Morning Skate Quotes, January 31

DARRYL SUTTER

On the importance on keeping momentum going in the last home game before the road trip:

“You break our schedule down, our first 15 games are on the road, so it’s not momentum from any game, other than tonight’s game. We just want to continue to play well and hopefully get points out of it.”

On power play struggles:

“We’ll continue to work at it and finish our opportunities.”

On why that has been a challenge:

“Finish our opportunities. Continue to get ‘em, and then finish ‘em.”

On who will start in goal for Los Angeles:

“If you get here for warm-ups, he’s the first guy out and he doesn’t get hurt in warm-ups, then that’s generally the guy that starts for every team…Remember, it’s not baseball.”

On the “fourth line”:

“If you look at the production from whatever you class as the fourth line – if you base it just on production, I’m not sure which one it is. There hasn’t been a consistent fourth line, really. Jordy and Fras have been on it, and we’ve been trying to get those guys going in terms of their ice time.”

On whether Penner will be in the lineup:

“You’ll see after they sing the song.”

On what Penner has to do to get back into the lineup:

“You know, we’re trying to get his conditioning to the point where he’s game ready.”

On whether “getting back into game shape” has been what has held Penner back:

“Correct.”

JAKE MUZZIN

On how he would grade himself thus far:

“I’m feeling pretty good out there. A lot more confident than I was last time coming into the NHL. I have a lot more experience underneath my belt, and I did come in right out of junior. I’ve been two years in the minors, so, you know, I feel good out there. As far as grading yourself, you can always be better. Just working on stuff every day, and learning from the older guys, and taking in the stuff that Johnny and Coach are telling me through video and certain stuff like that.”

On what encouragement he has received from his teammates:

“Just ‘good job’ here, ‘good job’ there. Greener sent me a text after my first NHL goal, which was really nice. I felt it means a lot when an older guy goes out of his way to congratulate you. All the guys congratulated me and stuff like that. Little stuff like that makes you feel good about yourself and feel a part of things a little bit more.”

On defensemen he respected growing up:

“Growing up, it was like Chris Pronger was pretty successful, and Nick Lidstrom and guys like that. Through junior, watching a guy we’re going to play…tonight, Weber. You know, big, strong, physical defenseman and stuff like that.”

KYLE CLIFFORD

On whether playing in the ECHL prepared him for this season:

“Yeah, but I mean, I didn’t want to get into bad habits and things like that. I just wanted to try and stick to my game. Obviously it’s a different game down there. But I wanted to work onto my game. I didn’t want to become an offensive player down there. [I didn’t want to] just be a dangler at the blue line. Some of those things you try down there wouldn’t necessarily work up here. I just tried to keep my focus and focus on the NHL style of game instead of being a Sidney Crosby in the East Coast.”

ANZE KOPITAR

On whether confidence from Monday’s win can carry into tonight’s game:

“We’ve done it a bunch of times before, really. Again, you’re just trying to have a good start for tonight, and worry about your game and what we do on the ice. I’m pretty sure if we do that, we’ve proved it to ourselves already that it’s working for us, so no it’s just a matter of going out and really doing it.”

83 Comments

  1. Real 7 says:

    “it’s not baseball”…luv it..

    [Reply]

    Ravens Reply:

    @Real 7, You’ll know after they sing the song….got to love that too

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Ravens,

    I knew it! The Sutters are actually the Hansons!

    [Reply]

  2. Ravens says:

    Welcome Jon

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @Ravens, Thank you!

    [Reply]

    Steve Jensen Reply:

    @JonRosen,

    Welcome aboard, Jon.

    Now work on your breakaway technique….LOL.

    [Reply]

    Steve Jensen Reply:

    @Steve Jensen,

    Perhaps I just gave away my secret identity.

    JonRosen Reply:

    @Steve Jensen, ha! Not sure if I have any ‘technique’. I just try not to miss the net by three feet. Unfortunately, I failed at that last night.

    Shuchuk Reply:

    @Ravens, I also came here to say “welcome jon”. I’m glad to see Kings Insider is alive and well. GKG!

    [Reply]

  3. DesertKing says:

    First (you will figure it out Jon)

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @DesertKing, Ha! Oh, I’ve posted ‘firsties’ on internet forums before.

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @JonRosen,

    ;)

    [Reply]

  4. FKA PakiFro says:

    Welcome, Jon.

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @FKA PakiFro, Thank you!

    [Reply]

  5. hockeyfanb4Gretzky says:

    Afetr they sing the song!!!!!still laughing!!!!

    [Reply]

    hockeyfanb4Gretzky Reply:

    @hockeyfanb4Gretzky, after

    [Reply]

    RobSD Reply:

    @hockeyfanb4Gretzky,

    That got me chuckling as well. He could have a sitcom!

    Do we get any background Jon or do we have to Google you? Welcome aboard!

    [Reply]

  6. KC23 says:

    You know things are getting serious when DS whips out his “this ain’t baseball” so early in the season.

    I like our chances tonight. :)

    [Reply]

  7. harty says:

    Does everyone think DS is getting the best out of his players so far this season.
    Not comparing to last year or any other situation, just based on this year’s effort, energy and execution??

    I’m not saying he isn’t, just more interested in a wider opinion……..

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @harty,

    For 5 days of training camp and no preseason games, I would say yes. Nothing matters except making the playoffs and we will do that, then the real season begins.

    [Reply]

    RobSD Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Agreed… can you imagine what your summer with the cup would be like? I’d be as drunk as Kane. They dominated most of the Vancouver game and just need to start putting the puck in the net. Same as last year…

    [Reply]

    KC23 Reply:

    @harty, DS is deceptively simple, but very effective at motivating his players. Performance now, gets you more playing time and higher level of line mates. Just ask Penner, Gagne and Clifford. DS does avoid being so strictly performace based that he alienates his key leaders on the team.

    You don’t see DS using the media for poking at Brown, Williams, Carter Scudes or Richards. That’s not what motivates those players.

    DS puts this simple farmer persona out there, but there are many layers to this complex man.

    [Reply]

    Kings x Reply:

    @harty, Penney is out of shape? Wtf?

    [Reply]

  8. neil says:

    Welcome Jon !!!! feels like the first day of school with a new teacher !!!!

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @neil,

    I was gonna post this!↑↑↑

    :-)

    [Reply]

    neil Reply:

    @Kingsfanone, you still can !!!!

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @neil, Thanks! Lots of excited energy myself.

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @neil, Put your pointy hat back on and return to your corner!

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Duncecanz,

    Brilliant! You helped create your own new alias!

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    +1

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Dessert, Drat!

    kissmyblarneystones Reply:

    @Duncanz,

    Doah!!!

  9. Kingsfanone says:

    Welcome Jon!

    For those without Twitter, here’s what Rich posted:

    Rich Hammond (@RegisterUSC) tweeted at 0:03 PM on Thu, Jan 31, 2013:

    Congrats/best wishes to new @lakingsinsider Jon Rosen. He knows and loves hockey and he’s a great guy. Don’t forget the hotel-window pics…

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Kingsfanone,

    The Cryotes, Yakupov and Evil Load could learn a lot from a classy guy like Rich Hammond.

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    I don’t think Evil Load can learn anything! But we can hope, I guess!

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @Kingsfanone, Thank you!

    [Reply]

  10. PurpleRocks says:

    Welcome Jon! Hope you enjoy it here as much as we do!

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @PurpleRocks, Thanks! I’ve been a LAKingsInsider comments lurker from time to time. Excited to hit the ground running.

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @JonRosen,

    BTW we love lurkers! :-)

    [Reply]

  11. Aced it on your first attempt!!

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @blessmynewlyborns,
    No ‘Cub’ reporter, he …

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Duncecanz

    Wasn’t that Rich?

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Dessert, If just one blogger gets my references I’m fulfilled..

    kissmyblarneystones Reply:

    @Duncanz,

    I got it!

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @Duncanz,

    I’ve met you and I still don’t get you! :-)

    [Reply]

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Kingsfiendone, Try changing your lipstick.

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @Duncecanz,

    Your “friend” you introduce everyone to, Manny Quinn, may get jealous. Besides, everyone here knows about you already!

    :-)

    Duncanz Reply:

    @Kingsfiendone, That wasn’t a Manny Quinn, that was @Jeff_R!

    Real 7 Reply:

    @Duncanz, I GET IT! I GET IT! [jumping up and down]
    no dunce he…

    [Reply]

  12. monkeyboy says:

    Welcome aboard Jon..nice to have someone at the helm again

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @monkeyboy, Thank you!

    [Reply]

  13. Forum Gold says:

    Congrats Jon on your new assignment. The Insider blog has been sputtering like a Kings power play so we are all ready to have you take us on this wonderful journey called LA Kings Hockey. GO KINGS GO!!!

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @Forum Gold, Thank you!

    [Reply]

  14. pr0cess says:

    So wait hes a hockey fan! How non richesk. Well welcome lurker, might be time to change the Banner up top FYI, O and dont listen to anyone im the friendly kind of Troll :P

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @pr0cess, Ha, thanks!

    [Reply]

  15. rick says:

    Disappointed – but not at all surprised – that Penner didn’t show up in good shape. While many of us – me included – have somehow found a way to like the guy, his motivation and effort have never consistently been what is expected of a professional athlete.

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @rick,

    I tend to think that he is no less “in shape” than Richards is.

    [Reply]

    RobSD Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    Man, I was at the Chicago game and Richards and Penner looked sooo bad.

    [Reply]

    xeropoint Reply:

    @Michael J., THIS ^^^

    [Reply]

  16. DaRkSiDe says:

    Welcome John. Good luck!

    [Reply]

    JonRosen Reply:

    @DaRkSiDe, Thank you!

    [Reply]

  17. Duncanz says:

    Hey Jon, I watched a few minutes of a Wolverines game once.
    Can I get a RT?

    [Reply]

  18. Michael J. says:

    Welcome Jon!

    Can you get us an update on Juraj? And, have you seen Anthony???

    [Reply]

  19. Jammer06 says:

    Welcome aboard Jon! looking forward to the experience

    [Reply]

  20. Michael J. says:

    I love Sutter’s comment about Clifford: “I just tried to keep my focus and focus on the NHL style of game instead of being a Sidney Crosby in the East Coast.”

    - Slight smack at Cindy

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    We may see the dark side of Sid pretty soon. The Yakster is trying to steal his thunder and become the face of the NHL.

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Here’s my favorite Yak: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yakovlev_Yak-52_RA-1919K_at_IBT’11_side_view.jpg

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    Try this

    http://www.warbirdalley.com/images/Yak52-Janie-01.jpg

    Real 7 Reply:

    @Michael J., the Red Star gave it away…LOL

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    Actually, some of the Yakolev fighter planes during WWII were pretty effective.

  21. Cynic says:

    Welcome Jon! Now lets get down to the brass tacks…..

    How do we haze the rookie. ;)

    Guess He’ll have to meet the Juraj Mikus jersey…..

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanone Reply:

    @Cynic,

    Is there any other way? You got pics of it with Rich, so it only stands to reason……

    [Reply]

  22. Hi Jon, and welcome! I’m looking forward to this blog’s revitalization!

    Also wanted to thank whoever has been updating the blog recently. I actually thought they were doing a decent job.

    [Reply]

  23. Dave says:

    Penner will never be in game ready shape until he lays off the partying and stays away from the playboy whores.

    [Reply]

  24. Real 7 says:

    go show “STUFF” Muzzin..!..

    [Reply]

    Real 7 Reply:

    @Real 7, *your* stuff….duh.

    [Reply]

  25. stagger says:

    Welcome Jon! Can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with the blog.

    Watching NHL Live and Dan Rosen is one of the commentators. Any relation?

    [Reply]

  26. Jon…

    Go get ‘em!
    (Stories, that is…)

    –We have your back!

    Can’t wait until the first LA Kings Insider Suite Game this season!

    [Reply]

  27. BMSTANG says:

    Welcome, Jon! Eagerly looking forward to your updates.

    [Reply]

  28. GailWeb says:

    Go Kings Go!

    [Reply]

  29. John Roy Morgan says:

    Welcome Jon, looking forward to your insight!

    [Reply]

  30. King John says:

    Jon, I like your organized style…

    Welcome to the Royal Family’s communication system to all the Kingdom.

    [Reply]

  31. Sancho says:

    Welcome! You’re in for a fun ride!!!

    [Reply]

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