so good luck to you.
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I posted in the “More needed from Brown/ Kopitar” article that although Nolan is too young and inexperienced to provide what’s needed on the Kings’ top line, he’s a good candidate under the circumstances with this team that totally lacks 3 top forwards (have Kopi, Richards, Williams only).
The other piece that also tends to make the Kings’ top 2 lines ineffective offensively is that usually Kopi’s or Richards’ line is assigned to shutdown the opponents’ top scoring line. I don’t see it being any different with the current 3rd and 4th lines.
The point bieng that the reason this team is not “cup ready” is that it’s lacking 3 top-notch wingers and a true shutdown line. Sutter can address this by creating a third line of Lewis centering Brown and Clifford with a big scoop of defensive training especially for Brown…
Just sayin…
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vinny Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
@FdoFmFull,
i dont know how good lewis is on the faceoff, but it doesnt seem like he’d be the one to turn to for that kind of shutdown role against top line players..cliffy either..i think he’d get a little lost against top line guys.
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I have been watching the Kings stumble and stink up the NHL for over 40 years. Don’t get me wrong, I am the biggest fan of all! I am waiting for a management staff who can recognize where this team consistently fails and FIXES it! Seems simple right? I HATE the Red Wings because I do not believe you can be a true Kings fan and not hat the Wings. It’s a sports thing, nothing against the city of Detroit, just the Wings. But…I urge everyone, especially the Kings players and management, to watch how each and every player skates and plays for every second they are on the ice. It is like their life depends on it! Although I think Sutter has generated more intensity on the ice, we simply do not hold a candle to the Wings. Yes, I can’t stand them but I sure would like to see a Kings team play with that much purpose day to day, period to period and minute to minute.
Sure, we need to get some closers out there. We need some scoring horse power for sure. Rick Nash would be nice but MARK MY WORDS, he IS NOT ENOUGH. We need two or three good, hard hitting, hard shooting snipers. Until we can combine this with getting our lazy defenders to start standing guys up at the blue line. A strong blue line presence WILL generate good out numbered scoring chances and with quality finishers, we will see more goals. I realize we have made a drastic cut in our goals against but much of that is JQ!! We are still one of the easiest teams to skate the puck across the blue line against. WATCH THIS and you will see what I mean. Too much back skating and reliance upon Quick. Watch particularly close when we are short handed. We just let them skate it in and setup their power play. It is terrible and frustrating. Watch how many of the good teams will regularly stand guys up at the blue line. The Wings OWN their blue line and nobody crosses it without paying a price. They fore you to dump the puck and DO NOT allow you to easily skate it in. WHY DON’T THE KINGS PLAY LIKE THIS? We will never succeed, perennially until we adopt this style of hockey. EVERY good team plays this way but for some reason, the Kings have never grasped this nor has anyone seemingly even noticed. This lack of style and leadership combined with a consistent lack of intensity is why we have never been realistic or legitimate contenders in the NHL. I know some will be quick to remind me of our Stanly Cup appearance in 1993. Oh I remember! I was the happiest hockey fan on the planet! I enjoyed every moment, except for the curved stick incident and the fact that we could not beat the Habs in OT. BUT! If you want the truth about that season, you will have to refer to the stats. We had just 88 points in the regular season! We scored a lot! 338 goals. But we gave up 340! A minus 2 differential. Rare indeed for a Stanley Cup contender. You see, that year we simply had a near perfect finish to a VERY MEDIOCRE season. We scored a lot but we were not that good. That is the Kings history folks! That is it unless you recall the Miracle on Manchester. I do and I was there at the good old Fabulous Forum. What a night that was! It was one of the most memorable nights of my life, rivaled only by finishing off the Mapleleafs for our first trip to the Finals and the 1980 Olympic miracle. Knocking out the Red Wings as HEAVY under dogs a few years back was fun also. You see, I am tired of being the perennial under dog! Actuall I have been tired of it for many years but I keep coming back, sporting my lowly Kings jersey. I’m still waiting for that “force” of a hockey team that touted as the dreaded opponent throughout the NHL. I want to, at last, be hated for being so damned good and not just because we are from L.A.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 7:34 pm
@Craig B,
I too feel your frustration but I almost enjoyed the Kings more when we were the underdogs.
Back then we would shock and excite. Now with expectations very high we bore.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
@Craig B, It is amazing how the Wings seem to always find the diamonds in the rough…Datzuk,Zett, The Mule, Filpula, Helm, Holstrom and I have left many off this list that are playing on this team and play at the highest level as you said, shift in and shift out…We should all be fans of the Wings…it would make all our lives a lot less stressful,
But alast, we are Kings fans…doomed to a life of ‘almosts’ and ‘what ifs’ and ‘next years’
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I think dad played around 80 games – hopefully ya surpass him, best of luck
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Duncanz Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
@petemagoop, I wouldn’t mind if he developed his dad’s off-ice reputation ON the ice!
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Sorry to say that the Kings nee more than Nash to make them a playoff contender..If I were in DL’s shoes this is my offer: We want both Nash & Carter plus a draft pick – in exchange we will give Columbus: Bernier, JJ, Brown, and Drewieski plus Hunter or Moreau…That’s our offer – for now.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
@Jimmyo777, sorry to say, but I think Columbus will be holding the cards on this one…wish it was the other way around
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Never say never. Nolan just might surprise all of us. Good luck kid, we’re all pulling for you.
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Have fun with it Jordan, do it for the family.
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Lots of Robitaille, Taylor, Datsyuk mentions above because of Nolan’s draft position. But our best case scenario this year is that Nolan is the new Warren Rychel. Play on the top line to make room for the best playmaker and finisher on the team.
Get after ‘em Nolsie!
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g smith86 Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 8:08 pm
@Kenny44, combination of size and speed should create more space out there for Kopi and Williams…but Williams needs to find some touch again…he seems to be squeezing his stick a little harder lately
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Putting inexperienced, unproductive, and unusual forwards on the Kings’ top lines has NEVER panned out. I am so sick of thinking some guy will come in and somehow fix everything
Kanko
Parse
King
Nolan
Thomas
Tukonen
Chartrand
Willsie
Lundmark
Moller
Lewis
Schenn
the list goes on and on
the Kings don’t draft well, and you generally know if a guy has it or not. Loktionov and Lewis are busts.
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