Hey Insiders! Today, we’re continuing our Insider Show series with a conversation with ESPN Hockey Analyst, Cassie Campbell-Pascall.
Having already featured on multiple LA Kings broadcasts this season that have aired on the ESPN family of networks, Campbell-Pascall is also scheduled to be featured on the upcoming telecast of the Kings and Blackhawks next week on Wednesday, December 4.
My conversation with Campbell-Pascall was wide-ranging and included her thoughts on the Kings and the Pacific Division as a whole, as well as a closer look at her role at the upcoming Olympic Games and the new season of PWHL hockey that got underway this week.
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As part of her role working on ESPN broadcasts, Campbell-Pascall gets an opportunity to speak further with coaches around the NHL and has gotten a chance to know Jim Hiller well in meetings with him prior to games.
She praised Hiller for being gracious with his time and being forthcoming to the national rightsholder as they learn his team and their strategy leading into games.
“I love what the Kings are doing,” Campbell-Pascall said. “I don’t think we’ve seen nearly their best hockey yet this year, but they keep finding a way, and now without Drew Doughty, they’re going to have to find a way on the back end. I look for Brandt Clarke to really get an opportunity and step up, and he’s a guy that I think this year has improved defensively, which was really important, and gain the trust of his coach.”
The conversation was recorded before Monday night’s win over Ottawa, which featured a game-winning power play tally from Clarke in the third period, furthering her point on Clarke, who has found a way to get things done in his second full NHL campaign.
“He didn’t have that [trust] necessarily in the playoffs last year, and he’s really worked hard over the summer to gain that, and it’s starting to show her,e and things are starting to come together.”
Clarke is now in double-figures with 10 points on the season, and last night’s power play goal was his first production that hasn’t come at even-strength. He and the rest of his teammates on the ice didn’t have more than a few seconds to create the opportunity, but it materialized fast, and the blueliner got his shot off when he had the look.
“I think he’s understanding the speed of the game,” Campbell-Pascall said. “He’s a great skater. I think he’s gotten stronger this year physically, which has helped him in the defensive zone, and I think there’s less reach in his game in the defensive zone. Last year, he got caught reaching sometimes, and these guys in this league are so good and they notice that, and they’ll find a way to beat you one-on-one, and I think he’s been patient in understanding the speed that’s coming at him and staying on the defensive side in the d-zone.
Campbell-Pascall pointed to the consistent pairing alongside veteran defender Joel Edmundson as something that has really helped Clarke continue to feel more comfortable while emphasizing the importance of the defensive part of the game.
“It’s a pairing that pretty much every game has stayed together and been consistent and reliable,” said Campbell-Pascall. “That familiarity is really important to a young guy. We forget sometimes, he’s only 22 years old, and he’s playing defense in the National Hockey League and as good as he is, his offensive instincts are off the charts, you have to be a good defender to get that ice time to get that offense. He’s really made some strides this year.”
While the team has certainly competed hard and been tough to play against each night as they currently sit one point behind Anaheim for first place in the Pacific, they are still looking for many of their forwards to help increase offensive production. Campbell has seen that as well and pointed to a few names that are still looking to get going.
“They need more from guys like [Trevor] Moore, and we’re seeing him on a line with Kopitar and Kuzmenko,” Campbell-Pascall said. “I think all three of those guys can start to provide a bit more offense, and Moore can start to use his speed. He had 31 goals a couple years ago and he’s only got three so far this year, so I think elevating him in the lineup, Jim Hiller’s hoping to produce some more offense there.”
She also provided further detail on Kuzmenko, who has yet to find his offensive game, scoring just three goals from 20 contests this season, and was made a healthy scratch during a three-game span on the team’s last road trip.
“For me, Kuzmenko’s a guy that if he’s not on your first power play and on your first line, you really don’t get much else from him. He’s still a guy that doesn’t bring a lot of the intangibles. I think putting him back in the lineup, he’s seen the message, and you hope that he can inject some creativity.”
Right now, the underperforming five-forward power play unit is an easy target, but Campbell-Pascall gave a good analysis of what she’s seen opposing teams key in on.
“When you have five forwards on the power play, the penalty killers are going to pressure high. That’s the reality of it, and Adrian Kempe’s such a skilled guy, so important, but I think they need to move the puck down low more and bring the PK down low to safeguard that bumper position, which would maybe free him up, up top. Right now, I find they’re really pressuring him. I think they miss Kempe sometimes on the flank. I think he can sometimes be more of a shot-first mentality when he’s on the flank compared to when he’s up top, but I’d like to see them move the puck down low and create some plays which will open him up more on the top.”
There’s been plenty of digital ink spilled on the power play here, and this is another perspective on it from someone who knows the game incredibly well, having won multiple gold medals in international competition. But she then went back to Kuzmenko’s importance on the first unit and emphasized what he means to the group.
“When Kuzmenko came in last year, it was just this instant creativity, he kind of does his own thing, and you kind of have to read off of that. Other teams watch video, they learn to adjust and I think they’ve done that.”
Finally, she broke down her thoughts on Corey Perry’s game, who started off his Kings career as hot as any skater, posting seven goals in his first 12 contests.
“I’ve got to give credit to the 40-year-old guy,” Campbell-Pascall said. “Corey Perry comes in, and I’m not sure anyone expected him to be what he’s been for the Kings. I mean, you knew the leadership was going to be there and the intangibles, but especially after the knee surgery where you’re thinking oh, he’s 40, he gets injured and has surgery, what’s he going to be able to do? And he’s played his role perfectly. That’s exactly what he brings. He’s a great example to the rest of the team. That’s a guy to me that’s just proving everyone wrong that still has lots of game left, and his ability around the net to get under the goaltender’s skin, just be above the blue paint, be tenacious, be a little bit of a pest out there, he still has that kind of attitude, yet he brings a ton of skill. I think this has been a guy for the Kings that’s really leading by example, and at some point, you hope that trickles down to the rest of the group.”
Watch the full interview with Campbell-Pascall below. Looking forward to more Insider conversations that we can bring your way soon!
