There were 10 Kings skating at the Sharks’ practice rink just south of downtown San Jose on Wednesday afternoon: Jonathan Bernier, Keaton Ellerby, Kyle Clifford, Brad Richardson, Colin Fraser, Alec Martinez, Davis Drewiske, Jordan Nolan, Tyler Toffoli and Dwight King.
On the ice was a good mix of youth, players who hadn’t suited up in Tuesday’s loss to Phoenix, Colin Fraser and Davis Drewiske. As the skate concluded, Darryl Sutter shared his thoughts on why those particular players were on the ice for practice.
Sutter, on why some players remained at the hotel while the 10 players listed above skated:
“Guys who played too many minutes, and kids who don’t play enough minutes. Other than Fras, it’s a bunch of guys that need significant skill development. What happens – very simple, that’s when they’re not practicing. It’s like you guys. You had a bad first game, too, right? [points to broadcasters and members of the media] Didn’t practice all summer. Very same. But you understand what I’m saying? These guys are the very same. You guys take two months off, you’re not as sharp, either. These guys take two or three days off, their skill sets, the little things, eh? Skate, shoot, pass – all those things drop off. Same as me, right? I used to be able to write with both hands. Now I can’t write with my left hand anymore because I don’t practice it. It’s true. It’s very simple. They’re kids. Every night you look at it – youngest team, youngest team, youngest team, so you rely on energy and repetition and trying to pull that out of your players.”
Soooo you can’t teach an old dog new tricks
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luc20rules Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@Mars, Old dogs need their rest for games.
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We need a victory to keep the Sharks at bay.
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Ultimate20 Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
@KOHO,
Keep the Sharks at bay? Looks like they’be been on a slide, only 3-4-3 last 10. We definitely need a victory, but we need it for our own success and to keep moving forward.
Love the Sutterisms. LGK!!
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Off Topic…great article on former King Rich Clune, written by ESPN’s Scott Burnside.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/9045231/nhl-nashville-predators-rich-clune-long-road-recovery
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Mars Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@A Cup B4 I Died!, I am too lazy to click the link can you paraphrase?
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A Cup B4 I Died! Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
@Mars,
Started drinking at 13…drank a lot while playing in Junior…drank more in the AHL…Bernier called him a piece of ****…..went into rehab after the Kings/Nucks series in 2010…is flying straight now.
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Mars Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
@A Cup B4 I Died!, AWESOME, and I was kidding, I am at work and was going to read at home. Also awesome JB called him a POS.
He should hang wiht McGratten then. That would be cool.
luc20rules Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 5:51 pm
@Mars, Wow, wonder what you call Patrick O’Sullivan?
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jet Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:19 pm
@A Cup B4 I Died!, two points, I recall how good he looked in camp the following season. He looked like a doberman.
Second, and more important, I thought we took the Stars lunch on the trade for Tuks
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CB14 Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@A Cup B4 I Died!, Thanks for the link. That was probably the best article Burnside’s ever written, which isn’t saying much. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the majority of NHL players who have had sobriety issues are usually either fighters or pests. Glad to see Clune is getting a chance with the Preds, and doing well with his sobriety.
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Kings x Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
@CB14, people that like to or willingly engage in fighting generally have some issues
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paige Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 5:51 pm
@A Cup B4 I Died!, Great story. Thanks for sharing.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 6:36 pm
@A Cup B4 I Died!, Thanks!
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This is actually better, since the coaches can devote more time to specific issues.
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Just back from the practice here. Brought my 6 year old girl. We had a blast. Got to meet Daryl Evans, Patrick oneil and bob miller. Experience of a lifetime for us. Really nice guys all. Got to talk to Patrick for a while and he is a really a cool guy. Bob showed me his sc ring and it’s a beauty. Got my cup champs puck signed by Evans and miller. What a thrill! For anyone who ever gets a chance I highly recommend going to a practice. These guys are all approachable and awsome. Thank you Jon for the post earlier so I could make this happen for myself and my daughter. cheers!
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A Cup B4 I Died! Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
@tornado12,
Great! Just another reason why I love the NHL…generally speaking the players/staff do a great job of making themselves available to fans. Happy you got to experience that today.
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Neil Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
@tornado12,In the past Bob Miller let me take a picture of his ring!!! Also i visited with Patrick O,Neil and he was awesome….esp. down to earth considering his family background !!!
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
@tornado12, Good for you. That would be REAL special experience for those living out of town.
Unfortunately I don’t think DE is letting (fans with) kids hold his SC ring so much anymore since a few weeks ago when he had to desperately snatch it back as @James Bubbles (2) tried to swallow it.
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Neil Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
@Duncanz, James just didnt understand when you told him to take it and run !!!!
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:13 pm
@tornado12, I met Bob Miller at my high school what is now close to 40 years ago. Had that bald head and was still just as classy. We talked about what the team needed to join the elite, he said a big winger to protect Dionne (Taylor came the next season I believe). You’re right, players, coaches and broadcasters are much more approachable and down to earth than in other sports. They do a lot for charity too, and ironically it’s often by players who have the biggest penalty minute totals on the ice.
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Mars Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@tornado12, Man I am JEALOUS!
I tried going to a bunch on the signings and other fun events, and never got anywhere near the guys.
I have been wanting to go to a practice, need to play hookie one day I guess.
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Sometimes Sutter can babble on forever and it just starts to make perfect sense…
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So I need to ask..Jon…Did you have a bad first game??? I dont think so..I thought you had compete…energy…stayed with the game plan…played thru the schedule….came with the heavy game..!!!! You have even played well even with all the back to backs…
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:15 pm
@Neil, ah, but he didnt bring his writing mentality
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Duncanz Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
That’s a pretty Rosenable take, @Neiling.
i.e. It did NOT suck…
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letswinthecup2012 Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:38 pm
@Neil, Jon’s been heavy on his stick since he got here.. err i mean pen..
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bbb7 Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
@Neil, Also keep in mind we don’t know how many of Jon’s blog shots get blocked and don’t get thru to the (inter)net. He might have Doty Syndrome and we wouldn’t even know it. Try not such a big backswing with your fingers when you attack the keyboard, Jon!
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When is DS going back to that plan of his…Bernier in half…Quick in the next half. It IS baseball.The starter would get the win and the last goalie gets a save..Its a new trend !!! DS is a friggin genius !!!
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
@Neil, I seem to remember back in the early 90′s we used to play our goalies like that,I’m can’t remember,maybe somebody else remembers that also.
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wobsse6 Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
@LVKINGS88, well at times it seemed like Stauber played half the game as a defensemen while in goal…don’t remember a coach splitting goalie time in one game. Sounds like something Ftorek would do though.
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jet Reply:
March 13th, 2013 at 7:08 pm
@LVKINGS88, I remember the two years before DL, we tried 11 goalies.
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Unrelated, but Correy Perry Suspended 4 games for hit on OC Native. Rob Blake does the player safety video: http://newportbeach.patch.com/articles/perry-suspended-for-hit-to-the-head-ducks-star-suspended-for-hit-on-newport-beach-native
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The only time the kings are the not youngest is when they play the CBJ. He may have a point.
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“I used to be able to write with both hands. Now I can’t write with my left hand anymore because I don’t practice it. It’s true. It’s very simple.”
Yep, totally makes sense. This guy kills me (in a good way).
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