Kings Article: Rob Scuderi: “It Was A Breath Of Fresh Air†To Return To LA Kings

[FrozenRoyalty]

He's played in five games since returning to the Los Angeles Kings on February 26, and hasn't looked out of place one bit.

Nevertheless, defenseman Rob Scuderi said that there's still some adjustments that he needs to make. He also talked about a phone call with Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi prior to being traded to the Kings, and he shared how special it is for him to not only get back into the National Hockey League, but to do that with the Kings.

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Rob Scuderi: “It Was A Breath Of Fresh Air†To Return To LA Kings

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[PJ Kings Hockey]

Another Frozen Royalty interview - a great way to start off my day. Rob Scuderi gives a thoughtful, honest interview.

“The coaches and management I played for that first year [with Pittsburgh] who got me were gone,” said Scuderi. “That’s a factor. There were a lot of young prospects, and that’s a factor.”

The Kings are lucky that the coaching staff and management have stayed pretty much the same the last few years.

“That’s what makes this situation so good,” said Scuderi. “You want to be wanted, as a player. Certainly, there’s situations where it may not be a great fit, but the first time I came here, that was one of the biggest things that attracted me here. He said that he wanted me to come here, and he didn’t want me to be something else, because sometimes you come in, you sign a big contract, and everyone expects something more from you. But he said, ‘I just want you to do what you do, nothing else. Just be yourself and play.”

Knowing that they want the 2016 Scuderi, not the 2012 Scuderi, that's got to make a man comfortable.

Seems to me that shortly after the trade Scuderi mentioned that his family was already out there or about to be there. Something about the kids having to change schools, that's life, but the important thing was that the family was together. It struck me because of Kris Newbury of the Ontario Reign living across the country from his family during the season instead of having them move with him. Of course, there's different economics.

 

[Rorschach]

It really makes me wonder, if he stayed this whole time I believe a lot of things would be different.

 

[kilowatt]

It really makes me wonder, if he stayed this whole time I believe a lot of things would be different.

No kidding. Is it purely coincidence that the Kings lose two veteran leaders in Mitchell and Scuderi on defense, and suddenly the Kings' highly-praised defense takes a nose dive? I don't think so.

I was overly critical of Scuderi's play this season when I heard about the trade, and I'm happy to eat crow. I was expecting Scuderi to come in as a 6/7 defenseman, but he's a great player that keeps his game really simple. Look at some of the partners Drew has had - Sean O'Donnell, Willie Mitchell, Rob Scuderi, and... Brayden McNabb? One of these things is not like the other.

I'm excited that Scuderi is playing well. With the veterans on this team now - especially with bringing in Lecavalier and Scuderi - you have to think this will be a motivating factor come playoff time. These guys are warriors.