Williams, Ivanans skating

That's good to hear. Cant wait to see Williams in a game. I hope Raitis is getting healthy, although, I would like to see Westgarth play a few more games. Go Kings!

Got to think we are looking at the 24th against St. Louis as the target for coming back. Maybe the 22nd against Chicago to get him a game before what is shaping up to be a huge game against St. Louis. If the Kings can keep hanging around then J-Dub could be a nice shot in the arm for the final stretch.

Hey Rich, does this mean that Williams is about 2 weeks away from getting into a game ?

This is exciting news! For a while there, I was indifferent about seeing Williams in action because of my affection for Sully, but now I can't wait to see JW in a game. I have a feeling he's going to fit right in with this group.

YEA WILLIAMS, NEY IVANAS.

I hope Ivanans is working on his mean faces. Can't wait to see J IR Williams to suit up. Go Kings!

For those of you that don't like having Ivanans in the lineup nightly, please read the book "The Code". It will help you understand how crucial it is for an NHL teams success to have their enforcer in the lineup on a nightly basis & what that does for everyone else on the roster.

In regards to Williams, I waa one that was extremely pissed about this trade, but after looking at this trade from a hockey perspective instead of that as a fan I can see why DL made this move. Looks like we picked up a solid piece that was missing from our lineup. If he stays healthy, JW will be a force for this team.

After watching this team grow & develop over the course of this season, here are my wishes for offseason additions:

1. The addition of an experienced grinder/energy/physical presence that can score 10-15 goals for our 3rd line. The following candidates fit this bill & can be signed as UFA: Chris Neil, Sammy Phallson(sp), or Travis Moen.

2. Scoring winger or top 6 centermen. I would like the Kings to look at signing Gaborik, or knocking two birds with one stone & singing the Sendin twins.

3. Last but not least, the younger guys would benefit tremendously with a vet presence that has been a winner & can teach our forwards how to play like OD did with DD. Shanahan comes to mind.

When Williams was interviewed during yesterday's Wild game he said he expects to be playing in about 2 weeks.

I was dead set against the trade for Williams but the more I see, I've got to admit, I'm warming up to it. It will take a lot, I really liked Sully, he brought so much to the Kings. However, from what I've seen of Williams, he may just be that sniper we've all been hoping for. The key will be his injuries, can he come back healthy and stay healthy? In reading the analysts remarks of the trade, if you look at most of them, they're saying that DL got the best of the deal by far if Williams returns to his old form. Kinda sounds like the kind of deal DL would pull off. He must of done his homework on this one. Now Williams is skating; maybe a two week return? The timing would be good although the team must hold it together the next two weeks and win, plain and simple. They can't worry about who's playing who above them; most of the teams will be playing within the conference anyway. The Kings just have to focus on themselves and win, period.

Personally, I dislike the lateral trades. And most trades are lateral trades. Its also kind of lame that the Kings keep players for the 2-3 years they are learning the NHL game then trade them to other teams where they seem to hv success. If Helene Eliot was right on JW's size then we did not get much bigger. IMO, good luck to O'Sullivan and hope it works out with JW

Vicarious,

Honestly just about every trade is a lateral trade. You have to give up something valuable to get something valuable back in return. There are no GM's that are going to trade their best players for whatever garbage you don't like or want anymore. No one makes a trade unless they believe it helps their team improve either now or in the future and no one is going to say I'll make this trade to get worse.

I wanna know which DR. cleared Williams to play Ping Pong? I can see it now 2009-2010 Williams misses 60 games with Ping Pong Elbow! Nice Job Kings...I cant wait to see this hit the Ice. Hextall had nothing but drool coming out of his mouth about this kid. Time will tell..Also "Time Heals All Wounds" (Hopefully)

Moons-

I'm with you in regards to the trade. With that said, starting next season, JW has to average a goal every 2.5 games(I don't count this season, new team/injuries, etc) for the trade to be a wash. If DL wants this deal to be better for us, he needs to do better than 1 per 2.5. This would be based on 82 games and roughly 33 goals per season(I believe his season best?).

Letting Sully go was tough, but I really wanted that extra pick this offseason. That would have been a chance at another guy like Moller or Simmonds.

Hopefully Jdub will pan out...