JF: You have so much experience at so many different levels, in so many different leagues, so I’m going to ask you to kind of compare/contrast the following…let’s start with pros vs. amateurs?
Andy Murray: To me, there’s no difference and you’ve (alluding to the questioner) been in NHL dressing rooms and you’ve sat there and you’ve been a player and you’ve seen it from that other side too–but to me, I don’t think there’s any difference. They ask me the difference—‘you know it must be great coaching the college guys the guys are all excited and enthused to play’ and I say ‘I don’t see NHL players as any different’. To me, NHL players are excited and want to play every game–there’s one difference, we play two games a weeks, Friday and Saturday. Sometimes the NHL players are playing three games in four nights or three in five or four in six–it’s tough for them because they’re never healthy and always traveling but the idea that amateur players care more and have more passion than the pro players, I don’t agree with that at all. All of the pro players that I have had, and even the ones that I probably wouldn’t like necessarily but they want to play and they want to play hard and they want to win so I really don’t think there’s any difference and on the other side of it, everybody said that these guys are making so much money and that has no difference either. Guys care at the NHL level just as much as the college guys do and they want to have fun and enjoy the game just as much and by the same token, people say that you can probably do a lot more things in the pros than at the college level–but that’s not true either because our players (WMU) are good players…
…they have skill and ability and I think coaching them and dealing with them is exactly the same with the pros–again bottom line is you have to coach within your own personality and coach the way you are and as soon as you start changing that then you’re going to have troubles so to me, I don’t see any difference to be honest with you, I think coaches that try to change at a different levels are making a mistake, I don’t know if that answers your question or not–I mean, everybody says that it must be—I use bit of a joke here, I’ve used before. Ruth (Andy’s wife) just got here (Andy was waiting for Ruth as she went shopping) and she’s heard it a few times but–people always say when I went the college route it must so nice, it must be a perfect place because you don’t have to deal with agents and that type of thing and I said well, yeah but at college you have to deal with the parents so probably the only perfect place to coach would be at an orphanage. So I don’t see any real difference I mean I’m dealing with top-level players right now, probably we have five guys that have a real good chance to play in the NHL. So we have some quality players, the rest will certainly have an opportunity to play pro someplace.
JF: Compare/Contrast…regular season then playoffs versus a tournament format?
Andy Murray: Yeah that’s a good question. I think there’s no question that a tournament format, playoff format are very similar in the sense that focus and everything else is so intense and in a tournament format you virtually cannot lose–you have to keep winning and that’s the same scenario in a playoff situation–you don’t have a lot of recovery time–you have to park a game and move on to the next one right away, certainly I think the intensity level of a short term tournament or the playoffs are very similar–in the regular season there’s that probably that feeling that there’s still time where the playoffs and tournament it’s got to happen and the way it is now in the NHL or college there’s so much parity—every game is so important but certainly the intensity level, one season playoffs or tournament plays is more than regular season.
JF: …maybe not as much now as there used to be, but what are some of the differences–international game versus the North American game. The first thing that comes to mind is the ice surface size (NHL ice surface is smaller than International ice surface) but anything else that you can pinpoint?
Andy Murray: I think the rink makes it different–the ice size makes it different “if you let it”. Our approach was always–we weren’t going to change and I’ve seen some teams go to worlds and international events and they try and change their game based on the big ice and I see coaches doing things they wouldn’t do back home and so on and that’s not the way we play the game and you have to play the game the way your players are used to and familiar with–so we always looked at the game “between the dots” because “between the dots” internationally or over here (North America) it’s the same—if you did the “Hoosiers thing” from the movie where you measure the distance from the basket to the floor–we used to do it before we went over to Europe with our young national team–we’d measure between the dots and the distance between the dots is the same so to me the ice surface is a difference if you let it but to me we just play the game defensively between the dots and offensively we had to get it too–and by the way the game is way better on small ice then big ice a game on hockey on big ice is terrible as far as I’m concerned if you let it be played on big ice and you want to just cycle in the corners and let them have the outside I bet that’s one of the reasons we maybe did have some success is with the teams over there we played a game that was really basic between the dots and we are able to play a familiar game but I mean, refereeing is certainly different you’ve got to have a patience level and we all complain about the fishing over here but it goes to a different level internationally. No question I mean you’ve got referee’s from different countries that are refereeing under different guidelines for their different leagues and you don’t know what you’re going to get for refereeing so to me it’s very important that if you’re at an international event the discipline and patience have to be a key part of the game plan. What else? Not a lot now because really hockey has become an international game with so many, you got right now in the KHL for example Fedorov called me the other day about taking the job with Red Army and he said I got Datsyuk and Radulov…
…and different guys over here (KHL), he said we need a North American coach, they’re not used to the Russian coaches anymore so it’s interesting because most cases it’s become an international game and the game is very similar.
I got a little worried there. Looking at the picture of Murray at the microphone, I thought Reggie Dunlop had lost his coaching job.
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Michael J. Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:12 am
@DesertKing,
“Who own the team???”
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DesertKing Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:38 am
@Michael J.,
I think Dwight Howard wants to be a Hanson brother.
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Foxy,
Why don’t you use some of those ink drawings to do a “Fox’s chalk talk”? Breakdown some of the Kings strategies, and goals for the fans to try and have a conversation about. As near as I can tell, no Kings website does it consistantly. I wanted to do it with diagrams and analysis for jewelsfromthecrown.com but got too busy with work to devote any real time to it.
It’s still a great idea though, and your breakdowns are very well respected amongst the Kings faithful.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:36 am
@Dominick, very good idea
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The CBA negotiations are still ongoing at this time, and I don’t think they’ll reach a deal just yet. There’s still another week or so until the drop dead date to agree to a deal, and with Bettman in charge my guess is they’ll use all that time.
Off topic: Just saw an article about Stoll and his new girlfriend Erin Andrews celebrating New Years in Vegas. Damn she’s fine. Nice job Strollsie!
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stagger Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:33 pm
@CB14,
Stoll looks fat.
Wonder which Kings a have let themselves go during the lockout? Doughty, Penner? 
If the league does get going with a short training camp, it seems like the Kings would have an advantage because the whole team is returning. If they’re not in shape though, who knows?
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CB14 Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:44 pm
@stagger, I think Penner learned his lesson already. Drew on the other hand might be a problem because he’s still young and isn’t playing for a contract anymore. Good thing we’ve got plenty of depth in case some guys aren’t fit enough to log their normal minutes.
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Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!
It’s been a long winter so far without hockey… Thank God for the World Juniors! Go Canada!
For any of you who aren’t aware, Tyler Toffoli leads the OHL in scoring. He leads in goals scored and total points! Can’t wait to see this kid in the show!
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DesertKing Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 7:44 pm
@California Royalty,
Yes, California Royalty actually lives in Toronto. If my kid gets accepted at McGill, I will plan a visit back there with you.
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Stuart Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:53 pm
@DesertKing, but she called herself lil, and everyone knew her as nancy?
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California Royalty Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:20 am
@DesertKing, Sounds good brother! McGill University is in Montreal though. Which is about 6 and a half hours away from Toronto.
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Still seems like there are issues that perhaps the other media outlets haven’t mentioned. NHLPA wants 2013-14 Cap at around 67 Mil, and NHL is at 60 Mil. I guess the first 2 years of the new CBA will be fixed and aren’t going to based on 50/50 split of HRR even if Make Whole Provision is put in place to reach last years cap.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/sports/hockey/nhl-union-lockout-negotiations.html?_r=0
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Wow, AM turned down the chance to coach Red Army for WMU?
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:03 am
@Darrell, GO BRONCOS!
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They didn’t file which is probably a good sign…..
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I work nights so the World Cup Juniors in Russia works perfectly for me.
May I suggest to those with the NHL Network, please watch the replay of the semi-finals between Canada and USA. You might want to wake up early Saturday for the goal medal game as well. It will be on 5am Saturday morning.
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Despite the fantastic job Jim Fox and the rest of the reporting team is doing with the limited amount of topic they’re allowed to talk about, this blog has been dying a slow four month death due to the lack of debate about the ongoing lockout. They can’t even talk about what players are doing during the lockout.
Rich Hammond must be counting his blessing for leaving when he did. But when NHL hockey finally comes back, so should Rich. JF, BM and the other guys will go back ot their regular duties.
Then what?
The longer this takes, the more I appreciate RH’s stand to protect his journalistic integrity. The current team’s long tenure with the organization gives them some insulation from affecting their reputation, but the lack of fan participation in this blog is blatant. Nothing but NHL hockey and seeing our players back on the ice will cure that.
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KC23 Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:26 am
@GUSTAVO, Kudos to Luc for circling the wagons to keep this blog alive, but Rich Hammonds don’t come along very often. I’ve been to most, if not all of the other teams blogs and this one is(was) by far the best without question. I feel sorry for whoever has to come in here and pick up the pieces. He has got very big shoes to fill.
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I’m getting the feeling banner raising is only a couple of weeks away. Things are looking much better regarding finally getting a CBA done in the next week.
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Lake Forest Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 10:16 am
@KC23, It’s do or die this next week.
If the big issues left are pension and CAP…I think they will be negotiate that together with a little give n take on both sides.
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KC23 Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:41 pm
@Lake Forest, My thinking as well. None of the remaining issues seem big enough to warrent losing 48 games per team of revenue for either side.
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Lake Forest Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:20 pm
@KC23, YET rationale thinking like we are doing is out the window when it comes to the NHL/NHLPA
Oh Canada!
We handed you your hat!
TRue Patriot love!
Is red, white and blue, take that!
It was 5-1,
The true score is what we we see,
Oh Canada,
The USA stands on guard to beat thee!
God keep the juniors,
Glorious and free!
Oh Canada,
Thank you for losing you see,
For now the USA,
Can go for gold against the Swedes!
Hey NHL, it looks like you might want to starting drafting USA players. Nice job Phil Housley
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:02 am
@DesertKing, God Bless America!
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GailWeb Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:33 am
@BrokeKingsFan, +1
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:04 pm
@DesertKing,
That is effing brilliant!!!
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KC23 Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:43 pm
@DesertKing, Phil Housely. One of the most under rated defensemen of all time. Few realise he is 4th on the all time scoring list for defensemen ahead of names like Lindstrom.
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Shotongoal Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:46 pm
@KC23, few also realize he could have been a Kings player if not for another horrible trade that gave Buffalo the right to draft him with the Kings’ pick!!
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Shotongoal Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:56 pm
@Shotongoal, just a little history for those who don’t know or just tried to forget the horror……. Jerry Korab for Kings’ 1st pick in ’82 draft (Phil Housley), year before Kings trade 1st pick in ’83 draft (Tom Barasso) for Don Luce and Rick Martin. Just a couple of reminders why it took 45 years to win the Cup!!!
Shotongoal Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:03 pm
@Shotongoal, to take it a step further in ’77 the Kings traded their 1st pick to the Bruins for Ron Grahame, that pick ended up being Ray Bourque. One can only imagine the lineup the Kings could have had through the ’80′s and early ’90′s if their GM’s had just said “No” to over-the-hill players!
CB14 Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:26 pm
@DesertKing, (Chanting) USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA, USA. F Yeah!!! What an awesome win. It’s even better because Canada had their whole team there due to the lockout. All that’s left is to clobber the Swede’s and the gold medal is ours.
Great re-write of the Canadian Anthem. Even though i’m an American, i’ve got to say the Canadian Anthem is better than ours.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 3:10 pm
@CB14,
Agree compeletely on all points. Can’t underestimate the Swedes like Canada dod to us.
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California Royalty Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 8:06 pm
@DesertKing, Vancouver 2010
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From Teemu:
“I think the lockout ends next Monday, the 7th, camps begin on the 10th and the 1st game is on the 18th or 19th. Light at the end of the tunnel now since it’s the 1st time NHL and owners have pressure and the whole season really is in jeopardy.
“Right now I’m optimistic and think the season will begin. We (players) have wondered why this has taken so long and NHL has taken that stance.”
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DesertKing Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:03 pm
@Lake Forest,
So you are part of a Duck twitter? Hmmmmmmmmmm……..
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Lake Forest Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
@DesertKing, I’m part of the GIVE ME BACK MY FREAKING HOCKEY Twitter club….
and he is the only Duck I respect.
though the above was on yahoo, not twitter.
I have the tsn twitter page up even though i personally do not have twitter.
Hopefully this is a defensive enough reposnse.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:20 pm
@Lake Forest,
CB14 Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:41 pm
@Lake Forest, Just an observation, but we all know that both sides wait until the very last minute to offer their best deal in order to save a season, so why not move the drop dead date up? Have all the major sports make a rule in their CBA negotiations stating that new CBA’s must be finished exactly 1 month before the start of the season or the entire season is cancelled, NO EXCEPTIONS. By having in a drop dead date before the season it won’t change the negotiations, just the time at which the negotiations take place. What better way for sports leagues to improve public relations than to implement this rule?
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goldielocks Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:38 pm
@Lake Forest,
One source says deal will be announced tomorrow.
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goldielocks Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@goldielocks,
Btw, doesn’t that offer NHL presented include the performance enhance drag test? I’m not saying the guy is using it but just curious …
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goldielocks Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@goldielocks,
drug … typo.
michael j Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:44 pm
@goldielocks,
I’m still trying to figure out that “performance enhancing drag ” will give anyone an advantage…
Any suggestions??? DesertKing? Duncanz? Dominic?
DesertKing Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:57 pm
@michaelj
In Washington and Colorado, you can now take performance enhancing drugs that will improve your jink food eating capabilities. If sufficiently stoned, I imagine the puck might appear slooooooowerrrrrrrr.
Lake Forest Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:05 pm
@desert king, good ole jink food
DesertKing Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 7:17 pm
@LakeForest
Junk. Stupid smart phone
Gailweb Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 8:56 pm
@goldielocks, the sports news tonight said that all
talks broke off and does not look good this was
about a hour ago or two
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Players are returning from Europe, negotiations (real ones) are taking place and are scheduled and no motion to dissolve the union took place. Individually, each of those things proves nothing but collectively it looks like we WILL have a season after all.
Apparently one of the things being considered is having a whooping TWENTY teams make the playoffs. Before really ripping that idea (as the Author of the article I read did) consider this: even when it was a 6 team league 1/3 of the teams always participated. In fact, the current system (16 of 30) lets the LOWEST percentage we’ve ever had in. I’m sure i’m gonna be in the minority here but I say if you do this, say with giving the first and second place teams in each division a bye and a best 2 of 3 with 4 wild cards AND take away that ridiculous point for getting in overtime and losing you’d have a much better and more competitive sport. The major argument against it is going to be that we’re ALREADY playing in June as it is. So start the playoffs earlier! Start them in March, moving up the regular season start a month as well. It makes more sense to me to be playing the PRESEASON in summer. Yes the last 2 sentences are out for THIS SEASON (if there is one) but I think the rest would work. Opinions?
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While alot of you are choosing to write about the lockout, i will stay on topic. Andy Murray, hmmm, where do I start? This guy, like Terry Murray, is one of the nicer guys you will ever meet. He always had time to shake my hand, or take a picture, a real class guy. Also, he was definately a great in-game strategist, much better then TM.
However, Andy will also always be know around these parts as a taskmaster, a guy who didnt think the human body needed a day of rest. This guy practically invented the term “Bag Skating”. In fact, it wasnt uncommon to attend Kings practices and seeing this more times then I care to remember.
Unfortunately for Andy, he will always be known as the guy who’s teams set records for man games lost due to injury. He was so good at it with the Kings, he went over to The Blues and topped it! When I look back, I wonder if Allison, Palffy, and Deadmarsh might have possibly topped the Triple Crown Line had they stayed healthy, and played several more seasons.
Andy Murray…Helluva a nice guy to the press, and fans, but a guy that should have learned to pace himself a lot more, instead of putting ridicilous expectations on his team..EVERYDAY!
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California Royalty Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 7:58 am
@puck73, To this day I feel bad for Palffy and Frolov for not being part of the Stanley Cup team. I know Palffy is long gone, but he was the most exciting player during the dark days of the Kings. He was the reason I kept watching. And who doesn’t love Fro. He was around during some bad teams as well. I was hoping they brought him back after his one year deal with the Rangers. Had they, he would have a ring. He would have been perfect on a line with Stoll and King.
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i just read that kopitar got injured in his game today and left it early
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