On Sunday’s game:
“We played a good hockey game.”
On what he liked about the team’s performance:
“I liked our ability to stay with it and score a goal at the end of the first period. Last minute [we] scored a goal at the end of the [third period]…And then faceoff, disappointing. Had to make a save there.”
On whether the team generated better scoring opportunities than previous games:
“Well, we’ve been outshooting our opponents two to one for quite a few games now. Around the net….the way Howard was playing, you had to get up on your second chances. But you know what? We played a hell of a game again. Disappointing. Remember, I hate to say ‘I told you so,’ but I told you so. Three-two.”
On what the team is getting ‘right now’ that they weren’t getting earlier:
“Right now? The same. We lost two to start. That’s the same thing, last two. It doesn’t get different. You know what? We’ve been mixing lines up, trying to get more some more out of our top guys, quite honest. I liked the Richards line tonight. I thought Kopi, it was his first game where he…looked like he had some bounce in his game, so that’s a good sign.”
On Keaton Ellerby’s first game as a King:
“You’ve got to be careful, right? You’ve got to be careful how you use him. It’s not easy to go from one conference to the next. Not so much team to team, because there’s not a drastic change in styles. I mean, there’s a little foot here, something in the system that he has to adjust to or read. You’ve got to be careful. He’s never played in this conference, and quite honest, guys don’t know each other very well. I think that’ll be the biggest adjustment for him.”
Maybe Richards’ line was okay but Richards himself, not so much. He’s not bad on the point on the PP but he never shows any kind of game control centering his line – he tries a lot of thread-the-needle passes that dont work, makes poor decisions and generally doesnt involve his wingers well. Plus 3 for 12 on draws… not impressed.
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LBlocal Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
@bbb7, Be careful on how you blog about the highest paid (12/13) King, 3rd line center.
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Kristie Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
@LBlocal, He is sure making the case for DL to use the amnesty buyout. He was already a candidate simply due to the length and value remaining on his contract. Playing like a guy who looks more lost than a European tourist on Santa Monica Boulevard doesn’t help his cause.
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CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
@Kristie, I don’t think AEG will let him eat that contract.
LBlocal Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@Kristie, just replace the words ‘lost than’ with ‘like’ and you got it. Don’t forget, MR10 was ice fishing a day before the CBA was approved.
P=P=P Oh, so long ago..
JD Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:30 pm
@Kristie, maybe he’ll use the amnesty buyout on Jonathan “Jim Carey” Quick
tomb Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:05 pm
@Kristie, I hate to complain about Mike Richards since he helped the Kings win the cup. Currently, when you look at Richards production (5 pts. in 10 gms.) and compare it to the guys we traded to get Richards it looks like a horrible trade. Brayden Schenn has 8 pts. and he is only 21 yrs. old and Wayne Simmonds has 5 pts. In hindsight I wonder if DL would still make the trade?
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:18 pm
@tomb,
Like WS and like BS, but 1 cup to zero and 3 players with similar pts totals, and at such an early stage in the season?
So far DL and the Kings are still well on the positive side of the ledger here.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
“@Kristie, maybe he’ll use the amnesty buyout on Jonathan “Jim Carey” Quick”
Wow…three months of hockey go missing, and memories fade like bad bumper stickers!
andy Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:47 pm
@bbb7, Like to see Richards Centre a line with Brown and Williams as they compliment far better IMHO. Besides Kopitar should be put with a real sniper in Carter and a real digger in Clifford. As for Gagne I’d put him with Stoll and Lewis for now. Whats left is Richardson or Fraser with King and Nolan. Just wish Darryl would try these lines what does he have to lose its not like the Kings are going anywhere right now! At seasons end I’d bloody make sure we sign Holloway and Moller for the 3rd line they’re a helluva lot better than the aforementioned wingers who can’t buy a goal. They should be used as trade bait as should Penner if they have any sort of value left. In another year 2014-15 Vey and Toffoli should ready to unseat someone
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Stuart Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:36 pm
@andy, Richards and Brown do not mx. absolutely zero chemistry.
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ArmChairKingsFan Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:18 pm
@Stuart,
Actually for the 2-3 games they were together early last season, Penner-Richards-Brown was a fairly effective line IIRC. Then again, almost everything early last season (before the Quick benching with 3 straight SO) was fairly effective.
Kings20 Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 10:59 am
@andy, Toffoli been ready for a long time. But we do have those snipers under contract….Fraser, Richardson, Lewis
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zZzZzZz
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harty Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
@Crowns, Sutter said nothing near what I thought he would…….and to suggest he liked the 3rd line….this guy is loosing it folks
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Games like this make you wonder about the hockey gods odds getting even.
W sure as hell wouldn’t lose a game like this in the playoffs.
It certainly was their best effort of the season. There were mistakes, but the majority of this game was spent in the offensive zone.
We had grade A chances all game. Howard played a Quick-like game for Detroit.
As for JQ he let in 2 goals and has to be bitterly disappointed, but I will never question his game after what I saw last year.
I’m sure he’s counting the minutes until tomorrow night and I expect a top shelf performance by the best goalie in the league.
If we play the way we played today, we’ll be just fine.
Go Kings!
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freezerflatten Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@Nykingfan, st. louis will beat us tomorrow because they have halak back. elliot was playing like quick so we had a chance. now halak is back and quick is still struggling. with our luck, elliot probably would have found his game by then any way.
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vinny Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:20 pm
@freezerflatten, I boo you, sir/ma’am
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
@Nykingfan, I started getting concerned with the overall defensive mettle when they lost their first regulation game in PRACTICALLY FOREVER after leading going into the 3rd against the Avs. They really need to find that mojo, and I think it’s going to take adjustments by the FORWARDS to get it done. Stoll might be too much of a liability in the current lineup, for example.
That, and we really need to see more out of Dewey. I might even suggest putting Voynov in a shutdown role, and see how he handles it, though he’s a bit small. The thing is, he’s handled everything ELSE thrown at him.
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some people i read liked ellerbys performance from the comments on his thread ……. wow , we all do watch a different game dont we
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
@phil sykes, and so your comment was?… I went back and looked and you didn’t say anything. Please share your thoughts on his game
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
@Lake Forest, at the bottom of the game thread i ripped him apart …….. go there
… yes we disagree ….. but so what we are kings fans one in the same ………….. we disagree and thats that …. no need to fight about it … we just have differnet opinions
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
@phil sykes, uhhhh what are “we fighting” about? I asked for your opinion
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
@phil sykes, just saying forrest if you were somebody who liked his performance , im the oposite and think hes the worst defensemen ive ever seen … therefore conflict could easily arise since i dont pull punches when i rip a player ……. so if we have different opinions …… oh well ,, thats just the way it goes …. no biggie
Nykingfan Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
@phil sykes,
He didn’t impress me. It could be because its game 1. I’m interested to see him tomorrow night
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LT21 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:53 pm
@Nykingfan, Keep in mind he is there to be more defensive minded, it was his first game playing with a new partner who he had 1 day of practice with and first game playing with the Kings (a completely different system than what he is used to). Overall, I thought he did decent based on all of that. I prefer Scuds but Ellerby is younger and able to play more minutes later into the season. Not to mention his size will benefit with the physicality that DD shouldn’t have to completely brunt for the first D line.
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nykingsfan Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 8:49 am
@LT21,
I didn’t notice him being physical at all.
I thought his giveaways were pretty brutal…again, hopefully it’s just 1st game jitters.
If we continue to see the same thing tonight, we’ll know why FL gave him away for prctically nothing.
LBlocal Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
@phil sykes, Agreed, 1st line duty on a new team, 28 shifts, 18:19 toi. +/- 0. That’s a plus 1.
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CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:41 pm
@phil sykes, No one even mentioned Ellerby’s name on this thread until you did.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
@CB14, i said on his thread …. not this thread
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CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
@phil sykes, Doh, my bad.
Darrell Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@phil sykes, Fifth round pick. Who did you expect? If he was going to be that much of an impact player, don’t you think he would’ve been worth more?
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
@Darrell, either lombardi or the pro scout staff not realizing that what we had (muzzin) was way better than ellerby – epic fail ……. and im the first guy to say that muzzin is too inexperienced right now and we need a vet to replace him for now ……………… but not this guy ellerby …… jeeeeez
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Kings20 Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 11:09 am
@phil sykes, All that after one game…WOW. I like Muzzin but to say he is much better than Ellerby after one game…don’t think so. Muzzin should be playing and not Drewiske
Duckbasher Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:20 pm
@phil sykes, Geez… did Ellerby use to beat you up on the playground in grade school or something? Why so hard on him? It’s not like we gave up ANYTHING for him.
You know what? If you look at the Western Conference standings, they look about right—except that the wrong metro L.A. team is in second place. One would think they would be switched. Funny: practically every year one is hot and the other is cold. You’d think it would be the Kings who would be up near the top.
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Richards with King and Nolan did seem to balance the lines out better.
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puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:59 pm
@Mikey J., Agreed. The 4th line was so so on scoring chances. Carter, Williams, and Clifford were awesome. I also thought Gagne Kopi, and Brown were real good as well. Gagne appears to play better with Kopi then Richards IMO.
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Duckbasher Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
@puck73, I think that 3 of our lines looked very good. Lots of chances and If Howard hadn’t played like JQ of last season, we easily win that game 6-2.
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Considering how bad the team has been playing except for today, we are still only 5 points out of 8th. No need to panic, still a long ways to go. This team needs to have its back against the wall to start playing its best hockey. Hopefully the team is realizing we are close to that point since we are already a quarter of the way through the season.
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also people lets keep in mind the redwings are an atrocious defensive hockey team ….. will the kings keep up this offensive pressure …. or was it just because it was the redwings
man this really sucks …………….. i mean im a troll , i have no life , the kings are my life – but now these injuries and heartbreaking loss …… i mean what the hell do i do now …. its not like i have a girlfriend and can go have sex and forget about the kings
this is terrible
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puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
@phil sykes, Willie Mitchell, in game shape, will make a massive difference…trust me Phil. Willie will eat up minutes that count, and will take the pressure off of Quick, Doughty, and Scuds among others.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:05 pm
@puck73, havent u heard mitchell is most likely done for the season
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puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
@phil sykes, Dont know, thats just people talking right now. We will see
Fortunato Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:13 pm
@puck73, Wiliie is done for the season
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 1:22 pm
@puck73, I strongly agree with that, and think Matt Greene’s contributions have always been under-rated. What REALLY bugs me is the possibility of finishing the season without him and/or life after he’s gone. The Kings also get to pay Voynov REAL money next season. Dewey better turn into what he’s supposed to be, and he better turn out to be a good teacher, because this blue line won’t last forever.
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
@phil sykes, I have a wife and still don’t get to do that…..
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
@Lake Forest,
‘Cause she’s always talking about the Kings?
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@Luke Warmest, Welp, I guess this thread blows my hitherto solid theory that you and @phil were the same person..
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@Duncanz, too lazy for that
tory17 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:53 pm
@Lake Forest,
Yup we;come to the club ;(
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linny Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
@phil sykes, just add the fact that I spend most of my time (unless the kings are playing) caring for my sickly mother and we’re in the same boat. I deliberately withheld her pain meds for an extra hour after Detroit scored the game winner…(I had to take it out on someone). Bottom line is most of us here live n die (n cry lately) kings hockey, which leads to very passionate opinions/comments. I lost the last gf I had because she thought I liked the kings more than her…she was right! N I could care less…so I’m not even looking just in case things turn around soon.!
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
@linny, i would much rather have a beautiful girl than the kings ……….. but thats just me ……… so i substitute the kings in her place since i cant get one
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@phil sykes,
Haven’t got one YET! Keep pluggin away Phil. I mean, what do you think you are, a Kings’ forward? “Can’t get one”. Sheesh
In less the one minute, we go from ecstasy (when Martinez scored) to agony (when the Wings got the game winner). That was a bitter pill to swallow, especially since the boys threw the kitchen sink and then some at Jimmy Howard. Put it in the past and get ready for the Blues. You know they’ll be seeking to redeem themselves after last year’s playoff loss.
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puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
@Dave K, The Bitterest Pill is hard to swallow…..The Jam (1982)
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EternalOptimist Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
@Dave K, yeah, a big wtf just happened moment lol
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Just woke up a little while ago and saw the bad news here. Here’s what seem to be this teams issues right now, and they are concerning:
1. This team is badly missing Mitchell and Greene.
2. Quick is far from the Goalie we saw last June.
3. Practically every Forward whose last name doesn’t start with the letter “C” is having a bad start. Richards is especially concerning and Penner may simply be done as a King.
Suggestions for any or all of these? Anyone know what’s with Mitchell? Should Bernier get some work or do we let Quick play his way out of it? Any top 6 forwards available and what would DL need to give up? Or should Toffoli get a look? And should DL try to get another veteran defenseman somehow? Post away with your suggestions.
Incidentally I think at this point DL would trade Penner and Bernier for some worthwhile pieces in no time flat IF HE COULD. Sitting on the bench they aren’t getting anybody’s mouth watering. Who else would you guys be willing to part with?
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puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:06 pm
@HockeyNerd, Great takes, great questions. You are slowly becoming one of my favorite bloggers on this site.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:10 pm
@puck73, i liked the lines today as i thought i would , however i would make one change …. penner for richardson ……. 4th line stoll penner lewis
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puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
@phil sykes, So Fraser will be riding pine?
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
@phil sykes, i always want frasier riding the pine … hes worthless to me
Fortunato Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
@HockeyNerd, I don’t think you want to bring Tofolli up . He needs more seasoning. It’s a short season. I don’t think you make any trades beyond what we’ve done. I’m not saying we’re done for this season but doing anything significant at this point is in my opinion not worth it.
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CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@HockeyNerd, Bernier should play tomorrow because it’s a back to back. If he plays well, gives up only 1 or 0 goals, keep playing him. Quick did just come off back surgery, mabye a little rest will help him. If Bernier doesn’t play well, you’ve gotta put Quick back in there and hope he improves. He hasn’t been bad this season, but he hasn’t played like we need him to play in order to win some hockey games.
I would bring Toffoli up. This team needs guys who can put pucks in the net, Toffoli can do that. I don’t know what to think of Penner, he’s only played in 3 games so it’s hard to judge him. King has played in 9 games, Lewis in 10, yet they both have the same amount of points as Penner. Give him a shot or send him down and bring somebody up here that you will give a shot.
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DaveinSD Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
@CB14, no way in hell do you bench Trevor. Him and Cliffy are the hardest working players on the team. Without Trevor Lewis our penalty kill would be garbage!
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CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:55 pm
@DaveinSD, I never said to bench Lewis. I was just using his and Dwight King’s production in comparison to Penners. All 3 of them have provided nothing offensively, yet Penner gets thrown into the doghouse while the other 2 continue to play regularly.
And yes, I realize that Lewis isn’t out there to score goals, his job is to play great defense and PK.
Token Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:30 pm
@HockeyNerd, Since you asked …
Keep the first line same as cup run line. Drop Richards to the fourth and use him on special teams with Gagne and whatever spare change is left. Have Cliffy center the second line with Penner and Carter. King and Nolan centered by Lewis in third. .
The D is what it is. There is no deal to be made for a solid D.
As for where this goes, if the team doesn’t gel and string a couple weeks of .700+ hockey, sellers at the trade deadline. Stock up on picks and try to land a first rounder.
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We need someone who sniffs around the net, can smell the scoring chance whenever it occurs. When Williams deflect the puck and Howard gave up the rebound, where was Stoll? He was right next to Williams and the rebound went the other way. He should have gone to the other side of the net cause it was wide open for the tap in. I bet the player like Toffoli has that kind of ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Lewis was calling for the puck right in the slot to take a shot. But hey, that’s not your role cause you never score the goal from the slot so let’s not be that guy but the other guy, will ya?
Right now, Doughty is trying to do too much. He certaily has the ability to be the guy like that but that doesn’t fit to our system so … slowing down a lil bit would help his game.
I think Penner’s style of play complements Carter. If only Richards regains his game that 2nd line can be a killer once again.
Gagne is skating well but he lost his scoring touch. Needs more time to regain the sense of it.
We only have 1 game breaker who can score the goal all by himself. That’s not good enough in this league since other teams are scoring more. So who would that be?
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Dave K Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
@goldielocks, Gagne was a non-factor today. Not to single him out, but I couldn’t help notice that he was largely invisible on that first line. His linemates carried the load today.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@goldielocks, kopis playing on one leg , so therefore we have no gambreakers
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Howard sucked today versus the playing through champs. He was out of position, unsure and made too many silly mistakes. He simply does not have the confidence of his team …
Oh … not the Lakers blog?
Sorry
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TiredOfIt Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
@SupremeVoiceOfReason, Am I reading this blog correctly? We are now a bunch of bums? Are the boys not allowed to wallow in the mire for a few moments? One blog expert told me to stop living in the past of the Cup glory and to wake up. That was then, this is now they said. Alas, I cannot forget Quick’s quote at the podium during the victory parade rally, and will not. You get a pass from me my Kings of yesteryear. I appreciate you.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
@Exhausted Amigo, There’s nothing wrong with being psychocryogenically (not a Yotes reference) frozen in time in 2012.
The trouble begins when you get semi-thawed out and run headlong into those memory cell bankrupted colleagues of ours that believe DL has run this team into the ground with his lack of drafting and trading acumen and DS was always nothing more than the second coming of TM in disguise.
I feel for you all equally, of course.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
@ExhaultedPontificator,Once again you illuminate the site with laser beams of knowledge and common sense. I know now that all will be well. Thank you D
CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
@Duncanz, Antoni’s system sucks. Earl Clark takes 17 shots and Dwight Howard takes 9, WTF is that? That team was doomed when Jimmy Buss chose Mike Antoni over the greatest Head Coach of all time, Phil Jackson.
@Steve W, feel free to pile on the Laker hate, it’s well deserved.
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neil Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
@CB14, Metta and Clark with more shot on goals then Howard and Nash….
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Stuart Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
@CB14, Of course Clark takes more shots than DH because Clark can shoot from the perimeter and Damntoni doesnt like his players shooting from inside the paint…
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Doughty gave it right to him. If it were Greene or Mitchell they would have ate the puck in the corner. Doughty sent a very weak backhand up the boards.
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tomb Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:51 pm
@Ike, since Drew was stretching for the puck it was difficult to get anything on the shot. He was simply trying to prevent a player from getting to the puck. Unfortunately it went to a Detroit player who was not picked up by the King defender (the left winger’s job). But as DS said, Quick needs to stop shots from the blueline. It is hardly DD’s fault.
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Duckbasher Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
@Ike, That late in the game… If Mitchell or Greene are on the ice, the shot gets blocked.
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DS: “Gotta have that save.”
JQ: “Yeah, but it was your faceoff play, right?”
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CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
@Kenny44, The faceoff play was fine, Carter won it back to the corner, it was after that when the crap hit the fan. DD sent it up the boards instead of putting it in the corner, and Stoll left his man Ericcson wide open on the point. Stoll was playing like Detroit had the goalie pulled and he collapsed down low for no reason.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
@CB14, or hes so used to playing center his whole career …. he simply insticutally forgot
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CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
@phil sykes, He’s played in the NHL for 7 years, he should know who the LW’s assignment is off a faceoff.
P.S. He was on the left wing boards like he should be, problem is he went down low instead of staying up high with his man.
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@phil sykes, just saying cb that if u play something for such a long time , instinctively u might slip up …………. i used to play , and this happened to me when i was moved out of position – oh it only lasts like a second , before u realize , oh i shouold be somewhere else im playing a differnt position … but that half second or whatever could be the difference ……… even dustin brown has made mention of this having being switched from left to right wing his whole carreer …….. “sometimes i come down the wrong side before i realize” ………….. but anyways , im not saying thats what happened ……….. im just offering up another posiibility regarding stoll on that play ……… hes used to playing down low ………. so it may not have kicked into his brain fast enough , and by the time it did , it was too late
like i said ……. its just an alternative explanation …. dosent mean its what actually happened ……… im just putting it out there that the instinct thing does come into play for a second or two …. ive experienced it myself
Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
@CB14,
I know. I know. My post was a joke, a play off that Greene / Quick NHL mobile video spot. I thought it would be funny because Sutter stole Greene’s line: “Got to have that save”. I see now that I was wrong. It wasn’t funny at all.
There were four breakdowns. It started with Stoll getting possession off the draw then just pushing it into no man’s land and forgetting his assignment. Then Doughty blindly flinging it up the boards where Stoll should’ve been, instead of eating the puck for 4 seconds. Then AMart allowed himself to be pushed right back into Quick – he has to DROP that guy! Then Quick got leaky. Game over.
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Token Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:34 pm
@Kenny44, You forgot the first big mistake. Quick held the puck for the face off with no reason whatsoever to begin with.
Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
@Token
Well, I didn’t count that because I live in constant fear of Quick attempting to play the puck and forgetting which end of the stick to use (it’s just not his strong suit).
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
@Kenny44, He he he.
Nice one.
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
@Duncanz,
Glad you got it.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
@Kenny44, You know what they say … if you have to explain a joke … Then again my fruitless effort a couple of posts up certainly met with no less lead balloonery so I kind of ended up in similar territory.
On the bright side, we both accidentally generated some space-filling conversation so it wasn’t all bad, was it?
Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:22 pm
@Duncanz
You know what they say . . . the worst day blogging is better than the best day filling a dirigible with dead weight.
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:04 pm
@Kenny44, … or drilling a fungible..
(If anybody other than @K44 or @YoBro tries to make sense of this, I wouldn’t bother)
oh man this is bad ……. this is bad bad bad
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The problem is simple…Doughty’s +/- and Quick’s save %. Awful! DD is playing JMFJ hockey right now.
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DLB Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
@Dooms, Plus minus luck yes, puck possession no.
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tomb Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:53 pm
@Dooms, Drew Doughty leads the NHL in minutes played per game for a good reason.
[Reply]
i dont think is playing any different than usual quite honetly ……….. if quick has a great defense in front of him – then he is great ………………. but if you have holes on defense , his agressive style gets exposed ….. no worries i mean i still love the guy , its just im not the biggest fan of his style ……….. i still think hes a great goalie – so athletic , just great , but that agressive style can lead to alot of tap ins into empty nets with a bad injured defense ……. although that really had nothing to do with today ….. im just saying in general
i think its the same ole quick ……… i just think his style is not complmented by a bad injury riddled defense …………. quick likes to focus on the main shooter and cut down the angle as we know ….. so he relies on his teammates to pick up the players around him that are not the main shooter …….. well , withpout greene and mithcell rounding this team out perfectly , weve kind of lost that ………. and so i think thats why his numbers are what they are ………… but i still think hes the exact same guy , playing his same old exact game – which is usally great – but its only now with this defense that hes getting exposed
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@phil sykes, i dont think quick
[Reply]
tory17 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:13 pm
@phil sykes, no you don;t
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
@tory17, yur a clever one
goaliemom Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
@phil sykes, OMG. I might actually agree with you for once………lol
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:38 pm
@goaliemom, i know my stuff … dont hate
[Reply]
i dont think quick is playing etc….
[Reply]
Here’s what I saw today.
Forwards who showed up to play and had an impact:
Clifford
Kopitar
Brown
Williams
Lewis
Nolan
King
Forwards who weren’t a factor and need to step up:
Gagne
Richards
Stoll
Carter
Richardson
D-men who showed up to play and had an impact:
Doughty (big hit on Datsyuk)
Martinez (goal + big hit on Franssen)
Voynov
D-men who weren’t a factor and need to step it up:
Drewiske
Ellerby (but we can’t expect greatness from him right away)
Scuderi
As for Quick, I’m not sure where to put him. No doubt he would like to have that last one back.
Feel free to agree or disagree. This is simply my own observation of today’s game.
[Reply]
wes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:56 pm
@Dave K, I mostly agree. Although Richards, with that glaringly gaudy salary he’s stealing from The Anschutz Corporation, is probably a permanent fixture in the #1 position of Kings forwards that are not, and will not, and likely cannot, carry their weight. Carter may be a close second. When he’s on his game he’s still just a 1-dimensional player, a sniper and almost nothing else. He’s either going to be standing in the spotlight, or a completely ineffective drone, there’s no in-between with Carter. Doesn’t check with any consistency for a man with his size/reach, not a playmaker; skates well, has that dangerous wrist shot, not much else.
And while Drewiske and Scuderi may not have been at the top of their game today, i wouldn’t lump them with Ellerby, who struggled throughout. Ellerby’s a project for some time to come.
[Reply]
Dave K. Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 10:03 am
@wes, I think you’re right about Carter. Richards is by far a more complete player, but he needs to bring his “A” game. Tonight would be a good night to start! And I agree with your take on Ellerby – a work in progress. It’ll take time for him to not only adjust to a new system and team, but also to develop his overall game.
[Reply]
Its early….isnt that the cry from last season???
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
@neil,
The time is not yet.
[Reply]
LT21 Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 12:03 am
@neil, yeah but unfortunately we don’t have as many games this season to dig our way out of too big of a hole.
[Reply]
a bunch of latin americans are having a fabuolous time making all kinds of noise in the courtyard of my condo ……..swimming pool , screaming kids , pinada , musical chairs to the likes of macarena …………. do u think any of them are aware of what happened to the kings today ?
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:34 pm
@phil sykes, That sounds like a family I know, the Putama-Drechingados.
Yell down and see if it’s them, would you?
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
@Duncanz, Callate la boca,tranquillo wey.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:03 pm
@LVKINGS88, i don’t speak Latin but that sounds like a nice snack that @phil could offer his vecinos.
LVKINGS88 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
@phil sykes, Oh are they speaking Latin? that’s funny Phil, Latin Americans.
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
@LVKINGS88, yes because i dont know if they are from mexico , el salvador , guatemala … etc…. get my point
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
@LVKINGS88, i was talking about their nationality ……. duncanz brought up speaking ….. obviously that would be spanish , unless they are from brazil
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
@philo sykos, … or Belize…
Ellerby was a healthy scratch last game and a disappointment so far in his career….so the Kings are just hoping to get lucky here…chances..no….
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
@neil, i completely agree neil
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
@phil sykes, i would have greatly accepted mike weaver instead for a third round pick
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
@phil sykes, And you know DL had this option because…….?
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
@phil sykes, i explained it to you down below way down at the bottom .. i wrote another one about lovejoy ………….. and when i say weaver … i mean him or someone of his ilk like lovejoy scrool down to where we were talking before ……….. no need to get confrontational …… im just letting you there are always options out there and that blub wasnt talking about an elite guy …………………… scroll down to where i talk about ducks and lovejoy
lets be friendly we are on the same team after all …. me you and blub … just maybe our opinions differ a lil
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:36 pm
@phil sykes, Nobody is deliberately trying to be confrontational. What I am trying (very unsuccessfully
) to get you to understand is that the only price for a player that can help you is what the GM of the team who owns his rights wants, not what @phil sykes or @HockeyNerd or anyone THINKS that GM would take. DL knows what this team needs, he is working on it, and if and when he can get someone who will help at a fair price he will make that deal. He did something no other GM here has done. Why is it so hard for you to trust him and / or not believe he knows his job?
tomb Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
@neil, Ellerby is big and young. A former 1st round pick. Give him a chance.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
@tomb, ABSOLUTELY!
[Reply]
i mean everyone is saying we can make a run just like last year and make the playoffs …….. but last year we were completely 100 percent healthy ….. but this year …. yeah ….. were in the same position basically so i understand the comparison , but this year kopis on one leg and no greene or mitchell ………… see what im saying …………. i just dont think its going to happen this time ………… hope im wrong but i got to be honest
[Reply]
It was a hell of an effort, but Howard came up big and our goalie….
BTW, you know how embarrassing it is to cheer wildly at the tying goal, then sit silently 45 sec later with people smirking?
Enough travel for now to foreign rinks. Going to SoCal in a week and a half.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
@Robert R, Good on you for making the jaunt. Wish you’d got to see a win. Might’ve ended up wowing a fence-sitting Wingette or two.
It will be comforting returning to home base and getting a ‘big red dog’ with a side of muzzins rather than those dry Michigan zetterbergers and over-greased huskins.
[Reply]
Robert R Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
@Duncanz, for now, I’ll go to my pickup game and work off the cheeseburger. Look for someone to hit
[Reply]
I thought Carts had a strong game.
As for VV he was responsible for the 1st goal. The D were wide to begin with and he went for the outside fake leaving the middle as wide open as could possibly be.
[Reply]
MickSorley Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@Nykingfan, The only reason to find ANY comfort there is that it was Dats.
[Reply]
vinny Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:34 pm
@Nykingfan, true but that was offsides by about a foot
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
@vinny, lets not turn into phoenix and cry about the officials …. good coach , but i hate that crybaby tippet ………… i mean it was a close play ……. if your the best team you perservere and overcome ……… and dont let referees calls bother you … unlike phoenix …. bunch of crybabies ……….. doan , smith , yandle , tippett ………….. all a bunch of crybabies
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@phil sykes, Hope they all read this blog so they can see how poorly they compare to us Kings fans. : /
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
@phil sykes, floggin doan “what did i do” he said incredulously ………..you only smashed trevor lewis face thru the boards causeing injury and bleeding …….. a call that is made everytime by the officials in todays nhl …. regardless of if you meant to or not ……………. oh and by the way i do think he meant to because phoenix was really frustrated a penalty was going to be called on them before the doan hit and they could see things werent going there way and were probably going to be down 2-0 in the series .. they were super frustrated that game ………………..and then tippet goes on his tired after game three after kings delayed penalty goal when lewis was knocked down by the boards ……..so what , play comntinued and king still beat your goalie with a wicked wrister …………… what a bunch of babies …………. and even if there was a bad call at some point – so what – theres always going to be bad calls in a game ………. quit crying and deal with it ……….. thats part of the game ……..hockey officials have an extremely tough job ………….
i mean penner checked somebody in the finals – barely touched him – horrible call ……………. but the kings didnt cry about it ……. penner was just incredulous – who me kind of look …… showing his disagreement …….. let them know u disagree … state your case ……….. but then forget about it and go kill the penalty ………..good teams do that …………… phoenix – led by tippett his whole phoenix career tries to intimidate the refs with his crying …….. and im so thankful they didnt buy into during the western conference finals
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
@Nykingfan, VV did get himself drawn to the opponent on the boards and Datsyuk was able to streak through, but in fairness to him, didn’t the other 3 Kings skaters get sucked over to the puck carrier and leave VV badly exposed in a 2 on 1?
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
@Duncanz, i rarely complain about officating duncanz ………everything else sure , but not that ,,,,,,,,, its part of the game ………… i complain about toronto screwing something up on a goal review ………… because they have the ability to look at replays and take their time ….. so they have no excuse ……… but regular in game officiating – i hardly ever complain because everybody gets bad calls – its part of the game
[Reply]
vinny Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
@phil sykes, when doughty is called offsides on about 99% of his-carrying the puck through the middle, stop, and dish-close plays, then a play THAT far offsides is missed, then I really have no problem whining a little, but yes, stuff happens, nobody died, definitely coulda overcame that, but vv was being called out, so I thought I’d offer my thought.
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@phil sykes, yeah i didnt mean u were a crybaby vinny .. i was just getting flashbacks of phoenix …… ive seen to many hockey games over my 30 years as a fan so that now i know – theres always going to bad in game calls – 90 percent penalties … that u just gotta deal with it ……………my first few years as a fan … well i was young and inexperienced and didnt realize this stuff happens every game and u just have to deal with it ….. lol bob myers
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
@phil sykes, like doughty in game 5 vs phoenix in overtime before penner scored …….. the tirade he went on ……….. shut up doughty and get in the box ………. dont stoop to phoenixs classless level …… if your the better team just go out and kill the penalty ………………. same with people blaming mcsorley for his stick in 93 …. its not his fault …………. if you aspire to be the better team …… well then the better team would be able to kill a penalty wouldnt they ?
see so relax doughty ……. the kings killed your penalty effortlessly as they did all playoffs ……. i mean phoenix hardly even had any setup time – as was custumary for our pk during last years run ……….. relax doughty …. we will kill it , we are the best team and we are dominating on the pk …….when u have the confidense like the kings had last year that u are the best team then theres no need to complain – relax doughty well kill it …..its when teams know they arent dominating the opponent and arent the best team on the ice that they start pulling out the ref card ….. ala new jersey and phoenix
Next person who fails to finish on an open side of the net has do the following at the next Kings practice. Hit the ice with nothing on but skates (naked). Skate full speed from the goal line to the red line then drop to their ass and slide on it to the other goal line.
[Reply]
MickSorley Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
@MickSorley, Dustin Brown, I see an ice burn in your future.
[Reply]
Robert R Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 10:12 am
@MickSorley, Howard anticipated and made an amazing save. I was sitting 30 feet away from it.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@MickSorley, Why have him wear Skates?
[Reply]
The first 10 games are a wash since there were no exhibition games. Quick is still not in form, we need to try Bernier for a couple of games. We are not scoring goals. King has played ok but has nothing to show for it. Need to give Penner a chance or get rid of him. Feels like last year. Hopefully we can string some victories together
[Reply]
LT21 Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 12:08 am
@krash324, I agree for the most part. Quick can still get up to speed but unfortunately we don’t have that much time. Give Bernier a start against St. Louis. As far as Penner, give him one more chance but if he can’t hack it he may just need to be told he will be a perma-scratch for the rest of the season. What team would want him right now? I don’t even think we could get a 5th round pick for him and his play this season.
[Reply]
when amart scored and they were talking about puckluck i wanted to jump thru the screen ……………………. we only dominated the game you dummies ….. there was nothing lucky about us tying the game …….. god i wanted to kill those jackballs
[Reply]
Hackwoods Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 12:40 am
@phil sykes, That is Pierre McGuire at his best. He said about 3 things he liked about the Kings in the entire SC finals last year (that is over 6 games). I think he knows hockey very well but what a d-bag. I concur 100% with Sykes here. Puckluck when you out shoot your opponent by a landslide, and have twice as many scoring chances, and probably possess the puck 2 to 1 in the o-zone. Give me a break.
[Reply]
I believe we can win every game if we play like today.
[Reply]
MickSorley Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@zdfun, Add an ounce of finish in there and I wholeheartedly agree!
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:44 pm
@zdfun, We should have been up by four goals the way we dominated. Just one of those games that you have to put behind you.
[Reply]
I liked the play today, bummer to lose, but it looked better.
If they can make minor improvements off todays play, I will feel much better.
We are only 5 points out of 8th, not panicking yet, but getting close.
I hope DS is being an optimist, otherwise I am getting worried.
My biggest worry is Net Presence, not being on the open side to bury the rebounds.
Our shots are up but not all quality chances if nobody is there to capitalize.
All in all, I am not too angry today, so that is a plus.
[Reply]
MickSorley Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
@Mars, Yep. Having a guy backdoor should not only open up scoring chances at net but also draw an opposition defenseman out of the slot and reduce traffic for shots from the strong side.
[Reply]
MickSorley Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 4:58 pm
@MickSorley, …thus allowing more pucks to get on net.
[Reply]
How many times did we have a Grade A chance and plant the puck right in Howard’s chest? Howard played solid from a position standpoint but we made him look like a Vezina candidate. If we’d have been there for the rebounds, we win that game going away.
[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
@40YearKingsFan,
Not his chest so much as his legs. He stopped everything low that he could possibly get to (he had no chance on Kopitar or Martinez’s goals). I was yelling at the TV for them to aim high on those second chances. Successful offenses give goalies different shots to contend with. When everything is along the ice, it makes things very simple for the goalie: get low and stay there. Not once did I see a puck higher than mid-net today.
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:49 pm
@KingMe20, u have to have time and a long follow thru …. meaning space ….. there wasnt much of that when the kings actually released their shots ….. its not easy to do
….. as is usually the case the opponents were closing in as the kings released their shots ……….. its just not that easy ….. theyre trying but uve got to have a little space when your releasing the shot …….. most of the stuff today was crash and go for rebonds in tight …. which works too …….. it just wasnt our day
[Reply]
My wife, Judi, just identified why Detroit won that game when they did. They must have been listening to the NBC telecast and became so convinced how tired they were that they knew they could never win it in overtime.
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
@Russ Dynda, Good one.
[Reply]
Before we all jump on the “let’s get Ellerby out of here” bandwagon I would like to remind everyone that both Randy Jones and Brian Benning scored goals in their first games as Kings.
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:20 pm
@Michael J., wouldnt that further bolster my argument that ellerby is worse
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:35 pm
@phil sykes, even crappy players can score a goal their first game
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:59 pm
@Lake Forest, i know lake …….. i was just being tongue and cheeky on that one
LT21 Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 12:11 am
@Lake Forest, He wasn’t brought in to be a savior for our scoring slump. He was brought in to be more defense minded and stop the bleeding on the blue line. Don’t expect much scoring out of him. He did fine for his first game. Give him more than 24 hours with his new team before we tear into him. Jeez.
Michael J. Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
@phil sykes,
Slow it down a little…
[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
@Michael J.,
Apparently Ellerby must have stolen Phil’s girlfriend at some point. Or maybe beaten him up in grade school?
I’ve come to accept the fact that the KINGS will miss the playoff this season to avoid a greater dissappointment later on. They might make it interesting at the end but won’t make it , they will run out of games. They’ve already dug themselves into a hole that will be hard to get out of this short season. Just seems that the team is not ready/prepared to defend their championship and show other teams and critics that we weren’t a one hit wonder. All of out top players just aren’t bringing it to the level they should be. I hope they can prove me wrong but I no longer have big expectations for this year
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:42 pm
@Gmo, Well, look at the bright side, at least your not @CrownRoyal who screamed like Ryan Leaf and told me not to call, or text him ever again! This guy got so mad at Bettman and Fehr, that he proclaimed…”I am no longer interested in the NHL, so dont contact me anymore!
So you see, your not the biggest quitter of all time
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
@Gmo,
They are like four points out of a playoff spot… Just maybe they can dig out of that don’t ya think?
[Reply]
rick Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:51 pm
@Gmo, I am sure there is an Australian rugby team thick in the middle of a race for something or another which would love your support. Have at it, and feel free to check in with the rest of us on occasion..
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
@rick, http://www.sharks.com.au/home
[Reply]
rick Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
@Duncanz, Thanks. I knew I could count on you for some leadership and direction.
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:21 pm
@Gmo, Well I’m not going to accept it and fortunately neither will Sutter, Lombardi, and the rest of the organization. This team has NEVER made anything easy. Sometimes you do not meet expectations for several games. THAT’S HOCKEY, MY FRIEND. You can be a quitter or continue to support the team. It is up to you. But don’t tell me with 3/4 of the season still to go these guys are out if the playoff picture. I think not.
[Reply]
Gmo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:30 pm
@HockeyNerd,
On the bright side, im really looking for the team to prove me wrong and make me eat crow lol
[Reply]
If Ellerby continues every game without the Kings’ opponents scoring while he is on the ice I will be more than happy.
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@Michael J., me ttoo …. but luck will only take you so far
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
@phil sykes,
Well, puck luck did tie the game for us
[Reply]
I think anyone calling for Ellerby’s head after one game needs to have a coke and a smile. and shut the puck up. He played as solid as expected of him in his FIRST GAME, for crying out loud!!
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@Gustavo, disagree
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@Gustavo, Thats it! now you’ve done it. Just for that snide little remark, Im gonna call my boy @Phil Sykes and have him bury you in a verbal ditch so deep, that you will need a steam shovel to dig yourself out of it !
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
@puck73, lol we sent it at exactly the same time …. lol lol i didnt go off though ……… just a one word answer …….. we are on the same wavelength it appears ………… i know thats not comfortating since everyone on here hates me it seems like
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@phil sykes, lol comfortating ….. now thats a funny typo ……. comforting
rick Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
@phil sykes, I don’t hate you. I will soon stop reading your posts, but I don’t hate you.
Gustavo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:57 pm
@puck73,
LOL…bring it
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
@Gustavo, nice of you to say rick …. welcome aboard
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
@phil’s just a little upset at the reception his man DD is getting today, after he didn’t take into account my replies to him on here last night.
He’s ‘hartying’ back at everybody, that’s all.
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
@Duncanz, no we lost so im pissed …………… i have absoultuely zero worries about doughty or scuderis ability to play defense
Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:44 pm
@Wayne&Garthanz,
Harty on Phil!
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:56 pm
@Wayney44, We’re not mirthy!
Gmo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
@Gustavo,
Well said, give the guy a break only his first game
[Reply]
I agree with everyone that a lot of the breakdowns and lack of confidence by the team can be attributed to the loss of Mitchell and Greene. This is why it was imperative for DL to go after a veteran D-man and not some highly drafted underperformer from Florida. We need someone who can settle things down. This season will be lost soon without this type of player. BTW…. Do you think the winning goal would have occurred today with either Willie or Greene on the ice.
I’m also not sure what’s going on with Stoll. I’ve always been a supporter of his but it seems that every time he is on the ice he is either not sticking to basics(play your position and get to the wing to cover Ericson today), missing short passes, not winning important face offs, and never getting it on net. Not sure why he is on the ice in such critical times in the game.
Lastly, the team collectively seems to be too complacent and completely content with riding their accomplishments last year into this season. To be blunt…. And I love these guys…. They seem to not be vested and committed to not just repeating but competing everyday. Today is a turning point in the season… Time to step it up or bow out of the possibility of making a run to the playoffs!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
@Blub, Solid, I like it
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:07 pm
@Blub,
How wise of you to point DL’s blatant failure to magically find and negotiate his 5th round pick for that Mitchell or Greene replacement that can “settle things down”.
THERE ARE NONE AVAILABLE, people. Get it through your thick skulls, once and for all.
Please, please, please (with a cherry on top)…if you have a secret list of D with the skill caliber and experience of WM or MG, do not waste any time and forward it to DL ASAP.
Otherwise, sit back and root for Ellerby to hopefully have a resurrection a la Sheldon Souray for the rest of the season.
[Reply]
Blub Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:15 pm
@Gustavo, there is always one out there if you do your job as GM and give something up to get what you need. It’s a copout for DL and all the Kings fans to believe that there are no Vet D-man available. Get on the phone, put an intriguing package together and get a deal done!
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
@Blub,
Please enlighten us…WHO is out there?
What package do you fantasize DL putting together to bring a Webber/Sutter/Chara/Mitchell/ Greene defender to LA?
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
@Blub, totally agree blub ……… but lombardis so conservative ……. i wouldnt hold my breath
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
@Blub, no gustavo hes not talking about elite guys like that …. hes talking about a serviceable journeyman …. something along the lines of floridas mike weaver … someone like that
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:15 pm
@Blub, “Give up something to get what you need”.
Please read your own words. Either continue to fantasize that Penner, Bernier and Muzzin will fetch Shea Weber or Ryan Suter or let us in on the little secret that you know and DL doesn’t: who you are willing to give up and who would come here in return.
luc20rules Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
@Gustavo, +1, the guys playing well on D will not be available. Columbus may be willing to trade JJ at the deadline for 2 #1s & Brown. Not a good deal in my opinion.
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
@luc20rules, i dont want jack johnson back ………. and that deal u are proposing for him that columbus might want in return would have have lombardi laughing off his rocker
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:25 pm
@luc20rules, hockey nerd ……… hes just talking about a third round pick , maybe second for a journeyman veteran dman ……. nothin elite …… and nothing to give up but a draft pick ……….. you know , pay florida a little more 3rd or second rounder if they squeeze u and get mike weaver …. basically a nobody , but a guy who can play the game ………… if they wont do it go to the next team etc….
basically do what they just did with ellerby …… but find a better player .. because ellerby is not the answer ……….. not more of a vet journeyman – and if they squeeze you and make u pay more – as in 2nd or third rounder .. you do it … because we are desparate
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:42 pm
@phil sykes, Same comment. Basically you are fantasizing that another GM will take a draft pick that MIGHT turn into an everyday player for one that already is. I’m sure DL would do that if he could. For some reason 1) you think DL HASN’T tried to do that and 2) you have decided Ellerby is not the answer after all of 1 game as a King. Me thinks you are jumping to two too many conclusions.
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:34 pm
@Gustavo, Thank You!!!!!!!!!!
Mitchell and Greene are hurt, nearly everyone else is not playing anywhere near the level they did 6 months ago and all some people want to do around here is blame DL!!!!! Is the cold weather and rain we’ve been having his fault too?????
Get it through your heads people: a forward that’s been sitting on the bench, a goaltender with less than 50 games NHL experience or a prospect currently playing as a 7th defenseman SIMPLY WILL NOT FETCH A DEFENSEMAN WHO CAN ADEQUATELY REPLACE WILLIE MITCHELL. Not even a package of all 3. Before posting yet another “DL is not doing his job” rant PLEASE specify who you would be willing to part ways with who WOULD ACTUALLY INTEREST ANOTHER TEAM.
Thank You. Drive through.
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
@HockeyNerd, i just did right above your post
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:53 pm
@HockeyNerd, not fanticizing at all ……..gms do it all the time …… trade draft picks for roster players …….. again not someone obviously who is going to be as good as mitchell … but definately not ellerby …….. somewhere in between vdman
prime example …ducks just gave up a 5th rounder for journeymen vet type ben lovejoy from pittsburg ……… and hes big and can skate …….. but what i am saying is its done all the time ……..gms give up vetermen dmen journeymen types for a mid round draft pick all the time …….. so there u go ……. lovejoy cost the ducks a fifth rounder ………… and hes the kind of option we are looking for …………………..someone whos been around , and knows how to play the game ……………… and yes , im already writing off ellerby …………. if im wrong , ill gladly eat crow
Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:30 pm
@HockeyNerd, Also, there are 29 other teams in need of a solid veteran D-man. This is why DL drafts D over forwards to the chagrin of most here.
Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
@puck73
I think it went to his head. He’s back to shouting and trying to chase us off his lawn.
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:51 pm
@Clinty44, Hope I don’t get bopped on the noggin with the empty chair..
Fire Quick.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
@MmmmYummy, nope
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tomb Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:57 pm
@MmmmYummy, Have you ever considered being an NHL GM? Hope not!
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Another thing… I know it’s early in the season but in the past few years (with TM and DS) the Kings would always bounce back from these types of losses, especially on the road, with a win. Well see if this happens tomorrow. They’ve already had a few chances to bounce back but failed… Colorado, Edmonton, and today’s game.
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And another thing…am I the only one who noticed the much improved team play today from last game vs Nashville? I know I’m not alone on this
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puck73 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
@Gustavo, The line changes sparked the offensive chances BIG TIME today.
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Gustavo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
@puck73,
Yup, Richards still looks like he runs out of gas, but created good chances for Nolan and King
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Michael J. Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:13 pm
@Gustavo,
No, you are not.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
@Gustavo, yea we played great , but keep in mind detroit is the worst defensive team in the nhl in my opinion ……….. so lets see how things play out over the next few games …………. but yeah , as i said yesterday , i think these line changes give us a 4 line attack which is what u need when kopi isnt healthy ………. i loved the changes before the game , and loved them even more after ……. sutter is a mad genius ……. but lets keep in mind detroit is terrible defensively ………. lets hope for the best against different competition coming up
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Gustavo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:27 pm
@phil sykes,
I keep hoping our #5 will pan out to something like their #5 who just retired…
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:04 pm
@Gustavo, was it us or was it playing a team that played twice in 24 hours
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:14 pm
@Lake Forest, Also, much like us, they are far from replacing two of their most powerful Dmen from last season; Lidstrom & Stuart.
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Quick, Richards and Penner should be having a nice road trip in the dogcar to St. Louis.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:45 pm
@MmmmYummy, umm penner? He’s hardly played.. Unfair to call him out imho
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MmmmYummy Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:53 pm
@letswinthecup2012, In his own words “I’m waiting like a dog in a car, waiting to be let out,” Penner is in the dogcar. The other two arguably should be or are about to get put in it too.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
@Kennel44, This made me feel a lot better. You?
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:52 pm
@Schadenfreudanz,
No, but watching Anton Khodobin’s post-game interview just made me snicker. Good on ya, comrade!
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hopefully, just like last season, the loss to the wings is the turning point in our season where everyone wakes up
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:56 pm
@ashykins, except this year kopitar , greene and mitchell are all injured …. big difference
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Only thing I saw that should’ve been done a lot sooner and more often was big guys in front of the net. Wish they instilled that in Kopi, penner, clifford, king, Nolan, carter; those big guys. King was a good example…hope they do that tomorrow against the blues. Otherwise, we all saw a determined Kings today.
Loved that Kings NHL center commercial.
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Can it be argued that maybe Quick isn’t over back surgery? Also we are a team that is lost right now and its showing…
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
@pr0cess, They didn’t look lost today….they played good, and on another night that goal doesn’t go in against quickie. 2nd goal was totally on Quick…they played well though..just not meant to be.
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:38 pm
@rogiesbackup, If they put out that same effort against the Blues we add 2 points to our total. Quick appears to be just a fraction off on his angles and rarely gets beat on the wide side. Why we had a letdown after we tied the game puzzles me but
it is still early enough to pull out of this funk we seem to be in. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:41 pm
@Forum Gold, we only scored 2 goals, I don’t think we played that well
Forum Gold Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:38 pm
@rogiesbackup, If they put out that same effort against the Blues we add 2 points to our total. Quick appears to be just a fraction off on his angles and rarely gets beat on the wide side. Why we had a letdown after we tied the game puzzles me but
it is still early enough to pull out of this funk we seem to be in. GO KINGS GO!!!
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:27 pm
@Forum Gold, Not trying to make kings fans better, but this two points was ours today…just Howard stole it. We should breath a sigh of relief in seeing the Kings “will” still alive after today. It dedn’t seem it was ever going to resurface.
So Richards created great chances for King and Nolan. That’s just great. A passer creating chances for wings who can’t finish. Brilliant line changes. What I saw this morning reminded me of rope-a-dope. We’ve got all this energy, all those chances, all those shots. I’d like to remind everyone that it’s not the amount of energy you put out. It’s energized, smart play, skill and smart coaching decisions. Clifford, King, Nolan, Fraser, Richardson and Lewis are all, hard working energized players. But they have a very limited ability to finish. To spread them out among your best offensive players just reduces the offensive effectiveness of these players. I believe our best offensive players (Kapitar-Brown-Williams, Richards-Carter-Gagne) will score if we show a little patience and take the pressure off them.
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This teams success is predicated first and foremost on the goaltending position. They just aren’t getting the same quick as last year to this point. Also as pointed out numerous times the loss of Mitchell and Greene have been huge. It places the other dmen in riles they aren’t accustomed and obviously proficient. The forwards are what they are. Minimal skill and all muck and grind which is why they are do tough when playing ahead or late in the season or in a long series where they can wear the opposition down. Far too many times the other team has scored first which immediately takes this team out of their comfort zone. Unless quick starts standing I his head or bernier becomes this person or at least Mitchell comes back the fans are in for a long (or more appropriately short) season. At least start scoring first so they can play from ahead for a spell.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
@tornado12, +12. Opening goal super important!
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it is starting to look like last year was a flukey hot streak. glad we got to experience it, but this team will be lucky to finish at .500
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Mikey J. Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:38 pm
@kings_fan_for_life, If the around 500 happens, no playoffs. If the Kings get healthy though and get into the playoffs, watch the the hell out. They are built for the playoff hockey.
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Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:40 pm
@kings_fan_for_life, Did you watch the game? The Kings outshot the wings 47 to 31. 47! They won 58% of the face-offs…… Just didn’t go their way.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:57 pm
@Osaka, The numbers were all pretty good today, incl. SOG, FOW, hits, blocks, giveaways.
Apart from the obvious issue of the team missing its defensive fulcrum, the main points of concern are breakdowns at vital times and the ongoing question of the steadiness of the goaltending.
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Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:15 pm
@Duncanz, We play like that every night I like our chances. If Willie doesn’t return it would be tough to go deep into the postseason however.
I agree with Sutter, Kopi is getting his jump back so that’s a good sign. The knee was defiantly an issue.
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:29 pm
@0 Sake, I’m not so sure.
As @phil sykesy astutely observes (and observes, and observes, and observes) Kopi might be playing on one peg and is still noticeably less of a factor than he is at his best. This could be the major factor in the continuing ailing of the Kings’ PP at the moment.
1 personal SOG today out of a team total of 47 is probably a good indication of this.
JD Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:26 pm
@Osaka, I know nobody on this blog would ever admit it, but the big difference from last year is quick. Kings totally outplayed Detroit today, Howard made saves, and quick didn’t. I know quick was the best goalie in the league LAST season, but so far this season he’s just another average goaltender….. Very average
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tornado12 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:29 pm
@JD, See above post
Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:33 pm
@JD, Tonight definitely wasn’t one of his finer games.
As I stated last season….Quickie is stellar after about 5-7 straight starts after that he usually succumbs to a subtle mental fatigue in which he usually recovers after a game or two.
If I was coach play him 5-7 games then replenish his hunger by starting Bernier a game or two.
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tomb Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:08 pm
@rogiesbackup, I totally agree. Bernier needs to start a few games. Quick has not been stellar this year and we need to see what Bernier can offer?
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Everyone can see the value of a solid defenseman now eh. Now do we understand why DL drafts D over forwards. You can always trade a D for a forward, JJ for Carter is an example. Much harder to trade for a solid defenseman. There are 29 other teams that could use a solid defenseman.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
@Osaka, a 5 or 6 slot veteran dman has always been a mid range and they are always available ….. prime example , ducks just got lovejoy from pittsburgh for a fifth round pick like 5 days ago …. we need a journeyman veteran dman to slot in the 5 or 6 slot …. and they are available for a mid round draft pick as just proven by the ducks …………..
like i said .. if they want to squeeze you ….give up a 4th or a 3rd ……… it would have gotten us lovejoy …… thats the kind of option we are looking for on defense … and those veteran journeymen are always out there ……. im not saying lombardis not working the phones ………… im just saying ellerby is not what we need – not only is he bad ………. hes young and not quite experienced enough ……… i think lombardi was taking a flyer because he was a high first round pick ………….. but the route to go is a veteran journeymen type like a lovejoy or whoever who has played in this league awhile and is like 28 years old or older … you know a guy with experience , who u know is good enough to handle the 6 spot
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
@phil sykes,
You can’t blame @Osaka. His head is still spinning from the revolving door of journeymen D that brought us such prizes as that greek god of goals against, Bob Halkidis.
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Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:10 pm
@Kenny44, But Dean did draft Doughty, Voynov, and Martinez. We are talking about the drafting of DL. We have to wait to see if Forbort pans out.
Kenny44 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:27 pm
@Kenny44,
All kidding aside, I counted those names off in my head thinking of DL’s success drafting D. Obviously no easy task replacing two veteran D. But I think that’s part of the other guy’s point. Stockpiling D through the draft may yield results over time as you ease guys into roles. But it won’t necessarily help with replacing injuries to your most experienced guys. You’re usually at the mercy of the market in that circumstance. And I like DL’s move to acquire Ellerby at that price.
Overweight D in the draft (like pitchers in baseball) is rational to a point, but we’re now six years in and have not brought up a high skill forward drafted by DL. Schenn was used as a chip, and Toffoli likely won’t contribute this year. And we bang pucks into pads all day. So that’s the trade-off.
Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:57 pm
@Kenny44, True, but we did win the cup.
Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
@phil sykes, Ellerby played 18:19, that’s 3 mins more than Martinez. Not bad. How is Lovejoy an improvement? 100 career NHL games is not a vet, he is smaller, not physical at all…… The Kings were in need of size and grit with the loss of Matt and Willie.
Lovejoy has 25 points in 100 career games and Ellerby has 17 points in 125 games. Not much difference on the offense either.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:14 pm
@Osaka, lol jovejoy is 6 feet 5 …………. and is at least 28 years old … hes been around awhile …………even if some of that experience came at the ahl …… hes stiull way more experienced than ellerby becasue of his age
and by the way , watched lovejoy play his first 2 games with ducks and is absolutely fine ……….. ellerby too young and inexperienced and is a disaster …… and unlike muzzin , who i do believe will turn out to be a good nhl defensemen who just needs more experience , i dont believe ellerby will ever be anythig but trash
just my opinion – we are friends osaka – okay … lets not fight …. just our opinion differ a lil
Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
@Dr. Phil
Ben Lovejoy 6’2 215. 100 career games, 93 hits. Ellerly 181 hits. They do not play the same game. You can like your man better, just not a lot difference with his 100 games. You are splitting hairs when you say that is the guy we should have gotten. Not much of a case to be made except you like him.
I noticed you brought up that lets not fight to someone else. I am not fighting, expressing my point. That is the purpose of this blog right. Don’t worry about getting anyone upset with your opinion, if they get upset it is their problem. Its all good. GKG!
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:34 pm
@Osaka, tsn site says lovejoy is 6 – 2 …. brian heyward said 6 – 5 . so whatever it is hes about the same exact height as ellerby ………. but we aint talking about height ……….. its 99 percent the experience ………..
i mean id love mike weaver and hes tiny …. i know we arent getting him since hes of more quality and would probably cost a 2nd rounder before the panthers would even think of giving him to us …….. because like u said … in a market like this where everybody is searching for that guy to reliable right now weavers value gets inflated from probably 4th round value to second round , maybe even first ……….. and i doubt lombardi would pay an inflated 2nd ….. hes usually pretty conservative
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
@Osaka, im telling you ellerby cant stick handle and moves in quicksand – we are in trouble ……………………… and im not even talking about his turnovers
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
@Dr Phil (nice 1, @0!), You are 1 peg short of a Kopidor. You don’t have a leg to stand on.
You can spread Bob Murray’s love and joy as much as you want but the simple truth is neither of these similar-but-not-the-same players has had the chance to show us the inside of the pudding yet.
Here’s a great test for the Kings’ coaching and conditioning staff to show us what they can do with a still raw youngster they plucked out of a decidedly barren market for the price of a cup of tea.
I myself am ‘patiently’ looking forward to following developments here.
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
@Osaka, i love how ellerby thought it well … lol …. you could tell by sutters post game comments …. he wasnt very impressed at all , and was trying to be as pc as he could
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:54 pm
@Osaka, duncanz , i will gladly eat crow if ellerby works out …………. oh please let me be eating crow …. i want to win
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 9:58 pm
@philly sykes, … and btw, that’s what you get from kneeling at the temple of your false idol, Brian ‘Cohen’ Hayward.
Rise up of your knees, man!
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:07 pm
(*off)
… and I noticed that too and posted it this evening (I think on the postgame: Ellerby thread).
DS did all he could to avoid giving one single word of praise to the poor fella’..
I hoped it’s because he’s judged KE’s ego and decided this would be the most effective way to ‘introduce himself’ to the guy.
neil Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:07 pm
A@Osaka, and a late night conversation breaks out!!!
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
@neel, I’m glad you appeared just as I was discussing the fine art of ‘neiling’!
Gustavo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:38 pm
@phil sykes,
Lovejoy, uh?
This is what the Duck’s blog writers have to say about him:
“…He has some offensive ability, but won’t blow you away with stats. He has been criticized about his physical play. Also, he has been known to struggle with a lack of confidence. He has not dressed since late January when he was hit hard by Colin McDonald of the New York Islanders that resulted in a two-game suspension for McDonald…”
And you would take this ‘damaged goods’ guy over Ellerby? Really?
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:18 pm
@Gustavo, yes
KJ Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
@Gustavo, I guess yes, he would… a trade by the Ducks for “damaged goods” is apparently better than a trade by the Kings based on only 18 minutes of ice time so far, with a new partner, new team and a new conference. In fact, at 24 years old, he is the worst defenseman @phil sykes has ever seen. Hard to argue with that.
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:10 pm
@Osaka, duncanz – many times in the past i have noticed the tsn player profile site to be wrong ………. heyward is fully capable of telling me how tall someone is ………… who knows what the actual height is , but whatever it is , its basically exactly the same height of ellerby ……… i know this , he sure looked 6 – 5 as heyward said ………..
but i have no idea who is right ………… and its not the point anyway , because a few inches either way dosent matter and hes basically the same as ellerby in height ………….. but im talking about experience ……….. so yea we will see how it all plays out ………… oh and no worries , just like every hockey person who has an opinion on brian heyward – mine is exactly the same – cant stand the guy
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:15 pm
@phil sykes, duncan …. there was no praise to give …. how could he
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:33 pm
@phil sykes, Between you and me, I don’t mind him at all and actually find him quite observant and informative, if a little supercilious.
What I’d be Iooking for in KE is if he can add weight without losing quickness and add meanness without taking a disproportionate number of / ill timed penalties.
He’s likely got a ton of developing to do but your true solid, vet Dmen are certainly not falling off trees and hitting us (or DL) on the head so this is the position we’re in right now, like it or not.
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:04 pm
@Duncanz, who sutter? ………. i love the guy …… except for frasier love affair
and by the way when sutter said i plan on starting quick every game and jim fox laughed that that was just coach speak – i truly believe sutter meant what he said ……………… i believe he has zero confidense in bernier ………. he may change down the line if we get a cushion somehow or injury …….. but i believe when he said it – he meant it … – it wasnt gamesmenship foxy ……….. for example people are speculating bernier will finally get the call tonight since quick is struggling (eventhough i feel its same old quick – just bad defense in front of him – i mean quick has always let in suspect goals – even in his magical run last season during the playoffs) …….. but anyways , i fully expect quick to be right back in there tonight and that if darryl sutter says he plans on playing him every game – darryl means it — no gamesmanship foxy – so dont laugh like u did the other night foxy – he means it
again he might not end up playing every game , but i believe when darryl said it – he meant it
Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:45 pm
@phil, I was actually referring to BH.
DS, although he has quietly backed down from statements before, I absolutely believe he intended to follow through on that pledge, although today or another like it may cause him a rethink, if only for a one game spell, perhaps.
Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:47 pm
@phil sykes, Yahoo sports and NHL had him as 6’2″, that isn’t the point, he plays a less physical game. Dean was looking for a more physical type.
I don’t think either guy is going to win the Norris. I am just not ready to say Ellerby isn’t useful, but Loverboy is a savior.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:52 pm
@0 sake, hmm, ambiguous..
phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:53 pm
@Osaka, never said savior osaka …. just capable 6th dman is all im looking for ……………. and because of his experience i just believe in lovejoy more …………. but yur probabaly right …… its probably because i saw lovejoy play and he looked fine and ellerby didnt
Hackwoods Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 1:15 am
@phil sykes, Anyone taller than the 5′ 8″ Heyward is 6’5″. He can’t see that high up especially when the player is on skates.
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Neiling???? My phone beeps me when this happens!!! Good night all!!!
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:22 pm
@neil, Cheers, pal.
Hasta manana en San Luis!
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heck someone give sean o donnel a call …. hes younger than selanne …. and since stay at home dman types usually only play half the ice , they play longer than forwards typically …. just a thought
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:28 pm
@phil sykes, longer in their careers – older age
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:35 pm
@phil sykes, 14 seconds today …….. 10 seconds in edmonton …… endzone faceoff ………. are u kidding me …… all those points wasted ……. and the way the puck just trickled over the goal line to boot …….. what a nightmare this trolls life is
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:37 pm
@phil sykes, Yeah, but he announced his retirement already.
Even if he could be coaxed out of it, he wouldn’t be NHL ready for too long.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:40 pm
@Duncanz, id take odonnel straight off the couch vs. ellerby
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Last thing….think of all the bloggers missing out on this debate!!!
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@Phil sykes,
Sean ‘OLD’ O’Donnell?
Ben ‘Softie & Damaged Goods’ Lovejoy?
You really weird me out with your defensive preferences. I am going to have my people start a ‘Do NOT hire this dude as the next LAK GM’ campaign, lol
How about bringing back Ethan ‘Practice Pylon Moreau or Trent ‘Who Me?’ Hunter?
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:53 pm
@Gustavo, anybody is better than ellerby in my opinion ……. i hope muzzin is back and he is scratched , but probably wont be since darryl will probably try to not embarass lombardi and give ellerby more chances than he deserves
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Osaka Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:51 pm
@phil sykes, Did Ellerby kick your dog?
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:59 pm
@Osaka, lol … just thought he looked horrible whether we won 10 – 0 or lost 10 – 0 …. just didnt like at all what i saw …. hope im wrong though
Gustavo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:57 pm
@phil sykes,
I am beginning to think K Ellerby’s sister dumped you or that he is dating your sister. why such a boner for a guy who is still young, has raw talent and has not been given the chance yet to make a mark here yet?
[Reply]
phil sykes Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 12:00 am
@Gustavo, see above
and stlouis is so pissed off right now … the hole is probably going to be alot bigger after tomorrow ……………. ive only been on ever since the game ended …. the comradirie is the only thing preventing me from suicide ……………… comradery with myself of course
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 10:56 pm
@phil sykes, Since you’re patently beside yourself, it affords a pretty good opportunity for this sort of sensation to occur.
Now hand over that rusty knife … cleaning blood of my iPhone screen is not my idea of a pleasant Sunday evening!
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bbb7 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:00 pm
@phil sykes, yeah, in my nightmares I see rookie Jake Allen – he of the zero NHL experience – taking his turn as the 2nd coming of George Vezina versus the ever-obliging Kings. Altho Halak is off the DL so maybe he’ll start. Whoever it is, he’ll look great.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
@bbb7, yea halak will play im sure
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:11 pm
@bbb7, Not entirely true! Jake Allen appeared for a shift or so in Game 4 of the WCF semis, at Staples!
(Admittedly, I don’t believe he actually so much as touched the puck)
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If anyone knows the answer to these questions please chime in..
What is the latest on Willie Mitchell?
Is Kopitar still wearing the knee brace?
Did I miss the Jonathan Quick quotes after the game? Where can I find them? Wondering what his thoughts are.
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duncanz … i responded to you 10 33 posting ….check it out
dbking ……… mithell possibly done for the season ….. considered a bonus if he returns … much like greene
kopi will be wearing brace all season – until further notice …. but thats the plan …… he playing on one leg like a third liner right now
have no idea about quick quotes
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I think phil sykes broke Duncanz’ record of the most comments per minute by a long shot tonight. You better pick up your game Duncanz, because Phil is dominating you.
At the rate you guys are going you’ll set the mark for the page with the most comments in the Jon Rosen era.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:24 pm
@CB14, but didnt the game thread have like a thousand today
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CB14 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:31 pm
@phil sykes, Yup, that’s how prolific you guys have been.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:36 pm
@BC, Gotta stay up. The hobgoblins under my bed are still stirring.
By the way Detroits first goal was offsides not even close
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:29 pm
@DD88, oh well … those are the breaks … try not to dwell on judgement calls … or be crybabies like the coyotes last year againt us in the finals
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DD88 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:35 pm
@phil sykes, not dwelling on it just something i noticed
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:33 pm
@DD88Mil, In real time it was hairline, no more than a coulomb’s whisker, I wouldn’t say..
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oh kj is back …….. well lets see i did bring up the ducks tonight on a few of my thousand posts ………… i guess that means im a duck fan
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:39 pm
many a true word spoken in jest, @phil!
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yeah , thats me cb14 prolific trollboy with no life ………………. but isnt that already implied when u say u are a troll
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 11:43 pm
@phil sykes, the no life part
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I think a trade for Visnovsky would be a good temporary fix hes owed less than 3 million this year and a ufa next year doesnt want to play for Islanders and hes played in socal many years
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phil sykes Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 12:06 am
@DD88, oh dont get my hopes up ……….. not the style we need … but id take him over ellerby in a heartbeat and he would help our offense ……….. i know why it wont happen ? ….. because id like to see it happen …story of my life ……….well actually the kings finally did when me a cup last year in dominating fashion – so at least something has gone right
holy crap rosen just posted a new thread
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nykingsfan Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 9:00 am
@DD88,
THe Islandes by signing Tim Thomas plan on traing Visnovsky at some point, but don’t expect them to give him away for little or nothing.
Teams like LA and others are desperate for lueline help and these other teams like the Islanders know this.
I’m somewhat discouraged that our farm system is not able to bring up someone on D who can step in and play at an NHL level.
Muzzin does not look ready and who knows if he ever will be ready.
I’m certainly willing to give Ellerby more than 1 game, but to say I was anything close to being impressed is a lie.
FL gave him away for a 5th..I don’t think they thought much of him, so why should we?
Hopefully i’m wrong, but he looked like a 6’5″ soft D’man who isn’t very strong on the puck.
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