Losing streaks go hand in hand with trade rumors in the NHL, and with the Kings currently reeling there are no shortage of whispers right now. Of course, most of them aren't very close to being true when you look at it realistically.
The Kings are actively searching for a defenseman, and even with the team not scoring at all this may be a bigger priority to them than anything else. Looking at how the defense and the penalty kill have been woefully inconsistent at times it seems like a move that could help. Obviously you have names like Dan Girardi, Chris Phillips, and Andrew MacDonald floating around but none of these teams are far enough out of contention (Some not at all) to warrant a move like this unless it's a real blockbuster. Do the Kings even have the pieces to pull off said blockbuster? Unlikely. We all know how difficult it is for Lombardi to part with core members like Dustin Brown, Mike Richards, Slava Voynov, or Jarret Stoll despite their struggles so if any trade happens it's likely going to be fringe assets for a rental. A Kyle Clifford for Nick Schultz sort of thing (Don't kill me for suggesting that, just giving an example.)
In terms of wingers, there is a lot of talk about Cammalleri, Moulson, Fleischmann, and even 30-year-old P.A. Parenteau. But again I ask, do the Kings even have the willingness or the assets available to pull the trigger on a deal that brings one of those to L.A.? Tough to say but put me in the camp of "not buying it." Lombardi has proved patient in the past, and the patience has paid off.
As much as we all like to believe that the Kings will trade Stoll, Vey, and Muzzin for Dan Girardi and a pick it's likely not going to happen. As I said previously , in this blog entry,if anything is to happen it will probably be after the Olympics. It just doesn't make sense to whip out a deal before a near month long break takes place.
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Get ready to cry all the #FreeMartinez folks, he's hurt. Doesn't seem to serious though, as it is reportedly just a hyperextended elbow.
Martinez out with a hyperextended elbow. Not on trip.
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) January 27, 2014All signs point to it being related to Martinez crashing into the net in the third period of Saturday's Dodger Stadium game. He and Cogliano got tied up in front of Jonathan Quick and Martinez was sent tumbling into the cage. He was visibly shaken after the play and didn't pay a shift after. Martinez has ben playing about 12-13 minutes a night and will not make the Kings current two game road trip to San Jose and Phoenix.
Matt Greene will shift into the lineup as Jeff Schultz remains in the pressbox. We have avoided perhaps the slowest defensive pairing in the history of hockey with Schultz and Regehr. Fear not, the speed demon Greene can pick up the slack.
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Poor Tyler Toffoli. That's all I can say.
Darryl Sutter stated earlier in the year in regards to Vey and Toffoli, that if he was going to play them he was going to put them in situations to succeed. After about a month or so of in-oft use and play primarily on the bottom lines I wonder if Sutter should take his own advice.
On seemingly a moments notice Toffoli's role has change significantly. He has gone from one of the names in contention for a Calder trophy, playing around 14 minutes a night, and getting time on the powerplay, to a fourth liner playing no powerplay time or being a press box regular. I'm not entirely sure what Toffoli has done (or not done) to see his role diminish so quickly, but it has been stated several times that it is performance based. One article from Jon Rosen stated this:
Toffoli's assignment to Manchester based on "performance": http://t.co/1Xc9O9NcYN
— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) January 15, 2014No goals in ten games. Wow yea, that's rough. Isn't that rough Stoll (2 goals in 20 games)? Richards (1 goal in 28)? Clifford (1 goal in 20)? Voynov (1 goal in 35)?
Key thing though, none of these guys can be sent down but Toffoli can be, and was.
Still though, seems a bit harsh to deflect blame on a team that can't score across the board to one player in particular, citing his performances for lack of ice time and demotions. If you think this is a frustrating decision from a fans standpoint, imagine how Toffoli feels.
There is also this gem of an article here from Robert over at Jewels from the Crown saying that the Kings were a better team with Toffoli in the lineup.
Hey I'm not the coach so I defer to Darryl Sutter. Still is a head scratcher to me personally.
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And one final note, even though the Kings lost in frustrating fashion on Saturday it should be noted that it was a win overall for SoCal hockey.
#LAKings game against the #NHLDucks at Dodger Stadium set a TV ratings record locally for NBCSN. #StadiumSeries http://t.co/rAg94eq2vp
— Elliott Teaford (@ElliottTeaford) January 27, 2014Kings play the first of a back to back tonight against San Jose followed by Phoenix tomorrow. Big divisional games here so hopefully the Kings show up.
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