In praise of Handzus
It's accurate, not cruel, to say that Michal Handzus was awful last season. In the first year of a four-year, $16-million contract, Handzus had seven goals and 14 assists in 82 games and often got dropped to fourth-line center duties. In Handzus' defense, it was his first year back after ACL surgery, and that's usually a rough year on any athlete, but Handzus insisted that he was 100 percent. That's doubtful, because Handzus looks like a completely different player this season. He has 10 goals and 13 assists in 50 games, but more importantly, he's a monster on defense and the anchor of a shutdown line, something that the Kings have lacked for years. He has also been a strong mentor to Wayne Simmonds. Here's what Terry Murray said about Handzus' play this season...
MURRAY: ``He can do anything we ask. I have moved Michal Handzus to left wing and it's, `No problem, I can play left wing, I understand.' He has a great attitude about the game and his contribution to the team. He feels good about how he's playing. What I'm seeing from him now is what I saw from him in Philadelphia. He's a glue player who goes out and does hard work every night. He's blocking shots, winning faceoffs and centering a shutdown line as we get to critical points of the game. As a result of him playing that role, as a veteran, he also takes on more of the leadership and responsibility for helping the development of the young players.''
21 Comments
Leave a comment
About the bloggers
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.
E-mail J.P. at jp.hoornstra@inlandnewspapers.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.
Vincent Bonsignore is a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Daily News. E-mail Vinny at vincent.bonsignore
@dailynews.com.
Copyright Notice |
Privacy Policy |
Information |
Subscriber Services |
Site Map |
RSS 
MNG Corporate Site Map | Newspaper Media Kit
MNG Corporate Site Map | Newspaper Media Kit
| For more local Southern California News: | Copyright ©2011 |
| Los Angeles Newspaper Group |
Zues was 79% in the face off circle in the defensive zone last night. TALK ABOUT GLUE
Agreed. Seems that pieces are finally starting falling into place.
I don't think so.
the guy has been playing great. obviously the goal against the Sens was huge the other night, but most of the time his contributions aren't the kind that show up on a score sheet. glad he has worked out.
Zus is a solid rock. Really like the mentoring of Simmonds. We just really need to work on that shutdown line actually shutting things down...and not scrambling in the defensive zone for 2 minutes.
Last year I was complaining that Zues was a horrible signing but I believe this year he has really redeemed himself and has been really great for Simmonds. I still think that as a third line center his contract is a bit pricey but thats it. I really like that this team has good depth down the center... not really sure where Boyle is going to fit in next year. I guess the fourth line role but I would hate to lose Army as he is a real character guy and I think he would take a pay cut to come back to us next year (not that he is making stellar money as it is).
Zus is awesome. No win last night without him.
Anthony, you won't be happy even if we do win a cup.
Side note..
The Devs play at Atlanta tonight, so hopefully they'll be good and tired for tomorrow nights game.
Hey Anthony why dont you move to Anaheim already.
I was one of the few people saying how great of a signing zues was and that we wont see what kind of player he is until this season. And he actually has 10 goals this season Rich.
smokiemcpot - i would think its a safe bet to say this might be Armys last season in the NHL. But yes he is the ultimate charactor guy and a great leader especially for the young kids.
Also, how many goals were scored as a direct result from Zeus' play away from the puck? You don't get assists for screening the goalie. Zeus has become one of my favorite players this year. Plus, he has a bad ass last name.
Haha Scott, yeah, true. Wanna good laugh? Go over to http://hfboards.com and go to the Kings section. In there, find any of Telos' posts. Check out his sig. Good stuff. I laugh everytime I see it.
I think it's safe to say Anthony would find something to complain about Ovechkin, Howe, Bossy, Orr, Bourque, Roy, and just every Hall Of Famer to ever play the game. It's safe to say he is just a troll who likes to get attention...I say, don't feed the troll anymore (Yes, I'm guilty as well).
As for Zues...there is no way he was 100% last year. Maybe in structure, but not mentally or with his leg strength. He's a step faster this year, and has been outstanding. He isn't just mentoring Simmonds, he's showing the rest of the guys (Kopitar, Brown, O'Sullivan who I have been all over, Moller) what it takes to be a successful professional in the NHL.
I can't believe the turnaround in his game from last year to this. I was also one of those that thought he was a huge waste of $$...not anymore.
In my opinion, he's been the teams MVP this year.
Anthony: Did you get a car stolen while you were in Philly or something?
Hes been great this year no doubt a great influence on Simmonds. Wasn't Zues the one who coughed up the puck in the corner at the end of the game leading to the goal?
Someone made a comment about screening the goalie. At least Kopitar's first last night was a net result. Theodore had no idea where the puck was because Handzus had his ass planted firmly in Theodore's face. If you want to teach kids how to screen goalies...have them watch Handzus this year. He's doing texbook work and I haven't seen someone do it that well since Deadmarsh or Sandstrom on this team.
His defense is fantastic and we have three guys winning faceoffs this year? Amazing.
I was stoked when they got him but he definitely didn't perform last year and Rich and others said that it bothered Handzus more than anyone because dude has pride. He's come back strong this year and is a big time player for the team.
Yes, he was the one who coughed up the puck in the corner leading to Ovechkin's goal. Hey...nobody's perfect. Overall, he has been great.
Dan H...I do believe he was screaning Theodore on Kopitar's first goal, and I can distinctly remember numerous PP goals he has been a part of due to his screens AND tips in front of the net.
anthony said:
"I don't think"
Unsung hero award!!!
Gets my vote for unsung hero of the year!
I think if you look at many of the Kings goals this year, Zeus has been right there in front of the net doing so much of the unsung dirty work, setting screens, mucking it with defensemen, etc. He has been a defensive monster, a terrific mentor for the kids and as hard working as anyone you'll see in the NHL. He overcame a horrific injury and has been one of TM's go to guys all season, both offensively and defensively.
Don't let the amount of goals Michal has scored or last season influence how you think about his play. He has done it all this year and will probably end up with between 15-20 goals too. A great team player and another integral part of the team DL has assembled, overall an excellent signing.