September 24 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

On the format for Sunday’s Kings vs. Kings game in Ontario:
We’re going to play 30 5-on-5, 30 minutes. And we did last year, too, we’ll go into 4-on-4, 3-on-3, and some automatic special teams. Things like that. It’s a little early to play a game, third day, right? So you’ve got to be careful. We’ve got seven games this week counting tomorrow. We’ve got to look at a lot of guys with some travel in there.

On if he will go to Arizona for Monday’s split squad exhibition games:
I think I’m staying for that one and then I’m going to go to Colorado and Vernon (B.C.). I’ve always went the other way but because we’re gone for five days out of the week, make sure we take all the guys we want. Get lots of game in.

On if all players will go to Sunday’s game:
Two teams. … I think there’s only just a handful of the older guys that want to go because they’ll be playing the next day.

On if there’s any drawback to having some players gone at the World Cup:
Actually with Muzzin and Drewy … line everything up I’d prefer they played together [in camp]. So, with them not being here it’s really two other guys who are going to get opportunities when you look at it because you have had to get them three or four games and for sure one of the last two. So now it gives other guys good opportunities to play. We’ll get through tomorrow and then the Phoenix games and then we can kind of sort again. But, for the World Cup guys, I’d rather if they’re going to be playing games, they’re playing big games. It’s not like we’re trying to see where they fit or what situations we’re going to use them in. They need the games. I guess from a selfish standpoint I wish Gabby and Kopi were playing together. They’re on different lines. They put them out in the last minute, in situations together, but still. We need Gabby to have a really good year and the best place is with Kopi. [Reporter: He’s looked good so far.] Let’s keep him good, he’s moving good.

On if they NHL relaxed its rule on how many veterans have to play in preseason games:
It’s not really relaxed, you’re supposed to make the best effort. [Reporter: Did they change that because of the World Cup?] No. It’s still in place, you’re supposed to make the best effort to do it. It’s not a problem for us, if you look at it. Most of the kids who are in here, even the guys who are on tryouts like Lessio and Setoguchi, they’ve played enough. It’s not a problem. Just by whoever we brought in Trotman, we’ve got lots of guys who qualify. It’s not really a problem. The only time that it could be a problem is the double-headers. When we play in Vernon we’re also playing in Anaheim that day and then Monday also. It’s not really a problem. And all the goalies, Zatkoff, Budaj, McCollum even maybe, maybe not. Even the guys on the AHL deals would qualify too, for sure. [They’ve] played enough games in their career.

On replenishing the goaltending pipeline this offseason with additions of Zatkoff and Campbell:
It was important. We lost a kid last summer that was a prospect, went home and (trails off) … We’ve got real experienced guys now in terms of pro experience, NHL experience. I think it’s really good competition there, too. Can’t have three.