The Kings sniffed around Ilya Kovalchuk. You knew it, I knew it, everyone in the NHL knew it, even if the folks in the Kings’ locker room did their best to ignore it, for fear of it becoming a distraction. Given that the Kings are 2-0 since Kovalchuk got traded to New Jersey, there doesn’t appear to be any disappointment. If anything, from what I’ve heard, there’s excitement that this team, intact, will be able to try to finish what he started.
Asked about the non-trade today, Murray echoed those sentiments and gave some interesting insight in terms of the process of building the Kings…
MURRAY: “You go over the history of teams in the league, and there’s not really a wrong way or a right way. Nobody is smarter than anybody else, when it comes to building teams. It’s just our way of doing things. It’s Dean’s way of doing things. This is the process that we talked about in the interview I had when the job opened up. This is how we planned about going about business. He’s staying with his decision, and everybody in the organization is on board with that, meaning ownership, obviously the management people upstairs and the coaching staff.
“That was a big part of the enthusiasm that I had when I got this job, was the fact that we’re going to be staying with the younger players, we’re going to bring them along the right way, and we’re going to lose together but we’re going to learn how to win together. This group has battled through a lot in a year in a half. There’s a lot of years together in front of them, and I admire his decision. It’s a very sexy deal to make. He’s a man sticking by his decision that he made two years ago. That’s what I admire about this decision. It’s always easy to tear things down and to go another route. That’s the easy way to do it. The hard decision is making the commitment to your team, `We’re going to do what’s best for the Los Angeles Kings organization,’ and that’s what has been done here.”
Van kings fan,
after another undefeated week, will TSN give our kings the cred they deserve on the power rankings (which is fourth)? my prediction: 6th, still behind PHX and NJ.
[Reply]
Thank god for not tearing down the house for Kovi. I would like to add that I hat all those pple who said Kovi would be the best thing for this team. Especially some kings blog websites b4 this year. Some were claiming Kovi was like christ. Whatever. Obviously not since the devils are 0-2 since he joined. Also I didnt want to add another name to the list of cammaleri, murray, jokinen, and the others who have scored 40 since they left the kings. If we can get a steal of a player at the deadline and not give anything except a future pick, I am up for it. Getting Kovalchuk would have ruined this team. Thank GOD no trade was made. You’d be crazy to mess with the chemistry. PEACE!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
No respect from TSN. I remember earlier this year the kings were ranked low for goal differential…WTF. That makes no sense. The respect will take a while, but Calgary and Toronto fans will be jumping ship soon!!!
[Reply]
We have to be put above the Yotes…at least we better be
[Reply]
Not mortgaging the future to ‘rent’ Kovalchuk I think will be viewed as a wise decision.
But please Dean, do not follow up that great choice with a brain fart. Please do not bring in Ethan Moreau!!! Dustin does everything Ethan does, but better! If you feel compelled to take advantage of the cOilers, make a deal for Pisani. Pisani should make for an inexpensive rental and has a great postseason style of game.
[Reply]
pissani? i rather have moreau than pissani….moreau has a lot of heart…character….determination and passion and that would be a great addition to the team….not that we need him but if we were to choose between both
[Reply]
I am so glad to hear this quote from Murray, and indirectly Lombardi, too. This is what it is all about; Team, not players, and commitment to the winning process, not just to selling tickets for mediocre teams that score a lot of goals only to lose 6-5. Right f’ing on.
[Reply]
So now watch Dean throw the team under a bus for Cheechoo.
Watching Jack Johnson and Frolov for Cheechoo
And somehow fans of the Kings will love this trade
[Reply]
I’ve pour myself a huge glass of the DL Koolaid and I’m just sippin it slowly and savoring every drop. If there is one thing I’ve learned in my 45 years of being a sports fan … its that GM and ownership make or break teams.
I noticed that when the 49ers of the NFL lost their GM, everything went bad. When the Kings got Bruce McNall everything went good. When Bruce got sent to the big house, the Kings went right back to being a Jack Kent Cooke-ish team.
The new owners have been very patient. I give them a lot of credit. They gave Taylor and Vachon their shot, but moved on once things didn’t improve. Then they went and hired DL and poof a contender again.
Someone linked me to an article of our prospects in the Kings farm system and we got a ton of highly regarding kids. Chances are excellent we’ll get some talented kid on the verge of becoming a strong force on the team.
Not to mention we have excellent picks available this draft to add to the supply of talent. There is a reason the Monarchs (our farm team) are a good team.
Man it’s sweet to be a Kings fan these days.:)
[Reply]
why would you trade anything for cheechoo?That guy is way past his useful hockey life
[Reply]
WWAMD…well this king fan would stick a pencil in my eye…and scream….ohhhh lord…not again!
[Reply]
You have to wonder if that was one of the toughest decisions DL has had to make….to NOT trade for Kovi. As a GM, I would imagine you don’t get very opportunities to aqcuire a player of that calibre…and to pass on that has to be a difficult pill to swallow. If this opportunity was there at this time last year, does DL pull the trigger? I would bet yes.
For the record, I am glad he didn’t do it…
[Reply]
Cheechoo sucks!!! Have you seen his numbers this year? 5g 8assists in like 58 games? This guy cannot play hockey anymore and the only reason he was successful in San Jose was because of Joe Thornton and there is no way I would risk giving anything up for him and have him be a total bust screw that idea! DL be smart here I don’t care if Cheechoo played well for you in San Jose, he sucks now so forget it! Let’s try and make a run for a guy like Whitney, Penner, or Ponikarovsky. I even heard Brad Richards haha I don’t know what we would have to give up in order to get him, but if we could get him that would be an insane upgrade for us! Either way Go Kings!
[Reply]
I agree that cheechoo sucks, but according to some sources, well one good one (Barry), Dean is targeting Cheechoo, which doesn’t surprise me, since he is a) an ex Shark and b) on the decline of his career. Which is the same mistakes Dean has done in the past. However, the rumor also stats that the trade would involve Moller and a Defensmen. Sooooo Moller itself is overpayment. The ONLY way I would accept Cheechoo on this team is for a 5th round pick. We would be doing ottawa a favour by taking on Cheechoo’s horrendous contract and skill, so why would we send anything their way. If anything Ottawa should take Dean out for dinner for Cheechoo and call it even.
[Reply]
If you take Matthew Barry as gospel, then you are following a false prophet.
I recall several weeks ago that he guaranteed that the Kings had something big in store regarding Kovalchuk.
So it goes with anyone who works for Eklund.
[Reply]
WHOOOOOOOOOOOO DAAAAAAAAAAAT
[Reply]
I was born and raised in LA been at Kings games for over 21 yrs. Now because of the work thing in LA I now hold the torch for LA here in Fort Worth……… This is the best the Kings have played ever really, so let’s please not touch them. Heck Justin Williams will be back soon, and there you go…………
[Reply]
Williams isn’t even walking on his own yet. He’s still on crutches.
As good as the team is playing right now, we need to shore up our 4th line by getting rid of the dead weight that Purcell has become and getting a good grinding winger.
[Reply]
Mind you, I’m not saying that just Matthew Barry writes something, it’s wrong. But I most certainly am saying that just because Matthew Barry writes something doesn’t make it so, and using Hockeybuzz as your main source is pretty pointless.
If it wasn’t for trade speculation that was pulled straight from the writer’s ass, that site would have nothing to trade on at all.
[Reply]
Hockeybuzz/Eklund is a joke
However, Barry has been right about everything so far
He first broke out JJ signing before anyone else
He first broke out the deal for Whitney
He first broke out Sully being traded
He’s got a great track record.
[Reply]
I’ve been watching the Devils since the Ilya trade. The majority of Devils fans were so proud to have him on their lineup. They’ve lost 2 games since he has joined. Not saying its Kovalchuks fault at all for the losses but in my opinion the Devils fans definitely over hype him. They’re still a trap playing team with very few scorers.
I am glad no farm was sold, but it would have been exciting to see him on a line with Kopitar or any of our other star players (I would say Simmonds, but he would have been part of the trade). I probably sound like a homer but comparing our team to New Jersey’s, we have way more players to keep an eye on.
And Oscar Moller is all the sniping we need, right guys!?
[Reply]
No real need for Cheewho. We could maybe use a strong Dman, but look what the Sharks paid to rent one, a 32nd pick and a 175th pick.
I would not be surprised if we held tight until summer.
[Reply]
I’m a believer!!
[Reply]
Anyone watched NHL on the Fly? Kings are getting attention. Pretty cool.
[Reply]
25 games left, Quick needs 15 wins to match Brodeur’s 48.
Of course Cheechoo would look good to the Kings. A lot of his points came against weak Kings teams with crummy goalies. To Kings management Cheechoo looked like a superstar.
[Reply]
Hey, thanks on the info on Williams, I had thought he would be farther along by now. Thanks again…………
[Reply]
What exactly was the offer for Kovi? Jeremy Roenick was on between periods during the Ducks game, and said if he had been Waddell, he would have taken the Kings offer over the NJ’s. I never even heard if there was an actual offer or just talk. If DL made an offer who was involved.
[Reply]
I saw the same thing, and can not find out who they offered………… I would like to know myself.
[Reply]
I still haven’t seen Lindros in a Kings uniform or Tom Kostopolis. Don’t beleive CBGB. He is a fan and maybe DL asked about Cheechoo and was told Ottawa wants JJ or/and Fro, but that’s it – DL doing his job and seeing what’s out there and what he might want for the right price. How do you think the JW/POS trade came about.
Time to change your name too.
I’d like to see us go after a Torres or Ott. Maybe even get Grebs back.
[Reply]
I too would pass on Cheechoo. Since Ottawa is in the playoff picture, they would want a roster player in return. Everyone keeps talking about going after Whitney, but if I was looking at Carolina, I would focus on Jussi Jokinen. Good two way player (20g 24a) who is only 26. I bet DL could put together a package of picks and prospects for Jokinen and Gleason.
[Reply]
Jimbo 1007 -
Rich confirmed to us sometime about a week ago that the Kings made an offer for Kovi, and one counter offer was made. No details were given as to who was included in the proposed deal, but obviously it wasn’t what both sides wanted. It seems Atlanta wanted current NHL roster players, and DL was only willing to give prospects and picks.
[Reply]
Another sign the plan is working, Souray listed the Kings as one of the few teams he is willing to go to. Not that his contract is worth trading for, but when was the last time a veteran wanted to play here.
[Reply]
I repeat: I’m not saying Matthew Barry is always wrong. But if you fire a shotgun with enough pellets in it and with a big enough spread, you’ll hit something. That doesn’t make you a reliable prognosticator or reporter. Psychics work the same way. Jean Dixon made an entire career out being almost sort of kind of right once in her life.
I suggest that you and anyone else in this thread whom you intend to gull read Quisp’s retort to Barry in that thread, because Quisp actually has logic and reasoning on his side rather than overheated speculation and a desperate need to draw readers.
IF there is a deal in the works for Cheechoo, there is no way the Kings give up Moller unless they get more than that in return. That part is just as silly as thinking that Lombardi would include Simmonds in a deal for Kovalchuk. Like Quisp, I can see maybe a mid- or low-round draft pick. But why would Lombardi part with a roster player and weaken the team by subtraction, possibly offsetting whatever he thinks he might gain by adding Cheechoo? Add to that the cap hit, and it doesn’t make much sense.
As to the argument that DL drafted Cheechoo with his old team, well, he drafted Moller with his current team. That sounds like a wash to me.
As to the argument that Cheechoo has an injury history, you have to understand why DL looks at that. It’s all about the perception of value, about getting players for cheap because other teams undervalue them. Hence Quincy. Hence Jones. Hence Handzus, although you could certainly argue that DL overpaid for him. Moller for Cheechoo is not a trade you would make if you were driving for that kind of bargain; it’s giving up too much.
Basically, that deal as Barry describes it beggars belief because it goes against too much of what is known about DL and relies on superficial thinking. We know that he watches the salary cap (unlike, say, Dale Tallon). We know that he values his young players and is reluctant to part with them. We know that if he goes after players with question marks, it’s because he wants them cheap. None of that predicts that he would trade Moller for Cheechoo.
[Reply]
@jet: That’s an interesting tidbit. Remember when Briere, Gomez, Drury, etc. went onto the UFA market and none of them would talk to the Kings because they wanted to stay back East? Times change, I guess.
[Reply]
Moeller? Most of the time he’s on his butt.
[Reply]
Kevin Allen at USA today is very credible.
[Reply]
PurpleBlacknGold:
Yea I read about the offer/counter offer last week, but still didn’t see any specific details. I just wonder how J.R. knows what the offer was, since he said it was better the NJ’s, and no one else does.
[Reply]
DEAN!
OHHHHH DEEEEEAAAAAN!
PLEASE DO NOT TRADE FOR CHEECHOO. UNLESS YOU BRING HIS WINGMAN THORNTON ALONG AS WELL. IF IT WASN’T FOR JOE THORNTON NO ONE WOULD KNOW WHO CHEECHOO IS.
STICK TO THE PLAN. I KNOW SOME KINGS FANS WILL SCREAM IF WE DO NOT WIN THE CUP THIS YEAR. BUT WE ARE STILL A YEAR AWAY, IF NOT 2. STICK WITH THE PLAN.
YOU DID BY NOT OVERPAYING FOR ILYA. HOLD FAST AND STRONG AND STANLEY WILL BE IN LA SOON ENOUGH.
OH! 2 MORE THINGS. 1. ETHAN OVER PISANI AND 2. STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM SOURAY!
[Reply]
Yeah, good question. JR maybe is a little more connected in the organization than we think. Or he’s just trying to get more traffic to his new blog…
[Reply]
@DougS Do you have a link to that thread about Quisp’s retort to Barry? I can’t find it.
[Reply]
Speaking of Quisp, did you know your buddy Gordie is back with 5G and 6A in 8G. The Rockets have won every game. I am not sure if they have enough games left to make the playoffs, but I do know that leaders don’t quit.
By the way, Vey was player of the month in Jan. And Cz had 10 points over a 6 game winning streak as of last weekend. He could be a force in the playoffs. Leaders are noticed when they are needed most. We have good leadersip in the pipeline.
[Reply]
Make no mistake. Kovalchuk is a tremendously talented player. Any team would rather have him than play against him.
However, with few exceptions, rentals are only good if your name is NetFlix or Hertz. Permanently trading away assets for a player that may only play 24 games with your team is the way we used to do it. I think we have finally moved past that stage.
I’ve been a Kings fan since 1970 (pre-Bob Miller even!) and I can’t tell you how happy I am with the direction Dean Lombardi is taking this club. I want to take it even higher. I wish I could meet with him in person for a few minutes to thank him. And I actually have no problems going the rest of the way with the group we have.
Finally, I understand the curiosity of wanting to know who was offered in the deal, but I don’t really care to know. As soon as it is discovered that player X was part of the offer, someone will jam a microphone in their face and say “Dean wanted to trade you and a bag of pucks for Kovalchuk. He must think you’re expendable. What do you think of that?!”
What good can come from an official disclosure?
Anyway, on to Anaheim for our 10th in a row!!
[Reply]
Yeah, great point 501. Names shouldn’t be named because it only serves to detract from X player on the Kings. But really, if you have to ask yourself which player on the roster was trade worthy, and have a hard time deciding, thats probably a good sign for this team.
[Reply]
After not wanting to disrupt the core of this team for one of the better players in this league….do any of you really worry about disrupting the core of this team for Cheechoo. Think with your heads not with your arses.
[Reply]
One of greatest statements ever made by anyone in sports…..TM has to be a candidate for the Adams and DL for Exec of the Year…..What a job they have done, what a team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO KINGS!!!!!!!!!!!
[Reply]
here, here Moondoggie
[Reply]
@yeahbaby, The Devils won Kovi’s first game. They were down by 2 with 1:30 to play and ended up winning in regulation. Perhaps the most amazing 1:30 of hocey I’ve ever heard (XM).
[Reply]
I was one of the first to try to suggest Kovy. When it proved to be too expensive I quickly changed my stance. Any GM that wouldn’t try to see what it would take to get him isn’t worth a damn. A player like him doesn’t come up that often. I’m glad in the long run DL didn’t break up the team to get another star.
My question now is where are the Fro contract talks at this point? The main reason I included him in trade scenarios is that he will be an UFA at the end of the year. I would want to get something for him if we can’t resign him.
Even a few days before the trade, Atlanta was still saying publicly they where working to resign Kovy (most people maintained however that every day without a contract, made it more and more likely no new contract would be coming for him in Atlanta). Now, I know, Fro is no Kovy, but the situation does have some similarities.
For now, I will just enjoy eating some roast duck tomorrow (even if we do have to listen to the “SUX” announcer and the… what was it, 3rd worst color man in So. Cal.).
GO KINGS GO!!!
[Reply]
This winning streak is incredible. But were gonna lose one at some point. Beint in third or fourth in a division is a good place to be, so not concerned with climbing, just maintaining..
I think the toughest playoffs in the entire series, will be PHX or VAN and if we get past them, good chance of going all the way..
Just one man’s opinion… -But we do need to pound on the mallards tomorrow fo sho..
[Reply]
Hey 501, I’m a longtime fan also…since day 1. Remember Roy Story? I loved the way he announced goals. He’d lower his voice, make it all gravelly and yell “Heeee shootshescores”. Best the Kings ever had…until Bob Miller showed up. Goring’s breakaways, fans chanting “We want Nevin! We want Nevin!” Tiger and Dave Hutchison, Widing, Kannegiesser, Komadoski, Venaski? Games at the Sports Arena with chicken wire instead of glass? Wow those were some thin days. Games with less than 6000 fans at the Forum, man it’s been tough over the years being a Kings fan. DL, keep it up!
[Reply]
Jeez, can we give the Cheechoo stuff a rest? So, DL is going to pull a Crazy Ivan and ruin this team after nearly four years of careful planning? Why? Because he’s madly in love with a former player or two?
Where does this stuff get dreamed up?
Please take it to the site where it originated — a place where baseless rumours are appreciated and actually encouraged.
Just curious — considering that this team has jelled FASTER than DL imagined, what moves are really considered ‘mistakes’ in the grand scheme of things?
How long are some going to crucify the guy for the ‘bodies’ that he picked up – during a rebuilding project – to occupy useless roster spots in order to meet the salary cap floor?
As for the horrific moves DL has made for guys on the ‘decline’ of their career… Ryan Smith, Justin Williams, Matt Greene, Rob Scuderi, Zeus, and Stoll, – all guys just about ready for the glue factory, right?
…And some just can’t see their way past Cloutier, Calder, Preissing, Gauthier, et al.
A few facts for the Conspiracy Theorists:
-As of October 2009, Kings are tied for 2nd youngest team in the NHL at 26.1 years old.
-As of today, Kings have the 5th most points in the NHL.
-DL’s first round picks Hickey, Schenn, Teubert have not reached NHL yet. Bernier and Lewis have only been up only for cup of coffee. (So we could get younger still)
-Kings own 6 picks in first 3 rounds of upcoming draft.
-With 5 more points this season, the Kings will have eclipsed their previous season’s total for the 3rd consecutive season.
Seriously, what’s the problem w/ DL? Instead of worrying about him wrecking a team he put together (oxymoron), you should be sending him thank you cards.
[Reply]
STOP SECOND GUESSING!!Let’s take it one game at a time and pray the core stays together. Also, some teams have one or two hotshots with big numbers but the rest of the team are just ancillary players. We’ve been lucky seeing goals from lots of the guys!!!Send the duckys quacking in despair.
[Reply]
Tim, you forgot to mention the 6 televised games a year….some of which were broadcast at 12:30 a.m.
[Reply]
Sample platter with a cold beer..
1st, Red Wings.. Next, Duck Wings
–and don’t be none-too afraid to git-u-sum O’ dat gristle:)
[Reply]
Tim O,
I remember those days! Roy Story and his husky “shhhhooooting.” The first playoff game I went to was against Toronto in 1975 and all I remember about the game was Tiger Williams (with Toronto then) ran Rogie Vachon and while he was in the penalty box, he and our enforcer Dave Hutchison started swinging their sticks at each other like a sword fight. I couldn’t believe it—one guy in the box and the other on the ice having a sword fight with their sticks! Haha those were the good ol days…
I started collecting the pocket schedules in the 74/75 season and have every one since then. I pinned each schedule to my cork board and recorded either a win, loss, or tie, and the final score (sometimes.) Also, I remember that out of an 80 game schedule, we were lucky to get TWO televised games. And we would always lose those, like to Montreal 9-0. That year, we went 42-17-21 for 105 points and still came in second behind the Canadiens.
Yeah, I remember most nights about half of the 16,005 seats at the Forum were empty. We used to buy $5 student tickets in the colonnade, then move down to the empty loge seats after the first period.
Anyway, it’s been a long and winding journey and I think I’ve lost 10-15 years off my life expectancy along the way. When we win the cup it will all have been worth it though. Glad to have another old timer around here! Go Kings!
[Reply]
Hey 501, I truly feel like an old fart but go back even further to Jiggs McDonald calling games with Eddie the Jet Joyal, Cowboy Flett, Frenchy Lemieux, Sawchuck, etc. Just a couple of minor corrections: Roy Story was known for growling “SHOT ON GOAL” with the fixings of a Hoffy hot dog dripping down his face. And student tickets at the Forum in the early-mid ’70s were $1.75. The place was half Canadian transplants and half kids sneaking down into the lodge. We went to almost every game and spent less than $100 the whole season. The energy and excitement of our current young team reminds me of Butch Goring, Tommy Williams, Donny Kozak, etc. in front of Rogie — except without the yellow. This team is for real as are DL and TM. Hockey in LA is fun again!!!
[Reply]
I’ll submit we haven’t overpaid for Handzus considering what he’s bringing every night….
[Reply]
@JamesB: It’s here: http://tinyurl.com/ybktagz
Quisp’s comment is #24. Barry now has a response up that only really makes sense if you think that DL is going to shake up this team in the off-season, and I don’t see that happening. Well, of course Barry is going to think this way because baseless speculation is part of his gig there. Without it, he has no readers. The likely truth — that DL may tinker with this team but he’ll pick his spots very carefully because he knows it hasn’t peaked yet — is too boring for a rumormonger like him to tolerate.
My point is that the scenario that Barry describes — Moller + a D for Cheechoo — makes no sense given what we’ve seen from DL as Kings GM, and yet we had some nitwit passing it off as gospel in this thread like he was the big man who knew something no one else knew.
There’s a reason that Rich doesn’t retail in trade speculation like this: He values his credibility.
[Reply]
@ Choralone: I didn’t meant to suggest that I don’t think Handzus is valuable. Clearly, he’s a key component and I wouldn’t want to do without him at this point.
But DL did sign him on the assumption that he would revert to form as a top 6 scoring forward, and paid accordingly. Quisp has remarked that the Kings basically have 2 3rd-line centers in Stoll and Handzus and are paying more for them than teams generally play for players in that role.
I guess what I’d say is that when Handzus’ contract is up, I would be surprised if DL would be willing to re-up him at significantly more than what he’s making now.
[Reply]
I’ve been a fan since the Jigs McDonald area with Eddie the Jet Joyle, Bill Cowboy Flett, Ross Lonsberry, Bill White (even got a collector card).
Anyone remember Wayne Rutledge? Worst goalie we ever had, but had the best game of any goal tender I’ve ever seen against the St. Louis Blues with the Red Baron line. I forget the shot total, something insane over 60 shots. Love to see a replay of that game, crazy goal tending using the old stand-up style.
Man I hated the Blues in those days, but learned to hate the Flyers worse when we didn’t win a game against them for 8 years. Broad Street Bully days. I remember the night we brought the course, in Philly. You’d of think we won the cup I was so excited.
[Reply]
brought the course … should read broke the curse
[Reply]
Now if the trade for Cheechoo would be for Purcell and Jones, I think many of us would be offering to drive those two to the airport.
[Reply]
Simmonds, Doughty and Smyth are the jewels that DL has acquired with the 3 horrible seasons. The rest of the high quality stuff comes from the much maligned Dave Taylor, even the farm team. I really like Murray, good move. Lombardi is doing a credible job, his best moves, (except for Smyth), in the trade market are the ones he hasn’t made.
If for no other reason the Doughty draft will make Dean a genius in a lot of minds for years and years. Go Dewey!
[Reply]
Buster…
I have the day off today.
I’ll drive!!!
[Reply]
What happened to Helene?
[Reply]
Matthew Barry has been wrong more than the Obama administration.
I’m just glad he’s not our GM.
The Kings are playing great, and unles there’s an add you can make without sending someone from the current locker room I wouldn’t touch it. The boys were supposed to be struggling for the 8 spot this year and they’ve done more than that already. This means they’re actually ahead of schedule. Summer free agents and added cap space will only help DL’s cause more.
I hope he brings back fro an maybe a Marleau in free agency..after that you get one of the young kids in on defense and replace Jones or OD if he retires.
[Reply]
I heard DL offered Frolov, Purcell, and a 2nd round pick for Kovi. ATL wanted JJ. Now I have mix feelings about Frolov normally I would agree to trade him but then all of a sudden he is playing well again.
[Reply]
Dan H. “Matthew Barry has been wrong more than the Obama administration.”
Don’t you mean the BUSH administration? Oh wait, the Clinton admin.? No, the other Bush? Oh, wait you must mean Reagan. No? Carter then?
Hockey+Politics=Stupid
[Reply]
Pick one Waves…I don’t really care which on you pick.
[Reply]
Did you have a comment on the actual meat of my text or did you want to banter politics?
[Reply]
The winning streak is great and we are in terrific position right now but let’s not overpraise Lombardi shall we? Three straight dismal years, the Cloutier contract, Marc Crawford, verdict still out on Williams being healthy, letting Stuart get away, a seething Bernier down in the minors, Frolov’s uninspired play and contract looming, are reasons to give pause.
Don’t get me wrong: if we make the playoffs and win a series, All Hail Dean, but so far we are Year 4 in a rebuilding effort and I think we should have some proper prospective. We haven’t won ANYTHING yet, not one playoff game. Once we do that, then praise can be bestowed.
GO KINGS GO.
[Reply]
Carol -
you mean the same Stuart that was a minus 4 in the Kings comeback win on Saturday?
and the same Frolov that scored the first goal of the comeback by driving to the net?
I will agree that we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves as we haven’t won anything yet, but let’s not be overly negative either…as of today, DL’s “wins” definitely outweigh his “losses”.
[Reply]
Carol: I agree.
As much as I think Kovi would be great in a Kings uniform, offering anything for him would be too much if he doesn’t sign a long term contract with us.
[Reply]
@ViperHockey
They were down 1 with 1:30 to play.
[Reply]
Honestly, whether we win a playoff series or not (or even a single game), this is the most fun I’ve ever had being a Kings fan. Even more than the ’01 playoff run, just because of the potential of this team. Even if we go in the tank and don’t even make the playoffs, they can’t take the last four months away. Thanks for that, Lombardi!
[Reply]
“or did you want to banter politics?”
I think I made it about as clear as humanly possible I do NOT want to banter politics.
As for the hockey part of the comment. We are missing two or three pieces imo. When/how we get them is something I don’t feel strong about either way. I’m good with standing pat with what the Kings have for the remainder of this season, but I’m not opposed to a good deal either.
I certainly wouldn’t be sad to see a few players leave, but of course those aren’t the only players that would leave in a trade. Gotta give something to get something. I’m realistic enough to know that any significant trade before the deadline is going to sting at least a little.
I’m as torn about Fro as always. But at this point, I’m actually very confident it will work out for the best either way. In other words, I think DL already knows what he’s going to try to do with him.
I don’t think Marleau is the answer but that’s just my impression of him. The more badass we get, the better. I want mean tough sob’s.
But regardless of who we get, my first prerequisite is that the player wants to play here. Wants to be a King. Wants to be a part of this organization and community.
[Reply]
For those people looking for TSN to give Kings “respect” — the TSN Power Rankings are based on a mathematical formula generated strictly from the statistical production of each player on the team, it’s not like there is a person picking the order of the teams based on who they like more. You may not agree with the formula being used, but it just takes the stats and spits out results. The formula doesn’t care where the team is located or any other random criteria.
[Reply]
Carol I’ll be the first one to admit that DL’s record isn’t pristine. Along with what you brought up you can throw in McCauley and Bure.
Frolov’s been nothing short of a stud lately. Yeah the goals aren’t going in but the puck posession time and the goals from his line have a lot to do with him.
Do you have any proof that Bernier is “seething”? and So what if he is? Quick has proven to be a solid netminder and is on his way to being the winningest goalie on the Kings EVER for one year (hopefully he’ll get enough wins to make it in regulation so the * won’t even be there).
Also Williams for Patty O seems to be a steal. This injury has nothing to do with the previous one an was dumb luck. I was one that didn’t want O’Sullivan traded but you have to look at numbers. Even with the injury Williams has only 2 less goals and is +29 over O’Sullivan who is a whopping -26.
[Reply]
Man carol always has to be a killJoy, Do you really think most people here are that dumb? Well all know there is a long way to go, and what needs to happen. And please untit you run a NHL team dont talk about how we let this or that get away. You ever stop to think that maybe Stuart just wasnt working here? And has found his place with the wings? I bet you force people to like you dont you?
[Reply]
Top Shelf,
No, the Stuart that helped lead the Wings to the finals. THAT Stuart.
And I was speaking of the sleepwalking Frolov who has 13 goals in 57 games and has had an off year. The only benefit of such is that he is in a contract year.
All I’m saying is that when Dean was hired, if you said to the casual fan: Would you be happy if in four years, the Kings had yet to win a playoff game, most people would have said, No!
So let’s win a game before we bestow all this praise.
[Reply]
Carol-
Frolov is playing great this year, maybe he is not scoring as much as he has in the past, but we have balanced scoring so who really cares. He plays great with Zeus, another questionable acquit ion to some (he is responsible for much of our improvement over the past 2 years). Lombardi has done a great job, yeah no one is perfect, but let’s give credit where its do… I’ve been a Kings fan since 1967, so I’ve seen a lot of bad moves….
Stick with the path Dean…..
[Reply]
Dan H,
Edmonton is the worst team in the league so of course Sully is going to have a negative plus minus. Williams is injury prone and who knows what he will give us. I personally think Sully would have thrived on THIS King’s team. (A healthy Williams is a different story — but the guy has not been healthy!)
And by the way, what’s your excuse for Johnson’s -16? on a team that is doing as well as the Kings? (Check out all the other King defensemen!)
As for Frolov being a stud: I don’t see it. He has raised his level of play of late but the problem I have is the same one I’ve always had with him: he doesn’t play HARD, coasts through many stretches, and basically does not get everything out of his potential (as opposed to say a Zeus or Simmonds). He is also minus 6 by the way…
[Reply]
Hi Rich
I have a question for you I heard that the kings players that are on their respective olympic teams are chartering a plane to leave after thur game vs edmonton and flying back on fri eve after the opening ceremonies so they may walk in the parade is that true and if so are the kings allowing this
[Reply]
hey rich,
it appears the Islanders wont make the playoffs this year… why not send them a late draft pick and grab Moulson for the playoffs?? After leaving the Kings the kid has lit the lamp plenty of times and has played with everyone on the team…
just a thought.
[Reply]
LOL yelling now eh carol? Maybe your a closet wings fan? Im sure you were one of the people down on Zeus to? And serious all i can say is i wish fro would shoot more, But he is in the grind game after game making it work down low. Sure he has lazy russian syndrom but so do all the good russian player. Anyways stop crying already.
[Reply]
Carol, first you started with ‘win a playoff series’ then you followed with ‘win a playoff game.’ Which is it?
I think the real question is, if after 4 years, would you be happy if the Kings hadn’t yet “made it to the playoffs” the answer would definitely be NO.
My take before the season began was a very resolute, “playoffs or bust” for DL. If I was the owner, I’d be thinking, “we get to the playoffs this year or I fire Lombardi.”
Granted, this doesn’t mean I’d blow up the team, it just means that DL’s time would have run out.
BUT, this is all for not. The Kings ARE going to make the playoffs this year so essentially, all is forgiven… for now.
It’s fair to lambaste DL when times are tough, but I don’t think its right to do it currently. Rather than look for ways to not give credit, find ways to give it.
Look at it this way. Ride the wave.
Thinking about the killer wave you fell on or missed isn’t going to bring it back. Think about the wave you are on. Ride it and enjoy every single second.
[Reply]
It still cracks me up how people are condemning Lombardi for getting acquisitions like Cloutier or Crawford, etc.
How about a little realism?
Lombardi was in a re-building phase, starting from scratch and basically was buying time; knowing the team wasn’t really going to compete for at least three years, he still needed to plug in spots and pick acquisitions that fit the spot and stay within a specified budget. I mean really, is Cloutier the prototypical Lombardi player? Lombardi always builds his teams from the draft. Which goalies did the Kings have at the time that were either considered #1 or ready for the majors? The fact that the Kings now have Quick, Bernier, Zatkoff speaks volumes about how Lombardi believes in home-grown products.
Lombardi still had to ice a team; get people to buy into the long-term plan and attempt to retain season ticket holders (yeah, it sucks if your a season tix holder cause you’re shelling out big bucks for a crappy team, but that’s the reality). The first couple of years of a true rebuilding phase are always going to be the toughest.
And yes, mad props to Lombardi for being ahead of schedule!
[Reply]
Dan H… We’d all be better off if we left politics out of this stuff. Even if FOX News and MSNBC have you convinced that one team in the sport they are selling (politics) is better than the other. It’s BS. They both SUCK! Go Kings!
[Reply]
Hmmm eveyone must be writing novels lol
[Reply]
dMan, while I certainly agree with the thrust of what you’re saying, I don’t think DL is “ahead of schedule.” AND I think he’d admit that off the record. Everything that’s happening now, I believe, could have happened last year. But C’est la vie, such is life. What’s done is done and as I said in my previous comment, time to enjoy now.
[Reply]
Waves I think playoffs or bust isn’t wrong but I don’t think anyone could have realistically thought we’d be looking at a 4th place Kings team come the Olympic break or that they’d be 5th overall in the NHL at this time. That’s all I meant by ahead of schedule.
And I apologize for the politics remark earlier. It was just meant as a joke and not a commentary. I haven’t been to LGK for ages because of Matthew Barry and his band of Kings haters disguised as fans making ludicrous trades that are “already done deals”.
[Reply]
I’m thrilled we are on this winning streak. That Minny game was key!
I’m not being negative either. Look up “thrilled.”
I’m just saying we are in a huge market, our GM is in Year 4 of a rebuilding plan, and we have yet to play a playoff game. After we play one and win (and hopefully a series or two), then ALL HAIL DEAN!
Until then, I think it is rationale to bestow praise to TM, who has created a never-say-die attitude and who showed great courage in scratching Frolov when he was not giving an effort, and who makes mid-game adjustments that are not getting the credit they deserve.
[Reply]
Hey guys chill a little.
Carol is not condemning Lombardi. Just saying we haven’t reached any goal yet.
What’s the purpose of this website? Just so that we all agree on every little possible thing about the Kings?
Some of us would give DL an A+
while others give him an A- or B+.
Either way we’re going in the right direction.
[Reply]
I also go back to the days of Jigs calling games with the number one line of Joyal, Flett, and Frenchy Lemieux. The energy surrounding this current team reminds me of the years with Butch Goring, Donny Kozak, Tommy Williams, Neal Komadosky, etc. playing in front of Rogie. I also hated the Flyers — which is why I have a particularly fond memory of the night Danny Maloney bloodied Andre Dupont at the Forum. Two minor corrections to 501: Roy Story was known for growling “SHOT ON GOAL” with a combination of sweat and the fixings from a Hoffy hot dog dripping down his face. And student tickets in the early-mid ’70s were $1.75. The place was usually half Canadian transplants and half kids sneaking down into the lodge. We went to most games and spent less than $100 for the entire season. In any event, this current team is for real, as are DL and TM. Hockey in L.A. is fun again!!
[Reply]
Well Carol, we ARE going to make the playoffs, so you can hail DL right now, February 8th 2010! You don’t have to wait any longer! Feels good, doesn’t it?! Hey everyone, Carol’s happy with DL! She’s hailing his name from the rooftop! Carol + Dean! Yeahhhhh!
(Sorry, couldn’t help myself)
—————————-
dMan said: “ahead of schedule”
Dan H. said: “That’s all I meant by ahead of schedule.”
Dan H./dMan… guess you blew your cover? Using 2 names eh? Boooooooo.
[Reply]
Impressed I don’t think there are too many fanboi’s in here and most have expressed both sides of this argument. DL has done a great job of late after some stinkers early on, so I think his stock has risen among the faithful.
We have a lot of young kids that can most likely develop into NHL players to plug into holes that may be vacated by some elder statesmen or people that get lost to free agency. For that alone, the organization has to be applauded because it’s been decades since there was any talent so to speak in the minors working it’s way up.
[Reply]
Why do people keep saying the Devils have lost both games since Kovalchuk joined the team? They won the first game 4-3 on Friday and he had two points in the win.
[Reply]
Waves, I’m not the dman…look at the original post that I put up there that you took exception to my first line in. I mention ahead of schedule in there and that’s what I was talking about. No reason to double post on a board like this unless you’re Anthony.
[Reply]
Ahhh, my bad Dan. Sorry for the confusion.
…anthony is certainly not the only one…
[Reply]
jet -
The Rockets are already sitting in 6th place in the Western Conference. They’ll make the playoffs for sure. Wudrick has helped us out quite a bit since coming back from injury. The other night he scored two goals plus the shootout winner. He’s playing great right now…
[Reply]
Carol, are you just trying to piss people off, or what? I can’t believe anyone in their right mind would be so negative on this team?
[Reply]
Waves, I respectfully disagree with your comment that all of this could have happened last year. You mean the same last year that saw Doughty and Simmonds as Rookies? Both of them are integral parts to the success and neither one of them could have produced last year offensively what they have done this year. Two off seasons ago I don’t think DL would have been able to pick up a Scuds or get Smyth to waive his no trade. I just don’t see that happening. I do think we are on schedule if not a little ahead of but certainly not behind.
[Reply]
Measuring the Kovalchuk deal/non-deal by how NJ has done in the two games since they have had him is like going to Fresno and concluding California is ugly – perhaps we should wait for the bigger picture to unfold before passing judgment.
[Reply]
W00t ken is here! Atleast i wont be the only one harping on Carol.
[Reply]
Did anyone happen to catch the real game yesterday? The Caps – Penguins game in my opinion was far better than the Super Bowl.
Watching that game, I couldn’t help but think that the Kings are so much closer to cup contenders than I ever thought they were. As hot as Washington is, the Kings just seem to have better overall balance to their game.
[Reply]
EA, yeah I wasn’t very clear. I agree with your player assessments for sure. All I meant was I think we could have made the playoffs last year, and reasonably so. Definitely didn’t expect us to do this good last year, let alone this year! (meaning breaking possibly 3 records at last count). Very impressive and in that sense, I suppose ahead of schedule. But just purely looking at the DL regime, playoffs should have been a realistic possibility last year and will a couple of different moves, it probably would have happened (and Schenn would be a leaf).
[Reply]
ya was a crazy game Ovie just is on another lvl then most. And i love seeing crosby eat crow, i was waiting for him to cry again about Hats on the ice to the ref lol. On another note Ive heard that Ovie and Malkin dont like each other? Is that true
[Reply]
The Kings were clearly behind schedule last year. I’m pretty sure Lombardi would admit it. Cloutier and Crawford were horrible. Most of the rest of what DL has done has worked out at least okay, if not great. If anything, he sold our yesterday for tomorrow more aggressively than he intended to (missing the playoffs in his early years.) Fortunately, tomorrow is months away, not years, so I don’t see any reason to come down on DL for it now. Last year, I was pretty bummed.
I guess that splits the positive and negative views pretty fairly, given the fact that we’re going to be pretty happy with this team for a pretty long time (I don’t think I’m going out on a limb here.)
[Reply]
WTFK, you summed up my thoughts exactly.
[Reply]
Waves, I was thinking the same about your comments.
[Reply]
@ Carol Vadnais
Regarding Brad Stuart ‘getting away’…
This is the same guy that some SJ / PHI conspiracy theorists lambasted Lombardi for picking up in the first place.
Stuart signed a ONE YEAR $3.5 mm deal with the Kings as an unrestricted free agent – because he could not find an acceptable long term deal with another team.
DL then traded Stuart as a RENTAL at the deadline to Detroit in exchange for two draft picks.
Stuart wins a Cup — great for him! Stuart then signs 4 year $15 mm deal with Detroit — again, really great for him.
Kings turn those two draft picks – via subsequent trades – into Brad Richardson (who has been seen recently skating on the first line) and goalie named JF Berube — good for the Kings?
If Stuart really wanted to play for the Kings, he could have resigned here after winning the cup, right?
3 winners in this situation:
-Stuart got a Cup and generous 4 year deal.
-Detroit won another Cup.
-Kings got young assets to assist the rebuild.
[Reply]
You can have all the balance in the world, Joel… me? I’ll take Ovie and that whole game-breaker mentality. I love the balance the Caps have, and although it still remains to be seen whether Neuvirth/Varlamov/Theodore can handle the run through the playoffs, I think the whole firewagon brand of hockey is the most exciting and high risk/high reward style of play.
I also agree with the idea that Lombardi is smart enough not to show his hand on something as critical as naming names in failed deals.
And, finally, Matthew Barry has been a friend of mine for the better part of the 21st century, and I love him and trust, respect and value our friendship. That being said, I think he knows the difference between hockey knowledge, and hockey speculation. His is a business of speculation and casting a wide net. I would take anything he says with a grain of salt. The man has carved a niche for himself in the blogging community, but I dare say it would be a cold day in hell that I would take his commentary to the bank. That being said, he’s certainly entertaining to some, and preposterous to others. Me? I’m just glad he’s a friend.
[Reply]
I don’t think that anybody should be traded right now. Our team is the best it has been for as long as I have been a kings fan, (about 8 years now). We tried those rental trades before. Nobody can forget what a great season JR had. Even JR admits to sucking it big when he was hear.
Stick with the plan because it is working and beginning to pay off big time.
[Reply]
Sounds like the Kings and Canes agreed to a trade for Ray Whitney, and LA even offered him a one year extension. According to NHL LIVE his first choice is to go to Pittsburgh, unless the Kings give him a two year extension.
I think we need a veteran d-man and a a 2nd line or third line forward.
Sutton from NYI? Umberger from Columbus?
[Reply]
This vid is awesome -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsA4tTXgNuU&feature=player_embedded
[Reply]
wow, step away for a few minutes and come back to a bunch of interesting posts.
First off, I’m not Dan H. – not going to complicate my life by posting under pseudonyms – some people may resort to that – not my style.
waves, gotta disagree that this year’s team could have been last year’s team – not sure how you come up with that assertion. Last year was Quick’s rookie year, Kopitar and Simmonds were not the beasts they’ve become. Richardson and Williams still recovering from injuries (Williams unfortunately, due to his rough and tumble style of play has yet to play a full year with this team), Smyth and Scuderi were great acquisitions during the off-season. Frolov IMO has finally discovered his role and responsibilities. Defense-first mentality took a full year to adjust to. Night and day IMO.
[Reply]
“Nobody is smarter than anybody else, when it comes to building teams.” Are you kidding, TM? It’s called scouting. The Kings have done well as of late, but once upon many a time, their scouting was one step up from an 8-year-old pointing at which player looked cool.
[Reply]
Jet, re Geordie -
Yeah, I saw that. He’s having a weird year, starting with missing training camp for an appendectomy, then getting off to a bumpy start in Swift Current, getting traded to Kelowna, and now he’s finally putting it together. Hopefully he finishes strong and shows up to camp 6’4″ 220.
everyone, re Matt Berry -
My experience of his blog is, aside from the insane Philly trolls who have it in for him, entirely positive. I don’t see much in the comparison of him to Eklund, who is obviously a joke. There are lots of people who just make things up, but then there are people who report trade rumors from actual sources, and since Matt has actual access to folks (e.g. Lombardi) and wishes to keep it, I think it’s safe to assume he’s not going to risk that relationship by publishing rumors he pulls out of his ***. None of that changes the facts on the ground, namely that a very low percentage of legitimate rumors from actual inside sources turn out to be true. There’s just too much static, white noise, whatever you want to call it. As Rich as pointed out, so many things are discussed (and therefore can legitimately be called “GMs are talking about x”) that it’s pointless to pick out any one and obsess over it. I guess what I’m trying to say is, most rumors are by their very nature full of ****, but MB does an honest job of reporting them.
I mean, really, if you just take the word rumor out and put b.s. in, it’s all so much clearer, and no less fun.
[Reply]
54FIGHTING/@ViperHockey:
Maple Leafs 3 at Devils 4
First Period
1. New Jersey, Zubrus 4 (Kovalchuk, Langenbrunner) 13:20
Second Period
2. Toronto, Kaberle 6 (Kessel, Bozak) 3:39 (pp)
3. Toronto, Stempniak 14, 10:23 (pp)
4. Toronto, Wallin 1 (Kessel) 16:09
Third Period
5. New Jersey, McAmmond 6 (Zharkov, Mottau) 16:56
6. New Jersey, Zajac 17 (McAmmond, Kovalchuk) 19:16 (pp)
7. New Jersey, Pandolfo 4 (Mottau, Langenbrunner) 19:41
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516531#&navid=nhl-search
[Reply]
Marc,
I obviously won’t disagree with you on that point. I just believe the Kings’ style has served them when the goals aren’t going in. They are balanced on the defensive end and on the offensive end. Overall the Caps are a better team, but the Kings’ balance gives them a fighting chance against everyone, even on their off days. The Caps can’t afford not to score, because they looked average to me in their own zone.
[Reply]
My bad on the sock puppet accusation dMan. Sorry about that.
As for the other, EA said basically the same thing as you. And I agree. Didn’t come out like I intended. My response was here…
http://lakingsinsider.com/?p=3969#comment-52949
[Reply]
“Nobody is smarter than anybody else, when it comes to building teams.” Are you kidding, TM? It’s called scouting. The Kings have done well as of late, but once upon many a time, their scouting was one step up from an 8-year-old pointing at which player looked cool.”
I’d like to ask you to substantiate your claim with actual details, because I suspect you have no clue what you’re talking about.
[Reply]
Two key points:
1) I love the Kings as much as anyone, follow them as much as anyone, have spoken with Dean at length this summer and am an admirer of his; and
2) I’m a guy whose favorite player when I was a kid was Vadnais on the Golden Seals;
By the way:
The Caps-Pens game was one of the greatest hockey games I’ve seen this year or years past. Ovi was sensational. Malkin was huge. Just a great game.
Not trying to piss everyone off. Just trying to add a little perspective. 9 games ago we were heading towards 10th place. If we had failed to make the playoffs, Lombardi would have been fired. Now he is hailed as a savior. I see him somewhere in between, until we see how the team does.
We don’t know if:
1) The strategy of letting Quick in his first full year play 70-90 games is a good one; or
2) Whether in a tight checking series against Vancouver or some team like that, we can prevail; or
3) How we will even finish the year; or
4) if we will even win one playoff game.
At the end of the year, if we are in the playoffs and win some games, I’ll be thrilled. If we win a series, even more thrilled.
–
Let’s hope Whitney comes over. We need a striker so to speak and he fills the build, plus who on our team has been there and done that like Whitney? We have very little playoff experience. He would be valuable.
Just my 2 cents.
[Reply]
Carol,
As soon as you Said “3 dismal years” your opinion became worthless. Haha.
Why would you expect those years to be great in the beginning of a rebuilding process?
Have you not paid attention to anything DL has said and Rich has reported to us directly from him?
Really?
Go search the archives for the interviews with him and rethink your opinion. If you still feel the same way please express it in an educated manner because to blindly say that shows you have spent no time at all researching the subject.
[Reply]
WTFK – that is the most polite way I have ever heard someone say “B.S.” in my entire life. Well done.
Belexes – great video.
Kings are going to crush the Quacks tonight. Lots at stake. If you can’t get up for this game tonight, then you need to be checked for signs of life. Sustain our win streak, end the Quack’s home win streak, secure the season series against Ana-lame, the all important 2 points, and then just the pure fun that is to be had when Ducks fans are watching their team get their arses handed to them.
GO KINGS!!!
[Reply]
O Carol its ok i hear the ducks need fans
[Reply]
it would be silly and dangerous to move any roster players at this point…
if d.l. can add without subtracting from the locker room, you know he will jump at the opportunity to do so…
of course, i want to see us go undefeated the rest of the season, but the reality is that if and when the streak ends, the team’s response to that “exhaling” moment will be the next test to this emerging squad…
the character of this team has never been more apparent and palatable during the streak…but still needs to fully emerge…when the kings responded to getting the wind knock out of them like they had vs. the wings by coming back to win, you felt a surge of direction at staples – playoffs or bust…
right now, there’s no reason to pop any balloons…meaning: there’s no reason to celebrate yet…yet, there’s no reason to change a thing either…
[Reply]
My feeling about trade rumors is that as long as long as you acknowledge most of them for what they are — thought experiments and people thinking aloud — that’s cool. Nobody gets overheated about something that is supposedly going to happen but wouldn’t really.
It’s when people start talking about rumors as certainties, or even likelihoods, that I get pissed off. At that point, it’s just about people trying to draw attention to themselves, and there always seem to be enough people within earshot who are trusting, or dumb, or bored enough to take them as truth. And once a falsehood is taken as truth by enough people, it’s hard to restore a proper sense of what’s true and what’s not.
I guess it’s harmless enough when it’s just talk about sports. But it’s still annoying as crap, and when this kind of thinking happens in the wider world, it can cause a lot of harm.
[Reply]
tantrum4:
I watched Kovi’s first Devils game, and was shocked NJ came from behind to beat TOR. Knowing BB, I doubt the Monster ever plays an important game again in TOR, because he singlehandedly gave NJ the win. To call him ‘stiff’ is a compliment.
It’s not that the Devils played very well in Kovi’s debut. I understand how people could think the Devils lost both games.
[Reply]
TSN..loving the kings???
This was linked to their NHL page, albeit it is from the The Hockey News but wow …GO KINGS!
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/31403-Power-Rankings-Bolt-of-inspiration.html
[Reply]
And I don’t know if my earlier comments were supposed to be part of the debate over whether DL has done a good or bad job in LA, but for the record, I’ll say that I’ve been a fan of his almost from the moment he came here. I’ve been following the Kings for almost 40 years, and I can’t recall another GM of this team who has had a more logical or sensible philosophy of how to build a sports team that is successful over the long term.
I’ll admit that he didn’t do very well in picking “bridge” veterans early on; Handzus and OD are really the only ones who worked out. In retrospect, I’m not sure why it looked like a good idea to have Marc Crawford coach a young, rebuilding team. But DL’s passion is clearly scouting and developing young players, and I don’t see how you can fault what he’s done so far at all. If you’re going to be successful over a long period of time, you need someone who knows how to renew your talent pool from time to time.
For those of you who don’t get it, I mean, WTH? You want to go back to the days when the Kings were trading 1st rounders for Jerry Korab and Ron Grahame? DL is the very opposite of one of the big reasons why this franchise has been a laughing stock for so many years.
[Reply]
kingsxstevenxkings:
Great link!
Kool-Aid!
Kings have beaten great teams (SJ,DET,PGH,WSH,PHX, etc.) and are hottter than a pistol, but second in the league is an overshoot, at least right now.
I say, Kings fourth, Phoenix fifth…
I think the current rankings are positioning VAN & OTT to be fourth and fifth as soon as the Kings and Phoenix lose a game.
[Reply]
Carol: Keep stoking the flames. I don’t agree with everything you say, but your huge desire for this team to do better than it has done – and to do it sooner rather than later – is both obvious and appreciated.
[Reply]
CBS sports has got us at 3rd behind the Caps and Sharks as well..can’t complain much about that. Really any top 5 ranking is great for a team from last years bottom 5.
[Reply]
P.S. ESPN puts us at 4th behind Chicago as well
[Reply]
I miss Dave Taylor as GM. The guy had this team going in the right direction!
If Adam Deadmarsh didn’t have a fluke career ending injury…If the Ducks didn’t rip out Palffy’s shoulder on a BS play (I was at anaheim in the first row that game I saw it) and if Andy Sutton didn’t decide to stick out his leg and basically end Jason Allison’s career…Who knows where this team would have gone! I do know that we were a playoff team back then! And we were getting better! (Before the aforementioned injuries) And Taylor didn’t hesitate to make trades at the deadline/Sign big money contracts!
But I have been patient since DL took over. I might have to be patient even longer. And longer…And longer…but hopefully he knows what he is doing. The Kings will soon have a “window” like many teams do, and then we will see what DL is really made of. San Jose is still decent long after he left…However…Speaking of playoffs again…
[Reply]
Wait a min!!! Carol is a guy!!
[Reply]
Hey guys, now that our chances of getting Kovulchuk and Souray are dead what are our chances now, of landing players like these…
Whitney
Briere
Lecalvier
Brindamour
And is there any chance of us inking a goalie to back-up the Quickster incase he falls? ‘Cause I can totally picture Biron, Lehtonen, or Turco in a Kings jersey.
[Reply]
Gary Livingston,
Dean admitted he was behind schedule. You don’t get hired and then finish in the bottom run of the league the first three years and have your fans anything but angry. Season ticket sales dropped enormously this summer.
Variable,
great post!
Rick,
Thanks. Of COURSE I want them to win. But I’ve been following them for so long, been dying with them for so long, that I’m not going to get sucked into all the celebration and praise UNTIL they actually DO something.
As I said to my son recently when he asked me what would make me happy: “You graduating college someday with a degree in something you are excited to use and my watching the Kings lif the Stanley Cup.”
[Reply]
Belexes, thanks for the link to the video. I still cringe seeing the hit Moller took, especially the way he hit the boards. I am amazed that he just bounced right up. He has to be made of rubber. As for DD’s hipcheck on Ryan, what a great hockey play. Perfect check (whether it was payback of not) and most importantly, he never takes himself out of the play. I can’t decide if I am more impressed with the check itself, or the way DD immediately went at Getzlaf right after the check.
[Reply]
I don’t live in a world of ‘IFS’.
This has nothing to do with this post but you can see Quicks Olympic Mask here:
http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=516778&navid=DL|LAK|home
I have to say that going with the military theme rocks (yes, I’m in the military).
[Reply]
Hey Rich,
What do you think of the idea of DL bringing Alexei Ponikarovsky over from the Leafs?
Would that be a good fit?
[Reply]
Planning for the team – very successful
System – totally working
But I think there are still some area Kings have to be improved. Allowing 3 goals against RW is good enough? … don’t think so. I say we need a solid veteran D-man who can play 60 full minutes. I’m sorry but I have to point out that OD is worse than a goal post. I mean he has been using his body, stick, skate to deflect the puck to the own goal over and over. Only he hasn’t used is his head (don’t get me wrong I meant lirerally his head not his brain). I know he is a hockey smart guy and understanding the game very well but let’s face it he can only play half a game. He was terrible … just standing like an obstacle in front of Quick or totally lost in the middle of ice (look at Zetterberg’s 2nd goal. He was standing like an oaf in the middle of the ice, leaving huge opening so Zetterberg could approach the goal freely) or stick to stick pass to the opponent player (he actually did it once in 1st period on RW game which is good). Honestly, I have been very uncomfortable whenever OD was on the ice even throuout this streak. So I really hope DL can make a good trade for a steady veteran D-man.
[Reply]
“WTFK – that is the most polite way I have ever heard someone say ‘B.S. in my entire life. Well done.”
Thanks! I hear a lot of BS on here, and it’s exactly my intent to call BS without being rude.
[Reply]
WTFK – I wish I was able to come up with stuff like that on the fly. I am always the one who thinks of things way after the moment passes. Just not that quick on my feet verbally, I guess.
[Reply]
Well, unfortunately, I’ve given Hammer some work, from time to time, because I’ve been more spirited than smooth, but I try to address the BS or hyperbole when I see it—I think it’s important. Thanks again!
[Reply]
>pr0cess says:
February 8, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Wait a min!!! Carol is a guy!!
I gotta echo that……..Carol is a guy?? Who knew??
[Reply]
Kyle Clifford gets the KO -
http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/92388
Kings have great hope for the future!
[Reply]
Instead of all this speculation why don’t we get a chimpanzee to throw darts at a board full of players the team might consider adding to the roster.
[Reply]
WWAMD,
The Cap hit is 3.5 Mil/yr thru 2010-11 season.
Cheechoo is only 29 yrs old, and DL does know what system he fits into, so this could be a good fit. I don’t get to see Ottawa to much so I don’t know if he is just in the wrong system of play. Depending on the D-Man this might be the right fit. As I don’t think it will be someone off our roster as DL has mentioned wanting to add a D-Man.
[Reply]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Vadnais
[Reply]