What happened to Penner's scoring touch?

[LAKings88]

I like Penner as a person and for the cup run performance but what happened to the 30 goal scorer we thought we were getting?

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[Sydor25]

I blame twitter.

 

[kingsfan]

I blame twitter.

You actually beat me to it.

Of course, focusing on pancake-gate and soaked hotel rooms hasn't helped

 

[DaAnimal]

I like Penner as a person and for the cup run performance but what happened to the 30 goal scorer we thought we were getting?

Too much pancakes

He's a really comical guy and has a good sense of humor. It's a pity that he gets a lot of bashing from the fans.

I personally think it has to do with the system and also his mentality. When he traded TM was still our coach at that time. As we all know, TM is all about defense defense defense. Penner, being raised in a very offensively minded teams (Ducks and Oilers) had difficulties adjusting to our style of play. At times we would just see him "float around." Additionally his role (i believe) changed. I think he was playing more on the checking line than a top 6.

But when Sutter took over, we saw a different Penner. He lost weight and was back into shape. He was more focused on winning games and winning against the boards (we actually see him fighting for the puck and there is a little aggression on his defensive side!)

Overall, I am satisfied with his style of play this year and during the playoffs, he was sensational. Yeah he's not putting up 30 goals a season but we have others players who can do that (Kopi, Carter, Brown, maybe Williams and Richards, and potentially Tofolli).

 

[ID]

He has been playing fine this year not scoring as much but a much better game

 

[Ollie Weeks]

If he can keep up his assists and hitting like he's been doing, I don't mind that his scoring touch has virtually vanished.

I think he kinda got Ponikarovski'id by Terry Murray, but better players have also taken over his old jobs. This isn't the Oilers where he can get 18 minutes a night.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I'm not sure I've seen him take a decent shot on net with the Kings.

It's just always funny thinking back to last year. Who would have said, really at any point during the regular season, that Penner would score the series clinching goal in OT to send the Kings to the final? Who didn't want him gone at the deadline? Not even for anything, but as a throw-in. Just cut the guy. Somehow get him off the roster.

That's why sports are great. You just don't know what's coming.

 

[KINGS17]

Right now his job isn't to score goals. Penner's job is to create space and get pucks to Richards and Carter.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

Carter absorbed it with his awesomeness.

 

[jml87]

Carter absorbed it with his awesomeness.

Carter is a hockey vampire now

 

[BringTheReign]

Penner got first line minutes and first unit power play time with the Oilers. He gets second line support role minutes here, at best. He's just not in the same role he used to be in, and I think it's taken him awhile to adjust mentally to it.

 

[drugold]

I recall a one timed snapper against Tampa bay. Maybe even in overtime or late in the game. Don't know if I'm just making it up in my head but its a great shot. Stoll use to score 68 points in a season. Crazy

I'm not sure I've seen him take a decent shot on net with the Kings.
.

That's why sports are great. You just don't know what's coming.

 

[Live in the Now]

Doesn't play on the power play, has confidence drained out of him by being a healthy scratch, and isn't in great shape. Still our best option for the Richards-Carter grouping. I would also put him on PP #2 over Lewis because that unit lacks a lot of things, including a big body in front of the net.

 

[KingKopitar11*]

Doesn't play on the power play, has confidence drained out of him by being a healthy scratch, and isn't in great shape. Still our best option for the Richards-Carter grouping. I would also put him on PP #2 over Lewis because that unit lacks a lot of things, including a big body in front of the net.

It's sad that he's our best choice. Hopefully one of the kids can take over.

 

[Seventyx7]

I'm not sure I've seen him take a decent shot on net with the Kings.

It's just always funny thinking back to last year. Who would have said, really at any point during the regular season, that Penner would score the series clinching goal in OT to send the Kings to the final? Who didn't want him gone at the deadline? Not even for anything, but as a throw-in. Just cut the guy. Somehow get him off the roster.

That's why sports are great. You just don't know what's coming.

I remember one... I'm sure Mike Smith does too.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Doesn't play on the power play, has confidence drained out of him by being a healthy scratch, and isn't in great shape. Still our best option for the Richards-Carter grouping. I would also put him on PP #2 over Lewis because that unit lacks a lot of things, including a big body in front of the net.

I'm kinda shocked he hasn't found his niche doing this yet. He's got good hands (though I'm not sure about in front of the net...hardly see him in the slot!) and is gigantic and hard to move...

 

[kingsfan]

I'm kinda shocked he hasn't found his niche doing this yet. He's got good hands (though I'm not sure about in front of the net...hardly see him in the slot!) and is gigantic and hard to move...

He might get hit with a puck and break his twitter hand.

 

[CowMix]

Carter absorbed it with his awesomeness.

Space Jam?

 

[tsanuri]

Let's not forget he isn't the only King that has been snake bit for this season. Williams has broken out and is now shooting closer to his historical shooting percentage but is under by a few points. Do I even need to bring up DD, who thankfully has gotten back on track but is still under by a few points. Then come to Penner, who has never lived up to the his numbers since he got here but is still almost 50% below what he has done since coming here.
With the shortened season all of these have hurt us at times but we're still in good shape. And if they can all break out and be back on par we will do just fine. And Penner will become an asset again.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

He might get hit with a puck and break his twitter hand.

.....

 

[Model62]

Right now his job isn't to score goals. Penner's job is to create space and get pucks to Richards and Carter.

Combine that with his iffy fitness and he's got no juice left after smashing into the corner and digging out the puck.

Oh. And no Power Play time (see: lack of fitness).

 

[KingsFan7824]

I remember one... I'm sure Mike Smith does too.

That wasn't really a shot though. Statistically it was, but the puck was bouncing in front of him, and he had to sort of push the puck from in front of his feet with his stick more than actually shoot it.

It may be the greatest garbage goal in Kings history though, and is one of the top moments in the whole run last year.

 

[The Butcher]

Doesn't play on the power play, has confidence drained out of him by being a healthy scratch, and isn't in great shape. Still our best option for the Richards-Carter grouping. I would also put him on PP #2 over Lewis because that unit lacks a lot of things, including a big body in front of the net.

Is this really still an issue for Pens?

I love Penner but there comes a point when you are making millions of dollars where it has to wear on his teammates, coaches, and upper management. In my opinion, fitness shouldn't be an option in the NHL. Being an out of shape pro hockey player is just a giant middle finger to the rest of the world.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Is this really still an issue for Pens?

I love Penner but there comes a point when you are making millions of dollars where it has to wear on his teammates, coaches, and upper management. In my opinion, fitness shouldn't be an option in the NHL. Being an out of shape pro hockey player is just a giant middle finger to the rest of the world.

Eh, I think that's just an assumption by certain people...that he's out of shape. I mean seriously, how could he be? Would the organization allow him to be? When he shows up for practice, does he NOT do the drills?

 

[Scottkmlps]

Combine that with his iffy fitness and he's got no juice left after smashing into the corner and digging out the puck.

Oh. And no Power Play time (see: lack of fitness).

That's it right there. In Edmonton he was getting 1st unit p.p. time.