It’s been a busy night, with Jack Johnson signing his seven-year, $30.5-million contract extension and the Kings beating Columbus, so I’ll try to re-set the table a little bit. Here are the links to the items on Johnson’s contract from tonight, followed by Dean Lombardi’s extensive comments about the Johnson contract and an update from Lombardi about the progress of contract negotiations with Drew Doughty, who is due to be a restricted free agent this summer…
Johnson comments on contract extension
Murray comments on Johnson’s contract
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Question: It’s a bit unusual, but definitely not unheard of, to get a long-term extension like this done during a season. What led you to the point of getting this done now?
LOMBARDI: “It is unusual, but we’re still very much in a new system. Don’t forget, the object here is to watch these kids develop, and then put all of them within a (salary-cap) number that works. This is something we had been looking at for a while. I think it’s just the nature of the process, if you’re going to get ahead of this and take a realistic shot at keeping your young players together for the long haul. Quite honestly, this has been going on for over a month now. There’s two things that allowed us to pursue this.
“First, the player had no problem doing a six-, seven- or eight-year deal. That’s very unusual these days, that players, at that stage of their career, will commit to a franchise. He was very sincere about that from day one, and stuck to it. A lot of guys will say it at the beginning and then back off, thinking there will be greater riches down the road. So once we had a player who was committed to that long of a structure, we could go ahead. If you look at it, the three years of restricted are based on what that arb [arbitration] number would probably look like, based on the way he has performed so far. Then, on the unrestricted years, you look at guys who signed last year, whether it be a Michalek or a Paul Martin, and the key is to try to gauge where your player is going to be. The longer you wait, the higher that AAV [salary-cap hit] is going to go. So if you look at his AAV, and look at the market for available defensemen, it’s very reasonable, assuming he continues to get better.
“That’s where you have to make a reasonable assumption that this player is going to continue to progress. If he does, you’re sitting there with a contract and you can fit in other guys. The only other way you can do it, as we’ve seen, is to put out those 20-year deals with bogus years. There are teams out there that have done it, which means they have a competitive advantage. The only way to beat that is to do it early, and keep that AAV down. That’s the second part. Number one is the commitment. Number two is the development. In Jack’s case, I don’t have any doubt that he’s not going to get complacent on us. That’s always your fear, when you step up for a young player, that he’s going to go, `Well, I’ve got it made,’ and stop trying to be the best he can. I have the utmost confidence, in terms of Jack, that this is not going to happen. If anything, it’s going to make him more confident, and drive harder. That’s the other thing that allows you to step up.
“It went back and forth for a month. It was very amicable. Every time we looked at something, we put it up on the board and looked at how it impacted Doughty and Simmonds and all our young players, and pieces we might want to add. All that research was done. When you have a guy who is willing to commit to seven years, it allows you — once you get that number locked in — it allows you some flexibility with the other guys. Sure, we would like to do Doughty on a similar term, but you don’t have to now. It’s good to have one in the bank. And don’t forget, Drew is three years younger than Jack, in terms of being removed from free agency. So he [Johnson] was a good target to focus on, in terms of the fact that he was willing to do it, and he’s the type of player who is going to do his best to be better.
“Getting that term in there allows us some flexibility with the other guys. You don’t have to get the long-term deal. Maybe it is smart to chip away at it, and then get them (long-term) when they’re Jack’s age. So I think it made sense for everyone. I think it’s a fair deal. Like I said, the key, whenever you’re doing this, is your belief that the player is not going to get complacent, and I don’t sense that in Jack at all.”
Question: What is the update on negotiations with Doughty?
LOMBARDI: “We’ve had very kick-the-tire discussions on Drew. Part of it was gauging where his play was. Again, Drew is two or three years younger than Jack, so there is a greater period there of growth. We can let it play out a little. We’re obviously going to sign him, and term is not an issue. Now that Jack is in, it gives us a little reference point. Like I said, we have some flexibility in terms of term, and we’ll start pecking away at that. But it’s hard to do three or four (players) at once, because you get confused as to what the mission is. Jack was committed for seven or eight years, and never wavered from that. It was, `OK, let’s get this done, put it in the bank and go do the other one [Doughty].’ So we’ve got one long-term deal in, and if we have to do the other one short-term, we’ve still got the free-agent rights and we can try again later. But it’s nice to have one in the bank.”
Wow..
I don’t see or have not heard anything about a NTC, so I have to assume there is not one. This deal speaks volumes about Jack Johnson’s character more than Dean Lombardi’s prowess as a GM because he was his own agent. Jack wants to stay here long-term. He said tonight that he wants to commit to a championship HERE. THAT is EXACTLY the kind of talk I was mentioning needs to be said around this team on a DAILY basis the other day. To hear it come straight from Jack’s mouth and back it up with a reasonable long-term contract signing that he brokered HIMSELF, understanding he needed to get his but also needed to give the GM room to put people around him to win is just awesome to witness.
Thank you Jack Johnson. I have a new found respect for you. Well done and I’m VERY stoked to have you in a Kings uni for another 7 years!
A littel sidenote, I wonder how much watching of the dismantling of New Jersey because of Kovi’s contract and hearing how ugly those negotiations went with Grossman (The Agent) had an affect on Johnson’s decision making, especially brokering his own deal. He’s a bright guy, but I know he’s a HUGE sports fanatic as well. He probably followed that whole drama like we all did. I gotta wonder if it influenced him at all. Regardless, JJ showed the NHLPA exactly how negotiations SHOULD be done.
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Bill M. Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 1:47 am
@Cynic, Ummm. I have nothing to add?
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Dominick Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 1:57 am
@Cynic, It’s a bold statement to Kingsfans that JJ had the power to stay in his own hands and not some agent. He could of easily kept himself out of it, but he made all the decisions himself. If there is any doubt about his commitment to the Kings, I hope there squashed now.
DL seems relieved also. If he can sign DD early, then others should start to fall right in line, avoiding a logjam during the summer, and giving him some room to fill that coveted sniper position Kingsfans have been wanting for years.
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Bill M. Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 2:18 am
@Dominick, Agree. Lots of people yelling for a big trade to bring a big scoring first line. I’m pretty sure that you cant risk making that deal until you have long term contracts wrapped up for key positions. Otherwise we have one run with said big name, and then we get dismantled.
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Bo Siemsen Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 6:27 am
@Cynic,
NTC’s can only be given to players who are UFA’s. Not young players who are not. As far as I know, Crosby and Ovechkin and guys like that dont have NTC’s either.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 7:43 am
@Cynic, Um… Yeah!
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puck73 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 10:15 am
@Cynic, I agree with your anaysis, that being said, the Kings dont need a sniper as bad as they need a 2nd line center with experience and consistency. Jason Arnott could be had for a 2nd round pick and a prospect and with his size, experience, and soft hands it would really change the dynamic of this team. Would this be a permanent move? Of course not. But it would be what Lombardi would call a “stop gap” until either Schenn, or Loktionov are ready to play with grown men.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
@puck73, Arnott would be a nice fit, but what are the chances that DL will make that move =0 I think the Kings are going to roll with what they have got. The only changes that we are going to see is with our lines.
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PRMan Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 9:11 am
@Cynic, The Anti-Blake. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
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Does this mean we will get drew resigned for around 5 million per?
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xeropoint Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 1:33 am
@tornado12, Not sure what the number will be, but DL seems to be hinting at a strong possibility for a shorter, possibly 2-ish year extension. The Kings don’t really HAVE to give him the huge longterm deal yet, as he will be restricted for a few more years.
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Sweet. I like the deal. Fingers are crossed now for Doughty
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JMFJ WHAT A CLASS ACT!A TRUE KING!
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Jmfj spoken like a true team player wants a championship team my respect for the Guy has sky rocketed I like how all this Hollywood LA Scene has not affected this Guy and greed was not an issue either next kings Jersey is for sure Jack mother f@#kung Johnson
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My next jersey purchase will be #3.
I will commit to a player that is loyal to my team!
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Randell Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 2:55 am
@Ed, seriously, buying my jersey tommorow
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JJ should give a mill a year to mom and dad. From what I’ve seen, their a big part of what makes him JMFJ. Congatulations JJ!
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Wow, I sure have a new found respect for JJ. He saved about 10% of his money just by doing the deal himself. Everyone wins if DL is doing things in good faith. I have to believe he is.
Gonna have to dash everyone’s hopes regarding DDs contract. He has the same greedy sob agent that Kolvabucks has. I wonder if that agent’s stomach isn’t still hurting from laughing so hard at what he pulled on the NJ GM.
Then again maybe DD will take a look at what JJ did and re-think whether going with an agent like that is worth it.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 7:45 am
@KC23, We can only hope!! In that light, and given statements made above, it almost appears that DL did this with JJ as a hedge against said agent… Maybe sign DD short now and try again for a long one when he’s done with this agent?
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Kingme20 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 11:48 am
@KC23,
That’s an interesting wrinkle to Johnson’s contract, too, because it allows him to take less salary, but keep all of it himself. So, with an agent fee, you have to wonder if he would have wanted 10% more from the Kings, and whether that breaks the deal.
Really happy this worked out, and that a bunch of people’s misperceptions about Jack Johnson (arrogant, me first, wants to play for Detroit, etc) are being dashed right now. I’ve always thought of him as a key piece to the future, and I’m glad he wants to win HERE.
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KC23 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Kingme20, I never thought of him as “arrogant” or “me first”, but I definately thought he was just bidding his time before he could manage his way to Detroit. I think he has superstar possibilities as defenseman usually don’t come into their own until they’re 23-25.
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At 3 million or so a year, what are the thoughts on picking up commodore off waivers?
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Dominick Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 2:21 am
@taylorskings, Actually it would be half of that, maybe less, but still not worth it. He’s got size but is too vulnerable lateraly. He could help anyteam he plays for, but he’s a depth player, and we’re O.K. in that 6th and 7th D spot.
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It’s good to see young players committing to the organization. Lombardi is building something special here, so let’s all enjoy the ride!
It must be nice to bank 30 million! Congrats Jack! Go Kings!!!
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puck73 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 10:30 am
@Jim S., Totally agree what you said about what Lombardi is trying to build here. Dean has pretty much said since day 1 that he was trying to change the culture around here and I felt that it would take somehere between 6 and 9 seasons to do it, and here we are in season 5 and we are really coming along as an organization. Gotta admit though, JJ signing his own deal not only shocked the hell out of me but it sent a message to other players of the league, and the Kings fans that JJ also believes that the Kings are going in the right direction as well !
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KC23 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@puck73, Yeah, I also miss-read the kid. There is apparently a lot more under the hood than I ever imagined.
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I was not a big JJ fan, I’ll admit it, but after this, I have found mad respect for him. He says he wants to be here then awesome. Hope he can stick to his word and help the Kings to a championship. This I also hope sets an example to the other players on the team.
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if the boys cant get out of this funk then we the fans should get ‘em out of it, next game, lets work ‘em over!!! swing them hands boys! let’s work ‘em over!!!!!!!!!!
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Optimum will be that DD will be signed somewhere in range of 18-20 m for four years and still UFA after end of the contract. 4,5 – 5 m cap hit will fit perfectly. First two years 4 m, second two years 5,5 m $. In total 19 m$ and half m $ more that JJ: Do it DL. I think that waiting with DD, singning JJ before and DD play a bit down in comparisson with last year is good argument for negotiations.
I think that Simmonds will be maybe part of the deal for LW.
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Bill M. Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 4:27 am
@slovenian fan, No. There are only two ways to go with drew:
A short deal 2-3 years, leaving him an RFA. Give him the chance to reach his potential and negotiate the big deal that prime-drew will deserve, but leave him restricted so that it’s hard for him to walk.
Or
Lock him up now for life. Give him a deal loaded heavy in years 3 through 12, and the only question left is what the kings jerseys will look like when we retire his.
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slovenian fan Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 9:13 am
@Bill M.,
sorry it was misstiped. I thought RFA and not UFA of course.
Till which age DD is eligable to sign him and be RFA? somewhere 25 or 26?
His is 21 now in his third season of entry level contract.
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PRMan Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 9:13 am
@Bill M., Given his former weight problems and his current slow season, I would not commit long-term to Drew right now.
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overpayment. if ur giving him the term and security he wants, u should be able to lower the cap hit. 4 should have been the max for an offensive defenseman who still struggles in his own zone. Christian Ehrhoff is making 3.1 mil with less security. Brents Burns is in the 3 range. Joni Pitkanen is at 4 mil per. Zidlicky is at 4 mil per. Robidas, a much better dman than Johnson, is at 3.3. Brent Seabrook is 3.5. Kronwall is at 3 mil. Coburn is at 3.2. Ryan Whitney is at 4 mil. JJ makes more than all these guys? Definitely an overpayment.
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Randell Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 3:31 am
almost all those guys you are talking about are at least 3 years older with less points…this guy just commited to the kings and hes got all the potential in the world, I hope you eat your words
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src Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 5:05 am
@Randell,
Not to mention the contracts were signed 2-3 yrs ago.
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Scott Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
@Randell, I wasn’t aware the main job of a Dman was to get points. I thought he was supposed to keep the other team from scoring. While you make a valid point that these players are older, that is the only correct observation you make.
Never in a million years will LA be able to trade JJ +1 for Seabrook, unless it was a Kopitar type. Personally I would rather have Ehrhoff, Seabrook or Kronwall for $4 mil than have JJ for $3 mil, yet alone vice-versa. I wish LA, not Ana, had picked up Toni Lydman this year from FA for $3 mil and have him play while JJ learns the game in Manchester.
JJ will need to learn how to play defense if he wants to stay in this league. Randell I’ll give you some telling stats for you. Just after the points column there is a very telling stat, +/-. It is so important that the NBA just started to use it. Last year JJ was a team worst -15 while LA outscored their opponents by 22. This year JJ has a tied for 3rd worst -5 while LA has outscored their opponents by 19. These are terrible numbers for someone about to make $4.35 million a year
For comparison:
Ehrhoff (Van) +36 last year +17 this year
Kromwall (Det) +5 last year +6 this year
Lydman (Ana) +10 last year in Buf + 22 this year in Ana
Seabrook (Chi) +20 last year -5 this year
Whitney (Edm) +7 last year +13 this year
Even the terrible Kent Huskins who got run out of Ana has better +/- than JJ
+6 in 08/09, +6 in 09/10, +5 in 10/11
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rcinsc Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
@Scott, you put way too much emphasis on +/-. Sometimes (like twice last night) a player is on the ice and a goal is scored against through no fault of theirs, sometimes it’s because they are getting big minutes, or many other reasons. TM has said it before regarding several players, it’s not always their play that leads to the goal against. Is JJ perfect? No, and he’d probably be the first to tell you that. Is he going to get better? We all hope so, and obviously DL does, too. The trade was made because the Kings saw something in the kid that made them want to give up 2 good players, and I liked Gleason. The Kings not only want bigger offensive numbers from JJ than the players you refer to, they EXPECT the numbers to be higher. I think the best is yet to come…
Tmik Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 8:04 am
@Dillon, Also note, overall cap hit comes in just over 4 mil…
So not much more than your fantastic examples there, and.. looking at the list, there’s few that are in the same boat as JJ.
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Once again its that feeling you have just after you miss getting hit by a car. Kovalchuk, 10 goals in 22 min per game of ice time, with the worst plus minus in the entire league -30…….doh!
Once again Simmonds 8 goals in 13 mins per game ice time. Resign the youngster
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Bill M. Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 4:09 am
@taylorskings, Absolutely. I’m loving that our young guns are signing at reasonable prices, allowing us to try and build a true dynasty here, all the while we have the luxury of criticizing this players for having off years, happily forgetting that all these young, “struggling” players have far better stats than the 100 million dollar failure!
Really. If some of the panic heads among the kings fan base held influence, I think we would probably be making jersey look like a promising team. Slump year this year or not, we have SEVERAL good years to look forward to.
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Rich, can you get some information on how the Kings plan on addressing Quicks puckhandling shortcomings?
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Bill M. Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 4:16 am
@tornado12, I would imagine that at some point the goalie coaches will have him rep on a bunch of minimalist ways to react to various scenarios.
It’s about all you can do with him. Puck handling is clearly his weakness. You can’t fix it, just learn to minimize it.
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DetroitSons1952 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 8:50 am
@Bill M., Skating and puck handling were very high on my coaches list when I was with a team in the W.I.H.L. way, way back. I had to do everything the skaters did, not just the stops and starts, but the handling of the puck skating backwards in figure 8′s, not just dragging the puck but stick handling. His methods made me a much better player. I have watched JQ and JB and it seems that the only interest the coaches have is in technique, evidently they also missed the rest of the requirements needed to make a very well rounded goaltender …… Martin Brodeur.
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Despite all the attention he gets for his scoring, Jack is a serious liability in his own zone. His plus/minus is intolerable and is usually close to the worst on the team (minus five this season). He can make good players like Drew Doughty and Willie Mitchell look bad. Also, Jack doesn’t use an agent because of his dad — not because of a love for his team or for the game.
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Bill M. Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 4:19 am
@Hadley, You are mis-informed. Jack has improved his defensive blunders this year and appears committed to continuing that. His overall +/- is still poor but if you look at this season, he’s slowly pulled into positive territory for the last couple months. At his current trend, jack will finish positive this year, not by much but for jack that’s a huge improvement.
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puck73 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 10:49 am
@Bill M., Totally agree. Most d mrn and goalies dont come into their own until between the ages of 24 and 27. JJ is 23 now and his plus minus has improved every season and this season will be no exception. Looking back on it though, if we had a lot of depth back when we first got JJ, I think he would have been sent to Manchester to be trained properly. I mean, lets be honest here, when JJ played at Michigan he was pretty much a rover who had so much talent that he never really had proper defensive tecnique. He is developing at the same pace that most defensemen develop so I would assume that in the next 1 to 3 years this guy could be unbelievable for the Kings with the world class stick handling, and skating skills that he has !
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Very good sign! JJ is a long term valuable asset and good to lock up for the long term. Still very nervous about the leadership of this team. TM must take the leadership and push these boys. We really almost blew the game last night vs. Columbus.
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Forum67 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@Carolina Kings Fan,
The defensive end of the game against the Blue Jackets last night could have been better, but for most of the games most of the teams play that comment would be true. The real issue for the near collapse against the Blue Jackets was Jonathan Quick’s play around his net. With better stick handling and play around his net that game doesn’t even become a cliff hanger.
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puck73 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 10:51 am
@Forum67, Exactly ! Quick just had a bad game handling the puck, and I think he would be the first one to admit it.
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KC23 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@puck73, Agreed. That Columbus come back was all on Quick imho. That crap goal doesn’t go in and Columbus is hanging their heads hoping the game ends sooner than later.
I like Jack but I hate him too.. He can be the nlhs best defenseman some nights and then other nights play horribly. When hes good, hes the best.. Physical, skilled offensively and a good skater. As of late hes been better than Doughty.. Doughty has been slow and made a few mistakes.. I know in the future these two will be a nasty pairing for years to come… Possibly the 2 best defensmen in the league on the same line…Its gonna take time though and Doughty is free agent next season
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src Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 6:45 am
@jason,
RFA
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Tmik Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 8:09 am
@jason, Also note, it’s doughty’s third year in the league and this is Jack’s fifth.
Doughty is awesome, and though he won’t make the short list for the norris this year, you can bet it’ll be there in the future.
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KC23 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@jason, I hear ya and agree, but the up side is he is so very young and defenseman come in to their in after 3 or 4 years. Good things to come with JJ.
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we will take the win, not pretty but we will take it……….
Clifford has gone from over the last two weeks 10+ minutes in ice time to less then 5 minutes, is this how your treat your 19 year old, not according to Columbus who’s 20 year old not only scored but got over 8 minutes in ice time.
Murray has to figure this out, get westgarth out of the lineup and play the 4th line no less then 8 minutes, and the rest of the guys will be better in the 3rd period. He just doesn’t know what he is doing.
And guess what those same 3 lines without a break almost cost the game last night, Columbus is terrible and only have Nash, guess what I pull back my thoughts on the Kings beating the Leafs, if the same team shows up, Leafs win by 2 goals and then we know were out coached as Wilson is terrible.
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Cry Baby Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 8:45 am
You should couch this team! I think you would be amazing! Where did you gain all your hockey knowledge?
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Cry Baby Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 8:45 am
@Cry Baby, COACH!
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DetroitSons1952 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 8:55 am
@Cry Baby, I do agree with one part of his statement …… get rid of Westgarth, the only thing he does better then what Ivanans did ………….. I can’t think of even one.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 9:17 am
@DetroitSons1952, doesn’t take stupid penalties in the O-zone
Forum67 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 11:08 am
@DetroitSons1952,
Just goes to show you can’t please all of the people all of the time. Last season this site was LOADED with posts about how terrible Ivanans was and when were the Kings going to bring up Westgarth? Now with a half season’s play under their belt numerous Kings fans are ready to throw Westgarth under the bus. Now I happen to agree that Westgarth doesn’t really bring much to the party unless the other team has a major goon and Westgarth is inserted into the lineup as a deterrent. But it just goes to show that you should be careful what you wish for, you might get it.
Harty Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@Cry Baby, Major Junior hockey in Canada, Minor Professional and Coached now for over 40 years. thanks for asking
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brilliant decision by DL to sign Jack first. Let’s say you do Doughty first and sign him to a 10 year big dollar deal… JJ will use that number as his negotiating point as to how close his contract is to Doughty’s. Now that JJ has his contract, which looks like a very fair deal for both, DL can get the Doughty deal done for big numbers and everyone will be happy. DL is a brilliant man! Our players simply need to start playing to the level they need to to bring a cup to LA!
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it seems a bit much, but as a non-Johnson fan, his desire to commit to a 7 year term is impressive.
now, let’s see if he grows into that kind of player that the out years of that contract pay.
as for doughty, reading between the lines, it seems like DL has a good amount of reservations given this year’s play, and no desire to gamble on a super rich long term deal if things aren’t going to improve. put together, it seems like there is a greater willingness to gamble on Johnson becoming the player he isn’t yet, than on Doughty becoming the player he was until very recently. strange. oh well.
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Don’t forget that JJ is a regular shoot out player for the Kings.
This contract is ultrafair for the Kings and I’m glad that Jack thinks so too. This is really setting us up to have our core for a long time. I’m thrilled.
Keep those reasonable contracts coming Lombardi and Solomon.
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NHL.com………”Kings extend Johnson”…
It just doesn’t get any better than that.
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tarbalien Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@SplattDaddy, This made my day! Hahahahaha
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KC23 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@SplattDaddy, rotflmao
Good catch.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENSvxpda_cM
gKg!
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I was wrong about Jack; I didn’t think he’d show any particular Kings loyalty and in fact I expected he’d short term the Kings until his UFA status and then bolt for one of a few supposed favorite teams of his in the east. This is a fair deal for both sides, with the expectation that JJ will improve of course.
One might even expect that more of the “MF” part of his game that he was tagged with out of college and the draft, might eventually show itself full force once he stabilizes his defensive game and becomes more solid, going forward.
Not having been an avid JJ fan, like others have mentioned, I have gained some newfound respect here for this player. And hopefully this contract has a very solidifying effect in the locker room and Jack’s role in the future of the Kings team.
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puck73 Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 10:56 am
@18,118, I completely disagre with your thought process..Respectfully yours Ilya (minus 30) Kovalsgreed.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@puck73,
Excuse me, but the name is Kovalsmuck.
Sincerely,
“Not worth the money” Ilya Kovalsmuck
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crashin' da net Reply:
January 9th, 2011 at 11:24 am
@18,118, nicely stated. My thoughts exactly under another post.
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I am very happy about this, mostly because I think that Johnson is already the best all-around defenseman on the team (wake up Doughty), and is going to get much better. He is going to be an All Star witin the next year or two. I am surprised that he was willing to commit this long to the Kings, but just shows that still waters can run very deep….
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DL signed Lubo to a long term deal just before trading him.
What is Brown’s contract? Is he still under 4 mil a year? If so, it seems like he’s being taken advantage of.
Good to see JJ “locked up”. But, DL is never predictable.
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Doughty when drafted said he always wanted to be a King, and I think stay a King permanently. Let’s see if he’s reasonable and really feels that way.
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Who ever is reading this post, close your eyes for a moment. Now take a deep relaxing breath and let the vision of JmfJ, #8, Kopi + Brown= Quick lifting the Lords Stanley’s Cup. What coach do you see with them? I see TM, don’t ask me why, I just do.
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@KC23, One thing I like with JMFJ doing his own contract is that there was no BS. He committed long term, said he wanted to stay, was willing to work out his deal to help keep the others in the fold AND the Kings organization didn’t try to screw him under in terms of amount. If you work hard like Jack does, put in an honest days work at the rink, then management sees that and will give you an honest contract. I agree that you dont have to lock up DD to a long term contract right now. Go another 2-3 years and then give him the contract length he will want at that point. Gives him and the team some flexibility. I dont see where DD, JJ or Simmonds are the type of personalities that will hold a team hostage. They want the Cup here probably worse than anyone.
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I’m guessing $6.5M/year for DD
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I am Jack’s Beaming Smirk. http://lakingsnews.com/2011/01/09/i-am-jacks-beaming-smirk/
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What I want to know is what are the terms in terms of term for Sturm?
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