Question: What do you tell Drew Doughty going into the summer?
LOMBARDI: “He can start working into getting into the top… What’s the most important thing, the growth from within? Yeah. If he’s going to take the leadership role, he has to start preparing to compete. Nobody questions this kid’s ability or (that) he competes when he walks through the doors. But he’s got to learn that when you’re preparing, you’re competing. And a lot of kids go through this. I’m looking for much more improvement than we had this year, when we had to put him through the (strength and conditioning) test again. It’s not surprising, given the way most of these kids are, but that’s what I want to see. My feeling is, you can’t lead until you’re trying to be the best you can be, and your best players have to take charge. You don’t have to be the vocal guy, or whatever. It’s the guy that gets out there and gets it done. I think, what he found out too — and this is the other thing that happens — to reach that level you talk about, whether it’s Tom Brady or Jeter or Gretzky, that top level, you’re not going to be allowed to just go out there. You’ve got to learn to work.
“I saw a thing on Brady there last week, and it was just incredible, talking about how hard he has to work to be prepared for those situations. That, i think, is a huge thing for (Doughty). So all I’m going to do is look at those (strength and conditioning) scores. That will tell me a lot. Stamkos figured it out last year. Stamkos was the same way last year. He had a bad season the previous year, he got ticked off and went to Gary Roberts and then took off. Problem is, Drew didn’t have the down. Stamkos, great scorer, first pick in the draft, he’s not scoring for two years so he says, `That’s it, I’m going to go get in shape.’ And he goes and spends the summer with Roberts and now you’ve got a 60-goal scorer.”
LOMBARDI: “I don’t know if it’s a down year, per se. I wouldn’t say it’s a down year. Early in the season it was (up and down) and then it came back. He was a big part of us, certainly, when we got out of that second slide. It’s kind of like a sideways thing. It kind of went like this [up and down]. I wouldn’t call it a down year, no.”
Question: What were your thoughts on Drew Doughty’s season?
MURRAY: “Drew was a lot better in the second half of the year. The start of the year was not where we needed it to be. He will disagree with that, probably, as I mentioned before, but as coaches we have very high expectations when you come out of the previous year and you won a gold medal with Team Canada and he was one of the premier players on that (team). He’s being mentioned as a Norris Trophy candidate, finalist, and to end up playing well in the playoffs, you want that right away, right now. In my opinion, it wasn’t there, but he certainly came to being that kind of player as we got to the middle of the season. His contribution was tremendous, and we saw it in Game 2. He stepped up. He showed the kind of leadership and the kind of player he is, and that’s what we need all the time.”
Right now not worth alot of money. Should have to prove himself first.
[Reply]
lafan13 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@gene,
him having an off year, might be good for the franchise.
He prolly played himself into a 5 mil a year contract this year vs a 6 mil like people expected…
1 mil free cap room, thanks drew!!! u helped us more then u know
[Reply]
39scars Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@lafan13, We should trade him for Hall and promote Voynov
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@39scars, Please.
PRMan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@39scars, Add a rolleyes after that please…
luc20rules Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 6:42 pm
@39scars, If you said Stamkos then yes, but would TB go for it?
Bluecoconuts Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@gene, he’s worth it. I’d rather lock him up, and continue to play how he is now, with the chance of getting better, than not lock him up, and have him become a Norris regular on some other team.
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@Bluecoconuts, Give him the contract with bonus incentives to do the right things. If he doesn’t deliver, he doesn’t get the caysh.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
@gene, Ture, hard to pay for potential.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
@gene,
He’s proven himself. He’s judged throughout the league as one of the premium D’men in the league. He’s only 21!
DL Knows what he has and he’ll be paid accordingly. He’s not going to lowball him. He didn’t do it with JJ..he won’t do it with DD.
[Reply]
uknojata Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
@nykingfan, First of all DL did kind of lowball JJ with his previous deal at $1.4 mil. per year. He made him prove himself before rewarding him with the long-term deal. Second of all, what has DD earned by proving that he has the potential to be a top d-man, but doesn’t have the work ethic? The kid has developed an attitude problem. His humility during his first two seasons was impressive. He needs to find that again and come in to camp ready to work.
I bet DL will sign him to a short-term deal and give him the opportunity to earn the bank-busting long term deal.
I was really glad to hear DL call him out a bit. You never hear anything but praise from Terry. I’d like to see Terry at least attempt to coach the kid next year. He’s never going to learn unless you call him on his mistakes.
[Reply]
Drew was a lot better in the second half of the year. The start of the year was not where we needed it to be. He will disagree with that, probably
Just stfu and listen to ur coaches drew… disagree or not, u could of played better….
[Reply]
Brownkingsfan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@lafan13, I’ve heard Drew in an interview with Heidi say that his play had picked up over the second half of the season. He knows he is capable of more! I’ll work out with you Drew, if you think you can keep up! =)
[Reply]
Slim Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
@lafan13,
AS I stated a Month ago!!!!
Doughty go hang out with Gary Roberts this summer..
Period…There I’m done ranting..
[Reply]
i like DL comparing Drew to Stamkos. Drew definitely was the better player coming into this year but Stamkos outworked him this summer and had a much better year.
everyone knows Doughty is one of the most talented players in the league. if he wants to take the next step he needs to take this summer seriously and come into camp in the best shape of his life.
for as good as his game 4 was, i can only remember a couple of games all year where he played like that in 10-11. in 09-10 he had a game like that every 3-4 games.
[Reply]
Darrell Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
@Dave, It will be interesting to see if Stamkos can get his team into the second round. I was waiting to see if Drew would pick us up and carry us there, and he almost got us to Game 7, but he didn’t. If Stamkos scores a hat trick and the Lightning win tonight hopefully that will light a fire under Doughty as well.
[Reply]
Darrell Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
@Darrell, No Stamkos, but Lightning WIN!
[Reply]
DD needs to learn better puck management. I think he got some success with holding on/fake shots moving to the middle to freeze the D but he kept on doing it and players got wise to it. This also gives so much time for the goalie to make that lateral move and reset.
It’s good to have in the arsenal, but mix it up a bit more…
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@SaveByCechmanek,
And it makes me think of what was said when his draft was coming up…… that for example Alex Pietrangelo had huge upside but wasn’t nhl ready – evidently had a great rookie year this year, where as doughty was nhl ready, but if he flatlines there rather than improving then that would be a real waste of a very special talent.
To me, even the way he speaks, he sounds young (and not just for his age), so he needs to grow up a bit, mature and push things more (for lack of a better way of saying it).
[Reply]
EternalOptimist Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
@number 6,
I think this is exactly it… he acts and speaks like a normal 21 year old should! I don’t think it’s fair to compare him to Stamkos since he just seems really mature for his age. I think we have gotten so use to these kids coming into the league and acting like veterans. Give DD time… he figure it out.
At least he wasn’t like Pronger was at this age… out drinking every night and getting into fights at bars
.
[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@SaveByCechmanek,
Like using the occasional hard wrist shot as opposed to the slapper with the long, deliberate windup? Seems to remind me a lot of what Rob Blake (I know, I know… boooooooooooooooo) had to learn before he won his Norris trophy.
Drew’s also 21, so I suspect he’ll improve emotionally a bit too, and not let opponents or referees get under his skin so easily. Give him time to grow up, and he’ll be as good a defenseman as we’ve seen in quite some time.
[Reply]
calling Gary Roberts, you have a telephone call!!
There you have it, DL was/is not happy with DD’s commitment either.
[Reply]
If Drew is going to be a perrnial Norris Trophy finalist, he’s going to have to play for the most part like he did in game 2 on a consistent basis. He has to take it to that level and have his temparement on an even keel. He can’t let guys get to him (unless his teeth get broken, ouch) but I think as he gets older, more experienced in the game, it’ll make him wiser and he’ll be one of the greats in the game. “The force is strong with this one” I couldn’t resist lol
[Reply]
Drew Doughty is by far my favourite player….but he is NOT in shape! Send him to Gary!
I want to see him dominate like he used to last year
[Reply]
An off-year for Doughty is a great year for most defensemen. I think next year we’ll see a return to his 2009-2010 form.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@Katy Perry, Oh, I think he’ll be much better. I’m predicting right here right now. DD will get the Norris next year if he stays healthy.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
@Katy Perry,
Couldn’t agree more.
KC23,
Count me in with you.
[Reply]
Slim Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@Katy Perry,
I’m sipping on THIS Koolaid!!!
[Reply]
Pretty much spot on with what, i think, everybody here already knew. I’m certainly glad that they have such high expectations from him.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@Helvetica,
They should, but like you said in your comments under Penner, some people just don’t think they have to work hard, especially as they already have attained a certain level. DD is a very very rare and special talent, but if He doesn’t do the work to develop it and get better and learn, then it would be a real shame.
[Reply]
Drew’s imminent contract renewal needs to be loaded with attainable incentives.
Period!!! End of Case!!!
[Reply]
Drew will be back! More teams focus on him this year! So it took him 40 games for him to learn it.
Yes hes needs to be in better shape next time, so he can battle those teams that focus on him and that shut him dowm.
[Reply]
Hmmm…… I wonder if Gary Roberts is available this summer.
[Reply]
King Doughnuts Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Mr Roberts, Drew Doughty on line one…
Mr. Roberts, Braydon Schenn on line two…
Mr. Roberts, Andrei Loktionov and Oscar Moller on line three..
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@King Doughnuts, adding line 4 for Mr. Penner
[Reply]
Darrell Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
@King Doughnuts, Blake was available… Until he took the job with the NHL.
[Reply]
Gary Roberts!
[Reply]
What did this mean?
“Problem is, Drew didn’t have the down.” (2nd paragraph, middle right)
Is this a typo? Or did DL really say this? I don’t get it.
[Reply]
18,118 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@wavesinair,
Drew didn’t have the “down” (from his pre-draft days when he was virtually playing “up”) in his game that Stamkos had, therefore he maybe did not have the incentive to get himself into a much higher gear.
[Reply]
BadFishToo Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
@wavesinair,
He was talking about how DD didn’t have “the down” [year], like Stamkos did.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@wavesinair, I thought he meant DD didn’t have that “down year” like Stamkos had, as in production not being what was expected? That was my take.
[Reply]
BringBackKingston Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@wavesinair,
he’s referring to Drew not having a down year last season like Stamkos.
[Reply]
Maximus Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@wavesinair,
He was talking about LAST year, for both players who were in their second year. Stamkos sucked, Doughty did not, thus Stamkos went and sought out Gary Roberts to get into shape.
[Reply]
Token Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@wavesinair, If you look at his complete stats, TOI, when goals were allowed/scored etc. he has had a better year overall as a defenceman.
His goal scoring went down a touch, thats it.
DD had a great year, just not as flashy as last.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@everyone,
Ahh, thank you. Makes sense now.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
@wavesinair,
Maybe he was still comparing him to Brady, who gets 4 downs.
[Reply]
DD was horrible this year everyone will be blinded to disgree on that takes alot of dumb Penalties
Makes careless moves that end up costing us a goal by it
Letting his emotions get the best of him
But overall he a hell of a good player
I think he had a bad year
[Reply]
dMan Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@KingsFanFTW, I wouldn’t say he had a bad year, maybe an off year.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@dMan, yea that what i mean
i got a feeling next season he should be shining
that what i hope
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@dMan, In yesterday’s vernacular, he was Edselized. We were sold a Norris candidate this season, and we got something short of it. He very well may be a Norris candidate, but as DL says, he needs to do what it takes to be in that discussion. Yes, fsd1, he’s 20…it didn’t start with his concussion though, and it would be good to get him forming the right habits early in his career.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@KingsFanFTW, he’s 20 right, 2 years in the nhl? There will be growing pains but I dont think he had a bad year. Besides, who really knows how much the concussion affected his play.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@fsd1, well i mean a off year
he still young guy they go through those kinda of things ^^
[Reply]
Space_Shot Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@fsd1,
No, he’s 21 and he’s got 3 years in the NHL, same with Stamkos. It was an off year, but I agree with TM and DL that it can all be fixed if he takes the offseason seriously and gets in shape.
The down year they are referring to for Stamkos was his rookie season, not last year. Last year he won the goal scoring title and this season came in second. He started working with Roberts in the summer of 2009 (2 years ago) and went from 23 to 51 goals.
[Reply]
CC13 Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 9:14 am
@KingsFanFTW, Agreed!!
[Reply]
Jeter?
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Rick Knickle, reference a hard working athlete who works his butt off in the offseason to be able to play at his best.
[Reply]
dabronx Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@fsd1, There needed to be a Yankee reference
[Reply]
Seems Dewey had the sophomore jinx a year late.
[Reply]
Anyone hear Mike Keenan refer to Doughty as the next Ray Borque? Can’t let a guy like him with so much potential get away. Will just have to deal with the expected ups and downs of a young hockey player…
[Reply]
Im still gonna say DD IS in shape! maybe his strength and condtioning scores werent were DL would want his top puck moving defensman who is supposed to be the next Lidstrom to be at but i would say by no means he is out of shape. I ranted about it last thread (and got a comment deleted, and rightfully so after looking back) but it obviously more relevant to this one.
[Reply]
Bingram Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
DD strength and conditioning were a problem. An athlete that is not in top shape can not perform at the top of their ability. Also if your not in top shape the mistakes get made toward the end of a game when your strength is waning.
Do you gold. Get out of the cart and walk the course. See how much tougher the 16th, 17th and 18th holes are as your legs tire.
If DD wants top dollar he need to dedicate himself and it starts with being in shape. I’s still a fan of DD, but he can be much better than he showed this year.
Go Kings, go (next year)!
[Reply]
Bingram Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@Bingram,
Opps I meant do you golf.
[Reply]
Seemed to me that the mistakes I saw were more mental than conditioning. It’s been said that Quick has A very short memory. If he let’s in a bad goal or has abad game he can come right back and not let it bother him. That’s a good quality for a goalie, but I think not so much for a D- man. I just didn’t see Drew learn from his mistakes, or even acknowledge them.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@LAPD line, mental mistakes come from poor conditioning
[Reply]
LAPD line Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@jet, Sometimes, yes, but in Doughtys case, i dont think that was it. Too many times it seemed like he was playing for the highlight reel…. attempting big hits, and hip checks when a simple body on the man would suffice. How many times did we see doughty wind up for the big slap shot which would either get blocked or miss the net resulting in a break the other way, instead of a simple wrister into the goalies pads hoping for a rebound. Of course, the whole team was guilty of the slap shot love affair, except maybe Martinez.
[Reply]
Tullskull Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 11:55 am
@LAPD line, Totally agree. I would say though that besides Martinez,I think JJ was willing to attempt wrist shots sometimes to get the puck through.
DD needs to find the Gary Roberts of on ice decision training!
DREW doughty i would be concerned to sign, sure he has skill, but? issues, with simmonds too, i am not sold this guy is part of the future, murray see’s his desire on day to day basis, simmond i think lacks desire and skill, he is here for a paycheck, murray by the way if you read this Al simms and go back in toronto, lombardi simmonds not so sure, clifford will be the kind you need.
[Reply]
Harty Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
@handsomepolack, agree
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Harty, agree with what? did you understand what he said? Sounds like he said get rid of doughty and simmonds and replace with 2 more cliffords and another lombardi?????
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@handsomepolack, Wow!
[Reply]
I think any problems DD has is more mental than anything. For example, in game 6 in the overtime, he turned over the puck a mid-ice with a bad pass. This then resulted in a face-off. DD skated back to the line shaking his head. He let’s a bad play linger rather than simply letting it go and playing hard again. This is a maturity issue and he will get past this with more experience. Coming back to training camp in great shape will go a long way though.
[Reply]
As far as Drew Doughty goes he requires the following……
-discipline (he needs to focus on D first and not always looking for the big play)
-team player (stop thinking your the best, be a good team mate 1st) you can just see this in his walk
-put the crest on the front of the jersey ahead of the name on the back of the jersey (love LA)
-he has to learn not only by trial and error, he needs to be accountable for his mistakes and if he doesn’t sit at times for his play why would he not continue with some of his poor play
…otherwise Drew your a leader now start playing and leading like one……
[Reply]
CC13 Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 9:17 am
@Harty, Valid points! I think that JJ should also consider the points you made too.
[Reply]
Stamkos and DD have had pretty similar playoffs after 6 games- each had 2-2 4pts, and both shined in one game and were pretty much non-factors in the others. I remember when the Kings somehow blew the ‘race’ for Stamkos by inexplicably winning their last game of the season 4 years ago and I thought we got the short end. Then Stamkos was slow to adapt and Drew came out like gangbusters and I figured we lucked into the better player. Now, I’m not so sure. We’ll see how DD comes back next years after his ‘down’, but as loaded as we are with D talent, having that kind of wing firepower would look good right about now.
[Reply]
Drew Doughty is the best defenseman in the NHL. On a good night (such as Game Two) he looks like Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky and Scott Niedermayer combined.
The easiest way to pay him is to release Johnson and Penner. That will free up eight million dollars — 6 or 7 million for Drew and the rest for Wayne Simmonds.
The only possible downside of a long-term contract is Drew’s affinity for drink. If the Kings can get a sobriety clause in the contract, he’s worth $100 million for 15 years.
[Reply]
CC13 Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 9:22 am
@Hadley, No way. He is good but by far not the best. Granted he’s still young and has some maturity to gain in his play. Yeah he had a great game two and he followed it up with a lot of mistakes and a +/- of 0. He takes chances that are very risky and leave his defensive partner and forwards scrambling in an attempt to cover up for his offensive rushes. I think DD still has some improvements to make prior to any big deals.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Hadley, did you say relaese JMFJ? wont ever happen.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@Hadley, wow, now DD has a drinking problem??? Have you been privy to these affinities with DD? Maybe a party or 3 at the Doughty/Simmonds bachelor pad?
[Reply]
tullskull Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
@Hadley, Maybe we can administer a sobriety test to you…:) Just Kidding. I don’t agree but hope it will be true in a year or two. Uh we just signed JJ to a contract this year. Don’t you think it would be juuuuust a little bit expensive to buy him out now?
[Reply]
Drew Doughty is my favorite King player.
But he played like he had his head up an orifice that allowed him to look out of his navel in most of the playoffs. He went for a number of spectacular moves — only to have the mustard come off the hot dog. In the last game — when the Kings had set up in the offensive zone on the power play at the end, he let an easy pass from Johnson bounce off his stick and out to center ice — he must have been thinking about something other than receiving an easy pass. He turned the puck over on a spinarama move — as well as some would-be slick passes.
Dewey, for the love of Kings’ hockey, would you play within yourself, get into shape this summer, and sign a long term contract.
[Reply]
Doughty to Edmonton for Taylor Hall.
[Reply]
puddle Reply:
April 27th, 2011 at 11:39 pm
@fuzzerson, Fail.
[Reply]
Everyone needs to relax. What’s the big deal. Everyone likes him. He is still very young, it’s not like he is 25. I don’t care about not putting up 70 points as a defenseman when the kings don’t play an power offense system. Of course his numbers are down since all teams focus on 3 things abgainst the kings, stop Kopitar, stop Doughty, traffic in front of Quick. He will be resigned and it will be the right move and the popular move. I don’t have a problem with his skating, his one-on-ones, or his effort. He does gamble and with gambling there are risks.
Look how Johnson was for his first 3 years and look at him now. I see the same with Doughty, and he entered the league a lot younger.
[Reply]
CC13 Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 9:29 am
@BackinBlack15, If I’m DD and reading your last sentence … im offended. You are comparing a player that has finished well into the minus section with one who finished respectably in the + column.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@CC13, and +/- means what in the real world?
[Reply]
I like DD. I think he is going to be an amazing D-man. But that is when he is like 25….I think the franchise has coddled him way too much. Lombardi made a remark that JJ was uncoachable. Well, DD seems to be uncoachable. He runs around way too much and takes his team out of games at crucial times with, “young” mistakes. I think it would do him well to knock him down a few notches and send him to Manchester. Let him see how hard kids, with a fraction of his talent, compete every night to play in a league he seems to take for granted. That said…I think Martinez had a better year than DD…..didn’t hear a lot about him….which most good D men will say, “not hearing your name, means you are playing well.”
[Reply]