January 13 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

On how impressed he has been with Vincent Lecavalier:
We’re looking for consistent, all-around play out of all our players. It doesn’t matter who it is. With Vinny – we need production from all those players. There’s eight or nine guys who we need production from, and he’s one of ‘em. [Reporter: Putting him at center right away, were there any thoughts about maybe putting him on the wing, or were you comfortable with him playing that 200-foot game?] He’s only played center. He’s played left wing I bet, in his whole career, less than 60 minutes, so he’s a centerman. He’s comfortable there, and that’s the only play he’s going to play here. I’m not moving him to the wing. We’ve got lots of wingers. If he can’t play center then he won’t play.

On this week’s practice emphasis, and whether it’s good to have several days:
Yep. Hopefully it gets everybody on the ice, get through the next few days – touch wood – having a full slate going into the weekend.

On what has led to Anze Kopitar’s scoring increase:
I think you’re into a 20-game stretch now where he’s played really well. [Reporter: What’s he doing better, do you think?] Moving better, clearly.

On Drew Doughty’s importance to the Kings:
He plays half the game. You want to get that player into the 25-to-30 minute range, as you see with everybody else’s top defenseman or top pair. I think that the model is still clearly Chicago, and where those top three guys play a lot. You notice them. That’s why you’re asking that about Drew. [Reporter: Has his game evolved from last year in any way, shape or form? Or is it the same?] We didn’t make the playoffs last year. [Reporter: Has it gotten better, then?] If we make the playoffs, then it’s gotten better. I’m not into the individual stuff. It’s like talking about Lecavalier. It’s got nothing to do with that. I know it’s a star talent, but I think we figured that out four or five years ago that you need more than the star factor to win.