-Did the pre-game pageantry throw off Colorado’s timing? The Avs’ second shift of the game was inexcusable. Not to take anything away from the chemistry of the Brown-Kopitar-Williams line, but goals in practice don’t come as easy as Dustin Brown’s one-timed rocket. Did one Colorado player even touch one Los Angeles player? Rob Scuderi and Slava Voynov exchanged the puck before it was worked north to Justin Williams, who sidestepped a hit to play it up to Anze Kopitar. Greg Zanon poked the puck free from Kopitar, but Williams was there to offer support, and his cross-ice pass found Brown, who didn’t have a defender within 10 feet of him when the puck left Williams’ stick. Hilariously indifferent defending – though, to be fair, Colorado was without a pair of top-four defensemen – and suspect goaltending made it awfully difficult for the Avalanche to win a road game against a surging Kings team. Also: the timing and deep-offensive-zone possession continues to improve for the Brown-Kopitar-Williams line, which was too much for a shorthanded Avalanche defense to handle.
-Jeff Carter continues to score goals and do a lot of other things well and I feel like we’ve covered this many, many times. I will continue to cover this because the Kings are very fortunate to have his natural goal scoring ability and intangible attributes that help teams win hockey games. His stick and excellent reach make him a valuable penalty killer, his powerful strides give him separation and make him difficult to defend, and he finds himself in space in areas on the ice where goals are scored. He’s strong away from the puck. But we knew this already. His first period goal was slightly beyond his general scoring area – and some would argue that it was a goal that Semyon Varlamov should have stopped – but with the power and accuracy generated by his quick release, he’s be able to score goals from five or six feet beyond the tops of the circles. Darryl Sutter feels the same way. “He’s been the best player since the first day of training camp,” he said after the game.
-Good on the Kings for beating the Northwest Division teams they should be beating – Edmonton Calgary and Colorado don’t appear to be playoff teams at this point of the season, with the latter two looking at potentially high draft picks – but a much stiffer test awaits this week. Anaheim will provide an excellent gauge to see how much the team’s goaltending and team defense have improved over the past three weeks, as the Ducks’ size presented a significant challenge for L.A.’s defense the last time around. The Ducks are kind of hot – they’ve only lost once in their last 10 games – and are averaging 3.27 goals per game in advance of their home game against Colorado today, the third-highest average in the league. After Anaheim, the Kings get a visit from Detroit for a nationally televised NBCSN game, and how often is it that the Red Wings present the most winnable game of the week? That’s not to take anything away from Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Jimmy Howard, who were the game’s best players in Detroit’s win over Los Angeles two weeks ago. The team’s first trip to Vancouver since last year’s playoff series caps off a challenging segment of the schedule. You won’t see the team looking beyond the first shift of Monday’s game, but a 2-1-0 week would be an encouraging performance for the momentum-building Kings.
I gotta ask this after looking at the Philadelphia Flyers box score yesterday – who would still trade Simmonds and Schenn for Mike Richards?
[Reply]
rick Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:27 am
@rick, I should have added that I am not sure of the answer, but I think it is a very interesting question at this point. Two very good and improving young players for a veteran who has a ton of intangibles, and who has done much better lately, but who has disappointed at times during his tenure here.
[Reply]
soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:31 am
@rick, Well, IMHO, I think DL was looking at Mike’s leadership skills and his play making abilities. I think I read somewhere that he led the Flyers to the SCF (or maybe just playoffs, can’t remember) and that he was an absolute rock for their team or something like that. But it does make you wonder, why would someone trade their veteran captain, who, for all intents and purposes was performing very well, for 2 up and comers? Maybe these GMs see things that the rest of us don’t.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:54 pm
@soo-do-nihm, What happened in Philly is the hockey media in Philly made Richards & Carter scapegoats with a few photos of showing them out at a bar drinking during the regular season/playoffs. It could have been one night one drink who knows, but my guess blown way out of proportion. Those 2 played hard in the SCFs. Philly’s management for what ever reason decided not to back the players and wanted to make Pronger the Captain of the team who rumors indicate didn’t get along with Richards. Its also well known that Carter and Richards are best friends meaning that if they deal one they should likely deal both. They did so within a 24 hr period of time. I don’t live in Philly, but thats what I remember from following hockey in general and it is all over the media hear say and some speculation on my part.
soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:35 am
@rick, Or maybe (and this is just a really, really wild stab), DL had the forethought to create the Philly line. He acquired MR, waited to see if JMFJ would do something for this team (he did, but not enough) then decided to trade him for JC and thus you have the Philly line with Gags, Richie and Carter.
Ok, that’s totally wild speculation and I don’t really know enough about any of the trades or what was going through DL’s time when he made these decisions but it might be funny if he did have that forethought…
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:23 am
@soo-do-nihm,
you’re kidding of course
Shiny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
@number 6, of course, because if it were actually true, then DL should just quit and play lotto. But it’s fun to speculate a little
puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:46 am
@rick, You said the key word..’intangibles’. Thats a word that this team is loaded with. here’s another…’character’. When you look at the fact that this team has had all kinds of trouble scoring goala over the past 3 seasons, those two terms are reasons why they stuck together and made the playoffs each time when it seemed not likely.
[Reply]
Mikey J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:32 am
@rick, The Kings don’t win the Cup last year without making that trade. Enough said.
[Reply]
Pumpernicholl Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:41 am
@Mikey J., I agree with you. It’s less about stats and more about how the team coheres in order to win games. I would make that trade again, no question.
[Reply]
Mikey J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:46 am
@Pumpernicholl, I remember watching NHL 36 Mike Richards last year at the time when things were looking pretty dire. Luc says in the episode that the Kings got Richards because he was a winner and has won at every level. I thought well I hope so Luc and looked what happened.
Goedecke Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:57 am
@Mikey J.,
+1
[Reply]
Goedecke Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:57 am
@Mikey J.,
+1
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:37 pm
@Mikey J., Straight and to the point!
[Reply]
Waxieman Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:40 am
@rick,
The kings won the cup last year doesn’t ever matter what Shenn, Simmons do. Anyone who watched the cup run knows Richards was the difference he brought an attitude the Kings have never had.
[Reply]
IN King Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:41 am
@rick,
Without a doubt. When he’s on his game, Richards can absolutely dominate a game. When could you ever say that about Simmonds.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:54 am
@rick,
For all intents and purposes it is impossible to evaluate who got better of that deal by looking at box scores, goal totals and the like. Many who have come before me have noted the different style of play (lack of defense) that rules the Eastern Conference. Comparing numbers from one conference to another makes just about as much sence as comparing numbers from the Swedish Elite League and the AHL-it really doesn’t work.
Some people like to look at the “statistics” such a point totals, or goals, etc. The truth is that one cannot accurately compare the data with any true statistical reliability. To find a statistically reliable comparison between Richards versus Schenn & Simmonds would necessitate valid constructs, external factors, and internal factors – which cannot be found between players playing on different teams with different systems against different opponents.
I believe the best way to measure the deal is to determine whether the team achieved its desired outcome of said deal
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:56 am
@Michael J., Wow. This one will be nominated for a pulitzer
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:18 am
@puck73,
Bottom line = Kings won the cup
number 6 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:33 am
@Michael J.,
Michael, that is a really perceptive bit of writing. Seeing what I’ll refer to as the ‘big picture’.
I saw Simmonds featured on Hockey Night Live this weekend and of course two games running where he had the Gordie Howe hat trick.
I remember reading on this blog a number of years ago someone saying he could become the next Jerome Iginla. I doubted it but did wonder. Seeing the highlights this weekend I thought ‘maybe that guy was right’.
But in fact, it’s so true what you said. The Kings Were a team that had trouble scoring goals when he was there. Omit Carter from the equation and it’s Still a team that has trouble scoring goals. As Rosen points out here, the goals they scored yesterday….. well, Lewis scores 5 hole on a shot that most goalies would’ve had 99.5% of the time.
All that to say, Simmer is playing on a team that has a different flow to it and most certainly with more creative forwards than the ones he was playing with on the Kings. One guarantee for sure…. if he were still a 3rd line guy with Stoll he isn’t scoring 20 goals. With Richards in a defensive mindset…. yeah he’d score…. but 25 a year? Not at all sure about that.
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
@Michael J.,
Thank you for putting in the time, energy and skill necessary to make the non-comparison clear.
Apples and oranges.
Richards did captain the Flyers to wins from a Cup. They could get that far with Simmonds and Schenn. Time will tell and we’ll have to re-evaluate if that happens.
[Reply]
Ron Reynolds Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
@Michael J., You can obtain *reliable* data by comparing point totals, goals, etc….but whether the data possesses *validity* with respect to whatever it is claimed to imply is what’s really at issue.
[Reply]
WAKingsFan Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 8:56 pm
@Ron Reynolds, data is not reliable until it is a proven entity.
McCheese Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:00 am
@rick, that Cup we have says that it was the right decision.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:04 am
@rick, box score or cup??.?.?????????
…….geeeez still have to think about it…….
Stanley cup or box score….hmmmmmmmmmm
(And my favorite player was simmer)
[Reply]
rick Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:25 am
@Lake Forest, Of course I cannot disagree with you about last year – although Richards played poorly for a long stretch before the playoffs as you will recall.. But this is this year. Simmonds and Schenn are both turning into very significant players. Richards has all kinds of tangibles and intangibles to offer, but also can be maddeningly inconsistent. Don’t get me wrong – he is a very important part of the team and I am very happy he is here. IBut sometimes I picture Schenn centering the second line, with Simmonds doing his thing on the third line, and my mouth does water a bit. ..
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:36 am
@rick, different system……
You can see anyone going to Philly from kings and scoring a lot and doing well offensively. However a equally balanced offense and defense wins cups
bbb7 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:22 am
@rick, One can argue the trade back and forth and as far as pure hockey talent lost/acquired it’s probably in the Flyers favor… HOWEVER… it’s my take that when the Kings went into Vancouver for Game One last playoffs, the team as a whole was a little shaky, psyche-wise. The two blown chances against San Jose at the end of the regular season had to have them doubting themselves, at least a little.
In Game One, Richards took the entire team on his shoulders and WILLED them to the win. If you have a recording of that game, watch it and focus on Richards; what you’ll see is what the had been missing prior- a heart and soul guy who knew what it takes to win.
Without that Game One and then resultant confidence boost – no Cup.
[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:22 am
@rick, it was about intangibles, timing, and should b viewed over a more than one year. We expect #10′s production to taper off. The ? is how much will Mikey push himself? Will he still have that hunger to play hard and lead over the next 2 1/2 years? If he’s still a player, than the answer should be an unequivocal and unanimous yes. If not, the issue will still be debated. All IMHO.
[Reply]
Ravens Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:24 am
@rick, when those two are key players for Philly winning two cups, until then I’m perfectly fine with the trade that contributed to our first cup ever
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:36 am
@rick,
With Richards we won the Cup.
With Simmonds and Schenn we did not make it past the first round of playoffs.
I hope that answers your question.
I remember DL saying something like: “I want to get the guy that DOES NOT want to be traded, even if it mean he’ll be shocked or disappointed at first”.
That trade worked out well for us. What I wonder is if DL wanted to reunite Richards and Carter from the get go, before he even called the Flyers.
[Reply]
dMan Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:50 am
@rick, that’s not the point really.
Both teams traded at the time because they had different needs; in the case of the Kings, they needed more established, veteran leadership and the Flyers were going in another direction and willing to look at potential. At that point, both Simmonds and particularly Schenn showed great potential. But you have to give something to get something.
Making that comparison two years after the fact and comparing two players with one is not a fair comparison. Simmonds and Schenn blossomed as the Flyers hoped they would (I’d like to think that the Kings system is a big reason for that) and Richards delivered (albeit in spurts) and was a key player in winning the Stanley Cup. I dare say that Richards acquisition pushed Brown to the next level.
It’s fun to play what ifs, but it’s also a pointless exercise.
[Reply]
Jerry Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:07 pm
@rick, What is everyone talking about. You CAN NOT compare East Coast team to a West Coast team and you can NOT compare the coaching of Daryll Sutter game play to Lavioulets game play. Philly is a high offence no defense kind of team. Thats why their goals against isnt great at all and you will never see them in the top 10 for goals against. People blame Bryzgalov but its not his fault that offense rushes in creates a turn over and the defense cant help him out. Kings are a defense first offense second team. This is why West has always dominated the east. Only other teams to do it and do it good in the east are the boston bruins and rangers. Now for our goal scoring your forgetting that Carter and Richards both did not play or do anything during the off season. Richards has 11 points already and is just starting to get his grove with this shortened season its still October for him. Kopi just came back from injury so his gnna be picking it up plus he has no actual goal scorers on his line. No offense to williams and brown but Williams is a second line winger and Brown is a third line winger on any east coast team or even if they were in chicago or detroy brown would be 3rd line. What he dose best is hit people, Jonny quick is just coming back from back surgery and i dont care how much u say your ready your not really all there and the biggest problem with the kings offense is that Mitchell And Greener are out, Stay at home D play a big role in offense, they take the bodys and create turn overs for the offense to go the other way, If the D cant do that then the offense has to pinch in and help the D which creats less offensive rushes and more playing time in the defensive zone. Alot of smal problems that lead to why the Kings started off bad but they been picking things up and when Mitchell Comes back things will be alot different.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
@rick, All I know is we got a cup. Besides that it really doesn’t matter much to me.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
@KC23, Nor should it.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
@rick, They knew they were trading young talent for mature talent, and when you do that, you don’t always end up mathematically ahead of the other team in the trade. Further, players who don’t reach their full potential on one team often do on another. I’m thankful for what we have, not jealous of what we gave up. At least they’re on in the western conference. Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but as KC23 indicates, the trade accomplished what it was supposed to.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
@rick, Yes, the trade was a complete success. We won the cup(some, and its not like Richards is 40 he is 28. We are in many ways better poised to win more cups with Mike Richards, because of Richards contract stucture which pays him cap friendly 5.75 mil/yr thru 2021. We are best prepared to win more cups while are players are core is in their prime. If we keep Schenn & Simmonds while Simmonds is a developed NHL player, Schenn will need to develop especially on D. Secondly these players would not have the production they have showed if still with the Kings D oriented offense. Philly is run and gun and instead of checking line they use Read-Schenn-Simmonds as an additional scoring line. If you look at any player on the Kings basically you should expect them to score about 25% more points if they play the same minutes for Philly, but if you look at the goalie look for the GA to go up by about the same.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
@luc20rules, corrections (some think it already is with 1 cup).
“are” & “our” so “our core is in ther prime.”
[Reply]
mash-ola Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:22 pm
@rick, Kings win the Stanley Cup with Mike Richards. End of discussion.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
@mash-ola, Bingo!
[Reply]
Gretzky to Kurri Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
@rick,
I would still make that trade now. Mike Richards is one of the most heart-and-soul players in the league today. Even if he is slumping on the scoresheet he almost always has an impact on the game, whether its a big hit or dropping the gloves for a teammate who might very well be bigger than he is, or getting under the opposition’s skin and forcing them into stupid penalties. I watched a lot of him in Philly (I was living on the east coast) and I HATED him. He is in my opinion one of the most consistent competitors in the game. Luc said it all when he said the guy wins in every level he plays at. There’s a reason he is already wearing an “A” after Greener went down, and no doubt an important piece to the reason our guys hoisted their first cup in history last year.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:29 pm
@rick, How many cups do Simmonds and Schenn have?
Philly had a great offense last year too, did they win the Eastern finals?
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 6:24 pm
@rick,
It’s possible to have a trade that helps both teams, there doesn’t have to be a winner or loser every time a trade is made.
I for one would make the trade again in a heart beat. After all we won and Richards was a big part of it. And don’t forget box score doesn’t win you a Stanley Cup.
[Reply]
I expect to see a lot of how the Ducks will play on Monday tonight as they are facing the Avs and their first game in almost a week (I believe it’s 6 days). They might show up with the freshest legs in the league or they might show up with the rustiest legs in the league. Either way, they should be good and tired on Monday.
As for Detroit, it should be an interesting game. They lost 4-1 to the Blue Jackets (really, losing to Columbus?? OK Ok, they can’t lose EVERY game…)
And for the Canucks, I feel like these guys are riding high on their previous victories but I guess only time will tell.
Stellar defense on the Kings’ end last night, but still could use a lot of improvement. One thing the Kings need to remember: STOP TAKING STUPID PENALTIES! If you must hit the sin bin, make it worth the PK and not for something stupid like breaking your stick on the guy’s leg or something.
Who do you think is in net tomorrow? Quickie or Bernie? Do you think Sutter is going more for a 50/50 split right now with all the back-to-backs coming up or do you think he’ll go for his #1 who’s shown vast improvement?
[Reply]
Pumpernicholl Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:39 am
@soo-do-nihm, As long as the Kings are not in a back-to-back situation, and as long as he’s got his game going like he’s had these last couple of starts, I expect Quick to play.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:56 am
@soo-do-nihm,
No discussion. Conn Smythe winner gets the nod.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:24 am
@soo-do-nihm, I would be shocked it Quick doesnt start tomorrow, and every game from here on that’s not a back-to-back. I dont understand why there’s even a question about this.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
@soo-do-nihm, Young defensemen + Stoll = stupid penalties. Not much we can do about it I’m afraid.
[Reply]
When the Kings first acquired Jeff Carter, I noticed that he’d had more goals in the prior 5 seasons than Sidney Crosby had had in the same time frame. Now I realize that included some injury time for Crosby, but that is actually a rather large sample size and it does tell you something. I mean, talk about a weapon. That was a fantastic trade by Dean Lombardi IMO.
[Reply]
IN King Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:53 am
@Pumpernicholl,
By far the best trade that DL has ever pulled off.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:03 am
@IN King,
How about Acquiring Justin Williams for a 2nd round pick? The bonus was that Carolina happily took POS in the deal too.
[Reply]
CAVmedic Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:07 am
Carolina took S.Avery?@Michael J.,
IN King Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:18 am
@Michael J.,
That’s a close 2nd, but convincing Columbus that JJ was worth Carter was pure highway robbery.
Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:28 am
@IN King,
I think the entire hockey world, especially Craig Button, thought JJ was worth Carter. I don’t think that DL needed to convince the now unemployed Scott Howson of anything.
bbb7 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:26 am
@IN King, Carter has been a great acquisition, no question, but he wasnt fitting in in Columbus, wasnt happy there, and the BJs got a guy who is a top defenseman, can log huge minutes and was happy being back in the mid-west. I still say it’s a win-win.
[Reply]
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
@bbb7,
Completely agree.
Was more about pieces fitting in correctly.
Colorado’s defense was shorthanded? Well, Im guessing the Kings and us bloggers arent feeling sorry for them anytime soon.
[Reply]
soo-do-nihm Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:44 am
@puck73, I actually read one of their blogs and the comments and I was laughing because their comments sounded very nearly identical to the ones I’ve seen on here. Just with different names. So and so can’t be relied on to carry the team, Varly should’ve had such and such goal, the Avs are playing poorly, etc etc.
And I also thought, ya know, we can relate. We’re missing half (literally) of our defense but we’re managing to suck it up and play through. I’m cautiously optimistic about tomorrow.
[Reply]
Mikey J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:00 am
@puck73, The Kings were primed for the playoffs last year with all those close games during the regular season. Maybe this year all the adversity on the back end will be the thing that strengthens them for the big games come playoff time. Too funny about Avs fans complaining about missing guys on D.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:08 am
@puck73,
I will never feel sorry for teams who have players out do to an injury. That is what depth is all about. There is no excuse for not having all of one’s boxes filled.
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:29 am
@puck73, Yah, no sympathy there. I do feel for them that their goalie wasn’t good and let in the Lewis softie right when the momentum had changed. It’s about time an opponent’s average goalie didnt look like a star against the Kings. Its amazing what shooting RIGHT off the pass can do! Hopefully that’s a lesson learned… altho DD still hasnt learned it.
[Reply]
Shiny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
@bbb7, I think someone last year mentioned that they were finally starting to see DD’s huge wind up shot go, but it’s back! Ack, it’s like a bad habit you can’t get rid of! In spite of his pass instead of shot, I thought he did well
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
@puck73, hehee, good point.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
@puck73, Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.
[Reply]
I attribute the Brown-Kopi-Williams line playing better because maybe Brown is now 100%. I think before the Edmonton game maybe the Doctors told Brown to not “hit” anybody until fully recovered. I would see Brown approaching someone and peel off right in front of the player or just lightly push off.
Since the Edmonton game (nice hit on RNH) you could see Brown finishing his hits. Last game he finished with 9 hits. I think the Docs finally told him “you’re 100% go out and do what you do best”.
Beware NHL, Captain Crunch is BACK!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:58 am
@Offstandard, Its very possible.
[Reply]
Pesus Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 6:27 pm
@Offstandard,
I think the way Brown plays takes a toll on his body, and after an extended playoff run he sometimes tones it down a bit. Just a thought I sometimes have when I don’t see him as aggressive.
[Reply]
For all those looking to take in the action for tomorrow’s night game, I am hosting a special suite for all those interested. THIS IS NOT AN INSIDER ONLY EVENT. Of course Jon you are always welcomed and I would be honored if you can make it.
Details for A Suite Night Out are on my website at http://www.easportsmanagement.com/events.html
[Reply]
PlayerXatHoldthePoint Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:43 am
@EASportsMgt, I am gald to finally find out this is not an Insider event now, but I almost bought tickets this a.m. thinking it was gonna be an Insider crowd. Not sure why, and not pleased about, the e-mail soliciting my money for this event originated from Larry Abel, and why is Larry Abel hyping a third party event using the e-mail address I gave up for an Insiderevent?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
@PlayerXatHoldthePoint, Wow, whats your problem?! How dare you ask accusatory questions about Frank Robledo and Larry Abel !
You know, you oughta be ashamed of yourself X! If I didnt know better, I would swear that you are saying that these guys are profiting and exploiting us!
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:21 pm
@EASportsMgt,
This is not an insider event ONLY you say? I believe this is not an insider event in any way, shape or form, correct? Or are you claiming otherwise? The lack of full disclosure is very disturbing. If this event is not sanctioned by this website, why are many people on this site receiving emails from you and Larry Abel asking for money?
Those email addresses were given out in confidence as part of promoting Insider Suite Night events. They are now being used to help sell your PRIVATE event that is in no way affiliated with the Insider, correct? There are strict laws regarding spam in California. I never authorized or signed up for an EA Sports Management event, yet I am receiving solicitations for them. I will be following up with a letter to AEG regarding this matter.
I don’t think anyone ever envisioned the Insider Events being part of a moneymaking operation for the person who organized them. They started out as a fun way for people on this site to get together. If they were ever profitable for EA Sports Management, that should have been disclosed. To that end, the same holds true for the ambiguous solicitation above.
Is this a moneymaking venture for EA Sports Management? It certainly seems clear that it is. If it is, those facts needs to be fully disclosed so that those taking part on this site understand just what they are buying into.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Gee, all I wanted was a good explanation, thats all I was asking for…Instead, you have to turn around and give me a terrific one !
Class Dismissed
[Reply]
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), et. all,
Not sure what all the fuss is about here.
(I myself didn’t provide my email before for the Insider Suite events, though I have attended them.)
Someone had to put them together. They don’t just happen magically.
In the absence of the New Insider having everything in place, a suite has been put together…INVITING Insiders to participate.
If you want to go, go. If you don’t want to participate, don’t accept the invitation.
Am I missing something here??? Isn’t this how all advertising/invitations work???
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:15 pm
@Save, Hrudey!,
To answer your question, no, this is NOT how all advertising works. As I said. Spamming is ILLEGAL. It seems you missed the most important point. This is not an Insider Event. Period.
No one here signed up to be solicited for a private, moneymaking venture via an email address given for Insider events. Since you did not receive an invitation by email, then you were not spammed. Those of us who were have every right to complain.
Get it???
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:24 pm
@Paul,
I get that you feel violated by the use of your email.
What you don’t seem to recall, or have conveniently forgotten, is several Insiders on here specifically asking EA Sports to put another suite together.
So he did, and invited them. Do you not get that???
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:34 pm
@Save, Hrudey!,
No, I don’t get it at all because you’re not telling the truth. And I suspect you’re not being clear on purpose, just as the solicitation above isn’t clear.
Are you saying people on here have asked for an exclusive EA Sports Management Event? I have never seen a single person ask for that.
Or are you saying people on here have asked Frank to organize another Insider Event? I have seen multiple people ask for that.
One is an organized group event for fun, the other is a moneymaking venture. Those are two VASTLY different things but I have a feeling you know that, don’t you?
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
@ Paul,
I’m not telling the truth? I have nothing to hide here.
I’m wondering what you’re really upset over though. Is it:
1) That people asked for a “fun” event, and then were invited to one? Or
2) That someone (that was asked to do so by several people) actually put an event together with their own time, effort, and yes, money. (Things don’t happen for free.)
But if we’re going to split hairs on people making money off the Insider site…..let’s take a closer look at you. (Though me intent was never to attack or single anyone out specifically here.)
You post pics and videos on here via your own website. And yes, many people ask you to do so. (And I do appreciate people sharing pics and videos of our Kings.)
I don’t know much about your site admittedly, but I would assume you have at least one sponsor/advertisement on there non-Kings related that you use to support your site. Is that not correct?
One could point the finger at you, for directing people to your site, and then making money as a result of higher visits. If I am incorrect here, please point it out.
All I was originally trying to do is point out that someone did someone nice for the Insiders (a suite). And yet, as always, people can’t just say “Thank you” and leave it at that. Instead we have to attack someone for the audacity of being compensated for their time and effort.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
@Save, Hrudey!,
Yes, let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Where have I ever said someone shouldn’t be compensated for their time? I never did and I resent the implication. The fact of the matter is, we don’t know if or how Frank is being compensated but it certainly sounds like you do. Nothing to hide, eh?
I have no problem with anyone who may help organize future INSIDER events be compensated for their time if they want as long as it is FULLY DISCLOSED. Do you have a problem with that? Apparently so. I have no problem with Frank making millions selling tickets as long as it’s on the up and up. The above solicitation, along with his super convenient recent comments about “hockey” which is a blatant attempt and ingratiating himself here after not commenting for many months then making reference to his private event is all very slimy to me.
As for me posting here, it’s allowed. And to that end, I have put in my time here unlike Frank. I have been here since the beginning and continue to contribute on a regular basis. As far as I’m concerned, I have earned it in spades. Frank, on the other hand, swoops in when an event takes place.
But more importantly, everyone here should take note that you are purposely avoiding the subject at hand.
Why didn’t you answer my question?
I think people reading this know why. Because we all know not a single ‘insider’ ever asked for a PRIVATE EA Sports event to be organized. You know it, I know it and everyone here knows it. But for some reason, you keep equating the two. Why is that? Of course, there won’t be an answer, just more attacks by someone who “has nothing to hide.”
Soliciting a PRIVATE event through email that people did not opt in for is spam. If you personally don’t have a problem with that then say so and leave it at that. But to now go out of your way to defend and purposely mislead people into believing the above event is what people asked for says a lot about your true motive.
As for my site, I have spent the past year and a half of my life and thousands upon thousands of dollars of my own time and money with the hope that one day it will be successful and I can make a living at it. I have yet to make a single dime. It is my dream and I am happy and proud tell anyone who will listen about it.
And unlike Frank and you, I will answer any questions about what I do and what I hope to achieve. It’s called full disclosure and honesty and that is all I ask for in return.
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
@ Paul,
First, I apologize for singling out your site. Many of us do appreciate the extra work others do to bring us more Kings hockey. To that end, I hope it is successful.
However, I have no idea what you are referring to with me avoiding your questions? Which questions are you referring to? I can only comment on the things I know about. Some of your other questions are simply illogical. I will attempt nonetheless to answer what you put out there:
1) I have no idea how, or if, EA (or Frank) is making any money on this. As I said from the very beginning, I did not receive (on purpose, I should add) any email with the information on the suite. I asked at the very beginning if I was missing something. You responded with a very particular string of thought: being solicited for a “private” moneymaking venture
At this point, I pointed out 2 errors in your thinking:
2a) It takes money to put these things together. They don’t happen magically.
2b) You continue to separate the two ideas: private and non-private. I don’t recall ever having to show my “Insider VIP Double-secret Pass” to get into the suites.
To that end, that is one reason I stopped attending. Too many non-Insiders simply taking advantage of a great deal on a suite. Those events were never INSIDER-ONLY suites.
3) I don’t recall seeing EA much on here either. But you conveniently sidestep another important point: He was ASKED REPEATEDLY by Insiders to put something together. And not once do I recall a single one of them to ask: Please make it Insider-Only, and don’t let the general public find out about this. It’s possible he read those and “swooped” in at the opportunity. Perhaps he was emailed directly by many of those same Insiders. I don’t know, and that’s why I didn’t address it.
I have no idea how the suite came together. However, I began venturing a guess earlier. Jon is new, and might not have the angles covered yet. Maybe he does, and just chose not to do it. Perhaps he personally asked EA to do it instead since they have done it before and people were clamoring EA for it. I have NO IDEA.
However, seeing as how it came about, I can only assume that EA did put something together, at their expense and time, and told as many Insiders as they could about it. I don’t see the issue there. They asked, he responded.
I have no issue with EA making money, with EA inviting Insiders, with Non-Insiders attending (since I don’t attend anymore), or with people posting links on here that are Kings related.
What I did have an issue, and I said it from the start, is people crapping all over someone that is trying to do something nice for others. Maybe he went about it in a way you disagree with. Perhaps you should have emailed him back and privately asked that he not do so anymore or to remove you from the email list.
But since it was done in this forum, I opined my issue with Insiders criticizing someone for doing what they had asked for. I personally hate seeing that, and can see how this would make most people, including EA, think twice about going out of their way to do something nice for Insiders or Kings fans.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@Save, Hrudey!,
There are so many things about this response that reek of a vested interest by you regarding this event. I’ll leave it for others to judge how transparent it is but I will say for someone who gives the impression they are not connected to Frank, you certainly seem to have a lot to say on the matter, most of which is flat out incorrect.
If you don’t agree that a sanctioned Insider event is different than an EA Sports Management event, then you and I appear to have very different definitions of logic. And I’ll leave it at that. If you want to discuss this further, feel free to call me (number is on the site) and I will be happy to talk to you.
PlayerXatHoldThePoint Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
@Save, Hrudey!,
91) I went to the first htree Insider suite events, they were Called “Suite Nights.”(2) EA management was described as the official contact for the sanctioned Insider event. (3) I yielded contact info based on participation in a sanctioned event. (4) The person in charge when we got to the sanctioned event was Larry Abel, of the Kings/Staples Center.
A year later, the same guy sends me an e-mail for a Suite Night Out and also mentions it on the official Kings blog. As well, I got e-mail from Larry Abel, the same guy that was the escort/Kings rep at Staples center for all three previous sanctioned “Suite Nights.”
Only after a few days did EA Sports mention that the event is not an Insider event, it’s just something he is doing privately. By then, I would have bought tickets if I was going to go. By then, he had already given my e-mail to a third party vendor, a sales rep at the L.A. Kings, who solicited me for the same private, unofficial, un-sanctioned, third-party sponsored and third-party profiting event.
Do you see what I am getting at?
As far as Paul’s website and his usage here…Paul is up front about it. Paul does not gain your info surreptitiously. Paul does not share your surreptitiously gained data with 3rd party vendors. Paul does not pose as a sanctioned blog, and Paul does not use your e-mail for profitable events. Further, Paul does not give your e-mail to third party vendors.
I have a webiste, too. To comment there, you haver to provide an e-mail. Would it be right for me to take my commenters e-mail addresses and give them to Larry Abel, so he could help me sell tickets to an event that I made look just like a previous, sanctioned Kings event?
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 5:12 pm
@ Paul,
Not sure why you think there is some conspiracy here.
Couldn’t have been any clearer in my posts. I despise those that crap on others that are trying to do something nice. I stick up for the unfairly criticized sometimes.
Not sure if you’re just bored or have some personal agenda against EA.
Still disagree with your “sanctioned” event label. You make it sound like AEG and the Kings set up contracts for the suites. It seemed completely casual and non-restrictive each time I showed up.
But, this has gone rather stale. If you’re bored next time, we can definitely chat the next time we’re at a Legally Sanctioned AEG-Contracted Officially-NHL-Recognized event.
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
@ PlayerXatHoldThePoint,
Aaaaahhhh….thanks for the clarification. The ire of some fans makes sense now.
As I mentioned above, I did not provide my email at any of the events, and was unaware of how it all transpired.
I asked earlier if I was missing something, but no one cleared it up until now.
Thanks.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
@Save, Hrudey!,
Right, because simply and innocently ‘being nice’ equates with making an undisclosed profit. Yet another piece of ‘logic’ that completely defies it. Again FULL DISCLOSURE is never, EVER an unfair criticism. And those who say otherwise very much have something to hide.
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@ Paul,
Providing full disclosure is one thing. Never defended that.
Ranting about spam is completely different.
Kingsfanone Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
@EASportsMgt,
Hi Fred,
As stated by you, then this IS a Insider Event. You state “this is not a Insider only event.” That, my friend, in the English language, means it is an Insider Event but others are invited also.
Run it by your attorney and tell me otherwise.
Please.
Thank you.
[Reply]
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
@Kingsfanone,
Has it ever been “Insider Only”?
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
@Save, Hrudey!,
Clearly EASportsMgt thinks so! LOL. Why else mention it? We ALL know why.
EASportsMgt Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 9:14 pm
@Save, Hrudey!, First of all, I am sorry that you had to go through all that hassle to explain yourself. I just landed back in L.A. and so just now able to respond.
To all L.A. Kings Insiders, my apologies for my wrong choice in words. Larry and I have an event suite set aside because we knew the Ducks game would pose a very good hockey game and so we wanted to invite as many people as possible, not just people who had provided their emails to previous Insider events. Hence where I incorrectly decided to use the term Not an “Insider Only” event because there are folks from other business professional groups, other hockey communities and Twitter that were invited. I sincerely apologize if my choice of words made it seem that this was an Insider Event at any level. I can assure you that any Insider Events would come directly from Jon Rosen and AEG.
This is however an open and free forum for all Kings fans. I am and have always been a Kings fan as well as a fan of a good time. And so, whenever there is an opportunity to bring people together to watch a good hockey game and have fun, I am all for it. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t get paid for these events. I never have and never will. I did them to get people together. To allow people who were as much a fan of Mr. RIch Hammond as I was. I thought it would be cool to meet him and I figured others would too. And so we set out to have these events and my only part was to help facilitate the event and make sure people had a good time. I paid out of my own pocket to set up the cash bar at the first event, I called Luc’s office dozens of times to make sure I could get a committment from him to stop by the suite the night that he did, and I had endless conversations with Chris McGowan about what a great group the Insiders were and how much Rich Hammond meant to everyone.
I do hope that there are future Insider Events and if Jon would like my help, I would be honored to help in any way that I can.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 9:13 am
Thanks for the history lesson. Here’s mine.
EASportsMgt 4 days ago: “no we are not planning on nor has there been any discussions with Larry about doing an Insider Event this year.”
Yesterday: “THIS IS NOT AN INSIDER ONLY EVENT.”
You chose those words very carefully and put them IN BOLD. And you chose to leave out any reference to not being an Insider event in your emails, yet highlight the popular Insider phrase “Suite Night.”
Let me guess, more innocent mistakes? Yeah, right. I’m not buying any of it, literally or figuratively. It’s called marketing so quit acting innocent when it’s an obvious calculated attempt at connecting yourself to the site, just as was your recent reappearance after months without participating here right before your event.
Now, how about answering legitimate concerns about you using an email list that doesn’t belong to you?
jet Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 1:14 am
@EASportsMgt, Thanks for organizing and bringing a great game to the group
[Reply]
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 12:42 pm
@EASportsMgt,
Let me also say thanks for trying to put something together for Insiders to gather and enjoy.
People probably don’t realize how difficult it must be to put it all together.
[Reply]
@puck73, who are you picking to win Monday?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:16 am
@Lake Forest, If the Kings continue to cycle the puck, and dominate territorialy like they have since the Detroit game, plus The fact that The Ducks are playing this afternoon, I would like to think The Kings should win this one.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
@puck73, Agreed…..hold possession via cycling in their zone much longer then in yours; ANY team be it the ducks, hawks, nucks, will not score from their end.
[Reply]
I am tired of people questioning the MR trade. We won the cup…..nuff said. You can’t compare the points of these players because the Flyers are all offence and no defence. They have no system and they will be lucky to make the playoffs,let alone win a cup this way. The only reason they beat the Pens last year was the Pens were actually worse then them. Remember the devils handled them rather easily. Until they win a cup we won this trade and would do it again,again, and again.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 10:17 am
@joemv8, Im on your side. More importantly, so is DL.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:25 pm
@joemv8, At least he asked it when the Kings are doing well. I give him credit for that. Typically it’ll be after a King’s loss with Richards is -2 on the night or something.
[Reply]
Now that everyone has – predictably – lambasted me for even raising a question about the Richards trade, I will make one more entry and let you all have at it again. I love Mike Richards. I am glad he is on my team. And I made a mistake by suggesting that his value versus Simmonds and Schenn can be analyzed by box scores. With all that said: 1) my friends back East who see Schenn and Simmonds play regularly tell me they are both stars in the making, 2) Richards certainly can dominate games when he is on, but – truthfully – how often do you see him do it? , and 3) those who said that we wouldn’t have won the Cup without Richards are probably correct, but the value of a trade of this magnitude cannot be measured by one year alone, regardless of how great that year turned out to be. Richards is a good player with a great work ethic and terrific leadership qualities. He is also the kind of guy that has a bit of urban legend about him, and sometimes I believe that the legend of Mike Richards can get in the way of a fair evaluation of his play on the ice. I would have made the trade that Lombardi made when he made it. Would I make it today? I don’t know…. Sorry for raising such an issue when the team is going good and all of us are psyched – I just think it is an interesting question to discuss.
[Reply]
Pumpernicholl Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:12 am
@rick, In my opinion Mike Richards is a hockey maestro. Watch how he reacts to situations and THINKS his way through a game. There are few better in the NHL in their ability to make brilliantly analytical and unique decisions on the ice.
He outthinks opponents time and again on even the smallest plays, and when it’s time to do so, he has the ability to raise his game in ways that neither Simmonds or Schenn have proven that they are able to touch.
It’s rather like comparing the most in-demand session guitarist in town, who can adapt his playing to any circumstance, to a couple of unusually good, but not truly great guitarists. Mike Richards has a kind of “jazz” to his game, if you will, that neither Simmonds or Schenn has.
The final piece of the puzzle is, when it’s winning time, Mike Richards is there. I love watching his game even when he isn’t scoring, because in all kinds of little ways he does make the Kings a much better team.
[Reply]
Shiny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:27 pm
@Pumpernicholl, it’s interesting that you say that because Foxy pointed out something last night just before Carter’s goal. MR was heading to collect the puck, but he had his head up the whole time. Even as he was practically on top of the puck, he’s sighting his teammates, then looks down and makes a beautiful pass to Carter who snaps into the net with amazing skill and seeming ease. So MR may not be scoring goals, but you make a valid point about his hockey sense.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:15 am
@rick,
I think that DL made the deal because he wanted the Kings to have a better chance at winning from 2012 throught 2014. With Richards as #2 center the Kings have a much better chance than with Stoll as #2 and Schenn as #3. Schenn still has a lot of growing up to do, which he will, before becoming a player that could be a great #2 center in the Western Conference. I hated to see Schenn go. Had Schenn stayed in LA last year and played 2nd or 3rd line minutes the Kings probably don’t make the playoffs.
[Reply]
PlayerXatHoldThePoint Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 5:16 am
@Michael J., there you go being reasonable again…I completely agree. The Kings were loading up, they were built to win NOW and had a limited window, so they simple used the assets of developing players to get developed players.
There was a time when Richards and Carter were two of the top 5 centers in the league, by stats and wins and any other “statistical” measure. When you can get those two guys together, they raise each other’s value. I view the Richards in context with the strong potential of getting Carter, tto, but even without landing Carter later getting Richards was a no-brainer.
I said it then, and it is still true no matter how many good games Simmonds and Schenn have this season: Richards simply wins, and Schenn would do well just to be as good as Richards someday. Since he was so young, Simmonds made the deal worthwhile for Philadelphia.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
February 25th, 2013 at 8:06 am
@PlayerXatHoldThePoint,
Very well said and I completely agree! (You Sleestak, you!)
bbb7 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:15 am
@rick, No, no one takes issue with you raising the question. Like all good sports debates, both sides are passionate and both sides have good points to make… and neither could ever be proven ‘right.’ Even apart from Richards’ skills, one giant impact it had on the Kings was allowing them to slot Stoll and the other centers down a line to better fits for them. Many, many things to consider…
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:46 am
@rick,
Hi Rick. Hey, it’s absolutely a good and valid question you pose. And an interesting one.
Right here in this response I find two totally diverging points of view between me and myself.
When Richards went like 19 games last year with I believe one goal and Simmonds and Schenn had like twenty in the same period, well…. I didn’t feel to thrilled about things.
On the other hand…. regardless of what happens in the next say, five years…. look at the list of teams to never win a cup in their histories: Vancouver, St. Louis, San Jose (some pretty good teams), Buffalo, Ottawa, Washington, and Toronto hasn’t won in 45 years, Philly 38 years. So, the Kings did and it’s a damned hard thing to do.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
@rick, Looks at simulated cup ring on desk, cup memoriabilia all over my office. Pictures and videos of me and the wife at game 6 of the finals and the parade.
It really doesn’t matter to me what happens from this point on as far as I’m concerned with Simmonds and Schenn. It really doesn’t.
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
@rick, If you felt lambasted then forget it. It’s normal to wonder about “what if” and re-think it. This blog is biased. We’re all guilty of it. So thankfully people like you say what’s on their mind. I don’t think Mr. Lombardi would trade back if he could though. The media and NBC would but they get hard over the Flyers.
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
@rick, You just have to look at their play here when they were in LA….this evironment “grows a different kind of tree,” kinda like Simmonds/Schenn. Richards can grow in any environment whereas Schenn, Simmonds, Loktionov, Moulson, purcell can only grow in a particular climate.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@rick, Nothing wrong with disagreement…you do a good job of stating your opinion or looking for angles without “going after” people. It’s all good.
[Reply]
Deirdre Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
@rick, I guess I’ll disagree with your friends in Philly. I Live in Philly and have been a Flyers and (and hockey fan ) for over 40 yerrs. Schenn has the tools to nbe a very gifted offensive player. But he’s weak in the neutral zone and in his own zone, he loses most of his board battles, turns the puck over on a regular basis and costs the team costly goals. He doesn’t protect himself of the puck very well. Typical example is yesterday’s game against the Jets, he scored 2 goals and was stripped of the puck at the blue line and the Jets scored. He does that far too often.
Schenn is a more gifted offenseive player but Richards is far more complete player, plays much stronger in all 3 zones and is a player who thrives in presure. Shcenn had 6 goals and 19 points in over 50 games last year but that didn’t upset , what I was angry at was that he was totally ineffectige and unimpressive the entire year, esp in his own zone. Statts? he’s gotten ,most of those poinst in 3 multiple point games. But he tends to dsiappear in critical situations esp against contenders. If you have NHL Network, or NBC sports when the Flyers are on agasint a good team, watch and you’ll see.
It was a privilege to watch Mike Richards in his 6 years here. I saw his early games when he came out of juniors to the Ph8illy PHantoms (AHL) and led them to a Calder cup Championship, his 3rd championship (World Gold and Memorial CUP) and he was only 20. At 23 he lead his team to the 2008 conf. finals and thrived in pressure, whether it be elimiation games or ovetrtime in game 7 and bested Ovie in the process , at 24 he had a gold medal around his neck and a few months later led th eFlyers to the 2010 Cup finals. The 23 pts in 23 games was important but not as important as everything eles he did, dominating the play, agitating, irritating, annoying and frustrating the top players on the otehr team rigyht off their game (just like Burrows and Kessler) That’s a gift, something that both Bob McKenzie and Pierre LeBrun noted this year, how wise DL was to trade for him, as McKenzie noted , Richards is a proven winner and pure champion. First player sine I saw Clarke retire who had all the right ‘stuff’, and is hockey IQ is off the charts, he is that smart. His reg .season last year ended Dec 1 with a head injury, seomthing Sutter noted post Cup that he was aware of Richards injury when he took the job and the MR didn’t ‘begin to fully recover’ until late March.
Richards is the only player (NHL wrote an article about him in Augu 20102 giving him this distinction) in NHL history to win championshipos at every level he’s ever played at , *(Niedermeyer has a ton of hardware but no Calder) .
DL was smart enough , having known Richard sin Phlly and from juniors , to recognzie what that takes, to be that type of plyer to thrive in pressure, have the mean streak that makes youi a pain in the butt to play agsinst, he’s warrior and born leader.
He took all the pressure off Kopi and gave him a lot mor efreedom to move and score. LeBrun said it best after the Canucks series, that nobody would stop the Kings because nobody had centers who dominated 200 feet of hockey like Riohards and Kopitar. And he’s right.
The Flyers are top heavey, scoring 6 goals becaues you give up4 the other way. They ware no a contender or elite, because defense and goaltending win Championshiop, they have neither and that is also due to their forwards, for the most part (Matt read excluded ,he’s terrific ) who don’t know how to defend their zone ,lose their board battles and are badly exposed by any true contender. They will not make the playoffs this year.
The run and gun offense , pond hockey system of Lavvy’s is not effective. Their record in the plyoffs the last 2 years when they score less than 4 goals ? 0-14. Games they won last year ascoring less than 3? 1
They’ll never get it…and in the meantime, thanks to trading for Richards and then Carter, DL is building himself a very good team that knows how to play in all 3 zones and who has 4 lines of forwards who can shut doen the opposion. That goaltending, solid D and strength donw the middle will win the Kings alot more berths in the WCF and Cup chances than the Flyers have.
For me, a solid 2 way player, a great defender in his own zone , a leader whois part wolverine and plays smart, all balls and heart ,thrives in pressure, a guy you can count on to shoulder the load is far more valuable than a 1 dimensional offensive point producer.
I’d drive Shcenn to the airport to get him back to LA to get Richards badk, trading him set this team back years.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
@Deirdre, Well, I think that pretty much covers the Schenn/Simmonds vs Richards debate. Thank you for that insightfull post.
[Reply]
rick Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 3:45 pm
@puck73, Even I have to agree….
number 6 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
@Deirdre,
Hey Deirdre!! I know you from another blog. I’m not gonna mention it nor my name here, but I had read and acknowledged your posts elsewhere. Anyway, all that to say that I Love your breakdown here.
It’s so complete, and one thing I realized along time ago is that winning is something that’s developed in a player. Even when the Kings went out in the first round the two years before last….. it was being cultivated in them. Learning how to win. And clearly Richards has it in spades.
Personally what has impressed me was either seeing the NHL 36hr thing or watching him be interviewed. You can see that he has it together mentally and that’s huge. I also remember a blistering check he laid on Alexandre Burrows in the Vanc series last year and I think that things like that can’t help but set the tone.
One last point….. wrt Wayne Simmonds. We all loved him here in LA and I’m so pleased to see how well he’s doing in Philly, but I do have serious questions as to exactly how Paul Holmgren has gone about assembling the Flyers.
While I criticize DL for being too focused on some forwards who play heavy but with a limited skill level (I know you know that he didn’t draft Brown nor Kopi), I think Holmgren is at fault on the other end of things. A lot of very skilled guys (Couturier, Voracek, Briere, Giroux, Fedatenko) – and I suppose that isn’t a bad thing, something as you point out is clearly out of balance over there. Whether it’s the chemistry of the team, Lavvy’s style of play or what, those are some kind of stats that you point out.
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
@rick, never meant to lambast you, just being sarcastic. Don’t take it otherwise.
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The Ducks are not going to be measured by tomorrow’s game alone, but by the overall results of their massive upcoming road trip. The Kings on the other hand, will make or miss the playoffs and a chance at winning the division based on how we do during this 13 of 16 home games stretch.
Beating the Avs, Flames and Oilers is no measuring stick worth bragging about since none of them are playoff bound teams. The Quacks, Vancupless, Guppies, Hacks, Chickenwings, Preds, Coyos are the real tests.
I hope our defense develops enough to weather the challenges these last teams will present.
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:34 pm
@Gustavo, I doubt we’ll catch Vancouver or the Ducks and certainly not the Hawks. I think the Kings will end up ahead of the rest of them though. I think the best indication of where each team is right now is the goal differential.
Sharks are an interesting bunch. They looked so confident early on and now they’ve just fallen apart. I don’t think they’ll ever win anything until they get a new coach. That guy just doesn’t appear to have a clue.
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Shiny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:30 pm
@KC23, for the first almost 40 minutes, they had Chicago in their clutches and then their defense and goaltending just went by the wayside. If Clown is suspended for 10 games tomorrow, then chances are he’ll miss at least one Kings game, which will be interesting to see how the Sharks play without their top cheater.
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Great article from Robert_P at Jewels From the Crown about neutral zone play. Robert does a great job illustrating the Kings’ players effectiveness in the oft-overlooked neutral zone and how effective each player’s entry into the offensive zone actually is.
Interestingly, Lewis may be the best neutral zone player the Kings have.
http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/2013/2/22/4019340/los-angeles-kings-zone-entries-games-1-15
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number 6 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:51 am
@Michael J.,
‘Interestingly, Lewis may be the best neutral zone player the Kings have’
Thankfully as he seems to have amongst the least exceptional hands on the team, and that’s an achievement on the Kings.
Just for myself, I’ll include that I never write anyone off….. so maybe having scored two so far it’ll give him some confidence and he’ll improve over time.
I hear here back east about certain players who in the off-season (like Tavares) work tirelessly to improve their games. Can’t remember which others, but there were several.
Lewis could really use an offensive or skills coach to help him A) read situations a bit better and B) most importantly help him with his release…. for example, to lift the puck when in close etc.
I know you can’t teach people how to score goals, but you can certainly help them work on the velocity of their shot, the quickness of their release and the accuracy of their shot.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
@number 6,
After the game last night @Duncanz and I were over at the JW watching Nich & Daryl do th post game show. At one of the breaks we asked them if we were seeing the coming out party of Lewis (tongue in cheek) and they both looked at us like “are you kidding?”
I have hoped for two years now that TL could become a 15 goal guy, but I’m beginning to think that 10 might be real good for him.
The charts that Robert has seem to illustrate a hard to determine element of the game. I also saw some charts that he had last week showing shot against totals from each player while they were on the ice. There were two or three games where the other teams did not generate one shot on net while Lewis was out there. There is more to winning hockey than scoring goals – although scoring seems to help
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
@number 6,
Sadly, Lewis hit in the third at Edmonton is not in the NHL video highlights. We were sitting 10 feet away and man was it brutal. The Edmonton player got up after and was shaking the cobwebs out bigtime. Like he was out on his feet. Big dude. I think it was Magnus Paajarvi.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
@Michael J., With that said, this is why Lewis and Clifford needs to play bottom six. It’s just the rest of the “scorers” aren’t lighting up the lamp like they’re supposed to making Lewis and Clifford APPEAR to be goal scorer!!!!!!
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:54 pm
@Michael J., I think Lewis is a perfect fit for the Carter line. Carter finally has someone who can keep up with him entering into the offensive zone that leaves Richards in the F3 position where he is best at.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
@Michael J.,
Thanks for posting that. I’ve been busy and sometimes miss some good content on the Kings.
Playing good defense helps those stats. Then giving the puck to a guy like DD for the outlet compounds it. Add more for quality cycling once in the O-zone.
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Deirdre Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
@Michael J., That was a great articlr and Robert P gives the players grades for each game and his take is usually a very objective one. This artcile should make Kings fans feel much betterabout how good this team is, and why (if the core players stay healthy) they will be a threat to anybody they meet, esp in the playoffs. I’m betting DL will be trading for a D man by April, esp if Mitchell and Greene aren’t back.
Anyway, that was a good article
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Go Kings Go!
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Rookies like Brayden Schen can make mistakes in the playoffs and cost you a series. Simmonds would not get the same respect as Richie where players back off play them differently. Philly is playing jungle hockey a whole different system. Matt Moulson can score 50 goals but never win a cup!
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I think evaluating the Richards for Schenn & Simmonds is like comparing different quarterbacks with different teams.
For those old enough, who would you rather have: Jim Plunkett or Dan Fouts? Superbowls or Stats?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
@Michael J., Ooh…sore spot…and Jim Plunkett still not in the hall of fame.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Nor is Ray Guy, or Cliff Branch! Yes, Cliff Branch has better career numbers than LynnSwann, and was the all-time leader in post-season receptions and yards until that guy from San Francisco came along.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 6:04 pm
@Michael J., Ray Guy is my other, but you make a good point about Branch too.
mash-ola Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
@Michael J., It’s like comparing a team that won The Stanley Cup to a team that didn’t win The Stanley Cup. Oh, wait…
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Ravens Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
@Michael J., I loved Plunkett’s ugly passes it wasn’t pretty to watch but it got the results, same with Stabler
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The Ducks will be a good test………
We can beat these guys, our D have improved since that last meeting…..
Finally we can skate better then the Quacks so we should have an advantage with all 4 lines……
Com’on guys lets see it tomorrow night…….
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number 6 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 11:55 am
@harty,
We can skate better than them? I don’t know about that. I think Fowler is still injured at the moment but he’s a terrific skater, Corey Perry is an excellent skater and Bobby Ryan a superb skater to say nothing of Teemu and also Koivu is I believe a decent skater. Agree though on the depth issue and maybe that’s what you were getting at.
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puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
@harty, I cant wait for your report card after tomorrow nights game. As soon as I get it, I’m gonna take it over to my Dads house, show it to him, and see if he will fianally buy me that car he has been promising me!
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
@harty, We definatley can’t skate better than them, but we can sure take the body better. This time we punish their defense by finishing checks and create turnovers.
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“Colorado was without a pair of top-four defensemen.”
And Mitchell and Greene are our bottom defensemen?
I’d say that made it more fair imo. 
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Richards is a winner. Some playes just have that quality that allows them to come up big in the pressure situations. MR has won the memorial cup in junior, the world junior championships, the American hockey league championship, the Olympic gold and now the Stanley cup. At every level he has won. In Philly he took his team to the finals, only to lose to Chicago in six. Then the next year they were swept by Boston in the second round. In that series Philly used three goalies! Boston went on to win the cup. In the off season There were calls for an upgrade in goal. Carter was rumored to be expendable to open up cap space for a goalie. In the end both Richards and carter were gone. Within one hour.philly decided to go in a different direction. Luckily for the kings we have both Richards and carter now. Richards understands winning. His intangibles, like dropping his gloves to stand up for a team mate, go beyond the boxscore. When you evaluate the trade the bottom line is winning the cup! We won the cup and Richards and carter were key contributors. Until Philly wins a cup with Simmonds and schenn there is no debate.
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Richards is a winner. Some playes just have that quality that allows them to come up big in the pressure situations. MR has won the memorial cup in junior, the world junior championships, the American hockey league championship, the Olympic gold and now the Stanley cup. At every level he has won. In Philly he took his team to the finals, only to lose to Chicago in six. Then the next year they were swept by Boston in the second round. In that series Philly used three goalies! Boston went on to win the cup. In the off season There were calls for an upgrade in goal. Carter was rumored to be expendable to open up cap space for a goalie. In the end both Richards and carter were gone. Within one hour.philly decided to go in a different direction. Luckily for the kings we have both Richards and carter now. Richards understands winning. His intangibles, like dropping his gloves to stand up for a team mate, go beyond the boxscore. When you evaluate the trade the bottom line is winning the cup! We won the cup and Richards and carter were key contributors. Until Philly wins a cup with Simmonds and schenn there is no debate.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
@Michael,
You can say that again!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
@Michael J.,
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Paging Mr. Desert King, I don’t know if you know this but today is National Tortilla Chip Day.I’m sure you do, being the nacho’s aficionado that you are, I’m sure that you are at Costco right now getting the jumbo bag. Thinking about heading to Staples in seal Beach at 1pm, Carts,VMFV and Gags are doing an appearance there,SB is the closest to the South OC and I need my new Mitchell jersey signed.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
@LVKINGS88,
Interesting. Is it the chips or the cheese thay comprise the major part of the nachos. I mean, what if you used regular potatoe chips and cheese? Or what if you used tortilla chips and swiss cheese? Would these combos all ne labelled as “nachos”? Hmmmmm, I sense a doctoral thesis with extensive research is needed …….
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RE: Pregame Pageantry……Absolutely NOT. Honestly, I think it was THE KINGS who was affected by the pregame ceremony. When you see “lappy” showing his physical presence and his “hutzpah” on the jumbo screen, you can’t HELP but feel INSPIRED, I know I was. The Kings truly showed their grit and passion yesterday….thanks to “lappy.”
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Debating the Richards trade value at this point is like people debating if a lotto winner used the best method in coming up with the numbers he used.
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puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
@KC23, I guess The Stanley Cup just doesnt mean as much as it did last June huh?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:07 pm
@KC23, There’s always “16-4. 12-2 against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd seed in the west.”
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Shiny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, how about 10-1 on the road?
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In other news, Jack Johnson placed on IR, suffering the dreaded ‘upper body injury’ after a check along the boards in last night’s Columbus/St.Louis.
Shall we debate who won the JMFJ for Jeff Carter trade next?
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Shiny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
@mash-ola, upper body injuries can happen to any team – like Marty on our team. I feel bad for the CBJ. Depending on how long he’s out of the line up, that could mean their season is over
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:48 pm
@mash-ola, “… Shall we debate who won the JMFJ for Jeff Carter trade next? … ”
I’m afraid Craig Button is not available atm.
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Deirdre Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
@KC23, How does Craig Button have a job as an analyst? He’s ill informed, usually doesn’t have correct info and you end up saing ‘huh’? when he makes a commment. I just don’t get it…who could have lost that audition? How bad were they?
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trytodethroneus Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@Deirdre,
He puts the “anal” in analyst.
I for one will never question the Richards trade. He’s a stud IMO and SMART. Had to give up 2 good ones to get him n I think a high pick ( if we did maybe a bit much)….but we won Thea friggin CUP. You can’t toss, hypothetical’s into the top of that beautiful cup. And as much as I criticize DL, the Carter (+VV, since it got him into the lineup to stay), for JJ was one of the best trades the kings ever made.
Now…Wings. v Nucks starting…I’m rooting for Nucks (boy does it ever sound disgusting when I read it back) cuz it looks like Wings could b in the throes of a nice downward spiral n we should just cheer along as it continues.
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linny Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
@linny, ooops, forgot to add why I feel that way about the Carter/Johnson trade though it should need no explanation. JJ is one of the most physically gifted/yet dumbest players I have ever seen in these 45 years. I wish him no ill will but I don’t think any team will win the cup if he’s even only the #4 d-man
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Wow…the wings/nucks game is going better than I figured. 3-2 nucks with a minute to go in 1st. Wings losing but Luongo looking lost….perfect. And I think I just heard wings backup is injured
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
@linny, I’m rooting for Vancouver in that one.
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I’m not sure anymore what Carter’s usual range is. The Game 2 OT goal was 35 feet, and he rifled a shot over Brodeur’s shoulder from similar range for another (in Game 6, I believe).
By letting in Lewis’ goal, Varlamov really made a mess of things for his teammates. We’ll take it, thanks.
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Robert R Reply:
February 24th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Not sure which was worse: Varlamov yesterday, or Niemi’s 2 gifts to the Hawks.
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