Simon Gagne, out since Dec. 26 because of concussion issues, continues to do conditioning skating and drills, but Gagne said today that he didn’t know when he might be able to return to full-team practices.
GAGNE: “No, not for now. I talked to the doctor last night, and then the team went on the road so he said to keep doing the same thing this week. Now, I’ll see him again tonight and see what the plan is going to be for the next week.’’
Question: So you’re kind of week-to-week right now?
GAGNE: “It’s week by week. Usually I see him once a week, and then we decide what we’re going to do. Right now, there’s not much going on. It’s just pretty much the same as last week, and we’ll see from there, what the doctor is going to say tonight.’’
Also, Dean Lombardi, in Florida for the general managers’ meetings, had a brief interview with NHL Network about the playoff race and the addition of Jeff Carter. Click below for the clip…
DL looks like he is under some heavy pressure… I think its simple for DL make the playoffs and he stays. Miss the playoffs and he is gone. This interview he looked like a GM with that type of pressure on him. Wonder if you guys noticed the same thing?
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Krusher Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
@Keith, Agreed. He knows that the guys in that locker room hold his fate in their hands. We shall see.
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Weasel Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
@Keith,
I think miss=gone. And make=50%-50%. To me he has to win one round to be sure of coming back. After all this is now his team with the players he signed or resigned.
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Keith Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
@Weasel, I think the Kings can def win a round or two if they make the playoffs they are that talented. Having said that, I do no think DL gets fired as long as Kings make the playoffs… I still think DL’s acquisition of Richards and Carter was a complete heist. Now, whether he remains the GM depends on whether those two (Richards and Carter) can prove their worth and DL’s faith in them. This team is truly at a cross roads this run will determine the vlaue of hockey in LA, the team has done a great job raising fan awareness of Hockey in LA but should they miss the playoffs I thing all of that work goes away not to mention the already established die hard fans who are on their last legs!
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KC23 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@Keith, If you are a “hard King’s fan” by definition you are never ever on your “last legs”. This season is a joy compared to about 80% of the rest of the King’s season in their history. If a season like this put me on my “last legs” I would of stopped being a fan in the early 70s.
Keith Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
@Keith, Wow KC23 I guess that does not say much about our history!
number 6 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@Keith,
A heist in who’s favor?
FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
@Keith,
I’m not sure he necessarily deserves that fate if the Kings miss the playoffs, but I can see it happening.
The Kings have a solid roster with five really strong top 6 forwards and a 6-man d-corp that rivals almost anyone, if its not the standard in the league already. But it’s a results driven business so he may have just built a solid foundation for his successor, like he did in San Jose.
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Keith Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@FKA PakiFro, If you are right (and i am not sure all fans agree with you… i am on the fence) I hope he can make the playoffs becasue then he might be able to stay and finish what he started and we might get a long term leader (like the lakers had with West and the Dodgers had with Lasorda)
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number 6 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
Sorry, but not sure the King’s d is the standard for the league at all. Had it not been for Quick, many have said that the team would be down near the bottom. The d-corp is for sure better than many, no question there, but there are times when they get very ‘scrambly’. Even Doughty has been a bit hit and miss. Not possible to say that he’s a dominating defenseman at this point. I think he has the potential though, but he’s got some growing to do.
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OneTimer Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@number 6,
I gotta disagree here. I 100% see that you ackowledged the d-corp as better than many, “no question there”, but would you NOT also agree that our overall defense (measured best by GAA) IS the standard if not elite benchmark – ranking 2nd in the NHL? That is NOT all because of Quick/Bernier. It can’t be.
Me thinks you need to re-think your analysis. The media likes to say: “had it not been for Quick…” MAINLY (mainly) because the team has given him NO offensive support. But nowhere (and I mean nowhere) will you read those same media pundits say that the Kings d-corp has been suspect, as defenseman. They target Doughty of course (and Doughty’s lack of offense), given his $7MM contract and early-career Norris mention success – and I agree with them… but most of the references to Quick are because he’s managed to steal points in 10 or more games in which the offense (which includes defenseman) only scored 1 (sometimes zero!) goals, and not because he’s had to fight off 40+ shots. Granted- he’s having a Vezina-like year, and the team would be even lower if not for him (because after all he is the final line of defense) … but the defensive abilities of the team (which includes forwards) in front of him has been solid all year.
Just my 2 cents.
Having said all that … Die Red Wings DIE.
number 6 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
@OneTimer
No, I get where you’re coming from. No offense to you my man, but this is something that’s happening more and more on this site. People ‘reconstruct’ what I’ve said. I said ‘there are times when they get very ‘scrambly’.’
That’s not the same thing as being ‘suspect’. It’s Very different. They Do get scrambly. If you watch the beginning of the Chicago game, they were a little bit furmished. Chicago didn’t score and the Kings came back on an outnumbered attack and scored, but it easily could’ve been 1-0 Chicago at that point.
So, it’s a mixture of things. Also the fact that TM had they playing so incredibly conservative. Forwards always peeling back. But that isn’t my idea in and of itself of a great defense. But I do agree that the stats are good. So it’s neither one nor the other as I see it.
rogiesbackup Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@Keith, ALL gm whatever line of work you do look like that!! You should’ve seen him during one of the “Legends Night” last season on the ice he had that look of “C’mon let’s get this game going already!” He looked very focus and didn’t seem to have any interest on the festivities.
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ducksuck Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@Keith, I think that is if not the most obvious statement ever! of course the guy is getting more grey hairs and is probably not sleeping well knowing that his job is in the hands of the Kings and 100000000% if the kings don’t make the playoffs he is gone. I would go further and say if the Kings don’t get out of the 1st round this year his job is still on the line. Anyone on the fence doesn’t understand the game. He is making money to run the team and if he fails at his job like any of us he will be let go. I love what he has done with the team and for sure no doubt weather the Kings fold now and he gets let go he will be a GM soon with another team that needs rebuilding(NYI, CBJ, and even the ducks considering he was a shark then flame now king i could see him take any team) I would never want his job kind of like being president. you can never win. he gets the biggest name 2 years in a row at the deadline and Carter is fitting in but Penner he gets blamed for when it was a GREAT and still is a great trade. a prospect and 2nd round pick for someone that was surpassed to help. bad luck on DL
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KingsOfLA Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
@Keith, Yea, he’s pretty much leaving room for not making the playoffs because of THE PLAYERS and their youthful inexperience, NOT because of anything HE did… Step up and accept YOUR part of the responsibility DeanO…
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puckhandler Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@Keith, Dean-o was definitely lacking his normal charisma and charm, which I think does show his concern for his job, and the predicament our guys are in right now.
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MindGeyser Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
@puckhandler, I think the man is just tired.
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Kings Fan in Vancouver Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
@Keith, My thinking is that if ownership is on top of things, Lombardi will go this summer regardless. Too many screw-ups. Really, it wasn’t that long ago that he let Camalleri walk after a petty contract dispute. Matt Moulson, Teddy Purcell, Brad Stuart, Kyle Quincey, etc. guys now making a difference on their teams. In some respects, it comes down to simple math: Richards, 1 goal since Christmas; Simmonds and Schenn, over 20. If the Kings don’t make the playoffs, and I hate to be pessimistic, but I don’t think they will, let’s think back to all those one-goal games in which we lost with Richards in the line-up. The Carter acquisition. Thumbs up, but maybe more of an impact next season. Too little, too late for this season. The coup d’grace for Lombardi’s demise: a horse farmer from Alberta named Sutter. Has his record thus far been really been an improvement over Murray’s? I agree a change was needed. But why Darryl Sutter?
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We have to go 9-4 in these remaining games. Anything less than 18 points and we’re toast and even with 18 we’re on the bubble. After the expectations I came into this season with the fact that I am even writing this disgusts me.
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purple and gold Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
@Krusher, You’re with good company on that one.
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Weasel Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
@Krusher,
I’d almost say they have to better – like 9-2-2 to be ‘safe’.
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Keith Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@Weasel, I think 9-4 gets us in… Would love to play St. Louis in playoffs. I think we match up well against them
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@Keith, As much as I would like to play St Louis i much rather finish higher then 8th, as it appears St Louis will finish 1st. Of course Vancouver could also. I am hoping we finish at least 7th or as high as 6th. Of course we still can finish 3rd which would be the ultimate and make up for this most disappointing season.
rogiesbackup Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@Krusher, Thing is, it DOES NOT MATTER what the record or calculation we need to have to get in. The team only needs to do one thing and that is to win as many games as possible. If not, so be it.
The way the season has gone, I don’t mind if the Kings don’t make it to the play-off. I think next season will be a brighter season.
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Good point. The “group” has their backs’ against a wall and these are must win or tie games. There’s no sugar coating it. Trying to predict whether or not this team will make the playoffs is like trying to predict the end of the world. Unfornateley, Nostradamus was not a sports fan. Ive been looking and looking for quatrains for all these years now. Blahhhhhhh!!!!
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@Bonvivant1, I think it would be better for them making the playoffs having to play a bunch of big games before the playoffs start. I think it be much better that way then just coasting into the playoffs and then ratching it up once they start.
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Bonvivant1 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@Jeff_R, I would have to agree with you. I was trying to stave off the guess work.
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It would be nice to be able to get Gagne back, but I would not want to move King off the 2nd line. I think he is doing exactly what the other two guys need on that line – goes to the net and creates space. Could shake up first line, but who goes where? It would be a nice problem to have for DS.
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prosmar Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@Sean, I would move Brown to the third line with Stoll and Gagne to the first line. I think our third line would become much better and then we would have three lines that can score.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@prosmar, So, your conclusion is the move the hottest player on the ice the last 2 weeks, down to the 3rd line, to bang with two guys who couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat in the Pacific.
Just want to make sure I’m understanding you correctly.
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prosmar Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@mrbrett7, Stoll had his best game of the season when he assisted 3 times on Brown’s hat trick. I just think Brown can get Stoll going. I also can’t see Gagne as a third line player and I think Brown never had that much chemistry with Kopi.
Daniel Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@mrbrett7, Not to speak for @prosmar but yes, put the hottest guy on a line that doesn’t have hot guys. He can be a spark, help the other guys out. Stoll can still pass, he just can’t shoot. And Gagne is a good fit with Kopitar. So yeah, three strong lines.
Stuart Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@prosmar, I agre with you 1000%. I thought DB and JS woud play/played great together… I see nothing wrong with a scoring 3rd line, and for those that are afraid that DB’s ice time would drop off, I’d bet if the 3rd starting scoring, time would be pretty balanced, 1-3 lines…
Cruiznblue Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@Sean,
Put Gagne on the 3rd line in place of Penner or Lewis…since they’re both uselss. With Stoll picking up his game (especially physically)…it would allow Gagne to look for that open ice instead of having to get run into the boards and grind as much..which is probably a good thing based on his past concussions.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Sean, …said that awhile ago…..give the 3rd some punch…
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DL is right…if your going to be a young team players have to learn to win. This will be a that kind of year.
I think DL has been a great GM. Sometimes….players just need to recognize how lucky they are….and start playing like they are capable.
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number 6 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
@tellmeY,
DL has unquestionably not drafted like a great GM. How many game changing players are on the roster that he drafted? Doughty. He was as you know 2nd overall. There are many many very good to excellent players floating around the nhl that DL could have drafted that he didn’t draft. It’s a pretty long list and I don’t have the time or patience to go thru it all…. but just a sample: Giroux – that one’s been beaten to death already, Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, Logan Couture, Kevin Shattenkirk, David Perron, PK Subban, Max Pacioretty, Jordan Eberle, Erik Karlsson.
That’s for just 2006-08. Meanwhile he drafted Thomas Hickey and Trevor Lewis with his first round picks.
If I omit goalies, the only player he got right in those three years was Wayne Simmonds.
If you expect to build a team that one would call an elite team, you’re competing against the likes of Detroit, Vancouver and Pittsburgh. You absolutely need to do better than that.
So, summed up, I guess I don’t totally agree with you.
I do give DL kudos for the fact that he’s the first Kings GM to have a specific point of view, even if it tends to get a bit rigid at times.
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johnjuan Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@number 6, He stinks! He was a scout at one time and the only thing I see is King and Nolan that Murray was to stupid to bring up. He can only blame himself for the goalie fiasco at the beginning of his run and then he brings in a coach that has no idea how to run an offense so any talent we had always looked bad. he should have straightened out Murray 2 years ago to gives us a balanced team that can showcase its offense. Instead we have a natural regression because the forwards have never had any support or any kind of sophistication in the attack period. Look at the players that have moved on and become scorers.
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MindGeyser Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
@number 6, I would add Voynov. Drafting is only half the story. He has developed these players quite well all things considered. Nolan, King, Voynov, Martinez, Westgarth, Simmonds, and Lewis are the kind of players that can be made or broken by the quality of the development system. Williams, Greene, Scuderi, and Mitchell are the kinds of stable non-flashy acquisitions that turn pretenders into contenders. Schenn and Johnson are the type of players that can net you in-their-prime players instead of not having the trade currency to be in the running year after year, as what happened before DL.
DL isn’t perfect, but look at the total picture before making your assessment. Top D with only one high salary, top goaltending with no high salaries, and top talent at forward at mostly reasonable salaries with room to grow. And the core of the team is still 27 and under.
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number 6 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
@MindGeyser,
Yes about Voynov, but still unfortunately disagree on the overall point. You can name Westgarth, Nolan and King and Lewis. But take a look at the rosters of the seven or eight best teams in the nhl. These players are simply not at this point at that elite level. We all want to see our players (often) as better than they are.
Also what you say about development. Who’s responsibility is that? It’s the president and architect of the team and thats the GM.
And as for Voynov, with all the players he traded away to get draft picks (we had more than any other team) he had better have at the very least come up with a Voynov in the mix. Otherwise it would have been sad.
Hey Deano…spoke with the El Cid manager last night he says he wants you to call him over the weekend so you guys can hash out some softball stuff.
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Keith Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@Hat trick, Yikes. That is harsh. I hope you are not implying that DL will be the GM of El Cid and Penner their prized player
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Hat trick Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@Keith, GM of El Cid? I hope he’s never the GM of any organization. A GM that’s traded away about a dozen 1st rounders I believe and then this?
Penner…lol…sure maybe he can be El Cid’s star player and maybe he can find himself a new wife out there as well. Someone who won’t feed him pancakes that won’t thrash his back.
Maybe you can tell that I think very highly of these two individuals.
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Let’s say we fail to make the playoffs and we fire dean, like most of u want.
Who could we honestly bring in?!
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mrbrett7 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@straightantics, No, this is not me. I did not change names!
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Dominick Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@straightantics, Hextall. He already nows all the players, the organization, contracts, and problems. Only thing is, he wouldn’t make changes to the coaching staff. Plenty of options if the Kings owners decided to take the leadership group in a different direction, but I would keep Hexie in at some capacity, along with the goalie coach.
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KC23 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@Dominick, Yep, that would be my take.
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Perro Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@Dominick, +10000000000000000000000000000000. Beat me to it.
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DesertKing Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@Dominick,
Perfect…. Thank you!!
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straightantics Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@Dominick, I’m wit u on keeping hexie at any capacity. Luv the guy!
@mrbrett7 huh?
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number 6 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@straightantics,
I agree with Dominick. In any case, whoever it would be, they’d best be pretty damned certain of their choice. Because it’s easier…. much easier to get it wrong than it is to get it right.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@straightantics, I don’t think he will be fired even if we miss the playoffs. I think Dean will have 1 more year to turn it around. Lot’s of top teams get going then have a blip in the middle and then take off. This season is a better learning experience one then the last 2 where they made the playoffs. Having a taste of the playoffs and then losing it will make them hungrier then ever and not have to go through it ever again.
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MindGeyser Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@Jeff_R, I hope not, but people have short memories, and tend to over react when expectations aren’t met, even if everyone who was supposed to improve the team from last year got concussed. People sometimes want moves for the sake of making moves. I don’t think that’s what should happen here, but it happens all the time.
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Dominick Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 7:01 pm
@MindGeyser, Their are plenty of criticisms. The emphasis on his drafting choices, his reluctance to use small speedy wingers as scorers, and use muckers and grinders instead. His choice on defense first coaches over a balanced system.
He’s never fixed the left wing problem in 6 years (attempting doesn’t mean it got donen and Smyth didn’t make up for losing Cammi, or Frolov in consecutive years. Brown is a natural right winger). I could go on, and on, but point is, there are reasons.
There are plenty of reasons to keep him, but there are equal reasons he could be let go also.
Just waiting to get healthy enough to practice? Your health is the main concern, but I’m getting worried (not that I haven’t been for a couple of months now). Good luck buddy, and hope to have you back soon at a 100%.
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Kenny44 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@Dominick, If temporal awareness is a factor, he may still be having trouble based on this quote:
“I talked to the doctor last night, and then the team went on the road so he said to keep doing the same thing this week. Now, I’ll see him again tonight and see what the plan is going to be for the next week.”
Sounds like he’s having two Dr. evaluations and the Kings had a whole road trip all since last night. Hopefully, he meant “last week” and simply misspoke. Obviously it’s impossible to figure anything out from here, but I’m not paid to not speculate.
I love watching him play. At this point, though, I just hope he gets totally clear and back to full strength. It happens when it happens.
Best wishes for your recovery Gags.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@Kenny44, I caught that.
Even if he just misspoke, that’s a negative.
On the other hand, some of the medication they give you is quite potent.
If he really did go on a ‘trip’ overnight, his mistake might’ve been part of the hangover!
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I am so nervous for tonight. Very gut wrenching. Still like that gmaes mean something this year. Remember thre four years ago where we wre playing for lottery odds this time of year.
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It would be a cinderella story to have him come up during playoffs (assuming we made them) and have him lead us in scoring…..
Not that it’s more important than his personal health, family and very wellbeing.
Good luck man.
I need to get me one of those collared shirts (like DL’s) for work
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Deke'r Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@Lake Forest, ….asking alot from someone who hasn’t played 95% of the season….
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
@Deke’r, oh I’m not asking for it. Just to be clear I hope he takes care of himself and work comes second.
Just saying it would be nice
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Sorry, but if you are a Gagne fan, time to retire the jersey, since he won’t be back. Too bad, because he was a good addition early on and would have been a huge benefit to us throughout the season.
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I must admit that this season has been frustrating on many levels. On one hand, this is the best goalie/defense the Kings’ organization has ever been blessed with yet they have yet to turn the corner and turn into a dominating team. This is the third year in a row Mr. Lombardi has talked about this being a young team and that working through these tough spots will be beneficial to them. He is right but there has to be that break-through moment where they leave the losing behind and actually win something. I am hoping this is the year that happens but until then, I will remain unsatisfied.
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Looks like Nashville is going to get a lot tougher as the NHL is letting Radulov come back from Russia, now that the KHL season is over with, without going through Waivers. Ain’t that nice of the NHL. I’m sure other teams that tried to sign players coming from overseas and end up losing them because of Waivers aren’t going to be too thrilled bout this.
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SLG1013 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@Jeff_R, Not exactly sure of the rules, but I know that Radulov is still under contract with Nashville (one more year left on his entry level contract). When Jiri Hudler came back from the KHL, the Redwings still controlled his rights and I don’t believe he went through waivers, unless he went unclaimed (which I have a hard time believing would have happened)…
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@SLG1013, Wasn’t that before the season started though? I could be wrong.
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Dean is as good as gone so we will have a chance. The team needs to be changed and we need more speed for sure. someone who can put the puck in the net would be nice. Kopy needs to man up and shoot more he gets paid way to much to pass the puck to people who shoot wide of the net. I would go after Zach Parise. Also I would give Ken holland as much money as he wants if anyone could turn this team in to a playoff team for a long time it’s him.
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number 6 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@Alan,
I like your post. Not sure if Dean is as good as gone however. Come what may, AEG has another year on his contract and already two coaches to pay (TM and DS for next year). Also, no way no way do they get Parise. Parise would probably have a list of ten teams that would be on his list before the Kings (I live back east so have at least a little feel for it via the broadcasts and all).
But for me your key point is speed. I’ve been saying it for so long here that I finally got tired of repeating the same thing over and over. Yes, this team absolutely needs more team speed. Of that there is no question in my mind.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@number 6, ….think Parise is wishful thinking….what big money player wants to go to a team that is a POSSIBLE cup contender….
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number 6 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
@Deke’r,
OK. He’s gonna come here. Have it your way. Oh, by the way, there was an article on puckdaddy that linked to an article from Minnesota where his dad was saying how he loves his home (Minn) and that for him it’s Not about the money.
Also the Rangers are rumored to be interested. Detroit also.
Hate to ruin the party, but as it stands, the Rangers and RedWings are closer to winning a cup than the Kings.
And Zach loves to play the game (as per his father). How much fun then to come to the team that is now No. 29 offensively.
But again, he’s coming here if you wish.
Alan Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@number 6, I hear you the good thing is zach is a ufa so you never know he may want to come out here and be the man. But yes more speed is number 1
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I feel for gagne, I hope at some point, he can get back in to the line up.
We all new the risk when we sign him. Hope it doesn’t end like deadmarsh and allison.
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Marc Nathan Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@straightantics, if he ends up like Deadmarsh, there are going to be a lot of candy companies very happy
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
@Marc Nathan, Lol, well observed.
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“allowed ALOT of other players to be in their proper roles” — HUH??? A LOT???? name more than one. Name one. We have Dwight King on the #2 line and playing on the power play. Who’s actually playing “in their proper role?”
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ehdx3 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
@Marc Nathan, Stoll as the third lin center, Penner as the third line lw and Nolan on the fourth line rw
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I have nothing against Dean as a person. He seems like a good guy. I also think he had some generally good ideas when he came to the team. But someone on a blog called him a bit myopic, and that would be my criticism of him. He held so so tight to defense, goal, defense, goal, and then the occasional winger. A few centermen for sure, but not much on the wings. I mean other than Simmer who was traded, and Clifford, it took till his sixth year before Nolan and King came thru….. and that because of a desperate need to shake things up.
They both seem like really nice players….. but I’m not convinced that they on their own will help to compete with the elite teams on a consistent basis.
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Truer words were never spoken. This team HAS to rise to the occasion & deal with the expectations of being a GOOD team so that they can take the next step. Their time is now! DL has spent draft picks & prospects to get the team the forwards that they haven’t developed through drafting. I don’t understand why anybody would complain about that. Penner, Carter, & Richards for Teubert, Schenn, Simmonds, Johnson, & picks. Yeah, it would be nice if they scored more goals, but I will not dump on the GM for trying. IMO, DL has stayed true to his plan. The Kings are a much better & competitive team & yes, this has been a season of growing pains. This is the season that I have expected & I believe that the team WILL make the playoffs. Anyways, I’ll keep rooting for the team & I think that DL should stay for as long as he has it in him. I admire the job that he’s done, period.
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