Brenden Morrow practically made a career out of agitating the Kings when he played with the Dallas Stars and was their long-time captain. His 20 goals and 42 points vs. Los Angeles trail only the 21 goals and 45 points he’s put up against Phoenix for tops against any opponent in his career.
Frequent readers of this site may also recall him opening up to MayorsManor last season about how little playing time he may actually have left in the league. Yet when the Kings’ former division rival was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins late last season, he looked to now be a problem for the Eastern Conference. Not so fast though. He signed a free agent contract with St. Louis Blues over the summer and made his return to Staples Center on Monday night.
After the locker room emptied, Morrow once again spent some one-on-one time with us, sharing thoughts on a myriad of topics …
On losing back-to-game games to LA and San Jose:
“They play a heavy game. Chicago obviously is having a great start as well. They’re more explosive speed and skill game. But these last two have been real heavy, strong games and we’ve been on the losing end of both of them.”
On any differences that LA and San Jose bring compared to other top teams in the Western Conference:
“They’re big, heavy bodies but they move good. They move fast and they’re in quick on forecheck, turning pucks over. We have to find a way to get in their way, slow them down, or exit our zone quicker. So far we’ve been on the wrong end of it and we’ll have to regroup.”
On trying to fit in with his new team:
“I still think I’m learning. You play your whole career with certain players – this isn’t a knock on the players I’m playing with either. A lot of the time, when you’re playing on the fourth line, it’s a different game. You have to adjust your game a little bit to the role you’re in. I struggle with it at times, but I’m trying to adjust.”
On people (like Garry Galley here) critical of Dustin Brown’s style of play:
“I think, like a lot of people, the way the rules have changed – a lot of the things he’d done, Scott Stevens made a career of it. You finish your checks. I think he’s adjusted his game. He plays hard, he competes hard. I know I’ve made fun of him in the past because we’ve had battles, but I don’t know if I’d go far enough to say he’s a predator [ed. note: that’s the word Garry Galley had used]. He plays the game hard and he plays it physical, the rules have just changed from 10-15 years ago when that was the norm. Now, it’s penalties and it’s not accepted, and I think he’s adjusted his game because of it.”
For more Blues-Kings coverage, see the links below.
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