Simon Gagne, out of the lineup since he suffered a concussion on Dec. 26, continues to do conditioning skating but has yet to participate in a practice and isn’t expected to accompany the team on its upcoming four-game road trip. Gagne continues to be evaluated by doctors on a weekly basis, but unless he’s cleared for practice very, very soon, his chances of playing again this season are not high. Asked today if it was plausible that Gagne would play again this season, general manager Dean Lombardi responded, “Doubt it.”
Of course, a concussion is the least predictable of all injuries. It carries no timetable, and it’s certainly possible that Gagne could be cleared and return. But given that he’s been out of action for almost three months, he would certainly not be able to step right back into the lineup, and it’s questionable as to whether any team would put a player, coming off a concussion, back into the lineup in the playoffs.
Good luck gags! From a father more than a fan.
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KINGCANADA87 Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@Lake Forest, Good luck gags! From a fan more than anything else in the world.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@Lake Forest, Ditto.
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some would slot him in on the playoff roster if he was cleared on April 9th… IMO he needs to shut it down this year and plan for next year…
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Shuchuk Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@Stuart, I’d take it further: consider it a career. look at Savard in Boston, NOBODY wants that to happen. I’d follow the doctors/family’s rec on this one. Nothing to be ashamed of if he can’t lace them up again.
Obviously I’d love to have a healthy Gagne on the team….
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dahack11 Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@Shuchuk, I think his CAREER, is, AND SHOULD BE….over. I’m not being mean….I think he needs to consider the rest of his life. Sports &/or hockey is not that important in the big scheme of things.
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JD Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@dahack11, Are you a doctor? Have you examined him? If not, your just somebody with a computer
DesertKing Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@Stuart,
Totally agree. The Kings are rolling now, we really don’t need him (not trying to be mean), and themore time he gives theinjury the more likely he is tomake a complete recovery. Plan for next year and if he isn’t improved, then time to retire and enjoy the family.
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JQ is better than you Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@DesertKing, Speaking from experience with multiple concussions in my 26 yeats of life, there is no completely recovering from multiple concussions. As much as we would all love to have him on the ice, be it this year or next, gags please think of your wife and kids before making a decision. They matter more than any of us do! Just look at (as much as I hate him) pronger’s situation, savard’s situation, etc. Etc. Besides, there will hopefully be a coaching spot open next year after Sutter (crossing fingers) fires kompon!
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rogiesbackup Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@Stuart, Yes, wait till next season. Shut this concussion down once and for all if that is possible.
Didn’t Justin Williams had this issue not as bad going into the Kings? He appears to be so robust now on the ice.
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“…and it’s questionable as to whether any team would put a player, coming off a concussion, back into the lineup in the playoffs.”
Yeah, just ask Eric Lindros how well that worked out for him.
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Perro Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@luuc, Or Ian Lap……not sure how to spell
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Off topic but..
Eddie Olczyk just said on NHL Live..”I think the LA Kings have become the most dangerous team in the playoffs if they can get in”.
So awesom to hear that kind of validation about the Kings. And so awesome to see this happening as a fan!
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pr0cess Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@Lead Feet, Everyone loves a winner
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Deke'r Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@pr0cess, ….aint that the truth…
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MichaeL_DD8 Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@Lead Feet,
Eddie O is one of the best! He has said amazing things about LA coming into the season
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PRMan Reply:
March 24th, 2012 at 9:43 am
@MichaeL_DD8, Don’t forget, Eddie Olczyk was a King and it seems he left just a little bit of his heart here.
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luckyluc13 Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@Lead Feet,Also saw that,sure made me smile
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Lead Feet Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@luckyluc13,
Ya pretty coool.
I think he makes a good point though regarding being able to go toe to toe scoring goals with some of the other western conf teams, ie Van Det. But they are so good defensively that they may be able to shut down those teams offense.
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Shuchuk Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@Lead Feet, keep in mind they have to fill 24 hrs of content on the NHL Network…flavor of the week or genuine praise for a hot team?
FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Shuchuk,
Yep. If you go back 8 weeks, you could fill in the Sharks. 6 weeks ago it was the Yotes. 2 weeks ago it was the Stars.
The only praise I’ll take at face value will be the praise a team gives after the Kings eliminate them…
rogiesbackup Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@Lead Feet, Actually, I heard it from many analyst including E.J. Radek and Bill Pidto. Love these guys, SO New York!!! LOL
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That sucks for Gagne. You feel so bad for a player with a concussion!! That’s gotta be so frustrating!!
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If he is cleared I would totally put him in. Not in a first or second line role but as a depth guy. Myabe just powerplay specialist. During playoffs benches shorten and there are alot less minutes given to the fourth line. So it’s not liek he would be taking the spot of a key cog.
Bets of luck getting healthy. I 100% believe if Gange was healthy he would be our leading goal scorer (goals not total points).
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DEH Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@Perro, if Gagne comes back it should make for a very scary third line!
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rest for next year Gagne. right now the team is showing chemistry on all lines, if he comes back were do we put him? IMO next year the lines will look scary;
Brown/Gagne Kopi Williams
King/Gagne Richards Carter
Gagne/Toffoli Lokti/Stoll Lewis/Brown/Toffoli
Clifford Cliche Nolan
I don’t know were to put Gagne, but assuming we lose Penner and Toffoli is NHL ready we should have 3 scoring lines and an energy line that has scoring potential. Rolling 4 deep!!
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Lead Feet Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@DEH, As a Kings fan I have come to hate the phrase: “next year”.
But “next year” has the potential to be epic.
The great thing about it though is, this year, right now, may be epic as well!!!
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DEH Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@Lead Feet, IMO we shouldn’t touch this year’s lines as is. We finally have chemistry and that’s what’s carrying the team. Don’t change the line up this season unless you have to. During the offseason would be a perfect time to experiment with lines and rebuild chemistry.
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hip-check Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:16 pm
@Lead Feet, I want Parise in there
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rednats7 Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:37 pm
@hip-check, If they can afford him….I’d rather pay JQuick
rednats7 Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:37 pm
@hip-check, If they can afford him….I’d rather pay JQuick
That is truely a pity, for our season would have been much different with his participation.
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old man Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@Kissmyblarneystones, Not under TM,imo.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Kissmyblarneystones, ‘truly’
Your ‘It’!
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As stated awhile ago …stick a fork in him. Sorry Gags, we need you too.
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“…it’s questionable as to whether any team would put a player, coming off a concussion, back into the lineup in the playoffs…” Pittsburgh would…just saying…
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Sam Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@BobsYourUncle, In all fairness, there was a lot more going on with Crosby than a concussion.
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I’d like to see Gagne put on that new fancy helmet King Willy and Westy wear.
Seems to be working for the big boys.
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Oscar Moller's Beard Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@Token, Actually King doesn’t wear the same helmet as Westy and Willy. Westgarth and Mitchell wear the M11 while King wears the Reebok 8k.
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BigMikeonD Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard, Most of the newer helmets are better but they still don’t do much for the whiplash effect that causes most concussions. Not sure what helmet Gagne wears but I’m sure it’s not one of the newer ones. It can’t hurt. That M11 is supposed to be the best. Players are very superstitious and don’t change equipment all that much. Look at Smyth and the old school CCM.
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Token Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 8:26 pm
@Oscar Moller’s Beard, That was “King Willy” as in Willy Mitchell. Not Dwight King and Willy Mitchell.
The M11 or whatever it’s called is worn by a bunch of NHL players; two Kings players.
Would love to see the stats after a season of use by all the customers.
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Given the history with Gagne, 6, maybe 7, concussions it may be time for the guy to retire. This is by far the longest stint he’s missed and who knows what happens the next time. How long did Deadmarsh say it took for him to feel “right”? I could swear it was many, many months. That’s not a tenable future for anyone.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@Sam,
He still doesn’t. He’s an assistant coach in Colorado and watches the games from a room in isolation because being on the bench is too much action to handle. Its really sad.
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SLG1013 Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 5:20 pm
@FKA PakiFro, I believe he was behind the bench last night in Phoenix…
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Stuart Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@Sam, Deader still gets a little dizzy after his 3rd animal-style 4×4… he’s not 100% yet either!
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King4Life Reply:
March 24th, 2012 at 1:44 am
@Sam, well for deadmarsh, he got hit and his head went right into the boards. During his “recovery” he couldnt even skate at all. For Gags, atleast he is showing signs of improvement and is actually skating. So that is a good sign.
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Off topic” Chicago’s Kieth just got a huge 5 game suspension. Wow, that’s got to hurt.
I doubt we’ll see Gagne … unless one of our top 3 LW goes down … then things might change. All this is considering the doctors have cleared him of course.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@KC23,
Good.
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St Loius just got Steen out from concussion and on active list. The news article said he was in Los Angeles for treatment in hyperbaric chamber for concussion symptoms. Why doesnt GAGNE try it?
http://www.amronintl.com/blog/alex-steen-hbot/
St. Louis Blues’ hockey player Alex Steen has missed 26 consecutive games because of a concussion he received in late December. According to this article we found on Yahoo! Sports, he’ll be starting Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in California in hopes that it will speed up his recovery.
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I think he should start thinking about a commentator position at this point in his career.
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Of course, if they just had just recovered from invasive hip surgery, we put them right back into the lineup mid-series.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Steve,
Then criticize him for not living up to the already unreal expectations?
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….just as soon have Gags ready for next season, if he’s 100%….no need to risk his future well being this year….hang in there big guy…..
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Just say we have the same personnel: Give me an imaginary line – up with Gags on the roster.
My “EA Sports” lineup.
Gags-Kopi-Williams
Brown-Richards-Carter
King-Penner-Nolan(Tree-Line)
Clifford-Stoll-Lewis
Scuds/doughty
Mitchy/Voynov
Martinez/Greene
PP1
Gagne-Kopi-Carter
Doughty/Mitchy
PP2
Brown-Richy-Williams
Scuds/Voynov
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teki Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:05 pm
@rogiesbackup, why is scuderi on the PP!!!!
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scootty Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 6:34 pm
@rogiesbackup, Please keep that lineup for EA Sports. Penner at center? Really?? Scuderi on the power play??
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rogiesbackup Reply:
March 24th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@scootty, Sure!! Why not???!! Big body to screen goalies.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 23rd, 2012 at 11:41 pm
@rogiesbackup, The mighty Tree Line – awesome.
Of course they’re all the right height.
I’ll vote for that …
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rogiesbackup Reply:
March 24th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@rogiesbackup, Well who are you gonna put???!!! Greener!!??? Best he does is a WRIST shot from the point!!
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