Forum answers I

"Question: Any ideas why the Kings aren't using Stoll's wicked one-timer on the power play? Stoll plays the point on the PP but never really on his one-time side, and they rarely seem to set up the one-timer. When Stoll was in Edmonton, it seems like that was the mainstay of their PP. He really has a cannon.

"Answer: I can't tell you exactly what the dynamic is there, because I don't know, but I would certainly agree that Stoll has the best point shot on the team."

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A possible answer:
Probably because the other NHL teams adjust and play smart defense, playing to take away Stoll's point shot.

The NHL players and coaching staffs are smart. They scout the Kings. They scout the Kings's power play. They see Stoll has a strong point shot. So, on the powerplay, the man guarding Stoll makes sure to stay out higher, covering Stoll more closely, rather than collapsing. This takes away Stoll's point shot.

Over covering one player should open ice space for other plays on other parts of the ice. On the power play, the Kings do work the puck around and look for Stoll, as they know Stoll's shot is strong. Its just that the defenses play to take that particular play away. Or make it more difficult, rather.

(A similar thing happened last year with Camallari. To begin the year, Cammy scored several goals the same back door shot on the power play. Then the defenses adjusted to stop that play and Camallari's scoring basically stopped. The 07-08 Kings had problems finding a working adjustment once the back door play to Camallari was covered)

This year, opposing teams would rather try their luck with say Quincey shooting then with Stoll shooting.

As long as the Kings stay aware of Stoll and his shot, at some point the play to Stoll should open up, allowing a good scoring chance.

Rich, I can't help it...I'm obsessed with the idea of the Kings making a splash with a free agent or a trade sooner rather than later. Assuming that with your close attention to the team, you know better than any of us...what are the odds that the Kings could hunt down a guy of say Hossa's or Kovalchuk's caliber? Is the feeling that DL is aiming that high?

how important is the plus minus rating and could you explain the kings defensive system and why it effects their offense thanks

Andre is wrong. Double-check your sources, Rich!!!

Here's a couple of questions for you, Rich...

1. What's the harm (despite the fact that most fans would consider this blasphemy) of sending Jack Johnson down to Manchester for a couple of weeks as a "conditioning" stint?

2. Why not do the same with Armstrong and Richardson, as they have both missed enough time as to need to get back into game shape, and they would not be subject to waivers if listed as "conditioning."

3. Who do we have to pay to get Kyle Calder assigned to Manchester? If the Kings did try to recall him, maybe some team would take half of his salary. If Lombardi wants to be generous he can throw in the 7th he got for LaBarbera, right? ;)

Regarding the analogy of DT's deadline deals... IIRC, during DT's final season he traded prospects Grebeshkov and Tambellini -- both first round picks, and both now NHL regulars -- for Parrish and Sopel. If acquiring a top scorer is going to cost DL any current prospects picked in the first round (if not additional picks/players) I wince to think who those prospects might be, and I hope that whomever we get in return is worth the swap, in years as well as talent. I'm sure DL will exercise his judgement wisely, should he actually make such a deal, but still -- I'm growing attached to following the development of the young guys and I can't help but anticipate seeing a lot of them in Kings uniforms some day.

This could be a very gimmicky idea but what about a Euro and USA line?

Frolov/Kopitar/Moller
O'Sullivan/Boyle/Brown

If we could see Boyle play with half of Ivannan's anger he could be a very good asset.

Not a great description of forecheck vs. backcheck.

Forechecking is done when entering the offensive zone. You send 1 or 2 guys and leave the third man high (around the top of the circles and on the off wing). 1st man normally makes contact and the second guy should be his safety man on the half wall.

Backchecking is when the forwards come back into the defensive zone and pick up trailing guys on the rush.

Cubs??? oh no! oh my. I forget, isn't Bob Miller a Cubs fan? I think he said that on the air once or twice... last I remember Jim Fox roots for some really stupid team, the Yankees I think.

that aside, the rest of these answers make sense (steak is great but better with seafood. beer is best. chocolate is great but vanilla is underrated). oh and Megan Fox is wonderful but too much ego for me and I prefer a fine well rounded female. I have never been an Aniston guy, until that GQ cover and her recent beach paparazzi pics. wow. she's only gotten better with age. only being a Kings fan could make her more attractive...

Actually Rich, Andre is wrong. A forecheck is when the puck is in the the other teams zone and your forwards are applying pressure to their defensemen deep in their zone. An example would be when the Kings dump the puck into the Ducks zone, and one or two forwards from the Kings are skating after the puck behind the net against the Ducks defenseman. If someone is complaining that we only have one forechecker, it means only one guy is applying pressure on the d-men and the other 4 guys are hanging back. Here is a quick video of an example of a forecheck:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzQLffMdkVs&NR=1

Andre's explanation of forechecing and backchecking is inaccurate.

Both Anonymous and tantrunm4 have forecheck/backcheck correct.

Once or twice on tv Jim Fox commented that he roots for the Toronto Blue Jays. His being from Ontario Province, it makes sense. But his loyalties may reside everywhere...but the Yanks? Say it ain't so Jim.

-Do you see anything wrong with POS's game lately.
-For a player with a great shot, should he not be used more in the goal slot area.
-On the PP, why does TM station him by the goal line, doesn't that take away from his effectiveness.

sorry Crash I couldn't recall. you may be right, the Blue Jays. I can't remember if Bob said Cubs or Yankees which is where I might have gotten confused, I just remember hearing one of those on the Kings broadcast before. I'm quite sure he never said Dodgers!!!

What do you think Calder, Pressing, and Armstrong's value will be as far as picks at the trade deadline for that playoff that needs some more veteran presence?? 4th-7th Round??

If we were to go after a free agent this year, who do you think would be the best fit in LA? Franzen, Zetterburg (if hes available), Gaborik??

It seems were gonna have a or already do have a logjam of defenseman and goalies in our system, not that that is a bad thing, but do you see any of these prospects getting traded soon to fill in the needs of the team or again just staying the course, and when we are a legitimate playoff team to make those types of decisions?

I can see some of u disagree with my explanation regarding forechecking and backchecking. u can choose how high or high low you want to forecheck/put pressure on another team. u can put the forecheck high in your offensive zone or you can put it in the neutral zone . And yes u can call it forecheck when u dump the puck into the other team defensive zone and skate in after it with one or two guys. The reason a team use forecheck is to disturb the other team/take away their passing abilities. If u forecheck too deep into the offensive zone with 2 or 3 guys and it become too much distance between the players(forwards/defence) u can end up with a man advantage for the other team. Thats why u have to be careful on the forecheck. But Im sure Rich can come up with the right explanation on what is forecheck and backcheck.

First, to defend D Taylor a bit, Parrish and Sopel are also still playing in the league and Tambellini is only now KINDA breaking in with the Isles.
We gave up very little to get AC and Ronning, who were both good guys to go after - except that apparently AC was focused on other things while here.
Grebeshkov, however, should never have been moved. I think Taylor knew he was F'ed if he didn't make the playoffs, though - and he was right, but at least he got us Brown, Fro, Kopi, Lubo, and Cammy with some good drafting.

"Questions: 1. Rich do you think Voinov will make the team next season?
2. Do you think DL will adimately pursue a goal scorer over the summer in free agency? If so whho comes to mind?
3. Why did the schedule makers screw the kings and have them playing basically the last 3 months of the season on the road?
4. With Wayne Simmonds improving game by game do you see him being in LA all year?"

I just wanted to say that if you watched the WJC's maybe whomever would agree with me that Voinov could play her THIS season. The size difference makes it hard to gauge but he looked like the pressure of the game didn't affect him and the skill is there.
I'd say the Schedule makers may have been favoring the Kings by giving them the beginning of the season to settle a very young and inexperienced team that was in "crisis." - If the Kings were on 5 wins or so we might be getting prepared to see them open next season in KC.
Wayne ain't going nowhere.

"Answer:Part of what helped sink Dave Taylor was those deadline trades he made, merely to try to grab the No. 8 playoff spot. Cliff Ronning, anyone? Anson Carter? Not that the Kings gave up much in those deals, but still. Lombardi is only going to make a deal if it helps the long-term fortunes of the team.'

You left off the trade for Parrish(UFA) and Sopel(bad knee)for two former 1st round picks in Tambelli an Grebeshkov. A move to try and save his job that was the final straw.

I don't know if its still an issue, or if this will help, but I think Fore-Checking can somewhat be explained in more familiar terms if you compare it to 'Punting' in american football.

When a team punts its turning over possession in an attempt to change "where" the possession is. A team will dump the puck, essentially turning over possession, yet attempt to chase down and pressure the other team into a turnover or getting stuck in their own end. Of course a fore-check is also used to halt the other team's pressure in your own end and it attempts to turn possession back even if it's in the neutral zone.
Back-checking, I would describe as a teams effort to contain the other team's possession to non-scoring areas AND, again, an attempt to regain possession. Back-checking can also occur in the neutral zone as forwards pressure the opposition trying to move possession into the attacking zone. Generally, the forwards are trained to allow the center to play deep in the defensive zone (assisting the defensemen) while the wingers are played higher (nearer the blue line) and are responsible for covering the opposing defensemen as well as clearing the zone when the puck comes up the walls.
Certain, less skilled teams, use the fore-check to create their scoring as they have quick, intelligent players who know how to anticipate movement and use their bodies well. Team Canada in the WJC's was, in my opinion, dominant on the fore-check and many of their goals came from forcing turnovers and panic in the other team's defensive zone. Essentially a good forechecking team out works the other team's back-checking, creating turnovers, confusion, and mistakes.
This is where intelligent and skilled defensemen thrive because they are able to beat the forecheck and spring forwards for outnumbered attacks. If a center doesn't have to back-check as hard they can await the breakout/clearing pass and move forward.
I think our offensive struggles are a result of our Centers having to back check so responsibly. It's difficult to get forward and get creative when you have to work the puck end to end while the other team is getting ready to back-check themselves.
I hope this helps and doesn't make it all the more confusing.

cheers.