Here’s the interview I did earlier with Dean Lombardi, regarding his signing of Alexei Ponikarovsky and related issues…
—–
Question: Is Ponikarovsky someone you had your eye on from the beginning, or was this more of a reaction to the way the month has played out?
LOMBARDI: “Well, obviously we all know what happened, spending all those days working on Kovalchuk, so to say that we were looking at him from the beginning, I wouldn’t say that’s very practical.”
Question: But did you think of him as some type of “Plan B,” at least, or did you just start looking at him in recent days?
LOMBARDI: “That’s fair. One of the things that has made this process totally unique is that we spent some much energy, 18 days, on the other guy. Sure, you put down on paper that there were certain other players, but that was one of the frustrating things about that whole process there, not only that it took so long to get done but that we weren’t even close. But certainly it’s safe to say that he was always a viable option all along. It’s just that we couldn’t get to it, even after the contract was done, because then you have the whole nonsense going on with the union there.”
Question: What is it about his game that you like?
LOMBARDI: “Well, I think there’s some similarity to Fro. The size, and he’s a good player. He can kill penalties and he can score. He’s kind of a versatile guy, and I like the fact that we stayed with size in that slot, and size that can play. He’s not just big. We felt that with the Frolov role there, one thing we always liked was the size, and that’s why this guy was a high option. He was a guy we went after hard at the trade deadline. Then when we couldn’t get him, we went to a guy with, I guess, a similar m.o., in Freddy Modin. You can see that the m.o. is the same, but I think that this guy, because he skates so well, was considered Option A at the trade deadline. I’m just glad that we were able to hold on here and start addressing some needs.”
Question: Can you discuss what kind of contact you had with Frolov, and whether there was any mutual interest there?
LOMBARDI: “It was kind of a strange thing. Boy, there are so many things involved there. That’s one of the downsides of putting so much energy into a Kovalchuk-type scenario. It’s not only what time is spent, but it’s neglecting other players. So when we got the go-ahead to look at other things, after Kovalchuk, it’s kind of hard for some players, emotionally. I had talked to Fro, after the dust kind of cleared, but I can understand when a player gets kind of hurt. When you’re talking about a guy with Kovalchuk’s ability, I don’t know how exactly to describe it, but it’s almost like the other player is the stepchild. But in Ponikarovsky, we had a very good option here. He’s an important guy to get, because there weren’t any options out there, quite frankly, who fit that m.o. and have that ability. So it’s a pretty good recovery, in terms of everything we’ve been through.”
Question: Could he potentially fill that spot alongside Handzus and Simmonds, if that ends up being the way you want to play it?
LOMBARDI: “Yeah, that’s probably fair. That’s where Fro was, and I think a lot of the m.o. is the same. Fro is probably a little better with the puck, but Ponikarovsky skates better and is probably more of an adept penalty-killer. They both kind of have some strengths and weaknesses, but I really like the size issue. So like I said, given all that has happened here over the last 25 days, it has certainly been an incredibly grueling, taxing process. So to be able to recover and get a player of this caliber, I think we’re pretty happy.”
Question: Going forward with the Kovalchuk thing, are you still keeping an eye on that? Will you make a trade if it comes along, or are you waiting to see about the resolution on Kovalchuk?
LOMBARDI: “I don’t know how practical that is. That whole circumstance, you see it in a lot of things, not just sports. The issue is a lot bigger, and involves so many other interests. It goes well beyond just the player and his team. I certainly felt, from my end, that we couldn’t wait for that to play out. I think we needed something. We’ve been seriously weighing our options here, and I don’t think the chances of this…well, I shouldn’t comment on it either way.”
Question: Whether it’s that, or something else, do you feel the need to go get another player this summer, maybe that same type of top-six forward, or is that not something you see as an absolute necessity?
LOMBARDI: “I can’t say, but there’s kind of one piece that I’m looking at, that I have in the back of my mind. But in terms of our biggest concern, in terms of our ability to fill that hole, I think this was the main hole that had to be filled, because we don’t have that in the system. So for me, it’s kind of a relief here, to say, `OK, this other thing is over, so let’s move on.’ It still comes back to the continued emergence of our young players. The framework around them has changed. We lost O’Donnell, Jones, Frolov, but I want to make sure that we try to bring back that framework, knowing that we’re not that far away, in terms of some of our kids being ready. When you had the youngest core in the playoffs, by far, by definition it’s going to improve from within. I want to put the framework around them that is similar to last year, and allow them to continue to grow without putting more on their shoulders. I think this was the biggest hole that had to be filled. So like I said, given all we’ve been through, to get a guy like this, I think it’s pretty significant, because we were very exposed.”
I can’t believe the whole Kovi thing was sooooo time consuming that they could consider what they were going to do if they lost? Or how they were going to fill the other holes. Seriously?
[Reply]
threepwood Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
@5thLine,
How many players were signed league-wide in the NHL while the Kovi thing was playing out? How many have signed since? Now, how many of significance?
Unless I’m looking at a different transaction wire, looks to me like they haven’t missed out on much since we lost out on the d-men on day 1…
DL took his best shot on Kovi and lost out to a potentially illegal contract.
By all accounts, Ponikarovsky was the best winger still available, and we got him.
So what’s the problem?
[Reply]
txkingsfan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:37 am
@threepwood, thank you for actually using logic, reason, and facts in your opinion. It is greatly appreciated, especially with the bulk of these posts lately.
[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:43 am
@threepwood,
If this is the best you think we could have done, then you must be ecstatic. Cheers to you…
[Reply]
threepwood Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:37 am
@5thLine,
I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that the off-season was finished — and that is the final roster we are taking to camp.
My mistake.
vicarious Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:24 am
@threepwood,
From the Puck blogs, Frolov was the 2nd best LW available after Kovalchuck. Frolov had been with the kings 7 years, had a King’s tatoo on his butt albeit in Russian, and played solid hockey, sacrificing his game in a contract year for the betterment of the team. Not even to make him an offer shows a complete lack of loyalty by Lombardi (and Lieweke I suppose) which follows on Lombardi’s treatment of Blake and Vishnovsky, both good players who wanted to play for the Kings. You can’t expect loyalty from players when you have none for them, so its pretty stupid IMO not to at least make Fro an offer.
As far as the NHL market goes, teams do not have cap space so its not much of a market.
Fro’s signing was not about the money: the KHL offered Fro 5 million a year tax free and he decided to play in the NHL for a team which apparently plans to play him with Gaborik rather than rookies or 1st year players on the checking line.
The fact that Fro signed for $3 million a year is really disturbing, bc the Kings cld have had him for several years. Of course, this coach prizes the grinders and physicality, which has not won an NHL championship in the last ten years if not longer.
As I among many others pointed, it was sort of stupid to pursue Kovalchuk and why DL wld still be interested in him speaks of delusion, like thinking some pretty girl might come back when she’s already married some other dude. DL wld be better of spending his team resting on the beach doing nothing than pursuing Kovalchuk at this point.
Given the lack of loyalty the Kings have shown recently to their players, my prediction is Johnson plays out his contract and leaves the Kings as soon as he can, with DL and Lieweke wrongly beieving they can field weak teams, treat the loyal warriors badly, but Johnson might stay.
Lieweke and DL’s current handling of the free agent affairs was rife with bad judgment and mistakes. Now the Kings are out Moulson and Frolov, 2 LW players who can play in the league, for some lesser player than Frolov who has to come in and learn a new system and to play with a new set of teammates.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:16 am
@vicarious, Do you really think Frolov was a better fit for the Kings than Poni. Frolov is a very good player, but he will fit the Rags much better than the Kings.
The Kings are no longer a team that can take any player who can play in the league. There is a plan and system in place. The Kings need to find those who will work within our system the best.
Thomas Ponce Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:00 am
@vicarious, Vic is absolutely on the button.
All that cap space will never be utilized. Johnson will absolutely bolt, and DL will spin it like he always does. It won’t be in the teams best interest to retain JJ. He was becoming a problem in the locker room like Cammy. Man, can you already smell that one coming?
mikeyono Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
@vicarious, Don’t expect much support of your views here- most are drinking the Lombardi Kool-Aid!
Paul Enox Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
@vicarious,
If you are right about the money issue, Fro turning down 5 million from the KHL to play for the Rangers, for 3 million, then I agree with your conclusion that money was not Fro’s primary issue. And if that’s the case, I doubt that Fro would have been very interested into returning to a Terry Murray coached Kings team.
Fro has played pretty much the same game his entire seven years here. Parts of the season he would be a dominate force on the ice, other parts just another player on the ice. But because of those periods where he was able to dominate, coaches prior to Murray saw Fro as a top six forward. But with Murray, Fro’s lack of consistency led him to put Fro on the third line and even bench him.
This led to the chicken or the egg argument among Fro fans, of whom I’m one. Was his demotion to the third line justified by his lack of consistency, or did being on the third line ensure that he wouldn’t be consistent.
So short of the Kings offering him a substantial raise, something they clearly were not going to do, I personally don’t think Fro would have come back EVEN if the Kings did make him and offer and even if they did NOT go after Kovalchuk.
It will be interesting to see how Fro performs, even on a Gaborik line, in the much more physical Eastern Conference.
5holer Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@vicarious, Just want to take you down point by point here. Your vicariousness is very patrician, but this is stuff of tomfoolery. You jest that LAK made no offers to Fro: and your source is whom? A birdie whispered in your ear. Nope Lower! Simply Fro don’t fit here, not with coach, not with mgmt team period. Same can be said for Viz, Cammy & Sully among others. Moulson’s NHL career did not arrive til last year either! There are holes in your assessment bucket! Poni is a different commodity totally, not comparable assets with any of the others here. Any GM or ownership team with the requisite Cap Space will always deal to the end of time to take a run at a talent like Kovy. There are but a precious few Kovy’s in hockey in any era. A talent worthy of the chase. There is no GM that would refuse him a spot on their roster in any league. LAK got hornswaggled by Vanderbeek in a filthy way(we soon shall see how bad perhaps). DL is blameless here with the most viable offer made to Kovy on his ledger. Don’t care if you like DL or not. Not the point here..alternatives were drivel in this ownerships’ past, records say its true. Been Hapless Kings in hockey world until a hockey man took the reigns in DL & Co. This was the workings of a first year expansion team when DL arrived. Been steady improvement from day one with commenserate amount of pain associated with such an arduous overhaul to embark on. Its a crap shoot with young players and its a feeding frenzy with UFAs alike. So many mercenaries to sift thru and some many suitors willing to poach them away from you for senseless money. Grinders and gritty players with physicality have won every Stanley Cup ever awarded period! Try Howe, Beliveau, Richard, Hull, Esposito, Orr, Park, and more recently Crosby, Lidstrom, and Keith. These guys are physical, tough, grinders with ace talent, and surrounded by many more grinders and grit players who put out what it takes to win the big dance. No other type teams have ever won!…as for Plan B, that was for the first year of free agency in DL era. Now its Plan 1A or 1B. There is no plan B out there on the FA list. Paul Martin was there and gone in a flash. What else was/is there in this years’ crop? Nada, zip! The tradewinds are blowing now, but will pick up more steam when Kovy stakes are finally dead(maybe next week)…things could open up then. LAK are not done. GMing never stops at any time. Work in progress is the permanent theme, and even more so in the FA era. The tires can be fixed with a few lug nuts and a temporary wheel, but the real fix is ongoing…to be continued! A crack at a Kovy comes once in a lifetime, in a hockey lifetime at least! If he’s there again, DL should bang the door down to get him! Be nuts not to! If not, another chase will begin for something else. This ownership has shown its willing to chase. Now let the race begin! Forget any Plan B’s! Its Cup or bust in this league!
King Cobra Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
@vicarious,
You are 100% correct!!
Thomas Ponce Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:54 am
@threepwood, That’s right, threepwood. You just jump on that DL Apathy bandwagon. You keep paying that season ticket price for another third line player acquistion. Way to go. Drink another glass of the Kool-Aid.
[Reply]
threepwood Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:14 am
@Thomas Ponce,
The off-season MUST be finished…
mikeyono Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
@Thomas Ponce, Sorry- I didn’t see your Kool-Aid comment until after I posted! I like it though.
Slapshot Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:25 am
@5thLine, Not to mention if DL did not put the effort into getting kovi, then he would have been burned in effigy for that.
[Reply]
5thLine Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
@Slapshot,
No. He is not being accused of not putting in the effort to get Kovi. He is now claiming he was SO BUSY they could not prepare for a “Plan B”. That is complete ****. If you think they spent every working hour of the entire 18 days only on Kovi…well, you’ll believe anything they say and why bother discussing it.
If you honestly believe Poni is the best possible option for us you must be extremely excited. I just don’t buy the “we were just to busy to do anything else” bit.
[Reply]
threepwood Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
@5thLine,
BTW, you never answered my question. Instead, you have chosen to use sarcasm to deflect the weakness of your point.
Besides Frolov – who arguably they really didn’t not want to re-sign – tell me WHO exactly they have missed out on.
Tell me what “Plan B” (other than Frolov) is not still out there — that WAS out there on July 3…
Thank you.
5thLine Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
@threepwood,
Trade? Besides, isn’t that always the excuse for not signing a targeted FA. “We’ll just do it with a trade”. That spot is now filled. Are going to tell me we could not have traded for someone better than Poni?
Like I said, you must be over the moon for Poni. I’m really happy for you.
threepwood Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
@5thLine,
Yep, and for you the sky is falling. I really hate being a Kings fan right now. Just awful where this franchise is going…
Tonus Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 7:05 am
@5thLine,
According to DL it appears that Frolov was jealous of the attention Kovalchuk received from the Kings. Not hard to beleve when we really think about it. That is unless we think of athletes as robots who respond only to the highest bidder. All in all it appears the Kings did not fare too badly in the situation.
Jim Martin Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:56 am
@5thLine, I agree with you, fact of the matter is that the Kings are a cheap organization. Lombardi screwed up in the draft and he screwed up in the free agent market. His best days as a general manager are behind him. At least Fro and Sean ended up with good hockey organizations. Good luck to both you!!
So.. who’s our second line LW again?
[Reply]
McDonalds Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
@CanadianKing,
Poni…or Smyth…maybe Richardson…well i guess Parse could…
With TM, you never know
[Reply]
King John Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
@McDonalds,
With TM, they’ll all get a chance to rotate in. Even if we land another LW scorer. I hope to see Parse get up to speed.
[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
@CanadianKing,
That is my question as well. It seems to me that DL is of the opinion that Smyth is 1st line LW(which is fine until he gets hurt), Richardson is 2nd line (WTF DEAN?), then Poni is 3rd. That and it sounds as if he’s crossing his fingers a kid will step up.
I don’t know how safe I’d feel with this as our LW’ers if I were Dean. No matter what happens this year, if we do nothing else and miss the playoffs, Dean will get every ounce of blame and probably deserve it.
Dean better not be done.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
@Tookie,
What did you expect would result from IK Madness? I hope you were not one of the people insisting that IK be a King.
[Reply]
Tookie Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:42 am
@USHA#17,
I expect a back up plan. Dean has one, I hope this isn’t the extent of it.
I was not someone who insisted Kovi or fire Dean. It was never the end of the world if we didn’t get Kovi. However, it doesn’t look good to go into next year with the roster we have currently.
Buster Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
@CanadianKing,
Loktionov with some fine tuning?
If the Dodgers could change an outfielder (Russell) into a shortstop, the Kings can change a center to a wing in a hurry.
[Reply]
Mark Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
@Buster, I’m assuming you’re talking about Bill Russell, but I have to admit my knee jerk reaction was that you were talking about Russell Martin
[Reply]
Buster Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
@Mark,
I can remember some wise guy placing sand bags near the stands of the first base dugout with a sign reading BILL RUSSELL PLAYING SHORTSTOP TODAY. ALL SEATS 25 CENTS. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Still as bad as he was out there his first few years at shortstop, he was miles better than Jose Offbyamile.
variable Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
@CanadianKing,
exactly…tba…
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
@CanadianKing,
Kyle Clifford, potentially.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
@CanadianKing,Smyth,just as soon as we get Parise for a bag of pucks.I hope the Devils deal with Kovi gets reworked,and they have to shed salaries like a stripper at a dollar tree.
[Reply]
kopi-star Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:13 am
@Dominick, that would be sweet!
[Reply]
kopiTAR Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
@CanadianKing, my best guess would be stoll. i think we again might go the route of him taking the faceoffs and then moving to left wing for the remainder of the shift. he did this with moller not too long ago and i think that is going to be what happens with a guy like schenn or loki coming up into the second line duties. this would still leave a lot of things to chance (ie are either of those guys ready, etc.) and i hope this isn;t the route we go but this is what i envision. granted i am usually wrong so…
[Reply]
Drake Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
@kopiTAR, Any trade will likely include Stoll
[Reply]
Thomas Ponce Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
@CanadianKing, LOL…King, you kill…
[Reply]
The interview presents Dean as exhausted. I am not sure what he means by his implication that this was the biggest need. I don’t think a third line LW was the biggest need. A 1st line LW was. But, that questions wasn’t followed up on, as to whether he meant a defenseman or a first line LW that he claims is in the “back” of his “mind.”
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
@Bobby Scribe,
“You don’t know what you got till its gone.” Here is one case where he blew it. He took his eye off the prize.
This is the perfect example of why fishing for a jerk like Kovalchuk isn’t worth it.
But had he courted Frolov I doubt it would have settled at under $3.5M
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
@Bobby Scribe,
i completely agree that dl appears to be dead tired…(if printed words could be sold bold to indicate such a thing in lieu of visuals and sound)…
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
@variable,
“so bold”…
[Reply]
Danielle Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
@Bobby Scribe,
I think he means the biggest need in that they had to replace Frolov who was the only player of significance to leave (no offense to O’D, but replacing Frolov was a bigger need).
And I agree that he seems exhausted. People take for granted the effort, time, and energy that goes into contract negotiations of any sort. I am exhausted on a regular basis and none of the contracts I deal with are anything close to the IK deal. Based on my own work, I can’t even begin to imagine the mental and emotional toll it has taken on him (but seeing it on some of my colleagues, I do have a slight idea). And before anyone jumps on me for defending him, yes, he does get paid a lot of money for that… it doesn’t change that the work takes its toll.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
@Danielle,
Not that I’m a Jedi or anything,but I sensed frustration more than anything else.After all this time,I’m just as frustrated.There probably the same thing at this point.
[Reply]
jammer06 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:24 am
@Danielle,
I would phrase it differently, having made the decision that IK would take precedence as a FA and knowing that meant moving on from Frolov as opposed to replacing Forlov. Still all the rest is similar. In Deans mind things between the kings and frolov weren’t going to work out and while he made a late “attempt” he probably feels some small relief that of the 3 top LW slots now only one is exposed to big minutes by an unproven player.
[Reply]
mikeyono Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
@Danielle, Geez- you would think Dean does this GM thing for free!!! Poor Deano!
[Reply]
Slapshot Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:30 am
@Bobby Scribe, I am always amazed when one is able to do the impossible. Which is to effectively observe another’s state through text.
[Reply]
pani is not shy to shoot puck.and he is much faster
[Reply]
shucks…
even though i had already resided my inner-thoughts back in march to the realization that fro was probably gonna be an ex-king after the season, i still had the silly inkling of hope – the type of hope you have when you want a girl to like you as much as you like her – that something could be agreed upon…
the fact that we are getting – imho – a downgrade in personnel, doesn’t speak well with me in trying to salvage some sort of plan “c”…i like poni…however, i would have liked him more with fro on the same king roster…i don’t like losing fro…and especially when the team hasn’t made a significant move to address all the other holes we have talked about…
for the first time since season’s end, i think it’s fair to say that they kings took a step back instead of forward…how significant remains to be seen….how-ev-a…i think it’s important to stress that things could change quickly – and for the better – with a trade…or perhaps…trades…poni is solely for the third-line, with the slight possibility he fills in on the top two lines when needed and/or if he gets hot…he will also get some pp minutes…
so…as far as i see it…the kings still need a lot to get to that next level…
dl has time yet to make things happen via trade…
one could only “hope”…
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
@variable,
I didn’t like filling a hole that was created by alienating Fro in the first place.Delegating him to a deffensive role then saying his #’rs are down,so he’s worth less.Than turning around and replacing him with a player that will put up Frolov’s lower #’rs,in the same position,for the same money as what Fro got elsewhere,does’nt make sense.
I hope Poni does well,because he’ll have some big shoes to fill.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
DOM…
i agree…i don’t think the was much of a plan “b” and “c”…and now we look like we invested way too much into the kolita novels…
it’s only one day in the off-season, but i hope we don’t remember it for all the wrong reasons come next season…
[Reply]
Sam Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
@Dominick,
Management chewed and spit up Fro he had some great years and they tried to turn him into something he wasn’t and then made him not want to come back. Poni is two years older and who knows if he will fit in with the group. DL has been getting way too much credit but right now at the end of the day we probably have less talent than we had going into the playoffs last year. Sundin was a decent pickup last year but Halpern was a bust. We need some more serious offense. Stempniak or even Afinegenov will definitely out produce Poni. Fro was a fan favorite for along time and I hate how disloyal management has been. They criticized him so much they turned many fans against him. Fro is going to do like many ex King players he will flourish in NY mark my words. Dustin Brown does give a lot of effort but how many times does he miss on a ten foot pass. He was treat a lot kinder than Fro. We know have some defensive holes to fill and offensively I’m not convinced that we can make it to the second round.
[Reply]
We B Ilya'n Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:08 am
@Sam,
Sundin? Really?
Will Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:25 am
@Sam,
I am a head coach, not on a professional level, but rather at the high school level, and I can say that the frustrations that the Kings had with Frolov were most likely seen away from our observations. I have watched the Kings religiously for 25 yers and I acknowledge that I am a Fan of Frolov and I can say that Frolov frustrated me as a fan. I can safely assume that frustration grew in workouts and in practice. I have coached a few kids who have had tremendous talent and their lack of work ethic made them average. I have had positive conversations with those players, I had tried to chirp at them in attempts to get under their skin when kind conversations didn’t work. I have then called them out in front of their teammates trying to get a reaction. I have benched those players in attempts to get them fired up and ready to play at the level that allows their talents to be seen on a daily basis, not just occassionally. I have seen these kids with college talent, not get a look becasue of a lack of work ethic and consistant focus.
My point is that the internal problems with Frolov didn’t start last year. Andy Murry had frustrations with Frolov as did Crawford. Now Tery Murry made his point to Frolov and held him to a standard reflecting his abilities and Frolov chose to get butt hurt. The most frustrating thing for a coach is to not be able to see your player reach their potential because of a lack of work ethic.
Now do not confuse this with a player making mistakes. Coaches can handle that when the player has a tremendous work ethic.It is when mistakes happen and that player doesn’t always work hard. The Kings have been loyal to Frolov and it is sadly time for both parties to move on.
We don’t see what has been going on behind the scenes so it is not in for us to say that Dean Lombardi has not been loyal to his players
Deke'r Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
@variable, True that…and I also “hope” Parni plays more than 16 games.
[Reply]
hagi18 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
@Deke’r,
Don’t jinx it…Poni is not injury prone
[Reply]
jammer06 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:27 am
@Deke’r,
ummm 16 games after he was traded from toronto right? You know he played 60+ games with them too.
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
@jammer06, Nice catch, I was psiied about losing the Fro and only saw his Pens stats….my bad.
Deke'r Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
@jammer06, See! I’m still PISSED!
threepwood Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
@variable,
Good riddance to Frolov.
All those losing seasons with the Kings. He finally gets to the playoffs…what happens?
The kids are selling out, playing their asses off.
Frolov hardly breaks a sweat.
They will eat him alive in Madison Square Garden, and he’ll sign a contract in Russia this time next year.
Things could have been different. Nobody’s fault but his own that Fro’s playing on a one-year deal for $3 mm (a pay cut no less) — when he could have gotten seriously paid.
The market spoke loud and clear.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
@threepwood,
i disagree with yr assessments…
[Reply]
threepwood Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
@variable,
Okay fine. We’ll just have to see how his act plays on Broadway when fall arrives…
Legitimate question though:
Why does a 28 year-old player – who has enough talent to be a two-time 30+ goal scorer – settle for a one year deal with a $1mm pay cut upon hitting unrestricted free agency?
30 teams had a crack at him. He is entering his ‘prime’. This is the best job he could get?
If that’s not the market speaking, I don’t know what is.
tuttle Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
@threepwood,
The Vancover / LA series is on the NHL channel this week. Watch them, especially the 3rd periods of game 4 and 6. See who is playing and who isn’t.
The only reason Fro’s pulled groin was because he had to carry the team so often.
[Reply]
Sam Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
@tuttle,
Finally a correct observation of what Fro meant to the Kings. DL is a fool. It’s sad how many people have turned on him. They juggled him from line to line to line. They put Modin with Zeus why I don’t know. Terry Murray and DL are getting way too much praise. Murray is a fair coach and none of DL teams have ever made it to the Finals. Fro and Zeus played well together and Modin was just a last minute rental. We have taken a step back and will be lucky to make the playoffs.
raunq12 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:14 pm
@tuttle,
Carry the team?!
Don’t be ridiculous.
He had one decent
game that whole series;
and as for the other games,
you didn’t hear his name.
Slapshot Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:56 am
@tuttle, Fro was great at keeping the puck indeed. The only prob is that he kept the puck away from his line mates and the goal as much as he kept it from the other team.
KC23 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:07 am
@threepwood,
I agree. Fro blew it. He is a lifetime plus/minus negative. Weak on the pk. Never hits anyone and rarely did the dirty work in front of the net. All his fame came with working on a line with Kobitar. Take the star away from him and his nothing and he proved it.
The Poni is a lifetime positive in plus/minus. Good on the pk and didn’t have Kobitar feeding him.
Poni is an upgrade. Not a huge upgrade, but definately an upgrade.
[Reply]
bob Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:28 am
@KC23, We signed Kobitar? Great!
mikeyono Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
@KC23, How about we sign Kobalchuk too!
Matt George Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:16 am
@variable,
My opinion.. Poni is an absolute upgrade.
I suspect he will play d 40perct better than fro ever did.
This was not a downgrade by any stretch.
[Reply]
Kwaz Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
@variable,
I agree with you. Right now the roster is not as good as the one that came into the playoffs, but we are not yet in a tailspin. Things can go either way, we could gain a forward or defenseman via trade or by having a kid or two jump into the lineup before the season starts. Perhaps though things could stay as they are and that would not be so good. No reason yet to be too high or low, wait for the season to begin to decide if DL and company have failed.
[Reply]
threepwood Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
@Kwaz,
How is the roster not as good?
-Kids are a year older and have playoff experience. They are turning into men. Expect quantum leaps from some players.
-Quick + Bernier instead of Quick + Ersberg
We lost Frolov, Ratis, Odie, Jones, Modin, Halpern.
We added Ponikarovsky, who is ‘slightly’ better or worse than Frolov based on what day it is.
So, the team is worse because we lost Odie, Ratis, and two guys that we picked up at the trade deadline?
All that talent in the farm system and NOBODY is going to come in and make an impact this year?
We have one of the best young teams in the league and some of you guys can’t see the forest through the trees…
Insanity.
[Reply]
KB Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
@threepwood,
Totally agree. I can’t see us doing any worse in the next year.
Ivanans and Jones needed to go. Modin and Halpern served their purpose but weren’t necessarily in the + column.
No more streaks with Bernier backing up Quick. Poor kid.
And people just like to show how more “informed” they are than everyone else by complaining about management. Classic blogger move.
We’ll make another move or two and have a great year.
mikeyono Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
@threepwood, Hey nobody denies the Kings aren’t a GOOD team- that won’t get it done OK? To win the cup you need young players AND serviceable veterans (NOT Nagy,MacAuley,Cloutier, etc.) Now those players were insanity!
jet Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
@mikeyono, your post is about 3 years too late or are you saying that we should have keep the bridge players?
threepwood Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
@mikeyono
Those scrubs were slightly warm bodies to occupy uniforms during the rebuild. That insanity got us in position to Doughty, Schenn, and Hickey (hopefully who pans out).
Tanking the team worked for Pittsburgh and Chicago in the long run, right?
Tonus Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
@threepwood,
Couldn’t agree with you more. I’m amazed at the amount of people who think the Kings are in free fall to the bottom of the conference standings. This franchise is sitting prettier than at any time in its history and everyboby’s freaking out over the loss of what? A couple of players who’ve never WON ANYTHING! And the idea that the youngest team to make the playoffs this past season will not improve is asinine. Hey DL the youngsters have peaked you missed out on trading them while they were worth something you suck.
So we lost out on Kovi, DL admitted it
but he didn’t want to look like a complete loser and admit he lost out on Dan Hamuis and Paul Martin
[Reply]
David Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
@MiniKing, Im pretty sure he already touched on those.. like a couple of weeks ago.
[Reply]
wow. it seems like dean was so infatuated with kovalchuk for 3 weeks, that he forgot about everything else on the team. i feel bad for frolov. he played for this team for 7 years (6 of those were with a horrible team) and he ends up getting shunned at the end. i cant blame the guy for having hurt feelings. no ill will against him. i hope he does well in ny.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
@blah blah, Everyone was infatuated with Kovi.Highest blog traffic here ever.I’m with you on the Fro comments tho.
[Reply]
CupRun2011 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:46 am
@blah blah, I guess if I were DL, I’d be infatuated with Kovi too! It’s not often that a team is a front-runner on such a high-calibre player–at least Kovi and Grossman came to LA–Hossa wasn’t interested.
I don’t blame Fro for feeling hurt either–but I really thought 5 or 6 years ago that Fro would turn into a marquee player (like I did when I first saw Kobe–as in Bryant). I guess if Fro scored 40+ goals this year–and he had his chances with Kopi the past couple of years, then it would be a different story.
[Reply]
with regards to the 1st question
but… Helene Elliot tweeted a quote from Poni saying that Kings were looking at him prior to the trade deadline. UH?
[Reply]
David Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
@Dayman, Look at the 3rd question…
[Reply]
Lombardi: “So when we got the go-ahead to look at other things, after Kovalchuk … ”
There it is boys and girls, finally out in the open. Dean Lombardi DOES NOT make the decisions on the Kings, someone else, someone higher up the food chain does.
Like I siad in another looooong thread, the team’s introduction this year should be, “Ladies and Gentlemen, Phil and Tim’s Los Angeles Kings!” They sure ain’t ours anymore. And it looks like they ain’t Lombardi’s either.
Hmmmmmm
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@IceGuy,
WOW conspiracy theorize much?
[Reply]
IceGuy Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
@John,
I’m just quoting Lombardi.
He, the Kings GM, had to be allowed (“got the go ahead”) to consider other things. It seems pretty straight forward to me. Or maybe I’m just reading it wrong?
Help me out then?
[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
@IceGuy,
I think you’re a couple McNuggets short of a happy meal on that assessment.
KingOmatic Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
@IceGuy,
That’s regular business. Anytime you want to make any kind of major additions to a business you have to get the thumbs up from the owner of the business. You can’t just go around spending someone else $3.2 million with out asking them first.
Nothing to be alarmed about. Every GM in sports has to do the same thing (unless they own the team themselves)
[Reply]
Puckin-A Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:52 am
@KingOmatic, Yeah, however in my experience as a manager, when needing to restaff I don’t interview one hot shot asking for the moon and wait to see if H.R. approves it. I interview multiple candidates and see which fit the system I run best. This is just another bad Lombardi offseason, what’s new?
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:54 pm
@IceGuy,
By “go ahead” I think he simply meant Kovalchuk’s signing with the Devils. That act gave him the “go ahead” to move on.
[Reply]
Old Time Hockey Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
@wavesinair, you’re right Waves, he was talking about Ilya, not Poni. I know I wouldn’t let my GM make a multi year- multi million dollar decision and I mean like a lifetime contract, I’d want to say yea or nay with my people’s input.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:03 am
@IceGuy,
Nah. I took it as, we couldn’t look at things until the Kovi thing was over because they didn’t know how much $ they had to work a deal and how bad they would need a LWer.
[Reply]
Fro and Poni walk into a bar, bartender says,
“What can I get you two?”
Poni says, “I need drink make LA like me”.
Bartender says “OK, White Russian comin up”
Fro says, “I want drink that make New York love the Fro, know what I’m talkin to yo?”
Bartender says, “You should have signed in LA you dumb s#&t!!”
[Reply]
tullskull Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:19 am
@Jadedtool,
Love it!
If Fro doesn’t produce in NY (and I wish him well) he will be tarred and feathered.
Threepwood is absolutely right. The marked has made it’s statement regarding Fro’s value. It may not be accurate, but then again, Fro signed did he not?
[Reply]
Sure am glad that some of these knee jerk overeactionary fans arent in charge of this organization or they would pick this farm system clean, and I mean to the bare bones for a bunch of name players and then the team chemistry would be all screwed up. Then later, they would be crying for Dean and come back to help them out ! To some of you “I want it now people”..Keep dreaming of that coin collecting,bank defrauding,baseball card trading, soap on the rope boy owner who threw money at problems…OTHER PEOPLES MONEY THAT IS !
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
@puck73, Bruce McNall was the best kings owner ever (besides Jerry Buss)! What do you have against the guy? It seems you take every opportunity to knock the guy. Why all the hate?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
@tornado12, The reason is simple, anybody who screws people out of money is no friend of mine. I am sure you are quite aware of whats going on in the city of Bell right now where politicians are screwing people out of their eyeballs! As far as I am concerned Mcnall is every bit the rotten bastard that Keating,Madoff,Ley,Cheaney,Agnew,and of course Rizzo are. Also, as a small business owner I have hsd several fellow small business owners who have been screwed out of a couple hundred grand by book keepers and they get vey little jail time out of it. My point is,that there is very little deterrent in our justice system for these people not to commit theft. You can also rest assured this.. A guy like Mcnall you can be sure put a few million in a swiss bank account before he went to jail for only 6 years so the US govenment or the people he stole from couldnt touch it. Bottom line, when you run a business and somebody steals a large amount of money from you, you feel like strangling them with your bare hands.
[Reply]
Steve S. Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
The man was a criminal.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
@Steve S., Atta Boy !
KC23 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:09 am
@tornado12,
The guy was using other people’s money illegally. That isn’t what I’d call the best owner ever.
[Reply]
Tonus Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
@tornado12,
That’s a speed bump of a bar you’ve set there.
[Reply]
thound Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
@puck73,
You know.
Say what you want about McNall and his business “ethics” and while I certainly don’t approve of how he operated, I do recognize what he DID for this franchise.
Without him, no Gretzky. No Cup run. It was under his ownership that the Kings won their first Divison title. Their first Conference title. The Kings were finally turned into a relevant franchise under his ownership and his landing of Gretzky basically saved the hockey scene in Los Angeles and made the ground fertile for the NHL expansion into the US Southwest.
In fact, it is not too great a leap to state that without McNall, the Kings would now be just a footnote in NHL history… having moved to another locale.
Do I agree with McNall’s actions?
No. Absoluetly not.
Do I think the Kings are forever better off for having him as Owner?
Yes, absolutely without question, even with the bankruptcy.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
@thound, but without the stolen money, no Gretzky, therefore you are saying the end justifies the means. Are you sure you want to defend that side of the arguement?
[Reply]
thound Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@jet,
The issue of Gretzky’s influence and effect on the future of hockey in LA after his arrival isn’t that black and white.
No Gretzky… Very likely no Kings in Los Angeles these days.
Not defending what McNall did, but looking at bigger picture of what the franchise was before and after he became owner.
chuckrocks Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
@puck73, McNall was the best owner in the NHL at that time, everyone makes mistakes and he paid for his. Losing the Kings might have been harder on him then going to jail. Do you honesty think that Uncle Phil hasnt done anything illegal? I bet he has done more crooked sh%t than McNall could dream of to become the billionaire that he is, you dont get that much money without screwing people over, he just hasnt been caught…..yet.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
@chuckrocks, Tell ya what, with all the unemployment out there which means that people have more time on their hands you can rest assured this..If Anshutz,Roski,or Leiweike have screwed anybody out of any money their ass will be in a ringer! I am willing to bet you they have not screwed people out of 236 million dollars though !
[Reply]
Danielle Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
@chuckrocks,
McNall was largely responsible for the Ducks being in Anaheim (and got a nice, hefty paycheck for it, too) For that alone, Kings fans should certainly have some lingering resentment toward him. You know, kinda like when one of your parents gets remarried to someone with bratty younger kids…
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:27 am
@Danielle, Correct! Mcnall accepted 35 million dollars from Michael Eisner for the Ducks to exist in Anaheim. The fact is, Mcnall owned the territorial rights at that time and could have told Eisner to take a hike,instead he pocketed the money and now we have to have these dorkheads existing within 50 miles of us. Had Mcnall said no to Eisner he would have been forced to move to Orlando where Disneyworld is….DAMN! I wish Mcnall would have told him to wish upon a star.
kingfish Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
@puck73,
excellent post puck73
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
@puck73,
I agree with you… good points on all accounts
[Reply]
Jones is gone?
Which GM should I send a box of cigars to in appreciation of what he did for us (keeping that jerk off OUR roster)?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
@Buster, He definately was not a jerk, a very personable guy. That being said, I am with you on the rest of what you said 100%. As a hockey player, he wont be missed at all on this team !
[Reply]
RoyalPain Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
@Buster,
Yeah, he may have been lacking in some areas but by all accounts he is a good guy and a really good temmate. We may say “we’re better off without him”, but he doesn’t deserve to be called a jerk.
[Reply]
Buster Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
@RoyalPain,
I was using the word jerk more along the lines on how he played on the ice more than anything else.
[Reply]
It never seemed DL was very interested in signing Fro. I suspect that if Kovi came aboard, Fro would sign for less $$$. When Kovi bailed, that pretty much sealed Fro’s fate. It is obvious the TM dog house is a very hard place to escape from, with only Richie being able to (read into this: EE and 44DD will be somewhere else in Oct.). I wish the best for the replacement Fro, but he had better work hard!
[Reply]
It looks like (from Dean’s comments) that the Kings don’t feel like there is much chance to get Kovalchuk anymore, so they went ahead to fill the Frolov hole and now will work to fill one more spot.
I’m wondering how much chance they want to give the kids to make it versus getting more players.
[Reply]
i can tell ya’ one thing…:
last year, i had torts blowing his cool the minute aves calls him the wolfman behind his back…
how in the world will torts react when he thinks fro is dogging it…?…and of course, all y’ll know i say this as a huge fro fan…it’s bound to happen, right…?
hmmmm….
the truth is fro has finally got a chance to play with someone (gabby) who can compliment his OFFENSIVE game very well…kopitar and fro had some chemistry, but it was fleeting and never really maturated under the guises and systems of tm & co…(we’ve been down this road far too often to revisit)…the “change of scenery” theory has lots ‘o’ merit here…albeit, new york – no matter what the sport – rivals no one in media coverage, with the exception being hockey and the les habitants…so it will be very interesting how a camera-shy frolov handles the over-bearing, short-on-patience big apple media, where hockey is only second to the yankees (think about it) in expectations…
i like the line of prospal/gabby/fro…i could see very big things from those guys…
for a team that has historically thrown extreme amounts of money to lure overrated free agents and all-star has been’s…and is often cited by YRS TRULY as being one of the worst run franchises in the league…i give slats and the MSG brass some DAP…in making a low-risk, high-reward deal w/fro…
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
@variable,Would you put Gabby in the middle?I was thinking Fro/Dub/Gabby.
[Reply]
variable Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
@Dominick,
sure…dubinsky could would work…maybe even drury…lest we forget torts loves to juggle his…eh, um…lines often, too, just like tm…
there are a few possibilities…
i can’t believe i’m saying this, but the rangers made a nice…very nice…improvement today in addressing their offensive needs…
[Reply]
Same old story with Lombardi. It’s basically “I have no creativity and can’t do better so we have this dolt to fill the void because it’s all about the kids.” It’s tired and annoying.
[Reply]
It’s always sad to see a guy with a bona fide LA Kings butt tattoo leave the fold. And something tells me his tattoo was especially… “classy”. (Cheers, Fro!)
Having said that… Tomorrow is another day. Let’s all move on!
We have so much freshly-inked gluteus maximus in the pipeline; and it’s inevitable that we’ll need — sooner or later — to make way for the young, as they say. Here’s to next season!
In the words of what’s his name: “Do you know how to Poni…?”
Mmmmm
Ahhhh
Ooooo
DO THE WATUSI!!!
[Reply]
Whether or not you like Fro , this was a cheap way to handle a player that was drafted and played for the Kings for so many years. Word gets around quick and players will only sign here as a last resort or for ridiculous money (Or as a place for convalescence).
Secondly, DL sounds like he isn’t as organized as many on here purport him to be. The guy cannot multitask and has no backup plans. Hopefully DL is pulling his best Columbo impression and is bluffing everyone (that’s the optomistic false hope I’ve been conditioned to have as a King’s fan) but who knows for sure….probably not.
[Reply]
Forget about Fro already. We have a new guy. Lets support him & cheer him on. Lombardi did the best he could & anyone who says different does not & will never know the whole story.
[Reply]
How can you be a GM and making your first semi-acquisition now!! Lombardi wake up…so far we have less scoring, less toughness and less leadership than last year. To expect a bunch of rookies to fill those skates is ridiculous. We still need at least 1 veteran defenseman, a top 6 forward and some serious toughness (I don’t think Westy the guy). Get to work!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
@Renbe,
One good thing about our rookies is that they’ve been groomed for specific roles.There’s still work to do,but were not that far off,and I have every confidence that it will get done.
[Reply]
jammer06 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:34 am
@Renbe,
You do remember who are starting 2nd line LW was last year right? Actually we have more scoring already by default.
[Reply]
I must say that I am not encouraged by this interview. DL sounds dispirited, with no specific idea of what to do next. I hope I am wrong, but his words only heighten my concerns that this has been one seriously crappy off season for the Kings. So much promise, so little execution. So disappointed.
[Reply]
If you were DL what would you do next? Trade for another top scoring LW or a top 6 veteran D man? Also does this mean Fredrick Modin for sure won’t be resigned?
[Reply]
jammer06 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:35 am
@kingsfan in Seattle,
There will not be a Modin resigning unless its for 4th line minutes and money.
[Reply]
I agree with a lot of the posters here that the Fro thing could have, should have been handled differently. It’s a business sure, but we are all human beings and should be treated with respect. Also, it’s just good business sense to part company with players on good terms. As Miller29 says, word travels fast, in any business. I wish Fro good fortune.
But secondly, it seems to me that DL has a better opinion of the emerging talent on this team than many or most of the posters here. It may be that his expectations are that we are going to make significant strides just due to the development of who we have now.
Lastly, I do not put it past him to do something big in the next 14 days. He could be simply rope a doping.
[Reply]
So we lost Frolov bc we were chasing Kovi? Ohhhhhh nowww i’ve lost it. Two of my fav kings ever are with the Rangers now. Ughhhh.
[Reply]
driller1 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 5:53 am
@Subby,
Frolov and Boyle? Your favorites are soft big bodies who coast a lot?
[Reply]
Subby Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
@driller1, naw Avery
[Reply]
@kings fan in Seattle and others: DL’s next move better be game-changing or else it is pretty safe to say that the team is going down hill fast and we can attribute this regression to DL and no one else.
Poni is in as a third liner and thats fine, but I can’t drink Dl’s look aid that this was the most important role
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:01 am
@Ari,
We lost Frolov and replaced him with Poni…
Do you think that’s what will make the Kings go from 100+ pt team to a non-playoff team?
[Reply]
(posting on an iPhone sucks) as I was saying …
Poni is in as a third liner and thats fine, but I can’t drink DL’s KOOL AID that this was the most important role to fill.
And yes – a lot of resources must have gone into the Kovi offer, but we can’t handle or have the foresight for a viable backup plan? I
That is not acceptable
[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
@Ari,
From Lombardi’s comments, it certainly seems that Grossman had the Kings extremely hoodwinked as far as just how much in the race we were. DL seemed blown out of the water at the (rejected) eventual NJ deal.
[Reply]
So where did jones end up? I never remember ever seeing anything in writing?
As far as the interview went with Dean, I honestly feel dean would still offer kovi another chance if he became a UFA again. Honestly do.. I think it would be really interesting in the next 3-4 days.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
@Michael_DD8, I get the same sense as you in reference to Kovi. In a way I am kinda surprised but it is really hard to knock Dean when you consider the Kings improved 22 points last year, for that Dean gets the benefit of the doubt from me.
[Reply]
Dazed N Confused Reply:
July 27th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
@puck73,
Kovi will remain with the Devils. The only thing that may change would be the number of years and the yearly cap hit to their team. I try to look on the bright side, but i just think that this is where he will stay.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:00 am
@Dazed N Confused, Yah, I think he will stay in NJ also no matter the outcome. Personally, I would like to see the Kings sign Selanne to a 1 or 2 year deal max and also sign Willie Mitchell to replace Odonnell to a 1 or 2 year deal as well. Obviously these moves arent permanent,their what Dean call “stop gap” signings until younger players in our organization are ready to play in the NHL. I think Selanne With Smyth,and Kopitar has the ability to produce big this season. Remember, Selanne had 27 goals last year playing with Koivu and was out a month with a facial injury. Also,he is unbelievable on the PP and his hockey sense and experience are off the charts. He showed me last season that he can still produce and If I am Dean I at least make him and his agent an offer. Will he play for the Kings? I dont know,but he has played for San Jose and Colorado so there is always a chance.
trade for bobby ryan (but only if we know he’ll agree to sign a not so outrageous contract)
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:32 am
@PakiFan,
Another Pakistani Kings fan?!?!
[Reply]
I can’t believe how much crap you guys give Lombardi. The Kings are a really good team. He tried to sign Kovalchuk and he lost out to a ridiculous deal. If he didn’t try he’d be damned and since he lost out everyone for the most part is ripping him. So what if it took until late July to sign someone? What is the rush? So what if we lost Frolov. He got a 1 year deal at 3M and HE was hurt by the Kings because they didn’t call right away. He should feel hurt for not producing as much as he should. The season starts in October. Give Lombardi more time to upgrade and this team is not going downhill faster.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:10 am
@Jordy Foz, Great post,totally concur. When your team improves 22 points in the standings in 1 season,you get the benefit of the doubt unless your name is Marty Schottenheimer.
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
@Jordy Foz,
Good post! agree 100%
[Reply]
In regards to everyone throwing DL under the bus for the following:
1. for signing Poni,
2. for “lacking creativity”,
3. for letting Fro walk,
4. for not getting a defenseman yet,
5. for not getting Kovi,
let me remind you all….. THE KINGS HAVE THE DEEPEST MOST TALENTED TEAM THAT THEY HAVE HAD IN DECADES!!!! …and this team was put together by the same cluless GM that everybody is criticizing.
Signing Poni was an afterthought by DL because IMO I believe that DL thought he had Kovi in the bag. If DL lacked creativity we would have a bare farm system because he would throw all his young players in trades to acquire players instead of growing them like he’s doing. Letting Fro walk is not a heartbreaker…..how many times can I guy control the puck for 30 seconds and have nothing to show for it but a turnover, or a bad pass, or the same wrap around over and over and over. And last but not least….
SIGNING FREE AGENTS IS NOT EASY. YOU HAVE TO THROW OUT NUMBERS THAT WILL KEEP YOU IN THE GAME, WHILE KEEPING YOU COMPETITIVE. AND EVEN IF THEY WANT TO COME, YOU STILL HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT KEEPING WHAT YOU HAVE. I for one, do not want to see Doughty or Johnson or Simmonds or any of the other young players get shipped to other teams because we didn’t have the cap space to keep them because we signed X player to a nasty contract(DiPietro, Campbell, Huet, Redden, Drury). This offseason we have seen Chicago dismantle their team and are constantly hearing names like Parise and Savard and Sharp and Dubinsky all as possible trades to GET BELOW THE SALARY CAP. IMO if a player doesn’t want to come here for X dollars and chooses to go somewhere else for more, so be it. DL is keeping the structure intact to ensure the Kings have a long road of success and winning. And the players we have now will be its foundation.
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:15 am
@Hef11,
I agree with you on EVERY SINGLE WORD you wrote..Thank you for writing it for me.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:32 am
@Hef11, You sir are a mavin when it comes to common sense,great post !
[Reply]
fourtunato Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:45 am
@Hef11,
Thank you. If I knew what you looked like I’d buy you a drink on opening night.
[Reply]
King Lopez Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:56 am
@Hef11, I have been waiting for someone to say just that! You are right on. This team is really deep with skilled young players and people tend to forget that.
[Reply]
CupRun2011 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:40 am
@Hef11, Well said! As “armchair” GM’s, we forget that DL gets paid to worry about ALL this stuff, ALL the time, AND there are thousands of decisions, we don’t get to hear about (i.e. trades or FAs they are contemplating, trades or FA’s that don’t work out, etc.) We forget that DL went after Hossa, Martin, and probably a couple more trades that fell through. They went after Kovi, but $80M/13 yrs wasn’t quite enough…
[Reply]
Seattle757 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:25 am
@Hef11, I’ll drink to that! I can’t believe the nerve some people have in here. Glad some people are’t running the ship here otherwise the Kings would have sunk before it had left the port!
[Reply]
leadswine Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
@Seattle757, you Guy’s kick ass!!
I’m sure it won’t be long until one of these grumpy old men tells us to keep drinking our koolaid.
[Reply]
AzKing Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Yummy Kook Aid. Have another glass, sucker. Grumpy old men who have watched this team for over 30 years and are laughing at the young clowns who think they know anything about this team over the years like Leadswine
[Reply]
leadswine Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
@AzKing, Ah there you are!
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
@AzKing,
Is it possible that you’re too old to recognize the arrival of a new era in Kings hockey?
[Reply]
Puckin-A Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:07 am
@John, Nah same ol crap with Dean, no top UFA and a Dman in the first round. Sound new?
#1faninvegas Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
@Hef11,
Excellent post!!! Thank you for posting that!!
[Reply]
Tonus Reply:
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:45 pm
@Hef11,
Great post. Couldn’t agree with you more.
[Reply]
So last year Dean said we were missing a top 6 forward, instead we lose one in Frolov, gain someone similar in Poni, now he says the major hole has been plugged???
[Reply]
We B Ilya'n Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:45 am
@Kings4ever,
Yes, Frolov is a top 6 player but was used mostly on the 3rd line because he never had that chemistry needed to score on those top lines. It was mind boggling at times.
I liked Fro but all the finger-pointing couldn’t have been good for morale. Hopefully this pick-up means the team becomes more accountable.
At least with Poni we now have someone with the potential to gel with those guys.
I really think he plays 2nd line as we have plenty of guys to fill that 3rd line role, (Clune, Parse, Richardson, Clifford, and even Schenn) but none are 2nd line caliber, yet.
Poni does add not only size but speed, and should be a monster in front of the net. We may have a guy like that on every line now.
I really can’t see DL going after another LW.
[Reply]
First….OFF TOPIC:
I came across an interesting video at a thrift store today. It is a Promotional Video from the LA KINGS 1999-2000 season. It’s about 8 and 1/2 minutes long and on VHS. Now I’m no tech savant, but I filmed it with my digital camera and posted it on YouTube for everyone. The sound is quiet, so turn your volume up, but at least you can watch it. I’m guessing it was for season seat holders or something. Check out all the old faces and think about each one as you see them and where their careers have gone. Pretty fascinating. They talked up Andy Murray like he was Scotty Bowman’s idol or something. Anyway, enjoy it and give your comments.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwJvoZenDh4
As far as DL’s comments go, he’s in charge folks. Kovy was an exception as Tim and Phil wanted him for more than just the team. I’d do the same damn thing if I had teh chance to improve my club and I was going to stick all of MY money out there to make it happen. Be a little more sensitive to Phil’s position. Just because you don’t have his wealth, you want to spend it for him? You’d think differently if it WAS yours, guaranteed. DL’s hands were tied here just like Uncle Lou’s in NJ. I don’t believe DL really wanted to spend the cap dollars on Kovi. I would not be surprised if he and Solomon were adamantly fighting against the $100mil deal with Phil and Tim, not Kovi, because of the cap issues. Bottom line is, none of you know. Speculation leads to frustration. We (Me included) are all guilty of it, but we can keep it somewhat realistic, can’t we?
I think Poni has better upside potential than Fro. Poni has more to prove. Fro has peaked. I think we’ll be surprised this season with him. Hopefully Zeus like surprised. I do NOT agree with DL that this hole is filled though. Maybe for this season, but we need a top 6 LW. Poni is top 9. If we can do well to january, we should work for a trade before the deadline and make a playoff run for the ages. That is what i’m hoping for at this stage and sounds like DL is angling the same way.
I’ll bet his thought is a D-man. I just hope it’s not Kaberle. IMHO, that would be a step above Jones for 3 times the money. Go get Bieksa. We’ll never know until it happens.
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:11 am
@Cynic,
I agree with most that you say.
As far as Lombardi not really wanting kovi, i dont think thats true. Lombardi said that once he saw kovalchuk, he thought he would definantely go for him, to “Speed up” the process of this rebuild, thats why he said he didnt mind not getting him due to the fact, it was only to make this team really good NEXT season. Anyways, good points..but honestly, i HATE bieska, and i use to hate Mitchell too..Bieska thinks he is so cool and tough, maybe it will change if he was actually on our team.
- Mike
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:29 am
@Cynic,
Thanks for the video.Is it wrong to still love that team?Even though we didn’t win a cup,I can still name every guy on the team that year.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:44 am
@Dominick,
PRECISELY why I took the time to put this video up. That’s exactly how I felt. I did love that team. Right on Dominick! What’s creepy is seeing each guy and knowing almost what each one has done since this video, even if it wasn’t continuing in the NHL. (Karalahti = JAIL!)
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
@Cynic, Bylsma landed about where I always thought he would.Why are the hardest working guys with the least natural talent,always the guys who make good coaches.
Frolov has no one to blame but himself. He played his way into the doghouses of Andy Murray, Marc Crawford, and Terry Murray, under different GMs too. In several seasons he has never reached his full potential for more than small stretches of the season. I can’t blame the coaching staff for believng that he never will reach that potential. Quite frankly he belongs on that overpaid group of underachievers in NY. Here’s to some new blood with AP.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 7:28 am
@Joey, Great point about Fro having trouble with all 3 coaches,almost forgot about that. Ohh..and speaking of Andy Murray, I was at the Kings practice facility yesterday and ran into Adam Deadmarsh, I asked how he was doing and what he was doing and he told me it was the damndest thing..He was still looking for his car keys !
[Reply]
“When you’re talking about a guy with Kovalchuk’s ability, I don’t know how exactly to describe it, but it’s almost like the other player is the stepchild.”
That’s not right, Dean. Frolov gave 7 years of his pro career to the Kings and scored at least 20 goals in 5 of them. Regardless of what your intentions were, you should’ve expressed them to him sooner. He deserved it. I don’t blame him one bit for hightailing it to another team.
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:29 am
@Scaught,
Its business, not sentimental time
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:48 am
@Scaught,
Fro didn’t “give” anything. He got well payed for every second. I also don’t blame him for leaving, but I certainly don’t blame the Kings for letting him go.
[Reply]
fourtunato Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:52 am
@KC23,
People don’t work JUST for money. If they did, no one would watch hockey because it would be boring and purely mercenary. Sure money is the most important thing because without it no one would be playing or owning or broadcasting sports at all. But pride, competitive spirit and character is right up there. You need to treat your employees with respect AND pay them or you don’t have a team.
I don’t know the inside story (no one does here) but it seems like DL could have done better by FRO.
[Reply]
tullskull Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:58 am
@Scaught,
Don’t forget he was a holdout with his first contract as well.
I don’t know how to take all this because I have a friend who hangs out with Fro and he said Fro wanted to stay but at 5M. He signed for a lot less.
His agent took shots at the Kings in the press but it sounds like DL did not handle this well.
Fro should be a King.
Yes the systems were not tailored to make Fro look impressive offensively, but he handled the third line responsibilities well.
I have done more than my share of criticizing Fro but I stand by every word I said. Fro is an average player with some specific world class talents. My frustration comes from what I assume is a lack of creativity to find ways to use them consistently. Every one in the league knows he is going to wrap around and I am pretty sure the last three goals he scored that way were deflections. He played and took shots with his back to the goal more than he did facing it!
He is a frustrating player to watch and I hope a new system will help him have more fun playing.
[Reply]
Scaught Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
@tullskull, I agree. He was a very frustrating player to watch, but his numbers are respectable.
@ fortunato, “You need to treat your employees with respect AND pay them or you don’t have a team.” Exactly.
[Reply]
Scaught Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I’m fine with Fro leaving, but my point remains that whatever Dean had in mind, Frolov deserved to know sooner instead of being ignored.
I don’t think this is a push. This “trade” is pretty close to a downgrade.
And I do agree Frolov got the short end of the stick. Hopefully he finds success in NY and Poni finds any bit of that here in LA
[Reply]
I got this idea reading Quisp’s blog on the Poni matter. One commenter stated something along the lines of waiting for Moller to be a top-six guy. Didn’t DL or TM say something along the lines of Moller possibly being better suited playing on the wing? Moller is a top-six guy or he wont play in the league. He doesn’t have the size to play any lower.
Maybe Moller, Loktionov, or another of those young guns gets a shot at top-six minutes until something opens up during training camp, or even during the season. I mean there are something like 5 teams that have to find a way to get under the cap, and they will take their sweet little time in doing so.
[Reply]
oldthunder Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:15 am
@ArmChairKingsFan, i agree with your assessment that Moller will get a chance at bigger minutes. I don’t understand the whole emphasis on size as the necessity to be a player in the NHL. There are guys like Drury, Briere, St. Luis who are great players with smaller stature. So every now and then he gets knocked off the puck, but he gets up and charges back hard. I personally believe it is better to have smaller guys who have the heart of a giant like Moller than a big body. Moller brings intensity every night, and I would love to see him get second line minutes. TM has a goon to protect him, so let him go out and score.
[Reply]
Are you posters on crack? You act like
the Kings are one player away from
being a Stanley Cup Champions!!!
Did you ever stop to think that maybe
this time the Kings aren’t going to
rush and make a move JUST to make a
move? As for Frolov say what you will
but his numbers went DOWN 3 years in a
Row not a good sign for a team that’s
IMPROVING. And DL did go HARD for Kovi
and thank god had the common sense NOT
to offer the deal the Devils did or we
Would be in BIG trouble keeping the team
together. We all want to win the Cup next
year but that’s probably not realistic
even with Kovi because don’t forget that
with either Quick or Bernier our goalies
lack Championship Playoff experience
(also add almost all of our team) so
take heart my fellow King fans there is
still plenty of time to make the RIGHT
deal! Until then, we SUCKED for most of
40+ years and now it’s OUR TIME 2 SHINE
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@LucLivesOn, Merci!
It’s easy to see now why Dave Taylor had the job for a while. He appeased the general masses of Los Angelians with splashy signings and trades, that always flopped or ended up screwing over or future.
[Reply]
rontheking Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:28 am
@VanKingsFan,
good point. i’ll take lombardi’s strategy any day!
[Reply]
the dude from the southeast Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@LucLivesOn, “don’t forget that
with either Quick or Bernier our goalies
lack Championship Playoff experience
(also add almost all of our team)” i totally dont agree with this look at niemi and chicago plus leighton in net for philly they didnt have playoff experience and look at what they both got.
[Reply]
RJB Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
@LucLivesOn,
Your lips to gods ears my man. BUT, I think you are off..quit making excuses for all that we have not done and waiting for the kids to develope. That plan works well when you add the ingrediants for that perfect mix. We never add the right personal to go along with the kids. Chicago had a beast of a team on paper, but still went after the BIG name Hossa to get them to the promise land. I think we would all take a Stanley cup even if it meant giving up versteg, Buflyegn and couple others to have Lord Stanley in our trophy case..
[Reply]
I think they should sign Jose Theodore trade quick and jb can learn from Jose and if jb can’t handle it they can always put Jose in
[Reply]
@Hef11 Great post
I have a feeling there are going to be many unhappy fans this season,When the kings do not gut the minors to make the blockbuster trades they want.
I do not think D.L. is that stupid.
I believe the kings will fill the holes that need to be filled.
But i will be Shocked if a major trade is made this off season.
[Reply]
So many people have complained that this is a downgrade and it is such a loss with Frolov leaving and Poni coming in.
Bottom line: Frolov was always about potential, and he never fulfilled what he COULD be. Frolov reminded me of that player you might have on a fantasy football team that should be putting up BIG numbers, so you play them every week and nothing ever happens, only a few points here and there to tease about what might be if I just keep him playing, then when it is all said and done, you realize you should have never wasted that roster spot in the first place.
Frolov did not make the Kings better, and his loss will not make them any worse.
That being said, welcome Poni!
[Reply]
Puckin-A Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:32 am
@A5MINMJR, Yeah, his 51 points on the 3rd line were horrible. His points didn’t help us win one game? Just like I said about fantasy hockey Kings fans,you do know this is real hockey right? He was given a defensive forwards role last season , hence you put up less points, get it?
[Reply]
According to Helene Elliott, the guy DL is targeting is a defenseman.
Lombardi said he is “looking at one other thing I’d like to try and do,” but has a fallback because of the club’s plentiful defense prospects. “If we don’t find what I’m looking for I feel a lot better that we got at least the forward because I don’t see an option on the forward,” he said.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-kings-20100728,0,82497.story
[Reply]
Aside from everything going on (or not going on) during this offseason, I have two observations that always apply to the Kings:
1. Kings fans are amazingly passionate and supportive. They always drink the Koolaid. That’s a good thing.
2. Management has always screwed things up. No IK. Major Blow It, and DL knows it. There is no 2nd choice. What about Cammilieri? Whoops, he’s gone. All offense, I heard.
Despite all your typical King Blunderbusses, you actually can still stumble into greatness this coming season without doing anything else! All you have to do is get your coach and Mismanagement to look at your very own roster, and give support and playing time to……….yes, Jonathan Bernier in goal. Put him in goal, and the wins will come. He’s the best netminder the King have had in three decades. Otherwise, more mediocrity, and no playoffs again. Before answering this post. make sure you have detoxed from the Koolaid drinking.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:10 am
@Disgruntled Kings Fan,
More mediocrity and no playoffs again?
You mean like last year when Quick was the goalie all season and we had over 100 points and a playoff spot?
That’s the kind of mismanagement I love!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:56 am
@nykingfan, Ahhh, a breath of fresh air on the blog this morning. How ya been dude? All of us people with common sense are looking forward to your arrival on the west coast this year for a game. Also, the frozen fury is oct 2 in Vegas and me and my girl and believe it or not..the #1faninvegas are gonna be there and I have an extra ticket and you just say the word and it is yours free of charge. But if not, keep doing what you do best..schooling chumps on this site !
[Reply]
Puckin-A Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:40 am
@nykingfan, Yeah, he was great down the stretch and in the playoffs lol. I guess that is kinda mismanagement , ya know playing an exhausted goalie. I feel schooled
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:14 am
@Disgruntled Kings Fan,
hahaha you should’ve detoxed from the whiskey drinking!
So, “management has always screwed up” but somehow we still have Bernier (and Quick, Zatkoff, Jones & Berube)?
Very peculiar!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:59 am
@John, Another voice of reason ! The detox blast is always a good one !
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:42 am
@Disgruntled Kings Fan,
I love how management has screwed it all up; but if we put bernier in net its all magically fixed and perfect! lol
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:52 am
@Disgruntled Kings Fan, I really don’t understand why so many people think that the Kings look like they will regress next season. The way I see it:
1. Off-season isn’t over. The Kovi saga just made free agency drag but its not like every UFA has signed. Still some decent options there.
2. How many teams in the Western Conference have gotten significantly better in the off-season? Vancouver off the top of my head but they were ahead of us anyway. Chicago and Phoenix definitely got weaker and both those teams finished ahead of the Kings.
3. For the sake of argument, let’s assume Poni is at least comparable to Fro in terms of productivity. If that’s a wash, how much has the team lost in terms of our own UFA’s?
4. It’s a good bet that the core will continue to improve, perhaps drastically. Bernier is the x-factor for me. Having a solid (potentially superb) second goalie translates into additional wins IMO. Quick doesn’t have to start practically every game and competition keeps both goalies sharp.
[Reply]
DLB Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:24 am
@sstephen17, Well said! You remind me of how happy and optimistic I felt back before any big ol’ overpriced UFAs were on the horizon.
GO, KIDS, GO.
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
@DLB & sstephen17,
Ahh, I agree with both of you. sstephen17.. you were great in ur response and I dont feel a landslide at all. I believe we are still in the saddle, and probably improve more! I feel that we also need to resign Modin to enhance a deep play-off run… however, I predict finishing 4th or 3rd in the Western Confernce….that is still an improvment in my book!
DLB HAHA!! I agree. I dont wanna overprice for a UFA and lose our core!
I think we basically exchanged Frolov, who had become nothing kore than a 3rd line player with the Kings for Poni, who will basically fill the same slot.
what’s the big deal?
Dl’s hands were obviously tied because the IK situation took up so much time and he never really knew whether he was in it or not…I guess Grossman never gave him a clear indication.
If he would have jumped at other options, that may have eliminated him from the IK sweepstakes. Judging from the commnets all along, most of you thought he should go after IK, so that’s not a fair complaint.
Too bad about Fro’s feelings, but does anyone think if we could have gotten IK that Fro would have been back no matter what? Not a chance in hell!
I think one thing became crystal clear over the last couple of seasons..for whatever reason Fro could not play or succeed in TM’s system. I’m not going to blame TM because every other guy was able to adapt and thrive in his system. TM’s style is what brought us to 100+ points and a playoff spot. If it came down to a choice of Fro or TM? Good luck in NY Fro!
Maybe he needed a change of scenery and will succeed in NY…or maybe he’ll be like Boyle and fit in as a complimentary player, not as a top 6 forward like many of you thought he’d be.
Either way it’s time to forget about Fro and concentrate on the Kings and I for one look forward to this season to see how the young kids will continue to improve.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:56 am
@nykingfan, I really liked Fro. I even got my gf a Frolov shirt a few years ago, lol. I have to agree with your asessment though. Fro just didn’t seem to fit. His benching earlier in the season didn’t light a fire underneath him as much as I would have hoped. In a contract year, many upcoming UFA’s are playing for a contact and often have their best season. It seemed like the exact opposite for Fro. And you can’t blame coaching or management for relegating him to 3rd/4th line status either. Simmonds and Richardson started low on the depth chart but worked their way up to the 1st line on many ocassions. Still, I wish Fro good luck in NY.
[Reply]
What a disappointing move this is. Having lived in Toronto, watched the Leafs for my entire life, I can tell you this guy is not one we wanted on our roster. He’s by no means a cancer in the room, he’s just not out type of player. He scores meaningless goals, put up mild numbers in Toronto because they had no one else. Im not happy about this, Fro is 100000x the player this guy is. Poni has no defense, will be the guy to rack up points after we’re winning 5-0 in a blowout. Big frame and plays soft. PLEASE DO NOT GET KABERLE as well!!
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:35 am
@CanadianKingsFan, I also lived around TO for most of my life so far and here is my counter argument.
The Leafs are a GRAVEYARD
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:37 am
@VanKingsFan, pushed the wrong button…
The leafs are a graveyard for talent!! Players go there to shrivel die. Almost every player that leaves TO shines as soon as they get out.
Therefore I am confident that he will be better than he ever was for the Leafs.. but we still need to do more
[Reply]
Kings Fan In Idaho Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:29 am
@CanadianKingsFan, “Meaningless Goals” ?? What a strange comment.
[Reply]
So when/how exactly did the whole Kool Aid thing come about?? I feel it is giving this delicious treat a bad name in some peoples eyes.
Lets just all agree that whatever Kool Aid you happen to be drinking it is extremely satisfying to that person.
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:24 am
@VanKingsFan,
Google “Jim Jones Jonestown”…
Ain’t pretty.
Will always be the association: ‘Drinking Kool-Aid’
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:31 am
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
Man… I thought it was a lot more light hearted… lol
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:40 am
@VanKingsFan,
…And now you know.
I’ll never drink Grape Kool-Aid again, ever…
chuckrocks Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:46 am
@VanKingsFan, Kool Aid rocks, I just made some lime flavored last night for the kids.
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:51 am
@VanKingsFan, I always use the term when refering to someone political party association,” Oh there you go drinking that Dem/Repub Kool-Aid again.It really pisses them off,hehe.
[Reply]
When are we going to go after a player with a little more speed? I with pony we will be ok,but we really need a quarter horse. (welcome back Rick)
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:36 am
@Old Man,
A single name:
Brayden Schenn…
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:50 am
@Old Man,
Three more potential names,
Oscar Moller Weiner
Trevor Lewis
Marc Andre Cliche
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
@VanKingsFan,
And possibly,
Thomas Hickey
Johan Fransson
Nicolas Deslauriers
[Reply]
oldthunder Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 6:57 am
@VanKingsFan, love your nickname for Moller. We should get an intermission Oscar Meyer Weiner mobile as the Zamboni.
[Reply]
The main thing lots of people arent thinking about is that were getting beeetteeeer. Sure we lost O (so what), and Fro (he hasent givin us his all since….? anyone?). and Kovi? Kovi who?
Doughty had a huge year, and dont think hes not gonna step it up this year. Simmonds and Johnson are just flowers blossoming stonger every year. Brown and Kopi both had a good year even after both of them hit huge slumps. And dont forget about our goaltending. Quick came up big all season and now Bernier will see some ice time he deserves and hell put up great numbers too. Oh, and dont we have a bunch of kids downstairs that are ready to step up as well?
DL is trying to build a growing dynasty, not some year in year out, hit and miss team. I think were in a better position this year than we were in last year, and DL should stick to this roster and be happy about the off season. I know I am. Were in the playoffs, Stanley cup? Probably not… yet. But do we want to be a one hit wonder like the Ducks or do we want to be a dominant dynasty like the Wings? I want the cup just as bad as everyone else, but Rome wasent built in a day and neither can a young, and potentially great hockey team. Give it time, GO KINGS!!!
[Reply]
I’m a huge Frolov fan, the guy has mad skills holding onto the puck in the corner. Having said that, he just didn’t seem to fit into TM system and the change will hopefully work out for both him and Poni.
Now for all the clowns who think DL is the one who pulls the strings on whether or not we trade or sign players…I have a bridge I’d like to sell you. Ownership combined with the salary cap are the puppet masters here and its up to DL to make it happen once they say go! Anyone with a brain cell can see DL is always handcuffed by ownership telling him to go get our boy but you only have this much to spend. That may work in NY, DET, or BOS, but no in LA…players are still not ready to commit to this team for a varitey of reasons, take your pick.
Remember when mom and dad gave you $5 bucks and said here’s some money to go out, go to the movies and enjoy yourself and all they gave you was 5 bucks…lol That’s it…they keep giving him $5 when he need $10 or $20 to make it happen…what else do you want him to do?
And how could you even look at signing another player until the Kovy deal was finalized! Everyone wanted this guy and it would have taken everything in the bank to sign him, leaving almost nothing to sign anyone else. Now that we didn’t get this guy (I for one never thought he would come to LA) the same people are second guessing DL?
Someone said it earlier, had we been able to sign Kovy, Frolov would have signed with the Kings for less. When we didn’t sign Kovy, Fro gave Dean the bird and said see you later and who could blame him after the way he was treated.
Unless DL pulls something out of his ass, this is it boys…I’m expecting Rand Jones cell phone to be ringing with a call from DL right about now.
[Reply]
Miller29 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,
HaHa! Right on the money!
[Reply]
i am not sure if this is fair to say. But why in the world would you spend all of that time..(18 days) on one guy who may or may not sign..? If you had other player’s in mind, why not go after those guys instead of wasting all of that time on one guy when you could have had 2 or 3 guys. Now you sign a guy who could made a difference or may not. But i think this could work out with this Poni.
I am all for what its going to take, to take the team to the next level. Kovi in my opinion was already had made is mind up from the get go which team he was going to sign with. But when the Kings already have a great core of players, + or – a free agent or two, we could easily be a cup contender without kovi. Should just think a goal here and a goal there, we would have made it onto the next round of the playoffs.
I see another trade or two, or even another signing of some sort. But watch hockey world the Kings are for real and I know i am ready for some Hockey.. GO Kings.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
@lv is the way, I agree with everything you said except that Kovi had his mind made up from the beginnig. I believe Kovi was thinking seriously about coming here and that Dean offered him more years and money then I would have. That being said, When New Jersey offerd 102 million worth of illegal salary cap money Kovi couldnt resist, I mean what was he supposed to do..say no?
[Reply]
Ok,here’s the thing!If my memory serves me correctly ummmm…didn’t they give Lord Frolov numerous opportunity to get going offensively???Didn’t they put Lord Frolov on the first line with Kopy at least a couple times???Didn’t they put Lord Frolov with Stoll on the second line more then a couple times???Didn’t they even switch Lord Frolov to right wing so maybe he’d get a better view at the net while shooting from that side???The answer to all those questions my friends is YES!YES!YES! and wait for it…YES!!!Lord Frolov can only look himself in the mirror if he wants the answers as to why he never produced when he was counted on!!(please disregard that last statement because as we all kno,Vampires don’t cast their own reflection in a mirror…Well known fact u kno!!)
[Reply]
Kings Fan In Idaho Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:11 am
@Gold Dust, Let’s get off Fro’s back already, he’s gone so what are you complaining about. Sheesh!
[Reply]
Gold Dust Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:15 am
@Kings Fan In Idaho, As the saying goes…The Truth Hurts Don’t It !!!
[Reply]
Dan H. Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:57 am
@Gold Dust,
Truth will hurt more when fro has his 35-40 this year and our guy has 15 for less money.
Just coming back here to say that yesterday morning, I was making critical remarks about Dean’s lack of activity thus far in the offseason, and much to my relief, Dean has proved me wrong with the Ponikarovsky signing. I don’t expect anything more from Poni than 20 goals next year, but Alexi should be a nice fit with Handzus and Meat Train on the 3rd line.
I still would like to see the Kings try to acquire another LW who is more adept at scoring goals and, more importantly, a savvy, stay-at-home defenseman who can be a good compliment to Jack Johnson’s freelancing style. But I was ripping Lombardi yesterday for not doing anything, he then proved me wrong by signing Poni, and for that I’d like to say “Thanks, Dean.”
[Reply]
Dean took a shot at somebody who would really make a difference. its not his fault a GM who helped structure the CBA took advantage of how u can write contracts. I hope they fine Lou, but ANYWAY leave the spots for the kids to kids to fil, other than kovy there wasnt much.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
@Rudedogg, Agree 100%. Heck, the most I would have offerd Kovi was 8 years 64 million which would take him to age 35, Dean offerd 13 years and 80 million which in my opinion is wayyyy too many years!
[Reply]
@vicarious’ way earlier post
Just because Frolov signed a 1yr/3mil deal in New York doesn’t mean he was looking @ signed for 3mil earlier in the offseason there were rumors abound that he was looking for upwards of 5mil a season. DL obviously doesn’t think he’s a 5mil player (and he’s not) so he decided to pass.
Moreover, DL admits to talking to Fro after the Kovy situation and Fro seemed content on looking elsewhere, which I can’t blame him for. A team tells you they feel they can offer you ‘X’ amount of dollars then say, ‘well we didn’t get who we wanted so will you come back to the negotiating table.’
I love Frolov as a King and it sucks to see him leave next to Datsyuk he’s probably one of the best at creating turnovers and stripping players of the puck. I hope Kings fans don’t have an ‘I told you so’ moment for NY. I hope Fro tears it up in NY personally because you never like to see a so much talent go to waste. I will always enjoy the Fro moments from his Kings days (the good ones anyway). Best of luck to Fro with his new team.
[Reply]
Wow, the Fro-hate is out in force. Regardless of his inconsistency he was a significant asset that the Kings squandered through indifference. This team succeeded last year partly because it was underestimated by lots of other teams. This season, teams will be gunning for them. Expectations will be higher and so will the pressure. Aside from the possible addition of Bernier (assuming TM plays him more than he did EE) it is a lesser team. Ponikarovsky replaces Modin not Frolov. The top line is injury prone, the second line is arguably the weakest on any contending team. Barring remarkable improvement from the kids, the Kings are a borderline playoff team, basically the same team that the Canucks exposed last season.
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
@Palfan,
The 6th place, 101 point team? Yeah, that’ll suck.
[Reply]
O.K. so Kovi’s in NJ- oh well,we never know if he woulda fit anyway.OD and Jones gone- good riddance(no offense OD). Fro is a swap-out, I’m still pissed on that one. And everyone cries how we need to be better 5 on 5 , and need another D-man So I propose we fill the D-man slot and get better 5 on 5 by simply trading our #1 5 on 5 liability– Quick. His 39 wins make him look attractive to other teams, but he was barely marginal at best. Sure , he occasionally sparkled, but for the most part, I believe we won in spite of him, rather than because of him. Jb played only a handful of games, but you could see and feel the team play with more confidence in front of him. It’s easier to play more O fensive when you’re confident your keeper will stop the other team.
I’d like to see what the teams stats were 5 on 5, when JB was between the pipes, stopping all those softies Quick would let in.
So, trade Quick for a quality D-man while he’s attractive, get an experienced goalie to back up and spell JB, and get this party started.
Go Kings
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:21 am
@yobro,
You NEVER , EVER , trade a goalie that is a upcoming star. Goalies, well good goalies, are the hardest to come by in the NHL, so when your grab them, you dont want to let them go. Quick and Bernier can honestly be the goalie structure for a LONG LONG time. The only thing im worried about, is that there both really good, and both are starting goalies. So well see how that plays out. But to get rid of quick this early, we would not only lose value from him developing even more next season, but there is no promise with bernier taking the job already.
-mike
[Reply]
yobro Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:36 am
@Michael_DD8, If by developing, you mean getting worse as the season goes on, then Quick has that down. Watching the whole team’s shoulders slump after another Quick “softie” is not my idea of developing.
As for those who say “he had a baby, – or, He’s overworked and tired”, I say Pfffftt. I’ve had 2 children and worked 60 hrs a week, and my work quality never went down the toilet.
He had his shot last season, and showed us nothing spectacular, unless you include the countless times he would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Sorry, I wouldn’t mind seeing him go at all. JMO
Go Kings.
[Reply]
AlexB20 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@yobro, I think that’s an unfair assesment of Quick, especially considering that your work probably does not involve intense physical exertion every night, not to mention the countless minutes of nearly constant focus on the moving, intelligent objects that are the opposing team.
I think it is ridiculous how confident people are in Bernier. He looks great, but has only a handful of NHL games under his belt. Sure, he had a stellar year in the AHL, but that is a different game entirely.
Goalies need to know people are confident in them, they play better that way. Quick isn’t going anywhere, and I think that keeping both goaltenders around would be fantastic, and if one steals the spotlight, then you can consider trading the other.
For now, however, Quick is our man. He is a first solid goaltender we have had in some time, and I would hate to have him go.
That is merely an opinion though.
Go Kings.
notposimatt Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:46 am
@yobro,
I don’t understand how people bash quick just let him play it out he’s not a bad goalie if you guys want bad goalies we can just use goalies of kings past. I say we hang on to him while he’s still cheap see what happens between the 2 goalies and for now we can trade a guy like willy or ersberg or even martin jones in jrs and tubert that’s my opinion. Just sayyinn
[Reply]
yobro Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@notposimatt, I appreciate your opinion. I just gotta say, maybe you haven’t been around this team for long. I’ve seen countless goalies come and go in the last 27 yrs. and I’ve watched the Kings “let him play it out” only to prove fruitless in the end. How far back do you move the development of the TEAM, while allowing a marginal goalie to try and find his game? I just don’t see it as worth the gamble to stroke this guy’s ego and have our team believe it’s OK to lose.
Go Kings
[Reply]
notposimatt Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
@yobro,
thats cool and i understand but why move him now were not paying him anything and if any goalies been getting their ego stroked its JB cause the dudes played 3 games this last season and 2 of em not against very good teams so i think we should have em both up here and take some time to judge to 2 of em together just sayyin
John Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
@yobro,
The boys have plenty of confidence in Quick! You don’t get 100 points in this league without it.
Now is not the time to trade your #1 goalie. Next season or the one after, Quick or Bernier will be moved for, hopefully, the final piece.
And come on yobro, you sound like you’re describing Jason LaBarbera, “soft goals” blah blah blah, my ass. Horrible analysis!
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
@yobro,
Developing means growth. How can you say that he isnt developing? Do you know what your talking about? Those soft goals are all part of him development. 70 games is also a huge part of his development, making him even more ready next season.
[Reply]
Signing Kovi – this is Leweike deal. His theory is that fans come to see show, gol scoring and stars, and who is winning is secondary. That is why he brought Beckham to Galaxy, the same here for Kings. That is why he never allows spend any money on golies – people come to see goals. In his eyes 4:5 loss is better than 1:0 win from entertainment point of view. Read Leweike other interviews over the years and you will see it. If they can’t sign the star then they will keep payroll to the min. For the same reason no enhancement were made before play off. While Kings may not make money or stay break even, they will make money of Staples Center. Lombardi hates this and quitly sabotages signing Covi. You can read between lines in his interview how he disappointed he is that he was forced to persue Kovi for too long. Chasing Fro out of town and replacing him with lower quality player – this is all about $1.0M and Lomabardi disliking Fro on personal level, because he thought Fro intentionally played worse last year because of contract. There will be no good surprises, guys. You will see how the same old thing will come back – “team rebuilding”.
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:46 am
@Alberto Borelli,
Wow, what a load of twaddle
Scientifically proven that humans are happier and studies have shown people spend more money, after a win, not a loss.
Strike 1
“no enhancements made before playoffs”
- traded for two veterens, with playoff and stanley cup experience, without giving up any significant assets.
Strike 2
“this is all about $1.0 million”
What!?!? No sense at all to this statement.
Strike 3
“There will be no good surprises”
I can’t give you a strike for this one because I can’t predict the future, but I wish you wouldn’t claim this ability.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
@cristobal, I love the accent.
[Reply]
When a player is signed like Alexie, do the Kings have special relocation employees that help show them around so they can decide on schools for children etc. Or do they have homes that players switch. I thought this might be interesting. Or is a player on their own and it is show up at training camp.
[Reply]
adrush Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:18 am
@Kingsfanbl,
A lot of the time a new player will often stay with a player on the team until they find a place of their own. However, what you described does happen. They get help from the team in finding their way around and the other things you described.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
@Kingsfanbl, pon has family in LA, one of the reasons he decided on LA.
[Reply]
How about signing Paul Kariya to a 1-yr deal? He could still be good for 25-30 goals playing with Kopitar. We wouldn’t have to give anything up and we still have plenty of cap space to get someone like Brad Richards at the trade deadline if we are in a good position. I like the Poni deal because it’s only 1-yr so it leaves us with lots of cap space after next year to keep all the kids and maybe go after a guy like Semin next year. I still think we can trade Quick for a D-man, but it would have to be the right guy, and Kaberle and Souray are not that guy.
[Reply]
Why are we not resigning Modin? I thought he did alright.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
@Subby, Agree 100% ! Modin has won a cup and in 6 playoff games with us scored 4 goals which proves that he knows how to produce when it counts. Also, I think you can offer him a 1 or 2 year deal and get him to resign on the cheap so it wouldnt be a big hit on the cap, but we would be getting a big forward who plays big when it counts and has lots of playoff experience !
[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
@Subby, I second that motion. He was the antithesis of Halpern. Played BIG when we needed. Skated fairly well for a big guy and I saw him get feisty a few times. Saves us some cash for a copuple of years so that we can go after a Big Gun.
[Reply]
If Poni can’t hurt the cap long term because he’s on a short term contract, then I’m all for signing Kariya and Selanne on a max 2yr contract. This would give us good speed and scoring threat and bridge for a couple more years.
[Reply]
Harry Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
@Miller39,
I’m with you on that one! Kariya wants to play on the west…..so why not the Kings?
Screw the Ducks!!
[Reply]
Heres what the lines might look like…
Smyth – Kopitar – Williams
Ponikarovsky – Stoll – Brown
Richardson – Hanzus – Simmonds
Parse – Moller – Clifford
Stoll could be traded away and replaced by Brayden Schenn (Depends on training camp), Poni and Richie might switch lines, and the 4th line is pretty much a toss-up because Clune, Cliche, Westgarth, Kozun, and Loktionov may also make the team. Also there still is a possibility that Dean goes out and gets another guy, whether its Kovalchuck or somebody else. Our defense might look something like this…
Doughty – Scuderi
Johnson – Hickey?
Greene – Drewiske?
I’m confidant that we will get at least one NHL callibar defensemen by the end of the offseason, whether it means trading for Kaberle or signing a UFA like Willie Mitchell. Alot is depending on training camp because guys like Teubert, Voynov, Fransson, Martinez, and Muzzin will challenge for the 5th and 6th slots. I continue to believe that if we don’t make any more additions, than Hickey and Drewiske will be on the team. It sure will be intersting to find out.
[Reply]
yobro Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
@Mendola, I’d like to see Harrold somewhere in that mix. I thought he played well once he was put exclusively on D.Less panic, more smart plays, and he would take a hit to make a play, only problem was, he can’t take much of a hit. Maybe if he bulks up a bit?
Go Kings
[Reply]
Mendola Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Thanks for the comment, man. I totally forgot about Harrold! He’s valuable because he could fill in at any position whether it be offense or defense. I predict that he plays like 60 games next season.
[Reply]
Mendola Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
According to Matthew Barry, if Slava Voynov doesn’t make the team this year than he will go over-seas to Mother Russia and play in the KHL. I’m not sure if this is good or bad for his chances of making the team. Does this pressure the coaches to put him in? or does this piss of the coaches so they don’t put him through?
I’d hate to see Voynov leave but if he’d rather play in Russia than have a fair chance at the NHL than I’m not sure if he is worth keeping. Maybe we could use him as trade bait.
[Reply]
DBB Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
@Mendola,
4 words which you will never see precede a credible statement: “According to Matthew Barry,”
[Reply]
Alexei Ponikarovsky is not a great find Fro knew the system here hopefully Ponikarovsky will try to prove his worth lots of money to this guy for a season.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
@Ose,
He may have known it, but sometimes it sure didn’t seem like it.
We got limited production from Fro. How much more does Poni have to do to equal Fro’s production?
[Reply]
Dan H. Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@nykingfan,
23 goals in limited use would be a start.
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
@Ose, who are you people? Where the heck where you all when we where talking last year? or the year before that? Serious, I a fro fan but please like i said before if fro wanted to leave then its for the best. No please go away
[Reply]
Smyth – Kopitar – Williams
Ponikarovsky – Stoll – Brown
Richardson – Hanzus – Simmonds
With this line-up, where would you play a Kariya, Afinogenov or (insert anyone you would like here) and who sits. These guys are not 4th line players so don’t mess with the Manchester line….WHO SITS?
Unless DL unloads Williams or Stoll, I think this is the line up we start the season with.
Personally If DL is going to sign another winger, I’d like to see a guy like Afinogenov and his speed play on Kopi’s line.
@Mendola,
If I see Harrold play 60 games next year, I’m going to be sick. He’s a great 7th dman, but if he plays that many games with all the depth we have in Manchester we have a serious problem.
[Reply]
Joe Dirt Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,
You wouldn’t have to worry much about who will sit as JWilliams hardly ever plays more than half a season and it seems lately Smytty is starting to catch the JW bug.
[Reply]
Some people are enjoying the Yummy Dean Lombardi Kool Aid. Drink up guys. The Kings love suckers who believe in everything they say and keep buying tickets. Maybe you will offset the 1,000′s who have dumped their season tickets.
[Reply]
Josh E. Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Azking,
that’s the spirit!
dean is not done…i promise…if people have dumped their season tickets they are fools…
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
@Azking,
Could you wallow in self pity any more?!
How losing Frolov, Modin, Halpern & Jones is going to make us worse is beyond me! It’s almost comical, actually!
Granted, we probably do need to sign or trade for vet Dman. But we are BUSTING at the seams with talent in this organIzation!
Go ahead, dump your season tickets. You’ll just be back in a season or two with worse seats!
[Reply]
jet Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
@Azking, Could you talk to my ticket rep? He seemed to think that there were not 1000′s of drops as my seats hardly improved.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:22 am
@Azking, I actually upgraded my season seats, lol.
[Reply]
I saw losing Fro as an opportunity to be probably lose some goals this season, but give a brand new kid a chance to get Major League experience. Oh well, just another guy we aren’t gonna sign again.
[Reply]
It’s truly amazing, after hearing all the calls for Frolov to go during the season, I’m now seeing all this whaling and gnashing of teeth with him gone.
I liked Fro, but was disturbed by last season’s situation (which gives the benefit of the doubt to either “side” in his scoring troubles.) Quite possibly, both players will play better for their teams, or not. Statistically, it looks like a move that had to be made for fear of things being worse without making it. I really think, however, that the seeds of this weren’t sown in the past month; they were sown in the past year, or longer.
I can’t really blame Lombardi. He more or less did what he had to do. Maybe he could have communicated better with Fro, but I wasn’t there, so I don’t know that.
[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth,
I’m just now recovering from the loss of Fro. And I believe it’s a heavy loss and we will be made to feel it. I was always among those who wanted him re-signed. His “low” goal production this past season I think was an anomaly — that he’ll shine on the Rangers and do precisely what they bought him for.
Having said that much I agree, chapter and verse, with the rest of your comment.
[Reply]
Steve S. Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
I appreciate the sentimentality towards long term players. That’s how fans should feel.
However, fact is, Fro was always a streaky player and as a fan I was always confused between what he could be and what he was. Some nights he seemed invisible. This was followed by flashes of brilliance.
It was time for a change for both parties. I whish him well, and remember, he may be back…
[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
@Steve S.,
But EVERY night he held onto the puck in the offensive zone as tenaciously and dexterously as any player in the league.
That was one realm in which he was not at all a streaky player.
If his individual goal production was down last season, he was still involved with getting this team 51 goals.
It’s more than mere sentimentality that makes me regret his absence.
[Reply]
When Frolov scored that wrap around on Roy at his first(?)FF I thought we had seen the first of many astonishing goals from a guy who’s #24 would hang in the rafters. He tried that wrap around for the next 5 years and had almost no success with it. Every year he slipped more in my evaluation of him. He might be the most frustrating player the Kings ever had. And that list is large. I wish him luck but I am thrilled with Poni. Somehow Fro was damaged. His weakerthan interviews make me wince. He shows all that skill and strength on the boards and can’t make a move toward the net. Frustrating. Coming down the wing with speed, all he needs is tho muscle to the slot and he goes… behind the net, no shot. Those aggressive moves just aren’t programed into Fro. It is personality driven. We needed more from you, Alex. The King is dead long live the King.
[Reply]
I think it is a good signing,screw Kovalchuk!!!,I think the Kings might go after Willie Mitchell on D,once he passes his physical
The current lines:
Smyth-Kopitar-Williams
Ponikarovsky-Handzus-Simmonds
Richardson-Stoll-Brown
Open-Open-Open
Parse
Scuderi-Doughty
Johnson-Open
Open-Greene
Harrold/Drewiske
[Reply]
Too early to tell about the Kings, but the Monarchs are going to rock this year.
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
@Token,
Something the non-Kool-Aid drinkers think has NO affect on the team in Los Angeles…
[Reply]
I can’t drink much beer anymore so I guess I’ll have to settle for koolaid….
[Reply]
The question we are asking, is “why not an offer sheet?”
Here is the article: http://www.lakingsnews.com/2010/07/28/why-not-an-offer-sheet/
[Reply]
SebaS Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 1:26 am
@Bobby Scribe,
Great article! So, really, why not go after Hornqvist or Neal?
[Reply]
What has this league come too?
3 Mil. for a third line LW…Exactly what we needed to fill the hole…Hats off to you AEG
[Reply]
You Want To Know How To Win KINGS?
The Angels depantsed the Arizona Diamondbacks. They stole All Star Dan Haren in a trade and left the directionless D’backs naked and with nowhere to hide. This puts the Angels back in the Race to win the AL West.
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired All Star outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Kansas City Royals for a pair of minor leaguers Wednesday night, trying to boost their chances to win the NL West.
This is How you Win….You Need An Ownership That Wants To Win First…
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
@RJB, Wait,the Angels lost(again), for, I don’t know,how many straight,and HAREN got hurt 2 nights ago.As long as they play the Red sox and the Rangers, they won’t win the west this year.I don’t follow the Dauyers ,but useing the Angels for comparison does’t work.The Angels are my team though.
[Reply]
RJB Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 11:04 am
@LVKINGS88,
Of course they have had their share of ups and and major injuries this year but my point being is that even 2nd or 3rd place does not sit well for the really good organizations. It is never throw the towel in and say ” Dont worry Season Ticket Holders, We are only on our second year of our 5 year rebuilding plan”. They make moves during the season and at trade deadlines along of course with the off seasons to put a product on the fiels that will compete.
[Reply]
GreyPaws Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
@RJB,
Or simply add 100 games to the sched, and finance new building with tax payer money.. oh wait…
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
@RJB,
Are the Angels and Dodgers still under the cap?
[Reply]
kingsfan4life Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
@John, there is no cap in baseball duh! thats why the yankees are always so good, they have a grip load of money and will pay whatever.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
@kingsfan4life, Hmmm, gobs of money, and no salary cap,who does that remind of you? Answer..you guessed it..that coin collecting,bank defrauding,welll..you know the rest!
puck73 Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
@John, I dont know,but I bet Frank Mccourt would like ta bust a cap into that two timing wife of his !
[Reply]
Why doesn’t the Kings go after UFA Stepniak who played for the Phonix Coyotes last season?
He’s a right wing- he might be worth a simular paycheck that was promised to Poni or Frolov…one year for 3 Mil…I think that would take care of the Justin Williams business because they are not going to win with Justin Williams on the team…
[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 12:42 am
@Danny Ingamells,
Yeah, Justin Williams sure jinxed the 2006 Hurricanes with his 18 playoff points and scoring the final goal of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Sheesh… Why do I even bother
[Reply]
thound Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 1:12 am
@Lanny McDonald’s ‘Stache,
Hmmmmm, funny you should mention 2006 for that happened to be the last time Williams was able to stay on the ICE for more than 50 games.
He’s averaged 32 games a season the past 4 years.
Hes certainly not a jinx, but he’s also certainly no one the Kings should count on for much production or playing time.
If he has a healthy year… great.
[Reply]
scvking Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 7:49 am
@Danny Ingamells,
Because he is not a good player, and he would do nothing to help us.
Some here are enamored with Stepniak due to the fact that he played out of his mind for a few weeks in Phoenix. But, he is a waste of time.
[Reply]
scvking Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:45 am
@Danny Ingamells,
Because Stepniak is not that good. Some on this site are enamored with him because he played over his head for a few weeks with Phoenix. But seriously, he is not much of a player. No reason to waste the time on him.
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:52 am
@Danny Ingamells,
Its funny how people only look at the Phoenix Coyotes version of Stempniak. Watch him play and you will be very unimpressed. Look at his body of work with the Leafs and Blues and you will be underwhelmed. Pay him $3 Million a year and you are a fool. There are good reasons why some of these guys are still FA’s
[Reply]
Wow, that’s a freaky picture of Ponk the kings have on their website…I hope he plays as scary for opponents as he looks in that photo!
[Reply]
If we signed him to be our younger version of Fred Modin, and play the 3rd line, play keep away with Simmer and Zeus, pot 20 goals, even at 3 million dollars I like it. However, I sure hope (and with Murray behind the bench it’s certainly possible), he’s not this year’s player that gets used incorrectly. And I believe using him in any other way, would be incorrectly.
Here’s to hoping we didn’t sign him to fill any sort of a top line sniper role, and hoping Dean is out busting his ass trying to get a guy who could.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 12:01 am
@Nyck,He should be on the 3rd line.To be fair he should be expected to score more than 30 goals from there.19 won’t do for that kind of money.lol
[Reply]
Nyck Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 1:35 am
@Dominick, well, with that logic, it would be fair to expect Smyth to score 60. It’s probably not going to happen.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
@Nyck, I was being sarcastic.I didn’t expect Fro to score 30 from there anyway.
Dominick Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
@Nyck, Not”anyway” I meant “either”.
ok so we havent got a true sniper or at least someone to make kopi turn into the sniper he can be with someone else taking some pressure off him. we havent got another deffence man. and were in the same spot as last year just with jb thats going to be in goal for sure. so is anyone else besides me pist off at the fact that our season tickets went up ? because obviously the cantnucks got better not alot but at least better than what they were last year. Im going to tell you i tried calling to cancel my season tickets. I was going to sell half of them because i wont be able to make it every game, and now alot of fans are not goin to pay to watch the same exact team wait exept with an older version of fro. so when i called they said i couldnt cancel them for some damm reason. that got me more mad . i mean i will still go to some games but what about the games i cant make it to. wish me luck or dammit DL do something hahaha
[Reply]
EASportsMgt Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
@909kingsfan,
I’m in the 909 also, so email when you can’t make it to games and I will buy them off you.
[Reply]
I’m reading, through twitter, that Zeus or Stoll for Drury…staight up. Anyone else hear/read that?
[Reply]
Kings Fan in Vancouver, WA Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 7:47 am
@EmiAmi77, LINK?????
[Reply]
scvking Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:42 am
@EmiAmi77,
Have not heard that.
However, I certainly would not trade ‘Zus, maybe Stoll, but I think even that price is a bit steep given the fact Drury has not played all that well recently (although he was quite good in the Olympics).
To take the 2-years remaining and the $7 mil cap hit, I would think a prospect and a pick is more reasonable. Maybe a Moeller or Teubert and a 1st or 2nd rounder. Maybe they could also throw in Fro!
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:55 am
@EmiAmi77, Load of old bollocks
[Reply]
Lanny McDonald's 'Stache Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:30 am
@EmiAmi77,
Do not want that contract! Holy crap.
[Reply]
This signing reminds of Steve Heinze being brought in to replace Luc Robitaille. Heinze was and Poni is a decent player, but neither are as good overall as the players they’re supposed to replace.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 9:26 am
@FKA PakiFro, You are comparing Robitaille to Frolov? lol
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:31 am
@sstephen17,
I’m comparing the situations. Robitaille was replaced by an inferrior player as Frolov was.
[Reply]
km Reply:
July 30th, 2010 at 3:00 am
@FKA PakiFro, thought they signed Randy Robitaille,hoping no one would notice.
[Reply]
I’d like to see more people get behind this Poni deal. Too much sulking and complaining about it IMO. Let’s give this guy a chance to see how he can produce with our team. Reading this blog lately is rather depressing. I know we are all entitled to our opinions, but a bit more positivity would be refreshing. I’m moving forward and keeping positive thoughts about this coming season.
And sorry in advance if I’ve offended any of you with my opinion.
By the way, my favorite Kool-Aid is Watermelon-Stawberry. Go Kings!
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:48 am
@Kings Fan In Idaho,
Hi. You certainly haven’t offended me in the slightest. I think there are a Lot of really positive Kings fans out there, along with those who like to whinge, but I believe that one of the reasons its appearing this way to you is that there is a certain realism in all of this.
Fact is, now ‘the kids’ (in spite of what DL keeps saying about the young core – Smyth is integral to this team and he’s certainly not a kid, same w Scuderi) aren’t just at the beginning. Time flies.
I think we all know on some level that if we want to compete with the best teams, having a serious goal scoring threat in Kopitar and that effectively is about it, might get the team to the playoffs, but how much more? Realistically. Could it be a ‘cindarella season’ where they win the cup? Yes. But highly unlikely.
Look at the teams who win the Cup. Last four.
ANA – Neidermeyer, Pronger, Selanne, Giguerre, Getzlaf, Perry
DET – Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Holstrom, Lidstrom
PITTS – Crosby, Malkin, Gonchar, Stall, Fleury and at least one other significant forward
CHIC – Keith, Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa plus v strong support
That’s why people seem frustrated. Kopi_fantastic DD_nothing I have to say. JJ_ developing, but will he even stay with the team. Goal_ still not a given quite yet.
They are clearly on their way, but still a ways from touching that next level.
Hope that all is of some interest.
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:59 am
@number 6,
I think what you may be forgetting, is that guys like Getzlaf, Perry, Zetterberg, Datsyk, and them; they were good players, but never fully got their recognition as great until they busted out and performed in the playoffs.
Who is to say that Brown, Simmonds, Kopitar, Doughty, Johnson, Bernier/Quick won’t be mentioned in the same breath as the ones above after a memorable cup run?
Give them the opportunity to shine and we will find out if they are good, or great.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:37 am
@VanKingsFan,
Yes, I absolutely agree with you VKF. No question. What I’m trying to say is that if you have One serious scoring threat up front (Kopi) and One on the backend (DD), if you expect to win not one, but Four series in the playoffs against very good teams who will key on those players, you’d do very well to have other players who can pick up the scoring slack. Right now the Kings don’t have enough scoring depth up front.
It wouldn’t be fair to say I’m writing them off. I’m not. I’m looking at the reality. Could they do it. YES they could. Is it likely w/o more offensive support (VKF…. guy, I’m not making this up…. the reality is they were Not Good five on five last year). If you have any question about that just check the stats.
I’d love for that to change, but right now they don’t even have a super threatening first line. Every Single Team that won the Cup of those four had a serious first line, and if not then an extraordinary depth up the middle. Crosby, Malkin, Stall.
At the moment the Kings don’t have either of those things. Everyone on this blog has said that Stoll would be a fabulous 3rd line center. I agree. I don’t consider him right now a great 2nd line center and I don’t see the scoring support. Unless Bernier is in his first year the reincarnation of Patrick Roy then it’s gonna be tough to win the Cup ‘as we stand today’ which does not mean that that can’t change.
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:58 am
@number 6, All good points.
I think we definitely have the depth, (Smyth, Williams, Simmonds, Stoll, Brown, Jack Johnson, Poni)
But you are right we don’t have enough top end at the moment.My hope is that one of the kids (Moller or Parse) will bust out, perhaps hoping for way too much.
I don’t really think there are any high level options available right now to us (unless Jeff Carter rumours can be believed).
Maybe, just maybe… Brayden Schenn??
I also think there is a possibility that we package Stoll and a prospect in a trade, but I think Dean is leaning towards Kaberle, not a forward.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:07 am
@VanKingsFan,
We’re on exactly the same page. Identical. As far as Schenn goes, I tend to think he’ll be the real deal, but that might be a bit much to expect in his rookie year is all. Personally I like Scott Parse. He’s got a goal scorer’s touch. It’s just a question of smoothing out some other aspects of his game so TM will be satisfied.
btw, gads I hope DL isn’t leaning towards Kaberle. That’s another one of those trades that my instincts say ‘Don’t Do It’!! I hope he doesn’t.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’d rather do nothing (especially having prospects galore on d) then to do something cause you know the person is a known quantity.
Kings Fan In Idaho Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:29 am
@number 6, & VanKingsFan,
I find both of your posts very interesting. Opinions without criticizing just for the sake of criticizing. It’s fans like the two of you, and of course I have my other favorites too, that keep me coming back to this site for more.
A good day to ya.
[Reply]
Dan H. Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:55 am
@Kings Fan In Idaho,
I agree with these guys as well. I don’t know if Schenn can make it this year but as has been said Juniors won’t teach the kid a thing this year. But it’s a lot to expect him to be the scoring guy we need this year.
Parse and Moller need to be up on the top two I think to be successful but neither has “earned” that spot so it’s a pickle.
I don’t want a trade or acquisition just because as well, especially on D. Lets see what the kids have and fill those two spots from within and give them the experience and see. If they fail there’s always a trade.
VanKingsFan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
@number 6,
Given the injury news on Greene (if its true?) does Kaberle look a bit better now?
Right now our defense is:
Doughty – Scuderi
Johnson – ???
??? – ???
I see three spots to fill right now… scary
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Yipes. I just heard about this. I don’t know where the source info comes from but I assume there must be something to it. So Now what? This is not good at all. Hey, no Jones, no OD and now no Greener for who knows how long.
Almost anyone (maybe not Jones though) looks pretty good at the moment.
You’ve gotta believe that one of the kids not only might step up, but had better step up.
Kevco Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
@VanKingsFan, It’s on the Kings web site: Greene out 3 months.
New guy interview just thought i would share
http://kings.nhl.com/club/podcastplayer.htm?pid=375&iid=23816&navid=DL|LAK|home
[Reply]
src Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:50 am
@pr0cess,
Speaks good english!
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 8:52 am
@src, +1 for silversun Pickups, and ya lets hope he isnt as shy on the camera
[Reply]
GreyPaws Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:42 am
@pr0cess,
Thanks for the Link. He sounds good, says all the right stuff, lets hope he brings his ‘A’ game to the ice.
I liked his comments about the business side of this sport, and about understanding his role. I’m looking forward to seeing him play.
[Reply]
Strange movements from Kings management…
I hope Lombardi isn’t running out of ideas, because there are worlds of possibilities out there. And, no need to go chasing names.
Think back 5 short months and remember that the Olympics showed us that players like Roman Wick (property of Ottawa) and Mats Zuccarelloausen (property of a Swedish Elite team) know how to compete and have loads of talent.
Zucarelloausen was a small-fry standout and would be an instan hit and fan favorite in Los Angeles.
What I don’t understand is letting an incredible 2 way player like Frolov go and replacing him with what can best be described as Frolov-lite.
There are pllenty of small names floating around still — Robbie Earl (Los Angeles kid with some promise) and the likes of John Madden ( who could be a great 4th line player that would put to bed questions of where other players should be lined up).
Will TM go with a third year of dinosaur-tactic 4th line immobility? Do we still need to juggle lines to find working combos?
Why would DL let a guy like O’Donnel walk away?
The playoffs are a minimum requirement for me from DL and TM. As long as we’re in I’m ok and pretty happy.
But, they must realize that if they somehow fall short of the playoffs, both heads will have to roll.
I’d suggest some small name competitors could help the cause. That wouldn’t satisfy many of the star worshippers, but it could make us a pretty competitive team.
[Reply]
Pedro Kings Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:27 am
@Cristobal, Good stuff, and while I completely agree that Frolov is an incredible 2-way player, I simply cannot discount the fact that Alex could not be relied upon to show those incredible skills on a nightly basis. Some argue this is the result of a Terry Murray system, however I have long felt Frolov to be the enigma that could shine brightly for a game and then disappear for long stretches, and this preceded Terry Murray’s arrival.
I thought O’Donnell was out mostly out of gas by Christmastime, and he was mostly a liability for the balance of the season and the Vancouver series. Not Randy Jones-esque, but just poor in his positioning and ability to clear the zone when needed.
I’m confident that we’ll see another reliable defenseman and forward added before camp.
[Reply]
If you’re interested.
http://nyrangersblog.blogspot.com/
[Reply]
dMan Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:01 am
@tuan jim, it was either the Rangers or the KHL. Good luck to him.
[Reply]
Cry Baby Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:47 am
@tuan jim, Holy Jesus…it sounded like Fro actually had a heart beat.
To anyone that thinks Fro could not have played his way on to the top two lines when he was here needs be examined by a Dr. The Kings were need of his talent all year long. But as usual he showed his inability to play hard consistently. He was playing on the third line for a reason.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
@tuan jim,
Did you notice this gem on the blog as well?:
Frolov, Avery to Appear on MSG Tonight
Newyorkrangers.com reports that Alexander Frolov will join Sean Avery during tonight’s broadcast of “Knicks Night Live”, hosted by MSG’s Al Trautwig starting at 8 p.m. The show will be re-broadcast at 10pm.
Frolov and Avery, who were former teammates in LA, will discuss Frolov’s joining the team, the adjustment athletes must make when relocating to New York from other cities, and what it’s like to play in the nation’s biggest local market.
5PM & 7PM PST for us. If you get MSG on your DirecTV package, you might want to watch. I’m going to look for an internet feed. Should be a gool ‘ol Kings bashing.
[Reply]
According to dancing boy Greene is out 3-4 months?! Westgarth out as well. Rich where you at?
[Reply]
Paul From Oxnard Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:20 am
@bobo, Boy I hope this isn’t true. The Kings can’t afford to lose Greene for an extended period.
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:22 am
@bobo,
3 to 4 months?! What’s the injury??
[Reply]
bobo Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:29 am
@John,
Shoulder injury it appears, westgarth is a hand injury. I dont listen to Dancing Boy for rumors, but I dont see him pulling this out of his a**. Andy Sutton anyone?
[Reply]
Harry Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:29 am
@John,
I just read that too… Hopefully Rich Hammond can confirm if that information is true or false.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 10:45 am
@Harry, If this is correct, can we assume that he just had the surgery? If he did, why did he wait until the end of July to do it? If surgery was needed, it should have been done in June, and he probably could have made it to training camp.
pr0cess Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:06 am
@bobo, Well fuk… green is heart and soul out there man… i hope this isnt as bad as its sounding
[Reply]
scvking Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:33 am
@pr0cess, sstephen17
I think we neeed to be a bit mindful of the source on this one. Not exactly known for being all that accurate. Plus, we don’t know when that timeframe was from. If he already had the surgery, and the est. is 3-4 months, and we are 2 months from the season starting, he is back in Nov/Dec…and that is if the timeframe is starting right now. My guess is that Greene had the surgery earlier in the offseason, and the recovery was based on that date. We will find out more at some point.
[Reply]
bobo Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
@scvking,
I know its not the best source, but this is not a trade or FA signing, its an injury. I seem to remember that Matt Greene was taken off the Kings cruise, does anyone know when that was? I would bet these are related.
Deke'r Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
@bobo, I can hear RJ now…”HELLO BOYS….I’M BACK!!”
[Reply]
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
@bobo, ALL ABOVE:
–IT’S TRUE.–
Confirmed on the Kings web site…
[Reply]
Does anyone know if a arbitrator has been picked by both sides yet
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:09 am
@murf,
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy
This is a site that Rich likes. It’s great and this guy is on it. So you can check there regularly. As soon as there is any news at all, he’ll have it.
[Reply]
murf Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 11:50 am
@number 6, Thanks for the heads up
[Reply]
To watch Frolov and Avery on Knicks night LIVE on MSG in New York today at 5pm, here is what looks to be a live LEGAL link for it:
http://video.msg.com/Home/Watch-Knicks-Night-Live
If I find some others incase this is not working, I’ll try to post it. I’m curious to see if they bash the Kings or not. Avery won’t hesitate to. It’ll be interesting watching how Fro handles his first NY interview, given how shy he is and all.
[Reply]
brandyn Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
@Cynic,
Well the link is to a video of a promo for “Knicks Night Live” it is not “Live”
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
@brandyn,
It should be live at 5pm. Until then, you’ll see commercials. I don’t know if it will be live, but it looks like it could be. Worst case scenario, you can watch the tape of the program here. Just trying to give people options.
[Reply]
NOT IMPRESSED Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
@Cynic, Yea, it will be interesting to see what Fro has to say about the Kings. At least half the people on this site hate his guts already. I think he is at least way better than Pon…sky is, and I’ll bet he gets 30 goals this year no problem, while Pon…sky gets maybe 20.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Frolov do you have any thing to say about your time in LA?
(crickets chirping)
What do you expect to bring to this New York Rangers team?
(horn sounding in the background from near by traffic)
Are you looking forward to having Sean Avery as a teammate again?
(long pause)”NO”.
[Reply]
This season, we’re going to be last years Colombus and St. Louis. Finally made the playoffs but no upgrades. The only thing I think may save us this year are our goalies.
[Reply]
TSN just confirmed the report that Green is out approximately 3 months after shoulder surgury. Those Kaberle trade rumors just got a little louder.
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
@Lappy, piss really… Rich come back…
[Reply]
thound Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
@Lappy,
Great, now the Kings are once again dealing from a position of weakness. No top 6 D-man signed in UFA, and now they lose another until Oct-Nov.
Off season just keeps getting better and better.
As far as Kaberle goes, Burke is still apparently stuck on Schenn in return ( Ain’t happening Brian ) and we all know that Burke with his quack ass back ground is not going to do the Kings any favors.
Next up. A Cholera outbreak in El Segundo?
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@thound, I was thinking strep but sure that works…
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@Lappy, son of a ….
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=328915
I would like to know also why now? why wait soooo damn long to get this done???
[Reply]
Mr Mach5 Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
@pr0cess,
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
@pr0cess, Could be they were waiting to see how much natural healing would occur before applying invasive surgery.
[Reply]
pr0cess Reply:
July 29th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
@Deke’r, very true bud, Man it would be nice to have a “insider” at the kings? That could give us some great info like that? /s
I think I just heard the sound of Doughnuts’ and JMFJs’ workout regimen double!
[Reply]
Dean L’s ego is more important to him than treating the players with the respect they deserve.
Once again one step forward, two steps back.
[Reply]
the kings need to pick up the verteran paul kariya to add some skill and he has skill left in him sign him for a year or 2 and that will be fine to get us to the playoffs and maybe win it and maybe selanne
[Reply]