Thursday (non-)skate update « LA Kings Insider

Thursday (non-)skate update

Posted by Rich Hammond on 23 February 2012, 12:37 pm

Darryl Sutter opted for an off-ice workout for the Kings today, and no on-ice work. The team will practice at 10 a.m. tomorrow in El Segundo. The only player on the ice this morning was Simon Gagne, who went through a skating and drills session with Bernie Nicholls. Gagne said he’s been skating every day and feels good, but it’s still not known when/if he might be able to return from his concussion. Incidentally, I saw Gagne hit the net at least eight consecutive times with one-timers from the right circle. I’m not sure if I have seen that in any Kings practice/game this season. Perhaps Gagne is more ready than he realizes. More notes and quotes to come, including Sutter’s thoughts on the whether the trade deadline is a distraction for players.

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87 Comments

ty32LA says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:39 pm

Gagne could be a boost.

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wavesinair Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:42 pm
@ty32LA,

Turns out, he was a huge loss. Almost as big as Penner is a disappointment.

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nvkingsfan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:56 pm
@wavesinair, gagne had more goals than Penner in far less games. Penner is awful.

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wavesinair Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@nvkingsfan,

Yep. I didn’t word it well. Not saying Gagne is a disappointment.

purple and gold Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@nvkingsfan, I don’t think he was comparing their abilities or effort. I think Waves was saying that his injury makes him a loss to the level that Penner stinks. None of that fault on Gagne, maybe some on DL for picking up a liability. But I’m not a mind reader.

prince Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:43 pm
@ty32LA, Anyone who can hit the net would be a boost.

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pr0cess Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@prince, +10

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Jody Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@pr0cess, +203

DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@prince,

There’s a net? I thought there was only glass, boards, the goalie and opposing players? I can’t remember any of the players or coaches ever mentioning aiming at or hitting a net. Wow, a net, who woulda thunk it?

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Bluecoconuts Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
@ty32LA, Assuming we can actually finish top 8, he’d be a good not so secret weapon.

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kingszzz says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:42 pm

Hammond you’re hilarious!! “Incidentally, I saw Gagne hit the net at least eight consecutive times..”

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tornado12 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@kingszzz, ive noticed ‘The Hammer’ coming down a bit more than usual lately. I love it!

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DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:53 pm
@kingszzz,

Rich, you always act so professional in person, but deep inside, you are the original Insider (with all of the craziness that goes with it).

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Sam says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:44 pm

I wish more of our guys would concentrate on hitting the net. One thing I’ve noticed is a lot of shooting to score as opposed to shooting for a rebound.

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bbb7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:48 pm
@Sam, And if more guys would (or could) take one-timers. Our shooting is too slow and the goalie always has time to get into position.

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Kings Fan Vancouver, WA Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:51 pm
@bbb7, If the shot even gets through!!

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Unimailer Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@Sam, Watch the way we set up on the power play, everyone has their shot out towards the boards (i.e. right handed shots on the right), which eliminates the one timer. More brilliant coaching…

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Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@Sam, You know when a team is struggling it is like the net is real small and when a team is going good the net is huge and the puck just seems to find the net.

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jason Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@Sam, yea i have been watching games with different announcers due to being out of california and the announcer make a comment on jack johnsons shot over the net last game.. We had so much momentum and just blast from the point as hard as he could totally missing…

Its a lot of kings players just totally missing. Its like they all need to do what gagne is doing and just hit the net, even if its in the chest of the goalie I’d rather have shots on net

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twnclick says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:50 pm

way to much hesitation and not enough net presence

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KingsGuy says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Onto some Nash talk – It’s looking dim on us getting Nash. I definitely don’t want Carter here…

I have a good buddy who’s brother is in the Black Hawks organization. Does anyone know if there is any rumor or heard anything to us going after Kane? My contact seems to think so…

I say if not, trade Bernier to Philly and pick up JVR. Big body, and has skill on the LW position.
http://flyers.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8474037

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DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@KingsGuy,

I am glad. I think it is too late to turn the aircraft carrier with just a move or two with players. Whatever happened to that rumor of JJ for Sharpe?

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KingsGuy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@DesertKing, Dunno, I heard that too… Either one will be fine with me

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Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@DesertKing, …nothing…it’s a rumor….

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bmova Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@KingsGuy, Philly just signed the Bryz long-term. Why would they want Bernier?

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Jeff_R Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:13 pm
@bmova, Because Bryz sucks in Philly.

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bmova Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@Jeff_R, Fair enough. But he signed a 9-year $51M contract. What are they going to do, bench him???

KingsGuy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@bmova, I hear ya, I don’t know why Philly is inquiring… “supposedly”

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Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@KingsGuy, ….JVR?….another concussion alum?….

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Perro says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Usually when teams go through funks like the ones the kings are in the players call a players only meeting. I have never quesitoned Brown’s capabilities as Captain, but he and his A’s need to do this.

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yard dog Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:04 pm
@Perro, I myself have been critical but how do you know that has not been done. I doubt that we, as fans, are privy to all the team logistics!

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Perro Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@yard dog, Usually it’s made public when the team holds a players only closed door meeting.

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vplaza says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:54 pm

Practice? We talkin’ ’bout practice? We talkin’ about practice.

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vinny Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@vplaza, ha!

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toemas_sandstrom says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:54 pm

Columbus is prepping their media room for an “announcement” Might see some movement shortly…

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DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:58 pm
@toemas_sandstrom,

Does that inlcude putting down crocheted doilies so the diet RC cola cans don’t leave water spots on the K-mart card tables? Get Otto,the town drunk, out of jail so he can turn the crank on the power generator so the microphone works?

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crashin'da net Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:04 pm
@DesertKing, LOL. And tell Sally in the Saloon we got guests acoming!!!

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DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@crashin’da net,

New garters girls! Polish those spittoons!

Ryan oliver Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@toemas_sandstrom, It’s just for a season ticket holders event. Nothing happening

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DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:39 pm
@Ryan oliver,

Put some more PBR on ice!

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crashin'da net Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:49 pm
@DesertKing, and ya’ll see if we have any extra hard tack in the buck board.
LA_1968 says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:55 pm

The time table on Gagne has been accelerated because of the trade deadline. He is pushing to as hard as he can to give DL an update before Monday. If still symptomatic DL can LTIR him and use the cap space elsewhere. Not to mention DL would sure like to know how badly he needs 2 new wings.

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vplaza Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:07 pm
@LA_1968,

Just 2?

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LA_1968 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@vplaza, Yeah I think so. I think JW and DB are legit top 6 don’t you? Push the other guys down to bottom 6.

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vplaza Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@LA_1968,

I’m just thinking that this team probably needs more than two new wings because the others, while bottom 6 guys, haven’t really produced at a bottom 6 level either.

Cruiznblue Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@LA_1968,

JW is a legit top 6 forward…not sure about DB though. If DB skated as hard and intense as JW did every game…he’d be so much better.
dmoney says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Incidentally, my wife says Clifford “looks like a Garbage Pail Kid”. That might be the best description of the Big Dog I’ve ever heard.

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Christian Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@dmoney, HAHAHA, that _is_ true

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vplaza Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@dmoney,

My wife and I call him “Crazy Eyes”.

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purple and gold Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@dmoney, My gf has said he looks like Lurch from the Addams Family

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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@purple and gold, I think Sutter has the garbage pail kid nailed. Most the time Clifford has a look on his face like “the lights are on…but nobody’s home”.

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Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, ….Ciffies a zombie….

Deke'r Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, Cliffie

dmoney Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, I actually thought Sutter looks like a foot. Or to borrow a phrase from David Faherty, his face looks “like a half chewed caramel”.
Capt Jam says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:57 pm

Sounds like Gagne is ready for the Toyota contest between periods…in..the..dark.

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Christian says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Go Gagne!

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av8tr says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:59 pm

Is it just me, or do we seem to not practice a lot? Seems like a lot of video or non ice stuff. Maybe I am wrong, but it just seems like every time I check in on days between games, its a non skate day. Maybe the trade deadline has me distracted and I am hallucinating!

I agree with Perro above…yet to hear about an all players meeting. Maybe they have done it in secrecy, but if it hasn’t been done, shame on them!

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yetiman_oc says:

February 23, 2012 at 12:59 pm

i can’ wait to hear more of the coaches excuses for losing. if i want to hear about travel plans i’ll watch the travel channel on my directv. this coach and his excuses bothered me when he first go here and started doing it. now that he continues it just makes me realize that this is a loser organization and until something at the very top changes this is the attitude the is acceptable. do no other teams in the nhl have to travel and play back to back games? is the trade deadline only for the la kings?

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SirKingsly says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:03 pm

I hate this team.

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jonsey Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:04 pm
@SirKingsly, +1

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fsd1 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@SirKingsly, bye

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KingsGuy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:26 pm
@SirKingsly, You can always go south and become a sucks fan.

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jackyboy says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:04 pm

How about this 3 way trade:

LA: Receives Nash and Carter

CLB: Receives JVR, Bernier, LA’s 1st, Hickey, and Clifford/Loktionov

Philly: receives JJ

… I think this could work for all teams… Please pitch to DL!!

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bmova Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@jackyboy, I like the trade, but Philly just acquired Kubina and Grossman. Do they really want another d-man?

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jackyboy Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@bmova, I don’t think Kubina or Grossman are close to JJs talent… JJ can be there top dman for a long time. Plus he’s signed at a good cap hit… Philly will def bite but the question is will CLB bite and will DL actually pull the trigger… You have to pull the trigger at one time and this would be the perfect trade for all parties involved!! I would appreciate everyone’s opinion

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bmova Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@jackyboy, I totally agree with you with respect to talent; and they’re both pure rentals as they’re UFAs at the end of the season. If Philly thinks JJ can help them in the playoffs by all means. But they also just signed JVR to an extension at $4.25M cap hit through 2018. Do they really want to get rid of him?
DC kings Fan says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:04 pm

I have never blogged anything before but as a long time Kings fan, since before the Triple Crown Line Days, I had to make a comment. Like many of you I’m frustrated with the preformance this year based on the high expections . I think it’s time to be bold for now and the future. Feel free to pounce on me but I think we go after Nash and Carter of Columbus by packaging a defensemen like Martinez or Dreweski with Dustin Brown and hang on…. Jonathon Quick. Lets face it the Kings structure enables Quick to typically face relatively few shots and Bernier has been for their goalie of the future. Well the future is now. Do it before you have to pay Quick a kings ransom and the increased offensive production of Nash and Carter would ( hopefully ) counter act any delta between Quick and Bernier.

Go ahead kill me.

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jimrad Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@DC kings Fan, I am also a frustrated long term 24 year season ticket holder and I somewhat agree with your thinking. I have no problem letting Quick go as I think his future as a King is slim anyway. I would love Nash, however I don’t want Carter and would rather add James Van Riemsdyk and Nash in separate deals and yes I would throw Quick in there if that’s what it took.

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D745 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@DC kings Fan,

I like it.

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Dominick Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@DC kings Fan,
Only thing is that Quick has faced 1450 shots. 8th most in the entire league. Those shots have been some grade “A” type opportunities, and his SV% is .931. That makes him 2nd only to Lundqvist in SV% for any goalie who’s faced over a 1,000 shots this season, and a modern day record for any goalie in Kings history..

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dmoney Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@DC kings Fan, Not as crazy as it sounds. Can you imagine Quick re-signing with the Kings after this season? no way. Why not trade him to a contending team and get some real assets back. Any team in the NHL has a good chance to go all the way with Quick (Kings excepted). I like Bernier anyway … at least in the 2.5 games he’s played this season.

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DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@dmoney,

Quick is under contract to us through all of next season. If we have a good off-season, remove the cancer that is Penner, get rid of DL, DS and JK< hire a better GM, let Stoll go, get a new, young, progressive head coach and offensive coordinator, keep Stevens and Ranford, bring him some decent wingers, get some oxygen, and then win the Cup, he will stay.

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Dominick Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:29 pm
@DesertKing, LMAO! When you put it that way, it sounds so easy.

I like how you combined a million “If’s” into 1 big one.

DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:41 pm
@Dominick

Always easier to accomplish one big “if” than many smaller ones. So say the Jedi Ice Sensei!

LA_1968 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@DC kings Fan, Welcome. You got me beat by a few years but here’s one problem with trading Quick. He’s only got one year left on his deal. Whatever team gets him could see him walk after one season. So basically he’s like a rental. Not much a team can give us for that. Still he would be around for 2 playoff runs for a team like Chicago.

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nykingfan Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@DC kings Fan,
No need to kill u over that..BUT
Ineresting point was brought up earlier on nhl serius/xm channel by a former NHL goalie re Bernier.
He was drafted in the 1st rd in 2006. I understand it takes goalies a while to develop, but he still hasn’t played any siginificant minutes in the NHL 6 years after being drafted.
We hvae a golaie who’s been over used for several years now. I understood the reluctance to turn over important games to Ersberg, but I don’t understand why they don’t trust Bernier in games? He’s not a rookie any longer, yet he’s playing as if he was a 7th rd draft just called up from the ECHL.

I’m not making any judgements on Bernier, but perhaps the Kings know something we don’t re whether he can be a steady contributor in the NHL. I don’t know!

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bmova says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:06 pm

PHX is playing Calgary tonight, while SJ is in TO. If the Flames get a point, we’re in 9th. If the Coyotes win and SJ loses, PHX moves into first in the Pacific. If only we showed up in the two games against PHX.

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Dave says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:07 pm

I thought last night was a non-skate practice.

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wavesinair says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:14 pm

Wouldn’t it be fitting if Lombardi made another deal with Edmonton at the deadline, even after the Smyth/Fraser summer fiasco? But this time it’s Hemsky who’s the flop… I shudder to think who we’d give up.

http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/flyers-talk/post/Scout-Rangers-may-be-in-hunt-for-Oilers-?blockID=656524&feedID=695

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bmova Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@wavesinair, He would have to be mad, unless of course he convinces Edmonton to take Penner back along with a conditional 4th round pick.

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DesertKing Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:22 pm
@wavesinair,

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me a third time, call me “Deano.”

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D745 says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:23 pm

On the other hand, maybe the Kings shouldn’t give up anything but UFAs. JQ may leave after next year. The boys have shown they can win (hit and miss) maybe stick with the guys that are signed up and build toward next year. Oh my god, I’m starting with the next year talk.

I’m still a fan. It’s not life or death it’s hockey.

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Scott3343 says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:31 pm

Its going to take more than Simon to save this sinking ship…

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Subby says:

February 23, 2012 at 1:38 pm

Anyone have NHL 12 for ps3 and wanna play against me? I am so bored.

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KC23 Reply:
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@Subby, I just finish my 3rd season playing “Be a Pro” on the 2nd hardest level. Just scored the winning goal in overtime game 6 against Philly to win the Stanely Cup.

Guess who won the MVP of the series?

Penner. (rolls eyes)

Fun watching Brown with that Cup over his head though.

Don’t much for online play though.

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jason says:

February 23, 2012 at 2:43 pm

gagne coming back would be a huge lift.. hes a scorer and hes done decent this year and i’m guessing he wasnt healthy most of the time. If no trades are made the coach needs to put the best guys in and the veterans in. Its their time to prove themselves and maybe they can tun something up. So heres what it needs to be

penner-kopi-williams
gagne-richards-brown

doughty-scuderi
mitchell-voynov
greene-johnson

its their responsibility to make it to the playoffs or not so put it on them to fail or succeed. I think the coaches are doing too much and just need to put it on DL.

Hey DL, Heres are top 6 that you gave us… if they fail its on you

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GKG says:

February 23, 2012 at 4:34 pm

Interesting trades offered up above. But let’s look at the long term effects. Both Quick and Bernier have contracts expiring in summer 2013. We will likely want to keep one of them, if not both, here in LA. If we want to offer up Quick, we might be able to swing a Parise trade straight up. Lamorello will absolutely take the chance that he can re-sign Quick next summer. Parise is by all accounts a high energy, quality professional, who never takes days off and produces regardless of the circumstances, rarely having and “off” game. Like Quick…

We have salaries coming off the books this summer and next, which will allow us to re-sign Quick even with the raise he will be seeking. Penner will be gone. Mitchell will have a new contract somewhere (hopefully here).

Problem is, there is simply very little out there. Nash will be expensive and has long since become accustomed to losing. Carter has been a winner in the past, and is clearly not happy in Columbus (did any one notice his hat trick the other day?) Who is to say he’ll be happy here? He is obviously not enough of a professional to suck it up and play his best hockey despite his thought on playing in Columbus. In my book, that makes him a head case and not worth the risk, especially with his current, VERY long contract. JVR is fun to watch, likes to win and seems a consumate professional, although I am not as familiar with him as some of the others…What would be very bad for this team would be to see Nash get traded to San Jose, and, in an effort to placate the fans, the Kings get Carter and give up too much for him.

I’m leaving out a few names – the “enigmatic” players like Hemsky and Alexander Semin, the “no chance” players like Bobby Ryan, anyone the swindlers in Edmonton have to offer short of Hall or Nugent, and all the no-help “veteran character” guys. Our character is just fine…in fact, if nice guys really do finish last, maybe we need a couple of SOB’s who won’t be denied instead. Remember, guys who win Conn Smyth trophies usually win cups. Guys who win Lady Bing trophies don’t. Ruuttu has been re-signed in Carolina…the available players seem a pathetic lot. Maybe we should sell when everyone else is buying like they do in the stock market. Kopitar would likely bring a very Nash-like return if we let him go (just food for thought, people, please don’t crucify me).

Which brings us full-circle to Quick for Parise, straight up or with a prospect on the side either way…

-AJN

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