Andy Murray - January, 2004

As someone who tries to pay attention to the Los Angeles Kings and the press that surrounds them, I think one of the worst things about paying attention too closely is that you get the feeling you are being pandered to. Listening to any Kings representative through the media, you begin to think you are being treated like a 2 year old putting together a jigsaw puzzle… a jigsaw puzzle that has only 4 pieces! Between the newspaper articles, the radio and television interviews, and the soundbytes and quotes that appear on the internet, you can pretty much guess what is going to be said by a player, a coach, a General Manager without even bothering to listen to the actual answer. I know it’s not just the Kings, it’s all of professional sports, but today I choose to focus on the Kings because I have spent the week listening to Andy Murray and Derek Armstrong on the radio, and this morning had the opportunity to sit in on an NHL Media-led conference call with Coach Murray. The fact is, there is a positive spin here. Murray has guided the Kings for close to five seasons, and despite the adversity of injury to star players, he finds himself leading a team that competes on a nightly basis, and is actually still in the playoff hunt, without the marquee names that, if available, any hockey analyst would agree, would make this a serious cup-contending club.

Murray is scheduled to pass Bob Pulford as the Kings leader in games coached on March 10th at Phoenix. His 168 victories are just ten shy of the team record, also set by Pulford. He coached Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2003 World Championships, and has a talented son, Brady, a Kings draftee who was part of the US 2004 World Junior team that garnered gold as well. He speaks eloquently about his team, and will not lead himself down a path of distraction or dissention.

Today there were some basic questions about his team, and his role, and what is in store for the future:

QUESTION: Given your success in the world championships, which do you enjoy more? International play or the NHL.

Both jobs are an outstanding opportunity. Representing your country is very special, very unique.

QUESTION: Because of the Kings injury depleted roster, who, in your opinion, has stepped up in the locker room as a leader?

I don’t look at the locker room, I look at performance on the ice. Mattias Norstrom… we are so happy he’s an All Star. He is the unquestionable leader (practice, weight room, ice) and has been very solid. Prior to his injury, you have to look at Ziggy Palffy (on ice, competitiveness.) One of the smallest defensemen in the NHL, Lubomir Visnovsky… we are disappointed he didn’t make AS team. Has played very well.

QUESTION: Update us on all of the injured players:

That would take the whole conference call (chuckle.) We’re not expecting Palffy, Deadmarsh, or Allison back. If Straka returns in late March-early April, it’s because we are in the playoff hunt, and he will be a big help to us. Aaron Miller is doubtful right now. He is taking longer than we thought. Jared Aulin is not coming back this year. Within the next month we hope to get Miller back. Dustin Brown could play tomorrow vs. the Ducks.

QUESTION: How do you keep the team winning, and in a potential playoff position?

The league doesn’t allow the team to cancel the games, so if we’re gonna play we have to feel good about the effort. Go out, play hard. Look at what management has done to assemble young talent. We have guys able to step up. Teaching begins in our development camp, our rookie camp, our training camp. Players feel comfortable learning our system.

QUESTION: In December through January the team suffered through a 14 game winless streak, yet with 9 ties and 2 OTL you remained competitive – is that bizarre?

It was a real good indication that we are competing on a nightly basis. We had only 2 regulation losses in that period of time. It’s a good indication of depth, so we try to look at the positives.

QUESTION: Who has impressed you the most (of the Manchester call ups?)

Most of the guys have been here both this year and last year, so we have gone through this before. Most recently, Scott Barney has stepped up. Mike Cammalleri had a streak of games where he was effective. Esa Pirnes, we sent down, and has come back with a few strong games. Tim Gleason has been up and down and has been able to contribute as well. There are a lot of players getting opportunities. We would not hesitate bringing up another player. There is constant communication with (Manchester Head Coach, Bruce) Boudreau. 100% of the time we bring up the player Bruce thinks should come up. This gives us credibility with the players throughout the organization.

QUESTION: Dave Taylor helped you out with the Straka trade. Are there any other moves to be made?

Dave has done a great job with the drafting of young players. The Straka trade, at the time, looked like it would help us, and did, prior to his injury. But, Dave is constantly on the phone. If he can make a move to help our team, and it is in the budget structure, he will do it. I coach the players he puts in front of me. If we are going to make the playoffs, we have to do it with what we’ve got.

QUESTION: Have you had any discussions regarding coaching Team Canada?

I have not. There are a lot of quality coaches. If they need me, I will help in any way I can. (Ken) Hitchcock, (Pat) Quinn, (Jacques) Martin… all have to be frontrunners. There are a lot of deserving guys. I’ve seen my name in the media, but that’s been it.

QUESTION: Because of the recent rash of eye injuries, do you think the NHL needs to address the visor issue?

Most of the players come up through college/junior – where items like this are mandatory… Personally I see no reason why the league can’t say it should be mandatory. The players that engage in fisticuffs, they know to remove the gear before they “go.” The Kings may discuss it within the organization about making it team mandatory. Doesn’t take away from the toughness, doesn’t bring the sticks up any higher. If it prevents injury, they should be mandatory.

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Repost from an old file on my hard drive, dated January, 2004