alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Just got some info that I wanted to pass along… Justin Williams is expected back in the lineup Monday, and the Kings will skate as follows:
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams
Parse-Stoll-Simmonds
Frolov-Handzus-Brown
Ivanans-Richardson-Purcell
Peter Harrold is expected to be a healthy scratch, as is new addition Randy Jones. Terry Murray told reporters today that there is no timetable for getting Jones in a game.
Murray said today was a “therapy day” for Smyth, who did not practice. Murray told reporters that Smyth will be back tomorrow.
OK, now I’m taking the day off…
Awesome! Can’t wait to see that lineup in action against the scurby dogs…
Thanx for the update Scoop Hammond!
Lets see if he can stay healthy…hope so
I like the Parse-Stoll-Simmonds line a lot. Looks like TM has three lines that he can roll consistently contribute offensively. I’m not too fond of Purcell on the fourth line though, I wish TM would just send him back to Manchester
I was reminded the other day that Purcell has a one-way contract. So, unless they want to pay him NHL money to play in the AHL, he most likely won’t be sent down at all this season. They’d probably rather get rid of him somehow if he can’t make it on the NHL team.
Yeah, I thought Purcell and Parse had some chemistry going over the past couple of games. I am a big Purcell fan and was hoping this year would be his break out year. So far he has not shown all that he can do and I think moving him to the 4th line might kill his confidence. Well, I guess it is better than a move to Manchester.
Wow, thanks for the update on your day off Rich. Interesting combos, that second line might just be golden. I’m glad Stoll and Parse will be paired, and Simmonds could fit well with them. Frolov gets to play with Brown and Zeus, which nobody can argue is an offensively barren line. And Richardson can keep doing an awesome job centering that energy line for Purcell. I assume Harry and Ivan are interchangeable.
Rich, I knew you could’nt stay away. I’m sure you’ll be back again too. I’m looking forward to your report of how many kings jersey’s you spot tonight. I know I might be jumping the gun here, but with you taking a day off got me to thinking. How will LA Kings insider cover the Olympic break? Will we get interviews from the players at home and be Kings news and what there doing with their time off or only cover the ones at the
Olympics? Or do you plan on taking a vacation? Sorry, but I hope not.
unrelated, but Ladislav Smid apparently gave swine flu to Lubo
Hey Rich……..take the rest of the day off huh? If anybody asks, tell ‘em I said it was OK.
Leave WS on the 1st line – to me that works best as he brings a level of nasty that JW just doesn’t possess- then Stoll/ Williams /Brown or Fro- then Zues / Parse and either Fro or Brown-
“Rich’s Day Off” would be the worst movie ever. It would only last for about 45 minutes.
Agree with you, dirtmover…
That decision would be politically untenable, though..
Give it time. It’ll get there.
Smyth-Kopitar-Simmonds
Parse-Stoll-Williams
Frolov-Handzus-Brown
Ivanans-Richardson-Purcell
IMHO, by Jan 1, 2010
I’m a little late to the dance on the recent “Shootout” thread, but I must comment on Terry Murray’s recent remarks…”I hate the shootout, it’s a useless part of the game…Boy, do I hate it!”
I can understand his frustration after two shootout losses on consecutive nights, but to publicly make that statement is wrong.
It sends the wrong message to his players…Okay boys, you’ve played your hearts out for 65 minutes, but now we have to roll the dice in a shootout. Whatever happens, happens.
His attitude is analogous to a difficult par four in golf. Stepping up to the tee he might say “I really hate this hole.” The odds are pretty good that he will not do very well on this hole 90% of the time.
Why not embrace the shootout and put forth some positive energy towards winning it? It’s not like the shootout is new to the NHL this year.
Murray is probably very justified in his opinion, but I don’t think he needed to go public with it. It is a difficult way to decide a game, but it’s fair to both teams.
I think the fans want to see a clear winner when they pay good money to see a hockey game.
As a fan, I think the shootout is extremely exciting. The first time I ever saw a rare penalty shot live back in the 70’s, the amount of energy in the old Forum was palpable.
Play to win Coach Murray!
I thought Purcell did play well with Parse and Stoll. Thought he had his best game the other night against Van. Parse has done really well and TM seems to like his game a lot. It’s my guess that the lines will get switched around as each game unfolds.
I would have left parse and purcell together. Those two were very impressive together on thursday. But then, again, I would have also left simmonds on the top line and put williams on the 4th. Why mess with the three lines that were clicking?
I want Purcell down and Clune up, then we actually a solid, complete 4 lines
Rainman, I hear ya. I kinda look at it like this: the rules are the same for everyone, so we better learn how to win them whether we like it or not.
Personally, if I don’t care about the outcome, I like the shootout. It’s undeniably exciting and guarantees a winner. However, with the Kings involved is a different story. With a win, I feel more relieved than happy. With a loss, I feel more ripped off than disappointed.
Oh well, the SO isn’t going anywhere so we better accept it and thank god it’ll never be used in the playoffs.
On topic, I really like the above lines and I think Purcell needs to be on the 4th line until he can get him game going. Parse has earned his spot up there.
pakifro -
Three lines that were clicking? Hmmm…didn’t we only score one goal in each of the last two games? I don’t think the lines were really clicking all that great…
I hope Williams is up to speed. Last year when he came in after his hand injury, it took him the rest of the season to get any momentum. I understand that TM doesn’t think a player should lose his spot due to injury but I’d prefer to see Simmonds stay on the 1st line until Williams proves he’s 100%, and then move him back with Kopi and Smythe.
I don’t like the idea of sending him down, if I was DL I would be shopping him around if I wanted to bring up clune.
Just want to agree with the others that like Parse and Percell together. However that would push Simmonds to the fourth line which would be undeserved. Having said that, it would greatly improve the fourth line.
Why would they bring Randy Jones to be the healthy scratch when the kings already dress 7 defensemen? Trade of some sorts?
New Kings slogan, when the line has is working, break them up, Kings Hockey!
Glad to see Williams back. The first line hasn’t scored the last two games. We need their offense. Disagree with the breaking up of Parse-Stoll-Purcell. We’ll see, but my guess is they don’t keep up the same production level. I hope Simmonds proves me wrong.
onhuhgreatwon,
For all intensive purposes, Harrold and been a forward since last Christmas, which means Jones will be the seventh when Martinez probably goes back to the AHL. It was apparent that Dean didn’t like what he saw in Martinez that first game, and wanted some insurance with a veteran in case of injuries or poor play by someone, plus a day off in back to back won’t hurt.
So Awesome! Exactly the lines I wanted to see! Should be a true energy line with Richardson and Teddy playing together. Exciting stuff
Whatever you “call” the lines, I think it’s a mistake to separate Purcell and Parse.
LOL re: Clune… the guy played ONE game in Manchester and hasn’t been heard from since. I’ll wait until he can play healthy, AND make a difference in the MANCHESTER lineup before I need to see him here, thankyouverymuch.
As for this lineup, God help them if they lose in PHX, the wheel of line changes will begin. It’s only a matter of time before Murray puts Simmonds back with Kopitar and Smyth and says, “I like the way they looked before, and I think this is the way it should be.” — then he’ll put Purcell back with Stoll and Parse, then he’ll put Williams with Richardson, then he’ll say Frolov is loafing, then he’ll remember the night he moved Harrold back to defense, and say that he’s comfortable with that, then Ersberg will wake up from his month long coma and lose a game, and he’ll say that he made a mistake starting him, and soon it will be April and everyone will be hitting the links. (grin.)
tantrum4–
didnt they score 18 goals over the 5 games williams was out? i’d say that’s clicking…
tantrum4, I don’t buy it. The Kings played some awesome defenses in the last couple games. Did you see what the Sharks did to the Avs last night?
WRT resumed discussion of the shootout, it’s one thing to say you don’t like it and to posit what could be better, but another thing to say you don’t like it so you’re going to defiantly not practice it and not plan for it. Obviously, Murray is having them practice it and he’s planning for it (regardless of whether we like his choices.)
That brings to mind Quick and shootouts. I’m wondering if maybe he and the scouts aren’t working together enough to make books on the shooters he’s facing. Nothing helps confidence (and I believe that’s why he doesn’t have the “swagger” we all seem to want to see) like knowing you’re as prepared as you can be. Compare it to public speaking about what you know, as opposed to being surprised by being asked to speak.
But yo, our lines were clicking, I don’t see why we don’t just put Williams on the Parse-Stoll line and keep Simmonds on the first line.
Smyth-Kopitar-Simmonds
Frolov-Handzus-Brown
Parse-Stoll-Williams
Ivanans-Richardson-Purcell/Harrold
If anyone wants to see ‘Compete’ they should look at the performance of Ondrej Pavelec, goalie for the Thrashers against Ottawa lastr night. 50 SAVES and beauties at that. Stood on his pinky toe and ATL wins 3-1 in Ott.
http://thrashers.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?hlg=20092010,2,182
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=296765
The TSN feed highlights has a part where Pavelec loses his melon and then makes a save afterwards that almost gets his face. Dude was AMAZING!
If Quick would watch these, I’ll bet he gets a bit of his fire back. This looked a lot like him last year.
Whats the frequency> I don’t think its been quick som much doing badly in the shootouts as it is the players.
@RenoKingsFan
Thanks for that link!
Hmm…could be, Reno. Still, I think he’s a tad short on confidence, and nothing helps confidence like being studied up.
Something a little concerning in that Manchester game. The announcers were saying that Hickey was a healthy scratch the last two games…hmmm
Manchester looks pretty good… Zatkoff made some amazing saves… faced 40something shots too… and made saves on really good Sharks scoring chances…
Loktionov looks NHL ready too! cant wait to see that guy at Staples soon… Voinov too for that matter… solid… great slapshot too…
You guys will enjoy this: http://lakingsnews.com/2009/10/31/is-jack-johnsons-plusminus-indicative-of-his-play/
Credit to ukyo at HFboards for compiling this list. It is a description of every goal Johnson has been on the ice for, since there has been lots of talk there and elsewhere about his poor +/- rating. Prepared to be debunked.
Can’t see us losing here. As promised you put Williams back on 1 and, rightfully so, still expect high performance from your top line. Next, you put Sim down to 2 (or whatever you call it now) and see if he can not only maintain his numbers without the big guns but elevate the line. If they both meet or exceed expectations, who’d be crying about that?
what’s the Frequ> either way both players and goalies should be looking at tape before every game because you never know when a shoot out might happen
Williams can be put NOWHERE but the top line.
He has no chemistry with anyone other than Kopi and Smyth, and we don’t need any more line tinkering.
Lets not forget how unproductive that top line has been the last 2-3 games with Simmonds.
Im happy with the 4 lines right now…i said RIGHT NOW…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPj-kCp1rGI
What do you all think of this….WOW….
Tantrum, I’m with you, jdub should be back on the first line.. After the first few game I would fought for simmers to stay up there, but after the last two, come on… No reason he shouldn’t gave his spot back… Now if there is no production then….
I wouldnt mind williams playing with fro and Stoll. Maybe fros passing could get Williams netting a few again.
Rich, what is your opinion regarding the new lines?
Hey tantrum, I see the same things you see. I like how all these people are getting absolutely up in arms about breaking up Purcell and Parse because they remember Purcell feeding Parse that goal where he was standing in the slot. It was a nice play but for the love of Zeus you guys act like they’ve been this established dynamic duo for ages. Good players can produce with various line combinations. Our offense has taken a stagnant turn. The wealth will be spread around more. All will be well for the Kings!
I generally like these changes. I think that Simmonds showed the last two games that he does not belong on the first line. The only problem I have with any of this is Purcell. He is not a 4th line player. Either put him on a line where he can score, or move him.
Did you guys see that hit on that kid in OHL?
RICH IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!
Kings ranked #5 on Sportsnet.ca
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/10/26/week5_nhl_power_rankings/
Chris, those are the types of players that are not needed in hockey, from the vids I watched, that’s his operating procedure to blindside the other player, the kid from Kitchner has a fractured skull, orbital bone and is in critical condition. I am a fan of the hard game but only when it is played like it should be and that hit is not how the game should be played.
Ben Fanelli OHL Hit with update
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPj-kCp1rGI (HNIC 10/31)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv0EpEiyqUs
Scary….
Scary jerseys slideshow from TSN. Lanny’s ‘Stache makes a guest appearance. Say the Mighty Ducks 3rd jersey but not the Burger King jersey.
http://www.tsn.ca/window/gallery/?id=251
Sorry for the Simmonds fan, but for TM to justify him staying on the first line, it has to be based on results, fact is, the first line was shut down in the last two games, whereas, it was only shutdown once with JW on it, we need Williams back in the line up on the first line.
I also like Purcell and Parse…knowing TM, we’re far from done with line shuffling, so perhaps we’ll see them again…but Purcell needs to start turning plays into points.
As for the hit in the OHL, If you’re chasing a puck behind your net and facing center ice, you better be ready to be hit, not put your head down the entire way, sorry to say, but Liambas was maybe 2 feet away from Fanelli, with Fanelli facing him and away from the boards, it was Fanelli’s last second puck dump that sent him to the hospital…it’s unfortunate, but like we argued with Chimera a week ago, you need to be heads up out there and self defensive, it’s a violent game.
Last nights’ BEST halloween costume can be found on the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Gazette URL link.
http://www.habsinsideout.com/
(Nice socks Mikey) Go Kings!
Those were obvious choices for lines.
Some were asking for JW to be moved to the 4th line. You don’t move a solid top 6 forward to the 4th line for no other reason than injury.
It was between Parse and Purcell. No question Parse has earned the right to get regular minutes more than Teddy has.
Cynic -
Nice catch!!!
Marc Nathan -LOL at you re Clune who played two games in Manch this week-end and was in the other teams’ face, and today he drew two penalities, one of which Manch scored and he scored to tie up against Hartford.