All the way back to February 28th.
Kings GM Dean Lombardi took a big swing and traded three assets for left wing Dustin Penner.
It was partly a sign of confidence in what his hockey club was capable of doing down the stretch and equally necessary given the lack of scoring that plagued the team all year long.
PennerMania began to run wild throughout Los Angeles.
Now, he's being labeled a bust, if not worse.
Which made it was almost sad to talk to him after practice today. That quirky smile was gone, as were his witty answers.
MM: It's gone from the high of highs when you first arrived here to the low of lows lately. How are you feeling overall with your play and what's going on?
DP: I think frustrated. You know, just the same way most of the guys have felt over the last couple games - just frustration. You can't put your finger on it sometimes. Tomorrow's another chance to get back on track.
MM: How about bouncing around on different lines, has that been a problem for you?
DP: No. I think every coach does that, especially when things aren't going well. Maybe if I was a younger guy, a first year player, it would be different. But, we have to shake things up.
MM: Is it a chemistry thing - is there a particular player you've found more chemistry with?
DP: No. I don't think it has to do with the other guys. It's more my game.
If the Kings have any chance at mounting a comeback in this series, you would think Penner has to have a goal or two.
That is, of course, if coach Terry Murray even lets him play in game five tomorrow night.
He just needs a few goals and the smile will return. So too will the fans, eventually.
The Mayor
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"Get back on track" !!!!????? He hasn't been on track yet!
ReplyDeleteI am Embarrassed of my other fellow Kings fans, who are really quick to turn against players. For one it's a team game and we should be supporting everyone. This group that bashes players when we loss and praises the same ones when we win, are the same people who didn't want Clifford on the team at the start of the season. Now that they have seen Clifford, they are singing a different tune. When Penner scores 35 goals next season for the Kings, these socall fans will be behind him once again. Penner get your game back and don't worry about the bashers. Most of the people on lakingsinsider and the insider himself, know nothing about hockey or the game.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
From a kings fan even during hard times.
You have to try to be treated like a King. This team has always been about heart. Failure through effort has never been frowned upon. We only turn on those who give up on us.
ReplyDelete"We only turn on those who give up on us."
ReplyDeleteWhat about booing Penner last night would make him not want to give up? I'd like to go to your job and boo you when you're not performing up to expectations. The way people have turned on Penner is downright embarrassing. I'm also dissatisfied with Penner's production, but I also believe in showing your team enough respect to not boo them. Any of them.