Darryl Sutter surprised the assembled media when, after a brief update on Jeff Carter’s status, he announced that Brad Richardson underwent an appendectomy last night. Richardson will not accompany the team to Vancouver, and it’s not known how long he will be out of the lineup.
SUTTER: “He’s had (symptoms) the last couple days. We thought maybe it was stomach-muscle related, but he had an ultrasound yesterday afternoon. We told him, `You better get checked, because we’re traveling.’ I know how he feels. I had that four or five years ago [in 2004]. I was in the Saddledome and I had it. There’s nothing you can do about that. It’s better to have it out than have it rupture. It’s not about hockey. With the procedures they have now, you’re resuming activity within a couple days. We won’t have him for a while. … When I had it, you were allowed to resume activity, as long as you feel all right, in three or four or five days. Then it’s basically up to you. They used to take the ax and cut you open. Now, you wouldn’t even know they did it.’’
As for Carter, Sutter said, “He’s better today than he was yesterday.’’ Sutter once again stopped short of saying Carter would play, but there’s little doubt that the Kings are planning on having Carter in the lineup., after Carter made it through a full-team practice for the second consecutive day.
CARTER: “It felt better today. I think it takes a little bit to warm up, but once I get going, it’s been feeling pretty good.’’
Question: Is there anything, in particular, that causes you difficulty on the ice?
CARTER: “The first couple strides are a little sore, but once I get moving I’m all right.’’
Question: Do you feel like you have to sell Darryl on getting back into the lineup?
CARTER: “It doesn’t seem like it. … I feel like I’m getting better and I feel like I can contribute.’’
Loktionov will meet the team in Vancouver. His addition is notable in one way. After the trade deadline, the Kings can only made four call-ups from the AHL. They had already used two of them, as (on paper) they technically sent Dwight King and Jordan Nolan to the AHL, then immediately recalled them (in order to make them eligible for the AHL playoffs). Loktionov is the third roster move.
SUTTER: “He’s a good little player. He’s similar to Brad, except he can play center if we need him. Brad is a better winger.’’
Tomorrow’s Headlines – “Appendectomy Saves Penner!”
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@DesertKing, Not that I wish injury on anyone, too bad it wasn’t Penner who had the Appendectomy. Oh well we are stuck with him for hopefully 16 more wins. Hopefully Penner shows more in these Playoffs then last year.
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Donald_S Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
@Jeff_R,
With all due respect, that’s a comment you might want to rethink.
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Sam Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
@Donald_S, Agreed. As bad as Penner has played in the past, have you guys not noticed his significant improvement in the last month or two? You can actually notice him during the game, holding and protecting the puck, allowing others to get open and building momentum/wearing out the defense.
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
@Donald_S,
Thank you.
Helvetica Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@Donald_S, Not for nothing, but you guys do realize you’re talking about Penner’s game in terms of his ability to better protect the puck and being “noticed” on the ice… not necessarily in terms of scoring goals and making great passes. I do think he’s improved, but he’s fallen pretty far from grace.
letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@Sam, I did see him improve for 2-3 games.. then the last 5-6 games he went stagnant again… didn’t see him contribute much to the SJ games… i’ve been pulling for him all season. it’s just getting hard. Still positive about the playoffs GKG!!
tkecanuck341 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@Sam, Nope, he still sucks.
tkecanuck341 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
@Sam, You are actually Dustin Penner posting as “Sam,” aren’t you?
Duckbasher Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
@Donald_S,
Penner, Penner, Penner… you have no idea how much I hope you have success in these playoffs. And I agree @Donald_S that he’s been more present on the ice the past couple of months. To me… he seems to have a good game and then an off game. Even after 82 games in the books he still skates like he has a boat anchor tied to him and always seems like he’s out of breath (even on a short shift). Maybe asking him to get in condition and be an athlete wasn’t in his or our best interest. Maybe we’d have been better off to have him weigh about 40 lbs more and just plant him out in front of the net (like a pile-on). It got him 30 goals last season didn’t it?
mash-ola Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
@Jeff_R, thumbs down, dude… Wishing something bad on someone is just plain bad karma…
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@mash-ola, People take things so seriously on here. Jeez!!!
josh Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
@Jeff_R, I feel you Jeff. Don’t worry about saying that, he’s been a pain in the behind for all of us Kings fans since he came here.
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Kingsblack Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
@DesertKing,
I’d say the fact Penner’s wife left him might have had some things to do with why he’s been so so with the Kings.
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Ian Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@Kingsblack, He hasn’t been so so. He’s been terrible. And what kind of man is he if you can’t use something like that as motivation?
He needs to be one of the main reasons we beat the Canucks to even begin to clear his name with Kings fans.
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Mark Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@Ian, He’s sad that he doesn’t have someone to make him pancakes in the morning.
rt16 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@Ian, get off the guy and worry about winning a damn hockey game . . . he cant and wont make or break the team for god’s sake. find another topic geez>>>
George Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
@Kingsblack, If penners wife was my wife I would be sad as well and couldn’t perform at work either….Have u seen her?? she is smoooookinn HOT!!!
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Geez, Sutter sounds like a MD when he’s talking about that
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DesertKing Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
@John,
Or an axe murderer.
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jess Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@DesertKing, No that’s clifford’s title
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I vote for a Gange buy out at the end of the year.
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
@alex11, If Gagne is healthy next season and our improved offensive play with Carter and anybody we bring in via trade/ufa in the off season, we will be stacked. It was a risk signing Gagne. Hopefully he will play next season, but if he doesn’t then I wish him a great life after hockey. Life is more important then sport.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@Jeff_R, Well said.
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Forum67 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
@alex11,
We took two concussion gambles with Mitchell and Gagne. We clearly won with Mitchell and we’ve at least partially lost, to date, with Gagne. We clearly lost with Penner. We seem to have won with Carter. The jury is still out on Richardson, particularly with his post concussion performance drop off and Simmonds (and to a lesser degree Schenn) performance in Philly. And we’ll have to wait to see if our seven million dollar defenseman is ever a Norris candidate. All in all it’s been a mixed bag for Lombardi in the wheeling and dealing department.
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luuc Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@Forum67,
“And we’ll have to wait to see if our seven million dollar defenseman is ever a Norris candidate.”
…again
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@Forum67, Richards’ concussion…
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Duckbasher Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
@Forum67, Trading Simmonds and Schenn away (for whatever) is going to haunt him for years. Schenn is going to be a beast of a player if he stays healthy. And Simmonds… he’s exactly what was missing from this team all season. A “real” hockey player who has finally grown into his body. Hits. Scores. Passes and FIGHTS for his team. Man… i miss that guy.
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LAPD Line Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
@Duckbasher, Simmonds’ last year with us was a step backwards from his previous season. Without having a crystal ball to see how all the moves were going to turn out, I really don’t have a problem with any of the moves Lombardi has made.
Action Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@alex11,
You can’t buy out injured players.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
@Action, Correct.
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Perro Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@alex11, Why buy him out. If he is injured we are allowed to go over the cap by his salary. If he is healthy he would be a welcome addition.
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Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@Perro,
LTIR would be the next logical step if he can’t continue on with his career. I suppose Gagne will be doing a lot of soul searching during the summer, and if he is on the roster after camp, he will be a healthy Gagne free of symptoms for the season (barring anymore serious hits during next season).
If he comes back, we are better, if not, the Kings are covered. They will have that money free to pursue another player if it comes down to it, and there’s a fair amount of talent becoming available that can be signed in Gagne’s place.
That being said, I hope he makes it back.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), I can’t say i remember the hit that put him out this year.. Can you?
tkecanuck341 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@alex11, They will trade him before they buy him out. He has some trade value, as he has point potential while he is healthy. There are several teams with cap space that are willing to take the risk for 3.5M, since they won’t have to give up anything good for him.
My guess is they will trade him at the draft for a 2nd-3rd round pick (considering we currently have none) and try and go for Parise. We already have Brown, Carter, and Williams as our other 3 wingers, none of which should be playing a 3rd line role. Gagne and Parise don’t fit on the 3rd line either. If we have a legitimate shot at picking up a top-six winger on July 1, my guess is that Gags gets traded.
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“they used to take the ax and cut you open”…
sutter probably brought his own ax to the doctor when he had his…
funny how things were harder back in da’ day, but much more complicated now…
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Elijah Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@variable, sutter probably brought his axe last night for richardson and when the dr said they didn’t need it he got confused and had the whole thing explained to him. i think the final explenation that got the point across to him was that they just ninja it out now.
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vplaza Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@variable,
Yet another quotable tidbit from DS this year….
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“they technically sent Dwight King and Jordan Nolan to the AHL”
Wow. Had no idea that had to happen to be eligible for the AHL playoffs. Seems pretty lame to me considering they were here. I guess that means Voynov is ‘technically’ NOT eligible for the AHL playoffs then…
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), Wouldn’t Voynov be available for the AHL playoffs as he was on the Monarch’s roster until after the trade deadline when he came up? Who knows. Might not matter any with Manchester clinging to a playoff spot.
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
@Jeff_R, Yeah, I think you’re right.
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@Jeff_R, But wait, that would make 4 callups! Right? I need to go back and research it I guess.
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), Not up on the complexities of the CBA. So not sure. Anyway I think Voynov will be too busy to play in the AHL playoffs
Stuart Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:19 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), paging @Token…
Davbot Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
@Jeff_R, When did they call him up, right after the trade? if that’s the case than it would have been before the deadline.
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There is no way to do an emergency call up? If they Kings have 2 players injured in the next couple of games they go through the playoffs shorthanded? There must be an exception for those kind of situations (I hope).
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“He’s a good little player” lol, no mincing of words with DS..
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Will Carter play?
The decision gets easier as we go.
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Wouldn’t it be funny [interesting]
If Lokti made it into the game…
And was our”X Factor”….
Not expecting it…But anything could happen
In the Play-Offs…
Thinking positively…
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Scot Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@SLIM,
Ax Factor
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Loktionov requires two big skillful wingers for him to be truly effective.. We do not have any (extra) wingers like that to make him a plus.. He does have skill, not saying he doesn’t but you all know as well as I do that he is very soft. Can’t throw a check of give one, can’t go in front of the net, not strong on his feet in the corners.. but he can make a play so with the right set of big strong wingers he’d be pretty effective.. OR to put it in Sutter’s words “he’s a nice little player”…..
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CrownJewels Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
@DRTBUG 22, I still think Lokti is too shy…on and off the ice…I dont know if its from being new to the country and language or what but he just seems really timid and shy on and off the ice….hopefully its just an adjustment thing and he will mature I wish him the best but for now I dont think hes ready.
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DRTBUG 22 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@CrownJewels, Always want our Boys to do their best and be their best… so I’m right there with you… He should come out of the shell (if that’s what it is) but soon… He reminds me of Andy McDonald when we was with the Duck’s (yuk that hurt). If he can get the girt that McDonald has, he will be good and that will be good for the KINGS…
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KC23 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@DRTBUG 22, It would be interesting to see King and Nolan play wing with Loktionov as center.
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Stuart Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@KC23, maybe that can be our 3rd line next year…
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Well i hope the Kings can do some good damage int he playoffs..
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I think we’re really going to miss Richardson’s energy / muck-raker style. It was starting to fit nicely, now we have a big hole to fill.
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fsd1 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@jess, Big Hole to fill? Carter fills it nicely, not sure BR would have gotten any playing time anyway.
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jess Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@fsd1, He fills it nicely when he’s healthy. May take him a game or two to get back up to snuff, short shifts and all, BR could’ve taken up the slack on that. How many games do you think we have?
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fsd1 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@jess, at least 16 more….
jess Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@fsd1,
Well we hope… That’s assuming we get the first few right, and it all starts with game 1 tomorrow night. I wonder it there’s a niche for westy this year? He wasn’t too bad last year post season.
If dl shorthanded the kings roster so nolan/king could be elegable for the minors plaoffs…iam upset.dl needs to explain his thinking……one or two injuries could be a diaster.
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Elijah Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@neil, your not understanding makes me do this, http://whatsnewhome.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-print/jackie-chan-meme-480.jpg
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neil Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
@Elijah, LOL!!!!!
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For the 14 teams who won’t make it to the Finals, today is the best day–when the series is 0-0, and we all think we can win the Cup. I want to savor this day!
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@Tony in Denver, LMAO
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Jeff_R Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@Tony in Denver, For 5 teams that didn’t make the playoffs, today has the potential of being a great day for them. Will the lottery be a big deal by the 5th seeded team moving up four spots, like Chicago did to get Kane. Or will it be anti climatic with Columbus winning? We will know soon.
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Richardson could miss 2 weeks. When I had mine I was off baseball for 10 days and I had problems running even then. (ex. I hit a ball that should have been a stand up triple to possibly an inside the park HR and I barely made it as a Double.)
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I thing the Kings are hoping lokti and voy will click. Like Nolan and king do at times.
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Can’t wait to hear what it was like at the dentist’s office back in the day.
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All the Kings need now is an apPENNERdectomy!!
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rt16 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@RyanSD, try something difffert man . . . leave penner alone to do what hes gonna do. sutter knows more about that and him than any of us. he’s not gonna make or break this team. give the guy a break and let him play . . . sutter will handle him.
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tkecanuck341 Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@RyanSD, sadly, I consider any shift that Penner has in which we don’t get scored on to be a successful shift. That’s where my expectations for him are at this point.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
@rt16, With all due respect to everyone’s opinion, to which they are certainly entitled, I’m kind of exhausted with all the Penner stuff too. He’s a square peg in the system we play, but to think all the Kings problems either start or end with him is a bit too unrealistic for me. I don’t think he’s lazy or that he doesn’t give a crap either like a lot of people post. If he was, Sutter wouldn’t tolerate it for a second. I’d love to see him really get it going in the playoffs, but his strengths aren’t used in the system we play and his weaknesses are glaring for the same reason. I still think he’s a good guy though and it seems his teammates do too and at least until next year he’s a King, so I’m rooting for him.
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Duckbasher Reply:
April 10th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I agree and I salute. Penner is a member of the LA KINGS. And who knows, maybe he’ll be our Chris Kontos this year. GO PENNER. GO KINGS GO!
Good evening, Mr. Loktionov. Table for one?
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