April 21, 2011
by Gann Matsuda
EL SEGUNDO, CA — To anyone who has watched the Los Angeles Kings fairly regularly over the last seven weeks, left wing Dustin Penner has been very, very noticeable…
…for all the wrong reasons.
Veteran left wing Dustin Penner has been a non-factor for the
Los Angeles Kings since his arrival in Los Angeles Will he ever
figure it all out and get his game in gear?
Photo: David Sheehan
Kings President/General Manager
Dean Lombardi acquired Penner in a trade deadline day deal on February 28, 2011, in a deal that sent defenseman prospect
Colten Teubert to the
Edmonton Oilers in exchange, along with a first round selection in the 2011
National Hockey League Entry Draft, and a conditional third round pick in the 2012 draft that will become a second round selection should the Kings win the Stanley Cup this season.
Penner was acquired to score goals and create space for center Anze Kopitar. But with Kopitar out until next season with a broken ankle and torn ligaments, Penner, who is one of the most skilled forwards on the team, was expected to step up and give the Kings a lift.
But Penner ended the regular season scoring just two goals and adding four assists for six points in 19 games with the Kings. Even worse, he ended the regular season without a point in the final twelve games, and he last scored a goal on March 13 at Dallas.
That was 16 games (including playoffs and regular season) ago. Read more of this post
LOS ANGELES — Despite twice leading the game by one goal, turnovers proved too costly for the Los Angeles Kings, who dropped a critical 3-2 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 of their Western Conference Final series.
