Forum answers IV
Here's the fourth and final set of answers. Thanks to everyone for all the great questions. I hope I was able to answer them to everyone's satisfaction...
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Question: Any interest in Kyle McLaren?
Not at this point. McLaren was one of the players the Kings considered before they traded for Sean O'Donnell, but it's no longer a fit.
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Question: Have you ever seen George Parros and Yanni at the same place at the same time, or know anyone who has?
I'd have to answer ``no,'' but the size difference might debunk that potential theory.
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Question: Do you think that DL will be looking to acquire another veteran D now that Johnson is out or just run with what we have? Will Sean O'Donell be resigned after this season? I love his presence out there, so calm, physical and just makes smart plays. So far a great mentor for Doughty and our young defense. He deserves an extension!! Do you think this is Labarbera's last year as starting goalie now that we have a better defensive system in place for Bernier? Do you think the big contract and the "A" are having a Lubo-like effect on Kopitar so far this season?? He seems to be getting frustrated more and not as aggressive and dominate as he usually is. Are Derek Armstrong's days numbered or will he stay for his veteran presence and versatility?? Are you surprised by how well the new kids are playing? Doughty, Moeller, Simmonds
1. No, it's unlikely that any more defensemen will come aboard. Kyle Quincey was the answer to the Johnson injury. 2. Sean O'Donnell now fills that Rob Blake role, the late 30s veteran who can be steady on the ice and serve as a mentor. It will probably be a year-to-year thing with O'Donnell, as it would have been with Blake. 3. It's not a secret that the Kings would like to see at least one of these young goalies prove themselves at the NHL level. Whether it's Bernier, Quick or Zatkoff, at least one of them should be improved enough to challenge for time next season, if not later this season. 4. After three games? Really? 4. Armstong's move to the wing, and his willingness to do whatever is asked of him without complaint, greatly enhance his chances of sticking around. Ultimately, on-ice play is what decides it, but Armstrong's attitude is a plus. 5. All three exceeded any expectations I might have had for them at the start of camp. Doughty looked so much smoother in the second and third games than he did in the first. Moller and Simmonds have been very poised.
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Question: my question is, when has the coaching staff indicated they'll give Ersberg his first start. any chance of Friday vs. Carolina? I think any later than this would be a mistake.
The only indication Murray has given on this is that he likes his No. 1 goalie to play more than 60 games at year. Doing the math, you figure that LaBarbera, if healthy and successful, would start at least three out of every four games. The schedule works in LaBarbera's favor. The Kings play Friday, then not until Monday, and then not until Friday. Logic dicates that Ersberg would get at least one game before the road trip.
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Question: I've noticed a lot more pressure on incoming forwards this year, during penalty kills and normal play. Last night outside of Selanne's goal, every time he touched the puck he seemed to immediately have someone on his back. I guess going back to the Mark Hardy issue, will the Kings continue to push the "pressure" issue rather than passive defending, and if so how will this affect the growth of the young boys back there?
It's definitely part of Terry Murray's philosophy for defensive hockey, and having Mark Hardy there to reinforce it certainly helps. You should expect that style to continue. Never having coached hockey, it's hard for me to say how it might impact the growth of the young defensemen, but it seems to be an effective style, so it can't hurt, right?
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Question: Is there a reason the Kings changed the numbering on the jerseys, at least on the black home versions? especially because they never mentioned it anywhere that I heard of?
I just noticed the changes the other day. No idea why that happened. The next time I run into someone who might know the answer, I'll ask.
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Question: What's the deal w/ Moller? I know no straight answer will be coming from Kings staff but is it your sense that he's getting his 10 games and then going back to Juniors. I am right that he can't under any circumstance go to Manchester right? Or do you think he may stay pass the 10 games and be allowed to develop at the NHL level? Second what's been your impression of Handzus? I think he has looked great these 3 games. He's been in front of the net screening shots, responsible defensively and making good passes w/ Frolov. Do you agree that he may be back to his true pre-knee surgery form?
1. You're correct in that he can't go to Manchester, not until next season. Moller is a bit of a ``tweener,'' in the sense that he would probably fit best at Manchester. He might be ready for the NHL, but he certainly seems to have advanced past the junior level. As long as Moller can show he's not grossly overmatched and can play regular minutes, it's probably to everyone's benefit to keep him around. 2. Handzus has looked extremely sharp in many areas of the game. This is the guy the Kings were looking for when they signed him to a four-year, $16-million contract. In a way, it's not surprising. Doctors say that it takes an athlete a full year to get back to 100 percent after ACL surgery. Following that theory, this should be the year Handzus comes back strong. So far, he looks like a different player.
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About the bloggers
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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Just a little light on Handzus and his ACL. I had ACL surgery, oh probably 20 years ago now, and I can tell you, it's the only injury that I'm still very weary of. Not only is it a tough physical injury, it's a tough mental injury to come back from. To this day, when I tweak that knee a little, my heart stops. I guess my point is, I think Handzus is probably feeling much better mentally, so his play, will more than likely improve.
Two quick things.
1. On the numbering... the piping along the borders does help define the number a little better, and for television and those seated high up, the clarity is probably improved. Also, of course, people who are manic about that sort of thing now have to buy "this year's model" when sporting their jersey within the building ;)
2. Many many times over the past few weeks this whole "Armstrong to wing" thing has been brought up as if it was something unique to this season. Derek Armstrong has played on the wing for years, both prior to coming to the Kings and through his tenure in LA. His ability to take faceoffs as a second centerman during times when the Kings needed to make sure there was a legitimate pivot on the ice in case the primary center got kicked out of the circle gave the team greater flexibility in PK situations. Armstrong is certainly listed in most major guides and databases as a Center, but you can go back to 2002 when he came up to the Kings, and ever since then, any coach has lauded his ability to plug in on 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th lines, and has the ability to be used at any of the forward positions.
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And, finally, if you've gotten this far...
Hey Rich,
I was listening to XM this afternoon and Phil Esposito and Scott Laughlin were interviewing Wade Belak of the Florida Panthers. Espo asked if Belak has moved his place of residence to the Sunrise/Miami area. Belak, candidly replied that in June they (he and his family) did relocate there, and "I had surgery at the end of the season to repair a TORN LABRUM, and that AS YOU KNOW requires 5 to 6 months of rehab..."
Now, he wasn't saying this in reference to Jack Johnson, but taken out of his personal context, and putting it into Kings context, and thinking about surgeons, and surgeries, and rehabilitation... I think the "2 to 3 months" scenario is rather generous on the optimism side... No?
CBGB said:
But, but, but I was told they had an 85% ST renewal rate! They even PM'd me when I called BS on it - you mean it's not true?
What does 'PM'd me' mean exactly? Price Match? Potty Mouth?
Maybe the Labrum 'time to heal' difference is in the type of injury. I believe Wade Belak's was a complete tear compared to Johnson's PARTIAL tear. If it only has to partially heal, I would imagine that would take less time.
I agree it seems to come down to the degree of injury when it comes to a labrum. from everything I've read a partial tear takes a few months, say 2-3, where a major / full tear seems to take around 6 months.
I'm 98% sure B.J. Upton of the Tampa Bay Rays played a majority of the year with a partially torn labrum. I'm willing to bet that Belak completely tore his, whereas Johnson's is "just" a partial tear.
On a separate note regarding FSN's "rinkside" viewpoint..
i found it a bit claustrophobic at times..
more than once I caught myself yelling at the tv for them to give a wide shot so i could see what the hell was going on the other side of the rink.
.
and in other news The Ducks have now lost 4 straight
oh you mean the 0-4 Ducks??? oh yeah, them...
btw, I also commented to Rich it seems like the numbers on the sleeve and/or back look like a slightly different color but it may just be the new material, a shiny silver instead of flat silver? at least on TV they're more "whitish silver" looking as opposed to just silver. I don't exactly prefer the look but maybe its just me
oh you mean the 0-4 Ducks??? oh yeah, them...
btw, I also commented to Rich it seems like the numbers on the sleeve and/or back look like a slightly different color but it may just be the new material, a shiny silver instead of flat silver? at least on TV they're more "whitish silver" looking as opposed to just silver. I don't exactly prefer the look but maybe its just me
moller is the real deal and will as long as 2 thing happen:
1: he continue the high energy no fear quick skates and checking.
2: The veterans have his back, quickly when needed for protection.
With his speed and movement I see 15G & 15Ast in 70G games. He is ins stage one of were Sully was last year
Moller, Frolov, & Stoll. 2nd line
Invanans, Simmmond, Boyle
Arnstong, Moulson, Handzuz
Kopi, Sully, Brownie
that my picks Detroit game
Defense Harold odd man out for Qunicey. Harold has solid offensive skills but lack the physical tools but if the kings continue to play as they did against the duck it we be a tremendous teaching tool for Harold. was out of position allot bag passes but never gave up!!
It's great to see that Lubo got the winner tonight against the Ducks. He's still one of my favorite players, and I hope he has a great season for the Oil.
Big difference between a partially torn labrum and a completely torn labrum.
The Oilers played well. It is rather ironic though, that they seem to be missing a big, physical D-man.
I partially tore my labrum this summer...I got surgery in June and I just finished rehab and I can't play physical sports for 2 more months pretty much. I would assume the only reason there is a 3 month projection is because of the consistent rehab daily and great medical attention he'll be receiving, rather than my mediocre care. GO KINGS!!! Keep Sully on a line with FRO and STOLL WE NEED TWO GOOD SCORING LINES!!
What complicated the injury to Handzus was that it wasn't just an ACL tear -- the news reports said he also tore his MCL in the process.
When Handzus came back last season he was physically functional, but he didn't have the "touch" in his leg. Basically the leg doesn't feel right and a lot of the cuts, turns, and driving power that you're used to just isn't there. A lot of pro athletes have said in interviews on the subject that it doesn't seem to return until 6 to 9 months after you're back in walking condition.
Hopefully with his injury behind him now he'll return to the form he enjoyed with the Flyers and quiet the naysayers from last season.