At the same time, if you're upset with how this team does or doesn't stand up for one another, doesn't that show some unhappiness with the teams resident tough guy? I mean the Kings response to the Calgary situation WAS pathetic and it all starts with Clifford. Yeah hes a team guy but he didnt do enough, hell he didnt do anything. His stern lecture to Tkachuk ended it for me with him.
Honestly, I think they felt it was handled after the McNabb fight as far as Tkachuk goes. Then they hit Kopitar, Iginla immediately responds and they go on to play some of their better hockey of the season--or at least the end of the season--for the rest of the game.
The main issue is not doing anything immediately after the elbow in the first place and then not even sneezing in Tkachuk's direction the rest of the game. So Tkachuk answers the bell by fighting McNabb and these guys decide it is settled as far as fighting him goes. Then he takes the huge run at Doughty and nothing of consequence happens as the Kings still have playoff hopes at that point, although Andreoff half-assed his way to a game misconduct.
So, for me, it is not settled as Tkachuk wants to keep picking the scab. Sets up for a home game where the Kings are already eliminated. Sutter scratches Clifford so Clifford doesn't even get a chance to do anything.
Andreoff played in that game though, I guess. I see a number under "GP" on his stat page but it is hard to recall him actually doing anything this season. I'm not sure anyone showed up on LA that night. Perfect time to just go full hog on Tkachuk and a division rival and the whole team mailed it in because they don't care enough about each other.
It's hard for me to get upset at Clifford for not fighting Tkachuk because, well, Tkachuk won't fight him anyways and the Kings were trying to win the game. I have no patience for what happened immediately following the elbow because--while they were still trying to win--every player on the ice should just lose their mind right there and riot. Very disappointed in giant Forbort not jumping Tkachuk at that moment.
I also didn't like Andreoff clowning his way to putting the Kings shorthanded on two occasions while getting thrown out while never even throwing a punch. The run on Doughty should of caused a riot in the moment. They did the old park and ride though: hope that **** is over with as far as retribution and physical play goes.
Would Clifford have done anything in Game 80 at home against Calgary? Probably not, but I can't hold it against him since he didn't play. Andreoff did play in that game though and had a chance to do something and did squat, just like his zero goals scored this season.
This team has problems but Clifford still stood up for this team on multiple occasions, just like he has for years. I'll give AA a little benefit of the doubt of being neutered by Sutter hockey (very few brawls and revenge things during Sutter's tenure...park and ride), but that has to be applied to Clifford then as well since he had the same coach.
If you are done with Clifford for any reason other than contract, then you have to be done with Andreoff and Nolan as well since he does the job better than both of these guys. If so, that's fair. I just don't believe the Clifford "replacement" is currently on the roster.
