Any hockey fan, anywhere, should be able to appreciate the coaching career of Phoenix’s Dave Tippett. Tippett won the Jack Adams Award two years ago, and I think it’s a crime that he wasn’t one of the three finalists this year. A Kings assistant coach from 1999-2002, he then got hired as head coach in Dallas and promptly led the Stars to a division title. After six seasons and five playoff appearances, including one trip to the Western Conference Finals, Tippett was inexplicably fired in Dallas and remained unemployed for all of 105 days. Phoenix hired him shortly before the start of the 2009-10 season. A Phoenix team that had not totaled more than 83 points in its previous six seasons has now totaled 107, 99 and 97 points, respectively, in three seasons with Tippett.
Moreover, Tippett has coached the Coyotes through a period of ridiculous front-office confusion. The league has been running the Coyotes during Tippett’s tenure, and doubts about ownership and the long-term viability in the market have led to tiny crowds at many home games throughout the last couple years. Through all that, and some notable year-to-year roster turnover, Tippett has thrived. Darryl Sutter said Tippett’s ability has transcended any off-the-ice concerns.
SUTTER: “I don’t think the ownership, or the uncertain situation, has anything to do with coaching. I think when you’re a top coach and you’re an experienced coach, and you have a really strong veteran group, I think you’re able to manage through that. Dave has certainly been able to do that. He’s been a solid coach in the league for a long time, and that’s the biggest reason why, is that outside activities or outside distractions don’t have much impact on veteran coaches.”
It’s also easy to not have outside distractions when you coach in Phoenix.
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CosmicQueso Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@LAKingsDave, I get you’re trying to make a lame attempt at cracking on the fan base in Phoenix, but there are actually more distractions there beyond the ownership issues. In Vancouver in December, for example, the players will focus on hockey because what else are they going to do. In Phoenix in December? How easy would it be for players to drift off, play golf, get hammered in Scottsdale, whatever? Hell, for years the Coyotes had to deal with players who saw going there as a vacation.
The Kings have had their share of that as well. (JR, anyone?)
Anyways, let’s be civil and leave cracking on Phoenix fans out of it. Beat their team, yeah. But it wasn’t too long ago when the Kings were playing in front of a half empty Staples Center. (2008-09 I’m looking at you).
LA can’t crack on any city for fair weather fans.
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CL Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@CosmicQueso, Good call. Several Predator players managed to find distractions…
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SLIM Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
@CosmicQueso,
Great point..Leave their fans out of it…
It doesn’t matter about their fans [or lack of them]..
We have to beat the TEAM…period..
Stay classy Kings fans!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
@SLIM, Including about NBC?
I was in New York in January and met Dave Tippet. The day I was leaving the Yotes were playing the Rangers and they were staying at the same hotel I was, The Westin Times Square. He was very nice and I told him I was a Kings fan and wished him luck the rest of the year. Who would have ever thought even a couple months ago that the Kings and Coyotes would be playing for a chance at Lord Stanley’s Cup. Sorry Coach Tippet, I take that back, I don’t wish you luck!
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DesertKing Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@Kopi Bryant,
Sgt. Bailey, remove this “thing” from our presence and apply the appropriate punishment, the ultimate punishment for traitors (gasp from the crowd), yes, you will make him watch, AND LISTEN, to Hayturd call the Cup clinching win for the Sucks 1,000,000 times. I expect to see blood running from his eyes and ears before the punishment is completed. So let it be written, so let it be done.
(Actually, before we got DS, I opining that we should go after Tippett if Phoenix didn’t re-sign him)
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@DesertKing, That would of been my choice also
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@DesertKing,
If DS ever left for any reason, I would love to see DT on the podium backstage at Staples in a Kings jersey with a big smile and DL’s arm around his shoulder.
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puck73 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@Kopi Bryant, Good to see you on the blog again, been awhile.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@puck73, Hey Puck, hope you’re doing good, I post occasionally, I mostly like to read.
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Yeah.Great guy..great coach. To bad he isn’t going to get to the Stanley Cup finals this year.
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Great guy. Let’s beat his team.
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Hope he’s not a sore loser, BECAUSE I AM!!!!!!!!!!!!
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In 3 years and 6 days, Dave Tippett will be the same age as Darryl Sutter.
Of course, by then DS will 3 years and 6 says older again!
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SLIM Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@Duncanz,
Pretzel logic….
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Jeff_R Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@Duncanz, In 3 years and 6 days maybe Tippett will finally be what most people around here want, Kings coach.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@Tweet_R Oooohhhh, not satisfied, eh?
@SVELTEY, Aja view
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Jeff_R Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@Duncanz, I never said I wanted Tippett as coach. Just a lot of other people on here did.
I think its a crime DS wasn’t mentioned for the Addams………….MHO
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Jeff_R Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@TiredOfIt, He got hired too late. Hitchcock was hired a month before. Plus the Kings didn’t really take off until the trade deadline.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@Stuey,
Now THERE’s yer Ollie Twist, ya’ hossa!
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Real 7 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@Duncanz, you need an avatar….something to easily ID your posts, as they are some of the best on here….don’t be coy, roy….
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@Real 7, Lol, that’s what the ‘z’ is for ….. er, bergfors..
Wow, there are some GREAT matchups in this series… Of course I would love the Kings to take it and move on, but here are a few items that will make this series one to watch:
- Sutter vs Tippett: Two great coaches who both have their teams playing their best at the right time.
- Quick vs Smith: Arguably the two best goalies right now. Lundquvist and Brodeur are also formidable, but I think the former are playing at a slightly higher level than Hank and Marty.
- Brown vs Doan: If Doan were a King, he’s be praised rather than hated. Ditto Dusty if he were a Coyote. Both play the game hard, with respect, and are both true leaders on their teams. I do like Shane Doan, I just hope that the Kings can neutralize him.
- Jeff Carter/Justin Williams vs Radim Vrbata/Ray Whitney: These players have been somewhat quiet for their teams in the playoffs, and not as much of a force as they were during the regular season. They’ve been productive, just not as big of a factor as their teams will have hoped. Carter needs to sharpen up and getting that quick release off on Smith, and Williams needs to keep working hard for his breaks offensively. Vrbata, another Kings killer, has come back from an injury and has been quiet during the playoffs. He scores big goals against the Kings, though, and the Kings need to keep him off the scoresheet. Ray Whitney at 40 is still a fierce competitor and can be very dangerous if not kept in check. Although the Coyotes don’t have any superstars per se, they are maximizing what few scoring chances they get via committee… they are deceptively lethal when given chances.
- Kings Power Play vs Coyotes Penalty Kill: And vice-versa. Whomever wins the special teams matchup will most likely win this series.
They usually play each other very closely, and they play ugly, unspectacular hockey. It should be a doozy of a series…
GO KINGS GO!!!
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mash-ola Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@mash-ola, Oh… and forgot about Drew Doughty vs Oliver Eckman-Larson: Both are starting to show their full potential in these playoffs. Eckman-Larson is an amazing puck-rushing defenseman that often flies under the radar. Watch him skate. He’s impressive…
- Kings Defense vs Coyotes Defense: Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there will be an Alexander Edler or Kevin Shattenkirk defenseman who is prone to flubs on the Yote’s blueline. They are big, mobile, solid and veteran. From 1-6, they have a lot of experience and smarts. The Kings D has been been playing well, also. So turnovers in their own zones will be magnified in this series…
Ok… I can go back to sleep now… and y’all can wake up!
GO KINGS GO!!!
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Capt Jam Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@mash-ola,
I think this series is going to be a bit higher scoring than the majority of observers are anticipating. PHX’s defense has already given up three or more goals three times in these playoffs, while the Kings have just hit that number once. The PHX defense is more likely to break to be compromised over the course of the series at this point.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@mash-ola,
The NHL Dept of Player Safety would like you to call them.
They have a little portfolo of information for you.
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Kenny44 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Duncanz, And some of it’s on YouTube. Doan does not equal Brown. Doan takes full advantage of his character guy reputation and will dish out some nasty “uncharacteristic” hits. Doan will be waiting to catch Voynov in a vulnerable spot and ruin him (just ask Cam Fowler). I think he’ll also try to take MR out or have an accident with Quick. Doan seems to prey on unsuspecting youngsters and take shots at key players (e.g., Benn).
Who me? Nothing to see here.
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Stuart Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@Kenny44, I don’t see doans taking those runs in this series because he would get a game or more (for being a repeat)… But he does have that nasty streak that is vital for this time of year.
SLIM Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@Kenny44,
Rusty Klesla.[what a name]…
Ain’t no Mother Teresa..
Chippy, borderline dirty player, as well…
Brown put a nice check on him a while back..
Which made Doan and Brown dance…
Certainly wasn’t much of a fight..
Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@SVELTE,
“Doant open the Dustin Brown door again!”
@Stuey, no jokes on your sordid behalf, please …
Go Caps!
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On another topic, a Spanish team beat another Spanish team in the Europa League final, played in Romania’s capital city of Bucharest. Due to people being upset, I won’t give out the score.
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CosmicQueso Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@Steve W, Relevant. Thank you.
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Stuart Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@Steve W, How about the Nuggets?
I haven’t seen last nights game yet!!!
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Steve W Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@Stuart, let’s just say that Bynum is a great motivator…..for the Nuggets!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@Steve W, Go ahead. I didn’t record this one!
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Steve W Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@Duncanz, Athletico 3- Athletic-0.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
@Steve W, YOU DIDN’T!!!
@mash-ola et al, etc,
Why does everybody rank Keith Yandle so ridiculously highly??
Apart from playing a more conservative role lately, which seems to have reduced his offensive output, he is a turnover machine in his own zone, very reminiscent to me of his namesake (and mine, acsh’), Duncan Keith.
Of any weaknesses to exploit at the back, I hope this one has already been pinpointed by Kings scouting!
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Stuart Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@Cowofthez, did someone say back door weakness?
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Steve W Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@Duncanz, As Jim Fox once pointed out in a Kings Yotes game some years back ‘Yandle can’t handle”.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@Steve W, Good one!
Here’s one of mine …
“Keith needs a wreath!”
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Steve W Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
@Duncanz, On above post, sorry for the mix up, I should have given the Lakers, Nuggets score, not the footy one.Here it is, Nuggets win. Game 6 in the mile high city.
Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:44 pm
@Steve W,
Your the best town crier we’ve got … if you don’t count William Shatner, sometimes..
Dave Tippet……Katherine Tappin…
They would make a good couple..
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pr0cess Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@SLIM, Im going leave that one alone..
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Stuart Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@SLIM, father-daughter couple, right?
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@SLIM,
I wouldn’t tap that with ‘your’ tip!
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Steve W Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
@Duncanz, How about ‘Button… Tappen’?
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@Steve W,
Me & @pr0gresso are DEFINITELY gonna leave that alone!
OT: Funny story about Ray Whitney. His birthday today his teammates gave him a Walker with a Bow on it. How funny is that. Now the Kings just need to make sure that Whitney will need to use that present.
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Stuart Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@Jeff_R, oh boy, here come all the softies…
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OT, but this is pretty cool. “how the bleep did he see that?” you’ll know when you see it.
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blahblah Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@blahblah,
oops….
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=176979&cmpid=embed-share-video
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pr0cess Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@blahblah, Posted this yesterday but thanks for spreading the love again!
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blahblah Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@pr0cess,
haha. sorry about that, i must’ve missed it. i make sure to read all the articles, but it’s much more difficult to read all the comments.
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Lots of nice features on Kings going on on NHL Live these days.
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SLIM Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
@Duncanz,
Oh Yeah…You can say that again
And you will..
How bout…Chad Smith…RHCP…
Wings fan going for the Kings…
Anthony is a Kings fan..
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@SLIM, … a little Californication for the boys!
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Jeff_R Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@Duncanz, The only thing is now everybody is picking us to win, unlike the first 2 rounds where only a couple people did.
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Lake Forest Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
@Jeff_R, let’s not change a thing!!!!!
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Tippet was the best Asistant coach Kings have had.We had the best PP i the NHL back then. DS is our head coach and a very good one i would take over any at the moment. Larry Robinson has done a great job with NJs D,just to mention.
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
@rumpa#19, All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom
and a poom-poom – JUST SHAKE YA RUMP!
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Duncanz Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@rumpa#19, Real good point there.
If DT were to become available, Kings should convince him that LR is very happy in an AC role.
I would also like to see Jordy’s dad here … butcha can’t have everything, I guess ….
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I posted this on a much earlier thread , but notice that the Enterprise rent a car commercial shows a car with Kings car flags on it. It then mentions Vancouver, St. Louis and the Flyers, and shows a guy sporting a goofy Red Wings hat to boot.
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YoBro Reply:
May 9th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
@Steve W, Yeah, I’ve seen that. And did you notice the flags were of the shield logo?
Far superior to the current logo.
Go Kings
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