Frolov controversy 'winger' of attention at Kings practice

October 21, 6:48 PMLos Angeles Kings ExaminerJonathan Moncrief

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Alexander Frolov looks for brighter days ahead with new linemates

AP Photo/Bill Boyce

Wednesday’s practice can best be summed up by the initial minutes that the media was allowed into the locker room when practice was ending. Alexander Frolov sat down at his locker, and within a minute, all but one member of the media had swarmed around him.

Sean O’Donnell deadpanned, “What’s with all the media around Fro?”

The 70 minute practice Wednesday saw the return to the ice of Frolov, who was a healthy scratch on Monday in the Kings 4-1 victory over Dallas. Head coach Terry Murray (citing not just the turnover in Saturday’s loss at Columbus but that he also hadn’t been happy with Frolov’s effort “…for several games”) had Frolov skating with Michal Handzus and captain Dustin Brown. The move of Brown to this line meant that Wayne Simmonds was shifted to the line that includes Teddy Purcell and Jarret Stoll.

“I’m looking to get an answer to the question… (of) secondary scoring,” Murray said after practice. “I’m hoping that something can happen out of this (Frolov, Brown, Handzus) line.”

Frolov, for his part, had a solid practice effort in the estimation of his coach. He was especially focused during a drill in which he was shooting from the point to generate tip-in chances in front of the goaltender. Murray said he spoke with Frolov this morning before practice began.

“When we spoke in Dallas… it was important for me to leave an opening to the door,” Murray explained. “I wanted him to come to me, sit down and look me in the eye and tell me that he was ready to get going… that’s what happened this morning.” When asked to elaborate about whether the benching was more about production or effort, Murray didn’t hesitate in his answer.

“No, it’s effort; I can live with the other stuff, but I want 100 percent commitment with effort and intensity,” Murray responded. “We need total buy-in by all players.”

I then asked Murray if there was anything he would have done differently in hindsight. Once again, in a very even-tempered but authoritative manner, Murray never wavered in his response.

“No, it’s just time to move on; the decision that I made, I’m very comfortable with it,” Murray acknowledged. “It’s what I needed to do for the team… no one is bigger than the team… but now, he’s back in the lineup, had a good practice, and is ready to get going.”

I asked several teammates about the situation, and like Murray, they also understood that the situation was dealt with appropriately and that it was time to turn the page.

“I haven’t spoken to him yet about it but I plan on doing so,” Brown told me. “Frolov sitting out is a big deal because he’s one of our best players, but I felt it was important to get everyone else focused on what we had to do (on Monday) and we were able to get a good result.”

“It was the coach’s decision and he did what he felt was best for the team,” Ryan Smyth stated, “I think (Frolov) will respond, he’s old enough and been around enough in this league to understand, and I think he’ll respond to it well.”

Matthew Barry of Hockey Buzz asked Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi, as a newcomer to the team, about the Frolov situation: “When coaches see a lot of mental mistakes, they’re going to make their point heard… he made a couple of mistakes… but I’m sure he’s going to come back stronger for it. We all need him to do that.” Frolov himself expressed his own disappointment at sitting out Monday’s game.

“Nobody likes to be scratched,” Frolov admitted, “… it’s pretty frustrating… it’s not pleasant, but you have to move on; it’s the head coach’s decision and you have to respect it.”

Hopefully the next time reporters swarm around Frolov’s locker will be following a game-winning goal as the centerpiece of a game filled with the intensity and effort Murray and the organization is looking for from Frolov.

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Following Sunday’s game between the Kings and Columbus at Staples Center, the Kings Alumni Association will play charity hockey game against firefighters from throughout Southern California, including greater Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura, and more. The LA City Fire Department Color Guard will be presenting the colors to start the game prior to the match with the Blue Jackets, and will take part in a ceremonial puck drop. Monies raised will benefit the LAFD’s Relief Association – Widows, Orphans, and Disabled Firefighters Fund. Also, items auctioned by Kings Care Foundation throughout the concourse at Staples Center during the game, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated. To purchase discounted tickets for this game, contact Aaron Kulik in the Kings sales department at (213) 742-7230.

For more info: The Kings return to Staples Center to host the Dallas Stars on Thursday. For tickets to this important Pacific Division tilt, click here. Following a practice on Friday, the Kings travel to Phoenix to face the Coyotes Saturday night, and then return home on Sunday to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Game time on Sunday is a special 6:00 start time: click here for tickets... For tickets to all Kings games in the 2009-10 regular season, including many specially priced partial and full season ticket plans, click here to visit the team's ticket site or call (888) KINGS-LA... We'll post the 'Kings Look Ahead' articles every Sunday/Monday until the Olympic break, and then we'll return to the 'Rooting Interest' format from last season. You should also look for at least one weekly feature-style article on a current player, past player, or a member of the Kings coaching/executive staff... All games this season can be heard on the Kings radio flagship station, KTLK 1150-AM. In addition, all remaining scheduled television broadcasts will be available in High Definition on both Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket... to get my latest takes on all things Kings, hockey, sports, and life in general, follow me on Twitter by clicking here.

NOTE: Some people have stated that they enjoy reading my pieces here on Examiner.com because I have attempted to straddle the seemingly unstraddleable line between the incorporation of a sense of journalistic integrity and the passion of the guy who grew up screaming at players and coaches from the upper deck in New Jersey. I have a commentary that I have posted about my own personal thoughts, as a hockey fan, about the latest trials and tribulations of Alexander Frolov. However, because of my desire to separate the 'maniac' from the 'professional writer' (and yes, the usage of correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar allegedly qualifies me to use that term), I have posted this on my private blog site. Feel free to read it by clicking here, but you’ve been warned – no punches are pulled there.