Brandon Kozun will "figure out a way to get it done"
by Quisp on Aug 21, 2010 9:55 AM PDT
in Prospects
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PrintKozun hopes to take Los Angeles by storm
Kozun, who signed a three-year entry level deal with the Kings in April, will [join] former Hitmen goalie and his Canadian world junior teammate Martin Jones at L.A.’s fall camp on Sept. 9. The plan is, of course, to be skating alongside the likes of Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar when the National Hockey League season kicks off [...]. A suitable Plan B[:] suiting up with the Manchester Monarchs[...]. [Kozun said,] "It’s not a matter of being able to play with the big boys. I just need to go into camp, ready to go, and show them, ‘Hey. I’m here for good.’ "Listed at five-foot-eight and weighing a lean 165 pounds, Kozun’s physical stature is always the knock against him. But given his production value with the Hitmen — 270 points (92 goals, 178 assists) and a plus/minus of 103 over four seasons — his presence on the 2010 Canadian junior team, and his contributions during the Memorial Cup despite his ankle woes, he has proven time and time again that looks can be deceiving.
"He’s proved everybody wrong at every level that he’s ever played," said Hitmen general manager Kelly Kisio. "He’s always been the smallest guy and he’s proved everybody wrong. "I don’t see any difference in him going forward. He’ll figure out a way to get it done."
It's true that, as of this moment, there's an opening in the top six forwards. The first question is, will Lombardi do anything to fill that spot in the next month. The second question, if it's going to be a prospect or youngster, who is going to rise to the challenge:
Oscar Moller, Brayden Schenn, Andrei Loktionov, Scott Parse, Trevor Lewis, Brandon Kozun, Bud Holloway. Also, Ray Kaunisto. That's a lot of blue-chip competition for one spot.
Camp is going to be fun.
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Barring any trades or signings, this is what we look like going into camp
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams
XX-Stoll-Brown
Poni-Handzus-Simmonds
XX-Schenn-Lewis
2nd line XX: Brandon Kozun, Scott Parse, Brad Richardson, Oscar Moller, Bud Holloway
4th line XX: Brad Richardson, Scott Parse, Rich Clune, Kevin Westgarth
or
Smyth/Kopitar/Williams
Ponikarovsky/Stoll/Brown
Parse/Handzus/Simmonds
Clifford/Schenn/Richardson
(Clune, Harrold)
Moller, Loktionov and Kozun will be the best line in the AHL, until call-ups.
Wait till this year.
LEWIS!! LEWIS!! LEWIS!!!!
He needs to make the team this year, also DL & TM both mentioned to Rich that Poni was basically going to be on the 3rd line with Zeus and Simmonds
I think Schenn should go back to juniors. No reason to start his ELC on the 4th line. He can take Stoll’s job next season and Stoll can move to the 3rd line to replace Handzus.
The only way I see Schenn on the team is if he steals Stoll’s job in camp and Stoll is traded.
I'd agree with that
But there’s also the possibility that TM/DL like what they see from Schenn in camp to the point where they could see him replacing Stoll if he keeps it up. At which point Stoll becomes expendable a bit ahead of schedule and there’s a mid-season deal.
Stoll might go back to juniors, but
I think it’s reasonably likely he’ll make the team.
Wait till this year.
I’m going to be especially watching Moller, Schenn and Kozun in this position, and it’s going to come down to who wants it more, which it should. I’ve seen enough of Parse, and I don’t think that he can help us all that much. I think that Loktionov will end up with the Monarchs.
Drop the puck, drop the mitts...Now that's hockey!
I think he has that Matt Moulson "you know he's got scoring ability in him" quality
except with more grit and determination to score. I’d like to see him take that step forward and earn top six minutes.
by VoluminousTuna on Aug 22, 2010 3:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Absent answers
I must say we are all speculating on how the team may come together. I am not sure Kozun is an answer. I am also not sure that Stoll should be dealt as 1) He might see the challenge and play harder and 2) Schenn may not be NHL ready. This decision tree here just might be a roll of the dice, either way.
One wonders if Kopitar, Williams, Smyth will be good and stay healthy, esp. the later two.
Kopitar seems like a horse
I don’t think he’ll ever give anyone reason to think that he’s injury-prone. But yeah, we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed about Williams and Smyth.
That’s why depth is important, and why the youngsters have to understand that their big break could come at any time, courtesy of someone else’s bad break.
Schenn going back to the juniors will regress his development..
Let him pay his dues on the 4th line and if he impresses, trade Stoll and put Schenn on the 2nd line?
I like your line combinations Quisp and
I’m excited to see what happens with the prospects. It’s going to be a great camp and we still have cap space to acquire another player or two. If we continue to build as we have up to this point, Dean will find it easier to grab a big free agent. I wanted Kovi because it seemed like a sexy move but I guess it’s just not our time yet. Soon though, very soon…
I also agree with AKAY & Quisp
and so much of the team’s future depends on what Schenn can do. Schenn figures to be our 2nd/3rd line center in 2011-12 season, if not sooner. Let’s see what he’s got by playing him on the 4th line to determine whether or not we move Stoll or Zeus by the trade deadline.
Zeus has been so good defensively and such a great mentor and team player but Stoll’s shot, physicality, and face-off ability makes him a valuable 3rd line center as well. Could come down to $$$ with Zeus in a contract year and the Core Kids to sign.
Or do we keep them both and have Schenn play wing? Should be interesting to see. Can’t wait for the season! GKG
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