Post-Game Bullets: waiting for the patience speech?
by Quisp on Nov 6, 2011 10:09 AM PST
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- Ethan Moreau with two truly bone-headed penalties, one of which contributed to the first Pens goal. "Veteran presence."
- Dustin Penner with a nice no-look backhand pass to the other team.
- Dustin Brown with a few of his familiar offensive zone giveaways.
- Drew Doughty looking like a talented but nervous rookie with potential.
- Jack Johnson playing the best hockey of his professional career.
- Matt Greene contributed to both Kings goals. Okay? Matt Greene. My Matt Greene stock goes up, everyone else goes down.
- Mike Richards can make as many mistakes as he wants. He's amazing. He almost scored on the 5-on-3. That was probably my favorite moment in the game, when he was in the corner with four Pens and the crowd was going nuts.
- 0-2-2 qualifies as a slump, I think.
- I'm remembering Lombardi's comments from last season about how elite teams don't take nine games to bust out of a slump. We're at four games.
- Traditionally, Lombardi would be preaching patience at this point, and maybe he will be again. "Let the kids work their way through it," etc.
- Except...
- ...who are the kids?
- Justin Williams, Simon Gagne, Penner, Richards, Jarret Stoll, Moreau, Trent Hunter, Willie Mitchell, Rob Scuderi, Greene, Anze Kopitar, Brown...that's 12 veterans. Scott Parse is...26? 27? Brad Richardson isn't a kid. The only "kids" in the line-up are Doughty, Johnson, Trevor Lewis, Kyle Clifford and Alec Martinez. You can count the goalies if you want.
- But I wonder if the whole "kids have to learn to play with expectations" meme didn't become non-operational when Lombardi traded for Mike Richards and signed Gagne, Moreau and Hunter.
- Meanwhile, Terry Murray's sound-bytes still sound like they're from the "it's all part of their NHL education" playbook.
- Does anybody think Lombardi is going to insist "we're still ahead of schedule" if the team plays significantly worse this season than the last two seasons?
- One thing I do know: Lombardi frequently talks about the window a month or so into the season when GMs evaluate what they've got and make adjustments.
- Me, I see the same problems as last year. With significantly different personnel. What does that tell you?
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I’ve been messed up on pronouncing Moreau’s name – I had been putting the stress on the second syllable (MorEAU, but I heard Bob stressing the first syllable so that it sounds like “Morrow.” After watching his performance last night I realized it’s pronounced “Moron.”
Also getting tired of these ‘veteran presence’ types DL brings in. Why in the hell do we need Hunter and Morrow. I believe we already brought in MR and Gagne. That’s veteran presence.
by number 6 on Nov 6, 2011 5:40 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Another thing – Dustin Brown managed to successfully use his patented drag move on a Penguin last night – I guess they didn’t scout him. Thanks for the positive reinforcement, Penguins – he’s going to go nuts with it for weeks now.
The only “kids” in the line-up are Doughty, Johnson, Trevor Lewis, Kyle Clifford and Alec Martinez. You can count the goalies if you want.
JJ was drafted 8 spots ahead of Kopitar the same year. I don’t think he can be qualified as a “kid”.
Even Doughty is in his 4th professional season.
Martinez and Clifford are the only kids on this team now, at least until Loktionov and Voynov return soon.
Ken Hitchcock, anyone?
"After months of reading other people’s catchy sigs (like yours), I decided I needed one, too." -- DougX
How is that different?
For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.
by Nut on Nov 6, 2011 3:08 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
welp
"After months of reading other people’s catchy sigs (like yours), I decided I needed one, too." -- DougX
by VoluminousTuna on Nov 6, 2011 8:40 PM PST up reply actions
Realistically, if TM is replaced anytime soon wouldn’t it be most likely that John Stevens replaces him? If that’s the case, I wonder how different the system would be (and I am wondering, if anyone has any thoughts or knows him from his time in Philly).
I saw John Stevens a lot on tele when he was head coach of Philly
Personally because of my nature, I watch a coach’s presence very carefully. More so at times than just what his team does.
He had a somewhat similar presence to TM (less exaggerated is all) in that he didn’t look comfortable to me. When TB is on watch Guy Boucher. He looks very intense, but in control.
Babcock as well has a similar look about him.
Given the pressure he’s under in SJ, Todd McLellan looks pretty steady, and I watched Alain Vigneault very carefully in SC finals and you couldn’t tell whether his team was winning or losing. A good sign if you ask me. Not sure if Stevens has that now. I didn’t quite see it when he was in Philly.
Murray, Murray, Murry....
Murray’s bench interview after the Kings offense started clicking was very telling…
To paraphrase:
“I really like what we are doing. Shots, passing, pressure, net presence, pucks in deep, second chances…”
Then he added (again paraphrasing)
“…but we allowed two odd man rushes and we going to need to take care of that”.
The message? We need goals, start playing defense.
Sickening.
Are Teemu Selanne and Melanie Griffith Twins?
Without having read that, I for the first time started thinking at some point during the past week, that this team is getting mixed messages. And they are playing like it so far.
Frustraiting
The intangibles:
-Refs missed two high sticks by the Pens
-Moreau was only penalized twice
The Reality
-The Kings lost to the Pen’s “B” squad, playing back to back
The Norm
-Power play sucked.
-5-3 sucked even worse
-Another game changing Penner give away….this one leading to the 5-3 sequence and a goal
The Good
-Great Game to Watch
-The Kings showed they are more then capable of generating sustained offense
-Greene was a stand out last night
-Excellent penalty kills
-Excellent Face off
Laugh of the Week
“Moreau played, guess he’s not Russian” – Quisp
War of the GM, round 4:
Tambollini plays Turbert
Lombardi plays Penner
Are Teemu Selanne and Melanie Griffith Twins?
One of the most frustrating things on the 5 on 3: Richards wasn’t running it. I love Kopi, but doesn’t he often seem like he’s got the puck on the PP and doesn’t know what to do with it?
"After months of reading other people’s catchy sigs (like yours), I decided I needed one, too." -- DougX
by VoluminousTuna on Nov 6, 2011 1:16 PM PST up reply actions
I see that too.
Kopi doesn’t like to go through players or stickhandle through a mess of sticks and bodies. He likes to take the puck to the outside and protect it with his body. I think you kinda need someone who does make those types of plays running it, because someone like Kopi might just always make the safe/sure play and not risk losing the puck.
I’d like to see him go through someone instead of around them. I dunno if he’s just scared of getting nailed cutting in the middle or something, or he’s just not used to doing it, or what. He obviously has the hands to do it. I think maybe he just needs to decide to get a little more physical and power his way through someone once in awhile.
I like how Ovi does it, he’ll take it to the middle or and keep banging at the puck trying to put it home, I don’t ever see Kopi doing that. Ovi’s also not afraid to stick handle within the defenders “triangle” (the skates and stick). It ain’t always pretty but he gets the puck to the middle a lot and takes good shots from there. It’s hard to score from the hash marks trying to skate around someone.
The Reality
-The Kings lost to the Pen’s "B" squad, playing back to back
First of all, the Penguins were not playing back-to-back games. They played Thursday night in San Jose.
Second, that was not their “B squad”. That is the same team that is first overall in the entire NHL (yes, every single team has games in hand, but only a couple could catch them if they won out). The only regular player missing from their lineup is Sidney Crosby, and while I will grant that he is a major loss, they are still one of the best teams in the league without him. In fact, without Crosby, they still have one of the 5 best 1-2 punches in the league down the middle in Malkin-Staal. If Malkin hadn’t played I would agree with you, but he did.
They were also missing 20-goal scorer Tyler Kennedy. But I agree with all of your other points.
"We will come with our guns blazing, and we just blazed." - Tim Leiweke
by DodgerBlueBalls on Nov 6, 2011 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
they were also missing three dmen Lovejoy, Michalek, and Niskanen, plus Dustin Jeffrey didn’t play who’s their regular 4th line center. Just sharing facts, not opinions here.
Their Bylsma was fully operational
That gives them a permanent advantage.
Dinglebarnin' It JftC
by Niesy on Nov 7, 2011 8:54 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Stats Through 13 Games
First Line- 34 points (Kopitar- 16, Williams- 10, Gagne- 8)
Second Line- 21 points (Richards- 10, Brown- 9, Parse- 2)
Third Line- 5 (Stoll- 3, Richarson- 1, Penner- 1)
Fourth Line- 4 (Lewis- 0, Clifford- 2, Moreau/Hunter- 1 each)
Yikes.
Top line is getting 2.5 points per game. Next line is getting 1.5. Third and fourth lines are getting one point every 3 games.
I thought about comparing these statistics to other teams but that seems like to much effort.
The defense has a total of 17 points (Johnson- 5, Voynov- 3, Green- 3, Mitchell- 3, Doughty- 2, Scuderi- 1, Martinez/Drewiske- 0)
I think we all know where we’re missing the most production from the back end.
"After months of reading other people’s catchy sigs (like yours), I decided I needed one, too." -- DougX
by VoluminousTuna on Nov 6, 2011 2:00 PM PST up reply actions
Wonder how the players feel?
Ever wonder what guys in the locker room are really thinking? It seems that they are all good soldiers, following Murray’s playbook. In that sense, the team is loyal to their coach and you have to respect that.
But think the players are frustrated? Think they respond to Murray? Are they just going through the motions? Are they just sick and tired of this shit, having used up all the cliches imaginable.
Here’s my point. I am not going to impetuously jump on the “fire Murray” bandwagon. I won’t put up stupid posts saying that the team should “send down” non-waiver exempt players (e.g. “send Penner down”). But with the team playing like this, soon the season may not be salvageable. The next two months will go by very quickly, and there is enough parity that a shitty streak will keep the Kings out of the playoffs which would be tragic. If dismissing Murray will set the team straight, well it might be time. I just don’t know.
Not only that, if you can Murray, who will take his place? John Stevens? He could be Murray 2.0 although I respect his defensive coaching. I am not sure Ken Hitchcock would be the answer. Seems like they would need a relatively young guy like Babcock or Bylsma. I don’t know where you get one of these…
Did anyone else see Mike Richards take a slapper from just inside the red line against Edmonton? That looked like a deliberate play and I think maybe a sign of frustration with the system. He had been getting a little too cute earlier in the game and perhaps Murray had said something to him.
I dunno, I just thought it was weird. I’m sure this is totally out in left field.
It’s only “too cute” if it doesn’t work. If it does work, it’s a “great play”. It seems to me that TM doesn’t like the risk/reward dividend and has placed his money on “shot mentality.”
I don't have any answers right now.
At the end of last season I suggested a coach, but Ottawa hired him as their head coach. For me it’s about 2 main things.
1. The ability to adjust.
2. A more possesion game.
I know there’s confusion on what a possesion team is by definition, but no one’s confused in Vancouver, Montreal, Detroit, Buffalo, and so on, and so forth. I don’t even mind if the coach is not a full possesion style coach, as long as he’s got a solid system that can create, and manufacture scoring chances, in high scoring areas, and when he runs into a brickwall, his only answer is to not make adjustments, but tell his players “try harder”.
re: possession
I think I have an idea how Niesy see’s things so I believe it would be safe to say that she has inferred that she’d like that as well.
Also, right below I made a comment about other coaches (hadn’t read your post yet). And I mentioned Ottawa s w/o knowing that you had put his name forward last season.
You’ve obviously got a good feel for that sort of thing. Now What? I haven’t a clue where we’d find that sort of coach. They don’t come falling off of trees.
I somehow worded that end wrong, but you got my point. I agree those coaches don’t fall out of tree’s, and finding one with a history of implementing that system at a high level will be exhausting to say the least. He would also have to deal with having assistant coaches (for this season anyways) that are rooted and grounded in a puck management system.
If DL did make that Kind of interim move, I think it would be Stevens, and that’s not really a change at all. You never know, Pittsburgh did it in Febuary, and by June, won the Cup, so it’s not impossible, but for every 1 team that it worked out for, there are 50 that it didn’t workout that well for.
About other coaches
I can’t say DL missed the boat. But there is a breed of new young innovative coaches. Guy Boucher. Bylsma. Glen Gulutzan. Even Paul McLean is getting results in Ottowa. Frankly I don’t like the idea at all of bringing in a Hitchcock or someone like that. And of course Babcock.
But I totally agree. I have no idea at all where you get one. Kirk Muller – asst w the Canadiens? Not sure about him as I don’t know a lot wrt his capabilities.
I did some back ground checking on Muller, and he’s coaching Nashvilles primary affilliate as a head coach there. He spent some time as an assistant in Montreal under Bob Gainey, and Guy Carbonneau, and seems to be working hard on his resume at the moment as a head Coach himself with the Milwaukee Admirals.
Probably being groomed to be a head coach in the NHL someday, but I’m not sure how ready he is now. He probably wouldn’t even make a move midseason since this is his first head coaching assignment at a higher level.
Third line was awful last night.
Don’t ever want to see it again.
Clifford looked good when he got on the ice….Hammond reporting he’s practicing on the third line. I think that’s where he belongs.
How would we rate Brad Richardson thus far?
He hasn’t been much of a factor either way. He usually makes a little more noise though.
parse
so, like i said, jim fox told me that the kings staff told him that scott parse is one of the top 3 on the kings in raw talent.
so how come he’s not on the 2nd power play?
wouldn’t that give that poor “kid” a chance to get some easier ice time and get his mojo back? assuming he lost it in the first place.
quisp
I’d say I love you so long as you don’t take it in the wrong way. It’s like…. I don’t know. Thank you. That’s all. Thank you. Someone finally gives expression to almost everything I’ve been thinking and feeling. So to see someone actually Articulate it.
Thank you.
Something is off. I’m not so naive to think, oh, it’s just new players getting used to…., or it’s, I don’t know…… whatever it is. Philly has new players. They’re at least doing ok. Pittsburgh has new players. Less maybe than the Kings, but they seem to be doing alright.
Who else? Oh, Burke makes brazen moves and the Leafs actually seem to be turning it around.
That’s post no. 1
Another idea
OK. So DL is very very clear that the philosophy is build from the goal on out. Now I think that’s a good philosophy. Call it an excellent philosophy if you wish.
However, however, at what price? Fine, concentrate on it, use it. During DL’s time at the helm there becomes an exclusion of concentration on forwards. Not a single significant one (20 goal scorer) is yet to appear on the Kings roster after 5 yrs of DL running the ship. The only ones are thru trade or DT drafts. Meanwhile a significant majority of the higher round picks (first three rounds) have been used on defense.
Concentrate on d. But don’t do it to the total exclusion of what happens upfront. Yes, for sure Schenn. GOOD. That is good. But other than Schenn, everyone else is in Manchester, Sweden (?), or traded. Even Simmer…. he was v good, but clearly not a 20 goal scorer for the Kings and probably wouldn’t have been. For Philly maybe. It doesn’t matter how good your d is if you can’t score.
He has to take responsibility for that at some point. If guys can’t score because of the system then that’s DL’s responsibility cause he hired the coach. If the system is fine then there isn’t a single impact forward. The D has improved in leaps and bounds, but like JJ said in last nights comments…. two goals is an improvement, but it leaves not much breathing room.
Most every other team seems to find a way over a period of years to find at least one significant forward.
And as for Lokti and Toffoli. Toffoli sounds great. We’ll see. Lokti, the verdict is obviously still out. Every year is passing and eventually that window is gonna start to close up. As you noted this is no longer a ‘young team’.
What about promoting Mark Morris up to be the next Kings Head Coach?
"We will come with our guns blazing, and we just blazed." - Tim Leiweke
Deal, but only if he brings Lokti and Slava with him!
by JZarris on Nov 6, 2011 8:20 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
i missed the game last night...family came out from missouri...
….but it feels erily similar to the past two seasons….good start…lots of rising hype, followed promptly by a “slump” of some length…..this is all clear.
new personnel-almost same results….
coaching??? maybe
players frustrated knowing their coach will not allow any creativity, even when he says he wants to see some-maybe.
my question: Has anyone given any thought to promoting our coach in Manchester? Seems like he has been successful at getting “kids” to score….while still playing team defense.
"It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane."-Alan Garner
Iirc the sysem in Manchester is designed to be the same (or close to it) as the Kings play. A change in coach in my mind would mean a change in philosophy and thus a change in systems, which would have to filter down to Manchester – unless Lombardi looked to find a new coach with a similar system. So, either hold the fort or make a huge change?
my question: Has anyone given any thought to promoting our coach in Manchester?
Just curious, did you happen to see the comment directly above yours?
"We will come with our guns blazing, and we just blazed." - Tim Leiweke
by DodgerBlueBalls on Nov 6, 2011 7:06 PM PST up reply actions
i didnt know the coaches name...
…does that make me a bad fan?
sorry…but at least were not alone in the notion!!!
"It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane."-Alan Garner
To be perfectly honest, I had to look up coach Morris’ name as well. Great minds think alike, right?
I feel like there is no problem with “the system.” The term is so ambiguous, that any Kings fan can blame “the system” and pretend like they’re in the know. I feel the problem specfically lies with Coach Murray’s bewildering day-to-day lineups and that the players are no longer inspired to achieve greatness under Terry Murray’s leadership.
"We will come with our guns blazing, and we just blazed." - Tim Leiweke
by DodgerBlueBalls on Nov 6, 2011 8:18 PM PST up reply actions
agreed.
thats basically what i was thinking.
i suggest we reincarnate William Wallace to give pre game/between period pep talks.(HBO has shown that movie like 20x over the past 2wks…and every time i wanna go kill the british)
"It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane."-Alan Garner
well...
then it would appear the system is perfectly capable of success….just with a new man preaching “stick to the system”…..
idk…just offering a possible solution was all…ill go back under the rock from whence i came.
"It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane."-Alan Garner
Don’t go back….
I don’t know if the system is the answer or not. I was just wondering out loud if Lombardi was married to the system itself, or would be willing to dump the whole thing for a coach with a different system. Basically, how short is TM’s leash and what color is it?
his leash is black...
….and studded with spikes of pure gold.
"It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane."-Alan Garner
It was interesting that the Kings gave Kopitar an easy matchup last night, as he mostly went up against the Pens’ 3rd line. That put Richards on Malkin and Stoll on Staal.
The good: Kopitar scored 2 goals and looked dominant
The bad: Staal’s line scored and Stoll’s line took 2 penalties
I was actually fine with it because Kopitar’s line had been getting outscored over the previous few games and Justin Williams was playing like a dickhead. Give them a game to get some confidence and then throw them back in there against the Sharks.
Williams has created so many offsides so far this season, it’s getting annoying. Might be just a question of getting adjusted to Gagne and timing, but there’s been many. I’ve been noticing that way more this year so far. Maybe it’s just more obvious because we were pretty much doing the dump/chase a lot more last year, especially after we lost Kopi.
The Richards/Brown line hasn’t had as many offsides, probably because they dump/chase a little more and Brownie has been entering the zone with the puck by himself a lot (trying to do his one move, and promptly losing possession). Or because they just haven’t entered the zone as much.
by Passemoilapuck on Nov 7, 2011 10:56 AM PST up reply actions
Meanwhile, Terry Murray’s sound-bytes still sound like they’re from the “it’s all part of their NHL education” playbook.
I’m not sure if thats what you call it… but I have a difficult time reading TM’s quotes as they don’t seem to be saying anything different to me.
It seems that we have reached a plurality and decided that Terry Murray must go. Having seen some legitimate replacement cadidates nominated, I would like to offer my own: Andrei Nazarov. Would he win? Maybe, but he sure as hell would be awesome to unleash while on the road in Anaheim.
Ethan Moreau sucks
I hate him and his stupid face.
Don't fire Murray
Kidnap him, replace him with Andy… See if anyone in Western Michigan notices…
First of all, nobody's ever thought that. Ever.
I ran across this quote from Matt Cullen this morning
About how the Wild changed.
C Matt Cullen has been exceptional to start the season, showing off his speed and tied for the team lead with eight points and leading with six goals. Cullen loves the system because it allows the centermen the freedom “to just go. You see a hole, jump.” “It’s a pressure game. I like playing that style,” Cullen said. “In a lot of systems, you almost feel you’re at the other team’s mercy and have to wait until they make a mistake. And now, you can force turnovers and force things to happen and initiate.” (Yahoo! Sports)
Sigh.
I can think of a lot of coaches I would like, but who is available? And would Lombardi be philosophically inclined to embrace change?
TM’s not the one who brought in Moreau and is keeping some kids in Manchester. This also concerns me.
Dinglebarnin' It JftC
i agree. it’s easy to say “replace the coach”, but do we really want davis payne or mike keenan? i don’t like the recycled coach train that is the nhl. i also don’t know enough about juniors or ahl to see who’s up and coming. i wouldn’t even have wanted alfred hitchcock.
and again, i’m not smart enough to dissect tm’s system. jfox did say that tm made some adjustments that allowed greater forechecking pressure and the players responded, saying they liked the change. there is a failure to get the puck behind the opponents d and ultimately gain possession.
5 on 5 in the nhl is a real challenge these days. i think it’s too early to hang a hat in pp, pk, and even strength rankings, but i think we’re 27th in goals per game.
i wouldn’t even have wanted alfred hitchcock.
It’d be cool because the whole game you’d only see him once, behind one of the nets, reading the newspaper.
by RudyKelly on Nov 7, 2011 2:13 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs
Richards in the corner...
with the puck…holding off that gaggle of Pens. My favorite moment too. I had a good vantage point of that in 116 and was amazed at his determination+skill to just keep that puck as long as humanly possible.
Trade proposal....
Rick Nash for Bernier and Doughty?
We have dmen depth, and Columbus needs a goaltender.
Seems like a win-win, no?
What wouldn’t you do that straight up?
The Kings have more than enough depth at D to make up for losing Doughty and Nash is one of the premier players in the NHL, something Doughty has only shown flashes of being. I’m not suggesting Voynov can come in and immediately make up for Doughty (although I’m not denying it either based on the way each of them has played this season), but the scoring punch Nash could add with Kopitar would probably more than offset what you lose in Doughty.
I’m not suggesting the Kings should make such a trade, but it’s certainly not something one should reject out of hand.
I missed this before.
Just in case someone comes by to read it: we have vastly different opinions about our depth at D, and I don’t want to trade our 22 year old franchise defenseman for a winger, no matter how talented. Nash, meanwhile, is 27, and passing out of the goal scoring prime years that Quisp made a chart out of.
The Kings need to improve at puck possession and even strength scoring. Doughty and Kopitar are two players who are tremendous at that.
Now Jack Johnson? He isn’t. I’d be all over that.
Depth on defense does not mean trading your best defenseman is a good idea, in my view.
Dinglebarnin' It JftC
Tripple even.
It’s easy to look at things currently and disgaurd longterm vision, but it ends up being shortsighted. DD is not maxed out right now, and judging him based on recent play means when he does play at potential, you just traded your greatest asset based on a 13 game span.
I like our set up goalie wise. We have both for 3 mill. I say their both untouchable till next season. Once DL starts negotiations on extensions, see how hard it will be to sign both, and go from there. Not ,go from a position of strength this season, where there are no issues.
Throw in Voynov too!
For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.
by Nut on Nov 7, 2011 4:37 PM PST up reply actions
How about wait
How about wait to see if we could package a goaltender for Parise. NJ has money problems and although I believe Brodeur to be one of the greatest goaltender to ever play but his best years are behind him. NJ needs a goalie.
Its barely 10% into the season.
Breath.
Reality is if the team doesn’t go further into the playoffs this year there will be a shake up anyway, in all likelihood that would be coaching staff changes.
No reason to trade for anything this year until at least the deadline (if even then). Most importantly there are something like 12 RFA/UFAs next year, that’s the opportunity to make changes in personnel and not pay through the nose for it.
All the parts are here either he can coach this team to noticeable improvement or we need a new coach. This is arguably the best team LA has had in its history. Time for TM, and some degree DL to put up or … well we know the rest.
I don't think Lombardi is going to wait until next summer to make a change, if he thinks there needs to be one
because I think if the Kings fall short of the last two seasons’ progress, Lombardi could get fired.
If Murray rights the ship now and the Kings continue as the great team they’re supposed to be, he (Murray) won’t get fired. Otherwise, I think he’s fired sooner rather than later. This is a team that has spent to the cap ceiling. The old excuses don’t fly.
As far as trades go, I consider a blockbuster trade to be pretty unlikely (they always are, until they happen…). But I will say that I can see Lombardi dealing Brown and/or Stoll. Loktionov can play C3. There really isn’t much call for Stoll behind Richards and Kopitar (and he’s a waste on the fourth line). I wonder what kind of snipery skill we could get for Brown, Stoll and Martinez?
Gagne – Kopitar – Williams
Parse – Richards – (new guy)
Penner – Loktionov – Lewis
Clifford – Richardson – (whoever: Moreau, Westgarth, Cliche, Nolan…)
Mitchell – Doughty
Scuderi – Johnson
Voynov – Greene
then, next year
Gagne – Kopitar – Williams
(new guy) – Richards – Toffoli
Parse – Loktionov – Lewis
Clifford – Richardson – Nolan
It was a fun game to watch, even if there were a lot of Pens fans in attendance. After the Oilers game debacle, it was nice to see the Kings actually compete and generate chances.
-PP needs a drastic change. It’s gotten way too predictable. I think they need to try Richards on the point; apparently he played there a bit in Philly. Put Penner on the first unit and have him park his big ass in front of the net, where he’ll block more of the goalie’s vision than Brown.
-JJ has been playing very well to start the season but I love how Mitchell is playing too.
-Quick was back to his spectacular self. There were at least three Pens scoring chances that could have easily been goals.
-Richards is a one man PK. An absolute beast guarding the point men. I thought for sure that he was going to score on the PS and make the place go nuts.
-Moreau needs to be benched. Two bad penalties, and that’s only the ones that were actually called.
-Bring up Loktionov and put him on a line with Parse.
-I like Voynov but I like our three D pairs too.
For perspective, Kings fans...
“Me, I see the same problems as last year. With significantly different personnel. What does that tell you?”
I feel the same way about the Sharks. Our defense supposedly got better, but the penalty kill is still by and large the worst part of out game.
Our goalie Niemi either plays like he’s an untouchable god or like he belongs in the goal-tending tandem operated by the New York Islanders.
We never play a full game of Hockey. Either the first and second periods are strong, or the second and third periods are strong. Never both.
No killer instinct. “A 3 goal lead is fine guys. Marleau, go pop the bubbly.”
Above all else? The Sharks STILL take some of the dumbest penalties I ever see when watching hockey.
All that said, may the best “good” inconsistent team win tonight.
Go Sharks
by Dermal Denticles on Nov 7, 2011 2:08 PM PST reply actions
Line- Fenick/Corsi (avg)/ mins -- 11/5/2011 vs Penguins
Gagne/Kopitar/Williams ********** +12/ +12/13
Parse/Richards/Brown *********** -10/-11/13.5
Penner/Stoll/Moreau ************* -4/-6/12.5
Clifford/Richardson/Westgarth ** -3/-4/4.5
Dougthy/Mitchell ***************** -12/-12/15
Johnson/Scuderi **************** 0/ +4/17
Martinez/Greene ***************** +8/ +8/12
via timeonice.com
Free Marc-André Cliche.
Matchups - (by most ice time against) --11/5/2011 vs Penguins --
Gagne/Kopitar/Williams v Cooke/Vitale/Asham Martin/Letang
Parse/Richards/Brown v Sullivan/Malkin/Neal Orpik/Engelland
Penner/Stoll/Moreau v Dupuis/Staal/Kunitz Bortuzzo/Picard
Clifford/Richardson/Westgarth v Cooke/Vitale/Asham
Dougthy/Mitchell v Sullivan/Malkin/Neal
Johnson/Scuderi v Dupuis/Staal/Kunitz
Martinez/Greene v Cooke/Vitale/Asham
via timeonice.com
Free Marc-André Cliche.
Interpretting the above (all of that was even strength BTW):
-Doughty/Mitchell and the Richards line were dominated by the Malkin line
-Our third line continues to be an issue. Moreau has to go in favor of loktionov as soon as possible.
-Martinez/Greene was our best defensive pairing yet they faced the weakest competion and were frequently rolled out with the Kopi line. So even though Greene had a decent game I think the team would be better served with Voynov in his stead in order to apply more pressure on opposing defenses.
-We got the point because of the Kopi line, Quick and our penalty kill
-didn’t win due to our second line and top pairing getting owned as well as our third line being slightly worse than mediocre.
-I’ll try and post these after each game and hopefully figure out a way to make them more pleasing to the eye.
Free Marc-André Cliche.
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