As I mentioned earlier, I got the chance on Thursday to attend a “retreat” for Kings staff at L.A. Live, an all-day event at the Grammy Museum that included approximately 60 staff members and featured 12 presentations from members of the organization. The event was hosted (for lack of a better term) by team president Luc Robitaille and Chris McGowan, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of business operations. Per prior, mutual agreement, some particulars of the day were off the record, but I thought folks might find it interesting to get an overview of some of the themes and thoughts that are predominant in the organization right now.
The theme that ran through most of the presentations was about “setting records.” Terry Murray and Ron Hextall spoke to the on-ice aspect on that, and Dustin Brown took hockey questions as well, while other department heads talked about their goals in total revenue, ticket sales, sponsorships, group sales, suite sales and charity (primarily the Kings Care Foundation). In almost all of those areas, the Kings made improvements last season, but the theme was to continue to improve.
“It was a great opportunity to bring our entire organization together to not only discuss how we can continue to grow but also how we can continue to serve our fans in a way that will fuel their passion for the Kings,” McGowan said.
While it might seem obvious, one thing that struck me was how closely the success of the team, on ice, is tied to the success of each of these areas. It’s particularly obvious that the better the players perform, the more that fans will buy tickets, but it really does trickle down to all areas. When the team performs well, the sponsorship folks can negotiate deals that are more advantageous to the team and can start their work earlier in the year, because there’s more buzz around the team. Same for areas such as group sales and suite sales. Several presenters made reference to the team’s struggles in recent years, and the financial impact, in contrast to how things improved last season when fans/companies were more excited about the on-ice product. It seemed to underscore something that we all understand: the Kings could be on the verge of something big, if they can take the next step on the ice. The next two or three years would seem to be particularly important, in all areas.
I found it interesting that approximately one quarter of the Kings’ annual revenue comes from television rights fees, and that the local broadcasts (FSN) bring in almost twice as much as the Kings’ share of the national TV revenue. I found it interesting that events such as the NHL Draft and Hockey Fest actually cost the Kings money, but are viewed as worthwhile because of the positive attention they bring to the market. There was a lot of talk about charitable events, and Brown came up to talk about his work with “KaBOOM” and the park he is helping to develop in Carson. Every month has some type of community/charity tie-in, and they’re all planned far in advance.
There was talk about some of the new features the Kings will be doing online this year, including a lot of interactive stuff with players, coaches and broadcasters that could be really strong, and a lot of discussion about how to best utilize social media. You can also be assured that the Kings are appreciative of the support you have given to this blog (as am I!).
The most compelling stuff, from a fan’s perspective, was probably the “hockey operations” update from Murray and Hextall. John Stevens also attended and was introduced to the group. Murray made a particularly nice gesture when he thanked the staff for their work, and related a story of how, when he coached in Washington, he used to hang out with the sales folks. Murray told the group how two staff members who did “cold calls” in Washington eventually moved on to bigger roles, Doug Armstrong as an NHL general manager and Brent Flahr as an assistant general manager, and encouraged the Kings’ staff to strive toward bigger goals.
In the latest “injured prospect” update, Hextall revealed that Vyacheslav Voynov has a shoulder injury and is “not going to be healthy at the start of the year.” Murray noted, in what shouldn’t be a surprise, that the Kings would not consider carrying three goaltenders and that he would prefer to limit his No. 1 goalie to a range of 55-58 games next season. Murray singled out Kyle Clifford and Brayden Schenn as “hungry, both looking to crack the lineup this year” and said that he had spent a significant amount of time this summer watching video of the Kings’ forecheck and breakouts from last season, looking for a way to improve the 5-on-5 offense.
There was much more from the day, but hopefully this serves as a good “highlights” package…
trade for souray unless they are REALLY REALLY HIGH on hickey and muzzin and whiskey and…
[Reply]
Earl Skakel Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 5:38 pm
@guuny, although I love Souray for his shot, his defense is awful and his contract is even worse as well as he’s been injury prone so I’d pass on him unless you only had to give up something along the lines of a 5th rounder for him.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 6:51 pm
@guuny, To take that sucker contract, I would hope that we would get a first rounder next year to ease the pain.
[Reply]
Steve S. Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 8:11 pm
That contract stinks and Dean knows it. Even if he was cheap Souray would be a liability.
This is NOT an answer.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 9:29 pm
@Steve S., yeah, you are right. We are past that stage of the rebuild. Good call.
NO TO SOURAY! And all the other ridiculous trades and signings.
Smyth/Kopitar/Williams
Parse/Stoll/Brown
Poni/Zues/Simmonds
Clune/Schenn/Richardson
Doughty/Scuderi
Johnson/Muzzin
Greene/Drewiske
Quick/Bernier
[Reply]
ringo Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 11:51 pm
@Deadmarsh, smyth/kopi/williams???if he stays healthy
poni/schenn(hes ready) /brown
richie/zues/simmer
clune/westgarth/parse(off wing, yeah, but hell adapt)
i like stollie but i say we package him with a draft pick for a decent d man
like your d parings though.
[Reply]
To those of you who better understand the Kings off season activity…could someone explain in what ways you think that the Kings have improved their chances for a more competitive season? Thanks
[Reply]
Deadmarsh Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 5:45 pm
@deepwater, yeah! We got rid of Randy Jones.
[Reply]
Gumby Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@Deadmarsh, AMEN BROTHER !!!But you forgot MR Third man in KING of the needless penalty RI!!!
[Reply]
Gislaw Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 5:57 pm
@deepwater,
At this point in our “off season activity” I don’t think that we have necessarily become more competitive…except through deletion, as previously mentioned.
However, our “core” is one year older, with one extra year of development in maturity, experience, confidence, team unity, ect. Thus, despite the presence or absence of off season activity, we will be more competitive in October of 2010 than we were in October of 2009.
…at least I hope/believe…
Cheers
[Reply]
Michael J Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 6:57 pm
@Gislaw,
Agreed.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 6:44 pm
@deepwater, Bernier and Schenn and no Jones
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:57 am
@deepwater,
JJ, Parse, Richardson and Simmonds having another year of experience is a major upgrade imho. Poni is an upgrade from Fro, but not by much. Bernier is a huge upgrade from EE.
The big question mark is defense. Losing O’Donnel is a big debth loss, especially with Green out for a while. There is no question. We need some help on D before the season starts. If DL doesn’t get some D help I would have to give him very low grades on his off season work to improve the Kings.
[Reply]
Jim Martin Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@deepwater, The Kings need snipers, let them try the Ice Crew on the front of their site.
[Reply]
Great post Rich!
I’m sure that most of us that frequent this site will do anything that we are capable of to help strengthen the Kings organization.
Voynov with a shoulder injury? Sheesh…someone’s previous comment about “wrapping our D in bubble wrap” may not be too far off the mark. I wonder if this development hinders his KHL aspirations for this season? Either way, it appears that our holes on D are starting to spread to our prospects.
I for one am looking forward to camp, and seeing who will step up to the plate.
[Reply]
It is interesting that TM mentioned both Clifford and Schenn who should be a big part of the Kings team in the future but failed to mention any defensemen other than one who is not going to make the opening night roster, Voinov.
The door is clearly open for the two forwards he mentioned to walk though it and take a place on the team sooner rather than later. The defensemen, particulary Hickey and Muzzin, may be seen as a little further away in their development. Those two defensemen will probably be given the best shot of the young guys to make the team but I will also be a little surprised if Franzen isn’t around opening night.
[Reply]
ya know what? im stoked for the next season and as far as another FA? trade? maybe willie mitchell but he has injury issues and im sick of that… even if last season was ”the year of the injuries”. i dont know but even without additions this team is getting better and im already driving my wife crazy with the countdown to the season! Lets go Kings!
[Reply]
Oh, to be a fly on the wall! I’d love to know what was considered off the record…
Thanks for the update, Rich! Great stuff.
[Reply]
Sydor25 Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 6:04 pm
@Gabby,
Kovalchuk flew in from Russia to be a guest speaker.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 6:41 pm
@Sydor25,
Yeah, but the problem is he thought he was in New Jersey.
[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 10:06 pm
@Kingsfanone, yeah, and had to pay him $1mm to do it
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:41 am
Kovalschmuck’s going to fly in and visit Some people, then fly to New Jersey to speak about how he always wanted to be a guest speaker in New jersey.
Thank you for this great report Rich. These pieces of information, especially Murray’s perspectives add a new wrinkle as training camp approaches.
Bernier is coming, I am convinced, if Murray’s currently plan is to cut 14 to 20 games off of the workload of the #1 goaltender. I don’t see Ersberg making the cut and something will happen with him. It is not out of the realm of possibility for Bernier to be that #1, although it is of course still Quick’s job to lose.
Pass on Souray and pursue Willie Mitchell. At least one news report says he’ll make up his mind on Monday or Tuesday where he’s going. With no O’Donnell and Greene questionable he would be the perfect pickup.
If Mitchell isn’t signed by the Kings, some kind of trade will happen.
One of Muzzin or Hickey will stick. Too bad about Voynov.
Harrold might be on the bubble but I think remains a useful utility player. Also looking to see if Drewiske can grasp a chance to stay on the roster.
Prediction: Parse will surprise the hell out of us (again) and I honestly think he can move into a top-six role. Very excited to hear that Schenn and Clifford are gunning for roster spots and hope at least one if not both of them makes it.
This will be a feisty and hard-working team.
[Reply]
src Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 11:09 pm
@Pumpernicholl,
Everyone keeps forgetting the signing of the Elite leagues seasoned defenseman Johan Fransson. Expect him to make the lineup. Late maturing ,will be 26 in Feb. 6 ft 1 in. 180+ punder. Left handed shot. 30 points in 54 games for Lulea. 2 ppg and shot percentage av 24%.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 am
@src,
Hockey’s Future has Fransson a year away from coming over. The players profile was last updated July 21st 2010.
[Reply]
I wonder if this new info will put the “Voynov is heading to the KHL if he doesn’t make the Kings out of training camp” talk to rest?!
[Reply]
Thanks for the report Rich. It’s great to see the whole organization emphasizing working together and valuing the various roles of everyone involved. Building a strong franchise is very important. The teams performance is the most important thing, but everything else provides that “foundation” that is absolutely necessary to the long term success of the team. Having the Kings as a fully self contained entity within the owners overall business is steadily turning this franchise into one the fans can be proud of.
[Reply]
Thanks Rich. Very interesting about the draft and hockey fest actually costing them money. Great info as always.
[Reply]
Rich, This is great stuff. Is there a chance that we could get a Fox Q and A during training camp? Thanks
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:55 am
@jet, I second that motion.
[Reply]
iam the only one who is having trouble with this site? It will say 20 comments but when you click on it…only 10 comments show up and its in a wierd type.Please fix!!!
[Reply]
KFII Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 9:14 pm
@neil, I think we may all be experiencing the same problems intermittently. I believe it may be the mobile version. I tried to respond earlier, but the site was acting the same for me and when I clicked on reply, a message box popped up telling me the feature was not found..or something like that. I agree, it needs to be fixed.
Rich? Is this bug in the process of getting fixed?
[Reply]
Rich,
I’m curious how the Kings Management measure your success on this blog. Can you share with us how they see whether or not this blog is a success for the Kings?
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 7:49 pm
@EASportsMgt,
Good question.
[Reply]
miller29 Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:24 am
@EASportsMgt,
I think it was that one thread on Kovi that surpassed 1,200 comments!
[Reply]
Great information Rich. I am glad to be a fan of this franchise. Did they say anything about me?
[Reply]
Thank you Rich and Thank you L.A.KINGS for setting up a site where fans can come and find info on our favorite team,I can’t wait for the season to start.
[Reply]
Thanks for this report, Rich. It’s nice to have insight into some of the inner workings of the organization.
As for Murray, have to wonder if he takes a look at the fact that he constantly changes the lines, negating the development of any chemistry. I know you can’t leave what’s not working together for long, but the constant state of flux sure doesn’t work either. At least keeping half of the lines, switching only a couple of players at a time, instead of juggling everyone might yield better results.
[Reply]
Keyser Soze Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
@just my opinion,
Do we always have to complain about the line changes our coaches make? It doesn’t matter who is the coach…because I have read the same complaints of past coaches, ie, Marc Crawford, Andy Murray, etc, etc, ….Coaches will always tinker with line-ups and over analyze things out of frustration from non-production…Just sayin’
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
@Keyser Soze, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdeCPGNRjOU
[Reply]
just my opinion Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 1:18 pm
@Keyser Soze,
Whether you want to consider it a complaint is your opinion, I have a right to state mine as well. I think that the frequency was more often than past years and that it impacted the 5 on 5 production, hence what I posted. I think that as a coach he needs to consider that in his evaluation. The game is not just the players, it includes coaching as well. I didn’t feel that he made adjustments well during games to counteract what the opponents were doing, in other words he was outcoached. If you want to laud the coaching that is your preogative, but I think he needs to adjust his coaching.
[Reply]
I can answer McGowan’s question easily: SIGN KOVALCHUK instead of guys like Poni and Mitchell and the fans will be HAPPY!
[Reply]
Christian T Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 11:14 pm
@matthew barry, No they won’t. I am wondering why this is still being brought up. Have you heard of Chicago? How about the other teams with cap trouble? The ends does not justify the means. Let’s visit this when NJ sucks because they can’t afford the players it takes to win.
Oh and one other thing…All his talent and he still hasn’t been able to carry his team. Ovie, Sid a few from Det. Can lead the team, Kovy has yet to prove this.
[Reply]
sniper1 Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:35 am
Barry, You should worry about blogging and giving all of us (readers) your worthless view on hockey rumors. You sound like a hater in your blogs. But I must say I read everyone of them and usually when I’m done I always question your insight.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:59 am
@matthew barry,
Matthew, considering that you write blogs on the Kings I would have hoped for a more considered answer. You absolutely have every right to your opinion, but for me it would have gone down more smoothly had it been stated in a more measured way…. I for one don’t think it’s as simple as that.
Don’t know if you ever saw the ’30 subjects’ piece on Wayne Gretzky but I remember that he accomodated Bruce McNall wrt salary. I seem to recall that he specifically asked for it to be structured in such a way as to leave money for his teammates. Of course IK and his agent have absolutely no concept of this. Alexei Yashin is just one good example of how this can work. No guarantee that IK becomes our Marian Hossa.
Finally, who is to say he’d even be a good match in the room after all that’s happened. I know, I’ve read all the comments: ‘once he scores that last second ot goal no one will care’. Maybe for that night, or the next week or two. To me there is just too much risk involved. If they do get him and it happens organically, fine. But imo he’s not the be all end all.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:08 am
@number 6,
Was that really Matthew Barry? His comment was kind of short sighted.
[Reply]
Marc Nathan Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@Dominick,
LOL. I think you hit the nail right on the head with your final sentence.
This is off-topic but…as Kings fans who is the most hated player from our stand point? My vote, Patrick Roy. Forum…Staples.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 9:32 pm
@Lime, no contest, Snepts and cement head
[Reply]
RoyalPain Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:28 am
@jet,
Yeah, Harold Snepsts. I have fond memories of those days. Then Fleury.
[Reply]
Chuck Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 10:24 pm
@Lime,
I would have to say Craig Muni, the knee on knee former Oiler who took out more than 1 king player back in the day.
[Reply]
Christian T Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 11:16 pm
@Lime, Fleury…Courtnall…Vancouver!!!!
[Reply]
Kwaz Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:43 am
@Lime,
McSorley’s stick.
[Reply]
jesse Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:45 am
@Kwaz, I agree. LMAO I have hated that stick for the last 17 years and would like to burn it if I could find it.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:13 am
@jesse,
In the sticks defence,it did get us to the finals in the first place. Who’s to say without that stick we would have made it to the finals anyway.
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:20 am
@jesse, As soon as Montreal took out the stick,we lost 4 stait.
King John Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
@Lime,
Patrick Roy was so on top of his game in the finals that he winked at Tomas Sandstrom after stopping a point-blank shot in OT of game 4 which, if the Kings won, would have tied the series 2-2 (and then who knows what would’ve happened…).
[Reply]
I just wanted to say to rich!
That I am glad the kings are thankful for ur blog! as a long time kings fan! at the age of 28. i cant think of any place as interesting as ur blog that i can go to for info on the team! they need to double ur pay!… i would be ur agent but im sure there is none in ur line of sports work! But i think Mark Cuban said it best when he was told of the kings adding an actual reporter to the staff that it was a Great Idea! (not to mention that he did the same for the mavericks this yr!)… ps when ur in the company of cubes u might have made it big!…in a town were the lakers just won back to back titles and the talk of the summer is the kings!( keep in mind we dident win out on said talk) but as a true hockey/kings fan that was atleast the most excited iv ever been about any of my teams!…and i still have hope deano will getr done and not trade or loose the core players on our roster!…
[Reply]
Yes Rich, you are correct Winning breeds winning. Keep putting a competitive team on the ice and the fans, sponsers and TV rights will come. LA is a pretty big market with a nice built in fan base. I wish that the Kings would make some of the off ice activities more affordable to John Q Public fan. I would love to golf with the kings or join them for brunch or dinner. The 1,500-10,000.00 price tags for some of these events are a bit much. Another way to improve fan-organization relations is to give the season ticket holders something. Put a line up card and program on every season ticket seat like some of the other teams do for their fans. Did you see the playoff games where the home teas gave a different color shirt every home game. (NOT SPONSERED BY McDonalds or BP)just given out by the team FOR SUPPORTING THEM. Have a draft party that includes something other than 3 week old hot dogs and stale beer. The Kings had a drft pary at a hotel the year they drafted Hickey and it was great, Food, Drink , prospect programs it was all great .. then they stuck us the next year in the LA live theatre with dogs and soda. Stepping backwards? Everyone who attended the draft party the year earlier could not stop talking about it. I guess it is just the little things that we fans care about in hopes that the organization is listening.
[Reply]
Howe 9 Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 11:28 pm
@RJB,
RJB sure complains alot doesn’t he?
[Reply]
Old Man Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:06 am
@Howe 9, I thought RJB spoke the truth in all those matters.Yes and i also got one of those hard hot dog buns at the draft party.
[Reply]
Rjb Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
@Old Man,
Thanks old man for vouching. I think kopi used one of the old hot dog buns for his stick in 07′.
HeyChief Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:35 pm
@RJB, Want to have a great Kings experience at the right price? Go to training camp and Kings’ practices at the Toyota Center. IT’S FREE! I went several times last season. I met Luc and saw all the players close up. What a great experience. I can’t wait for training camp to open next month.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:53 pm
@RJB, I knew if I waited patiently you would surface. NOWW..in your last statement to me you said to leave the decisions of this organization to the “Brain Trust”…REALLY? You mean the same “Brain Trust” you verbally destroy every chance you get when you come on this site ? Tell you what, if I didnt know Kings hockey so well I would swear Dean Lombardi was a complete bafoon after listening to some of your readings. As it is right now, you made yourself sound like a complete hypocrite when you made that statement about me. I am more then happy to talk hockey or about management anytime you want but just remember this…if you are gonna come on here and constantly criticize a GM who improved this team by 22 points last season as much as you do then you better be prepared for the backlash that you will receive. The fact is…you could not run this organization with a 59 million dollar salary cap better then Dean Lombardi and you know it !
[Reply]
One pure goal scorer,one if not two nasty defenceman for the playoffs and one heavyweight added to our mix we will go further than the first round.Our team now is regular season ready add those players then we are ready for stanley!!!!so DL needs to get busy or he will be known as an EXCELLENT HOCKEY SCOUT rather an NHL GM …
[Reply]
rjb Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 11:39 pm
@alv8,
Amen
[Reply]
Buster Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:52 am
@alv8,
Make that AMATEUR scout.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:06 am
@alv8,
If it were only that easy. You don’t just get on the phone, tell other GM’s what you want and then they go scurrying around to help you in the quickest and most efficient manner possible. It’s not a department store.
He managed to get Jack Johnson who if he stays and develops could be a tremendous hockey player (verdict still out). He got Stoll and Green for Lubo. That trade so far has definitely helped the team.
In honor of being fair, I did Not like the trade for Williams, still don’t (especially with his third major injury) and while I’d love to see him capture earlier form, it remains to be seen.
He got Handzus. Huge!!
So, imho he’s more than a good amateur scout. I Definitely do not agree w some specifics as to how he’s shaping the team (little things that could add up if they aren’t addressed) but it frustrates me to see people throw him in a box…..
[Reply]
Hahah, i was invited to a dinner with Chris a week ago. At buca.
[Reply]
Deepwater, fact is, they haven’t gotten better. The other teams all helped themselves, via the FA market & Trades. Not only are the Kings down 2 solid D-men, we have not addressed our need for a true sniper & & Deano’s inaction has them regressing.
Another season will not help Richardson, Williams & Parse as they are what they are.
Poni is actually a little worse as far as goal production than Fro, but he’s a bit better on the back check – a wash there..
Bottom line is, other teams within the Division & Conference, so when Deano only replaces 1 of 3 players & couldn’t add a proven scorer, this team has indeed regressed. Sorry guys, but I have seen this play out over 40 long years as a Kings fan.
And where was Deano-Moe(as my friend calls him, for Moe Howard of the 3 stooges) & Timmy Leiweike ? They were afraid to face the public rahter, the Kings left it up tp Luc, my all time favorite & a marketing office as they are there to sell tickets, but the men who ahem, “built” this team, will not even show their faces as they should have been the ones hosting this event, not PR/marketing guys, & that’s will full & due respect to Luc.
I can see your optimism & that’s understandable, but I am a realist & my long experience with this team & front office, has me thinking otherwise.
[Reply]
johnjuan Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:21 pm
@40YearFan,
Exactly right but they will miss Fro’s puck possession and passing skill more than Poni’s size benefit. I dont think this is a wash. We got worse.
[Reply]
If we make so much money from FSN, then why are there still games that are not televised?!?
We want all 82 games and we will watch them all, I promise.
[Reply]
Scarletcat Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:53 am
@PRMan,
The Kings make money from FSN. I’ll bet $100 that FSN will say they lose money on The Kings/hockey no matter how you look at it.
I question Fox for no Canadian games (cheap). With ESPN taking the word hockey from their vocabulary, we’re left with the Fox monopoly on content. It sucks. So obvious, it’s hockey content with an Australian eye.
If you want to build a market, show off the product. In this case, it means showing games. 20 years ago, Prime Ticket showed every game except 2 for many years running. The Kings hit a bad spot with poor records, but now the team is a buzz in the league and no question, on the way up. Fox needs to devote the air time to let the fan base continue to grow too.
One last thought perhaps Rich or someone will be able to get an answer for: The Ducks use KDOC to show a number of games not on Prime Ticket. That’s not the marquee station by any imagination, but at least the games are available when not on PT. Can the Kings possibly find a similar outlet?
[Reply]
Hail King Fans:
Very informative stuff, thank you Rich!
The Kings are still faced with the same three problems this off-season:
1- A LW sniper to pair with Kopitar.
2- A defensive partner for JJ.
3- Veteran defensive depth; both short term and long term.
The Kings were poor on five-on-five scoring last year. TM is looking at the forcheck and the breakout to start the play. What is also needed is a top three sniper to finish the play.
JJs defensive game improved dramatically last year after the Olympics.
Greene is a good 5-6 defensive defenseman, he should never be considered for top 4 work. His absence leaves a spot open here short term.
If the Kings are to take the next step, it all boils down to cap space. If they have spent $50M now, and are willing to spend $58M this year on 23 spots, then they have $8M left to spend now.
My plan is:
Let NJ sign Kovlachuk. That will put them over the cap. Zach Parise has a contract for $5M this year, is a proven sniper, and is only 26 years old. Offer NJ Simmonds, Teubert, and Hickey; or simialiar, for Parise. You have to give to get.
Sign Willie Mitchell now. He is a veteran defenseman who will pair with Greene in the 5-6 spots. Offer Mitch a 2-3 year contract at $2M per.
Muzzin takes the spot opposite JJ. He played well for Manchester in the playoffs, and was able to handle the size of the Hershey forwards very well. He was very good in his own end.
My 23 man roster is then:
Parise/Kopitar/Brown
Smyth/Schenn/Williams
Poni/Zus/Moller
Clifford/Stoll/Westgarth
Richardson/Parse
Scuderi/Drew
JJ/Muzzin
Mitchell/Davis D (until Greene returns)
Harrold (Davis D when Greene returns)
Quick
Bernier
PP: Parise, Kopitar, Brown, JJ, Drew
With this lineup I would predict a record of: 48-24-10, or 106 pts and fourth place in the Western Conference!
Will the business plan support this hockey plan, only Timmy knows!!! Spend the $5M for Parise and the $2M for Mitchell now!
See all of you at training camp!!!
Goldentoe
My 23 players then become
[Reply]
VanKingsFan Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:01 am
@goldentoe, Excellent plan!
I don’t think NJ will give up Parise though; and I do think that Mitchell wants a bit more money than that. I am betting on Hickey this year to be the one to stand out on D.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:49 am
@goldentoe, I’m not so sure putting our best faceoff man on the 4rth line would be very productive. I have been pining for Parise before Kovi ever became a free agent tho.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:01 am
@goldentoe, Also your forgetting Simmers.
[Reply]
Luuuuuuuuuuc! Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 3:34 pm
@Dominick,
In his scenario, Simmonds is in NJ. I like the general sound of this, but just won’t happen. NJ will implode before they let go of Parise. And Mitchell will get more than 2mm.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:26 pm
@Luuuuuuuuuuc!,
I had to go back and read it.Your right, I don’t want that happening, even for Parise. There’s no way they could take Simmers for Parise anyway,because Simmers is in line to get a raise, and Parise would be a salary dump.
Im thinking that he ment parse and not parise! but the reason not all 82 games are televised is not because the kings dont want them or fsn. its simply that the comish gave canada and vs. the majority rights to the tv contract for the nhl! that and they want us all to pay for hockey packages on our cable boxs at hm!… at this point deano needs to sign somebody who can play D! I will suit up for 2 mil. and happily sit in the press box after greenie gets back!…. and i hope we dont bring back randy jones…. try out hickey n muzzin then with DD,JJ,DD,skuds, we will also have Harold again as the 7th when green does come back! but id still like to see a Mitchell or somebody more experienced out there!…to bad we went after a certain Russian sniper and not Paul martin or a player of that caliber.
[Reply]
I love the front page of the Kings site titled “Meet the Ice Crew’. My question is can any of them put the puck in the net?
[Reply]
ok. math lesson.
#10+#14=#24 don kozak.who were the other two?
[Reply]
ringo Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 3:21 am
@ideeho spud, terry r. and matti
[Reply]
Vic Venasky and Syl Apps.
[Reply]
i was thinking dave schultz but i could be wrong.
[Reply]