LaBarbera to start
his fourth consecutive game tomorrow, according to Crawford. LaBarbera said he's nowhere near fatigued. He started 20 consecutive games for Manchester last season, including three in three days and four in five.
Crawford gave most of the big-minute players the option of taking today off from practice. Brown, Cammalleri and Visnovsky were among the players who took him up on the offer. Blake opted to skate anyway. Crawford said he wants everyone to be totally energized tomorrow night.
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About Rich Hammond
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Blake's lazy huh people?? Think again.
The next time someone talks to LaBarbera, ask him why in the sam hill does he have Hulk Hogan on his mask? And I think James Hetfield is on the other side. Quite a dichotomy.
Good. I have more confidence in him than I do with Aubin. If Babs puts up the same numbers this year in L.A. that he did las year in Manchester, we might be seeing some hockey in the month of May.
Finally.
Labarbera talked about that during the pregame interview. He was saying something about Hogan being a Hollywood icon and being that he was playing for L.A. and all he thought it was appropriate.
ive heard labs say a few times he was a huge wrestling fan when he was a kid and chose hollywood hulk because he plays in LA, pretty straight forward. infact heres a interview about it http://lifeinhockeywood.com/2007/09/17/five-minute-major-with-jason-labarbera.aspx
Glad to read that Crawford isn't going to over-practice players and wear them down so they're susceptible to injury.
Players I didn't see today:
Anze
Cammi
Brown
Handzus
Army
Lubo
Modry
Stuart
Thanks for everyone's answers! I just thought it was a little strange to see that. I guess if I were a goalie, I would put Bruiser Brody on my mask.
Bruiser Brody!?! Wow. Haven't heard that name in 20 years. I guess I'd have to go with the Koko B. Ware mask! Lot's of macaws and whatnot. Could distract the shooter, eh?
A good distraction would be Jessica Alba nude, if allowed, or even w/ a two piece on.
Dorian, Dorian, Dorian ... Blake is old, slow, and waaaaaaay past his prime. And of all players on this team, HE NEEDS to be on the ice trying to remember what made him a great defencemen and why he is a liability now! ...
-5, 1 goal, 4 assists, nary a hit check to be found ... that is embarrassing, especially for a Captain!
I'd like to start a pool on how long until one of the players (Camalleri? Labs?) K O's O'Neal for asking stupid, repetetive questions!
Brian Kamenetzky has posted a great interview with Jason LaBarera over on the LA sports blog, www.sportshubla.com
It has some great audio clips with Babs talking about his progress this season and I recommend checking it out when you get a chance: http://www.sportshubla.com/?p=176#interviews
Scooter, good call on Blake. He was a great defenseman, at one time. Now, he's either hurt or just plain too old. He's not nearly as agressive as he used to be. Back when he was originally with the Kings (pre Avs) you could see him lining up someone from the other side of the ice - you knew what was going to happen next, highlight reel hit. He doesn't hit anymore and he really can't skate like he once did, he's slow. Still a good passer and he knows the game but the game has sped-up since he came back to LA. Did any of your see Dallas first goal? You could see this coming. Blake failed to finish a check (if you'd call it that). Dallas was able to throw the puck to the other side of the boards, which went to an open Dallas player (while the King defense was scrambling to cover Blake's mistake); the puck came out and right into the slot, Dallas - 1 LA - 0. The Kings ultimately recovered because they played excellent two-way hockey the rest of the way and the PK was awesome (way to go Sully, Zeus, Calder, Brownie, et al). Oh yes, Fro is now contributing too, finally. But as far a Blake is concerned, he was a great player and is a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. He'll make one hellevua of a coach someday. But right now, he's looking down at the end of his career. He may get one more year with another team who's desperate for either a big name or seriously desperate for "marginal" defense. As far as the Kings go, we've got some great kids waiting in the wings to take his place. Kinda reminds you of Crash Davis in Bull Durham, when Blake is done teaching JJ the ropes, his time as a King will have passed.
On a side note, I do hope they give the "C" to Cammy, not for being the No. 1 scorer in the league, but for the fire he brings to the team. This guy is passionate about what he does, a born leader. The players really respect him, both on the ice and off (see NHLPA). He'd be perfect. DL's next big move? Take that cap money and get Cammy signed long term, now. It will be a drawn out negotiation for sure, but worth it's weight in the long term success of the Kings.
Moondoggie ... I can only say that about Blake because, like you, I saw him as a rookie and witnessed his ice presence. Gretzky used to say that Blake had that "special something," that ability to see the entire sheet of ice at one time which allowed him to make those hip checks without jeopardizing the defensive scheme. Now, whether it is because the skill, speed and talent has passed him by a bit, or he's simply lost a step and doesn't heal like he used to. I'm not knocking him. He is/was one of my favorite Kings but I felt about him coming back like I did about Robatille ... management's attempt to please the faithful, fill the seats and maintain the tradition. I think the classiest thing he could do is hand the "C" to Cammy and allow this core of young players to step up (even more than they have!) and begin a new tradition. Blake still has his place and is still valuable but those of us who have been around for years (25 for me), lets let these kids create something that will last more than a season or two.
I'm a little late on this but can we back away from Blake already? If the Kings hadn't paid him the 6 mil a year they did, would anyone be saying anything? Everyone points to the +/- as the end all be all, so why aren't Handzus, Calder and Stuart called out? Stuart has been much worse than Blake this year but he flies under the radar. I'm just tired of seing Blake get all this flack.