A previous item discussed the need for the Kings to play better in the middle of the ice against the Detroit Red Wings. That discussion probably starts with Mike Richards, who had a rough all-around game against the Red Wings last week, one that culminated in a defensive-zone mental mistake that led directly to a Detroit goal. It’s been a strange season for Richards, who had 11 goals in his first 24 games this season but now has scored only one goal since Dec. 23. Darryl Sutter was asked today whether he was concerned about Richards’ lack of production.
SUTTER: “Well, we need the line to produce. If you look at it, and prorate it, both of those lines [first two lines] are clicking on a 70-, 75-goal pace. If you had those two lines doing that for a whole 82 games, instead of breaking it down individually, that’s pretty good. To me, he is the best two-way centerman in the NHL. If it’s someone telling you that you’re not scoring enough, or doing this or that, that’s not what your game is about. Your game is about being on the right side of the puck and making plays. I’m not worried about it. I’m really not worried about it at all, from his standpoint. Everybody talked about his mistake in Detroit. Well, if that’s the only mistake he makes, every five or six games, I can take that.’’
Let Sutter coach a team in the east (Pitt, Bos, NYR, Pha, etc.) for a time and see if he says that… LOL.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@Marc Nathan, Richards has shown in past years to be at least in the top 5 of 2 way centers, so it wouldn’t surprise me to hear that he is the best. Although Datsyuk might disagree with that notion.
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pr0cess Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@Jeff_R, Datsyuk has bad teeth who cares what he thinks!!
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KingOfRedlands Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@pr0cess, Excellent argument….
rogiesbackup Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@Marc Nathan, DL miss the mark on that one…..Actually the best two-centerman IS Anze Kopitar HANDS DOWN!!!!
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KingsFletch Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
@rogiesbackup, Couldn’t agree more. Hope this motivates Anze cuz he’s a far superior player in nearly every single aspect of the game than Richards. Richards has been playing like crap all season besides that little spurt he went on in the beginning. Not that Anze has been playing much better the whole season but as far as 2-way… Anze plays every inch of the ice and is arguably a better defensive player than half our D men. I can’t stand this comment. Richards the best 2 way in the league… HE’S NOT EVEN THE BEST ON THE TEAM SUTTY!
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FdoFmFull Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
@rogiesbackup, Agree re. Kopi, especially defensively.
There are aspects of Richard’s offensive game that are, if not better, different than Kopi’s. For example, no- look passes as well as give-and-goes are excellent. He’s a wiz on the PP when everyone’s willing to move and create gaps and angles. Kopi’s much stronger on the puck and has generally better hands. What Kopi’s Ogame is missing is power to the net on a consistent basis.
Richards has overt leadership skills while Kopi is quiet.
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Okey, if he said it for Kopi, but for Richards?
Well, it is only my opinion, but Kopi is a way better center. (mostly more skilled)
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@Nejc, He is talking about 2 way center, complete game. Kopi still has stuff to learn before he gets there. Kopi is a very good 2 way but I put Mike just ahead, this season notwithstanding offensively.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
@Jeff_R, Agree but isn’t it great to have Richards who is that good and Kopi who is still getting better?
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@40YearKingsFan, Yep. Kopi can learn a lot form watching Mike. Kopi wants to be Just Like Mike
.
Duckbasher Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
@Jeff_R, – you guys are way too nice. Kopi is the best two-way center on this team. I don’t care what Sutter says.
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NB22 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Duckbasher, Agree. Kopi is much better in his own zone. But I like them both, so who cares
.
firesone Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@Nejc,
Kopi is better skilled…
Richards a harder worker…
Cant say kopitar is better just based off of his skill.
Skill means nothing if u aren’t giving it your best effort.
Richards > kopitar!
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outsider Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@firesone, I strongly disagree, the numbers never say it all, but still more than enough. Kopi is way better 2way player than Richards! Kopi >>> Richards!
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@outsider, Other then this season there #’s are similar. You can’t go by this season offensively for Richards. However if you noticed Mike is usually the one that plays against the top line of the opponent. So that shows just how good defensively he is, as they have pretty much shut down teams all season long up until the last week or so. I still put Mike slightly ahead at this point.
NB22 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
@outsider, @Jeff_R Reply, Last season Kopi was against the top lines and he was very good. Kopi > Richards in my opinion, but who cares! Both are among the top 2-way centers in the league
.
MindGeyser Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@Nejc, Imagine that. Two of the top 5 two-way centers on the same squad. Hard to complain about the talent and depth that’s been assembled down the middle.
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I’ve always been one to admire loyality. I do like Sutter. He picks his spots, but I do wonder what is going on with the King’s chemistry in the locker room. Sutter picks on certain players while giving others seemingly a pass. Impossible to get a good read not knowing what is really going on in that locker room, but I can’t help but wonder if there are not some growing problems.
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KingsHky Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@KC23, Ya he hung Kopi and his line out to dry last week. When Kopi is number one in points again this year on the team?
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@KingsHky, Some players need to be called out while others don’t. TM didn’t do this and I think that was his failure as Kings coach. Sutter is doing the right thing and I think was probably the best choice for coaching this team now.
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Duckbasher Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
@Jeff_R,
how quickly we forget. Murray was always calling out certain guys and then gave a free pass to his favorites.
Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@Duckbasher, He never called out the top guys like Brown, Kopi, Smyth, Zeus, etc. Unless you want to call Frolov a top guy, he was the only one. The others he called out were the lesser guys.
Eric Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@KC23, Of course there are growing problems. Picked to be one of the top teams in the league struggling to make into 8th… That’s gotta mess up some big egos.
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@KC23, Yeah, DS as a method to his comments. It’s been a long while since DS has said something nice about him. It’s possible that I might have missed something too. But DS keeps saying he needs his his best players to come through. I keep seeing Kopi in my head when he says that. To me, it seems DS sees Kopi with a ton of potential and not using it in important times.
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Richards is good but not even close to being better or as good as Kopitar.
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Nejc Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@KingsHky,
I do agree with you!
I can also ‘smell’ troubles in the locker room, othervise Sutter wouldn’t publicly say that.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@Nejc, Kopi has a lot more left to learn to become a better two way center. He is very good defensively but he needs to take his offense to another level. He needs to take the reigns of this team and put it on his back and dominate offensively. Once he does that he will become a top 2 way center.
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Duckbasher Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@Jeff_R,
I’ve noticed that kopi hasn’t been peeling off (to the side boards) as much lately. I think this is a very positive sign that maybe he’s getting over his injury (or fear of reinjury). I’d sure like to see more skating through the middle and attack from the high percentage areas. Kopi is a way better two-way player than Richards.
Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@Duckbasher, I agree with you about Kopi. I hope he continues that and takes it even further. I also think this 2 way center talk about who is better needs to be shelved as this season isn’t really the best to make a comparison. Hopefully next year offensively both will be at the top and then we can make the comparison.
Puckn-A Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@Jeff_R, Which makes no sense seeing as Kopi was injured turning towards the boards and not the middle of the ice.
Osaka Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@KingsHky, Suter said best 2-way center. You might not see it but he is recognized league wide as one of the best. Mike played for Canada in the Olympics. Kopi doesn’t play defense as well as Richards but Richards doesn’t play offensively as well as Kopi, at least this season he hasn’t.
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KingsHky Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@Osaka, I think Kopi is a way better at defense IMO, heck he is always doing DD defense duties.
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Deke'r Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
@KingsHky, ….agree….think defense is Kopi’s strong suit….
DS is just adding fuel to Kopi’s fire! Hat trick for Kopi tonight!
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NB22 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@Trip, I hope. He is playing better, but still not good enough.
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Lets see here, and I’m a big Mike Richards fan since he landed in Kitchener for the Rangers OHL.
Now a seasoned veteran who we pay millions to gives a puck up in our end by making a poor play and we then call him the best two way center in the NHL.
Now a virtual rookie gives it up in our zone and he should sit for a while or worst?
Let me see here, bias on Richards behalf, or wanting him to do so well we are willing to overlook the mishap, either way if you ran a company like this and your comments in public, your a** would be sitting in HR tomorrow for wrongful treatment.
Funny how sports allow all to get away with this type of activity.
Bottom line, rookie or veteran they make the same mistakes at times, its the judge and jury that can’t figure out the judgement or penalty.
Life has to be consistent.
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KC23 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Harty, Add to the fact that DS says that about Richards when we are going up against the team that actually does have the best 2 way centermen in the game (Datsyuk).
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Beanie Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
@KC23, Motivation for Richards and Kopi
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oh you people on this blog ….seriously..there are not problems in the locker room. why do you all have to create such ridiculous things. The team is fine. They all like each other, and if a player cannot take constructive criticism especially from the coach then he is way to wimpy for me! Geez….they get paid to PLAY and perform, and they are entertainers. They will always be critiqued! Grow some!!
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DanD Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@tellmeY, perfect.
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Osaka Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@tellmeY, Great post!!!!!
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Deke'r Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
@tellmeY, ….seriously….think some are hoping for a job as columnists for Star magazine….
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Beanie Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:50 pm
@tellmeY, Well said
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The best 2 way center wears number 13 for Detroit and the Kings are very lucky he’s not playing.
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KC23 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@KingVern, Yep. Richards isn’t even close imho.
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outsider Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
@KingVern, And the best 2way center on our team wears No. 11. We could be lucky because of that as well! I’m sure it will remain like that also after DS will be fired…
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13 games, 26 points, 102 total…. I’d say that gets us in.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@Tony in Denver, 13-0. Wouldn’t that just bite all those negative Nancy’s right in the ass. I am all for it. I would love to hear Mike Millbury’s and Craig Button’s response to that.
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Shakes Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@Jeff_R, Milbury would do a segment where he blames Doughty for why one of the wins had to come in OT and not regulation
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Duckbasher Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@Shakes,
Doughty needs to be blamed for everything we can pin on him.
Mars Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@Jeff_R, Yeah 13 wins would be nice to shove down millbury’s gullet infecting his gizzards in the process!
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Harty Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Mars, Doughty is a problem, just wait…….down the stretch some will not be happy with him.
Never defending always chasing………
LA_1968 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@Jeff_R, So we’re sitting at the game in Detroit and the game is tied 2-2. Right behind me a guy asks the other guy “Is LA any good?” The other guy who I assume is the season ticket owner tells his guest “No, not really.”. You know, that hurt a bit but he’s right. We just haven’t done jack. To me, if we win 60% or more of our games from here on out we make the playoffs and we should do some postseason damage. That would be so great. The neg Nancy’s were out in full form after Friday night. I was pretty surprised it was sooo bad.
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1 goal since December 23. Mike Richards. Think about that for a minute. It’s the middle of March.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
I’d rather not…
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I always thought that would be Kopi. Maybe our problem with consistency is a chemistry problem in the locker romm, and the new coach having new favorites (and telling us who they are publicly) and the old favorites resenting it?
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NB22 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@DesertKing, Disagree. I don’t think Kopi cares, that Richards is (obviously) DS favorite.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@DesertKing, I think us fans are reading too much into Sutter’s comments.
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Osaka Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@Jeff_R, Exactly, he is pumping Richards up.
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Beanie Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
@Osaka, I think he feels Richards needs some confidence and this is his way of providing some support.
Osaka Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@DesertKing, Really? Does Kopi need a hug?
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Off topic here…
Anyone know who hickey plays with? The kids plus minus is by far best on manchester. Also players like vey kozun and azavedo, their numbers have been shooting up with the extra playing time and extra responsability with king and nolan on the big team. I can’t seem to find manchester line ups anywhere.
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You guys realize Mike Richards played hockey before coming to LA right? He’s having a down year (how many times has that been said about somebody on the KIngs this season), but the guy plays amazing defensive hockey and is a pretty good play making center. Seems like everybody is making their assessments about the Kings players based on just this one season. Quick is god. Doughty is awful. Richards isn’t good. Penner… well, Penner does appear to be pretty bad. =D
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Osaka Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@Helvetica, Agree, good post.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Helvetica, LMAO of Penner!!! Agreed, but actually not just Kings seems the whole NHL roster is having a “down year” saved for Stamkos. Even weird the Sharks are out of form.
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Beanie Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
@Helvetica, Well said
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I wouldn’t say Richards is the “best” 2-way center in the league, but is definitely one of the best. It isn’t so suppressing to me to hear someone say he is the best, even though I don’t agree. What is surprising is how so many are caught off guard by that comment. Richards was a center for team Canada at the Olympics remember.
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Osaka, That’s right. He and DD played real important minutes too.
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Helvetica Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:33 pm
@Osaka, Not to mention Sutter now has the privilege of seeing him on a daily basis. People’s impressions change when they get to see a player perform up close and personal. The guy probably does so many little things, both in practice and in games, that many of us never even notice. Sutter is just giving MR his props.
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Richards not him self…..He needs to get going..
Gagne wont return this year comes back next season and then boom injured again…
Kopi will go to a scoring beast next season and then boom back where we are saying where Kopi ??Like this year because Kopi does that all the time..
I have no idea about Carter..I like how he just shoot the puck but i have to wait a season to find out..i did say i giv ehim a week if no scoring then i be mad at him which he scored 3 goals as a Kings better than Penner thats for sure…
Penner needs to eat Pancakes and get out of here…
Quick the main reason i going to finish watching this season…
Bernier i feel sad for him for not playing more games…He a great goalie which gets no credit at all..
Martinez and Voynov is way better than overpaid Doughty…
Stoll cant wait to see him gone taking dumb penalties when ur down a goal.
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It’s the Sutter psychology. When a player is really down and I mean really down Sutter lifts them up praises like Richards because he is slumping. When a player needs to be called because Sutter knows that player needs to be held accountable he does like Kopi going to the middle. I don’t think Sutter had ever called a player out when they were in a rock bottom slump and doing so would really hurt the player psychologically. It is a fine line to know when to praise and criticize to get the most out of the player, but I think Sutter do far has done a good job with this.
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Helvetica Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
@Cunning Plan, I would tend to agree. He appears to be much better (than Murray) at being both critical and positive when the situation requires.
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Niko Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
@Cunning Plan,
I think you nailed it, great post
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Beanie Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
@Cunning Plan, Well said sir
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I think I have seen a bit of bias in how DS praises Richards vs. how he seems to be more critical of Kopi (not as equal in praise). Maybe Kopi has become less verbal, Richards seems to have taken over as the team leader.
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Cunning Plan Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@Happy Lappy, Think Sutter doesn’t like European players.
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Jeff_R Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@Cunning Plan, Why did he go after Jokinen twice then if he doesn’t like European players?
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Deke'r Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@Cunning Plan, ….hahahahaha….I don’t either…frikin foriegners….
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FiG17 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Happy Lappy,
Actually, I think I agree with what Cunning Plan said right above you… Kopi hasn’t been slumping as hardcore as Richards has. You don’t kick a man while he’s down, you let him know that he’s doing the right things. I think Richards is so obviously aware that he hasn’t been scoring that calling him out on it would do absolutely no good. On the other hand, Kopi offensive struggles aren’t *as* glaring and maybe he’s getting too comfortable when there’s still room for improvement. The point of calling someone out is to make them aware of a problem they may not be paying attention to, not to beat up on a guy who probably is too much aware of it.
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FiG17 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
@FiG17,
*too aware of it*
adding much was a bit much.
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Beanie Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
@FiG17, Remember too Kopi and Brown were constantly saying the team needs to step up but Richards has been acknowledging he needs to improve. Shutter probably beleived he needed to call Kopi and Brown out to remind them they are leaders and need to take accountability for themselves.
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Beanie Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:59 pm
@Beanie, Sutter not shutter stupid auto correct
Then he better star playing like one.
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prosmar Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@prosmar, start*
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He isn’t even the best two way center on the Kings. This coach doesn’t say much but when he does he is eiher crying about the travel or saying stupid stuff. I can only hope the Kings have a new GM and Coach next season.
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Osaka Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@yetiman_oc, The Kings are going to win the first round of the playoffs so they will not be getting a new GM or Coach.
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yetiman_oc Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
@Osaka, Possible but highly unlikely.
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Kingstane9 Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
@yetiman_oc, exactly.
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After the previous outing with Detroit and scoring the winning shootout goal against Chicago, Richards WILL score tonight!!!!!!!!!
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Osaka Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@rogiesbackup, He is coming on down the stretch, he will score!
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Speaking of Centers, how hard emotionally it was for Lotkionov to perform so hard and finally looked like it was paying off in goals to have to be sent back to the minors. Hope it didn’t damage his will and confidence.
I wish there was room for him on the roster.
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MindGeyser Reply:
March 13th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
@rogiesbackup, It hasn’t hurt guys like Bernier and Voynov. I’m sure they sat him down and told him why he was being sent back down and what to do to be the next one on the way back up.
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Can we get Simmonds and Zus back? This team was not as talented with those 2 players, but I knew they’d bring it every night.
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Maybe it’s nothing, but near the end of the Chicago game the other night – I think it was before the overtime started – the camera showed the Kings bench. Richards and Carter were standing on the ice, talking to each other and being very animated, and Kopi was sitting on the bench behind them with a blank look on his face. And my immediate thought was: it’s Richards and Carter’s team now.
I know that’s not a welcome thought for fans who feel a strong connection to the home grown talent, but I think those two guys bring a type of leadership that the team was lacking.
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Really Sitter? Better than Malkin? Brad Richards? He’s not gonna be throwing him under the bus.
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DS has his motives for spouting such nonsense. Richards may have had better offense in the past but not much. Kopi plays a much better game defensively not just talent wise but effort as well. Put Kopi in MR’s past environment and system and Kopi would have Malkin #’s or more.
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gotta go with datsyuk
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I bet Shawn Micheals super kicks Marty Janetty on the Barbershop, and The Rockers split up.
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woow, DS really hates Kopitar, I knew it, but still hoping I was wrong.
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ToughD Reply:
March 14th, 2012 at 1:00 am
@Kingstane9, yeah a little unfair since Richards is in his prime while Kopi is just entering his prime. But i guess when you’re the highest paid forward and one of the captains you should expect big-time pressure.
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Kingstane9 Reply:
March 16th, 2012 at 2:30 am
@ToughD, true that, I wonder what his comments will be when Kopi scores hat-trick or sth…
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Darryl Sutter:
“To me, [Mike Richards] is the best two-way centerman in the NHL.”
Doofus blurt, coach.
Look at Franzen’s goal. Typical of too many LAK goals against over the last month in particular. Take a look. There’s no. 10 impotently standing in the low slot while the opposition pumps the puck into the net. That’s Richards’ “best in the NHL” defense?! Unconvinced? Take a look at the last LAK vs DET game. Even worse ‘defense’ for the putative ‘NHL’s best.’
As for the other side of the “two-way” assertion: what is it now, 25 games since Richards scored a goal, and what, 2 or 3 assists through that span– nearly a quarter of a season with 2 or 3 assists to show for it supports the “NHL’s best” 2-way centerman opinion?
Be honest Mr Sutter, that was a careless blurt.
I sincerely hope Richards soon becomes at least an average NHL second line center. Right now he’s not that good, let alone the “best!”
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responsible D Reply:
March 14th, 2012 at 7:50 am
@wes,
Yeah Franzen had way too much space to himself on that one.
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The top offensive centers (like Getzlaf) seem to be always dangerous and constantly have you saying “holy sh*t!”. Richards and Kopi are good but just not at that level, but play a more all-around game. Good to see Stoll display some grit the last stretch of games…for a while there I though Lotki was out-playing him.
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