elvis15 Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Loktionov is asking for a trade now while Bernier may not have actually asked for one last year. Loktionov asks for a trade, Bernier may be singing different tune Andrei Loktionov played 39 games for the Kings last season, two shy of the required 41 to get his name on the Stanley Cup. But, don’t confuse the issue here, that’s not what today’s story is about. This boils down to playing time, something the highly skilled forward isn’t likely to see in Los Angeles anytime soon. Deep at center, the Kings moved the 22-year old Russian over to the wing two seasons ago. And according to both the player and former coach Terry Murray, that was a failed experiment. Now, with Jarret Stoll signing a multi-year contract extension last summer, the team is locked up down the middle for many years to come - with Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Stoll. Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, Loktionov has battled many highs and lows throughout his early North American career. In the spring of 2009, his team won the Memorial Cup Championship. Loktionov recorded 33 points in 20 playoff games (second only to teammate and Oilers draft pick Taylor Hall) during the Windsor Spitfires’ run to junior hockey’s top prize. He then made his NHL debut on November 25, 2009 in Edmonton – and promptly dislocated his shoulder, sidelining him the rest of the way. The following season saw multiple call-ups from Manchester (AHL) after he initially started 2010-11 with the big club. In total, he posted four goals and three assists in 19 games with the Kings. Once again though, his season was cut short after surgery was needed to repair another shoulder injury. Last year, he saw time with both the Kings and Monarchs, scoring three goals in 39 regular season NHL games. Loktionov also returned to LA for the playoffs and saw action in two games, recording zero points. Thus far this season, he’s scored seven goals in 35 games with Manchester. For now, that’s where he’ll remain. However, likely realizing he’s on the outside looking in, it was confirmed to MayorsManor earlier today that Loktinov has requested a trade to another NHL team. Interestingly, it was just three weeks ago that back-up goaltender Jonathan Bernier, who had previously requested a trade, was suddenly singing a slightly different tune. “Nah, I want to play, that’s it,” said the 24-year old, when asked if he still wanted out of town. “I can’t really do anything about it,” Bernier continued. “It has been two years since I’ve been in (this) situation. I just want to play. With the (compressed) schedule now, things can change a lot. Hopefully Suttsy can squeeze me in for a few.” Fine, he did ask for a trade last year. “It was on TV and they pretty much asked me the same question you guys ask all the time,” explained Bernier. “I just said I’d like to play more, and then the French media sometimes…It was actually at my Cup party, that they asked me if I’d like to play more. I said ‘Obviously, yes. If it’s not going to be in LA, it could be somewhere else’ and it went on from there. That’s when they said I wanted to get moved.” So, wait, did he ask for a trade? “Obviously if it’s not going to be here, like I’ve said, I just want to play.” Those were, at the very least, some interesting answers because just a few months ago he opened up to MayorsManor about his trade request in an article here. “Well, we all have eyes. We saw how well Quick played last year,” said Bernier, when reminded of the previous interview. “Since I’ve been here he’s been their guy. I think I’ve played in back-to-back games once in two seasons. Plus he just signed a long-term deal - which for me, doesn’t really mean anything because he doesn’t have a non-trade clause. But, at the same time it’s for ten years. So, if I look at it from the outside; there’s not much room for me to play.” As for GM Dean Lombardi, he made his feelings about Bernier’s situation abundantly clear here. Now, we’ll just have to wait for some thoughts about the Loktionov request. Although, it be a while, as the Kings’ GM is likely more concerned with finding a quality defenseman at the moment. Or, perhaps the two stories are related. We shall see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Green Lawn Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Don't blame him... hopefully he doesn't take off to the KHL like the rest of them usually do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashian Kassian Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Yeah I'm on his side on this one, he's got alot of talent, enough to play in this league and he will never get the chance on their team. It is interesting for us but we really have nothing that is a fit at this point, none of our defense are going anywhere at this point in time unless they like Cam Barker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Yeah I'm on his side on this one, he's got alot of talent, enough to play in this league and he will never get the chance on their team. It is interesting for us but we really have nothing that is a fit at this point, none of our defense are going anywhere at this point in time unless they like Cam Barker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dion Phaneuf Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 If he gets traded, it'll be to a team like Columbus (although they don't need another center). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashian Kassian Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 That was my second thought for what might get posted, close to the first but not quite! But really, yeah, they had to force him to wing to try and get him playing time but I think he'll find a fit somewhere if they are willing to trade him, depending of course on how much they want back in return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Aerosex Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 I'll reserve my first thought on what people will think/propose when they read the last bolded part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 I'm not being serious, I'm fully aware they actually want a proven defenseman in return for a young player like that. Maybe Florida would be a fit, Ellerby for Loktionov? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashian Kassian Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 I know you were being sarcastic, but I wouldn't put it past some others. Would Florida be a fit? Lots of young centers or center prospects in the system, so not sure where he'd fit - oh wait, it must mean they're thinking of trading one of them so they'd have room!! Luongo for Bjugstad!!! But I'd think Phoenix might be interested (although in their division), Chicago's been looking for a #2 C for awhile, the Flames could be interested, maybe even with Tampa for the right price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Yeah I knew you did And right.. Bjugstad.. Shore.. Do'h! What was I thinking. Maybe Chicago would work, but do they have the depth on the backend to give up what LA would want, perhaps Calgary could work, they seem like a nice fit, although is Loktionov an upgrade on Backlund right now? I don't really think so. Ehhh, this is tougher to find a fit then I thought it would be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazzle Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Yeah, I can't see them trying to trade with Vancouver. Could Montreal be a viable trading partner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Yeah, I can't see them trying to trade with Vancouver. Could Montreal be a viable trading partner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilya Mikheyev Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Can't see any team paying too much for him, he doesn't have a huge value IMO, esp. now that the trade request is public. For a struggling team, this could be a Naslund-type snag if a change of scenery puts him back to where he was before his stint with the Kings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Heffy Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 To Calgary: Lokitionov Bernier Gagne Conditional 2nd (1st if Iginla re-signs) To Kings: Iginla Sarich Irving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilya Mikheyev Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 To Calgary: Lokitionov Bernier Gagne Conditional 2nd (1st if Iginla re-signs) To Kings: Iginla Sarich Irving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 To Calgary: Lokitionov Bernier Gagne Conditional 2nd (1st if Iginla re-signs) To Kings: Iginla Sarich Irving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownUndaCanuck Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 I'd do Tanev for Loktionov in a heartbeat, maybe some picks to even it up. We have great defensive depth, we need depth at center desperately. Sedin - Sedin - Kassian Burrows - Kesler - Booth Hansen - Loktionov - Raymond Higgins - Lapierre - Malhotra Amazing depth at forward and center is what Cup winners have - quality on defence is more important than depth on defence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 I'd do Tanev for Loktionov in a heartbeat, maybe some picks to even it up. We have great defensive depth, we need depth at center desperately. Sedin - Sedin - Kassian Burrows - Kesler - Booth Hansen - Loktionov - Raymond Higgins - Lapierre - Malhotra Amazing depth at forward and center is what Cup winners have - quality on defence is more important than depth on defence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashian Kassian Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 I'd do Tanev for Loktionov in a heartbeat, maybe some picks to even it up. We have great defensive depth, we need depth at center desperately. Sedin - Sedin - Kassian Burrows - Kesler - Booth Hansen - Loktionov - Raymond Higgins - Lapierre - Malhotra Amazing depth at forward and center is what Cup winners have - quality on defence is more important than depth on defence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Can't blame him, he's not going to get much of a chance at center with those guys ahead of him on the depth chart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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