The most commonly used word around the LA Kings over the past 24 hours has been bittersweet. With Jeff Carter being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins late Sunday and then Alex Iafallo signing a contract extension about an hour before the NHL Trade Deadline on Monday, many have been on an emotional roller coaster.
Following practice on Tuesday afternoon, Doughty opened up on a number of different topics:
On the new contract for Iafallo
Very well deserved contract. It was coming down to the wire and I was texting him, ‘Do you want me to just call Blakey and say to sign you? What’s going on here? You better not get traded.’ Every single guy on this team wanted AI back. Such a great, two-way player, does all the little things right. Maybe he’s not super flashy like some other guys, but he just does everything right. He’s a great person and a great player. We all knew it was going to get done. There was never a question that we were going to trade him, in the players’ eyes at least. Really happy for him.
On Carter being traded to Pittsburgh
I was a little surprised. We’re only six points out and Jeff was a great player for us. I don’t know. I just didn’t really expect him to get traded. I knew there was all the rumors and what not. Jeff was a great player for this organization, great teammate, great dad, and great family man. He was a guy that I looked up to since I was probably like five years old. His dad coached me when I was five. I followed Jeff’s career since I was that age. When he would play the London Knights, in my hometown, I’d always go to the game. I would go to his AAA games and watch him play with the Chiefs. I’m gonna miss him dearly. It sucks. I hate this part of the business. I think there’s only like four of us left from those Cup teams now. It’s just getting sadder and sadder. It’s part of the business and part of what’s going on here. We just have to deal with it.
On how he thinks Carter will fit in with the current Penguins team
I think he’ll fair very well. Jeff can still skate, can still shoot the puck. He’s still a very good player and he still loves the game of hockey. He truly loves it and he works hard off the ice to get himself ready. He’s had a lot of injuries, obviously, and he’s come back from those through hard work and dedication. He’s gonna work well with that team. They’re a bit of a run-and-gun team. They have a lot of good puck movers and a lot of good speed. That’s why Jeff is gonna fit right in, because he can shoot and he has that speed.
On the power play moving forward, after a disappointing showing on Monday night
I think you’re gonna see some parts moving around there, change some things up. They were just dumb plays, just putting the puck right on the other team’s tape. If you’re waiting for the puck standing still and the other guy is standing still, it’s going to be hard to catch him. They were just not very smart plays. Not only did we give them breakaways, but we didn’t create enough opportunities in my opinion. We need to get back to simplifying the game and shooting pucks.
On his recent comments regarding a lack of intensity, is that aspect still a work in progress for the Kings
That’s the problem. I think you see it; one game is a great 60-minute game, then all the sudden we play another game – we’re on a trend here, we lose the first game of the series and then we win the second one. Which means in the first one, we’re not showing enough compete, not playing hard enough to win that game, and not playing consistent enough. Consistency is a hard thing to do in this league, but that’s how you become a better team. You need each player to play more consistent, and then we’re all gonna come together and make the team consistent. It’s something that our young guys need to learn, that it’s unacceptable not to compete every game. I think they know that, but they have to show it. And so do the vets too, not just the young guys.
BONUS QUOTES FROM JONATHAN QUICK
Quick on Carter being traded
It’s tough to see him go, with him being here for the past 9-10 years and what he means to this organization, and what he means to the guys in the locker room – as a teammate, as a friend. He meant a lot to us, so it’s hard to see him go.
On Iafallo signing a contract extension
He’s a guy who shows up every day. He just kind of seemed to get it from day one. He understood what it takes to be a pro at an early age. He contributes at all ends of the ice for us. We’re all happy to see him get that extension.
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We welcome Jeff to the city of Pittsburgh. Perhaps he can collect His 3rd cup and help us get our 6th. This team will be scary if we can get everyone healthy. Carter will score tonight on the power play. Assists going to Crosby and Letang.