alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />The questions and answers continue. The third set…
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EncinoMan asked: 1) Has there been any more talk regarding Wayne Gretzky assuming a role within the organization? 2) Whom on the Kings current roster would you consider as “untouchable” as far as a future trade would be concerned. My initial thoughts would be Quick, Doughty, Kopitar, and possibly Simmonds. 3) Do you think the Teddy Purcell experiment has just about run its course?
Answer: 1) No, there aren’t any negotiations or conversations or anything like that. As I understand it, the door is open for Gretzky, in a general way, and if he’s interesting in talking, the Kings are interested as well. It hasn’t gotten beyond that. 2) At this point, the only two I would consider completely untouchable are Doughty and Kopitar, although Simmonds is making a strong case for inclusion. 3) I guess that presumes that there was some sort of “experiment.” The way I see it, Purcell is just another player on the roster, so I wouldn’t call it the “Purcell experiment” any more than I’d call it the “Harrold experiment.” The idea that Purcell could be a major offensive contributor did not pan out. At this point, he’s a guy on the roster, who can go in and out of the lineup based on need.
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Otto asked: Hey Rich, do you have any ideas on what kind of cars the kings players drive? i’ve always wondered that also, who’s the easiest kings player to talk to? the funniest (is it greene?), any recluses?
Answers: 1) Very nice cars. 2) They’re all quite easy to talk to. I would definitely say Greene is the funniest. If there’s one who is difficult to talk to, it’s probably Frolov, who is a nice guy but doesn’t seem comfortable being interviewed.
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KingRob asked: We’ve heard a lot about Frolov’s upcoming UFA status and contract negotiations, but I haven’t heard much of O’donnell’s upcoming expiring contract. Have any hints of retirement popped up? Or does OD think he has another year or years left in him?
Answer: In talking to O’Donnell, I don’t get the sense that he’s ready to retire yet. Given that he has strong ties to Southern California, though, I don’t know what his reaction would be if the Kings chose not to re-sign him during the summer. I don’t think that’s a decision that will be made before the summer.
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backchecker asked: Question what was the team record at this time last year vs this year
Answer: Through 55 games last season, the Kings were 24-22-9 (57 points). Through 55 games this season, they’re 33-19-3 (69 points).
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Jimbo1007 asked: Curious what a typical day (both game days and off days) is like when the team is on an extended homestand. On non-game days, what time do players get to the rink, how long do practices last, what do they do after practice (do they hit the gym, watch game films, just hang out)? On game days I always hear of a “morning skate.” Where does that take place? Is it structured, or just players stretching, and loosening up at their own pace? Do the players then go home, and come back for the game, or do they stay together?
Answer: Whether it’s a game day or a practice day, a skate time is set. For morning skates, it’s almost always 10 a.m. It’s often 11 a.m. for practices, but can be slightly earlier or later. For the Kings, practices and skates almost always take place at their practice rink in El Segundo. Players will arrive at different times, and leave at different times, depending on if they want to stay and work out at the gym. At the morning skates, there is structure, and coaches will put players through drills, but only for about 20-25 minutes. Practices can last anywhere from 40-70 minutes, depending on situation. On a game day, players will go home after the skate and then drive to Staples Center in the late afternoon.
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Brandon asked: I want to know what your personal opinion is on what the kings are doing to do about getting a player in here that can be “the one” that people are going to come and see. I love the team right now, believe me, but with all the talk doesn’t something have to happen?
Answer: No, it really doesn’t. And I’m not trying to be flippant about your question, but Internet rumor-mongering, no matter how much of it takes place, does not actually impact whether or not a trade is going to be made. There’s endless talk about Kovalchuk because people get attention for themselves if they talk about Kovalchuk. That deal, like any deal, will get done if it gets done. Lombardi has proved himself to be, if nothing else, patient. If a deal is right, he will do it. If not, he won’t.
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Jake asked: Rich I love when you do end of game stats like shots, hits, leaders in ice time, ect…. I was wondering if you could do that more often and maybe a one at the end of the month giving us a summary of how we did this month. And do the Kings still have a ping pong table in the locker room?
Answer: Thanks, and I like doing those stats as well, but unfortunately, the time after the game is the most hectic of all, especially on the road. Perhaps it’s something I can do the morning after games. I’ll try to remember that. And yes, the ping-pong table is still there, but it doesn’t seem to get as much use this season with Derek Armstrong gone, at least from what I’ve seen.
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Mike asked: Any good stories from the road trip? Let’s say Kovalchuk was traded, what percentage would you say the Kings have at nabbing him? And please don’t say 50%.
Answers: 1) It all sort of blurs together after a while. Things are funny at the time but then lose context. The trip will definitely be remembered for the genius in Detroit on the catwalk. 2) OK, 49 percent! I honestly have no idea. At this point, I’d say they have just as good a chance as any other team with interest. It’s not a race. There are no favorites or leaders. Whichever team ends up making the most attractive offer before March 3 will get him.
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CanadianKing asked: 1. What’s your take on Moller’s play as of late? I see a much more confident player out there lately and I would love him to get a shot on the first line for a couple games. 2. Do you think Ryan Smyth would best be suited as the Kings captain and just let Brown step back and worry about developing his game? It’s done wonders for Marleau. 3. Being a proud Canadian, I’m curious what your thoughts are on coming up here for road games. Have you had good experiences so far? Have you had a good poutine yet?
Answers: 1) The grit is there, the desire is there and the heart is there. The skill might even be there. But Moller just isn’t physically ready to handle the demands of what you’re suggesting. Some day soon? Perhaps, yes. 2) I’ve thought about that, and while I do think Brown feels pressure, I don’t necessarily think it’s in the context of being captain. I think he just puts pressure on himself, period, and needs to relax. I’m not sure that would change depending on the letter (or lack thereof) on his jersey. 3) I’ve had wonderful experiences in Canada, except for the WEATHER. You really have to do something about that. But the people are so nice, and it’s always great to just walk around and experience something new. No poutine yet!
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Lanny McDonald’s `Stache asked: Rich, my question… you don’t find yourself rooting for the Kings even just a LITTLE bit now???
Answer: Honestly — and I know we’re having fun with this — no. I certainly do “root” for compelling storylines, because it makes my job more interesting and fun, and certainly the Kings’ playoff push is a compelling story, but if the Kings lose, I’m not particularly upset about it. As I said, in response to a question last time, my thoughts are about trying to do my job the right way, not about the outcome of the game. By the way, I saw you in Toronto. Very white, at this point, but still very full.
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D B Cooper asked: any word on FRO? if we don’t sign him, we would need another offensive player, although, Sheldon Souray is available and would do great to replace SOD at next year’s team. do you see a 3 way team trade to get an offensive player if FRO is gone?
Answer: No update on Frolov. I’ll be fairly surprised if he doesn’t hit the free-agent market, although that doesn’t necessarily mean he wouldn’t re-sign with the Kings after July 1. Sheldon Souray? I really don’t think so, unless his defensive skills suddenly rise to match that shot. A three-team trade? I have no idea what the parameters of that would be, so I’ll have to say no on that one.
FWIW, Darren Dreger was just on the Versus broadcast and said that Ray Whitney was basically a hotter commodity then Kovalchuk on the trade market right now because the asking price for Kovalchuk is too high.
He also seemed to suggest that he thinks Kovalchuk will resign in Atlanta. The quote was “There are multiple options. I mean there are many NHL executives who believe that Ilya Kovalchuk is going to get traded. But if you talk to those close to the situation they say ‘Hey, one of the best options is for Ilya Kovalchuk to sign and stay with the Atlanta Thrashers.’ and that remains a very strong likelihood.
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HAHA, rich, I thought Lanny’s Stache was in rare form in Toronto. It seemed to have a mind of it’s own. More wild than ever.
-Dave
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Rich, what are your thoughts on the points system currently for the NHL? It has changed from 2 points only to 2/1 for an OT win and 1/1 for a tie to 2/1 guaranteed if its tied after regualtion. I know this makes the playoff races close but it seems like it rewards teams too much for SO wins. What are your thoughts on the system of 3 points for a win, 2 for an OT/SO win and 1 for an OT/SO loss?
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How is Williams recovery going? Is he looking to the end of March as a possible return?
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Souray jacked up his hand in a fight. So I think he is staying put.
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Sorry Rich-
I have to disagree with this statement: “There’s endless talk about Kovalchuk because people get attention for themselves if they talk about Kovalchuk. ”
I know it’s frustrating to continually hear the talk, and I will agree that sometimes this is the case with people, but I have heard some pretty strong, valid points on both ends of the Kovalchuk debate that has led to some fascinating reading and thought. It’s an important and exciting issue in the NHL right now and the Kings are getting a lot of pub being highly connected to it, even if much of it is rumor fodder.
With regards to this statement: “…but Internet rumor-mongering, no matter how much of it takes place, does not actually impact whether or not a trade is going to be made.” I don’t think that’s entirely true either. Now GM’s will never tell you that they read the computer blog rags, but they do. I will bet you (If you could ever get a GM to admit it) that more than a few GMs have gotten ideas from rumor mongering. They’re never going to publicly come out and say that as it would make them look completely clueless, but just as you said Rich about Don Waddell “If you ask me, I think it was skillful posturing on Waddell’s part. Every GM has a cell phone and a TV. If Waddell wants to talk to a GM or scout, he can do it by ways other than showing up at a game in the New York market. Waddell isn’t dumb. He probably knew that by showing up, it would fan the flames of Kings-Atlanta talk — hello, Internet rumors! — and potentially get other GMs jumping.”
With all due respect (and I could be wrong but), I see a contradiction in your statemets here Rich. Why would a GM ‘Fan the flames to get other GMs jumping buy posturing himself to be the focus of Internet rumors IF they did not (sometimes) impact whether or not a trade is going to be made? It would seem to me that Don Waddell doesn’t adhere to that belief. Am I missing something?
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Hi Rich,
Since everyone is focused on trades I’ll keep with the topic.
1) In a typical situation how long after a trade is finalized by the GM’s does it usually take to go public?
2) If and when a trade goes down, any chance of that news breaking on this site. I think it would be a real treat for the loyalist to get the info first.
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I learn a lot from fox’s commentary and find him valuable, but why does he trail his voice up when he’s done with a statement? Is it a cue for miller or someone else or is it involuntary? I wish he’d work on it if it isn’t intentional. Also rich, how much taller are you than fox? When you guys are on TV it’s a huge difference. Love you both!
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Cynic…all due respect…if a GM is reading any internet message board, they need to be fired, on the spot.
Fans talking about any one player has no impact on what any GM may do…your smarter than that.
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Holy cow, Rich and CanadianKing, I had poutine at the Redondo Beach Cafe watch party last year. Weird white soft cheese and broth/gravy, it was, umm, interesting. There was a fellow originally from Montreal that recommended it and claimed it was very good poutine, not quite up to Canadian standards but still good…
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Hey Cynic, I am just making my guess here, but when I read that quote by Rich I took it to mean that PRESS people get the attention for themselves by using trade speculation for ratings. I didn’t think at all he meant posters here, it honestly didn’t even occur to me. (Much doesn’t occur to me, that might not be a good thing…) I took it more like he was just describing the gratuitous nature of hockey news reporters, like Dreger, for example, who tonight filled about ten total mintues between two periods chock full with about 15 seconds of new reporting.
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if you had to flat out put a percentage on it, in just your insider opinion; what are the chances we see clune any time this season in a kings uniform?
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Brett-
GM’s are human. They are also paid to look at ALL avenues to achieve their goals. If that means reading an internet blog to spark the creative thinking process, then so be it.
I think Rich is right when he mentions Waddell taking advantage of the situation of his arrival at the game in NJ. Why the hell would DW go to the game in NJ? The only reason I can think of is exactly what Rich mentioned: To fan the flames and get GMs thinking.
If I was a GM, I would ABSOLUTELY be reading blogs and the like. Doesn’t mean I’ll use them for anything, but I’d definitely be reading the blog of my teams fans. What better way to get a pulse on my market than to read every complaint, comment or thought they’ve ever had on the team I’m in charge of. Good GMs are open minded and willing to use every avenue to come to the right decision. That’s a management mentality not exclusive to hockey or sports or anything specific.
I’m cool with disagreeing with you too. I understand your point, but ask yourself, why would GM’s talk regularly with guys like Darren Dreger and Bob MacKenzie, even Eklund if they didn’t see some sort of value in talking to them? The best marketing tool to increase the value of their players is PUBLICITY. The easiest way to let other teams know a guy could be available without ruining their cred is to use one of these guys to spit out a rumor from an ‘unnamed’ source. If the GM gets questioned, what does he say? “That’s just a ridiculous rumor”.
Remember when Sutter said Dion Phaneuf was not available 3 weeks ago? Did you ever think that maybe that was a way to publicly protect the player so he’d play well or not be discouraged while he was shopping him? Don’t think for one minute that GMs don’t know or understand the power of the rumor media. It has it’s place.
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Rich:
If you could change, add, or remove a rule in the NHL, what would it be?
If you were superstar NHL star, which team would you love to play for and why?
Who do you think is the most under rated player in the NHL, and dare I ask the most over rated player in the NHL?
Who will win the SuperBowl?
Have fun with those Rich, looking forward to hearing your responses and GREAT JOB as always!
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How did tip a King go (moneywise)? Tiger should have been there. He is a great cook, and who would dare not tip him?
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Player-X
You know, I never looked at it that way. You could be absolutely right. Even then, the great and crap writings still apply. It’s true some of the reporters out there are full on spinsters for their own benefit, but some like Dreger, talk regularly with GMs for a reason. If he was a joke, GMs wouldn’t give him the time of day. Out of all the ridiculousness that most of these guys put out, we sometimes find some truth hidden in it. When we do, I’ll bet it’s usually planted there by a GM for a specific reason, but you’ll never know it. They, obviously, would deny it in a New York minute or risk looking pretty inept.
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Rich,
Tell us what you really think of Eklund.
C’mon don’t hold back. :)
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Sorry Cynic, I think you’re way off. As a professional myself, I can say with a great deal of confidence that no GM in professional sports gets ideas from the net. It is Lombardi’s job to continuously evaluate every roster player and prospect. I’m pretty sure he and his team has every other teams players ranked and scouted with probably 1000 different combinations of future trades that would make sense for the Kings. I think your mind would be blown by the amount of organization if you were DL’s intern for a day.
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Hey Rich, How about giving us an update on Justin Williams.
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Player-X,
You know, every American has that exact same response. I find it very interesting. Oh and that white soft cheese is called cheese curd.
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Haha, great response to my question, Rich. Your position on this fascinates me, but I certainly don’t take anything away from you for it! Next time you see me, come say hi and shake whiskers.
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Dave, Rich had answered that question on Forum 1.
Answer: No real update. It’s barely been a month. I wouldn’t necessarily say that you can expect him back in March, or even April. He tore up his leg real good (bad). Even if it is healed, remember that there are major conditioning issues. Some people were all over Handzus, two years ago, and Williams, last year, for their play while first coming back from injuries. The idea that the Kings would put Williams out there (if healthy) for a playoff run (or the playoffs) after four months away from the game…I wouldn’t bet the farm on that.
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I believe Rich answered the Justin Williams question in the 1st set of forum answers
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Lilly, yes, please read above your last post to read a full answer regarding Willy’s status
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Rich, it seems to me that now is the time to make the run for the cup. The building phase is over. With the exception of Bernier, they guys are on current roster is the core of their buildup. There’s no one left to develop. This is their peak. Therefore, the Kings need to load up now. They have room on the cap $5.6M I think. What do you think.. is the time now. do we give up draft choices and prospects and go for the cup??
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Ah yes Harry, you and I were on the same wave-length
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CKing-
I think I’m being misunderstood here. I’m not saying it’s a PRIMARY source, that would be ludicrous. I’m not even saying GMs would do it in their offices or around other people. My point is, if you read them, why wouldn’t the GM’s read AND use them? It makes perfect sense to me.
To discredit a GM for reading a blog would be ludicrous as well. They’re fans also. They can’t be fans anymore because reading this stuff ruins their cred? Can’t believe it because the difference is, they may read that stuff MUCH differently than we do simply due to the nature of their closeness to the action. GMs are a secretive bunch amongst themselves. I’m speculating on all this, of course, as I have no proof.
No, I don’t think my mind would be blown at all. I can already see from the last 3 years of drafting the amount of work done and I’m not even on the inside. I can imagine how structured it has to be to keep it running smoothly. Having been in many facets of management and now (attempting) business ownership, when it comes to competition, any and ALL info is welcome as the one angle you discredit could be the one that kills you. There are ways to handle some of that info you get your hands on, but it’s ALL important. Doesn’t matter what the business is.
That’s really where my take is coming from. Hope that makes sense.
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Hey Rich, did you know you’d be on TV being interviewed with Jimmy Fox in between periods when you first took this job? How do you like it? You seem much more comfortable than when you were first on. Keep up the great work!!! It’s very much appreciated. It’s kind of ironic that since you were hired by the Kings, the LA Times have since allowed coverage for road games. Do you think your hiring had something to do with that?
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Rich- Here’s one on the blog. What are your thoughts so far on the change from your old blog? What is better? What do you miss if anything? What don’t you miss or if you don’t want to go there what do you appreciate most on the new blog? (better IT staff or at least people that are dedicated to your blog/ traveling w/ team/ what?)
Reason I ask is while I love this blog and by no means am I complaining sometimes I miss the longer conversational aspect that went on the other blog. Some days you have 5 posts and more on a game day. It seems we get lest big picture stuff now and when we do it doesn’t last long before we’re off to who is hurt at practice today. I definetly love all the new techno stuff/video and even the details at practice.
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Ugly, you’re right in that the Kings can now identify a group of young players as what could/should be the core of a perennial playoff team. And Lombardi said very recently that for the first time, he would seriously consider trading for a rental player because he feels that the team has turned corner.
But when you say, “This is their peak,” that’s not entirely true. Doughty, Simmonds, Johnson, Quick, even Kopitar to some extent are still at least several years away from the point at which pro hockey players tend to peak. I really don’t think we know yet just how good these guys will get. With Doughty, who is only 20, it’s just jaw-dropping to think that he probably won’t peak for another 5+ years.
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How do the players feel about the line juggling from Terry Murray? I know there’s something to be said that they’re professionals, so whom they play with shouldn’t matter too much outside of playing with complementary players, but it seems like Murray juggles lines most often of the teams I’ve seen (not considering players coming out of the lineup with injuries). Do the players feel like they gel with new linemates really easily, or do they feel they need some time to feel each other out on the ice when the line juggling occurs?
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Rich-
1. Stellar job with this blog- is it possible you particularly enjoy Puck Daddy because Wysh mentions you like every other sentance? He’s got a huge man-crush on you.
2. Compared to the writers for other teams, how would you rate your access to the players? I frequent a few other team’s sites and accompanying blogs and by comparison, yours seems to have the most intimate interviews, etc.
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Rich -
Being from Canada, I don’t ever have an opportunity to meet any of they players or get autographs. Do you know of any department within the Kings where fans can send memorabilia (jerseys, pucks etc) that would be forwarded to the players to get signed and shipped back to us? Thanks.
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I think with regard to what GMs (and for that matter, players, owners, whoever) are aware of on “the internets” — it goes something like this.
GMs, coaches, and other management have a more-or-less symbiotic relationship with (let’s just call them) legitimate press people, i.e. reporters or writers who may or may not (but probably do by now) have blogs. They are part of “the industry,” the way producers, executives and agents (etc.) in the movie business work with, use, manipulate, and otherwise interact with the press for their own benefit. In any business that gets media attention, it’s important to have access to and, to whatever degree possible, control of the people who talk and/or write about you and who form (and have power to harm) your public image.
Who is absolutely off their radar? Bloggers with no access, no sources and no power, not to mention the people who comment on their sites. For the most part, the non-access bloggers are just cannibals or parasites (or at best, amplifier/aggregators) of other writers farther up the food chain.
Darren Dreger (to pick a random name) is on GM’s radar to the extent that he is popular, that people read him or listen to him, and because of that he needs to be “handled” to a certain degree, both to control what comes out of his mouth when possible or desirable, and so that he can be harnessed for their own purposes (namely, planted rumors, etc.) when necessary.
Although my bet is, for every GM who actively plants a rumor with a trusted reporter and then proceeds to deny knowing where it came from, there are a thousand rumors that are passed along by enterprising (read: duplicitous) assistants and/or people in the mail room. And for all of those, there are exponentially more that are just made up out of necessity. LOMBARDI IS IN ATLANTA.
Blogs of real hockey writers (Rich, Puck Daddy, Russo, Mirtle, to pick the first four names that pop into my head) are a godsend for hockey fans. And that has to be distinguished from people who just make stuff up. Because believing those people would be like going to a psychic instead of a doctor.
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I know it’s Open Forum time but I’m really surprised that Randy Jones has escaped the wrath of the KIngs fans and how Quick has saved his bacon twice on this past road trip.He looks like a forward just up from the minors backon the blueline. Let’s package Jones, and 6 broken new technology sticks and trade to the Ducks for a bag of pucks.
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We know the players kid each other, but has that extended to you?
Have they given you a nickname? (Hammy imo)
Who makes up the Kings travel party? Players, coaches, equipment guys, trainers, you, etc?
Who keeps it all organized?
+1 on the game day notes.
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tantrum4, your from Canada?
Where from?
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Imagine THIS team,………
If we traded B. Schenn, T. Purcell, R.Jones, and picks for Ilya Kovalchuk (or whatever else non irreplaceable players we love)………
A team, in which gets back a healthy Justin Williams for the playoffs……..
Kovalchuk-Kopitar-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Frolov-Handzus-Simmonds
Richardson-Moller-Parse
Doughty-Scuderi
J.Johnson-Greene
S. O’Donnell-Harrold?
Seems pretty balanced. I.K. please DL.
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PRubin, Not to take away from Rich’s ability to answer your question, but if you go to hockeytalk.biz (I hope it is ok to reference this site) someone there keeps a weekly update of alternate standings based on other point systems (I think 3-2-1 and 2-0). Surprisingly, not much changes.
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bye jiggy nice knowing ya!!!!
rich question if you have anytime,
with JB playing so well do you think the kings will try and trade Ersberg(good trade value) and if not how many years does he have left on his contract?
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Rich how are you man? Long time no see! Anyway here are my questions…
Why is everyone obsessed with bernier? What has he proved on the NHL level? Quick is the best kings goalie I’ve ever seen, and with his unorthodox save style I don’t know if I could score in him! Dude’s a beast!
If mikus fought chuck Norris, what would happen? Mikus with a knockout blow? Norris with a Judi chop to the throat?
You mentioned the players drive real nice cars, why dies ivanans drive a little camry?!?!
Any seats left for the insider night at staples feb 11th?
Why is your hair always so perfect!?!?!?
See you soon man!
Steven
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Contreras, is there a question in there or are you just salivating in public? Waddell, according to almost all “sources,” as well as just plain common sense, wants AT LEAST 2 active roster players, and either 2 prospects and a pick or 2 high picks and a great prospect. Your deal sounds like none of that: Schenn is barely a prospect, he is simply recently drafted. Purcell is a non-scoring “scorer’, a forward that is trying to find a way to qualify for our 4th line right now, Jones was picked on waivers and as I recall will be a free agent asking 3 mill this summer. Imagining is fun, but while you’re at it, wouldn’t it be fun if humans could fly? Sorry if I seem harsh, but then again, I actually meant to and I ain’t takin’ it back.
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It’s official: Flames trade Jokinen & Prust to NYR for Higgins & Kotalik.
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for Higgins & Kotalik
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Sorry Cynic, we will have to agree to disagree here.
If a GM needs to read Letsgokings.com, or here, or anywhere else, to get trade ideas…that GM needs to be canned faster than you can fart after eating peanuts.
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I would like to add…add up every single person who posts on here, LGK, and just about every blog or message board on the planet, put all those posters together, and they still have about as much a clue as to what it really takes to put together a winning team as any GM in any sport, has in their pinkie…
Far too many people on the internet have this over-inflated sense of knowledge…little clue, you really don’t have a clue. Neither do I…those who are being paid to have that clue…yes, they do.
Go on the internet, enjoy the over-inflated rumors that are invented by desperate people trying to sell subscriptions, that’s your right. But your too smart to fall for this.
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Totally OK Brett. Still like ya…you know….in that plutonic internet blogging sorta way.
Quisp – Your take was a much better simplified way to say what I was trying to, but I think I’d put the ratio at 10 of every hundred have at least some shed of truth. Out of that, we’ll ever discover 1% of said truth, even after deals go down.
Again, good luck ever proving it. There’s a lot of serious trust in those relationships and they are hardly EVER broken. This arguement has no proof on EITHER side, unless you have or are a GM or one of the priveledged few ‘Rumor Mills’ that GM’s talk to. Most don’t believe it, I happen to.
Most think Juraj Mikus is a 4th line AHL center, I think he’s just giving other players a fair chance by holding back. :-)
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Rich, I was wondering what a typical day is like when the team is on the road, mainly the off-ice stuff. Do groups of guys go to the local museums, movie theaters, sight-see, take in the culture of the city, etc…? Or is it more of a been there done that lets get out the race cars on the bed, ala the Hanson Brothers, or play poker, or figure out how to get back at Greener kind of stuff? Also, home or away, how much time do the players spend on watching video, or is it all done by the coaches ahead of teaching/preaching time?
BTW, how was the road-trip for you? Does the excitement of such a trip carry over into your work as well? (I have to imagine it sure makes interviewing the guys a lot easier, lol). Was the excitement a loose fun atmosphere, or was it a somewhat contained one – you know, work as usual, don’t get too up we still have a long way to go? Was there any team talk about the deals done in the league yesterday? (They were probably glad Big-Goofy wasn’t a Maple Leaf ’til after they went through Toronto, lol).
Also, how does TM plan on using that energy/belief/attitude going back home where they have not been as successful?
As always many thanks Rich!!!
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BTW – I’m not falling for anything. Neither are the GMs reading the fodder. What it CAN do is spark creativity for something similar for ‘Fan the flames’ as Rich put it. I take it all for what it’s worth. Nothing. Then I comment on it as if the fantasy were reality, just because something else might get talked about that would be even more interesting. It’s good for that. A firestarter if you will.
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Whats the deal with all the watch parties in the south bay? for christ’s sake that’s the OC! it’s mighty SCHMUCK territory! don’t forget about the hard core fans on the east side!
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btw, there are a ton of hispanic kings fans on the eastside that are DIE HARD FANS! don’t think there are many on board here but for those that are: MEXI-KINGS unite!
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Whoa, whoa whoa, the South Bay is NOT the OC. It’s King’s territory. It’s LA County and the OC line is at least 20 miles south of most of the South Bay. There are Kings posters all over the South Bay – no Ducks to be seen.
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Mr Brett-
I completely agree. You collect the millions of bloggers and posters and you’ve got about as much knowlede as DL’s (or any GM’s) secretary.
While it is fun to be on here speculating, we really dont know anything about what it takes to run an NHL team. We also dont know anything about what goes on within the network of NHL managers and players. Even the press is clueless.
Players and managers feed reporters garbage just to be left alone and to avoid being portrayed negatively to the fans.
The amount of time, commitment, and knowledge it takes to play or coach in any pro sport would make all of our heads spin.
We are the sheep known as the general public. The media is like the water boy who overhears some out-of-context comment in the locker room and tells everyone, but doesnt actually know anything.
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South Bay in Orange County? The majoority of players live there & they practice in the South Bay. No where near OC.
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