alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Jeff Halpern, acquired last week from Tampa Bay for Teddy Purcell and a third-round draft pick, saw his most extensive action as a King last night, as he played 11 minutes, 50 seconds. Halpern played on the penalty kill again and, for the first time as a King, played on the power play (2:10).
Halpern is having to deal, for the second time in the last three seasons, with a midseason trade. In 2008, he went from Dallas to Tampa Bay. Here’s what Halpern said about his transition to the Kings…
Question: Getting to spend a few days in your new home, in L.A., has that helped you settle in a little bit?
HALPERN: “Yeah, just to try to get on a schedule and a routine. It was kind of hectic, flying into Nashville and then flying back (to L.A.), so every day I’m feeling a lot more comfortable.”
Question: To come here and be right in the thick of a playoff race, does that give you a little extra boost?
HALPERN: “Even in Tampa, too. Right up to the break, we were in the thick of the playoffs, so it’s been an exciting year. Every game seems like a playoff game, and every game sort of feels like a do-or-die situation. To jump into this organization, the only difference is that you’ve been bumped up a few points in the standings, but the games still have a playoff-like feel to them. That’s the fun part of playing, when the games are so important.”
Question: You played some right wing this season? Up on the first line in Tampa with Lecavalier?
HALPERN: “This season, I did. In previous years, just a little bit here and there, but this year I played quite a bit. We rotated. I played with Vinny some and we had some different centers.”
Question: Safe to say that you’d be pretty comfortable wherever the Kings put you?
HALPERN: “Yeah, definitely.”
we’ve seen an immediate impact from Mo, but Halpern has
been more or less invisible out there so far imo…
I know he has the ability; it’s a matter of if he’ll fit into the Kings system, and how….and when…
Smyth/Kopi/Halpern :)
@Real7, He’s also on the 4th line with 2 recent AHLers… I think that line is doing quite well considering.
@wavesinair, worth a try til Willy is back. STILL dont like Brown there.
Fro – Stoll – Brown
Modin – Zeus – Simmer
@Real7,
Halpern has injury issues (knee); besides, he’s there for the playoffs, with depth, experience, a faceoff winner.
He’s also here only for this year.
Halpern had a great chance last night on a sick feed by Clunatic
Off topic.
Rich, is Williams traveling with the team to Chicago?
@Jeff, Yes
@VanKingsFan, I agree, and would love to see it on Weds.
Modin-Zeus-Simmonds is a real big line that can wear down a D once they get control in the O-zone, and can also put the puck in the net – I like it.
Simmonds also did really well when he and Richie played with Kopi.
Simmonds also was the first one to push back last night when it was needed and they were trying to throw Richie around.
Simmonds ROCKS!!!
How about Teddy Purcell’s impact?
Hopefully this link will work…
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/mar/09/sp-purcell-getting-opportunity-to-shine/
Modin-Zus-Frolov = best line in all of the playoffs. Bank on it.
Random question, but any word why Sunday’s game is so early? Didn’t see an evening event at Staples.
@King John, that’s great to see about Teddy. I hope he does well there.
Hey Rich,
This is probably better for an open forum but I saw it last night and didn’t want to forget. After every goal, they put a piece of white tape around the puck and write the numbers of the goal scorer and assists. Then the pucks sit int he Kings penalty box. Do you know why they do this and what they end up doing with the pucks? What happens if a guy scores his first goal and wants to keep the puck? I know they let him but do they put a fake puck in for the penalty box for scoring purposes. Thanks
@Real7, Ya I agree with wavesinair and Bako…He certainly has the talent and skill level and the guy can skate that is pretty apparent. He only played 12 minutes last night and had a great scoring chance there at the end. I believe that as that line starts to get accustomed to each other they will start to produce more. They have alot of speed and talent there on the 4th line, but again give Halpy some time to settle in he’s only played 3 games cut him a break. Like Bako said we brought him in here for the playoffs and the depth and experience. He can play on the PP and PK and I believe that Terry will give him some chances out there to play with some of the more skilled guys and that’s when you will see the production in the stats sheet, but again he does alot of the little things “the right things” that TM always preaches and maybe it’s a good thing that you haven’t really noticed him because maybe that means that he has fit in seamlessly with that group. I would be more concerned if I heard his name popping up alot in games where he looked lost or out of place, but he does the subtle things and trust me that will help this team come playoff time.
When williams is back…
Smyth-kopi-williams
Fro-stoll-brown
Modin-zues-simmer
Clune-richardson-halpern
Thoughts??
@King John,
It’s about “fit”–Teddy fitting into Vinny’s line, Moulson fitting in with Tavares, or like Modin fitting into Zeus’ line. Teddy never seemed to fit here and he was given plenty of chances…
@Number1fan, A+ post
@CupRun2012, I couldn’t agree more. I can’t stand hearing some of these people complain and rail DL for getting rid of Moulson only to see him flourish in New York, but that’s why he is flourishing! He would have never fit with the Kings and he wasn’t fitting with the Kings during his playing time here that’s why DL traded him. I’m glad to see him playing well with his new club and hopefully the same with Teddy, but Modin looks like a great fit here on the 3rd line. Hopefully, he can reinvigorate his career and put up some good numbers as well as do the little things that don’t always show up on the score sheet. Great job DL.
@Trey,
Ditto, agree!
A+ post.
@john, Looks good to me. I’m sure that if TM isn’t getting the production he wants out of those certain lines he will drop Fro to play with that 3rd line and move Simmer or Richardson back up to the 2nd, but overall ya looks good. I think alot of teams will underestimate us going into the playoffs and I’m telling you right now if they do this team is going to surprise alot of people!
@Tony,
Just a guess, Game of the Week?
That may be a hope without a prayer…
@Real7,
Just one big happy family here.
@Number1fan,
Exactly
@King John,
the trade was good for the Bolts and for Teddy…
but the fact that he could step right in like that doesn’t say much for their team depth…
now he’s one of their best forwards?? come on!
@Real7, Sorry if my post came off as belittling that was not my intention at all I was just trying to give some insight on the new guy.
@Real7,
Well, Vinny’s a great scorer on TB and he needed a jumpstart. Teddy’s providing a spark for their 2nd line. Teddy’s a natural playmaker—maybe he needed to be on a playmaking/scoring type line. He’s more a 2nd line player rather than 3rd or 4th. The Kings are more of a dig-and-cycle type club all thru the line-up. It’s all about chemistry and fit. The Kings were trying mold Teddy into something he wasn’t.
I would like to see Scott Parse play but you may be right in that he’s the odd man out. I hope somehow he can succeed.
Also Clune brings more to the game than Ivanans. I like how Clune fit in now. Actually the whole 4th line looked good last night. They put pressure and almost scored as well.
I would like to see Clune–Richie–Parse, but Halpern will get the nod I think.
@Surly Jacob (JDM), I couldn’t agree more. I know I wouldn’t want to play against them.
@john, I would prefer to keep Frolov on the RW right now, playing with Modin on the LW and Handzus in the middle. Those three together have been REALLY good. But, that does create a problem of where do you put Brown?
@Number1fan,
Good post, though, with good points. If Halpern seems relatively invisible, I think it’s only because Modin has been such a pleasant surprise.
Halpern was clearly brought in as a detail-oriented, “little things mean a lot” kind of guy. If he wins face-offs and helps steady the PK during the playoffs, he will have done exactly what the Kings wanted from him.
@Number1fan, also consider that the Kings passed on three players who could not make it here but played on the first line for other teams this year. That says quite a bit about our development program and our depth.
@Surly Jacob (JDM), Can you you even have imagined that being our thrid line a year and a half ago?
@mrbrett7, That would be nice, but Simmonds is the one that has been playing with Modin and Handzus on that line. Frolov played with Stoll and Richardson
@jet, I agree our development program has been stellar I never meant that our development has been less than acceptable.
I was at the game last night, and even though we were destroying Columbus, it was very evident that Halpern has dramatically improved the 4th line. They play with a lot more responsibility already
@KingPioneer, At this years Tip-A-King they sold players socks for $50 each in which inside was one of those pucks signed by the goal scorer.
kingsxstevenxkings: I think you are spot on with your comment re: Halperin. His contributions were more on the intangible side, but if he makes Clune, Parse and any other “kid” a more responsible player, he was worth bringing in. Having said that, I expect we will see some offense from him as he settles in. All I can say is DL (again) got it very very right with the deadline acquisitions.
Clune has impressed me in his short stint.
Parse has impressed me in his stint.
Moller has impressed me in his stint.
I love the possible depth the 4rth line has right now.With Willy comming back soon,we have a possible 11 to 12 forwards we can mix and match on the top 3 lines.Life is good.
50 bucks for some history rapped in a stinky sock.What a deal.lol
@wavesinair, That isn’t exactly fair…. Parse has played most of the season in the NHL and has more points then halpern with similar oppurtunities if not less. Parse saw his first Powerplay time last night and Halpern was already on a powerplay regularly this season with his old team.
@DougS, You also have to consider the role that Halpern has been asked to play. The 4th line isn’t a scoring line, it’s a defense first line. On many teams it’s not even that, its a thug line. The fact that we’ve got a 4th line that we can play against the other teams top line is a huge bonus, it means our 3rd line can play more offense. The fact that we’ve got 4th line players TM can throw out on the PK is HUGE. Of all the situations in hockey that expend energy, killing penalties is the worst. The fact that we can put our most rested guys out there to eat those exausting minutes means our top line guys can be more effective on the PP and even strength situations.
What I’m saying is that you can’t look at the score sheet and see the entirety of Halpern’s contribution. He’s more valuable than the goals and assists that may or may not show up…
@VanKingsFan, I’d like to see Brown and Fro flip. Browns most effective when he’s crashing the net on the break and creating screens and confusion in the crease. Trouble is that Smyth is also that kind of guy. What the top line needs is a puck handler who can break out and a guy who’s effective behind the net. Fro is both of these. Put Brown on the second line w/ Stoll and Richie. That way Brown has a speedy guy who can help him on the break out and then he can park himself in the crease on the set offense.
It looks to me that no one wants to play the Kings. Why? Balance. Traditionally teams tighten up during the playoffs (or playoff run), essentially playing three lines. The Kings are built as a 4 line team, each with their own personality/playing style, and all with the ability to score. When Willy returns, it’s only going to get worse for opponent’s D-Men. I’ve been a 30 year Kings fan, and I can honestly say I’ve never seen a Kings team built like this in all that time.
Iceguy, that makes me smile. Let’s see where these guys want to go. I believe they can rack up some frequent flyer miles this year. ALOHA GO KINGZ