Trevor Lewis’ career with the Kings had quite a start. On draft day, 2006, Dean Lombardi wrote down Lewis’ name on a piece of paper, folded it and initialed it. At that point, he had a gentleman’s agreement with Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough. If the name on the paper — Lewis — was still available at No. 17, the Kings would make a trade to move into that spot. If Lewis had been picked, there was no trade. Well, Lewis stayed on the board, the trade went down and the Kings took him. The following six years have included some ups and downs for Lewis, but he now seems to be thriving in an unlikely role. My LAKings.com feature for this week takes a look at Lewis. Thanks for reading…
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Another emergence in the Sutter era. Lewis has shown great energy, speed and instincts.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Pili, Give TM some credit here…he was already emerging before Sutter arrived.
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Not fair to anyone knowing what we know now, but Claude Giroux was picked 22nd that same year.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@Sebastian, Phew! We got the best of that one!
# no prima donnas
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Deke'r Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@Duncanz, …hahahaha…yeah…would really hate having a 93pt player on the roster…
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
@Deke’r,
…. when he wasn’t getting himself suspended and causing his team to lose their chance st the Stanley Cup.
He’ll be better in the future, though.
Deke'r Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
@Duncanz, ….ok…..
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Michael J. Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
@Sebastian, And I passed up buying Microsoft stock in the 80′s.
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@Michael J.,
What were you supposed to do, sell your beeper company shares?
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@Kenny44, Would you like to ride my seesaw company?
DesertKing Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@Michael J.,
I was smarter. I bought Atari stock.
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goldielocks Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@Sebastian,
Did any of our scouts get fired because of their choice?
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@goldielocks, Nope, they have a pardon from Lombardi on a folded piece of paper.
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Jeff_R Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@goldielocks, That draft was mostly done by Al Murray as Dean was just hired and didn’t really have time to deal with the draft. After the draft Al Murray was fired and Dean brought in Futa and others. Not sure about the other scouts though.
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NOT IMPRESSED Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@Sebastian, Good point, Milan Lucic was also selected in the 2ND round that year.
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Another interesting note, the Kings traded Pavol Demitra (RIP) for the 17th overall pick and Partick O’Sullivan, who was later traded along with a 2nd round pick to acquire Justin Williams.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Sebastian,
Did you also know that the trade of Gretzky to St Louis lead (in)directly to Kings being able to draft Jonathan Quick?!
“It’s a fact. There’s proof.”
@Blarneystones posted link last night.
Simple math.
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iansez Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@Sebastian, Wasn’t or isn’t Patty cakes with Phoenix now?
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Sebastian Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
@iansez, he was with Phoenix for a bit but it looks like he was loaned to the Blues AHL affiliate earlier this season.
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Great article Rich. I have really liked Lewis for the past two years. He’s probably second best on the Kings, behind Kopi, at skating the puck out of the defensive zone when the team is in trouble. I love his tenacity and work ethic. I hope we have this kid around here for the next ten years.
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With all due respect to our blog overlord, the story fails to mention Lewis’ most impressive attribute: he always takes the hit to make the play, no matter the position he’s in.
What’s more, he never takes a retaliation penalty after he takes a hit, and he always pops right up to get back in the play, no matter how hard he just got blasted.
That kind of sacrifice, discipline and resilience is huge in the playoffs.
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Howe9 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
@Kenny44,
Also not mentioned was his ability to recognize the five hole opening (I forget the goalie) in a shoot out & let the shooters know, who scored & won us a very big game down the stretch.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@Howe9, That was Elliott, topically!
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Real 7 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@Howe9, I believe it was Pecca Rinne, and both Kopi and Richards went 5 hole…
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Real 7 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@Real 7, forget it!…it WAS Elliott
nice read, RICH…
i’m glad lewis has found himself and an identity on this team…he sounds much more involved in the future of the team, whereas before sutter took over, he was on the precipice of being an afterthought…
i think many of us on here were really skeptical about whether or not lewis would fit in here as a king this season…it probably had a lot to do with our belief that we drafted a 20-30 goal scorer back in 2006…although he might never get to those lofty totals one would expect a forward taken in the first round to produce, *as you indicated in yr article), he has excelled in being a quality forechecker and important member of any line he has played on…
sutter has done wonders empowering players once thought to be on the fringes of exclusion…that’s really something i thought he couldn’t do as a coach because it seemed during his earlier coaching days that sutter would rely heavily on his veterans…but that has been so far from the truth…by getting players like lewis, fraser, nolan and king motivated and prepared from the get go has proved to be more than just a complimentary part of the team – it has elevated the kings to a compete and confidence level we haven’t had for many years….
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SLIM Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@variable,
Well Put….Mr V….
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@sunny outlook,
You should write features too!
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variable Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@SLIM, @Duncanz,
thanks…:)
players, like lewis, now have clearly defined roles, something that was missing – at least, in translation towards producing results – during the earlier part of the season when murray was at the helm…
i’m just so impressed with how sutter has evolved as a coach and how he’s got this teams complete, undivided attention…he has been exactly what this team needed at exactly the right time…i thought what this team needed, sutter couldn’t provide…boy, was i wrong…(gladly)…:)
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puck73 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@variable, Like Lewis, you are evolving as well V !
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Huey lewis and the news….
“I want a new drug”….
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@SLIM, Heart and Soul
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SLIM Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@Duncanz,
“It’s Hip to be Square”….peg…
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@SLIM, Lewie’s some kind of wonderful ..
I can say this, the ’93 playoffs the Kings had was electrifying. Just the Leafs-Kings series in itself was the best I have seen in the last 30 years. This team has that electric feeling and mind you, are doing it without a player like Gretzky to lead the team. Dustin Brown has shown he can take the team on his back and say to them, “Follow me, lets do this boys”.
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mcdangles Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@mcdangles, in other words, all of the players have stepped it up, you can see the aggressive attack they have every shift
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Lewis was the victim of being drafted way too high. The expectations for him were too much. That’s an example of poor scouting and evaluation. I saw Lewis play several times before he was drafted and it was clear he was never going to be a top six forward. The scouts wanting to draft him that him are no longer with the Kings.
He’s quite effective in the role he now plays. He’s something of the Kings version of Kris Draper or Kirk Maltby. You need effective role players as well as the stars in order to win the Cup.
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puck73 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@Crown Royal, Concur.
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krash324 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
@Crown Royal, And who would thought Luc accomplished what he did and where was he drafted? Draft is a crap shot as the kids continue to develop or not… Real easy to play armchair quarterback.
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Crown Royal Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 9:38 pm
@krash324,
I predicted when I saw Lewis he would never be a top six forward. It was not after the fact.
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Really nice article from the High Commander.
“[Darryl Sutter] who tosses compliments around like sacks of concrete …. ”
Beautiful!
Interesting also to consider that everything Colin Fraser says regarding what Trevor Lewis brings to the team could equally be applied to him.
TWO unsung heroes!!
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TripleNickel Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@Duncanz, Good call.
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Another thing not mentioned about Trevor..
He’s the “Oliver Twist” of the Kings…
He can pick anyones pocket before they realize it..
Watching him do that is incredible..
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Stuart Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@SLIM, perfect! TL is the Ollie Twist of the team and @Duncz is the Ollie Twist of the blog…
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@Stickens, perfect!
(oi jaust nicked that awt awf yer pawse boy th’ woy, Mary!)
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Deke'r Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@SLIM, ….Ricky’s not bad as well….
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Thanks so much Rich, for the good reading you are so polite, wish my son was as nice. Great reading your article, enjoyed it, its great to find out about our boys and what they go through.
Again thanks for all you do for us fans in the blog world really do appericate it very much.
Go Kings Go!
Miss Bob and Jim
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@Gail Web,
But could Rich fill out that lucky hockey jersey so well … ?
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Gail Web Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:42 pm
@Duncanz, Yep he is tall so he sure could my son is still wearing the lucky jersey, and ding ding round three here we come.
Thanks
Go Kings Go!
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
@Gail Web,
Rich Hammond Nominated for 2012 Lloyd Braun Award!
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Michael J. Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
@Kenny44,
Awesome…
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“You can’t faulk anyone for how high they were picked in the draft>”
Sincerely,
Doug Wickenheiser
and
JaMarcus Russell
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variable Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@Michael J.,
marshall…?
kevin…?
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@variable, Peter?
(give or take a ‘u’)
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variable Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@Duncanz,
ahhhh…my favorite all-time falk…:)
I think of Trevor Lewis as “The Closer” after that fabulous play Rich described so well….my favorite playoff moment….so far
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Kings got to win this series..U win against Canucks,Blues…
If they lose to Coyotes i be soo pissed!!Which i believe Kings will be on top of this series……But I rather lose to the dam Sharks again than the Bandwagon Fans team…
Coyotes have nothing but bandwagon fans that doesn’t deserve a team at all.
Ugh this series going to be ugly for me…I dont know about u guys but it will be for sure for me
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Can you imagine a Caps / Yotes Cup final? Nothing but bandwagon, and put NBC Sports on suicide watch.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@Kenny44, lol tell me about it
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I really like watching Lewis play. The guy is always skating at maixmimu warp speed, giving 110%, sacrificing the body, doing all of the little things that every team needs done. PLays his role perfectly.
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Trevor Lewis is exactly the type of player you need in your bottom 6 in order to win a Stanley Cup. he is the kid of guy who goes completely unnoticed until he makes a play like he did against Hamhuis or scores the overtime winner in game 6 of the Finals. SO glad he has earned Sutter’s trust and he will play a keep role in the Phoenix series as his speed will help counter the speed of the Yotes.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@Serenity Now,
Could he be 2012′s Gary Shuchuck, maybe?
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Osaka Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@Duncanz, Much better than Shu, More of a Mike Peca type player.
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 11:30 pm
@Osaka, But in a choir boy, no extracurricular kind of way
If he was sharp enough he should have noticed Lokti on his own in the corner for 20 minutes!
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DesertKing Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@Duncanz,
Lokti who?
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@DesertKing,
Shhh, he’s coming over, just pretend we didn’t see him …. oh, hey Lokti!
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
@Duncanz, LMAO
Kenny44 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@Doenitz, Lewis noticed him, but it wasn’t Trevor’s place to speak before Rick. Plus, Trevor wanted to enjoy a few pieces of sushi before inviting that little thief to their table.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
@Kingy48,
If that was Borscht on their plates he would’ve been over faster than an ice pick in Mexico!
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Michael J. Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@Duncanz,
Doughty gets paid the big bucks, he should have noticed him.
i also thought it funny that DD & MR left Lewie to pay for the ice cream.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@Michael J., Those guys are such Dairy Queens.
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Trevor Lewis brings back memories of RW Brad Jones,who played for LA in 90-91, and parts of several other years with a couple different teams, and of LW Phil Sykes, who played longer and scored 20 for the Kings in 85-86. Blazing speed (Sykes wasn’t blazing but better than average), not enough of a scorer to be in the top 6, good defensive skill with grit, but not enough size to warrant a real position on the 3/4 lines. His career went the way Lewie’s could have, had DS not been attuned to this type of player. If you take the time to isolate on players like this and watch what they do away from the puck as well, it’s like a hockey lesson every shift. Things happen when they’re on the ice, and what better use for non-top-6 forwards? For me, these players are extremely fun to watch, and what the game is really about. They’re polar opposites of guys like O’Sullivan and Cammalleri.
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Lewis and the rest of the ‘Other 6′ forwards are going to play a huge role in dimissing the Coyotes. Bank on it.
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I won’t forget the OT goal neither, I saw Strolly scored, and jumped in front of my big screen, then my 8 yrs old son stood on a sofa, and jumped on me (like Kopi jumped on captain Brown), and we celebrated together… priceless.
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My boy LOOUUUU!
“If you’re not a hardcore fan of hockey, you don’t even really know what he does bring….”~ Colin Fraser
Goldie….
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goldielocks Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@Osaka
You stil don’t get what I was saying about Lewis, do you? I was hard on him because he was trying to be Giroux at the time. Now he seems to understand his role well and playing well, as to finishing the check, recovering the puck, suppotive for his line mates, and I’m perfectly fine with that. I’m pretty sure Sutter addressed what he needs to do for this team. That is not to be Giroux.
You questioned my knowledoge of hockey the other day, and since then I lost my respect toward you. I don’t read your comments anymore. You seem having so much fan with poking people around here, and that’s your thing so have fan by all means. You have all rights to post your thoughts here so does everyone else. We respect everyone’s opinion here whether we agree or not. So make peace with it.
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Osaka Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
@goldielocks, You read this one.
“… the way he did over the last couple months of the regular season, and the way he’s playing right now…”~ Hammond. Your comments were made during the Vancouver series 1-2 weeks ago. You also said he was a career minor leaguer at best….. Need we go on. I was just pointing out a quote from Fraser, if it stung get upset with Colin. I think everyone on the blog needs to hold each other accountable for what they say. Sorry you don’t like that. When you make strong statements you have to expect a strong response. As it turns out everything I told you was correct, don’t hate.
I am not looking for respect. Only thought provoking, enlightening, or challenging Kings hockey discussion. I want no part of yes men and back patting.
I am always at peace.
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goldielocks Reply:
May 10th, 2012 at 10:58 am
@Osaka,
I understand your passion and your take on Lewis. My point is also comes from the very person, Fraser. This is what he said on the interview with NHL Network.
“Our top guys score lots of goals but our roles are not for that. King and Nolan scored the goals and Stolly got a big one for us. It is OK to chip in from time to time if there’s a chance to do it. But our role is providing energy and keeping the puck in the O-zone as long as possible.”
Now when I see those role playes do something other than chip in and try to do something for themselves, that’s when I get upset. You can say all good things about Lewis and Richardson but considering their positions, sometimes they are trying to do something other than their roles because of new comers like Nolan and King. What would happen if Cliffy and Gagne are ready to play? Who would be bumped? I’m not saying it would be either Lewis and Richardson but they might be concerned since Nolan and King are doing so good so far. Lewis and Richardson, both guys are doing really well right now. There’s no arguing about that. So you don’t want to change anything while it’s working right?
What I said about Lewis’s AHL level at his best is a statement for his scoring skill. I should have said his scoring skill specifically. I understand as a young player, he wants to impress his team mate, coach, and management but he just doesn’t have it at the moment. So if he keep playing like he is right now, I have no problem whatsoever. But there were moments both Lewis and Richardson playing for themselves and trying to be a goal scorers. That has been changed since the playoffs started. So I’m suspecting that something has been addressed by the coach, clarifying their role and jobs.
Lewis and Richardsons’ contribution to the team is enormous right now but that is because they are playing their role and executing what they do best on the ice, not to be the player they are not (Giroux). So let’s hope they’ll do well in the next series and beyond and truly be a big part of this team.