Former coach Terry Murray: Kings could be team to reckon with

Former Kings Coach Terry Murray, who was dismissed and replaced by Darryl Sutter last month, granted his first post-firing interview Wednesday.

He didn’t say anything inflammatory or even remotely controversial but acknowledged his disappointment over being let go. He also acknowledged that the power play’s struggles cost the team some games — and perhaps cost him his job. Here’s a link to a transcript that appears on the Kings’ website.

Murray did an excellent job installing a defensive foundation that remains the Kings’ best asset, but he took them as far as he could take them — and that wasn’t as far as General Manager Dean Lombardi thought they could go.

The team was stale offensively and had stalled. And though it isn’t always fair, sometimes players need to hear a new voice and be challenged in different ways. Sutter is allowing players to be more aggressive and pushing a more up-tempo game, and they seem to have responded.

They’re not scoring in great bunches — and might never do that, even if Lombardi makes a big move before the Feb. 27 trade deadline — but they did earn points in each of Sutter’s first eight games behind the bench and are 6-1-3 during his tenure.

One more note on Murray, with thanks to colleague Lisa Dillman: Murray has moved out of his South Bay home but it isn't standing empty. He made it available for rent and Sutter moved in this week.

ALSO:

Saku Koivu's goals do the trick for Ducks

Kings turn in a five-star effort against Capitals

Best and worst of the NHL at the halfway point

— Helene Elliott

Photo: Former Kings coach Terry Murray, center, instructs his players during a game against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 3. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

Ducks' Teemu Selanne to play in 1,300th NHL game

Every time Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne steps on the ice or records a point, he seems to reach another career milestone or move up on the NHL’s all-time scoring lists.

The 41-year-old Finn was poised to hit another milestone Tuesday against the Dallas Stars by playing in his 1,300th NHL game. That will make him the 52nd player in NHL history, ninth European-born player and only the second Finn — after Teppo Numminen --to reach that number.  Among active players he ranks fourth, after Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom (1,535), Washington’s Roman Hamrlik (1,347), and Philadelphia’s Jaromir Jagr (1,307).

“It’s a big number, yes,” he said after the Ducks’ morning skate at the Honda Center. “A couple guys reminded me today there was some money on the board. They don’t forget stuff like that.”

While he’d be happy to win the cash teammates put up for him, he’s even happier to still be playing and to feel no problems with the knee that has bothered him the last few seasons.

“A lot of good things have happened that I can play so many games,” said Selanne, who leads the team in scoring with 39 points in 40 games. “We’re always very thankful for that.”

He said he doesn’t keep track of all the career lists he’s climbing, such as ranking 13th in goals at 651 and 22nd in points with 1,379. But reaching such a high number of games played, he said, is meaningful because it proves his longevity and ability to play at a high level for a long time.

“If you can play so many years that’s a big thing,” he said. “And still having fun. That’s good.

“It has been a more frustrating year than before but that has been my goal, to just come in here every day and try to enjoy and do what you can do and try to enjoy it as much as you can. It’s easier when you win, but still in the morning when I leave from home it’s still a happy place to come. That’s how it should be and I’m very happy it’s so.”

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said he recalled hockey observers were skeptical after Selanne broke into the NHL with a 76-goal, 132-point performance in 1992-93.

“All us guys that were retired at that point thought he would be a flash in the pan, like, ‘Who’s this guy? The new era of hockey. There’s no checking anymore,’” Boudreau said.

“But he sure has done the test of time. And he deserves everything he gets because he’s a better person than he is a player, and he’s a great player. The goals he’s gotten, from highlights that I’ve seen, from his younger days, I mean, they’re still in a lot of top 10s of best goals ever.”

Boudreau said Selanne’s ability to crisply take a pass without breaking stride or losing control of the puck remains uncanny.

“I told him today, ‘Gordie Howe played until he was in his 50s. I don’t see what your problem is,’” Boudreau said.

Before the morning skate the Ducks recalled goaltender Jeff Deslauriers from Syracuse of the American Hockey League. Deslauriers and Iiro Tarkki were the two goalies on the ice; Jonas Hiller (lower-body injury) did not skate.

“We were hoping he would be able to skate today and back up but it’s pushed back. We’re hoping the same thing can happen for Calgary,” Boudreau said of the team’s game on Thursday. “So it’s still day to day. That’s why we brought Jeff up.”

Deslauriers has played 14 games with Syracuse and is 6-7-0 with a 3.86 goals-against average and .877 save percentage.

“I’ve seen him play some pretty good games. At the beginning of last year he was stated as maybe the savior for Edmonton’s goaltending,” Boudreau said. “I don’t know what happened, but I’ve seen him play great and I’ve seen him play not so great. Let’s hope the former more than the latter.”

The Ducks also assigned forward J.F. Jacques and defenseman Mark Fraser to Syracuse and announced that Syracuse had restructured its coaching staff. Trent Yawney was appointed associate head coach and coach Mark Holick was relegated to an associate coach. Marty Wilford will remain as assistant coach.

Check back later for more coverage at www.latimes.com/sports.

RELATED:

Kings Coach Darryl Sutter returns to Alberta

Forget John 3:16, Tim Tebow is happy with Tom Brady's prophecy

Steve Austin says Tim Tebow can have John 3:16 on one condition

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: Teemu Selanne. Credit: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images.

 

Kings' offense fizzles again in 1-0 loss to Columbus

Until now, Darryl Sutter has been a kindly, encouraging figure behind the Kings’ bench, surprising observers who anticipated he would blister his new team at every opportunity. He might be ready to show them his angry side any moment.

Lifeless on the power play and still unable  to generate much offensively, the Kings opened the second half of their season Saturday with a 1-0 loss to the 30th-ranked Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center. The loss represented the first time in Sutter’s nine games as coach that the Kings did not earn a point and the first time in 10 games overall that they didn’t gain a point in the standings.

The Kings took 28 shots against Columbus goaltender Curtis Sanford but he gave them few rebounds and was in command throughout the game. They have scored two goals or fewer in regulation time in 19 of their last 21 games, a failing that continues to cost them as they jockey for playoff position.

The Kings were unable to capitalize on eight power plays that covered 13 minutes 36 seconds’ worth of power-play time, including a five-on-three edge early in the third period and a six-on-four advantage they created after Columbus was penalized for delay of game and the Kings replaced goalie Jonathan Quick with an extra skater. Columbus began the game ranked 29th in the NHL in penalty killing.

Columbus scored the only goal at 11:25 of the second period, a few seconds after the Kings had killed a penalty. David Savard, at the point, passed to Derick Brassard, whose cross-ice pass found Grant Clitsome venturing in from the point. Quick couldn’t move quickly enough to his right to stop Clitsome’s rising shot.

Check  back later for more coverage at www.latimes.com/sports.

--Helene Elliott

Photo: Kings defenseman Jack Johnson (3) tries to keep Blue Jackets left wing R.J. Umberger from the rebound after goaltender Jonathan Quick made a save in the first period Saturday afternoon at Staples Center. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images

Ducks' Jason Blake returns to different situation

When Ducks left wing Jason Blake was accidentally cut on the left wrist by the skate of San Jose defenseman Brent Burns in the Ducks' third game of the season, the team was on its way to a rare good start. The Ducks won the game in which Blake was injured to improve to 2-1 and won their next two games as well.

Blake, who underwent surgery and rehabilitation on his wrist, will return Wednesday when the Ducks face San Jose at Honda Center, slightly ahead of the schedule projected for his recovery. While he was gone the Ducks' good beginning turned into a grim season.

The Ducks (10-21-6) rank 29th in the NHL and were 19 points out of the final West playoff start before Wednesday’s games. Blake’s absence is a small factor in their struggles—the blame goes to inadequate goaltending, shaky defense and a spiraling lack of confidence—but his competitiveness should inject life into a team that seems to fall apart when the slightest thing goes wrong.

Blake is eager to get back and is expected to be reunited with his old linemates, center Saku Koivu and right wing Teemu Selanne.

“It’s been a tough three months sitting out, not being able to play, not being able to do anything for about six weeks there,” Blake said after the Ducks’ morning skate at Honda Center.

“It’s nice to get back and play hockey and be around the guys. That’s what you miss the most. We’ve got such a great group of guys in here. You just want to hopefully get in there and contribute and do well.”

He said he never imagined the team would struggle so miserably since that good start.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “But it’s a new year and we’ve got a lot of hockey left. Strange things can happen. I think the biggest thing for the Ducks is to worry about the Ducks and not worry about anything else. Don’t look at the standings, just play. We’ve got to win hockey games. That’s the bottom line. Even if you were in a playoff spot right now you’ve still got to win games.

“The onus is on the players. We have to make sure that we’re ready to play. You can draw the Xs and O's all you want but you’ve got to go out there and perform.”

Coach Bruce Boudreau, who replaced Randy Carlyle while Blake was on injured reserve, said he planned to give Blake no more than 14 or 15 minutes’ ice time in order to ease Blake back in.

“He’ll give us a boost,” Boudreau said. “You know Jason. He’s full of energy. He’ll play hard. He always does.”

Although Boudreau hasn’t seen Blake play this season, he’s familiar with Blake from their shared time in the Kings’ farm system. Boudreau said he coached Blake for a few weeks in Lowell, Mass., then the Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate, and remembers him well.

“And I’ve seen him in L.A. when he was younger but he’s a different person than when he was younger,” Boudreau said. “He’s got the same feistiness but I think he’s a little more mature than he was back then.”

Blake, incidentally, said he held no grudge against Burns for the freak accident and wouldn't be seeking any kind of retribution Wednesday.

“Stuff happens in hockey,” Blake said. “I haven’t even thought about Brent. I have the utmost respect for him even before this happened.”

Check back later for more coverage at www.latimes.com/sports

RELATED:

What's your favorite sports moment from 2011?

A close up look at the NHL's situation room [video]

Retirement won't end Angela Ruggiero's hockey feats

-- Helene Elliott 

Photo: The Ducks Jason Blake is held down by Vancouver Canucks Keith Ballard during a game on Oct. 13, 2010. Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times.

Retirement won't end Angela Ruggiero's hockey feats

Angela Ruggiero cried the first time she stepped onto the ice at a rink near her Simi Valley home, unable to figure out how to go forward or do anything but fall.

Ruggiero, now 31, grew up to become a four-time Olympic hockey medalist and all-time leader in appearances in a USA hockey jersey. She made some suspicious sniffling sounds Thursday as she discussed her retirement from the U.S. women’s national team, but her tears were understandable -- and likely short-lived, because hockey has given her a gateway to a bright future.

Ruggiero has made a remarkable journey, from frightened 7-year-old to dominant defenseman who parlayed her skills and wits into becoming a powerful figure within the U.S. and International Olympic Committees. Her influence off the ice might be stronger than it has been on it, a key reason she decided to retire now.

“I’m able to give a voice to the athletes around the world -- use my degree for something other than the power play,” she said during a conference call with reporters Thursday. “So it’s exciting.”

Inspired to skate by Wayne Gretzky’s arrival in Los Angeles, Ruggiero began playing hockey in Southern California but quickly outgrew local competition. Her family left California when she was young so she and her brother, Bill, could improve their games. In 2005 they were teammates in a Central Hockey League game, in which she became the first woman to play a position other than goalkeeper in a professional game.

A close up look at the NHL's situation room [video]

Making the right call on the ice can be as easy as a referee pointing to the back of the net with a siren blaring behind him as one team rejoices and another slowly skates away.

But there are other times when someone needs to pick up a phone and call Toronto -- if someone else hasn't already called the arena first.

The NHL reviews all of its questionable goals from its situation room in Toronto. The latest incarnation of the facility, which looks like a cross between NORAD and the greatest sports bar ever, features 16 42-inch high-definition monitors that receive raw feeds from every game in progress.

From their high-tech surroundings, NHL officials can review close-call plays from every available angle to make sure the referees on the ice get the call right.

The situation room may look like hockey fan heaven, but some serious work goes on there.

And be sure to read Helene Elliott's column on the NHL's situation room.

ALSO:

John Stevens Era near end, Mike Richards nearing return for Kings

Anger pours over for Kings

Kings are outmatched in a big way

-- Austin Knoblauch

John Stevens Era near end, Mike Richards nearing return for Kings

Greetings from The Center of the Hockey Universe, also known as Toronto.

As always in Canadian cities, there was a huge media crowd at the Kings’ game-day skate at the Air Canada Centre on Monday, and the assembled throng got to witness John Stevens’ final morning skate as the Kings’ interim coach.

The timetable for Darryl Sutter’s succession now figures to be an announcement of his hiring on Tuesday, his first practice on Wednesday morning followed by a news conference, and his first game behind the bench on Thursday against the Ducks at Staples Center.

Stevens is 1-2 since temporarily taking over for Terry Murray, unable to halt a skid that has reached six losses in seven games. In addition, the Kings have been held to two goals or fewer in 11 straight games and are the league’s lowest-scoring team on a per-game average. Their power play is scoreless in 18 chances over the last six games.

Stevens will be part of Sutter’s staff, though it’s unclear whether Sutter will want to bring in an assistant of his own. He said he enjoyed the experience as interim coach, though it was taxing in many ways.

“I love coaching whether it’s an assistant or head position. Obviously this week has been very difficult with what’s transpired with Terry,” said Stevens, who tried to lighten the mood Sunday by taking the team to Dairy Queen after practice.

Ducks update: Teemu Selanne night in Winnipeg

How often does the third star of the game, from the opposing team, get a prolonged standing ovation?

Normal rules do not apply when it comes to the Ducks' Teemu Selanne.

All night, the sellout crowd at MTS Centre in Winnipeg was fully engaged in all things Selanne. Selanne on Saturday night returned to play a game in Winnipeg for the first time since Feb. 4, 1996. The Jets ended up trading him to the Ducks three days after that game and the NHL vanished from Manitoba at the end of the season.

The NHL came back this season ... and so did Selanne. Some extremely patient fans, about 30 of them, waited outside the Ducks' hotel in Winnipeg until  2:30 a.m. Saturday because the Ducks got there in the wee hours, having played at Chicago on Friday night. Selanne signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Finally, the big event resulted in twin wins for the giddy fans.

Winnipeg defeated the Ducks, 5-3, and Selanne had two assists. From the beginning, Selanne was cheered every time he touched the puck and every other Duck was roundly booed.

Selanne's wife and four children were among the spectators on hand.

"I think it's great they [could] see where I played the first four years of my career," Selanne said, of his children, in a TV interview after the first period. "I was so happy they are old enough to realize and see and experience my life also. My oldest was born here. So it's a very special place for me. And I'm very happy they are here."

The fans were chanting his name before the game. There was a video tribute to him during the first TV timeout in the opening period and Selanne took a curtain call when he came out as the No. 3 star, waving and blowing a kiss to the crowd.

-- Lisa Dillman, reporting from Los Angeles

RELATED:

Teemu Selanne returns to Winnipeg, but Ducks lose, 5-3

Winnipeg is still special to Teemu Selanne

Darryl Sutter agrees to coach Kings

Photo: Ducks forward Teemu Selanne acknowledges the Winnipeg fans during the Ducks' loss to the Jets on Saturday. Credit: Marianne Helm / Getty Images

Kings collapse in 8-2 loss at Detroit

Throughout their scoring struggles this season, the Kings usually had a strong defensive foundation to fall back on, one that kept them competitive.

Facing the precise, passionate Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, the Kings abandoned all the good things about their game and fell apart as completely as they have in a long time in an 8-2 loss at Joe Louis Arena. Darryl Sutter, confirmed Saturday as the Kings' coach-in-waiting by a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly, is facing a bigger job than he might have imagined.

Cory Emmerton had two goals and an assist, and Drew Miller scored twice as the Red Wings recorded their 10th straight home victory and overwhelmed the Kings in every area of the ice. The eight goals were the most given up by the Kings this season. They were held to two goals or fewer for the 11th straight game and have lost six of their last seven games. They are 1-2 under interim coach John Stevens, who replaced Terry Murray on Monday.

Stevens is scheduled to coach the finale of this trip, at Toronto on Monday. The plan is for Sutter's hiring to be announced Tuesday and for him to coach his first game Thursday against the Ducks at Staples Center. He agreed to a multiyear deal this week but had to tend to family matters and wait for immigration issues to be resolved before he could begin work.

It's a done deal: Darryl Sutter to coach Kings

Darryl Sutter has agreed to become the Kings’ next coach and will take over on Tuesday, a source familiar with the situation but not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to The Times Saturday.

Sutter signed a contract a few days ago but needed to wrap up some family matters and receive the proper immigration clearance. That’s expected to come through on Monday, and he will be introduced at a news conference on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Sutter signed a multi-year deal, though the exact duration is not known.

The Kings fired Terry Murray Monday and played the last two games under John Stevens, who will coach them Saturday against Detroit at Joe Louis Arena. Stevens is expected to remain on the Kings’ staff under Sutter. However, it’s unclear whether Sutter will bring in another assistant and whether current assistant Jamie Kompon will continue with the team.

Sutter and General Manager Dean Lombardi worked together in San Jose, where Lombardi hired Sutter to coach, and they have remained friends. Sutter was Lombardi’s first choice after Lombardi reluctantly dismissed Murray while the Kings were in the throes of a losing streak that reached five games before the team clawed out a 2-1 victory at Columbus on Thursday.

Sutter is blunt and gruff but has also earned tremendous loyalty from those who have played for him. He led the Calgary Flames to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals in 2004 but had far less success as the team’s general manager. He resigned that job nearly a year ago and has spent most of his time running the family ranch in Alberta, Canada.

He will take over a team that is solid defensively but has had difficulty scoring this season. He is known to push players hard but will forgive mistakes if players are intense and passionate, and he has little time for those who don’t give a full effort. His approach should be different from Murray’s teacher/fatherly demeanor, and it could jar the Kings enough to extract the talent Lombardi thinks they have. If not, and if the Kings continue to struggle offensively, Lombardi could be out of a job after the season.

Sutter will be the fourth coach to work under Lombardi. Marc Crawford coached the Kings for two seasons but had no patience with mistake-prone youngsters and was a poor fit. Murray installed a strong defensive foundation but couldn’t take the team to the next level. Stevens, a Murray disciple, is 1-1 and will coach two more games before handing over the reins, staying behind the bench Saturday in Detroit and Monday in Toronto.

-- Helene Elliott in Detroit

Photo: Darryl Sutter in 2005. Credit: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

Kings' Mike Richards taking it slow while recovering from injury

Center Mike Richards, who suffered a head injury on Dec. 1 and hasn’t played since then, skated hard with the Kings’ extra players Saturday at Joe Louis Arena before the team's game against the Red Wings.

Richards hasn’t been cleared for contact but he was cleared to skate and try to maintain his physical condition. The key will be how he feels the rest of the day, which will signal whether he can continue to push himself.

Richards said he feels better, but he knows he must be patient.

“It’s still a process,” he said. “I think you can only go on how you feel. There’s never a timeline, which is the frustrating part of it. Whenever you feel ready to play you can play.”

He said he didn’t feel quite right but wasn’t sure if that was an offshoot of the injury.

“It’s hard to distinguish whether it’s taking two weeks off and going out there and skating or if it’s lingering effects but we’re going to take it slow,” he said. “We’re going to skate a couple times and see how I feel after that. I obviously hope to be back sooner than later…

“It’s really hard taking two weeks off from skating. You could ride the bike as many times as you want but it’s not the same as simulating a game or on-ice skating.

"It went pretty good out there. It felt all right. Just a couple of spots where I was a little bit dazed but that could just be not skating for two weeks too. Or jet lag. Or all of the above.”