TREVOR LEWIS
This season: 72 games, 3 goals, 4 assists, minus-3 rating.
The good: When Darryl Sutter came aboard, no Kings player had his fortunes change more dramatically than Lewis. It seemed as though Terry Murray had grown increasingly frustrated with Lewis, a former first-round pick who had mostly been a square peg trying to fit into round holes. Lewis didn’t score much, and Murray often talked of wanting a grittier game from Lewis. It certainly came out under Sutter. Lewis became a third-line winger and, at his best, showed a pit-bull like tendency to fight for pucks. He created the turnover that led to Jarret Stoll’s series-clinching overtime goal against Vancouver.
The bad: Lewis found success as a defensive-stopper winger and a strong penalty-killer. That can be a tough way to make a living, not only because it’s a hard way to play but because there are often younger, cheaper players who can challenge for roles such as that. Lewis works hard, but doesn’t have the hands of a great finisher and has yet to show that he can score more than a handful of goals per season at the NHL level. In the long term, he runs the risk of losing his job to a player who can combine the tenacious defensive- and neutral-zone play with a better offensive game.
Going forward: Lewis performed exceedingly well in the playoffs — when, it should be noted, he did have three goals and six assists in 20 games — and it would be shocking if Lewis didn’t enter training camp holding down the same spot, as the right winger on Jarret Stoll’s line. Lewis brings the benefit of versatility, because he can play all three forward positions, and the Kings will always find a place for forwards who thrive on the penalty kill. Lewis’ challenge, going forward, will be to maintain his defensive play while he tries to develop more offense. He’s only 25, and can still improve.
It’s amazing to me how much each individual on the team seemed to come alive the second the puck dropped in Game 1 against Vancouver, which is what led to the Cup.
Based on what I saw from him in the playoffs, he certainly has the tenacity and the drive to get the job done in each zone he plays. For that, I think he deserves a B/B+ rating because he finished strong, even if he started off slow.
It’s the same thing with pretty much every other player on the team, with the exception of Quick who really didn’t seem to have too many bad days. Intriguingly, every player on the team that played in the playoffs improved so significantly and showcased their own tenacity that I’ll be interested to see if they can manage to keep the confidence going into next season, barring a lockout of course.
Does anyone think there will be a lockout?
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 10:50 am
@Robyn, Sadly, a lockout is more likely than not. Neither side ever learns. Expect the very same owners who are okaying these ridiculous contracts to cry and whine that they can’t do buissiness this way. Expect the players to think they can reasonably negotiate when the owners hold all the cards, i.e. the players want to play but if we lose an entire season the owners (and their puppet, Mr. Bettman) could care less. And expect all this predictable drama to unfold when once again both sides could have gotten this done long before now if they really wanted. Twice already and I promise you what both sides have learned from those experiences is…..absolutely nothing.
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Robyn Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:04 am
@HockeyNerd, Well neither side wants to give up “control” so to speak. Neither one wants to be the first one to break down and come out with a reasonable place to start negotiations. At this point I’m just hoping to avoid a full season lockout if it ends up coming down to a lockout. It would be a shame if it does because the playoff run was so magical for the NHL with an 8th seed taking the cup – which no one ever expected and now, we’re going to start off the next season with crappy, insulting lowball offers.
I think they’ll call it a Miracle of 12-13 if they manage to avoid a lockout.
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centericeman Reply:
July 16th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@HockeyNerd, Unions, in hockey and otherwise are the bane of our exsistance. They just hold hostage the people who can actually achieve enough to own an “enterprise” that cost so much money, yet provides no profit for the ownership what-so-ever in almost all cases.
90% of the teams in this league lose money!
Why is that?
Because the salaries in all pro-sports hockey included have gotten way out of wack.
I am 100% behind the owners getting back a little of the run away system that we deal with today.
Don’t get me wrong, I know the athletes are what we come to see, but I also think that they are WAY over compensated.
One final note, as much as I am on the side of the owners, they have only themselfs to blame!! They are at least partcially to blame. Bidding for guys like Kolvalcuk such as they did and him getting the kind of contract he did.
I am just EXREMELY happy that we didn’t end up with that contract. Look what is happening to New Jersey right now! They had to let Parise go due to the contract for Kolvalchuk. I would take Parise over Kovlachuk in a heart beat!!
But back to my point.
Count me in as sided with the owners!!
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Duncanz Reply:
July 16th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@centericeman, You seem conflicted.
Since you acknowledge the role of the owners in negotiating these out-of-control deals, surely it is they that are the bane of your existence.
After all, it is they, via their General Managers, not the NHLPA that bring about these contracts and then resent and blame one another for letting things get to this point.
Short-sightedness is better than blind faith, I suppose, but not much.
This way of looking at things simply does not hold water.
IN King (formerly AZ King) Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 10:52 am
@Robyn,
It’s a little early to say for sure, but just based off the preliminary reports it seems that the league and the players are miles apart from what they want. The biggest obstacle being that the the league reportedly wants the players percentage to go down to 46%, which is a significant drop from what it is now.
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neil Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 10:59 am
@IN King (formerly AZ King), the owners first offer is an insult to the players..I understand start low and work from there but really??? If Iam Fehr I would tell the owners to come back with so=mething that can be worked on…
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Robyn Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:05 am
@neil, I agree with you. I understand that the first offer has to be completely ridiculous and something the players would never go for, BUT that primary offer does seem a bit insulting.
IN King (formerly AZ King) Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:19 am
@neil,
I know, when I saw that report this morning I just shook my head.
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@neil, The only thing I see sticking on the owners proposal is moving the entry level contract to 5 years rather than 3. It doesn’t effect the majority of players currently in the NHL and when push come to shove, it’s always the new guys or the guys not even in the NHL yet that get hammered.
Robyn Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:01 am
@IN King (formerly AZ King), Yeah, when I read that they wanted an 11% haircut for the players, I raised my eyebrows and I got this feeling of impending doom.
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neil Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:10 am
@Robyn, Its actually 19%…..19% of 57 is 11….57-11=46…
Robyn Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@Robyn, Pardon, you’re right. I don’t do math well… I just saw the -11…
neil Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:31 am
@Robyn, give the players 50% and keep everything else the same and lets play!!!!
Robyn Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
@neil, That seems fair to me but I guess I’d be pretty upset if I made millions of dollars and my owner/management co wanted me to make less money just so they can make more.
I hope they get through this soon… It’s going to be a longer summer…
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:06 am
@IN King (formerly AZ King), Silly me. I thought I paid all this money as a fan to see Quick, Kopitar, Malkin and Crosby. But I guess they’re right, just because they bring people in the building why should they share in the profits from it?
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Robyn Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:14 am
@HockeyNerd, Just because they’re the ones actually going out there and doing the training and hard work and giving us fans great entertainment doesn’t mean these guys should share in the profit, of course not. Yes, now it’s clear where the owners are coming from. (Note the sarcasm…)
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
@HockeyNerd,
I don’t know how many people here read “The Player” blog on Puck Daddy but the guy made a great point…The players are the product AND the employee. Its so different than a regular labor negotiation.
I’m with you guys on this. I don’t pay to see a team AEG owns. I pay to see a team that has Quick and Doughty and Brown on the ice. Hell, I even paid to see a team that had Nagy, Thornton, and Modry on the ice.
Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Then again, nobody’s trying to deny the player’s right to a share of the profits. They already have one.
These benign and benevolent owners are just trying to level the playing field … errr ice surface is all.
As I sing to myself every morning in tbe shower;
Where would we be
Without A E G
We’d be down the shoots
If it weren’t for Anschutz
He’s made his mark
Has the great oilgarch
A hero to the fans is
This fella’ from Kansas
LA and my neighborhood will never be the same!
He fills a role, but is ultimately, interchangeable. Hands of Stone so there is no real offensive threat from him when he is on the ice. Top Ten penalty killer and very good forechecker. I gave him a C+.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:33 am
@Steve Jensen, Yet he scored 2 (that’s TWO!) goals in the cup clinching game. Pretty incredible for a guy with ‘hands of stone.’
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Michael J. Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Not to mention that nice wrap-around in Game 2 vs. Vancouver
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goldielocks Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Even Hands of Steel can score the garbage and empty netter. Not to mention it was King who made the great plays not him.
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GMB3 Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Yet he scored 3 (that’s THREE!) goals in 72 games lol expected more from a forward whos best asset is speed & quickness
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
@Steve Jensen,
He’s a a slightly younger version of Brad Richardson (who’s a beast at what he does). But, just like Richardson’s value diminished with Lewis’ emergence, the next guy with some speed and solid work ethic will do the same to Lewis.
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I went with a B which is what the majority did (at this very early vote counting stage). My voting for these is based on the answer to the question: did this player meet or exceed his expectations? Like so many of the Kings that has a totally different answer in the regular season than the playoffs. Lewis was not used well and did not fit in well under TM. In the playoffs he turned into the player he can be. Like Rich said above he is around primarily for his defense and penalty killing but a regular forward, even a 3rd line forward, is going to have to score an occasional goal (i.e. 3 in 20 games, not 3 in 80).
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Linking my vote to how well Lewis played based on his ability, I’d give him a B. Played awesome during the playoffs. I think Lewis, as well as several other players, did better with a coach who asked them what sort of player they were, then told them to play to those strengths. That play Lewis made to chase down the defenseman, steal the puck, setting up Stoll to score that last goal against Vancouver is one of my favorite plays of the year. Fantastic effort by Mr. Lewis.
Latest news on the CBA front doesn’t look good. Owners reportedly asking for major concessions.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:00 am
@vicarious, So….the same group of owners who signed not one but TWO players for 98 million and signed an injury prone goaltender to a ridiculous 15 year contract are asking for “major concessions” , i.e. they want to protect themselves from….themselves?
What a shock.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:02 am
@HockeyNerd, seems that way, totally ridiculious
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Robyn Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:11 am
@HockeyNerd, Yeah, I don’t get these owners. They’re the ones who (if not suggested, at least agreed) signed the plays to these $98-110 million 13/10 year contracts and now they’re saying they want all the players to take an 11% pay cut and a max 5 year contract.
Perhaps I’m lacking in understanding, but if the owners did not want such lengthy contracts, why agree to pay the players in the first place??
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Robyn Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:12 am
@Robyn, 19%* pay cut
vicarious Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:29 am
@HockeyNerd, The owners also reportedly want major concessions on the players’ free agent rights.
By accepting the draft and the incoming contract rights, the players give up their freedom to contract.
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vicarious Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@vicarious, Sorry, hit enter too soon. I’m not sure why the players should make further concessions on their rights because some very rich dudes paid too much for the privilege of owning a hockey team. Seems strange to me the owners were so aggressive with their first offer. Sounds like they want some pretty big cuts from the working boys–without whom the game doesn’t play. But that’s how things roll these days, I guess.
On a positive note, we won the cup and we’ll keep it longer and our players will have longer to rest if there is a lock out.
Steven H Brown Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@vicarious, Lewis played well during the playoffs, but his inability to get the puck up under the bar, limits his potential. He was a # 1 pick, something we don’t have next year, but I see him as one of the more easily replaced players on the team.
What are the owners thinking? Didn’t the players take a 25% cut across the board, just to get back on the ice less than a decade ago? Don’t we keep hearing from Betteman, that attendance breaks records every year. Aren’t local and national TV rights bringing in all time highs in revenue? Sure there is a problem in Phoenix, since apparently no deal is going to be good enough for the Goldwater institute, to allow hockey to stay in Glendale, which will leave the area with a big league sized arena, and no anchor tenant. You would think, the other 29 owners would learn a lesson, from this, and do what they can to make sure that training camps open on time, and that 30 teams play 82 games without compressing the schedule. Not raising a Stanley Cup banner October 12, 2012 at Staples Center will take some of the shine off of this seasons accomplishment.
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I dont think he is that easily replaced…Does his role outstanding….He must have some offensive skills or I dont think he would be a first round pick…He has shown his skills during the playoffs and on breakaways….DS (wont mention TM)getting Lewis to play like he did was a major reason for the King’s success!!!Only 25…Good player to have for the third and 4th line.and can also center…
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Michael J. Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:09 am
@neil,
Good points. I’m hoping for 10 goals from Trevor this year.
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Just read John Gambadoros twitter feed in which an Eastern Conference has reportedly offered Shane Doan 4 yrs at over 30 million. That is an asinine amount of money for the guy. Wow
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I really like this kid and hope he can pick up his offense this year.
I had him at a C+, then remembered it was he who spotted Lokti eating all by himself and upgraded him to a B.
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Belexes Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:16 am
@Michael J.,
haha, nice catch. I felt sorry for Lokti too.
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During Murrary’s time I think Lewis and all the 3rd and 4th lines did not know thier roles or what was expected. Some games getting less than 5 minutes of play.. Terry shorten the bench so often, the 3rd and 4th lines should have been healthy scratches. It took Sutter a few month to let those players he believed int them… Let’s see what a whole season under Sutter does.. That is if all the players don’t get an additional 4 or 5 days with THE CUP… Really Owners… After the Parise and Suter contract… Stop insulting the Fans and the Players!!!
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C+, I see potential, but he better do it this season. There is no TM excuse.
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Kings PK has been good all season and especially during the playoffs–Lewis is a PK regular so once again he is a BIG reason why the kings have the cup. Some of the intangibles that win you games are something you don’t see in the morning papers, his speed and tenacity, for example forces the opposition to make a decision with the puck RIGHT NOW which can lead to turnovers and bad plays.
“Hammer” also mentioned that TM was hoping he was more gritty, well that’s the problem I had with TM; he didn’t let let players be what they are and thus sat him out-a first rounder no lest!!
Can’t wait to see how Penner will perform this season. Despite his performance in the SCF Penner is STILL a variable due to his often lack of passion last season.
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Michael J. Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
@rogiesbackup,
Funny how someone with “hands of stone” was such a huge part of the cup-winning team. Lewis has been a pretty key part of this team since becoming a lineup regular midway through toe 2010-2011 season.
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JD Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
@Michael J., He was a huge part of the playoff run, and had a great offensive night in the clinching game, but his hands are below average for a NHL player.
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B for Lewis but the main thing he needs to improve is his scoring touch and he did improve in the playoffs. i think he’s really going to thrive under Sutter.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@Dave, Well somtimes players/people realize they have a hidden talent or they’re multi talented and one or the other is the one the team needs. Lucky Lewis fits this category or he will not be in the line-up.
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I think Trevor Lewis has the potential to be a similar player to long time Redwing Kirk Maltby, who played for years on Detroit’s 3rd line for years. In fact I wouldn’t mind seeing a future Kings 3rd line of Stoll, Lewis and Clifford, which I think would be very similar to the Draper, Maltby, McCarty line the Redwings used as their 3rd line for a few Stanley Cups.
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It’s starting… JB rumors…
I think we should get CBJ 1st & keep kings 1st w/ CBJ
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/14/report-columbus-is-asking-about-jonathan-bernier-after-all/
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rogiesbackup Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@Sammuch, What can we do with a first?? There are so many talent in the wings waiting for their chance to crack the line-up. Also, we’ll need a goalie who KNOWS he will be sitting on his arse 90% of the season behind Quick, and is this goalie just as good in case Quickie gets injured or for some reason Quickie doesn’t perform? I’d rather have good “insurance” then a bad one.
We all agree Quickie is #1 but we are LUCKY to have the LUXURY of having “good insurance,” for that “just-in-case” scenerio.
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KC23 Reply:
July 17th, 2012 at 6:17 am
@Sammuch, The Kings are going to have to start moving young talent that can’t crack the line up for draft picks imho.
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off the subject.just saw penner at the espys with his tooth still missing. i know he took a pay cut but……do we need to start a collection so he looks presentable….
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tory17 Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@mikie ja,
Yeah no kidding,i thought he was getting that tooth fixed at seasons end.
step it up penner,it does’nt look cool
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rogiesbackup Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 2:51 pm
@mikie ja, Penner knows “character,” his toothless self is part of his “image.” I actually like it as the quintessential hockey player “nut.”
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Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@mikie ja,
Outrageous behavior.
It’s almost like he’s proud to show that he’s a hockey player or somethin’.
I just call it good ol’ showin’ off!
Thams thar gums are gonna have ta get a good ol’ fashioned makin’ over if I’m a-gonna be givin’ Penner a any betta’ mark in this cott’n pickin’ lil’ poll here.
‘E’ fer “effertless” !
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I know the lack of finishing skill from such a high draft pick is frustrating. But I have to say that Lewis is one of my favorite players to watch. Talk about maximum effort – that’s Lew-Dog (hat tip, Hammer). He is so disruptive on the forecheck. Carrying the puck around Lewis is like trying to dig your keys out of your pocket while a medium size dog is jumping up on you.
I have never seen a player with his build that takes so many big hits and is so utterly indestructible. You can fold, mutilate and spindle Lewis and he just bounces up like nothing happened and is back at full speed.
His vision and hockey sense in the D zone is very good, and it’s improving in the O zone. May his hands catch up with his feet this season. I do think that TM had all the forwards squeezing carbon dust out of their sticks, including Lewis. Free your mind, your hands will follow Trevor.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@Kenny22
LOL.
Now what do you do in training camp when a Big Red Dog is chasing your medium-sized car and it wants to rip all the carbon fiber trim off of the sides ??
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Kenny44 Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 5:24 pm
@Duncanz, Slam on the breaks and watch him fly right by. Those paws are no good on the ice – skitter, skitter, skitter . . . BLAM.
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losingsand Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 3:21 am
@Kenny44, is that an EN VOGUE reference there?
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Trevor’s goal in the final game was not the game winner by hockey stats but was the one that mailed down the win.And it came down to pure hustle, which is what he brings to the team. His scoring will pick up. My vote along with Alec Martinez as co-unsung heroes of the Cup win.
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Concerning Lewinsky’s hands…wait,wrong board.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:31 pm
@JackKentCooke,
Bit below the belt and under the table from you, Mr Cooke.
I heard you had a fair old time yourself in your younger days as ‘chairman of the broads’ …
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The Kings 3 primary strengths this season were: the penalty kill, forechecking, and goaltending. Lewis excelled at two of those three. Doesn’t show up on the scoresheet often, but is one of the players that make the Kings a very difficult team to play against. Lewis is the type of role player winning teams needs on their roster.
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Solid role player, but lack of production will be his downfall in the long run. Maybe he’d do more over a full season in a steady third line role, if he had the chance. But I could see someone like Nolan overtaking him on the depth chart. That said, he made some things happen in the playoff run, and his goal was the back-breaker in game 6.
Season: C
Playoffs: B+
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I really like Lewis’ game. IMHO I believe King and Lewis show more offensive spark than Stoll. If we add a Doan, then unfortunately I’m thinking either Doan or Brownie replaces Lewis on the 3rd line. And we SHOULD be making a serious play for Doan!
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Two seasons ago, I predicted Lewis would have a more prolific offensive career than Dustin Brown. Then, Brown goes berserk at this season’s trade deadline, scoring 8 goals in 21 games and another 8 goals in 20 playoff games — a pace basically matching his 2007-08 peak of 33 goals (4 seasons since: 24, 24, 28 & 22). The trade rumors didn’t shake Brown’s confidence, instead they made the player holler with pride in his play. With Lewis, substitute Stanley Cup swagger instead of how Brown got confident with trade rumors and I think come mid-November regular season, Lewis will have that puck on his stick, having played and won in the Finals, consistently challenging the opposition and driving with the puck to the net. Good things will result. In fact, I see Nolan and King, even vets like Stoll and Penner, benefiting from the pressure of the playoffs and taking it to the next level when games matter least. Kopi might even be good for 40.
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Is it just me, or does Lewis get absolutely rocked by a huge check at least once every game? He definitely gives up the body to make plays, but you’ve got to wonder how much longer he can continue getting laid out every game like he seems to.
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