Would you all be happier if JR had only a $2M contract? Well, he'd still be a Flyer, mostly likely, if that were the case. Keep in mind that the only reason that the Kings got him (and for so cheap) is because he has a fat contract. Do you not think that he's trying to earn his contract? He's upset at his play on the ice and he's going out of his way to promote hockey in Los Angeles. I have no doubt that that's because he feels responsible to make up for his contract.
Also, about the Kings brass not caring about what JR brings off-the-ice: this is AEG we're talking about. You remember... the same owner that you've hated for years for being in hockey for the business, not for love of the game. I never really joined in the Anschutz bashing, but I'm pretty sure that if JR were to bring in over $5M through marketing, he could continue to be ordinary on the ice and the big kahuna wouldn't mind one bit.
Ditto everything that Game Misconduct said
JR brings great leadership and personality that makes the locker room looser and the team better. Don't under-estimate the impact of a great personality on team morale. There's also the experience. Finally, JR is a good two-way player. He can play even-strength, PK and PP and win faceoffs. Few players can play both the PK and the PP effectively. He's contributing out there, even if it's not the kind of contribution (on the scoresheet) that most people expect from him. Regardless, he's still 3rd on the team in shots with 22.
The thing that comforts me the most is that he's still got good legs. He's surprisingly quick for a 35-year-old. That tells me that he can keep up with the new NHL (unlike a lot of other vets) and he's still got gas left in the tank to be a top player. I have full confidence that he'll work out his kinks and come around in a big way.
BTW, I think that JR is suffering from a lack of flow. The line that he's on is not attacking as a unit and is, instead, grinding too much... and that's in the precious little time that they're actually out there together. With so many penalties being called, JR is playing big minutes on both the PK and PP. On Sunday, he played 6:17 on the PP, 4:20 on the PK and 6:28 at even strength. The Kings PP is so bad that it's no wonder he isn't scoring there and he won't score on the PK. 6:28 is not much time at even strength, and much of that was probably with linemates other than his usual ones because of the disruption that penalties caused.
JR's production is closely tied to the powerplay and should go up when the Kings improve with the man advantage. Additionally, even strength scoring won't come until his line with Brown and Cammalleri finds its chemistry and starts attacking the zone with speed, staying away from the corners (someone on that line go to the net, please) and not surrendering the puck to lay a hit (I think Brown is guilty of this now and then). JR isn't a one-man playmaker anymore (if he ever was), regardless of what he's being paid. He needs the whole unit that he's on (whether it's the PP or EV) to work together.
Additionally, even strength scoring won't come until his line with Brown and Cammalleri finds its chemistry and starts attacking the zone with speed and staying away from the corners and unnecessary physical play.
Funny how he played quite well with Cammy and Frolov in the pre-season... then Gauthier came along...
Are we still blaming his skates? He did trip over them during his first shift last night. Not a soul near him and he just flat out fell down. I think his Kings highlight reel will be the first five minutes of Game One in the 2005-06 season, but we'll endure him for 81 more, or until the first debilitating injury hits. J.R.'s been a solid NHL citizen for a long time, but Kings fans are seeing him in either the twilight of his career, or the twilight zone. Cue the music and pray it's the latter and that better times are coming for #97. I have my doubts.
Would you shut up alredy? Do you ever even have a point? Just checkin'.
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I'm not high, but I don't know what day it is.
This thread is funny. The ones making excuses for JR are really kidding themselves when they say they're content with his performance on and off the ice. Are you guys really happy about his performance? 2 goals on 2 shots and a puck deflecting off you while your back was turned away from the puck. You got to be kidding me, you're happy huh? I guess you'd also be happy with 8th and a first round exit. " wait 20-30 games til he gets into game shape, then watch out" That is just an idiotic and absurd statement. That's 1/3 the season for this once great player who's way beyond his years to contribute *ON* the ice offensively, which he is and always has been an offensive player. Some of you are really content with crap. Raise your standards some, expect better from players expected to be better.
This thread is funny. The ones making excuses for JR are really kidding themselves when they say they're content with his performance on and off the ice. Are you guys really happy about his performance? 2 goals on 2 shots and a puck deflecting off you while your back was turned away from the puck. You got to be kidding me, you're happy huh? I guess you'd also be happy with 8th and a first round exit. " wait 20-30 games til he gets into game shape, then watch out" That is just an idiotic and absurd statement. That's 1/3 the season for this once great player who's way beyond his years to contribute *ON* the ice offensively, which he is and always has been an offensive player. Some of you are really content with crap. Raise your standards some, expect better from players expected to be better.
I'm not content with his play, but I'm not going to freak out and scream bloody murder for signing him either. He's not content with his play either. He's off to a slow start, but that doesn't mean he "sucks" or shouldn't have been acquired.
i think people do need to relax. if hes playing like this halfway thru the season then be worried. But seriously you guys are winning games and JR isnt producing, I would not worry about it. I have seen him enough to know that his level of play will pick up.
I'll bet you weren't "worried one bit" that Allison and Deadmarsh were coming back either.
It's going to take him half a season to get into "game shape"? Great plan - tie up $5 mil of your salary cap on a guy who didn't care enough to come into camp in shape? If he really did have as much "heart and pride" as you say, he would step away from the game until he's really ready to play.
Do you realize that the only point he has since the 4:18 mark of the first period of the first game was when he was hit by a puck that deflected into the net. He has NO assists - NONE.
This description is fine for a role player scrambling to stay in the league. When you are talking about your HIGHEST PAID PLAYER, it has a whole different meaning - it's called rationalization.
Because Roenick is our highest payed and most recognizable player, high expectations are placed on him and he has to carry this burden. But lets be realistic.
Roenick said it himself even before training camp started that it would take him time to be in NHL game shape. He is 35, he did not play at all last year, he suffered a concussion in training camp and misses part of camp and then comes out and scores 2 goals in the season opener and everyone assumes, hey, JR is going to score 40 goals this year, look out!!! The fact is, he played that game on pure adrenaline and now, 9 games into the season, JR has hit the wall. Its a little early to be hitting the wall, but in JR's case, this is an accurate explanation for what is going on here. This isn't rationalization, this is the reality of it.
Granted, we should not have to wait 30 games to see the real JR first and foremost because of what he is being paid, but if you expected to see the real JR right off the bat, then you were fooling yourself. I am sure the Kings knew what they were getting and decided that if other players were contributing, which they are, the team would be able to hold its own and allow JR to play catch up and once he found his legs, he would be worth all the money he was earning down the stretch drive and in the playoffs, when it really counts.
I realize that he has done absolutely nothing since the first game of the season but I don't think I am going out on a limb by saying he will more than have earned his $5 million by the time the season is over. If the Kings wanted to pay 1/8 of their salary to a guy who would be MIA for the first 30 games or so, that is their choice and DT will have to answer to all the critics when the season is over if Roenick is unable to come around. But I choose to believe in Roenick. I am in no way satisfied by his performance so far this year but as I said, I believe he will earn is money before the season is over.
i think people do need to relax. if hes playing like this halfway thru the season then be worried. But seriously you guys are winning games and JR isnt producing, I would not worry about it. I have seen him enough to know that his level of play will pick up.
Exactly!
Everybody read this! He knows what he needs to do!
What will make the Kings more money. JRs mouth/personna, or him scoring 25 goals, 35 assists and leading the Kings to first place in the division and the playoffs?
I'm sorry. But but Tubby just ticks me off a lot of the time. He thinks he know more than everybody else just because he's been a fan since the 70's. But whats up with that? FW and Swingin are right. It's just one ****ing game. We've seen worse!
I'm sorry. But but Tubby just ticks me off a lot of the time. He thinks he know more than everybody else just because he's been a fan since the 70's. But whats up with that? FW and Swingin are right. It's just one ****ing game. We've seen worse!
I hate to tell you this, but he does know more than everybody else.
Mind you, this does not stop him from being wrong most of the time.
I'm sorry. But but Tubby just ticks me off a lot of the time. He thinks he know more than everybody else just because he's been a fan since the 70's. But whats up with that? FW and Swingin are right. It's just one ****ing game. We've seen worse!
One ****ing game? More like eight and seven/eighths... but that being said. I love how you turned it personal. You have almost 15000 posts and I have a shade over 250... I think if I've pissed YOU off a lot of the time, you should consider turning off the computer once in a while
One ****ing game? More like eight and seven/eighths... but that being said. I love how you turned it personal. You have almost 15000 posts and I have a shade over 250... I think if I've pissed YOU off a lot of the time, you should consider turning off the computer once in a while
One ****ing game? More like eight and seven/eighths... but that being said. I love how you turned it personal. You have almost 15000 posts and I have a shade over 250... I think if I've pissed YOU off a lot of the time, you should consider turning off the computer once in a while
Has his mouth helped the Kings win one game this year (nor will it), cuz I know that's all the coach cares about?
