Hextall talks prospects

Those three better start establishing their mark soon, before the younger players in the system pass them by.
Time is running out on them.
Especially Boyle.
It would help if they had a coach who recognizes their skill and gives them more than 8 minutes a game.

Great find, Rich! Thanks for sharing this. I don't think Boyle is going to go all Tukonen on us. He just needs everyone to be patient with him, and he'll come around. I'm curious to hear everyone's opinion on when will Bernier be able to consistently contribute at the NHL level...

Sorry Anthony... that whomever you wanted to coach this team did not get the job...but at this time I love this coach...and I think the players like him too...so get over yourself and stop with the insults please. Thanks...

Anthony yet again you show us all how little you know about hockey. Young players have to come in and earn ice time. If Boyle and Purcell want to get more ice time and move up the lineup they have to use the ice time they're given to show the coach why they deserve more ice time. Wayne Simmonss is an exellent example of this.

Anthony,

"Time is running out on them.
Especially Boyle.
It would help if they had a coach who recognizes their skill and gives them more than 8 minutes a game"

I think that is exactly why Brian Boyle is down at Manchester, and there is no need to panic at this time. I believe you & I agree that Boyle needs more than 8 minutes a game in order to develop and become stronger. However, you can't fault TM for not giving Boyle more than 8 minutes a game when Boyle was up with the Kings. Giving Boyle more ice time as a center for the Kings would mean less time on the ice for Kopitar, Stoll and Zeus. Hopefully, you'll agree with me that those three have played much better with their ice time than Boyle ever could have with more minutes this season.

nayagamj
I respect your opinion, but its hard to earn more ice time when your linemates are named John Zeiler and Ivanans. I don't think Simmonds played with those two yet. So he's not a good example.
If he did, who knows, he might be playing in Manchester too.

What's interesting to me about Hextall's comments on Bernier is that it flies in the face of the actual numbers, both Bernier's numbers as compared to Quick's and Ersberg's, and the numbers related to how well goalies do in the AHL and what it translates to in the big league (i.e. not much). I don't see why Bernier "needs" to dominate in the AHL in order to be ready for the NHL, when that's so obviously not a prerequisite for anyone else.

Certainly, Hextall himself is one of those goalies whose AHL numbers (3.41 GAA, .894 SV%) were, um, less than dominant. Patrick Roy played but one game in the AHL, but his major junior numbers, over three seasons, featured GAAs of 5.55, 4.44 and 6.26, in 158 games. Brodeur in the AHL: 4.03, .884. Ranford: 3.47, .887.

Bernier: 2.67, .901.

I don't necessarily have a huge problem with Bernier staying in Manchester for the time being, but let's not just make s**t up that's demonstrably untrue.

Lubo is done for the year.

great post Quispy!

Anthony...Boyle has been having a tough year by his own faults. Period. He isn't even scoring in the AHL right now with all the minutes he gets. So if you are about to suggest that more ice time at the top level will make him thrive, you are dead wrong. He is a center, the most responsible of forward positions, and quite frankly his defensive game sucks. Read the writing on the wall. The coach you hate so much is the direct reason why the Kings are in the hunt for a playoff spot. And its because of the standard he holds for defensive responsibility and earning your spot on the roster. Boyle will not get more minutes for a very long time. Get used to it. With the corps of centers that have earned their spot, he has a long way to go before cracking the top lines. Your favortism is obvious. and it leads to very poor judgement.

I actually agree with Anthony with regards to Bernier. Part of that is the Kings fault, however. If the Kings were following their own logic, he would have started some games this season. Next here he may not have a choice but to start some, as we may not have EE.

Here's an idea- perhaps Hextall is referring more to how Bernier is playing (positioning, rebound control, mentality) and the types of goals he's letting in than to stats. You know, it's his job to watch and assess the goaltender prospects and he's seen way more of Bernier (and what he's capable of) than any of us fans. I highly doubt he goes online to look at stats of what other goalies have done in the past to make his assessments- as Quisp illustrated, they're not reliable indicators.

Ever seen Steve Mason play? He's a rookie, who's been given a chance to play at the NHL level, and you know what? It's working out for him. Moving a guy to the big show could work wonders for a players game. Just ask Jon Quick. I'm not a huge JB fan, as a matter of fact, I don't even know if this kid will turn out to be anything, but you're not going to know unless he plays a game.

To add to my comments regarding Bernier..

Obviously we can't do it now, we're in the middle of a playoff race. I meant to say we should have tried him earlier on the season for a game or two.

Your wrong Anthony.

Simmonds earned the ice time with his play in pre-season and every game since then.

Boyle has not.

You will never get it.

You also have never once answered this very simple question. You hate Murray so much, who do you want as the coach?

just to throw this out there... I'd rather have Bernier play behind this year's defense rather than last year's. But with Ersberg and Quick holding their own, Bernier playing most games at Manchester I see no problem with it.

Agreeing with Quisp's comment on goaltenders,
Jason LaBarbera DID dominated the AHL for a few seasons (1.59 .936 in 03-04 & 1.84 .934 in 04-05) earning some Trophy's & MVP honors and look how that's working out for him.

Sounds like you folks favor an Ersberg trade for some consistent offense, then call up Bernier for a 1-1A goalie rotation...

...One other thing: If JLB ever learns that less is more, and stresses his own position over his acrobatic diving, he'll be a great goalie.

BakoCA -

I don't necessarily favor a trade. I expect one, given EE's UFA status. But maybe DL will sign him for another year.

It's kind of interesting to look at it from Ersberg's point of view. A lot depends on whether he is willing to sign on for another year (or whatever DL offers, if anything) or if he would rather test UFA waters.

How about future prospects? I am thinking Taylor Doherty in the second round would be interesting. While D is no longer the pressing need it was a year ago, i would love to hear Miller say Doughty to Doherty and back to Doughty.

If Ersberg continues as the defacto #2 on the Kings, and takes less than half of the starts until the trade deadline, his trade value will be no more than JLB's seventh round draft choice.

To trade Ersberg for value, DL needs to get him some starts between now and March 4 deadline (12 games including today)... 3-4 starts minimum to prove he's healthy, with back-to-back starts at least once. That would be Ducks-Sharks (18-19th) or Wild-Flyers (24-25th). I'd figure Ersberg is worth at least a #2 or #3 pick.

Jet, re "Doherty to Doughty":

Yes. For the same reason, I used to amuse myself thinking about a line-up of Fleury, Kurri, Murray and Drury. I had a fifth name, but I can't remember who it was. Maybe I never got a fifth name.

Jonathan Bernier needs to elevate his game. That guy should be putting up better numbers. He's a big disappointment so far.

Pat McGroyn,
"I don't think Boyle is going to go all Tukonen on us. He just needs everyone to be patient with him, and he'll come around"

If anything, management should've been patient with Tukonen. Lauri Tukonen is two years younger than Brian Boyle. He had real potential; his game would translate in NHL. Boyle was looking like a big bust, pun intended, the day he was drafted. A hit or miss. Way too slow, lazy, and softer than a fluffy pillow.

Ted Purcell? MOVE YOUR FEET.

Currently Bernier woudn't dominate a high school game.