Full comments from LA Kings coach Murray on Dustin Penner

Dustin Penner came into training camp in the best shape he’s been in in years – perhaps ever.

That story has been well documented here on MayorsManor.

Over the last few weeks though, things have been a little murky surrounding the big left winger.

He missed the first two games of the season with what the team called an ‘upper body’ injury, believed to be a sore groin.

Then, he sat on the bench during the third period of Saturday’s game in Philadelphia. After defeating the Flyers in overtime, LA coach Terry Murray referred to a ‘contusion’ he suffered during the game.

Penner was back on the second line with Mike Richards and Dustin Brown when the team began practice today – their first session at TSC in over two weeks. Twenty minutes later, he abruptly went to the locker room.

Following the team’s practice, Murray provided a little more clarity on what’s going on.

On why Penner left the ice – “There’s nothing I can tell you right now. There’s no report from our doctor, where he has gone. What I said after the game in Philadelphia, it’s a contusion on his knee – when he had the fight, he fell – that’s what it is. He went to get it checked out by the doctor to see if there is anything further on that.”

On if it was planned for him to only participate in part of today’s practice – “No. The plan was a full practice and there was nothing before the practice to lead me to think that it was going to be anything different than that. Obviously it’s bothering him and he’s been reassured by the doctor in Philadelphia and the training staff here. But, something’s on his mind. So, we sent him to our team doctor.”

Murray went on to praise the Flyers medical staff, a group he said he knew well, referring to them as ‘world class’ and ‘top shelf’ – and very helpful with the evaluation of Penner while the team was in Philly.

On Penner taking an instigator penalty for the fight in the Flyer game – “I didn’t know if it was (worthy of) an instigator, it was kind of two players who came together. I guess they have to interpret as that. But, I’m fine with what he did, sure – a player sticking up for a teammate is a good thing.”

Murray concluded by saying it was too early to rule Penner out of tomorrow night’s ‘official’ home opener against the St. Louis Blues. In his words – “I’ll have to wait and see what the report will be later.”

Stay tuned.

The Mayor
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