ANDREI LOKTIONOV
This season: 39 games, 3 goals, 4 assists, minus-4 rating.
The good: In small bursts, Loktionov had showed why the Kings continue to give him chances and why they continue to regard him as a strong prospect. When in a scoring position, Loktionov can get his shot off quickly, and it’s accurate. He also skates well and protects the puck well. Loktionov has bounced back and forth between the Kings and the Manchester Monarchs a few times over the past two seasons, and he has maintained a good attitude and fits in wherever and whenever he is asked. Loktionov was ready and able to go in the first round of the playoffs, after Brad Richardson’s appendectomy and Kyle Clifford’s concussion.
The bad: Loktionov finally made it through a season without a significant injury, but he has yet to make the big breakthrough and convince the Kings that he will be a big part of their future. To be fair, Loktionov has been put in something of a tough spot. As the top call-up candidate among Manchester forwards, Loktionov can never seem to get settled in one place for too long, in a regular role, but still, he needs to find a way to shine. In 32 games with the Monarchs this season, he had only five goals and 15 assists. In order to thrive at the NHL level, Loktionov still needs to add some strength, which he can. He’s still only 22.
Going forward: Loktionov needs to quickly figure out what he is, establish an identity and put it on display for the coaches and management. Right now, he’s a man in the middle, and that’s not where anyone wants to be. Loktionov hasn’t shown enough high-end offensive skill to play in a top-six role and he hasn’t shown enough grit to play in a bottom-six role. Overall, he’s still a solid prospect, but as with Trevor Lewis this season, Loktionov needs to have at least one part of his game start to stand out. Otherwise, it will be too easy for Darryl Sutter and Dean Lombardi to keep him on the outside looking in.
Not sure what to say about this guy.Its like he’s just good enough to be a replacement for injured players. Doubt if he ever makes it as a full time NHLer.
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deepsea_drumz Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
@Lets do it again, He’s still young. Has not had a chance to really establish himself. The Kings have all their players back. He won’t get alot of ice time until someone goes down with a significant injury.
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markisonfire Reply:
July 16th, 2012 at 11:47 am
@Lets do it again, that’s what I said about Alec Martinez in 2009-10. It’s amazing what maturity can do for a play. Loktionov is only 22 years old.
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Its gonna be increasingly difficult for Andre to find a spot on this team just so he can show what he can do. His window of oppertunity for us was this past season. I think it will take John Daly like like good fortune(’91 @ Crooked Stick) for him to get a chance with this team going forward. Trade bait for sure!!
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swany Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
@Kissmyblarneystones, going to be tough for this guy to find a spot on any team. Just too many good NHL caliber players in this league and he’s not one of them.
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Cry Baby Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
@Kissmyblarneystones, Trade bait? As if there is a market for an underachieving, undersized centerman with a history of injuries. Not going to make the Kings, not going to make it in the NHL.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 12:59 am
@Cry Baby, Not yet at least.
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In former days of the NHL when teams played three lines and also dressed seventeen skaters instead of eighteen it was more common to have situational players such as penalty killers and power play specialists. Loktionov is a great puck mover on the PP and would easily have filled one of those roles.
True he hasn’t shown enough to be a top six guy and dosen’t fit as a bottom six player. He has not played well on the wing either. Probably needs to go to another organization where he has a shot to be a first or second line center. He has great skill and could still be an effective offensive player if given the chance. In L.A. he is not going to beat out Kopi or Richards and in the event of injury to one of them, Carter could be moved over into a top or second line center position. Good candidate for trade eventually along with Bernier.
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Off topic and probably mentioned before but Doan supposedly received an official offer of 3 million for four years. I had posted that he will get 6 million a year and somebody bet me a beer on opening night that he won’t get five million a year. If only I remembered the blogger’s name…
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BringBackButchGoring Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, whoops sorry 30 million. Brown is easily going to command 7 million a year unless the salary cap gets mangled in the futute
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Bluecoconuts Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, I bet Brown takes a discount.
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red49er Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, I love Brown’s game and what he means to the Kings but he’s gonna get 5 – 5.25/yr.
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BringBackButchGoring Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
@red49er, Hahahahaha check back in two years. Other teams will be paying in 7 plus
DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@BringBackButchGoring,
We don’t need no crying, whining, sniveling, poor sport, cheap shot artist, Dustin Browne hating, former Cryote on our STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS team. Send him someplace nice, like VanHoover where he will fit in nicely.
Reference Lokti, all I see is Oscar Moller Part Deaux.
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BringBackButchGoring Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
@DesertKing, DL apparently thinks we do as from all accounts we made him an offer also. Hockey is a big boy sport so I don’t really think there is any animosity between Brown and Doan. The very last place I want Doan is Vancouver or Detroit.
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DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
@BringBackButchGoring,
I am not worried about. This team has turned the corner and living up to its potential. The team improved continually under DS, from the time he took over all the way through the Finals.
Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
@DessertKing,
Exactly true!
Now let’s see just how well he can do with Doan at his disposable!
7MILforHickey Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, yeah who cares where the hell he plays? we just went 16-4 in the playoffs, and we have the best goalie bar none in the nhl. im not scared about the kings playing any team in the nhl. and god i cannot wait for them to beat the snot out of the sharks :3
BringBackButchGoring Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
@7milforHickey?, Bahahaha I just hope the Kings aren’t as cocky as the bloggers on this website or we are in for a disappointing year. I hate to mention this but we were one loss from making the playoffs; then we wouldn’t have won the Stanley Cup and you, my friend, would be on this site telling us how horrible the Kings are, that the team should be blown up, DL should be fired, Brown shouldn’t be captain, Stoll sucks, Quick should have been rested in November blah blah blah.
What if Kopi gets injured or Brown, Richards, Williams or God forbid, Quick. We finished in 8th place without any significant injuries. How would we have done if we did have significant injuries, ala St Louis, Vancouver, Pittsburgh etc. There is a reason teams don’t repeat and this sort of nutty sense of entitlement to think we are just going to roll over every team next year is exactly what we don’t need.
I,for one, will welcome Doan like no other. This is exactly the guy we need to repeat. The Doan bashing based on nothing is silly. He is one of the most highly regarded team player, teammate and leader in the NHL. He is universally respected and liked throughout the NHL and he plays the game exactly the way it should be played. That’s why winning teams want him and that’s why DL and DS wants him.
TiredOfIt Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:18 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, The very first place I want Doan is Happy Acres Rest Home….Universally respected? How could you have arrived at that presumption after watching this guy play his entire career? Or have you, watched him his entire career? I’m not arguing the fact that he is a skilled NHL player, but can you at least admit there are other variables to be considered before totally embracing this former nemesis? IMO you write like the guy just stepped into the FA market from heaven. I think it would bring a certain “strain” to the locker room and we don’t need that at all. Detroit needs him more than anyone…let them have him. As a previous blogger posted, I’m not worried about us playing against any team in this league either. The confidence ( not cockiness) comes from actually seeing this team come together and STOMP 4 of the top teams in the league into oblivion. That’s just my opinion…I could be wrong
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:34 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, Nothing personal but I tend to respect DL and DS’s opinion a bit more than yours. DL has expressed many times how important it is to have team chemistry and how happy he is that the Kings genuinely like each other. If he or DS had the slightest doubts about Doan, I’m sure they would have never tended an offer to him. Try to speak with facts; Doan has been in the league some 15 years; have you ever heard one time in which he created a “strain” in the locker room? Anyone can just say stuff without one fact to substantiate it, but that hardly makes a credible argument.
TiredOfIt Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:55 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, He’s never gone to another team before, or am I wrong? That’s a fact. I agree that DL and DS have much more insight than either one of us. Your comment was the the Kings genuinely like each other…of course they do…but if Doan comes in will they ALL? Can we speak for the guys in the room? No. I just put the idea out there.
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 12:36 am
@BringBackButchGoring,
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 12:46 am
@TiredOfIt, It’s certainly possible to create a strain in the locker room for your own team, Avery as a case in point. Doan’s been captain for many years so he’d had to deal with various personalities throughout his time. All I’ve heard are positive things about how he held his team together throughout their ownership turmoil. I’m quite sure DS and DL have a handle on whether Doan would be welcomed in the locker room and I’m sure under the circumstances, DB had some imput as well. So rather than assume that Doan will not be welcome or liked without any evidence at all, I’d rather go with the more logical conclusion that based upon the fact an offer was made for Doan, that people in the know do not think Doan will be unwelcome or disliked in the locker room.
deepsea_drumz Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, MAybe Doan would wind up in Toronto……fitting.
ASUKingsfan Reply:
July 16th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@DesertKing, lol this reminds me of semi-pro, when the tropics bring in monix, and he apologizes for cheap shotting guys (i dont remember the exact quote) when he played against them. that would be doan in the kings locker room
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As @Michael J. so pertinently pointed out in the last post, Lokti was spotted sitting quietly alone in the corner and TL got extra marks for his discovery.
Well, that’s kind of a good metaphor for Lokti in fact, and he is going to need to dicover himself, and fast, if he is going to elevate his mark and make his career at the Kings or even in the NHL.
It aint getting any easier either. New prospects are showing up every day and in training camp you’re going to have to slaughter yourself to get a look in this time around.
Nice kid by all appearances, but he’s going to have to get a bit less nice if he’s going to make any headway in North America.
The road here is littered with the lost dreams of young Euro hopefuls that were all finesse and couldn’t find the urgency and iron in themselves to crack the glass (ceiling) and get into the ice.
Lokti is talented, there’s no doubt about that.
Just hope he’s able to discover that mean gene!
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neil Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@Duncanz, agree…I would look to trade him for future draft pick(s)Hard to teach mean….
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Michael J. Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@Duncanz,
I resemble that remark!
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Give it rest, people. Who has the nerve to give anyone in this roster an F????
Go back to your loser, no playoff bound team blog and leave us champion fans alone, once and for all.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@Gustavo, what did this guy do to distinguish himself? In EITHER the regular season OR playoffs?
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Gustavo Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@HockeyNerd,
He’s no Kopitar or Brown…but and F??…really??..NOBODY in the LAk 2011-2012 roster deserves and F.
Two goals on game 6 of the SCF. That alone earns him an above average grade. For other qualifications, you do the research.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@Gustavo,
Damn, mistaken with Lewis’ evaluation.
Lokti still does not deserve an F.
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@Gustavo, That’s Lewis. This thread is Lokti.
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@Gustavo, Nor did I give him one. But I don’t see that as unreasonable.
DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
@Gustavo,
Deadhorse – F
Hammer is channeling his inner Mr. Miyagi re Loktionov:
NHL is like walking on the road. Walk on one side – safe. Walk on other side – safe. Walk in the middle, you get squished, just like grape.
Either you hockey do, yes; or you hockey do, no. You stay in the middle, squished just like grape.
(Lokti giggles)
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neil Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@Kenny44, “Stuck in the Middle”
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neil Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@neil, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuck_in_the_Middle_with_You
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DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@neil,
Ah, yes, the famous VanHoover Casuck’s song, “Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you”
Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@neil, Gerry Rafferty .. r.i.p
Wow. Gave him a D and I am a little bit surprised at the number of B’s and C’s. Lokti got his chance because of some injuries and did nothing with it. You can’t be an offensive player that doesn’t provide offense and expect to have an NHL job — and unless that changes he probably won’t, at least not with the Kings. All I heard from everyone 2 seasons ago was how great this guy was going to be and wow was everyone here upset at the time when he got sent down, separated his shoulder and was done. I grade on expectations and I had expected a LOT more…..
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neil Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@HockeyNerd, only 22…some get better later(King) some get better earlier(DD) some go nowhere….too early to tell
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@neil, Well sorry about that but on this thread we’re being asked to tell!
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Cav Pilot Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@HockeyNerd, I gave him a D as well. I really couldn’t think of one thing that he does well. If I remember correctly, 2 of his 3 goals bounced off his back or leg. If he can’t reinvent himself, dude won’t be long for this team or this league.
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Kenny44 Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
@Cav Pilot,
Goals bouncing in off random body parts – that must be part of the training back home (sorry, Slava)
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Cav Pilot Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 6:34 am
@Kenny44, Ha ha! At least Loki’s goals went into the opponent’s net. I guess I can give him that.
DEH Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@HockeyNerd, he was never used properly, he’s too small to grind and doesn’t play wing well.. unfortunately for him those are exactly the roles he was thrust into on the NHL club. I’d say give him a full year at AHL and see how he progresses.
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I think the problem is his nickname. I have always wanted to know why they call him Lokti instead of Loki. The shape-shifting, trash-talking Norse God of mischief, how do you pass up a nickname like that?
On an unrelated note, anybody see TSN today? They have a poll and a video comparing Kopi to Claude Giroux. I can never include the link for their vides. But if you scroll through the videos, you’ll find it: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/
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DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@paige,
Loki won’t work since he is an introverted, Russian-speaking, easy going, never in trouble, Russian whose culture hates pretty much anything related to the Norse cultures. “Opi” as a nickname would fit him better.
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paige Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@DesertKing, haha. maybe we need him to be more Loki and less Opi.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@DessertKing,
Aw, rats..
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DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Duncanz,
Abhhh, Pa!
He is going to go the Teddy Purcell and Matt Moulson route, could not make it in LA, but will get a huge contract somewhere else, hopefully wont be like O’sullivan.
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Yes Lokti had a chance to show his stuff, in LA a couple of times this year, but more games in the bottom 6 or on the wing, than as the # 2 center, and you have to believe that once Richards recovered from his concussion, enough to play, that Lokti’s time with the Kings, was coming to an end. I gave him a “C” because even though he had some opportunity, it was mostly as a square peg, in a round hole. I’m certain, he was available to Columbus,as a piece in the Carter deal, and the Blue Jackects decided they would rather have the draft pick, and were hoping that the Kings would finish out of the playoffs, in the Western conference. I agree with the comment above that this is Oscar Moeller Part Deux. Not enough size to play consistently in the league, unless he is an outstanding sniper, like Cammi. Defense and Goal tending are just to good in the league today, for a small to midsize player, who can’t shoot the puck into a mouse hole, or check Sidney Crosby, into next season, to find a rooster spot on a playoff team, and Stanley Cup contender.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
@Steven H Brown,
I think Shane Doan could perfectly fill that rooster spot you speak of!
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DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
@Duncanz,
Not for $7+ million per year.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
@DessertKing, It was more a quip on the rooster clause than anything else … surprised you missed it, actually.
DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
@Duncanz
Yikes, I did miss that. Thats what I get for using my smart phone -little letters!
Real 7 Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
@Duncanspoof, roosters unite, before you lose your heads….
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BringBackButchGoring Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
@Steven H Brown, I’m not trying to put myself in a position to defend Lokti but the dude just turned 22 and is on the cusp of starting for an NHL team and has been working his butt off for probably 7-8 years already to make it happen. Whereas most of us that are criticizing him had accomplished much much less by the time we were 22. I’d give him the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he needs to do to improve and will work on it and become a well-paid professional hockey player, if not here than in Russia. That said, I gave him an F. Bahahahahhahaha JK
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I wavered between a C and a D+, and ultimately chose the latter. I still think he’ll develop into an NHL player, but my vote is based on last season’s performance and the results simply weren’t there.
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would be interested to see the grades from last year…I guess i will look them up to see who improved(King for sure) and who didnt…
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Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
@neil,
Ha ha, I imagine the comments for Kinger would look rather similar to a lot of the comments on this thread.
“F!”, “Useless!”, “Trade the bum for a 7th round pick or a bag of pucks!”, etc, etc.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
@Duncanz, Rich can’t bring back comments from last year…can he?
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Okay, severely off topic alert. I just got back from people watching outside of Comic Con (bear with me) because I live about 15 minutes away from the San Diego Convention Center. The reason I bring this up is that among the zombie and anime costumes there was a refreshingly surprising amount of Kings gear. Stanley Cup champion hats and t-shirts abounded on kids and adults alike. I was grinning ear to ear the entire time and got my share of high-fives. This is the best summer ever.
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DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
@370455VinSD,
They are feeling the Force……
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Duncanz Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
@370455VinSD,
I am wearing a Pink Panther costume right now if that counts for anything.
I doubt whether you would high five me unless you are David DePatie or Friz Freleng, for example.
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DesertKing Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
@Duncanz,
Better watch out for Kato. He will kick your butt!
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Gustavo Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 10:13 am
@370455VinSD,
My wife’s 34DDs never looked better than when she wears her 2012 LAK tight t-shirts..
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Michael J. Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 10:16 am
@370455VinSD,
So, what you are saying is that home games next year are going to resemble Raider games with everything from Transformers, to Barney, to Princess Leia costumes all over the place? It sounds like a better fir for Vancouver…
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DesertKing Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@Michael J.,
Obviously you have never been to a Raider game.
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i like Loktionov but i don’t think he remains a King for much longer. with Kopitar and Richards locked into the top two slots and Stoll re-signing, i just don’t see where he fits in.
as for this season, i gave him a C+. he was OK when up with the Kings, but not a difference maker which is what he needs to be. he has a lot of high end talent and hockey sense and i do think he’ll be at least a 2nd line center somewhere in the NHL, but likely not with the Kings.
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Any evaluation of Loktionov for me is based on potential. He really played well in spurts and could be a top 6 player for the Kings. Personally I llike the Kings to scrap this top 6 stuff and go with a top9 with the 4thliners being the checking line. Heck I’d be glad to give Stoll his money and let him take all the important faceoffs so as to slide Lokti into a 3rd line scoring role. Lokti-Clifford-Lewis was looking good near the end of their time together. If I was the coaches I continue this route. I’d also put Carter and or Penner or King with Kopitar and Richards with Williams and Brown,so…Anyways love how Lokti plays and he could be a real gem…hope he contiinues with the patience and good attitude. Larionov has taught the 2 Russians well, in pro hockey whether its NHl or KHl its hurry up and wait for youngsters trying to break into the lineup on a regular basis.Love Loktionv’s play and all I can say is the Best of Luck to Andrei now and in the future!!!
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He gets a C minimum from me for becoming an NHL player out of Russia, especially at 22 years old. He has some time to impress, if he can.
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Real 7 Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 11:48 pm
@TiredOfIt, ditto….the name of the game for all who are on the outside looking in….is potential….we’ll see who has it and who does not, as per usual
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C
Voynov is the comrade I want to talk about!!
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D
He’s had chances in every type situation whether it’s top 6 center/wing..he’s yet to show us anything on an even semi-regular basis.
His opportunities have been limited and some of his chances were in unfamiliar roles, but opportunity only knocks so many times…his time is running out with the Kings.
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Lets remember that Lokti is still only 22 years old. When I was 22 I was still the same size that i was in high school. By the time Lokti turns 25 or 26 he will be much stronger than he is right now. Well, lets hope so.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
@Michael J.,
If he were your size now, which I’m not sure what that is, what would you do with him?
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Michael J. Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
@Duncanz,
He’d be the equipment manager.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 10:48 pm
@Michael J.,
Or might he need one of his own?
Every time he comes up his lack of size and questionable durability are evident. I dont think he fits on this team.
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Needs more seasoning. “C-” No intangibles to speak of.
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After reading this entire thread I am reminded how happy I am that DL is so much more patient with players than those of us who post here. As @neil questioned about what was said about King one year ago, I think in two or three years most of us will be glad that DL & DS stayed the course with Lokti and let him develop at his pace.
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The best move this organization has done in a long time was… Liste to Sutter and let him call up King and Nolan, leaving Lokti in Manchester where he belongs. Just think if it was the same old story the last 2 years and they called up soft Lokti again. Where do you think we will be?
Trade him if you can get anything for him. he had his chances and showed nothing.
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Michael J. Reply:
July 15th, 2012 at 11:45 am
@HBJohn,
Or, could it be true that Lokti was called up too soon, before his game was NHL ready? Might it be that “soft Lokti” might need a couple more years for his body to mature? This young man has great hockey sense and a high skill level. Today, there may not be a place for him on the Kings’ roster, but tomorrow there might.
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Just saw on Rotoworld.com that the Kings and Blue Jackets are talking about a Bernier trade. Should be interestin. Bernier would be a huge upgrade in Columbus.
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Was asked to do too much before he was ready. Still could make it, but needs more seasoning and strength conditioning.
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