Judging by the colors of the practice jerseys at Rexall Place this morning, line adjustments may be in store for the Kings when they take the ice Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers.
In gray: Clifford-Kopitar-Brown
In white: King-Richards-Carter
In purple: Penner-Richardson-Stoll-Williams
In yellow: Gagne-Fraser-Lewis-Nolan
I’ll post updates and potential realignments to defensive pairings, should they occur.
Cliffy on the first….King on the second… That will solve the problems of the Kings coming out flat….Iam surprised that no one here thought of that… That is why DS is a great coach…
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 9:55 am
@neil, On board with line changes now eh?
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:00 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), These are the line changes that I was secretly hoping for !!! LOL !!!!
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:28 am
@neil, Pretty much the whole team isn’t producing……saved Clifford, who from what I remember was the same kind of player DS was in Chicago….BUT what does this mean?? Coach words not getting through to the players. Most obvious question is WHY???
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Kings20 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
@neil, Bring Toffoli and put him with Kopitar and move Clifford to the second line. We need scoring: Toffoli,Vey,Pearson. Enough of this Fraser, Lewis, Richardson.
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Good. Clifford might give the first line the spark it needs and Richads and Carter were terrific yesterday, creating pressure and getting chances, they’re a good fit and goals will come. But I don’t like King on that line, he doesn’t add anything. Rather have had Gagne there. Unless Sutter is hoping that King gives that line some muscle. Not sure about that 3rd line…
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Robyn Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 9:45 am
@Deirdre, I don’t like it either. I thought Nolan would be better but he’s not a left shot I guess. King has been virtually invisible on the ice, right alongside our first line but at least Nolan tries to make plays, more than King anyway.
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mike weekes Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
@Robyn, Despite Carter and Richards having success together on the same line, I think Carter belongs on the first line with Kopitar and Brown because he’s our best goal scorer and we need at least one line that can put in a freakin goal. I like how hard Clifford works and I like his toughness but Kopitar needs someone who can finish for him when he creates scoring opportunities. I know this is basically the same team as last year minus our three injured defensemen which is huge, but Penner has really screwed up these lines by not showing up at all this year again in the regular season. This roster is filled up with a ton of players who belong on the fourth line, for example: gagne, fraser, nolan, king, lewis and richardson. This team plays hard but some of these guys just can’t score and that’s why our team is next to last in goals scored in the past season plus. This team is built on good defense and goaltending and that’s why we’re sucking because we have to play muzzin and drewiske’s sorry a**es.
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Kings20 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
@mike weekes, Actually Muzzin is not that bad. Dreiweski we can do with out. Give this guy Cambell a chance.
xeropoint Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:09 am
@Deirdre, My only guess is, King’s there to work in the corners so Carter and Rick don’t have to get their noses too dirty. Come to think of it, that may ALSO be why Clifford is up on the “number one” line. Free up your top players a little, I get it. We will see if it works. I still think it’s up to the top guys to get the job done, though…
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Interesting line changes. I had a feeling Sutter was gonna reunite richards and carter after yesterdays game. Clearly sending a message to Gagne. Damn shame he couldn’t produce goals on the 1st line with Kopi and Brown. Was hoping he’d add some scoring depth this season but so far he’s been a no show as far as goals.
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Good God, King in the top 6, we really need to re-tool this year for next.
I’ll go with this.
Clifford Kopitar Brown
Gagne Richards and Carter
Penner Stoll Williams
Richardson Lewis Nolan
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if everyone seems to understand that 13 has been the king player putting forth the best effort and making things happen…why does he only get 12-14 minutes per game? is it because he goes all out and gets off the ice before his line mates or does DS hold him back?
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PlayerXatHoldThePoint Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 9:52 am
@yetiman_oc, Some games he kills penalties but rarely, some games he gets Power Play but rarely, and even though he started with Carter and Williams then ended up with Kopi and Brown, his linemates get specialty teams time and Clifford doesn’t.
I break down ice time every game on my site, click my name to get there for a look at every game and the ice times, answers your question exactly.
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Token Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:03 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint, Love the TOI! Keep it up!
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PlayerXatHoldThePoint Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:21 am
@Token, thanks man, branny new site…bounce around it, lemme kno what ya think
Interesting look. I’m intrigued that he put Richards and Carter back together. I personally thought Carter made a better center than winger. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see how this plays out.
Is Penner possibly going to his château I wonder?
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KLos Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:06 am
@Robyn, for some lite breakfast creeps?
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KLos Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:07 am
@KLos, make that crepes
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Sutter just throwing darts..hoping for a bullseye.
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kingrussell Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
@A Cup B4 I Died!, So far we’ve been getting some bull related material from the Kings,but it has nothing to do with their eyes.
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Good idea, sit Nolan and we only have one tough player dressed.
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Ok since he came in the league he has been a power forward he gets the cup and he wont hit anything.What is up with brown is he hurt ? where did Capt crucnch go? all I see is Capt powderpuff any thoughts.
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xeropoint Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:02 am
@hockeyfanb4gretzky, He hasn’t been bad OR good. Just invisible. Fine for a defensive defenseman. Bad for a Top 3 forward and Captain.
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vinny Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:47 am
@hockeyfanb4gretzky, I think he’s an improved player, skill wise, but still miss the hitting. Once kopi is better/stronger, I think we’re gonna see some awesome play between these two, offensively that is.
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There’s not enough yellow jerseys to go around.
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kingrussell Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 7:25 pm
@xeropoint, They all look yellow once the game starts.
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oh boy, this is big step for Cliffy albeit probally a quick look on this line.
Clearly DS has no long term aspirations of Kyle staying on the top line.
This again is a message to guys making big money and producing nothing on the ice.
No doubt some mistakes have been made with some players and contract extensions, but who knew they would come up flat like this for the Kings. (Penner, Gagne, Stoll, Williams, Richardson)
But I really like the opportunity for Kyle, as always I wish him the best and with his heart and effort he cannot loose regardless what line he is on.
The entire town of Ayr will be tuning in tomorrow night for the game. This is unheard of for any player from Ayr to play on a top line in the NHL.
Finally Kyle deserves this LA fans, he has worked his tail off regardless where DS has put him from 1st to 4th line. He has been consistent and brings big energy and opportunity for his linemates. Keep it going Cliffy, don’t look back or pause the effort, every shift, every pass, every hit, every stride.
Wow……….
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:14 am
@harty, He deserves it…He worked his Ayr off !!!!!
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Cav Pilot Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
@harty, My thoughts exactly. In the span of just a couple of years, Cliffy has gone from a 4th line grinder/tough guy to a 1st line winger. Good on him!
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Sportsgirl Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
@harty, proud of Clifford! He has been giving the kings their only spark. I was at his first NHL game, knew that he would be a great tough player someday! Glad he’s there now!
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harty Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
@Sportsgirl, I watched that game on TV from just outside Ottawa ontario it was in vancouver and the kings were wearing their throwback jerseys…….
remember it well
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Does Brad R get a rare call v. speedy Oilers? Or do we continue with the plodding Penner?
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I am struggling to find the sense with Clifford and King on the top lines. Yes, Cliffy has been just about the Kings best forward this season, and rightfully deserves his props, but he does not have the skill to make plays with his linemates. King? I guess if nothing else is working…
Fortunately, DS knows about 100 times as much about hockey as I do
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
@Michael J., He’s rewarding them for playing hard and sending his message to the “usual” top six.
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KC23 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
@Michael J., Kinda hard to make sense when Gagne and Penner both suck. DS simply has no other place to turn for a LW with the roster he has available. Throw in the fact Brown and Stoll are also doing little to help the team win and there you go.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
@KC23,
I think I’m good to give Gagne about five more games to get it together. Let his play decide if he stays or is waived. Penner hasn’t been much better, but he has been better than Gagne.
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harty Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
@Michael J., don’t struggle its called effort, energy and execution……he’s been doing all 3 anyone else comes to mind within the current team for you???
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Michael J. Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 3:49 pm
@harty,
No one equal with Cliffy-as far as effort goes.
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Gagne and King should both be up in the press box. Neither one has done anything this season.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
@Jeff, ….using that reasoning half the team would be in the pressbox….
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kingrussell Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 7:26 pm
@Deke’r, Agreed.
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kings714 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 9:17 pm
@Jeff, you must not watch gagne closely, he has a handful of assits and always makes beautiful passes that would be goals if people were in proper position to finish. Imo king and penner should be there, penner oafs around skating slow,not hitting, and giving possession away. Completely uselss
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This reminds me of the TM days. When things aren’t going as planned: SHUFFLE’EM UP!!!
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Normally, I would never want to bring a kid like Toffoli up. I have always felt that players benfit greatly from playing at the AHL level, especially young defenseman. However, Penner and Gagne are not putting the puck in the net, NADA.
Although scoring goals isnt always the most important thing to the overall team, these 2 guys who have a reputation for scoring, and are not doing here with the Kings. Dustin Penner has scored over 30, and Gagne over 40, and they dont look like they could score at The Foxfire in Anaheim Hills at the moment.
I dont know if bringing up Toffoli is wise or not, I will leave that up to smart guys like Lombardi, Hextall, Ferriera, and Morris. That being said, Gagne, and Penner would be excused if TM was still coaching because of the system he had the forwards playing. But under Sutter, The forecheck is way better, and so are the scoring chances.
Times running short Penner and Gagne, put the puck in the net or risk losing your spot to a younger player.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:25 am
@puck73,
Would he be up if he were Anaheim property?
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puck73 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:28 am
@Michael J., I think thats a fair question. Cant answer that. Bob Murray seems to be patient with prospects as well.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:28 am
@puck73,
Etem?
DesertKing Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:58 am
@puck73,
Penner and Gagne will be gone at the end of the season. They take up over $6 million in cap space which I am sure we can give to another established winger who will be more productive on both ends of the ice, and still afford to bring up Toffoli next year as a depth move. Gagne and Penner are not scaring anyone on the ice, so the top d-men are able to focus on and neutralize our top forwards.
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Ed Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
@DesertKing, dont forget the cap goes down next year and pens/gagne $6mil will being them down the but u also have quicks new contract in effect so toffoli and the next up will be playing w the kings next year. Keep Tyler down let him develop unless we lose forward depth to injury. Try to get pens/gags motivated. Or else im sure fraser/richardson are ready to take over.
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KC23 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
@Ed, Fraser and Richardson will never ever be ready to take over anything period. Granted Richardson deserves some ice time over Stoll who once again isn’t doing much of anything short of giving the fans some pucks from his wildly inaccurate shots.
Kings20 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 6:55 pm
@Ed, Toffoli needs to develop??? This kid been ready but because we have big time scoring machines like Fraser Lewis Richardson Stoll he is still in the minors. Too bad. His college numbers better than Most of young talent that play in NHL today.
kingrussell Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
@DesertKing, They scare me.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:52 am
@puck73, I like DS over TM also, however I’m concerned what/how his words/action are affecting the moral of the team. Sending this guy down/up in different lines; benching others. As a player these actions must make the team nuts seeing line changes almost every other game-not showing good examples of patience and steadiness.
Maybe DS puts too much PRESSURE to perform well and thus many players, save Clifford is “gripping the stick too hard.”
It’s too much of a coincidence the WHOLE team is lacking intensity. There IS a reason for this!!!!
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
I think Toffoli has scored about 3 or 4 goals in the last 2 or 3 games, the Monarchs are marginal at best and I know that it’s not the NHL but what do we have to lose, bring him up for about 5 games.Edmonton is playing their young dudes.
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KC23 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
@LVKINGS88, What do we have to lose? A roster player to wavers. Who do we just let go to wavers and get nothing in return?
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CB14 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@KC23, Take your pick of Penner, Gagne, or Richardson. We won’t lose a thing if they get claimed, it’s not like they’ve been doing much of anything.
Kings20 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
@KC23, To add: Fraser, Lewis… Please take them
How does changing the lines fix the problem of bad starts? I’m not sure it does, and looking at all the losses this year, the majority of them came from having bad starts. They’ve lost 8 games this year, including the two in OT/shootouts. They are 0-5-1 when opponents score the first goal this year, and 5-1-1 when scoring first.
If they can fix their starts, they fix most of the problem.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:28 am
@KingMe20,
Good point. If the players, forward and defense, would drop their first period Chinese fire drill defensive style they might not find themselves behind in games so often.
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Robyn Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:34 am
@Michael J., LOL Chinese fire drill. I like that and it’s sadly appropriate.
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:32 am
@KingMe20, agree Iam obviously repeating myself(the COD in me) but line changes isnt fixing the problem…eventually when the team does well..someone will say…see the line changes worked….The lines have changed every game..either before and during the game and the same problem exists…DS needs to coach…not go TM on us….
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Michael J. Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:27 am
@neil,
COD? I’ll have to look that one up
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:32 am
@Michael J., OCD !!!! I was paying a COD to UPS !!!! I get my letters mixed up !!!
Michael J. Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 1:02 pm
@Neil,
Then I will diagnose you with dyslexia
LVKINGS88 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
@neil, Is that the Carl’s JR COD fish sandwich?
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kingrussell Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 7:30 pm
@LVKINGS88, Yeah,just like the girl in the commercial takes her top off,our top line takes the first two periods off.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:33 am
@KingMe20, Those are very telling stats. And while scoring first or not doesn’t necessarily equate to good/bad starts, it certainly doesn’t help matters by starting off slow, lackluster and disinterested. I thought that the Kings came back one game after going down 0-2? No?
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KingMe20 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
You’re correct that they were down in one game that they won. I forgot about the game in Columbus, where they were down 1-0 before coming back with two of their own. So, the stats should be 1-5-1 when the opponets score first, and 4-1-1 when they score first. Good catch.
They came back against Anaheim when they were down by two goals, but ended up losing 7-4. They also fought back against a 1-0 lead by Nashville, but lost in the shootout.
I agree that it isn’t always the most important thing, but the first goal sets a tone in a game, and it’s easier to play with the lead than try to chip away at one, as their record bears out.
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:41 am
@KingMe20, I know that this aint Baseball or any sport but you dont see line up changes any where else.I understand if it is to wake the team up…but its like giving the same punishments to your kids and they keep making the same mistakes….change the punishment..obviously….
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:44 am
@neil, Its like your kids over sleep and you make the bed time earlier…but the kids still over sleep…you make the bedtime even earlier..but the kids keep over sleeping..well then its time to figure something else out….
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luc20rules Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
@KingMe20, I’ve said this and been proved wrong by DS, but I still feel one of the turning points in last season was when DS set his lines in relative stone resulting in line chemistry that fueled the Cup run. Maybe that will come later in the season, and he feels the need to tinker to find the appropriate combos to keep us close enough for a late playoff run. I think part is trying to get some of the guys out of slumps.
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Against the speed of the Oilers and based on Sutter’s choices so far, I gotta lean toward expecting:
Clifford-Kopitar-Brown
King-Richards-Carter
Richardson-Stoll-Williams
Gagne-Lewis-Nolan
But, I would rather see:
Clifford-Kopitar-Brown
Gagne-Richards-Carter
Richardson-Stoll-Williams
Penner-Lewis-Nolan
Problem with my lines is Gagne is so soft on the backcheck and wanders too high in D-zone coverage. Sutter dropped him from his line against Chicago as the first domino in all those line shakeups.
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Steamer Lane Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:32 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint, Gagne is a waste of a spot. He’s about as productive as a couch. I don’t know why Sutter plays the guy. If anything bring up a ringer from the minors that is chomping at the bit to play. At least that guy will hustle and probably put some pucks in the net. Zero goals for this so called veteran. You gotta be kidding me. Stick a fork in him, he’s done.
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They could put Clifford out there by himself and he’d probably create more opportunities than some of the King’s recent line combos. Glad to see he’s getting chance to play on top line. Yesterday sucked, big time. Very depressing. I don’t think the Kings have anything to lost by bringing up Toffoli (unless there is some kind of waiver BS he has to clear). We need some sniping power and some spark besides Clifford. Hate to say it, but I would stay with Bernier as well. He just looks cool and in control. Quick seems sketchy and seems to lack confidence.
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Here comes a trade soon. Penner/Fraser/Lewis/Stoll plus a pick. This makes room for the AHL prospects plus picking up one huge potential goal scorer.
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puck73 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:38 am
@Lostintheshuffle, Hello Dean? Dean Lombardi? Is this you?
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:55 am
@Lostintheshuffle, Maybe we can get Crosby !!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:03 am
@neil,
Norm? He’s dead (but was pretty funny when he was alive).
David? Big time liver problems and will probably be dead soon (but the man can sing).
Bing? He’s dead too (what a crooner!).
Syd? dude can play offense, doesn’t know a thing about defense (and is one hit away from Deadmarsh status)
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:34 am
LOL !!!!
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
@Lostintheshuffle, I’d go with that saved Fraser and instead put Richardson in there but go for Gaustad. We need a face-off guy.
What I like about Fraser is he is willing to go into the “back alleys” in the rink. He’s gritty.
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Lostintheshuffle Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
@rogiesbackup, We don’t need gritty though. We need goals. We’ve got enough grit already with Nolan/King/Clifford/Brown (Only when he decides to show us the Brown we all know and love). All 4 of those guys would meet anyone in any dark back alley. It’s too bad Stoll has not been winning the face-offs this year. I believe he was best in the league last year (Just pulling the rabbit out of the hat on that one)
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I had bad feeling as the anthum was being sung.I watched as the camara was panning both benches and noticed that Chi was very active and ansy and our boys were standing still lifeless.
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Robyn Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:38 am
@hockeyfanb4gretzky, perhaps they were just being respectful of the anthem. I always appreciate when a person can stand still and be respectful of my country’s anthem.
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puck73 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:40 am
@Robyn, Jack Johnson? Is this you?
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kingrussell Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 7:32 pm
@hockeyfanb4gretzky, They continued to do that through the first two periods.
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My worthless prediction of the forward lines to end the season:
Brown – Kopitar – Toffoli
Gagne – Richards – Carter
Clifford – Stoll – Lewis
King – Fraser – Nolan
Williams gets traded to a team like the Islanders that could use the addition of a veteran to a young forward lineup while absorbing salary to stay near the cap floor.
Let’s hope/pray that Mitchell gets back soon and that Greene is able to make it back for the last couple weeks of the season. Without those two on the backend, plus Brown and Richards playing in non-playoff form, the team doesn’t quite have the physical tenacity. I’d like to see a big hit, similar to the one that Richards put on Burrows in round one, or the one Brown put on Henrik in the same series. I realize neither player can play balls-out like that and expect to remain healthy or in the right physical temperment for the stretch-run, but I’d like to see them pick their spots to get the team fired up a little.
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hockeyfanb4gretzky Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 10:55 am
@He Shoots, He Scores, Agree
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UglyinLA Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:19 am
@He Shoots, He Scores,
and you have my worthless support. LOL
I’d keep Williams and go with this cup winning lineup:
Brown – Kopitar – Williams
Gagne – Richards – Carter
Clifford – Stoll – Lewis
King – Fraser – Nolan
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DesertKing Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:24 am
@UglyinLA,
Worked once before
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:44 am
@DesertKing, Yes, but I’m concerned that DS never had patient for it to work especially after sending that message to Gagne after JUST the FIRST game of the season.
luc20rules Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores, Really? Justin Williams last years playoffs 20 games, 4 G, 11 A, 15pts, +8 & 2006 Playoffs with Carolina 25 games, 7 G, 11 A, 18pts, +12. Tell me who will give us that production for $3.65 mil/yr? I would think Penner or Gagne would be moved first no? Since at this moment in time neither one has any trade value what would that do for us. This team won the championship its just time to let them gel and get healthy on D we don’t blow things up just to panic. This season is so compact I think its great that we have an extra top 6 forward, bottom 6 forward that may start for other teams. Not to mention 3 or more Dmen that would start for other teams now playing in relief of injured players. We should be confident now with forwards and later in the year with Dmen allowing some players dinged or just worn out a rest on a back to back game.
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kingrussell Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 7:33 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores, The players have been worthless why shouldn’t the prediction be worthless.
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Hahaha … I’m surprised there’s another line combos. Nothing’s gonna change. Nothing.
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your team is just as good as your defense is any team that lose there top three d will not win in NHL.
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neil Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:35 am
@san, Simple but the truth….If anything change the defensive lineup and see what happens…..Kinda miss Peter Harold right now….
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:58 am
@san, TM is this you???!!!! Just kidding!!! LOL….Yes, I strongly believe in D…..Easier to win games on strong D.
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Here we go again. The first line is supposed to be your biggest production line. Does anyone expect Clifford to score a lot of goals? He’s yet to learn to finish. He’s an energy player. Do you expect for us to score with Kopitat, a great passer, setting him up? We’re turning our number one line into forechecking/energy line and wasting a potential hundred point scorer. Clifford played with Kopitar a chunk of the time yesterday and also in the previous game. Clifford scored his goal on a breakaway. Together, the Kopitar-Brown-Clifford line has not scored. Let’s give Kopitar good offensive players to play with. Kopitar-Brown-Williams was great last year. Let’s give them a full chance.
Then, yesterday he put together Richards, Carter and Penner. They didn’t score as a line but they looked good, as they did last year. This line has real potential, as it proved in the Playoffs. But apparently he’s already scrapped it and put a non-finisher-King–in Penner’s place. The King-Nolan-Lewis line that he played at the end of yesterday’s game is a great forechecking energy line. What’s wrong with leaving them together?
That would leave Stoll–Gagne–Clifford. I see nothing wrong with that. You have some offense and an energy player.
One more thing. I’ve heard Gagne bashed here because of his weak forecheck. Wake up. The man is not a strong forechecker. He’s always been a sniper/finesse type of player. If we can’t use him in that role we should move him, not expect him to completely change style that has worked for him. Before his concussion problem he had seasons of 47, 41 and 34 goals. He didn’t do it by being a banger. And he might start making a significant contribution here if we didn’t expect everyone to devote themselves to physical play.
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harty Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:49 am
@Russ Dynda, Cliffy given a chance in this league can score goals as an energy, rough winger.
You need to give him a chance and not write people off so quickly…..like Williams is filling the net, move from the past into the future.
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Russ Dynda Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:27 pm
@harty, I’m for giving Clifford a chance. He’s an improving player. But he’s on a learning curve and does not yet have the skills to produce on the first line. We need production and I believe Williams has shown that he belongs with Kopitar.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 11:57 am
@Russ Dynda, That is true about Gagne, but boy his speed was one of his strengths that made him a threat on the forecheck too. If he could turn his game around like early last season, he IS awesome!! Last season he average a goal every other game before succumbing to injury. If he can get that back…..watch out opposing goalies!!!
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Russ Dynda Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
@rogiesbackup, I have the same hope. I believe most of our scorers would begin producing more if they were allowed to run free and not restricted by the coach’s forechecking demands. Forechecking and scoring are two different things. Some guys are great forecheckers, others are scorers, few are both. Half of our roster are the former; the other half the latter. Let’s use them to their best abilities.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
@Russ Dynda, …that’s the answer….scorechecking!!…
xeropoint Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
@Russ Dynda, I love Kopitar. My favorite player. He’s never going to score 100 points, though. He’s neither an elite playmaker, nor sniper. He’s one of the best two way centers in the game, but not a top level point producer.
Clifford deserves all the ice time he gets, ATM. I believe he’s best utilized in a bottom 6 role, but when the teams top guys aren’t producing, any coach in the game would make a move like this.
Everyone can debate line combos until they’re blue in the face but when the big guys aren’t pulling the cart, it’s all really moot.
I like Gagne a lot and I still think he can produce. Maybe not on this team though. It IS structured to win with physical play and defense first.
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Russ Dynda Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 1:43 pm
@xeropoint, I basically agree with everything you’ve said except about Kopitar’s potential. I think we saw it in full flower a few seasons ago when for the first 20 games of the season he was leading the league in scoring. I honesly believe that he is a bit confused and inhibited by the system. He’s such a great team player that he tries to play any role given to him to its fullest, even when it doesn’t make full use of his talents. In his second year, under Marc Crawford, he scored 32 goals and two years later had 34. But the last two seasons he’s only scored 25, that when he is still young and should be improving. Something’s wrong and I don’t think it’s his attitude. I think the system and his coaches have been an obstruction. It’s like asking Baryshnikov to limit himself to hip-hop.
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kings714 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 9:23 pm
@Russ Dynda, agree on gagne! He brings so much offensive skill especially as someone who sets up others. Him on a 4thline is a poor fit and a waste
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You know, I was always a fan of Drew’ski but…..his guy drives me freakin nuts! That said. The Kings were accused of “catching lightning in a bottle” and being a “perfect storm” in the playoffs. If this were true then it would seem that the hockey gods are collecting on the vig. Injuries + youth = ugh! Quick’s style isn’t working with the loss of his TRUSTED D-men. He clearly has no idea where the D are going to be or who they’re covering. The aggressive style he employs works because he knows that the left side is covered when Green, Mitchell, and Scuds are on the case. Watch JQ’s head when the play goes down low. He’s in a panic because he knows there will no containment which means he has a lot more decisions to make. This is what we saw when he first came up and was told to settle. I used to think his style was the issue. I now clearly see that the system is what allows him to have the most success. I’m a Kings fan behind the Orange curtain and while it was nice to finally walk a little taller amongst the Duck fans in my life, It’s a little pathetic these days. More so than usual. PS Richards is a bum!
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If that wont work, here is my line change:
Penner-Kopitar-Carter
Gagne-Richards-Williams
Brown-Stoll-Lewis
Clifford-Fraser-Nolan
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The line that had a really really good chemistry was early last season. Gagne/Kopi/Williams….also Gagne works sooooooo well with Richards. Don’t know if you uys remember the give and go passing during the first game agaist the Hawks fist game. Almost scored, would’ve been a very pretty goal!!
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As some of you have stated, I too think DS might be overdoing the line changes. Obviously it’s not working. I understand the need to move things around here or there, I just hope it’s not at the expense of our lines developing chemistry.
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Mars Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
@MickSorley, agreed, I hope these stick for a while.
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Hooking up a couple of underperformers to our each of our two best horses at present. Carter has been playing C very well – outdoing MR at draws and I like how he covers so much ice. MR only has about 15 good seconds in him right now. King hasn’t even offered that. Every time King gets the puck, it’s like the drive through at Arby’s – would you like a turnover to complete your order?
Maybe Cliffy opens up ice for Kopi and DB, but it will only work if both of them start showing determination to score. They’ve been playing “take what they give you” TM hockey in the O zone. Assert yourselves, boys!
Don’t like breaking up Stoll and Lewis. Neither of those guys have been effective playing with anyone else. This looks like two lines that won’t complete consecutive passes all night. Both groups had better commit to dump ‘n chase or we’re going to get bottled up in our zone alot when they’re out there.
This really has the feel of “grasping at straws” now. Chicago played so fast and you could see all of the players working in unison. Our game was very tentative. At this point, I think we need to think about the best groupings, make a decision to put them together, and execute that decision / work with them and about their respective roles and give them time to gel.
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I’m not going to 2nd guess DS myself. Probably the best coach the Kings have ever had, save maybe Bob Pulford. If that is what he thinks, I’m all for it.
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I love clifford on either of the two top lines, but king on 2nd doesn’t make sense he hasn’t done much of anything. Gagne has played great set up offensive hockey, and combining that with his lack of physical presence, makes no sense to be on 4th. Put gagne on two, drop king to 3 and penner to 4 and it looks a lot better
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cup4kings Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
@kings714,
I hear what you’re saying, but the King-Richards-Carter line worked very well last year. The reason being is that King provided much needed forechecking and battles in the corners that lead to free pucks. Richards and Carter feed off that. They turn little loose pucks in the offensive zone into great scoring chances. Gagne is too soft fot that pairing in my opinion. I like this change at first look….let’s recreate what worked well last year.
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kings714 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
@cup4kings, i do hear what you saying that was a good line i just haven’t seen anything from king yet this year, hopefully this show of faith will get him going. Gagne sets up plays, carter could finish them. On the bottom line no one will finish them, and combined gagne’s lack of physicalness don’t point towards that being successful. If our team was hitting like last year, we could cover having non hitting gagne on a top line
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I thought the team was just begining to to jell the last few games
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kingrussell Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 7:36 pm
@empire, Yeah,they looked like they were skating in jello.
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kings714 Reply:
February 18th, 2013 at 9:29 pm
@empire, true before chicago we looked good. I think some of it was the defense looked alot better with ellerby than muzzin
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I thought Clifford is going to be like Westgarth and end up in the 4th line…what a big surprise… he’s been showing lots of talent lately…
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Give Muzzin a chance… Ill put his plus/minus up against the Bobby Orr wannabe anytime..
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what do the colors represent?
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