Tim Leiweke took time this afternoon to share his thoughts on the Kings’ meeting with Brad Richards…
Question: How did the meeting go, and could you just speak to the importance you put on this, with such a big showing in Toronto?
LEIWEKE: “This was a high priority for the Kings and a high priority for AEG and ownership. We spent a lot of time on it in the last few weeks. The staff, Dean and his team, and Mike Alteri, did a phenomenal job on the presentation. We were well-prepared. We were well-organized. We were well-briefed. He was shocked as to how much we knew about him. I thought Terry Murray and his team did a great job of making him understand where our team is at today and where he would fit in. We were with this young man for over two hours, and longer with the agents. I was impressed that they gave us as much time as they did. I’m very impressed by this guy. He has a lot of choices, probably offers that are going to be better than ours, but I definitely think we have him thinking.”
Question: Did you get any type of timetable from Brad or the agents?
LEIWEKE: “No, but just seeing the way they’re going about this, this is not Kovalchuk. He is a very smart kid, with some very smart agents. They are well-organized and their thoughts are together. My guess is this is not going to take long, for them to make a decision. They’re not leveraging anyone. I admire the way they’ve done it. I am appreciative of the amount of time they allowed us to have.”
Question: Can you talk a little about this presentation? Is it the most significant you’ve made, as a team, for a free agent?
LEIWEKE: “This is the best effort I’ve ever seen, in chasing a player for the Kings. That’s for sure. They were very impressed with the video, and I’m hoping one day we will share the video. We had a lot of people help us and a lot of people speak on our behalf. Some of the people who spoke on our behalf shocked Brad and his agents, and they will shock our fans a little bit, the help that we got here. So this was a good L.A. effort. L.A. showed well here, and I’m proud of the job we did. We’ll see what happens, but certainly, regardless of what happens, it’s nice to be held in this regard now. We’re one of the big boys, and that’s certainly how they looked at it today.”
“we’re one of the big boys.” sweeeettt! i got a big smile on my face while reading this.
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Scott Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@blahblah, I wish I could hear an owner say we made an effort and gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
While this is a step in the right direction the lines are not encouraging to hear.:
“This was a high priority for the Kings and a high priority for AEG and ownership. We spent a lot of time on it in the last few weeks.” and “He has a lot of choices, probably offers that are going to be better than ours, but I definitely think we have him thinking.”
I would like to hear management come out of a meeting saying they have better than now because of the meeting he is going to think about LA. Personally I read that as, now and only now is LA even on his radar and not before, but there is still like a 5% chance of him coming. I wish LA had given that pitch to Cole as well as Brad Richards.
But at least now we have the building blocks of actually trying to get the best talent to LA. Maybe McNall should have been involved.
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:47 pm
@Scott,
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. He has to fit into the big picture or we simply move on. If that’s the case, fine go play on a shat team in New York!
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luc20rules Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@Scott, Do you mean horse’s head or so many zeros that this team will have a 2 year window, then fade away?
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Christian T Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Scott, Eric Cole is not worth the money he got. Same goes for other FA’s that have signed so far. Good job by management so far. If he signs that we have reached the next level. If not we still have work to do. The good news is our team is filled with hard workers so it better to blow our money unless we get a play like BR.
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Arthur Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@blahblah, This reminds me of last year, you know, when Lombardi did nothing but target one guy, and didn’t get him, and everyone else was long gone by the time he realized it. You remember that? They better get him. I mean, they gave up the future for the present, so you’d think they’d actually like to pick up guys this summer.. you’d think??? Wouldn’t Fleischmann have looked nice on the wings? I mean, you have to replace Simmonds and Smyth, and Frolov’s spot from last year. That’s only a whole line’s worth. No big rush or anything. And don’t say you can count on Penner, or ‘it’s going come from within the organisation’ because.. well there aren’t any forwards within the organisation ready to step in. Tried doing that one all year with spare part wingers. Didn’t work so good!
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RobSD Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:36 pm
@Arthur,
Maybe this year it will work!!! Is anyone else over Parse yet? The unproven injury prone guy that people think is the second coming. I don’t understand. What has he ever done? Never even seen him make a great move, that makes you say, wow that sweet.
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Bonvivant1 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:33 pm
@Arthur, I have to disagree with your assessment as to giving away the future. We still have a great stockpile of talent. Because the Kings were big players in the IK saga last year tells me that they are more prepared this year to land Richards. Even if we don’t bring Richards on board, which seems more likely than not, IMHO we currently have a very competitive team. Richards obviously would be a great fit, but this time I don’t think money is an object for the Kings. The problem therein lies with BR’s mindset and whether he thinks LA will be a good fit for him and his family. If he does sign with New York that will be telling as to our inability to land players like Richards in the future. That is my concern moving forward.
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Duckbasher Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@blahblah, – I got more than a smile. I’ve been a fan from the start and hate to admit this… but I got a bit choked up.
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jofa6000 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@blahblah, Included in the video were Wayne Gretzky and Kobe Bryant.
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garry Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 7:20 pm
@blahblah, It’s okay DL, we know it’s good press for the fans, but Brad will not be playing in L.A. this year or next ect. Now get us a left winger!
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Why do we want this guy so bad? -72 for his career and is going to cost 7 million a year, injury prone and is a center. I just don’t get it and we missed out on a lot of good LW already, didn’t mgmt learn from the Kovalchuck drama last year?
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Mikey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@Puckn-A, We’re just going after every BFG (big (street slang for fornication) gun) possible
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Mike in Oregon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@Mikey,
71 points in 77 games, 99 points in 90 games. What’s not to go after?
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@Puckn-A,
If Brad Richards is injury prone EVERY single player in the National Hockey League is injury prone! PLEASE!
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NOT IMPRESSED Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@John, I agree, he averages 77.2 games per year over a 10 year career. Played in all 82 games 5 times.
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MindGeyser Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@Puckn-A, Think of it like this:
B.Richards,Kopitar,Williams +
Penner,M.Richards,Brown +
Clifford, Lewis, Richardson +
= three very strong defensive lines + two very strong scoring lines. That’s just ridiculous.
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Raunq12 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@MindGeyser, If this happens, watch out Western Conference. These lines look ridiculously strong
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Dominick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@MindGeyser,
Your missing Stoll.
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DaveinSD Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@Puckn-A, I’m with ya, not sure what’s going on here. Time will tell…
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tantrum4 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@Puckn-A,
Ummmmm…because he has a Cup and puts up 90 points a year??
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Puckn-A Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:52 pm
@tantrum4, He’s put up 90 points twice.
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@Puckn-A,
But 8 20+ goal seasons!
Puckhog Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@Puckn-A, He won the cup as a left wing. None of the other wings come close to him. If they do not get him they will get a left wing via trade. Management believes the Kings time is now.
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DaveinSD Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@Puckhog, all good points guys. It just leaves me to wonder what will be left to sign DD if we sign Richards. I know I have to get the DD situation out of my head but I just can’t!
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masterhans Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 8:50 pm
@DaveinSD, do you really think we’d give this huge presentation to richards without having the framework for deweys contract done? come on guys. eric cole and t. fleiscman (sp)? went for way above value. we needed to go after richards, then if he decides to follow the money rather than the chance at a cup, good luck to him. it means we’ll have a ton of cap space and guys like penner to trade for a real first line winger.
Not Eric Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@Puckn-A, What good LW have we missed out on this FA signing period so far? Only a handful have been signed by anyone, and none that are can’t miss players. Only one that anyone could count is the sometimes listed-as-LW Erik Cole.
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Alli Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:18 pm
ok a couple things, first of all he is not “injury prone”. he missed 2 games in his entire time with TB and that was only to attend his grandmother’s funeral. i saw him go feet first into the boards in toronto once and he had to be helped of the ice. next night, back to back vs montreal he was back on the ice. he had a few injuries with stars but worked hard to come back from them. second, he was not a left wing when he won the cup. he has never played any position other than center. Even in Olympics, World Cup & All-Star game he played center. And yes, I am a huge Brad Richards fan, but I agree he doesn’t need to make more in the league than anyone else.
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MJ Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@Puckn-A, Richards definitely is NOT injury prone. Guys only missed 35 games or so in his 10 year career, most of that in one single injury a few years back. He a point a game player with huge presence on the ice.
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Kingfish Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@Puckn-A,
I agree he is too old for big $$ and term. His point totals may be good but we need someone who can put the puck in the net, not pass. His goal totals per year aren’t that great.
This contract could bite us in 2 years we he gets his second concussion and nobody wants him. This reeks of Lieweekly having a man crush on this years top UFA like he always does. But at least AEG is letting DL spend to the cap. Its about time
We need a true goal scoring LW to play with Kopi.
We would be much better off trading for Parise.
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Mike W Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:47 pm
@Kingfish, Exactly right, Parise is younger and better. He is also a point a game player and would fit perfectly on line one with Kopi and Williams. That would be the route I would go, especially for the money, Parise will be the same price or slightly cheaper than Richards.
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@Mike W,
And he’s not a free agent.
art Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:52 pm
@Kingfish,
If they sign Richards, Kopi becomes the sniper. He can easily put up 40 goals playing with B Rich. Kopi is a hell of a player and doesn’t need to be the setup man. I actually think he’d be more effective with a shoot first mentality. Almost the same way Crosby decided to start shooting a lot more.
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Kingfish Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@art,
thats a great point art, hadn’t thought of it that way. You’re right Kopi could put up more goals if he didnt have pass first mentality. B Richards is a hell of a playmaker but I still think his contract could end up being an albatross. I think Parise is the perfect fit for that line with the way he plays. Plus he is hungry, I like players who havent won yet vs. guys who may mail it in some nights since they have already seen the top of the mountain.
Regardless of what happens its great to see AEG let DL spend up to the cap. Hell Staples was mostly sold out last year revenue has got to be up?
Arthur Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Puckn-A, No, they didn’t not – couldn’t agree more. Could have signed 2 or 3 decent wingers today, what they need, but instead chasing and old injury prone center. Makes perfect sense!
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Tomb Reply:
July 2nd, 2011 at 12:23 am
@Arthur, if we can afford it then do it. Brad Richards is a great player. Put him with Mike Richards to form the “Richards Line”
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i hope they used a bluray
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King4life Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@Qmungous, hahahaha
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Ravens Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@Qmungous, I herd it was Super 8, and they used a projector that Terry Murray had from high school
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Qmungous Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@Ravens, well that explains the power play
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Hell Yeah. Bring it Kings!
Rich, can you get some news on Drew? PLEASE!!
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My face hurts from smiling. Great job, gentlemen!
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HAHA! I think TL just called Kovi stupid!
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FiG17 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@Matt R,
Yeah, that was my favorite part too. lol
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Gmo Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@Matt R,
And that is putting it nicely
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McDonalds Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@Matt R,
hahahaha yea pretty subtle
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Matt R, No he called Kovi AND HIS AGENT stupid.
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McDonalds Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:47 pm
@KC23,
amen
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Sounds like Gretz spoke to BR or at least had a pre-recorded spiel… solid.
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Chaz Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:17 pm
@Stuart, Hopefully this did NOT include an animated photo of Gretz’s statue ala Southpark style.
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DesertKing Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Stuart,
Not sure that Gretz telling BR he will get a free pair of Skechers if he signs with LA will actually help.
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Naturallawyer Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:07 pm
@Stuart, Gretzky got ideas from that “comeback” commercial and told BR he would lace ‘em up on BR’s line if he came to LA.
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“We’re one of the big boys”
That about sums it up. In case Mr. Richards was unaware.
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I guess your pretty darn serious and mean business when you bring the brass with you to pitch to an agent.
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I wanna see the video!
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Wearing our big boy pants eh?
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Andrew Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@kingsfaninsb, wanna be a big boy, wear the daddy pants?
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@kingsfaninsb, If you wanna swim with the sharks don’t go in looking like bait.
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Ravens Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@kingsfaninsb, it ain’t over till it’s over
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Sweet! I guess us fans can’t whine about a lack of interest and commitment from AEG any longer!
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Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:38 pm
@iansez, FAEG! unless we sign BR and Uncle Phil sends me a xmas card
LOL
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the_guv Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@iansez, I was thinking the same. Not sure where another center fits, but it’s great to see AEG take this club seriously. I think its to the credit DL, he did an amazing job rebuilding under an owner that wouldn’t spend. It’s his work that has made the Kings a worth while investment in the eyes of AEG. Well done Deano!
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yea i wanna see the video, too. if we can get him for 6.5 i’m down. and DD for 6. That’d be the best possible outcome.
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Nice I wonder if Wayne Gretzky was involved in the video.
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I want to know who is on that video. Obviously Luc and maybe Gretz but it would be interesting to see who else… I wonder if they got Kobe, he isn’t going to be doing anything for a little while. LOL
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Pesus Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@PW,
Can Kobe skate?
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PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@Pesus, Not to play… if they got him to be in the video to persuade.
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SLIM Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@Pesus,
They had a video of Kobe at Staples
making the dunk wearing skates…With
the Transformers as the basket..
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PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:55 pm
@PW, Hell yeah, i was right. They had Kobe in the video apparently.
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@PW,
I’m guessing there was a cameo from Metta WorldPeace.
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RobSD Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:31 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
Hahahaha. He has the IQ of a Toaster
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So intrigued with the video, I definitely want to see that!
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Holy Crap! I LOVE IT. Rich please post the video asap!
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well am not going to get my hope so high up just yet into either he signs a contract with the Kings into then i guess i watch another fail attempt to get a good free agent by wasting their eggs in one basket
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I’m just afraid it’s de ja vu (all over again
Yogi) We wait for their decision, for which I doubt he’ll want to come to L.A., and all the good wingers are taken up…then we get the speech that L.A. made a great push to bring in a quality player.Anyways, I still like our team right now.
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Datacloud Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@wideleft, It’s only a “speech” if it’s kool-aid. Can’t say they did their best if it doesn’t happen.
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Datacloud Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@Datacloud, Sorry…can’t say they DIDN’T do their best if it doesn’t happen.
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wideleft Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@Datacloud, We gave it our best effort last summer, and with the dust setling, what did we get?
John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@wideleft ,
The present team and THANK GOD for that!!! We’d be trading Doughty right now if we had won last summer
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Pesus Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@wideleft,
Good point but I think DL learned from last year. He wont keep his offer on the table all summer long. Take less money here and try to win multiple cups or go get paid in NY.
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wideleft Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@Pesus, I do agree…but look @ the FA Tracker…it’s filling up and fast.
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I’m more hyped to see this video than I was about the Kardashian one!
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Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@PW, hhmmmm, not me. Show me *word often used for pirate loot*
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PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@Stuart, Lol.
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I especially like the part where he said that Brad will get “probably offers that are going to be better than ours”.
For me it shows their first and foremost motivation is SC and they won’t risk offering something that will cost them that.
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kingsfaninSB Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Zorzi, great point. DL knows better than to overpay
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Prestige world wide wide wide…
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Andrew Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@Jefreyryan, that popped into my head.. I REALLY HOPE they have a boat driver
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FiG17 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@Jefreyryan,
hahahahahaha. You win.
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601DEN Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@Jefreyryan, the first word in entertainment..
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That was a nice “feel good” read..made me a proud fan for sure! Can’t wait to hear him accept our offer!!
Should be interesting!!
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He has a lot of choices, probably offers that are going to be better than ours, but I definitely think we have him thinking.”
^ Uggghhhhh!!! ^
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LuckyNumber20 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Kings Win, Ducks Lose, We can only spend up to the cap other teams have more money than us. But Mr. Richards wants to play for a contender at this point.
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Pretty clear, Management wants to win and win now!! Great feeling to have.
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if gange and fleischman get signed by another team, i will be pissed
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jammer06 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@Michael, so you’re halfway to pissed
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@Michael, We need to get DD. and hopefully BR doesnt take long and by the time he says no (if he does) then we get Gagne
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HBFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@Michael, Fleischmann with a 4.5 cap hit for 4 years with his blood clot issues is not a risk worth taking. I’m glad they passed on him
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Can you imagine a power play of Richards,Richards,Kopi,Doughty,Johnson? Could Jamie Kompon even screw that up?
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Michael Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@Puckhog, number 1 power play in the league right there
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Scarletcat Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@Puckhog,
Of all the comments I’ve smiled at in this thread, this one had me laughing so hard I had tears!
“Could Jamie Kompon even screw that up?” Best line of the day!
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Jamesonafterawin Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Puckhog, Yeah.
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Kenny44 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@Puckhog, JK: “Could you people please STAY STILL while I’m explaining this!”
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This is our year boys. When he woke up this morning he was thinkig NY NY, but when he puts his head on the pillow tonight he’ll be signing the I love LA lullaby!
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Leino to Buf.
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The Sabres are loading up. Leino gets on board.
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:52 pm
@Capt Jam, Florida is loading up more
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They better not be putting all their eggs in one basket while waiting on B Richards.
Brunette=Blackhawks
Leino=Leafs
Cole= Habs
Ryder=Stars
Upshall=Panthers
Looks like only Gagne is left now…
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LuckyNumber20 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@Bean32, most of these players are not good fits or their contracts were to long or too much money.
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Bean32 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@LuckyNumber20,
Who would you like to see fill Simmons and Smyth’s spots?
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art Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@Bean32,
Clifford will get more playing time and move up to 3rd line to cut into Simmonds old spot. And the coaching staff is still high on Parse as they still think he has top 6 talent. He still hasn’t had a chance yet due to injuries. Plus still have some kids in Manchester who can get a crack. Maybe Loktionov on LW? I think for the price that some of the other LWs signed for, like E Cole, I’d rather try to spend an extra $2mil to try getting B Rich.
Gary livingston Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@LuckyNumber20, Exactly! Kings havent really missed out. It is one thing to over pay an elite player and another to do the same for these mid range guys.
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HockeyOnly Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@Bean32, Sturm to Vancouver
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@HockeyOnly, that hurt when I saw that
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HBFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@Caleb C, May I ask why?
“we’re one of the big boys.” Put a tear in my eye.waited so loooooonnnnnggggg.
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Capt Jam Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@OnTheFly,
The trick is to have people outside the organization say that about this club. I’ll get emotional then. For now, it’s just marketing.
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Jayrew Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@Capt Jam, Thank you. Simply selling hope
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@OnTheFly, I’ve waited since 1969. We’ve really never been a big boy. Some will say the Gretzky years, but actually the closest we came to being the best team in the league was 1975.
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Leino is gone to Buffalo..Way too much money
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He did just call Kovy stupid. Didn’t he? LOL
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Gretky and Luc was on the video. Maybe Kobe too.. LOL . And i think the other Richards was on there too!!
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EXCLUSIVE!!!! A TRANSCRIPT OF TODAY’S MEETING!!!!
Tim Leiweke: Hello Brad…[awkward pause while reading note card] you hockey player guy. You.
Brad: Hello, thank you for coming
Tim: AEG is very excited to be involved with hockey and I’m also a season ticket holder for…
Deano: [interrupting] Brad let’s get right down to things. You know why you’re here, we know why you’re here, and one thing we can agree upon is that we all don’t exactly know why Michael Futa is here…
Michael Futa: Wait what? Oscar Moller is our future!
Deano: [clubbing Futa] Sorry about that
Brad: No prob
Dean: So anyways back to it. We think you’re a great fit for our hockey team and you’re a winner. You play the right way. You work the right way. You’re a good two way player and you do all the little things that do the big things….
[2 hours later]
Deano: … and so from that perspective you could make equally valid arguments for tracing the root cause of the American Civil War as being economic OR moral ….
[1 hour later]
Deano: Do I like plaid? No. But do I think other people should be allowed to wear plaid even when they have a contrasting non-plaid pattern? I dunno. The market seems to think so though. You see guys wearing all sorts of things, but I don’t think that’s the type of clothing direction I want to be taking this thing…
[3 hours later]
Deano: …look I love dinosaurs as much as the next guy, but there’s NO reason that the Brontosaurus could’ve had any power to NOT be extinct
Kompon: Speaking of the words “Power” and “Extinct”….
Everyone: Shut up!
Kompon: My bad. Let’s get outta here Callans. I heard Hexy is having a verbal tirade at the Denny’s down the street and he’s wearing his mask. Let’s go there
Brad: Look I really just want to go to a team that’s going to be a contender for the next year and the years to come. I do want to get paid, as everyone UFA seeks to do, but I’m looking for a good fit.
Tim: The points you bring up Brad are good ones. And important ones. And they need to be asked and more importantly they need to be answered. I’m happy you asked them.
Brad: um….thanks?
Michael Altieri: Look as the chief person in charge of presentation I’d like to give you an idea of just one of our many innovations: since last year we now have red lazers shining throughout Staples before games…even though red is not one of our team colors
Deano: …and so in conclusion I think we have some very interesting ideas on how to use our 2nd pick in the 14th round of next year’s NHL draft. Terry, do you have anything to add?
TM: [shrugs] Look, I just want a player who is disciplined, gets the puck on the net, and charges to the net. I’m not looking for guys who do fancy things like “pass to teammates with better scoring chances” or “scoring on the Power Play” or “winning more games at home” or “helping our goalies by scoring more than 2 goals a game.” With this team you’re really going to move. And by move I mean lines. One period you’re going to be on our top line, the next period you’re gonna be the 4th line winger, and by the end of the game we may even have you playing goal. In Manchester.
John Stevens: Go Flyers!
Tim: …and so what we’re trying to say is that AEG is committed to building a world class football facility in downtown Los Angeles, and it won’t use one cent from the tax payers
Brad: That’s not true, you’re going to be asking for the city to allow you to issue tax exempt bonds, which would remove potential tax revenues
Tim: I don’t like the cut of your jib Richards
Brad: I don’t mean to offend, but honestly I am touched that you have all come to visit me
Deano: Fellows! Fellows! …wait a second…oh dammit. You’re Brad RichardSON not Brad Richards. We wasted all of our time preparing for this and now we’re in the wrong city and have no chance at signing the real BR. This is like last year all over again.
[Reply]
Alli Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@Shakes, awesome
[Reply]
Blue liner Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@Shakes, Like. Nice script!
[Reply]
iansez Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@Shakes, Oh man that was just great! Shakespeare, Dickens, Steinbeck and now Shakes…)
[Reply]
Anjin Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@Shakes, hahahaha, awesome!
[Reply]
Roy Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@Shakes, Funnier than hell… Nice work!
[Reply]
Gmo Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:25 pm
@Shakes,
Holy crap dude how did you come up with this? I was laughing with tears in my eyes , one of the greatest posts ever on here. Made me laugh real hard on this nerve wrecking day. Well done
Go Kings go
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@Gmo,
haha, thanks! I’m basically stuck at work waiting for my model to finish running some analysis, so i had a little bit of time to have my mind wander…
[Reply]
Gmo Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Shakes,
Is there a chance you can make it into a short film? Man that would be funny
Go Kings Go
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:46 pm
@Shakes, do it all robot chicken style!!!
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@Shakes, That is the funniest post EVER. I couldn’t stop laughing. ROFLMFAO. EPIC post Shakes.
[Reply]
Ashykins Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@Shakes, Tht was hilarious hahahahah
[Reply]
Kinger Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@Shakes, LOL!!! I’m reading this at work and trying my best not to bust out laughing. My boss just walked by and gave me a “look”. Thanks for the laugh!
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@Shakes, Heidi needs to produce this for KingsVision no matter if we sign BR or not.
Solid!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:35 pm
@Shakes,
Beautiful. You went right past ludicrous speed and right to plaid.
[Reply]
puddle Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@DesertKing, LOL nice
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@puddle,
May the schwartz be with you! I don’t think anything will top Shakes’ post.
PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Shakes, Pretty funny. That must have taken some time to write, especially with correct grammar! Lasers are green though… lol
[Reply]
lowegirl Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Shakes, High. Larious. Plaid and dinosaurs. LOVES.
[Reply]
blahblah Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Shakes, nicely done, man. you also do the DL voicemail, right?
[Reply]
penguin76 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@Shakes,
that was effen funny!
[Reply]
McDonalds Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@Shakes,
OMG THIS IS TOO FUNNY
the Deano part was awesome. The american civil war and plaid…LMAO
[Reply]
iansez Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@McDonalds, I hope our lord and master Darth Hammond stumbles across it and gets a laugh..
[Reply]
In the Net Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Shakes, All-time best post on this site.
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@Shakes,
I’m glad you all liked it!…getting people to laugh to start the holiday weekend = mission accomplished
[Reply]
Jon G Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@Shakes, That was great!!
[Reply]
Dave's A Mess Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@Shakes, Bravo! Now who is Tim Lieweke?
[Reply]
Tacomakingsfan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@Shakes, Ahhh I nearly wet myself reading this!!! Oh wait, I did!!! This was too funny!
[Reply]
JackKent Cooke Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@Shakes,
First star and an interview with Heidi for you.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@Shakes,
Impressive. Most impressive. You DO know the power of the Dark Side! The Emperor has not forseen this.
[Reply]
leino signed with buffalo, if gange signs somewhere else and we lose out on richards im gonna freak
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@Michael, prepare to freak, or should I say Be Prepared to freak, like a good Boy Scout….
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@Michael,
Make sure you video record it for YouTube and Kings Vision.
[Reply]
GoKingsGo Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@DesertKing, Yeah, Vid or it didn’t happen~
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I am very proud tone a kings fan today. Good showmanship very hockeywood. I am glad to see this kind of support from upper management. Hopefully we will see brad here. But the rangers will out bid us. So what say you brad? Do you want a silver cup in LA? Or a cup of gold in NY?
[Reply]
It appears that the Kings pulled out all of the stops and made a first class presentation. I am curious as to all of these people were who spoke up for the Kings. Maybe the Kings are one of the “big boys” now. It is about time.
[Reply]
6 years, 27 mil for Leino? the new Buffalo owner is not pinching any pennies. Good for the city to have an owner who cares (but wow did they overpay)
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@ziggy33, Yeah, Gagne must be expecting the Brinks truck to pull up in front of his agent’s office by now.
[Reply]
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@ziggy33, maybe they’re really expecting him to become a very big producer
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http://video.flyers.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=616&id=120032&navid=DL|PHI|home
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if we sign BR and doughty. i can just imagine october 18 vs. the blues. “we want the cup” will be the chant of choice
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:46 pm
@kingsfaninSB, If they sign them both it will be hard to keep me from the opening games in Sweden and Germany. Already checking fares.
[Reply]
Forget Gagne and Leino. If we dont get richards oh well there is always the trade market. Lets get the right player not just a player.
[Reply]
Michael Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@LuckyNumber20, i think gagne would look great in a kings uniform
[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:28 pm
@LuckyNumber20,
I agree, Lucky. From all accounts, Tomas Fleischmann is now healthy. He’d be someone to look at as well.
[Reply]
MJ Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@LuckyNumber20, Agree, Gagne is friggin injury prone.
[Reply]
kevinebel Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@LuckyNumber20, EXACTLY! 30 plus years as a Kings fan … hear too much of “this trade would make it all better’. It’s that thinking that traded Kevin Stevens to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Anders Hakansson.
[Reply]
Dreger says in person meetings are over. How long do you think this is gonna take? I mean, I don’t want him to rush into anything, but I also don’t want him to kill me with anxiety.
[Reply]
looks like Marco Sturm will be in Canucks
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Oscar Moller's Beard Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@KingsFanFTW, We all know Sturm is not a diver. Now that he’s with Vancouver, we should see if he dives now! If he does, the Canucks probably hold secret Diving Classes before training camp…
[Reply]
what do we text to 40404 to get Hammond’s updates? Does anyone remember? Rich?
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“He has a lot of choices, probably offers that are going to be better than ours, but I definitely think we have him thinking.”
I presume that’s in monetary terms only, or the Kings crowd wouldn’t have shown up. I’m sure the chance to win the cup, and to be part of the first group in a city to do it, has to weigh heavily into the decision-making, once you’re already a multi-millionaire, as he is (or, will be.)
[Reply]
poni signed in carolina
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Poni to Carolina!
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Ponikarovksy to Carolina.
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Wow, the ‘Nucks paid Sturm a pretty penny…
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Poni is gone to carolina now..
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SLIM Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@SLIM, I would bet he will score more goals there,,
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@SLIM, totally agree on that
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Sebastian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@SLIM, i would hope so, he had a pretty lousy season in LA, 5 goal…lots of injuries. he make up for it on the PK, but he was a waste of $3m. Good luck Poni. get your career back in shape or the next step is the KHL.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@SLIM, TM decreased Poni’s value by 50%. He got 3 million last year, and only 1.5 this year. Good Job TM.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:43 pm
@CB14, I almost didn’t respond because this is so freaking old of a thought. It has nothing at all to do with TM. If that were the case then Doughty should only be asking for 1.5 mil a year.
Sebastian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@CB14, and TM broke Kopitars ankle by sending him out on the ice for that shift. haha. TM is the Devil!!!
VAN agrees to terms with Marco Sturm, one year, $2.25M
[Reply]
bbb7 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@Blue liner, Amazing when a guy like him can get that kind of dough. Momma, dont let your sons grwo up to be doctors, lawyers or software engineers.
[Reply]
Steve W Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@bbb7, Or Laker fans!
[Reply]
Poni’s gone.
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@jkking, there is a GOD!
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@Sebastian, Well there be even more of a god if Penner scores and does stuff LOL
[Reply]
Kings do not need more centers!!
they need to SIGN DOUGHTY…
then trade for a winger… LW
[Reply]
Poonagi Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@whatever, for the 10th time today… brad richards can play LW… he played there on the TB cup team.
[Reply]
KingzzFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:55 pm
@Poonagi, Does anybody read these posts or do the just post what their think without thinking???
[Reply]
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@KingzzFan, there are a lot of posts to read haha
kingsfaninsb Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@whatever, br was originally a lw in Tampa bay
[Reply]
Steve W Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@kingsfaninsb, According to Alli, he never played LW.
[Reply]
Cap-wise this could work (I didn’t think so previously). Right now 17
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BringBackKingston Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:44 pm
let me try that again.
Cap-wise this could work (I didn’t think so previously). Right now there are 17 roster players with a total cap hit of $48,218,810. That leaves 6 roster spots and $16,081,190 in cap space.
Assume Richardson, Lewis and Martinez all sign at a 15% increase (right now I believe they are in-line for a minimum 10% raise). That comes out to $2,964,988. The second reserve spot gets filled by someone making around $800,000.
So that leaves 2 spots remaining on the team to be filled with $12,316,202 in cap space. Doughty + player X have to make that number work. DL will probably want a little cushion, say < $1m. Really, Doughty and player X (BRichards?) have approximately $12m to split between them. Could work but will be close.
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@BringBackKingston, It seems like like they’d have to move someone for it to work. 12m isn’t quite enough for these two.
[Reply]
BringBackKingston Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@LA_1968, yup, either the duo of DD and BRichards take less so everyone can fit under the cap or someone will have to be moved. The downside of moving someone else is that that person will have to have a mid-range contract. I can’t imagine someone in the top 6 being moved just to make way for BR. On the bottom six, the biggest contract by a long shot is Stoll. From the d-men, JJ has a mid-range contract and is probably the most attractive out of the bunch – but would it weaken the D too much?
I hope the video opened up with a beautiful sunset and a couple of chicks in their bikinis giggling, and then cut to a top heavy chick jogging on the beach in slow motion and THEN Gretzky pops into the frame and probably just had to say “Dude.”
I hope we can see the video and I hope Brad Richards is not Kovy-minded with the $$. The Kovy thing really burned me and I just can’t get excited about this because of him.
[Reply]
Arron Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@lowegirl, so what you are saying is throw Gretz into a Baywatch video?
[Reply]
lowegirl Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:46 pm
@Arron, ya that’s pretty much what I was visualizing. I’m a chick, but I know that most guys short circuit when a pair of knockers goes by, and we DO have the beaches, the glitz and glamour, weather, so ya. Nevermind that we have a legit shot at the Cup, there’s that, too… Bottom line, I don’t care what we have to throw at him to get him besides the cash.
[Reply]
Gary livingston Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@lowegirl, Haha. I am pitching this idea to my friend that works on Conan.
[Reply]
lowegirl Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@Gary livingston, Um, how ’bout you pitch lowegirl to your friend who works on Conan. Lowegirl wants a job, and although I really should be working for Dean-o, Coco would be fun too. Lowegirl also likes to speak in the third person for fun sometimes.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:44 pm
@lowegirl,
I hope they included a Cartman segment.
[Reply]
lowegirl Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:47 pm
@DesertKing, Bahahaha. Good one.
[Reply]
I honestly don’t care how much they pay anyone as long as they get them. The people involved are way waaaay better businessmen then any of us so im sure can handle the business aspect. Now if this presentation actually works and Brad Richards signs here the LA Kings have arrived
[Reply]
Every player signed so far has been way over paid. If you are going to overpay for a player…why not B.Richards.
He QB’s the PP…should be top 5 PP
He kills penalties
He makes everyone on the ice dangerous
He won the Conn Smythe playing LW with Tampa
Penner – Kopi – Williams
Parse – B.Richards – Brown
Clifford – M.Richards – anyone
Which line do other teams key on?
The Kings would be set at center for the next 10 years and have so many options on the PP and PK. You can double shift these guys all night long. Teams would feel like the Kings have been on the PP all night long.
[Reply]
Poonagi Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:36 pm
@Barry’s Mullet, brad would probably play LW for either kopi or mike.
also re: top 5 PP… i dunno man. Kompon balances out Brad Richards pretty well. Top 25 PP for sure!
[Reply]
Barry's Mullet Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@Poonagi, I agree..but the Kings would have so many options. B.Richards + current lineup + depth in Manchester = SC contender for the next 10 years plus
Goalie – CHECK
Defense (sign DD8) – CHECK
Center – CHECK
LW (sign B.Richards) – CHECK
RW – CHECK
[Reply]
I wish Rich would have gone with the horde to see BR. He would have bootleg filmed the video on his cell phone and posted it here by now!
MAN I want to see that vid…
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Cynic, Rich is too busy formating the video for the thread after the Brad Richards is a King.
[Reply]
[Reply]
Brad Richards has not had 30 goals in a season EVER… and is not a LEADER… playing center RW or LW… he is not worth the $$
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@whatever, whatever
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@whatever, Who needs a leader with M. Richards and D.Brown on your team?
[Reply]
PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@KC23, and Stolly, Greeney, Kopy, Scuderi, and Mitchell. I think we are fine in the leadership dept.
[Reply]
Sign Drew Doughty!! B Richards is not worth the money he’s asking for
[Reply]
Sounds like they are making a big push for Richards and as such will not likely make any lesser deals while they wait for an answer. Who can blame them when DD has still not extended his contract?
Still, I have to wonder if we’ll come out of this UFA period with anything in the end.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@RobBordson,
We never should have let that Bordson guy go.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@RobBordson, If Juraj Mikus and Rob Bordson are on that video….
…Brad Richards is a KING!
[Reply]
I wonder if the video was an extortion/black mail video and the pitch line was “sign or else” lol
[Reply]
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@The Hockey Don, just imagine it. porn video and the guy is wearing a very bad mask of his face, at the end he just laughs and then suddenly stops and says, how did you find this?
very dramatic
[Reply]
Mike Richards makes too much as well… I guess I think players with the last name richards are overrated…
haha
~been a kings fan for 40 years… seems like the same story every year
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“No, but just seeing the way they’re going about this, this is not Kovalchuk. He is a very smart kid, with some very smart agents. They are well-organized and their thoughts are together.”
awesome.
FWIW, i would love to see B. Richards.
[Reply]
Helene Elliot said Jerry Bruckheimer and Kobe Bryant were part of the video presentation.
[Reply]
Poni is a Cane. 1 at 1.5m
[Reply]
Almost 60 UFA signings today…none by the Kings…or Ducks for that matter.
[Reply]
lowegirl Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:55 pm
@Roy, Did Teeming Salami retire or is he going back to the Quacks next year?
[Reply]
Roy Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@lowegirl, He had surgery today, delaying his decision.
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:34 pm
@lowegirl, Seriously, Selanne is the most respectable Duck ever along with Paul Kariya.
[Reply]
Kurtis Foster traded for Andy Sutton
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@TRuskowski, and SJ sifned Vandermeer… the west is alive.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:52 pm
@Stuart, opps, signed.
[Reply]
Sheldon Souray a Star for 1 at 1.65m
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Funny how the Rangers didnt even go in person…their presentation will be in $$$$$. theyre gonna go all Godfather on him and make him an offer he wont refuse. i think they will get their man.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Sebastian, I think you’re probably right.
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I can only imagine what other teams will think about playing us if we get this guy. we would arguable have 3 of the best two way centers (granted BR will play LW) in the league with a defense and net minders that rival any team in the NHL. Add J-dub, a new and improved Penner along with Brownie and you got one scary ass team. we could bang on you, kill you with skill, snipe, shut you down and out and with Westy being an obvious mainstay teams wont be able to take the pugalist route (unless your John Scott!)
Man…….. i think i need to change my chonies after typing that!
[Reply]
lowegirl Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I didn’t see mention of our serial killer Clifford. I prefer him to Westy in a fight all day every day. Plus the kid can score, apparently. He frightens me and I like that.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@lowegirl, after last year, I’d prefer to NOT have Cliffy taking on every badass that rolls into staples. He got his clocked cleaned two too many times for my liking, especially if he is going to show some scoring touch. Let Westy get bashed around, let Cliffy just be the light-heavy.
[Reply]
lowegirl Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@Stuart, I can respect that.
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@lowegirl, I have no idea how i left out Cliffy! i for sure need to change the chonies now
[Reply]
In the Net Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Wouldn’t mind seeing Clunatic make the team either. But a “rejuvenated Penner”??? What in the world would make you think that might happen?
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:39 pm
@In the Net, what makes you think it wont?
[Reply]
LaFan1967 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:58 pm
@In the Net, Contract Year for Dustin Penner , expect him to show up for that .
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@In the Net, He will of also had an offseason and training camp to get up to par with his conditioning and the Kings systems. I expect we will see a different Penner than the one we saw late last season. If not…… then at least ive eaten crow before and know how i like it cooked
[Reply]
Seems like teams are waiting on B Richards before committing to Gagne and eliminating themselves from the sweepstakes. If Gagne is smart he’ll wait now till Richards is signed and for the jilted to come running with open wallets.
[Reply]
A polite plea to people who persistently post with multiple user names. Please stop. You’re not fooling anyone. This is a friendly reminder, before the bans begin. Thanks.
[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Rich Hammond, In my defense, sometimes I forget if i space my name or not… but its always some incarnation of colo king fan or colokingfan.. nothing malicious, im just stupid.
[Reply]
KFII Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:31 pm
@colo king fan, This site remembers your screen name so you shouldn’t have to re-post it each time..just saying.
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Rich Hammond,
Is this the REAL Rich Hammond?
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@SLIM, you see the underlining don’t you??!! It’s the REAL Hammer. No can be so polite yet pack the heat like he can. He reminds me of that exterminator logo with the top hat and dark glasses that is calling for the rat while he holds a big mallet behind his back…
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Stuart, dont get Rich mad he dangerous…
tullskull Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@Stuart, One day Rich and Jiraj were walking down a hall opposing each other and Jiraj actually stepped aside and said “excuse me”. Don’t mess with Rich!
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@Rich Hammond, Hey Rich, Did you know that Dean and company were planning this whole Richards presentation? Judging from you line in the previous post, “The Kings are expected to make a major run for Richards today, something they tried to keep low-key in recent weeks.” it seems like you knew something was up. Mabye I’m just misinterpreting it wrong.
PS, I’m not trying to say you should have told us if in fact you did know, just wondering if you knew. And if you did know, you did the right thing by keeping it a secret. I hate spoilers on TV and in movies, I prefer to be surprised.
[Reply]
bob mckenzie says Zeus’ agent sent an email to all GMs that handzeus did NOT sign in philly. he is still a free agent
[Reply]
jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@blahblah, Well, I don’t think we need him, so hopefully he goes somewhere where he is useful.
[Reply]
Nice to see the Kings send the entire front office staff to schmooze a guy that Lie-Weakly says that we low balled, who isn’t going to sign with the Kings anyway. And at the same time no one is around to work any deals with any other FA’s out there. Once again no plan “B” when plan “A” gets sumarily rejected because all their eggs are in one basket. Didn’t they learn their lesson from Kovalchoke?
[Reply]
whatever Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@shaddow44, – it’s LIES-weakly haha
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@shaddow44, All the FA went for way more than they were worth. Best to get it done with a trade anyway. I also doubt we’ll end up with Brad.
[Reply]
Choralone Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@shaddow44, We don’t need a bunch of warm bodies – we can afford to focus on the one player we want at this point.
[Reply]
kingsfaninsb Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@shaddow44, I don’t think Brad Richards is plan a. Plan a was getting Mike Richards. Now there is a gap At lw that I’m sure can be filled by DL. I think we just need to trust dl. He’s gotten us this far.
[Reply]
Helvetica Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:25 pm
@shaddow44, It could be argued that none of the FA available today were worth the money they were asking/signed for and that B. Richards was our only really FA target. If we do not sign him, we still have plenty of time, money, and assets to make a major or mid level trade(s) to fill holes. My guess, based on the comments made by Kings staff and the way things are playing out today is that, this is all pretty much going according to plan. Wait until camp starts to have your freak out.
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Dave's A Mess Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:36 pm
@Helvetica, I thought it was Lies-Weekly
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How in the world can Philly be in the running for B Richards.. they are already at $60.2M cap.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@bbb7, they dont know how to count LOL
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MJ Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@KingsFanFTW, because teams can go 10% over cap space until september when they can trim down.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@MJ, hey even so why would B.Richards want to go to Philly if he be scored that he get traded
KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@MJ, i mean scared that he be traded
fleischmann gone…..
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Fleischman for $4.5m per season? Insane. Truly.
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Cynic Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@bbb7, The cap floor makes funny things happen.
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Bob Bobson Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Cynic, No surprise FLA is overspending. Like you said, they need to get to the floor and it makes GM’s do crazy things. Glad the Kings passed on this but they still have some holes to fill. The only one I want now is Gagne and he is a question mark.
DL will have to go the trade route.
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Even without B.richards we are still going to be a tough team with M.Richards i just hope DL learn for a plan B then just a over react move like getting someone like Poni
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jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Really at this point the Kings are a great team without Brad, but wouldn’t thy be elite with him.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@jonsey, i just hope our team will get far in the playoffs this season
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jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:05 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Without a doubt, the Kings are in. If they can make it without Kopitar and Williams and without Richards, they can make it with all of them less Smyth and Handzus.
Just say no to Kovalchards! Well now we have no LW’s to go after so…..
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Michael Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@Puckn-A, gagne, i know he’s injury prone but i think he would be great for the kings
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Garrett Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:22 pm
@Michael, He is not injury prone, seriously. The guy plays 75 games a year. For the love already.
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Sheldon Souray for 1.6 mil to Dallas that might turn out to be a steal. He will want to prove Edmonton wrong. Would have looked good on the PP for that price.
Haven’t we all seen this before? All the players signed before we are out of the starting blocks. Oh that’s right we did a presentation for Brad Richards who when healthy is about a 75 point a year player and wants Kopitar or more type money.
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whatever Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:04 pm
@Mark1967, Mike & Brad make way over what the do on the ice…. kopi look like a god compared to the two richards boys
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MJ Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@whatever, you guys are forgetting that 75 points a year in todays NHL is awesome. Thats a huge boost to a team looking for a cup. And again, Brad Richards is not injury prone, look up his stats people!
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LuckyNumber20 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Mark1967, When healthy he can be a 100 point producer. Something this team hasn’t had since 93-94 with Gretz.
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Fleischmann Back to florida
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Bummed that one of our real backup options, Leino, is gone. I hope DL has a deal with Gagne, let us make the play for BR and if within ___ hours its not there, you have this deal with us.
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LuckyNumber20 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@Krusher, I’m pretty sure our back up option was/is Parse at LW2, with the kind of money/term that is getting thrown around today looks like that will be the case.
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concussionman02 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:10 pm
@LuckyNumber20, It is starting to look that way
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Why go after Gange? Kings have been successful the last few years in minimizing their injury prone team status. All we need is a guy who averages 20 injury games a year.
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Lame-bardi won’t get us a cup any time soon, no matter what guys he spends too much on.. and SIGN DREW give him the $$$!!
HHhello… anyone care for a doughty signing???
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Poonagi Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@whatever, of course we want DD signed. i’m pretty sure most people, including myself, have assumed the kings going after BR is a sign we have DD already locked up somehow. it wouldn’t make sense any other way.
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@whatever,
HHello, they’re ironing it out, Drew Doughty will be a King for a very long time! And whatever, if Brad Richards signs with us, we ARE a Cup contender!!! Thus, DL could be getting us a Cup as soon as next season
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whatever Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:19 pm
@John, want to bet on it! haha
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bfarm Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@whatever,
what would be your reasoning as to why not? We would have something the kings havent had since the triple crown line. something REAL!
John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@whatever,
Yes I do! ESPECIALLY if we land Richards!!! If that were the case, please, go ahead, point out our weaknesses.
It’s comical that some of you still call Lombardi lame when it’s clear to any thinking person paying attention that he’s the best GM in Kings history!
KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@whatever, DL got us a good shot on winning the Cup we gopt the team for it not his fault that they dont get it done.This year will be different
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Boy Oh Boy!!!
Florida and BuffALo made some significant moves today..
They want to play some real hockey this year!!
I love hearing that Rangers are waiting for the dust to settle
and then lay down the BIG offer..
51 players at $207.220.000…NO money in hockey..Wow..
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@SLIM, Buffalo is getting serious, but Florida is just trying to get to the cap minimum by over paying a lot of mid range players. I noticed not any of the tsn guys or “nhl live” are taking the Kings B. Richards attempt all that serious. Just don’t see it happening for us, but it is fun to hope.
What I’m not looking foward to is all the post whining about us “missing out” because we focused on Brad when the only thing we “missed out” on is way over paying for a mid range player(s).
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Jefreyryan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:31 pm
@KC23, but that’s what we needed was that mid range guy. Instead we go for the better player lose out on him, and in turn lose out on mid range players as well because we put all our effort in to Richards.
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CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@Jefreyryan, But all the mid range guys are getting vastly overpaid. I’m sure DL will trade for someone if need be.
miracle.on.manchester Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@Jefreyryan, Parse, at worse would be a mid-range guy and, at best, better than these over-priced free agents at a significantly lesser price.
Now CAL is in the BR sweepstakes???
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McDonalds Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:17 pm
@Stuart,
Yea… I don’t think we have to worry about Calgary signing Richards
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@Stuart, Yeah, I see that is just a PR move by their GM to keep their crazy fans hopemful.
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TSN was clowning on the Kings group earlier for apparently getting locked out of Richard’s agent’s offices. They have it on video and thought it was funny.
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bfarm Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@PP Anybody?,
Any link to the video?
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PP Anybody? Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@bfarm, I just saw the panle guys laghing during my lunch break.Link is probably out there somewhere.
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@PP Anybody?, Yep, still getting treated as a joke. That kind of stuff really annoyes me.
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FiG17 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@KC23,
I think any team would have been laughed at for that. It was the context of it that was funny, they weren’t necessarily laughing at the Kings management themselves.
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More worried about the eggs in one basket than anything else. Can’t believe they think a video presentation is going to sway Richards that much. Think about it, the video might be great, but what if he’s not a TV guy, or if the rooms too bright, or they don’t have a big TV with surround sound in the office. Seems like a good chance to come off hokey to me.
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Gary livingston Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@jammer06, I can’t tell if you are joking or not. If not: do you really think they played a two hour video and then left??? These are all professionals and know how to make pitches. You don’t show a long video to make a pitch. If the video was more than five minutes long I would be shocked.
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CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@Gary livingston, Michael Scott would have.
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kingsfaninsb Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@jammer06, the kings main advantage is they are the closest to the cup out of all the teams. Br is gonna have to decide between more money or a better winning situation
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@jammer06, There might be some stuff in there regarding likely endorsement $ that will be out there.
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nykingfan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:30 pm
@jammer06,
It’s meant to show him how committed the Kings entire org is to getting him as the final piece for the cup.
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Helvetica Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@jammer06, Are you serious?
Clearly they didn’t rely solely on a 2hr video. If there is ONE thing that LA has going for it, it is knowing how to edit and present a video presentation.
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Really wanted Upshall. Hope you know what you’re doing, Lombardi.
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CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@MindGeyser, I did too, but not for 3.5 million for 4 years. The deals these guys are getting are huge.
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miracle.on.manchester Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@MindGeyser, Mee, too! Florida, and their cap floor is really jacking up prices on these mid-level players that was not necessary.
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This is great to see. Good job boys! Lombardi has really impressed me of late.
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whatever Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:25 pm
@Brian, are you serious? or being sarcastic
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How about this great name, if this line ever happens.
The RICHLINE—–B.Richards,M.Richards,Richardson
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whatever Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Sammuch, thats just wrong HAHA
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McDonalds Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Sammuch,
honestly, i want this to happen. idc that richardson isn’t on te same level as the 2 Richards–this is too great of an opportunity to pass up!
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Cynic Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:21 pm
@Sammuch, Should be the RICHIE RICH line.
Could be almost 20M bucks on that line before we’re through here…
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iceguy Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@Cynic, The Three Dicks?
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jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@Sammuch, Richie Rich line sponsored by Rich Hammond.
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@Sammuch, Richardson isn’t bad. I like him haha
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Eric Belanger-Oilers. 3 at 5.25m
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Cynic Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@TRuskowski, Kind of expected this. Not too bad of a price although all of this overpaying by the market didn’t help teams any.
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jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@TRuskowski, He fould have been a decent patch for 3rd and 4th line duties if a player gets hurt. Most of the Kings prospects are too young or not good enough to crack the forward corps.
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lowegirl Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:24 pm
@TRuskowski, bummer. I always liked that guy and wouldn’t have minded seeing him back with the Kings.
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iansez Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:32 pm
@lowegirl, that’s a good signing for the Oil can, good for EB too with those $ and to have his game on the ice up there..
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Montreal just signed Cole.
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Aww they canceled the europe trip because of not enough people then she asks me if id like to go to the ducks one!?!? Dang, hopefully some great kings news today
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bfarm Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:31 pm
@Guss,
Cancelling the europe trip IS great kings news.. its difficult to recover from the long travel
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LOL! Mayby they showed Richards the cowardly lion skit on the Wizard of OZ!!
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DesertKing Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Gold Dust,
Put em up, put em up i tell ya.
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I really hope this doesnt turn into a repeat of last years off season with the all out attempt for one player. Keep in mind all the other guys that have signed i wouldnt have matched any of those offers, people really got paid exceptionally well this free agent day. Im still wondering what the Doughty hold up is…
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Looks like the Panthers are tired of Sucking! they made some good moves today.
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whatever Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@Sebastian, they bought everyone
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wideleft Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@whatever, If it means buying a championship..count me in. I’ll take it any way we can at this stage.
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jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@Sebastian, I kind of hope they make the playoffs so they don’t fold.
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All the ‘Plan B’ guys have gone for in the neighborhood of $4.5M per, meaning Gagne will get maybe $5+ per.
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I’m very impressed with the entire Kings organization. They weren’t fooling when they said they were committed to making this a first class organization with the assets to win it all and the willingness to go out and get the right players.
this seems pretty simple to me..If he wants to go to a team that will become one of the favorites to win the cup this year, the Kings are that choice.
IF it’s about $$, then it’s between NYR and Toronto..
It’s all up to Richards.
DL’s thinking this off season has been smart. It seems they’ve targeted one major FA..if that fails, I’m sure he has a trade line up to get us the guy we need. I didn’t like this FA class at all and I was right when I thought teams would overpay for crap..see the Leino contract…nice player seriously overpaid.
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Helvetica Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@nykingfan, Exactly. Whether we land him or not, it’s pretty clear that DL and Co. had a very clear and smart plan in place. I think we made the best possible pitch for the best possible FA available. All of the other mid level signings have been over paid. If we fail at BR, we make our move via trade.
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I hope they didn’t forget to Kiss his ring.
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Tookie Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@JDBiGC, oh no no no no, you ALWAYS kiss the ring. Deano knows this I’m sure.
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LicoriceBiscuit Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:41 pm
@JDBiGC, Very funny
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Poni signed by Carolina.
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PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:52 pm
@vplaza, better them than us.
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Nice! finally AEG is showing interest in the Kings. or could it be that the lakers are going to suck this year and they want a playoff team to make a deep run in the post season to make more loot? idk just a thought that poped in my head right now. any one have some thoughts on that?
I really hope BR does sign here. He can play LW or move kopi to LW that way BR can play center? just a thought. plus didnt kopi mess around playing LW during the season in practice? or BR can play Center #2 and move MR to LW #1 or #2?
I think brad richards will make up his mind by tuesday morining. if we dont get him im sure we’ll make a trade.
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MJ Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Hopefully there wont be basketball at all this year! I can go another year without Miami and Lebron getting a ring!!!
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Justin Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@MJ, your right there’s a strike correct? so this could be why there going so hard for Brad Richards….
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jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@MJ, No basketball would be great for hockey.
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wow I would have just brought a fourty oncer and some made in San fernando valley porn, and said “hey Brad”….What do ya think?
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jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@Ravens, Maybe if you were courting Sean Avery.
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kevin Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@Ravens, chatsworth to be exact. born and raised
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Ravens Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@kevin, well I’m in Long Beach now but lived in No Ho for a while
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iceguy Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@kevin, Spacey? Is that you?!
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I don’t think we’re ‘one of the big boys’ until a big free agent actually willingly signs with us.
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Belanger to Edmonton, if BR doesnt sign, our option are getting mighty thin.
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@Kings Fan in Vegas, Only our FA signings. Everyone is getting over paid anyway. Trades are still very possible and almost certainly be cheaper.
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we lost belanger and cole chasing him — two really good players who would cost half of what richards wants and would fit in well here. If he signs with us, great. If he doesn’t, we take a step back. I sure hope we don’t lose him, then sign zeus for 4 mil a year.
Remember, we have jettisoned 16 million from last year (Smyth, poni, zeus and simmonds)and signed Richards for 5.7 so far. I know we have doughty to sign but we need Richards bad.
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jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@carol vadnais, Zeus should earn the league minimum. He’ll probably get around 2 million from a crappy team like CBJ or CAR
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Dave Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:16 pm
@carol vadnais, DL would have never given Cole $18M over 4 years and we are set up the middle so there is no need for Belanger.
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I think DL has been smart up to this point – of all the guys that I think he might have had interest in (leino, upshall, ward, cole) they all went for way too much for what they bring.
if DL doesn’t land Richards then there are still quite a few guys out there that he can sign for the 3rd line RW role and my guess is that whoever does sign Richards will need to make some moves to fit him under the cap.
we all like to see the Kings involved in signing guys and being major players but July 1 isn’t as important as it’s made up to be. very few impact players at very high dollars. DL knows that and i think he has proven he can get it done in the trade market if the right player isn’t there for the right price on July 1.
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CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@Dave, Very good post dave.
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DesertKing Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@Dave,
Excellent points. For a supposedly poor market, some of these teams are paying way too much.
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Helvetica Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@Dave, I think it’s pretty clear that DL had a very solid plan in place and it will likely (whether we nab BR or not) prove to be the right path. If we land the big fish, great. If not, we don’t over pay on mid tier guys and we make our big move via trade.
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Osaka Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:22 pm
@Dave, Exactly Dave.
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Time to offersheet Simmonds. They’ll never deal with us again, but we’ll get our winger. Can they match? Not likely.
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puck73 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@jonsey, Not a good idea. Dont want to be in the same sentence as the unethical Oilers..no thanks.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@jonsey, that would be a super slimmey thing to do. DL has to much class to do something like that!
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colo king fan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@jonsey, if PHI stops dealing with us well never get any new players, ever.
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I guess they made their pitch. If he wants money, go to the Rangers or Leafs. This is the weird part to say… If you want a cup, come to LA. Ahhhh… Everyone repeat that with me..
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@PW, If you want a cup, come to LA. there you go man
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PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, LOL, thanks bud
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colo king fan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@PW, does roll off the tongue nicely….
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Trading talent to get M. Richards (who Philly gave up because he CHOKES in the playoffs…) won’t win a thing…..
Mike will be making 8.4 mill in 12/13.. WHAT!!
Now you go after Brad and offer him the sky…WHAT!!??
While you try to convince the younger kings fans we are running for a cup.. uh WHAT??
More like, DL’s willingness to smoke kings fans into false belief…
I love the Kings, but i am in reality…
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Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@whatever, 62 Playoff games played with 50 points??? choked? Really? Now I see why your handle is what it is…whatever.
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bbb7 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@whatever, Wow… M Richards ppg is about the same in the playoffs as the regular season, which isnt something most players can boast. Look at what players today are signing for without anywhere near his stats. Your reality isnt very real.
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Gold Dust Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@whatever, Well aren’t u a ray “O” sunshine!!
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Ravens Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:05 pm
@Gold Dust, That is freakin hilarious “Ray O Sunshine”
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puck73 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@whatever, @Gustavo, is this you ?
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@puck73, LOL!!! dopplegangme!!
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@whatever,
Choke???
11 1 6 7
23 7 16 23
17 7 7 14
14 7 8 15
Oookay capoligist
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:05 pm
@John,
Can somebody please post The Shift (I am unable) & show whatever what a choker looks like in the playoffs
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PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:01 pm
@whatever, Wha wha wha wha wha what!!!!
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kingsfaninsb Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@whatever, he made it to the Stanley cup finals a year ago and this year they didn’t have a chance when They were starting 3 goalies. I think he’s a great pickup
[Reply]
Kingfish Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@whatever,
M Richards chokes in the playoffs? Negative. The guy is a beast in the playoffs, was hurt this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs_3PeQQUxc
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@Kingfish,
Thanks Kingsfish
[Reply]
bluesince62 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@whatever,
Where are you getting your information?
M Richard is signed at a 5.75 cap hit each year through 2019?
And I concur with most here… Id Richards is a playoff choke, then I hope he “gags” quite a few times wearing a Kings uni.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@whatever, i dont think he chokes in playoffs.U just pointing all the Negatives what Kings do all the time now..But where the real facts??U cant really say DL is a bad GM when he putting all his best out there.Not his Fault DD being alittle greedy to tell u the truth i wouldnt sign him for 8 million or 7 million cause right now he only been in the playoff for two year going on three and he expect to get 7 million already..To me Quick is wroth 7 million doughty 4 million or 5 million at the most.So if u bashing on DL cause of DD errors than that just wrong
[Reply]
Johnnyd23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@whatever, Kings are in “win now” mode. Not “wait and see what our guys we drafted might grow into” mode. I’ll gladly fill your seat in the playoffs this year at Staples. It’s obvious no matter what the Kings do, some fans just won’t be happy. What a shame…
[Reply]
5holer Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@whatever, Gotta go back to Math 101 and NHL Capology 101…your numbers are all off…I cannot find one hockey person with a bad thing to say about Mike R! 1st he is 5.7 Cap Hit for his term (thru 2019? I believe without checking) or thereabouts close enough. 2nd his stats for Play-offs and Regular Season are identical in production & in total 10% in NHL. Consistency is his surname! LAKs are very fortunate to get him. Best #2 Center in hockey today and not bucking for #1! Glad Holmgren & Co lost their collective minds there last week. LAKs should not be expecting to win a Cup(probably aren’t!) with this line-up….but alot closer today then ever since 1988! Try again “whatever” and I will try to take you seriously!
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@whatever, thanks for the laugh!
[Reply]
miracle.on.manchester Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@whatever, Yeah! What they all said!
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@miracle.on.manchester, LMAO
[Reply]
The fact that Gagne has been totally silent so far tells me he’s waiting to see where Richards goes, and why would a left winger have to wait to see where a center goes? because if the Kings don’t turn BR into a left winger than they have told Gagne her will be the target…..I have other magical powers too.
[Reply]
jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 2:58 pm
@Ravens, If you were Gagne, would you be offended if they were like “we like you but Brad more and if he signs somewhere else then will you sign for this?”
[Reply]
Ravens Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@Ravens, well of couarse I ment HIM not HER,,,but if he doesn’t sign with us I’m going back to her
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@Ravens, She sounds hot, Simon Gagne. With that name she could be a supermodel and go by her first name only, Simon. I’d give her a roll in the hey. LOL!
[Reply]
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@CB14, it does sound like a supermodel name haha
5holer Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@CB14, @Ravens, Look up on the wall at Staples sometime and what will you see? Three of the TOP Four Numbers Retired and hanging on the Wall are all French Canadiens! After Brantford’s Prince Wayne, its All Quebecers! Robitaille, Vachon & Dionne! So watch your derogs on the French Canadiens, without them the LA Kings are a Mega Landfill for the NHL dating back to 1967! What little Kings pride there is comes from those guys alone and of course Prince Wayne as well. Watch what you say about Simon Gagne, lest you slur those guys names on the wall! There is no Respect in hockey!
Ravens Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@CB14, Woooh.. easy there Pierre, I was just commenting on my type error, I wasn’t thinking about French Canadiens at all. I have done many of them, and they are great
KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@Ravens, LMAO
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:19 pm
@Ravens, I’m sure Gagne is waiting around this year just for us! That’s real nice of him.
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Dominick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@PP Anybody?, He probably knows once Richards signs, he’s in for a big payday from the teams that are left. Just a smart buisness move is all. There’s at least 4 teams that will make serious bids for Richards, and 3 of them will come out empty handed, with money to spend.
[Reply]
jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@Dominick,i agree, i see gagne looking to the kings more than anyone though, he played on richards wing and got to the stanley cup final. i know he wants to win a cup.
I expected nothing less than a first class effort, and I’m satisfied that the Kings did the right thing in wanting to at least make their bid. It’s up to Brad now, but I hope he see’s the Kings in the best possible light right now. Good job Kings, and lets hope for a victory here.
On a lighter note: I picture Brad and his agents watching the video, and Mega-Tron transforming to talk to brad, on behalf of the Kings, about how awsome LA is. LOL
[Reply]
jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@Dominick, Can we really have too many Richardsomethings on our team? No.
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@Dominick, Has to be Optimus Prime! Remember…….were the good guys!
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
Your absolutely right! What was I thinking. LOL
[Reply]
P.S. Bob Miller deserves to hold the Cup.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:02 pm
@jonsey, i agree on that Bob Miller should be raising that cup over his head
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LicoriceBiscuit Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:44 pm
@jonsey, Indeed!
[Reply]
Heres a thought about DD. What if DD told the DL and team to not sign him yet until they have the big target they are trying to get(Brad Richards perhaps). So what ever is left he will sacrifce his term for maybe 5-6 years and get a contending team for the cup. I have a feeling this is why DD hasn’t signed and they have a plan to make a big splash!!!! GKG
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@ryanzlakings, That’s awesome, the Dl…he’s like THE Dude…
[Reply]
jonsey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:11 pm
@ryanzlakings, Sign him for like 2 years at 4 million per. Advantage to him is Drew will be able to get much more in a very short time. Dustin Brown did the opposite of this.
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kq949 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@ryanzlakings, How do we know that DD hasn’t signed already but they are holding off the announcement?
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@ryanzlakings, what would really be cool is if Doughty was in the video and told BR that he is not taking as much $ as he feels he’s worth to leave room to sign him. Wouldnt that be something
[Reply]
gcheng Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 8:25 pm
@ryanzlakings,
i have a funny feeling about this too. DD simply loves LA too much and for him $ is not the ultimate issue. He just loves playing hockey. Thus he will be willing to accommodate to BR and his $ needs. Now that puts BR in a bad position cause he has his future teammate willing to sacrifice so that they can win the CUP together for years to come.
what a brilliant move if that is in fact the case. Or better yet, you have doughty in the video saying the exact same thing. WOW. haha
[Reply]
Love it… Bruckheimer and the Kobester in on the vid… with possible cribs in Malibu… But I’m sure he’d rather live in Buffalo…perhaps the Hamptons… ooooooooh….
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@Roy, You forgot Magic and I’m sure Beckham is in it as well. Mabye a cameo from Cuba Gooding Jr, I hear he’s a big Kings fan. I hope regardless of wether or not BR signs here, we get to see the video.
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colo king fan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:24 pm
@Roy, no one WANTS to live in Buffalo… okay, some people do but they’re freakin nuts.
[Reply]
I feel bad for Frolov. Offer him some money. He’ll do fine with our team. I think even I could score a goal or two if I had Richards or Kopitar on my right.
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AEG is silent for 10 years, then last year Kovulchuk and this year Richards. What changed? Its easy, AEG is trying to bring football to LA and its now trying to give the impression that they care about sports and winning. It all looks phony to me. The Kings have worked so hard and long to build for the long term. Hopefully, DL will prevent TL from giving up our future (big, extravegent, long contracts) for one or two playoff runs, just so AEG can get its stadium in LA.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@BluLiner, interesting take! You have my ear.
[Reply]
Daniel Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:32 pm
@BluLiner, Horribly cynical. In this market, they were, at best, break-even until the lock-out. They have been building from within and have made serious pitches to the best free agents in ’07, ’08, ’09, ’10 and now this year. They want a championship team. Championships equate to higher revenue. THAT is their angle.
[Reply]
BluLiner Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@Daniel, I really sense that Liewicke has lately been trying to make the big splashy move, while Lombardi is saying “Hold on, Hold on, I want this to last.” I side with Lombardi.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@BluLiner, Hate to spoil the illusion of a conspiracy, but what’s different is that they actually spent the last several years building properly, and it actually MAKES SENSE to look for free agent talent now.
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Oh, how many games did Kopi play last season? It would be funny to have the richie line. Richards to richards to richardson HE SCORES!
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Andrew Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:15 pm
@Spanky, 71 before his ankle blew i believe
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CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:18 pm
@Spanky, Out of those 3 I don’t see Richardson being the one scoring, unless it’s against Colorado.
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:30 pm
@CB14, and the whole line gets hat tricks. a 9 goal line against Colorado. except I guess the Avs do have better goalies now
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really starting to feel like we’re going to be left out again. because of what will seem to be desparation, i’m scared of the next trade we might make…
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So if Brad gives us 72 games atleast he’ll be a point a game or more guy.
So you’d have at center
Kopitar
B.Richards
M.Richards
T.Lewis
I could live with that.
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Andrew Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@Spanky, naw spank hed be a left winger
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IntheSinBin Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@Spanky, No way that Kopi, Richards & Richards center their own separate lines. You don’t pay someone that much money to be a third line guy. You’ll see one of the Richards on the Left Wing if we were to sign B. Richards.
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Dominick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@IntheSinBin, Plus everyone keeps leaving Stoll out. The guys a money 3rd line center behind Kopi and M.Richards. He can play the 2nd Center PP unit with M.Richards quarterbacking the point, and JJ on the other side, or play the point with DD on the other side, on the first PP unit. Scary options everywhere.
[Reply]
5holer Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@Spanky, Let’s get a couple of things straight about Brad R…He won a Cup in Tampa as a Left Winger! Mark that down! He can and has played all three forward positions, make that note! If he’s in LAKs lineup today, he is a LWinger! Kopi and Mike R. do not play the Wings and won’t! Brad will win a Cup here on the LW or there is a problem, a big problem, cause he is NOT a 3rd Line center! Better yet, what he does for the PP is even greater! So lets get that corrected right away! His versatility makes him even more valuable in case of injuries & for sure he can play center ice! I hope we can welcome our new LWinger in a few days! Maybe not on Canada Day(today) but on Independence Day(Monday)!? Could be and it won’t be for the lack of a greater smart effort to land him!
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@5holer, Mike Richards has played wing.
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jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@Osaka, but will not in l.a.
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@Spanky, what happened to Stoll? He is still on our team after all.
[Reply]
Listening to TSN. They’re doubting rangers and leafs abilities to stomach the Richards deal. Saying some good things about us!
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kevin Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@Mikey, what did they have to say
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At this in time with the Kings going hard for BR and with all the LW’s gone all but Gagne… If the Kings don’t get BR then Gagne’s the oee probably at 5 mil for 1 year,, IOF the Kings don’t anyone,look for them to trade for Booth from Florida… But then again, if they do get BR… Look at them still getting Booth,put him on the 2nd line and Penner on the 3rd line with Stoll…….With BR-Kopi-JW on the 1st line.. Or they might wait for next years FA’s……..
[Reply]
The more I think about it, forget BR. Resign Zeus, trade for another mid level winger and save our money for Parise next year. We would only have to wait 365 days and could be ours.
[Reply]
TSN: The kings have mentioned that they’re willing to move kopi to wing and have Brad a center for the 1st line…
[Reply]
tim chaney Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@Mikey, very interesting…
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Mikey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:36 pm
@Mikey, i’m falling apart here guys. The gf is mad that i’m still in kings mode after the season has ended.. i need one of my comrades to take her out or something
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Roy Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@Mikey, Send a pic…
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Mikey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@Roy, will do. just remember all sales final. no returns, exchanges or refunds. has many miles, one owner, but does understand hockey rules, so no need to explain offsides/icing. favorite player: justin williams.
Mikey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@Roy, responds to babe. comes with 3 different jerseys.
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@Roy, that’s a pretty good record.
does she go to sports bars to watch Kings games? or is it a more at home on the couch
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@Mikey, get a smart phone. and take her out. and no In N Out is not a good place for a date
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Roy Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@Caleb C, Dang…no returns???? Sounds like home…
roxo Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@Mikey,
Man, I’m going thourgh the same thing.. GF is all pissed at me and I’m glued to the internet… Cant leave!! AHH!
[Reply]
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@roxo,
great thing about being a 16 year old haha no job no school. just reading up on the Kings =) and girlfriends aren’t a serious problem yet
Craig Arnold Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:43 pm
@roxo, I am lucky enough to have a GF who is as big of a kings fan as I am. She has been on twitter watch calling out signing all day long!
dMan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@Mikey, I was wondering about that.
Maybe not so crazy to have Kopi on the left of B Richards with Justin on the right then Penner on the left of M Richards with Brownie on the right for the second line. That would be a pretty impressive top 6.
[Reply]
Mikey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@dMan, That is very dangerous. to the point where they’ll just give us the cup at the home opner
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5holer Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@Mikey, They do that to Kopi and they ruin him, kill his production and the team takes a step backwards! TSN is loaded with Reporters with their IPhones, Notebooks and they are so electronically inclined! Their hockey IQs are what matters, and I don’t think they are skyrocketing in that category! That is just plain stupid to think LAKs would say something like that, even if it was a pitchman’s speak! Kopi is a natural center and Nothing else! Brad R is a natural LWinger!…So that sounds as ludicrous as it is ludicrous to offer it! Nonesense! Do you want Kopi strictly banging on the boards and trying to get his pace up enough to get quick one timers off at the net? He is a horse, but not a race horse as a Winger needs to be! Try something else cause that won’t work!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@5holer, Totally agree. Why would the Kings want to ruin a 23 year old center who just posted a plus 25 this season ? Answer…they wouldnt, and they wont.
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I am continually perplexed by how Lombardi runs the free agency deal. He goes after players he won’t get and he lets others go by. By the time he gets to his plan B, all of the other players that can contribute are gone. It will happen again this year. If any of us think that Brad Richards is going to end up with anybody but the Rangers, we are dreaming. He has no intention of going anywhere else and is looking for other teams to bid up the Rangers offer, which he will eventually sign. In the meantime, Fleischmann got away to Florida today and Gagne will go somewhere else as well. These are players that will be cheaper, allow the Kings to do other moves later on in the season, and will not kill them cap-wise for the next 7 years. Lombardi and his lack of any game plan in free agency remains very frustrating !!!!
[Reply]
Geoff Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@NickF,
You do realize that the big complaint most people have had prior to the last 2 years is that the Kings don’t go after big free agents. I doubt he will/would, but if Lombardi were to read your post, he might think “Boy, there’s no pleasing people.”
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NickF Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@Geoff, there is no pleasing us – because he hasn’t !!! He is too focused on these big guys and let’s people that can make the team better overall get away. Brad Richards is a long shot at best and he is there courting him like this is a reality. What happens when Gagne goes to Philly ??? Who then ?? Another situation in which he has to make do with another scrub. Maybe we can re-sign Nagy again ???
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@NickF,
He’s already ahead with M.Richards (which should be enough for the whole summer). He’s going after who he thinks he has a real shot at. He might not succeed, but he’s giving it his best shot.
Gangne won’t neccessarily sign right now, because the most money available is going to come from the 3 top teams who don’t get Brad Richards. All the guys who signed today are suckers, because there will be a vacume left once Richards signs, and whoevers left standing will get the overpayment there looking for.
John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:10 pm
@NickF,
It’s like we go through every off season “PLEASE sign somebody, ANYbody!”. Understand, it’s all about fit right now. Loambardi believes Richards makes us a legit contender for the Cup, period! And who can blame him for that belief?
Dave Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@NickF, who exactly should have DL gone after? anyone that i saw that might be a good fit would have been an extreme overpayment save one or two guys.
DL knows he will have better luck in the trade market than overpaying for some of these guys that went today. if you can’t get the guy you want (Richards) then see what you can do on the trade market.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
@NickF, I didn’t realize you could see whats going on inside Brad Richards head. That’s a pretty neat trick. I wish I had the ability of doing that.
[Reply]
Choralone Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:30 pm
@NickF, You just contradicted yourself: Lombardi DOES have a game plan, and you said it yourself: Go after players you can’t get, and let others go by. See? He’s following the plan perfectly.
In all seriousness I don’t understand how that happening ONE time (last summer) means that is how DL does business. What, he should never go after the top free agent? I think it’s a loser attitude to only pursue also-rans. It would be nice to pick up a mid-level player without giving anything up, but it’s not going to make or break the Kings. So why not go after the best guy available and swing for the fences.
[Reply]
Osaka Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@NickF, Maybe Dean wants an upgrade in talent. Did you see the pool of players available? If he wanted a LW who might crack 20 goals wouldn’t he just stick with Parse. DL is not an idiot, he knows what he is doing. If he can’t land Brad then maybe he will try to work a trade, but it is obvious that list of wingers didn’t thill him and he is not to concerned with them.
[Reply]
How about forget B. Richards and trade Jones, Hickey or Voynov for Stastny out of Colorado???
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puck73 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@IntheSinBin, I would consider that if we dont land Richards.
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Plus a first rounder also…
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I really think that Statsny can be gotten at a reasonable cost with everything that Dad had to say about their trades at the deadline last year. I don’t think Colorado managenent is as high on the kid as they once where…
[Reply]
Waiting for word that they hired Jerry Bruckheimer to finish the video presentation…
[Reply]
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@Mel Powell,
not Bay? come on. A hill, big explosion just beyond the hill, and coming over the crest is the Kings team
[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@Caleb C, i want michael bay nowhere near this team. or near me. or on my tv. actually, he should maybe just go away completely.
[Reply]
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@colo king fan,
alright well get Spielberg
Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@Mel Powell, like band of brothers
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LVKINGS88 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@Caleb C, Nice!
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Just saw a video on NHL live addressing Doughty’s situation. Dave Lozo, from NHL.com predicts that Lombardi will match any offer given to Doughty. Also he thinks it will be for more then what Christian Ehrhoff got (10 year, 40 million dollar deal)
[Reply]
PAR-KING_053 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@alex101, Duh! If Wisniewski can get $5+ million from Columbus, then YES Doughty would take a bit more to sign. However, if he (or his agent) is asking for $8+ mil, I’d say “Good bye” and thanks for the 4 first round picks we’d get as compensation. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love for Doughty to stay with us, but he definitely took a big step backwards last year. He needs to prove he’s worth the coin.
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alex101 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:08 pm
@PAR-KING_053, couldn’t agree more, 7 mil is already pushing it.
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Everyone keeps forgetting about Stoll at center. Helluva face-off guy and you need puck possession in opponent’s end. I would rather the Kings had gone hard after Scottie Upshall (signed with Florida)and Joel Ward (Washington). Every time we played Phoenix and Nashville, those players were both tough, nasty, hard-working wingers. That’s what we need to complement Kopi and M. Richards.
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jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:18 pm
@PAR-KING_053, upshall ftw.
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from lakings.com
“In a meeting that lasted more than two hours, the Kings made their offer to Richards. The presentation had a multi-media aspect as well, as the Kings showed Richards a video that included greetings from Kobe Bryant and other local athletes and celebrities.”
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@Kingsfan,
Did they do something similar last year for Kovalschmuck? I bet BE is just going to use the Kings to get as much money as he can from the Rangers.
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DD should be careful. If he turns down the Kings and goes somewhere else they are going to expect huge results right now. A stat season like last year, after a team gives the farm would make his life a living hell.
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jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:50 pm
@LA_1968, which is exactly why teams wont throw an offer sheet his way. he took a step back, teams realize hes got some growing to do. besides any team that tries to sign doughty is really just making the kings spend more money, its their 1st priority over brad richards and they will match anything any team throws at them. it just wont be pretty if it happens. but DD isnt going anywhere.
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410th- glad to know alot of work not getting done…LOL
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PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@wideleft, Dude, it’s a holiday weekend, I stopped being productive at work at 9am. I’m apparently mooching off Canada Day too. Lol
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Another thing to think about, with the Dodger mess and the NBA strike, AEG and the Kings seem to be using this opportune time as a marketing campagne to hype the Kings with little competition. I do like that Kings fans is a unique fraturnity but more local support and awareness would be nice. Most people have no cluw what their missing. Staples Center is the loudest venue in LA during a Kings Playoff game.
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I bet we’re making the Ranger brass real nervous right about now.
[Reply]
PW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@KC23, I doubt it. I say it’s 60/40 he signs with the rangers. How do they get the chance to match any offer that another team makes? It makes it seem like they already have the rights to Richards…
It’s fun to hope but I’d be just as surprised as i would be excited.
[Reply]
Best quote: “This is not Kovalchuk.”
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puck73 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:11 pm
@King John, Leiweike …not holding back on Grossman and Kovalstool.
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I am glad that the Kings tries to sign BR, but I think he will sign with NYR, and he has made his decision since he’s FA. He just ‘USE’ us to get a bigger contract. All I concern is what our Plan B is.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:07 pm
@zdfun, Odds are pretty good you’re right, but stranger things have happened. After all, M. Richards is a King, who would of guessed that one?
[Reply]
zdfun Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@KC23, I hope I am wrong on BR’s decision.
[Reply]
wideleft Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@KC23, By trade (no choice) wonder if he would have come if a FA.
[Reply]
5holer Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:28 pm
@wideleft, Almost right but…Mike R had to waive his NMC to accept the trade here! That speaks volumes! Yes Choice!
Choralone Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:33 pm
@5holer, Mike Richard’s NMC hadn’t kicked in yet, so he had no choice.
Dominick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@zdfun,
Well that was definately the case with Kovalschmuck. This presentation seems to have been well planned in advance though. I’ve had the pleasure of talking to Daryl Evens for a few, and he seemed quite convinced back in the playoffs, of Brad Richards coming to LA (at the time, I thought he was crazy). DL is no slouch, and wouldn’t of made this bid, or spent the time and resources, without believing it would work.
I haven’t seen the presentation, or know the money involved here, but I have to believe they gave us one hell of a chance.
[Reply]
jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:46 pm
@Dominick, yeah but at the same time we’re putting everything into this guy, we have to wait to hear his answer because he’s going to be wanting big cash. how long will we be waiting and how many other FA’s will get signed in that period? Dean must have strongly thought we were going to get Kovalchuck too but that didnt happen and we got screwed big time by it. i really dont want to see that happen, but i have a feeling it will. its been all but comfirmed he wants to play east coast hockey and wants to be a little more under the radar. coming to L.A. isnt exactly under the radar.
now im more thinking ok, was dean amazing in landing mike richards or was philly going crazy? yeah they got Jagr but they basically just blew up the team. how do you add schenn and simmonds then loose leino? im thinking we got lucky with that philly trade, their GM is crazy. B. Richards isnt.
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@jonjoActually if anything, LA istotally off the hockey radar so that might be good. The media here could care less about hockey., and would definitely leave him completely alone.n,
Osaka Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:58 pm
@jonjon, As far as hockey goes LA is under the radar.
jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:14 pm
@osaka, Lakers>Kings>Dogers>Galaxy. not as much as you think =P i kinda just thought of something though, he said he wants to be under the radar, but he’s also said he wants to be in a hockey market. maybe brad doesnt know what he wants. maybe he doesnt want 8 million!
Gary Livingston Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:59 pm
@zdfun, Seeing how we didn’t make him a crazy big offer I don’t see how he could have used us to get a gnarly contract from someone else.
“Oh, hey, Rangers! The Kings offered me 6.5 and a chance to win for a long time.”
“You don’t say, Brad. Here, we will give you 8 million a year for 12 years!”
[Reply]
zdfun Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@Gary Livingston, that’s even worse… ‘Hey brad, I know you want to go to NYR, but can you consider us, we really want to you play with us, we are willing to pay 2 millions less than what they offer! Please sign with us!’
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:06 pm
@zdfun,
Yeah becasue the “winning” part is totally meaningless eh
were one of the big boys now thanks to Dean Lombardi and what he’s done for the franchise the last 5 yrs…we r now respectable hockey operation…..I hope Brad sees that.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:13 pm
@tellmeY, Concur
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ok i thought this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7mlN_MQ1c&feature=player_detailpagevid was cool
[Reply]
It’s quite easy really. BR either wants to make a nice chunk of change to go somewhere that gives him a chance to make several serious runs at the cup [L.A.] or he can go all the money he can get and waste away the rest of his career. Money or winning….? I’d like to see him make a really solid choice.
[Reply]
Lets hope for the best Guys good things are coming our way
[Reply]
Has everyone forgotten already that DL just landed a guy named Mike Richards?
What’s that, chopped liver?
[Reply]
bryanagee Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@tim,
No, it was one piece. Now, let’s go get potentially the last piece!
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Vplaza Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@tim,
That was a trade. This is an attempt at a UFA signing.
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Now hearing that we got Gretzky involved in the Brad Richards Promo today…we really are All In
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Ravens Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
@Ravens, and Kobe Bryant
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jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@Ravens, Gretzky couldn’t bring a cup here so he asked Brad to?
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jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@Ravens, just saw the gretzky think, totally thought you were kidding haha
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I believe this is the video the Kings showed Richards today…when can he start?
http://youtu.be/eIs7-K_5EVs
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:32 pm
@Gary, LOL
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Gold Dust Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@Gary, Just our luck! All he has to do is take one look at Maria Shriver and it”s “GAME OVER MAN!GAME OVER!” WOHHH!
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colo king fan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:16 pm
@Gold Dust, better than arnolds mistress… whoa for a governor youd think you could cheat better than that!
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T Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:35 pm
@Gary, I was sitting there not paying attention because I thought that was an add before a video. Then Irealized that you meant that they showed Brand Richards that video. You got me good, you sneaky bastage.
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Ravens Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:37 pm
@Gary, I herd this wan the video that was presented http://youtu.be/Men-wzLvn3Q
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Gary Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:39 pm
@Ravens, Does she come with a leather equipment bag? If so…tie me…I mean sign me up!
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i hope this isnt misleading us. it sounds to me like they’re putting all their eggs in one basket. if we dont get this guy we’re screwed. bye bye eric cole, ben eager, joel ward, who’s next to slip out of our grasp? simon gagne?
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Dave Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:51 pm
@jonjon, glad DL passed on all those guys – all of them got way more than they were worth.
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:54 pm
@jonjon, Every one of them were over paid for. Glad we didn’t put our eggs in any of those baskets.
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jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@KC23, i dont see that. eric cole was very deserving of his pay, ward is only a 3 millon cap hit for a guy who had a killer playoffs and eager is only a 1 million cap hit. theyre all reasonable contracts. doughty is getting 6-8 million. we have the space to sign two very good forwards or one great one. everyone ive read agrees the kings need more than one player to be a cup contender. one great player wont all of the sudden bring a cup, remember the great one didnt do it.
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Dominick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:21 pm
@jonjon,
It’s not too far fetched to think that there will still be plenty of other options that will still be available, if we don’t land Brad Richards. I understand wanting a sure thing right now, as opposed to having to wait, but the Kings are going the wait route.
Too late to back out now. We’ll just have to see how it turns out, because the wheels have already been set in motion.
John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:04 pm
@jonjon,
So just sign somebody to sign somebody? Hmm no!
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The problem with having DL give a motivational speech is that Brad Richards now wants to sign with the Yankees.
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Gold Dust Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@Jon G, LMAO!Good one !!
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puck73 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@Jon G, Nice !
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Dominick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:24 pm
@Jon G, Couldn’t of said it better myself. LOL
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Quite simply, this is PHI, NYR & LAK…
–Go with the Rangers and you are marginal…
–Go with the Flyers and you are the big fish/is that enough to win?
–Go with the Kings and you can win in 2011-2012…
Oh, and the Kings have the Flyers best player from last year…
Money being equal, who would you pick?
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, money wont be equal though
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jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@Caleb C, if richards wants to “fly under the radar”, l.a. isnt the place to do so.
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Cup B4 I Die Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
Richards is on record saying he wants to go to a ‘hockey market’. NYR and Philly has that, LA does not.
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:00 pm
@Cup B4 I Die,
what does he mean hockey market?
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bluesince62 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:39 pm
@Cup B4 I Die,
Tired of the East Coast is hockey country nonsense.
Kings drew just as well as the Rangers
NY Rangers 41 742,432 18,108
Los Angeles 41 741,404 18,083
The market is here.. always HAS been. The cup comes and it’ll increase even more.
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Some on the board are quite blind and deaf. Did you not read TL’s comment that we might not have the best offer? That tells me that our chances are less than 30%, and we missed all the other options out there. There is pretty much no one left, and by the time BR makes a decision, there will actually be no one left to sign. Same thing as last year: Go after the big fish, do not make the best offer, lose out at the end, and end up with very little. Yes we have M. Richards, and hopefully we re-sign DD, but just about everyone here (including me) and DL, says we need to replace RS on top of DD and MR. If we get BR and DD, then we have to move Stoll and/or someone else with a pretty big contract, so again, we add, but we also lose, so the addition is not all that great. I would love to have BR on our team, but at the expense of losing DD or someone else, I am not sure we will get good value in this deal (7 years at $8M per for a 30 year old is quite difficult for any player to live up to).
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jonjon Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@Hackwoods, DD isnt going anywhere the kings will match any offer before signing richards. we’ll probably keep stoll regardless remember Drew Doughty is still super young, 21, i dont see more than 6.5 mill being thrown at him for maybe 3 or 4 years, then when he’s like 26 he’ll get the long term big contract. i totally agree though, theres other free agents who could help us we dont need to go after the best. but make no mistake, just because we added mike richards doesnt mean its ok to go after brad and not get him.
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:00 pm
@Hackwoods,
Less than 30%…really? ALL the other options out there? OK
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“The Kings are apparently using every resource at their command to try to lure Brad Richards to Southern California. Larry Brooks of the New York Post said via Twitter that the Kings enlisted Wayne Grtezky (though not in person) to try to persuade Richards to come to L.A. Now that’s bringing in the big guns.”
just saw hat on the free agent blog =)
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Vplaza Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:18 pm
@Caleb C,
It would just be SHOCKING to hear him sign with anyone but the Rangers or whoever dangles the most money.
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:58 pm
@Vplaza,
I think at the end of the day when we finally say final offer we should just say, “look if we had the kind of cap space that Rangers have or anyone else offering more than us have we would offer it to. the truth is we don’t have the kind of money that they do but what we do have is a contending team that, with you, can make the win that much easier” shake his hand and walk out
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John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@Vplaza,
As if he’d be the first athlete that didn’t chase the money – not all humans are like that!
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Yah sure Timmy what ever you say. Leiweke loves to hear himself talk. Kings fans read between the lines AEG is NOT about to make any big investment on a quality UFA and we’re just going to have to settle for the “Wait til next year” approach that the Los Angeles Kings deliver to their fans each year. So I will will continue donating my $275-$300 for each game and just treat as a night out and another first round exit in the playoffs.
Go build your football stadium LEIWEKE!
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Long way from Mikko Eloranta and Steve Heinze: WE ARE THE KINGS or Eric Rasmussen and Brad Chartrand: PLAY HARD!
LOL
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Cup B4 I Die Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:05 pm
@Marc Nathan,
Or the legendary Brian Willsie or Scott Thornton.
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I wonder if Ryan Smyth, on the video spoke about how nice it is living in SoCal and the schools.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:10 pm
@OnTheFly, LOL yea and he doesnt want to put his Kids in them see he a bad example LOL
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Vplaza Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:17 pm
@OnTheFly,
Maybe Bordson threw in a good word as well.
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bryanagee Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:20 pm
@OnTheFly,
I just hope BR isn’t reading some of these posts :-/
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Per TSN bob mckenzie
Hearing Michal Handzus may be close to signing a deal with the San Jose Sharks. Stay tuned.
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zues is gone, to SJ 2.5 a year 2 years
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puck73 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:17 pm
@alex101, That sucks
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Handzus – 2 years @2.5 in SJ – now i hate Handzus. not as much as i hated Blake but he is now the enemy. i will enjoy Mike Richards skating around him and scoring as we win the Pacific Division.
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Vplaza Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:23 pm
@Dave,
That’s too bad. I know he needs to do wants fright for him, but know he’s on the enem.
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Vplaza Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:24 pm
@Vplaza,
Sorry…’whats right’
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Zus going to the sharks??? Ugh how could He! I don’t wish him well anymore
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alex101 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:18 pm
@kingsfaninsb, grow up. We wouldn’t have signed him anyway and now he gets to stay in cali where he has a home, for way more money then we would have ever paid. Happy for you Zues not too worried about you having a spot on SJ
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TYLER Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@alex101, I will still yell ZUUUUUUUUUS when he touches the puck…just as long as he doesnt score against us
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:55 pm
@kingsfaninsb,
I like Zues I dont care where he went. just as long as its not Vancouver or Pits. and I have been known to not like Philly
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Handzus>>>SJ for 2.5/2years
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Sharks just got a whole lot slower.
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A couple of other things to consider- BR has been playing in Tampa and Dallas. Is he ready for New York winters? Imagine the Atlanta players thoughts when informed they will now be playing in Winterpeg! Also, from one who grew up in the area, New York is a fish bowl for sports. A good player on an okay team will be expected to be the savior. Even if I were not a Kings fan, I would say LA is where he needs to go to hoist the cup again.
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Tampa Bay is out of the running for unresticted free agent Brad Richards, Steve Yzerman says. #tblightning. Retweet from bob mckenzie.
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FLA just overpaid for Bergenheim now – thank you DL for not spending 2nd line money on 3rd and 4th line players.
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Vplaza Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:26 pm
@Dave,
The dearth of talent and the amount of money being thrown at some of these players is amazing.
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Arthur Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:53 pm
@Dave, Ya, thanks for doing absolutely nothing, and having 4 roster holes to fill now, thanks to the departure of Handzus. Just sit there and lose again next year.
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Dave Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:08 pm
@Arthur, and which 4 would those be? i see one spot possibly open (either LW2 or RW3 as Parse will take one of those spots).
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erlendssontribErik Erlendsson
by TSNBobMcKenzie
Tampa Bay is out of the running for unresticted free agent Brad Richards, Steve Yzerman says.
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Vplaza Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@Osaka,
Lol, it’s going to be the Kings vs Rangers, just like it was the Kings vs Devils last year. Other teams apparently know something or just don’t want to be responsible for raising the amount of money the Rangers need to spend.
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Caleb C Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:53 pm
@Vplaza, screw it jack the price up to piss them off
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“He has a lot of choices, probably offers that are going to be better than ours”
LAME!!!!!
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LicoriceBiscuit Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 6:40 pm
@KingCobra, Yeah I didn’t like the sound of that. Sort of rings like they put an effort together but not much meat on the bone. Meaning coin
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I have to say, I don’t understand how anyone can look at the FA Signings and think we missed out. DL wouldn’t have paid what these guys got paid. I think going after BR is the right move and if we can’t get him, then we focus on DD. If we can’t get him at the right price, could you ask for a better trading chip?
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sign Doughty now and follow with getting richards to sign.
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Bama Kings Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 7:45 pm
@brian, Other way around.
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I wonder if Kovy was in the video saying don’t make the same mistake I did
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Question: Aren’t we more of a grinding type of a team like the Bruins or has our goal change with trying to acquire BR?
I think here in L.A. we had too many “flashy” type teams that lacked defense. This years Stanley Cup proved a “system” can beat a talented high scoring team.
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My guess, LA because of management.
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