alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Justin Williams is scheduled to be evaluated by a team doctor today, and if he gets cleared for contact, his return date will be in the hands of Terry Murray (with some obvious consultation with Williams). Given all the talk about recent line changes, it’s clear that when Williams returns, another major shift will take place. I asked Murray today whether he already has, in his mind, an idea of what the lines will look like when Williams returns…
MURRAY: “I’ve thought it through many times, many different pads of paper on which I’ve written down line combinations. What I see,though, with Willy in particular, getting him back to his game, I want to get him back on the right side with Kopitar and Smytty. That line was outstanding at the start. I look back at video, and he was tremendous with his play, especially in the offensive zone. That’s a chemistry that I would like to think can work again.”
I hope that chemistry between Willy, Kopitar and Smyth can return. Just hope JW doesn’t come back too early…
I for one cant wait. Love DB but he aint cuttin it on the 1st line.
How exciting the prospect of him back. I wonder if TM will ease him back into the line up, or throw him out there ASAP. I would love to see him play tonight.
He’s looked fantastic at practice. Put him in tonight! Scratch Parse! Dew the dew Terry!
Slow blog day eh? so looking at the standings its getting real tight… Avs have caught up and the rest are nipping at are heels.. Lets get a win tonight
Thank goodness, whatever it takes to get Brown off that line works for me.
He looked fantastic in practice yesterday. Game ready to me. Unless the MRI (assuming he gets one) reveals something wrong, I see him playing this week. Perhaps a practice or two with Smitty and Kopi is in order before a game. He’s been practicing in a fourth line yellow jersey, mainly running the ice with Ivan.
Jinx. Was typing…
Murray might have Williams play part of his first game on the bottom lines just to get his “leg” back under him and get used to the tempo, and then maybe throw him back up there with Kopitar and Smytty later in that first game or in the 2nd game. Wouldn’t mind seeing that.
I think what Murray said though was pretty clear. When JW plays, he’s playing up top.
@20lucfan,
I agree. Saw him yesterday and he doesn’t seem to be holding back on his cutting and stopping in the slightest. Better sooner than later bc this team needs to get back on its horse mucho pronto!
my god, I am so excited for JDub to come back.
That wasn’t so long, was it?
Great news to hear that Williams is close to returning, and I’m sure he will not be rushed. I agree with some people on her that Brown is probably better suited on the 2nd line. That being said, I thought that all the Olympians had horrible games on Saturday. Let’s hope they are well rested and angry tonight vs. a very beatable opponent.
For all that he does, DB cannot put a pass on someone’s tape to save his life, and, unless a pass to him is on his tape he has trouble corralling the biscuit!
hope to see you soon.
Anyone know our record with JW playing?
Way to go JDub, way to go TM! Bring him back!!!
@Hockey SureShot,
Yes, our Olympians looked one step behind every play. I think that they will be fired up knowing that Williams’ return is just around the corner!
GO KINGS GO!!!
Pre-game skate was fun to was to watch. …guys look like they were having fun. Williams looks great..can’t wait to have him back!
Go Kings!
@Stuart, honestly, that’s ridiculous. DB has been pressing all year and needs to relax for sure but you don’t score 30+ goals in this league with hands of stone. Well unless you play with Gretzky and while I LOVE Kopi, he ain’t Gretzky yet.
@20lucfan,
Are you guys talking about Williams or Reuninon???
:)
@Sam, not very ridiculous… watch his turnovers – either while trying to make a pass or trying to receive a pass. I’m not saying he has hands of stone, he has some nice one-on-one moves, or I should say MOVE, but passing is not one of his top 10 hockey skills.
I assume Williams was still wearing the yellow jersey?
Could it be? Just maybe? A clickable top banner coming soon? Hmmm…
@Dayman,
I would be surprised if there was much difference with him in and him out of the lineup. The Kings have been surprisingly consistent in that sense all season; they really didn’t fall off much when Smyth was out, either.
That being said, it will be very sweet to have JW reunited with Kopitar and Smyth. That will make three quality veteran forwards added to the lineup since the break, which means TM can roll through four solid forward lines, no matter how he chooses to play Rubik’s Cube with the combos.
Truly amazing he’s this close to returning.
My lines of choice:
Smyth-Kopi-Williams
Richardson-Stoll-Simmonds
Fro-Zues-Brown
Modin-Halprin-Clune
On paper, that looks like a pretty solid line-up.
Williams will also bring a spark when he returns with his enthusiasm and excitement to get back out there. I can’t wait for these guys to gel once again.
@wavesinair,
Ha, I was wondering the same thing… tried to clear my cache… nothing.
@Stuart, I agree that his vision with the puck could is a weakness. But then again, that skill could be better for a lot of guys. Not every NHL player is blessed with that particular natural gift. Great vision separates really good NHL players from phenomenal NHL players. Brown is a really good NHL player. Nothing wrong with that.
This is how the lines SHOULD look like:
Smyth-Kopi-Williams
Richardson-Stoll-Brown
Fro-Zeus-Simmonds
Ivanans-Halpern-Clune
Healthy scratches: Parse, Modin, Harrold
Modin does not fit on the fourth line, since typically the fourth line provides energy and toughness, two attributes Modin is obviously lacking.
@Waves, is it his vision? Because I feel he’s sees the plays developing, just can’t get the puck there… I’m a DB since day one, I’m simply think he’s trying to do too much.
GO KINGS GO!
meant to say “DB fan”
I’m tempted to say something here, but I won’t.
@Stuart, While he might not be the most deft passer he can’t do everything perfectly. Had he done so he wouldn’t have been picked 12th but 2nd. Plus he’s a wing, not exactly needing to distribute the puck as often. I’m simply saying I believe you can’t nitpick at that level with any one player. They all have certain weaknesses.
I really don’t care what the line combo’s are, just get it done Kings. We need a win!
@wavesinair,
You don’t like the lines?
Yeah, it is. The reason the puck doesn’t get there often is because the pass is a fraction too late (or too soon). A perfect example of this is when he has the puck on a 2 on 1 break. It isn’t pretty. So yeah, vision. Again, not terrible, just not the cream of the crop.
Look at Parse for example. That cat can pass. He has phenomenal, natural vision. Combine those two players and you have a top 10 player in the league.
@khanon, Ivanans won’t be playing. The sooner you accept that the sooner we can move on.
Great news. Looking forward to the three of them hopefully recreating some magic. Rich, any idea if TM plans to put drewiske back in the lineup… (ideally for jones)?
there were a couple of people on here at the pre-game skate today. perhaps they have some insight on that. and I’m sure rich will post the lineup at some point. only 6 1/2 more hours to wait though!
@khanon, i like those lines except for the fourth line. Ivanans is only gonna see time when we play the ducks/wild/other goony teams…idt we will see modin sitting o/w why did we trade for him?
stating the obvious here, but OMG i can’t wait for him to come back! that first line was sooo good at the beginning of the season. Plus our depth will get even stronger. That’s the key part. Brownie and go back down to the second line, and the changes go down from there
@khanon,
good thing you are not coach that has to be the worst lines the kings could make wow just terrible Modin gets a goal and now hes a scratch, that 4th line looks slow and really Manchester like don’t need Ivananas and Clune together unless we need fights and stupid penalty’s they don’t create energy together Clune does with his hits and Ivananas is there in case of a dirty game i would use him against the ducks to match up with Parros but besides that who in the NHL is dumb enough to throw the gloves down against him??? only heavy weights fight him and he is just there to scare the other team he brings no energy parse and modin could do A LOT more with that ice time. sorry don’t like arguing hockey with Kings fans but i really want to know the reasoning behind Modin being a scratch after his goal???????????
Not that it really needs reiterating, but I just looked up POS stats for the year: 65 gms 10 goals -32 Williams: 33 gms 8 goals +3
Even for half a year we are getting more out of Williams.
I always liked POS as a person, but he really needs to step up his game or he will be out of the league soon.
@ducksuck,
Purcell scored the other day too, you want him back?
Khanon:
I like the lines for the most part, but I would fit Modin in instead of Ivanans. He is big and while he doesnt provide huge hits, he knows how to use his size to his advantage.
Freddy could also get some time on the PP and PK
maybe we can figure out why we have been so flat the last two games?? can’t be the new guys fault i mean Modin gets a goal and halpern doesn’t even get any ice time so can’t be the new faces. maybe the team is thinking too much i don’t know but if we come out like we did in the last 2 games expect a loss against the bluejackets. hoping for a bounce back game but after the habs game i am worried with the teams sloppy play
@ducksuck,
“he is just there to scare the other team.”
That’s exactly why I want him in the line-up.
@NMKingsFan,
never liked that puck hog and he goes from the worst team in the west(kings) gets traded to the oilers and can’t be his fault for where they are but can’t say he has done anything to help his team just like he never helped the kings
Man, if we can get that Top Line again from the beginning of the season, we are going to be really good! I remember they made some really nice passes to get into the offensive zone and did really well. Nice stick to stick passes. It’s the perfect timing for that line to reunite once again. Make a push for the playoffs and then use it once we get in.
@khanon,
you don’t think Modin is a better choice for the team?? scaring the other team is one thing but to take out parse and harrold for him ok i can see that but Modin for him is sending the wrong message to a player on a new team right after he get a goal. in this game i could see clune out and put Ivananas in to match up with jared boll but still think its a waste of a roster spot rather have high energy guys like clune or parse to bring something to that line
My lines of choice:
Smyth-Kopi-Williams
Modin-Stoll-Brown
Fro-Zues-Simmonds
Richardson-Halpern-parse/clune
either way its gonna be nice to finally have our top line back and ready to get re-united for the the playoffs! and i cant say enough about the fro-zues-simmer line!!
@wavesinair, and a return is “not on the horizon” lol :-)
@NMKingsFan,
I think what says it all is that POS was up on the trading block again… and we can not WAIT to have Willy back on the team!
@khanon,
Ducksuck:
I want Clune in the line-up every game also. To me, Modin is an older version of Frolov. I’m sure you understand that Frolov is not a fourth line player, right? Every player on a team should have a role, and the fourth line is not a place for offensive minded players, IMO. With that said, I better end this conversation before I get banned or the comments deleted…
@king_Stoner, My only problem here is with line #2. They are all shooters, no set up men, but who knows, maybe one of them takes on that role.
everyone loves JW now?? thought everyone hated the trade and that JW can’t play at the NHL level cause he “always” gets hurt sounds like the fair weather fans gave up on the kings after 2 games. can’t wait to see JW back need that board work down low to help set up smyth and kopi and if that doesn’t work, before smyth came back i REALLY loved how fro and JW played. lot of choices where to put him
@NMKingsFan,
Do you guys remember the outcry on the former site right after his trade?
@VanKingsFan,
i like these lines with stoll being hot and modin a new face and brown being cold could be a really good 2nd line hope to see that one and richie on teh 4th is where he started and maybe he can bring some of that energy to the 4th and get all line working
@Stuart, My opinion…his passing is one of his STRENGTHS…guys struggle from time to time.
Brown’s BIGGEST weekness is when he tries to do too much and he doesn’t allow the game to just “happen”. If that is someone’s weakness, I’m okay with that. At least you know he isn’t out here half-assing it.
@ducksuck,
Yeah, tell me about it. The last couple of games have been the most boring and disappointing that I’ve seen in a long time. Detroit is only a few points back now, not good at all. Did the kings really need to add those two players at a time when they were one of the better teams in the league? Especially two players that will have no impact whatsoever, and are kind of over-the-hill? I’ll take a couple young guys with passion and youth, i.e., Moller and Parse, over a couple oldies…
@khanon, The issue with Ivanans is the fact that he can’t skate much more than 2-3 minutes per night, and in doing so, he gives up about 5 shots, and at least one PK per game. You cannot have that on the ice unless playing against a team like the Ducks, when in a playoff chase. You can’t have guys, who are already beat up and tired, needing to double shift all the time.
Ivan will be a healthy scratch from here on out more times than not, and this happens with just about every team that employs a goon.
@khanon, I’m trying to forget.
@khanon,
agreed with everything you said just so i can get the last word and end the conversation Modin is like a fro so he can put the pucks in the net why not use him and get some goals i think all Kings fans would agree our offense is hot and cold so using a veteran for the playoffs you need him to get chemistry with some players and after a goal i think he should stay in the line up and maybe scare other teams coaches thinking he will score just anything but Ivananas i love the fights love them wish they had more but when you look at the red wings they don’t need a guy like him i just hope the kings one day can be a team where everyone has a role and that last thing anyone on the bench is thinking is to fight.
@ducksuck,
It seems that most of those POS fan club members don’t post to this site much more.
In fact, it seems that most of the hardcore chicken littles have stopped posting since the Kings have been doing so well this season.
@khanon,
i agree that the kings do this a lot look at the trades they have made in the past and LA is where over-the-hill players come to, JR, cliff ronning, anson carter, scott thornton, brian wilse and many more think Halpern has had a good career but maybe kind of over-the-hill, but we did get rid of Purcell someone i hated to watch when he was on the ice so we will see what happens but i hate how san jose can get heatley and we get scuderi(playoffs different player but regular season kinda quiet), OD, halpern, modin all good players but kind of over-the-hill as you said
well any kings talk fans out there most know a lot of NHL fans live in LA and love to call up and say how the kings are a bad team, i remember maybe it was last season a guy called saying how the kings don’t have more than 6 players that could play on any other team, but Kings i feel have a really great team not only the 23 man roster but in Manchester too and in college.
@khanon, That is a regular season lineup, we are in playoff lineup mode.
Also, Modin may not put up the dukes, but he sure looks for a nice crowded blue patch to pop his tent.
@NMKingsFan, The funny thing is that in the past 12 months we have traded three players who could not contibute to our team, yet they ended up on another team’s first line.
Remember the days when everyone wanted the Wings leftovers?
@NMKingsFan,
Agreed. Anthony comes to mind…
@khanon, Our PK% is in the bottom quartile. These guys can kill penalties. Don’t forget, fists for regular season, special teams for playoffs. We have shifted into playoff mode.
@NMKingsFan,
Marc Nathan is still around…he was a huge POS nutswinger. In fact, he predicted that POS would lead the Kings in goals last year. Yikes…
@jet,
@jet,
How about going after a physical penalty killer instead of Modin, so the kings wouldn’t be losing that much when not playing Ivanans. A player like Moen, Mike Brown, Tanner Glass, etc. come to mind.
I would go with the following…
Smyth-Kopi-Williams – SCORING LINE!
Clune-Stoll-Brown – CHECKING LINE!
Modin-Zues-Frolov – SHUT DOWN LINE!
Richardson-Halprin-Simmonds – ENERGY LINE!
I don’t care which line plays more…whatever line has it going that night gets ice team.
@src,
same here.
Hes my favorite player on the team but he really shouldnt be on the first line.
yes, bravo Terry! it will work i’m sure, maybe not in first game but eventually it will.
@Stuart,
The worst passer on the team is Simmonds. I rarely see that guy getting it near someone’s tape unless it’s a cycle down low which is one of his best attributes that he brings to the team.
Brown isn’t great but he gets it close.
@khanon,
I like these lines. We have really been missing Ivanans point production!
@khanon,
First, Parse has been in the line up. Second, Modin and Halpern will have an impact come playoff time.
@Dayman,
Their record is worse with him in the lineup. I attribute that stat to the fact that he was injured during our giant winning streak. Also guys have been stepping up. I don’t think there is any doubt that we are a better team with him in the lineup than without him
@DuckHunter,
Switch Brown and Simmer
@NMKingsFan,
I was part of the clan that thought DL made a mistake but I’ve admitted that I was wrong before now. People are wrong and some admit it and move on.
Ivanans, Drewiske,Harrold, Williams and ersberg….stayed on ice after the team left…I assume they will be scratched. No yellow jerseys cuz it was pregame skate only. Not sure if anyone addressed this question Fromm earlier.