Results tagged “Michal Handzus” from Inside the Kings
MICHAL HANDZUS
This season: 82 games, 7 goals, 14 assists, minus-21 rating.
Positives: A year after major knee surgery, Handzus played all 82 games, which is a tremendous accomplishment and no doubt gave him a good mental boost. Later in the season, he seemed to be skating harder and with more confidence. Despite his offensive struggles, Handzus earned the respect of coaches and management with his good attitude.
Negatives: For $4 million, Handzus was a mess. The Kings signed him to be a second-line center, but for parts of the season he was centering the fourth line. He seemed slow and tentative for a major part of the season, not surprising for a player in his first season following knee surgery. His play left a huge void in that No. 2 center position.
Looking ahead: Four years is a long time, and $16 million is a lot of money. The good news is, players usually take a big step forward in their second year following knee surgery. If Handzus can improve, and reclaim that No. 2 center spot, it will go a long way toward establishing some much-needed depth in the lineup. If not, things could get ugly.
Contract situation: Signed through 2010-11 (cap number of $4 million next season).
About the bloggers
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.
Recent Comments
jofa6000 on Player evaluation: Handzus: Mr. Fabulous - people make stupid coments without understanding the ph ...
metalmaster on Player evaluation: Handzus: If you do the research on this signing there was not a big market for ...
PSP on Player evaluation: Handzus: DellaNooch, you missed the most obvious scenario: 4 year deal - Strug ...
DellaNooch on Player evaluation: Handzus: Jeremy - Dan Cloutier just isn't a good goalie, don't use him as a com ...
Jimmy Crack Corn on Player evaluation: Handzus: PSP hit the nail on the head. All those claiming " Handzus will have a ...
JDM on Player evaluation: Handzus: "Zus...Let the hair grow, have you ever heard of Samson?" Vahe, you c ...
Mark on Player evaluation: Handzus: Is it just me or does Crawford's coaching stink to high heaven? Craig ...
nykingfan on Player evaluation: Handzus: I thought he was the biggest disappointment offensively on the team th ...
joey on Player evaluation: Handzus: he couldnt produce on a line w/kopitar, he's just plain garbage. ...