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Kings trying d-man Martinez at left wing because ‘someone has to play left wing’

San Jose Sharks v Los Angeles Kings

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Alec Martinez #53 of the Los Angeles Kings centers the puck in the second period during the NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Staples Center on March 24, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

Victor Decolongon

Darryl Sutter is on fire.

The Kings head coach, who’s already dropped a couple of press scrum gems (see here and here) this year, had a couple more on Wednesday after casually mentioning he was going to try defenseman Alec Martinez at left wing.

Why Martinez, Darryl?

When Sutter was asked why try Martinez on LW, he replied, “someone has to play left wing.” #LAKings

— Frozen Royalty (@frozenroyalty) October 23, 2013


How long have you thought about doing this, Darryl?

Sutter, on how long he had considered using Martinez at LW: “Every time he’s backchecking when he should have been skating backwards.”

— Jon Rosen (@lakingsinsider) October 23, 2013


Classic Darryl.
Sutter Peace Sign

Sutter’s right to carve the situation, though, because the Kings aren’t getting anything out of their left wingers this year. The natural lefties -- Dan Carcillo and Kyle Clifford -- are both bottom-six guys and, as for players with offensive upside for a top-six role, Matt Frattin has played “much better” at right wing and will reportedly stay there while youngster Tyler Toffoli doesn’t appear up to the challenge just yet.

“I think that we were probably way out of line to think that we were going to play Frattin on left wing or Toffoli on left wing,” Sutter told LA Kings Insider. “It’s really difficult. You could learn it, I think, at the American League level, but it’s tough to learn it at the NHL level.”

As such, it’s possible the Kings could look to acquire a natural left winger via trade.