A new role
There's been a lot of discussion about where Patrick O'Sullivan should fit in with the Kings, but he's already thriving in the new role that Marc Crawford has given him: penalty killer. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, given that O'Sullivan's game is so offensive-oriented, but in the first two games O'Sullivan showed an aptitude for the job and showed the kind of work ethic that will keep him on a NHL roster.
``If you had told me two years ago that I'd be doing it, I wouldn't have believed it,'' O'Sullivan said. ``We brought in some older players, guys who are going to play on the power play. This is a chance to play in a lot of different situations. Anything I can do to held the team win.
``Killing penalties is something I've done before, and I'm working on it. Obviously, I'm an offensive player and I can still score. They're not trying to take that away from me, but we have a lot of good players. I'll wait for my turn and just keep trying to play hard in every situation.''
O'Sullivan has already bounced around a couple lines, as many of the Kings' forwards have. On Tuesday, Crawford talked about O'Sullivan excelling in an energy role alongside Brady Murray, but O'Sullivan also has been put in position at times to play alongside playmakers such as Handzus and Nagy.
``Everyone is trying to find the right fit,'' O'Sullivan said. ``With all the new players, it's a matter of finding some chemistry, and that's going to take some time. I can play all three (forward) positions, so that's probably the reason I've been moving around a little bit.''
O'Sullivan is a quiet guy by nature, and I think a lot of times that can be misinterpreted. But just from being around him this year, including the summer, he seems a lot more mature and confident. I asked him if being back for a second NHL season makes a big difference in those matters.
``Absolutely it does,'' O'Sullivan said. ``Coming into camp last year, trying to make the NHL roster, I really had no idea what that was going to be like. Until you actually get there, you just don't know. It's everything, including off-the-ice stuff. It has really helped me to be here another year. It's a long process. I think I've come a long way in a year but I know I've still got a ways to go.''
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J.P. Hoornstra writes about NHL and IHL hockey for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He welcomes any and all dialogue on the finer points of hockey.
E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra@inlandnewspapers.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews
.com.
Vincent Bonsignore is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. E-mail Vinny at vincent.bonsignore
@dailynews.com.
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To be as subtle as possible without sounding too negative, I strongly believe that Marc Crawford would be making a serious mistake by playing Sully on the 4th line to provide energy.
This player has tremendous offensine skills. He was traded for Pavol Demitra to provide offense. He has the second best shot on the kings team behind Camalleri.
Putting him on the 4th line would be a tremendous waste of talent. And at the same time playing Zeiler with Nagy & Handzus, I don't see the rationalle (maybe a little stupidity though).
In the first 2 games against the Ducks, he's put up 2 assists (like Kopitar) and he's a Plus 2 (leads the team). I understand its still early in the season.
What I fear, is that he will be overlooked and will produce incredible numbers for the oilers, sabers, or worse the quacks. He's in his last year of his contract.
I hope this was subtle enough for those who are so hung up on Negativity
Dude, seriously, put the gun down. How many NHL games has O'Sullivan played? Relax, it's basically his first full season as a PRO. If he's meant to be a first liner or second....he'll get there.
not hung up on the negativity so much as hung up on the fact that you say the SAME DAMN THING EVERY POST!!!! We know, CRAWFORD IS LAME FOR PUTTING HIM ON THE 4th LINE! DL wasted money on free agents... WE KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!!! But perhaps when it comes to Patty O, one should realize last season he was LAZY, hence why he was sent to Manchester. He has to EARN top line duty. And he is doing that... via playing well on the PK and playing well on the 4th line. We have seen TWO games. Let the season play out before we call for the coaches head, for playing a YOUNG player on the 4th line. Patty O's time will come.
O'sullivan was not and I say it again WAS NOT..... traded straight up for Demitra. There was a first round pick involved and oh....say 4.5 million dollars of salary attached to Demitra that they wanted to dump.
It's not that black and white. The big picture as stated was to get younger and to add depth to the team for years to come. Don't forget Lewis as a major part of that deal. Several of the new players on this team have already put up decent numbers at the NHL level. You don't just give a kid top line time, because he was part of a trade.
Anthony = Debbie Downer
Apparently Anthony should be our Coach / GM ....... but that would be another stupid idea / waste of money!!!
Waswn't implying that he put on the #1 line.
I just don't think that a player with his talent should be buried on the #4 line.
Don't forget, we're all pulling for the same team.
BTW Rich, after this season will O'Sullivan be a restricted or unrestricted free agent.
That a boy PattyO, sounds like the kid is "getting it". He understands if he plays well, he'll play a lot and in a lot of different situations. This should round out his game in a big way.
Sully wasn't brought here to replace Pavol's offense anyway. Let the kid work for his spot. He seems to have a great attitude about it which makes it an even better plan.
Sounds like Patrick has matured alot since last season. If he keeps that type of attitude he will have a very successful NHL career.