Comments on: 2013 Kings’ opening night line-up?

By: Mik3ysfv

Mik3ysfv — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:13:00 +0000

Even Kopitar comes back, Why not go with Kopitar, Carter, Richards, and Lewis down the middle? Roll the lines like a freight train, keep the shifts short, and avoid the groin injuries with which you have now cursed us with. If nothing else this could work for next year. Bring up Toffoli, Vey, Pearson, and Andreoff And see if they can fill out the wings. Of course doing it this year leaves out Fraser. I just have been really intrigued with the thought of the top 3 centermen being Kopi, Carter, and Richards, and giving them relatively equal ice time. A 1A, 1B, and 1C. As you pointed out Carter is a natural centerman, and we have a glut of wingers (possibly).

By: Geoff DeSouza

Geoff DeSouza — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:40:00 +0000

I’d agree with you, but… there are guys who just don’t work right if you play them even remotely out of position because their heads just aren’t wired right for it. I remember watching Peter Zezel slotted into the first line for the early 90s Leafs, pre-Gilmour; he had the talent to do the job, but in his mind he couldn’t handle it. So they turned him back into a third-liner and he should’ve won a couple of Selkes.

I think you have to check if Lokti is one of those guys who’s the other way around. No time like the present, and I personally don’t like the idea of Carter playing first-line C.

By: SCSF

SCSF — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 22:35:00 +0000

It’s nice to showcase trade bait (as opposed to the various “in the doghouse” routines that we’ve witnessed in the past) but I certainly didn’t think Lokti showed anything close to first line talent last year, and every game matters (shit, I really thought I could hold this comment down to two cliches) in this shortened season.

By: Geoff DeSouza

Geoff DeSouza — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:44:00 +0000

I was kicking this around on my walk to work and I think you put Lokti in on the top line. He’s going to be traded at some point, might as well cheat a bit and see if you can up his value. I doubt they get more than a third-round pick for him, but something’s better than nothing.

Not having Mitchell annoys me. What was their ridiculous record with him in the lineup last year again?

By: Geoff DeSouza

Geoff DeSouza — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:42:00 +0000

If Jones had played better in the AHL, I think you’d see the trade. But right now… nope.

(Assuming they don’t get a backup back as part of the package, of course.)

By: Token

Token — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:27:00 +0000

When did Mitchell get injured? Fishing/hunting accident?

By: Quisp

Quisp — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:50:00 +0000

I don’t think Loktionov would come up before Toffoli at this point.

By: Quisp

Quisp — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:48:00 +0000

opening night is going to happen sooner than that though, it seems.

By: Quisp

Quisp — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:47:00 +0000

lombardi will trade him but not on bernier’s timetable. I don’t think he’ll get more starts as a “showcase” but because with the compressed schedule and quick’s recovery, it makes sense.

By: Kings of Hockeywood

Kings of Hockeywood — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:24:00 +0000

If I was drawing up the lineup and Kopitar was going to be unavailable I’d probably leave Richards, Carter, and Penner together and just call that the top line. Put Loktionov between Brown and Williams and give him his opportunity to earn a regular spot on the team. Stoll, Lewis, and King can be the 3rd line like in the playoffs. Gagne, Fraser, and Clifford make a hell of a 4th line!