The NHL announced that it has fined Kings general manager Dean Lombardi $50,000 for his comments — as published here — about league vice president Mike Murphy.
Kings’ Lombardi fined $50,000 for comments
“People can disagree with a call by an official on the ice or an official in the Situation Room in Toronto, but even in instances of the utmost frustration there is no justification for speaking as inappropriately and irresponsibly as Mr. Lombardi did,” commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Mike Murphy is a devoted caretaker of the game. His commitment to the National Hockey League, all 30 of its clubs – and to the game – is beyond challenge, question or debate.”
Well done Dean, maybe that will spark a fire underneath the ass of your time and they will finally show up for a game!!
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wavesinair Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@PlayoffBound, Yeah, because complaining about a call is always a good motivator.
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PlayoffBound Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@wavesinair, What else do you suggest? There is a reason your not in management with the kings or any other professional sports organization. Watch for a response from the Kings. If they lay an egg ill eat crow. They will win the next 3.
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Garrett Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@PlayoffBound, they have to win the next 6 or 7 if they want back into the playoff race. Winning 3 would do nothing unless they follow it up with another huge winning streak.
kingswings Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@PlayoffBound, Why wouldn’t you just eat the egg that they will lay?
Dayman Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@PlayoffBound, i want pics of you eating a crow if they lay an egg
wavesinair Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@PlayoffBound, I’m sorry, doesn’t the apology and the part where he said there was no merit to his accusation put a little damper on that spark, sparky?
Harty Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@PlayoffBound, well done DL, no issue here the fans will pay the $50k if the owner gives you heck……just call out
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McDonalds Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@PlayoffBound,
Like i said last night–while the comment itself was…stupid, I’m still glad he said what he said. some sort of response was needed.
Go DL!
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Jamer Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 6:03 pm
@PlayoffBound, DL, my hats off to you for showing some bxaxlxlxs! Now get the team to show you theirs on the ice and we may win a few games.
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blah blah blah from Bettman. Should have been disallowed and EVERYONE knows it.
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Dave's a Killer Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@Doug in Sacramento, Just to jump in….DL needed to be fined and I’m okay with that. However, as much as an explanation should be provided, Bettman will never admit to a bad decision (you know…. his mommy told him he is never wrong).
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O-Dawg Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@Doug in Sacramento,
It was a horrible call…let’s see how other teams react if they get the same horrible call go against them. The refs last night were horrible and they made a mistake and they know it. They aren’t good enought to ref a pick up game. The war room is gutless for not overturning that call.
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Maybe Gary, maybe. But one other thing that is beyond challenge, question or debate…the refs and the Toronto war room blew that call horribly. And you know it.
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puck73 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@Matt R, Totally agree, someones ass should be in a ringer in Toronto.
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and absolutely no comment on the horrible job Murphy is doing and the complete and utter uselessness of video review. i guess that’s what they pay Bettman for.
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wow! that’s a big fine for words.
good job Dean.
but F you Bettman!
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SKF Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 1:52 pm
@TinaBeana, Ditto. I guess his highness will never call out his own office in the media. Arrogant.
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LV is the way Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@TinaBeana, Just think anyone at the game last night we paid for the fine. I figured 3$ and change per fan. Shoot to bad he didn’t say more.. It would have been worth it. Speaking of course of lovely GM.
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i hope the Kings organization pays the fine for DL.
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Scootty Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@Dave, I hope the players do.
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wavesinair Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@Dave, I believe that is not allowed.
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JWR Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:17 pm
@wavesinair,
What about fans?
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Michelle Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@JWR, hahaha, everyone chip in $5.
londonking Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@Dave, someone correct me if im wrong but didnt all the guys on the team pitch in to pay Adam Mair’s fine when he left the bench when Mikko Eleranta was geeting pummeled behind the net when a donny broke broke out?
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Mike Murphy is a slug and always choked in the playoffs when he played for the Kings in the mid 70′s. Of course it’s personal and Lombardi is correct period and shouldn’t apologize to that sniveling pathetic Bettman. Besides eveyone knows the league is so desperate for the Yotes to suceed in Phoenix. Since the league can’t or won’t be honest we will.
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puck73 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@scaught, If Mike Murphy is a choke artist then I guess so are..Dionne, Simmer, Taylor, Lessard, Carson, Robitaille, Hutchinson, Sargeant, Murdoch..Should I keep going ?..Berry, Maloney, Harper, Brown…………………………………………………………..
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Darren Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@puck73, No Stanley Cup = I guess so
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what BS, tell me who polices the police?
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Wait…what happened to raging about the Kings sucking? All of a sudden everyone is focused on Lombardi. The man knew EXACTLY what he was doing in this situation. Kings need to take advantage of this and go on a tear.
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DrGonzo Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@RabidZiggy,
Exactly!.. We are all just pawns in the big game of chess controlled by DL. This guy is no dummy. He is a methodical man who sees every minute aspect of his actions. I say well played DL, well played indeed.
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Mike Murphy sucks at his job and that is beyond challenge, question or debate.
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puck73 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@Dave, Hello, My name is Gary Bettman, commisioner of the NHL, and I want this blogger fined 50,000 immediately for unsavory comments about our on and off ice officials.
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Slapshot Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@puck73, Hello I am the Real Gary Bettman, Commissar of the NHL. I would like this blogger fine 100,000,000 Ruples for impersonating me.
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Maybe they will use the money to up grade there visual equipment or maybe contact lenses for (REF) Justin St. Pierre.
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That fine is simply outrageous. DL’s comments were out of line, no question. But this fine is simply astounding. Talk about making it personal!
I’m not a rich man, but as a Kings fan and an empathetic human being, I’d be willing to chip in to help pay that insane fine.
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That was a heavy hammer from Gary. 50G’s and worth every penny!
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So, what is Mike Murphy’s email adress??
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puck73 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Fred, hope you find it and pass it on to the rest of us !
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The only crappy part is that Deano called and said sorry. Time for this team to realize its them against the world Go Kings Go
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OneTimer Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@Kool-aid mixer,
^ This.
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Come on this bs.
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About right.
Desperate commentary. The cracks are showing. Gripping hard.
But it was not a goal, and that’s where the thing started, I have sympathy for everyone, players, management, but most of all you fans.
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Best $50,000 grand DL has spent all year.
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Now take the 50 gs and buy some on ice cameras
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- ViC - Reply:
January 22nd, 2011 at 1:28 pm
@pf,
Lmfao I know right!
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How about doubling that fine for Murphy and that ref? The NHL will always be a bush league as long as Bettman is in charge.
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Jamer Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED, YEP and more YEPS! Bush league.
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Are there EVER any repercussions for league officials unanimously blowing a call…? Who do these guys answer to?!
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VanKingsFan Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@InFaN8, They answer to the league, and to the Referees association.
We will never hear about the repercussions but i guarantee those guys get punished in some way; it will just never become public.
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DLB Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 5:43 pm
@VanKingsFan, yes, and it works so well – because refs like Auger still have a job!
Lack of any kind of public accountability is still ridiculous.
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Smitty Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@InFaN8,Exactly! Where’s his $50,000 fine for blowing the call? It shouldn’t have even went to review. And then the guys in Toronto should get fired for blowing a 2nd score change in as many months against a team fighting, on thin ice, to win.
So maybe the Kings can get 3 goal leads, like earlier in the season, and not have to worry about these ridiculously reviewed goals, and beat their 9 straight W streak.
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kingswings Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@Smitty, Three goal leads? Remember just a couple weeks ago vs. Columbus? Kings managed to squander a 4-0 lead, without any controversial calls…
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Cristobal Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@kingswings,
The NHL did call that first Quick mishandle a goal and there were no angles that conclusively show the puck over the line. That was followed by the non-goal call in the Nash game.
Well done Dean! Maybe now will “The Torontoguys” wake up. I just couldn believe that this can happen in NHL.
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FanfromSlovenia Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Oh i forgot to mention. $50,000!!??. Gary, are you nuts?
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Stuart Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@FanfromSlovenia, perfect post for what I was thinking… It’s been a short bit now, but gadamn!!! 50,000 is too much! Murphy must have really gone and cried to unkie Gary.
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At least were not worried about the Kings not winning anymore. Good job Dean for telling it like it is, that was a BS call and a BS fine. Why doesnt the NHL come out and admit that they blew the damn call.
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Send it in pennies.
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KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@Buster, I like it!!!
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puddle Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@Buster, Best take on this so far. Kudos.
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kingswings Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@Buster, I just snorted when I read this!! I guess it would be SOL!!! Both my reaction, and the Kings seazon…
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Octane Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@Buster, mailed one penny at a time would due this justice.
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Loskingpride Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Buster, Can’t do that! If Bettman were smart enough he’d have the pennies melted seeing as how it’s 2 cents worth of copper per penny I believe? But who am I kidding. Bettman isn’t that smart. Pennies away!
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4ndr3y Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Buster, I am all for that…
Rich mention this proposal to Dean (at least for fun sake):)
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Kingstane9 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Buster, lol
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25k Kings fans x 2 bucks each should cover bozo Bettmans fine.
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kingswings Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@scaught, Taking @Buster’s idea, who doesn’t have 200 pennies laying around? I could shake out my couch for at least that many, I’d guess. Let’s do it!!
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Kudos for Dean calling out an off ice officials who clearly got it wrong. The next question is, is how bad does the league want the Coyotes to stay in Phoenix? Pretty good indication to me that, last night, there were forces working against the Kings aside from the horrendous power play. Phoenix makes the playoffs and the Kings work on their golf games.
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scaught Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@Bonvivant1,
Indeed that’s correct, I mean Phoenix is only losing 30 million bucks a year!
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Bettman, enjoy your power now because Fehr is going to kick your ass during the CBA talks and the owners will fire you for not protecting them.
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If the evidence in this case wasn’t enough to overturn the call on the ice, then video review is useless. I think the NHL should mandate 2 to 3 fixed camera positions at each end of the ice, at the exact height of the crossbar so that “situation room” can have the necessary footage to overturn bad calls like this.
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There are 50k fans on facebook. Have everyone send in a dollar to help pay the fine. Even if we don’t directly pay it, odds are it would still go to a charity or something.
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Nobody questions their commitment – it’s their competence that is in question.
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kingswings Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@Role_Player, Are you talking about league officials, or the Kings/Kings management?
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TinaBeana Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@kingswings, i think he’s talking about the league officials.
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if i’m the kings i market this and at the next home game ask for donations to pay for DL’s fine. this is an opportunity to rally the team and the fans against the powers-that-be. hopefully this will spark the team as TM hasn’t been able to do it. DL is taking it into his own hands.
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spidey35 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@Dave,
Dave, I kind of thought the same thing, and then I thought, AEG has a ton of money, let them pay for it,
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Loskingpride Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Dave, There should be a Murphy sucks chant that makes Staples Center shake.
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Sergedaddy Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Dave, there is probably a fine for that too.
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OK Mr. Bettman, now that you have fined the Kings GM for his comments, what are you going to do, to the Video Review Staff and in particular Mr. Murphy, who can’t tell a good goal from a bad one – on a night in and night out basis??? Recommendation – fine your own staff 10K per person, for every jacked up call they are involved in should be a good starting point. You’ll never have a budget shortage again as long as you keep employing these ass clowns who can’t make a freaking goal determination!! What a joke instant replay is now…might as well not even have it if your not going to use it.
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Ok, no problems with the fine…
Now how much was the war room in Toronto fined for their incompetent call? How much the blind reffs?
And did Murphy apologize to the Kings for another blown call?
Just sayin’
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Gary Bettman-” I know that the goal should not have been allowed, everyone knows that the goal should not have been allowed… But it is real real real mean to say Murphy was wrong”
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spidey35 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@viciar to the king,
I should have read your post before posting mine. That’s exactly how I feel. Just admit it was the wrong call.
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just like that ump in baseball, the MAN CRIED IN FRONT OF tens of thousands to apologize to the pitcher, sorry guys totally forgot the names and what not, but you all know what i’m talking about. gary bettman is on his highhorse. He wont admit to the mistake if his life depended on it. screw you bettman, and 1up deano. im not even going to say anything about murphy, he knows he screwed up, that photo snapped is imprinted in his head along with others in that room last night!!! were never going to get back the goal, but you know damn well, that thay are thinking about the fact that the public and other nhl affiliated people, coaches, players, etc, have seen that photo. choke on it murphy and co.
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I would have more respect from Mr Bettman and the league office if they came out and apologized for making the wrong call. What a joke.
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viciar to the king Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@spidey35,
Oh the bug called PRIDE
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That call was the worst review call I’ve ever seen. That stick was well over a foot too high. Not even remotely close.
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I understand that money from player fines goes towards the NHL Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund, where does this money go?
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4ndr3y Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@Sebastian, it’s part of the 7.2 mio$ Bettman (or Buttman) makes per year…
link:http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Gary-Bettman-makes-7-2-million-more-than-you-th?urn=nhl-255500
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Mike13 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@4ndr3y, murphy just got a raise!!!
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Sebastian Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@4ndr3y, thanks for the link…WOW…Bettman makes $7.23 million per year. UNREAL!
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FM3 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@Sebastian, It goes to the Referee Substance Abuse Program
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Sebastian Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@FM3, hahah, all 4 on ice officials from last night (and everyone in Toronto) need to check into that programs right away, whatever they were on last night must be good stuff.
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IceGuy Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@Sebastian,
Where should the money go?
Into state of the art video replay equipment, and a new VRC (Video Review Center) in Winnipeg.
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Its ok Dean, you said what we all felt. Now its about time they fine those idiots that made the call and upheld it in the war room in Toronto. We’re still behind you all the way.
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Bettman probably ordered Murphy to disallow the goal!
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Stuart Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@Dave, I’m totally picturing Gary’s face on the monkey in the closet on Family Guy!! LOL classic!
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Consider it an insurance payment against any further shockingly bad decisions…well played DL.
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Put a box in staple center and ask all the visitors to pay $1 if they support DL’s action! Seriously, I will, $50K is too much, but if they fine the video judges $100K, then it’s fair! $50k for fighting, and 100k for instigator.
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Propaganda 101 and you all fall for it hook, line and sinker.
MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLE HILL CALL <———– LOOK HERE, LOOK HERE, LOOK HERE!!!!
(don't look here…worst losing streak since 2003-78pts & 1997-67pts.)
Nothing to see here, move along.
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Stuart Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@wavesinair, thanks for pulling the curtain back waves… relax man, we’re having a little fun with it. We all know the Kings are losing, no one has lost site of this. This isn’t politics, its a game. Chill. You swear this is up there with that lady sticking cigars in her holiest of holies for Clinton or all the WMD disinformation that they were feeding us on the news…
Smile man, the Kings will live to play another year and who knows, maybe one after that too.
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wavesinair Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@Stuart, That’s funny because I feel like *I* am the calm one.
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Stuart Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:49 pm
@wavesinair, then what was with the caps? Stay calm or don’t.
GKG
wavesinair Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Of the thousands of comments I’ve made, I’ve used caps maybe 5 times. In this case, it was supposed to be quoting DL as if he was the one screaming. That’s just me not communicating very well, as usual.
Stuart Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@wavesinair, IT’S ALL GOOD.
My old lady says the same thing about me… I’ll never be confused with the great communicators.
GKG
kingswings Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@wavesinair, Exactly. Fans’ outrage is now directed at Gary Bettman & Mike Murphy, instead of the team & coaches… That was my first thought when I heard his comments after the game. Smooth move, Mr. Lombardi, well-played.
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Cynic Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@wavesinair, Waves, it’s not often I disagree with you here, but DL had many reasons to do what he did. For him to say he woke up this morning thinking ‘That was stupid’ is tongue in cheek fodder for the league office. He got the focus off his team, he called a spade a spade in regards to the tilted officiating in this league and the mismanagement of the equality of franchise treatment, he instantly gained the respect of every red-blooded hockey fan with any sort of reason, he most likely got cred from the rest of the GMs in the league for standing up to this crap (as it could easily happen to the other 29 teams and probably has on more than one occasion).
Dean is not stupid. He knew EXACTLY what he was doing and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this paying big dividends in more ways than one. I believe he’ll get his 50Ks worth.
I don’t believe he’s deflecting the obvious, how could you? Everybody and their mother’s gigolo knows how bad this team is playing right now and where the blame lies (For the most part). This was a serious, ballsy move to do something about it and a few other things that needed to be handled.
Saw this fan comment on TSN and it’s dead on: “So let me get this straight, curtis glencross nailes someone from behind and is lucky he didn’t get injured and only gets fines 2,500 for it but dean lombardi makes a couple of critical remarks on something that he was right about and he gets fined 50,000….what a corrupt league”
On a sidenote, I gotta believe Donald Fehr and the NHLPA are LOVIN’ this! The ridiculous nature of $50K for words and $2,500 for devastating, career ending hits are going to infuriate the players union. Talk about sending a HUGE message that the feelings of NHL management are 20 times more important than your player’s health! Good luck with this new relationship GB. Should be a fun CBA meeting.
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wavesinair Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 4:08 pm
@Cynic, I’m gonna buy you a storm trooper outfit for the next suite night so I can wave by hand in front of you…”This is not the GM you are looking for.”
I’m sadly beginning to believe DL is ultimately more sizzle than steak. I don’t like it, but I can’t ignore what I’m seeing either.
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Cynic Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 10:13 pm
@wavesinair, LOL! Well Luke… I am not your father.
I use the history of some of the GMs around the league and their actions as a model for what Deano did, especially when you consider the ones he looks up to most. Brian Burke has, on many occasions, used this tactic for the same reasons. Not only that, BB truly has a disdain for the league and how it handles itself and has for years. BB has won a cup, so I don’t mind the pick as a role model. No doubt DL has had plenty of convo with BB about that. I think DL saw an opportunity and grabbed it.
Let’s not forget Bobby Clarke. Not exactly Mr. Professional, but he is very effective. Another role model of DL. He had 3 trips to the finals, but never won. I wouldn’t mind 3 trips to the finals. Once you get to the finals, it’s pretty much up to the players anyway, no?
I think the steak is coming. DL showing some balls last night is going to get bolder as time goes on I believe. He’ll use the force, Luke.
DL can cover it — that’s less than a month’s salary for him.
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is beyond challenge, question or debate….shortly, NHL gods
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Freedom of speech much?
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Kingme20 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@D,
Freedom of speech only means he can’t be fined or thrown in jail by the US government (“Congress shall make no law…”). Doesn’t apply here. If I call my boss an a**hole, the First Amendment doesn’t protect me from being fired.
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Kingme20 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:24 pm
(cont). That being said, I think he was right to complain about the call. Perhaps assigning motive was a bit too far, but the call was plainly wrong.
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Murphy u stopid.
fined me .
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Stuart Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@vladimir, he should fine you for that grammar if nothing else…
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We all know it was an awful call last night, but as a long-time and devoted Kings fan, complaining about 1 bad call in a game where we scored 0 goals and went 0-for-everything on the power play is just ridiculous! What’s it going to take to wake this team up? I remember when we started 12-3, and it didn’t look like any team could skate with us (let alone beat us)…. This upcoming 10-game road trip will truly determine our playoff chances. If the Kings don’t win at least 7 of those 10 games, I think we can all forget about playoffs…. and then wait for the axes to fall on players and coaches alike…. Oh wait, this is LA. We’re okay as long they’re TRYING hard. Forget about results.
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When is the apology for blowing the call?
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I was referring to Bettmann’s statement: “Mike Murphy is a devoted caretaker of the game. His commitment to the National Hockey League, all 30 of its clubs – and to the game – is beyond challenge, question or debate.”
Once again, I do not question commitment – I question competence.
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Spin, spin, Gary. That is all you are capable of doing . . . and you don’t do that very convincingly either.
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$50,000.00 is chump change to DL and its more than well worth it to call out toronto on the horrible job they so consistantly put forth. like i said “chump change” for the attention and reaction it warrented.
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so i guess it costs 50k to get some attention brought to this type of issue?
give em hell deano.
oh, and now fix this damn team.
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The losing streak and the annual slump finally end tomorrow.
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Btw, why is the burden of proof to overturn an on-ice call higher than getting a murder conviction?
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Dumb comment by Lombardi. It’s one thing to criticize someone’s decision; it’s another to criticize their ethics, especially when it sounds like a wack-o conspiracy. Bettman had no other play but to back up his employee.
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Hell send Monopoly money and have murphy and the 4 blind mice count it. It will be a snap!
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The players know that Lombardi was just trying to light their fire.
His team’s condition is going from serious to critical, so he used the golden opportunity of sounding off about a horrible goal call and turned it up a notch. He intentionally went out of his way to invite punishment. Dean decided to deploy one of his best assets, his mouth, to run interference for his players.
He willingly took the bullet for them for last night’s game, and the players know it. Now let’s hope it makes some kind of difference in their performance from here on out.
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A $50,000.00 bad call, I guess thats what it costs these days….
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You all do realize that now that someone from the Kings’ organization has bad-mouthed the officials that they are going to get back at the Kings by having even more calls go against them, don’t you?
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Ravens Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@lilcarp, You mean it would be like getting a video review in Montreal over and over? oh the humanity!
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Galen Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@lilcarp, They would do that anyway.
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Pumpernicholl Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@lilcarp, That’s not a certainty.
Do the refs and replay officials want to prove that they are professionals, or punks?
It became blatantly obvious to the whole hockey world last night that the Toronto video replay methodology stinks. The NHL can’t help but notice that the fans are paying attention and are not happy with this replay charade.
Someone remind me again why the league is paying those people in the war room to stop games dead for big chunks of time just to rubber-stamp bad calls? I feel the NHL now has something to prove. The league has some soul-searching to do about how they run their war room method.
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lilcarp Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Pumpernicholl, You may be right, but you’ve probably got a better view of humanity than I do. Everyday I get a little more cynical.
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The beleaguered Sharks made as much noise off the ice as on it again last night.
Dean Lombardi first said the club is appealing Owen Nolan’s 11-game suspension for deliberately injuring Dallas forward Grant Marshall, then the San Jose general manager took a verbal shot at NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
“There’s no doubt Gary Bettman has an intense dislike for Dean Lombardi both personally and professionally,” Lombardi said before last night’s 3-2 overtime victory over Chicago. “That’s no secret around the league.
“With our philosophies on sport and player relations, we have as much chance getting together on common ground as the Arabs and Israelis,” he added.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/02/11/SP126627.DTL#ixzz1BiBGDl4Z
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Bettman is a shill for the owners. Probably very tight with Phil A. After all, he did get Phil his beloved salary cap.
What happens if DL refuses to pay? I’m sure Bettman is just going to add that 50k to his already disgusting 7mil. Annual income.
I’m glad DL said something outrageous, although I don’t know why he went after the “spurned-gm” angle.
He could have gotten the hackles up by just completely goring the entire NHL front office and the horrid officiating in hockey in general.
DL is starting to win me over a bit more with this.
And hey, it’s better to be talked about negatively than not at all here in Hollywood, right?
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Why is there even a war room in Toronto to make these decisions? Why not turn the monitor around like they do in the N.B.A. and let the game officials decide whether the call on the ice was correct or not. I guarantee they would have reversed the call last night. If they don’t make the right call, they have 17,000 fans pelting them with beer and nachos.
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Cristobal Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@Jack the Lad,
I agree. I guess it’s too simple. The guys in Toronto, are they certified as referees?
This entire thing smacks of corruption.
DL may have chosen the wrong tack in his attack, but the attack is justified nonetheless.
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Count me in for 4 rolls of pennies. Just the right way to get my “2 cents worth”.
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Kingme20 Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 3:26 pm
@IceGuy,
That’s a great idea. I think I can spare 100 pennies.
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I’m wondering if Lombardi can “expense” that fine?
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I think we have bigger issues to worry about than this….
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F you, Bettman.
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You gotta love it when the league commissioner tells DL that his comments hurt the game. What hurts the game is the fact that we can’t rely on the integrity of those in the Toronto war room to do the right thing. Everyone knows the on the ice call was wrong. It wasn’t even close. And unless you’ve got blind men working in there, then something else is going on, and that means that Murphy’s integrity is in question and should certainly be a topic open for discussion.
But there seems to be some kind of of a misguided philosophy prevalent in the league that it’s not good to embarrass the on ice referee’s no matter how flagrantly bad the call. Well guess what, Gary…. your stupid remark about Murphy’s integrity being “not open for discussion” is far more detrimental to the integrity of the NHL then DL’s angry remarks. The call was bad, and since the tapes conclusively prove that, Murphy and the rest of the war room… and the on ice referee’s…. and you, owe the ticket paying fans and the Kings organization a complete and public apology and a guarantee that you will invest in the technology that will prevent it from happening again. Oh, and Gary, it might be a good idea for you to remember that even a bossy little dictator like you has to answer to the owners, and since the owners do listen to the ticket buying fans, you might want to consider that your inability to guarantee the integrity of the games might someday cost you your job.
DL… let me know where to send my small contribution to help you pay your fine. And thanks for standing up for the team and the fans who know that the league and Murphy were giving us the shaft.
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Stuart Reply:
January 21st, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@Peter90210, good call! Gary is so blind that he wouldn’t know integrity if it walked up to his pin-headed pencil-neck self and slap shot him in the face.
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DL, next time put a camara on me and let me say what’s on your mind. I’ll do it for 1/5 the cost. $10,000.00 and you can get away with saying what ever you want.
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I like how the focus is on what’s SAID in relation to the MISTAKE. How about fining the official on the ice, and Murphy each $50,000 for embarrassing the sport? It’s like throwing the guy who did the retaliation in the box…well, what about the first guy?
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they might of blown the call in Toronto but our guys blew the game on the ice 6powerplay chanses and nothing to show for. Lombardi stop the bleeding and make some TRADES. there are bigger thigs too think abaut then a blown call.
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I suggest king fans create a fund to hire Milton Bradley to discuss this matter with Bettman.
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Every single person knows we got screwed with Ryan Smyth’s goal and now with the Coyotes goal last night standing. Check out this still shot.
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/21/kings-gm-dean-lombardi-has-a-good-reason-to-complain/
The league and the people reviewing in Toronto need to get their eyes checked and maybe make a correct call for once.
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when your general goes and and sticks up for your team you should be proud. i believe Dean said what he said because it’t true. The bunch of babies in the league office are just trying to take the focus off the real issue, which is the goal was good and the final call was irresponsible. Bettman is a classic at that.
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Best 50 grand the Kings ever spent.
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Dean Lombardi is right on.
A UNBELIEVABLE call.
On ice officals and Toronto should be the ones to asnser for this
They should be find, not DL.
Keep speaking out, Dean.
Michael G.
Flagstaff, Arizona
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