On his first game as a King, which came one day after his first practice:
“It was good. It’s always tough jumping into a new team with new systems, and stuff like that, but I thought I caught on and was just trying to play simple tonight. I thought we put in a solid effort tonight. Their goalie made some big saves, kept them in the game. But I think overall we played a really good game. We’ve got to build on that and keep going forward from there.”
On whether it benefits the team that there’s a quick turnaround:
“Yeah, definitely. With the effort that we had tonight, it’s great to get right back into it tomorrow night against St. Louis. Like I said, just build on that effort tonight. We did a lot of good things. Just continue to work hard, stick to our game plan, and I think things are going to turn around and work out for us.”
On developing chemistry with Drew Doughty:
“Like I said earlier, I think we complement each other. He’s more offensive, and I guess I’m a little bit more defensive than that. But I think [with] a little bit more time together, I think we’ll figure each other out and just keep playing solid together.”
oh boy…..work in progress sign required.
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mash-ola Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:25 pm
@harty, I thought he was fine. His size and his mobility are undeniable. After only one practice with a new team, I didn’t notice any glaring weaknesses. I didn’t notice him much and all, but that’s a good thing for a defenseman. He also didn’t take any penalties, which is great, because I hear he has a tendency to take a few bad ones.
Really hard to throw in the towel on a guy after only one game, in my opinion…
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harty Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
@mash-ola, not throwing in the towel only suggesting work to do…..
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crashin'da net Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
@harty, the whole team has “work to do”…
Mark Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
@harty, Not very mobile, made some errant passes, overall looked very tentative in his defesnive zone defensive positioning. Really, imo, he looked like a first year player…probably due to the inconsistant playing time hes earned throughout his career. He mentioned he wanted to play a simple game, but he looked out of place imo.
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I missed most of the first but overall thought he played ok in his first game with the kings
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goldielocks Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
@Lake Forest,
I liked his defensive style with his body and stick so far. He has a great vision, too. Needs to work on passing and stick-handling a lil bit though. But overall he was good enoguh for his first game. Well done.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
@goldielocks, Stick handling passing was a definate weak spot in his game, but he showed he atleast knows how to use his big frame.
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Cant believe how many King fans are jumping ship after 10 games….Its a strange season..some players are out of shape….some are coming off surgery….some are injured…..no training camp…we have a good team and the future looks good as well…it just might not be our time thi season but that doenst meat that DD8 is a bad player….or Quick is a bad goalie…
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mash-ola Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
@neil, Not jumping off the ship, but really, EVERY OTHER TEAM is pretty much going thru the same thing, so I refuse to use that as an excuse. Maybe the D situation w/Mitchell and Green out is legitimate to a certain extent, but as far as the offense goes (especially the PP), there is absolutely no excuse. Since the Kings are dead-last in scoring in the NHL, there are at least a dozen teams that have far less talent than the Kings and are still scoring.
Sutter got the team to buy into the system and get hot last season when it counted. But for the most part, it’s a mirror image of what hurt the team last season (an ineffective PP and no offensive punch. Kopitar, Brown, Williams, Richards, Carter, Gagne et al is a lot of skill at the forward position. It’s baffling why they cannot score.
So no, I haven’t jumped of the bandwagon, but this team is very much looking like it was last fall when Terry Murray and Jamie Kompon were w/the team. The problem is, they’re not a part of the organization anymore, and yet the same problem persists.
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freezerflatten Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
@mash-ola, makes you wonder, doesnt it?
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bbb7 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
@neil, It’s almost deja vu all over again, since the same comments were made last season after they blew the game in Detroit.. same ‘the season is over’, same ‘I’m not gonna watch another game”, same “blow up the Kings and start over. I remember commenting after that game that it was the best the team had played in a while (minus the final minute) and was sort of encouraged by their play. It’s so much the same it’s eerie.
The guys last season came out next game and won in Chicago and rattled off a streak of six straight wins, and the season turned.. so let’s hope the deja vu continues in St Louis. They say it’s always darkest before the dawn (altho whoever coined that phrase obviously has never been up at 2am) so take heart Kings fans!
It’s waaaay too early to give up.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
@bbb7, but the difference is last year we had kopitar playing on two legs …. and mitchell and greene in the lineup ………. i never give up either till the fat lady sings , but dont u think its a little differnt this time considering our injuries ……………………………….. we were a completely healthy team last year – no injuries at all ………………. i think this time is different – and i think we are in big trouble
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Gustavo Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
@phil sykes,
We were completely healthy last year?????
Richards concussed early in the season. Gagne out for the season until playoff time. Not enough injuries for you?
luc20rules Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
@neil, I really was questioning DS with all the line changes, but the effort and chemistry was there this morning. The Kings just need to finish better. They played all out this morning, so I am abit worried about them having enough left in the tank tomorrow. Your right about this season being wierd, but some of the panic is from the 48 game schedule. I think DS should freeze the line combos and just let the guys get better. As for Penner he may be trade bait, but we should try to work him in at some point. Richardson gave some speed and he usually has a 4 game boost to the lineup, but that is usually the extent and fades after that. Still believe, but worried we will run out of time in a shorten season.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
@luc20rules, lol gustavo …..those injuries had absolutely no bearing once we turned it on in march ………….. our “run” was comprised of a completely healthy hockey team ……………… making a run this year is going to be much more difficult , and probabaly wont be good enough with all these injuries ……… but ill never give up till the fat lady sings
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Kings20 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
@luc20rules, Amen!!!! Finally somebody sad it. Too finish better. We played a good 60min. We have missed a lot of chances to score. Agree Howard was great today but with all that skill that we have you should be able to finish those plays.
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Wilmonde Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 7:33 pm
@neil, I haven’t seen too many on here jump ship, I think a lot of us are just anxious for the Kings to start winning. With the shortened season, the start we’ve gotten off to is spelling nothing but trouble for our postseason chances.
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Verno Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 10:09 am
@neil,
Let em all jump ship. Then I can go to games for $10 again and not be surrounded by first year “fans” who think that all the Kings do is win.
Back to reality. Back to what really being a Kings fan is about. Cardiac hockey, glimpses of hope and TRUE pain and suffering!!
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I thought he was fine. He didn’t hurt the team. His passing was a little off, but that will come with learning his teammates. Could play a little more physical, but I understand he has a reputation for taking penalties, so it was good to see him stay away from that.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:45 pm
@KingMe20, Apart from scrapping, I’m guessing his penalties were taken largely when getting outmaneuvered rather than for playing tough.
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Mark Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
@Duncanz, Agreed, looks to be the type of player that takes lots of stick penalties. Real bad feet i thought
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KingMe20 Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
@Duncanz,
Probably true, but tough to say. I don’t know if the kid was developed properly in Florida. Seems like the Kings paid a low enough price that they’re willing to take the time to find out.
I think the measure of Ellerby’s effectiveness will be what we see from Rob Scuderi, who I thought had his best game of the year so far. He didn’t look out of position or worn out today. Part of that is probably playing with Voynov is less risky than playing with Doughty. The extra minutes Scuderi’s played have been tough because he’s a year older, and because he’s trying to do a lot of the things they count on Willie Mitchell to do as well.
Voynov is probably a better partner for Scuderi at this point in his career. Voynov always seems to make the smart, safe play that doesn’t always produce offense, but doesn’t hurt the team. Doughty is a risk-taker, and that’s fine as long as he’s got a partner who can keep up with that. As much as I’m glad he’s on this team, I’m not sure Scuderi’s that guy anymore.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 10th, 2013 at 8:39 pm
@KingMe20, Real good Study there, KM20. Solid points too.
Ellerby is one of those guys, by all indications, that the odds are against, but you never know if a change in scenery and culture can switch the light on for a young player. Often there’s a flush of early success followed by a steady dip back into obscurity.
He got through his debut today (E+/-, 18+ mins TOI) without getting nicked up, though one thing I noticed is that DS had nothing complimentary whatsoever to say about him in the postgame. This could just have been DS being the fearsome taskmaster or it could be a more ominous signal.
Tomorrow vs Blues it will be interesting to track how he is used and what the results are.
I like what I saw in Ellerby today. Stay home defense men are not supposed to be noticed…(unless, of course, they’re boarded and start bleeding all over the ice, right?)
Good job, kid! And thank you for not taking boneheads penalties late in the game, like your captain did. I specially liked the shot you took from the left corner that caught most defenders off guard.
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I thought he was fine for his first game. Flubbed a few passes but who doesnt. He didnt make any glaring errors, and for a guy who was scratched in his last game for Florida I think he’ll be a good pick up.
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Ellerby exceeded my expectations. I like what I saw of him. He’s still young and was a #10 pick back in 07′. I hope the Kings just found a hidden gem.
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If Ellerby continues every game without the Kings’ opponents scoring while he is on the ice I will be more than happy.
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Kid looked solid to me. I was impressed. Nice that we got a debth left shot d-man for only a 5th rounder.
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He did Ok and will only get better. He passed the test tonight.
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He looked just fine to me out there. What’s more, and this is the most important factor, him playing is allowing diminished minutes for everyone else, and got Muzzin off of the ice.
To me, that is the most important thing. Hockey teams will always struggle when injuries hit, and players are playing beyond their roles.
Having him in the lineup allows for guys to get slotted back into the roles that they were not only used to, but excelled at.
For instance…I really like Martinez, but he is not a top 4 d-man, yet he was playing top 4 d-man minutes along with Voynov (who is a top 4 guy). Ellerby into the lineup allows Marty to slide down to the 5th spot, where he really belongs.
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Incredible skater!! Confidence probably shot coming out of Florida…i believe with Sutter’s gentle nursing (haha) he will be one of the premier D in the league. only wished this could have happened starting in 07 instead of now
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