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Kings Gameday: Faster Higher Stronger

Ottawa Senators at Los Angeles Kings, Dec 3, 2009 7:30 PM PST



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"I'm not your friend, buddy!"  "I'm not your buddy, guy!"

 




Are you guys pumped for the Olympics yet?  I'm pumped as hell.  I love competition, and I love the United States, and I love hockey, so this is pretty much a perfect storm of awesomeness for me.  SBNation has been doing a team-by-team look at their player's chances of making their country's Olympic team; I was supposed to do mine by last Sunday, but I, uh, got attacked by a bear.  Yeah, that's the ticket.  Hey, I'm doing two jobs (analyzing the Kings AND being a jackass), give me a break.  Anyway, the Kings should be well-represented at the Olympics, with as many as 8 players potentially going to the Games in Vancouver.  Here they are, ranked in order of likelihood of making their respective teams:

Pack Your Bags

Michal Handzus, C, Team Slovakia

Team Slovakia is part of the Big 7 (Canada, US, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia) but I think it's fair to say that they're the weakest of the 7.  They haven't finished higher than 5th place since the Olympics started allowing NHLers play and they're rapidly getting older.  They do have legit NHL talent (Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa, Lubo!) but they don't quite have the depth of the other squads.  Still, they're a very good team and one of my favorites.

Michal Handzus is a fairly big lock to play for Team Slovakia because he's always played when asked and Slovakia doesn't have very much center depth.  Handzus will likely play 2nd line center and be counted on to fill the same role he fills for the Kings: defensive stopper and big man in front of the net.

Dustin Brown, RW, Team USA

I think I'm most excited about Dustin Brown potentially playing in the Olympics than any other player on the Kings.  Brown has always played in a scoring role for the Kings but he will likely be put in a shutdown role alongside Ryan Kesler and someone else. (David Backes?)  It'll be fun to watch because Brown's natural game seems more suited for a shutdown role than a scoring one.  The times where he comes down and takes a terrible shot won't really be a big deal because he's keeping the puck away from the Ovechkin's and the Nash's of the world.  When Brown isn't counted on for scoring the other parts of his game come out and that's where he shines.  Plus, can you imagine a game where Brown and Ovechkin are banging away at each other (not like that, sicko) with the pride of their nations at stake?  I just got chills.

Brown will likely have an "A" for Team USA but there's still a chance he could wear the "C."  I'd personally pick Jamie Langenbrunner to wear the "C" since he's like 30 years older than anyone else that's going to be on the team, but in the back of my mind I'm kind of hoping it'll be Brown just because it'd be a tremendous honor and I know he's the type of guy where it'd mean something to him.  Basically, Dustin Brown is awesome.

Peter Harrold, C, Team Canada

At least, I hope.

Star-divide

Raitis Ivanans, LW, Team Latvia

I mean, why not?  Their best player is Karlis Skrastins.

In a Battle

Jack Johnson, D, Team USA

Johnson was the best defenseman on Team USA during the World Junior Championships, tallying a point a game and showing a little bit of the jump that made him so hyped before he entered the NHL.  Of course, that was on big ice, not the NHL-sized rinks that the Olympics will be played at.  I don't think Johnson deserves to be on the team; I'd take Paul Martin, Brian Rafalski, Erik Johnson, Ryan Suter, Alex Goligoski, Zach Bogosian and someone else I'll get to in a bit.  Still, I can see why you'd take Jack Johnson and it's the same reason everyone has always taken him: he's big, he's fast and he can score.  The only problem with him is that he's dumb.  I'd leave him off, let it burn in him for 4 years and then let him rip it up in 2014.

Rob Scuderi, D, Team USA

Call me crazy but I kind of think Team USA should take Rob Scuderi.  Think about all the defensemen on Team USA and then think about which ones you'd want on your penalty kill against Joe Thornton or Sidney Crosby.  Team USA is heavily weighted towards offensive defensemen and I think they could use someone like Scuderi to kind of take care of things on the back-end.  I know, it probably won't happen, but I kinda think it should.

Alexander Frolov, LW, Team Russia

I'm only putting Frolov here because I have no idea what the hell Russia's going to do.  They probably going to do some weird stuff where they put KHL players on the team to send a message so I'm a little concerned Fro is going to get lost in the shuffle.  He probably won't, though, because he's awesome and plays exactly the way Team Russia wants to play.  Fro will probably play on Datsyuk's line and shut down the other team's top line.

On the Outside Looking In

Drew Doughty, D, Team Canada

I don't think Drew Doughty should be on Team Canada.  I mean, I want him to, but I don't think he's good enough yet.  There's a difference between "Great at 20" and "Great" and Doughty is somewhere in the middle.  Is he better than anyone else his age and is he a #1 defenseman for the Kings?  Yep.  Is he one of the 6 best defensemen on Canada?  No, unfortunately.

I could see why Canada would take him, though.  There are two reasons: one, he's young and will likely be on the team in 2014 so you might as well get him some experience; two, Doughty is a natural righty on a team filled with left-handed defensemen.  If someone gets hurt and Doughty has to step up, no one has to move to an unnatural position.  That's actually a good point I just came up with (seriously, go me); is Doughty a top 6 defenseman in Canada?  No, unfortunately.  Is he one of the top 3 right-handed defenseman in Canada?  Maybe.  Now if only I had the energy to look it up...

Jonathan Quick, G, Team USA

Quick had the misfortune of being American in a time when Ryan Miller, Tim Thomas and Craig Anderson are all playing so well.  Tough luck kid, see you in 4 years.

Prediction: Team USA defeats Team Canada, 3-2.  Goals by Brown (x2) and Johnson.

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Comments

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im pretty giddy about USA hockey i think were still 4 years away from getting anywhere close to gold..but finally got some decent goaltending..(i was never a big richter fan) your right though we dont have that solid shut-down D guy…although i dont know much about erik johnson’s game…hes a offensive defensmen too?

GO USA!!

I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable.
-Jim Morrison

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 3, 2009 9:48 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

He’s like Bouwmeester where people see his scoring totals and his lack of hits and assume he’s an offensive defenseman, but he’s really both. He’s pretty awesome.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Dec 3, 2009 9:50 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

is he the johnson defensmen that always hurt? if its the same guy im thinking the guy has been hurt half is career..heres hoping hes injury free for us

I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable.
-Jim Morrison

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 3, 2009 9:51 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

He’s the one that destroyed his knee on a golf cart. Jack has been playing better than Erik. I think Scuderi should be there too.

by Nut on Dec 3, 2009 9:54 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

They’re both always hurt.

by GOOLIAN on Dec 3, 2009 9:57 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Kopitar’s agent should get him onto Team Slovakia.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 3, 2009 10:30 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Peter Harrold, C, Team Canada
At least, I hope.

You just gave Terry Murray a pocket full of bone with that one….

2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Dec 3, 2009 10:36 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

hey theres always ryan whitney!!!……..o my gawd….i should go run into traffic for that one

I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable.
-Jim Morrison

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 3, 2009 10:40 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Please don’t…you’re too valuable to Team BoC.

Vodka is my copilot

by Niesy on Dec 3, 2009 5:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, you’re the Ace of Spades!

by Nut on Dec 3, 2009 7:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

funny u should say that..i get stopped all the time and am told i look exactly like the ace of “cakes” guy…funny he plays bass too

some asshole when i was in pittsburgh kept insisting i was him…im like im not him fuckface….

I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable.
-Jim Morrison

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 6, 2009 12:07 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

like the saw movies im grooming someone to carry on my work….so ill be immortal..the person im grooming though is having trouble drinking 10 patron shots and not passing out…

I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable.
-Jim Morrison

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 6, 2009 12:05 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

sadly for frolov russia has few other decent LW too. though, ovie might be injured/in jail in february…

You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around

by sleza on Dec 3, 2009 11:01 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

Scarlett Ice is doing a live blog for tonight’s game. I can’t make it tonight but if anyone is interested in listening to the delirious ramblings of sleep-deprived Canadians, head on over there around 7:15.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Dec 3, 2009 12:53 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Backes – Kessler – Brown

That would be one kick ass shut down line, with more than enough offensive talent to put in some points.

Ron Wilson just got a hard on thinking about it.

Don't bRuin your life. Practice safe sex. Make love with a Trojan

by Morbo on Dec 3, 2009 1:34 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Backes played with those two at the mini-camp they had this summer, but has kind of been unimpressive so far this season. I don’t know if they’ll look to put someone else there or not.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Dec 3, 2009 1:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Rudy,

As always you’ve outdone yourself, but you forgot Brooks Orpik on your list of Team USA defenders. I would take him over Rafalski or GoGo and re-unite him with Scuds.

by yeah_eric on Dec 3, 2009 1:55 PM PST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Hey uh long time reader first time poster. I feel obligated to say that. I just wanted to point out that at least once per game, Jack Johnson pushes some guy down in the corner where they’re fighting for a loose puck and the fans in the other team’s arena always boo like he boarded the guy, and Fox has to point out how big and strong johnson is. That always makes me happy

by hughestom1 on Dec 3, 2009 5:44 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

If there’s one thing Jimmy Fox loves it’s a big strong Johnson.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Dec 3, 2009 5:58 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

ive always suspected

I like people who shake other people up and make them feel uncomfortable.
-Jim Morrison

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Dec 5, 2009 11:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t know if I want to go to Scarlett Ice. Can’t I be an ignorant, self-important liveblogging jerk here?

Ooops. Answered my own question. At least I won’t be suggesting that rightwingers magically turn left. :(

Vodka is my copilot

by Niesy on Dec 3, 2009 6:02 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

ALL ABOARD!!!

2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Dec 3, 2009 8:15 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Vinnie Jones?

by Nut on Dec 3, 2009 8:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

You are correct, Nut! How awesome was he in Lock, Stock & 2 smoking barrels???

2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Dec 3, 2009 8:29 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Haaa. I saw this on my cable channel and my first thought was “Simmer?!” BoC has done its job.

Vodka is my copilot

by Niesy on Dec 3, 2009 9:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Quite. I decided to not insult anyones kids after that movie less my head be squished in a car door.

by Nut on Dec 3, 2009 8:37 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Sens tie it up. Unbelievable. I think JQuick might be getting fatigued from playing so many games…

2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Dec 3, 2009 8:54 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

He did not follow that play well.

by Nut on Dec 3, 2009 8:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I’m kind of surprised to see that Raitis can play hockey. I did not know this.

by Irish Pat on Dec 3, 2009 8:59 PM PST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Okay, TSN. How is Frolov “selfish” for being tripped and turning over the puck? Or did I miss something?

Vodka is my copilot

by Niesy on Dec 3, 2009 9:12 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

It’s amusing what Kings fans are up to on non-game nights. While the rest of us are drunk with disappintment. Fuck you all.

Because I use mouthwash. And sometimes, I floss.

by brokenyard on Dec 3, 2009 9:30 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

And to the person who responds with “But we’re playing tonight too! This is a Kings Gameday Thread you jackass!”

well i say “REAL ORIGINAL COMEBACK THERE”

Because I use mouthwash. And sometimes, I floss.

by brokenyard on Dec 3, 2009 9:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

You seem to be handling the trashtalk pretty well all by yourself, there. :)

Vodka is my copilot

by Niesy on Dec 3, 2009 10:05 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, slightly schizophrenic conversation there Brokenyard is having with himself

by Nut on Dec 3, 2009 10:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Sometimes, I have lapses in sanity.

Because I use mouthwash. And sometimes, I floss.

by brokenyard on Dec 4, 2009 8:02 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The 4th of The Seven Steps is reflection and loneliness. Leave them be, Niesy. Bobby Ryan will be a restricted free agent before you know it…

2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Dec 3, 2009 10:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Sage advice, DB. I’m kind of picturing handpuppets.

And hey, your signature is totally responsible for all tonight’s awesomeness. Kudos.

Vodka is my copilot

by Niesy on Dec 3, 2009 10:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, I know I’m totally harping on this, but - since everybody and their mother is following the TSN party line about Frolov sucking until the third, this is from AP -

Just 42 seconds in, Alexander Frolov expertly occupied three Ottawa skaters on a rush before threading a pass between Milan Michalek’s legs to the trailing Jones, who banged home his fourth goal.

What was that? The first goal? In the first period? Oh yes it was.

I’m shutting up now.

Vodka is my copilot

by Niesy on Dec 3, 2009 10:38 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Hey Rudy, I forget — who plays in net for the Slovaks? Anybody famous?

I could look it up, but that would take the fun out of it.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Dec 3, 2009 11:33 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Jaroslav Halak is their best goalie, believe it or not

Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding

by Space Weed on Dec 4, 2009 6:09 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

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