Jason Lewis: Alec Martinez and Daniel Carcillo, Difference Makers?

Great article, Jason. Some objective stats to support the eye ball test that neither of these guys were passing.

Muzzin makes Jack Johnson look like Scott Stevens. Honestly, i don't even know how Sutter consistently went with Muzzin in the playoffs last season. The guy is atrocious out there and completely ruins the system as other players on the ice have to compensate for his lack of defensive ability and mistakes by going out of their positions in the system.

Like him or not, Alec Martinez is a much smoother d-man. He's not as big as Muzzin, but he gets it done out there, not to mention the kings won a cup with greene and martinez as a pairing.

The kings should dump muzzin to the oilers for a 5th rounder and call it a day.

Carcillo is exactly what the kings have been lacking for quite some time. A guy that plays with an attitude and brings a little fun to the game.

Great blog as always.

3 things I'd like to share.

I think Martinez is, so far, more offensively talented than Muzzin. Martinez usually wrists it to the net. Granted, it doesn't have the same force a Muzzin slapshot does, but Martinez knows how to get it through traffic, while Muzzin doesn't. I think Martinez is better with the puck as well. Muzzin may be better gifted, but if he doesn't know how to use it, I don't think he has the talent (yet).

The second thing I want to mention is Fraser. I like the guy, I think he fits a 4th line role. IMO, his major weakness is size. Even though he tries to muck it up, he's just not big enough physically. He uses his body well a lot of the time, but sometimes weight and muscle still outmatch physicality. As far as Carcillo is concerned, I liked him even when everyone was wondering what the @$(& Dean was thinking. He plays big, agitates, and doesn't have hands of bricks like our homegrown 3rd and 4th liners have. He's no Carter (but who is, right?), he just has decent hands for a person with his skill set. I do have to question your opinion that Carcillo is more defensive minded than Fraser though, as I thought Fraser last year was pretty decent in that department. I may be wrong.

The last thing I want to say is Muzzin just is not ready, and I don't think this is something you can fix in a year or two. It is his reads, his speed, etc. that are costing him, and depending on who you talk to, those things aren't the easiest thing to teach, if you're able to at all. I know Sutter likes the kid because on the surface he looks like he can be a really good D-man with his size, his shot, etc., but I just don't think he will put it all together and I don't see him playing significant minutes for the Kings in the future.

Good read Jason.

My take on Muzzin is this. While I agree Muzzin has more offensive upside than Martinez, the thing that bothers me about Muzzin he's a wild shooter and pucks bounce off skates and or players and ends up out of our zone. He just needs to wrist it more often to the net and make sure the shot gets through.

As mentioned above, Muzzin is a defensive liability and I'm not sure if he will ever be able to get that next level due to his age. He is an older rookie, so to speak, and he may have reached his ceiling.

I do not know what Sutter has against Martinez, but, Martinez is hands down the better d-man to have on the ice.

In Muzzins defense I will say that this is his sophomore season and we are only a few games through. With some hard work in The D zone he could end up out playing Martinez and stealing his job. Remember last year when Martinez had his crappy sophomore season and blew on the ice? A fifth from Edmonton for Muzzin? Good thing you aren't the GM. Season is young, good on Martinez for his better play and let's hope Muzzin gets it together. We need him to be there when we need him.

Martinez played a little too cautious after getting hurt in Europe during the lockout. He looks like he's finally starting to become the player he was when we won the cup.

With the announced line changes with Kopitar centering Carter and King makes me wonder how long that will last. Richards and Carter are a lot like (dare I say) Gretzky and Kurri where they know where each other will be at all times.

I guess I just don't understand why Sutter is so high on King. I just don't see it. He clearly benefits from more talented linemates and doesn't generate anything on his own (Shorthanded goal the other night notwithstanding).

Muzzin I think would benefit from playing in Manchester for awhile.

Martinez played a little too cautious after getting hurt in Europe during the lockout. He looks like he's finally starting to become the player he was when we won the cup.

With the announced line changes with Kopitar centering Carter and King makes me wonder how long that will last. Richards and Carter are a lot like (dare I say) Gretzky and Kurri where they know where each other will be at all times.

I guess I just don't understand why Sutter is so high on King. I just don't see it. He clearly benefits from more talented linemates and doesn't generate anything on his own (Shorthanded goal the other night notwithstanding).

Muzzin I think would benefit from playing in Manchester for awhile.
- Anjin

Should be an interesting experiment. Who benefits more, Carter or Kopi? I say Carter from Kopi's crafty play in the O zone. I agree that Richards and Carter play great together, should be a short lived experiment. Does that put brown and Williams on each side of Richards?.......hmm.....sounds like a good line.
On Muzzin going to Manchester, that would better for him than being a healthy scratch night after night. I think he will be on standby, thinking about being a better defender, ready to jump in when someone slips up or gets hurt.