Player evaluation: O'Donnell
SEAN O'DONNELL
This season: 82 games, 0 goals, 12 assists, 71 penalty minutes, 20:29 average ice time.
The good: When the Kings acquired O'Donnell from the Ducks -- essentially for free, since the conditional draft pick ended up staying with the Kings -- they didn't have unrealistic expectations. In O'Donnell, they sought a veteran who would be a good presence in the locker room and be a left-shot defenseman whom they could pair with rookie Drew Doughty and be a steady presence. O'Donnell ended up being all that and more. His average ice time was at its highest level since the 2003-04 season and, at age 37, he played all 82 games for a second consecutive season.
The bad: After a brilliant start to the season, O'Donnell's play did take a bit of a mid-season dip, and Terry Murray sought to cut back his minutes, but O'Donnell still regularly played more than 20 minutes per night.
Going forward: The Kings could easily have traded O'Donnell at the deadline, but chose to keep him and sign him to a one-year extension. There's still very much a place for O'Donnell on this team. Even though Doughty has graduated, so to speak, and probably doesn't need the defensive protection that O'Donnell provides, O'Donnell's steady play and leadership can definitely be utilized by Terry Murray next season. O'Donnell's conditioning is strong, and he should be able to hold up well for at least one more season.
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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.
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.
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good overall year for Sean. he ended up being a nice addition, even though it's obvious a few of his skills have declined a bit (clearly a step slower). the 1,000 games milestone was nice cap on the season. did a great job as a calming presence and bringing along the kids.
B+, 87/100
He'll be nice to have around next season, for sure.
Grade: B
There's a place on every team for a sniper like Sean! ;)
i would like to see o.d. end his career with us...he probably has one more top-six year in him...i'd like to also see him play about 16-18 mins. a game, as there will be other d-men around to gain experience that are going to need it...
but sean had a great season for us and was a vital, calming force out there for a young bunch of blueliners...
also...congrats on getting married...what a beauty...!
i hope you both have a long happy and healthy life together...but you still have some unfinished business left with the kings: helping us to win it all...!
Hey Rich,
can you make a research of Kings prospect Loktionovs (Windsor Spitfires, OHL) health?
He got hit (knee on knee) and might be injured.
And btw: Who is gona be a King next year, Spezza or Gaborik? Kiddin' there.
Keep up the good work.
I'll say Gaborik and Taveres. I know its a wish and a prayer but it's possible!
O'D has the same role next year: tutor the rookie.
Greene-Quincey
Drew-Drew
O'D-rookie
Heck, they'll re-sign him for the following year to pair up with the NEXT rookie. And then he'll be done.
Re-signing him was such a no-brainer that even DL could do it.
(I pulled an Anthonyy! Say something reasonable and then cheap-shot either/both DL and TM :)
I hope OD is paired with Johnson for the first half of the season.
I hope OD is paired with Johnson for the first half of the season.
And yeah, re-sign him again to tutor Hickey or Tuebert or Voynov.
JDM -
...in Atlanta?
(sorry)
:)
No need to apologize.
OD was one of my favorite Kings when he left the first time, I believe to the "B's". Definitely one of your better stay at home defensemen and a great mentor for DD and the kids. I'd like to see him stick around for at least one more year, maybe two. Unfortunately, time is catching up with OD but he's such a positive influence in the lockeroom and on the ice. Another great addition by DL....
Sorry Bring Back, you're no Anthonyy.
OD is perfect for what he is, a great mentor, a better than average Dman and a player with a little grit. I really thought that he would be the missing piece for the Ducks in the playoffs this year.
Unsung player of the year for the Kings.
Grade A
You could not have asked for more than what OD gave us.
His work with Doughty was on par with what Zeus did with Simmonds. How do you put a value on what they did?
O'Donnell is my unsung hero. I love him and the intangibles that he brings to the game and to the lockerroom. (ok so I have not actually been in the lockerroom but when even the goalie credits you with your development, as Quick did, then you know he is doing something right.) I think he will bring the much needed stability that Jack Johnson requires.
Good to know Jet; I was merely doing an impersonation.
Well Bring Back, it was pretty da m funny.
Excellent pickup by Dean. Very steady and stable. As long as he is in a low pairing, he can be very effective and I believe he can last beyond next season if he plays his cards right. We have a lot of youth on our blueline that can continue to learn from his example.