Thread: Bench Richards.

Originally Posted by anjae11eden

You don't think the torn MCL and leg-brace might play a role in that? Brown I'm with you...I'm baffled.

I am sure it does, but the last 3 or 4 games are on par with the lackadaisical effort we normally see from Kopitar this time of the calendar year. He is only dangerous on outnumbered rushes right now. Maybe the knee makes the cycles and quick cuts more difficult, but Kopitar needs to be bolder with puck in those control situations.

Originally Posted by Mondo Blando

I am sure it does, but the last 3 or 4 games are on par with the lackadaisical effort we normally see from Kopitar this time of the calendar year. He is only dangerous on outnumbered rushes right now. Maybe the knee makes the cycles and quick cuts more difficult, but Kopitar needs to be bolder with puck in those control situations.

hasn't that bold part been our argument since Christ was a Corporal?

I see very little leg drive from Kopi. Very worried about the injury.

Originally Posted by gescom

hasn't that bold part been our argument since Christ was a Corporal?

It's also been said by some of our resident "Kopitar critics", that our King's would never win the Cup with Kopitar as our top Center. He just offensively lead us to one.

Look, I'm not interested in getting in a debate with you or Mondo. Quite frankly, I think both of you are 2 of the smartest Hockey fans I know of. But it's also pretty obvious to me that Mondo and it looks like you as well, don't have the same critical eye when it comes to Richard's game as you do for say...Anze Kopitar.

Originally Posted by Mondo Blando

Richards looked a lot sharper last night. He is finding his legs. Unfortunately Carter had his least effective game thus far.

Now it's time to start worrying about Kopitar again. He has his mid-season gloom in full effect

It's funny, I was actually going to start a thread about this last night but when I came on to all of the doom and gloom I didn't really feel like contributing to it.

But I was going to ask if I was the only one who "knew" about 5-10 minutes into a game if Kopitar was going to be effective or not.

Other guys vary from period-to-period or even shift-to-shift, but I always feel like after seeing Kopitar's first two or three shifts, I can already determine whether or not he will score (or at least be a factor). Last night was for sure one of those "off" or "gloom" games.

Originally Posted by anjae11eden

It's also been said by some of our resident "Kopitar critics", that our King's would never win the Cup with Kopitar as our top Center. He just offensively lead us to one.

Look, I'm not interested in getting in a debate with you or Mondo. Quite frankly, I think both of you are 2 of the smartest Hockey fans I know of. But it's also pretty obvious to me that Mondo and it looks like you as well, don't have the same critical eye when it comes to Richard's game as you do for say...Anze Kopitar.

first, i don't know anyone who quite put it like that.

second, what did i say? Kopitar's assertiveness has been the total of the argument from the start - he takes what he's given rather than dictate the offensive attack. it's ALWAYS been that simple of a breakdown. it's something that should be evident in when he's most effective and when he isn't... his play is night and day.

i can't remember who keeps posting it, but i continue to read this erroneous notion that Anze has/had a torn MCL... no, it was a sprain, and a i'm sure a quick net search will pump back myriad links to articles about his MRI. i realize he's wearing a brace, and initially, i thought a mulligan was in order over the first few games as he adjusted, but now as of tomorrow, he's about 5-weeks removed from that initial injury... and he still hasn't 'picked up' his game.


i can be plenty critical about Mike Richards, and the only real thing i've mentioned so far about any player was about his getting his lazy ass to the bench on a change that resulted in a penalty for too many men, was pretty much a metaphor for how he'd been playing overall up to that point.

i see him improving his play a little every game... same with Williams - guys who DIDN'T play during the lockout. i have yet to see any real 'game' coming from either Brown or Kopitar - guys who DID play during the lockout.

am i concerned? not a whole lot.

Originally Posted by gescom

first, i don't know anyone who quite put it like that.

You didn't say that...but it's been said.

Originally Posted by gescom

second, what did i say? Kopitar's assertiveness has been the total of the argument from the start - he takes what he's given rather than dictate the offensive attack. it's ALWAYS been that simple of a breakdown. it's something that should be evident in when he's most effective and when he isn't... his play is night and day.

It's not WHAT you said. It's that it's said in a rare Richards criticizing thread. It just seems he's off limits to criticize. I love Kopitar, but will be happy to engage in critiquing him when his play is slumping. Hell, I nicknamed him "Perimitar" when it seemed he was avoiding the tough areas at one point.

I also love Richards BUT when I chime in a thread that is negative towards Richards, he gets defended and it turns into another Kopitar thread.

Originally Posted by gescom

i can't remember who keeps posting it, but i continue to read this erroneous notion that Anze has/had a torn MCL... no, it was a sprain, and a i'm sure a quick net search will pump back myriad links to articles about his MRI. i realize he's wearing a brace, and initially, i thought a mulligan was in order over the first few games as he adjusted, but now as of tomorrow, he's about 5-weeks removed from that initial injury... and he still hasn't 'picked up' his game.

It very well may be erroneous, but that has been my understanding. I thought I read a "grade II tear". I'll have to investigate...

Originally Posted by gescom

i see him improving his play a little every game...

And THAT is pretty much my stink. I have a slight bit of residual bad taste in my mouth from the lock-out which I'm sure I'll soon be over, but I still believe a 5.75 mil should show up READY to earn that dough and especially one with a leadership role. I believe that...and I don't think MR did that this year. Hopefully we'll be passing around the Cup again and this is forgotten.

Originally Posted by gescom

am i concerned? not a whole lot.

Good! Cuz I respect your opinion! But I'll confess I've been a bit worried.

I always laugh at a Richards thread, because it turns into a Kopitar thread. Much like a Kopitar thread inevitably turns into a Richards thread. It's like you're all Gisele Bundchen and someone is talking about Tom Brady. Can't you all just be happy that we have two excellent centers that bring completely unique games to the table and that, at any given time, one can take over a game by doing what they do? I'm sure that's too much to ask but a boy can hope.

Originally Posted by SmytheKing

I always laugh at a Richards thread, because it turns into a Kopitar thread. Much like a Kopitar thread inevitably turns into a Richards thread. It's like you're all Gisele Bundchen and someone is talking about Tom Brady. Can't you all just be happy that we have two excellent centers that bring completely unique games to the table and that, at any given time, one can take over a game by doing what they do? I'm sure that's too much to ask but a boy can hope.

Don't do this often especially twice in the same day but:

"DING! Ding! Ding! WINNAH! Winnah! Winnah! Chicken Dinnah!"