On how hockey operations is affected by today’s AEG news:
“It doesn’t affect us at all, quite honest. We’re players. We heard in the summer that AEG and or the Kings and or whatever was for sale, and all that, so now it’s not. That’s the business part…it doesn’t really affect us as long as we know that we can keep our players and all that stuff. That’s what we care about, and obviously Mr. Anschutz has been pretty awesome with all that when you look at our young players and how he’s let Dean make sure these guys are all here.”
On how closely he keeps tabs on off-ice matters:
“Well, this is obviously a unique situation, because Mr. Anschutz doesn’t live in Los Angeles. You’re used to talking to [owners]. It’s like when we were in San Jose here together, Mr. George wasn’t here that often either, but he was probably like Mr. Anschutz. He was an awesome guy, an awesome owner, right? So that’s all that matters. So what am I keeping track of anybody else for, other than our own team? I’ve been lucky to work for Mr. Anschutz, Mr. Gund, Mr. Wirtz, and Harley Hotchkiss and Doc Seaman. I couldn’t pick in pro sports better owners. When you think about it, that’s a pretty spectacular group.”
On where his first interaction with Dean Lombardi was:
“We had probably met somewhere in the hockey [circles], but I couldn’t tell you.”
On whether he recalls good chemistry early in his relationship with Lombardi:
“I really can’t remember. I’m getting too old to remember how long ago that was.”
On working with Lombardi in San Jose:
“Well, it was a team that was struggling when we came here, right? It was not just on the ice, but it was struggling in terms of the whole organization part of it. You know what? That’s what we were brought here to do.”
On whether he’s seeing the “big picture” starting to come together with the Kings:
“Other than a couple of games this year – it’s like I tell the players. I haven’t been disappointed in them in more than two games this year. The schedule gets you. The officiating gets you. Little things happen during games. There’s nobody…in history that’s won every game. As long as you’re preparing to win every game, that’s the most important part, especially with the kids. I don’t talk to them about the results. Let the results take care of themselves. ‘You guys be honest, trust each other’, and that’s one thing they can always go back to, because the nucleus of the team won together. So the young guys that haven’t played much here or that are new to the group – they have to learn to go in to that. Obviously it’d be easier to do it if they were more experienced guys or veteran players, but we’re doing it with the young guys, and quite honest they’ve done a pretty good job of it. So that’s kind of what you need them to do still. Just show trust in them, and build trust in each other. Our goal is really simple: try to be a playoff team. All the other B.S. about ‘oh, we’re going to win the Stanley Cup’, you know what? 30 teams say that. Every year, that’s our goal. Realistic is if you make the playoffs, then you have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. You see the race – we talk about it with our kids a lot. I don’t know what it is today, but I bet there’s – on our side – after Anaheim, Chicago, after that, there are probably 13 teams that are within four wins. So what’s the difference of the teams? Nothing. Three or four wins…That’s how the league has changed since the salary cap rule came in…there’s no difference with the teams. Basically it boils down to how your top players play, if you stay away from injuries, if some kid comes out of the woodwork. That’s basically the difference in the clubs. We just try and do it a game at a time.”
On challenges presented by San Jose:
“They’re an experienced team. We’ve played – probably other than Anaheim – they’re a very experienced group. They’re big down the middle. It’s something we have to talk about lots – Thornton, Marleau, Handzus faceoffs…You know what, I talk to the players a lot about Dan Boyle, just because of the respect I have to him as a player and as a competitor. You know what? He’s a key part of their team. Obviously, Logan’s becoming a player that a lot of our guys need to know better. You know what? I don’t think it poses a different dynamic than other teams, but you have to make sure everybody’s aware of top players, and what they’re capable of doing.”
On the maturation of Patrick Marleau and Brad Stuart throughout their careers:
“I said this in the summer – the two biggest additions to the San Jose Sharks were clearly Brad Stuart and Larry Robinson. Larry’s a coach, Brad’s a player, but they’re two pretty high-profile winners that nobody talks about. Significant players. And then you talk about Marleau, well Patty’s still got the wheels. He’s still a top player in the league, so you’ve got to pay attention. Heck, I remember Patty’s first game. He was 18. 18. 18th birthday, I think he played on, when you think about it. 18.”
On the challenges of developing young players at this level:
“Well, you know what? Everyone remembers the trials and tribulations we had with Patrick. We were lucky to have veteran centermen to offset that. You had Vinny and you had Bernie and you had Ronnie…he didn’t have to be Patrick Marleau. He just had to be a kid like Marco and those kids. That was our job, right? That’s what we were trying to do, [was to] not push those kids. It was part of the organization’s mantra – we had to play those kids, but at the same time, we weren’t going to push them into situations that they shouldn’t be in. Hey, when you think about it, with Patrick and Brad – Patty’s played one place his whole career, and Stewie’s played in…five. They’ve been real healthy guys, right? You know what? If you look at it, they’re sort of iron men guys, when you look at it, and that’s allowed them to have – because of their skill set and their size – it’s allowed them to have really good careers. Nobody talks about that with those kids, but you know what? You’re getting a lot of games out of those guys every year. Also, you’re getting a lot of playoff games out of them, too. That’s significant…when you look at it. Age doesn’t come in to play with those guys as long as they still have the desire to still do it. Their skills have never dropped off.”
On Brent Burns as a forward:
“I’ve seen him a lot in Minnesota. Jacques used to play him on wing there a lot, so I’m very familiar with him. Coached in Calgary against him as a winger. It’s a good problem to have Burns on right wing with Joe Thornton. I told Drew in the meeting today – I said ‘Heck, friggin’, Drew, if you don’t score again, I’ll put you on right wing with Kopitar.’”
Lol.. Im lost
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
@Alex, I guess Toffy is not playing
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@jet, what do you want to do with your taffy?
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
@shiny, play, play, play
mask0425x Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@Alex,
DS: We are
farmersplayers! (cue in the jingle from a certain commercial)I can just see aging DS sitting on the porch in a rocking chair speaking in tongue most Earthlinks do not quite comprehend.
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King John Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:04 pm
@Alex, Muzzin isn’t (lost). He’s the kid who came out of the woodwork.
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Soooo ummmm Sutter doesn’t think he’s still coaching in SJ does he? Lol
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You know what?
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LittleRhody Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
@Choralone, Right?
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@LittleRhody, Quite honest
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Simarosa Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@Choralone,
I know my head is spinning after reading this!
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@Simarosa, I read the whole thing and I have no idea what he said. Something about making DD a winger…
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mask0425x Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
@shiny,
DD on the wing? Then who’s in the net? Right???
Kings x Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
@Choralone, quite honestly no, what ?
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
@Choralone, That’s a fact.
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Doc Seaman
…and yes I am 12 years old
HAHAHAHAHAH
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
@Lake Forest, I actually snorted out loud when I read that. 51 going on 10!
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jet Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:39 pm
@Shotongoal, boys, boys, the locker room door is open
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Drove up to San Fransisco last night and getting ready to head down to San Jose to watch the game. Hopefully the Kings will play a great game and get the two points and the SJ fans will go home dissapointed.
Let’s Go Kings.
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Goring 19 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
@LittleRhody, glad you’re representing! Remember, the guppies fans don’t know jack about the game, so, go easy on ‘em. I’m sure they’ll be gracious to you…lol
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Kings x Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@Goring 19, don’t let the SJ fans throw beer on you. If they do, throw punches
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I think that Darryl Sutter is a eliot to put Quick again against the Sharks and Darryl Sutter does not let Bernier to start in Goal because if you want the kings to keep wining more games and get the Stanley Cup Champions of 2013 that means put Bernier in Goal Tonight or if Darryl Sutter doesn’t like it then the LA Kings will fired Darryl Sutter is Darryl Sutter’s choice
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jess Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:30 pm
@Adam M,
Uuhhh.. So there’s this guy named @poorman -and you guys might have quite a bit to talk about
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RobSD Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@jess,
I don’t know… Adam’s no punctuation mumbo jumbo didn’t really make any sense. Even DS can put a sentence together… it might not make sense… but it’s a sentence.
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jess Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@RobSD,
Hey wait until you find yourself deep in the weeds with complex issues such as:
Grease-Boarding….
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
@RobSD, I can understand what Adam M meant a lot better than I can some other bloggers here who spout nonsense while simultaneously claiming to be “quoting the experts”.
Mars Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
@RobSD, Depp in what @jess?
Shotongoal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
@Adam M, Daren eliot?
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puck73 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
@Adam M, Dude, that is so cool. I cant believe how spot on you are about that Daryl Sutter guy. I was just gonna put a call in to Luc Robitaille and ask for Sutters resignation. Man! I am just so sick of that idiot! I mean, what the hell has he ever won as a coach!?!?
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jess Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@puck73,
I think we need to all figure out the Grease-Boarding issue before we can fairly assess whether DS should resign or not..
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goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@Adam M,
I feel ya.
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
Adam…Have you ever thought of joining the “Night Crew” here at Lakingsinsider !!!
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@Neil, he might just be the anti-venom they obviously need!
jess Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@Shotongoal,
Meth-Post momentum killer?
Shotongoal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@Neil, he could be the juice to chase their methadone.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@Adam M, I think you meant “idiot”. “Eliot” is a former Kings goaltender from the 80′s.
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@HockeyNerd, see above! Lol
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
@Shotongoal, Actually Adam M. makes more sense then some of the stuff that I read here……LOL !!!
Shotongoal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:06 pm
@Shotongoal, well I’d say he ties a lot of people!
Kings x Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@Adam M, what are you 12?
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Adam M Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
@Kings x, okay @Kings x I am 27 Years old I am not a 12 year old anymore I had a Bar Mitzvah already and you are not suppose to send a Nasty comments from LA Kings Insider
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Pico Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:01 pm
@Adam M, Sutter is a bitch. He don’t like Bernier. Quick is not the same goaltender then last years. I hope a defeat again tonigh. I would like at the end of the season when the kings play golf Bernier receive a offers from a other team who gave a chance to Bernier to be Number 1111111111
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
Pico, Piquante !
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Bernier – Kopi – Drew
I like the sound of that. We can put the first nail in the Sharks tail this weekend. Play heavy, play smart, and play Quick.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@jet, I would pay to see that lineup on the ice HAHAHA
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Mars Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@shiny, Only if JQ pulls a BLUE LINE (Stauber) pass.
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Toffilo ??? Dont remember why we called him up….Quick is starting??? Dont remember why…maybe cause he is our #1 goalie??? “Late Night Crew”??? Dont remember last night
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We can all debate who should/is starting at goal tonight but in reality….who knows how Quick or Bernier will perform right now. Last season Quick was money the whole season.This season it really is pick a number…just hope one of the goalies get hot for a long time…
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YoBro Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@Neil, Well, we DO have a keeper that hasn’t lost a start yet, but he’s riding the pine while we wait for JQ to find his mojo.
Go Kings
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I love that Sutter was teasing Drew about making him a forward. I’m going to laugh my @$$ off if Ellerby scores before Drew. Poor Drew…
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Mars Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@shiny, Did you read Paul’s article? Coped with John’s? Neat stuff.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:05 pm
@Mars, the too much too soon one? Yeah it was really good. Interesting to see the changing role the coaches want Doughty in, which means he may only score once this season (if at all)
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luc20rules Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:43 pm
@shiny, Thanks for pointing me in the right direction to find this. I haven’t read anything about Mitchell other than he was scheduled to be at the Royal Feast since mid Febuary and that was googling his name about every week since. Just incase anyone else has been as interested here is the link to the story.
http://mayorsmanor.com/2013/03/exclusive-willie-mitchell-on-the-emotions-of-not-playing/
luc20rules Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:47 pm
@shiny, Tried to thank you and post the Mitchell post from Mayor’s Manor, but got moderated.
Doughty might actually be a damn good forward! He’s got the skills that s for sure…
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, that is true but I think he likes the certain aggressiveness of defense. Of course Capn Crunch has proved you don’t have to be a defenseman to be aggressive…
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jess Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:48 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
I know we’re all joking about this but..
I think I might rather see Toffoli on wing with Kopi before we move DD to a forward position.
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
@jess, it might cure his scoring woes. Hey, I have an idea. Have Brownie switch positions with Doughty. We might be able to keep a few more goals out that way. And DD has gotten a lot of experience dishing the puck to someone else so throw Toffoli on that top line and we’ll be friggin unstoppable!
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jess Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@shiny,
So we’ll refer to our captain as: “Stay Downtown Brown?”
shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
@jess, lmao I love it. Forget Capn Crunch, he’ll be “Downtown Brown” from now on
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
@jess, so Doughty would be 1st line material and play along side Kopi? Thats exactly what I waas thinking. Williams can take Deweys spot on the back end and try his hand at hipchecking Couture. I bet he does a better job than drew on that one
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, well took longer than I expected………
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@Shotongoal, it was tongue in cheek…someone had to do it though, right?
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Shotongoal Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, yep!
luc20rules Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:48 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I am terrified, when I think how much worse our D would be if Doughty wasn’t eating up close to 30 mins a game.
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Does DS really say “friggin”?…. awesome…neat !!!
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Kings x Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:21 pm
@Neil, yes he does more than once actually. He’s friggin awesoem
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Do some of the old timers remember back in the early 90′s when we would have the goalie’s switch off in each period? I’m getting old….right….and my mind is starting to park and stay in the park position. No, really, I seem to remember Storr or Stauber play one period and Hrudey play the next.I also seem to remember the team playing tighter with JB in net last year but not giving him enough goal support,I think this year they are playing better in front of him (except hi last game).
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YoBro Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
@LVKINGS88, Wow, I can’t remember them platooning goalies like that. But my memory is also less than stellar.
Of all the things I’ve ever lost; I miss my mind the most!
Go Kings
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
@YoBro, Yeah me too,wait what am I talking about,lol, I don’t think it was the whole season, i just seem to remember only a couple of games.
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Glad to hear that DS is happy overall on how the team is performing.He seems to be a hard to please type of coach but in reality he isnt. He is also happy with the youngsters!!! Maybe the only ones not happy with this team are some of the bloggers here…
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@Neil, whaaaaat? You can’t be talking about the faceless people on the internets picking apart every player even when the Kings win. You must be referring to something else
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
@shiny, At least I use my real name !!! LOL…
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
@Neil, now we can track you down better and cyber stalk you. Thanks!
Kings x Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:22 pm
@Neil, I thought neil and bob was your real name
….besides the obvious…cheering for the Yotes-Avs-Ducks-Preds tonight….what’s a body to do….
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shiny Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:13 pm
@Deke’r, cheer Ducks and Avs. Yotes are 1 point from tying us and 2 points from passing.
That was the question, right? You know what, it’s really hard to determine the seriousness of someone’s question on here, quite honest…
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Deke'r Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:34 pm
@shiny, …yeah but if we win Yotes are a point down and Blues are currently tied with us….and I’m dead FRIGGIN serious…hahahaha….
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Hey is the night crew awake yet? Better yet have they went to sleep yet…I have some unanswered questions about last nights convo.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:26 pm
@LAKMiles, GKG !
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LAKMiles Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:32 pm
@Duncanz, 10-4
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
@LAKMiles, Duncanz is repping !!! the “Late Night Crew”…
There’s a chance T-Baby could play tonight right? It was hard to put him in after a win. The Kings losing might be what he needed.
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Source; Toffoli is not untouchable as we roll toward the trade deadline.
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RobSD Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
@goldielocks,
No one is “untouchable”. Source; the cheese is old and moldy.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
@RobSD, +1
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Osaka Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:39 pm
@goldielocks, You have sources?
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goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@Osaka,
Let’s see … ‘Okonomiyaki’,'Teriyaki’,'Yakisoba’ … pretty much you can get there.
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Osaka Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:47 pm
@goldielocks, I’m getting hungry!
I like the Korean shichimi over okonomiyaki, maybe I’ll go to Tsurohasi tonight.
goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:53 pm
@Osaka,
Love Korean BBQ. Tsuruhashi station itself smells like Korean BBQ source, doesn’t it?
Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@0 sake, *not kidding here, ‘okonomyaki’ is the Japanese translation for the word ‘economy sauce’ – right or unfounded?
I’m assuming ‘yaki’ = ‘sauce’..
goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:39 pm
@Duncanz,
Kind of like a Japanese traditional pizza, using a huge square frying pan instead of oven. “yaki” means “fry or boil”.
Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
@goldielocks, Oh. Cool!
Hey …. are you cooking over your house right now?
Steve W Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
@goldielocks, When’s the trade deadline?
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goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
@Steve W,
Thought it’s April 3rd. Not 100% sure.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
@goldielocks, definition of the word Source: anyone who says anything. What’s your point?
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Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:35 pm
@HockeyPhone, Goldiestalks has been known to come up with the porridge (goods) before!
Bears further examination.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:49 pm
@Duncanz, Nobody is untouchable. Who said it, where is TT rumored to be going and what are we rumored to be getting back? This poster is very good at theorizing and speculating. Where’s the substance behind it? And I don’t mean a random quote from a random expert. I mean a tangible real person that knows something the rest of us don’t.
Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:06 pm
@HockeyPhone As I say, @Goldie has broken stories here before.
I would hesitate to doubt the veracity of his secret sauces.
goldielocks Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
@Duncanz,
Hehe … that’s right. It’s secret. But I was the first poster here to break the news when the lockout ended. I cought the info from inside that room less than 1 min.
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:53 pm
@goldielocks, At least tell us the source of your source….
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 6:40 pm
@goldielocks, I get it now. Speculate about every remotely possible scenario without giving sources (or “quoting” totally unrelated items and claiming they are “evidence”), then claim credit for breaking the story!!!!!!!
Ingenious!!!!!!
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If Quicky shats the bed tonight… we better start seeing more of Bernier.
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If TT doesn’t see any action before he is sent down, no different then Campbell. No one said why did we bother bringing up Campbell. They understood it was a depth move. The difference with Tyler is everyone is excited to see him play. Even if Tyler is sent down in a week or so without playing a game, the call up will be a good experience for (and his wallet).
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Osaka Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:38 pm
@Osaka, for him
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SenorPhlegmFace Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:46 pm
@Osaka, Knowing DS we will not see him unless injury or someone plays exceptionally bad
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Neil Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@Osaka, and his girlfriend and hopefully the LA’s economy !!!!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
March 14th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
@Neiling, LOL, you beat me to it!
“Rodeo Drive! Finally!!!!!!!!”
Time to avenge the Clowe’s Stick from the Bench.
Go Kings Go!
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Heck friggin!
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