Moller interview
Here's my interview with Oscar Moller from after today's practice. Moller is definitely making a strong impression. I asked a team official today if Moller was going to make the team, and he said of Moller, ``He's making it tough on us.'' If you're a young player fighting for a roster spot, that's what you want to hear... For those who need updates on tonight's game against Colorado, I'll do my best to provide live updates throughout the game. It is available on 1150-AM, with the audio also streamed on the Kings' site. Here's Oscar...
----------
Question: By all accounts, you've had a really good training camp. How do you feel about the way things have gone so far?
MOLLER: ``I feel pretty good. I've been here for almost two weeks now and I've been working really hard on the new system and getting to know the new coaching staff. It feels really good right now but I just have to keep working.''
Question: Can you talk about your comfort level in training camp this year, versus last year? Is it pretty significant?
MOLLER: ``Yeah, I think so. I know most of the guys here, the players, so it feels comfortable to go out on the ice and give my best every day.''
Question: Is there anything in particular that feels much easier?
MOLLER: ``It's off-the-ice stuff too, like when you work out. You feel comfortable when you're in the gym because you know all the guys and you're not afraid to talk to them and stuff like that.''
Question: Have they talked to you at all, as far as your chances of making the team?
MOLLER: ``No, not really. They just told me that I've been playing pretty good and that I've got to try to keep it up and be consistent.''
Question: It's an obvious question, but I'm guessing it's your goal to stay?
MOLLER: ``Oh yeah. Obviously, yeah. That's my goal for this year, but we'll see.''
Question: Because of your age situation, and having to go back to junior if you don't make the Kings, does that increase your motivation level even more?
MOLLER: ``Yeah, I think that's been motivating me a little more. I know I can play at this level, so it would be better to stick here than go back there.''
Question: Is there anyone in particular here who you think you're playing well with?
MOLLER: ``I've been playing really good with Wayne Simmonds and David Meckler. When I was up with the AHL team in April of last year, I played with David a little bit and we seem to play good together, so I like it.''
Question: How do you feel like your game has evolved over the last 12 months or so?
MOLLER: ``I've been working on my skating, so I think I've become a little quicker and faster. I think my puck protection has become better and my shot has gotten quicker, I think.''
Question: Tell me about the goal you scored (Monday) night.
MOLLER: ``It was on the power play and I was on the half-wall. I passed it down to David and he tried to stuff it. I just went through to the net and just ended up on the weak side there and just grabbed the puck out and shot on the backhand. I was really happy.''
Question: There's a lot of talk about all the young talent in the organization. Do you see that when you're out on the ice with these other guys?
MOLLER: ``For sure. There's a lot of good young guys out there who are going to play in this league. So I think the future here looks really bright.''
6 Comments
Leave a comment
About the bloggers
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.
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.
Moller's getting mad hype. Makes me wonder if we'll be seeing him in the lineup instead of Purcell, whose spot it is to lose.
I think he's more likely to take a spot away from Matt Moulson, not Purcell.
Honestly, if Moller makes the team, I'd rather see Purcell play another year in Manchester and keep Moulson. The reason why is that Moulson has more experience and he's bigger, so he's more suited for a 3rd or 4th line role compared to Purcell.
Now, if a top 6 spot is available next year, I'd fully expect Purcell to handle that role better than Moulson.
Hope that made sense.
No way is it Moulson's spot to lose. Moulson has far more experience and has played much more consistently for the Kings than Purcell has. I doubt Moller makes it strictly because of his age, but it's definitely Purcells spot to lose.
I wouldn't say that Moulson has "far more" experience than Purcell (he was drafted a year earlier, has an extra year in Manchester to show for it, and I believe he played a few more games than Purcell). Also, I think Purcell is bigger than Moulson, not the other way around (Purcell may weigh a few pounds less, I don't know; but he's taller). As far as expectations go, Purcell's dominating season in the AHL puts him a notch above Moulson for now, but it's clearly possible for either one of them to excel. Purcell is more a natural top-six type. Moulson has been thought of as third line, but could easily be second line material. The interesting thing about Moulson is that he is a natural left winger, and that's something of a rarity (Luuuuuuuc).
I also think people are using the phrase "[so-and-so]'s spot to lose" differently here. Maybe not, hard to tell. But the phrase, as I understand it, means "it's [so-and-so]'s spot unless they f*** it up."
I think, unless one of Moulson or Purcell have a lousy camp, it's Armstrong or Calder (or Richardson) who may be the odd man out if Moller is going to stick with the big club.
Unless of course POS plans to sit out the season.
Brown/Kopitar/Moller
Purcell/Stoll/Frolov
Moulson/Boyle/Richardson
Ivanans/Handzus/CalderArmstrong
or
Brown/Kopitar/POS
Purcell/Stoll/Frolov
Moulson/Boyle/Moller
Ivanans/Handzus/CalderArmstrong
??
Quisp,
I think you made some good points. From my understanding, Purcell is 6'2 and Moulson is 6'1, but heavier. I like your line combos, especially the second one. I really hope that Clune gets healthy and cracks the lineup.
"I also think people are using the phrase '[so-and-so]'s spot to lose' differently here. Maybe not, hard to tell. But the phrase, as I understand it, means 'it's [so-and-so]'s spot unless they f*** it up.'"
I'm not sure if you were referring to me, but I never said anything like that. My only real point was that I felt that Moulson is more suited for a 3rd line role and Purcell for a top six role.