-Simon Gagne did not ask for a trade out of Los Angeles.
-There won’t be an immediate call-up from Manchester.
-When Martinez returns, the team is leaning towards keeping two extra defensemen and one extra forward.
-Trading for a forward to add to the left wing corps does not appear to be a heavy priority.
-Willie Mitchell had a procedure done on his knee, identified by Lisa Dillman of the LA Times as a PRP procedure.
-The procedure was “something he wanted to try” and Mitchell is in the “same holding pattern”. There is no timetable for his return.
-Alec Martinez is on schedule in his rehabilitation from an upper-body injury. The two-to-four week ballpark hasn’t changed.
-Jake Muzzin’s recent play was praised, as was Davis Drewiske’s compete level and Keaton Ellerby’s development in the team’s systems.
-There have been informal discussions on a contract extension for Rob Scuderi.
Lombardi conference call bullet points
Posted by JonRosen on 26 February 2013, 3:13 pm
Somehow the terms “bullet points” and “Dean Lombardi” just don’t seem to go together.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
@DesertKing, Shhhhhhhh, dont tell Jon.
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Bonvivant Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@DesertKing, Maybe we should limit bullet points to say…..ah… no more than 6 per session.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:59 pm
@Bonvivant,
This is America, dammit, and if I want more than 6 bullet points, then I should have them, so sayeth the 2nd, no wait, the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.
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It would suck if Scuds nick name changed to “The Missing Piece”
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Bullet poines are nice. If you print out the whole conversation I bet it’s more like machine gun fire that lasts 2,000 rounds before changing clips.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
@Dominick,
The magazine size needed to hold DL’s “bullet points” would be illegal in California.
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Dominick Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@DesertKing, I hear they’re only sold in Colorado.
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Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
@Dominick, I didn’t think they were legal in the US at all
LA_1968 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
@DesertKing,
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The best of luck to Simone Gagne. He was misused here and thus never had a chance to show his stuff. So it’s in the best interests of both him and the team to move him. I sure hope we don’t find ourselves looking for goals down the road only to watch him returning to his potential in Philly.
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kings714 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:09 pm
@Russ Dynda, completely agree.
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bbb7 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:13 pm
@Russ Dynda, Mis-used how? He player his favored position on the top two lines, and on the PP. How should he have been used differently?
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Russ Dynda Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:40 pm
@bbb7, He should have been left on those two lines. He had begun to ring up assists. He was benched. We needed goals. It was a natural to leave him with Carter and Richards.
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Gustavo Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
@Russ Dynda,
Misused????
He was given way too many opportunities to adapt to the team’s make up, systems and playing style. He simply could not cut it.
Players fit a team’s system, not the other way around. Gagne got a free ride to the Cup here. He should be grateful.
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Russ Dynda Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:51 pm
@Gustavo, I agree with you that he didn’t fit the system but then we signed him because we needed goal scoring, not a body checker, which isn’t his style. If we weren’t going to use him to his best advantage we shouldn’t have signed him. I don’t know what Lombardi told him in order to come here. If he told Gagne he was expected to be a “hitter,” then it was Gagne’s fault for signing. If on the other hand he was told he was expected to score goals then it was the coachs’ fault for misusing him.
I’m tired of hearing this garbage about winning the Cup. I was just as excited at that as anyone else. But I still can’t overlook that we were a mediocre (8th seed out of 15 teams) team which survived a late season slump, then went on a seventeen game miracle binge. To me, we have a lot to prove yet. Being the best team in the League for 17 games doesn’t satisfy me or make me feel so cocky.
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 8:06 am
@Russ Dynda, meh
Deke'r Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 1:36 pm
@Russ Dynda, ….peaking at the right time is the key to sports….very few lead wire to wire….
“something he wanted to try” doesnt sound too good for a Mitchell return anytime soon.
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jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@pesus, usually, I’d let the doc’s have first shot.
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Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
@pesus, I read that he had it done a few weeks ago with positive results. It has something to do with blood platelets or something. I have no idea what it’s supposed to do, though
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DesertKing Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:28 pm
@Shiny,
Didn’t Kobe do the same thing and had to go to Europe since the procedure is not approved here in the United States?
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Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
@DesertKing, no idea. Lisa Dillman of LA Times identified the procedure and someone else on twitter just said the name and referenced the NBA.
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@Shiny,
They take your own blood and inject into the effect area where there may be tendinitis or whatever is causing the pain. Apparently it helps speed up the recovery since your own blood cells know what to do already. I’m not a doctor so I don’t know how to explain. The link Jon provided above describes it better.
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Responsible D Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@pesus,
The PRP process is done to stimulate healing of tissues like cartilage. The fact that he had it suggests that he wasn’t healing at the rate he wanted (or maybe not at all). But it produces good results in some people. So it’s hard to draw any conclusions other than that he wasn’t satisfied with his progress and wanted to try to help it out. But personally in my gut I have a bad feeling about it.
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My wife always said how hot she thought Gagne was, so I’m not that sad to see him go.
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cup4kings Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
@Tyler,
Just keep pointing out which ice girl you find more attractive.
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Mars Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@cup4kings, LOL, but you have to tell us how that works out too.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@Tyler, Don’t be surprised if she starts talking about wanting to move to Philadelphia.
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jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Nothing wrong with that. Second best hockey city in North America
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Unless he gives us a team friendly contract I would wait till the end of the year to offer a contract to scuds. If Muzzin keeps getting better, if Mitchell and Greene are good for next year, I dont want to give scuds another contract like he has now. That 4 mil can be used on other players. DD, Greene, Mitchell, Voynov, DD2, Muzzin, Ellerby, Cambell. That group will do just fine.
a lot of ifs but thats why I would wait.
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Dominick Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
@pesus, DL will always have a soft spot for playoff heroes. That’s how Scuds got here to begin with. Last years Cup run probably cemented him here till he retires.
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KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@pesus, Couldn’t disagree more. Scudes has 2 cup rings for a reason.
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Duckbasher Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
@KC23, Yep… so true. Scuderi could easily get $4m from ANY team in the league. That’s just how good he is.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@pesus,
With Muzzin playing better, I can see him or AMart being used in a trade IF Scuds re-ups with the Kings. They’re kind of redundant players when everyone is healthy, with a slight defensive edge going to AMart for now. Muzzin is bigger though and has a harder shot so he may be a better fit.
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kings714 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
@FKA PakiFro, i agree, i see martinez’s future outside of LA
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phil sykes Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
@kings714, whos to say mitchell will be ready for next season . his injury dosent sound good at all … possibly career threatening . so scuds will get extention and martinez will always be here …. just my opinion ….. but who knows maybe mitch heels up .. also greenes injury could be career threatening … back injuries always are …… dont let go of any of our dmen ……. we may need every last one of them
jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:34 pm
@phil sykes, I usually skip over your posts, but this one is really smart. good job
Gustavo Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
@pesus,
No other LAK current player has donated as much blood as Scuds. That alone makes him a king for life in my book.
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Contract extension for Scuds….that’s great to hear, very well deserved!
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Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
@cup4kings, if it happens. Informal talks have yet to lead to a new contract being signed. But it’s only February/almost March. There’s still a few months left to get details and “official” things hammered out
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Real 7 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
@cup4kings, he’s worth every penny…
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Off topic: TSN reporting that Eric Cole has been traded from the Canadiens to the Stars for Michael Ryder… I won’t miss Ryder in Dallas; wicked wrist shot…
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judging by dl’s initial comments…or paraphrasing of them by JR…it seems like we might getting another top-4 d-man sooner than later…
a couple of things to consider why this trade was done now..:
- if the kings were limited to spending a certain amount of cap space during this lockout-shortened season, then this move makes sense, IF they are currently trying to replace the losses of willie and greener before the trade deadline…
- gagne was not a good defensive player…and it showed in our system…by going back to la east, gagne will play in a system that better fits his current skill-set…he will probably play about 10-14 minutes a game in a third or fourth line role, getting some pp2 time, as well..
- whether dl is being completely honest or not regarding gagne’s non-request for a trade, you have to believe that this trade was in the works for awhile now, because gagne WAS one of the four skaters on the practice ice today…that could only mean that the hammer finally dropped via philly agreeing to the terms and the kings being somewhat surprised by the deal…i can’t imagine dl taking a risk on gagne at any type of kings hockey-related activities before he trades him…however, i also can’t imaging dl not knowing that a deal to philly was likely to happen – after all, he’s the gm, right…?!
i’m sad that this experiment didn’t work with gagne…however, you wonder if the kings did give him enough time to get back to some sort of version of his previous dynamic, game-changing abilities from his pre-concussion days…
i wish him the best in la east…
the better news is that they are talking to scuds…yaaay…(!)
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
@variable,
I don’t think we are getting anyone. I believe this trade occurred for the following simple reasons:
1) Gagne was of no more use to us and he was going to be a UFA at the end of the season
2) DL found an opportunity to get a draft pick for basically nothing
3) Gagne wants to retire as a Flyer since he knows that he is done
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Shiny Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
@variable, IMO, didn’t think DL was looking to trade for a top D man. He was clearing roster space for Marty to come back
Also, I think Flyers asked for this trade because they badly want him in the lineup tomorrow night.
I hope we re-sign Scuds, dude is an absolute beast on the back end.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
@variable,
Philly is under big pressure, obviously, to win. Rumors are starting to popup about firing the coach even. This was the most we were going to get out of Gagne and Mr. Lombardi can use the pick for anything he wants. Same as the cap space gained. I don’t think he knows what he’ll do yet, if anything.
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KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
@variable, I also don’t think we are getting anyone, especially not a defensemen. In fact I expect us to unload one of our defensemen before too long. My guess it will be either DD2 or Elleby.
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kings714 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:13 pm
@KC23, i think martinez will leave, with muzzin his long term replacement. Fully healthy line up:
Dd/scuderi
Voynov/mitchell
Muzzin/greene
Drewiske.7th
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variable Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
@TO ALL…
all good and valid points…
however, dl has been looking for d-men since game 5…as pierre labrun weeks ago…and i do still believe that we will continue to pursue a top-level d-men…i realize that doesn’t mean that we will get one…but all good teams that want to defend their title, always make a deal that they feel will solidify their chances to go further in the playoffs…this is as good of a time as it gets, the quarter mark, to make a deal with a struggling team, heading for the golf course after the regular season…
[Reply]
xeropoint Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@variable, Then it begs the question(s): Who fits that description (top 4 D-man)and what do we have left to go back the other way? I’m assuming, since the market is so dry, the price for such is going to by very high. Do we have the expendable asseys needed to do it?
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phil sykes Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
@xeropoint, were not getting a top 4 dman . everybody relax .. muzz and drewiske are doing quite nicely …..and ellerby will sit once martinez comes back soon
and everybodys talking about when greene and mitchell come back . well at their ages , knee and back injuries can ruin careers .. so its best to take lombardis approach ….. they arent here , and they arent going to be here … life goes on without them ………………. and maybe by next season they still wont be up to snuff and their careers could turn downwards because of these injuries .. so we shouldnt assume at this point that mitchell or greene will ever be back playing at the level they were playing at last season …….. we can hope and pray , but not assume
variable Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
@xeropoint,
i think that’s exactly what dl is deciding – when/who/how and why….
that’s why i believe that this deal for gagne was on the table for a little while because why would gagne be one of the four skaters on the ice during practice today if dl knew a deal would be done by today…?
the answer…imo…is that he didn’t think a deal was eminent and that gagne would be a healthy scratch, yet again, tomorrow versus the wedd wings…
jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
@variable, I also am in the camp that DL will not presue a top D man, but becasue of contract issues. Why would he give up an expensive asset for 3 weeks of play. It sounds doubtful that we could resign this new player given we are looking at resigning Scuds. I am not sure we will be able to sign Scuds anyway with the tiny cap next season, but I am really glad DL is giving it a go.
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variable Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 12:22 am
@jet,
i think scuds will be signed for about $3-4mil over a two-to-three year term…i don’t think he will be an issue…
and my thoughts is that dl would trade a contract good into next season+, for a defensemen with similar terms/salary…
again, it’s just a hunch…
if the top-6 forwards start to consistently provide offense and quick continues to come back to form, we will be in good shape…but if we get an additional top-four for a good price, i think we…and dl…should take it…
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Best of wishes to Gagne, but he had a fundamental problem. In Sutter’s system Gagne is top 6, or he’s on the bench. He’s been clear that if you’re not ‘heavy’ to play against and you don’t score, you don’t play. Penner is probably one of the clumsiest skaters in the NHL. But he’s a big dude and can wear people out as a 3rd line player, something Gagne cannot do.
__________________________________________________________________
Today is 45th day since the end of the lockout I’ve spent zero on the NHL.
[Reply]
Neil Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
@Donald_S, other then time……
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Deke'r Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
@Neil, ….NHL doesn’t really care about your time….they want your cash….
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Interestingly enough, there are only a few players to start out in Europe, have their coach fired 1/2 way through the season, and go on to win it all. Scuds is the only one to do it twice.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@Dominick,
You are sick!
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KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@Dominick, I’m very excited they are talking contract extension for Scudes. DL probably wouldn’t of brought it up if it wasn’t close to a done deal. I always get a kick out of how many people think the Scudes and Mitchells of the world are easy to replace because they don’t score many points.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
@Dominick,
Nice factoid there!
With Scuds style of play, I don’t see any reason he can’t keep it up for a couple more years. Give the man a deal.
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I waas jst ovet at NHL.com and its hillarious – Flyer fans are geeked about the trade and think they stole Gagne from the Kings.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
@Michael J.,
Now they think they will be on the winning side of all those 10 plus goal games.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
@Michael J.,
You are referring to Kings-East fans?
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Michael J. Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@DesertKing,
Yes. Maybe next the Eagles can get Roman Gabriel or Randall Cummingham back.
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kings714 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
@Michael J., they should be, he’s a GREAT player. He didn’t fit here, didn’t get a great chance either, but don’t let that take away from his skill. He’s only 32, although a UFA. It’s a win-win scenario, but the flyers win bigger. How many 4th rounders even make the NHL, yet alone become a played of gagne’s credentials. Not gonna get more for a pending free agent, so good job DL, but good job by Philly too
[Reply]
jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:48 pm
@kings714, All team’s fourth rounders or DL’s fourth round picks?
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Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 1:14 am
@kings714, Not to split hairy hairs, but in under 48 hours he will be 33.
So this changes everything.
[Reply]
Old Codger Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 8:10 am
@Michael J., On the lighter side–One day the Kings/Flyers will play. With so many X-Kings/ X-Flyers in the line-up will the teams know who to pass to?
[Reply]
Like Mitchell Scuds is getting older. I love the guy, but at a certain point you need to get the emotion out of it. He is still playing strong and is a rock, so I am ok with a 2 year extension, but that is it.
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phil sykes Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:55 pm
@Lake Forest, defensemen like scuds dont get over the hill as quickly as forwards – because a stay at homer like scuds only has to play half the ice ……. so players like scuds can actually be quite effective all the way till his late thirties …. if its more than a two year extension ….. im perfectly happy with that … scuds can play and will always be an asset – even at 39
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Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 1:17 am
@phil sykes, …. although not as long as ellerby will be ……. true factR
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I always find this fun to follow. Just a week or so about we had about a 28% chance of making the playoffs … now:
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NHL/Western/Pacific/LosAngeles.html
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
@KC23,
Magic number is 38.
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
@KC23, my sister is going to vegas next week and I am betting again on them.
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Does Gagne get his number back? Currently belongs to Harry Zolnierczyk.
Most of the fans there still wear their Gagne jerseys anyway.
He’ll probably get it back.
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I’m bummed. Gagne was a thing beauty on the ice, by far the best and fastest skater on the team. I never really got to see it much, only glimpses. Though he was acquired with TM at the helm, he clearly didn’t fit into DS’s system. Au Revoir Simone, Peut jours meilleurs qui l’attendait pour vous….
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kings714 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, he had a knack for absolutely magisterial passes, i too will miss him
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And we played him so he could get his name on the cup, for what……..this is a tell tale sign it was all a favour to the player.
And to get a 4th round pick, what are we doing with some of these guys hanging around the Kings??
[Reply]
xeropoint Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:20 pm
@harty, With Gagne and Loktionov gone, who’s going to be in your crosshairs now? Is it really a big deal he saw some minutes in the final? What else would you hope to get for a healthy scratch? For all you know, the pick from Gagne could end up being the next KC.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
@harty, You’re being ridiculous again. You do not play a player, even on the 4th line in the Stanley Cup finals “just so he can get his name on the cup”. Right or wrong, DS felt he was more valuable than Ruchardson at that time.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 1:24 am
@HockeyPhone, BR? Lol, I think you’re missing the xeropoint and the harty of the matter here, right @h ?
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Sir next time can you ask Dean what about Cambell? He hasnt played a minute. Is he just hear to fill a reserve space or is there any future for him with the Kings?
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Richards for Simmonds ….dreaming
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Neil Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
@bear1877, richard simmons…???
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