Doughty contract talks continue

Posted by Rich Hammond on 31 August 2011, 2:44 pm

The Summer of Doughty continues, as the Kings attempt to work out a new contract with restricted free agent defenseman Drew Doughty. The Kings presented a newly drawn-up series of potential contracts to Doughty’s representatives this week, of varying lengths and dollar amounts, and talks continued today but there’s no indication that a deal is imminent in the next few days. In a quick phone conversation today, Dean Lombardi said, “It’s safe to say we’ve talked the last couple days, and we’ll just continue to try to work through it. … I still feel confident that this is going to get done (before the start of training camp).”

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408 Comments

Steve S, says:

August 31, 2011 at 2:46 pm

please get it over with

[Reply]
DaveinSD Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:14 pm
@Steve S,, DD has lost me as a fan with this whole summer of delay. I’m a fan of the team and not an individual. I’ve learned my lesson in buying his jersey 2 years ago. it’s going to grow cobwebs from here on out.

[Reply]
Todd Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:36 pm
@DaveinSD,

You looking to sell that Doughty Jersey? Is it the alternate that is all black?

[Reply]
loskingpride Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:09 pm
@DaveinSD, You may have not seen the interview with DD a few weeks ago where he said he wants to get a deal done soon but his agent is the hold up. He’s young and talented with a greedy agent. But if you feel the need to revoke his fan card then I will gladly take that jersey off your hands.

[Reply]
DaveinSD Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@loskingpride, I’ve been thinking since I will be at HockeyFest and if knucklehead DD8 is there I will have him sign it and auction it off…hahahahaha. I don’t ever want to really do that because Kings gear is sacred to me, but him and his agent have really pissed me off this offseason. The last time I wore was Game 3 of this years playoff, maybe thats another reason not to wear it! Yes I did see the interview a few weeks ago and the jersey I have his the Black Home jersey WITH PURPLE AND THE CROWN. None of this LA junk jerseys.

Forum67 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@loskingpride,

Am I missing something here? Does the agent work for him or does he work for the agent? The agent is an employee. The ultimate decision belongs to Doughty. Trust me. Whenever he is really ready for this process to come to an end, it will come to an end.

KindSir Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:50 pm
@loskingpride, He didn’t say his agent was the holdup he said he’s letting his agent take care of it. If he really wanted to be a King this would be done already. It seems he forgets that his agent works for him and not the other way around. And of course he’s going to say that all the rumors are false and everything, he’s not going to come out and say “Yeah. I’m holding out for more money.” but the truth of the matter was if he wasn’t holding out for more money he would’ve been signed already. Dean has offered him a more than reasonable amount of money, at this point he is just being greedy.

loskingpride Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:58 pm
@KindSir, Can you tell me the amount and years Dean has offered to Doughty so far? Along with the terms? Because to this point I have yet to see numbers anywhere. Until then you can’t call him greedy. Maybe he likes the amount just not the length? Or he wants a NTC in there? At that point you can’t say he’s being greedy can you? Just being smart in my opinion. Welcome to the business world.

brian spain Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 10:12 pm
@loskingpride, Thats crap. Jered Weaver just signed a deal for less money for the Angels cuz he wanted to stay an Angel. His Agent Scott (free agent) Boras told him to wait and get bigger offers through free angency, Weaver who is the BOSS told him, no I want to sign and he did. This blaming the agent is weak.

fuzzerson Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 6:31 am
@loskingpride, The agent is an employee of the player, so blaming the agent is weak.

Cathy Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:06 am
Stop making excuses for this guy. He will pass the buck and blame his agent. In one breath he says he wants to get a deal done and get it over with and in the next breath he says he is in no hurry and there is no time table. It has been said in many sources that the main offer was 6.5 mil for 7 years. For someone who’s numbers dropped significantly last season he has a lot of nerve thinking he should be the highest player on the team. If he truly wants to be a King he would have no problem signing and giving up a year or two of free agency. Other players have done it because they are loyal to their team. If he signs a contract that allows him to go to free agency in a few years then you can bet he will take an offer based on money. This team is going in the right direction to be a contender for the cup. They don’t need a greed little schmuck like Doughty to win.

Stuart Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 9:31 am
@Cathy, way to throw your hat in the ring Cathy! I’m with you, you’re either with us DD or you’re not!

JOHN Reply:
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:50 am
@loskingpride, It is not his agent. It is Drew. Look at that pitcher Weeler from the Angels. He tolf hid agent to take a hike. He signed and would not wait for frre agengy. Drew can do the same. Drew needs to grow up. John

BobsYourUncle Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@DaveinSD, Like every NHL hockey player, coach or GM will tell you, this is a business and each side will do what is best form them (as an individual or as a team). Players have a ten to fifteen year window in life to make the money that is thrown around to all professional athletes and to say you are not a “fan” because he has yet to sign a contract three weeks before training camp even starts (in the off season) is a bit ridiculous…

ANYONE in his position would try to negotiate the best deal possible. It’s not like Doughty has publicly stated that the Kings are trying to low ball him or that he wants to make $10 million per season or he walks, etc. All that has been reported is rumor and speculation. Give the guy some credit and if training camp opens and he is a holdout, then the gloves are off. But hey, you are entitled to your own opinion but it’s a bit premature. Go Kings!!!

[Reply]
DaveinSD Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
@BobsYourUncle, it may sound premature and ridiculous but I disagree. For Stamkos to get signed long before Doughty does just doesn’t sit right with me. This has been strung out way too long. Thank god I get a great deal on internet access at home!

HockeyOnly Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@BobsYourUncle, What do you call “Lowball” 7.5M geez I guess if that’s ALL was going to get PER season I”d hold out also, it’s just to hard to live on that kinda money now days.

Deke'r Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@BobsYourUncle, Probably not 10/year…but I’ll bet it’s not far from that, but hey…..in Drews case it’s a sellers market and the Kings want what he’s sellin!!

JOHN Reply:
September 4th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@BobsYourUncle, Like I said before. Drew needs to grow up. Tell your agent to take a hike. An sign with the kings. Like that pither Weehler did with the Angels in baseball.

gene Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:46 pm
@DaveinSD, Man I agree with you 100%, he is not a team player. Trade him and lets get on with players who wont to be on the kings. Go kings

[Reply]
qBIRD Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@gene,

You guys need to cut it out seriously. The first Kings offer which Lombardi himself said was way off was sent to DD’s agent in June. There has been no cantact since until now with the new offers Lombardi sent. How is it that you know for a fact it’s about greed. If you’re revoking your fan card now because of this little delay, you were never a DD fan in the first place..even if you bought one of his sweaters.

BobsYourUncle Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:11 pm
@gene, When did Drew Doughty ever say he doesn’t want to be a King? Do you have some inside knowledge to say otherwise? Speculation and rumors are just that, speculation and rumors. No one besides Drew, his agent, Kings Management and whoever they tell directly knows a thing about it so let this “business” play out without questioning Drew’s dedication to the organization as you (nor I) having any clue what has been said. But Go Kings!

WhatHappendedToKingston? Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@qBIRD, I love what DD can do on the ice, but if he pulls a Rob Blake on us, now or in the future, then he can kiss my grits

Raunq12 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:52 am
@gene, Trade him? That’s a little drastic don’t you think?

markisonfire Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:52 pm
@DaveinSD, You serious? Because Doughty is letting his agents handle the contract negotiations, and instead is working out this summer to be in peak physical condition, you are no longer a fan? Once Doughty signs a contract, everyone will praising him again. I can’t wait for him to sign, sure, but there is no danger. There will be no hurt feelings. He is as much of a team player as anyone else and has every right to NOT take a discount for his play. He will be compensated fairly and will be worth it.

[Reply]
DaveinSD Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:33 am
@markisonfire, yes i am serious! All the BIG FIsh in the NHL are signed and ready to roll and our 21 yr old DD8 still cannot sign on the dotted line? C’mon…it makes no Flipping sense to me. You know this is just my opinion and its the way I feel. I’m sure I am not the only one feeling this way!

Mully12 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@DavienSD, If he isn’t signed by training camp and starts missing time, then worry, maybe pull his fan card, but right now, you’re honestly acting like a big baby. Whomever mentioned the Stamkos deal, it’s a terrible deal that could leave the Lightning with the possibility of losing Stamkos for nothing when his contract is up. Plus there are quite a few young potential stars that are still unsigned, most with the same agent company as DD has, Bogosian, Schenn, Marchand, and I’m pretty sure there’s at least one more, but I’m spacing on his name for now. Too much talk of the world ending because Doughty has taken his time (smart business move) and not rushed negotiations to get him the best deal for him. Most atheletes do it, DD is an athelete, just calm down and wait like the rest of us before jumping to the conclusion that he is greedy or isn’t a team player. Things will get done, one way or another.

Poorman Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:01 am
@DaveinSD, That’s a ridiculous attitude! Give the guy a break. Pro sports is a business. If DD got hurt, do you think AEG would offer him a big contract? DD is a young defensive phenom, and should ask for all the $ he can.

[Reply]
JOHN Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:12 am
@DaveinSD, Well steve no one needs you. So bye bye. By no means I am tired of Lombardi. But I am tired of Drew. He is given our beloved Lombardi to much BS. Give up an trade him. That is my answer. It is going to be hard to fill Stapel center. To many people are out of work.

[Reply]
Sean Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:10 am
@JOHN, Staples will be full of Kings fans from opening night to the end of the long playoff run. I will be there supporting DD, one of the most dynamic young defensemen playing in the league. Why does it matter if DD signs now, or a day before training camp? The Kings management is not stressing it and DL says he is not worries about this getting done. He WILL sign, be a King for a long time, and lead us to the Stanley Cup. The Great One himself said he would build a team around DD. Pure talent.

gene Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:52 am
@JOHN, Agree 100%

JOHN Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:12 am
@DaveinSD, Well steve no one needs you. So bye bye. By no means I am tired of Lombardi. But I am tired of Drew. He is given our beloved Lombardi to much BS. Give up an trade him. That is my answer. It is going to be hard to fill Stapel center. To many people are out of work.

[Reply]
Bleedblueking Reply:
September 3rd, 2011 at 5:06 pm
@DaveinSD, you must not be a fan of many high profile athletes

[Reply]
Irish lak Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:27 pm
@Steve S,, this is like waiting for your wife to bring home dinner, your starving, she said she would be home in 20 min, you look at the clock its now been 45min. You start to get mad, ( were could she be whats taking so long )now its been a hour, she walks through the door, and to your suprise she did not get you jack in the box, she brought you in n out , oh god.a 4by4 animal style grilled onions, and fries, not to mention a.shake. D.d is the la kings in n out, be patient my friend, or settle for two tacos for 99 cents

[Reply]
jason Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 3:00 am
@Irish lak,
She didn’t bring home in n out she brough home a texas ribeye med with some mashed patatos and tells you she had to buy season ticket for the kings now that worth waiting for.

[Reply]
UglyinLA Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:29 pm
@Steve S,,

What happens if DD decides to sit out the entire year? Is he still an RFA or does he become an UFA ?

The season could very well start without DD in the line up. What if the Kings come out flat and DD raises the bet. What if one of the young D-men excel, then DD loses leverage. Not getting this done before the season starts is a risky proposition to both parties.

The problem now with these negotiations is that both parties need to somehow make this a win-win situation. Neither wants to come out looking like a loser. We know that DL has made several substantial offers,including 6.5M/yr for 9 yrs. DD has painted himself into a corner that requires a much better deal so that he can save face. DL isnt going to give him much more than that.

My prediction is that DL signs DD to a one year $7.5M. Then we immediately trade DD for Shea Weber. DL then signs Weber to a $6.5M/yr 9 year contract. Nashville signs DD to 7 years and promptly trades DD to Ottawa for three 1st round picks.

[Reply]
Fireplug Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:19 pm
@UglyinLA, I love it. You may be right. Look what happened when Cammy went to arbitration. At the end of the season he was gone Calgary. DD has only played 3 seasons. The Kings will find someone willing to step up. End this circus now.

[Reply]
john Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:54 pm
@Steve S,, I think they should not pay much attention to him and just concentrade on the team. He is going to distroy the team with his greedy salery demands. I don’t thind Lombardi should give in for Drew’s and his agents demands.

[Reply]
john Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Doughty is causing more harm to the Kings team than help with his greedy demands. I think Lombardi should just offer him a reasonable amount for his sallery and move on, just like you would do on a short sale house.

[Reply]
john Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:01 am
If Doughty continues this shrade he will not have any fans left in LA.

[Reply]
joan fondell Reply:
September 7th, 2011 at 5:45 am
@Steve S,, I think DD has every right to negotiate the best contract he can get…but he also has to be a team player. I don’t think that squeezing the team for more $ is the best way to think of himself. If the Kings pay him more money, it leaves less money for the rest of the team in the way of cap space. The season is young, injuries happen, by the mid-point/trading deadline the Kings need room to manuever. If DD takes too much and/or gets injured or other weak spots develop in the season and DL needs to acquire more talent, he has effectively hand-cuffed the team. With training camp about to start, he’s got to get into the line-up and practices. Staying off the ice, with this circus sideshow is a BIG distraction. Its time to stop blaming the agent, and recognizing that DD and his ego are guiding the issues. If DD is concerned about how many years vs. how much money…just remember…you don’t get it all in life, even at the age of 21, no matter how much potential you have. DD still has a lot to prove, 2 to 3 years is not enough to have everyone running in circles. He’s got talent,no doubt/dought(y)….but he has yet to prove he can consistently be at the top of his game–he’s no Bourque or Orr, or Larry Murphy. When he reaches that level (maybe at the end of this next contract period)–he can command whatever he wants…even within the cap-strapped space of some team, willing to bet he can help them win the Stanley Cup.

[Reply]
Sam says:

August 31, 2011 at 2:48 pm

Agreed. Doughty should know that fans will like him more if he just signs for a reasonable amount. It should be about winning the stanley cup, not bickering over a few million here and there. You’re plenty rich, now act like a champion.

[Reply]
Jonathan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@Sam,

God forbid a guy who sacrifices his body in ways most fans could never imagine is taking his time to decide how exactly he wants to chart the next move of his career.

[Reply]
Katy Perry Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 2:52 pm
@Jonathan, That is a great response. Well said.

[Reply]
poonagi Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:17 pm
@Jonathan, God forbid the guy come to camp in shape and play to the best of his abilities and not take a step back from the season before.

In other words… if he didn’t take a step back last season, most of us would be fine paying him whatever he wants. The fact is he introduced some doubt back into the conversation, complicating everything.

Don’t get me wrong… I love the guy and I think he’s a superstar. But, according to his performance last year, he’s not worth the 7+ million that I’m sure he’s expecting.

[Reply]
gene Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:49 pm
@poonagi, Agree with you, you get payed on what you show. He came to camp last year over weight and out of shape. Doesnt deserve the years or money he is asking for. Give the money to players who care, work there ass off in the off season ( I.E. Brown)

broncokings Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:12 pm
@poonagi, god forbid a guy get a concussion playing a physical sport…

Fireplug Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:26 pm
@poonagi, I agree with you on everything except the label “superstar”. I still don’t think DD has shown hiimself to be a “superstar” in the 3 years he has played. Last year showed him to still be a bit immature. Give him a couple of really good years showing by example both on and off the ice. Then, maybe he will be ready to be labeled a “superstar”.

poonagi Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:53 am
@broncokings, DD’s concussion did affect his play last season… but it is 100% fact that he did not show up to camp in shape and was not “as ready as he could be” to start the season. I’m not saying this is why he got a concussion at all. I’m merely pointing out that this guy has not yet matured as a leader and has not shown the work ethic to be our highest paid player (though he will be, if we sign him).

@Fireplug, I agree with you completely. I should’ve said “I think he’s a superstar in the making”. As evidenced by what I said in my previous two posts… he hasn’t shown the leadership and superstar qualities on a consistent basis yet. I do think he has it in him, but he needs to put in the effort and step it up.

Sam Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:27 pm
@Jonathan, God forbid the guy to come to a reasonable salary agreement within a few weeks to a month, and not ask to be paid like a top performer when he’s not there yet. If he plays well enough, he can get the extra millions in endorsements.

The longer he holds out, the more he seems to be acting like a money grubbing primadonna.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy, but extended salary negotiations rub me the wrong way. Especially with all the missteps of this past season.

[Reply]
gralx Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@Sam, keep in mind, there is no “holdout” as of yet. Be patient, it will get done!

40 year fan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:52 pm
@Jonathan, I TOTALLY agree with you, Jonathan! People forget how fragile the hockey player’s livelihood is. Did ANYONE besides me read that Mark Savard is gone for this year and probably his career is open?

Trust me when I say that if Drew G-D forbid, had an off ice accident right now, Knig’s management would be wiping their brows with relief that he hadn’t already signed.

This is a BUSINESS and we as fans have a hard time remembering that.

[Reply]
40 year fan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:53 pm
@40 year fan, Oops…Savard’s career is probably GONE, not OPEN.

JDB Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:26 pm
@40 year fan,
Keep drinking that kool aid. DD will need to hire a PR guy with the millions the Kings will over pay him. Last time I checked, the agent works for DD. DD can sign when ever he is ready. Brown and Kopi signed fast with no drama and both make enough money to take care of their families fir generations. Take a quote from Weaver who just took less cash to stay with the Angels, also against his agent’s wishes. This is a joke people!

Iceage35 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 8:16 am
@JDB, I love what Weaver said in that article too. That article should be manditory reading for every pro athlete.

red49er Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:53 am
@40 year fan, thats what insurance is for, management takes it out and so should the player.

HockeyOnly Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:30 pm
@Jonathan, I’ll bet Rob Blake is his agent.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:31 pm
@Jonathan, Amen. I wonder how many of these “DD is being greedy, because he’s not making me feel better by signing when I think he should” fans would do it any differently if they were in DD’s place.

[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 6:32 am
@Jonathan, I doubt DD is doing a lot of life planning.

[Reply]
frank Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@Sam, The longer he holdsout the more pressure on him to preform and to get in shape.

[Reply]
McCheese Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:54 pm
@frank, all the better. I hope that he feels extremely obligated to perform at a higher level than before! “Holdout” is still a pretty aggressive label. Just because many fans feel offended that there’s no ink on the paper yet, doesn’t mean that DD needs to get this done IMMEDIATELY. All sides have said that they’ll have it done before camp starts. Have they given us a reason to believe otherwise? Deep breaths everyone. Positive vibes!!!

[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:31 pm
@Sam, – Bicker over a few million? Surely you jest? I’d gouge out one of my eyes for a few mil.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Sam,

Remember the story of when DL asked him, what’s Gretzky? And it was DL’s assistant who wrote on a piece of paper…. ‘A Winner’?
That’s a good thing. Otherwise who knows what he would have said.

[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:16 pm
@Sam,

There are so many things wrong with what you’re saying I don’t know where to begin. Suffice to say, I don’t think you have a clue what acting like a champion means.

[Reply]
john Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:56 pm
@Sam, Well said Sam

[Reply]
Sam Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:05 am
@john, JDB said it best. Look at Weaver staying with his team for a few million less. That shows the drive for a championship.

DD could just get this over with and take a reasonable amount – pretty damn high if you ask almost anyone. I’m sure it’s mostly his agent (?) but it sure makes him look juvenile, and not like a champ.

[Reply]
HBFan says:

August 31, 2011 at 2:48 pm

Please let it be a long term deal. I would hate to see him walk in his prime

[Reply]
Peter32 says:

August 31, 2011 at 2:50 pm

In Dean we trust!! We need DD on our Kings for a long time.

[Reply]
Brownkingsfan says:

August 31, 2011 at 2:51 pm

At least they’re talking. We don’t want a stand off!

[Reply]
408kingsfan says:

August 31, 2011 at 2:53 pm

I have explored all possibilities and have come to the conclusion our star defensmen or his agent are just plain greedy

[Reply]
John Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 2:59 pm
@408kingsfan,

Then you have not explored all possibilities!

[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@John, Ok so pay Doughty more than Kopitar based on his performance last year? thats like writing a blank check to a sleeze ball contractor before he completed any work.

[Reply]
gene Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@John, YOu are wrong kings fan.Based on last years performance and the shape he was in he doesnt come close to deserving the years and money his agent and him are asking for. Trade him.

[Reply]
Katy Perry Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:04 pm
@408kingsfan, It’s not like the season has started yet. So what if the guy is taking his time deciding how long he will play for the Kings and how much money he’ll be paid?

[Reply]
nofreight Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:21 pm
@408kingsfan, when did you become a troll??? Crosby,Savard… Drew Doughty should get every dime he can! for his hard work. or maybe you think he is lazy because he doesnt spend as much time on ice as Quick..

[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@nofreight, wow did you call me a troll? who are you?

[Reply]
nofreight Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@408kingsfan, I am an everyday, two times a day reader, who rarely posts. I have seen many of your posts and never thought twice. Dont really know why this one struck a nerve. I think maybe you were just trying to stir the pot, again I dunno.

Duckbasher Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@nofreight, – C’mon… we’re Kings fans. Play nice with your fellow kings fans.

[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:57 pm
@408kingsfan, really think its more term than money thats holding things up at this point – or at least equal parts – which can be construed as greedy too, depending on how you look at it. I really think it’s more of the agents doing than Drew’s. The whole thing is just a crap show for us fans cause were so close and have so much on the line with this… we pay him too much we suck later, he walks in his UFA years we lose him… part of the resolution for me isn’t just having him signed, its knowing what the team will be dealing with cap-wise in the foreseeable future.

[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@colo king fan, I agree

[Reply]
Daniel says:

August 31, 2011 at 2:53 pm

I want him on the team, but not at ANY price.
If he is unreasonable then I’m fine with walking away.

[Reply]
Rider says:

August 31, 2011 at 2:56 pm

I said to my girlfriend that if this was Doughty himself doing the negotiations, we’d have had this sorted right at the start of FA season.

Don’t know if anyone’s said this before, but from what I remember, Don Meehan represented Evgeni Nabokov at the time Deano was GM at San Jose and that turned into a holdout which was eventually sorted… we don’t want THAT to repeat again.

[Reply]
Bill M. Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@Rider, Meehan also represented Bobby Ryan, if I remember. In fact, I believe that Meehan has been the common thread behind several high profile holdouts.

[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@Bill M., – Can we call Meeham a troll on here?

[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@Duckbasher, no but we CAN call him a cockroach.

Rider Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:41 pm
@Duckbasher,

I think Professional Troll sounds more appropriate lol.

JackKent Cooke Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:26 pm
@Rider,
What did your girlfriend think?

[Reply]
Rider Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:36 pm
@JackKent Cooke,

She agreed with me on it since she knows Drew’s background and desire to play for us.

When I mentioned it on Facebook earlier, someone replied that the L.A. Times are saying something about it for Friday, so it’ll be late afternoon/evening in the UK by the time I hear anything.

[Reply]
FRO says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:05 pm

i have faith that this will get done before training camp so all the people who say that hes greedy or etc are just impatient

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@FRO,

I’m not speaking of myself cause I’m not that bothered, but if certain fans are getting either annoyed or concerned if he hasn’t signed Before camp, I don’t think you can really accuse said fans of being impatient.
If he hasn’t signed by the end of July or first week in August (which he hasn’t) you have a point.

[Reply]
MadMatt says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:08 pm

Man, Doughty needs to make sure he has a stellar year THIS year, or the fans are going to brutalize him. Dragging your feet on a contract…whatever the reason… is the first step towards creating bad blood with the fans. Step in Drew… let’s get ‘er done and win the Cup!

[Reply]
lvkingaholic Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
@MadMatt, yep, remember st patty’s day brutal booing…………… ouch

[Reply]
onesnzeros Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:22 pm
@lvkingaholic, Ugh, i was so upset that day i stormed out of Staples and forgot to pick up my puck. Didn’t boo though, just shook my head a lot.

[Reply]
Jonathan says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:10 pm

A contract, with a term of less than three years or more than 6, signed at least 12 hours before the start of training camp = NONE of you have anything to complain about.

[Reply]
KingTrojan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:14 pm
@Jonathan, Completely agree. I’d even say less than 3 or 7+.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@KingTrojan,

From what Quisp says, you don’t want him signing (I THINK this is what he said so Quisp if you see this and I’m off feel free to correct) there soon comes a point after that where he can start the whole process like what Shea Weber went thru this year. That doesn’t sound all that appealing either. But DL understands this whole process far better than most any of us with the possible exception of Quisp.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:00 pm
@number 6,

Oops. I meant that you don’t want him signing for a very short term contract (less than three years) as that tenders the strong possibility of arbitration shortly thereafter….. again thats if I understand it correctly.

StillneedDewey FKA PakiFro Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:29 pm
@number 6,

I think quisp also said you dont 5 years cuz thats when Kopi’s contract comes up, and you dont want those two to be UFAs at the same time like the Preds will have with Rinne and Suter.

number 6 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:35 am
@KingTrojan,

Yes he did……. and I agree with that. The chance that your two best players walk at that point in time…. together. I don’t think most Kings fans would be happy with that. So it makes sense to me that DL is being very careful as to how he approaches this.

[Reply]
Kopi Bryant says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:16 pm

Good to hear they are talking and after he signs all this hold out talk will be forgotten.

[Reply]
kinginsaltlake says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:16 pm

Dear Drew, please look at what we are building in LA. This is the team you grew up watching. You are also a fan favorite. We need ALL the pieces to make this dream season happen. No! many of us don’t think you are greedy, but maybe your agent? There is an donut shop on every corner of LA. The women are hot and fast. Your going to be one rich dude. My friend has a place in Manhattan Beach he will sale you. I’ll give my left nut to you. This fan base is dieing for a Cup. This is your chance to be part of something very special. Your team mates have your back. You will become one of the best defenseman to ever don a Kings jersey. Your fan base in Canada will respect you more if you stay with one team. WE LOVE YOU MAN!!! Sign Today

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@kinginsaltlake, “I’ll give my left nut to you” WOW buddy….. now that is die hard!

[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:15 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, that has got to be the single best line ive heard! right up there with the likes of “dont tase me bro” LMFAO

[Reply]
onesnzeros Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:28 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, hmm, we’re assuming there’s a real left nut there! I have a friend that had to have his removed and they put in a prosthetic, for appearances sake.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@onesnzeros, oh man, that sucks! I feel for the guy. At least we have the technology today to do things like that. My Aunt had her breast removed due to breast cancer and she opted for an implant as well.

colo king fan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:02 pm
@kinginsaltlake, giving up anatomy…. genitals even! dang man… id hate to see what you’d give if he’d had a good year last year!!!

[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@colo king fan, Last year he got my right nut…

[Reply]
Smiley says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:26 pm

@kinginsaltlake

Relax

[Reply]
lakingsphan0427 says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:30 pm

Kings should of never had this problem if Dean tried to work a deal out a year ago..He knows that DD’s contract will going to expired at the end of the season and that the salary cap will increased it would of been the smart thing to do if he offered him 10yrs for 60M which is a cap of 6m/year BUT no he didn’t do a damn thing..I am sure that 60M would of been hard to refused..He could of signed Doughty for less money with more years in LA…So in my opinion it was all Dean’s falut..DL created a monster now he needs to deal with it..

[Reply]
jofa6000 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@lakingsphan0427, how do u know for a fact that DL didnt offer to sign him to a long term contract? and two, DD’s play has been a roller coaster ride so why would DL commit a long term contract for player who hasnt proved himself?

[Reply]
CheezyPoofs Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@lakingsphan0427, Please reference where any article states that DL “didn’t do a damn thing”. Neither you nor I, nor anyone but a few souls who frequent this board really know anything about these negotiations. We have no idea if DL put together a package and it was denied, or if he twiddled his thumbs and watched the grass grow. We don’t know.
While I agree that a player should receive what he’s worth based on performance and expected performance throughout the length of the contract, I do feel it’s a bit selfish to hold the team over a barrel because DD wants a new pad in Manhattan Beach.
The one thing that does permeate through all of the holdouts we’ve discussed here ad nauseum is Meehan. If there is one person that deserves the ire of this board, it would be him. He seems to have a track record of doing this kind of stuff, and doing it with DL.

“game on Wayne”
…
“game on Garth”

[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:54 pm
@CheezyPoofs, Can’t really blame Meehan for trying to earn a living.

[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:16 pm
@lakingsphan0427, And Dean had no idea what the salary cap was going to be a year ago.

[Reply]
StillneedDewey FKA PakiFro Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@lakingsphan0427,

How do you know Dean didn’t? Also, how does anyone know Dean isn’t sticking to a low ball offer? We don’t know the facts about anything. All I want is for him to be signed, and I don’t care if the cap hit is 7.5M. The Kings have the cap space, especially with the core in place for years to come. As the contracts of Mitchell, Gagne, Scuderi, Greene, and Stoll come due, the Kings have cheap youngsters to replace them or have the leverage to sign these guys without considerable raises (see: Williams, Justin, who signed a deal with an almost identical cap hit to his previous deal). The least of my worries is a $1M swing in the cap hit for Doughty. The Kings are a legitimate Cup contender with him in the line up. They’re merely the SJ Sharks of the past few years without him (Strong offense with essentially a no-name defense that is most likely to fizzle in the playoffs)

[Reply]
ViperHockey says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:31 pm

I wonder if Drew Doughty or Don Meehan had a twitter feed and were doling out hints about the negotiations whether people here might have a different opinion….?

[Reply]
Danny says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:32 pm

Its not a holdout until he misses a day of camp. Come on people calm down he hasn’t missed anything yet.

[Reply]
Gokings says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:33 pm

TRADE HIM! This isnt the NFL! great HOCKEY players don’t miss training camp because of contract issues. Put his namenout there and see what we can get in return. He isn’t even the best d-man on the squad. Skudds and JJ eat Doughtys lunch. Would love to get you talent like #44 from Boston and a young prospect like Marchand for an out of shape doughnut drew doughty. It would be tough but if we can get something back, I wouldn’t mind seeing him leave. Young players are supposed to improve each year not take steps backwards.

[Reply]
Duckbasher Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@Gokings, – Seems like people have short memories. Umm… didn’t doughty have a serious injury last season? Just because a guy can walk doesn’t mean he can play hockey. He’s a stud and one of the best D men in LA Kings history (at the ripe age of 21). This is his life’s work up to this point and the future he’s trying to sort out. Give him a break guys. Together we stand!

[Reply]
Gokings Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:10 pm
@Duckbasher, Better kings defense men: Rob Blake, Larry Robinson, Mattias Norstrom, Paul Coffey, jack Johnson, rob Scuderi, Larry Murphy, maybe Drew Doughty. He benefits from playing with Mitchell. He was great rookie year but has been average since. TRADE HIM! we have defensemen in the system to replace him, we could use the offense. Good riddance. Just shows is true character. We have shot to be condensers for many years and a he wants to do is get paid. Good riddance

[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:44 pm
@Gokings, Jack Johnson?

…

Michael J. Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:12 am
@Gokings,

Paul Coffey??? Better check with Roy Mlakar about that one…

PRMan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@Gokings, The only defensemen in their prime that I would even consider trading for a 21-year old Doughty are Blake, Robinson and Murphy. And knowing what I know about Blake’s less than team attitude, the list would go down to Robinson and Murphy.

gralx Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Gokings, breathe, just breathe. not a holdout yet…

[Reply]
lvkingaholic Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 3:53 pm
@Gokings, ya, wouldn’t mind seeing the cinnamon twisty twins in his place………

[Reply]
lvkingaholic Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:12 pm
@lvkingaholic, just kidding………..

[Reply]
BobsYourUncle Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@Gokings, Duck fan ALERT!

[Reply]
gene Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:56 pm
@Gokings, Agree 100%, get rid of him and get some picks and or players who want to be KINGS

[Reply]
vancitykingsfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:20 am
@gene, Did you watch what TSN had reported? and what doughty said on it? He wants to be a king, he wants to injoy his summer and let his agents deal with it. When training camp starts he will step right in and tell Don ok what deals do you have and go with the best one. DONE. so please stop hating on 1 of the best D in the league. We all know he is 1 of the best and he will only get better as time comes. So why trade prolly going to be the best D in the league for years to come. You guys are just jealous bcuz a 21 yr old has everything and u have nothing. All im saying is stop hating let the kid enjoy his summer. Then when the time comes he will get a deal done for sure!

[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:31 pm
@vancitykingsfan, He did say that he has a date in mind to end it.

puck73 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:39 pm
@Gokings, Jack ” Mr. Minus 80″ Johnson, Better then doughty currently ? REALLY ! Scuderi is better then Doughty defensively right now because of experience. JJ as of right now is the 2nd coming of Daryl “Get burnt down low” Sydor. Jack Johnson ? As of right now Jack couldnt even carry Drew’s jock. He reminds me of puds like Rod Buskas and Larry Brown.To say that JJ has to learn to let the game come to him is an understatement. You are obviously blinded by his offensive production, therefore excusing his piss poor hockey IQ in his own zone which still needs work, and he knows it !

[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:45 pm
@puck73, Shoulda known you’d beat me to it.

[Reply]
ta Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:39 pm
@puck73, Hey Puck i totally agree with you. JJ isn’t close to DD. JJ was the only dman with negative +/- last year and its not the first time for that either. He does have some skill but he gets beat out of postion way too much. I’m a big DD fan but if he gets a big contract he really needs to step up and have a great year. Starting with coming into camp in better shape and cut down on his young mistakes. I know he’s only 21 but if he gets more $ than Kopi then he better improve and have a big year.

[Reply]
lvkingaholic Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:41 pm
@puck73, c’mon puck.. gotta love jj’s headfakes………… see ya soon

[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:21 am
@lvkingaholic, not as good as John Tonelli’s…

Duckbasher Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@lvkingaholic – those head fakes work realyy good don’t they? NOT!

Michael J. Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:14 am
@puck73,

So, please tell me what you think of JJ’s defensive zone play…

[Reply]
JMan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:16 pm
@Gokings,
This was funny. I almost stopped reading when you said JJ could eat DD’s lunch, but then I realized you were joking. Wait, you were joking, right?
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/psh/comments/jack_johnson_has_a_perennially_bad_adjusted/

[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@Gokings, Step backwards?? Dumping Drew would be a HUGE step backwards.

[Reply]
Kings x says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:35 pm

DD 5 years 37 M

[Reply]
Todd says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:38 pm

I want to see Voynov in the NHL. I wouldnt mind seeing Doughty hold out and sit so we can see Voynov come up who is already NHL ready. We just don’t have a spot for him at the moment.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:41 pm
@Todd, Voynov has the talent and the speed. We will see if he is ready for the big dance.

[Reply]
Ian says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:39 pm

@Danny, Unless you count that cruise. Haha.

[Reply]
370455vinSD says:

August 31, 2011 at 3:43 pm

Crap! All I read is “Doughty” and got all giddy. Then read “talks continue”. I’m gonna have a stroke.

[Reply]
Keith says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:07 pm

I would pay Drew 7.5 in a heartbeat. You know why ? A. cause he will be one of the best defenseman ever. B. with all the teams in the nhl trying to reach the salary floor ( Drew could go get 9 mil a year if he wanted). Be patient people!! DREW is a GOD !! But he does make mistakes. But when he is playing more minutes than any other Canadian defensmen in the olympics, that means your REALLY GOOD !! GO KINGS !! DREW IS WORTH IT !!

[Reply]
Jcclark says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:10 pm

I don’t believe that we have anything to worry about. He will sign a long-term deal that will make us all happy.
I also don’t blame him for not signing right away. This will be the only summer in the next 6-10 yrs that everyone in the hockey world is talking about Drew Doughty. Let him have it.
P.S I think Don Meehan is terrible for the game of hockey!!

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:39 am
@Jcclark,

Scott Boras thinks He’s good for the game of baseball. I’m not a genius, but I can tell you it doesn’t take a PHD to figure out that he’s actually exactly the opposite. Don Meehan is running a close second when it comes to impact on a sport. Then again, hockey players get paid less than the obscene amounts that baseball players get for underperforming mightily in many cases.

Manny Ramirez
TJ Burnett
Vernon Wells

That doesn’t make a pretty picture.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:38 pm
@number 6, hard to argue with those contractual busts !

[Reply]
IceGuy says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:10 pm

It’s still just business. Everyone just take a breath.

[Reply]
steveoviper says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:11 pm

Like I said befor, I wish he would take some notes from Jared Weaver. Its kind of strange to me that he grew up wanting to be a KING and now this. And besides in 7 more years I’m sure he’ll be able to demand more than what it is he is asking for now. Your young, have fun for now. Get it signed get a CUP!!!!!!!!!GOKINGSGO!!!!!!!

[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:48 pm
@steveoviper, Just because he grew up wanting to be a King doesn’t mean he didn’t want to be the best paid King possible…I mean, you really think he’s going to just go with the flow? Of course he’s going to bargain, and he got Meehan so he could put that on him and not be the guy. No, this is understandable. If he misses a single day of camp, I’ll start getting bent, though.

[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:42 am
@steveoviper,

Steve, I like your post. Probably because you share exactly the thoughts I have. It’s the human condition. I want this, I want that…. you get it….. then you just want more. (one wants….. not You want)

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:12 pm

Not worried about it! It would be nice to know just how involved DD is in these contract talks though. Is it Meehan holding out? Doughty? I would hope that Doughty would have approved of at least one of the many offers DL and Co. have put on the table. I cant see DL low balling him so I get the feeling it’s Meehan maybe trying to squeez the last little bit of juice out of the Orange…but who knows? DD will be a King for the forseeable future.

[Reply]
KOHO says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:14 pm

Easy people, this is grown up stuff. Contracts aren’t for the faint of heart and two men like Lombardi and Meehan know how to play the game. Just know that Doughty will be a King for a long time! He knows where he will help raise the Cup and where he will become the defenseman all prognosticators predict he’ll be. Nobody has missed camp yet…and nobody will!

[Reply]
AZ King says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:14 pm

Some of you guys really crack me up. Like any of us in the same situation wouldn’t look to make the most amount of money as possible given the opportunity. Most of you are just upset beacause you probably had some idea that Doughty just plays for the love of the sport. Give me a break…This a business, stop taking it personally. It would be stupid for Doughty to not ask for the most money possible. It’s DL’s job to negotiate to what he thinks Doughty is really work and go from there. So as far as I can tell both sides are doing their jobs right now, and eventually a deal will get done.

[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:17 pm
@AZ King, Perfect!

[Reply]
Gokings Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:24 pm
@AZ King, You take less money to win cups! Plain and simple. In today’s league with the cap to put together great teams players must be willing to make less money. Like 4 million per Year for 3 years isn’t enough of a pay check? He can cash in on his next deal while he is in his prime.

[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@Gokings,

I know what you’re saying, but unfortunately guys who get paid less to play on winners are few and far between. B Richards and Stakes, didn’t take less money to won a cup.

[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Sorry, should say Stamkos not Stakes.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 4:40 pm
@AZ King, I agree with most of what you just said but I would hope that $$$ inst everything when negotiating a contract when your already rich. What happened to the “love of the sport”? These guys make rediculous amounts of money and like i said in a post above im sure DL is not low balling him. At some point in these early twenty already millionaire players lives it should be about the love of the game and the team and so on. Im not saying DD is greedy because to me from what ive seen and heard it seems like its his agent doing the wheeling and dealing and trying to get the best deal for HIS own benefit(which is his job right?). It is a business but it is also a SPORT. these guys grew up there whole lives playing this GAME because they love it and that doesnt change because they turn pro. Most of these guys make more in a week than what i make in a whole year and make more on there entry level contracts than i will in my lifetime. Its a business to Meehan for sure but i dont think DD per se looks at it that way (i could be wrong though).

[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:05 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,

I agree with you. I hate seeing these 20 year olds making so much money to play a sport they grew up loving, but that’s the unfortunate reality of pro spots today. It certainly isn’t Drew’s fault that this is the case, but as long as this is the status quo I’m not going to blame him for trying to get as much as he can while he can. And again in my opinion anyone who says they would do differently is fooling themselves.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:56 am
@AZ King, I think you miss understood me just alittle bit. I could care less that these guys make a ton of money in there early twenties playing a sport they love. My point was more to the affect that its silly to me at least that these guys(agents actually) will drag these things on till the bitter end and for what? an extra 5 to 10% more a year. I realize an extra million or so as year for example is alot of money but when you are already making millions does that really in the grand scheme of things make a big difference? Maybe it does, but there has to be a point where one say’s “look, this is the team i grew up watching and love, i want to stay here and we have a great chance at hoisting the cup next year and years to follow. Lets get this thing done so I can concentrate on Hockey and not whether my agent will be able to squeeze alittle more out of the club I WANT to play for, while possibly jeopardizing my reputation with my fans”. I dont know this for sure(and how could I) but I have to think that DL has offered him some great contracts that pay him top dollar for considerable years. I have a great appreciation for guys like JJ who was able to take away the middle man(agent) and get a deal done himself in a reasonable amount of time that pays him millions, doesnt handcuff his team with an extravagent contract, and all the while instilling confidence in the fan base that they want to be here, are a team guy, and wont try and leverage themselves for the extra cash and seem like some selfish early twenties millionaire looking to make his pockets even fatter than they already are. My quarrel isnt so much with DD as i think all he is doing is letting his agent do his job but fans are fickle and whether its Drew or his agent dare i say “holding out” the fans will always chastize the player(maybe some pros just dont care about that IDK). As far as the whole getting as much as you can while you can and it being status Quo…….. when your making millions anyway, and will be a filthy rich dude regardless does the extra million really mean that much? and god forbid one of these guys actually breaks out of the Status Quo (JJ,JW) and act like reasonable human beings who are seriously fortunate to making loads of money to play a sport they love. Sorry for my rant’s but it just kills me that in an economy like ours right now and with all the poverty and terrible things going on in this world that professional athletes(and im not including Doughty…yet at least) are so damn greedy and stubborn when they are already set for life. Not so much Hockey players but some of these guys blow there fortunes and file BK’s as well. One of the many things that is wrong with this counrty. anyway…..cant wait for DD to sign and look forward to the upcoming season/season’s. GO KINGS!!!!
LUCKY says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:19 pm

get it done soon

[Reply]
Arron says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:33 pm

I think Doughty really needs to take a good long look at his situation. Having his signature on a contract is not just about dollars and cents. If Doughty were to hold out he would be losing valuable playing time and missing training camp will not only hurt his season but could stall his learning curve for his career. I doubt he is tradeable at this point because the cost of acquiring him would be through the roof and would set a franchise back. I don’t blame him for trying to get as much as he can but I just hope he doesn’t do it at the cost of his development.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:45 pm
@Arron, What makes you think he would not play? Has he ever indicated he would hold out and not play if the deal isn’t signed before the season started?

[Reply]
Arron Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:51 pm
@KC23,

Correct me if I am wrong but if he is not under contract is he not allowed to play?

[Reply]
Jamesonafterawin says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:35 pm

Sigh. But thank you Rich.

[Reply]
egold44 says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Rich had to know this was coming — my email to him from 8/27/11 — my user comment/reply not as effective as a headline post by Rich (MOST IMPORTANTLY, READ THE ARTICLE LINK BELOW EVERYONE):

Hi Rich,

Could you please post this article on the blog as its own headline so that the entire community can read what addresses the biggest question at the moment for our organization? I’d like the thoughts in the link below to be in the zeitgeist so that fans, management and Doughty (agent included) are fully aware that the delays are posing serious questions. If ever an article could motivate a professional to act, and at a reduced rate, your posting could do just that.

Thanks for all you do, and for improving everything about the hockey experience in LaLa.

Here’s the article link:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/823835-drew-doughty-and-a-question-for-la-kings-fans-is-this-the-leader-you-want

Cheers,
egold44

[Reply]
Jonathan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:07 pm
@egold44,

Too many people like yourself don’t understand Rich’s and this blog’s purpose. His job is not to engage in baseless conjecture (like the amount of the contract offered to Drew) or pointless hypotheticals. Egold, you’ve just asked Rich to post an article by a blogger (not an accredited journalists, nor someone with any type of connection to the Kings organization) ‘s biased view of the situation as substantiated fact. That is what would happen if Rich were to link to that article – it would become substantiated fact because this blog is an official voice of the Los Angeles Kings, subject to Rich’s own personal editorial choice. There’s several problems with this, and I cannot believe that most are not immediately apparent to you.

1) Drew Doughty’s status as a leader within the organization and his perceived allegiance to fans is not currently the biggest question facing this organization – I think most, if not all of us, would agree that “How does this team win a Stanley Cup?” is the most prescient question facing this team with the coming season.

2) It’s nice that you would like this discussion to be in the “zeitgeist”, but it is pure speculation, based purely upon conjecture. No one inside the Kings organization would ever comment publicly about their personal views towards Drew Doughty’s contract negotiation, and this blog DOES NOT SERVE that purpose. It is another official “mouth” of the Kings organization and Rich would be out of a job in 5 minutes if he were to engage in the type of character assassination that other blogs (not accredited journalists) have been engaging in for the past 2 two months. We should be thankful that Rich is smart journalist who likens his vocation to something with a greater purpose than to simply drum up page views like other hockey bloggers. (Eklund, Matthew Barry, etc)

3) It is somewhat sadly naive that you think that posting such a ridiculous article would have any type of positive effect. The Kings posting a story that raises questions about Drew’s character would cause at the very least, a huge PR disaster that would likely jeopardize the Kings chances’ of ever signing a free agent in the next decade or worse, an untenable situation between Doughty, his agents and the Kings that would force his departure from the team.

Please stop treating this team and the NHL like it is a game. This is a business, and smarter people than you or I are paid a significant amount of money to make sure these teams function as a business. The players are employees, and it is their responsibility to ensure that they are being paid an adequate fee for the risks they subject themselves to 82 times (and hopefully more) a year. Drew Doughty is currently doing that in the best way he sees fit.

[Reply]
egold44 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:50 am
@Jonathan, I agree with your points and I thank you for your thoughtfulness, though I’m not sure any condescension was necessary — I would pay attention to the substance of your response even if you whispered. However, I do stand by DD’s negotiations being the most important issue facing this organization at the moment because if the contract becomes an albatross, it could derail the ultimate mission of winning a Stanley Cup.

[Reply]
bonvivant1 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:38 pm
@egold44, There really is nothing new in the article that has not already been brought up. I don’t know if Bleacher Report is credible “sports journalism”. There really is nothing much else to talk about so we’ll beat this horse to death.

Condolences to the Belak family. That’s the third death in several months for an NHLer. I wonder if he had ever suffered concussions. Serious concussions can lead to depression and erratic behavior.

[Reply]
egold44 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:50 am
@bonvivant1, I’m not sure I read that article as journalism, rather as an opinion piece. At the heart of the question was “intangibles.” When I talk sports with my friends, nothing is more important than the intangibles, partly team chemistry and partly a player’s desire to win. Some might disagree, but I believe North American kids who play hockey dream about winning the Stanley Cup in a way that is either much more limited or non-existent for European/Russian players –there are certain stars in the NHL that I have no interest seeing play for the Kings, usually having nothing to do with their nationality and mostly intangibles I see lacking (Jason Spezza & Joe Thornton = Marion Gaborik & Martin Havlat). Canadian or not, I think DD wants to win, but does he care if it’s here and now with the Kings (regardless of him rooting for the Kings as a kid)? We all know how good DD is at such a young age, but while business is being conducted, the lack of speed and reported ill-communication weeks and a month apart fairly put into question DD in relation to his desire to win WITH THE KINGS, such as resources left over in salary cap to add winning depth. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter took hometown discounts to stay and win in Philly — those players got burned. I agree with the writer’s opinion that Mike Richards’ acquisition should’ve been enough for DD to move ahead with the reported fair offers he has already received. Can the Kings and DD work out a deal that is good for the organization and player alike? Or will one party get burned? Stay tuned.

I addressed some points made in response to my initial comment in these prior LAKingsInsider posts about DD (I don’t expect you to keep tabs but in case you want to reference):

http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/08/10/lombardi-not-much-new-on-doughty-front/#comments

http://lakingsinsider.com/2011/07/07/potential-roster-by-the-numbers/

[Reply]
deepspace says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Pay him the minimum with enough incentives to make him the highest paid King. Performance contracts contracts are the future in pro sports. If not, it will all collapse via the NBA.

[Reply]
JMan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
@deepspace, What protection does a player have if they get hurt?

[Reply]
vplaza says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:48 pm

Blah, blah, blah. It’s all just noise until camp starts and he’s not signed. Then it gets serious.

Yeah, DD is entitled to get the most buck for his services. The fact is, DD has no real incentive to sign immediately. He probably could care less what fans think. He holds the cards and he and his agent are playing them to their advantage.

But, DL is entitled to wanting to get the most bang for his buck. I don’t believe that he wants to jeopardize what he’s tried to build here by overpaying for a star defenseman who has already showed that he has the capacity to regress.

And I have to say, the fact that his agent has been involved in some other negotiations that went longer than they should have doesn’t instill a lot of confidence that this will get done soon.

[Reply]
Otto Ped says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:49 pm

RIP Wade Belak. You will be missed

[Reply]
Forum67 says:

August 31, 2011 at 4:51 pm

Some facts to ponder, hopefully unemotionally.

Drew Doughty’s season last season was not up to the performance he had during his Norris nominated season.

Drew Doughty did not report to camp last year in the best shape of his life.

The Drew Doughty contract negotiations are taking longer than some Kings fans are comfortable with.

No one, not Doughty’s side, or Lombardi’s side, are providing details about the negotiation process.

The above leads to the following formula:

Lack of details on negotiations + an extended negotiating period = fan anxiety (at least for some fans).

Hopefully, as Lombardi expects, a deal will be completed prior to the start of training camp. I can comfortably say this much. Whatever contract Doughty ultimately ends up signing, it will be lucrative. Add that fact to the protracted contract negotiation process, fan expectation for him will be very high. Here’s hoping he lives up to those expectations.

[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@Forum67, worst case scenario = 7m/yr for 5 years.

[Reply]
Coach Mike says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:10 pm

The DD deal will either get done or it won’t. It is completely out of our control. Lets stop stressing and simply look forward to this season with great anticipation and excitement We’ve waited so long for a team/season with this kind of potential and it would be a shame to let the protracted contract negotiation of one player (albeit a key player) to dampen our collective for enthusiasm what could be a magical season. Once DD signs his name on the contract (which we all know he will) all of this anxiety and gut-wrenching will be for naught. GKG!

[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:59 pm
@Coach Mike, Ah,, The voice of reason. Thank you.

Go Kings

[Reply]
tim chaney says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:19 pm

he’s going to sign soon…

[Reply]
KC23 says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:25 pm

Still consider everything that has happened up to this point typical negociations that have zero reflextion on DD’s greed factor or loyalty to anything other than common sense. If I’m in my early 20s in DD’s position do I:

A) Get involved with the negociations and dictate and pressure my agent (who just happens to be one of the best in the business and has been for years) to get the deal done in a needlessly tight time frame window?

B) Listen to my agent on how these things might work best to my advantage while I spend my energy getting ready for the season.

I think I’ll go with B thank you very much.

[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:09 pm
@KC23,

agree 100%

[Reply]
BobsYourUncle Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:20 pm
@KC23, Word.

[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:54 pm
@KC23,

Well said.

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:41 pm
@KC23,

Could we please add:

C) Both A & B a la Jered Weaver

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:37 am
@DesertKing, Ill second that!

[Reply]
YoBro Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:01 pm
@KC23, As long as he IS spending his energy to get ready for this season , I’m OK with it.

Go Kings

[Reply]
AK47 says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:38 pm

Drew Doughty is a primo donna and thinks his stuff don’t stink. He went from being a Norris Trophy candidate to an average player in 1 year. How does that happen? It happens because he cares about himself and his party life and women more than the team, which tends to happen to LA sports figures (Matt Kemp last year). We should have traded him when we had the chance, and now that chance has passed. He’d be a better player cooped up somewhere in Winnipeg where he can’t be distracted anyway. ANY REAL KINGS FAN WOULD AGREE WE DON’T NEED HIM.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:28 pm
@AK47, Out of 300 defenseman in the NHL Doughty was in the top 10% points and plus/minus. So basically 90% of the defenseman in the league would of loved to have had an average season like Doughty did last year. :O

[Reply]
AK47 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:56 pm
@KC23, Let’s stop making excuses for that guy and wake up. He takes stupid penalties and is not playing up to his potential. Let’s not forget that he played most of the season with one of the best defensive defensmen in the league last year. So i don’t want to hear about his plus minus cuz that’s only a small reason why you pay a guy big bucks. His PP stats are supposed to be tops as well as his offensive stats, and they WERE average for a guy asking for what he’s asking for.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:30 pm
@AK47, Excuses? What excuses? What percentage of those other great defenseman don’t have an excellent partner?

Ah … I see, my bad, average “for a guy asking what he’s he’s asking for” in that case I am in complete agreement with you.

SLIM Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@AK47,
I’m a Real Kings Fan, and I think we need him.
It’s childish impatient posts we can do without…

CB14 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 10:44 pm
@AK47, I’m a Real Kings Fan, and I think we need him.

That being said, I don’t think he deserves more than Kopi, and if we could get a top 2 d-man and another top 6 forward in a trade for him, I wouldn’t necessarily be against it.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 10:50 pm
@AK47, Your absolutely right, hopefully the Dodgers learned their lesson by trading that selfish Rhianna dating Matt Kemp. The Dodgers are clearly better off without him and besides, everybody knows he’s overrated. I mean what do you think he is? a potential MVP canidate or something ?

[Reply]
AK47 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 5:42 pm
@puck73, Sorry, but Matt Kemp is having a good season for the exact reasons you stated above “no more Rhianna”. Not a cooincidence. Your sarcasm about being better off without him? Could they be any worse? Last year they were supposed to be a playoff contending team and unfortunately due to the lack of production from that head case, they weren’t.

We don’t need something like that on the Kings. There is something behind his lack of performance last season, and if it was him and Simmons getting some “hoo-hah” every night, then maybe problem solved. But we need to see some proof of that and unfortunately we have run out of time.

[Reply]
Eric K Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:11 am
@AK47, How old is Drew Doughty? Just asking.

[Reply]
Goring 19 says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:42 pm

To me there’s 2 sides to sports, the game and the business side. Right now we’re watching the business side play out. It’s nothing new to the world of sports. When it’s all said and done, all the details will be there for us all to see.

[Reply]
Redlights says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:43 pm

He can easily get 10% more! Fire the agent and then sign!
Ha.

[Reply]
Bama Kings says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:45 pm

@Steve S,, I have to say, that I’m glad other fans are finally starting to see that DD isn’t worth the hype. Trade’em. He is good and may be a great player, but not at the price he’s asking and not at the point in which he’s asking for it.

He is worth more, right now, on the trade ballot. Get the max, cut ties.

[Reply]
BobsYourUncle Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:18 pm
@Bama Kings, So Drew told you directly what he is asking for? Good friends are you? Please people, stop this BS of trading Drew Doughty just because he has yet to sign a contract three weeks BEFORE training camp. Until he publicly states that he wants X number of dollars or states that he does NOT want to be a King, blah blah (which is highly unlikely) there is no reason for this DD bashing… Get real people! GO Kings!

[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:25 pm
@BobsYourUncle, Why in the world people are so high on this guy, I’ll never know. He’s good, whatever. He’s not $7M good and if you think so, I’ve got a time share I’d like to talk to you about.

For the love man.

Sad things is, we couldn’t get a bag of beans for the guy now cause we’ve waited so long. Should have moved his butt 2 months ago.

Our D Corps is through the roof with prospects and veteran staff. The kind of move we could have made a couple months ago would have been the icing on the cake.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 10:54 pm
@Bama Kings, Why dont you expend your energy on trying to teach Jack Johnson on how not to lose his man down low near Quick. And to be honest, I really dont care if JJ signed a deal here without an agent, that doesnt excuse minus 80.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@puck73, there for is no excuse for minus 80 but JJ being able to negotiate a contract on his own that is not only a good contract for him but the club as well is Kudos in my book! Thumbs up to Jack. His +/- will get better with more experience.

[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:22 pm
@puck73, I didn’t say anything about JJ. . . but uhhh… thanks.

[Reply]
King without a crown says:

August 31, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Relax people! Trade Doughty? You guys are smoking something funny. Puck moving defensemen do not grow on trees, and he is only 21yrs old and will get better with maturity.And whoever said he would like to see the Ginger twins in L.A., I am revoking your Kings card.My suggestion is 7rs at 6.5mil a year.That is fair market price and he can be a free agent at 28 yrs old, so he can get one more big contract in his career.I am confident Dean will get it done, and the Kings will be set for years to come.Man i can’t wait for this season to start. Go Kings Go!

[Reply]
LUCKY Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 5:59 pm
@King without a crown, i agree

[Reply]
lvkingaholic Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:50 pm
@King without a crown, guess you didn’t get my sarcasism on that one…… i’d have to take the lead pill if the sisters ever came here…….. gkg

[Reply]
Chris says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:06 pm

Most of us (especially me) are just impatient. Nothing has changed if he would of signed two weeks ago, aside from us knowing 100% that he is playing for us. I am trying to be patient about it. He knows he wants to be a king. Wwhether or not he is the BEST DEFENSIVE man we have had (I would disagree), but he is a important part of our defense as a teammate, not individual. We have a better team with Doughty than without. I don’t believe he earns the right to be the highest paid player, but I believe he has the potentional to be. (Bonus structure) would help. Lastly, I still want to drop kick don “leech” meehan.

[Reply]
Mark says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:11 pm

I’d love to be there when DD8 see’s Kopi at camp for the first time. What does he say? “I was just kidding, you are the best!”

[Reply]
LBlocal says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:11 pm

DRINK MORE BEER! Just a thought. Carry on now, nothing new to learn here.

gKg!

[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:59 pm
@LBlocal,

Best comment all day!

Hope to meet you at one of the Suite Games!

[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 10:09 pm
@LBlocal, Trying that now….excuse me

(drinking…)

ahhhhhhh……..Still disappointed. Not sure it’s working, but the exercise will do my body good!

[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 10:32 pm
@Cynic,

Do what it says on meds.

Repeat as necessary, call Juraj in the morning.

[Reply]
McCheese Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 6:02 am
@LBlocal, great advice, but stupid me takes a break from the site last night, so I have to start drinking now? That’s gonna put a crimp on work today. Oh well.. am I a fan or not?

[Reply]
GkingsG99 says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:16 pm

Just wait till Doughty has an awesome season and all the people bashing him will have thier heads up thier a..

[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:25 pm
@GkingsG99, most are bashing him because he was good in his rookie year and then he came out like that..Do u expect them to not bash him for it??

To me i like Doughty i just wish he plays his butt off every game he may not score or make assist but at least he was trying then not doing anything at all.

I believe he will be great this season.

I just hope he doesnt go back like last season or be the same..

We need all the players to play and put out their 100% if we want our team the Kings to win the Stanley Cup or make a good run at it.

[Reply]
5holer Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:12 pm
@KingsFanFTW, I assume you think he and they do NOT know this already!? Every player has pride! Every player has the drive to be better every day! They are all motivated to succeed! If not, he is gone faster than he arrived in the NHL! He is still in a learning curve in the NHL game at his age and experience quotient!…He is JUST 21, unless you forgot already! He is a huge jump better then any others in his age group, and he’s the best of the rest, yet with a long way to go to get to his max potential! His motor has been tuned this off season, you can see that clearly! A good mathematical equation to keep in mind for Dewey and his expediency is….Max Potential x Years = Max Contract Earnings x Years! That is what they all play for right!….Money first, then love of the game next or equally in some cases, then fame next perhaps, and so on and so on! What else is there in a lawyers’ world (pro sports)?

[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@5holer, am not mad at him or saying he a crappy defense/offense player which he is not.He a dam good defense/offense guy.Am just pointing out the facts thats all.

If u dont agree with it then thats u.U have ur opinion on Doughty u expect that he 21 excuse.NHL is business like it or not.If u don’t play ur best then a rookie will take over ur job plain and simple.I like Doughty and i don’t want to see him trade or anything to happen to him.If he gets the sit out which he wont and thank god he wont but if he does than thats on him for thinking he still a rookie.
he already learn the ropes.he just got to learn how to use it for his advantages and see what he can do with it when all that pressure on him.He will become really great when he on his prime i just wish he will be Kings when he at it.So use to see all our young talent guys leave and turn out being good at their prime.

I hate to see Quick or Bernier go because one of them will bite us in the butts.
Mikey says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:27 pm

This reminds me of something i said during the drive to the play off game in 2009-2010 season.. We were listening to sports radio regarding the Kings and a Williams clip was being played. Afterward, the hosts asked us to text them what it feels like to finally be in the play offs.

I texted the following:

It feels like i’ve been courting this beautiful woman for years only to last 3 seconds in bed.

The day Rich posts “Doughty Inks Contract” will be the beginning of our three seconds in bed.

We just really miss hockey, fellas (and ladies). We want to hear something substantial. Thats my opinion.

[Reply]
Mikey Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 6:29 pm
@Mikey, To only last 3 seconds in bed with her******

Sorry if this is stepping over any lines, Rich.

[Reply]
KingsFanFTW says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:38 pm

Doughty Doughty Doughty tired of hearing about Doughty not signing or he wants more money..To me all i want to hear is Doughty signs and he plays his best out there and show his real self not just his body doing nothing but chasing.

He a great player we all miss his rookie year when he was on fire and actually play like he was put of the team then last season feeling like he was nothing but a defense guy when he was really a Offense/Defense of guy.

Last season was a a complete messed up year for every player,For Quick,Bernier,Scott Parse,Penner,Kopi,JJ,Mitchell, and so on..

This year will be the Kings year to shine.If they lose its on them no excuses.We got a Team that can win it all if they put their best effort on the ice when its game time.

I don’t care if Bernier number one goalie or Quick.Everyone that bashing the Goalies needs to stop.U cant expect Quick or Bernier to save them all the time.The Kings going to lose games too cant win them all.I wish we can but we cant.

The PP needs to be better period cant expect us to get PP just for them to be nothing but waste time.

The PK was great last season i just wish its even more better or about the same.

Thats all for me i cant wait for the Koings to play again..Go Kings Go!

[Reply]
5holer says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:43 pm

Such a bunch of impatient posters here. Nothing of value here unless you are attempting to polish up your whining abilities(not to be confused with Jimmy Fox activities with Wines!). Ho Hum yet another high profile player in RFA or another “free agency” year having his handlers negotiate a “best deal” for him/them with the rights holding team’s management consortium! Whoppee! How many games has he missed since June 26th, 2011 to the present day of August 31, 2011? ZERO, that’s how many! The kid is at the ripe old age of 21, repleat with his many years of experience! Yeah right! His Newport Sports management team is doing exactly what they should be doing on his behalf. That is how they earn their keep! If they do not perform as they are performing now, he should fire them immediately. Mr Lombardi is doing exactly what he should be doing in representing the team and ownership, vying for the “best deal” for his side. If not, he should be fired forthwith! Dewey is doing exactly what he should be doing, keeping his mouth shut predominantly and only leaking out positive comments about his handlers, the team/management and himself! Gee, that is what he is doing…its what they all are doing. It is all so very vanilla to me! It is all too commonplace to here in these posts, how much greed there is with this one or that one. Its no greed at all! its just plain simple stupid everyday stuff between agents, players and team management in these negotiation periods. DD has no where else to play but LA as it stands today(barring a trade or a offer sheet signing!). I will bet the farm on the fact that he will be playing on opening night in an NHL uniform, and 99.9% sure it will be in an LAK uni! These negotiators are imminently more qualified that any poster here to determine contract value and term. Whatever the term and value ends up to be will be just fine with all parties involved. So dry up your crocodile tears and put your head on the pillow and take some deep breaths folks! Let’s just watch it unveil itself right before our hi tech eyes! PS…none of the negotiators or even DD cares what you all think about any of this. Just thought you should know!

[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:02 pm
@5holer, Darn, I thought Drew read every comment on this site and was going to change his asking price because of it. You just burst my bubble.

Mabye instead of you telling everyone to calm down and take deep breaths, you should do the same. No one, and I repeat NO ONE, on this site has any say in what happens regarding DD’s contract status. Nor do any of us actually believe that any player, coach, GM, or any other person involved in the Kings actually read the comments on this site. We, and I’m speaking for most of the people on this site, are fans. Fans is short for fanatical. That’s how we got the name. Of course during the off-season we are going to freak out a little, or in this case, a lot. Big deal. Don’t take any of it too seriously, most of the people calling for DD to be traded are simply worried that he not being signed will affect the Kings chances of winning their first Stanley Cup, in a year in which they have a very legitimate chance to do so. Take those comments with a grain of salt. As Chris said in a post above yours, “Most of us ( including me ) are just impatient.” Exactly Chris!

[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:20 pm
@5holer, yea that is true but some people are saying what is true for them and they just putting it out there regardless if they see it or not.They just want other people that agrees with them or not.They have their right for their own opinion just like u have urs on this post.

[Reply]
Donald_S Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:33 pm
@5holer,

If it’s so unimportant, why spend so many words being so negative about the posts here? The purpose of this message board is so people can gripe/argue/praise/ponder/speculate about the Kings. Just like you are doing. ‘Polishing up your whining abilities’ is pretty insulting. Do you think what you’ve written is all that different? Think about it. You think DD is proceeding as he should? Great. But let’s keep the comments to him and the Kings, not about the other posters. Thanks, from all of us.

[Reply]
408kingsfan Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:08 pm
@Donald_S, did someone turn up the heat on ths thread or what he he

[Reply]
Dd says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:47 pm

Jason Allison, Adam Deadmarsh, Ziggy Palffy. The Kings know the pain of losing a talented high priced player to injury. DL has set a cap sealing on all players, Kovelchuk, Richardson, the highest per season average for elite goal scorers was $6.5 million, how can he justify paying a defenseman who had a somewhat of a down year last year more than top NHL goal scorers. I see this playing out the same way Rob Blake went every contract. If he really thinks he is worth that much, then do a sign and trade for players and draft picks to build the future. How are Bedrosian’s numbers and salary?

[Reply]
ta says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:49 pm

First of all, yes I want DD to sign as much as anyone here. But relax everyone. Camp isn’t opening for a few weeks. And DL just said that they just made DD the offer a couple of days ago. Any prior talks weren’t reasonable ones. So why is this DD fault? Now if it comes out later and DD holds out and didn’t sign a reasonable deal then i will reconsider some of this trade DD talk.

[Reply]
408kingsfan says:

August 31, 2011 at 6:57 pm

One things for certain, this years team has all the talent any NHL team could handle. I guess I just expected a smooth contract negotiation with Doughty and anything less reminds me of the O’Sullivan fiasco

[Reply]
5holer Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:24 pm
@408kingsfan, But that “fiasco” as you call it, turned out great for the LA Kings…can you say Justin Williams? The better comparison is the Michael Cammalleri Bust! Gave him away for next to nothing…apologies to Brad Richardson, but he ain’t equal value!…plus a throw away draft pick as I recall! Contentious these negotiations are not! Sully was then and is now, a throw away player, so its hard to compare that “road apple” with “this diamond”! Bad analogy to me, cause this negotiation is not Contentious at all…the others were! Otherwise, I agree about the talent assessment you make! Its pretty dam good and has a great deal of potential to be getting better as they play together as a unit! I’m all in there! From upstairs, to the bench, to the locker room, and to the scratch list game to game, it looks dam good on paper all over! Cudos to Liewecke too for sticking to the “Plan”!

[Reply]
Kingsfanone says:

August 31, 2011 at 7:18 pm

Off topic I guess, but Staples Center got the ice painted today. A nice touch for the red line is a series of little outline crowns in it. Ethan Moreau was there talking with Luc on the rink.

[Reply]
ziggyfan says:

August 31, 2011 at 7:19 pm

We, as fans will forget all about this once he is signed and he performed of old DD of two years ago not last year. But, if he stinks the way he did last year, we want him out of here. He is without doubt, the most talented young defenseman we have but the problem with him last year seemed to me was between his ears. At times I wondered whether he could go thru doors or not for, he seemed to grow huge head – too much too soon with Olympic recognition and Norris nomination.

He hasn’t done much yet to demand the highest paid player on the team if that is wnat he wants. I do hope though, he comes back with good head on his shoulders and be a part of Stanley Cup run soon with us.

[Reply]
5holer Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 7:32 pm
@ziggyfan, Not between his ears so much as it was lower! Further down the anatomy, you know! With all those groupies in the Green Room each game, he was a Stallion with the scent of, let’s say in Must! …well you get it! Ears don’t play into that equation so much! But with his oats in place, he is still a top pick for a Norris again, and a huge part of our game as a team. PS..he was a finalist in each of his last 2 years for the Norris, regardless of what drop you/we think he had in his play this past year!…he got some Norris votes regardless!

[Reply]
jess says:

August 31, 2011 at 7:24 pm

“Hey dude, remember Donut Drama Summer 2011??”

[Reply]
MrMister Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:11 pm
@jess, “Yeah bro, we went on to win The Cup that year……….”

[Reply]
FiG17 says:

August 31, 2011 at 8:18 pm

Waiting for Doughty to sign is like waiting at a red light for an abnormally long time, especially when nobody is going in the direction that has the green. You know the light will eventually change, but come on.

[Reply]
LUCKY Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 8:26 pm
@FiG17, i agree come on

[Reply]
chip Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:51 am
@FiG17, Just go, blow through it, there’s no cops around…the light is probably broken, anyway…

[Reply]
Chris says:

August 31, 2011 at 8:38 pm

It’s safe to say Kings fans are nearing the limit of what we can take. The most important issues are not the money, NTC, or the number of years. It’s the amount of time we spend each day hoping that Drew has signed or looking for any new (read rehashed) information on whether Drew may sign soon.

[Reply]
Zebra Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 9:07 pm
@Chris, I could not agree more….

[Reply]
Gislaw says:

August 31, 2011 at 9:09 pm

Regardless of what happens with DD, the Kings will always be the Kings and thus, I will be a happy man. The only problems in life worth worrying about are the ones that you can control.

Go Kings!..only 31 days until the Fury!

[Reply]
OCKingsFan says:

August 31, 2011 at 9:20 pm

I’m 87% confident DD will be signed before camp opens. BUT, if he isn’t, and DL offered decent money (6.5 mil for 7 years?), then the vindictive part of me takes over. I hear he likes the L.A. scene… how about trading him to Winnipeg for Byfuglien (He’s signed for 5 more years at a cap hit of 5.25 mil), and their 1st and 2nd round picks?

[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 10:38 pm
@OCKingsFan, Throw Ladd or Kane in there with Byfuglien and the picks, and we’ll talk.

[Reply]
KH Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:55 am
@OCKingsFan, DD is asking to be the highest paid king, which is well over 6.5 mil a year so expect to see a contract with figures over that…

[Reply]
chip Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:55 am
@OCKingsFan, Winnipeg would likely counter with: “Doughty, plus Clifford”, no picks”.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:46 am
@OCKingsFan, Dustin Byfuglien is a beast ! Chicago doesnt win the cup without him. That being said, it will take more then him for Doughty.

[Reply]
Kings x says:

August 31, 2011 at 9:23 pm

we are anxious for the season to start and there really is nothing else hockey-wise talk talk about, so DD is under every fan’s microscope. most points are valid, some are ludicrous…everyone is entitled to their opinion. I wish he wpould sign a reasonable long term contract so we can put the topic to bed and get ready for a kick butt season.

[Reply]
King Doughnuts says:

August 31, 2011 at 9:33 pm

For someone who wanted to play for Los Angeles so much during his draft year, it sure sounds like he want find his way out of Los Angeles ASAP by becoming an UFA!

Which is pretty sad. DB, Kopitar and JMFJ all want to be here and they took care of business and signed long term.

DD is wearing out his welcome with Kings fans quickly. I wonder if besides Meehan, is DD being advised by Rob Blake?

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:16 am
@King Doughnuts, i am not going to comment on Doughty unless he doseny sign by training camp. As far as Rob Blake goes, our organization was not as good as some of the elite teams in the league when Rob refused to re-sign here many years ago so I have nothing against him.

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 8:45 am
@puck73,

I am not commenting on anyone not commenting until something occurs upon which I feel the need to comment. AKA – I agree with you and will not comment other than to say I hope he signs (and soon).

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@DesertKing, @puck73, Till tomorrow right?
Brown23 says:

August 31, 2011 at 10:27 pm

This crap is getting REALLY OLD NOW. Get it OVER WITH ALREADY. GEEZ!!!

Better yet, just trade the stubborn selfish punk elsewhere because he is gonna be a headache later down the line, just like Rob Blake was.

[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 11:02 pm
@Brown23, Stubborn Selfish Punk, really? I understand you wanting DD to be signed already, and I’m with you on that one, but calling him a stubborn selfish punk is a little harsh. He hired an agent, an agent who represents the top 2 RFA’s this off season. His job is to make his clients happy, and make them the most amount of money. He’s doing his job. Drew’s salary will affect Luke Schenn’s salary. Even if Drew told him to get it done immediately, his agent would tell Drew to wait a little longer so that it doesn’t negatively affect Schenn’s salary. Drew’s responsibility is to keep his mouth shut, and wait until his agent has some news for him. If training camp comes and he’s still unsigned, then Drew can tell his agent to get him signed right away. It doesn’t reaaly matter if Drew signs tomorrow or 2 days before training camp.

[Reply]
Dominick says:

September 1, 2011 at 12:07 am

Man! I went through the comments and feel dirty now. DD is this, and DD is that. Honestly people! DD is none of those things. He’s waiting for a deal like everybody else. DL isn’t bad mouthing DD, and doesn’t even seem pissed that it’s taking so long. In fact! he seems confident a deal will get done.

If DL isn’t pissed, and calling DD greedy, how is it that so many panicking, punch drunk Kingsfans are? You should all be ashamed of yourselves. This is a worse reaction than Ducksfans last year with Bobby Ryan. In fact, I haven’t seen this much hyperbole over a player since everybody was ragging on JJ for a misunderstanding with some comments by DL, and everyone was wrong there too. Just a bunch of people pissed over nothing.

[Reply]
LittleRhody Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:31 am
@Dominick, I wholeheartedly agree.

[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:07 am
@LittleRhody, So do I. The guy is a defensive superstar and young. DD should try and get all the money he can.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:39 am
@Poorman,
I’ve mentioned this before. There’s other issues to be had here. Who controls DD’s future is another aspect of this negotiation that none of the “DD’s greedy” people are taking into consideration. Their just assuming it’s not enough for DD, even though they have nothing to base that off of. DL made an offer. DD didn’t sign it. That’s all we know. Meehan isn’t saying anything, and DD himself said “none of it’s true” when he talked about what people are saying.

You know, that old saying about what assuming makes out of me and you? That’s probably true about everybody.

King Cobra Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 6:40 pm
@Poorman, The “Superstar” label is premature and not proven yet……

Bama Kings Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:34 pm
@Poorman, ahahahahahahhahahahahahahhah… ok, I feel better.

Ducksuck Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:38 am
@Dominick, CBA this upcoming season I would sign him for 1 year personally, but his agent is smart and knows this is the year to go for the big money! Kopitar has a cap hit of 6.8, Richards has a cap hit of 5.75, and JJ cap hit is 4.357. Is DD really worth more than those 3?

We the fans don’t know what is going on behind closed doors. But relate us to Duck fans is kind of a slap in the face. Let’s put it this way, DD better sign before training camp. This is the year the Kings really have a shot at the cup. After this season the team loses or has to resign Stoll, Penner, and Mitchell. Others like Parse and Westie won’t be too hard, but it really depends on what DD signs for. My point is the team doesn’t need distractions and the fans don’t need to be related to the Ducks.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@Ducksuck, Yea. I was listening to an interview with the mayor where he mentioned a 2 year deal, and it makes perfect sense. The Kings are not allowed to negotiate a new contract till the last year of a remaining contract. On a 2 year deal the Kings would be able to re-open talks next summer, giving both sides a full season to step back and take a breath. Then they’d have another full season next season to try and reach a deal, and more money will be free’d up for a contract (if that’s even an issue).

If a long term deal cannot be reached right now, this is the most sensible compromise.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 5:29 pm
@Ducksuck, Also, I just reread your comments. I went on the Ducks blog to mess with them a little about Ryan last year, and they weren’t near as panicky as Kingsfans are now with DD. Take that how you will, but that’s not something I would make up..

[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@Dominick, it sounds like the sticking point in all of this is more about length of contract, rather than about actual dollar amounts. Doughty is a young guy, and I’m sure anything over five years to him seems like a lifetime. As much as we’d all like to see hime as a life-long King, I’m sure he might have some reservations about committing his whole career to an organization that has never actually won anything yet. Of course DL wants as many prime years as he can get out of him, so hence the back and forth nature of these things.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:55 pm
@PP Anybody?, I agree. The fact that DL revised options on different lengths, and different prices, tells me that the length may just be where things are stalled. DL doesn’t seem worried though, and I’m sure he knows exactly what his offers are good for. If he gets more control, he’ll pay more, if he doesn’t than he’ll pay less. DD wants that control also, so its easy to see how things can stall.

[Reply]
Agame says:

September 1, 2011 at 2:49 am

Some good news from Slovenian news paper.I don’t have the will to translate so I put it through google translate.

Like every year, also this summer the 23-year passed without any major features. Anze Kopitar Since one of the biggest pros in the Slovenian sport, there was no rest day at sea, but took with his father and brother Matjaz Gašper in the heat of preparing for athletic field, ice, and in the gym. He says the results are visible all training. “Well I’m ready. I was on the ice for more than a month, so I will soon get used to the pitch. Training Program was very similar to previous years, but we have a little more complete, and it was even more difficult. I helped you with Pilates, which can be further increased in the hull, “says Los Angeles the first tube, which is in Bled ice hall practicing with some Slovenian legionnaires (Andrej Hocevar, Ingar Thomas, Rodman’s brother, Jacob Milovanović …).

Insidious damage to the ankle, which is also due to miss the culmination of last season, Kopitar is already past, which according to its exceptional physical fitness is not surprising. Furthermore, the ankle began to go through all the effort even faster than it anticipated medical service in the United States. “Bead me a really good serve. Weekly, I was in convoy with the club physio and doctor, as I have reported them how to search for answers. They were happy,” he explained Kopitar, who was a precautionary reasons, prefer to cancel playing recreational soccer and basketball which are in addition to his golf very close.

In the new season, Anze wishes to improve personal statistics, which was already far superior, club goal is to skip the first round of extensions in the NHL, which the king failed in the past two years. “Always such a way that an athlete striving for this to be better every year. If I could, all of which would improve a little bit, but it is very important start of the championships, as you winning the team and everyone quickly gained confidence,” he reveal their preferences, the most exposed Slovenian hockey player who believes that the Los Angeles due to active participation in the summer market in the new hockey season came to occupy an even more competitive than in the past.

[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:23 am
@Agame, I hope this translated accurately “Anze wishes to improve personal statistics” because if he plays his sound, solid defense AND looks to shot more and put it in the net, he’s going to win the Selke AND Richard AND possibly the Hart, on top of taking the Stanley!!! What a year that would make!

[Reply]
JDB says:

September 1, 2011 at 5:14 am

Keep drinking that kool aid. DD will need to hire a PR guy with the millions the Kings will over pay him. Last time I checked, the agent works for DD. DD can sign when ever he is ready. Brown and Kopi signed fast with no drama and both make enough money to take care of their families fir generations. Take a quote from Weaver who just took less cash to stay with the Angels, also against his agent’s wishes. This is a joke people!

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 5:35 am
@JDB,
If you felt you were getting low-balled by your employer, would you look to maximize your earnings potential either with your emoployer or someone else? I probably would.
I’m not saying the Kings are low-balling him, or that DD is being greedy…
It’s the process, let it work itself out.

[Reply]
JDB Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:23 am
@nykingfan, Agree. We’ll have to let it work itself out and see. Once the smoke clears, we will all have a better understanding of what has REALLY been happening over the last few months…who offered what etc. I just have a hard time believing the Kings low balled him (below market). Who knows, maybe that is the case or maybe it is not the money but term that DD is not happy with. We will all soon find out. All I’m saying is, if we find out later that it was a difference between a few million over a long term deal that DD was waiting for, that will not sit well with me. We’ll see.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@JDB,

even if it was over a few million, I still can’t get upset over it as long as he’s in camp day 1 ready to go.
Sports and greed go together like hookers and herpes lol

vplaza Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:29 am
@JDB,

Don’t forget that JJ also signed with no drama.

Not sayin’ he’s DD’s caliber, but the fact that this is being drawn out gives the perception that DD is more concerned about his wallet than the team. (Note that I said “perception”, not “reality”, since none of us here knows what’s going on in his head.)

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@vplaza,

I think the difference between the 2 situations doesn’t have anything to do with who’s better or not.
JJ’s negotiations were done quietly during the season. There was no immediate deadline that JJ had to be signed by, so the attention wasn’t there the way it is with DD.
It’s the off-season, which means there’s nothing else to think about other than our own RFA’s… With DD, there is a hard and fast deadline..Opening of training camp.

[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:34 pm
@nykingfan,

Yes, each situation has its unique aspects, so it’s difficult to compare one to the other. But because this is being dragged out like this when virtually every other player of worth has signed for their respective teams and our own important players signed their deals without much fanfare puts this situation under such an intense microscope.

Perception is reality to many people, however, so we see what we see on this blog.
nykingfan says:

September 1, 2011 at 5:40 am

We’re still a couple of weeks away from camp opening. That’s a lifetime in negotiations.
As i’ve mentioned before, nothing gets done until it has to get done.
I think both sides are smart enough to realize that a holdout helps nobody, but hurts everybody.
The fact that the sides are speaking and it’s amicable gives me confidence that this will get done in time.
I recall the Sully negotiations when he held out..DL was honest with the fans when after seeing the ptroposals made by Sully’s people that their was going to be a problem signing him. I’ve heard no such talk from DL with the Doughty negotiations.
Keep the gfaith people and forget the silly trade thoughts. We are not winning a cup without DD on the team..The reality is their really is no fair offer out there for a guy with his potential.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:27 am
@nykingfan, I agree. As far as Patrick Osullivan was concerned, looking back on it, it seems funny now that Sully would hold out. Sully has alot of talent, but somehow I dont think he will ever maximize it.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:39 am
@puck73,

It sure doesn’t look like it. I liked Sully a lot and thought he made great strides under Crawford..as far as the definsive side of the game.
DL was right in not igiving in to his demands.
I trust DL to do the right think with DD.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:48 am
@nykingfan, Andre ST.Laurent would never hold out.

nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 8:08 am
@puck73,

LOL Andre knew better.
The team would ask HIM to hold out for less!

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 8:14 am
@nykingfan, Speaking of those great Islander teams, do you think if Doughty stays healthy most of his career that he could ever be as good as Dennis Potvin ?

nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:15 pm
@puck73,
I certainly think he can. Potvin was a great all around defenseman. He was an offensive force, a smart defender, and never was shy about throwing his body around.
DD has all of those attributes..he just needs to put them all together with consistency.
If I recall, Potvin was drafted in 73 (same year as Andre) and the Islanders didnt’ become a cup contender for several years after that.. Potvin had time to develop and gain the experience that made him the hall of fame player he was and allowed him to be a leader with those amazing teams.
I really never thought about Potvin when thinking about the ceiling of DD, ut now that you’ve brought it up, they are similar players.

[Reply]
JDB Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@nykingfan, I liked the herpes and hookers comment..that’s funny. Ok, so if DD holds out you better be there to pile on with me! If he on the ice Day 1 of camp, I will be the first to reply to your posting admiting I was too hard on the guy. Deal?

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:12 pm
@JDB,
Thanks The sad part is as I was responding back, it came into my head. I’m a little warped!

You got a deal. If he’s not there for day 1 I will be very pissed. This is the first time realistically we are a true contender for the cup. To not have arguably your best and most important player in camp due to a contract stalemate is totally unacceptable. I will blame all parties..DL, DD, and Bettman.
why Bettman? Why not! lol

[Reply]
deadcatbounce says:

September 1, 2011 at 6:12 am

Everybody wants news about the progress of negotiations for Doughty, but if there were news reports about “they’re this or that much far apart”, you guys would be ripping him for negotiating through the press, so my thought is just that you can’t have it both ways. It’ll get done. Training camp isn’t even here so there’s no need to panic.

[Reply]
salami says:

September 1, 2011 at 6:25 am

Why does everybody who’s negotiating a deal become “greedy”? It’s business people. When you go for a new job you negotiate as hard as you can for the best salary you can get. This is no different. As a player, Drew understands that he has to essentially stay out of it. As his agent, Meehan is doing his job by trying to get his client the best deal possible. Just because they haven’t come to terms yet doesn’t mean either side is being unreasonable. If Dewey’s camp was really being unreasonable, he would have been traded by now. It’s all part of the game. It just has to run its course.

[Reply]
NOT IMPRESSED Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:31 am
@salami, There is a correlation between DD’s contract and the fans. If you have no problem spending $171.00 for one ticket at center ice or paying over $50.00 for the nose bleed section then no problem. Personally I’m no longer a fan of DD.

[Reply]
SDGolfer Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:08 am
@NOT IMPRESSED, or you could do neither.

[Reply]
Deke'r Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED, No problem….if you don’t pay the price somebody else will. Name one sport where the ticket prices haven’t gone up, hell it cost thirteen bucks to see a movie!

[Reply]
Mike McGriff says:

September 1, 2011 at 7:00 am

Drew Doughty doesn’t deserve to be the highest paid King YET and doesn’t deserve to be paid over twice what Jack Johnson is paid! He has the capability of finalizing the contract if he chooses but he is to greedy. Obviously not a team player.

[Reply]
Kings in CO says:

September 1, 2011 at 7:23 am

If he sign’s for the long term deal, he better get his a** in gear, get in shape and get to the next level and stay there.

[Reply]
scvking says:

September 1, 2011 at 7:27 am

The process is playing out, and pretty much the way reasonable people expected that it would.

DD has an agent, who is doing his job and attempting to get the best deal possible for his client. If he wasn’t doing that, the agent would be guilty of malpractice.

Every negotiation is unique. Stamkos signed because he and the team had certain parameters that allowed for an agreement. The team was willing to do a 5 year term and that was acceptable to Stamkos. The $ figure obviously was acceptable to both sides, and the deal got done. Why the team accepted the term, who knows? But they did, and it got done. That was business between the player, agent and team and the agreement was unique to that situation. It has very little to do with the DD situation, although the figures can be used in the discussion.

DD’s agent and DL are negotiating. Either it gets done between the two before camp opens will be determined. At this point, we have no strong evidence as to how much input DD has, other than to let the agent do the job DD hired him to do. Has DD told his agent what term and $ he will accept? We don’t know.

DL has his own agenda on what he wants the deal to look like, and he is doing the work to get as much as he can.

If this does not get done and camp is approaching, DD will have a decision to make as to whether to holdout, or accept an offer that is on the table, or pressure his agent to get a deal done. Until then, this is all about the process. And this is why it is called a negotiation.

Up to this point, no damage has been done. And any speculation as to how this effects the offseason preparation by DD is meaningless, as it is just fans talking without access to that information.

There is, so far, no evidence to support any commentary that suggests DD, DL or the agent are acting inappropriately.

[Reply]
Zorzi Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:35 am
@scvking, Well DD could attend training camp without signing the contract, right?

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:43 am
@Zorzi,
That’s up to the team.
The Kings did not let Sully practice with the club without a signed contract.
It also makes no sense for DD to show up without the contract signed.
He can be insured for injury, but it woouldn’t equal the amount of the impending contract $$.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:44 am
@Zorzi, he cant do that unless he has a signed contract. as of right now, Doughty is not an employee of the Los Angeles Kings until he has some sort of contract with the Kings.

[Reply]
scvking Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 8:33 am
@Zorzi,

Which is never going to happen. And completely beside the point.

Conceivably, this could become a nightmare, but we are not all that close to it at this point.

Time is the enemy in these situations. Each side, especially the player, believes if they had only waited, a better deal was out there. Not necessarily true, but the possibility exists that a better offer is possible the longer it goes on.

This just has to play out, and we have to exercise patience, which is in short supply here with some.

I believe this will get done prior to camp, and I hope I am right. Time will tell.

[Reply]
DesertKing says:

September 1, 2011 at 7:43 am

Hello, you have reached the voicemail for Dean Lombardi, general manager of the even-better-than-last-year LA Kings. Sorry, I am preparing my speech for HockeyFest and can’t come to the phone right now. Please follow the prompts. If this is Doughty’s agent, why the heck are you calling me on this line when you have my cell phone on speed dial? No wonder we can’t wrap this thing up. If this is another uniform company, please press “9″ and ask for some guy named McGowan. If this is the Elite Gentleman’s Softball League, I already told you that we won’t know if Penner is available for a trade to your league until the midpoint of the season. If this is the doctor who worked on JW and Anze, the bonus is in the mail. If this is the SyFy channel calling to see if Ethan Moreau is available to do a remake of “Dr. Moreau’s Island”, forget it. If this is the Hockey Hall of Fame, hell yeah Vachon should be in there. If this anyone from the Edmonton front office, please hang up and dial “911″ and report yourself and your organization to the police. If this is Rich Hammond calling about your contract extension, yes, it is a lock, especially since you just sold out 20 suites for two games and AEG is pretty happy about it. For everyone else, leave a message or dial “0″ for the operator. Oh, and have a nice day.

[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:44 am
@DesertKing,

Dude that’s some funny/clever sh** right there!!!!!!!!

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:46 am
@DesertKing, Nothing like a little entertainment this morning, thanx.

[Reply]
loskingpride Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:58 am
@DesertKing, I’m glad I come to this site instead of typing up an essay for my history class

[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:08 am
@DesertKing,

Outstanding!

Great morning read! Thanx, dude!

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:00 am
@DesertKing, Good one. As I was reading I was just waiting for the Oiler phone response. I would of said something like “If this is the Oiler’s management please leave Bettman the draft pick required and if not my lawyers phone number is ….

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:07 am
@KC23,

I like it!

[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:07 am
@DesertKing,

It’s stuff like this that make’s this site so special.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:35 am
Hello!…..Heelllooo!…….. Is this thing on? I didn’t hear a beep. This is Tambellini calling to apologize………pick up the phone Dean, I know your there screening your phone calls. Heeeelllllloooooo!……………………………..Screw it, Take me to court!…………………………………..(Whisper)I’m really sorry…Click!

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:43 am
@Dominick, lol

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:57 am
@Dominick,

Funniest thing yet!! I bet Shakes would be proud! I bet Tambellini has a voice like Cartman’s.

[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:58 am
@DesertKing, @Dominick,

You guys are killing me! Fantastic stuff in the morning, better than the smell of napalm.

DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:20 pm
@Kingsfanone

It smells like Victory!! And always remember, Charlie don’t surf!

Eric K Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@DesertKing, Hm, Tambellini as Cartman…

“Butters: Let’s make a list of all the things you have to atone for!
Tambellini: Let’s see. I broke Mr. Anderson’s fence and never told him about it.
Butters: (writing) Broke fence…
Tambellini: … I dumped a player on the Kings who was injured and didn’t tell them about it. I buried a decent NHL player in the minors to avoid his enormous salary. I traded a player to LA who would be better as a cleanup hitter for a softball team. Oh yeah, and there’s this one kid whose parents I had killed and then made into chili which I fed to the kid.
Butters: … Wow.”

DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:15 pm
@Erick K

Tamellini: (whine) “Gaaarry, Dean is being mean to me” (sniffle)
Bettman: “Thats alright dear, he is just a big mean GM and thats what they do. Heres some cocoa”
DL: “I hate that lying fat @+&”
Tambellini: (sniffle)”Are talking to me or Gaaarryyy?”
DL: “I ain’t tellin. I don’t have any more money in my wallet. Now shut up”

The sad thing is, I didn’t een know or care abut that show unitl I saw Cartman on the screen at Staples hitting that duck witha slapshot and chanting “Go Kings Go!!”

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
@DesertKing, T…..T…..Timmmaaay?
Mike McGriff says:

September 1, 2011 at 8:12 am

Given all of the mistakes a “young” Drew Doughty makes on the ice (and without hammering me to hard), how do you guys think Viatcheslav Voynov would fit in his place? He would have to put on 15lbs by next year. At least he is hungry and his game hasn’t dropped off over the last two years.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@Mike McGriff, Defenseman that DD don’t come very often. It’s possible Voynov could be at that level, but certainly not likley.

[Reply]
LA_1968 says:

September 1, 2011 at 9:17 am

One major problem is that DD wants a no trade clause. DL doesn’t like that. If someday DD wants to coast then there’s not much DL can do with him. Or if someday DL wants to trade him for more offense then it will be twice as hard because you have to find a team to make a deal, plus DD has to agree. The NTC makes DD less valuable.

[Reply]
scvking Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:26 am
@LA_1968,

Do we actually know that this is even an issue, outside of hypothesizing on the part of some?

Frankly, I do not follow the daily “details” of this ongoing negotiation, so maybe it is “fact”.

I suspect that there has or will be discussion of a movement clause, but I am not sure they are even at the point on that at this time.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:56 am
@LA_1968, Never heard that from either side. If it is an issue I believe you have broken the story.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:51 am
@KC23, There hasn’t even been a report that the money isn’t enough for DD, but that hasn’t stopped people from speculating that it is.

[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@Dominick, I spent an hour looking for the quote. I cannot find it. It was either from Hextall or Lombardi and was posted on this site in either a column by Rich or a video interview. It was a 45-60 days ago. That’s my memory. Lombardi is very coy with his words and so his (or Hex) mentioning the lack of flexibility that comes with no trade clauses while discussing DD contract progress is meaningful. If you wait for DL to come out and say in black and white what the problem is when relating to negotiations (or almost anything) you’re going to wait forever. Anyway, you don’t have to believe I read this quote here… I don’t blame you if you don’t. I’m going to go back and find it if at all possible.
QUICKsilver says:

September 1, 2011 at 9:43 am

totally unrelated, but, hey Rich, when are you going to switch your site’s design to match the new godawful logo?

[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:49 am
@QUICKsilver,

Guessing when training camp opens or Fan fest day.

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:54 am
@QUICKsilver, Take your time Rich. By the time you get it done King’s management will have yet another new jersey and colors.

[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:18 am
@QUICKsilver, KC23,

How long does it take for a goalie to get his mask painted?
Any news on Quicks mask being painted useing the new colors?
I know about the pads, but have not heard about either goalie
getting a new mask paint job.

[Reply]
XodusMatthew Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:16 pm
@OnTheFly, he posted a couple pics on twitter:
http://yfrog.com/h74jacgj
http://yfrog.com/kf91ehaj

[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 7:51 pm
@XodusMatthew,

TY. guess I need to follow twitter too!

LittleRhody Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@OnTheFly, On his twitter account he has posted the teaser pictures he is getting from the company painting it.

[Reply]
puck73 says:

September 1, 2011 at 10:27 am

ATTENTION KINGS FANS..There will be a pizza get together on Monday September 26th at 7 PM at Nicks Ristorante located at 2300 Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa. This is a get together for people on the blog and a good chance to meet some of your favorite personalities on this site before frozen fury. I scheduled it on a day when the Kings werent playing an exhibition game so it wont get in the way of any of us die hards ! Anyway, I will post a couple of reminders this month about it and look forward to seeing some of you there!

[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:34 am
@puck73,

I’ll be there. Looking forward to meeting you again and more follow bloger’s.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:53 am
@puck73, Count me in. I’ll call you to see if there’s anything I can do to help.

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:55 am
@puck73,

Good idea, but unfortuantely to far to drive for a Monday. Have fun

[Reply]
OC Hip Check Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:41 am
@puck73, SWEET!!! I live in CM so I will be there!

[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:05 pm
@puck73,

Barring me being a sickie again, I plan on being there. Getting back to where I grew up will be fun, as well as seeing the crew! It will be a great time!

[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:09 pm
@puck73, I can’t think of a better day(my late mothers birthday)or better place to be than celebrating with you Puck,and any Kings Insider fan,hopefully I can make it,thanks.

[Reply]
McCheese says:

September 1, 2011 at 10:32 am

Bob Miller signs a 2-year extension to take him to 40 years! Congrats to Bob and hooray for all of us who get to enjoy his amazing talents for at least 2 more years!

[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:35 am
@McCheese,

Thought he had a lifetime contract. WTG Bob.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:39 am
@McCheese, Thats good to hear thanx. I havent told people this on this site but Bob Miller is the reason that I am a Kings fan. When I was 10, I really wasnt interested in hockey until I heard Bob on the air in 73-74 season which was his 1st year as well describing the action on KFI 640 back in the day when they shared that station with the Lakers. Bobs descriptions of “Save by Vachon, and he covers up!” and the crowd chanting “Rogie, Rogie” were so exciting to me that I became hooked instantly…and hockey was the last of the 4 major sports I got into ! And it has been number 1 ever since..Thanx Bob.

[Reply]
McCheese Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:44 am
@puck73, love that! Bob is truly the voice of the Kings. I haven’t been a fan quite that long, but still remember back in the late 80′s and how much I loved, and still love to hear him call a play… any play! BTW, also love the pizza party. Hoping to make it!

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:49 am
@McCheese, Here is my email…mikebrnstn@gmail.com, hope we see you there !

DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 10:54 am
@McCheese,

Dang, that is awesome news. No pressure boys, you have to 2 years to bring a Cup back for Bob!

[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:01 am
@DesertKing, The thought of that actually gets me misty eyed.

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:36 am
@Melissa,

Yeah, me too!

Kingsfanone Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:18 pm
@Melissa,

Don’t get me started!

IceGuy Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@McCheese,
“Miller signs 2 year extension.”
To LA Kings organ-eye-zation:

Gentleman, your Cup Clock has officially started!

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@McCheese, Won’t it be nice for Bob to finish up his career with 2 cups.

[Reply]
Perro says:

September 1, 2011 at 11:32 am

I think this refelct both on what DD expectatins are (and I think they are a too high), but mostly on Lombardi’s inability to sign key, big name free agents, both UFA and RFA.
Toss Lombardi.

[Reply]
Subby Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:46 am
@Perro, basher

[Reply]
Perro Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:55 am
@Subby, well look at it we lost out on Hossa, Kovi, Gaborik, and Richards the past three years. He makes some decent moves but does not seem to be able to land the big fish withot giving up alot.

[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:39 pm
@Perro, troll

[Reply]
Subby says:

September 1, 2011 at 11:43 am

Off topic. I was wondering… a lot of people are saying “oh the kings are making a cup run this year.” “the kings look like a serious cup contender”

How many times in the past forever of hockey have people said that about a team and them actually win The Cup?

Just curious.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:55 am
@Subby,
LOL, Every year. There is cause for celebration to start this year though. Kingsfans have a legitimate reason to be optimistic. At this point all teams are putting themselves in a position to compete for a long season. Some are more ready than others, and the Kings are loading up like never before. Currently the Kings have far exceded expectations (even with the DD contract still on hold), so rejoice. The season will yeild what it yeilds, but the preperation right now should make you happy.

[Reply]
Subby Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 11:57 am
@Dominick, I am happy i just dunnno if I should be getting my hopes up to high.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:10 pm
@Subby,
I hear you. I’ve done it many a times, just to have the rug pulled out from under me, and the roof cave in, year after year. All you can do is look at it logically, and speculate on where you believe things will end up. Things happen all the time, but all you can do is give yourself the best chance to compete.

In the past, there was always a lot of “If the Kings do this”, or “If the Kings do that”, because there was always doubt that the team wasn’t complete, and needed some luck. This year the “If’s” are far less, and the talent is there. The Kings have a legitimate team to compete.

Kingsfanone Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:10 pm
@Subby,

Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Stuart Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@Subby, if you try to check your hopes than you’re actually trying to contain your fandom!!! Let it all hang out! Root with your heart!!! I remember watching the Angels win it all and become champions and tears rolling down my face and thinking to myself at the very moment of all that Angels love “what am I going to be like when the Kings win and raise the cup???” I’ll tell you this much, those will be the hardest, happiest tears I will ever shed!!!

The flip side is that any early exit, or loss in the finals for that matter, will sting more tha it ever has, too. But such is life as a fan of any major sport/team!

My advice, lose yourself in the ride!

GKG

DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@Stuart

Dang Stuart, you made it sound wonderful. I remeber watching the Angels on TV, but tobe there, yeah, I would have cried too. When the Kings win it, we will all cry together and tell everyone we have jalapeno juice from the nachos in our eyes!!

Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@DesertKing,
Not me. When someone see’s me crying, I’ll look at them and say “it’s all right man. It’s not your fault” over and over, until they start crying too. Then I’ll give them a hug, and say “I love you guys”. lol

DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@Dominick

Speechless, and it is your fault
Subby says:

September 1, 2011 at 11:56 am

Kings want to move quick? People are (Insert anything here) stupid sometimes -____-

http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980129268

[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:08 pm
@Subby,

Lets see here:

There are very few really good/great golaies (and JQ is one of them)

There are quite a few really good/great defensemen (just about every team has one)

Why in the heck would we trade a great goalie who is in the game for the entire 60 minutes for a great defenseman (of which we have several already) who may play 20-25 minutes per game?

You hit it Subby, some people (inlcuding the author of this article) are really stupid!

[Reply]
BringBackKingston Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:50 pm
@Subby, maybe that person got tired of writing about DD. back to the topic – the day will come when DL has to choose between goalies. that day is not upon us yet…

[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:15 pm
@Subby, If ever there was a BS rumor that is it. The guy shows no knowledge of the King’s situation stating “the King’s could get another defenseman for Quick”. Defenseman is the strongest aspect of our organization and the last thing we would trade the likes of Quick for.

[Reply]
OnTheFly Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 8:08 pm
@KC23,

All BS. Whomever we would get in a trade would increase the cap space. Both JQ and JB together are 3 mil. Best deal in NHL.

[Reply]
poe says:

September 1, 2011 at 12:04 pm

Comtractual talks by their very nature are adversarial. However, if these talks become inordinatelty protracted, they can become acrimonious. Meehan is notorious for dragging out contractual talks. The more money he gets for his players, the wealthier he becomes. The player, however, suffers in the loss of support of his fan base. Can you not imagine the crowd reaction if DD has some of the same gaffes as last year? This kid is 21 and not made of stone. He will hear the boos, but Meehan will not. The time has come for Dewey’s parents to step in and guide their son to a quick conclusion to this obscenit of a contract “negotiation”. DD decides what he signs….not Meehan!!!

[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:19 pm
@poe, I get what you are saying and agree for the most part, but are you allowed to have so many multi-vowel words on this blog? I thought Rich posted that in the rules on commenting somewhere.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 12:24 pm
@poe,
Stamkos is 21, and Meehan negotiated that contract in a timely manner. Steve-Y just gave Meehan everything he wanted, and didn’t hold out for more concessions. DL is waiting and is a lot more stubborn. Stamkos will be a free agent in 5 years, or Tampa will pay through the nose to keep him. Mark my words, DL will not do that if he has any say so in DD’s contract.

Also some bloggers brought up a good point on another site about timelines. You don’t want Kopi’s contract, and DD’s ending at the same time.

[Reply]
NOT IMPRESSED Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@poe, Really good point. And I agree, maybe Pops Doughty needs to have a talk with his son.

[Reply]
JMan says:

September 1, 2011 at 12:31 pm

If Doughty signed today, EVERY PERSON HERE would be very happy and anyone who said he should be traded would eat their words. I highly doubt anybody would actually be happy if he got traded. Everyone should calm down and let the negotiations take place. It’s all speculation at this point so there is no need to get emotional. Save that for when he sits out the season.

[Reply]
Bama Kings Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 10:48 pm
@JMan, Not me. I’ve wanted to move him since mid season. I have nothing against DD and I’m not mad he’s holding out for money, all of that if fine. For me, it’s strictly strategy. I make my living doing the counter culture thing (in business) when it can pay off big for me or the client.

My thought is simple. Hedge the bet of perception vs. reality. The reality is, he is a kid with one good season an some reasonable upside. The reality is, he MAY be great one day. The reality is, he lacks a lot in his game. The reality is, he isn’t worth anywhere near $7M a year!

Perception, he is the second coming. He is a HOF’er. He is only going to get better. He is a puck moving d-man and they are so rare.

So, the perception in trade value is worth more than the reality in sign value.

Make the trade and net a guarantee (like Schenn for Richards) – except the return would be HUGE! (0r would have been huge if they did this two months ago.)

Nothing against the guy, but we have a stacked D core and plenty more talent. Two great goalies and we could add even more grit to our third line and another scorer to the second line.

I’d trade based on perception 8 out of 10 times vs. signing based on an over payed reality.

[Reply]
LUCKY says:

September 1, 2011 at 1:14 pm

come on sign already

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan says:

September 1, 2011 at 2:26 pm

@Rich Hammond, or anyone else who might be able to answer. Why do some posts or replies have a [Reply] option and some dont? I have wondered that for some time know just never thought to ask.

[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, i think you are referring to when the replies get more than 3 deep, then there is no longer a reply option…is that what you mean?

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@tornado12, I guess thats it. so 3 is the magical #

[Reply]
LittleRhody Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 2:57 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I think the reply function is only 3 levels deep. You can reply to the original post, you can reply to that reply and reply to that and I think that’s it

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:03 pm
@LittleRhody, seems your in agreement with tornado12.I had pondered on it for a while and was wondering.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
The ones that do, means the universe unfolds as it should. The ones that don’t, means somewhere a butterfly loses its wings.

[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 6:19 pm
@Dominick,
And I thought every time a toilet flushes a butterfly dies…
Boy was I wrong…BTW..I’m stunned at some of the comments in this post..

[Reply]
kinginsaltlake says:

September 1, 2011 at 3:00 pm

STOP IT ALREADY! People it’s been said, ” He is not a holdout” Give this kid a break. We all want to see him playing for the Kings. We all want him to sign, yesterday. We are not him, he has his own choices. Let him make them. Look I’ve already offered the dude my left nut, he won’t take it. He is going to do want is right for him and his family. Relax People. When crossing a bridge, wait till you get there to cross. Don’t fall for the fried ice cream. Let things unfold first before you start posting what you might think is right. We all are a bit angry about it all. In the words of Rodney King, “Can we all just get along” Get off Drew’s back. Oh and to all who been bagging on JmfJ, back off him too. Dude proved he’s a King with the 7 years he signed last season.

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@kinginsaltlake, How do you know he wouldnt take your left nut? maybe Meehan hasnt made him aware of that offer yet…. Maybe offer your right one as well and then Meehan will have you by the balls as well!

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:42 pm
@kinginsaltlake,
Yep. Technically camp hasn’t even started yet, so he can’t be a hold out, till he actually holds out from something. Just because he hasn’t signed a contract yet, doesn’t make him a hold out, because he has the right (per CBA rules) to wait all summer if he chooses. There’s no rule stating he has to sign during the summer, just to make panicking Kingsfans happy. He’s not even the one doing the negotiating from what I’ve read. People should let the professionals (like Meehan, and Lombardi) do their jobs, and stop bad mouthing DD.

[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@kinginsaltlake, just because the guy signed here without an agent doesnt excuse him from being a minus 80 over 4 seasons. Jack Johnson still has a WHOLE LOTTA work to do. And here is something else to think about Charlie, he may not have as much time as you think. With defenseman like Muzzin, Deslauriers, Hickey, Voynov,Forbert, and Campbell all coming, JJ better straighten his game out fast. Being a minus 5 is one thing, being a minus 20 or worse consistently like JJ with his talent is totally unacceptable. And remember this, Doughty plays top 4 minutes like Scuderi and Mitchell and none of them are a minus player like JJ, not even close !

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:02 pm
@puck73,
If that -80 was such a negative then why isn’t the rest of the NHL crucifying JJ in the media? Whenever an anylist, or pundit talks about the Kings great young talent, the first 2 names that pop up are JJ, and DD. Quick is a 3rd, and Bernier is 4rth. There are no excuses for JJ’s terrible number, I’ll give you that, but the +/- stat is not a complete stat, and there are more defining charactaristics to JJ’s game that aren’t quantified in that stat.

Ask Mitchell where he thinks JJ ranks, talent wise. He gets a closer look than anybody.

[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 4:13 pm
@Dominick, +/- stats aside, JJ is a great young talent period. But, he does leave something to be desired when it comes to the defensive side of the puck. His positioning and ability to read the play seems to be a step behind. Does that make him a terrible dman? NO. was paul coffey a terrible Dman? the HOF didnt think so. Every team needs offense from the blue line to be successful and JJ is our best offensive dman (IMO). The bright side is, he is still young and can and i believe will improve his defensive skills. He has all the tools (hence WM’s quote). he is much stronger and more skilled than DD. what DD has in abundance is what I refer to the ‘it’ factor. his hockey IQ is off the charts, making up for his lack of physical attributes. that is the major difference between DD and JJ.

vplaza Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 6:51 pm
@puck73,

Personally, I give JJ more slack because his value to the team goes beyond the plus/minus stat. I think he will improve in that area. His contributions on the offensive side makes this team more of a threat than some people give him credit for. Without his early scoring early in the season last year, I doubt ghe team would have been in the playoffs.

As long as he doesn’t cost the team games with defensive lapses (and every d-man had those last year, even DD), I’m good with JJ. And it can’t be overstated that he chose to handle his contract without any hassles or making a big deal of the thing. To me, these say more about him than his plus/minus stats.

[Reply]
kinginsaltlake Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 9:04 pm
@puck73, There is a reason why we call J “mf” J The “mf” means exactly what we mean. Yes he’s a mother f@#$@@#$%er, but we still have his back. +/- whatever?

[Reply]
Cortex949 says:

September 1, 2011 at 3:10 pm

I’m rolling on the floor laughing. My friends sister just got hired by the ducks to be an ice girl. At least I’ll get tix to the sux kings games now hahaha

[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:13 pm
@Cortex949, even though she’s an Anaslime ice girl its still cool! she must be easy on the Peepers. Congrats to her!

[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:28 pm
@Cortex949, sux for you that friends sisters are off limits!

[Reply]
Cortex949 Reply:
September 1st, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@tornado12, yea I said to him when he told me “yeah your sister is pretty hot” hahah. They are from Toronto and she is a leafs fan tho

[Reply]
jet says:

September 1, 2011 at 6:18 pm

November 21st, DD signs for 2 years at 2.9M per year.

[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:14 am
@jet,
Cool! early thanksgiving present to get everybody in the Christmas spirit.

[Reply]
Mike McGriff says:

September 2, 2011 at 9:09 am

The fans pay DD’s salary and have a right to be concerned about his progress. Fans see this as a year to go deep into the playoffs maybe win it all and are anxious to see DD sign. We don’t want to see him come to camp out of shape and play catch up like last year. Heck, he probably could have worked out his own salary terms and came out the same place by removing Meehan’s cut of the salary pie, and got it done expeditiously. I’m not saying that is the most responsible way of negotiating, but where is the happy medium? With the economy in disrepair, a lot of his fans resent his greedy approach.

[Reply]
DustinK1 says:

September 2, 2011 at 9:19 am

LGK

[Reply]
henry says:

September 2, 2011 at 10:50 am

forget him if he can’t live on 5 mill a season. stay home and eat dounuts. and watch the kings on t.v watch voynov take your roster slot. watch hickey /martinez quarterback the powerplay. remeber you have too play to get your name on the cup.

[Reply]
Mike McGriff Reply:
September 2nd, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@henry, DD hasn’t improved his play, if anything he has gone down hill. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy watching him play and having him on the Kings, but he needs to improve over the next couple of years then renegotiate for the top dollar on the Kings.

[Reply]
Dan S. says:

September 2, 2011 at 12:52 pm

IMO.. Great defenseman in this league are hard to come by. True superstars, like Coffey, Bourque, Pronger, Nedermeyer and Blake. DD is no superstar, yet, but is on his way. Players today are most assured salaries that will now escalate in their mid twenties, when they become UFA.

I am DD fan, but up to a point. Until he can lead us to the promised land (2nd round), he deserves no more than what the top 10 defensman in the league average, at least over the next few years.

[Reply]
Kingspup71 says:

September 2, 2011 at 6:19 pm

As long as he is signed by training camp I’m not worried. It’s something to watch out for and look forward to over the summer. It’s not like it’s really a matter of if it happens, just when.

[Reply]
Bama Kings says:

September 2, 2011 at 10:48 pm

I’ve wanted to move him since mid season. I have nothing against DD and I’m not mad he’s holding out for money, all of that if fine. For me, it’s strictly strategy. I make my living doing the counter culture thing (in business) when it can pay off big for me or the client.

My thought is simple. Hedge the bet of perception vs. reality. The reality is, he is a kid with one good season an some reasonable upside. The reality is, he MAY be great one day. The reality is, he lacks a lot in his game. The reality is, he isn’t worth anywhere near $7M a year!

Perception, he is the second coming. He is a HOF’er. He is only going to get better. He is a puck moving d-man and they are so rare.

So, the perception in trade value is worth more than the reality in sign value.

Make the trade and net a guarantee (like Schenn for Richards) – except the return would be HUGE! (0r would have been huge if they did this two months ago.)

Nothing against the guy, but we have a stacked D core and plenty more talent. Two great goalies and we could add even more grit to our third line and another scorer to the second line.

I’d trade based on perception 8 out of 10 times vs. signing based on an over payed reality.

[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
September 5th, 2011 at 8:25 am
@Bama Kings, Making some good points with this post…..

[Reply]
Csaba Bhody says:

September 4, 2011 at 1:09 pm

TRADE HIM! Let’s finish this nonsense…

[Reply]
LUCKY Reply:
September 4th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@Csaba Bhody, i agree nobody is worth as much money as he wants

[Reply]
Csaba Bhody Reply:
September 5th, 2011 at 10:56 pm
@LUCKY, Yes, nobody…

[Reply]
Nyck says:

September 4, 2011 at 1:47 pm

However much Couture just got, should be the ceiling for whatever Doughty wants, because last I checked Couture made Doughty look sick in the playoffs.

[Reply]
King Cobra says:

September 5, 2011 at 8:35 am

Drew Doughty does not deserve 7 millions dollars per year.

Drew Doughty does not deserve to be paid more per year than Kopitar.

Drew Doughty should be paid according to what he has done and not what he MAY do some day.

Drew Doughty better have his butt in camp on day one.

[Reply]
Csaba Bhody Reply:
September 5th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
@King Cobra, YEP, you are right!!!

[Reply]
Scaught Reply:
September 5th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
@King Cobra, he will not be there for day one.

[Reply]
Scaught says:

September 5, 2011 at 11:58 pm

You are not worth Shea Weber money, Drew. The faster you overcome this delusion, the more good you’ll be to your team.

[Reply]
Scaught Reply:
September 6th, 2011 at 9:22 am
You are also in danger of being unforgiven.

[Reply]
tellmeY says:

September 6, 2011 at 8:12 am

When did anybody ever think that $6.8 million a year was not enough for a 21 yr old who had slighlty above average year? That’s about $525k per month after taxes….I could pay my mounting medical bills with that. .

[Reply]
Hockey Jesus says:

September 6, 2011 at 10:33 am

I wish people would stop whining about Doughty and saying things like “he’s greedy” “trade him” etc. etc. Fact of the matter is folks he is negotiating a deal with his current employer. It’s like when we go out for a job search or pitching our services to prospective employers you negotiate the best deal we can get for ourselves. Please stop and don’t bash the guy. This is sports. It’s how it works. Careers only last what? an average of 15 years or so. You gotta secure your financial future. I’m not hating. It’ll get done.

[Reply]
Pili Reply:
September 10th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
@Hockey Jesus, I agree. Watching him interact with the other players on the ice, I see him as a great teammate and the type of player that carries the puck so well he can cause the other teams to make changes and subsequently mistakes. It’ll get done, most probably at hockey fest as another poster mentioned.

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Diego says:

September 9, 2011 at 4:40 pm

It’s time to sign the sheet or hit the street. I am a Hockey fan first, Kings fan second and any player and I mean ANY last. We don”t need any Gretzky/Blake drama/poison in the locker room. Commit or move on!!!

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