Simon Gagne got some company today. In his recovery from the concussion he suffered on Dec. 26, Gagne has been skating since Feb. 12, but mostly on his own or with coaching consultant Bernie Nicholls. Today, Gagne was joined by Scott Parse, who returned to the ice exactly three months after he had hip surgery. The short-term prognosis for both players remains unknown. Gagne hasn’t been in any full-team practices yet, and Parse’s initial recovery period was 4-to-5 months.
GAGNE: “I’ve been skating by myself. That’s what the doctor told me to do. I’ll see him again this weekend and tell him what’s been going on.’’
Question: Is everything still headed in the right direction?
GAGNE: “It’s getting better. It’s not getting worse. That’s a good sign. Slowly, we’re increasing what we’re doing on the ice, and responding to that.’’
Sutter said he hadn’t really been following Gagne’s day-to-day progress — he really wouldn’t need to, until Gage is ready to practice — but seemed more enthused about Parse.
SUTTER: “I’m happy about Scott Parse. Today is the first day that he has had equipment on, so that’s what I’m happy about. Because it’s hard. I know, from having surgeries, you need to be able to see progress, or the next step, meaning from not skating to skating. You need to see that, so it’s good that he’s able to see that now.’’
Have to wish Simon well and not count on him contributing … anything he does is absolute gravy.
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I love gags… I was so stoked when he got here. I can’t wait for his return!
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How much of Parse’s injury history is related to coming back too soon from his previous injuries? He should pace himself.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@MindGeyser, One would think that makes some sense. He hasn’t had “easy” injuries from what I can remember, for him going back to college.
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Gary Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 8:43 pm
@MindGeyser, it’s the other hip this time. Although, some say coming back to soon causes you to favor the other, and thus injure it. So, it’s possible.
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I’d be shocked to see Parse on the ice any time soon… however, Gagne I could see coming back fairly soon. Would help this team immensely too… best of luck to both of them.
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This guy’s career is done with. Someone sneezes on him in a game he’ll be out again with the same symptoms.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Hat trick,
Ok Debbie Downer…
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Christian Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@Hat trick, maybe? But I hope to see him challenging for adopt/chance in training camp.
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OneTimer Reply:
March 3rd, 2012 at 9:50 am
@Hat trick,
While I can’t and do NOT WANT to agree with you – I’d also almost (almost) agree to give up booze if you were proven wrong.
So here’s to living a sober life…
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Pumpernicholl Reply:
March 3rd, 2012 at 11:20 am
@Hat trick, Every single concussion case is different. I know it’s hard not to br uncertain of what exactly is going on, but to say his “career is done with” is no more than a blind guess at best.
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Gagne, if I remember correctly, has another year on his contract. If that is true, maybe, just maybe, he can have a healthy season next season. I’m not thinking in terms of the team getting anything else out of him this season, including in the playoffs, if there are any. In Gagne’s case it is more important for him to be completely well (if that is possible), even if he has to wait until next season to play.
As to Scott Parse, it would be a major step if he is ever able to play hockey at the pro level again, in any season, much less this one. And I would be very, very surprised, given his hip history, if the Kings try to resign if he is unable to play again this season, which is highly unlikely.
But good luck to both of them, more so to Parse. At least in Gagne’s case he’s had the opportunity to have a pretty full and successful career. In Parse’s case his career has barely begun.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@Forum67, you are right. 2 years at $7MM (or $7.5M)…I think $7MM. $3.5M per year sounds right.
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Kings x Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Forum67, as much as i would like gags back it makes more sense to keep him from contact until september…given the seriousness of his injury
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If we had gagne back that would be an incredible top 6. Even top 9. Imagine if penner and stoll were producing on the 3rd line, wow.
That would look like a team spending close to the cap.
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Weasel Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@Kingfish,
It is possible that Penner and Stoll will catch fire. You never know….
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PRMan Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@Weasel, If we put Gagne with Richards and Carter and then put King with Stoll and Penner, Penner could pass the puck to the slot, AND KING WOULD ACTUALLY BE THERE!
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McSorleyfan Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 10:56 pm
@PRMan, THANKYOU. I thought Iw as the only one seeing that consistently; Penner digs it off and passes to the slot to No One.
DesertKing Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@Kingfish,
Yep, thats what we all said at the start of the season.
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Kingfish Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@DesertKing,
Yeah I dig the way stoll has been playing that’s the stoll I thought we would get at 3rd C.
High energy great forcheck and solid faceoff %.
And hopefully Penner will keep up his recent play and is moving on from personal distractions.
If these guys all start playing the way we thought they could, I like our chances.
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Let’s squeak into the playoffs and have Parsely and Gags come back at the same time! The other teams goalie will get a ticket for running so many red lights…or do they still use the red lights? Showing my age here…!
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vinny Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Rick, lol sounds good
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rick Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@Rick, K Mart bought the NHL while you were away. The lights are now all blue. Nice name, by the way.
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Still waiting for Penner to recover from choking on his pancakes! Still waiting…and waiting…
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DEH Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@Rick, well he divorced his pancake making wife. Side note, he married the actress January last year and his production went down around the same time. Now that he divorced her, he’s playing better. Coincidence?
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@DEH, succubus
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luc20rules Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 7:37 pm
@Lake Forest, Where were the South Park Boys when it was time to save Chef, I mean Penner?
Kramsteezy Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@DEH,
Little fact, since his marriage last year, Penner’s had exactly 12 goals. One would think his off ice life isn’t helping his on ice. I hope he can turn it around.
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Kings x Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@Rick, more like she’s divorcing him now that he will not be making any money just like she dumped richard zednick
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I’m beginning to like Sutter more every day. I think its great that he’s happy “for Scott parse”, not just the team. It has to have been a really difficult last year and a half for Scooter. I hope he does his rehab right and is ready for the NHL when camp opens in September.
I’m wondering if this injury that he is recovering from was actually hampering him last year too. I would love to see him back this year, but I’m not holding my breath.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@Michael J.,
Agreed. I don’t even think Parse has played for Sutter at all, practice or game.
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AZ King Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@Michael J.,
I have a feeling the most recent injury happened because he wasn’t fully recovered from the original injury.
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vinny Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@AZ King, sorta like overcompensating?
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Kostamojen Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@Michael J., Sutter probably has a lot of sympathy for injured players, as his NHL playing career was cut short by injuries after having played 8 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. I’m sure it was devastating to have his career ended that early (he indicated as much in the recent interview he did with Bob Miller). So he may see a lot of his own situation in Scott Parse who has a lot of injuries early in his NHL career.
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Parse – Richards – Carter
Richards and Parse showed some really good chemistry right off the bat. That could be a very dangerous line.
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DEH Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@AZ King, I like that. Next year we should have a top 9
Gagne Kopi Williams
Parse Richie Carts
Brown Stoll/Lokti Toffoli
some permutation of Clifford Cliche Westy King Nolan
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@DEH, yea but Parse last year with the Kings
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Hat trick Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@AZ King, In a beer league.
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Kingscup25 Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 10:03 pm
@Hat trick, Quack quack??
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Lol, forgot Gagne was even on the team, yet another dissapointing write off. Oh well get better Gagne, team could really use you.
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DEH Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@Harman, much of this year rested on Gagne and Parse being healthy. Unfortunately both got injured and so did our offense. With both out we couldn’t fill our top six and couldn’t score. This lineup is scary if both Gagne and Parse are healthy with the addition of Carter.
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crashin' da net Reply:
March 3rd, 2012 at 9:07 am
@DEH, so true
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Read the post: Starting hearing Billy Idol in my head except the lyric “I’ve been skating by myself….skating by myself….oh oh…”
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vinny Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@Weasel, lol
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The only roster spots i want to see open are Fraser Westgarth and maybe Richardson otherwise leave it alone. I want Nolan and Kings size and net presence.
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Osaka Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@johnjuan, Fraser is a great 4th line center and Richardson is valuable because he can play anywhere when there are injuries or be a healthy scratch. I don’t see Penner and Stoll coming back next season (although I would like to see Stoll back) so those two spots will open up. Also I really question whether Gagne can continue to play so LW2 may need to be addressed.
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crashin' da net Reply:
March 3rd, 2012 at 9:12 am
@Osaka, agreed. Fraser is the feisty wrecking ball he is supposed to be – cuasing penalaties and alas some times taking them. Brad is pure versatile energy with occasional scoring. He’s snake bu=it at th moment like the rest of the team but will shake it off. Stoll – an expensive clutch man. We need someone to train at face offs.
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Michael J. Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:51 pm
@johnjuan,
The Kings can add three more players to their current roster, and because their salaries are already against the cap it makes adding these two all the easier. Except for their injuries.
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If Parse can go 10 games next season and Simon 30 games, we have half a year. Then go with one of Man players for a half year of experience.
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I ll bet anything IF the Kings make the playoffs Gagne will be back or if the last week of the season and the Kings are either in or just barely out he will be back to try to help get them in or get ready for the playoffs
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nick shore on nbcsports (denver v nebraska-omaha)
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Nice … another soft goal let in my Chicago net minder. 1 – 0 Sens over Hawks.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@KC23, and detroit is winning…too
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Cruiznblue Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:51 pm
@KC23,
And Chicago thought they’d be fine after they won the cup and let a bunch of players go…lol.
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Off topic: Ottawa is up 1-0 after 1st period vs. Chicago; Detroit is up 1-0 in the 1st vs. Minnesota.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@letswinthecup2012,
Let’s not give the kings too many reasons to start a win streak!
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When you gamble, sometimes ou win and sometimes you lose. DL gambled on WM with his concussion and hit a home run (I know, this ain’t baseball), but the gamble with Gagne and his concussion was a bust. Hopefully he and Parse fully recover, but we should not count on it.
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King Cobra Reply:
March 3rd, 2012 at 7:17 am
@DesertKing, I wish DL would play Black Jack instead of Roulette.
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I miss me some Gagne.. Would love to just see him get to play again. Miss you Si-mone!
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Gagne ain’t coming back – now or ever. The cumulative effect of his many injuries – and his age – make him a perfect candidate for early retirement. For his sake, I hope we don’t see him in the NHL again.
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Shuchuk Reply:
March 2nd, 2012 at 7:06 pm
@rick, Exactly what I’ve said before. Gagne isn’t coming back. Marc Savard, anyone? Cash your check and enjoy the next 40 years…
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crashin' da net Reply:
March 3rd, 2012 at 9:16 am
@rick, as stated before, agreed.
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IceGuy Reply:
March 3rd, 2012 at 9:19 am
@rick,
Honestly, C-moan has got to make a life changing decision soon.
It’s about priorities.
I would hope they would be:
1. Being personally healthy.
2. Being a good husband.
3. Being a good father.
4. Being a hockey player.
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Either way, praying for Gags’ recovery
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Anything we get from Gagne this year or next will be unexpected. Based on our inability to score and what we do in the off season, I might bring Parse back on a 1 yr contract to see if you can capture lightening in a bottle.
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I really like Gags. I’m hoping he can come back and contribute towards the end of the regular season and post-season (provided we make the post-season;))
GKG!!
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I hope one of them comes back before it’s too late.
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come back soon gagne! i hope u feel better. i cant wait till u come back to help the kings after we have more and better people. now we have even more threats u can replace penner and probably be on the 2nd line w/ richards and carter and king could move down one etc
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