Lisa Dillman of the LA Times takes a look at the injury-riddled defense, which held together Monday despite Alec Martinez’s 1:35 of ice time before he left the game with an “upper body injury”. There will be more Martinez news from LA Kings Insider following today’s practice.
Kings dig deep despite injury-depleted defense corps
Robert of Jewels from the Crown hands out grades from the game at St. Louis and provides a chart of shot attempts for and against. There is the occasional divide between basic stats and #fancystats, and Robert’s examination of scoring chances, puck possession time and methods of zone entry are right in the middle between the two and give an accurate depiction of the team’s effectiveness, which occasionally belies prevailing analysis. If you’re not following @RobertJFTC on Twitter, you should be.
Kings vs. Blues Game Grades
Dan Rosen of NHL.com identifies teams that haven’t quite distinguished themselves yet despite opening the season with high expectations. Let’s see if the Kings are on the list…They are! And should Kings fans “panic”?…They should! Craig Button also weighs in.
Who should be patient and who should panic?
Gann Matsuda of Frozen Royalty put out a pair of Rogie Vachon features while the team was on the road trip. The first piece contains a well constructed letter to the Hall of Fame advocating Vachon’s inclusion. There’s also a good debate in the comments section over whether Vachon is HHOF-worthy. The second piece features the lengths to which the team goes to honor former players who have helped construct the team’s legacy and identity. Both are good reads.
Open Letter to The Hockey Hall Of Fame: Address The Injustice and Induct Rogie Vachon
Los Angeles Kings Superstar, Legend Rogie Vachon Says Receiving Stanley Cup Ring Was “Phenomenal”
John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor has a good interview with prospect Tanner Pearson, who was a savvy pick by the Kings as a 19-year old coming out of the OHL’s Barrie Colts. Contributing as a 20-year old in the AHL can be a significant challenge, but Pearson ranks fourth on the team in scoring and has registered a plus-11. Also, AHL, fix his birthday!
Mayor’s Manor Live Radio with Kings prospect Tanner Pearson
Quisp of McSorley’s Stick offers an interesting read on something I’ve always wondered about – how much does natural, human emotion influence personnel decisions?
Is Dean Lombardi vindictive? Does it matter?
In parting, here’s Joe Buck broadcasting five minutes of the Kings-Blues game from Monday, which includes a goal call on Davis Drewiske’s power play snipe. A stick tap to Puck Daddy and FOX Sports Midwest for the video, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
Daniel Alfredsson is God; Kiprusoff, Reimer updates; Ovechkin adjusting to right wing (Puck Headlines)
Any news if Bernier will play some more games now? Or will Quick be in net again?
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Bradapiller Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:14 am
@Julian Kings Germany, I hope Bernier will get the start but I’m gonna guess Quick will.
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yetiman_oc Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:00 am
@Julian Kings Germany, 32 is #1. DS puts him back in regardless of what 45 did the other night imo.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
@yetiman_oc,
Mistake!!! IMO
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yetiman_oc Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:58 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, agree with you but i think that is what DS will do.
LT21 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:13 am
@Julian Kings Germany, Bernier did his job, came in and got a win when the team needed it. That doesn’t promote him to #1 status though. Quick has earned it and will prove it again why he is #1.
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NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
@LT21, Agreed, but its a bit more complicated than that. Bernier’s contract is up at the end of the season. He will not re sign to be a backup. The Kings will need to play him more often so other teams can get a better idea of who they are getting in a trade. I know, he will be a restricted free agent which means the Kings will have the right to match any offer and keep him. But I’m betting they will rather trade him before the deadline.
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LT21 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:40 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, I see your point and it’s a good one. Well said. As long as people realize Quickie is still #1 I am happy.
Julian Kings Germany Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 1:23 am
@NOW IMPRESSED, Sure Quick will be number one, look at the impressive contract he got…
Just hope Bernier will get to play more because hes a great goaltender. Met him and saw him play during the lockout with my hometown team here in Germany, hes a teriffic guy and really helped out the team there a lot. I think as many of you guys said allready,he will probably not resign as a backup… maybe he comes back to Germany
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
@Julian Kings Germany, The starter will start next. Bernier may have gotten himself into more back-to-back situations, though (at least I hope so–I don’t like the same goaltender playing back-to-back nights.)
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I really like the word on Tanner Pearson. I think this guy was a steal for the Kings, time will tell when he makes the jump but all in all he looks like the real deal.
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Ravens Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:16 am
@KOHO, I think he’s the best two way player we have in waiting
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KOHO Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:38 am
@Ravens, I like the two-way players because you know if they aren’t getting it done offensively on any given night chances are you’ll usually get something out of them defensively which can keep games close or winnable in a tight game.
It is a 3 – 2 league, right?! lol love when coach says that.
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I’ll be concerned about the team (re: the time to panic link) when someone other than Craig Button weighs in.
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Tanner and Toffoli……with the rest of our young players…the future is good!!!!
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pr0cess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:26 am
@Neil, But not the now, And to be fair they will get traded away lol
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I read Robert’s grades after every game and he really does a good analysis of each line, who they played against and how they fared. It shows how a coach recognizes the weak line (and Robert was right about that being Stoll’s line) and put his best out there to exploit. Anyway, if you’re not familiar with his post game grades for the team, they’re pretty interting.
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Bradapiller Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:32 am
@Deirdre, Just read those for the first time and its a great analysis of the little things throughout the game. As for the 4th line Penner stuck out like a pancake I guess. Stoll and Lewis were flying around everywhere and every time it got to Penner he immediately lost it. Was hoping he came out of the gate running but again it wasn’t the case. I think Richardsons speed and backchecking is what the 4th line needs.
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Since Alec Martinez was hurt so we need to change the lines for Defenseman like
Doughty Ellerby
Campbell Scuderi
Voynov Drewiske so what do you think
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KOHO Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:29 am
@Adam M, I see a stay at homer on each pairing and a guy that can weild some magic with the puck. It seems logical, we’ll see how it all pans out.
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pr0cess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:29 am
@Adam M, dont really have alot of options right now do we? Where is the info on Mitchel? Green is out for the year but what about Mitchel????
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KC23 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:03 am
@pr0cess, Seems like the media has agreed to stay away from the subject of Mitchell. King’s live and this blog seems to avoid the subject like their jobs depend on it.
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Adam M Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:48 am
@pr0cess, okay @prOcess it looks like Willie Mitchell is hurt and you said that you said what about Mitchell right but he did not return with the kings because he is still hurt I am talking about the lines for Defenseman without Matt Greene,Alec Martinez and Willie Mitchell
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:50 am
@Adam M, Campbell isn’t going to get top 4 minutes.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:11 am
@mrbrett7, In your absence, you don’t seem to be aware of the astounding influential potence of the great @Adam M.
His prescience is at times unrivaled.
It is becoming increasingly evident that the brass rely on the Insider for selection ideas.
Look for DS to follow suit here.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:09 am
@Duncanz, Wow…just saw his reply to me and I see EXACTLY what you’re talking about.
Simarosa Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:29 am
@mrbrett7,
Nor should he — honestly, I just don’t see what the powers that be see in him. He is a big guy but he doesn’t use his size. Always hear Monarchs fans saying Campbell could check a raw egg and the shell wouldn’t crack.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:10 am
@Simarosa, I haven’t seen him play, so I can’t really comment much on that.
Adam M Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:45 am
@mrbrett7, okay @mrbrett7 first of Andrew Campbell just recalled with the LA Kings because Alec Martinez was now in a injured list what now and I am talking about what lines for Defenseman
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:25 am
@Adam M, Pretty sure I knew why he was recalled. He won’t see the ice, at least not right away. Muzzin will go in, in the place of Martinez.
You’re probably looking at lines of:
Doughty/Ellerby
Voynov/Scuderi
Muzzin/Drewiske
At this point…Campbell, if he went into the lineup, would replace Muzzin.
KC23 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:59 am
@Adam M, Muzzin will be in is my guess. Campbell will get some good practise with the big team in though, which will be good.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:02 am
@Adam M,
I think we should punish someone
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Adam M Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:43 am
@DesertKing, okay @DesertKing you listen to me first of all is I don’t punish no one do you got that I am talking about the Defenseman for LA Kings so be nice to me if you don’t that means you should be punish yourself on me Apologize to me right now
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DesertKing Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:21 am
@Adam M,
Relax, I actually love reading your posts.
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
@Adam M,
That…. was the most bizarre interaction I’ve ever read.
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Thanks for all these links for us people who are bored at work. That Quisp article on Lombardi was a good one.
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KC23 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:57 am
@Howe9, Some pretty wild speculation in there.
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This link is always interesting to follow:
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Western/Pacific/LosAngeles.html
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Subby Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:11 am
@KC23, We need like 23 wins
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KC23 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:30 am
@Subby, 21 should do it as long as we don’t have more than 7 more loses.
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Great work Jon. Now can I have my 30 minutes back?
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Worthy of a mention I think… here’s the brand new KND prospects tracker giving you an easy overview and detail of all Kings assets…
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/prospects-tracker/
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As if Craig Button wasn’t already chewing his elbows in envy and fits of jealousy for not getting the LAK GM position over DL, his own network is promoting Ron Hextal (LAK assistant GM) to take over in Columbus, after the firing or Howson….HAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:26 am
@Gustavo,
I would hate to lose Hextal. I think he has really helped DL with personnel decisions, both on trades amd prospects.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:38 am
@DessertKing, CBJ already have a Hex on them without him!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:44 am
@Duncecanz,
But wouldn’t 2 hex’s cancel each other out resulting in a better CBJ team?
neil Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:54 am
@Duncanz, dont Hexle him…
Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
@DessertKing, That would be like running out of nachos and having a bunch of cheese and chili left – a double dip depression!
@neil, Couldn’t be any worse than neiling on him.
Loktionov call up by NJ
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yetiman_oc Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:01 am
@Pesus, good luck to him. he seems like a nice person and i hope he succeeds with nj.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:18 am
The Devils should defer to history and put out a line like this
Kovi Lokti Matteau
So what do you think
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
@Duncanz,
you listen to me first of all is I don’t punish no one do you got that I am talking about the russian mafia for LA Kings so be nice to me if you don’t that means you should be punish yourself on me Apologize to me right now!
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:18 am
@Pesus, let’s see if they put him in as a winger on a checking line, or actually sit with him at dinner.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:34 am
@Kenny48, That would be a bunch of borscht!
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
@Kenny44,
I get that! Well Done!
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Quick starting Friday? That’s my guess. I watched Sutter tell Quick to go to middle of stretch circle…
http://bit.ly/WJmOnd
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goldielocks Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:28 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
No surprise there. He needs a bounce back game. What other game is better than vs Blue Jakckets? I’m concerned more about the team cause they are always sloppy at home after the roadie.
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Munchrat Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:40 am
@goldielocks, Seems like every other game is a bounce back game for JQ…
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LT21 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
@goldielocks, I agree. He needs to come out strong against Columbus. The team needs to be strong around him too though. DS knows what he is capable of and probably wants him to get a spark from Bernier’s play last game.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:29 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNetsDoubly.com),
Unfortunately, you didn’t see what happened next.
DS span him around and when he stopped his stick was pointing at JB.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:43 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Well, he wasn’t going to send Penner out to lead anything that has to do with physical conditioning.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
@Michael J., Are you saying that Penns gives a new meaning to the term ‘stretch pass’?
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Michael J. Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:23 pm
@Duncanz,
Just don’t want to see him in “stretch pants” :/
With the D so depleted and players logging many more minutes than they usually would, I’m thinking it might make sense to dress seven D and let the extra guy play the 8 or so minutes that a 4th line forward (ie, Richardson) usually gets. I dont think the forwards will have any problem covering the 8 extra minutes between 11 other guys and it will let the D-men play a couple of fewer shifts. Yes, there will be problems with the defense – and I know the D say they like the extra minutes because it lets them stay more ‘in the game’ – but those extra shifts and bangs are going to take their toll as the season wears on on Scuderi, Voynov and even Doughty.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
@bbb7,
I think we should give cliffy the extra minutes. He’s a beast right now! Down low or at the blue line, he’ll be taking the body!
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Michael J. Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:24 pm
@bbb7,
We need Peter Harrold!
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Did the Kings skate today…….
-how’s Mitchell did he particpate
-what were the line combo’s
-what was the mode
-did DS seem relaxed
thanks
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goldielocks Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
@harty,
No change on the line combos. No Motchell yet.
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Who are these idiots that are contributing their fantasy ideas to you column ? Surely you can do better than this garbage !!!!!
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
@jimmyo777, other 9 year olds..
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