For the Kings, the domino effect of last night’s trade for Jeff Carter was good news for one rookie and bad news for another. The departure of Jack Johnson opened a spot on defense, which the Kings filled by calling up Slava Voynov from Manchester. The flip side was the assignment of Andrei Loktionov to the AHL. Why Loktionov? Largely, it seems, because of position. The Kings have three top healthy centers, in Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll, while Loktionov has been less effective on the wing. So, rookie wingers Dwight King and Jordan Nolan stay, while Loktionov goes. Darryl Sutter addressed the moves today, and pointed out that Loktionov could return after Monday. After the trade deadline passes, teams are allowed to expand their rosters as long as they remain under the salary cap.
SUTTER: “It’s a 23-man roster, and to be able to recall Slava, we’re not going to waive somebody and risk losing him, and that’s a 24-hour thing. We’ve got a couple of kids here that don’t need waivers, and Lokti has got to continue to play. With Jarret back healthy, you bring Carter in and you’re not playing Lokti on the fourth line. It just doesn’t suit him, and he’s pretty much got to play center. With Richie [Mike Richards] and Kopi and Jarret, and Fraz [Colin Fraser] as your fourth-line centerman, it’s way better that he’s playing. In five days, you have total access to him anyway. With a 23-man roster now, in order to bring Slava up, you’ve got to free a spot up. It’s really got nothing to do with performance. It’s like when we sent Slava down, we sent him down to make room for King and Nolan on the roster when Jarret went on I.R. It’s just accounting.’’
….I’m good with it…
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luc20rules Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
@Deke’r, I have to question this one. The light bulb over Loki’s head just turned on 3 goals in the last 6 games. I would have eased Stoll back in the line up having him play Center on the 4th line, and take important draws on mixed lines with another C at RW then they switch and/or Stoll goes to bench after the draw as soon as its safe for that lines RW. I suppose its only a one game thing not huge.
Trade for Jussi Jolkinen (lefty faceoffs & shootouts).
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@Deke’r, I’m JUST okay with it.
………Why not move Lotki to wing and do something with Richardson???? Lotki looks like he getting better; he’s earned a spot more then Richardson, he even got a goal the other night.
Just like Quick with three straight shutouts; the Kopitar, williams, gangne “good chemistry line line,” Penner started to play well then bench because of ONE bad game……….well then management changes things.
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The Puck Stops Here Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 7:45 am
@rogiesbackup, What do you mean “do something with Richardson?” He’d have to go on waivers, and he’d get picked up. He plays a gritty hard game. I’ll agree he should score more often, but I would say that about anyone on this team. Loktionov went down because he didn’t have to clear waivers. It’s not rocket science.
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:45 pm
@Deke’r,
“I’m good with it”
Let’s see. Stoll no goals in his last…um how many? Loktionov three goals in his last six.
Last time…Quick, 2 shut out in a row…bench him…team goes into tail spin and has yet to stop the free fall.
Brillant coaching.
Send Nolan down until…whenever. Its getting hard to even care.
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Tre West Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 12:25 am
@USHA#17,
I disagree with you.
Stoll brings intangibles, and is a veteran. He’s due for some goals anyway.
If you have Kopi, Richie, and Stolli, you play those boys 1,2,3 with Fraser on the energy line.
At the moment, Loc Dogg just doesn’t fit. But next year, Loc Dogg will be here, and Stolli (or “Strollsie” as the Staples Center parking attendant calls him) will be gone.
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Well thats good to know. Although Stoll is terrible.
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California Royalty Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
@zulov, No he’s not. At all. Putting points on the board? Yeah not the best. There’s more to hockey than putting points on the board.
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Kasey9 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@California Royalty, ya just like people saying Zus was terrible because he was slow when he did all the dirty work in front of the net and was great with faceoffs and PK but he was not scoring so everyone said he sucked
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InTheCrease Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
@zulov, Your assessment of Stoll is what’s terrible…
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KingsFletch Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
@zulov, lol how does everyone have Stoll’s back? he’s had a horrible year, and hopefully won’t be back next year because of it. I wouldn’t say he’s “terrible” but he’s a very average hockey player (good at faceoffs and PK) but below average in every other aspect. He plays hard which i respect but having a 3rd line center like Lokti who can actually make plays is essential moving forward. I hope next year Lokti can bulk up a little, work his arse off in the offseason and really take over that 3rd line center spot, allowing Stoll to.. not be asked back by the team. Judging on this season however, it’s hard not to agree that Stoll has been terrible.
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Tony Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
@KingsFletch, totally agree. Stoll is a fourth line center on a cup contender. He’s tough, good at face offs, and you want him in the line up if you go to a shoot out. Besides that he has very little “skill.” But nothing new here-we keep King and Nolan and send Loktionov down? crazy
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The Puck Stops Here Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 7:56 am
@Tony, Are all of you writing about how “terrible” Stoll is aware he scored 20 goals last year?! 20! NOT including the 9 of 10 he scored in the shootouts. He hasn’t had the best season so far, but he was demoted from the 2nd line because of Richards and Kopitar, which was a good move. However, when his line mates go from skilled to gritty and hardly skilled, it’s more difficult to score. Our depth on wing is NOT going to cut it, but that is part of the reason Stoll’s numbers are down. The other part of that is on Stoll. His shots have gone wide a few too many times. But that doesn’t mean he’s terrible and expendable. Loktionov doesn’t have as many goals as Stoll, so how can you say he’s “earned that spot over Stoll?! Pure emotion, not thinking it through.
Still thinking too little too late, but locking up WM for 2 more years was an excellent move.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
@DesertKing, I am afraid of that too. It was a long offseason waiting for this as you know. But, I’d rather be hoping for something to happen this season with more offensive talent than seeing if we can figure out how to win any games 1-0.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
@LA_1968, Kings have now made a DePietro type commitment in Richards & Carter. I really hope it works out. Other than a rash of injuries its really hard to see how it wouldn’t.
Go Kings Go!
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InTheCrease Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
@luc20rules, Yep. We’ve just handed these guys the keys to the Kingdom. Like Rich said, DL has just pushed all his chips into the middle of the table…
408kingsfan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
@DesertKing,
me too
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if Lokti scored about 10 goals then i wouldnt be okay with it but he only scored 3 goals not a big deal
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luc20rules Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@KingsFanFTW, But, it was 3 goals in the last 6 games. The only reason I am ok with it is that the roster limit only lasts for 1 more game and he can come back on Tuesday.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
@luc20rules, who knows maybe he will..
but he been up for awhile..
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 5:38 am
@luc20rules,
Yeah, but 2 of those goals didn’t even touch his stick.
Just sayin’….
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
@KingsFanFTW, But more importantly the timing of it kinda sucks!!! He’s just getting his act together. I’d make room for him for wing spot and make Richardson a scratch or something.
But, this is like the Quick situation where he had those consecutive shoutouts then is rested.
Not good timing!!!!
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…Stars winning….we’re now in 10th….
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Tre West Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 12:29 am
@Deke’r,
Only for the night.
Come Saturday night, the Kings start their 21 game winning streak and never look back.
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So Lokti and Voynov pass eachother 30,000 feet over Wichita once again.
Felt sorry for Lokti sitting alone in the sushi place on NHL 36. But, to be 21 and making 800K per year, being from a mostly poor country, and sitting alone in a fine dining establishment is not something to pitty. What he should do is work hard on his English so he can stick around whenever hockey is over.
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Steve W Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
@LA_1968, Any sushi restaurants in Manchester?
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
@LA_1968, It was analogical to a developing guys career; watch from the wings and see how things are done, and then come over and join the big boys when you’re ready!
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Shakes Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
@LA_1968, it was definitely one of the weirdly funnniest parts of the show that he was sitting there for 20 minutes waiting for them to call him over
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 5:43 am
@Shakes,
Had it recorded. This definitely makes me want to see it now.
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 5:43 am
@Shakes,
Had it recorded. This definitely makes me want to see it now.
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Good to know he’ll be back. Like the kid.
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I’d Waive Penner and hope to lose him!
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
@DEH,
Yeah how goes that work? do we only get pinned for half of his remaining salary if some idiot claims him off waivers?
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
@DEH, Thats a big hope.
I kinfa want to see what would happen if we waived him. Winder if anyone would bite.
I guess its easier to let him ride the big pine or fiberglass, whatever the bench is made of.
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Rich,
Any word on the “one player in paticular” DL was referring to in his last interview? He said he wanted to get some imput from Sutter first. Did he? and did that have anything to do with Lokti being sent down today?
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Hemsky just signed a 2-year $10M dollar contract. He has 5 goals in 47 games so far this year. And you all think Penner’s deal is bad!!!
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bmova Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
@bmova, contract extension*
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
@bmova, well we all knew tambellini was an idiot…but this is at a whole nother level…
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crashin' da net Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 9:45 am
@bmova, pure obscenity
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Sorry off topic but I’ve been out of the loop. Carter for one of the worst defensive defenseman in the league and a mid round pick is the trade of the century. I hope this shuts up the DL haters. VV/AM will step in for JJ and we won’t lose a thing and Carter will get his 30 goals a year. All it takes is one player to change the King’s offensive chemistry and I’ll bet you Carter is the guy. Fully expect the Kings to light it up the rest of the season. God I’m glad Kings didn’t get Nash and that they didn’t lose Brown….
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
@BringbackButchGoring, Sorry meant mid first round pick…
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
@BringbackButchGoring, You said that like we’ll need 2 guys just to take care of JJ’s job! : I
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 5:46 am
@BringbackButchGoring,
I like your positive thinking. Right there with you on most accounts.
Though, I’m not so sure it just “takes one player” to change things around.
We added MR, and the system really didn’t work out so well so far.
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 5:46 am
@BringbackButchGoring,
I like your positive thinking. Right there with you on most accounts.
Though, I’m not so sure it just “takes one player” to change things around.
We added MR, and the system really didn’t work out so well so far.
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OR…we could trade Stoll and put Lokti on the 3rd line. I like that idea better…
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Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
@Cruiznblue, It may happen by Monday, I like Stoll better as C3 than Lokti but Lokti looks like he will be here next year while Stoll may be gone. If that is the case they may move Stoll, but if the Kings are serious about the playoffs they would want to keep him. Stoll is the type of guy you pick up at the deadline if your planning on going far into the playoffs.
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Carter didn’t work in Columbus because they had two finishers and no feeders. Here we have two feeders at center and no finishers, so Carter should be a better fit here.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@DEH, Who are the two “feeders?”
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
@rogiesbackup, kopi and richards.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
@TeamJMFJ, Good passers I agree, but I’m more focusing in entering the oZone with speed that back up the opposition defensemen and then make those amazing cross -ice pass. That’s what we lack!!!! Examples, Gretzky, Ovechkin, Kovulchuk, Selanne.
TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
@rogiesbackup, yeah i hear ya….
DEH Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:05 pm
@rogiesbackup, all of those guys you mentioned above would be finishers! Plus a feeder is there to pass the puck to the right guy in the right position. Finishers tend to drive the Ozone, they usually are good at entering, but not necessarily, some are campers. Carter is both, I’m excited about this trade, but at the same time I’m disappointing to lose JJ.
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
@DEH, I say we have too many finishers but NO feeders to even get the play started.
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Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
@rogiesbackup, Are you watching the Kings?
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DEH Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
@rogiesbackup, then why are the Kings consistently out shooting their opposition but scoring much less than them?
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Blade17 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:09 pm
@DEH, very few shots from the slot, mostly shots from point or outside the dots
DEH Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
@Blade17, and what does a finisher do?
TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
@DEH, i agree…kopi/richards with Carter SHOULD be dynamic
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YoBro Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@TeamJMFJ, I agree too…. And what will your new name be???
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This organization needs to look at tapes of other teams…see how they’re scoring goals before acquiring more “good” players. Otherwise, this “all-star” line-up will just pass-off the scoring responsibility to the next guy and the next.
We have to find a way to keep Bernier.
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I was really thinking Lokti would be moved, we have the top 2 center spots locked up so I don’t see much future for him since he can’t play wing. Problem is I don’t think he has much of a trade value at the deadline, maybe at the draft.
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DEH Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
@Osaka, look at San Jose. I think Couture still centers the third line?
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
@Osaka,
It that is all that is worrying you, you are very blessed.
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Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Well I wouldn’t say that I am even to worried about that so I guess I am blessed. Is there something that should really have my attention (hockey wise that is)?
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
@Osaka, I’m worried for you. If you think the shelf life for a first year rookie is 39 games and done then you have no patience for developement. Lets just trade’em all.
JackKentCooke Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 12:02 am
@Osaka
Our shortage of speed and skill.
As to Loki and Voynov-”It’s just accounting.”
As to Richards and Carter maybe it’s just biology…
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It’s simple really: Lokti’s butt is too small and difficult to hit with a puck each time we need.to score. He needs to bulk up!
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I will stipulate for the record that I like Jack, want my son to be like him but, is there a number’s cruncher who will go on record and predict, based on his overall minus and VV’s plus, what percentage of net goals the Kings will now pick up? (Excuse me while I duck.)
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Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
@JackKent Cooke, …..you mean a fortune teller?….
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Is JJ playing tonight?
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Steve W Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
@Steve W, Never mind, he isn’t.
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
@Steve W,
Simmonds?
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Hey if we added our game clock we might’ve gotten Nash…
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:35 pm
@DEH, Did they ever release the results of their investigation?
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Why is my comment always awaiting moderation? Does the truth hurt?
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Rich Hammond Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
This is now the second time I’ve told you, today, that the reason your comments are moderated is because you have used about 10 different usernames in the last year. I don’t know how much clearer I can be in explaining this. Please stop doing it.
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lakingbob(chi) Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
@Rich Hammond, Thanks for replying, it makes all of us aware you are with us all the time.. See ya March 11th..
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 5:50 am
@lakingbob(chi),
Kinda spooky.
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 5:50 am
@lakingbob(chi),
Kinda spooky.
I can’t get worked up about sending Loktionov down, given the perfectly plain reasons for it as explained by Sutter. Sounds like he’ll make another plane trip back this way in 120 hours. It’s a non-issue.
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
@Pumpernicholl, Waste of Money to actually fly him around, just tell him to lay low.;P
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YoBro Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
@Mars, I didn’t actually see his name on the manifest!
Go Kings
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Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
@Pumpernicholl, If he was never brought back, I couldn’t get worked up.
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By the way, Carter is having a “bad” year by his standards but he has 15 goals in 39 games as is now our second leading goal scorer…only two behind Kopi. My prediction is he ends the season as our leading goal scorer.
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
@Tony, You are probably right. Makes sense.
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Always been a fan of Lokti…
And have defended him multible times here….
It seem’s people are changing their opinion on him…
Yes he is small..Won’t win many board grinding possesions..
But once he got the puck..Try to catch this pesky guy..
He can skate circles around many defensemen…
He has stolen the puck [back-checked] as good or better than anyone else..
And I’ve seen him back up many Dmen…[More last year}
As he is learning the Kings way.[.Don't take chances]
He is very young and expect him to get way better..
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
@SLIM, He has looked pretty good recently. Much better along the boards as long as he keeps the puck moving. He needs a big body in front of the net though. I think Nolan – Loktionov – Lewis might be interesting to try out.
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Harty Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 5:52 am
@SLIM, too small leave him in AHL
-can’t win battles in own zone
-can’t play along the wall
-can’t play i the corner
-can’t play in front of the net
-needs this, needs that….what the hell with his size he needs the AHL
leave him down DS/DL…..they know as we all know he is not NHL material
please understand that, he is a pond hockey player, no boards and no hitting type of guy
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jack Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 6:44 am
@Harty, Where to start with this post?
1. Ridiculous.
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Correct me if I’m wrong. I think we should keep Brown, trade Bernier, Loktionov, Toffoli, and a pick for Nash. If they say no, then try Bernier, Loktioniov, and a pick for Parise? Brodeur is getting old himself, and the Devils will need a new tender soon. I don’t think that Carter is enough for us to score more than 2 goals a game. I love Bernier, but I feel bad for the guy sitting on the bench in his young career. Bernier is capable of being a starting goalie/franchise goalie for 25 other teams in this league.
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YoBro Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
@AlexPiw, Forget the 25 , I’d like to see him in OUR net a bit more often
Go Kings
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tomb Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 1:53 am
@YoBro, I agree. The last couple games Quick has looked tired and is not playing like he can. Sutter needs to get Bernier into some more games to give Quick a much needed rest.
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How can anyone support Stoll? He’s making 3.5 mill, and having the worst year of his career. And he’s not even 30. Why do I cheer for this collection of underacheivers? Is there anyone who’d even want Stoll? Here’s hoping this is the end of him in a Kings uniform. But then again, Lombardi is running the show. At least for now. Hopefully, not much longer.
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tomb Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 2:08 am
@Arthur, Stoll is having a bad season, but so is the rest of the team: Brown, Kopitar, Williams, Penner, Richards, etc. So why are you singling out Stoll? As you said, he is still relatively young and generally averages 15 goals a season.
I hope you are dead wrong about Lombardi. After missing the playoffs for 6 consecutive seasons, Lombardi has built a very respectable team who has made the playoffs two seasons in a row and we have a good foundation of young talented stars to move forward.
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I understand moving Lotionov back to the AHL opens up room and he still has a 2 way contract, but help me understand it.
A. Doesn’t Nolan have a 2 way contract? I assume yes. So why not send him back to Manchester?
B. Does LA plan to use Drewiski at all this season? Has he played a game in either LA or Manchester this season? If not why not trade/waiver #44 to open up room?
C. Can LA afford to be without a playmaker like Loktionov? I don’t think so. I think he is more important than King, Nolan, Stoll, Westgarth, Clifford, Lewis, Penner and Fraser.
D. What is Westgarth’s contract is that a 2-way?
E. When does the roster expansion happen?
F. Why didn’t Carter take JJ’s place on the roster? Where did the extra spot disappear to?
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Scott Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 8:01 am
@Scott,
F. I forgot about Voynov.
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Why does LA have any loyalties to Stoll he has done nothing this year. I guess we’ll see if the 3rd line clicks with Penner this evening.I hope they trade the whole lot Lewis included. One thing you can say about Lombardi he sure sticks to his guns when drafting even if his full of BS!!!Lewis drafting-disaster,Hickey-Major Reach,Teubert-major Dumb Dumb,Forbort-MAjor dumb dumb!That Lombardi is brillant%&^*#@
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