Welcome to the NHL
Three players -- Drew Doughty, Oscar Moller and Wayne Simmonds -- are expected to make their NHL debut tomorrow when the Kings open their season in San Jose. Terry Murray talked about what they should expect and shared some memories from his NHL debut...
Question: You have three guys playing their first NHL game tomorrow. Any particular message to those guys?
MURRAY: ``Well, we'll talk about that in our team meeting, what we, as a team, need to be ready for. We were fortunate to be able to play San Jose in a game near the end of training camp, so we saw most of what their lineup would be. They were missing a couple players. But we all know that once you get into the real deal, that the intensity and the competitiveness go to another level. So being ready for that is most important for the young players who are going to be in a game for the first time. There's going to be a lot of pressure. (The Sharks) are very aggressive on the forecheck team and they come at you with a lot of speed and a lot of pressure. So they have to be ready emotionally and mentally, physically be prepared for a hard battle.''
Question: Do you remember your first game?
MURRAY: ``I sure do. Minnesota North Stars vs. Oakland Seals. I took it end to end a couple times but it just wouldn't go in for some reason. (laughs) It was fun. It's pretty exciting. The adrenaline is going, the energy is high and you're really looking forward to getting your pro career underway. So I'm sure it's a very exciting day for these young guys, just waiting for tomorrow to come and the drop of the puck.''
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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.
I thought this was going to be a very slow week for Kings fans, but actually there have been several positive developments:
1) Named our captain for the next 10-plus years.
2) Locked up our first line winger for the next three years, at a fair price.
3) Noted the players' sigificant preference for the new coaching staff versus the previous regime.
4) Read some of Rich's best articles ever: his analysis of team leadership and his interview with Dustin Brown.
Great week all around. Do we hafta play the games?
Welcome to the NHL indeed, to Doughty, Simmonds, and Moeller. If Rich is listening, maybe he could start up an "advice" thread where we 'commentors' could offer our advice for the beginning of these young men's careers. My own would be, "Don't get too high, and don't get too low." There are always ups and downs. Also, "if you need help, ask for it." Especially to a guy like Moeller who's in a new country, i think. When things are really confusing, sometimes you need a guide. I'd say Derek Armstrong would be a good source for strength when it seems the odds are stacked against you. Have great seasons and enjoy the hell out of it.
cheers
Cristobal - Judging from most of what I've read in the past couple weeks, the LAST thing Kings players need is advice from their fans.
Simonsez - A valid observation. hahaha. I guess that could mix up a kid permanently listening to our nonsense.
Actually, there are a lot of grounded and wise comments on here sometimes. I almost get the feeling the managers are listening to the concensus opinions sometimes. Things are going way too well right now before the season begins. As a pessimist, its making me nervous. haha.
anyway,
cheers.