On whether he’s encouraged by the results from a young defense over the last two games:
“It’s about our team, not about our young defense. If you keep the goals against down, you have a chance to win. If you don’t, you don’t.”
On whether he’s been impressed by the young defense in general:
“Other than one game on the road this year and one game at home, we’ve been really good.”
On the timetable for Alec Martinez’s return:
“You know what, he’s getting closer. Until he has contact skates with the team – and he’s pushing for that. We’re home for a whole week, so at least we get a chance to see him every day. So we just kind of go from there.”
On whether the team is ready to take advantage of the home-heavy schedule:
“Well, we’ve played the fewest home games in the league. We’ve played four and 11, so it hasn’t been an easy schedule. I look at it again like we play three at home this week, then we go for one. So if you break that out again, then we’re playing three teams we haven’t beat yet. So I can break that down again, I can just keep going, working backwards. So just have to focus on an afternoon game tomorrow and not get ahead of ourselves. If in terms of where we are and I knew, quite honest, coming in that the opening night was not going to be about the game, it was going to be about the ceremony, and it held true. Then we went to Colorado and played pretty well and made a couple of mistakes in the third period. So that kind of set where we are. If we knock out the first two games of the year, we’d be looking pretty good in the big picture. So that’s what we want to do. We want to just concentrate on the afternoon game tomorrow. Our players here are in a pretty good place in terms of having been able to handle everything pretty well. Quite honest, that’s the best part of our team. I’ve liked the way they’ve handled the extra attention.”
On why the team seems to struggle in day games:
“I don’t think we have. I just go back [last] spring, and I don’t think we have at all. I think we’ve been actually pretty good.”
On the Detroit game being a 9:30 am start, L.A. body time:
“We played a hell of a game. You look at Chicago and going into a tough environment, and damn near got [a point]. I don’t think we’ve struggled at all [in day games]. I think we’ve played quite well.”
On whether Muzzin is settling in after earlier inconsistency:
“I think it’s a young defense, and I don’t think one or two games are going to settle [him]. It’s a career, and a season, then home and road schedule, lots of things. It’s not just Muzzin. Young guys, we work on consistency with them all the time.”
On Brown and Lewis’ preference of playing on the left side:
“Well, Lewie’s saying that because he scored [Wednesday] night and he had two assists [Tuesday]. Lewie didn’t play left wing until halfway through the Edmonton game. I’d never played him on left wing [previously], and quite honest, I’d never played King on right wing, and he’s done that. Nolan, I’ve played on left wing and right wing. Some guys are fighting to stay in the lineup by having to play other positions. Jeff Carter moved back to wing to play in a different situation. So I don’t look at it like Brownie’s getting special attention as to where he wants to play. Our players shouldn’t be concentrating more on [whether] they do a good job but of concentrating on how they play. In fact, Dustin Brown played last year – mostly last year when I coached him – on left wing, not right wing.”
On whether he’s unhappy that Dwight King is yet to replicate last year’s production:
“I think Dustin Penner, Dwight King, Simon Gagne, Brad Richardson – who else hasn’t scored a goal this year?…I’m not isolating Dwight King. We would have a little better record if one of them or all of them would have one more goal. We’re into 20-something percent of the games, now we’re almost into 33 percent of it. I don’t think that having no goals is beneficial to wondering where the player is. Playing up to his capabilities or not [is more important].”
On when he would consider sitting King for a “longer stretch”:
“I don’t. Quite honest, it’s like you ask [about] Muzzin’s inconsistency, you want me to say he’s inconsistent. You want me to say ‘Dwight King, I should sit him out because he hasn’t scored.’ Guys that work play. Guys that don’t don’t.”
On whether the work ethic is there from King, but not the results:
“Yeah.”
Darryl’s making some sense, right?
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“Guys that work play and guys that don’t, don’t.”
I’m on board with this sentiment but I don’t see how it applies to a guy like Richardson. He’s got what, 1 game? Is he really in the same position as the other guys? Not to say Richie would be lighting the world on fire but if there’s one thing you get out of him, it’s work.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:38 pm
@xeropoint, He lacks the size that the other’s don’t. He lacks the finishing capability that the other’s don’t.
So, all things being equal…the bigger guy plays.
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xeropoint Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@mrbrett7, Agreed. I don’t take issue with that philosophy either. It just seems like a strange thing to say, given that all things are not equal (taken in conjunction with the quote about having no goals scored). Maybe he didn’t intend to lump Richardson in with King, Gagne and Penner but just got a little flustered by the question.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 1:00 am
@xeropoint, It’s more about potential to score. Gagne for example is a career 20+ goal producer.
Gotta Love those answers in DS we trust.
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Take the blinders off on the last question DS.
If that’s Dwight Kings top speed he is in the wrong league.
Unbeleiveable…….I would replace King with Gagne, I thought last game out he was skating relatively well but certainly better then King or Richardson. In fairness we haven’t seen much of Richardson.
I agree with his remaining answers however I’m only one opinion of a fan. Not ownership or management.
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LB Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:12 pm
@harty, Not impressed with King so far either. Maybe he just overachieved in the playoff run last year, so our expectations of him are too high.
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kings24/7 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@LB, the same thing happened with Clifford. Two seasons ago he was doing really great during the playoffs and then last season he struggled to find that momentum. He ended up sitting out most of the Playoffs and all of the Cup final and now he has been putting in the work and has consistently been doing well and bringing the spark we need. I think King might be going through the same thing. He just needs a bit of time.
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bbb7 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:21 pm
@harty, I dont think either King or Gagne have helped much this year, but if it’s a choice between the two, I’d rather play the big physical winger who hasnt scored that the scorer who hasn’t. Gagne has been too peripheral in every game and his shots weak.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:40 pm
@bbb7, What he said.
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:04 pm
@bbb7,
Objection! Assumes facts not in evidence. My beef with King isn’t that he hasn’t scored, it’s that he hasn’t been physical so far this season. Add that to being slow and a turnover machine, and it’s hard to watch.
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PurpleRocks Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:36 pm
@harty, I agree with you. I’m not sure what the deal is between Sutter and Gagne but I don’t get it. If you look at the whole picture of the four guys he called out for not scoring a goal – it’s not really fair to compare Richardson since he only played two games and has no points. But King has played 14 games and has one assist and is a +2, Penner has played 8 games and has one assist and is a -3, but Gagne has played 11 games and has five assists and is a +2. So Gagne does have points even if he’s not scoring goals and if I remeber correctly
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PurpleRocks Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@PurpleRocks, sorry I didn’t mean to submit that before I was finished but if I remember correctly Gagne had a really nice primary assist on Williams only goal this year and he had a beautiful pass and primary assist on Stoll’s first goal of the year so both of those goals probably wouldn’t have been scored without Gagne on the ice. And I remeber during one broadcast Jim Fox making a comment that Gagne was flying in practice and from what I understand he always practices hard so I really don’t get why he isn’t playing. I also think Gagne does alot of little positive things that may go unnoticed and he should be out there on the ice! Look how long it took Richards to score a goal and he didn’t get benched. Different standards for different players is what I don’t like.
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harty Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:03 pm
@PurpleRocks, Isn’t King from Western Canada ??
And Gagne from Quebec, maybe there is tighter ties??
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 8:25 pm
@PurpleRocks, Yeah, I’m with you…I also noticed an unfairness towards Gagne. You can tell like all our “scorers,” they’ve taken some time to get back into the swing of things…no different for Gagne.
A hockey fan with good eyes can really tell Gagne has that confidence in him when he skates and stick handles….it’s just a matter of time when he gets going. When he does….he can really light up the lamp!!!
KC23 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:08 pm
@harty, I’ll take the heavy hitting King not scoring to Gagne just skating around not scoring.
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harty Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:33 pm
@KC23, then shouldn’t he be hitting, when you say heavy hitting what does that mean and check out the hit count….King has 10 or 11 hits, that’s not big hitting……..
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Gustavo Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 5:49 pm
@harty,
Gagne is done. His scoring touch has left him. His physical play never existed. His support on the D zone is gone, too.
I’d keep King over Gagne any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 8:29 pm
@Gustavo, We’ll remember this comment when he gets going! If you haven’t noticed ALL our “scorers,” have been slow scoring goals, in fact they’re STILL not really lighting up the lamp like they should, saved Carter. Gagne no different…he’s had more TIME OFF then all the players…probably will take longer.
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jet Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:21 pm
@harty, King has been one or two on the team in my personal intangible meterics. These are harder to track on tv, but still have some value. The surprising one near the top lately is Penner. I see these guys as too valuable to take out, at least for now.
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Bloggers that write blog, bloggers that don’t, don’t.
I am now heading to the pressbox. Hope they got nachos.
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:35 pm
@DesertKing,
Nachos that are good, are. Nachos that aren’t, Suck!
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Off-wingers have advantage in offense but disadvantage in defense as well because of they need to receive the pass and battle through along the board with backhand. In terms of how they avoid the forecheck along the board when they attack, they need speed as well as skill to fool those forecheckers. Lewis’s speed certainly benefits that aspect. Ovecikin’s been playing off-wing for a long time but he’s now playing RW. I don’t know if that move helps his production but worth a try I guess.
It’s the risk you have to take when you’re struggling offensively so much but at the same time, off-wingers have to be careful with their defensive play along the board.
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tornado12 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:23 pm
@goldielocks, then why not switch sides in the defensive zone?
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goldielocks Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:28 pm
@tornado12,
Sorry. I meant protecting the puck along the board in the offensive zone. But as you can see, DS only switches D pair’s side when they are on PP or desperetely need a goal on 5-on-5 because it’s that risky defensively.
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tornado12 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:37 pm
@goldielocks, that makes more sense, keen observation however
Kenny44 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:16 pm
@goldielocks,
Funny, I was always more comfortable in my own zone on the off wing. Easier to keep my stick free on a counter-pinch, or come down the wall to pick the puck off the yellow cleanly. Facing the boards on the breakout gives you only one good option when their D pinches – chip it out. That’s not much more difficult on the backhand, IMHO.
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goldielocks Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 3:37 pm
@Kenny44,
I think TM was stricter than DS for that. That was why Brown was never used as LW. It is commonly known that off-wigers lose the battle along the board. I guess you are pretty good at it. Are you from Europe by any chance? Because many of players from Europe, especially Russia and Slovakia are off-wingers.
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jet Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:29 pm
@goldielocks, Uhh, TM tried to get Brown to play LW for 3 years. Dustin could not see his talent over there at the begining. Brown indicated last year that he is now better on teh left side.
jet Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:27 pm
@goldielocks, For Brown he is better all around on the left side. his hits per game are 80% higher playing LW. His passing is better. His speed to the outside on attack is faster, more important with the new rules. He plays stronger. Just better.
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goldielocks Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 9:54 am
@jet,
Yes. Brown is better on LW. But everybody thought he’s a power forward. If he’s on left he can’t use some of his power move because he can’t protect the puck between his body and the board. It’s a give and take. You give up some puck possession but take better view of the ice, shot angle, being open to the pass, and one-timer. In Brwon’s case it’s certainly paied off. He’s no longer just a power forward but a skiiled sniper as well. Oh, and he said he only played LW in the Olyimpic game before converted to the left. I never heard TM tried to move him to the left.
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HHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNANANANANANANANANANANANA…………. With both fore fingers and thumbs pinched together!!!
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King has not been nearly as noticeable on the ice as Nolan has been. Not sure why because he certainly was noticeable last year. Sophomore blues? Kind of like Clifford last year?
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:41 pm
@vplaza, To be fair…Nolan has been noticeable for his mistakes as well.
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 2:55 pm
@mrbrett7,
To be fair, name a King who hasn’t made mistakes this year. The reality is, Nolan’s play draws attention whereas King’s has not.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 1:03 am
@vplaza, Nolan was pointed out because he is STILL A ROOKIE, and is struggling in just about every area of the ice.
If they had someone to play his role, he would already be in Manchester.
Nolan’s play draws attemtion BECAUSE of defensive lapses. King rarely makes mistakes in in his zone.
I’m beginning to remember why I stopped posting around here…
Duncanz Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 1:31 am
@mrbrett7, That’s not the spirit, Brett.
JCarson17 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:14 pm
@mrbrett7, Nolan has way more upside than King ever will. Nolan is faster, has hands, grittier and will drop the gloves anytime. King is a big puss and always has that Waterboy smirk on his face.
King vs Gagne? I rather bench Stoll. His window is closing fast. I don’t understand why he gets PP time.
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tory17 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 7:23 pm
@JCarson17,
I agree,I don’t think Stoll should be on the PP,his shot sucks this
year. I like Gagne and think his goals will come sooner than later,
he should get back in the line up maybe on the 3rd line
harty Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 8:37 pm
@JCarson17, he PP time because of his dollars…..again guys I know your tired of me saying this but its a business and team management must impress ownership also for their decisions……Stoll got the big money so he will play ahead of a 1 million dollar player
jet Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:33 pm
@JCarson17, King is more mature defensivly than Nolan and has better hands, espically at speed. As I say this, I have been King’s and Nolan’s biggest supporter here for 5 years. Go back and check my camp evals from past years.
Duncanz Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:49 pm
@jet, All true, but independently of anyone else I’ve got to give a real lot of credit to Jordy for where he’s gotten.
Prior to last season, neither Hockey News nor hockeysfuture.com had him anywhere in the Kings prospects depth chart and yet he earned his surprise call-up and deservedly cemented his spot on the big team with an impressive stream of performances.
The way things are trending, he might yet outachieve Kinger!
His best asset of all? He’s Teddy’s boy, what else!
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 12:17 pm
@harty, He gets PP time because of his faceoff capability.
I have a Question for Darryl Sutter that we need to use bernier for Tomorrow afternoon game tomorrow so we can let Quick have a day off rest and Quick will start versus the Ducks next Monday to help the LA Kings will keep more win a Game
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 12:18 pm
@Adam M, Like Sutter would even bother to GRUNT at that.
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Q – Darryl, will the sun rise tomorrow ?
A – Well, you know what, I don’t know. If it’s ready to, it will, if it’s not, it won’t. Just because it’s done it every day for 5 billion years doesn’t mean we’ll get the effort out of the sun tomorrow morning. It has a role and seems like it knows what it should do, but I’ve seen a lot of things and you just can’t roll out and expect to see the sun in the sky. It’s not all about the sun, you know, you need at atmosphere too. I’ve been happy with the sun’s effort, but no, I can’t say for sure it will rise tomorrow.
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KC23 Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:11 pm
@Press Box Scratch, classic, lol
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:44 pm
@Press Box Scratch, wow man :O
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I like King’s play. He’s a big body, can get in on the forecheck and ignite that line with Stoll or Lewis or Penner. If we get at least one goal per game from secondary scoring and multiple points from our top guys then we’re fine. Because there are more players in the “secondary” scoring category then there are in the top guys category, if King can pot 6-11 goals this year that will have been a good year for him.
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harty Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 4:35 pm
@Bonvivant, I hope King does score 11 or 12 goals, but realistically like 4 goals in total.
I’m sorry folks, I’ve said he is terribly slow since his arrival from Manchester. I just don’t see what Darryl see’s in his game.
Always ask yourself could he play on the team you will be competing against. So does King make Colorado in its current sense??
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Duncanz Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 5:47 pm
@harty, Sure, he gets Patrick Bordeleau’s spot, but I’ve a question for you, @harty.
I wouldn’t have had any other 20 guys out there during the SC playoffs than the guys we did. And there’s no doubt about, Kinger stepped up big time throughout the post season and really imposed himself, notably in the St Louis series.
But do you think there’s any possibility he can rediscover that level again or do you think it was just a flash in the pan?
I guess that same question could be asked in regard to several players this season, but what do you think?
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harty Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 8:41 pm
@Duncanz, interesting question, but Duncanz I’m not a good one to ask as I’ve played my card, I didn’t beleive he was a good NHL player last year, but he did step up in a series, but over the time he spent with the Kings last year in total he didn’t impress me, why…….
-his skating is sub-par
-he’s big then why is he not hitting anyone every shift
-his shot is 1/2 decent but he doesn’t shoot all the time
*I would expect a big body like King to take pucks to the net, but he gets angled off due to his lack of outside speed, bottom line……
Finally he should not be holding the spot he does with the Kings, sorry IMO only….we are all entitled to our comments.
Duncanz Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:18 pm
@harty, Your assessment of DK’s play this season is indisputable.
It’s a pity because I really felt that last season he was a revelation and showed a ton of promise as a 2-3 LW.
He scored big goals, assists, got in some big hits and scrapped (well) when he had to.
Most importantly, he was busy, strong on the puck and reliable positionally.
This season though of course, he’s started off very lethargically, has shed all those qualities just mentioned and is one of the Kings players that have taken the biggest steps backwards, although there a fair few in his company.
I recall you were down on him last season a fair bit as well but I expected by now he was going to be at a point where he would be winning you and others who weren’t so keen on him over, but alas.
You can only guess as to what his problem is at the moment.
Perhaps he didn’t do enough work in the off-season, but he was playing all the time of the lockout in Manchester, after all.
Thought I heard mention that his girlfriend was expecting. That could have an affect on a guy, too.
Maybe it’s just youthful complacency.
Anyhow, at the moment, you’re critique stands accurate. I’m just hoping the positive qualities I saw out of him last year can be brought back to the fore.
He needs it and the Kings need it. Too many issues at LW position for the Kings right now to bear him failing.
jet Reply:
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:43 pm
@harty, I respectfully disagree. I see him as highly responsible in his own zone. He rarely makes a bad play, turn over or bad penalty, for someone with his experience. Hid hits are not noise makers, but he rubs out dmen consistently and that wears on you by the third. I do agree that his game processing speed has regressed after his 30 games at Manchester during the lockout, but I would still put him out there with a one goal lead at the end of the game.
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harty Reply:
February 23rd, 2013 at 6:52 am
@jet, I respect your opinion and observations…..time is the only benchmark now.
For the teams sake I sure hope he catches fire……
He sounds unusually positive.
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