March 15 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

In addition to weighing in on a pivotal moment in last night’s game, Darryl Sutter shared his thoughts on proposed rule changes to increase offense in response to conversations that had been aired on the SiriusXM NHL Network earlier today.

On his interpretation of Jake Muzzin engaging Andrew Desjardins:
“Just a natural team thing. It’s no big deal. You know what? Fras got drilled, and Muzzin was right there, and I wouldn’t say he was going in to fight. Muzzin’s not going in [to fight]. You know what? He’s a team guy. He’s going to go in there…it’s not a big deal.”

On the instigating-with-a-visor minor penalty:
“I think it’s an old-fashioned, archaic, antique rule. You know what? They continue to make all these rule changes when they get bored and have these committees, right? But 16 players on our team wear visors, and I’m going to say 16 players on every team wear visors, and we continue to bring visors up when somebody gets hurt. But there’s a rule in the book – first off, would you say the player actually started the altercation, and you get an extra two minutes because he’s got a visor on. It’s pretty much…old fashioned.”

On whether he’s an advocate of making nets larger:
“I’m not. No.”

On whether he’d like to see the size of goalie equipment mandated:
“No. I’ve been on those committees, too, and seen all those experiments. Those are just bored committees. So if you’re going to make the net, make it bigger, and you’re going to take out four rows of seats? Make the ice bigger? And you’re going to make the goalie equipment smaller…they’ve already protected the goalies all they can…in terms of the rules. Put lines on the ice. Rules and icings and all those things in to protect goalies, which was general managers wanted to protect the goalie. We already made his equipment as small as it can get. You know what? The president’s body guards look like they have shirts and ties on, and they have bullet proof vests on underneath…We already did it. These guys are talking about these rules – they were the guys that wanted their players to have equipment that was like sleeping bags. Just think [recently]…about goalies’ equipment. Think of guys like Giguere and guys that used great, big equipment. You can’t make it any smaller….the stuff that they’re using is so light. Somebody must have been bored talking about that. Who started that this morning? [reporter: Adam Proteau asked the question.] Yeah, he would for sure. He would be bored, because he wouldn’t know much about it, for sure…Quite honest, the way goalie equipment standards are right now are really good, because it’s based on size. There are restrictions based on your size and equipment size. You know what, I think those are good rules. But the changing the net size, I’ve seen all those things. And then the next thing that somebody will bring up when they’re bored is ‘square posts’. They tried that one, too, right? They thought it would [by virtue of] angles, square posts or triangle posts would deflect pucks into the net instead of the round going off. I’ve seen all that stuff.”

On whether he felt committee meetings were productive:
“Yep. Really good. But remember, what most of those committees or meetings are about – I could send in ‘Let’s stop and sing the national anthem…or sing God Bless America seven minutes into the third period. Lets everybody stop and do it.’ If it sounds like a good idea, then they have to go to a committee. So if you bring it up, it’s got to go to a committee…‘Why [not], in Canada, with 10 minutes into the third period, why don’t we sing the good old hockey song? Everybody get up?’ It sounds like a good idea.

On whether he’d like to see a larger ice surface:
“Bigger ice surface, less offense, more defense, more neutral zone play. It doesn’t help anything. Go to Europe and watch. A lot of these coaches have brought that over. They’ve been over and they’ve come back here and started playing that. Like, there was Vancouver that played it for a while…they called it ‘torpedo’, or 1-3-1. It just becomes a neutral ice game, just to bounce the puck back and forth. More ice doesn’t open it up at all. Actually, you become more zone-prevent.”

On whether Alec Martinez has been playing ‘timid’:
He’s coming off an injury, so I wouldn’t call it ‘timid’. I mean, did you tell him he was timid? [reporter: I didn’t tell him he was timid.] So why then are you asking me? Do you think he’s timid?…I’d say he’s coming off an injury. Marty’s got to play against 230, 240 pound guys, so he’s got to be quick-in, quick-out. I don’t call that timid. I just think you’ve got to be quick.”

74 Comments

  1. DesertKing says:

    That was kind of boring ;)

    [Reply]

    Mk Ultra Reply:

    @DesertKing, Park and ride.

    [Reply]

    vindogla Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    Brother, read again. That was far from boring that had history through practically today. Enjoy this while you can, trust me.

    [Reply]

    iansez Reply:

    @vindogla, Agreed, it’s just beautiful stuff. You know what? He’s the Shakespeare of hockey…)

    [Reply]

  2. Lake Forest says:

    (wipes tears) You Complete me

    [Reply]

  3. Gustavo says:

    YYYAAAWWWWNNNN….!!

    [Reply]

  4. Ryan oliver says:

    I’ve never looked forward to a coaches comments more than sutters. I’ve been waiting for this all day!! Love it. The comment on Proteau is the best

    [Reply]

    Kings x Reply:

    @Ryan oliver, me too. They are simply the best

    [Reply]

  5. King John says:

    NET: How about 4’2″ x 6’3″ (it keeps it the same proportion)…

    Each game might have a goal or two more.

    [Reply]

  6. Robbie says:

    I would have asked him how much longer is he going to stick with Quick, but I would have had my running shoes on and headed in the direction of the parking lot.

    [Reply]

    jet Reply:

    @Robbie, really funny. I won’t have to do my 4 sit ups tonight.

    [Reply]

    NOW IMPRESSED Reply:

    @Robbie, LOL no kidding. We can talk all day long about who should start in goal, but Sutter decides and no one else.

    [Reply]

    Kingsfanforlife Reply:

    @NOW IMPRESSED, But I do have to wonder who it will be tomorrow???????

    [Reply]

  7. bbb7 says:

    He has a good point about the visors; the league would love to mandate them for all players but on the other hand they have specific penalties in the rulebook for players WITH visors. It’s kind of silly, cause if all the players had visors, no one could ever instigate a fight without getting the extra 2.

    On another off topic: I have wondered, since the league wants to market its players but they keep getting more covered up with equipment – and since technology probably has caught up and might allow it at this point without losing safety – why not require all helmets and helmet padding to be clear/transparent, so the players’ features and hair (sorry Penner) can show thru?

    [Reply]

    Lake Forest Reply:

    @bbb7, actually the instigator penalty is only used when the guy that instigates the fight has a visor, with a player that doesnt have one.

    If both players have visors, then no additional penalties.

    [Reply]

    brian spain Reply:

    @Lake Forest, If you start the fight without the other willing to go, its 2 minutes, the visor is an extra 2 if you are the instigator. if you both go at the same time, its on 5 and 5.

    [Reply]

    Deke'r Reply:

    @bbb7, …clear helmets will never happen….too much reflection off Getsalaughs’ bean….

    [Reply]

  8. Lake Forest says:

    Heard Stoll is starting the petition for the bigger net sizes. ZINGER

    [Reply]

    Robbie Reply:

    @Lake Forest, Doughty should scale down his expectations, maybe try for a goalpost or a crossbar first, then try puting one on net.

    [Reply]

    jet Reply:

    @Lake Forest, 10 by 10?

    [Reply]

  9. King Alex says:

    With our inconsistent goaltending this season, the last thing DS wants to hear his bigger nets. Whats next, 12 pucks on the ice so everyone has one?

    [Reply]

    linny Reply:

    @King Alex, you left out ‘allowing players to play the puck from the bench’ which, if the puck goes in the net, they’ll have ton add a stat: TRCP (“team Ryan Clowe percentage)

    [Reply]

  10. King Alex says:

    With our inconsistent goaltending this season, the last thing DS wants to hear his bigger nets. Whats next, 12 pucks on the ice so everyone has one?

    [Reply]

  11. King Alex says:

    Did not mean to do the old Aaron Rodgers double-take…..My bad!

    [Reply]

  12. vplaza says:

    If DS is okay with Muzz’s move, then it must have been good, but I can’t help but think that take away the two PP goals on the ensuing double minors to him and the Kings probably win the game last night. That was, for all intents and purposes, the turning point of the game, IMHO.

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @vplaza,

    It was the turning point. And I wish players and coaches would get off their emotional macho trip and use their so called professional brain in such situations.

    Violating the visor + instigating rule cost the team 2 badly needed points. Plain and simple.
    Condoning it is negligent. Supporting it is detrimental. I hope not to see it again.

    [Reply]

    Batfan13 Reply:

    @Gustavo, I respect the play Muzzin made last night in standing up for his teammate. Was it the smartest move, probably not. But at the same time, if the PK had stepped up and done a better job we wouldn’t be having this discussion. The game is 60 minutes long, not one play cost them the 2 points.

    [Reply]

    Deke'r Reply:

    @Batfan13, …yup…and as Foxy said it’s a team builder….

    vplaza Reply:

    @Batfan13,

    I’ll have to disagree a bit. Yes, the game is 60 minutes long, but there’s no arguing that the two penalties had direct effects on the game. Up to that point, the Kings were pretty much outplaying the Sharts. Then, they get two quick goals and the Kings don’t really recover. Hard to argue that it was not a turning point in the game.

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @vplaza, This is correct.

    MickSorley Reply:

    @Gustavo, I agree in that the player should be aware and dump his helmet before instigating. But, getting down on a player for sticking up for his teammate is a BAD idea. Sure, Muzz could have thought it through a bit more, but he needed to respond. If he doesn’t, that gives the opposing team the green light to drop bombs on whoever they want.

    [Reply]

    MickSorley Reply:

    @MickSorley, One more thing.. Blame those two goals on out PK unit. Typically you’ll see a pk unit really step it up when killing off a penalty like this one, where it was a “taking one for the team” situation.

    gmo Reply:

    @MickSorley,

    Totally agree with your post, i like the idea of Muzzin sticking up for his team mate.
    Kings were in a simliar situation when they first played the oilers, an oiler got the exact same penaty muzzin got but we failed to capitalized. Unfirtunately last night we werent able to keep the sharks of the score board.

    What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:

    @MickSorley, Who said anyone had to get down on him?

    freezerflatten Reply:

    @Gustavo, they could have stepped up and killed off the penalties.

    [Reply]

    King Cobra Reply:

    @Gustavo, Could not agree more!! Well stated fellow Kings maniac..

    [Reply]

  13. Dominick says:

    Love this coach.

    [Reply]

  14. Kings x says:

    DS still sounds ticked off from last night to me. No real sutterisms in there.

    [Reply]

  15. jet says:

    This was really important for the kid to know he has the coach behind him. Sutter is doing everthing possible to keep the new5′s confidence up. I would have to believe this is Sutter’s toughest coaching challange.
    Jon
    Was this meeting the reason he was not at practice?

    [Reply]

  16. goldielocks says:

    “timid”??? What kind of stupid question was that?

    [Reply]

  17. Michael J. says:

    That was a thing of beauty!

    [Reply]

  18. DesertKing says:

    “Well, if you wear a visor and the net gets bigger, it could be boring because of the scoring by committee, but if you have larger ice, you might be too timid to sing God Bless America even though your equipment is bigger than your goalie, but I think you need to ask a more direct question in order to get a more direct answer unless you know all the words to the good ole hockey song”

    [Reply]

    Michael J. Reply:

    @DesertKing,

    What number did I accidentally push to get that?

    [Reply]

    DesertKing Reply:

    @Michael J.,

    “If you pushed “1″, you were too timid. If you pushed “2″, you probably wear a visor. If you pressed “3″, you are still dreaming of bigger ice. If you pushed “4″, your goalie pads are too tight. If you pushed “5″, you need to go back to Pee-Wee league where the nets did look bigger. If you pushed “6″, you must be one of the president’s body guards and no, we don’t have any of your body armor. If you pushed “7″, God Bless America because that is my favorite number. If you pressed “8″, you are probably one of those “square post” weirdos who I don’t want to talk to. If you pushed “9″, you are probably still sleeping in a sleeping bag in your mom’s basement. If you pushed any other button, you must be one of those old fashioned archaic committee members who never got anything done which is why you couldn’t figure out that you needed to push a number button.”

    [Reply]

  19. jet says:

    Take out the goals altogether and put a jump at center ice.

    [Reply]

  20. harty says:

    Question were staged not to resurface last nights loss in many ways.

    I wonder what he would say if asked in confidence about several of the top 6 players.
    He cannot be happy with the production of a few and some still miss assignments each game.
    I have not witnessed a game yet whereas a proven veteran isn’t making a rookie mistake out there for us.

    Finally I like Darryl but not sure he can continue to motivate the top players if there is no accountability when they have a poor shift.

    Again as a Coach IMO only, you need to have one set of standards you live by and regardless who is off the page they pay the price with reduced ice time.
    It doesn’t happen on the Kings, anyone on the 1st and 2nd line get away with pretty much any disaster on the ice except Penner he is kicked around. On the 3rd line no one pays a price especially King gets away with being a touch player. (he should play flag touch hockey not body contact)
    And the 4th line wingers pay the price but it seems Fraser gets more get out of jail free cards then most. Relative??

    Anyway Darryl get them pumped up and get this going on a long winning streak we need the points. I trust in DS and DL I just hope they are not hurting the overall morale.

    [Reply]

    Northern Fan Reply:

    @harty, Totally agree with your comments – they are right on. I have always thought that there were strong indications of a good ole boys club with the coaching staff playing the politics of giving the top 6 (in salaries only!) all the opportunities to play with no consequences for screw-ups. Cliffy is a good example – except he was playing extremely well. He was top scorer and making a big difference out there. Showing up the big boys big time. All of a sudden he was relegated to the 4th line and his TOI has been the lowest on the roster some nights. That’ll teach him to outshine the top 6 – what a great reward. I’ve seen this over the years with the Kings. Hockey politics still determine ice time and time in the doghouse

    [Reply]

    harty Reply:

    @Northern Fan, whew…….and I thought I was the only one that was seeing and feeling this way……..

    so yoiu make a great point, Clifford was making the million dollar people look silly so guess what, he is sent to the 4th line with limited ice time, and your right that will teach you Cliffy for producing…..

    Many won’t believe me but upstairs has to protect themselves also by ensuring the big dollar earners are leading the team, its so obvious……

    [Reply]

    Northern Fan Reply:

    @harty, Too many people take the game at face value and don’t get the politics. Richardson is another example. A couple of years ago he, cliffy and simmonds carried the team in the first round of the playoffs when Kopi was injured. Brownie was no where to be seen. They certainly got the attention of the media here in Canada. We all know the reward they got. They have never given Richy a chance to show himself as they moved him from position to position, line to line, then said he needed to play more consistently. Simmer has done really well in Philli – shows what happens when you get a chance. I remember Richy scored a hat trick on the first line in Denver and was put on the 4th line the next night. Motivation ++ Well I am sure that richy is praying for a trade and if cliffy is smart he will do the same. Gotta make the GM and scouts look good and market the franchise players. That’s the only reason they don’t kick penner’s lazy a$$ to the curb!

  21. goldielocks says:

    Yotes have signed defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a 6 year contract. He’s a good one.

    [Reply]

    wobsse6 Reply:

    @goldielocks, Only good one that team has…the rest of them are spoiled rotten apples…or is that spoiled rotten eggs…would you believe spoiled rotten idiots…lifetime ban for all of them

    [Reply]

  22. gailweb says:

    Sutter is a classic thanks Jon great reading

    Our boys need to just calm down and start having fun out there and take some pressure off themselves then they can start to score and win games for sure

    Take it easy boys and trust in your coach Sutter

    Go Kings Go!

    [Reply]

  23. Neil says:

    No questions about Toffilo?? about Quick??? about save pct??? The writers should ve pulled numbers..who ever loses had to ask the tough questions..

    [Reply]

    shiny Reply:

    @Neil, I don’t think they would’ve survived Sutter’s Stare of Disapproval

    [Reply]

  24. linny says:

    Whether we agree with muzzins actions or not bottom line is we still may have not won the game n we r still clinging to a playoff spot. The bigger picture/situation is as many (including myself) have already stated…how do we get quality, ready for prime time D men (even 1 would help greatly) to make the playoffs n go deep into them?

    IMO what’s happened on “D” this year, to our detriment is the opposite of what happened last year on offense when we got Carter. The entire dynamic changed, giving us two excellent scoring lines n 2 excellent checking lines which could also put the puck in the net.

    Now, defensively, Doughty n Scuds have to eat up huge minutes as the top pairing. So DD gets less time on PP. Then VV moves up with the interchangeable partner of the night n the 3rd pairing, now with A-Mart getting his bearings is taking their lumps. One solid top four established D man could do for the “D” what Carter did for us last year and I’m hoping DL is taking a serious look.

    [Reply]

    number 6 Reply:

    @linny,

    …. and then when he trades away a valuable resource and we get some ‘top 4′ dman, what exactly happens next year when greene And willie come back.. Plus…. muzzin has earned a spot now. then we have greene, scuds, dd, amart, muzzin, top4 guy, and willie and voynov.

    by my calculations that makes eight dmen…. so you make a move just for this year? quite frankly, the form that quick is in now it’s highly unlikely they win three rounds and make it to the finals again no matter who is on the back end.

    [Reply]

    linny Reply:

    @number 6, if he makes NO MOVE its fine with me because we won the cup n I’m ok with taking a chance on missing the playoffs this year for the reasons u mention above about potentially having so many D-men.However, Greene’s future status seems a bit unclear if he has problems with 2 discs, n the same with Mitchell because one can only guess as to the extent of his injury/injuries. Also Scud’s hasn’t re-signed yet, has he? I like him n I think some of his play is sub-par this year because of the extra workload…but he far harsher critics than me.

    So, next year could look much the same as it is right now. Playing ‘wait n C’s is fine but I don’t think we make the playoffs with the D as it now stands.

    [Reply]

    G. Faulk Reply:

    @number 6, Completely agree, the lack of Mitchell and his great stick work, green wrecking guys on the boards and in front of the net, and quicks average level of goal tending IMO is the main problem. If this is not corrected in some way going deep in to the play offs is not looking great.

    We are all wanting to see that team that won the cup and unfortunately quicks play and a few d players injured they can’t get back there yet. I’m not bashing on Quick in the slightest just keeping it real. He’s still arguably the best goal tender in the league, he just needs to find it. I think if one of the kings goal tenders would start to stand on there head, the lack of green and mitchell would not be noticed as much. IMO it starts with the goal tender and moves out.

    [Reply]

  25. shiny says:

    Ahahaha classic Sutter… He’s so irritated by having to deal with stupid media questions. I love that he goes from dead serious to deadpan in the same sentence. What a great coach

    [Reply]

    Pico Reply:

    @shiny,
    Fired DS for is decision about Quick and Bernier. When a pitchers ace no control the coach put him in a bench. Make the same whith Quick

    [Reply]

  26. Adam M says:

    I think that my Oldest Brother Brian said that Bernier will like to start in Goal for Tomorrow Night Versus the ShaRKS

    [Reply]

    wobsse6 Reply:

    @Adam M, DS has a brother named Brian…

    [Reply]

    Adam M Reply:

    @wobsse6, okay @wobsse6 I have a Oldest Brother Brian is my Brother and he said he wants Bernier to start in Goal Tomorrow against the Sharks and my Oldest brother Brian said the LA Kings will get a new Defenseman the Question is what Defenseman players will join with the kings to wear # 12 for the Kings

    [Reply]

    LT21 Reply:

    @wobsse6, I have an older brother named Steve.

    [Reply]

  27. FabKings says:

    Not the best questions with all ie respect.

    Go KINGS Go!!!

    [Reply]

  28. FabKings says:

    Not the best questions with all due respect. These commitees should bring up stuff like coach challenge, NOT CALLING TORONTO to wait if a goal is good or not. I think that is so ridiculous, give the refs in the game all they need including all angles available for cameras, but give THEM the authority.

    I’m not sure there’s another pro sport that makes the “guys in charge” refs, have to call big brother in Toronto in a room.

    Go KINGS Go!!!

    [Reply]

    linny Reply:

    @FabKings, uhhhhhh…Football? The guys upstairs do in fact, make calls on coaches challenges and the the last (5?) Minutes of games on certain plays/calls made by refs or automatically on certain plays. Not sure of the exact rule

    [Reply]

  29. Kingsfanforlife says:

    Does anyone think Quick is a different goal tender due to his surgery?

    [Reply]

    Gustavo Reply:

    @Kingsfanforlife,

    Yes.

    [Reply]

    LT21 Reply:

    @Kingsfanforlife, Yep. Give him a full calendar year from the surgery and I think he will bounce back. I have had a few surgeries and it is amazing how much difference a year out from a surgery is over 6-7 months out. The body needs a little more time than we may think especially when it comes to the spine and back. Quick is not the type to ever give excuses but that is my opinion.

    [Reply]

  30. Kenny44 says:

    I am so totally on board with Sutter. I don’t even care when he hits his coach expiration date, I’ll still appreciate what he has done here and his approach.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=committees+none+of+us+is+as+dumb&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#biv=i%7C0%3Bd%7CFjhjNANMqWTeJM%3A

    [Reply]

  31. Adam M says:

    I think that for Tonight’s game that we are not doing a Visor fight again against the Kings will not allowed at Staples Center that if the Sharks will not like the call will make a Suspended call for a 4 games of Suspended from Andrew Dejurdins so do you Agree with me about rules at Staples Center is if the Sharks likes to have Visor fight and a Visor hit again that means the Sharks should not make the Playoffs to warned the Sharks

    [Reply]

  32. King Cobra says:

    Sutter is funny and entertaining but he will rarely if ever agree with questioners questions so don’t read much into his answers. He will protect his players before he tells you what he really thinks a lot of the time.

    [Reply]

  33. tplcrwn says:

    I agree about the goalie’s equipment being based on the goalie’s size too. See,size does matter..I love these conversations!

    [Reply]

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