Injury Update from Jim Fox on Twitter

[Sultanic]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I just didn't want to say it out loud. Could Spence, and eventually Faber and Clarke, make Durzi expendable?

I LOVE Durzi's gumption, but Spence is quicker, more techni cally sound, better in his zone AND likely to be more productive. Both struggle with the size of their opponents, but Spence has the better wheels.

As an old defenseman, I gasp at Durzi's total inability to defend away from the puck. He gives away the blueline more often than Jack Johnson and essentially escorts attackers to the top of the crease shift after shift. That can change with experience, but his slow feet are always going to present a challenge. He battles so damn hard and his play with the puck is so aggressive that it's easy to root for him. I do worry that once a book gets out on his side steps that his lack of a strong shot will limit his productivity.

 

[hokiecat]

I LOVE Durzi's gumption, but Spence is quicker, more techni cally sound, better in his zone AND likely to be more productive. Both struggle with the size of their opponents, but Spence has the better wheels.

As an old defenseman, I gasp at Durzi's total inability to defend away from the puck. He gives away the blueline more often than Jack Johnson and essentially escorts attackers to the top of the crease shift after shift. That can change with experience, but his slow feet are always going to present a challenge. He battles so damn hard and his play with the puck is so aggressive that it's easy to root for him. I do worry that once a book gets out on his side steps that his lack of a strong shot will limit his productivity.

I don't know what to think about Durzi. He's been very impressive. He'd also benefit from sitting out the occasional game to refocus and correct his errors. But the Kings lack the depth to let him take a game off. So he's learning on the job. I really like him but I can see the logic of selling high when we've got so much other talent in the pipeline behind him. I'm glad Blake has to figure this one out.

 

[Clif]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I just didn't want to say it out loud. Could Spence, and eventually Faber and Clarke, make Durzi expendable?

It is a tough thing to say out loud. Blake traded for him before Faber, Clarke, and even Grans were drafted. Pipeline has changed and without Walker getting hurt how many, if any, games would Durzi have played this season? As impressive as he?s been he wasn?t part of the team?s long term plans and I?m not sure he still is. If anything his performance has been a real coup to Blake as an enhanced trading chip he didn?t have 6 months ago.

One other thing - Marek clarified Chyrchrun?s cost as top prospect, top young player, and first round pick. Vilardi, Durzi and a 1st?

 

[Dr. Tran]

One other thing - Marek clarified Chyrchrun’s cost as top prospect, top young player, and first round pick. Vilardi, Durzi and a 1st?

Do it Blakey.

 

[New User Name]

I'm just hoping that all these injuries and having to bring up skaters without enough or any NHL experience doesn't lose us a playoff spot. I was really looking forward to the Kings making some noise in the playoffs.

 

[VCRW]

I'm just hoping that all these injuries and having to bring up skaters without enough or any NHL experience doesn't lose us a playoff spot. I was really looking forward to the Kings making some noise in the playoffs.

With 7 starters off the roster, we fans will have to temper our playoff expectations. The team will look more like the L.A. Reign for a while.

And I wish that hockey teams would be more transparent about the nature and extent of injuries. The secrecy hurts the support from the fanbase.

 

[Dr. Tran]

And I wish that hockey teams would be more transparent about the nature and extent of injuries. The secrecy hurts the support from the fanbase.

Totally agree. This whole upper body / lower body stuff is just stupid. They’ve said they don’t want to be specific because they don’t want guys to get targeted where they’re injured. But does anyone think other NHL players don’t know where guys are hurt? The only ones who don’t know are the fans. And because of that we have no idea how long injured players are going to be out.

 

[tullskull]

Totally agree. This whole upper body / lower body stuff is just stupid. They?ve said they don?t want to be specific because they don?t want guys to get targeted where they?re injured. But does anyone think other NHL players don?t know where guys are hurt? The only ones who don?t know are the fans. And because of that we have no idea how long injured players are going to be out.

I think you are generally right about other players knowing the areas to target but not always. You occasionally hear of the player who has a custom glove made that looks totally normal but is actually modified to hide a cast or support of some type.

If we are talking playoffs then those players are probably juiced up anyway so they are not going to feel it....right then.

Since when did we become entitled to know such info? I guess it could be crucial for some types of gambling? Don't gamble so don't know.

 

[Kurisu]

Zach Dooley
@DooleyLAK
All accurate below from DB, plus expecting Vilardi, Frk & Strand to all play tonight versus Florida.

Dennis Bernstein
@DennisTFP

4PM availability from LAK Todd McLellan:

- Matt Roy not available tonight, will be gone little longer than day-to-day.
- Dustin Brown longer term, multiple weeks (I've heard 4 week range)
- Viktor Arvidsson getting better but "not flying around the ice" when skating.