On Jordan Nolan’s performance versus Dallas:
“The fourth line gave us a little bit of juice. We just want him to get that – it’s not confidence – but it’s got to the point where he was turning too many pucks over on the boards coming out of his own zone, and then it affected his lack of time spent in the offensive zone. We just kind of go game-to-game with him. We need two or three more minutes out of the line, and I don’t like splitting them up. He’s got to play the right wing. He’s not as good on the left side. We need two or three more [minutes]. It doesn’t sound like much, but in the course of the game, it’s like four shifts, if you look at last night. And it’s the schedule – it is the schedule, and how top guys play. If you look at Kopitar’s line last night, they probably played two or three minutes too much, and that’s not because they were doing anything great as a line. They’ve had a hard time, but that’s partly my fault because I’ve played them more than I should, and that trickles down to the guys below them. It’s not so much Jordan, it’s just the group [and] how it spreads out.”
On communicating with Nolan:
“I talk to him lots. It’s very simple. If you want to lineup, you’ve got to play to your ability, right? He’s a big guy that’s got to play physical and go to the net. But you have to also – I’m not one of those coaches who says a guy plays three or four minutes for one reason. The game’s gotten past that. So you’ve got to be able to contribute in all areas of the game, and he hasn’t played as well at any point this year as he did at any point last year.”
On a previous assertion that the Anze Kopitar line had struggled:
“It’s got nothing to do with work or compete or effort or anything. It’s just once in a while they get out of sync a little bit, and I think one was just off a little bit and it affects everybody. And that’s what happens with high-end guys. Willie has struggled to score this year, so he’s the guy that’s always at a high pace, high effort. He’s always trying to do everything he can. Sometimes it’s better for Willie just not do too much. Just do a little bit less. And Brownie will get like that too, where he loses his identity once in a while and you’ve got to reinforce that. [With] Kopi, because he’s a special guy, he’s trying to win it instead of just being Kopi. So you just kind of find your way with them. They always come around, come back to it. My only thing is as a coach, you never want to split them up. If you’ve got to split them up, that means one of them is dragging it off, or…sometimes two or three shifts is like being away for a while.”
On Jonathan Quick’s performances this week:
“I think he’s been solid. That’s what we’re trying to do. If you’re trying to get guys to be consistent and solid, don’t worry about end results. Don’t worry about wins, losses, any of that stuff. Take care of itself. Sometimes you play great and you lose. Sometimes you play average and win. That’s the way the league is. That’s the way sports are. Just be consistent, and when you’re not getting the practice time that you need, then you have to be able to manage that. You have to be able to manage your preparation, your focus, what your responsibility is, and that’s what I want him to do. If he does that, then his compete will allow him to [succeed], because he’s a competitor. It doesn’t do any good to be all over the map. So you’ve got to just be really tight in what you see yourself and focus, and then he’s fine.
On whether it’s harder to “turn the page” after a game in which the Kings “won every battle”:
“No. Pretty easy, actually. Actually, we didn’t [win every battle].”
On out-shooting and out-hitting Dallas and winning the majority of the faceoffs:
“They had eight three-on-twos against us. I wouldn’t say that was something – usually we’re one-a-month in that area. They had eight after the 10-minute mark last night. We were pushing a little too much. We’ve sort of had an easy scoring time of it for two or three weeks, where we were getting everything we wanted. Last night we weren’t, and we started playing on the wrong side of it a little bit. Those are sort of your internal battles. You start playing on the wrong side of the puck, then you’ve got to deal with guys who have way too much open ice. Look at the two guys that scored – Jagr, Whitney – too much open ice against top players on our team.”
On LA hypothetically scoring first against Dallas, a team traveling to play a back-to-back:
“We were really good at it, quite honest. But you know as the game goes on, and as you see it, it was going to be the first goal. The first goal was going to be the difference. You just know that, because both goalies are playing really well. Even though one team’s out-shooting the other one, they’re both on, right? You look at the goal they scored, it went of Drew. And then we started pushing a little, and Robbie pinches down, which is not what we want him to do there, but you’ve got to take a little more of a [chance], and he gets caught and it becomes a chase play again.”
I thought it’s time to split Kopi’s line up because of struggling but DS is prolly right. Well, there you have it. Eight three-on-twos and Jagr & Whitney got too much open ice … you’re not gonna win.
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shiny Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@goldielocks, weird schedule with lots of easy (or not super difficult) teams in a row may have messed with their confidence a bit. Then they play difficult teams and they struggle. But this was good for the whole team. Wake up call
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goldielocks Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@shiny,
Agree. They can’t downplay against any teams in the conference if they are to make playoffs.
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I always find his quotes very interesting. I’m not sure if he’s saying Nolan played well or not last night… Either way, he’s not thrilled with Nolan’s output this season, that’s about all I gathered from that lol
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DieHardKingsFan Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 9:26 pm
@shiny, NOT thrilled for sure! Your right on with that. He’s callin’ him out and wants more from JN cause DS knows JN can put forth a stronger effort… with skills… better than he has been showing lately. Can you say M O T I V A T I O N!!!
DS ROCKS!!
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GO KINGS GO!
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shiny Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 3:57 pm
@Mars, right on Gail! I mean Mars
(I’m really bored at work lol)
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“They’ve had a hard time, but that’s partly my fault because I’ve played them more than I should, and that trickles down to the guys below them. It’s not so much Jordan, it’s just the group [and] how it spreads out.”
Happy now? He does take blame, sometimes.
Considering he came in and got a very skilled but highly under achieving team to the next level (the highest possible level) AND what he’s done with the one- legged blue line, I would say he’s earned a little slack when things don’t go according to plan for a game or two.
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KC23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:04 pm
@xeropoint, Agree a 100%. I was shocked at how many long time blog vets just went over the edge throwing DS under the bus.
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Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:41 pm
@KC23, It is the typical reactionary posting that always goes on. We win 1 game we are the best team in the league, we lose 1 game and blame flies.
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Kenny44 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:05 pm
@Osaka,
Flies suck! I mean, what useful purpose do they serve? They have no redeeming virtue whatsoever. I can’t believe they even made a movie about a scientist who turns into a fly. Would a real commissioner let that happen? Only a studio run by Bettman. And Jeff Goldblum is overrated as an actor (except in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou). Stupid flies!
Duncanz Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:29 pm
I think @Kenny44 got caught in Goldblum’s teleportation contraption with @DessertKing.
This is patently the greatest unpatented disaster of all time !!!!
jess Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:04 pm
@xeropoint,
I cannot recall TM ever taking the blame for anything. Not once. Had he (TM) taken the blame once in a while, I would’ve been much easier on him. But props to Sutter for taking responsibility once in a while for the way the guys play. -And they didn’t play bad.
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xeropoint Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:44 pm
@jess, Don’t get me started!
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Mars Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:03 pm
@jess, you missed a few Boo’s in there
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Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:53 pm
@xeropoint, Why would you want the coach to admit he made a mistake to the press? This is a business, does it help to have management of a company to publicize every mistake they make? Besides, is it possible what some may think is a mistake actually a part of a bigger plan? He won the Cup right? I think he knows what he is doing.
TM was criticized by some here for not calling players out in public. Most wanted a tougher style coach. Well, we have one. The comments DS make is meant to keep a certain attitude going with the team. He isn’t just doing it to be a jerk. Look at the past results. Look at the current record. I think the players buy into it pretty well. I think the players will continue to buy into his method at least for another 2-3 years before they start to tune him out. That is the life of an NHL coach. Being critical of a player or pointing out their mistakes in public is a coaching tool. He is not coaching himself. Why would a coach point out his mistakes?
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jess Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:32 pm
@Osaka, Missed the point of xeropoint’s post? -And / Or what Sutter said?
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quote “…he hasn’t played as well at any point this year as he did at any point last year. …”
Wait.
Is DS saying what I think he is saying here? Is DS saying that Nolan’s worst last year is better than Nolan’s best this year? Or am I not reading that right?
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jess Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:02 pm
@KC23,
He’s saying that Nolan hasn’t yet played to the level this year, that he was playing at last year.
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KC23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@jess, There is no doubt he is as least saying that for sure, but I’m not so sure he isn’t saying something a lot worse.
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freezerflatten Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:25 pm
@jess, why single him out. i could name a few who havent played as well and they never sit.
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jess Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:30 pm
@freezerflatten,
The only thing I can think of is that there is a competition for that spot right now between Jordy and TT, and therefore it would put this statement in context. Other than that, I have no idea.
Harrison Merkin Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:37 pm
@freezerflatten, He wasn’t singling him out. He was answering a direction question.
SLG1013 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@KC23, I believe that DS is saying what you think. However, I don’t recall him being unhappy with Nolan’s game last year, so perhaps it’s not as bad as it seems?
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Stackhouse Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:33 pm
@KC23, I interpret it as Nolan’s best effort this year has not matched what his best effort was last year. Meaning even on nights when he’s been “good” this year, it hasn’t yet reached the level of last year’s “good.”
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KC23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:47 pm
@Stackhouse, Yeah, you’re probably right. Makes the most sense.
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Off topic: How does Rick Nash not get suspended for his hit on Kopecky last night?
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KC23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@CB14, he plays for a high profile east coast team?
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SLG1013 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:19 pm
@KC23, and he’s the star that puts butts in seats…
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KC23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@KC23, My apologises on be redundent with saying “high profile” followed by “east coast team”.
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Scott Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:37 pm
@CB14, He’s Rick Nash and playing for the Rangers.
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jet Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@CB14, Bettman says.”the Rags have to make the playoffs”.
I am joking, nothing is fixed in this league.
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Kenny44 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:52 pm
@CB14,
With apologies to Dave Chapelle: “He’s Rick Nash, b14ch!”
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Yeah scuds pinch was unlike him. and DB hit reminded me of the JMFJ hit against dallas, where he took the body, not the puck, they passed it up and scored (either to win or to tie it).
Then they did that weird line up all on one side and even though EVERYONE could see what they were doing, our Dmen didnt cover each player that well and they scored.
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LA_1968 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@Lake Forest, Yaah I think Ott scored ont hat OT/tie goal. Scuds knows he has to be more sure before pinching.
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I think that Bernier will start versus the Canucks tomorrow so Quick will take a rest day off Tomorrow and Quick will start in Goal next week so what do you think
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freezerflatten Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:28 pm
@Adam M, if you follow sutters thinking, quick will start.
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Adam M Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:24 pm
@freezerflatten, okay @freezerflatten Quick will start next Monday versus the Black hawks because he will take a rest day off and Bernier to start the Afternoon game tomorrow because the LA Kings are now in a Playoff Spot for now so use Bernier tomorrow afternoon to help the Kings win
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linny Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:30 pm
@Adam M, all indications on insider threads and “analysts” point to quick
KC23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:50 pm
@Adam M, If you’re right you’ll be the only one I’ve read that can say they called it. Like all the others have said … pretty sure it’ll be Quick.
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jess Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:57 pm
@Adam M,
I hope Bernier starts wearing a glorious throw back space suit from one of the Apollo missions!!
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Belexes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:55 pm
@Adam M,
Ay least you’re consistent.
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I think DS is spot on; the Kings seemed to open up the game a bit too much last night – as though they are Pittsburgh – and probably it’s because the offense has been so much better as of late that it’s been intoxicating to a degree. Teams sometimes go thru streaks where things click and they win seemingly with ease, scoring far above their average. It doesn’t last.
While i agree that TT probably should have been kept in and learned his lessons while playing, DS has never been afraid to pull a player out of the lineup if he felt the mistakes were glaring. Penner doesnt belong on that line and fit better lower down, but I dont analyze game tape like the Kings coaches do and I’m sure there was too much slippage in TT’s 3rd game. Sometimes a ‘time out’ is the best teacher.
I’m just chalking the loss up to the hockey gods – just as some of our wins have to be seen that way, to be fair – and moving on. Keep moving towards strength, even if it’s not a straight line upwards and has some two-steps-forward-one-step-back motion.
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KC23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:27 pm
@bbb7, I’m actually starting to wonder if putting Nolan in was giving him one last chance to prove himself and maybe that chance isn’t quite over yet, but DS sounds like he might be done with waiting on Nolan to improve his game.
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xeropoint Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:28 pm
@bbb7, Good post.
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jet Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:14 pm
@bbb7, The fact is, TT is still lliking for his jock. Larson went around him like it was his first day on skates. Sutter could probably use him on the ranch to round up strays, but Sutter could not put him in a game again. If you force these kids into the NHL based on one attribute, they will have a very short career. The best example is Doug Smith, and all his talent went a wastin.
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jet Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:14 pm
@jet, actually, TT is looking for his jock
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Hey puck…DS did blame himself!!!!
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Decent questions. But I’ve read some better one’s being asked by some of the fans. Why doesn’t a blog for the fans feature questions from the fans from time to time?
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DS is a hockey genius. The way he handles players, refs (doesnt cryoyte) media hes one of a kind. He also has an unbelibvable feel for a hockey game and is very in tune with who is “on” and “off” and adjusts accordingly during a game. and deserves a ton of respect for that trait.
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KC23 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 4:55 pm
@Cunning Plan, I agree, but I’m thinking there will be a few that don’t.
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Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:57 pm
@Cunning Plan, I think he does handle everything perfectly. It has taken years in the league as a head coach to get it right however. I think he is better now than he ever was.
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We played well last night just not good enough to win. Most of our passing 5 on 5 and the PP was around the horn. We were not doing the cross ice passes that make the D and goalie move side to side hence most of our shots were pretty easy to handle. What are you going to do as it just happens from time to time. We just don’t get up for teams like Dallas for some reason. I am fully confident we are going to give the VanCupLess Cannots more than they can handle tomorrow. As far as DS and his coaching methods are concerned, I fully trust in what he is doing in regards to his decisions. Just remember, we still have not had an official training camp nor an entire 82 game season with him at the helm yet. I’ll give the man the benefit of the doubt as he was instrumental in delivering that big silver cup we all adore!
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HUH? You’re playing your best players 2-3 minutes more than you should?? 2-3 MINUTES?? He’s saying they’re incapable of the extra workload? And if not, he’s saying that it’s better to play your 4th best line than playing your best players? 2-3 more minutes?? Sounds like the reasoning those kids use who flunk sandbox.
Yes, he did blame himself, FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING!! Don’t tell me that good NHL players cannot play 2-3 extra minutes a game. Tell it to guys like Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Jean Beliveau and the guys who played with and against them. Back then the teams played with only three regular lines. What we’re hearing is the bullcrap mindset of the modern mediocre coaching mind which exists across the league.
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jet Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:06 pm
@Russ Dynda, I do think that in our style of play, that one or two extra shifts a period would take its toll. This in addition to the extra games. I do not think the extra few minutes is as debilitating on the physical side as on the mental side. The mental mistakes from the first line were evident last night.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:09 pm
@Russ Dynda, OK Terry Murray, thanks for your input, we’ll pass that along.
Tell me the last coach to win the stanley cup. Please. I’ll take a mediocre coach winning a stanley cup then take advice from someone who knows nothing (obviously).
this is a short season – 17 games in 30 days, yeah an extra 2-3 minutes is a lot of time. plus you are talking about a different game back then.
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Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:15 pm
@Lake Forest, The game didn’t look so different to me. Awwww, 2-3 minutes in 2 1/2 hours–so debilitating. The players carried Sutter to the Cup and you make Sutter the hero.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:22 pm
@Russ Dynda, I’d argue it as, sutter gave them the same amount of minutes, probably evenly spreadout even more and THEY got him to the Cup.
As they always say, coaches lose games, players win games.
It’s a different game.
Lake Forest Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:23 pm
@Russ Dynda, also do you think we would of made it to the cup without sutter, had we stayed with TM?
Of course not, so yes I’d say the credit goes 50/50
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:26 pm
@Russ Dynda, A good coach can sense when players have been overly taxed and give them rest if they need it or use them more. Some shifts are more tiring than others. Minutes don’t mean anything. It’s how intense the player is playing in those minutes. If you act like a robot coach and divide up the minutes like you cut a pie, you waste your best players. That’s Sutter. Roll four lines over and over if at all possible, regardless ehether you’re losing and need more offense like last night. Let’s wake up and quit allowing ourselves to be brainwashed by conventional thinking that keeps most ocaches from being successful.
Lake Forest Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:31 pm
@Russ Dynda, dude no way sutter is like that. NO WAY, the top line plays the same amount of minutes.
you have no argument at all.
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:35 pm
@Russ Dynda, Keep in mind that our team didn’t fully kick into gear until we got Carter, Nolan and King. Then, we lost five out of our last eight, nearly didn’t make the playoffs, and Lombardi was wondering where he’d be working this year. Ok, the miracle happened, but I don’t attribute this to Sutter. In terms of Murray, I didn’t like him, either, but keep in mind that he didn’t have Carter, King or Nolan. I think if he’d have had them there’s a good chance the players would have carried him, too. After all, all Sutter did during the playoffs was roll 4 lines.
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:36 pm
@Russ Dynda, Sutter himself just said above that he’s playing the top line too much and needs to play the 4th line more. That’s what I take issue with.
Lake Forest Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:42 pm
@Russ Dynda, OK i get you, but then take the TOI of each line. i dont know off the top of my head, but there must be a 12 to 15 minute difference between line 1 and line 4.
I think he is saying is to lighten the load off the top line, not to make each line the SAME TOI. The top line is still getting the biggest chunk of the pie!
letswinthecup2012 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 5:55 pm
@Russ Dynda, easy russ.. pssh calling sutter a mediocre hockey mind… no bueno, amigo
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Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:18 pm
@letswinthecup2012,
My point is that lines should be used as needed. If we’re behind we may need to play the top guys more time to catch up and the 4th line less. Or vice versa when we’re ahead. To imply that lines can only play so much and can’t be asked to play 3 minutes more is ridiculous. Kovalchuk averages 35 minutes a game with Jersey. Don’t tell me that some, not all, games we can ask our top two lines to play an extra 3 minutes. That’s stunted thinking.
I’ve researched his Calgary career and Calgary’s steady decline is largely based up there on this tenure as GM. Granted, it was as a GM, but he displayed the same stubborn attitude there that eventually made the city want to run him out of town. I don’t like the attitude he is showing here and I’m afraid that the miracle run of last year has given him the freedom to wreck this great roster we have. I like these players. I thought they played very well last night. I’m tired of him running them down or trying to pit them against each other battling for jobs. Hey, we’re going to lose some games. Move on. Address the problems that arise, encourage the players. We’ll do a lot better.
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phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:00 pm
@Russ Dynda, we went 3-2-3 in our last 8 ….. not bad considering how well things went just before that …. …. also the last 2 games of the year – ot losses to the sharks were after we already clinched …. meaningless exibition games to us whether we won or lost them because all we cared about was getting in ….. once we did , the pressure was off , and just go out and have fun and prepare for the playoffs ……. so really 3-2-1 in our last 6 … i mean i wouldnt even count the last 2 meaningless games ….. and yes, having a shot at the division title is meaningless – as we and the coyotes both proved …. not that i needed the proof in the playoffs to know this …. but regular season means nothing once the playoffs start ……. its been this way in hockey for a long time – just get in …. i think sutter is a total genius ….. but thats just my opinion
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:06 pm
@Russ Dynda, Gee, Phll, you and I finally disagree about something.
phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:10 pm
@Russ Dynda, bound to happen
jet Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:14 pm
@Russ Dynda, The funny thing is that while I believe Sutter is coaching great this year, I do not believe he was the right coach for the team last season. He is a phase 3 coach and we are a phase 1 1/2 team. There are bound to conflicts in front of us. I also agree that bring Carter in was a hugh difference maker and opened up so many other players. Sutter’s record before Carter was similar to TM’s the previous 2 seasons. Tony Espsito said, it is not the system that wins cups, it is the talent. This is true in our case also. I do think Sutter kept the kids grounded during the run and that was the most important ingredient to sustain the run. I also agree that he was not great in Calgary, but again, he did not have the talent. That team needed a rebuild 10 years ago.
Now, having said all that, I do believe he is getting more out of this years team than the talent allotted him. See analysis below.
wobsse6 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:08 pm
@Russ Dynda, 1st line should play 60 minutes. there the best on your team, why replace them with 2nd and 3rd liners. Goalies play 60 minutes, right?
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Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:55 pm
@wobsse6, First of all, I made a typo above. Kovalchuk averages 25 minutes a game. Otherwise your absurd comment doesn’t deserve response. What I’m trying to say is that there are times when we should be using our good scorers 25+ minutes a game and some times, depending on the score where they play less than twenty. To nitpick about 2-3, or even 4 minutes a game, is silly and is an insult to players, as well as counterproductive to team success.
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phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:09 pm
@Russ Dynda, russ u read too much into what daryll sutter says to the media ….. most of it is aimed to confuse them since he dosent like them …. and secondly , he uses it to light a fire under certain players – thats all …. so he will give reasons that arent even necessarily the reason why he sat somebody – it was most probably to get a look at toffoli in a game situation …. but then he see an opportunity for it to be a teaching moment for young nolan … so he will rip him a bit in the media – to light a fire under him …. its all part of his great master plan
i repeat … take anything daryll sutter says to the media with a grain of salt
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:39 pm
@Russ Dynda, You’re reading into Sutter what you want. I don’t think it’s productive to knock players out in public, especially young guys. I just heard on the Ducks game how Babcock defended his prize rookie who hadn’t scored in a while, telling the press to back off. I think that approach is far more productive than constantly critiquing your guys in the media.
phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:53 pm
@Russ Dynda, and privately he is teaching and criticizing and also patting them on the back ….. you just pick your spots on what a player needs …… but dont base anything from what he says to the media … thats just rubbish …. especially when it comes to daryll sutter …….. trust me , during meetings and privately with nolan – he is probably nolans biggest supporter …. dont worry about that … daryll knows when to layoff and when not to layoff …….. and again , dont judge by the media – thats all just horseplay and horsepucky to daryll sutter …. that should be obvious to you by now …. but we agree to disagree – its all good …… just saying my advice is take what he says to the media with a grain of salt … especially , daryll sutter
HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:22 pm
@Russ Dynda, Play just one shift of ice hockey (as I have in the past) for 45 seconds and you will COMPLETELY understand what DS is saying. You are truly clueless.
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Neil Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:51 pm
@HockeyNerd, Russ has written a book about masculinity….maybe he needs to play hockey first or be in the locker room or be at a practice before he makes these comments…
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Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:02 pm
@Neil, Just a disclaimer here. I did not talk about my book here. I had no intention of bringing it up or promoting it. Neil apparently Googled me on his own and is mentioning it. While I am flattered, I am purely interested here in discussing hockey in general and the Kings in particular. I have been a fan for the past twelve seasons.
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:58 pm
@HockeyNerd, So how do you explain the players who play those extra minutes effectively? Are you saying that each shift you expend the same amount of energy? Of course there are short shifts that are tiring. And there are those where players are coasting. It’s up to the coach to recognize the difference, not look at the statistics and purely let them guide him.
[Reply]
Neil Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:12 pm
@Russ Dynda, Players are much bigger now then before so its not a fair comparison WRT minutes.Plus with the schedule the way it is 2 or 3 minutes is alot. I understand what you saying..I was just commenting on another blog about Basketball players complaining about Back to Back games…In the old days the NBA had 3 games in 3 days without the travel that they have today.But its kinda like work…sometimes the last few minutes is a drag and you dont perform as well…is your writing as good in the morning or at the end of a long night??
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:43 pm
@Russ Dynda, Players also have better nutrition now and better training methods. I don’t buy the 2-3 minute concept. I think players and coaches have been brainwashed to accept that concept. So much of sports coaching and managing is copycatting and then justifying uncreative thinking. It happens in all sports.
Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:11 pm
@Russ Dynda, I can tell we lost a game, your posting.
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Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:44 pm
@Osaka, I tend to post whenever I read Sutter’s babbling and his being hero worshipped here. Annoys me. The guy’s a mediocre coach who wrecked the organization in Calgary.
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Lake Forest Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:49 pm
@Russ Dynda, so you ARE from Calgary.
jess Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:59 pm
@Russ Dynda,
Who would you prefer to be coach?
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:00 pm
@Russ Dynda, No, just interested in researching his history there and why he became so unpopular. One criticism was that he rested his laurels on the Playoff run he had in 2003-04 and did not make the adjustments to keep that franchise moving forward. He also became very hard to deal with. I’ll share with you an sxcerpt opinion from the Calgary oress:
“Six years ago, this city was at Darryl Sutter’s feet. Now it’s at his throat.
Yet there remain individuals in Calgary — including those in ownership, where it counts — who for the life of them find it impossible to purge themselves of the delusion that their general manager has pieced together, like Baron von Frankenstein, a functioning being out of stitched-together body parts.
Why? Because they want to, mostly, and because, well, Darryl keeps telling them so.
This, remember, is the Darryl Sutter who reminds you of the ancient mythical Greek sea-beast Hydra — cut one head off and two more pop out, sneering, snarling, spitting venom. The Darryl Sutter who carries his omnipotence and condescension and (whether he wants to admit it to himself or not) his insecurity room-to-room, door-to-door, in a Welcome Wagon of misery.
Truth be told, the Darryl bashing does become monotonous and a wee bit tired, especially as it obviously falls on deaf ears. That makes it no less valid.
Now his brother finds himself squarely in the crosshairs. Another hand-picked coach set up to be the fall guy when the Darryl Sutter-built team can’t deliver.
If only it weren’t so distressingly familiar.”
Duncanz Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:11 pm
@’Lock Holmesest, Dyndamentary, my dear Watson.
Kenny44 Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:11 pm
@Russ Dynda,
Canadian hockey journos, a totally unbiased source, right? I’m sure these guys did not appreciate the fact that DS doesn’t kowtow to them, and were ready with the long knives when the Flames began to struggle. Like Max Mercy from The Natural.
phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:17 pm
@Russ Dynda, maybe since calgary was a smaller market he couldnt get the players he felt necessary to win ….. so then when he was gm and his hands handcuffed financially , he made some trades as a sort of – well , what do i have to lose – we already stink and dont have the team i want …. and am not allowed to go out and get the players i really want because of money so why not try some things and see if new players can jumpstart the organization ……….. it didnt work …… but again , what did he have to lose
i may be wrong about this …… just a theory
phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:23 pm
@Russ Dynda, all i know is hes got good players here – seems to like them …. and he seems to be coaching just fine …. but thats just my opinion … as for what happened in calgary , i offered a possible theory above … in a hockey crazed town in calgary , maybe they expect too much , especially from a guy who cant get the players he wants because of money or bad drafting prior to him being gm ….. just a thoery
Russ Dynda Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:41 pm
@Russ Dynda, You can make the excuses for him in Calgary that you want. But look at the state of that organization now. They haven’t made the playoffs in the past three years and are faced with totally rebuilding. The criticism has been that he went for veterans and squandered his youth and draft picks. That’s their assessment, not mine. And prior to our miracle run last year Sutter was not viewed highly on either Sports Network or ESPN. So the negative impression was not limited to Calgary.
Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:01 pm
@Russ Dynda, We aren’t Calgary so why would it matter what he did there? He could have been the worst coach in the league, what would that matter? He is doing a hell of a job in LA. You don’t like his style but he is doing a good job. The players buy into his shtick. He has won the cup and has the team in playoff position this season with an injured defense. Besides his style what is the problem? What do you want? It is a result league right? You don’t like the results? What team lives up to your expectations? What is your model franchise? What coach in the league is doing a good job?
krash324 Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 5:58 am
@Russ Dynda, When Sutter was in Calgary, he got more out of the team as coach then any other coach. He comes to LA and gets more out of the Kings then Murray. Coincidence? No. Look at what Kovi did In the finals, nothing. I do not buy that he was injured, why would he be playing and costing the team? Anyways, a lot of guys on both sides were banged up.
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Russ Dynda Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 9:00 am
@krash324, Apparently the folks in Calgary didn’t agree with you.
I didn’t think much of Murray so to say Sutter did better isn’t saying much. However, to be fair we should keep in mind that our team didn’t reach its potential until Carter, Nolan and King arrived. Sutter admitted he’d left Murray’s defensive system in place. Murray didn’t have those three players so the team may have performed much better under him after their arrival. We’ll never know.
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This season is by far Sutter’s best as a coach. Folks don’t seem to realize that we are playing with 4 inexperienced defencemen and one inexperienced reserve. And we came in to the game as the 3rd best team in the West. In addition to having such an inexperienced group, there are very few real practice days. DS would not say it, but not having practice yesterday hurt the young guys. They were just starting to look better and then no practice, no review, no corrections. I am far from a big Sutter fan, but I have to admit that he has done wonders with the time he has. My family in Philly asks me all the time how is our young defence holding up as well as they are. i honestly cannot understand it myself. I think ellerby is startign to look like a midlevel NHL defenceman, where a month ago I thought DL kgot pantsed on the trade for Loti. Marty is starting to pick it up, Voynov is no longer crushed by top lines. Muzzin is starting to find some consistency. All of despite the fact there is little practice time. The dmen are the link from defence to offence. Therefore, one would expect our offence to suffer in addition to the GAs going northward. The fact is this team would be lucky to make the playoffs. And yet, DS has us near the topof our confrence. All I can say after last night is keep up the good work.
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Osaka Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:01 pm
@jet, I agree 100% I think this year we’ve seen some of the best coaching we’ve seen in a long time.
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shiny Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:26 pm
@jet, from what I understand, yesterday was a mandatory rest day. And he’s struggling to figure out the best balance between practice time and games. He said as much about a quarter of the way through the season. I agree with you, he’s done wonders with this incredibly young and inexperienced team.
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jet Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:19 pm
@shiny, Hey Shiny, yesterday was a rest day. The rest days combined with high travel, and extra games limits practice time. It is just difficult to teach with limited hands on opportunities.
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King Kamehameha X Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 1:15 am
@jet, I agree about ellerby. Starting to feel confident with him
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Nolan/King 4th liners nothing more.
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Oh how we could use a D-man like Jack Johnson again. Kudos to Johnson, he anchors the defense on the hottest team in the NHL. His minus 9 says one thing, his teammates and minutes played per game say another. He is sharing assistant captain with two others and will be their inevitable captain for a long time.
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phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:32 pm
@chuckie, dont care … hes not very good
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HockeyNerd Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:33 pm
@chuckie, What that -9 says is that he has been on the ice for 9 more goals against than for. No we DON’T need a defenseman like that right now.
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phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:35 pm
@chuckie, as a puck mover hes okay …. but he runs around and is not very good defensively … he nevr lays out full body on the ice on two on ones like great dmen do …. lots of bad things in his game
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jet Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:20 pm
@chuckie, that is called a win-win
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DY Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:36 pm
@chuckie,
Actually, we could really use a D man like Willie Mitchell!
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King Kamehameha X Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 1:16 am
@chuckie, take the cup. Thanks now move along
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King Kamehameha X Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 1:17 am
@chuckie, he also has that goofy grin on his face all the time. There is something not to be trusted about perma smilers
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Robbie Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 7:28 am
@King Kamehameha X, Wow! Now that Johnson is an ex-King it’s he never was that good. Wonder what you guys will be saying about Doughty after his Derek Sanderson days are over with the Kings. I sense that there aren’t many knowledgable hockey fans on this blog, just rabid locals who will be crowing about winning that cup back in 2012 if the club stinks for the next thirty years.
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Maybe Nolan is the new Penner. DS used Pen’s up as far as the doghouse goes. Putting him there again would be laughable to the players n fans. So I think Nolan is the new guy with a target on his behind for DS’s work boots.
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Neil Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 6:54 pm
@linny, I think Nolan and King are overrated….they really never did anything in the minors to suggest top 9 status…Their size helped during the playoffs but in reality I dont see either one with the Kings in the next few years…I think the Kings can upgrade without spending too much…
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phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:03 pm
@Neil, i disagree
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linny Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 8:49 pm
@Neil, agree Neil…DL brought em up because they r big bodies with a little speed n decent hands. And I think they were fresher in general and injected a little energy. I was apoplectic when he bright them up because I thought that was his big move to get us into playoffs. Finally, he got Carter n if not for that I think his job may have been on the line.
I think king and Nolan r both 4th line wear-em-down types
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jet Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:22 pm
@Neil, they do open up the ice for other players, no doubt. They are also cheap and that will become incedibly important very soon.
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King Kamehameha X Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 1:20 am
@Neil, I agree as far as the regular season goes and penner could be out in that boat too. As far as playoffs go, king was impressive and penner had his timely crucial goals. Ala claude lemeuix
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harty Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 7:49 am
@Neil, right you are Neil,
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After the PHX win the post here were of the theme we were unstoppable. Someone asked the question what was our teams biggest need. I said a big stay at home Dman. Someone replied to me our team had no needs. Our lineup had no weak spots. One game later and our coach sucks? Half of our players suck? Are players are overrated? We are still talking about JJ?
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phil sykes Reply:
March 22nd, 2013 at 7:24 pm
@Osaka, yep …. need a big stay at home defensemen …….. and then after that if u really want to fine tune things u go for a winger to play with carts and richards if yur not sure about penner or toffoli …. but thats just if u feel like doing that … thats not a need ……. but we definately need a rhegher or a phaneuff or somebody like that ………. lol … lots of peeps in toronto hate him i guess now and says he stinks … but ill take him …. hes exactly what we need … big body with experience….. both players have history with sutter
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Sutter sure doesn’t hold back on holding guys accountable. That’s not news but I like it because it lets everyone (players, fans, media) know what he really thinks about performances. It seems like every guy is vulnerable to it so that’s good.
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Just a couple short comments to various posts above:
1) sutter is an excellent coach. I think he’s the reason we’re in a playoff spot while having only half the D men we won the cup with
2) most of the top players in the league (forwards) log from 18-21 minutes a game…kovalchuck was playing alot more with NJ’s long list of injuries…I think that will come down
3) I agree with those who say we need a top D man…those who say we will have too many once MG n WM comeback r right IF they come and IF they come back as good as they were…but still…we don’t have to sign Scuds. n can say bye bye to KE. Also agreement we could use a top winger.
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Duncanz Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:14 am
@linny, Like it all, save for I’m a big believer in Keaton Ellerby’s future and would be surprised to see him moved with as much scope for development as he appears to have.
Patience is the key with this guy.
He’s done more than satisfactorily so far and If he can add some beef and some grit and is given the opportunity to gain NHL experience, he could really turn into a gem for the Kings down the road!
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I’ve painted to all prior Sutters issues………….
-he plays favorites, plain an simple
-he allows the million dollar guys to get away with more then the 800k guys
-*there is two classes in the room, bottom line
-he can say all he wants he continues to play the million dollar guys regardless of what he says or they do on the ice or not
-he doesn’t play all 4 lines enough
-guys are wearing out and he doesn’t even see it
-he needs some type of grammer school in speech and likely written text
(its embarrassing as a Canadian to hear him speak, out educational system is better)
Finally Dwight King really must have something over Sutter. I keep saying this and no one is listening, he is our least effective forward and very slow, I mean slow………
Enough, at some point the upper management will figure this all out and changes will be made.
Sutter didn’t win the cup last year folks for the Kings, Carter, and strong D allowed us to push and win the Cup along with stellar preformance from Quick.
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jess Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 7:58 am
@harty,
Know what? /\The Archives/\ suck really bad for guys like you.
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harty Reply:
March 23rd, 2013 at 3:43 pm
@jess, thanks jess, just keep guessing…..
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Thank you Harty. You get it. Could it be that Nolan’s daddy has connections to the league? King is a westerner and Fraser a cousin? DS likes big bodies no matter what their skill level. His ‘excuses’ for kopi’s line are laughable! How many goals do brownie and Richards have that are scored full strength. Power play goals are a gift. Everyone should be held to the same standard. Cliffy is one player that deserves better than he is getting.
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Time will show Nolan is not a NHL caliber player.
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