Left to center, center to left

Today’s line changes also meant position changes for two players. Michal Handzus, a natural center, moves to left wing, where he has periodically played, particularly late in games in which the Kings are trying to hold a lead. Andrei Loktionov moves from left wing back to his natural position of center, where, frankly, he has always seemed more comfortable and effective. After practice today, Handzus talked about his comfort level playing on left wing, and Terry Murray talked about the movement of both players.

HANDZUS: “Well, I’m playing left wing but, like I’ve said, I don’t care where I play. Obviously, Kopi is a great player and it’s always great to play with great players. I’ve got to play good for him. Obviously, it’s an offensive role, a little bit more, but I don’t mind it. I think it’s pretty exciting.”

MURRAY: “I want to get Zeus up there on the left side, get a veteran player up there with Kopi [Anze Kopitar]. I’m just trying to get some real hard work brought into that situation right now. Loktionov being a center iceman, his natural position, I think it’s a move that he’s going to easily adjust to and adapt to, and feel comfortable going into it. To me, you make your moves to get your top guy back on track. Then you try to fill in from that point, with Lokti going to the center position with Brownie and Cliffy.”