Before last night’s game, those of us media chatterboxes — those who cover the Kings and Avalanche — reached a consensus that Jonathan Bernier was all but certain to start in goal. Then, Jonathan Quick led the Kings onto the ice for warmups. Shows you what we know… Darryl Sutter’s decision wasn’t a total shock, though. Quick had a bad outing the night before in Phoenix, and there is a school of thought that would say, “Let him have a chance to redeem himself quickly.” After the game, Quick said he very much wanted to play, but he only lasted one period, as he allowed three goals and was pulled in favor of Jonathan Bernier. Today, without being asked, Sutter tossed out the idea that perhaps Bernier should have started the game.
SUTTER: “Maybe Bernie should have been the guy, but Quicker wanted to go back in, so you’ve got to do that.”
That said, Sutter didn’t lay blame for the defeat at Quick’s feet.
SUTTER: “I looked at our first period, and I think it was three or four mistakes, and they end up in our net. A couple of those kids are struggling right now, and you’ve got to help them through it.”
Is Bernier gone for Carter with JJ? Hope not. Deal not official either.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@LA_1968, WHAT??? Say it ain’t so Joe, say it ain’t so… not for Carter!!!
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@Stuart,
Bob McKenzie
LAK and CBJ are working hard to get a Jeff Carter trade done — Jack Johnson’s name featured prominently as well — but told not done. Yet.
To me, we deserve a break on talent heading to CBJ for taking that 10 year monstrosity contract of Carter.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@LA_1968, wow… I hope it’s one or the other, NOT both for Carter, if at all…
If we get Carter, I will not be happy unless he gets a goal a game for us!
cpmc29 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@LA_1968, I pucking hope not. That’s way to much imo.
[Reply]
JB Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@LA_1968, I hope not! I want Carter but not for 2 of our younger roster guys. Either one or the other plus some picks or prospects I think should suffice. If I’m Dean I use the whole questionable character rumors to my advantage and tell Howson we’re doing him a favor if that’s the case. Plus we’re taking on the longer contract.
[Reply]
TheRussianKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@JB, Someone should be taking back Penner, we need the cap space anyways.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@TheRussianKing, I think DL lost the receipt.
Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@TheRussianKing, ….who would do that…the BD&D league?…
deadcatbounce Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@LA_1968, Where did this rumor come from? You’re not pulling them out of your rear end, are you?
[Reply]
TheRussianKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@deadcatbounce,
Bob Mckenzie
LAK and CBJ are working hard to get a Jeff Carter trade done — Jack Johnson’s name featured prominently as well — but told not done. Yet.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@deadcatbounce, :O
[Reply]
jkking Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@LA_1968, no bernie. just JJ. there is no way bernie should be in THAT deal. NASH maybe.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@jkking, I agree!! Bernie has a unique quality in his hybrid butterfly / stand-up style.
I would give JJ and couple young d-man from Manchester.
[Reply]
jkking Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@LA_1968, I want this trade. Hemsky for PENNER!
[Reply]
Timbo from Canada Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@jkking, I m with ya bud, I’d give Penner away for nothing just to free up cap space
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@LA_1968,
I’d be shocked if BOTH go for Carter. Even JJ is 50/50 if you ask me. A trade for Carter can be made without giving up 2 solid players. Just ask the Blue Jackets. They gave up less than JJ and Bernier to get him…
[Reply]
jason Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@LA_1968, looking pretty likely… If Lombardi drafts another Center we deserve to lose. I just looked at san jose and all their natural centers.. rediculous
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@LA_1968, Carter??!! Once again another “charlie simmer” type player!! Big and stand in front of net to get “garbage goals.” We have so many of them!!! Kings NEED a play maker type that’s a fast skater and with good hands. Yah, like a Nash, Ovechkin, Kovulchuk.
Man, had we gotten Kovulchuck we would’ve had the cup probably this year already with him carrying it. I guess players managers around the league can’t ever imagine a cup in Los Angeles.
[Reply]
jason Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@rogiesbackup, agree, I think kopi is supposed to be that man… We need a kovolchuk or Nash… Kopi for either would be good in my book
[Reply]
bmova Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@LA_1968, You can’t git rid of Bernier without getting a backup goalie in return.
[Reply]
Jgomez Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@LA_1968, Carter doesn’t seem too bad statistically. Compared to Nash who has 20 goals in 60 games, Carter has 15 goals in 39 games.
Not terribly bad but I am not sure its worth both JJ and JB. Please DL! Make some sort of move that will bring life to this team!
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@LA_1968, Bernier will NOT be included in this trade. SOunds like Columbus doesn’t want Bernier, don’t know why but better for us.
[Reply]
MindGeyser Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@LA_1968, Neither should be going for Carter. We lose physical play on the blue line if JJ goes, and Carter isn’t anywhere close to the savior of the team. You send Johnson away for someone who is certainly going to fix the issue, not for someone who you hope might fix some of the issue.
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@LA_1968, if Bernier was going the headline would say deal featuring Bernier going to the Jackets not JJ.
[Reply]
DS YOU ARE THE COACH. YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS!!!!
[Reply]
deadcatbounce Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@jkking, That’s what I was going to say. The inmates shouldn’t be running the asylum.
[Reply]
OMG did we just give the barn for another penner??? please lord no..
[Reply]
I’m with the “Bernier should have started” camp. Back-to-backs should make it an easy decision to put in your backup in one of those games.
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@vplaza, …hindsight is always 20/20….
[Reply]
wow, the teams not gonna get any better with carter this year! dont give up bernier and johnson !!! this year is hopeless
[Reply]
If you don’t play your back up in a back to back on the road, I’m not sure why you have a back up.
[Reply]
Golfnut Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@Schlock, +100
[Reply]
andy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@Schlock, Kings will rue the day they hired Sutter. He isn’t much of a coach and will be out coached by pretty much everybody. His barking style suited him better! And besides he really burnt out Kipper in Calgary…
[Reply]
Lets keep the faith guys. Go kings go
[Reply]
RUMOR JUST IN!!! Jeff Carter is to come to LA!
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@TOMMY,
(E4)
[Reply]
It appears as though Carter to LA is all but official!
[Reply]
saydaysago Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@California Royalty, how do you know that?
[Reply]
California Royalty Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@saydaysago, Sportsnet.ca
It’s for sure Johnson. I’d be surprised is Bernier wasn’t involved too. Having said that, I don’t think JJ and JB are worth Carter. Feels like a panic button move to me.
[Reply]
vicarious Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@California Royalty, Concur if its JJ and JB for Carter. But both Columbus and the Kings are in panic mode. I lost faith in DL’s negotiation skills awhile back, also IMO I think DL blundered the rebuild: if the Kings pick up Carter at the cost of both JJ and JB, IMO DL got fleeced once again.
If he has to add anything, DL should send Stoll along with JJ as Columbus will need a center to replace Carter.
Hopefully DL is clever enough to keep our #1 pick as its looking better and better. DL has blundered or traded away enough #1 draft picks already.
SUTTER: “Maybe Bernie should have been the guy, but Quicker wanted to go back in, so you’ve got to do that.”
Unless you are a coach who has some brains. Absolutely no reason to start Quick back to back on the road.
[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@Golfnut,
Even if he has two back to back shut-outs going? now where have I seen this before?
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@OnTheFly,
Startergate!
[Reply]
Why would any team want to trade for Bernier, when the Kings coach clearly thinks he’s not good enough to play? I mean, Quick can get burned out (like he did two seasons ago), he can play a poor game like he did 2 nights ago, and DS will still insist on starting him in back to back games. What the @#$%? Give the kid a rest for-gods-sake. Of course, he wants back in the game. EVERY player wants back in the game, or else the TEAM doesn’t want the player.
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@kingsfan78, Truth is that DS knew Quick would say yes (that he wants the start) no matter what.
[Reply]
Captain hindsight says yes…..
Actually no hindsight on this one. I think 99% of us thought he should have.
He’s (JQ) allowed to have a few crappy games.
Hopefully this is a learning process for DS and he doesnt make the same dumb mistake.
I think we are in good shape still.
[Reply]
Timbo from Canada Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@Lake Forest, We will be but we gotta make at least 2 trades. The way we are now, we’d be lucky to get 8th spot and then another 1st round exit to the Red Wings!!
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@Timbo from Canada, …10-4 that….
[Reply]
Why Suter? Your the coach, remember? Act like one and make a call and stick with it? OMG!!! All of us fans could have told you that it was time for Bernie!! I gave Suter the benefit of the doubt but now am beginning to wonder if Suter was the right guy to coach this team? We would be sitting a few points higher in the atandings if Terry Murray was still coach!!
[Reply]
I’m with trading Johnson, I have been wanted to trade him for the past few seasons now.
[Reply]
Michael666 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@Michael666, *fine with
[Reply]
jackyboy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:14 pm
@Michael666, I agree JJ for Carter straight up.. Similar cap hits… An instant 30-40 goal scorer for LA and great flexibilty to go for another sniper. Plus we still have Doughty and Voynov as our top 2 dmen
[Reply]
kingsfan78 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@Michael666, Johnson has been the best D-man this season. All the folks who were angry with him the past few seasons pointed at his +- and insisted it must get better. Weeeelll…it’s gotten much much better this year.
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@kingsfan78, ….but not better enough evidently…..that’s what you get for negotiating your own contract…next time leave it to the professionals JJ…at least he’ll be closer to home…
[Reply]
YAY!!!! Love Jeff Carter…
And if I had a dollar for every woulda-shoulda-coulda from all the bloggers here I’d be very rich!!!
[Reply]
Even if Bernier got the start, it doesn’t change the fact that we only scored one goal
[Reply]
As I have stated in the past Bernier should get the start every 5-7 straight Quick starts and Bernier play two consecutive starts. Now does JQ feel he can play a whole month with out a rest??? Of course he does, he’s ahtlete, and an execptional one too!!!! The question, though is it good for him and or the team?? I would say not because JQ might feel capabable and I’m sure he is, but you loose your hunger to play. Almost like you take it foregranted. Too much of a good thing looses its’ specialness.
Play Quick 5-7 starts; let Bernie play TWO consecutive start to keep JQ fresh AND HUNGRY!!!!
[Reply]
Yes
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@CB14,
Bernier absolutely should have started in back-to-back road games (and less than 24 hours after an overtime loss and a 2 hour flight). The good thing is that DS knows he made a mistake. Bad timing though.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:03 pm
@CB14, Agree, YES… and thought that before the debacle last night. It’s that simple.
[Reply]
Tomorrow night MR and JC at Hennessey’s Hermosa.
[Reply]
jackyboy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:23 pm
@LA_1968, haha. Im there and will have a drink with them
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@jackyboy, They better stock up on the Jim Beam.
[Reply]
toemas_sandstrom Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@LA_1968, Party on Mike, Party on Jeff!!! MR’s World, MR’s World, Party time, Excellent!!!
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@LA_1968, …that was the plan…more business for the local clubs….hahahaha
[Reply]
High pick + Johnson for carter
[Reply]
I’M maybe starting to side with poorman in regards to Quick. I fear again that Quick is getting worse the second half of the season. While people love Quick, I know kings fans also trust Bernier would be a great starter too at a great price.
If we get carter, we should get nash too
Carter, Nash, Sanford —- Kopi, Johnson, Quick
I do think Sutter will play quick next game but I think Bernier should start.
Also I’m glad Bernier didnt start because it would have been a tough game for him too, especially in the first.
[Reply]
andy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@jason, If the Kings gave up that much Columbus would have to kick the 1st pick(2012),2nd(2012) pick and Tyutin!C’mon
[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@jason, I see you too allude to the annual Quick fold down the stretch plan. I’ve seen this each Feb/Mar for the last coupla years. If anything I’d rather trade Quick while his stock is still kinda high. He is NOT the goalie to take us anywhere(IMO) I will predict that unless Bernier gets more starts down the stretch here, our chances of even making the playoffs are diminished. Hell, if I’m the opponent, all I do is shoot high and I’ll score on Quick. When the dude panics, he can’t stay on his skates. 7 GA in last 3 periods- nice.
Bernier please.
Go Kings
[Reply]
Dealing Jack Johnson is a big mistake. I hope we didn’t.
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@BigMikeonD, not for carter, nash yes, not carter. is DL gonna take this teams future down with him?
[Reply]
MindGeyser Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@tornado12, Reminds me of Dave Taylor’s last days. Deals for Anson Carter, Mark Parrish, and Brent Sopel to do… something to a depleted roster full of grinders.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@tornado12, Everyone wants Voynov up here. He is JJ replacement. Everybody talks about how awful JJ is defensively and yet they cry when he is traded. This team needs scoring in the worst way and the reason we drafted defenseman so much in the draft is to make a trade like this.
[Reply]
BigMikeonD Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@Jeff_R, Just so we’re clear, VV is no JJ. He is good and has potential, I would still rather have JJ. If VV was JJ they could trade VV instead of JJ. Reality is he is not. You don’t trade potential stars like JJ. VV will be good, just not as good.
jackyboy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@BigMikeonD, Disagree… Best deal possible other than Nash… JJ shoots wide 80% of the time. Voynov is interchangeable with him . Great trade. Cap hit equals out too!!
[Reply]
BFSTYLE33 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@BigMikeonD, I agree…I hope not too. I think the progress he made this year will make him a force next yr or two. Well, with our history…that’s just the perfect time for guys we let go to flourish.
[Reply]
BigMikeonD Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@BFSTYLE33, God forbid we should not wait for our farm to develop. This win now things is getting tired. It’s been going on to long with this club. We are just starting to get a glimpse of this teams potential with more talent come up through the ranks. Trading one of our bright young stars for a disgruntled, over paid, under performing player seems foolish to me. Here I thought we might deal Bernier and that was tough to think about. Now JMFJ? Uggg this is a really bad idea.
[Reply]
BigMikeonD Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@BigMikeonD, Sorry for the typos. Long day in my cubicle.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:41 pm
@BigMikeonD, Our farm system is loaded with defenseman and laxed on forwards this is a trade that needs to be made. This is not giving up the farm. It is just JJ and a future top pick.
I’m not surprised…
Carter will be skating with us on Saturday…
BFF’s together forever..
Could be a good thing…
Had to shake up this team..
[Reply]
silver lining is that Carter would be in the lineup Saturday… *sigh*
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@Stuart,
He has only 15 goals and will not pick up production as a King. We all know how that goes.
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@408kingsfan, 15 goals in like 39 games.
[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@Jeff_R,
Nothing to write home about. He will fit right in to our defense first system just like Richards and Penner have.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@408kingsfan, I would give anything for a King to score 15 goals in 39 games. The fact is Carter does what no other Kings seems to like to do, shoot the puck. This will rejuvenate Carter and Richards along with the other moves Dean makes. Plus I think we will be even better defensively, as we open the offense up more like we have tried to do the last couple of games.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@Stuart, We get Carter Saturday and Chicago doesn’t have Towes who probably won’t play after his car accident today.
[Reply]
If you really want to freak out what if we’re trading Bernier for Carter and McElhenney? Columbus got McElhenney from Phoenix and we would need a somewhat tested NHL caliber backup if we got rid of Bernier. Add that to the wild speculation going on ….
[Reply]
Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@JB, Bernier is not part of the deal. According to Columbus’s beat writer Aaron Portzline they don’t want Bernier.
[Reply]
YES he should have. when you have two great goalies there is no reason that you should not be playing them both. jq is #1 but that doesn’t mean he can’t share the load with jb. i believe that jq’s style of goaltending will lead to an injury at some point and then he is going to have a hard time with his athletic saves and we’ll be wanting jb’s sound technical style to be stopping goals.
[Reply]
YES he should have. when you have two great goalies there is no reason that you should not be playing them both. jq is #1 but that doesn’t mean he can’t share the load with jb. i believe that jq’s style of goaltending will lead to an injury at some point and then he is going to have a hard time with his athletic saves and we’ll be wanting jb’s sound technical style to be stopping goals.
[Reply]
Tony Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:50 pm
@yetiman_oc, totally agree and it’s what i have been saying on this blog all year. No one is saying JB should be the starter but use him as a normal back up. Its a win-win for both goalies.
by the i can’t believe DS said since JQ said he wanted to play “you have to go with that.”
who is coaching this team? Jonathan Quick?
[Reply]
Johnson + Bernier for Cane.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@DiggerRocket, I assume you meant Kane, or did you mean for the entire Cane (Hurricanes) organization? :p
[Reply]
I don’t think that JQ was the problem in either game. He did not give up a soft one. All of the goals were tap ins, shot from inside the dots, or deflected. The defense has been lame!
[Reply]
Kings fan living in Colorado. I was at the game with front row seats. Quick shouldnt have been the starter. He does a great job and has carried the team on his shoulders this season, but is tired and burned out. He should’ve been rested.
It is time to make changes in the offense. Kopi, Brown, Richards need to step it up. Getting paid a ton of money with little results. Defense isnt the issue here…it is offense.
Sutter is over his head.
[Reply]
yard dog Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 1:30 am
@shawn, well said. I hope DL is out of here at the end of this season and takes “Billy-Bob” Sutter with him. We need coaching. A respectable coach. I will admit I wanted a change with TM, but he sure was well spoken, respected, and a real gentleman. Half the time I can’t even understand Sutter….And some of the crap he says is so bizzare. In final…if there is another big trade ahead, I hope it involves Kopi and/or Brown. Both have abandoned their leadership roles and have dissapeared. Although Kopitar has been our leading scorer, It appears that he has completely vanished and seems to do that every year. He has (IMO) has always been a soft player. And if that is the best we have to offer then our Kings will be hopeless in either making the playoffs or going past the 1st round.
[Reply]