Prone Position

Why was the sickening sight of of Justin Williams falling awkwardly and breaking his leg in the 12/26 Kings vs. Coyotes game totally predictable? Well, 20/20 hindsight tells us that Kings GMs are doomed to repeating the same wishful thinking mistakes an abused wife makes in taking back her abusive hubby and thinking it won’t happen again. When it comes to the reality of acquiring previously injured players, each Kings GM says there is no such thing as “injury prone” and believes fervently it can’t happen here. Well, it looks like the previously injured Justin Williams is out for at least 3 months! He must have slipped on Marty McSorely's stick. 'Cause he can't be injury prone.

Let’s look at some notable previously injured past Kings acquisitions.

The favorite of many-a Kings fan, Mister 110%, balls to the walls every shift Adam Deadmarsh had already had 2 concussions, a knee and an eye injury when the Kings traded for him (and Aaron Miller for Rob Blake). As a King he gave us many incredible inspiring heroic moments, including the overtime playoff goal against Detroit. Sadly, all too soon, Deadder had to retire at 27 from 2 additional noggin knockers he received while playing 3 partial seasons as a King.

Four time all-star Rick Martin (not La Vida Loca), the 50 goal scoring sniper on the Sabres famous French Connection Line (not Gene Hackman) with Gil Perreault and Rene Robert also cannot be considered injury prone. On November 8, 1980, while still a Sabre, Martin injured his right knee in a collision with Washington Capitals' goalie Mike Palmateer. Just 4 months later the Kings acquired Martin(not Mar-taan) for a first-round draft choice two years in the future (Tom Barrasso!). He only played four frickin' games for the Kings and had to retire due that knee injury at 30.

An earlier (1974) hero/bust for the Kings was the speedy Gene Carr. Also acquired for a first round choice (Ron Duguay). He was the King of breakaways; seemed to get a couple per game. Hardly ever scored on one. He either put the biscuit in the goalies gut or hit the post. Kings got him from the Rangers a year after he had suffered serious injuries in a taxi cab accident! Carr was an early facilitator of the rock music/ice hockey fusion, in that he became good friends with the Eagles' Glenn Frey, who often wore a Kings Gene Carr jersey on stage. The Kings traded Gene to the Pens 18 months before he had to retire due to spinal fluid problems at 28.

As the Kings losing streak since this most recent injury hits 4, we wish the best for Justin Williams and the team and hope they can recapture the magical dominating performance Smyth- Kopitar and he put on for the 1^st quarter of this season; And most ardently hope our last memories of Justin are not of him prone on a stretcher.

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