Dean Lombardi talked today about two of the Kings’ most-relevant summer subplots, the Drew Doughty contract talks and the disputed Ryan Smyth-Colin Fraser trade with Edmonton. The first one is simpler. Lombardi said his contract guru Jeff Solomon, the Kings’ vice president of hockey operations and legal affairs, has been in contact with Doughty’s representatives. Lombardi was asked whether the sticking points involved money or contract length, and Lombardi said, “I guess you could say it’s both. Both kind of work hand in hand.” So, it seems nothing is imminent. Given that there’s little motivation for Doughty to sign now, so this could drag on a while.
As for Mulletgate, it continues. To refresh, the Kings disputed the trade that sent Smyth to Edmonton for Colin Fraser and a draft pick. The Kings, after examining Fraser, determined that he needed surgery that would prevent him from playing a chunk of the season. The Kings complained to the NHL, essentially claiming that the Oilers did not make the trade in good faith, and are seeking some type of undetermined compensation. The Kings, of course, don’t want to void the trade. They wanted to trade Smyth (who asked for it) and now they can’t afford him anyway. This also came on the heels of the dispute involving Gilbert Brule, who was not allowed to be traded to/bought out by the Kings. It’s a lot of fun, really. Here’s what Lombardi said about the dispute…
LOMBARDI: “We’ve had a couple talks with the league. We’ll probably know a little more by the end of the day. I guess it’s far to say that (league lawyer) David Zimmerman is trying to play King Solomon again, in a good way.”
Question: Are you looking to have Fraser returned to Edmonton (and just keep the draft pick)?
LOMBARDI: “Just something that is fair. And it shouldn’t be that hard, given what we understood. So I’m open to anything. That’s kind of what we told David. Anything that’s fair. David has been involved in this. He knew exactly what happened with Brule, so he’s kind of had to walk through this whole thing too. So there are a number of avenues to correct it.”
Can someone refresh my old testament?
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MadMatt Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@Stuart, It involves 2 mothers and 2 babies. One baby died, and both mothers said the one that was alive is theirs. King Solomon said that he would cut the living baby in half and give each of them half. The real mother said “no, she can have it!” King Solomon then knew that the one who didn’t want to see the baby harmed was the real mother.
So… who should we cut in half?
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Stuart Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
@MadMatt, thank you sir. I think we should prince albert Tambollini for trying to stick it to us when DL was just trying to do right by a veteran player…
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lgk!! Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 11:18 am
@Stuart, hahahaha, “prince albert” him! good one!
Brownkingsfan Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
@MadMatt, Tambellini?!
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In the Net Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
@MadMatt, Dustin Penner!!!
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santiclaws Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@Stuart, he will cut Fraser in half.
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tuan jim Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
@santiclaws,
Why not cut Tambellini in half and forget about it?
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Eric C. Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@Stuart, There are actually several King Soloman stories, the baby is the most famous. But he was also the King that ordered Benaiah to find the magic ring that could make a happy man sad, and a sad man happy. Soloman didn’t think the ring existed, but was outwitted by Benaiah who returned with a ring that read “This too shall pass.”
This has nothing to do with the Kings really, but I like that story.
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jet Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
@Eric C., No, I think you have it right, as I understand the Oilers have 3 more guys who are injuried in the system.
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They should change their name to the “Snake-Oilers”.
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Purple Ghost Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
@MadMatt, Very Good!!
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KC23 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
@MadMatt, Good one!
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jess Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@MadMatt,
BINGO!
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Dom Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@jess, the Snoilers?
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Kenny44 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
@MadMatt, No way! A Speed Racer reference? It’s like a convergence of all my culty favorites tonight – Kings hockey, Del Taco, and Speed Racer
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PRMan Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@MadMatt, Awesome!
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with gagne, i’m not going to miss smyth too much. we became a much faster, better skilled team the day he signed. as for dd, he’s risking his standing with his teammates and the community. more and more he’s looking like he will become a victim of bad advise, like trevor ariza did in his contract year for the lakers…
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NOT IMPRESSED Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
@tim chaney, If DD can’t think for himself then I’d agree that he could be a victim of bad advise. And if he can’t think for himself we better trade him while we can still get something back. Obviously DD can think for himself and he’s creating his own huge problem.
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tornado12 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED, i thought were now knwon as “now impressed”?
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number 6 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
@tim chaney,
yeah, perhaps, but at least they knew that trevor ariza was in shape
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tim chaney Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
@number 6, LOL
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EJ Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@tim chaney, unlike fans, players/teammates know and understand that pro sports is a business, and contracts are of prime importance to every player. This is the money they’ve busted their butts for for much of their young lives and has to see them through their lives post-retirement. Just because negotiations are ongoing doesn’t in any way imply that DD is burning bridges.
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kevin Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@EJ, The one thing I am worried about is….. Is doughty working out and getting some ice time back home? Is he trying to stay sharp? I fear that he isnt working out and that this is a major distraction. I just hope he learned a lesson from last year. I have no doubts he will be signed to a long term I just hope we dont sign him toa fat and long contract only to have him com into camp out of shape mentally and phys.
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tim chaney Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@kevin, i love dd but no way was he in shape, nor was the hunger there like it should be. i’m hoping this year was a part of his education.
Gustavp Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 9:13 pm
@kevin,
I hope DL does not grant a FAT & LONG contract to a player that shows up FAT at training camp and takes a LONG time to get in hockey shape.
BuzzKing Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@EJ, post retirement? he’s a kid.Burning bridges,the gas can is in his hand and spilling badly.I hope he does’nt mind being booed. This is a business and also a team who have the hearts of a lot of peoples well earned money. Leave a bit of room Doughty.
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please sign doughnuts so that i can get on with my summer already!!!
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LBlocal Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Kind of wonder if this is DL’s stategy? No wonder why DOUGHty has ‘little motivation to sign now.’
Per Mr. Hammond’s cap projections/actual:
Alec Martinez ($1.000m) est. – $ 737,500 actual – 26% Savings
Brad Richardson ($1.500m) est. – $1,117,500 actual – 25% Savings
Drew Doughty ($6.500m) est. – 25% Savings – Projected – $4,875,000 OYE!
(But right in line with the NHL scale)
gKg!
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pw Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@LBlocal,
He has no motivation to sign because Weber hasn’t gone through arbitration/signed with Nasville yet. Don’t expect anyting until that happens. I think Weber’s hearing is the first week of August… I don’t expect much movement until then.
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LBlocal Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
It’s not only Weber but the other young rfa D-men as well. All in search of a ton of DOUGH.
Weber, Shea…..NAS 25 $4,500,000 2011 (RFA)
Doughty, Drew…LAK 21 $3,475,000 2011 (RFA)
Bogosian, Zach..WIN 20 $3,375,000 2011 (RFA)
Schenn, Luke….TOR 21 $2,975,000 2011 (RFA)
Alzner, Karl….WAS 22 $1,675,000 2011 (RFA)
pw Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@pw, That is true but Weber is the benchmark…So it’s pretty much Weber. Those other three are 2nd tier compared to those two. Once Weber signs DD will be signed within 5 days of that.
There is nothing good faith about the trade on Edmontons part, they really should be embarrassed. Twice they try to peal off an injured player and they are successful on the second one, just a complete lack of class IMO.
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Deke'r Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@Slapshot, I agree……making the Canadien community look bad. Bet Gretzky is embarrassed.
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tornado12 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@Deke’r, it has nothing to do with canadian or not canadian. The ‘snake-oilers” just have sheisty management. There are bad apples in every bushel.
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KC23 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
@Deke’r, First Vancouver trashing their own city and burning police cars after losing the cup and now this. Got a feeling we won’t be listening to any nose in the air purest talk from up north for some time.
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MacSwede Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@KC23, Yeah, lets blame it all on Canada! After all, they dont have any place in this league (*irony* Is it like 70% of all players that are canadians?)
broncokings Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 7:41 pm
@KC23, while L.A. is just a bunch of saints rioting after a NBA title again. I think anybody who trashes their city then cries about police abuse is a p.o.s. and that does’nt stand for patrick o’Sullivan.
CB14 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
@broncokings, At least the Lakers won.
Darrell Reply:
July 14th, 2011 at 10:59 am
@KC23, It wasn’t them! Honest! It was anarchists from somewhere else! DISGUISED as Canadians!
Canadian King Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@Deke’r,
Making the Canadian community look bad? that is quite the broad brush you paint everyone with isn’t it? How does one guy with one business move make 30 million people look bad, what does that say about Americans with the whole Madoff scandal then?
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MacSwede Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@Canadian King, But Lombardi said he would rather thrust Madoff?? I dont get it?? (another case of irony)
MacSwede Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@Canadian King, trust!!!
jonsey Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@Canadian King, people live up there? I thought it was just our big backyard that we never play in, but like to have to increase the value of our own home. Thank you for telling me that there are 30 million Canadians.
Romjan27 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@Canadian King, 30 nil? That’s it? Wow i thought the population would be higher. Hell don’t we have that many unemployed people in US?
Simple fix:
Oilers take back Fraser
Oilere get back their 7th rounder
Kings get a 4th (or) 5th round pick instead.
Everyone goes home happy.
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MacSwede Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@rajuabju, Except Edmonton
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jonsey Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@rajuabju, Perfect. A 7th for a 20 goal guy is hogwash.
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PRMan Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@rajuabju, Done.
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Lets traded Doughty for some more snipers. I have fill confidence in our defense.
How bout Stamkos?
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jonsey Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@KingsOfKomedy, That is comedy. No thanks. Doughty stays. There really are more guys who score 40-50 goals than there are D men who can take over a whole game.
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pw Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
@jonsey, I agree with the first part in keeping Doughty but I’d say the second part is about the same.
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Los Reyes Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@jonsey,
I like the puck moving offense Doughty. I don’t like the unnecessary plays leading to other teams goals Doughty. Let’s not forget about that guy too!
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broncokings Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
@Los Reyes, he’s the only player that does that , right?
TAKE TWO: SNAKE OIL BIT MY KEYBOARD
Lets trade Doughty for some more snipers. I have full confidence in our defense.
How bout Stamkos?
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HockeyOnly Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
@KingsOfKomedy, I’ll salute that in a heart beat …….. let’s do it.
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Canadian King Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@KingsOfKomedy, Terrible trade, Good defencemen are harder to come by then forwards. Besides we don’t have any wingers that can set up Stamkos (like St. Louis), so his numbers would drop playing here, and our D would take a major blow, and finally we would have to pay Stammer Crosby money.
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Duckbasher Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
@Canadian King, – Stamkos scored about half his goals on the PP. We need SOMEONE who can score on the PP. Especially with the loss of Smyth.
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puck73 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@KingsOfKomedy, No thanks, dont want a guy who plays 1 way hockey, would much rather have Parise any day.
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Helene Elliot reports: kings reach agreement with Brad Richardson, 2 years, $2.35 million. avoids arbitration.
Yay, now I can get a Richie jersey.
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number 6 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@cjms,
Or you could get a Rich jersey and just put (ards) (ie) in parenthesis that way making sure your entire allegiance is covered.
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MacSwede Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@number 6, Or get a Richards jersey and put (on) after
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Dave Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@cjms, this is a good deal for the Kings as well. Richie is a valuable player as he can play anywhere in the lineup. another good contract for the Kings.
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I heard Richardson just signed a two year deal any truth to this Rich?
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What really pisses me off about this trade is that Lombardi is getting alot of heat especially after they tried to move an injured player the 1st time. Dont forget that Dean did this out of respect for Smyth he really didnt want to get rid of a player who did alot of the dirty work in front of the net. Dean dont ever second guess yourself I thought that was a classy move and you did the right thing for a guy who just wasnt comfortable here.
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KC23 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@Rudedogg, Not buying the “Dean didn’t want to do this” retoric. What GM in his right mind wouldn’t want to dump a 6 mil cap hit on a slow has been? Sounds nice from DL, but I’m not buying it. DL jumped at the chance and couldn’t do it soon enough. DL comes out looking like the good guy and he makes his team better and adds cap space all in one “feel good” move.
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Rudedogg Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@KC23, sorry but i still dont see anyone on the team that will do what smyth did in front of the net…. yeah his cap hit was high but we really were paying around $4mill* (estimation) in actual salary… you dont just give away guys like him . Just hope someone is willing to pay the price in front of the net like he always did..
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tuan jim Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@KC23,
Smyth is more than “a slow has-been”.
The guy’s game never depended upon speed. And reliable 20-goal scorers — guys who put up those numbers whether they have injury-riddled seasons or not — don’t exactly grow like weeds. Add his brains, his size, his grit, his ability to score big goals — all this may not make him worth a $6.25-mil cap hit, but his price is not absolutely outlandish.
Yeah, I’m among those who winced at the size of his contract. But Smyttie gives SOME bang for the buck. If we had been stuck with one more year of him, I wouldn’t exactly prepare to commit seppuku.
All the same, I hope the team he’s gone to tanks for the next ten years.
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LAPD Line Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@tuan jim, Maybe his offensive game didn’t depend on speed, but defensively he got burned too many times. He served this team well while he was here, but I believe we got rid of him at just the right time. Glad I wont be seeing that failed wrap-around every game this year.
tornado12 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
@tuan jim, you almost went a whole post without saying SIZE…just kidding dude
Brian Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@Rudedogg,
I agree. I don’t necessarily blame Edmonton for the Brule piece. It seemed like the league wasn’t comfortable with his health (concussions) and therefore couldn’t be bought out, not something that I consider to be Tambellini’s full responsibility. Should he have known? Perhaps, but he gave up some potential upside in Brule, which the Kings could have used if they didn’t intend to buy him out.
The Fraser piece is shady, not only because the Oilers organization clearly didn’t do their medical homework on him, but they offered him in return as a replacement to another hurt player in Brule. Why these deals don’t have passed-physical contingencies, I don’t know, but for a guy like Lombardi to create a hole in the roster and honor the player’s wishes out of good faith and respect for a veteran and his family, then to give back the Oilers their icon (which, I’m sure Smyth’s presence on the team will generate more money than his salary) only to be stuck with a headache and an unresponsive trade partner is BS. After Penner’s performance last year and their reported asking price for Hemsky last season, I don’t see this relationship getting any better and has caused me to conclude that Tambellini must be off his rocker.
As Rudedogg mentioned above, Lombardi should not be taking heat for this deal. Sure, he got some salary off the books, but he entered into a realm of uncertainty at left wing and was lucky that Gagne was there on day two after losing out on Brad Richards. This could have turned out much worse, and he got hosed. Thus, to take a line from Strange Brew, the Oilers are a bunch of hosers. For the Oilers fans to say (like Richard Cloutier, who contradicted himself in two blogs about the Mulletgate situation) that Dean didn’t do his due diligence is an admission that either
1) The Oilers knew about his medical condition and traded him without mentioning the unhealed foot, blood disorder, etc, (which is shady) or
2) They, in turn, didn’t know about his condition and therefore traded him without doing their due diligence to understand their own player’s medical condition,
So, it’s not possible to criticize Lombardi without also bringing to light the Edmonton deficiencies. Furthermore, I don’t blame Lombardi for going public and venting about the situation. They tried direct communication (going all the way up to Tim Leiweke) only to be shunned, so this was the next step to garner attention to the issue. He’s just trying to do the right thing and make things fair.
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In the Oilers’ fans’ eyes, DL didn’t do his “due dilligence” and that he is making a fool of himself and the Kings organization by pursuing this.
Obviously, that’s their side of the coin. To me, it reeks of the Oilers trying to pawn off two guys that they knew were injured. Granted, DL really couldn’t expect much in return given his weak bargaining position, but to outright lie that the guy was ready to be cleared when that was far from the truth is ridiculous.
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KC23 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@vplaza, Key point … in the OILER FAN’s yes. Only a biased, blinders on fool would see it that way. What DL is doing is calling TunBULLini on a being a lieing sob and making him pay for it in loss of reputation and possible compensation as well. In the end it’ll be TurnBULLini looking like the fool.
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Give us a lower-round draft pick, DONE!
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jonsey Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@Chuck, Higher in the draft but lower numerically. I got ya
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Chuck Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@jonsey,
As soon as I posted it, I thought it didn’t look right.
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Richardson gets 2 years 2.35 mil
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Joemv8 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@KH,
Great news for us.
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Edmonton needs to quit pulling these stunts. We honored Ryan Smyth’s request since he honored us by freeing up cap space, and Edm lied to their advantage. Don’t worry, this will bite Edmonton in the butt.
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Joemv8 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@Ryan, There is nothing honorable about Oilers management. I hope the Oilers lose a good draft pick on this one.
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Leadall Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@Joemv8, I hope Richard cloutier has his face broken I can’t stand that oiler blogging troll
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I personally don’t care for the way this sounds with DD. That said, since Stamkos hasn’t signed yet either (unless I missed something) it doesn’t paint their agents in a pretty manner. I wonder when Meehan and Scotty (Boras for all those unacquainted) will be gettin together to have a lunch at some posh restaurant and have a good ole chin wag.
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Deke'r Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@number 6, Yeah….they probably sit around and chuckle at all the easy cash tney haul in off these primadonnas.
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Joemv8 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
@number 6,
This is all the agents doing for both DD and stamkos. It is greed from the agents. Do you think they would be holding out if there agent was Bobby Orr?
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number 6 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@Joemv8,
I’m certainly no expert at all, but just from what I’ve heard, it sounds to me (and sounded to me…. past tense) that Don Meehan is not an easy character to negotiate with.
Also, one other point….. here we had Tyler Toffoli at his age making a point of how very important conditioning is, and if this drags on say another six weeks (which seems possible at this point) then DD could come into camp (again) in below average shape with a hefty contract. (Speculation I know but….) and if he performs below par, people will absolutely start jumping on his case. Of that I feel fairly certain.
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number 6 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@number 6,
And one final point… I’m sure it didn’t go past most people’s notice that Doughty worked very hard to get in shape before he’d ever played an NHL game. Once he had two very strong seasons under his belt, I think he started to think it’s easier than it really is. I’m Not blaming him. Complaisance is a human issue for so many, but if you’re gonna ask to be paid at the very top of your profession, you’d darn well better give every indication that not only do you have the talent but you have the internal monitor of sorts to show that you’ll do everything to make sure you perform at that level.
Based on what I’ve seen (and read in interviews) Stamkos absolutely has that. For me, the verdict is still out on Doughty. He could become one of the greatest dmen of all time and I wouldn’t be surprised. Conversely he could also flatline where he is for the rest of his career, and while I find that unlikely, I wouldn’t consider it an impossibility.
Hat trick Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 6:52 pm
@number 6, I agree as if $6+ mil/year isn’t enough money to play hockey? Doesn’t winning the cup have value?
If Doughty ends up being the highest paid King he better be lighting forwards up and the lamp as well regularly this season or he’s gonna look like another Manny Ramirez primadonna to me. By him holding out so long seems pretty greedy to me.
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Did Lombardi just mention another teams player, Brule? Isn’t that tampering?
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
@DieHard #66, Brule was the first broken bit the Oil tried to unload on us.
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DieHard 66 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@Harrison Merkin, Right but i thought that teams weren’t allowed to comment on other team’s players. Brule was never actually traded to the Kings, so Lombardi isn’t technically allowed to talk about the Oilers attempting to trade him to the Kings.
At least that’s what I thought…
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PRMan Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@DieHard 66, Actually, he was, but the league held it up because of his health. I think DL is OK to mention voided trades without it being tampering.
Great news today about Richardson. Penner getting in shape could be even better. If a guy can score 25 goals being out of shape how many can he score being a true power forward?
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number 6 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
@Joemv8,
Don’t know cause he’ll be playing on a TM coached team.
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The Oiliers, tried to take advantage of a situation. DL was in a bad spot made worse by underhanded and Mafioso type deals…
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Fraser was never good enoguh for the Kings any way. Just give the Kings the draft pick number that he (Fraser) was picked in (in addition to the 7th).
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If you buy a used car(Fraser) you have your own mechanic(doctor) check it out….sorry this one is on D.L.
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tuan jim Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@neil,
Are you suggesting that a used car dealer owes no obligation to a prospective buyer to accurately report the car’s condition?
How about a used car dealer that takes a valuable trade-in, knows full well that the buyer is negotiating from an unequal bargaining position, and STILL stiffs the buyer with a lemon?
In any event, we’re not talking about used cars. We’re talking about expensive professional athletes. We’re talking about a business where there are only so many GMs in the league, where honesty and fair-dealing are mandatory.
Either Tambellini knew or he didn’t know about the extent of Fraser’s injuries. If he did know and lied about it to DL, he’s a scumbag and a crook. If he did not know and mistakenly misrepresented Fraser’s true condition, then he talked out of turn, knowing full well — especially after the Brule fiasco — that DL was relying heavily on the truth of what Tambnellini was telling him.
Either way, Tambellini stinks. It’s one thing to be a tough negotiator and squeeze the most milk you can out of a cow’s udder. It’s something else to negotiate from a position of strength — since everyone knew Smyttie wanted to go to Edmonton — and still cut a deal based on false information.
As a matter of fact, isn’t Tambellini an ex-used car salesman?
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neil Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
@tuan jim, it seems to me that most teams rely on their own doctor reports….How many times have you heard ” based on passing a physical”…
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tuan jim Reply:
July 15th, 2011 at 3:28 am
@neil,
If reliance upon our own doctor report’s is dispositive, then what are we fussing about? Our doctors have already said Fraser’s not worth the ticket.
Same-same if the deal was conditioned on passing a physical exam that WE conduct.
Obviously, that element was not part of the deal. DL must have relied upon the good faith and accuracy of the information Tambellini provided. Such reliance is justified in transactions of this sort — particularly after the first deal was rescinded because of Brule’s injuries. Tambellini had good reason to know that Fraser’s physical condition — and the accuracy of Edmonton’s description of it — was a significant part of the consideration for Smyth.
I can see some Oiler outrage at DL’s wanting to keep the crux of the trade — sending Smyttie and his cap-hit to Edmonton — while changing the compensation that the Oilers were to provide to us. But if the “change” is simply Edmonton taking back Fraser or kicking up the draft pick another round or two, I can hardly say that DL has contrived all this business just to “hold up” the Oilers.
Remember: Smyth’s cap-hit HELPS Edmonton reach the CBA minimum for team salaries. And the Oilers get that benefit at an out-of-pocket $1.75-mil less than the hit itself. In Smyth they’re getting a guy who scored more points last year than anyone on their squad, an experienced and highly-revered wing who actually WANTS to play out his career on that team. He’s a marquee name and is just what all those talented young forwards need. He can wean them off their pablum and help train them to be meat-eaters.
So I don’t have tremendous sympathy for Tambellini. He knew that DL was on the ropes and virtually HAD to make the trade. Knowing that, he overreached. He jammed the screw deeper into our spine than we deserved.
I hate using technical terminology, but there’s no other way to say it: Tambellini is a louse.
Hat trick Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
@neil, I totally agree. As pitiful as the Oilers were on this deal, Deano should have had our docs give the green light first before letting go.
That line about Tambelini being on vacation and not able to comment is absolutely hilarious. He’s probably in some bar somewhere telling everyone how he pulled the wool over DL’s eyes.
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Lombardi, quit wasting time and just lock him up already! Offer whatever you need to right now or else we will end up losing him, much like what you have done in the past with San Jose.. Heck, it was just 2 weeks ago that you said you wanted to get Drew locked up so he can focus on getting himself stronger for next season. Now, it seems like there is no urgency whatsoever in signing him!
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jet Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 8:27 pm
@Kingsation8, I am sure he would sign right now for 11M per year.
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The LA Kings will not trade Drew Doughty because my 2 bros likes to keep Drew Doughty if the LA Kings will trade Colin Fraser to the Oilers and the LA Kings will get Gilbert Burle will be fine and LA Kings will keep in touch with Doughty for between 4 0r 5 years with the kings
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The headline on this thread gave me a jolt! For a split second, I thought DD was traded. Whew!
Why does everyone assume that DD is not working out just because he hasn’t signed yet? I’m aware he wasn’t in good shape coming into camp last season, but that was last year. I would hope a lesson was learned from it.
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LAPD Line Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@KFII, The only problem is Doughty never seemed to see anything wrong with his game, so why would he change anything?
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number 6 Reply:
July 12th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
@LAPD Line,
agreed……..
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This is really getting tiresome. I hope Drew realizes that he has lost fans who buy his jerseys and bobble-heads. All power to him for trying to make as much cash as possible (we all do) but the consequences in sports, where you work for the public and perception is everything, is that you lose fans. Expectations after signing also go through the roof and if he doesn’t reach them he loses more fans. Those cheers in the stands go from “Dreeeeeeeeeeeew” to “Drew” to silence. You need to end this quickly and make your big dollars even if it’s not quite what you want. If you become the huge superstar we all (I guess that’s down to most by now) hope you’ll be, you’ll still be young and able to get incredi-bucks when you next become an UFA. Stop bowing to your agent and let’s end this thing TODAY.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
July 13th, 2011 at 2:59 am
Fans are fickle. After a couple hip checks and a goal or two from the blue line, they won’t remember what happened in the summer.
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either take him back or gives us a late round pick and be done with it already.
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I wish we’d sign Doughty right now. But I’m not going to get all worked up about it yet. If it takes him the whole summer & into training camp to sign and he hasn’t worked out in the meantime then I’ll be pissed. Until then, it’s just business.
I hope the league does penalize the Oilers for this. No matter how you slice it, whether or not Lombardi did his homework or not, they put inaccurate information in their medical reports. If they do get penalized, I wonder if Tambellini is going to throw his medical staff under the bus. Given his character that wouldn’t surprise me.
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Don’t worry everyone. It is still July. We know he is waiting for Weber so let’s just sit back and allow this to take its course. When is Weber’s arb date?
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I personally don’t care too much about Fraser; perhaps he can heal and have a chance to make the team, but c’mon… I enjoyed Smyth but the chance to dump his salary was a gift. I would have taken Edmonton snow in return.
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For those of us concerned about Drew Doughty coming into camp out of shape, part of his contract should dock him $100,000 for every pound over 215lbs. That would at least keep his weight down.
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Don’t know what DD is asking for but last year he wasn’t even our best offensive dman (JJ was) and maybe only our 4th or 5th best defensive dman.
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