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Quick LTIR A Concern For Kings |
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The LA Kings have welcomed back one star while at the same time they are saying goodbye for now to another one of their star players.
Forward Jeff Carter has been activated from the from the injured reserve list after a suffering a foot injury that landed the former Philly Flyer in a walking boot earlier. Carter, 28, has played in 14 games for the Kings this season and has nine points (5 goals and 4 assists).
Jon Quick, 27, has played in 16 games for the Kings and has a 10-5-0 record, one shutout, a 2.35 goals-against-average and a .905 save percentage. Quick has been placed on the long term injured reserve list. Quick's LTIR is retroactive to November 12th. Quick suffered a Grade 2 groin strain in a a shootout loss in Buffalo on November 14.
If I'm Kings GM Dean Lombardi, I'm investing in a blood pressure cuff for hourly readings. The Kings are vulnerable right now with Quick on the shelf for who knows how long, and a pop gun offense that isn't scoring and providing goal support for Scrivens right now. Is Scrivens the long term solution for Lombardi? He's a nice goalie, however, his career high in games started is 20 (2012-13). Scrivens went 7-9 last season in his 20 starts. His 9 game sample size this season is too small to make a projection as to whether he will hit the wall (or the wall will hit him) at the 20 games started juncture.
Since Quick was replaced by Ben Scrivens in the loss to Buffalo, the former Maple Leaf is 5-1-3 this season with a 1.37 GAA and .946 save %. Scrivens has allowed 12 goals against on 223 shots in goal. He's lost his last two starts by one goal. The Kings have scored only one goal for Scrivens.
If I'm Lombardi, I make an inquiry about a winter rental names Ryan Miller. Miller os owed less than $5 million by the Sabres for the final year of his contract. He'll become UFA on July 1, 2014.The Sabres absorbed 20% ($1.9 million) of Thomas Vanek's contract when he was traded to the Islanders in late October. I see no reason why the Sabres wouldn't extent a similar economic solution for a trade involving Miller and a team with salary cap issues, say the Kings. A successful healing solution for Quick's injury is predicated on rest and recovery. Operative word "successful". Quick may be out of the lineup for another month, or more. He's also likely thinking about cementing his role as one of three goaltenders on Team USA at the Sochi Olympics in February. Quick's only priority right now should be healing himself and getting back to good health to help his club team to advance to the Western Conference Finals and perhaps another Stanley Cup Finals. It may tae a while for Quick to fully heal. Wouldn't it be prudent for Lombardo and Sutter to "buy" an insurance policy in the form of a battle tested, pressure-tested, veteran playoff performer like Ryan Miller?
Who's going to get Scrivens' back if he were to falter while Quick is out of commission?
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Rookie Tyler Toffoli has been filling in ably for Carter in his absence. Toffoli has 4 goals and 4 assists in 10 games played.
Toffoli is now skating on LA's third line alongside Jarret Stoll and Dan Carcillo.
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