Darryl Sutter’s postgame thoughts…
(on the start of the game…)
SUTTER: “Not much energy from our team. I think (Colorado) came out and we knew they were going to be fresh. They’ve been home a couple days. They get an energy kid like (Steve) Downie in their lineup, and you know they’re going to come out (strong) in the first period. I don’t know if it’s because…I don’t know why. Obviously I’ve got to do a better job of getting them ready, when we come in late like that (the night before).’’
(on Quick facing early pressure…)
SUTTER: “Really, they didn’t have a lot of chances. I didn’t think about it like that. They’ve got a great set of forwards. You’ve got to try to saw that off, and I don’ think we were on that early.’’
(on starting Quick again…)
SUTTER: “Well, there’s two ways of looking at it. You don’t say anything (to Quick) and you tell the other guy (he’s playing). or you talk to him and find out. That’s what I did, and he wanted it.’’
(on whether he was worried about a hangover from the Phoenix loss…)
SUTTER: “Yeah. We talked about it this morning and made the decision not to come over here (for a morning skate). You know what time we got in. Quite honestly, I thought we’d get through the first period and we would be all right, and we weren’t able to.’’
It was the Altitude that got us…
Check that..It was a better team..
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crashin'da net Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:01 pm
@SLIM, I think it was attitude that got us……
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Dominick Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:50 pm
@crashin’da net, Got me.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@Dominick, First Coach Sutter’s Sour Beer Face sighting.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@crashin’da net, It was a number of things, but mostly it a lack of heart. During the game, I was about ready to suggest burning it all down in a fire sale. Then I realized, if they find some heart, they’re only a few points out of third place.
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Scott Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:40 am
@crashin’da net, Stop playing Quick so much. Clearly he’s tired. 2 bad games by Quickie and one wasn’t his fault playing in back-to-back games. Even in LA makes the playoffs Quick will fall apart because of fatigue. Bernier is good. Play him while we have him.
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Alex Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:07 am
@Scott, I simply do not understand why DS not using Bernier in the back to back situations.
Dd Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@SLIM, done, stick a fork in them. No energy, no life, no commitment, they have given up!!!!!Tell me, I am wrong! DL you need to go, Tim Liewikie, you need to step in and make a statement!!!If you want football to see how committed you are, you need to show how involved you are in current sports.
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Alex Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:12 am
@Dd, Why is it TL needs to step in. What is he going to do? DL to go???? Maybe. One thing is for sure DS is not wright coach for this team. We need somebody with energy and creativity.
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BFSTYLE33 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:41 am
@Alex, It’s starts from the top. TL needs to talk to DL and tell him that what he assembled as a team is crap and playing like this is unacceptable. DL needs to be heard by the players and coaches to remind them that this kind of performance at this time of the year is unacceptable and this is the kind of performance that we are trying to get out of our system – our culture. DL talked about changing our culture to a culture of winning….well, playing like we did last night is not what I call culture of winning.
Isnt it the head coaches job to make the decision on who starts not the player himself!? Of course Quick is going to say play me coach! He would get grief till the end of time if he didnt. A good coach knows when its time to give his top tier players a breakand apparently Darryl doesnt have a clue. Better luck.next season i guess.
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CB14 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:00 pm
@SLOKing, You beat me by 2 minutes. I need to improve my typing speed.
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alex101 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:59 pm
@SLOKing, cant believe they RAISED ticket prices?? I just heard and can’t believe it’s not a bigger deal on here! Anaheim lowered theirs…
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Pesus Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 10:50 am
@alex101,
Its a big deal to me. Probably not gonna renew. Maybe a 10 game pack, thats plenty of games for my son and I.
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Sutter sometimes makes me miss Terry Murray.
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jonsey Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:25 pm
@rick, Sutter sometimes makes me miss ANDY Murray. (fixed)
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39scars Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:28 pm
@rick, And sometimes Barry Melrose. Oh never mind
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Dominick Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:52 pm
@39scars, And sometimes I’m just flat out ticked off we’ve never had a Scotty Bowman.
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Eric Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:29 pm
@39scars, sometimes I miss a REAL KING in Dave Taylor.He ran into some bad luck in consusions,so DL can’t use the Gagne excuse.Bernie is being wasted.They needed to play him to build up trade value.I think DL wasted his cap space.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@rick, Been there, done that; won’t ever be that desperate.
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skooma Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:34 pm
@rick,
He basically is Murray without the sweet Colonel Tigh accent.
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what is he coaching a WHL team? these guys are proffesionals and better be able to get themselves prepared for another day at the office
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:28 am
@408kingsfan, Exactly.
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I think they are sacking Rome
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king o' philly Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:12 pm
@Kings x,
hardly.
Rome was an empire.
kings couldn’t conquer the inland empire.
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wow,…DS thinks the forwards on Colorado are great…
Great forwards in the league would be on Vancouver and San Jose and Detroit and Chicago and …you get the point…
So, if I am reading between the lines…DS is saying that compared to our forwards, the Avs are great…ok…I get it now
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FdoFmFull Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:24 pm
@g smith86, Is there any doubt?
Give the Avs a season or two and their going to be perennial winners…
Unlike DL, there are GMs that know how to assemble balanced, strong rosters!
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 5:29 am
@FdoFmFull, I agree. The Avs are much better than the Kings and it’s going to stay that way for a long time. They are a young talented team that plays hungry. We are a young team that plays like we’re old and tired.
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Alex Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:19 am
@40YearKingsFan, We are young team with a lot of spare parts on the ice. Av’s a young team that not afraid to play there young talented guys straight out if college, because the believe in them. We on the other hand collect them and then trade them for those spare parts and watch them become very good hockey players somewhere else.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:28 pm
@g smith86, Colorado is the opposite of us. They have great forwards but no defense. We have great defense and no finishers. Colorado has finishers and they are even missing a couple.
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“Well, there’s two ways of looking at it. You don’t say anything (to Quick) and you tell the other guy (he’s playing). or you talk to him and find out. That’s what I did, and he wanted it.” Sounds like Grady Little and Pedro Martinez. What did Sutter expect Quick to say, “No, I don’t want to play”? Any idiot knows that Quick is going to say he wants to play so don’t place blame on him, it’s all on YOU Darryl. It’s your job as Head Coach to take a players emotions out of the decision and make the right choice for your hockey team, you didn’t do that and it showed.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:37 pm
@CB14, Exactly! Matter of fact, today’s scratches should have ALL played, just to get energy and urgency in this roster!
Also, instead of encouraging (and playing) Clifford, he needed to explain that though not “wrong”, his untimely hit to Brûlée, his tripping penalty, and his giveaways inside the zone that led to goals, warranted that he sit out a game or two!
Oh, but instead of pulling the players together to discourage a letdown (and to correct errors), let them sleep in and show up with low energy. Consequently the team was flat and Clifford “improved” on last night’s giveaways; this time he should have been wearing an Avs sweater, such was the Quality pass he made to Statsny!!!
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Atleast he is taking some accountability and knows what he needs to do better, our last coach never did that. Regardless, Shame on you boys and DL
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puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:06 pm
@Gmo, TM…perplexed, bewildered. We werent heavy enough on our sticks tonite, not enough shot mentality. If only the players had executed my system properly, we would have won.
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GoringFan72 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:25 pm
@Gmo, I liked the accountability statement too, until he added “when we come in late like that” qualifier. That’s the second or third time I’ve heard DS complain about the late arrival. He also mentioned they knew the Avs would be fresh after being home a couple days. The Kings had a few days off at home before their last couple games, and the fresh legs produced 0 goals in two games.
The last 4 games were huge for the Kings playoff chances, against 3 teams chasing them in the standings, and they lose all four. My only hope is that this failure will ignite some focus and intensity that seems very elusive to this bunch. I’m beginning to fear the core of this team is rotten.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:01 pm
@GoringFan72, I think he’s saying “it is what it is…we didn’t win last night…the game we should have won…and we came into a game where we needed energy…and that made it worse.” I’ll give Sutter credit for calling it squarely.
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Is it safe to say that our team is worse overall with sutter?
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tellmeY Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:06 pm
@Kings x, ah…no…it’s not…at what point are all you bloggers going to blame the players…annoying.
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KingsFletch Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:25 pm
@tellmeY, lol i agree the players should be blamed for some of the underachievement this year.. but this falls on DL and the rest of our upper management as an organization. One of the worst in the league. I hope AEG sells the team because they could care less if we win or lose, they’re selling tickets, merchandise, etc. Our Front Office has done a horrible job at drafting, acquiring, etc. forwards and goal scorers. We’ve got too many dmen and goalies but no talent in the forward positions. Not to mention, the whole system that’s been implemented over the past 5 years is just horrific. Defense first, don’t take any risks, and hope we score a lucky goal here and there. It’s time we clean house, hire a young offensive minded coach and move on to next year. Become sellers instead of buyers right now. and acquire some picks for the future.
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quita89 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:31 am
@KingsFletch, you obviously didn’t watch the Kings pre DL days or you would have a different perspective. He and his coaches done all they can do with these players. The Players are the problem. I repeat for you all who have problems understanding. The players are the problem! We have had great farm kids come up. We have great talent on the team. We have a good coach and staff. We need players that care! These guys don’t! Dean don’t give up and get rid of the dead weight on the team.
Kings x Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:25 pm
@tellmeY, Team being worse in the game span during which DS happened to be coaching. Its undeniable
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39scars Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:34 pm
@Kings x, Our 4 most important games. In three games we combined for one goal. Two of thee three games the other team lost a defenseman in the first.
There is only one questio left, can we getxa second for Stoll?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:02 pm
@Kings x, No, again.
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:35 am
@Kings x, Nope. The group of players DL pt together is the problem. We lost a lot of heart losing Zues, Smyth and Simmonds. Got some of it back with Richards, but the replacements for the other two are an epic FAIL.
I do like what I see with Nolan and King though.
Players that need to be upgraded are as follows:
Richardson
Lewis
Clifford
Penner
Stoll
Those 5 are dragging us down in a big way. Then of course there is Gagne and Parse who are basically MIA with no return in sight.
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Alex Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:26 am
@KC23, I would not touch Clifford. I think the kid has a talent. The problem is he is not given any chance to show in it. There is no way he will become a good player if he stays with Fraser, Richards, Stoll……
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I dont know what to say….I have never seen coaches so powerless or unable to make sound decisions on a consisten basis.
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Is the Honeymoon over?
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g smith86 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:08 pm
@Lake Forest, the honeymoon was over a long time ago…don’t ya think?
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39scars Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:36 pm
@Lake Forest, With all of the chase teams? I think they are satisfied with our charity.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:50 pm
@Lake Forest,
Looks like counseling is on tap already for the happy couple…
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Duncanz Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:21 am
@Lake Forest, sighh, well at least it lasted a little longer than Kim & Kris, I guess ….
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am not going to blame the coach u fired one coach and got another coach..Still the same result..That means its not the coach fault its the player them self..Into people understand that..They always going to point fingers where it shouldnt be pointed at…
Players play like crap but some how DL or Sutter fault com on get real…
This team has no heart..How in the hell DL going to know that this team going to be this bad..On paper it look like one scary team to face but turn out to be one worst team to have.
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:38 am
@KingsFanFTW, DL is who put those players there. He does not excape fault by a long shot. DL forgot the most basic rule in life when putting together this team. Balance.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:10 pm
@KC23, yea DL put this team together yea true,but do u really expect him to see the future that this team has no heart?
It easy for us to point and ask for head then realizing not the DL or the Head coach fault for the players not been doing what they should of been doing…DL got rid of TM but yet they still playing the same as they were that got TM fired…
I saying u can point the fingers at DL or Sutter all u want but the players should get the blame also…They the ones that playing like crap no DL or Sutter.Ask for heads not going to solve this problems.No heart no will to win….
Balance they got balance they do…We got players that can go front of the net…maybe not the right players can go good on the boards which never work really.That the only thing i hate is when the Kings go to the boards when they know their game not the Boards anymore
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Alex Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:33 am
@KingsFanFTW, It never looked that scary from the beginning. It was blown out proportion by the media. We have got Richards and we r scary?????? And than we got Fraser, Hunter, Moreau and we scarry??????
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Is Clifford the dumbest player on the team re hockey IQ?
Is Loctoniev the only forward who takes the puck south to north?
Is Stoll invisible?
Is Richardson always on his ass?
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SLIM Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:11 pm
@TheZamboniMechanic2,
Do hockey players spit?
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Kings x Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:26 pm
@TheZamboniMechanic2, Cliffie rivals DB
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KingsFletch Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:32 pm
@TheZamboniMechanic2, It’s a shame because not only is Clifford an idiot out there.. he has NO talent. I love Lokti tho, i can’t wait to see him next year if he gets a bit stronger. Hope we get rid of either bernier or quick and get some serious picks or a scorer. Getting Nash would be nice for the future but if we think getting him will turn us around this year there’s no chance lol. DL needs to go… we need some serious infusion of youth throughout the entire upper management and organization. New young coach who actually remembers what it means to be 25, and some Front Office guys who know what offensive hockey in the new era (post lockout) looks like.
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Mikey Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:42 pm
@TheZamboniMechanic2,
Yes cliff gave the puck up. He also had a great read and a stick on stick save before the guy could get the shot off.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@TheZamboniMechanic2,
Clifford is awful this season…and more so the last few games. I bet you DL thought he could fill Simmonds spot and thats why Simmonds was dealt to Philly.
And he doesn’t seem to fight or get in peoples face as much this season…lack of confidence compared to last year?
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:51 pm
@Cruiznblue, Lots of 2nd year players have it tough, it is called the sophomore slump. I am sure he will get back to how he played his rookie year next season.
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Alex Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:37 am
@Jeff_R, He needs to play in the better line. Maybe with Richards. I believe there is a big upside to him.
brian spain Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:59 am
@Cruiznblue, at least he plays hard, unlike many Kings out there on the ice.
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Daryl Sutter…They (Colorado) have a great set of forwards.
REALLY? How come after 6 seasons of a rebuild we dont have a great set of forwards? Oh ya, there down in Manchester learning how to be heavy on their sticks! Nice going DL! Oh well, we dont need selfish forwards who only care about scoring, we have plenty of character guys, they will take care of that! lol lol lol lol
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:31 pm
@puck73, Uhh we have been on a rebuild for 4 years. Colorado decided to build there team through offense. Defensively and Goaltending on a whole is not very good.
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GoringFan72 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:37 pm
@Jeff_R, True, but sadly it’s good enough to shut down our offense and beat us 4 times this year.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:32 pm
@GoringFan72, Some teams just have your #, doesn’t matter how good you or they are or how bad you or they are. I am sure Detroit has a team that they have a hard time beatin, as all teams do.
Kenny44 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:41 am
@Jeff_R But didn’t we sweep the Avs last year?
puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:39 pm
@Jeff_R, This is season 6 with DL so you are incorrect. As for the lack of finishing wingers to play with Richards and Kopitar? That is on DL and TM. Those 2 guys forgot that when you build a team, you have to have balance. Character, Goaltending, and defense they have done great. Where they have screwed up big time is on top 3 wingers. They were so concerned with being heavy on the stick that they chased any finishers we had away.
What scares me even more is what they will do with a guy like Tyler Toffoli who is a finisher. If DL has his way, he will have Mark Morris turn this guy into a mucker down in Manchester and destroy him.
Matter a fact Jeff I will go a step further. If DL and his staff were aroun 1986 when Robitaille finished his stint in the Juniors, he would have never left Manchester. REMEMBER..Robitaille was deemed by his critics as a cherry picker, not heavy on his stick, and slow as molasses. Thats a recipe for a DL demolition job.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:57 pm
@puck73, 6th season of DL, 4th season of total rebuild. I don’t count the first 2 years as a rebuild. It didn’t start until we drafted Doughty and sent Lubo for Stoll and Greene and hired Terry Murray as coach.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:05 pm
@puck73, I’ll agree with Jeff_R, the first two seasons were the fire sale, not the rebuild.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:28 pm
@puck73, Puck I respect your opinion even though I don’t agree with it. I don’t think the Kings are that far away and I also don’t believe that Dean thinks that way about players. I know he has harped on defense, goaltending and building from the net out, but I don’t think that he wants this team to turn into a bunch of grinders. It has been hard to obtain top Wingers as the only way we can really get one is by trade. None of them seem to want to come here by UFA and drafting them takes a while for them to be ready, as seen by how many are almost ready to come here. Next season we should have 1 or 2 of our Winger prospects make the team. Toffoli, Kitsyn, Kozun, etc. I think we were hurt by the fact that both Holloway and Moller went to play in Sweden and Kitsyn had to go back to Russia to finish his contract. He was hoping that Penner and Gagne would work in the meantime but unfortunately they didn’t. Whatever we get at the trade deadline I feel will help this team make a charge and go into the playoffs, possibly with the 3rd seed.
FdoFmFull Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:44 pm
@Jeff_R, Actually the word I’d use to describe Colorado’s roster and is the antithesis of the King’s roster is:
BALANCED
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:35 pm
@FdoFmFull, So balanced that they are basically in the same position we are fighting for a playoff spot. The only difference being we have a shot still at the Division title.
39scars Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:39 pm
@puck73, Hey, changing the coach was your idea. Should we start talking about who we can get with the 12th pick?
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puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:48 pm
@39scars, Not if DL is picking! lol lol. It will be a defenseman, bank on it!
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:56 pm
@puck73,
Or another goalie…what IF Quick and Bernier get injured in some freak accidents in the same game? Go get more goalies DL!
Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:29 pm
@puck73, DL will pick the best player available, whomever that turns out to be whatever position.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:31 pm
@Cruiznblue, If it happened this season we would be in deep doo doo.
Puckn-A Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:56 pm
DL will not take the best available player, remember he took Hickey 4th overall, who was ranked about 28th in North America scouting and like 40th overall. He likes longshots like Lewis, Tuebert, Hickey, etc.
SDGolfer Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:08 pm
@puck73, Sutters been here for 6 years???
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puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:11 pm
@SDGolfer, Dean Lombardi. Where did you come up with Sutter?
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IndioKingFan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:11 am
@puck73, Correction puck our great forwards are in Tamp and New York because they didn’t fit DL’s system.
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DS – Hey DL, can I make a suggestion?
DL – Sure, which player do you think we should go for?
DS – I was thinking travel plans.
DL – Don’t worry, the next road trip is already planned.
DS – No, I mean the end of the season. I’m gonna need to go home.
DL – Why?
DS – This isn’t fun anymore, this generation of player is completely different than the ones I coached last decade, I keep disciplining them and they don’t respond. I am tired of it.
DL – When you go home, can I go with you? Now I know how that Italian cruise ship captain feels.
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The image of Kopitar pulling up at the half wall shift after shift shows just how unprepared this team is. I would like to see him do anything but pull up at the half wall next game, he should be fined if he does.
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Remember the last time it was fun to be a Kings fan? For me, it was game 3 against San Jose when we were up 4-0.
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jonsey Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:27 pm
@Tony in Denver, For me it was Allison Deadmarsh Palffy Luc and the gang
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puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:31 pm
@jonsey, Huh? what?…Adam Deadmarsh, wandering aimlessly in the parking lot at TSC looking for his car.
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jonsey Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:34 pm
@puck73, Adam Deadmarsh who scored the game tying playoff goal and then the OT game winner against DET.
Then Luc came back. I liked that.
KingsFletch Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:34 pm
@jonsey, those were the days. beating Detroit.. glory days
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:48 pm
@jonsey,
That was my favorite team to watch too. Even Glen Murray was more of an offensive threat back then…then most of our team now.
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puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@Cruiznblue, Too bad Andy Murray bag skated that team into concussions, dinged shoulders, and just about any injury you can think of. Andy Murray’s Los Angeles Kings still hold the record for man games lost due to injuries…very sad.
Eric Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:00 am
@Cruiznblue, It also put the Kings in salary cap(h-ell)in tough times.Dave Taylor had the team to challenge for the cup.You know I always wonder why the Kings(DL) never kept Matt Moulson.I understood Sully And maybe even the kid that left for TBay.Cammy got traded for good value,but Matt Moulson showed some true heart on a real bad Kings teams,and DL got nothing.I swear DL is Christopher Walkens acting the role of a general manager.
I will never understand why hockey fans thin a goaltender is incapable of in back to back hockey games. NEWSFLASH: the 20 guys in front of him can play back to back night no problem and they do a hell of a lot more skating and getting hit than the goalie does. Blows my mind.
[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:28 pm
@tantrum4,
Wow I really butchered that post. Why is there no delete or edit button on here?
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KingMe20 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:32 am
@tantrum4,
I only blame Quick for the game against the Coyotes. It’s not that Quick can’t play back to back. It’s that after his performance in Phoenix, he clearly could use a game off. It’s also that sometimes those other guys on the team could use something else to think about that might shake them out of whatever mental block they’re having, and a goalie change can do that.
Instead, Sutter avoided responsibility by putting the decision in Quick’s hands. Did he honestly expect that Quick would tell him anything other than, “I’m ready to go?” Quick is a battler and a competitor, so it’s on the coach to know what the answer will be and make the decision that Quick won’t make.
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:43 am
@tantrum4, I agree with you that a hot goalie should definately be used on back to backs … trouble is Quick look bad last night. He looked tired. It was not a smart move by DS to use Quick on that back to back under those circumstances imho.
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DL must do something. Players(and King’s fans) are nervous and expecting some changes. Is this the Year?
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:44 am
@DrA, This is the year that DL gets canned.
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I have been a Kings fan since 1972, doesn’t matter who the players are, who the management is, the result is always the same. I hate to admit the ducks have fired Ron Wilson, Mike Babcock, and have one a gosh darn I it kills me to admit the ducks won a cup. DAMN YOU for making me admitting that.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:13 am
@Dd, I would take any of the coaches the Ducks have fired over any of the coaches we have hired.
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PS Richardson, Stoll, Penner, Lewis, and Loktionov are an embarrassment.
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DrA Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:51 pm
@jonsey, Kopitar and Richards should be too. How long will it take to end this goal scoring constipation?
[Reply]
Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:54 pm
@DrA,
Well we know they are good players…but their linemates are a joke…DS puts Richards out of his natural position…too much emphasis on defense…put it all together and you cant expect big #s out of them.
But they made some nice plays on the PK to clear the puck…that counts right?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:59 pm
@DrA, A picture of Mcnall without iron bars in front of his face? Wow, no wonder I almost didnt recongnize him!
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:22 am
@jonsey, Loktionov, Lewis, and Richardson are not NHL quality players. Lokti needs more time, strength, and confidence. Richardson and Lewis will never amount to anything. They’re as good as they’re going to get, and they are horrible. I think they should be waived and they should be thankful they ever got a chance to play in the NHL.
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:45 am
@jonsey, You forgot Clifford.
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What a team of underachievers, they should be embarrassed to call themselves professional hockey players with the exception of Quick. I don’t think it is Sutter’s fault but he does look lost, he has probably never had to deal with a plenty of talent and limited desire situation. There must be some way to wake these guys up, not much to lose at this point.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:10 pm
@jbyoungman, May as well give Bernier a pass too…and while you’re at it, Willie Mitchell is doing everything you could ask of him and nothing more was expected of Scuderi than he’s given, or Matt Green. Can’t really blame King or Nolan for any of this either. The rest? Pathetic.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:46 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, You can bet Mitchell is counting the seconds till the end of the season and he can get off this mess of a team.
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Can we PLEASE bring back VV??? Like PLEASE??
I dont care if that means putting DD2 or Martinez on waivers…we dont need 8 defensemen anyways.
[Reply]
Scot Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:53 pm
@Cruiznblue,
Isn’t it stupid? How do you have Voynov, a better player, NOT playing??
I guess we’re too worried about risking losing Drewiske on Waivers…….
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:55 pm
@Cruiznblue, can u forget about bring another Defense up..We dont need another Defense men up..We need forwards that knows how to score
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DrA Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:02 pm
@Cruiznblue, I was thinking the same. This stupid NHL rules protecting lazy players when talent is sent to minors. Also why can’t we fire Penner right now. He is not doing his job.
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:24 pm
@Cruiznblue, It’s more of an insurance policy if someone gets hurt.
Everyone remember when DD or AM got hurt?????
[Reply]
Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:40 pm
@Lake Forest,
I’m more worried about the Kings being as efficient and potent as possible right now…not worried about having a “just incase backup plan” that we might not need.
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Can anyone say 44 seasons without a cup!
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@jbyoungman, oh thought this was 45…
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I’m not buying the whole “we knew they were going to be fresh. They’ve been home a couple days” part as a contributing factor. The Kings had time at home with a few days off before, and still couldn’t score a goal to save their lives.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:03 pm
@Dominick, I havent talked to you tonite, but I know you are seething like Tim Leiweike probably is right now.
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Dominick Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:26 pm
@puck73,
I’m so pissed right now. How we can go the entire season with the same problem we had last season (but worse) and not actually address the issue is beyond words for me right now.
System? Lombardi fired Murray, then hired Sutter not to make any big changes, and just motivate with inspirational speaking.
Patience? I think we’ve waited enough to see if scoring will improve. It’s a pretty safe bet it won’t.
Talent? Lombardi not dealing with system issues only leaves changes in personell as the only option left, then waits till the entire season passes us by and we’re down to the trade deadline, and yet the only changes he’s made have been 2 fresh rookies from Manchester, and sent Voynov to Manchester.
Lombardi has up till now, refused to even address the issues with not scoring goals, and now the players are starting to doubt themselves. Fans are turning on the players, and I’m watching my boys go down in flames.
[Reply]
Scot Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:42 pm
@Dominick,
Well said.
I honestly think Voynov being in Manchester right now is as close to, if not a worse decision than TM starting Bernier after Quick had 3 straight shutouts.
It’s absolutely baffling that Voynov isn’t playing with the Kings. And if the reason really is that it’s because he’s the only defenseman who is waiver-exempt.. That shows how poorly managed the Kings are. It means they would rather keep Drewiske on the roster than have Voynov on the ice. If there’s more to it that I’m missing, I’d love to know what it is. If they are unhappy with Voynov’s play, and want him to work on something in Manchester, I can live with that. But I just can’t believe they think having Martinez or Drewiske in the lineup makes the Kings better than having Voynov.
King Alex Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:48 pm
@Dominick, I feel for you Dom! You summed up everything in that excellent post!
Duncanz Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:47 am
@Dominick, Dom’, is it only a matter of a few more games like this and you will be posting EVERYTHING IN CAPITALS and finishing sentences with innumerable ????????s and !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!s ?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:36 am
@Dominick, It’s as if at the end of the season at a press conference Sutter will peel the mask off his face and reveal that he is actualy,,,,,,,, Terry Murray!
KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:49 am
@Dominick, You summed it up pretty good. Well said. I fed up big time. DL has failed us big time.
IceGuy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:34 am
@Dominick,
If you string together a series of events this season, you can see the problem.
(in no particular order)
- Out go Zues, Simmonds, Schenn, Poni and Smyth. In comes Richards, Gagne, Hunter, Marleau & Fraser. Gagne gone (come on be honest, he ain’t coming back), Marleau gone, Hunter gone, Fraser at least plays, and Richards has no one to Center.
- Richards ends up centering two AHL rookies. Yeah, he expected that when he came here.
- Doughty holds out. Dean stands firm. Leiweke says we NEED to get him signed. Days later, contract agreement. Did Tim force Dean’s hand? We may never know, but I believe Lombardi was pissed.
- Murray’s three shutout decision will go down in hockey history. It was at that point the Murray lost his team.
- Leiweke ushers Lombardi onto a plane for the East Coast. Murray is fired. Lombardi goes into the locker room and blames the team. Lombardi is pissed. This was the point where Lombardi lost the team.
- Lombardi, who is usually open to press interviews and radio show appearances, falls suddenly silent from Murray’s firing to the present. Pissed? Pouting?
- The Kings get a “new” coach, same as the “old” coach. Team quietly hums, “We won’t be fooled again”.
- To everyone’s amazement, Jamie Kompon still gets a paycheck from the Kings.
- Against all rational thought, one player (Jonathan Quick) keeps the Kings in contention for a playoff spot. – Name one other goalie iny NHL history that continues LOWER his Goals Against average while losing games.
- Quick near the top in shut outs while at the same time, Kings nearing the record for BEING SHUT OUT.
- After two home losses, 0-1, 0-1 against teams right behind us, Quick finally cracks. The burden of carrying an entire NHL Franchise on his back finally takes its toll. I’m talking mentally, which leads directly to physically. Somewhere deep inside his character he realizes that no matter what he does, he’s going to lose.
- The Brule hit. Sutter has the opportunity to turn a negative into a positive. “That was a horsesh!t call. My guy takes out a player, steals the puck and shoots it back into their zone, then he gets jumped by two Coyotes and the Linesman. He gets tossed for a Major? The kid was playing hard nosed hockey. I know it. He knows it, and Denis LaRue knows it. Look at the tape. Colin Campbell can fine my farmer’s ass whatever he wants, but we got screwed.” End result? NHL agrees with Sutter – no fine or suspension. Sutter has a bit less pocket money, but the team, and especially Clifford feels like somebody’s on their side.
- Sutter asks a gladiator like Quick if he wants to play against the Avs. What? He expected a different answer? Who’s the player and who’s the Coach here?
- Most subtle indication of team dysfunction? Last night Bernier gets tripped by Oliver behind his goal. No call (hey, we’re the Kings, what do you expect?). Whistle. Bernier stands in his crease having an animated conversation with, I believe, Greene. “Did you get the number of that AssHat who tripped me? Let him know he should never get close to me for the rest of the game!” Greene nods. Anything happen to Oliver for the rest of the game? Nope. Thanks for the support.
Add this all up, things large and things small, and you have a group of guys playing hockey. Not a team with an identity nor a cohesive purpose. They’re the Lost Boys of Hockey.
At this point, I can only hope that Dean Lombardi doesn’t blow up the team by Monday noon. The Kings problems are systemic. Whatever the solution ends up being to improve the Kings, it should only come after long and thoughtful consideration, an HONEST assessment of every Thing and every One involved in the whole organization.
Start with losing the “new” sweaters. Kings Crest or Kings Crown, not home plate. This season and those sweaters ought to be buried and forgotten. And team colors? Lombardi, a physics whiz on how electronic clocks work, should know that black is the ABSENCE of color.
I wrote a line for a story once, an argument between a father and son. “You’re a smart kid. You got a lot of knowledge, you know a lot, but you don’t understand a damn thing.”
Okay, I’m done. No more long rants from me.
But, I remain a Kings fan, and always will.
The Kings go from buyers to sellers at the trade deadline in just three games…. Actually when you think about it, it’s been this way since the start of the season, the lost season. Two very successful coaches in this league haven’t been able to turn the Kings around. The only thing left that can fix this mess is a major change in personnel.
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Note to Dean Lombardi…
Please be wise. Don’t try and make a huge splash for a forward. The system you have implemented and the coach you have hired and the majority of the forwards you have assembled will not lead this team to a championship.
Be wise.. Why not trade Matt Greene and see if you can get a 1st or 2nd round pick for us? That would be wise. Clear his salary.. He is replaceable. If the Stars can get a 1st Round Pick for Niklas Grossman, we have to be able to get similar value for Greene.
Be wise.. Hold onto both goaltenders at all costs. If Quick gets hurt, which can happen anytime, you need Bernier. If Quick doesn’t want to re-sign here, you need Bernier. Trading Bernier for a forward will not make this team much better in the short term, and it will hurt the team in the long term.
If you want to get another forward.. Which we desperately need.. Make a good ol’ fashioned hockey trade – trade Jack Johnson straight up for a forward with a similar salary. It will not hurt the team defensively, in fact, it could be argued that it would make us even better defensively not having JJ on the ice.
Just don’t do anything driven by your ego. Your pride is sore right now I’m sure, but please be humble and don’t try to fix it all with one trade. We fans are all dreading your imminent “big trade” in the next few days. Just don’t do it.
Just try and get something for Greene. Trade Stoll to a contender for another asset, and get anything you possibly can for Penner. If you can’t, just let him walk away after the year. We’ll get over it.
Thank you for reading,
Scot
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:09 pm
@Scot, This is a wise post. The problem is, this is season 6 of the rebuild. You have seen the billboards around town, “The time is now”. If they become sellers and get picks, they lose alot of credibility , especially DL who will be deemed as a Bust.
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Scot Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:15 pm
@puck73,
Thanks. You’re right. Dude, it’s such a Pride thing. I guess I finally understand the “Pride”-Passion-Power on the billboards now.
We all thought the time was now. But it clearly isn’t, and trying to force the time to be now by selling the farm for a guy like Rick Nash would be ill-advised, in my opinion.
[Reply]
40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:43 am
@puck73, At this point they have no credibility left to lose. This is the season they were building toward and it’s a miserable failure for a myriad of reasons. The child is grown, the dream is gone.
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:54 am
@puck73, “If they become sellers and get picks, they lose alot of credibility , especially DL who will be deemed as a Bust.”
That ship has sailed. DL is clearly failed us already so this needs to be stated in the present tense.
Question is, what GM is available that would be a solid replacement for Dean “all I want is a grinder” Lombardi?
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colo king fan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:28 pm
@Scot,
at the rate DS plays him, Quick is probably already hurt.
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Scot Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:21 am
@Scot,
With all of this being said, I’m not saying DL should not try and upgrade the offense – that’s obviously a must. I’m just saying don’t sell the farm for it (Bernier, Hickey, Voynov, 1st Round Pick, etc).
Don’t try and go for Nash. Go for Carter, but DON’T trade Bernier. Try and get Carter for Jack Johnson, and a 1st Round Pick. They can’t ask for much more than that. If they do, we have the right to ask for something else back as well.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:00 am
@Scot, If we want to pursue Carter (and I’m not against it because Nash is a pipe dream) Dean needs to look at it in the long term as opposed to doing it to save this season. This team is finished. They are screwed up for so many reasons it’s too late to fix any of them. I would do no more than a pick and a prospect for Carter due to his long contract and his stock being lower because things didn’t work out in Columbus. If he fails in LA, we’ll be paying that guy forever because no one else is going to take on the contract. Think Penner with a 10 year deal. This is absilutely not the time to give up JJ to get another guy who may or may not produce in our fundamentally flawed system. CBJ is just looking to get rid of Carter’s contract anyway, so it might work out IF he’s a guy we want long term.
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Scot Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:06 pm
@Scot,
Not to toot my own horn or anything…
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Mars Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:25 am
@Scot, Holy crap. I was saying a lot of the same thing in the other thread a minute ago. Once I shook my negative pissy mood.
b ut Carter would be a good pickup, IF we dont give up much for him. Otherwise we need to wait.
+1 Scot!
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California Royalty Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:03 am
@Scot, I stopped reading after “Matt Greene for a 1st round pick”. Unreal.
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I am Kings fan since 79 but I surprisingly I did not get offended when they said Kings are not a playoff team on NBCS.
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I can’t stress enough the wisdom in trading Jack Johnson straight up for a forward. A “hockey trade.” There has to be a team out there who has an abundance of forwards, who would love a puck-moving defenseman like Jack Johnson, who would be willing to give us a forward for him.
We have Slava Voynov licking his chops for a full time job with the Kings. This would allow that, and Voynov would more than adequately replace Jack Johnson. We wouldn’t lose any offense, and we would get better defensively. I would also argue that Voynov is BETTER offensively than Johnson. I’m just a fan, and that’s just my take.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:28 pm
@Scot,
+1
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Mars Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:26 am
@Cruiznblue, I am on board with your logic. Love JMFJ but we have guys ready and itching to come up too.
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Seals2Kings Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:39 am
@Scot, I would agree Voynov is a better D-man but I would toss DD rather than JMFJ. I haven’t seen JJ turn the puck over like DD does, plus DD has a knack of rushing in on offense without support and loses the puck too often. Just my observations from the Lazyboy….
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Not all the winners are hard workers. It’s not fair but it’s true. DS admires those hard workers, Lewis and Richardson are very good boys for him. -6 combined. That’s the number they give you back with no hope of production whatsoever. I sincerely recommend that you go back to where your philosophy is truth. And please take those two with you. They’ll work hard for you in Viking. I guarantee it.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:46 pm
@goldielocks, What is he suppose to do? He can’t let them go, nobody to replace them. Just have to wait it out and replace them in the off season, or maybe he can bring in enough new guys at the trade deadline to sit them out/trade them. If our first 2 lines scored any goals it would mask our third lines defensive deficiencies. One thing I didn’t like was putting JJ and AM as a pair. I think that pair is a recipe for disaster as witness tonight.
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what the hell is it with kings coaches and starting the wrong goalie at colorado the night after an OT/SO loss to phoenix.. startergate take II!!!
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Welp…guess I don’t have to eat that crow after all.
Darryl Sutter is like having Dean Lombardi behind the bench. Too much defense, not enough risk. When the defense does break down, you get smoked and have no way to come back.
Darryl needs to just buckle down with these guys and take over. They need a taskmaster RIGHT NOW.
Dean needs to sack up and go overpay for some offensive superstar talent.
Otherwise we clean house early April:
Darryl Sutter goes, Dave Tippett comes in
Dean Lombardi Goes, Ron Hextall comes in
Jamie Kompon Goes, Stevens slides over to PP coach, Mark Hardy comes BACK to coach the D.
Players get held accountable from the top, down.
Dean can either go all in or pack up. Those are his choices.
These players need a butt whoopin’ and nobody is obliging.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:43 pm
@Cynic, Look at the last 2 games. They opened it up and they failed miserably. This team will not be able to open it up and play well until next season. It is ingrained into them TM’s way of playing and it is real hard to get it out of them.
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Cynic Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:08 am
@Jeff_R, Well, there is a difference between opening it up and a team that stops playing defense.
We stopped playing defense.
There were stretched in Phoenix where Neutral zone play was off the charts good AND guys went to the slot instead of continuing the cycle. Then the 2nd period started. LOL!
We, for whatever reason, went away from what we were supposed to and had been doing for that onoe period. It HAS to be a lack of confidence to play that way 60 minutes. I can’t think of anything else.
When this team plays defense while opening it up and losing, THEN you can say it was a fail for that reason. I do agree that TM has these guys brainwashed. This team needs SERIOUS deprogramming.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:19 am
@Jeff_R, Last game they opened it up 1 period. They did play fast, but the PK not the 5 on 5 did the Kings in. If the PK was taken out of the equation, and you just went by open system, the Kings would of won 4-1.
Tonight, the Kings didn’t match speed, and were burned. Kings 1rst period against Pheonix was brilliant, and showed what an open system can do. In that same game, it showed what happens when the Kings don’t play smart.
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The pattern for this team lately has been come out strong and contain the opposition for the first 10 minutes… if the Kings get ahead early (which is rare), then a win is likely.. if they dont score and it’s 0-0 at the 10 minute mark… pretty much a loss. Why this is I dont know.
Ive been saying since mid season that Clifford needs more time at Manchester. Let him develop SOME sort of offensive game, cause he has no offensive sense now and doesnt play smart.
Martinez has been weak these past two games. Maybe he has been in and out of the lineup too much and sat too long, but he has regressed. Lokti needs to do more strength work in the off season. He definitely has skill but he’s easily pushed aside in board battles.
Lewis and Richardson have to go, even if it’s for a 5th round pick each.
How Bernier didnt start today I will never understand.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:40 pm
@bbb7, If you send Clifford to Manchester then who do you think will come up here? None other then Trent Hunter.
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EternalOptimist Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:54 am
It’s time for our “core” players(besides Quick who has been stellar) to step up their game and lead this team. IMO, it’s pretty simple… if Kopi, Richards, DD and JJ don’t outplay their counterparts on the opposite side each and every game, the chances of us making the playoffs this year are not good. Everyone else will settle into their roles instead of trying to overcompensate for one another.
It’s your team boys… time to take the reigns before it’s too late!
Trading for Carter may be exactly the spark this team needs… Richards/Carter had real good chemistry in Philly and rekindling any of that magic here would really help boost the moral. Also, Carter would provide the net presence that we have been missing since Smythe/Simmonds/Handzus left. The 10 year contract is scary to take on, but at this point, it’s worth a shot.
We’re still in the 8th spot so no need to give up all hope everyone! I vaguely remember the B’s season was slipping away from them last year until they went on a tear before the playoffs. We just need a ticket in and anything is possible!
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this team is toast! the schedule will eat them up and spit the out! what a hunch of heartless losers!
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Alright, looking forward to Saturday.
The last offseason was mighty long, not hoping for the same deal.
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colo king fan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:32 pm
@Lake Forest,
you should probably prepare yourself for such an eventuality then be pleasantly surprised if it doesn’t happen.. I’m already operating on the presumption that the kings will miss the playoffs totally… its best to embrace failure as a Kings fan, just makes it easier. That was one of the worst efforts I’ve seen out of a team in a while – and I’ve seen the Ducks play.
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Mars Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:59 pm
@Lake Forest, HERE HERE!
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:58 am
@Lake Forest, If you thought the last off season was long, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
I think I’ll be taking a pass on BS the fans fest.
[Reply]
Quick getting to that last 15 game burnout stage! Then what! Will this be 3rd year in a row?
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:39 pm
@Sammuch, Uhh when did he burn out last season? The fact that we lost our last games had more to do with the fact that Kopi and Willie were out then Quick melting down. Yes he did do so 2 years ago however, as that was his first full season and he had never played that many games in a season, plus he was in the Olympics although he didn’t play and he had a baby. I don’t see him burning out this season. Look at the top Goalies in the league over the years, they played 70+ games.
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Conversations we were SUPPOSED to be having at this point in the season….
“Can you believe the move Kopitar made on that goal? That was sweet!”
“Who would you rather face in the first round? Phoenix or Calgary? Who cares, we got this!”
“I hope we don’t trade anyone at the deadline. We don’t want to mess with this team’s chemistry.”
“We want the Cup! We want the Cup!”
[Reply]
I hate to say but I told you so! Bernie shoulda started. No freaking brainer. I got roasted on this site for saying Bernie needs to play more. I never said he should be the #1 or that he is better than quick. Quick is awesome. But we have a fantastic back up goalie in bernier. For Pete’s sake use him like a normal back up. Any other team’s back up woulda started tonight. This is Sutter’s fault. Still not sure why we hired him?
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:38 am
@Tony, Agree. It wasnt like Quick had a shutout and he was trying to ride it. All the back to back game should be split.
I am not going to be pissed at sutter too much right now, afterall he is what we have, BUT something he could do is drop Stevens and Kompon in favor of anyone else, we obviously are not going into a major firesale, we will let some guys walk and try to do minimal trading for wingers, we are good in back and up the middle. (let penner, stoll and gange go for the obvious reasons, sucking and injuries)
The only trade worth trying for I see now is Carter, IF we can get him cheap, meaning like for JMFJ or penner, stoll etc)
We need JQ and JB. Dont hump that away now.
ah I went off topic, but extending practice, new asst coaches could improve moral and bring in the new voice we need help build confidence too.
We stepped away from basics or are lacking there anyways, need someone new to drill it in. I was hoping pumpernichol was going to do that. But we need more help adding that special something back into their heads. Hypnotism.
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ICanHasCheezburger even knows about us…
http://deepinsidethekings.com/2012/02/even-icanhascheezburger-knows-it/
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Im not sure if its just me but without gagne and voynov in the lineup we continue to look like an AHL team haha The lines dont mesh well, no scoring touch at all, we have 2/3 of a scoring line on the top two lines and the bottom two look like minor league lines with one or two pros on it. Sutter needs to stack up one line for the forwards and fix the D. Have …
Richards – Kopi – Williams
Nolan – Stoll – King
Clifford- Fraser – Brown
Penner – Loki- Lewis
Doughty – Scuderi
JJ – Voynov
Greene – Mitchell
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If I were kings management I would get rid of players that hurt the way we play. Either be a defensive team or be offensive. What I mean is a few people should be playing and fit in and a few don’t
Johnson +/- -12
richardson -8
martinez -7
Clifford -6
Penner -6
now the good/ leaders
williams +6
Brown +6
voynoV +4 (he needs to be in!)
Richards +3
King +3
[Reply]
Hey Sutter here is an idea. Start Bernier for 1 of the back to back games. Better yet make him the starter and trade Quick for Nash !!!
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As long as the tickets sell only thing that matters
to all so after 24 years in CA same old
same old thing pay pay and prices going up
same old song and will still stand behind
our Kings as always but still after last year and
when my heart was crushed this year put a
limit on my stress and just pray
Someone please step up for us fans thanks.
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Could somebody please explain me why DD sucks so often but he earns a lot of money with his age? Look at Erik Karlsson with his 21 years. 60 Points in 61 Games. He was drafted at #15 in the same draft as LA drafted DD at #2. Sure DD will become a good player, but how long do we have to wait for it? And don’t mention the age, when a guy like Erik Karlsson could put up such numbers with the same age.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:02 am
@andinin, Look at the forwards playing with Karlsson and then look at the forwards playing with DD and think again.
[Reply]
Nash and Carter for Brown, Bernier, Johnson, Martinez, Greene, Vey and 1st and 2nd round draft picks this year.
[Reply]
Rich,
Any reason why you didn’t post or seek the captain’s post game quotes?
Where there any?
Do you find Mike Richards’ post game quotes more ‘captain like’?
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I’m embarraseed to be a Kings fan this morning. I don’t know when was the last time I said that or felt that, but that’s where we’re at right now.
I’m embarrassed because the players on this roster don’t seem to care. They play with absolutely no heart, no effort. They have no willingness to go to the dirty areas to score goals or screen the goalie. They play sloppy, stupid hockey both offensively and defensively.
Shame on every guy in that locker room for coming out and playing the way they did against a conference opponent trying to catch us for the final playoff spot.
We were dominated from the 5 min mark of the 1t period right to the very end. Even after we scored the goal, they took the play to us immediately.
I/we invest a lot of our time and $$ in this team and to see that kind of effort is disgraceful!
I’ve been defending JJ and passionately stating that he shouldn’t be traded and he goes out there last night and played the worst game I’ve ever seen. He was horsepit all night. Terrible!
This is a team filled with so called leaders. I see absolutely no leadership on the ice or even behind the bench at this point.
You all screamed for Murray’s head and got what you wanted, but I see no change in this team’s play. I’ve seen more games so far during DS tenure where the Kings just didn’t show up, than I did during the whole time Murray was here. You may not have liked his style or the way he communicated thru the press, but you couldn’t deny the work ethic his team played with. But he’s no longer here and this is unacceptable!
I’m not one for calling for people’s heads so I won’t say whether DL should or shouldn’t lose his job, but if he stays here, he needs to re-assess what he has in that locker room and get rid of the guys who don’t care and bring in guys who give a sh**. We don’t have enough of those guys anymore. Guys like Smyth, Simmer, Zus are gone, but we didn’t replace what they brought to the team. The way the games are played today, you have to play with passion every night or you get what we got last night. There was a time prior to this season where teaqs didn’t like playing the Kings because win or lose, they knew they were in for a tough battle. Every puck was fought for and those 50/50 battles weren’t going to be easy for the opponent. Does anyone know the last time we won a 50/50 battle for the puck? this team, guys skate by the puck and insterad of putting on the brakes and fight for it, they cirlce around and end up behind the play.
Sorry for this being so long, but i am at my wits end with this team and I want my old Kings team that made me proud every night win or lose…the team that Murray coached over the past several years. I’m tired of seeing indifferent play most nights.
BOO KINGS!
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M.T. Netter Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:53 am
@nykingfan, Go Dodgers!
http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/dodger-report/post/_/id/102/first-workout-observations
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King Cobra Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:24 am
@nykingfan, I feel your pain. I am at he point were I am starting to not care as much so to preserve my sanity.
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Why would ANYONE want to come to LA? It’s like the death knoll, over what seems like a millenia,virtually no one has come here and performed as they did elsewhere. Even those that leave seem to do better. It’s like that cowboy said in the old west, “goodbye God, I’m going to Bodie (LA).”
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To me it’s not so surprising that the team is doing (or not) doing as they are. They always start like a house afire and then by the end of the year are clammoring for a playoff spot. What really irks me is early in the year the play-by-play duck announcer said the Kings would be a miserable flop this season, and it comes true. I’m really gonna cry when the ducks pass us in the playoff race.
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I feel the Pain this morning. We were told back in September, at Hockey Fest 11 that we were going to make some loud noises this year. They walked all the players out as if they were Kings, and we drank the Kool Aid. Weeks later we all show up at Frozen Fury in Vegas with high hopes. We lose that night to the Aves 4-1. Now we jump forward and nothing has changed… No TM!!! We are still the same team we were in Vegas. I’m telling everyone out there that until this team sheds the LA attitdue of Holier than thou they will never get passed they’re EGO’s.
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rick Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:45 am
@King Charles of Salt Lake, I share your frustration about the team, but find it a bit absurd that you think the problem is that they have “the LA attitude”. That :”attitude” – whatever it is you are referring to – certainly hasn’t hurt the Lakers or Dodgers over the years. The problem is talent, not geography.
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:04 am
@rick, Amen.
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A goaltender of Quicks age should be able to play two games in two nights. The problem with the Kings is they do not have quality wingers. Center are solid but not elite as Kopitar is slow and has chronic slumps every year. Richards plays tough but is not physically dominating like Malkin or Staal. We are not a playoff team and are farther away from Stanley Cup than at least 18 teams. We need to pick up a couple more high draft pics and start over with another 5 year plan.
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:05 am
@rmartin1951, Except Quick looked tired and played poorly the night before. You got a hot goalie … play em back to back, but if the goalie struggles it makes ZERO sense to play him the next night.
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KingMe20 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:55 am
@rmartin1951,
While its true his age isn’t a factor, you’ve obviously discounted how much he has played to this point in the season, and the drop in his sharpness in Phoenix (not even last night) was a sign that he is a goaltender in need of a rest. The season has a cumulative effect, and it’s not just the three or four nights before that determine a player’s level of fatigue.
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Sutter needs to stop making excuses about the Kings’ poor play. They are not a playoff team. They might be in the hunt now but in a couple of weeks they will be out of the playoffs if their offense does not improve. I feel bad for Quick. He has played his heart out this season and thanks to the Kings weak offense he does not have more wins. It is simply ridiculous at this time to think that this team is a playoff team. They sure do not like a playoff team. The defense last night got beat in three of the Avalanche goals. If the Kings expect to make the playoffs radical line changes must happen. Otherwise, they will be out of the playoffs by the middle of next month.
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Last night was a prime example of a team with no drive or focus. Everyone seemed a step behind, the passing was so piss poor it was alarming that AEG actually provides a check for their services. I was surprised to see Quick in goal, when as everyone has pointed out, Bernier needed to be in net. I do like the look and hunger of Nolan and King, and it seems that Richards likes the kid too.
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will someone please perform a excersiom on the staples center and the team so the demons that have ruined this team will be gone ! get the ghost adventures guys out there too see if any bad mojo is at staples.
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Probably just a coincidence…but have you noticed this team hasn’t been the same since the day Penner walked into the locker room?
They say one bad apple spoils the whole whatever…Si he the one bad apple?
I’m just trying to figure out what happened to the team we all loved.
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:08 am
@nykingfan, Losing Zues, Smyth and Simmonds. Their replacements Richards … that worked, but Penner and Gagne … big problem.
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Morning fellow glutons… I wonder what is going happen the next few days, I hope we dont get Carter after hearing the guy last night talk about him being another Penner, I hope we stay far far away…
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nykingfan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:24 am
@pr0cess,
I don’t want anyone right now.
After watching the last 2 games, does anyone really believe we’re a player away from being anything?
I’ll ammend that…I want to see VV back up asap!
Enough with Martinez. He’s not the same player he was last year. He’s bringing nothing offensively and defensively he’s terrible right now.
Either move him for picks, or let him watch from the press box or the locker room.
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:39 am
@pr0cess, Agree. They compared his work ethic to Penner’s. Keep our draft choices and get bigger. We are such a soft team. GO KINGS GO!!!
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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:09 am
@pr0cess, So do I. Carter is definately NOT the answer. Another injury prone forward, but with a horrible contract.
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GET CARTER!
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So does anybody else think tyhat the last 2 games hurt our chances of any type of trade? If DL and DS were trying to shocase some of our “talent,” I doubt that any of them made any good impressions, thus lowering everyone’s trade value. AS I am learning as a Kings fan, our team mantra should be “There’s always next year.” GKG!!!
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tellmeY Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:42 am
@DesertKing, there are a lot worse teams out there that would take any of our guys. And a lot teams playing worse than we are so no I do not think out chances are bad.
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nykingfan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:01 am
@DesertKing,
I hope it did.
Unless we’re bringing back players with heart, I hope we scared off everyone!
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The Puck Stops Here Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 8:13 am
@DesertKing, That would look awesome on billboards instead of “The Time is Now” or “Pride=Passion=Power” it will say
“There’s Always Next Year” with a subtext “(at least we’re honest, we’re character people)”
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It’s like we are in the dentist chair and cannot
get out. Players remember the movie Rocky?
Can we all please just come together and be a
team again for the screaming fans like us?
Thanks see you this Saturday .
Go Kings Go
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Why can’t we find a coach who makes good, common sense decisions?! TM sits a goalie on a record breaking shutout streak, and DS plays a guy who clearly needs a break. Nobody on the team played near their potential last night. Only 9 home games left. I’m torn whether thats’s a good thing or not. As a STH, not sure I can handle the drive of shame after another embarrassing loss.
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Saw this coming a couple months ago. When I said firing the coach wasn’t the problem. Also said DL wasn’t the problem.A lot of people said it was and I didn’t know what I was talking about.So I decided to not post for a while. I’m not going to glote,just give my perspective. This team has an enigma or elephant in the room, said it before, gonna say it again. Until that enigma is gone this team won’t go anywhere. Trading for Rick Nash is a joke. DL will give up too much and were stuck with the same problem with a player who is supposed to score and can’t. This team needs more than one guy right now. None of the bottom six are producing, nobody wants to go to the net, and there is absolutely no net front presence. Unlike a lot of people I think getting Jeff Carter would be better. His cap hit isn’t super bad, he’s played with Richards, so maybe he starts to come back around. You don’t give up the farm, which leaves room for other additions to address the needs I talked about before. Obviously this team wasn’t as close as everyone, including me thought. But it’s a lot closer than it was, and I beleive in the powers to be making the right decisions. After all they get paid to do it, I don’t.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 9:06 am
@P90X, Sorry, I lost you. What’s the elephant in the room?
And by the way, I completely agree with you take on Nash and Carter.
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our D is suddenly failing us.
Got to trade Jack. If Jack and Bernier and a number one for Nash is not enough, than we are sunk.
Oh — and it would be nice for Doughty to play like a 7 million dollar defensemen instead of a 30 cent on the dollar Defensemen. He’s not even one of the top 10 Defensemen in the league. I can’t believe how far he has fallen.
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This is depressing. I really am tired of watching this team suck. Any coach worth a snot would have played his backup goalie last night. I am not saying the result would have been different, but you cannot expect Quick to be on every night and he needs a chance to recoup every so often and no better time to do that than on a back to back with travel in between and a late arrival.
Watching the game last night, I noticed something that stood out enormously to me, and has been discussed in the past on this board. We do not go to the net with the puck or without it. 2 cases in point: Puck is sent around the boards from the left wing near the blue line, and Richards recovers the puck from behind the net and gives it to Kopi who is coming down the left side. Instead of taking the puck to the net, he peels back away from the net towards the corner, and gives a pass to Richards who is skating away from the net near the boards outside the face off circle, and then Richards shoots the puck falling backwards and no one in front of the net. That shot at zero chance of doing anything… not going in the goal or coming off the goalie for a rebound, and even if there was a rebound, no King player was any where near the goal to make a play. Other example is 4 on 3 break, and JW on the right wing passes to Kopi near the blue line and Kopi is the trailer and then shoots the puck from a not so high percentage shooting area, and what do the other 2 guys do as he is shooting, they peel away from the goal, offering no screen or net presence and not at all going to be in an area to get a rebound.
This just shows you that these guys have no clue what it takes to score consistently in this league. Maybe they do know but are unwilling to risk being hit to get a goal. Maybe they are all happy with their big contracts and just want to play some fun hockey and not pay the price to win games. Very sad.
And anyone that is talking Lokti up right now needs to get some hockey sense. This guy has some skill and vision, yes, but he cannot hold onto the puck and he cannot defend anyone bigger than a 7 year old. He falls to the ice after every bump… not check, just bump. He missed 3 passes last night that were very simple passes, and one was on a 3 v 2 break and he passed it behind the winger going into the o zone. Not even came close to getting it near the teammates stick, and the potential scoring play was lost. He needs to bulk up a lot and needs to be a stronger skater and puck handler before he will have an impact in this league. He is just like Oscar Moller, good skill and fast skater but not strong enough yet to be a force in this league.
You can see some of the younger players, like Clifford, just trying to do too much. They are not trying to play a simple game, but making it harder on themselves by trying to do more than they are capable of.
Kopi is off. I do not think he even had a scoring chance last night. He is our #1 Center and did not produce anything, and has not produced much over the past many games. He is playing ok defensively but nothing in the o zone.
I can go on and on, but I will stop. Thanks for letting me rant a bit. These guys need a big shake up very soon or else we are done.
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After Quick Stunk in Phoenix why oh why would Sutter go back to him,cause he stunk again even worse! I say Quick’s value can’t be much higher…trade him along with Doughty to Columbus for Carter and Nash. Bet Howson bites on that! Columbus can throw in Tyutin to boot and we toss in Hickey,Scuderi,Zatkoff,and Forbort!
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