On his recovery from an upper-body injury:
“I’m feeling good now. It’s just a matter of getting practices in. Darryl hasn’t told me anything yet, but I’m ready to go. But it’s obviously a coach’s decision. I understand if he wanted me to get a couple of practices in first, but I felt good out there today. I’m just excited to be back amongst the living.”
On if he’s planning on making the trip:
“Yeah. No one’s told me [otherwise] yet, so I’ve got a bag packed. Unless someone tells me in the next 20 minutes. Darryl’s rule is if you can practice, he wants you to travel. That’s why I didn’t last week.”
On rejoining his teammates for a full practice:
“It makes a big difference just being out there with the guys and just feeling like you’re a part of things again. It gets pretty tough when you’re injured like that. It doesn’t take very long where you don’t really feel like you’re a part of the team. Just like I said, it feels good to be back. It’s exciting. I’m laughing and joking with the guys out there and working hard. It’s a lot better than just skating with a stopwatch and no pucks.”
On whether there were any difficulties or hesitations:
“I feel good. I can shoot the puck. I’ve tested it out. I’ve thrown myself into the glass a few times, and we had a little bit of battling on the two-one-ones, and it felt good. Every day I’ve noticed a big difference, so today it’s even better than it was two days ago.”
On the team’s improved play while he was absent from the lineup:
“The team’s playing really well. I’m glad that things are going well. We’ve strung a few good games together. We had a good road trip and a good couple of games at home. It’s awesome. Obviously I hope we can keep it going.”
Excellent news!
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Shiny Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 12:23 pm
@DesertKing, now begins the fan debate who sits. I put money on 90% of them saying sit Ellerby. I’m betting Phil Sykes will be excited at the prospect of permanently benching Ellerby now that “AMart is Open for Business” (Paul’s words, not mine)
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KC23 Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 12:35 pm
@Shiny, I’m thinking the Kings will always lean to guys that came up through their development camp. Elleby would have to be head and shoulders above Muzzin and clearly he is not atm.
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jet Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 12:39 pm
@KC23, agree. I feel bad for Ellerby. With his size and skating, he would be a monster now if he had gone through the Kings development system.
Shiny Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 12:58 pm
@KC23, I dunno, I mean they chose KE for a reason. Size, good hockey skills, would make a good.homer DMan.
Guess we’ll see what thinks whenever Marty is back in the lineup.
neil Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 1:12 pm
@Shiny, a king insider(not here) told me and duncanz it would probably be muzzin…..and not till monday
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 1:27 pm
@neil, hate to say it but, DD2 looks mighty good in a suit.
Kings20 Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 3:44 pm
@Shiny, Why Ellerby. Since his arrival our goal against down, he is very physical and defensively +4 I believe. He has a very good upside to his game. He needs to be playing to built his confidence up that was destroyed by Florida to keep sending him down and recalling him on the daily basis. If I whould sit somebody down it will be Drewiske. Way too many mistakes and no improvement on the horizon.
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VegasKing Reply:
March 2nd, 2013 at 1:46 pm
@Kings20, I agree. Out of the top six D that are playing now, Drewiske is the weakest of the bunch. Ellerby is a close second, just for the fact he seems very slow in transition skating. But Ellerby can move the puck well and he is a big body on the ice. As for Muzzin, I think he’s the most improved Kings player over the last month. He gains more confidence with every game he gets. In conclusion, if Martinez is in the lineup tonight, I’d say he would take Drewiskie’s spot. Good news, Kings D looks well even without Greene or Mitchell. We get those two back and we have the best set of D in the NHL.
Oh my God, it’s possible to come back from IR! I was beginning to think once you get injured, forget it, you ain’t coming back.
Love that he said he’s happy to be back in the land of the living; there’s an odd truth to “land of the living”
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Uh-oh … watch your mouth coach … McDonalds is a team title sponsor after all …
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Robyn Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 12:54 pm
@goldielocks, I for one wouldn’t mind seeing that hideous yellow M go. As far as I can tell, we’re the only team in the NHL with someone else’s logo on our logo.
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I don’t expect him in the line up before the Blues game next week and perhaps even the next game after that.
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Welcome back A-Mart!!!
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Not sure running into the boards is the best test
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Shiny Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 1:01 pm
@jet, it’s bound to happen sooner or later, his choice or not. Personally, I’d do it myself first to see how it feels because I’m better at controlling my own strength and speed than relying on someone else not to accidentally hurt me.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 2:31 pm
@jet, The boards withstood the test pretty well, apparently.
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Off Topic: Dwight King is a daddy now. Jon just tweeted that DK’s daughter was born.yesterday
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Jon, why are my comments awaiting moderation?? I posted earlier… and I’m on a cell phone, I have no idea how I would possibly be able to delete cookies from my browsing history. I’m confused…
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Go Kings Go!
Glad to hear you are much better now!
Go Kings Go!
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Won’t be surprised if one of out D-men are packaged with Bernier for a 1st round pick and a back up goalie.
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Real 7 Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 2:39 pm
@Pesus, put that on hold…
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number 6 Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 3:42 pm
@Pesus,
What would be really brilliant (i…m….o………) would be to sign Bernie to like a good two year contract. What if God forbid something were to prove problematic w Quick’s back later this year or next year? Martin Jones as the new No. 1? Don’t think so. Bernie is Such a good goaltender and his technique is superlative. THe more he plays the better he seems to get.
Hopefully Quick has a long and illustrious career, but given the demands he puts on his body… well, I do think it could – repeat – could end up being an issue. Hopefully not, but who knows?
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Pesus Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 4:11 pm
@number 6,
Bernier won’t sign a 2 year deal with us, he wants to be a number 1 goalie, won’t get that here. We have cap problems next year so we won’t be able to pay him anything, I would be surprised if Scuds is back at more than 2 mil a year. Just to many guys to sigh with only 15 mil to play with. You said it would brilliant, I see it as imposible. I trust DL to make the right move even if its letting the rock, and fan favorite Scuderi go.
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KC23 Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 4:39 pm
@Pesus, Not holding my breath on that one, but you never know.
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I still have this Burning Desire to beat the damned ‘Nucks….welcome to Hot March…[currently 82 degrees]
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Back amongst the living? That comment calls into question exactly what Coach Sutter means when he says “Nobody died, right?”
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In the absence of Mitchell and Greene, I am happy Martinez is back, regardless of who gets to sit to make room for him. We need all the D men working at their best to do well.
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