Moller, Drewiske to Manchester

Drewiske out.
Gauthier In.

How does that make our team better?
Lets ask management.

Drewiske should be playing instead of Gauthier. Gauthier is a liability.

Dean,

quit messing around and send Oscar to Seattle. He would look great on a line with Jim O'Brien.

Sincerely,

Seattle Thunderbirds season ticket holder

Moller should be sent to Seattle now, so he can begin to know his teammates before playoffs start. Drewiske should be our 6th defenseman, he makes smart decisions. Preissing should be traded for whatever we can get, (7th rounder) and Gauthier should be our healthy scratch nightly. And also, send Zeiler down to MAN and call-up Brian Boyle. Have him and Armstrong compete for the last spot nightly

Agreed. Drewiske looked poised out there; calm when pressured. Gauthier was on the ice for the only ES goal yesterday.

Even though he has only played in a handful of NHL games, I think Drewiske is already a better defenseman than Gauthier. This makes no sense at all and I question whether management is actually using the best Kings lineup possible at this critical point in the season.

Gauthier gets playing time so he can audition for the trade deadline. I would expect Preissing to return to the ice so he too may be showcased.

At the end of it all we'll see Gauthier, Preissing, O'Donnell and Calder dealt for draft picks or prospects.

This team is not going to the post season.

I take it Moller isn't going back to Seattle with his assignment to MAN. It tells me that he is going to be sent back to LA once he is back up to speed. They wouldn't waste anyone's time if he was ultimately headed back to Seattle.

But I am kind of torn with Drewiske. I know the logic behind it is that he was just getting a look, kind of like how Trevor Lewis had a few games in. But if he did show poise and an ability to stay out of the box, I would think he deserves a longer look. Then again, the Goat has experience with competing in a NHL playoff atmosphere. Also, we can't deny Goat's PK abilities. Its a tough call and only time will tell if the right move was made.

These are pre-deadline moves. I expect they will both be back after the inevitable trades.

@Quisp: I think you're spot on.

Even if the trade trigger isn't ultimately pulled, we'll get even less value for Gauthier & Co. if they're in the minors. I think Drewiske/ Drew2 will be back before the season is up

The Kings were winning with Drewiske in the line-up. The last 3 games Gauthier was in the line-up were all losses. Now I'm not suggesting that one player is the cause of the last 3 losses (maybe the one in Montreal), but I would think that when you're on a four-game winning streak you would want to play the same line-up and not switch out a perfectly capable defenseman in exchange for the worst player on your team who has single-handedly cost the team at least one victory this season (against the Red Wings). Why the hell would Murray put Gauthier back in the line-up? And why would Lombardi send Drewiske back to Manchester? I cannot figure this out!!

Hey Davis, you played so well that we're gonna send you back to Manchester. WHAT? Well Rich, since you're gonna talk with Deano Monday, I'd LOVE his explanation on this one.

Besides his take on Moller (He needs to stay up), Vasquez is right on! 'Nuff said there.

Quisp is right too. Moller going to Manch and not Seattle tells me a trade, waiver or 4th line send-down is in the works to make room for him.

Preissing and Gauthier need to go. They don't fit in the system as we're playing it. Gauthier overcommits on plays. I like the enthusiasm, but not at the detriment of the defense. Preissing is just dead weight and wasted salary.

BRING BACK DD!!!

folks, there is a reason why Preissing is on the ice, and it isn't to see which of the future Kings D-men he fits with, or for him to solidify his spot as the QB of our power play. In fact, expect to see #42 available in the very near future.

Maybe we could trade Tom Preissing, Denis Gauthier, and a pick to a team for literally nothing? The pick would offset their need to waive both of them and take the salary. Please?

Also, could this have anything to do with the Kings not wanting Drewiske to play 10 games? Not turning pro?

Let's not forget that we want to build a winning team in Manchester as well, so that we're growing winners in our hockey organization. This move doesn't make the Los Angeles Kings better, but it stengthens our system.

Three days ago, Terry Murray says:

Re Oscar Moller's return to the lineup: ``He was pretty good. I moved him up at the end, looking for something to happen in the offensive part of it, and he fits in. He's a player who can play on any line and brings that skill element. I thought he was pretty good in his first game. It's been quite a while for him.''

Yesterday, Terry Murray decides to NOT play Moller, and to play Armstrong instead. Despite the fact that Moller was good enough the game before to play with Kopitar and O'Sullivan in the 3rd period against Calgary.

Today, Moller has to go to New Hampshire for CONDITIONING...

This makes sense... LOL.

manchester is pro

Why is everyone so shocked Drewiske was sent down? Did he play good? YES! But isn't this the trend with Lombardi? They get a cup of coffee, they go back down, work on a few things and come back. He will be back. As will Lewis, and Purcell and Boyle (if he can get his play straightened out). Not having Drewiske in the line up for a bit won't kill us. Gauthier will be traded soon enough.

Drewiske out.
Gauthier In.

How does that make our team better?
Lets ask management

Think outside of the box kid. You do realize that trade deadline is coming up don't you? Don't be surprised to see Preissing make a cameo appearance as well.

Drewiske will be back up.

Vasquez - I don't get why the heck would you want Boyle back in LA, but to each his own!

I'm a Kings fan as well as a Manchester STH. Boyle sucks game in and game out. He's slower than ever, if that's possible, doesn't hang out in front of the net on the PP, doesn't check and only has a couple of points since returning. His new name - the glider. Even Coach Morris has made comments about Boyle problems.

marksonfire, re drewiske:

When you said that, I went oh yeah, good point, no wait, he's pro in Manchester already.

I think what happened with Drewiske is this: DL wanted to see if DD2 (Doughty obviously being DD1) was ready for the big club, to step in if Gauthier, Preissing or SOD are dealt at the deadline. DD2 was called up and performed very well (exceeding my expectations anyway; I have no idea if DL knew he was going to be that good). Now he's sent down, not as a demotion, but because DL got the information he needed in order to now be able to do what he needs to do in the days up to the deadline.

Gauthier and SOD are both UFA this summer. SOD, in particular, will be sought after by several teams. Gauthier, probably not so much, but he is a veteran defenseman with a couple of series' worth of playoff experience. Preissing, I would at this point be stunned if he's movable, but clearly the idea would be to get him into a game or two, just to be able to say he doesn't have vertigo, and then, he too is a veteran defenseman with 42 games of playoff experience.

With Atlanta coming up on Monday, I wouldn't be surprised if the idea is to get Preissing into that game -- since they are the worst team we're playing in the next ten days -- as his little demo that he's not dizzy -- and then back to the press box for him.

Anyway, if Preissing doesn't fall over, that's three defenseman "chips" that DL has to play in the coming game of trade deadline poker. And he's got several forward "chips" to play with, too.

(1) Calder -- who, no matter what anyone says and no matter how good he plays, I have to believe DL is going to move. He's this year's Stuart, bad for half a year, then turning it on in time to get moved.
(2) Armstrong -- as the pun says, the guy is a Swiss Army Knife. I would kinda hate to see him go, but he's a useful piece and undoubtedly could be moved as part of the right deal. I would be sad to see him dealt for a pick. But if there's a bigger deal in the works, he's exactly the kind of body I would expect to go the other way (for a team dumping salary, for example, he's a great cheap asset to get back).
(3) Parse -- finally having a good season in Manchester, and he's (I think) in his contract year. I will be sad if he goes, because I have long held out hope for him. But it makes a certain amount of sense. This would obviously not be part of a deadline upgrade for a playoff team, but as part of a piece going back the other way in a trade bringing someone "big" to the Kings.
(4) Boyle -- Mr Disappointment, who is now having meetings in Manchester with the coach about why he's not playing well defensively and why he's not playing more physical and why he's not scoring. Previously, the guy was having these problems in LA, but not in Manchester, and now it's infected his game down there. I'm a Boyle fan, and my first choice is for him to get it together and be a superstar for the Kings. But I have to say, once I start reading that the Manchester coaches are having meetings with him, I call that the writing on the wall. I hope it's not. But if I had to bet...
(5) Handzus -- actually our MVP this year, I think; DL will get calls about him. A chance to trade that big salary? I personally would be freaking out if DL trades Handzus, because I think he's the core of our defense on the forward side, but I also think, if a big trade is going to happen (one of those top-line sniper trades everyone is always getting excited about), Handzus is easily the most valuable forward the Kings have that is not considered to be part of the core.
(6) Stoll -- I could also see him getting moved as part of a blockbuster deal bringing the Kings the Big Savior (whoever that might be). DL will also get calls about him (and Handzus) from playoff teams looking for someone to win faceoffs and score in OT, but DL won't trade those guys for picks.

And then there's Ersberg. The other reason Quick has been getting all the games, I think, is to see if the wheels are going to fall off. Since they're not falling off, I think Ersberg will get moved.

And while all this is going on, Moller will get his two weeks in Manchester. Lewis and Purcell (and Parse) are all playing pretty well it appears, and -- with Moller -- will be ready to join the Kings in March. Ditto, Drewiske.

There was just an article somewhere about how everyone's a buyer this year, because so many teams are still in it. No one's a seller, and DL has plenty of chips to play and a ton of cap space.

It's going to be interesting.

do some of you guys really believe that there's a GM out there crazy enough to trade for preissing. With his numbers. In his current condition.
interesting

yes anthony, teams will be interested in Preissing. Just because he does not fit on this team does not mean that he does not fit on other teams. He is a good defenceman, despite how he has played here. We went another direction which made him the man left out ..but he definitely has value.

From ESPN (via Spector), re trade deadline:

"ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun reports the following: [...t]he LA Kings could be players at this year's trade market. They've reportedly reached out to several teams seeking a big-name forward and Minnesota's Marian Gaborik has popped up a few times in the rumor mill.[...] SPECTOR'S NOTE: [...]The Kings could indeed be buyers as I think they'll want to improve their playoff chances this season. Not sure if they'll want to take a gamble on Gaborik.

Anthony, crazier things have happened. The Ducks took Aubin off of our hands last year. Hell, we even got rid of LaBarbara this year! Preissing could be a good fit for a team, especially since other GM's know he could be obtained for next to nothing. The only problems are his salary and vertigo.

(3) Parse -- finally having a good season in Manchester, and he's (I think) in his contract year. I will be sad if he goes, because I have long held out hope for him. But it makes a certain amount of sense. This would obviously not be part of a deadline upgrade for a playoff team, but as part of a piece going back the other way in a trade bringing someone "big" to the Kings.

I agree with you here. I like Parse and what he's finally been able to do this season. And I too hope that he'll remain a property of the kings.

(4) Boyle -- Mr Disappointment, who is now having meetings in Manchester with the coach about why he's not playing well defensively and why he's not playing more physical and why he's not scoring. Previously, the guy was having these problems in LA, but not in Manchester, and now it's infected his game down there. I'm a Boyle fan, and my first choice is for him to get it together and be a superstar for the Kings. But I have to say, once I start reading that the Manchester coaches are having meetings with him, I call that the writing on the wall. I hope it's not. But if I had to bet...

I'm a big Boyle fan myself but I think Boyle has given up on trying to please the kings management. He will be a RFA at the end of this season and imo, he will likely play elsewhere and we will receive compensation for his departure.

Honestly, I don't understand why Boyle HAS to be physical to play. There are lot of big guys who play a non-physical game but yet affective. He was great in a handful of games last year. Just let him play and get his confidence going and then try and get him to play a more physical game if needed.

I think Boyle will make it big elsewhere.

(5) Handzus -- actually our MVP this year, I think; DL will get calls about him. A chance to trade that big salary? I personally would be freaking out if DL trades Handzus, because I think he's the core of our defense on the forward side, but I also think, if a big trade is going to happen (one of those top-line sniper trades everyone is always getting excited about), Handzus is easily the most valuable forward the Kings have that is not considered to be part of the core

I have to disagree with you on this one on many levels. Yes, Handzus has had a nice bounce back year but to say he'our MVP is bit of a reach. I think you can say that he's been our most consistent but not our MVP.

As for moving Handzus and demand for him...I really don't expect much if any. First of all, he has a NMC or is it NTC and secondly, he's most affective in a shutdown role and I don't think too many GM's are going to wanna pay his $4 mil a year salary.

I never understood why Boyle needed to be so physical either. He's only (arguably) two inches taller than Kopitar. Does that make all the difference in the world? I'm not sure. Isn't this only his second season with Manchester? Or third, maybe?

sense13, re Handzus:

You're right. I forgot about the NTC. As far as GMs wanting to take on his salary, I was imagining Handzus going the other way in a trade where the Kings are getting the big salary, so it's still a dump for the trading partner. But never mind, I disagree with myself. I'm happy to take him off the list of folks who could move.

MVP is a bit of a stretch, sure. But I think he's been one of a handful of MVPs on this team this year. Obviously, he doesn't score enough to be a "traditional" MVP. But he does a lot of important things, every game, and has been very consistent.

re Boyle:

I wish he wouldn't crap out. I hope we hang onto him for another year and see if he doesn't turn it around. However, if DL thinks he's going to have trouble signing BB, that would be writing on top of the writing that's already on the wall.

Quisp: Maybe we can paint the wall and hope for the best?

Quisp....Interesting takes on all. Handzus has been a monster all season long; believe it or not, he'll probably be better next year. He's the only one (well Brownie too) that knows how to set a screen in front of the net. I don't really want to see Calder go either.

This is going to be a tough trading deadline but overall I like the direction the Kings are headed in. Even if LA doesn't make the playoffs, I'm confident DL will pull the right moves. He's turned this team around a lot faster than any of us would have imagined.

You know what guys, I have to say. I feel I know a lot about the game of Hockey as I have played for a long long time. But you know what I am really impressed by most of the members of this blog.
I mean take Quisp for example, I love the way you write about what ever it is that we are talking about and you understand the game. If Rich ever has to leave the blog because he gets a "big deal" with ESPN (We know he deserves it) Then I think you should take over, and that is just the tip of the iceberg most everyone in here is REALLY SMART. I know the game but I ditched pretty much all of school and I write like crap.
I know we have our dumb ass Anthony's and such but over all you guys are great!!!

Chris Bond is a INSIDE SO CAL KINGS CRACKHEAD!!!

Gotta agree that it looks like Boyle's just playing out his contract, and I'm a bit bummed about it. I'm not a big TM fan and I lay this one squarely at his feet. I think that TM's ideal player is Michal Handzus (no way does TM allow Zeus to go anywhere) and he has tried to force Boyle to be like Mike. And he's not that player. TM's insistence on playing Wrongias makes the 4th line pretty much a dead-zone and it looked like Boyle did not know what to do with himself while on it. He's not a checker or a grinder. Boyle needs to play with people who can pass and skate. Sure, hold him accountable for his defense, but the failure to create a line something like Army/Purcel/Harrold-Boyle-Moulson/Moller hurt Boyle, is squeezing out Moller, and had given the Kings no scoring from their 4th line. TM has really blown it with his 4th line and his obsession with Ivanans, who is a terrible enforcer, is at the crux.

Sorry to say naysayers, but Zus=Pahlsson this year. This guy has been HUGE for us this season, arguably our best forward on the ice. Fro, and lately Anze, are right there as well.

Drew2 will be back, as will Moller.

"Conditioning"= Trades incoming.

Follow the history, folks.

I would have to agree with Quispy on this one. Handzus is my pick for MVP. He has been Checking against the TOP line every night (which has alot to do with our goals against along with the improved D), setting screens (Like he did on both goals against edmonton), and been great in the circle.

Moller will be back, along with Drewiske

Anthony...hockey is about numbers, but only two numbers.

Wins and losses.

Marty McSorely once finished a season with a +56. Wayne Gretzky once finished a year with a +/- over 100...are you going to sit there and say these two men were defensive geniuses? No (well, you might, but anyone who knows hockey wouldn't).

Preissing once finished a year around a +40 I believe.

I don't give a crap about someone's numbers...I care about their performance on the ice.

I think we need to focus on the steak and not the peas- whoever and whenever we get around to trades - the fact remains this squad is squarely on the move in the right direction our core set of players are going to be here for the next 5 to 6 yrs develop together and win alot of playoffs series- This is such a huge turnaround from the past 4yrs its almost incomprehensible I have full faith and trust in mngmnt for the 1st time in awhile - not necessarily ownership I still think Lieweike is a clown and Anschutz is completely off the rails - but DL TM and the boys have made the right moves in addressing the
Defense and GA and we will reap the benefits of that focus - Keep the faith-