alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Overdue? Yes, probably, but hopefully you’ll find it worth the wait, as Dean Lombardi talks about the fast start, the recent slide, the rise and fall of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Justin Williams, possible trades and the status of Alexander Frolov. That, and much, much more! (well, maybe not, but it makes the commercial sound better…) Here’s the interview, in its entirety…
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Question: A month ago, you were in first place in the conference. Now you’re trying to hold on to eighth. Looking at the team, how do you evaluate that? How do you reconcile it in terms of evaluating where the team is?
LOMBARDI: “Well, the first thing is that, statistically, I think we all see how close everything is. Even to be in first, at that time, it wasn’t like it was a huge cushion. But how do I reconcile it?”
Question: Do you look at this team differently now than you did a month ago?
LOMBARDI: “No, I don’t. The one thing I think — which I like — and it’s another example of why I think this team is ahead of schedule, is that I think now they’re playing with legitimate pressure and expectations. This is the first year I really felt we had a solid chance to be in the playoffs, and I certainly still do, but I think there was that element of them having to go out and do it. They got in first place, and now there’s expectations to stay in that hunt.
“I think, for any team to become a bonafide contender, for any team to establish themselves as a team that’s going to be reckoned with, year in and year out, one of the mental stages, in terms of building a team, is dealing with pressure, dealing with expectations. This is the first time for them, and I think it got magnified because they were up there in first place. Now you’re expected to make the playoffs, because you were there, and you’re going to have to deal with it. But, at some point, this test was coming. It has come quicker, to some degree, than I thought, because of that.
“Because if it had come the other way, which you would have thought, like, `OK, we’ll get better and better and, OK, now we’re in the playoffs,’ vs. coming up here [low] to here [high], the pressure isn’t the same. I think you see all those one-goal games now getting a little tighter. Until you believe in yourself, that you’re going to win these games, you’re really not going to be a bonafide contender or a franchise that’s going to be where you want to be.
“It’s the whole thing — using the extreme example — where it just didn’t happen with the Yankees, where you just know they’re going to find a way to win, or the Detroits of the world. It’s not only that they knew they found a way to win. They knew they were going to win. These guys are going to have to fight through that. We’ve still got one of the youngest cores in the league, the youngest core in the league, and they’re now faced with that test. It’s no different than any other test. It’s not going to be easy. So, they really put the pressure on themselves to succeed, by being up there, and that’s a good thing. Now they’re going to have to learn to deal with it.
“And there’s a big difference too, when you look at other teams. Like Phoenix, last year, had a young team. They were in the same position last year. I think, at the All-Star break, they were fifth or sixth. Then what happened at that point? The pressure hits, and… Then they get rid of all the young kids, and now they have an older team and there’s no pressure. St. Louis last year, there was no pressure when they had the best record in the second half. They’re one of the top teams in the league and they get in. They come into camp this year, and clearly there are expectations from last year, to keep it going. They’re actually a better team, when Johnson is healthy and Kariya is healthy, but the mental part… The expectations are there and then (it goes down). Now maybe they’ll come back, but it ain’t the same as when you’re expected to be there.
“Again, it’s all a part of the growth process. It’s the John Ferguson theory. The only way you’re going to break through is by dealing with real pressure. And I think they’re going to figure out a way. In that room, as a group, I know how much they care. It’s going to be a battle, but it’s as much a mental battle as it is a physical battle, if not more mental in some cases. I think you’re seeing a little of that. The Minnesota game, the Detroit game. Those one-goal games are going the other way? Well, now you’re playing with expectations. Real ones, versus the other ones, when you’re trying to find your credibility. It’s a test.”
Question: So the complexion of the season changes, as opposed to if you had simply been battling for sixth, seventh or eighth all season…
LOMBARDI: “And the one thing about those one-goal games is, we were winning a lot of those one-goal games. Things kind of go your way, with shootouts or whatever. Now, what is it? Eight of these games we’ve lost by one goal? It goes the other way. The one thing I like is, if I’m sitting here with an old team, and I’m capped out, you’ve got a problem. But I’m sitting here with the youngest core in the league. I’ve got the cap space, if I have to do something.
“It’s all a part of the growth process. I’ve been really proud of them. The way they fought through December, with all those injuries and that schedule, all those games, that showed me a lot of their character. That wasn’t frickin easy. There were some tough buildings, but we found a way. But even then, there weren’t total expectations. Now you get there, and boy, it’s tough. The other thing that happens, and don’t forget, is when you get up there, you run into a different opponent. When you’re a contender, you’re not surprising anybody anymore. When you’re sitting at the top of the conference, you don’t think that team is ready for you? Two years ago, or last year even, we would beat a team and you would hear about them getting `bag skated’ the next day. Well, that means, in the end, they didn’t respect you. We’re beyond the bag-skate thing, but now they’re ready for you.
“Just like Kopi found out. You want to lead the league in scoring? Well then, say hello to all these checkers and top defensemen you’re going to run into. So he’s a microcosm of the bigger thing, dealing with pressure and expectations. Teams, now, are ready for you. So, if you’re ever going to be a good team, it’s a phase and you’re going to have to go through it. They’re going through it now.
“Some teams, and you look at Phoenix last year and St. Louis at the beginning of this year, now, if they come back, it’s Cinderella. There’s no expectations. We put ourselves in it. They did it through a very tough stretch, where I really saw them fighting through injuries and not using things for excuses. They’re going to fight their way through this, and learn from it.”
Question: You just touched on my next question. Kopitar, at one point, was leading the league in scoring, but has fallen off quite dramatically since November. When you look at it, is he the same player?
LOMBARDI: “I think he’s learning how hard it is. Look at the point he had the other night. That was a well-earned point. He had to fight off a guy the net. He gets hooked and he fights through and he comes up the half-wall and makes the play. It started with him. So that’s a point, he gets the second assist, and do you know how much work went into that? Well, he’s finding out. I told him, `It’s pretty hard, huh?’ That’s what it’s going to be. Now, when you have that puck, they know who you are, and there’s a little extra to shut you down. The other team, just like we put up their lineup on the board, you can rest assured they’re circling his name. `We’ve got to stop this guy.’ And that’s what happens.
“When you’re at the top of the league in scoring, it gets hard. Now there’s expectations. There’s pressure to stay there and, again, he will have to find a way to fight through that. The thing about this group is, the first thing they have to have in place is, they have to care. If you don’t have that part, you’re not going to get to the next part, where you’re fighting your way and dealing with pressure. Because if you don’t care, you’re not going to want to deal with it.
“That’s why, when I talk about caring about the franchise, it might seem simplistic, but that’s where a lot of teams fade. It gets hard, and it’s `I don’t want to deal with it.’ But I don’t sense that with this team. If anything, I think they try too hard sometimes. Granted, St. Louis was a (horrible) game, but what I mean is, there’s no doubt in my mind that they care. Now, you’ve got to learn to channel that caring into dealing with pressure and competing.
“In a micro level, there’s no question that it’s the same with Kopi. This isn’t a guy who, by any stretch of the imagination, got there and all he started doing was caring about points. He sat across from me here, and I see a kid who cares. One, he puts pressure on himself and secondly, say hello to the best defensemen and checkers that are out there. But I think he’s going to learn to deal with it, and I think, overall, this team is going to learn to deal with it.”
Question: The things you just said, in terms of putting pressure on yourself and trying too hard, is that Dustin Brown right now?
LOMBARDI: “Yeah. I think you see it in a lot of those kids. But that’s a good problem. I mean, it’s not the way to handle it. That’s why I make reference to the guys like Gretzky. It’s not only his talent. It’s the air of a winner who believes that he’s going to get it done. To get that element, you don’t have to be as talented as the greatest players in the world. But that element, of belief in yourself and that feeling of, `Whatever my role is, and whatever my level of talent, I’m going to get it out of me,’ that’s the mindset that every one of them can eventually develop. So you try and use guys like (Gretzky). What he had between the ears… He was good, but he believed he was going to win.”
Question: In that, it’s the difference between playing thinking you’re going to go out and kick butt, versus going out there with the thought that something is going to go wrong…
LOMBARDI: “Yes. And when you go through it, individually, it’s gripping the stick too hard and, boom, the puck bounces away. How many times have you seen that? Those guys are uptight, and it’s not only that they miss, but they have some pucks bounce on them. Then, as a team, one breakdown and the puck is in the other net.”
Question: You lost Smyth for almost six weeks, and you got through it pretty damn well…
LOMBARDI: “Yeah, but then you have the Lou Lamoriello theory. When you have players come back, number one, does that player come back the way he was? That usually doesn’t happen initially. Two, the team almost gets relaxed. `Oh, we’re OK now. Lou grabbed me at the board of governors meeting, because that’s when we were in first place. I said, `Yeah, we got through the injuries and we’re starting to get some guys back.’ He said, `Whoa, watch out.’ I said, `What do you mean?’ And that’s what he told me. He said, unfortunately, guys will stand around and think they’re all OK now because he’s back. Then he’s not the way he was before, too. It’s all a part of the team maturing, that you don’t let that happen.”
Question: And then you lose Williams right away…
LOMBARDI: “Yeah, that’s tough. I can’t deny it. You know, he never got the… The thing about Willy is, he’s really good at connecting the dots. That’s his game. He’s really good in those tight little plays, really smart. He kind of got the third-wheel reputation. You always heard about Smyth and Kopitar, but Willy was the one connecting things. It’s unbelievable, a freak accident. It’s always that way, too. The ones that don’t look bad are the worst. Some guy gets drilled, he looks like he’s been hit by a bomb, and he gets up. It’s unbelievable how that happens.”
Question: You probably know what’s coming here. Now you’re without one of your top guns for probably three months. Does that put you in a different mindset, in terms of trades?
LOMBARDI: “Yeah. I can’t comment on names, but as a practical matter, you might look at players you wouldn’t have looked at in the past. When you’re looking, there are obviously certain things you’re trying to do for your team, now and looking toward where we want to go. Then, when your team gets banged up a little, you might look for something and say, `OK, let’s see if we can fill that.’ That’s not an easy thing to fill. (Williams) is a good player. It’s not like you’re looking to replace a third- or fourth-line guy. Quite frankly, the reality right now is, it’s the same problem you run into every year, right until the end almost. Every team is still in it, and nobody has really got a lot of depth to start throwing guys around, particularly guys of Willy’s stature.”
Question: Does it change your view on the so-called rental players?
LOMBARDI: “The first thing I do is see where we are as a team, obviously. Any time you’re looking at something, you have to be sure in what you have. I think we’ve got a pretty good handle on it, when we make our projections in the offseason. Everything is pretty much right on schedule. Then you’ve got to be able to make some adjustments, whether things don’t turn out the way you thought or you have an injury. But you don’t want to get off the big plan. So when you have an injury, you kind of look at it and say, `All right, let’s see if we can get through this without getting off the big plan.’
“So yeah, you’ll probably look at things you wouldn’t have looked at before, but again, it doesn’t take you away from your big picture. The only difference is, what you’re looking at might still be big-picture, but you’re looking at getting some help right now. I’ve talked to 25 teams and got all my reports, and other than a few teams… I mean, a team wins five in a row and bang, they’re right back in it. There are a lot of buildings that aren’t exactly filled, and the last thing they want to do is throw up the white flag, even if they would like to.”
Question: Are you still talking to Frolov’s agent about a contract?
LOMBARDI: “We’ve got another meeting scheduled this month.”
Question: If, over the next few weeks, it seems unlikely that anything will happen there, does that influence what you do with him?
LOMBARDI: “No. This is the other thing too, another sign that you’re getting better. Certainly, in the first three years, it was very clear. It was all about getting draft picks. That’s the crappy part about building. You’re essentially making your team worse, immediately, and all you’re doing is getting picks. I don’t see us doing anything like that with a player of his caliber, to say, `OK, we’re going to lose him, so let’s get a second-round pick, or a first-rounder.’ I don’t see us taking good players out of our lineup at this stage.
“Two years ago, maybe even last year, you might say, yeah, like with Brad Stuart. Again, it’s those subtle signs that you’re moving along. That’s not even a consideration. So in terms of a trade, you can’t ever say that somebody is untouchable. If you’re asking me, if we can’t get a deal done, if we would trade him for a first-round or a second-rounder, no. That doesn’t mean we wouldn’t make a hockey deal, but I don’t see us making our team worse, which is essentially would I did at every deadline up to this point. The reality was, when you’re trading all those guys, you’re making your team worse but you’re making your reserve list stronger. Now, with a guy like Fro, I don’t see that. A hockey deal? Maybe.”
2 tickets to a Kings game, $120.
4 beers & a bag of stale peanuts at Staples Center, $140.
having Rich Hammond in your corner, PRICELESS!!!
once again, thanks Rich!!!
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Thank you Rich. Very intersting interview.
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I see a Frolov trade and I think it involves a Russian in Georgia.
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Thanks Rich. Been looking forward to this for a while and it was very satisfying.
A hockey deal eh?
Sounds like he definitely doesn’t want to lose Frolov for nothing if possible, but I am soooo relieved that he won’t be shipped off for picks.
Its funny, with each Lombardi interview, and I know you’ve mentioned before Rich how you get in so few questions with him, that even when you do get a chance to ask another question, Lombardi will often just continue on with his answer from the previous question and not get to the new question until halfway through his continued answer, if at all.
Did that make sense?
If so, do you find that mildly annoying or amusing Rich? Its kind of funny reading it, like he just ignored the question because he just thought of a bunch of stuff he wanted to add and he’s going to say what he wants regardless of what you asked, but I can imagine that being frustrating while you are sitting there. Or are you just mesmerized by how the man can spin a tale?
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As for the Fro part… hummm. Would be willing to make a hockey deal. So… if it’s possable to get one of the top goal scorers in the NHL (from … let’s just say Atlanta) he would do it? I know I’m reading thru the lines here and even if sometihing was in the works a good GM wouldn’t say. But to say he may be willing to make “A hockey deal”, verry intresting.
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Every time I read one of these DL interviews I get re-amped on Kings hockey. Beat the Ducks, and lets get rolling again.
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Let’s not get carried away (though I really REALLY want to). A ‘hockey deal’ can also mean a Lubo type deal, getting two lesser players to fill holes (like that tough 3rd/4th line winger we need or possibly a vet backup). It can also mean getting someone like Frolov, but adding a pick to get a guy who will give similar production, or a different style of game, that is already locked up at a reasonable contract.
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DL is a smart cookie!
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Oh and If you all didn’t hear Selanne fractured his jaw vs Boston (well a puck did it, it’s not like he started punching himself in the face or something). Expected to be out days-weeks so will miss the game vs us. Will have sergery Thurs. As much as I Whooo Hooo on that, I never like anybody to get hurt so I wish him a (well… semi) fast recovery.
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thanks rich
great questions- Lombardi had great answers.
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Damn, I’m almost in a trance just reading the transcript. Wether you love or hate the man, homeboy is a smooth talker. I feel like I have a deeper understanding of hockey and the world around me.
However, it doesn’t all add up. Let’s be real, he is making too many excuses for Kopi. Your paying the man $6.5 a year, he has demonstrated what he is capable of, now we need to expect him to play at that level game in, game out. So sick of hearing about tough D-assignments…well tough titties! Man up, give a consistent effort and finish on your opportunities.
Rich, nice work, thanks.
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HOPE IS GREAT
SUCCEDD TO BE THE BEST
LOMBARDI AS G.M
KINGS CAN CONTEST
MAYBE A CUP
PROBABLY WIN A DIVISION
NHL POWER HOUSE
SHOULD BE OUR MISSION
NOTHING LESS THEN
THAT RUSSIAN DYNAMO
I’VE WAITED YEARS
PATIENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN
NOW ITS TIME
TO BRING IN
THAT SPECIAL PIECE
NUMBER ONE SEVEN
KOVALCHUCK TO L.A
IS WHAT WE NEED.
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Re: Frolov
A hockey deal, huh, I guess that can be said for anybody regardless of their contract status. Just as long as it makes the team better.
Frolov is arguable our best forward, so a “hockey deal” would be a pretty significant trade for this team.
I know everyone has ideas revolving around Kovalchuk, but do you guys really want to trade off a chunk of the farm for a rental? Does Kovy magically turn us into Stanley Cup contenders? That’s a lot to ask for with this YOUNG INEXPERIENCED team.
I think it’s a better idea to rent someone a lot more cheaper to fill Williams’ void.
Stay the course this year, get these boys some playoff experience. Then in the offseason, maybe Dean will go for the big fish.
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RUSH IN
TURN YOUR BACK
CRASH THE CREASE
DO A RAP AROUND
LETS KEEP FROLOV
FROM LEAVING TOWN
LOVE OUR COMRADE
WHO WEARS THE
TWENTY FOUR
ALL OPPONETS SEE
IS HIS REAR END
NOTHING MORE
SHOOT SCORE
DO THAT SPIN-O-RAMA
SIGN THAT EXTENSION
STOP ALL THIS DRAMA.
sign alex already man this guy is the real utility man not harrold.
Fro has played on almost every line combo. He has still produced regardless how many goals. I dont know what management or his agent is looking For; but get it done.
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Another great interview Rich. It’s been interesting to read over the years how Lombardi’s approach has changed. Even last year I think he would have dealt Frolov for draft picks. And he hasn’t yet considered a “rental” player. Now I think he’s changed his tune on both fronts because not only do I think he believes the Kings are a playoff team, but I think he believes that with the right moves the Kings could do some real damage in the playoffs. They have the goaltending and defense to win in the playoffs. It’s just the offense that needs to catch up a little.
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I feel really bad for my fellow Kings fans. Every season’s UFA crop has _the_ guy that’s going to turn it around for us: Souray, Drury, Briere, JS Giguere, Hossa, Gaborik, and now Kovalchuk.
Admittedly, the situation for the team is different than it was in those cases, but I still don’t see it happening even though there will be an uproar from the fans that DL doesn’t sign a blue-chip player (again).
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Awesome job with the interview Rich!
Hockey deals…I like the sound of that. Sounds like he knows exactly who he wants and is just waiting it out.
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Kovalchuk ain’t coming to LaLa land.. we don’t need him anyways, too much money and we’d have to give up too much for him, although it would be nice to seem him on a line with Kopitar
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“Zen Master 2″ ???
Frolov has played very well the last couple of weeks. He’s added some aggressiveness to his attack – driving the net directly as opposed to always going into the corners and behind the net, shooting the puck quickly when the good opportunities are there and throwing his weight around. I think the issue with signing him is realistically assessing his offensive output. Is he a very solid 25-35 goal and 55-70 point player or will he become the dynamic 30-40 goal and 70-90 point player? Is he worth 4-4.5 million dollars per year or 5-6 million dollars per year? How about term – 3 or 4 years or 5 to 7 years? Tough decision.
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Frolov and Purcell for Coburn, that’s a hockey deal and he adds grit to the blueline, get it done DL!
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Frolov needs to stay with the kings long term. maybe a 5-yr, $20 million contract (neighborhood) does it. he is the kings best two-way player, very versatile, and a long contract shows him the same type of committment that the team is asking of him. he has earned a new contract, and frankly, how do you replace him? i know simmonds may be a “frolov in waiting” type player with his ability to control the puck in the offensive zone, but no reason not to have both of them. frolov (and simmonds) are vitally important in 3rd periods when we are holding leads.
and, thanks rich for all of your work. when it was first announced that you were leaving the DN to work with the kings, it was like christmas morning for us king fans. you have added so much information that we had not had access to in the past. you are doing a great job. it is much appreciated.
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DL’s such a smart hockey man. We’re lucky to have him at the helm of our ship.
He doesn’t make moves to please the fans, he makes moves that help the hockey club. Think back to the JW trade. That was such a brilliant move. You can’t factor in freak injuries..those things just happen, but there was no denying what a really good player JW is and what an asset he’s been to this team.
Someone had mentioned it a couple of days ago. You see when he’s out how much you really miss the guy.
It’s good to know that such a bright guy has our team’s best interest at heart.
We’re going to be a good team for a long time.
Fyzzix
Other than Gaborik, which of those F/A was worth the money and years? I’m thrilled he stayed away from thos guys and instead went after a guy like Smytty. I’ll take the winner any day over the big name.
uknojata
Kopi’s still a young kid learning how to win with the rest of the guys. I think by the middle to end of that contract, he’ll be a bargain.
It can’t be easy when you have the bullseye on your back, the same as a guy like Ovechkin has. It takes time to get used to that and learn to succeed. It’s all in the building process.
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AK47,
I personally don’t want to see Frolov go but if he is shipped out then it won’t be to shore up our blue line. That can be handled with a 2nd or 3rd round pick going the other way and it truly isn’t an area of need for us. Shipping out one of our top forwards should only bring us scoring in return. Frolov is an asset when included in a package deal and with Williams out for the length he is gone this team definitely needs to add scoring and not deplete it even more.
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Ok, well Teddy Purcell & a 2nd for Braydon Coburn..
Our top 4 is going to be so dirty if we get him, wow..
Doughty-Coburn
Johnson-Scuderi
Greene-Drewiske/O’Donnell
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Oh and you obviously let Randy Jones walk, unless he wants to get paid 1 million a year lol, one of the most overpaid defenseman in the NHL for sure, I love what Holmgren did in Philly, but that was a mistake.. what was he thinking lol
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OH and I still think Voynov should be called up instead of Martinez. I feel bad for guys like Hickey and Lewis, with all these injuries, this is the year these guys could’ve stepped up and proved that they belong in the show..
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@SCVKing: Frolov is already making $4M per year. He’s not going to resign here without getting a raise, especially when the prospect of another lockout is looming in a year or 2.
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So i watched the beens lose that game last night, and say temmu take it to the face was nasty lots of blood. But what i didnt know is patric O’neil is a double agent!!! Thought he was just a kings guy..
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Yeah I thought the Ducks had that hack Bill McDonald over there. Maybe it was a fill in for the night or something.
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Surly -
Your comments on Lombardi-speak are written in Lombardi-speak. Brilliant.
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Fro’s cap hit is 2.9M. I think if he got the same contract, but inversed on salary PAID per year, that it would be a fair deal. So roughly 5 years 15M.
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paul from oxnard-
i admit you are correct. my facts are hazy about fro’s curent contract, but thought it was a 5-yr, $15 mil…i imagine he is probably at $4 in this final year, so you are right…i think i stated a neighborhood of 5/20…assuming fro wants a raise, then i would guess we are more in the $25-27 mil range for a 5-yr deal. that is pretty pricey. maybe a 3-yr at $15-17? regardless, i want fro to stay. thanks for the reality check.
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Clearly, if you trade Frolov and PLAYER X plus draft picks, you can pay Kovalchuk’s contract because Frolov Salary plus PLAYER X plus draft picks will cancel out what you pay Kovalchuk — but you will sell a lot more tickets, too, so I don’t think MONEY is an issue with Kovalchuk. Can he come in and make us a top 4-5 seed and advance at least a round in the playoffs?
I think he can. Hope Dean does it.
Otherwise, we are heading towards 10th and all the “plan talk” will be just talk…
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Frolov for Kovalchuk is not happening. The Kings would have to add another top player and maybe a top draft pick for equal value.
I don’t like the excuse he makes for Kopitar. Every superstar-like player in the NHL is given more attention and challenged. But they’re considered dominant b/c they know how to circumvent the adversity and get it done, some how, some way. Kopitar is paid like a superstar. There are no excuses. I do believe he will rebound, however.
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Howcome some of you want to see Frolov stick around and sign a new long term deal? He’s a good player, only at times. He can ALWAYS protect the puck with the best in the NHL, but he only sometimes has speed and passion in his game. Reminds me sometimes of the great Oleg Kvasha. In LA, he has been good, but has never, ever, ever, ever reached expectations. He has always under-achieved. He needs to be dealt.
And to the guy who said Lombardi would have traded Frolov for a draft pick last season? No he wouldn’t have, because he probably easily could have, but he didn’t. Fro needs needs needs to be traded as a centerpiece in a deal for a big winger. If it were indeed Kovalchuk, he would play with Kopitar, and it would be the KO line. (The KnockOut line) – regardless of who plays with them. Or why not try for Simon Gagne?
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i dont know but i was like WTF?
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Thanks Rich for this interview.
I want to say this clearly without babbling on, interviews like this is what can draw a fan in and for sure keep an already fan going. I mean the lowest level of fan watches the game and likes the kings when they win – hates them when they lose, etc. then you find blogs out there for the intermediate fan who can talk to others and this blog elevates that when we find out information from the players themselves as well as the coach.
But it still seems like a piece of the pie is missing. we watch the games and know lines, strategies, etc. but we wonder “what are the big guys thinking?”
With this interview it just rounds it out so perfectly – at least for me. I can understand the game, the players thoughts, the coach and now the “big wigs”. so totally complete. not just pieces of the pie.
Rich, when you get a chance, pass along what the fans here say about the total coverage – it makes a basic fan more interested as well as more informed and the hard core fans feel like part of the team. all around, its great for us and will keep more people interested in their team long term.
I love the Kings and always will – but I feel like I am part of them more. :-) make sense? LOL
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I love DL’s thought pattern or Philosophy. I would very much like to work for or alongside him. Tough but fair. Straight shooter with little bullshit(it seems, anyway). A very shrewd man indeed. Get’m Deano!!!!!! Pour me some more Deano-Aid.
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That Deano-Aid would go down a lot smoother in Year 4 of the 5 Year Rebuilding Plan if we don’t finish 10th this year and miss out on one of the top 5 offensive players in the game…
…we have to make the playoffs this year. No excuses. To finish behind Phoenix would be an absolute disgrace since they are young like we are and “don’t know how to win,” yet are winning.
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I appreciate this very much, thanks Rich and DL.
It definitely makes me feel better about the big picture, it gets hard to remember the vision of DLs plan when we are losing.
I would love to get Kovi, but I trust that if we dont its because DL would have to give up to much.
Look at last years passes, those teams were asking way to much and we all would be pissed had he pulled the trigger.
In DL I trust.
I just hope the players pick it up, because if they dont figure this thing out, and we dont get a playoff seed, things are going to get really nasty.
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Great interview. I was a big time Fro supporter but after half a season I have lost hope in him. He and Teddy are the only two guys I’d like to see traded for a good player or two, not for picks like Lombardi said. I wouldnt mind trading Ivanans either but I doubt anyone would want him.
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Stillkingly,
In dean you trust what?
That we will finish 10th every year?
Are you satisfied with a competitive team that never makes the playoffs during his run at GM?
Please explain.
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Uh, Carl…Pheonix is NOT young like the Kings are…they were last year, and no longer are.
Check yo’ facts.
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Carol Vadnais
Phoenix is NOT a young team anymore. They re-tooled the roster during the off season and now are a veteran-laden team, not a young team as you suggest. The average age of the yotes this year is 28.04 last year it was 25.79. but hey, why let facts get in the way, right?
If you really believe that Kovi is the difference between 10th place and the playoffs, why isn’t Atlanta in the playoffs this year or any other year?
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As for Fro. We need SCORING.. we can’t win games when we don’t score. Trading Fro for some D-man is a joke. We need offense, The D has been there if you ask me. Lack of scoring and losing 3 straight 1 goal games isn’t the answer.
If we have all of this so called talent then trade one or two of them for a guy that can score, i don’t see in any way of us getting worse as DL put it.
We need to win now, Minn, Det, ANA, they are all winning, and we keep losing we will end up with a lottery pick.
I speak for myself, i am tired of losing season.
Just beat the Dam Ducks please.. BTW Selanne is out with a broken jaw..
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Best Lombardi interview I can remember. Makes it easy to trust him when you read answers like the ones he gave.
Also exciting to hear him say the train is done going backwards/stockpiling and he’s only making deals to make this team better from this point on. He knows we are close, hopefully he can pull the trigger at the right time on the right guy(s).
Sounds like Fro is as good as gone. Hate to see it, but lets see what comes back our way.
Kings victory tonight please!
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“You lost Smyth for almost six weeks, and you got through it pretty damn well…”
Hey Rich, did you really say “damn”? I’m pretty sure they advise against that in journalism school.
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Carol why do you assume we will finish in 10th without Kovi? Especially since the team that exists has proven they can beat anyone in the entire league. And they have proven they can go on big winning streaks despite injuries. They have proven they can reach as high as first in the conference.
But your right, we are destined to finish 10th or worse
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Awesome! What a great way to start this Thursday morning. Thank you Rich!
Lombardi points out that the pups are growing mentally and learning to deal with pressure, which is why I think it’s vital that the Kings make the playoffs this year. Eventually the Kings will be without the services of OD or Willy or Handzus and their replacements will be kids like Teubert and Clifford and Schenn. They will need the pups they have on the roster now to already be confident they can win before they indoctrinate the next wave of youngsters.
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uknojata,
Dean’s absolutely dead-on regarding Kopitar. IT IS a completely different game for him to try and figure out now. Superstars emerge because they figure out how to get it done in smaller spaces with more effort against them. If everyone could do that then… Kopitar now has much smaller spaces with more people hanging on him, hacking at him and keeping BOTH eyes on him now. He just needs to figure out how to now win THAT kind of battle. That’s what Simmonds was talking about when asked what he could bring to the first line, when he answered that he feels he can create MORE SPACE for Kopi and Smyth to operate in… A lot of things happen very quickly at high speeds in small spaces out there, it’s not easy. He’s in a new school now and just needs to figure it out…
peace!
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i dont know how you guys can decipher whether Fro is going/stayin
all he said is he wont trade him just For picks or assets and did’nt sound like he thought he would get anything equal in return is what i got out oF his answer.
I LIKE DEANO
I LOVE FRO
FROM THE ROSTER
PURCELL HAS GOT TO GO
HE CANT SCORE
LET ALONE ASSISTS
SEND PURCELL IN A PARCEL
PACKING LEAVING QUICK
IF HE HAS NO VALUE
JUST GET STRAIGHT CASH
MAYBE A THIRD ROUNDER
LOMBARDI JUST GET RID
OF TEDDY FAST.
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Yes, Phoenix is almost two years older than us — but they are a losing franchise who has leapfrogged us this year.
I can’t believe people will be satisfied with a 10th place finish again. Keep drinking the Deano-kool-aid.
I mean, what’s the point of accumulating and fililng all of dean’s boxes if you don’t use them to improve your team?
Value is relative: last year Hickey was a big asset and now he has disappeared. Two years ago you couldn’t find Quick with a searchlight and now he is our starting goalie.
As for why Kovy has not led Atlanta to the playoffs — he has. But do you really think it is his fault that they have had one of the worst defenses and goaltending year after year? I can’t believe you think he would not help us greatly.
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Stillkingly,
I agree. It’s nice to look at the big picture and not just focus on the here and now.
Am I one of the few that wants nothing to do with Kovalchuk? I definately don’t want him at 10/11mil a year either. He is maybe worth Nash money. I’ll keep dreaming the Sharks stink it up again in the playoffs and we sign Marleau in the summer.
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Very funny Bring Back. I think it’s cool. Anyways, what a terrific interview. Not only was it 100% coherent, but it actually helped me with my work. I’m in the arts and am starting to turn a corner so to speak. It hasn’t been easy and so many of the things he said about in this case team sports I could apply to aspects of my work. So Rich, you can thank him for bringing me greater understanding beyond the world of hockey.
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Carol,
I just see the improvement and have to believe that it will keep coming.
I believe we MUST make the playoffs, but these kids MUST figure out how to do it.
They need to believe and battle, then on our way back up the standing, insert a big winger if it makes sense longterm and see how far we can go.
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Carol,
Prepare to get flammed.
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Irish Pat, nice breakdown there of the dynamic as relates to building the team in the future. Also, Roadtripper, nice one too on the microcosm that is currently Kopi’s world.
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Really great interview Rich. Thanks a bunch.
Carol- I’m going to echo mrbrett7 and nykingfan comments. On top of retooling almost their entire roster since last years trade deadline, the Yotes are getting amazing goaltending out of Bryzgolov, and they have a coach the does know how to win. Check you facts before you start on a rant next time.
DL sure talks a good game, and it definitely seems like he has plan in place for where he wants this team to go. A lot of times when teams rebuild it seems like the never get past the “making the team worse to make them better” stage, but it seems like we’ve gotten past that hurdle which is huge. DL also seems to have his finger on the pulse of what is happening with Kopi and Brown this season, and I think he has a great point about the change in attitude after Smyth and Simmonds came back. All signs point to this team moving the right direction at a faster pace than expected. There are going to bumps in the road for sure, but things are looking up for a long time to come.
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Carol: Hickey has been hurt, he hasnt disapeared. If you were an actual Kings fan you knew who Quick was a looong time ago and followed him in college.
Again, you are assuming a 10th place finish, even though we havent been as low as 10th since around the 7 game mark or so.
I am not saying Kovi wont help, or cant help, but it is all relative. What do we give up? Will Kovi sign with us or is he merely a rental? Can he perform in the playoffs? Can he perform on a new team in a new system?
These are all questions I dont knwo the answers too, and i believe that Dean has the resources and time to do way more research on thee things than me, so I trust he will make the right move regardless of what it is.
We are on the “Deano Aid” because our team has steadily improved since he took over, and we actually have a future now instead of desperately grabbing veterans to try and win right away.
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I apologize..Thrashers qualified once in 06/07.
If you think he’s the cure-all to the problems that we have, why wasn’t he the cure-all for all of Atlanta’s woes?
I’m sure he would make us a better offensive team, but at what cost?
Are you willing to trade guys like Simmonds and your top prospects for him?
When he comes in, does he need to adapt to the system we play, or uis he going to free-wheel and do as he pleases?
These are things you need to tak into account before deciding whether someone can come in and improve your team right away.
Maybe he can, but you don’t just snap your fingers and assume since he’s the difference between 8th and 10th place.
Ss far as Phoenix being a loser franchise, that’s what fans around the NHL have been saying about us for 40 years. Sometimes things change. They got older and smarter. Short term it’s a good thing, long term, they’re in trouble. I’d rather be in good shape for long haul.
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Great interview Rich. You are the man!! The only part I don’t agree with is refering to Williams’ injury as “freak accident”. Lets be honest here, this guy is made of glass and gets hurt every year. It is not a freak injury, it is the statis quo for him. I love the way he plays, I think we are better with him, but this is the risk we took in trading for him and anyone who didn’t see this coming is blind.
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I just had another glass…..tasty!!!
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I don’t understand Dean saying that Kopi now is playing against the best checkers and best defencemem of the game. Was he not before? Did other teams keep their best checkers and defencemem on the bench when Kopi was on the ice?
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Quisp,
I’m glad someone noticed. :)
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Thanks Rich.
Maybe next time you can ask him if he thinks Dustin Brown was the right choice to captain this team. I’m not criticizing Brown and his leadership skills; because every leader has his own style. Brown seems like more of a quiet and low profile captain which is fine.
I’m more commenting on how I think wearing the C has adversely affected his style of play. Is it a coicidence that Brown’s production and effectiveness as a player has diminished over the past two years (when he should be improving as a player)? Two seasons ago Brown excelled as a low profile, bang around and chippy player and ended up with 33 goals; he could have probably had 40 too if he finished better. I thought he had Deadmarsh or Tkachuk power forward potential, but I am concerned he is not the same caliber now. His play, physicallity and production have significantly trailed off the past two seasons. He’s on a high-teens goal pace this year and he definitiely has been on the receiving end of a lot of bone crushing hits.
Some people shine being in the spotlot, others prefer a low-key, underassuming role. I think Dustin florishes under the latter circumstances. I am huge fan of his and I’m glad he is locked up for several years, but I’m just saying the team and Dustin may be better off with Zeus, Greene or OD as captain. Brown should be a top six player, not third liner.
Further, a veteran probably would have more presence with the refs during a game.
I’m just saying… and I would love DL or TM’s view on this delicate topic.
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This interview was enlightening about what it takes for a team or player to get to the next level. We can even apply the thoughts to our personal lives as we encounter obstacles and difficulties….
I think DL really broke things down well. A team or player needs to deal with new pressure and expectations and believe in themselves. I remember Luc saying in the Stanley Cup champion run of 1993, “WE GOT TO BELIEVE”, and they kept pushing. There’s a mindset that goes with playing a winning type of hockey continually. This team cares and works hard… they just need to build on the right mindset. We’ve passed a few stages, now on to the next.
Kopitar is young, the team is young, and yes, they are still learning….
As far as new players, I still think a pure goal scorer would be what we need. And with Fro, as time goes on, if they can’t or don’t want to sign him, they will trade him for sure.
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Yes, Kovalchuk is a difference maker, and can be the difference of us making the playoffs. The reason Atlanta is out of the playoffs is because their team is a lot weaker than ours, outside of Kovalchuk. Put Atlanta in the West, with Kovalchuk, and they might be in 14th. If the Kings trade for him, we will make the playoffs. He is a sensational talent, and would make our other players so much better too, just by his example and playing with him. We have a glut of young defensemen, which is smart drafting by DL. Now, we can afford to send one or two of them off along with Fro and a high pick for Kovalchuk, and our team will be better. John Buccigross at ESPN suggested JBernier being in the deal. That would be a little tough to stomach.
P.S. I’ve already acquired Kovalchuk on NHL 10 for XBox 360, for Frolov, Purcell and Jack Johnson, and my team is doing much better :]
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Frolov will not be dealt for Kovalchuk because I’m sure Atlanta would want him to sign an extension (as the Kings would want from Kovalchbuk), and I really doubt that Frolov would want to make a commitment to a team whose history is of losing when he’s already had to go through that here. He’s only now tasting what things would be like on a competitive team, so to commit to Atlanta would, for him, be like taking a step backward.
Somebody mentioned trading Purcel for a 3rd-round pick, but at this point in his career I don’t even think you could get that for him.
Oh, and if I’m Atlanta and you come calling about Kovalchuk, talks begin with Simmonds, Johnson and Bernier.
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Well, after reading all this I think the jury is still out on Deano. he made some rotten moves when he got here and some that seem to have panned out Later(Stoll,Green,Smyth). If we were playing with Cloutier and La Barbara this year nobody would be singing praises for Lombardi or Murray. I have hope that it could come together but we are kind of a boring team strategy wise in the Offensive zone.
The cup is still half empty until Lombardi fills it up.
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Carol,Kovi hasn’t gone anywhere yet.He’s still up for grabs.The seasons not over yet,and last time I checked we weren’t in tenth place.I was going to say something about DL’s brilliance until I read NYKingsfan comments.He said it all(except I would have changed the name Gaboric for Hossa).
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When DL was hired he said-”give me 3 years and then asked from me”. Well…But once again it’s-”we ahead of schedule!”. What schedule?!! Does anyone saw that schedule? Dl just covering his behind. If Kings would make playoff he whoud say-”Well, that’s what I promissed you, Kings fans!”. But if Kings would stink again, he would say-” yes, we did not make it, but we ahead od schedule!” Come on! Stop it DL. Just let us (loyal Kings fans, who pays money to buy tickets, merchandise, watch every game on TV and so on)know, when we can expect our kings to make a playoffs. Just say it! And if you have no idea, then resign. How long we should wait?! And we don’t even ask about Stanley Cup. All we ask so far is to make playoffs. How long we should wait just for that?! Please, bring some quality players to help Kings this year.It’s not to late to save this season.
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You guys kill me.
Quick was a hot prospect two years ago?
Hickey is injured and he is not disappeared? Ask anybody and you will find out he was a disappointment BEFORE the injury.
Kovy has had good goaltending and defense in prevoius years? Uh, noooo.
I will state this only one more time:
1) You don’t make a BIG trade for Kovy if you can’t sign him during the trade;
2) You can make a small trade — say Frolov and Purcell for Kovy and rent him and hope he signs with you — the same way you hope Frolov will sign with you (which I don’t because he needs a new team);
3) Frolov/JJ/No 1 pick for Kovy will make us better. You are getting rid of two guys who underperform and always seem to be on the ice when bad things happen for a guy who will open the ice for everyone and not only create scoring chances, but will put the team on his back when we need a goal (he has done it many times for ATL).
4)This whole malarky about how we have improved so much. The whole conference has improved. Yes, we are better, but if we finish 10th again, does that satisfy you?
I’ve spent about 20K over the past five years on Kings tickets — DL referred to us season ticket holders as “shareholders” and all I’m doing is voicing my strong conviction that Kovy is a once-every-three-years opportunity and I hope we go after him hard.
I don’t even want to think about him joining a team just ahead or behind us — as Quisp illustrated in another post.
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Scot says:
P.S. I’ve already acquired Kovalchuk on NHL 10 for XBox 360, for Frolov, Purcell and Jack Johnson, and my team is doing much better :]
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PERFECT ;)
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haha I am done formulating rebuttles to all the doomsayers. Its too exhausting
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Roadtripper,Take the salary cap restrictions off your next season so you can pay him $10 MILLION.lol lol lol
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Only to say that you will NOT get Kovi as a rental for Fro and Purcell. PLease refer to the Hossa rental 2 years ago
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roadtripper – excellent call on kopitar. it bums me out a little to see the flak he gets around here. the kid is obviously talented, still very young, and getting better year over year. 6.5 won’t be that bad 2-3 years down the road and beyond.
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and just a quick comment on kovi. anyone else get the sense that his 11 million demand is more along the lines of giving himself some room to get out of atlanta? i just can’t see any team paying him that.
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oh no, I’m starting to lose track…
Maybe Rich can put up a poll with the question…
KOVALCHUK?
and the answer options could be…
ABSOLUTELY
OKAY BUT NOT AS A RENTAL
NO WAY
that way just for the fun of it we could get a look at the numbers without having to decipher through all the justifications that linger on each new blog…
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and rich – fantastic job yet again!
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Can I vote 3 times?
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Scot proved what I was thinking. A lot of people play NHL 10 to approve the trades they want to make.
This guy and this guy suck…trade them to get Kovi.
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Carol
Kovy puts the team on his back and carries them?
Was that like the games against Washington and Pitt in the past week when he was a -6 total with no points?
Or the Ranger game where in 23 min he was a -1 with 1 SOG?
The problem is he’s never carried his team on his back and made them better. He’s a great offensive talent, but not a winner. Never has been, who knows whether he will ever be one.
Stats are a beautiful thing until you look at certain games and find out he was invisible…games against top teams like Wash/Pitt. If we get him and a big game comes up against whoever, and he’s a minus player with no points or shots…That’s going to be ok?
As far as Hickey disappearing BEFORE he got injured…did you know he only played 7 games in his 1st professional season?
I guess if you don’t succeed right away, you might as well dump ‘em.
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NY Kings Fan
I’ve been reincarnated! :)
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Dan H, that’s the way it always goes, isn’t it? We all tend to overvalue our own assets. If you believe people on the board Purcel is an absolute chump, yet they think they can get a 3rd-round pick for him or package him with Frolov and get Kovalchuk. Now that I think about it, maybe you can do that since Waddell seems to be indestructable as far as GM is concerned. He’s sucked for a decade and he keeps his job???
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Hickey has played more than 7 games…
…I can’t argue Kovy’s merit to you. You obviously are not a fan. I think he is one of the top 10 players in the league. You don’t. I don’t have time to look up Kovalcuk’s accomplishments — I saw this on Google:
==
May 18, 2008 … Ilya Kovalchuk scored in the third period and overtime, carrying Russia past Canada 5-4 Sunday in the gold medal game of the World Hockey …
==
but that is one game and who cares about some meaningless event.
==
the key is we our in Year 4 of a 5 Year Rebuilding Effort and I don’t think right now we are a playoff team. That is frustrating for us King’s fans who have sat in the stands the last four years paying thousands of dollars and hoping that things would get better.
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nykingfan!
I am NY Kings Fan (plural!).
If you live in NYC, let me know if you’d like to catch a Kings game at a bar one night. I’m sick of being the only Kings fan in the bar and upon asking for the game to be turned on, they informing me that “sacramento isn’t playing tonight sir”.
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is Carol really Helene in disguise???? Great article Rich, thanks again/as always/still, for the good work.
I’ve got 6 tickets for tonights game, I am bringing a bunch of first timers, so I hope Oscar scores a goal, Quick gets a win, and Raitis lights up Parros.
I await all the Raitis haters responses. Go Kings.
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Bring Back The Shield, did you go to journalism school? Personally I learned how to party in J-school. But while working as a journalist you learn how to relate to your subjects. You wouldn’t approach a traffic cop at an accident scene the same way you’d approach 5 gangters at a sidewalk memorial for their dead hommie. Give Rich a break Mr. FCC, it was “damn.”
As far as Kopi goes, I can’t believe how many of you buy in to all the excuses. First of all, I’m a Kopitar fan. I believe that he can be an elite number one center in the NHL, he has proved that. But to say that the defense has gotten that much tougher on him in the last 20 games is a bit overstated. He is on our first line. In most cases any teams most talented line gets the attention of the opposing teams best defenders. Do you think the premire d-men in the league are kept in some glass case in the locker room, only let out when they’re playing a team with the NHL’s point leader? No, they are playing every night, against the opposing teams top line.
Realistically, I concede that Kopitar is now on everyones radar and it has gotten somewhat more difficult for him to find space. But, I’ve seen him change his style of play from the beginning of the year. He doesn’t go in to the scoring areas with the same gusto, doesn’t carry the puck and use the same lateral movement that got him the space that made him dangerous in the beginning of the season. I think that its mostly confidence and he has seemed to come-around somewhat in the past 6-8 games. I just don’t believe that making excuses for people has ever helped them reach their potential. Kopi we expect you to score goals, we need you to score goals.
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No, I’m not, but that’s a good one, Dave.
To listen to this board, everyone is happy keeping the team AS IS and enjoying a nice 10th place finish. I don’t think it is out of line to want to improve the time now that we finally have the boxes filled necessary to make a good quality trade.
We all want the Kings to win. I have waited four years in this rebuilding project and am out of patience, that’s all. Some people have a lot more patience and that’s great. Good for them.
I’ll be at the game. Hoping we can score first tonight and put them on their heels a bit.
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Thank you Rich!!!!
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Well said Uknojata…Kopitar has not gone to the net like he did earlier and is not getting the “garbage” goals he got earlier as well.
Realistically, though, he is a No 2 center. Maybe he is No 1, but he has to step it up more to have that weight on his back. We certainly don’t have a winger right now that can score and take some pressure off of him.
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Awesome job, Rich. I’m guessing you tried to squeeze a word or two out of him on Jack Johnson and Purcell’s progress, but he wouldn’t bite, huh?
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Sure, but only you Dominick ;)
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WRT cups being half empty, in my view, if the contents are increasing, the cup is half full and getting fuller. That’s the way I see it.
WRT players who don’t perform, I’d say you damned well better see what some of those names do in the playoffs before you decide they can’t perform. It would be nice to know which ones turn it up to eleven in the playoffs. That could be someone like Frolov. That could be someone like Brown. That could be someone like Quicker (and I’ve got a feeling about him that it’s exactly what we’ll see.)
“haha I am done formulating rebuttles to all the doomsayers. Its too exhausting” — Give the man a kewpie doll!
In general, I’m tired of all the impatience. Impatience got us 1st- and 2nd- round playoff exits at best, with the exception of ‘93, which was some kind of psychology experiment.
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carol
you’re right about Hickey. He played 15 games 5 assists -1. now explain why he’s a bust?
the guy has something…He was captain of Team canada in the WJC’s…I’d think we would give him time to develop.
Kovy is one of the great players in the game, but that doesn’t mean he’s the right fit for the Kings.
This team plays a defensive first system…If you bring him into training camp and give him time to learn the system, maybe he does give us what we need.
It’s also possible he wouldn’t sign with us because he doesn’t want to play in that kind of a system…so do you change the system for one player, or find the right player for the system you play?
If you rent him, I would think it’s going to cost you more than Fro/Purcell. Fro’s a F/A as well after the season…Why would Atlanta want to take him back, especially looking at his numbers this season?
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NY Kings Fan
Long Island. I’m amazed there’s a bar in the city that would show a hockey game, let alone a Kings game. I know they have none on the Island.
Thank God for center ice package!
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nykingfan,
I heard from scouts that saw Hickey play BEFORE THE INJURY who said he had regressed. I believe he was a healthy scratch for a couple games as well.
As for Kovy, you make some good points. It would probably take Frolov and a No 1 for Kovy if Kovy wouldn’t agree to sign first, but I do think that we need someone great like him to lead us to the playoff promised land. Yes, we play a defensive minded system (so why is JJ on our team?), but you still need guys who can put the puck in the net. And I believe Kovy knows how to do that: 323 goals in 584 games played (607 points total in those 584 games played)
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Carol…Frolov, JJ and the #1 pick for Kovalchuck will NEVER happen. If it did, Waddell might as well put his home up for sale, now.
Everyone who wants Kovalchuck, if your Waddell, what deal do you do?
Frolov, Hickey or Tuebert and the Kings 1st, or…
Versteeg, Cam Barker and Chicago’s 1st…
That’s what is being rumored, or has been…it’s a no brainer, you go with Chicago’s ANY DAY.
Complain, bitch, moan all you want. There are 28 other teams looking to upgrade their rosters also.
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Carol, Hickey was a healthy scratch, BECAUSE HE WAS HURT.
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carol -
I was under the impression the injury was a lingering thing, or maybe that’s just what I prefer to believe. in any case, the kid is young and defensemen take time to mature to the pro level (DD notwithstanding).
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uknojata
You’re right, Kopi usually does face the best defensive checkers in the league, but prior to this season, I’m not sure that teams would play a strict matchup against our top line.
When you think of a strict matchup, you think of a guy like Crosby. I don’t think teams thought of Kopi the same as they would Crosby. In a tight game, I’m sure he would face the best checkers…but in a “blowout” (I hate that term, but I use it for more than a 2 goal differential)most teams would roll their 4 lines no matter who was on the ice. Unfortunately in years past, we were on the wrong end of too many blowouts.
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Quisp,
Yes he will take tim. My ORIGINAL point was about how quickly the impressions of players change.
HICKEY was a Timonen type player when he was drafted, acording to DL, and could be great. He has been slow to develop.
SIMMONDS was an afterthought a year and a half ago, made the team and has surprised.
PARSE was nowhere near anyone’s radar at the start of the year.
PURCELL was on the first-line and looked upon to score 20-25 goals (TM) and he has disappeared.
JWILLIAMS was expected to score 30 goals (if healthy), according to DL, he has been a good player but not a goalscorer and he predictably got injured, although that was freaky.
QUICK was on nobody’s radar two and a half years ago and look at him now!
—
mr. brett — sometimes the offers at the deadline are underwhelming because no one can reach a deal with the guy so you end up taking 30 cents on the dollar (like Ottawa did with Heatley). That is the thought process of the Frolov and a No 1 for an unsigned Kovy.
If he agrees to terms, then you do need to offer a lot more but, like I said, if you offer a couple No 1s, then you save all the No 1 dough you would have to lay out plus GAIN a lot in increased season ticket sales which have been really dropping the last couple of years.
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Carol Vadnais. the name rings a bell. I remember the name from the early pre-70s Kings games. So are you THE Carol Vadnais or just using his name to post?
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Wow, so many things I want to comment on I can’t remember them all. Let’s see:
Carol -
I respectfully disagree with you about the Kings 10th place trajectory. However, if 3 in a row turns into, say, a 6-9 record over the next 15, I’m right there with you. The next 15 games (to the break) are critical. The Kings need 20 points from those games, and then they are good to go.
re hickey:
could not be called a disappointment until this fall, and all that depends on when the injury happened. I remember that he was supposedly holding his stick too tight and trying to do too much. But I also wonder about the injury. remember his foot thing a couple of years ago, where he played on it and didn’t tell anyone? I thought that was a bad move then, and I wonder if he didn’t do that this time, too? In any case, he was on fire in manchester last spring, so I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
re kovi -
Carol, you are right that he is a world-class talent and fro/jj/#1 for him would be worth it. I also don’t think ATL takes that deal. I think Fro/Bro for Ko(vi) is a better starting point. ATL will need roster players they can sell to the fans.
some other commenters mentioned that the price for kovi will be this high or this low and how can you think this or that… well, the truth is, it’s hard to know exactly how it will play out. Maybe Waddell’s not in as strong a position as some people think. Maybe it’ll turn out like Heatley (a steal for the sharks; and yes I know there were special circumstances). ifi Kovi insists on being a rental, then the price is much lower.
Carol – I agree that it’s entirely possible DL could make the entire thing contingent on having the “assurances” conversation with IK. Just because Waddell has said no to that NOW doesn’t mean he won’t allow it at the 11th hour when it means he will get much more bang for his buck.
The other issue is, how does Atlanta play between now and the break. Do they crap out? Do they stay in it?
mrbrett, re chicago:
your proposal of versteeg and barker for kovi makes a certain amount of sense if chicago is already bracing for the big exodus this summer. they would be deadly this spring, but then what? they can’t sign IK or they would be at minimum $5MM over the cap with 5 players left to sign. That would mean getting rid of two or three big names to make that work. Let’s just say they would have to get rid of about $10MM in salary, or else just let IK walk. Chicago is already guaranteed to lose 2 or 3 big names because of the cap this summer; if they trade two of them for one big one, that number goes up to 3 or 4. That’s a huge sacrifice for one shot at the cup.
but i agree with you it’s a possibility. but only because chicago has not been acting sanely for awhile now.
here, i just ran the numbers at capgeek. i’ll post a capture of the results here: http://wp.me/ptucv-U1
what i did was sign kovi at $7MM cap hit (which might be dreaming) and fill the other spots with minimum wage players to a roster min of 20. note that they are $10MM over the cap. what additional moves would you make to make this work?
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Uh, correction to my cap numbers:
I said $5MM over the cap, but then ran the numbers and it was much worse ($10MM) but failed to change the first 5. It’s $10MM over the cap if they sign IK.
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Live Jj and fro alone.JJ need to be more constant.Fro is good and Unic.it is up to TM to use him correctly.
Trade,Yes we need one!!! Brown ,Purcell Ersberg.
Bernie is future hall of famer.remember this,…but if the kings managment would think to long…?????
anything could happen. Brown…..last 11-12 months he is flat ,trying same stupid things and tricks over and over again.Low production,to many missing opportunities
, very unimpresive shootout…..IF DL has a scedule and
the way he talks ,look like he knows and understands(??)
and …we are head of scedule (?????)….if this guy is
honest he should say ,with brown we are behind of Scedule for long time.
We miss Gaborik ,heatly, hossa….Cami…We need We realy do…..A sniper.It is not replaysment for JW.
We need A WIN today,we need kill those ducks.
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Ugly,
He was my favorite player growing up in the bay area when he was on the Seals.
Quisp,
I see a downward trajectory not so much because the Kings won’t eek out 15 points in the next 15 games or maybe 20, but that the teams behind them are getting hotter and that spells doom. I also don’t like our team as much as I did two weeks ago: Simmonds is not the same player after his injury, Smyth is not 100 percent back, Williams is out, Drewski out, we are using Peter Harold on D, Frolov has still failed to step it up, etc., leads me to believe we will have to work very hard and Kopi will have to be Kopi from the first 20 games, in order for us to get 20 points out of the next 15 games. And the schedule is not pretty.
I also agree that Chicago and even Toronto are in better position than us to make a deal so Dean will probably have to overwhelm them to get Kovy and I don’t think DL likes to overpay for anyone. Does he like to underpay though (in case Kovy declares he won’t sign with anyone and the price goes down)? Heatley was the perfect example: a bona fide scorer with issues and I just wonder what would have happened if DL had made that Frolov for Heatley trade. Would we be scoring at almost one goal more per game? If so, that’s a few extra wins, isn’t it?
Flex,
I do agree that something is not right with Brown. Yes, he is up in the league with hits and drawing penalties, but he is not in front of the net like before, not the same force as before, and his scoring touch is gone.
I do agree that JJ has issues and I’m tired of not trusting him when he is on the ice.
And so it goes…
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flex,I’m not going to make fun of your writing because at least you made a point.I just wanted to let you know it was hard to follow.
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Carol…very good points in your posts.
And there’s no way you’re Helene Elliot…you didn’t take a jab or give a backhanded compliment at the Kings front office in your last sentence of every post.
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frolov and purcell for patrick sharp
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Not sure where to start, but:
For all the trade speculators – Frolov, whether traded or not, is not going to Atlanta. Why do they want an expiring contract? If he goes anywhere, it’s to a team like Pittsburg, who would be part of a 3-way deal (e.g. Fro > Pitt, Stall > Atl, Kovi > LA, etc)
Luuuuuuuc: I agree, Kovi is asking for the moon because he wants out of Georgia. Kevin Malone is not employed by any NHL franchise so Kovi will not be getting an “annuity.”
Carol – No one here is satisfied with the team AS IS. We all want the Kings to be better. We all want the team to win it all. EVERYONE has their own goat, whether is be Johnson or Ivanans or the Coach.
As far as the overall state of the Kings, I say they are on an upward trajectory. We are still in the midst of an ongoing process. Anyone disagree?
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To be quite honest Quisp…outside of Kane, Toews and one maybe two other guys, I don’t think Chicago cares about next year, if they think Kovalchuck gets them the cup THIS year.
Their cap management is such an utter mess, might as well go for it now and deal with the rest over the summer.
That’s what I feel they are thinking anyway. I don’t agree with it, but that doesn’t mean that isn’t what they are thinking.
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very late on this one…
thanks rich for a most excellent interview…
thanks to the many great posts…
i’m a fro supporter and it’s not yet time to break out my argument to re-sign him…many of you have touched upon the various reasons…
however, i still say it’s a 75/25 chance fro stays by the deadline and 50/50 he’s a king next year…
i say “respect the fro…!”…
it also amazes me that it’s the very last question of a very long interview with so many interesting things answered and commented on…yet we all (or most) will gravitate to frolov…
he is easily the most discussed player i could remember on the kings since sean avery…ironically, supposedly, fro’s best friend when sean was a king…
maybe time for a “should he stay or should he go…?” poll on frolov…
i say stay and respect the fro…:)
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Respect the Fro!
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Variable: In my post earlier today i said I would hand off the cup to Fro second (after brown) if we won today. He has been here so long now and been through so much shit with this team I will be gutted if/when he leaves.
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I voted Quick.
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LETS ALL SING A FAMILIAIR TUNE
TRADE OUR FUTURE
BRING US DOOM
DONT SEND HICKEY
LET BERNIER STAY
BUILD FROM WITHIN
LET THE KIDS PLAY
BUT THERE READY
DOUGHTY JOHNSON
WE NEED A SCORER
A GAMEBREAKER
THAT TAKES CONTROL
LATE IN THE THIRD
FOR THE WIN
HE GOES FIVE WHOLE
WE WANT IN KOVY.
GO KING GO KNOCK DOWN THESE DUCKS
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concussionman02 says:
Great interview Rich. You are the man!! The only part I don’t agree with is refering to Williams’ injury as “freak accident”. Lets be honest here, this guy is made of glass and gets hurt every year. It is not a freak injury, it is the statis quo for him. I love the way he plays, I think we are better with him, but this is the risk we took in trading for him and anyone who didn’t see this coming is blind.
Concussion, I have purposely not made this sort of reference as I didn’t want to be perceived as ‘negative’, but I have to say that I felt that way the minute JW went down. Some players are simply injury prone, others are not. That being said, he was playing very well when healthy. A clear addition to the team.
Where it will go now remains to be seen. He already had a huge amount to overcome w past injuries, now you add a Very big injury on top of the rest.
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The above post I made incidentally was the only point DL made that I didn’t really agree with. Now, as far as the comments on this thread… man, you guys are on it!! You guys are really smart hockey fans. I’m impressed. Oh, and as for Variable’s mission to save the Fro, I’m personally on board. Save The Fro!
Wrt Kovi, my opinion is…. “I just don’t know”.
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great interview.
thanks, rich!
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“I have purposely not made this sort of reference as I didn’t want to be perceived as ‘negative’”
Number 6
I wasn’t going to say anything for the same reason until I saw the Lombardi spin. Williams’ past history is clear and fans need to realize it is a question of when not if regarding his health. Like I said, I love his style of play, I love him on my team and he makes us better. But for whatever reason he is going to get injured every year.
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Has anyone noticed fro might be playing better(ex. more agressiveness)for that trade to atlanta? Maybe he wants to be traded. he might just want to play better to sweeten the deal for what ever that GM’s name is. Just think about that.
Go Kings and get Kovy!!!!
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Johnson, Brown, and a first rounder for Kovalchuck.
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