Kings Send Down Schenn, Bernier, Hickey... and Westgarth

by RudyKelly on Sep 28, 2009 4:06 PM PDT

The Kings have made their final cuts of camp, sending Brayden Schenn to Junior and Jonathan Bernier, Thomas Hickey and Kevin Westgarth down to Manchester. (Would you rather watch Manchester or LA at this point? I think I'd enjoy watching Manchester more if Wayne Simmonds were down there.) That means the Kings' opening night line-up will look like this:

Smyth	Kopitar	Williams
Frolov	Handzus	Simmonds
Purcell	Stoll	Brown
Ivanans	Lewis	Richardson/Harrold
Harrold/Richardson	Clune (IR)

Drewiske	Doughty
Johnson	Scuderi
Martinez	Greene
O'Donnell (Susp.)

Quick

Ersberg

The Kings went with experience over the allure of youth. Thomas Hickey lost out to Alec Martinez, who has a year in Manchester under his belt;* Jonathan Bernier was beat out by Erik Ersberg, whose inability to be a #1 goaltender actually helped him; and Kevin Westgarth was bested by Raitis Ivanans, mostly because it's easier to send him down then convince someone to trade for Raitis.

*Martinez kind of gets a bad rap because the Kings have so many good defensive prospects. If it were 4 years ago everyone would be really excited about him, but most people think he's a scrub because he's not Thomas Hickey.

Overall, I'm not too upset by any decisions made in camp. Ted Purcell won the big job, that of 3rd line winger, while Richard Clune banished John Zeiler to the minors. We'll see Bernier and Hickey this season; it's just not quite as soon as we all hoped.

It's weird, I think most fans are pretty happy with this team.. Who is going to be the whipping boy this year? I guess Raitis, but he at least fights. It'll probably be someone who's contract is expiring soon like Cammalleri was before he left, someone who is enigmatic and easily moc-

Shit.

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I'm hoping Martinez gets a nice cup of coffee, even when OD is back.

Harrold can warm the press box, or play until Clune gets back to being healthy.

I’ll be more excited once Clune/OD are back in the mix.

"I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be." -- Peter Gibbons

by dtownmbrown on Sep 28, 2009 4:21 PM PDT reply actions

Why’d they drop Bernier? He looked so much better than Ersberg against the Ducks last night?

UNRELATED: Handel is the most overrated composer ever...

by Bleys on Sep 28, 2009 4:21 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

I'm assuming it's because Ersberg will have to clear waivers,

so unless Bernier completely outplayed him in all facets during camp, Bernier was destined to be #1 in Manchester, at least until he is needed as an injury replacement or the Kings trade Ersberg rather than lose him on the waiver wire.

"I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be." -- Peter Gibbons

by dtownmbrown on Sep 28, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions

“Who is going to be the whipping boy this year?”

Harrold. He’s not particularly dynamic in any aspect of his game, he’s small, he was never a highly touted youngster and he’s taking up a spot on the roster in place of guys who will be producing in the AHL. Yup, Harrold. Poor guy. I actually see his value, but he’s toast.

Also, any fan that starts crapping on Frolov’s name just because of a possible contract impasse is a helmet wearing ’tard.

by Irish Pat on Sep 28, 2009 4:39 PM PDT reply actions

I think Brad Richardson will get consideration as the whipping boy this season as well because, well, he sucks. I have not seen anything from Brad to justify the 2nd round pick that was given up to acquire that guy from the Avs…

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Sep 28, 2009 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

wont it have to be someone is projected to be real good but have an off year? kinda like anze last year? or someone who makes a lot but doesnt play up to his contract?

for us jiggy or scotty are potientals

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Sep 29, 2009 6:20 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not sure...

Derek Armstrong was always somebody who I loved to hate. Most other Kings fans seemed to rock a big ol’ throbber for “Army,” but I could never figure out why. He flat out sucked and his best position was to be up in the Staples Center Press Box for a game while porking out on some Comachoes Nachoes…

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Sep 29, 2009 6:33 AM PDT up reply actions

“throbber” thats a new one for me..i need to use that in a conversation ASAP..thanks

whipping boys are fun though….esepcally when things are going bad…you always need someone to take out your frustration on..its not right..but damn it..it feels good

with rob and frenchie gone…who will be our goat? we shall see

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Sep 29, 2009 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions

to change the subject…why do the fuckin dodgers keep jerking…clinch the fuckin division already..man..son of a bitch

p.s. hard to keep up on the dodger blog…a million comments on there..i like the slow pace of BOC…some guys over there are also too serious also..but ill give it another try

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Sep 29, 2009 6:46 AM PDT up reply actions

“I like the slow pace of BOC.”

I’m sure the authors (do you guys call yourself authors?) of BOC thank you.

by Donzo on Sep 29, 2009 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Dammit, I’ll write something.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Sep 29, 2009 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions

NO DONT CHANGE ANYTING…BOC IS PERFECT AS IT IS!!!

unless you have acess to the ducks “power play” girls dressing room and can post pics and make a section for that..dont change anything!! lol

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Sep 29, 2009 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Well, I was going to write something today anyways — just wanted to make it look like I was consumer-sensitive. :)

Give it a few hours, though — have to crunch some numbahs, and I’m slow this morning.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Sep 29, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

I’ve gotta agree with you about the LAD blog, Spade. Some of the people there are too serious, and at the same time, there are way too many people who think that leaving hundreds of comments like “Fuck Loney” or “Loretta Fail” is an insightful contribution to the game thread. Eric & Phil do an outstanding job at the Dodgers blog getting us information about all aspects of the Dodgers organization. But most of the comments there are nowhere near as amusing as here at the BoC and leave a lot to be desired…

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Sep 29, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

yea i read the articles..(although not all cuz somtimes there a little too long) and get good info…but the comments are a little too much somtimes..my attention span is real short…maybe itll take some getting used to..such an opposite feel compared to Boc

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Sep 29, 2009 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Word

It’s weird how much the comments over there have changed over the last year+.

[DELETED ZOMG NO POLITICS]

by bluemax on Oct 1, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

It’s hard to clinch when you are playing the mighty Pittsburgh Pirates. Hopefully Billingsley can get done tonight for both the Dodgers and my fantasy team.

by Nut on Sep 29, 2009 11:05 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Our “goat” was an easy choice last year…

"I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be." -- Peter Gibbons

by dtownmbrown on Sep 30, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmm… I’d like to rescind that statement I made about Fro haters being helmet wearing ‘tards. Some retarded folk that wear helmets may do so out of prudence which would indicate a higher intellect than I’m giving them credit for and they deserve more respect. So, people ready to tonsil fuck Frolov this season are non-helmet wearing ’tards. I feel at peace now. Carry on.

by Irish Pat on Sep 28, 2009 4:46 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks for clearing that up..

I was about to comment on your offensive diatribe, but I no longer feel the need.

"I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be." -- Peter Gibbons

by dtownmbrown on Sep 30, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

alec martinez

glad to see Martinez make the opening day roster. Hopefully he can stick and stay.

by clubaclub on Sep 28, 2009 6:33 PM PDT reply actions

Are you partial towards Alec because you got to watch him play college puck at Miami of Ohio?

I am hoping for the best from Martinez, as well…

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Sep 28, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions

is he mexican? or is he like jeff garcia and not really?..got root my brothers on..go mark sanchez!!!

Put those cookies back..Mutha fucka!!

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Sep 29, 2009 6:22 AM PDT up reply actions

alec martinez

I am partial to Mr. Martinez to a degree because of his playing at miami of ohio, but the real connection came this past summer. Alec was training and helping out with the Hockey camps at Gilmour Academy. My son (11) attended one of their week long hockey skills camp, and Alec was very gracious and helpful toward my son and of course the other campers as well. Yourself?

by clubaclub on Sep 28, 2009 9:35 PM PDT reply actions

To be 100% honest, I just hope that Alec Martinez exceeds all expectations simply because I am a die-hard Kings fan. But your story is a great example of a young man who has a sense beyond his years of the importance of giving back to the community, and Alec sounds like just the kind of “good citizen”people that GM Dean Lombardi has been trying to bring into the Kings’ organization for a while now. Thank you for sharing your insight with us, and I hope you’ll stay with us on the Kings’ journey to the post-season in 2009-10!

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Sep 28, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree, being a good guy is one thing, helping the Kings is another. I hope he exceeds all expectations as well. I don’t have a feel for his game or how well he’s doing, but I plan to get the NHL network and get a better sense of it. Hopefully he is still with the Kings when I get it. I plan on following the Kings throughout the year.

by clubaclub on Sep 29, 2009 5:27 AM PDT up reply actions

whipping boy =

Stoll

Wait till this year.

by Quisp on Sep 29, 2009 2:49 AM PDT reply actions

Agreed. Harrold and Richardson suck more, but they’re being paid accordingly. Stoll, with his contract, 2nd line status, and arthritis, are a whipping boy waiting to happen. Which is a shame, because I like what Stoll brings.

by Donzo on Sep 29, 2009 5:29 AM PDT up reply actions

Not to be totally racially insensitive, but keeping a guy with a name like Martinez. is great for L.A. I think they’re hoping to draw some of those Dodgers fans over.

by Wooster11 on Sep 29, 2009 10:19 AM PDT reply actions

Too soon!!!!

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Sep 29, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t know, the Dodgers commit pretty hard to winning over their fans. I mean, look at Rafael Furcal: put a beer gut on him and he’ll look exactly like one of the guys that sits at the top of the bleachers and yells at your girlfriend every time she stands up. He even has the two DUI’s.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Sep 29, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

haha..they are a horney bunch arent they

I think of myself as an intelligent, sensitive human being with the soul of a clown which always forces me to blow it at the most important moments
-"val kilmer-Jim morrison-doors movie"

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Sep 29, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

“They?” I don’t believe for one second that you aren’t one of them.

The West Coast is the Best Coast.

by RudyKelly on Sep 29, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions

i got a step father who is one…hes older so hes past his hooting and hollering days..he does sport the gut though

I think of myself as an intelligent, sensitive human being with the soul of a clown which always forces me to blow it at the most important moments
-"val kilmer-Jim morrison-doors movie"

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Sep 29, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

that must be what it is.

by clubaclub on Sep 29, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think that qualifies as "insensitive"

It’s just common sense. L.A. is diverse. A team that reflects that can only be a good thing.

Wait till this year.

by Quisp on Sep 29, 2009 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions

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