Last night, shortly after the Kings announced their trade for Jeff Carter, Mike Richards posted on Twitter, “Reunited and it feels so good…… Excited to be back playing with carts #needaroommate’’ Richards and Carter have quite a shared history. They were both drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round in 2003 (Carter at No. 11, Richards at No. 24). They were teammates for the first time in 2005, during the Philadelphia Phantoms’ run to the AHL championship, and then were teammates for the next six seasons with the Flyers. Last summer, they were traded on the same day — Richards to the Kings, Carter to the Flyers — in a major shake-up. Now, eight months later, they are teammates again and likely will be linemates, with Carter playing on Richards’ right wing. Here’s what Richards said today about once again being teammates with his close friend…
RICHARDS: “Jeff and I have played together, and we have had success together before. He’s a good player and he’s easy to play with, so it won’t take us long to get that chemistry back. … He’s playing well right now. I watched the last couple of his games. He had a hat trick against San Jose the other night, and he’s playing well right now. He had a little bit of injuries earlier in the year, but he’s back right now. He’s said he’s healthy and excited to get started. He’s a motivated kid, coming in here, so it will be good.’’
Question: Did you have an idea, before the trade happened, that it might happen?
RICHARDS: “No. I was asked (by Kings management) about Jeff yesterday morning a little bit, and what type of guy he is off the ice. That’s the only time I heard about it.’’
Question: Do you think Jeff can get that high-level scoring back?
RICHARDS: “I guess we’ll never know until we start playing and start getting adjusted. That’s the bad thing about hockey. I’ve been through it, with a trade, and that’s the tough part, but at the same time, we need goal scoring and hopefully we can do it.’’
Question: How did you feel when you heard about the trade?
RICHARDS: “We’re excited. It’s something that obviously we didn’t expect, when we got traded in the summer, but it’s nice to have him back. He’s a good hockey player and obviously a good friend, and hopefully we can have success together on the ice.’’
Question: What was your conversation with him like last night?
RICHARDS: “It was just through text messages. He was busy and had a lot going on, but he was excited and I was excited. It will be nice when he gets here tonight and plays tomorrow.’’
http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2012/2/24/2821864/jeff-carter-trade-jack-johnson-columbus-blue-jackets-los-angeles-kings
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alex101 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@alex101, shout out to sawyer, andy and stuey!
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VanKingsFan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@alex101, This article makes me feel excellent about the trade. I was on the fence. I was fell off the fence and onto some greener grass!
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alex101 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@VanKingsFan, great! I felt the same way
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JD Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
@alex101, A year ago if you told me we would have both carter and Richards on our team, I would have thought it was to good to be true, now that it’s happened, I’m not sure, but I think I like it. Really hope gagne comes back, we will have a great top 6. As far as brown goes, I hope we keep him, but I hope we can get another forward for the top 6, and move him to the third line. Having brown stoll and Clifford as the third line, with a solid top 6, we could do some damage in the playoffs
Jgomez Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@alex101, Thanks for posting that. Some really good info here.
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Keith Berry Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@alex101,
Perhaps a grain, or spoonful, of salt should be taken here, as the story was written by a guy who has written a grand total of zero stories for SBNation, and became an “NHL Contributor” 136 minutes before publishing the story. Larry Brooks or Rich Hammond this guy ain’t.
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alex101 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@Keith Berry, I think that you should focus more on the statistics and if you find one in this article that is wrong by all means correct it.
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Keith Berry Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@alex101,
I think statistics can be manipulated to show anything, and you really do need to consider the credibility of the person presenting them. Sadly, Mr. Tulsky has none.
I get that you really want to like this deal, so go ahead and love it. But don’t be so desperate that you’ll grab on to ANYTHING to make yourself feel better. Have any SERIOUS hockey writers written that the Kings FLEECED Columbus in this trade? Put their links up, as that would certainly carry more weight that the above linked ‘story’.
Eric T. Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@Keith Berry,
“I think statistics can be manipulated to show anything” is a broad claim. The statistics I used were taken straight from behindthenet.ca without any manipulation.
It is a simple objective fact that the Kings’ opponents scored more with Johnson on the ice than with any other defenseman out there. It is a simple objective fact that the Kings got outshot by a larger margin with Johnson on the ice than with any other defenseman out there. It is a simple objective fact that Carter started in his own end more than most players do. The claim that he faced top competition is not quite simple objective fact — you first have to accept (as almost everyone in the analytical community has) that Corsi Rel QoC is a good measure of competition.
Again, if you have any specific objections, I would love to hear them.
Eric T. Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@Keith Berry,
I wrote the article. I’m an editor at broadstreethockey.com, where I’ve been working for more than a year and have written dozens of articles.
This was my first article for the main hub, but I’m by no means a newbie. I’m a pretty active member of the statistical analysis community.
And as alex101 said, if you have specific objections to the points I made, I’d be happy to hear them. Feel free to contact me via twitter at @BSH_EricT
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alex101 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@Eric T., Enjoyed your article. We should be very optimistic!
Eric T. Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@alex101,
Thanks, glad you liked it.
I’ll give the other side of the coin for the sake of fair warning: Carter was *not* a beloved player in Philadelphia. He doesn’t lay the big hits people expect of someone with his size. He had a couple of bad playoff runs. His style isn’t as obviously full of effort and passion as Richards’, and after his 46-goal season, expectations were raised and people said a lack of effort kept him from being as good as he could be.
He’s a very good player, and will help you win. But if you’re like the average Philly fan (and I hope you’re not!) you might not love him for it.
broncokings Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@Eric T., i thought it was good article
Jay Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
@Eric T., Great article! Some people just can’t accept facts and the fact is this is a great trade for the kings! Great job bringing up some valid points. Dont worry about this guy, some people here are so against DL and are in love with JJ that they are blind to the pluses thus trade gives the kings. Keep up the good work.
Eric T. Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Jay,
Thanks, I appreciate it. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, of course, so no worries there. I’d like to hear critics of the trade express their reasons so we can have productive debate and discussion — I’d like to understand why the people who love Johnson (and have undoubtedly seen more of him than I have) think so highly of him.
countrockuLA Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@Keith Berry, ESPN insider article said the same thing.
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Craig Swanson Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@Keith Berry, Even Walter Cronkite had to start somewhere…
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rumpa#19 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@Keith Berry, On xm radio home ice James boomer Gordon was bagging on all the good media for DL sense the trade. He was not calling it a bad deal nesserily ,just that all these reports are crazy to say it was a steal for us without waiting to see how it works out.I for one totally agree that time will have to tell. I was a JJ supporter thru the ups and downs by the way.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
@Keith Berry, FLEECED is not the right word, but just think of it this way the difference between JJ and one of Martinez or Voynov compared to Carter and the Forward that will be scratched. After all that is the difference to the Kings and I am hoping a very late 1st round pick like 30th. I believe the key to this trade is that the cap friendly long contract that will have Carter and Richards together will carry for a decade. We know these 2 can score when they are on the same line. It is not just Carter, but this could get Richards going as well making a 2 fold difference. Also remember at Manchester Hickey and Desularies are puck movers that are probably would a #6 D on some teams. Drewiske, Gravel, and Forbort are stay at home Dmen that will be in the NHL long term. I believe Gravel’s play made Tuebert expendable last year, so he was part of the Penner Deal.
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We just need to keep them away from Lohan.
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rumpa#19 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
@Superpartyrobot, If the girls in Philly were a problem look out LA girls are worse trouble im sure.
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:41 pm
@rumpa#19, Other than Heidi, do any girls (not attached to forum members) even know we have a NHL team in LA?
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Carter was traded AWAY from the Flyers haha
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rumpa#19 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@KingOfRedlands, Rich is human ,I thought it was funny.
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duh! his wingman in sunny L.A.
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@Nikko,
Actually they didn’t play together much in Philly. And when they did their stats indicated that they were more successful apart then together. Off-ice hey did hang out a lot however.
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@USHA#17, i dont think he meant that kind of wingman…
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Nikko Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@TeamJMFJ, yes the other kind of wingman
rumpa#19 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@TeamJMFJ, U think?
IceGuy Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
@TeamJMFJ,
Oh you can just see a series of Bud Lite “wingman” spots out of this situation!
I think JJ should pull a Carter when he gets to Columbus so that we get him back
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Kings could use some chemistry right now, for sure. Maybe this is the answer. The “Philly West” saga continues!
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Wonder how Richards responded to the question of him off the ice….
“No dean that wasn’t a pornstar with him in the photo it was his trainer…yes I know she looks familiar”
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From what I heard during our latest TV broadcast, now Bob and Jim, but the network, these two were quite the party animals…. coaching staff on Flyers glad to get rid of them, at least together…. wonder what they will be like in Party City of LA…… maybe they will try to remember where the Staples Center is….
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OneTimer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@Terry,
Yawn. Time to buy some new material.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@Terry, ….and what would you have done being 21 with boat loads of cash….go to the library?….come on dude we’ve all gone through the wild years….fortunately for me I was in the military where they didn’t give a crap as long as you were at quarters the next day….not to mention no boat loads of cash which was probably in my favor cause I may have not survived….
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Cory Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@Deke’r, “Turn two” !! continue ships work.
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goldielocks Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@Terry,
I remember when Sean Avery threwthe party at his place in OC, and the neighbors complained about the noise. So the police showed up, and apparently Avery pushed officers shoulder or something. It was all over the internet next day.
With all those people using social media, it’s like everybody’s watching you from everywhere if you are famous. Unless they throw the perty in the middle of nowhere or the underground, it will be known among the people.
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RLane420 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@Terry, I think the stint for CBJ may have woke JC up a little.
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Phoolish GM Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 6:53 am
@Terry, I live in Philly, was a huge Flyers fan until the Richards trade. So I watched the press every day and every game until this season. I was not a fan of Carter, but couldn’t deny his productivity. If there were dirt on Carter, I wouldn’t bother arguing it. I have never seen one credible shred of evidence that these guys were problems. Enjoyed being 20-something millionaires, sure.
Philly loves the simple blame game: team underachieves, but it must be b/c of one guy. A town who will drunkenly beat opposing fans to death takes issue with guys holding a beer at a frat party. And mgt is more than happy to deflect attn from their own terrible team building. The stuff about these guys is based on legitimate media reporting rumors from bloggers citing unnamed sources or fabricating stories around cell phone photos.
The only people who deserve the benefit of the doubt are Carter and Richards. Holmgren’s horrible moves are there for all to see: Leaky $5MM goalie behind a team that can’t beat anyone better than 7th, 8th place teams. Its bizarre to see how quickly want to believe stuff with no evidence simply to rationalize their blind allegiance to a logo.
People obviously felt strongly about JJ. But of the two, I’d say DL is more about building a team that wants to win for each other. Holmgren is not honorable, not professional IMO, and treats players like toilet paper.
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Going to miss JJ but we needed the scoring. I guess we will find out tomorrow if we can put some pucks in the net and shut down Chicago.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@duckbutter24, Give it a little longer than that.
The first game is much to early to judge.
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duckbutter24 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@Duncanz,
I aggree it will take longer than one game…. Heck it may be next year before our team jells offensively. Can’t wait to go to the game Saturday. Taking my nephew to his first real NHL game and we are 5 rows up behind Quick.
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duckbutter24 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@duckbutter24,
agree*
RLane420 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@Duncanz, Didnt Pancakes get a goal his first game here. So fist games dont mean crap.
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RLane420 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@RLane420, first games not fist games….maybe?
Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
@RLane420
Rofl !
@duckbutter
Lol, I missed an ‘o’ in ‘too’, so among us, we got a hatrick of errors, which I’m hoping JMFC will emulate in goals, Saturday!
Have a fantastic time with your nephew. So close to the action!
Makes me remember the sheer excitement when I was a young ‘un going to my first big games, not being psychologically saddled with the knowledge of the politics or the egos involved before me!
Not too sure why Kings fans think so highly of JJ. Obviously, we grow to love the guys who play for the Kings, and he was a fan favorite, but this move was absolutely right for the Kings. Jack Johnson IS NOT that great of a defenseman. Offensively, he’s solid, but terrible, just terrible defensively. Couldn’t be happier about the trade, but I do wish the best for Jack moving forward.
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LB Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@DanD, He’s a good character guy so the fans got attached to him…but you’re right he is just not that good, never lived up to the hype. He has to many flaws to be more than a second pairing defensman, who’s not that reliable in the D zone.
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BigMikeonD Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@DanD, Please look up what and offensive puck moving defenseman is before you comment on his abilities. We will miss him a lot. When DD goes down again injured like he has the past two seasons we will miss JJ. VV is good but he is no JJ.
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Kevco Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
@DanD, He never became an NHL j MF j really did he? I bought a “kill jack kill” t shirt, but he never lived up to it. I like the guy, hope he does well but thought he really never lived up to our expectations.
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im happy with the fact we get Carter for JMFJ, he was a true KING, he will be missed! The thing that bothers me is that there is talk that a BROWNIE trade is being talked about! WTF? IMHO, if any of the current players bleed KINGS blood, its BROWNIE!!! what about PENCAKES! STOLLI! as far as PASSION, GRIT, STEP-UP ness…he’s a KING! should be untouchable!!
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Eric Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@seanster48, What about Penner or Stoll? What would you expect in return? Maybe an ice skating monkey?
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@Eric, No way could we get a monkey……
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
@Lake Forest, We could get 4.25 + 3.6 Mil back (in other words Quick next year hopefully JB too)
Scot Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@seanster48,
However, NO player in professional sports gets a free pass from being traded because he “bleeds the team’s blood.” So you’re saying that just because Brown “bleeds Kings blood,” he shouldn’t be traded, even if it would improve the team?
I saw a post the other day that said, “Please don’t trade Brown for Nash, we would be giving up way too much. Brown is way too valuable to the Kings.” Or something to that regard. That is just despicable.
It makes me embarassed to say that I’m a Kings fan if Kings fans are that delusional. This game is a fun game to watch and be a part of, but it’s also a business. I understand loving your players as fans, and having favorite players, but don’t you want a TEAM that has the best chance to win the Cup? I would trade three Dustin Brown’s for Rick Nash. If you want to win, you’ve got to think with your head, not your heart.
P.S. I don’t mean to single you out seanster.. You are in the majority on this blog, and I am in the minority. But I’m ok with that
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Scot, Despicable is strong. That would infer people actually understood their condition.
Perhaps ‘blind faith’ is good..
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Scot Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
@Duncanz,
Haha thanks.. You’re right. I don’t often have a way with words! Despicable is strong, blind faith sounds good.
Craig Swanson Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@Scot, I’ve noticed Kings fans do have this delusional perception of their own players. The other day someone even put Andrei Loktionov’s name in the same sentence as Claude Giroux.
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JD Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:10 pm
@Scot, Didn’t see the post you mentioned, but have seen many like it, I think it happens on every blog, I also think the canadian teams fans are even worse, the same fans that are suppose to have all this hockey knowledge, ” we should trade our third line winger, a guys who’s been a healthy scratch all season, and a third round pick, for the face of your franchise. That’s what makes these blogs fun. I don’t agree with much of anything posted here, but I read it every day
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Rob Bordsen Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@seanster48, I personally can’t imagine why they would trade Brownie. They got a really good offensive player in Carter. Brown CAN put the puck in the net when he isn’t trying to do too much. I think trading away a part of what little offense we have is a mistake.
If they want to change the leadership group in the locker room, that’s fine. But, they don’t necessarily have to trade Brown to do that.
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Scot Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
@Rob Bordsen,
You’re right, they don’t. They can strip the C from him.. Which would probably make for a very awkward locker room.. But I don’t see Brown as the type of guy who would handle that well. I wish he would do what Patrick Marleau did in San Jose, which was REALIZE himself that he wasn’t the best choice in the locker room anymore to be the Captain, once they acquired Thornton.
I think Brown realizes he isn’t necessarily the best choice of Captain on this team either, but it takes a major dose of humility to relinquish that role, which I don’t think Brown has. That’s why I see him being traded for there to ever be a captaincy switch.
Marleau taking pressure off himself by removing the C completely changed him as a player, and his numbers sky-rocketed. Also in Dallas, Mike Modano voluntarily handed the C to Brenden Morrow after what, 15 years of being the Captain? It’s humbleness like that which really catches my attention. Modano is class, and Brown would show what a TRUE King and Team Player he is if he were to hand the C to Richards. Then we could keep Brown. Without any awkwardness.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
@Scot, I don’t detect that sort of ego in Brownie at all.
That said it beggars me why this adjustment hasn’t happened already.
Couldn’t be there were no takers, surely, could it??
Hopefully the aquistition of Carter will give Richards some motivation to start earning his keep and scoring goals
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Career Playoff stats tell the story of who comes thru in the clutch:
player games pts.
JJ 12 12
DD 12 11
Brown 12 7
Kopitar 6 5
Clifford 6 5
Stoll 11 4
Williams 51 29
Richards 63 50
Carter 47 21
Looks like JJ is the most clutch player of them all, and Carter’s stats look alot like Penner’s.
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vegasking Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED, Great stat comparison, thanks.
Makes me wonder
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED,
This was the exact thought that came into my mind when the deal went down. JMFJ led the team in playoff scoring over the past two years. I don’t know why I remembered that off the top of my head. He definitely stepped up when it counted most. But…the Kings have to get their first and I think Carter gives them a better chance at making it to the dance.
I have to say, one of the greatest displays of dominance was Johnson and Doughty lighting up the Canucks on six straight power plays in 2010. SIX. Truly special.
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Tom Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED, If you look closer at the stats, JJ’s 12 points broke down to ONE goal and 11 helpers. Points are nice, but goals are nicer. Oh, and he was a MINUS 7 in the two seasons in which he accrued those stats. So he’s a nice passer and a terrible defender. Kings should be very very pleased with this deal.
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Tom Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
P.S. Of Carter’s 21 playoff points, 13 are goals. And while he’s a minus-14, that’s in seven playoff years, compared to minus-7 for JJ’s two. Again, I think the Kings got the better end of this deal.
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bbb7 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@Tom, And without looking Im pretty sure lots of JJs points came when the PP was red hot versus the Canucks a couple of years back.. otherwise not so much so.
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Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED, 12 games is too small of a sample size to judge the LA players.
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Puckn-A Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED, Read the link above and you won’t be so impressed with JJ’s regular season stats at all.
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NOT IMPRESSED Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 7:29 am
@Puckn-A, Speaking of regular season stats, JJ has 72 hits and 84 blocked shots, Jeff Carter has 8 hits, that’s right EIGHT HITS, and 13 blocked shots. Even Penner has 62 hits and 9 blocked shots. I think DL made the same mistake he made last year when he got fleeced for Penner.
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Ricky is going through a bad scoring slump, and I can understand that stuff happens, but my only personal problem with him was that he wore a SF Giants hat on NHL36. A Dodger hat is preferred, heck even an Angels hat is ok, but NOT the Giants!
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vegasking Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Shakes, Agree. Hate those battery chuckers
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CL Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Shakes, I had the same thought when I saw Matt Kemp in a 49ers cap. I guess he gets a pass since there’s no local football team to choose, but still. They play in Candlestick! The Giants used to play there!
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Shakes Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@CL, I’ll even go as far as saying that an A’s hat would be acceptable. Drew rocking the Blue Jays hat is acceptable because he’s from there… But NOT a Giants hat!
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@Shakes, This ain’t baseball.
Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@Shakes, ….don’t think he’s aware of the LA/SF rivalry….but soon will be…
Scot Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Shakes,
Manny being Manny!
Go A’s!
goldielocks Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Shakes,
Perhaps, blue or red cap doesn’t match his wardrobe? I also choose black if I were him.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
@goldielocks, ….hahahaha….maybe that’s it…can’t part with the black and orange…
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Puckn-A Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
@Shakes, The Dodgers fans are the worst in baseball, I went with my Bonds jersey and got hit by D-batteries, then some ignorant drunk tried to fight me in the concession line because I was a SF Giant fan. Dodgers fans also are hypocrites they boo Bonds but cheered Roided out Erik Gagne and then cheered when BOnds homered, what dorks.
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Steevogt Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
@Shakes, Not cool Richie, wearing a Giant hat. Shame on you.
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jacky boy Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:29 pm
@Shakes, I wonder if that was to mock us LA fans… Not cool. In Philly he always wore a Phillies hat
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Kevco Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
@Shakes, Yea, good Idea, support the dodgers who’s fan beat a giant fan into a coma.
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King Cobra Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 9:25 am
@Shakes, First off, who cares about baseball. 2nd nothing is worse than that Redneck Rebellion gear Richards wears!
Richie I love you man (my favorite player in fact), but it is time to head to the Volcom or Rip Curl store.
You are living on the beach now and I know you rock the wake surfing.
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DL could of saved everybody some time, and trouble if he would of just offered Philly Schenn, Simmonds, a 1rst, and a 2nd round draft pick for Carter, and Richardson, and just cut out the middle man (Columbus).
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Shakes Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@Dominick, Although you have to admit that it’s funny to watch Columbus have their offseason of hope turn into an utter disaster.
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Adamic39 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
@Shakes, What do you think happened in LA?
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duckbutter24 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
@Dominick,
Richardson?
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
@duckbutter24, You know who I meant.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
@Dominick, auditioning to be Bob’s understudy? : p
I’m excited to see the chemistry Lokti and Penner have… in Madchester
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Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Shakes, ….daaaamn…
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Rich is on TSN radio
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Why is Carter’s contract a great cap hit? Hemsky just signed a 2 year 10 mil extension. Hemsky who has 5 goals this year, who never scored more than 23 in a season.
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Joemv8 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Osaka,
That`s good news for Penner. He should get about the same as Hemsky. What a dumb move by EDM. Well that`s good for the rest of the west.
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bbb7 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@Osaka, Not sure what you’re asking. His cap hit of $5.27 million is pretty reasonable for a top scorer. Hemsky is way overpaid, and I mean WAY.
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Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@bbb7, I was being rhetorical, I think it is a very good cap hit (Carter’s that is).
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Scot Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@Osaka,
Great point.
I’m not sure what the average cap hit is if you were to take every player under 30 in the NHL who is a perennial 30-40 goal scorer, but I would venture a guess that Carter’s is below that average. I’m perfectly OK with his cap hit for what he brings, or CAN bring.
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gmo Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
@Osaka,
10$ mil for 2 years? why do some GMs just throw money around to unserving/unproven players?
some gms will never learn and make stupid moves at whatever cost
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Poeple, please stop disgracing the Kings fans.
JJ is the great player. We get a good scorer and in return, we lost a good player here.
What would you do if you are CBJ fan and curious about the trade?
Think deeper if you have a piece of brain. Rich’s blog is open to public. Some of those fans might want to check out what or how we feel about the trade and JJ. And you post about how JJ was with the Kings in the way you described? I swear to God that I’ve never seen the guy’s handle name before in this blog who posted the same stupid link that is basically says how bad JJ is over and over. Is that the way you treat the guy who worked hard and offered the reasonable contract for the organizetion?
I refuse to believe those are Kings fans cause we, Kings fans, simply don’t do that. Or people in LA for that matter don’t do that because it’s so uncool and embarrassing. So please be classy, will ya?
Personally, I think we payed too much for this trade. I understand the circumstance that Dean had no choice so he had to pull the trigger. But that’s just my opinion.
Columbus’s fans are very lucky to have JJ on their hockey club. And I will be the JJ fan no matter where he goes and watching his career closely. I hope this trade works for both parties.
And now for the final push to the playoffs with new blood. Go Kings Go!
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bbb7 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@goldielocks, I dont understand what you’re saying? People here are trying to weigh the trade, and seeing stats such as in the article linked earlier help. Are you saying, when Penner gets traded we should just praise him for his dedication and efforts here?
JJ was loved as a member of the Kings family but that doesnt mean we didnt see his shortcomings, or should ignore them in the name of being ‘classy’.
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goldielocks Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@bbb7,
How can you possibly compare the dedication JJ put to this team and Penner’s?
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Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
@goldielocks, …who is this poeple of which you speak?…
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goldielocks Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@Deke’r,
I think his 3rd post of the same link about how bad JJ is was deleted. And people I speak of are praising about his post. If you label this kind of people classy, then my accusation was wrong.
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Tom Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@goldielocks, I have to agree with bbb7: I think we’re merely trying to compare facts to determine whether the Kings got a good deal. And from all the facts I’ve seen, they did. I also loved JJ — lots of heart, lots of passion — but I have to admit, he’s been a disappointment overall. He came out of Michigan with a lot of hype, and he’s never really lived up to it. He is a MINUS 90 in his career — while I agree that stats can be misleading at times, good defensemen just don’t rack up those kind of terrible numbers. (for example, Drew Doughty is plus-16 in his career; and just for info’s sake, Jeff Carter is plus-40).
And I’m sad to say, it looks like JJ has about three moves to get out of the zone, and the league now knows them, so he struggles to get out of his own zone.
Pointing out a player’s weakness doesn’t mean we don’t love him — I, too, hope that JJ will thrive in Columbus. But if he’s a minus-90 with a decent to above-average team like the Kings, what kind of stats do you think he’ll pile up with a terrible team like Columbus?
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MickSorley Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@Tom, Classless! haha, JK. Well said sir. Well said.
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Tom Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@MickSorley, Pointing out stats is classless? Hmmmmm….
Tom Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
@MickSorley, Oh, JK. Sorry, the logical mobius strip of the original post confused me!
Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@goldielocks, Your concern is about Columbus fans that may read a Kings blog?
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I would be happy with: Brown for JVR, Couturier\Read and/or pick(s).
Thoughts?
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
@MickSorley, You would probably also be happy if we fired Luc ripped down all the Kings swaters from the rafters and started from the ground up. Just my thoughts.
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MickSorley Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, That’s a bit dramatic. No that wouldn’t make me happy. You sound like you think DB is the be-all-end-all heart and soul of the kings present and past.
Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a great player and good for the team both on and off the ice. However, adding two more offensive weapons to sure up our second and third lines would go a LONG way towards a cup.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
@MickSorley, JVR = injury-riddled!
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MickSorley Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
@Duncanz, Perhaps. This certainly hasn’t been a great season for JVR. But this move isn’t just a rental type acquisition. This kid has the potential to be a franchise forward and in the not too distant future.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
@MickSorley, Totally agree. It’s just the principle of courting another key player with a questionable health record.
Too many of the core guys right now have concussion histories, and I think JVR had a bad one this year, among several injuries.
I wouldn’t take that risk, purely for these reasons.
On paper…these are 4 solid lines.
Gagne/Penner – Kopi – Carter
King – Richards – Williams
Brown – Stoll – Nolan
Clifford – Fraser – Lewis
Richardson
Westy
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, uhhh why carter had his best year with Richards why split them up still…
i do this..
Penner/Brown – Kopi – Williams
Gagne(When healthy)- Richards – Carter
Kings – Stoll – Nolan
Clifford – Fraser – Lewis/Richardson/Westy
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Tom Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, I like your lines, but I would move Penner down to “dumps water from whirlpool” instead of the first line.
I mean, really, when was the last time Penner skated hard in a game?
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Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@Tom, When was the last time he played in a game?
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Tom Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
@Osaka, He’s played twice since Feb. 9, which is two times too many.
KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
@Osaka, Penner skates hard every game … soon as his shift is over, he bolts for that bench like lightning.
Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
@Tom, As long as we have/Stuck with Penner, we should only have him run skating drills at practice, blue line to net and have him park his sticky buns ready for a scrappy rebound.
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MickSorley Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, I have the top two like this..
Gagne – Kopi – Williams
King – Richards – Carter
And Penner playing Lokti’s wing in Manchester.
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Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
@MickSorley, That looks better. Except just send Penner home, he can collect a check sitting on the sofa, don’t want him in Manchester either.
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OC Kings Fan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
@MickSorley, A Great top 6 right here!
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Oscar Moller's Beard Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 11:33 pm
@MickSorley, How about giving us lines w/out Gagne? He’s not very close to coming back and I’d like to see possible current lines…
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Shakes Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, “In theory communism works. In theory” – Homer Simpson
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I dont see philly giving up Couturier… And I would rather have brownie, he is a 5 tool threat out on the ice. I just think he is a victim of having to play where he doesnt belong. He is a 2nd line winger not a 1st line winger.
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MickSorley Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@duckbutter24, Actually, I don’t either. Read would be much more likely.
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OC Kings Fan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
@duckbutter24, you meant he’s a 3rd line winger. would rather have king or nolan in the top 6 then brown.
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I would rather put carter and richards together
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For a real laugh, head over to the TSN message boards and read some of the delusional trades Leafs fans are coming up with. My favorite: Grabovski for Bernier, Brown and Doughty. Hell, throw in Kopitar while you’re at it!
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
@Tom, Some of the trade suggestions here were pretty off the wall too though.
Really, who would take Penner. Even on waivers?
I half way want to see it happen to see if anyone even bites.
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Tom Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 7:01 am
@Mars, Yup, never gonna happen. I do like the suggestion above that we basically just utilize Penner as a cone in practice. I mean, even when he’s moving, it’s not like he’s *moving.*
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chug chug chug chug!
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How cute is it that Richards says “we” when talking about Carter? The bromance lives on.
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gmo Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
@Brig33,
they are like secret lovers lol
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Shane Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
@gmo, Kings might have made the trade to get Richard’s to do what he is capable of. There’s little doubt he’s been lost since he got here. Heartbreak and all, we’ve been waiting for him to feel at home. Maybe now…
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King Cobra Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 9:33 am
@gmo, I don’t care what they do after the game, as long as they help us win the game!!
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