GOFFSTOWN -- The formula won a Stanley Cup, so the Manchester Monarchs are more than happy to fall in line.

After a mid-season coaching change to Darryl Sutter, the Los Angeles Kings last season won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Now, the AHL affiliate in Manchester is switching over to Sutter's system.

Kings assistant coach John Stevens was in town working closely with Monarchs head coach Mark Morris to install the full game plan, which features more freedom for the players and an attacking style.

“You have a bit more freedom as a player where before you didn't have as much freedom (under Terry Murray). Obviously, it paid off,” said Monarchs veteran forward Rich Clune. “They dominated in the playoffs and that's how they want us to play down here. I think Mark Morris is pretty happy because he's always been that style. I think he might have been a little limited under Terry's style.”

Morris agrees.

“I feel that way,” he said. “I feel that this is an aggressive, exciting brand of hockey that really promotes quick puck movement, playmaking and lots of things that really are how I see the game and have understood the game over time.”

Up-tempo and aggressive are the two key words.

“There's a philosophy that there is more of an aggressive attitude toward puck pursuit and taking away people's option on the opposition,” Morris said. “It takes a lot of hard work and if done properly, it's going to be fruitful for us.”

The players enjoy being able to read the game and react and play more fluid hockey while still staying within the guidelines of the system.

“(There is) a lot more freedom,” said veteran forward David Meckler. “We learned the theme, which is get on them and be aggressive and use our common sense with it. It's not as much Xs and Os anymore as much as hard work and being there and doing the right thing.”

For a pesky player like Clune, the system is a perfect fit.

“I love it. My game is forechecking hard and outworking other players and playing with a lot of energy while staying in the system and playing smart,” Clune said. “It's conducive to my type of game.”

With the NHL locked out, Stevens and several other members of the Kings' staff such as goalie coach Bill Ranford and assistant general manager Ron Hextall have been (and will continue to be) in and out of town to help guide the Monarchs.

“We've really benefitted by having the presence of some of the NHL coaches to give us a firsthand look at how Darryl's systems were so effective,” Morris said. “I think having access to that information has given us a better appreciation for what needs to happen for us to mirror the Kings' style of play.”

The Monarchs will give the new system a test drive Friday at 6 p.m. at St. Anselm when they host Bridgeport in an exhibition game. It will also mark the return of Scott Pellerin, the former Monarchs assistant coach who is now head coach of the Sound Tigers.

VOYNOV RETURNS: Russian defenseman Slava Voynov returned to Manchester on Monday but was not yet ready to practice Tuesday because his gear had not arrived yet. Morris said that he did not know why Voynov did not report to camp last week with the rest of the team.

Prior to camp, there were rumors that countryman Andrei Loktionov might opt to go play in the KHL in Russia during the lockout, but Loktionov arrived at camp on time. It's also been speculated that Voynov may have been exploring a similar option.

Ian Clark covers pro hockey for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. His e-mail address is iclark@unionleader.com.