Kopitar + Frolov = offense?
Who knows if it will work, but putting Anze Kopitar and Alexander Frolov is one thing the Kings haven't tried this season, so why not give it a go? As you'll read below, it's something that has barely been tried at all since Kopitar joined the Kings. After practice today, Kopitar talked about his new linemate -- Wayne Simmonds is expected to be the other winger -- and gave his thoughts about the Kings' recent offensive slumber...
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Question: When's the last time you regularly skated with Frolov, other than some random power-play time here and there?
KOPITAR: ``They put us on a line together when I got here, in my first training camp. We went through all the exhibition games together and then a couple games into the season, they split us. Since then, I don't think we've played together on a consistent basis.''
Question: Kind of weird, isn't it? Especially given how often lines change in hockey?
KOPITAR: ``Yeah. In the last two years, I think I've played with every winger on this team except Fro. It's a little funny, but change is always welcome, and we'll see how we do tomorrow.''
Question: Any thoughts on how your styles might mesh? He's a guy who can do a lot of different things out there.
KOPITAR: ``He's a guy who can hold onto the puck for a long time. He's always making plays. If he doesn't have to dump the puck, he won't dump it. He's going to make plays. It seems like he never panics with the puck. He's a really good player with the puck and really good around the net, so I'm really looking forward to playing with him.''
Question: Obviously it's too generic to ask, `How do you score more goals?' but what are the little things you can start doing to generate some momentum on offense?
KOPITAR: ``Last game, we didn't have enough shots. We didn't make that goalie face too much. We've got to make plays. It seems that maybe we're a little scared to make plays. We have to shoot the puck and be hungry on the rebounds and everything. Then obviously, you have to pay the price to score goals. You have to go to the front of the net. That's what we've got to do, and keep bringing it every night.''
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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.
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It won't matter.
With this coach's DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE F+DEFENSE approach, I wouldn't be surprised if things stay the same.
Sending only one player to forecheck doesn't help the situation either.
But I have to admit one thing, I was very surprised to see the POS-Kopi-Brown line flop.
I wonder if POS and Brown are gonna be taken off the power play unit.
You know TM's way of punishment and demotion.
Seriously anthony, watch that game over again.
It's sad that you have to rely on comments made by Brian Hayward and John Ahlers. The only unit sending one player in on the forecheck was the Kopi Brown Osullivan line. Second, this teams problem last night was HORRENDOUS passing.
Please Rich, can you ask Terry Murray to make the team work on passing and hitting players with a tape to tape pass at full speed. Or at least ask him what he thought about the team's passing last night ?
Our offense isn't going to go anywhere if the passing isn't good enough. If you can't win without good passing at extremely low levels, then why the hell do people expect the kings to score goals if the kings aren't passing like people that get paid to play hockey.
If this team laid off on the D work just a little bit and worked alot more on passing, I think we would see a real improvement in the offense.
Kopi and Frolov together after all these years.
I guess Quisp may not be reading my comments but that T Rodney Murray is.
I'm actually excited to finally see Frolov and Kopitar on the same line. I think they will compliment each other well.
I remember seeing them play together on the penalty kill during Kopitar's rookie season. They had good chemistry and generated a lot of scoring chances.
Kopitar and Frolov played together in a game against the Rangers at MSG last season, when Brown was gone to have his baby. They looked GREAT together (1g, 1a each, IIRC), that's why I've been clamoring for them to be put together on a line since the Summer.
Scared to make plays? Ican`t believe he said that. What is TM doing doing to there heads.
FINALLY!!! Someone said "you have to pay the price" and park yourself in front of the opposing goalie. Who will that person be...consistently? Is it that none of the current roster players are willing to sacrafice their bodies or are THAT hungry to score? Ohhhh...to yearn for the days of Luc Robitaille getting pummelled in front of the net...but KNOWING that is where he HAD to be to score goals!
Anyone ready to take that on? Anyone.....ANYONE????
Who cares, if they don't score on their first shift TM will just separate them.
Just one question: Is it Fropitar or Kopilov?
Well I have one Word to say about the lack of offense we have been seeing. TALENT...People please. Kopi-Has the talent but has taken the year off so far. Brown- never has been a scorer but liked to collect the garbage in front of the net (Like Luuuuuuke used to do) has not placed himself there very little if at all.POS- Has a hand full of games from last season under his belt and has the tools, but not a proven scorer by any means. (I think he is a better playmaker then scorer and very good on shoot outs (Move him to center). Fro- Loves the Uni-Cycle holds on to the puck way to long but given the right circumstances is a scorer.Stoll- still not sold I think he is a better D man, but has a good shot, just cant find the direction when launched. Zues,Caldor,Zieler,Drago,Army, CANT HELP..Boyle- not sure, they still have not placed him on a line with anyone and then they have not put him in front of the net at all were he belongs. Simmons- Has the tools but needs to develop. He needs to be a 4th line guy for now and maybe we would get so production there. Purcell- Soft Mollar- Big Upside (Hated to see him leave even for the two weeks)Trevor Lewis- played the best of the young kids so far but is in Manchester, my question is Why? So there you have it..RJB's thoughts
Right Now We Need One:
Kolvolchuk
Heatley
Speeza
Alfredson
St Louis
Hossa - Next Year
I think we move to the 3rd slot if not better if this happens...
What a potential disaster this is going to be...(I hope not but...).
Frolov is the most overrated player we have and I'm tired of his extremely mediocre energy on the ice. Now put him into the mix with recently lazy Kopi and Simmonds who is clearly not ready to offer offense in the NHL and that spells disaster to me... I hope I'm wrong.
But what can you do, nobody else is producing either huh?...
I've said a few times on here and last night as a fact, that I want to see simmonds play with Kopi AND Fro, or Kopi and Sully. Simmonds was a very creative player in junior, the guy can score.(great in shootouts as well) They have always said they just need him to be more defensive in our own end.
I think it is scary that we arent scoring, however once these players learn the defensive side, the offense will eventually come. We have alot of great offensive talent, I think eventually some of these guys will look like DATSYUK or ZETTERBERG, who are to of the best offensive and defensive forwards out there.
PATIENCE people, be objective, we arent a cup contender yet, and we still wouldnt be even if we got Hossa. Lets try and sneak into the 8th spot, and look for a sniper next year.