Comments on: Simon Gagne, cleared to play — ready for primetime?

By: Geoff DeSouza

Geoff DeSouza — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:19:00 +0000

In case of going down 2-0, break glass. At that point, they’ll need a spark.

If they get a split in New Jersey, then don’t worry about it for the remainder of the series.

By: GShuchuk99

GShuchuk99 — Tue, 29 May 2012 00:34:00 +0000

It’s my understanding that Gagne would have gotten his name on the Cup (assuming the Kings win) because he missed the remainder of the season due to injury. Teams often petition to have names added in this kind of circumstance… Bryan Muir played just 8 games for Colorado in 2001 but because he missed the remaining games due to injury colorado was allowed to include him. This has happened several times. I wonder if Gagne being back and ready to play means that the Kings wont be able to petition to have his name included on the cup because he could have played in this series.

By: USHA#17

USHA#17 — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:37:00 +0000

It great that he can be held in reserve should Suter have to dig deep. But but playing, not now.

Your dead on. If it takes weeks/months to come up to regular season pace, how could seven games get a player ready in time to contribute, much less avoid injury?

In respect to the last month (of this season), considering how close the playoff race was I doubt the team could or should have risked using him in the last month, even if he were ready. His return would have been too disruptive for a team just jelling in time for a run.

By: Quisp

Quisp — Sun, 27 May 2012 06:18:00 +0000

Yes, that would be nice. I’m just not sure it’s good to coach from that wish.

By: Garrett79

Garrett79 — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:46:00 +0000

I’m not sure what I’d do, but I’m leaning toward using him sparingly on power plays and maybe a few 4th line minutes in place of Jordan Nolan, splitting shifts with other productive forwards who earn a little extra time on the ice.

If he’s on the power play primarily then not being as on his game as you’d hope at this time of year probably wouldn’t be as big of an issue. And he might help what has been the only wanting aspect of the Kings’ game this postseason against what was the NHL’s best PK in the regular season (though it has not been as good in the playoffs).

Either way, I wouldn’t change anything for Game 1. If the power play clicks then, maybe I wouldn’t make a change at all. If nothing else, putting Gagne in the lineup gives the Kings a new look that the Devils can’t watch tape on because he has never been there in the Carter era so they bring a whole new aspect to things.

By: Topher_lee

Topher_lee — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:02:00 +0000

it would be ridiculous not to have gagne in. power play efficiency would increase and in the last five years he has been one of the best playoff performers hands down. hes been in the league a long time and deserves a shot, especially if he gets the chance to be immortalized on lord stanley. sutter is a good coach but i think his irrationality will stand in the way of what could be an epic comeback