Forum answers I

Thanks for all the great questions, and feel free to keep asking them. It’s been a busy day, so sorry for the delay in getting to the answers, but here’s the first set…

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Question: How many draft picks in the first 4 rounds for the kings this year? Any idea what Trent Klatt is up too? Any news on Zatkoff?

What do you think of the Kings goaltending prospects? How would you tank them? What is up with Clune and Cliche?

Answers: 1) I’ll probably make some small mistake on this, but I believe it’s accurate. The Kings currently have one first-round pick, two

second-round picks, one third-round pick and three fourth-round picks. The Kings have their own first-round pick and their own second-round pick plus Calgary’s pick (Cammalleri trade). The Kings lost their third-round pick in the Cloutier trade but got Buffalo’s pick in a 2008 draft-day trade. That pick would go to Anaheim if the Kings trade Sean O’Donnell before the end of the season. In the fourth round, the Kings have their pick plus Detroit’s pick (Brad Stuart trade) plus San Jose’s pick (2008 draft-day trade). 2) According to Wikipedia, Klatt “now coaches Bantam A hockey in Grand Rapids, Minnesota along with fellow former NHLer Scott Kleinendorst.” 3) Zatkoff is eligible to come off injured reserve now, but I haven’t heard anything in the last couple days about whether he’s ready to play. 4) Just based on where they are now, you’d have to put Quick over Bernier. He’s playing in the NHL and Bernier isn’t. After that, Zatkoff is showing good development, and Martin Jones looks intriguing. 5) Clune is back and playing for Manchester. I have no idea what’s going on with Cliche. He has now been out more than four months with a separated shoulder.

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Question: Can you give us an update on how Matt is doing? Did he land another sportswriting gig? He was a good kid with a passion for his

work.

Answer: Anyone who can actually find a sportswriting job these days is living a charmed life. Last I heard, Matt was persuing some

freelance assignments in his varied interests. I’m sure he appreciates the good wishes.

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Questions: 1) Even if the kings pull off a great second half and manage to make a push for that seventh or eighth spot, would you think it

wise to bolster there line-up through a trade, maybe losing some of there prospects, or just to wait until next year and let the kids get some valuable playoff experience? Then pick up some pieces in the off-season. 2) From what I have seen and to which some have agreed to through the message boards, Sully seems to be unhappy especially after he got that empty netter a week or so ago. Is there any discontent there or am I reading to much into his body language?

Answer: 1) Giving up prospects for a talented player under a multi-year contract? Sure. Giving up prospects for a rent-a-player, just in the hopes of sneaking into the playoffs? Probably not. That’s an important distinction, and it can be a tough thing to balance. Certainly, there is some emotional value, in terms of a young team having some success and making the playoffs, but I think Lombardi’s thoughts, in terms of trades, will always focus on the long term. 2) I really don’t understand this. People who probably have never had an extended conversation with O’Sullivan are going to judge his happiness level by whether he smiles on the ice? You shouldn’t take personal offense to that, but I just don’t understand it, especially since I’ve known O’Sullivan for a couple years and I’ve probably seen him smile…twice.

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Questions: Why does Oscar Moller use a Foote stick instead of one with his name on it? Do you think they will resign Erik Ersberg? Will Erik take another one year contract & is his health now an issue with the team? How long do we have Kyle Quincy signed for? Regarding Kings practice at Toyota Sports Center: how do we know when the whole team will show up? I can call & get the time of the practice, but we’ve shown up a couple times & only a few guys will be there? Is there some kind of formula they follow? And generally from your past experience do they practice on a Sunday after a 1:00 game on Saturday?

Answers: 1) Good question. I haven’t the slightest idea, but I’ll ask him if I remember the next time I see him. 2) I can’t see them giving Ersberg a long-term contract at this point, but that could always change. The Kings want as much flexibility as they can have with the goalies, which is why they fought for a two-way contract for Ersberg this season. Whether he will take a short-term contract is another question. Obviously he already has a history of playing professionally in Sweden. 3) Quincey will be a restricted free agent after the 2010-11 season. 4) Generally, all the players will be on ice if it’s a regularly scheduled practice. If there are two or three days off between games, there might be a built-in rest day. For instance, using the example you gave, if the Kings played Saturday afternoon, and then not again until Tuesday, there’s a good chance that most of the team wouldn’t skate Sunday. If there was a game on Monday, the whole team would almost certainly skate Sunday. You sort of have to look ahead to the next game, and project.

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Question: The Clash or U2?

Answer: Both, but I’m big into U2 because I grew up listening to them. New tour soon!

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Question: What do you think is happening with Brian Boyle? Do you see him joining the Kings again this season? Has he missed his opportunity for this year, barring injury? Do you think the expectations for Boyle by the Kings are realistic? Is heing being expected to be something he is not because of his size? Do you think it is time to trade Boyle to an organization that will accept him as the player he is, rather than lament the type of player that he is not?

Answer: Well, whether you agree with what the Kings are doing or not, they’ve been very consistent. They want Boyle to play a more physical game, to be stronger in all areas of his game. To this point, he hasn’t been able to perform to their satisfaction. If you want to make the argument that he should be used in a different role, or that the expectations are too high, you’re certainly entitled to that, but it’s not going to change the reality for Boyle. Until he can show, at the NHL level, that he can be that type of player, he’s not going to have a future with the Kings. From talking to Boyle, it’s clear that he understands this. In my conversations with him, he has never complained about anything. He has said that he understands what he needs to do. That’s probably the best answer I can give.

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Question: Why is John Zeiler taking up a roster space with the Kings? In 79 career NHL games, he has 1 goal and 3 assists. Shouldn’t we see either Boyle, Lewis, Moulson or Purcell with the Kings instead of Zeiler?

Answer: Because there are different players for different roles. Zeiler is an energy player, not a goal scorer, and he’s not being put in a goal-scorer’s role. If you want to argue that the Kings have too many “energy” players and not enough goal scorers, you’d have a pretty strong argument, but in general, fourth-line players are fourth-line players for a reason. They’re on the roster to run around and hit people, not to score 40 goals. Perhaps you disagree with the need for a fourth line such as that, but that’s pretty much standard practice in the NHL.

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Question: Rich, I love the work you do here and the Hockey News. Is there any way you would go work for the Hockey News full time if they asked you? Like a Adam Proteau or Mike Brophy kind of deal?

Answer: And leave the thriving newspaper industry? What, are you mad???

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Questions: 1. Why are the next 3 games not televised by FSN? 2. Do BOB and Jim still travel/attend road games that aren’t televised?

Answers: 1) I believe the Chicago game isn’t being televisesd because of college basketball. I presume that both UCLA and USC are slotted in for live telecasts on Fox Sports. As far as Montreal and Ottawa, the Kings are not televising any games from Canada this season. I’m really not certain what the reason is behind that. Typically, I believe, they have done Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary, but not this season. 2) Typically no, but I know that Jim is heading to Canada this weekend for some other obligations. But I don’t believe Bob will join the team until they get to Washington.

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