Manchester Monarchs coach Mark Morris just took a few minutes to give an update on how things are looking on the eve of AHL training camp. The Monarchs are set to take the ice for the first time on Saturday, as they prepare for their Oct. 12 season opener. I’ll have the full interview later, but for now here are some relevant points…
– Kings assistant coach John Stevens has been in town in recent days, to work with the coaching staff and get everyone on the same page, in terms of changes that Darryl Sutter has made to the Kings’ on-ice systems. The Kings always strive to have as much cohesion, on and off the ice, between themselves and the Monarchs, so Stevens’ presence in staff meetings this week has allowed the Monarchs’ coaches to learn more of Sutter’s terminology and concepts. Goalie coach Bill Ranford will also be part of the training-camp coaching staff in Manchester.
– The Monarchs’ 25-man training camp roster includes Andrei Loktionov, and Morris said he expects to have Loktionov in camp on Saturday. There have been published reports that Loktionov, who was assigned to the AHL by the Kings this month, might instead try to play in the KHL during the lockout. The legality of Loktionov attempting to play in the KHL during the lockout is considered highly doubtful, given that he is under assignment by the Kings. Morris said he also expects Slava Voynov to be in camp, although both of these situations seem to be a bit fluid in nature.
– There is some question as to whether defenseman Colin Miller will be in camp, but indications are that Miller will stay with his junior team, Sault Ste. Marie of the OHL.
For the record, here is the Monarchs’ announced training-camp roster…
FORWARDS: Andy Andreoff, Marc-Andre Cliche, Richard Clune, Robbie Czarnik, Justin Johnson, Brandon Kozun, Stefan Legein, Andrei Loktionov, David Meckler, Jordan Nolan, Brian O’Neill, Tanner Pearson, Nikolay Prokhorkin, Tyler Toffoli, Linden Vey and Jordan Weal.
DEFENSEMEN: Andrew Bodnarchuk, Andrew Campbell, Nick Deslauriers, Thomas Hickey, David Kolomatis, Jake Muzzin and Slava Voynov.
GOALIES: J.F. Berube and Martin Jones.
hoping for good years from andreoff and deslaurier… those 2 were the most impressive in the july rookie camps IMO
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Just can’t get excited about this even though it’s a good thing I suppose.
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i bet they get a slew of peeps, looking for their hockey fix, getting behind the monarchs this year…
pretty soon we’re gonna have to hire someone to broadcast the games for us and put them online live…
maybe bob and jim will do some honorary broadcasts…hehe…
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jess Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@variable,
I can see myself following them 10x closer than ever if the kings have no season. Someone’s gotta be taking vid of the games don’t you think?
Will I find myself following the monarchs on youtube? -Everytime they play the adirondack phantoms -you bet
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variable Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
@jess,
me too, buddy…me too…
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GO Monarchs Go!
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Sebastian Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@Sebastian,
We want the (Calder) CUP!
We want the CUP!
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CheezyPoofs Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@Sebastian, It would be wierd if the Monarchs won the Calder Cup with Voynov and Nolan on the team. It would probably be the only time that a player won the Stanley Cup and then won the Calder Cup.
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Stuart Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@CheezyPoofs, that would be an interesting factoid hunt…
jess Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@CheezyPoofs,
That would be SIK!
Darrell Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
@CheezyPoofs, That would mean the NHL season was cancelled, so no, I hope that doesn’t happen.
I’m not sure that I understand why the Kings are against Voynov and Loktionov playing in the KHL. That league is the best pro league going in the world right now, with the NHL locked out. Their level of competition there would be much higher than the AHL, so they stand to improve more. In Voynov’s case especially, there’s nothing at all for him left to prove at the AHL level.
Plus they’re stuck being paid an AHL salary which is under $100,000…while they can earn closer to $1 million in the KHL.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
@LB, I concur on all points. The only thing I’d add is it’s possible Voynov would rather play in the AHL. In other words, I wouldn’t assume the opposite is true just because he is from Russia. Lokti seems a safer bet considering his reported signing with a KHL team.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@LB, You raise entirely valid points, but one advantage of having them in Manchester is that they would then be teammates to each other and guys like Toffoli, Pearson, Muzzin, etc. Those 3 will probably be on the big club to stay sooner rather than later. Plus, as mentioned above they’d not only play with their likely future teammates but continue to be coached under and learn Kings hockey as Sutter and his staff have shaped it.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@HockeyNerd, I would normally downplay that angle if not for what King and Nolan did upon arrival so it’s a very valid point. It’s also true that bad habits could be instilled elsewhere.
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billanthony Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
@HockeyNerd, Great point. There’s no substitute for chemistry. Let it be said the Lombardi era is when the Kings finally, in their long history, became seriously dedicated to developing talent.
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paige Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@LB, Plus I heard Loktionov’s name isn’t on the cup while players who played many fewer games last season (19 & 44) do have their names on the cup. I have to wonder if Loktionov is not feeling the love these days?
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KingsFan in OC Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
@paige, The difference in Lokti vs the other two you mentioned (Westy and Drewiske) is that 19 and 44 were with the club the whole year and contributing in other ways (practice, travel, pregame etc.). Lokti wasn’t with the big club the whole year. I don’t know if that is the reason, but that is what I would guess.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@KingsFan in OC, The difference is Lokti actually played 39 games (plus 2 playoff games). Nolan and King weren’t with the Kings all year and they are on the Cup. So the real and actual difference is, there is none.
11 or 3 Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@KingsFan in OC, lokti got himself in to 39 games more than nancy owner
This blog posting has the chance of hitting pure comedic gold.
The line “…Stevens’ presence in staff meetings this week has allowed the Monarchs’ coaches to learn more of Sutter’s terminology and concepts…” should enable us to post Sutter-isms (both real and made up) that could be used in the Monarchs camp that should last us until the end of the lockout, however long it will be.
Allow me to start… Learning Sutter’s Terminology 101
- “This isn’t baseball” = This is hockey
- “Runaway wagon on the prairie” = shootout drills
- “ride a pony to the West” = getting called up from Manchester
- “bull in a china shop pressure” = strong forecheck
- “Quick’s baby is eating candy” = Quick’s baby is eating candy
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@Shakes, You forgot the first lesson of Stevens’ day, right? RIGHT?
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Stuart Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) and @Shakes, how could you forget [laughs]!!
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Kingsfantom Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@Shakes, My favorite is : “Quick’s baby is eating candy”.
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LA_1968 Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
@Shakes, Great interpretation of the real job for Stevens. I actually think you’re right.
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Puck Daddy Lyrics “Lockout Man”
I packed my bags last night pre-flight
Zero hour nine a.m.
And I’m gonna be playing KHL by then
I miss the NHL, I miss my life
I had to buy my own insurance
It’s such an endless fight
And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
Till Bettman comes around again to find
We’re not the union from 04-05
Oh no no no I’m a lockout man
Lockout man playing out the year here alone
And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
Cause HRR should not be redefined
And 57 is a share we like
Oh no no no I’m a lockout man
Lockout man playing out the year out here in Minsk
Now ain’t the kind of time to lose the year
In fact it’s dumb as hell
There’ll be no one left to watch us if you did
And all these lockouts I don’t understand
Each seven years, like fallow land
A lockout man, a lockout man
And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
Till I touch down on regulation ice
5 million tax exempt I won’t survive
Oh no no no I’m a lockout man
Lockout man burning down the wing on Dynamo
And I think it’s gonna be a long long time
Till someone brings an end to labour strife
I might just stay in Russia my whole life
Oh no no no I’m a lockout man
Lockout man taking someone’s job out here in alone
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vegasking Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@Gustavo, LMFAO, very good. Only wish we had Rodger Goodell as commish, he is actually
doing something about his sport. Gary Betman is an ass and should be ashamed to show his face. IMO
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@Gustavo, Chills, baby. Chills.
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That’s a pretty young roster for an AHL team. Not too many old-timers. Should be a hoot. Does this mean we’ll be seeing more AHL/ECHL/Canadian Jr. Hockey League games on the NHL Network not that the big boys are locked oot?
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@mash-ola, I would love that. I hope they can work that out.
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This should have been a very exciting 2 weeks. I was looking forward to finding out the answers to these questions: who out of the Stanley Cup winning roster wasn’t going to make the team (we were at least one forward over)? What will the 3rd and 4th lines look like? Is the 2nd line LW going to be King, Gagne or Penner? Will there be a surprise making it from training camp? Would that be Pearson? Will Toffolli stick? Would DD2 be the 7th defenseman or do you go with Hickey, Muzzin or someone else? Will Martin Jones show enough that Bernier will be dealt? What will the PP look like without Kompon (besides “better”, lol)? Does Loktionov still have a future as a King? Who looks like they’ll be among the first called when injuries occur? Does this team look like it is going to have the cliched “Stanley Cup Hangover” or will it continue looking like it did in the playoffs?
Now the only question we all have is if Hockey is even going to be played in 2013-2013.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@HockeyNerd, 100%. No question. Fall of 2013.
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luc20rules Reply:
September 26th, 2012 at 5:12 pm
@HockeyNerd, Agreed, this NHL Lockout is a travesty.
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During the lockout it would be great to see some Monarch games on TV.
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Voynov, Loki, and Nolan need the work. Toffoli is the wild card here. If he can strengthen his skating a bit, he could make the big club anyway. Make it or break it year for Hickey. Acevedo was tendered but unsigned as an RFA. What’s his status?
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CT King Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 6:16 am
@ArkRazor, Azzy signed with Lukko Rauma of the Finnish SM-liiga. We will miss Azzy in Manchester. The Kings retain his rights for a few years but I don’t think he will be back soon.
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Who is Andrew Bodnarchuk?
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vegasking Reply:
September 27th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
@Regal Beagle, http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nesn.com%2F2012%2F07%2Fandrew-bodnarchuk-bolts-bruins-to-join-kings-system-on-one-year-deal.html&ei=YMBkUIa5H4rC2wWes4DQDQ&usg=AFQjCNFsNJnCvxE_6NfwzsX0x_TN7yDZnA&sig2=3BmqAKgA2XbOWrFYf9lo2Q
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