Heavy duty for goalies
Jonathan Bernier is expected to play the full game tonight when the Kings host the Ducks. That would be Bernier's second full game. So far, Bernier and Jonathan Quick have each played a full game, while Erik Ersberg and Jeff Zatkoff split the game in Phoenix (with Ersberg getting two periods).
It will be interesting to see what the Kings do after tonight. Four goalies is a lot to have in camp when there's only one practice group (which there will be, starting Sunday), but certainly not impossible. Three goalies can be an awkward number to practice with, but the Kings did so deep into training camp last year. What does it all mean? Mostly the obvious, that Bernier needs to play well tonight, because decision time is nearing fast.
Here's what Terry Murray had to say regarding the practice of playing a goalie for an entire preseason game, rather than splitting the periods:
MURRAY: ``Years ago, you used to always split the game, and go two periods, one period, because you were a little nervous about the conditioning side of things. I think the guys came into camp in pretty good shape. I see it now, where we had two days of practice and then a game, that they're very attuned to their conditioning. They work hard all summer long, and it's not a concern. I feel that they're just so ready to go, that they really do want to play all three periods.''
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Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.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.
Yet another very interesting plot line for this year's Kings. What does management have in store? Hmmm...
Doesn't it seem like Bernier is headed back to chester no matter what happens? He's gonna hate that decision but it seems to me like the writing's on the wall.
Then again, like Rich says, maybe if he's lights out tonight he might change minds and stick around.
I'll be very interested to see how Bernier handles whatever the decision is.
The bottom line for me is Quick has proven he's the #1 guy. It's his job to lose.
All I know is that it's a relief to feel like no matter what we have a good pool of goalies (I'm still in favor of J Quick and Weekend at Bernier) as opposed to trick myself into believing that Barbs & Cloutier were the missing pieces
I think a season as the bonafide number one in manchester will do good for Bernier. If someone gets injured or falters in the big league, then he's clearly next in line for a shot. But to me, this seems like a no brainer.
"I think it's important to have an established goaltender. I think some of his best hockey's ahead of him. This kid's a competitor." - Dean Lombardi, July 2006
The "kid" he's referring to is...drum roll please...Dan Cloutier.
(Sorry, but I love digging up old quotes.)
I expect Zatkoff to get sent down after tonight's game, and then the final goalie cut this week or early next week. I agree that I think it's Quick's job to lose. The question is whether Bernier will be good enough to make Ersberg the "odd man out", and if so what do the Kings do with Ersberg?
@Wavesinair: And now Cloutier is in Detroit's camp. We all know how bad that team is at evaluating talent. ;)