Here’s what Drew Doughty said about agreeing to his eight-year, $56-million contract with the Kings. Doughty said he has a 6 a.m. flight out of Toronto tomorrow morning — lots of packing, not a lot of sleep tonight — and will be in Los Angeles in the morning for his physical and to officially sign the contract.
DOUGHTY: “I definitely didn’t want to miss that (trip to Europe). This was never in mind, even being out for this long at all, but I knew I had to be there for the start of the season. I missed the boys a lot, and missed being in L.A., and this just felt like time to get it done and I’m really happy and really excited.”
Question: What kind of shape are you in? You’ve been skating with the London Knights, but are you in shape to play Saturday or is that too soon?
DOUGHTY: “No, I think I could play. I haven’t skated with an NHL team or anything like that yet, but I think I’m in great shape. I worked really hard this offseason, in the gym and on the ice. If they want me to play on Saturday, I guess I’ll play.”
Question: Did you hear from any of your teammates in the last couple days? Anyone tell you, “Come on, we need you,” that kind of thing?
DOUGHTY: “I talked to a lot of the guys throughout this entire time. All the guys, they all were wishing I was there obviously, but they also knew I had to do what I had to do. I know they’re really excited that, finally, this is done, because I know they were missing me as much as I was missing them.”
Question: Have you been following what’s been going on in camp, with that Voynov kid who has been playing well?
DOUGHTY: “I checked the scores out, with the few exhibition games there. I’ve heard Voynov (is doing well) and that’s great. He’s a young guy who, I think, has a lot of potential and hopefully he can be a part of the team.”
Question: It seems like this ultimately came together quick, maybe even in the last 24 hours, maybe even less. Can you talk about what today was like for you?
DOUGHTY: “Today was an exciting time. There were many calls made, back and forth. I felt like I was on the phone all day, but that’s what it took to get it done. I know both parties are glad that this is finally over with and that I can finally get out of Canada and come back and get the season started. We want to go all the way this year.”
Question: There was a lot of talk, from you and other people, about what was most important to you. What was it, ultimately, that you were sticking to? What was most important to you in this process?
DOUGHTY: “You know, to be honest, what happened there is in the past. I think, as of now, I’m just excited to get this deal done with. I’m going to forget about everything that happened before and just move on. I’m really excited to be a part of the Kings. I never wanted to leave the Kings. That was never an issue. I’ve always wanted to be here. My heart (is with) all the guys in the room, the organization, the fans and everything. I think everyone is just really happy to get it done and we’re going to put everything in the past.”
Question: Eight years is not a short period of time. I guess you’re comfortable with committing for that long…
DOUGHTY: “Oh yeah. As I said, I’ve been a Kings fan since I was a kid, and I was never thinking about going elsewhere. I knew it was just a matter of time before it got done, and I’m really excited to be a part of that team for eight years. I hope we can win many Stanley Cups in that time, and I’m going to do everything I can to help lead us to that.”
Question: A lot of fans were frustrated. The team added Mike Richards and other pieces but you were the one piece that was missing. What would you say to the fans right now?
DOUGHTY: “Obviously, it was tough for me, being home here and not being with the guys and with the team, but hockey is a business and things like that happen. I know that we have a great team this year and that we made some great offseason additions. Our team is going to be great this year. I really just can’t wait to get there, and hopefully everyone can put this in the past. I know some people are probably pretty angry at me, but things happen and I’m just really happy.”
Glad to have ya back drew!
[Reply]
rontheking Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
@jpizzle313,
8 times 7 is 56! I guess we know who won in these negotiations–we did! The fans! Well, congrats drew now start acting like a pro….
[Reply]
HockeyOnly Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
@rontheking, Yep the “fans” really made him decide to take $7M per.
[Reply]
rontheking Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:03 am
@HockeyOnly,
I’m just happy everyone wins…I realise as individuals we’re somewhat replaceable, but we do tend to add up and spending dollars is almost like owning shares and voting….
King Doughnuts Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:05 am
@rontheking, Did he just say “If they want me to play on Saturday, I guess I’ll play.”
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa …. hold on tiger, don’t get too excited!
[Reply]
puddle Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:26 am
@King Doughnuts, LOL, I had the EXACT same response.
the hockey don Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:29 am
@King Doughnuts, I thought the same thing too, what an a##hole
dot972005 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:16 am
@King Doughnuts, yeah what is with that response? I don’t get it. although i think we’ll all be keying in on every word he says right now. gotta get some wins in europe and come home undefeated. That’d be nice.
IwantTheCup Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:52 am
@King Doughnuts, Ya, don’t read into his comment…we’ve all heard DD talk before and he’s a real laid back kind of guy…I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by the comment. Relax guys!
I’m excited he’s back!! Let’s GO KINGS!!
Say Days Ago Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@King Doughnuts, I dont think he meant it like that….its all about voice inflection and when you here him say it it was more like he was stating it like it was his job and not like it was a burden
Peter90210 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
@jpizzle313, Let’s do the math. Kings offer 6.8, DD holds out for 7. That’s 200 thousand a year for 7 years, or 1.4 million. Agent gets 10%, or 140 thousand. Uncle Sam gets 35%, or 490 thousand. So 1.4 minus 630 thousand leaves 770 thousand, or 110 thousand more take home per season.
When you’re dealing with numbers as big as seven million a year, it’s hard to understand why that extra chump change was worth all the grief.
Welcome back Drew. Prove you’re worth it and all will be forgiven.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
@Peter90210, Agree. It doesn’t seem worth all the trouble for that small a percentage more per year.
[Reply]
brian spain Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:01 am
@CB14, I think & mil is an ego thing…its more than any player on the team. who cares. just play like a 7 million dollar man.
OneTimer Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
@Peter90210,
Ummmm…
Need to point out: if you’re going to “belittle” the extra $200k (which is fine), you also need to apply the same formula to the REST of the pie too, yes?
$6.8M minus 45% becomes only $3.76M per year total take homne. So suddenly your “numbers as big as seven million a year” for comparing chump change …… isn’t.
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
@OneTimer,
You guys forget he is a Canadian citizen and not subject to US tax laws. Not entirely sure how much he’d owe to Canada, but I do know that Canada’s taxes are significantly higher than ours. He could very well be taking home a lot less than $3.8M per year…
Frank Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:55 am
@Gary, if he is working in the U.S.A. and even though he is not a U.S. citizen he still gets a (TIN) Taxpayer I.D. Number and gets taxes taken out of his paychecks and has to file income taxes if he has been living in the U.S for more than 183 days. So Drew’s first half season he was already paying taxes. He probably has to pay Canada as well.
fuzzerson Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:23 am
@OneTimer, You guys are using the cap hit as the number to calculate take home pay. His actually salary this year is likely to be in the 5.5 M range escalating up to around 8 for a 6.8M cap it.
Donald_S Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:32 am
@Peter90210,
That was always my point. the difference between $6.8 million and $7.0 million is 3%. Would you fight over a job you like in a city you like with people you like over a 3% raise?
Drew wants us to put this all behind us. He didn’t even want to discuss it. I’m not sure I’m ready to do that. I don’t have tickets to first Kings home game this year. It’s probably a good thing. I’m not sure if I’d cheer or boo when he came out on the ice. For Drew $200k is 3%. But for a lesser player, taking them from $500k $700k, might mean the difference of signing an important cog in the machine.
My only hope is that he’ll play like Kopitar with a long term contract and not be a Rick DiPietro millstone around the Kings neck for years to come.
[Reply]
brian spain Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:03 am
@Donald_S, Its not our business about his contract. I go to cheer the kings. He is a King so I am cheering. any fan who boo’s him is a loser. Go Kings!
DLB Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:00 am
@Donald_S, he’s giving up four years of prime earning territory, when he could have turned UFA and earned a lot more than seven million.
I don’t think that should be overlooked.
Donald_S Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:31 am
@Donald_S,
brian spain,
I prefer not to be referred to as a loser if you don’t mind.
This is Rich’s rule for the blog:
“Personal attacks against other blog commenters, and/or blatant attempts to antagonize other commenters, are not tolerated.”
You can disagree with me, that’s fine. But you should refrain from calling me or anyone else names in the future. It’s why a registration system is needed here, to prevent that kind of behavior.
Jadedtool Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
@Donald_S,
Sorry, I’m with brain spain on this one. Don’t boo our players. Period. Boo our power play
StillneedDewey FKA PakiFro Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:56 am
@Peter90210,
If that extra 200K per got him to agree to an extra 3 years, then I think Lombardi shouldn’t have played poker to begin with. Its peanuts in the grand scheme of things from both sides. If Doughty struggles because he missed most of camp and Lombardi wouldn’t give into this miniscule difference in August, I think I know where I’ll be placing the blame…on Lombardi.
[Reply]
FemaleFan#1 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
@Peter90210, Totally agree. Seems like DD now stands for “Definite Diva.” One thing I’ve always loved about this sport is that these guys have heart. Yeah they want to make money, but let’s be honest, when you’re comparing their contracts to those of guys like CC Sabathia, A Rod, Roy Halladay, and Cliff Lee…these guys play hockey because they love the game. Kinda seems ridiculous that $200K has held things up so much. Hope it was worth the respect that he’s lost from Kings fans
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:24 am
@jpizzle313,
Kings got the number of years they wanted, Drew/Meehan got the dollars per year they wanted. Done. Everyone wins. Let’s play hockey.
[Reply]
OneTimer Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:43 am
@Shakes,
Here here. Bravo. Agree 110%.
I woke up this morning feeling excited knowing that Doughty is now signed for 8 YEARS. The dollar figures didn’t even enter into my noggin’ anymore. Between missing the TALENT or missing the MONEY … not having his cornerstone/franchise talent would cripple us more, every time.
Kings win.
Fans win.
Next topic!
[Reply]
Peter90210 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:23 am
@OneTimer, I feel like celebrating!
Donuts for everyone…..
er, well maybe not everyone.
stinkfoot Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:55 am
@Shakes,
“You’re unhappy. I’m unhappy too. A good compromise is when both parties are dissatisfied, and I think that’s what we have here.”
LD
[Reply]
centericeman Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:29 am
@jpizzle313, Just as I always said, we need Drew and I am going to be cheering him every step of the way.
Some of you might have seen someone parading as CENTERICEMAN that was an evil twin that didn’t know what he was talking about.
Ah, I think I hear the truth calling, I have to leave!
[Reply]
Thanks for the OT, Rich!
Whatever the Kings are paying you, it ain’t nearly enough!
Maybe you should give Don Meehan a call and he can set you up sweet like #8!!!
Kudos to you and get some rest!
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
@mash-ola, Don’t give Rich any ideas. If he did hire Meehan, we’d miss his posts all next summer and most of training camp. He would eventually sign right before a pre-season trip to Europe, because he loves Europe and wouldn’t want to miss hanging out with Bob and Jim in Europe.
He would of course say all the right things like, “You know, to be honest, what happened there is in the past. I think, as of now, I’m just excited to get this deal done with. I’m going to forget about everything that happened before and just move on. I’m really excited to be a part of the LA Kings Insider. I never wanted to leave the LA Kings Insider. That was never an issue. I’ve always wanted to be here. My heart (is with) all the guys in the press box, the organization, the fans and everything. I think everyone is just really happy to get it done and we’re going to put everything in the past.”
Plus the obligitory “business” line, “Sportswriting is a business and things like that happen”.
And of course say he’s always wanted to do this his whole life, “Oh yeah. As I said, I’ve been an LA Kings Insider fan since I was a kid, and I was never thinking about going elsewhere.” Don’t do it Rich!
[Reply]
fourtunato Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
@CB14, That is priceless
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
@fourtunato, Thanx!
LVKINGS88 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:33 pm
@CB14, Bravo CB,Bravo.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:00 am
@LVKINGS88, Thank you as well!
Poorman Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:41 am
@CB14, Awesome CB. Just one question. What should Rich hold out for? What’s the top salary of World Class Bloggers? My guess is anything over $190G is where he should draw the line. Meehan would also make the point that Rich is irreplaceable. I can just see the headlines. “Happy Helene” Elliot replaces Rich Hammond. Not! Can you hear Lieuweke talking to “Happy Helene”. “Um, Helene, it’s a great gig. On a big hockey news day, figure you’ll only have to write 15 or 20 articles. Piece of cake.”
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@Poorman, You would know more about the money than I would. I honestly have no clue what World Class Bloggers make. Since you’re in the entertainment business I’ll take you dollar amount as the answer. I too could never see Helene writing that many articles per day.
brian spain Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:06 am
@CB14, Bob and Jim are not going on the trip. It said on the site they are broadcasting from a L.A. studio for the games over there.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
@brian spain, That’s weak. They need to be at the games.
Glad it’s over Drew!
[Reply]
K-Dog Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
@Matt George, Drew Just didnt want to miss the Vegas Trip, he will me making it rain
in a strip club with his new FAT CONTRACT!!!
[Reply]
PK Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
@K-Dog, Haha. He is definitely taking the boys our to Treasures.
[Reply]
PK Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
@PK, out*
And this guy comes up to me
His face red like a rose on a thorn bus
Like all the colors of a royal flush
And he’s peeling off those dollar bills
Slapping em down
100!
200!
Go Kings Go!!!
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
@Kenny44, outside is America!!
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
@Stuart, Outside is America!
man said he’s got to get oat of Canada
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
@Kenny44, I feel ya. Would’ve also been fitting to say
“Into the arms of America”
same song
one of my faves by US
Kenny44 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
@Stuart, My favorite Forum moments are merging in my head, I’m so jacked to see the Kings make a Cup run!
[Reply]
bonvivant1 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
@Kenny44, U2 Lyrics-Bullet the Blue Sky?
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
@bonvivant1, Yeppa, except bus should be bush
[Reply]
JackAubrey Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
@bonvivant1, woof. Great lyrics, guys, what’s the source?
[Reply]
PuckHead27 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
@JackAubrey,
U2-Bullet the Blue Sky
rontheking Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@Kenny44,
Congratulations to you too!
[Reply]
PuckHead27 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
@Kenny44,
LOL, That album always reminds me of Vegas road trips.
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
@PuckHead27, That’ll work this weekend!
[Reply]
KingsfaninMI Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:44 am
@PuckHead27,
One of the best albums of all time U2 – Rattle & Hum. Many roadies to to Vegas & Mammoth spent listening to that CD
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:40 am
@Kenny44,
Sky woo-hoo hoo-hoo-hoo, Sky woo-hoo hoo-hoo-hoo… Bullet the Blue Shirts (rangers,game1), bullet the Blue Shiiirrts, bullet the blue…
[Reply]
I’m over it, lets play hockey.
[Reply]
Crosschecked Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
@SirKingsly, EXACTLY!!!
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:31 pm
@SirKingsly,
Hear, hear, Sir!
[Reply]
saying the right things…
[Reply]
There’s a lot of pressure now and expectations are much higher for Doughty. Sounds like he’s up to the challenge.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
@bonvivant1,
Yes, now that he’s the highest paid King, expectations are going to be higher. And what happened to get him there this offseason will place him under an eventighter microscope. I hope he proves to be worth the title of highest paid King.
[Reply]
Poorman Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:53 am
@vplaza, He’s got nerves of steel. The guy won a gold medal at 19. Doughty thrives on the pressure.
[Reply]
I wonder if he has talked to Simmer…
This Philly game coming up is going be a doozy..
Lots of side stories involved…
Richard’s is gonna want to make a point…
[Reply]
bonvivant1 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
@SLIM, Simmer is tearing it up. He’s almost a household name now. Good for him. Let’s hope him and Drew have a couple of beers together in Philly.
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
@bonvivant1,
Lite beer and NO banana splits…
[Reply]
Action Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
@SLIM,
lol…..
Two jokes in one. I like it.
DesertKing Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
@bonvivant1,
Hopefully they worked out together this summer.
[Reply]
mash-ola Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
@SLIM, And so are Simmonds and Schenn…
LOL but yeah, it should be a hoot. Can’t wait to hear the reaction the boo-bird Philly fans give Richards and also Gagne… oh, and then there’s Williams, and Coach Murray and Coach Stevens, and Hextall and… oh nevermind…
[Reply]
Raitis Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
@mash-ola,
Maybe you were joking, but why would they boo Richards OR gagne? Gagne is loved there. Richards got traded.. Not like he signed here
[Reply]
PuckHead27 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
@Raitis,
Not sure they’ll boo any of them. From everything I read over the summer, they loved Richards and many were shocked by the trade. Carter on the other hand…
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
@Raitis, I agree with you that they shouldn’t boo either of them, BUT, it’s Philly. They booed Santa Clause, and Michael Irvin nearly dying on the field, so anything’s possible.
Jefreyryan Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
@mash-ola, they would never boo gagne. He was a huge part of their team. When he went too tampa they gave him a standing ovation. richards maybe but not gagne.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
@SLIM, That will be a battle for sure. Richards was their Captain. They’ll be motivated to show the league that they’re just as good now. The Kings will be looking to show the league that Philly made a mistake trading Richards and that he’s better off. Simmers, and Schenn will be trying to show everyone that the Kings made the mistake. Should be a classic.
[Reply]
Caleb C Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
@Dominick,
Simmer is doing great Ive been watching Philly games on Versus. Schenn though got injured…
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
@Caleb C, for real Schenn got injured?
Caleb C Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
@Caleb C,
yeah. upper body I don’t know if they’ve said anything else about it
Eggplant Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:17 am
@Dominick, Simmer definitely doing well so far. Even though it’s been just preseason games but he’s been getting some ice time with even Jagr and a big part of their power play. Not to mention the 4 goals he’s picked up so far.
Sad to see him go, but glad that he’s doing well for himself. And well, we got a Cup contender team in return, so I think trading Simmonds for that? Totally worth it.
[Reply]
Since '67 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:33 pm
@SLIM, I’ll be at this game, will be in Philly for the weekend.
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
@Since ’67,
Oh…What a lucky man you are….
Scream for the kings and watch your’e back..
[Reply]
Too much but glad it’s over!
[Reply]
John Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
@Zdfun,
In 3 seasons, when the kid’s 24, it’ll be a steal!
[Reply]
KingOfScots Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
@John, No,…No he won’t be a “steal”. He will still be the hghestest paid King and probably top 5 D in the league. Same with Kopi, he’s geting paid fair enough now because he’s turned into the player we hoped he would. Drew is not there yet, hopefully he turns out to be as good as Bourque but doubt he will. He will be good and paid as such then………not now, and he will never be a “steal”. He’s not that bloody good.
[Reply]
John Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
@KingOfScots,
Uh, YEAH he is that good! And if this group brings us Lord Stanley’s Cup, I’ll take it
Poorman Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:00 am
@KingOfScots, Yeah he is.
OneTimer Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:12 pm
@John,
And in 6 or 7 years, hopefully (likely?) right after Drew has won his 2nd Norris … it will be a COMPLETE bargain, and with a year or two to go yet. That’s where Dean earned his keep here today. Everyone (even Drew) knows he isn’t worth $7M today – for TODAY’s sake. But that’s also not how long term “Franchise Player” contracts work.
[Reply]
welcome back DREWWW 8 MORE YRS LETS DO WORK THIS SEASON
[Reply]
jet Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:01 pm
@anthony, even you are welcomed on this wonderful night
[Reply]
Eric K Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
@jet, Different anthony, he’s missing the superfluous “y”
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:36 am
@Eric K,
The sky is falling!
Eric K Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
@jet, and talking positively!
[Reply]
murf Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
@jet, Lmao p
[Reply]
seriously… I have been such a fan of the Kings for so long. Such mixed emotions is not something I’m familiar with. It’s one of those times like when you were a kid and something happened when you should’ve been so happy but instead, for whatever reason, you feel so angry. My head knows that I’m glad that Drew came to his senses and signed. I’m annoyed that it came to this, virtually missing all of camp. I don’t like his brush off about what the hold-up point was. Obviously it wasn’t all Meehan.
F-it, I’ll know when DD scores the first game winner that he’ll have done it for me and then I’ll be happy that he’s on the team and that we’re a real contender…
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
@Stuart, Just look at our roster. That’s all you have to do. Stare at it, blink a few times in disbelief, pinch yourself until you bleed and realize that this is REALLY our team this season.
That’ll take care of any ‘Feelings’. Worked for me.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
@Cynic, pinch-bleed-rinse-repeat
I should be better after a nice sleep on it!
[Reply]
Silence Dogood Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
@Stuart, I feel the same way. He may be a greedy spoiled brat, but he is our greedy spoiled brat.
[Reply]
Glad you are a King Drew! I’ll wear my DOUGHTY jersey with pride. Go Kings Go!!!
[Reply]
Which team waived this guy?
[Reply]
Action Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
@jet, Of whom do you speak?
[Reply]
jet Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
@Action, this Drew guy, where did he come from?
[Reply]
Action Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
@jet,
Sheesh….how does that onego over my head? I’m even sober……
Andrew Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
@jet, Whos on the blueline?
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
@Action
Sober tonight or a friend of Bill’s?
There are a few Bill’s friends on the blog..
[Reply]
It’s about time! Welcome back! I think you owe us all
drinksdinner…[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:21 pm
@GoKingsGo818, LOL
[Reply]
Thanks for the interviews and coverage Rich. Can you also find out from Lombardi if the contract stipulates a NTC/NMC clause, not that Doughty will be going anywhere…
[Reply]
“Voynov, He’s a young guy”. Doughty is about 30 days older than him.
[Reply]
StillneedDewey fka PakiFro Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
@ViperHockey,
Ha! Yea I was thinking…weren’t they drafted the same year?
[Reply]
Jim Martin Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
@ViperHockey, The Kings have to keep Voynov on the roster. He is very exciting to watch. Send Drew down to Manchester and keep Voynov on the team.
[Reply]
Stoked!
[Reply]
Hey Drew-
No hard feelings. We’ll blame Meehan, that’s what that scrub gets paid for anyway. We’ll be happy to make him earn his money.
Appreciate the long-term commitment. The least you can do now is give back this season. How ’bout scoring a few times during the ‘McFlurry Minute’ in the 2nd periods if we still have ‘em. Oh yeah, and those few Cups would be nice too.
Welcome back man! Congrats on your new deal!
[Reply]
Kings Fan South Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 4:27 am
@Cynic, Well said and to the point. Agreed. No let’s make a cup run.
[Reply]
IceGuy Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:17 am
@Cynic,
Bottom line – I think 8Ball was watching Voynov every game.
[Reply]
jason az Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:12 am
@IceGuy, I think Voynov told him hey go ahead take the season off i can hold down the fort. I will send you plane ticket anywhere you want to go just let me know where and please comeback after the first of december
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:46 am
@IceGuy, It’ll never be admitted to, but I believe you’re right. Every game Voynov played seemed to not be in the favor leverage wise to Drew’s barganing power. Whatever it takes.
[Reply]
its hard enough being a kings fan, but every summer makes it that more difficult!!! thank the hockey gods this is over with
[Reply]
Time to prove your worth doodoo
[Reply]
DL – “6 years!”
DD – “no”
DL – “7 years”
DD – “no”
DL – “10 years”
DD – “no”
DL – “9 years”
DD – “hellllooooo, what number do I wear?”
DL – “ahhhh, 8 years”
DD – “exactly”
[Reply]
jet Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
@DesertKing, and everytime DL called Meehan said “add a zero”
[Reply]
jesse Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
@DesertKing, LMAO. That was CLASSIC!
[Reply]
Have you ever thought, I am so glad I am a Kings fan, because everything goes our way?
[Reply]
BobsYourUncle Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
@jet, I’ll answer that question next June…
[Reply]
RoyalPain Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 11:58 am
@jet,
In 35 long years, no.
[Reply]
Hmmmmmm…. Was this really a DD interview? No “you know?” in the interview. Glad he’s back
GKG
[Reply]
chip Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
@858King, All the Doughty “you know” parts are edited out. Per the new Doughty contract.
That’s what REALLY held up the contract negotiations.
[Reply]
PurpleRocks Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:37 am
@858King, Seems like Simon Gagne took over the “you know” while DD was MIA – that should be a great conversation when they meet – you know
[Reply]
So, whither Voynov…? Martinez? What next? Two really great talents that provide excellent depth and future-forward capability. Anyone care to postulate what happens to these kids? I like ‘em both.
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
@JackAubrey,
Rumor has it that they are going to perform
the “world re-known” half body transplant…
He will be known as Voynez…
[Reply]
JackAubrey Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
@SLIM, Or Martinov… a vodka drink perhaps.
[Reply]
BKinLV Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:21 am
@SLIM, oh great i wonder what those negotiations will be like come contract year
[Reply]
IceGuy Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:22 am
@BKinLV,
But then who do you keep? Marinov or Voynez?
Which is better? Tequila, vermouth and a twist of line, or Tacos with cabbage?
Anyone watching the SJ vs Van game on NHL network? Sharks are dropping the hammer on the ‘Nucks. Not a big Sharks fan but I AM a native Californian…just sayin’…
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
@JackAubrey, I’m a native Californian too, but I hate the Guppies and the Quacks. But to your point I hate Vancouver more, so what’s a guy to do?
[Reply]
JackAubrey Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
@CB14, zactly. I have a hard time rooting for Nucks (but would love to have Kessler as a King… sorry, folks, the guys is a warrior!)
[Reply]
jesse Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
@CB14, hope they all crash and burn.
[Reply]
paulhb Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:28 pm
@CB14, amen brother!
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@JackAubrey,
Yeah …interesting game..
The Sharts haven’t lost a pre-season game yet..
Nasty also…I think they have lost an element though…
Our games vs them should be Great hockey..
[Reply]
JackAubrey Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
@SLIM, Yeah, man, I like our chances, especially with today’s news. If Richards can show up and we keep the dreaded SHOT MENTALITY, they’ll be some blood-bath games. Can’t wait!
And per CB14, Californian though I am, I will NEVER root for the ducks. NEVER. They’re all douche bags, though Bobby Ryan would make a great King and I miss Lubo as a King…
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
@JackAubrey, I too miss Lubo. Sorry to see him go.
As for Bobby Cryin, no thanks. I use to like him a lot, but that was before he stomped on that guys leg with his skate, ala Pronger. I don’t like dirty players.
Hopefully Voinov doesn’t bolt to the KHL if he doesn’t make the team…lots of $$ waiting for him over there, hard to blame him if he did. Happy DD is back, looking forward to next Friday!
Go Kings.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
@Cup B4 I Die,
While i doubt that DD watched any games, it’s interesting to wonder if he did and saw Voynov’s play, while not near the level that DD can play, and led to the compromise or helped spur things along. I agree, it would be bad to lose him to the khl, but that may be unavoidable.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
@vplaza, What if they traded AM for a pick? VV is ready IMO, and I think he has a much higher upside than AM. The only downside to trading AM is that VV would probably play with MG, and both are right handed shots who play the right side on defense. I don’t know if either of them can play the left side. I would hate to lose him to the KHL.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
@CB14,
That’s a tough call. I think AM earned a spot after last year, but his preseason has been unbalanced. That’s also an interesting point about Voynov and Greene favoring the same side of the ice.
If they could only wait for Greene’s contract to expire, but I doubt Voynov waits for that. Plus, didn’t he go to Manchester last year and do what the Kings wanted him to do? So, if he doesn’t make the club this year, what else does he need to do?
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
@vplaza, “So, if he doesn’t make the club this year, what else does he need to do?” Thats a good question. How about hire Tanya Harding’s bodyguard to take care of somebody? LOL. Just Kidding everyone. I don’t know what else he needs to do. I guess if JJ’s defensive play has improved to the point where he and VV could play together that would be one way VV could play everyday. That would give the Kings a balanced top line pairing (DD and WM), an offensive 2nd line pairing (JJ and VV), and a defensive 3rd line pairing (RS and MG). Other than that all he can do is continue to play great hockey in Manchester and hope some team makes Dean an offer he can’t refuse.
Steve Jaime Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:45 am
@Cup B4 I Die, I definately think this kid has earned a spot…. It sucks, but I think DD2 is the odd man out in this bunch… I really think this will be the last year the Kings retain Mitchell or Scuderi there is too much talent that is waiting for roster spots they have earned. I really would hate to lose Vonyov. If he is willing to do so… I would really rather him go to Manchester and continue to eat up a lot of ice time while bettering his game. I don’t really want to see him make the roster and be a healthy scatch all of the time. One one hand I think getting occasional playing time while traveling and practicing with the Kings in a sense prepares him…. he learns from NHL players / coaches that way. One the other hand he doesn’t get much ice time…. not compared to what he would get in Manchester. I just hope the KHL is not an option or desire for the kid.
On a secondary note…. I am very pleased with Doughtys contract…. I think it is a well balanced deal over all…. Way over paid the first couple of years…. but by the time the deal is halfway overwith… He will be an absolute value for what he brings to the table.. well that is as long as he doesn’t catch A-Penner-Idis a rare disease that leads to poor conditioning and performance except during contract years.
[Reply]
jason az Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:23 am
@Steve Jaime, Scuderi and mitchel i believe are signed till end of next year so they aren’t going anywhere anytime so and the only preson who they will have to move is DD2 for th dreaded conditional trade something like play 10 get set of pucks plays 20 well by u lunch plays 30 and you get late round draft pick
[Reply]
“I guess I’ll play.” Yes! Thats the pumped up attitude I’d want to hear from our highest paid player who just got an 8 year commitment from the team. The fire and passion in that statement, can’t wait to see that on the ice!!
[Reply]
PK Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
@Tito Ortiz, I just spit out my water. haha.I thought the same thing.
[Reply]
I’m glad this is over & Drew will be a King for a long, long time! It’s all water under the bridge now so no hard feelings. All that’s left to do now is kick some butt & take some names on the ice like we did last night!!!
[Reply]
Drew! Nobody is angry with you! Show me how a 56 million dollar Defensemen will play! 70 point season please!
[Reply]
I wanna see Dean’s comments and how many baseball references he’ll use.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:16 am
@Who Knows?, DL: well I jsut saw Rivera break the record for closers, and well, since the Yanks are a great organIzation, I thought I should really try and close this one too…
[Reply]
“I never wanted to leave the Kings… I’ve been a Kings fan since I was a kid”
That a boy DD! Now lets kick some butt
[Reply]
DD you woke up! Nice to hear you got your cash. Now show us your worth and I will eat all the words I said, But we need a Cup to do that with your deal…
I think now we are on a two to three plan to win this cup, if we dont win anything by year 3, look at some of are stars being traded. DL signed a lot of players and DL is not F’n around now about this is ours win, before DL starts thinging of change…
All aborad sho sho shohshoshoshoshosshooshohdos…
[Reply]
Do you think DL docked him 13 days pay or did he let it slide this time?
[Reply]
gmo Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
@yetiman_oc,
i hope he did
[Reply]
Would be great to see DD at Frozen Fury!!! We’ll see I guess. Glad this Kings drama saga is over.
[Reply]
Ok Drew, congratulations. Now prove to us you are worth 7mm per annum cuz to date, you haven’t proved that yet. Future performance has been projected from the past. And no, not late last season. I mean earlier than that.
I’ve been a down King for much too long. I hate to recall when every mention of the name “Kings” in the media was preceded by these two words “the lowly”. Bring us that big shiny hood ornament and all shall be forgiven.
GKG!
[Reply]
The 56 million dollar man. Better be similar to the bionic man for that price. Lace ‘em up Drew now show us something…
[Reply]
So now my question is: Should the Kings carry eight D’s with Voynov and Drewiski? Should they use Voynov and send Drewski down or trade? Should they use Drewiski and send Voynov to Manchester with the chance that he might bolt to Europe? What do you think????
[Reply]
Drew avoided a few questions with mentions of the future.. okay, i’ll let this whole ordeal slide since it had nothing to do with how many points my beloved kings have. But i’ll look into the future as well.. So with the extra money that DD want/got, who might we not be able to sign or keep on our roster due to the extra 200k hit to our cap? its seems that every dime counts according to the cap….
[Reply]
I am torn. On one hand, I am so glad they locked him up for 8 years, but that dollar amount? Geesh! Well, maybe 5 or 6 years from now we will be laughing at how reasonable that seven million is.
I will never boo this team or anyone on this team for any reason. However, I don’t begrugde the people that will feel inclined to boo DD. I hope Drew understand the shot his image took with this whole fiasco. It can be repaired, but he had better be one motivated and focused m-f’er this season.
[Reply]
Can someone please, Rich or anyone else get a counter up on how many times DD will say “obviously” this year?
Great to know Dewey is finally signed!
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:24 pm
@kings king, The answer is obviously infinity.
[Reply]
NOW I’m a happy man!! Better not hear Kings fans booing DD! Both sides made concessions. Good deal for Drew! Good deal for LA! Great deal for Kings fans!! GO KINGS GO!!
[Reply]
Great. Now earn it on the ice Doughty!
[Reply]
Ya mind if I re-post this?
So now my question is: Should the Kings carry eight D’s with Voynov and Drewiski? Should they use Voynov and send Drewski down or trade? Should they use Drewiski and send Voynov to Manchester with the chance that he might bolt to Europe? What do you think????
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
@BlueStang, I would trade AM for a pick, play VV with JJ, and put DD2 in the press box.
Mitchell – DD
Scuderi – Greene
JJ – VV
The bottom 2 pairs obviously have different strengths and are put in appropriate spots. The top pairing plays against the top lines.
PP 1 – Richards and DD
PP 2 – JJ and VV
PK 1 – Scuderi and Greene
PK 2 – Mitchell and DD
[Reply]
BlueStang Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
@CB14, Alec Martinez is playing great hockey. Wouldn’t you dump Drewiski before Alec?
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
@BlueStang, AM is better than DD2, no question. I think you have to look at upside. Voynov’s is greater than AM, AM’s is greater than DD2. I don’t think they should put someone with upside in the press box every night. DD2 has reached the player he will become. He’s not getting much better. Thus he’s perfect for the 7th d-man spot. He can fill in just fine on a short term basis if someone goes down injured or just needs a rest. If a fill in is needed on a long term basis I would choose Hickey if an offensive d-man is needed, and Muzzin if a defensive d-man is neeeded. I would trade AM because VV’s upside is greater and AM would bring back more in a trade than DD2 would. That’s all just my opinion of the players though. I could be way off.
Bill M. Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:17 am
@BlueStang, I’m with CB14. Martinez is older with less upside among prospects within his specific role. He also has a successful rookie year, so that makes him an established player, meaning that to another team he is less of a risk and therefore will get more in return.
DD2 is the seventh. No harm for him to be left on the bench. VV takes the third pair – his speed will help balance with Greenes, physical stay at home style, and he could make us even more dangerous from the blueline. AM with his respectable rookie season is valuable enough to fetch decent picks, helping us restock valuable picks for the future during the next few years when we are unlikely to be getting high picks (because this team is going to be stellar for the next five years!)
IceGuy Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:34 am
@CB14,
Knowing Terry Murray’s proclivity for juggling, if Voynov stays, at some point he’s going to get paired up with Doughty.
That will give us the VD Pair.
Is this acceptable?
[Reply]
TradedForAPick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:21 am
@IceGuy,
That made my day. now off to the clinic
Not much of an “apology” to the fans, but at least it’s done! Still a little bitter over this whole incident, but I have 8 years to get over it and I’m sure it will be much less. The jersey will now be sans tape in Vegas! GKG!!!
[Reply]
redlight Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:00 pm
@Zmtnvik, Apologize for what? Negotiating a contract? Don’t think he owes anyone an apology, especially to fans that chose to panic while the sometimes ugly, business side of sports got sorted out. He’s here, signed long-term, season starts in a week, it’s all good.
[Reply]
Been a Kings fan since some guy wearing a 99 jersey used to play here and I have never seen a Kings lineup with this much talent. I truly beleive this years Kings team is a start of something special that us hardcore fans have not seen since 1993.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
@mike in LA, I agree. Just stay mostly healthy!
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:39 am
@mike in LA, Totally agree. Been a long time coming. I think it’s even BETTER than ’93 though. We actually have a FARM system to support this great lineup. We’ve NEVER Had that!
[Reply]
I hope DL worked into the fine print of the contract “a full day autograph session with fans at next years Fanfest and eight years of Kings cruises to baja”
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:38 am
@toemas_sandstrom,
Absolutely. I need my #8 jersey signed.
[Reply]
Sounds like my ex trying to excuse her patheticness and worm her way back into my life. Super icky non-denial denials folks. This is what 7 mil buys. DD – if you can really live up to 7 mil for every 8 years my hats off to you. Let us see that you are underpaid.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:22 am
@MmmmYummy, ever consider a dewormer
[Reply]
YEAH!!!!! This just made my day! Welcome back DD and get ready for a GREAT YEAR!
sounds like both sides gave in a bit. WOW cant wait to see the boys in action all together.
[Reply]
Drew signed so all is forgiven and forgotten, but this doesn’t look good on Drew. He signed an 8 years deal so that means he held out for $200,000? Was being the HIGHEST paid player on the team that important?
Anyways I’m glad he is back. I said a deal was coming, Tim’s comments were setting up the offer.
[Reply]
CabbagesAndKings Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
@Osaka, Seriously. You won’t here him saying, “it wasn’t about the money” now — because it obviously was.
Greedy Greedy Greedy.
Didn’t he say earlier that he couldn’t wait for this to all be over so his side of the story could come out? And now he has a chance to set things straight and he blows it off.
Bad form — from start to finish.
I’m glad we have him — I just hope we don’t let any of our young players be alone in a room with him.
[Reply]
CabbagesAndKings Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:55 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, hear, rather.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
@CabbagesAndKings,
I doubt any type of ‘his side of the story’ explanation will come out. Plus, he doesn’t owe fans an explanation.
I agree, it seems that $1.6M seems worth it, but it certainly makes look like money was the important thing.
[Reply]
BKinLV Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:35 am
@CabbagesAndKings, he still hasn’t “signed”
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:56 pm
@Osaka, Exactly. I don’t think Drew realizes all the hate he got for holding out, err, I mean not signing the original deal. An extra 200k a year, minus 10% for his agent, minus 35% for Mr. Sam, it doesn’t seem worth the hassle.
[Reply]
Choralone Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:19 am
@CB14, 8 x $200,000 = $1.6 million = about $1 million net taxes and agent fees. Yeah, I could put up with fans grumbling for a million extra cash in the pocket. He’s got maybe one big contract left – assuming his career goes ok. If he’s happy, and the team thinks he’s worth it (and they do, or they wouldn’t have done the deal) then I’m happy.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:40 am
@Choralone, 200k per year is one thirty-fourth of what Drew would’ve made at 6.8 million a year. That’s basically the difference between making 34 thousand a year compared to 35 thousand a year to me. While 1 thousand dollars certainly is a lot of money to me, I wouldn’t risk losing a job I loved, in a city I loved, working with people I loved, for 1 thousand dollars. And 1 thousand dollars a year is going to help me a lot more than 200k a year will help Drew Doughty.
Going over those numbers only makes me realize that Drew will make more in 1 year than I will make my whole life. And I guarantee you my work is harder than his is.
If Drew were worried about his career not going ok, he would’ve signed the 9 year deal worth 6.8 million per year, 61.2 million total. The last thing i’m going to lose sleep over is that Drew has mabye only one big contract left. I think he’ll be ok.
WOW. WOW.
I am fine with this because it’s for 8 years. That’s where the agreement was made, we will give you 7m per if you give us a couple UFA years. Good deal.
I have probably typed in “lakingsinsider.com….enter” 5,000 times the last 3 months waiting for this moment! Thank you Rich for everything you do, it is really fantastic and under appreciated.
This is the first moment where I can honestly say that I feel like our re-build is over. The anticipation over those 6 years was every bit worth waiting for! GKG!
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
@DBking,
Why don’t you simply bookmark the site? Well … I always type in too. I don’t know why … I guess it just makes me happy to type those words.
[Reply]
DBking Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
@goldielocks, it’s therapeutic i suppose….
[Reply]
Player-X Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
@goldielocks, ummm, history? Drop down menu? Favorites?
[Reply]
BKinLV Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:39 am
@Player-X, shoooooot!….. nah, you have to erase your history….
Congratulations on the signing Drew Doughty…….now let’s win some Cups’
LET’S GO KINGS!!!!
[Reply]
Every sports station is saying dl caved and gave in to doughtys demand for 7 mil. Its driving me crazy that nobody is saying that doughty finally decided to sign a long term deal rather then a 5 year deal.
[Reply]
BlueStang Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
@rob blake is god, Exactely. DL didn’t cave, they compromised.
[Reply]
“I think I could play”…. “I guess I’ll play”. Talk about a go-getter! Sounds like a guy who doesn’t have a lot of confidence in his fitness level to me. I’m expecting another slow start. Just hope he doesn’t push it now trying to catch up and get hurt…
[Reply]
redlight Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:06 pm
@WhoDis?, What do you want him to say…? “Yes, I haven’t played NHL hockey in many months, the boys have been practicing together and playing games against NHL talent but I’m completely ready to step in and take someones spot!” Not only would he be a fool to think that but it would be disrespectful to the guys that showed up at camp day 1….Relax. He’s here, he’ll be ready shortly, and the Kings will have him when it matters…regular season Game 1.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:44 am
@WhoDis?, I’ve seen this comment a few times now…
It’s not Drew’s choice whether he plays or not, it’s Terry Murray’s call. DD has to learn the systems with the new players he has to work with. That is gonna take a few practices. Drew just simply states he believes he could play and that if he was allowed, he’s guessing he’d play then. I know it sounds bad, but I believe it’s being taken out of context.
It’s not Drew’s call. He says he’s ready. Pretty simple. I’m fine with it. I’m sure TM will get him out there ASAP.
[Reply]
I hope this deal DOES NOT come with any crappy NO MOVE or NO TRADE clauses. The last thing the team needs is a Phaneuf type contract.
[Reply]
SLIM Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:41 pm
@Gustavo,
At least your consistent….
Do you want him to fail also?
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
@SLIM,
NO way..I want him to be worthy of every penny he got. I’m a Kings fan (not a DD fan). My concern is for the team, not any one player.
May the hockey gods rain multiple Norris and SC trophies on DD and the Kings…and may sick camels make bubbles in the bath waters of all the opponents we face this season, at least.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
@SLIM, Lol
[Reply]
Been a Kings fan since a speedy little guy named Goring centered for the kings and the talent is the best now and the anticipation and excitement is the greatest!
[Reply]
I know some people are probably pretty angry at me … you’re wrong, drew. It’s true some people said harsh things about you. That was because they love you so much, you know … kinda twisted emotion. But now this is all over and the commitment you show in the end, we love you even more.
[Reply]
A few fair weather fans here already casting negatives. Give it a chance
[Reply]
Please don’t boo Drew.
[Reply]
Mikey Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
@Harry, for 7 mill a year, you can not only boo me, but you can slash the tires on my lambo every game and i’ll still laugh as i wait for AAA to come get me.
[Reply]
redlight Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:08 pm
@Harry, Druuuuuuu or boooooooo it’ll be hard to tell. Just imagine its the Druuuuuuuu and you’ll probably have it mostly right.
[Reply]
Good answers but if he doesn’t come back to Staples having carried the team on his back and singlehandedly won some games for us, I will not be cheering. What he did to sully what was an otherwise great summer and potentially great pre-season will not go away unless he is in 100% perfect freakin’ shape on October 6th. Color me still pissed.
[Reply]
Doc Allen Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
@Krusher, I’m with you. He is not going to carry this great team on his back but he better sure as hell be a major factor. I certainly will not boo him and I really hope that does not happen but he has a LOT to prove his worth and of course I hope he does.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
@Krusher,
What great summer for hockey did you get to see this year????????
Two suicides, one accidental overdose death, an entire professional hockey team wiped out from the face of the earth…and then the uncertainty of not knowing if DD was gonna be her or not this season.
This has been by far the very worst hockey summer I have ever lived through.
[Reply]
Krusher Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:12 am
@Gustavo, I was referring to the great moves Dean made to strengthen this team and put us in position to win. I have never seen enthusiasm and expectations so high among fans and throughout the league about our Kings, and then Drew pulls this stunt.
[Reply]
WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO! Kings are gonna win the cup this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome back Doughty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is better than Christmas!
[Reply]
He really loves the Kings. You can hear it in his words. That’s what is most important to me. We have that in common.
He was listening to his agent which was what anyone should do in his position. If he went by his gut we would have gotten taken advantage of.
IT’S ON!
[Reply]
All said and done, to win the cup you have to score and win some games, lets do it this time, this year, we have the goaloe, we have the D…now lets Score!!!i
[Reply]
I am good with the deal, and very happy it is done. I think both sides may have misplayed this (DL by making a take it or leave it offer so early, then going public saying he wouldn’t exceed it – DD by being way too stubborn). Regardless, we are now a better team than we were this afternoon, and that is what is most important right now. This may prove to be a mistake long term (more likely for the Kings than for Doughty), but I am glad to see DL and ownership taking some risks in order to put together what is starting to look like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender for the foreseeable future. I am sure the league, and the players, are taking notice. That alone should make it easier to attract and keep others here for something other than top dollar, (please refer to Detroit Red Wings) which over the long haul will more than pay for the big dollars DD got. Success breeds more success, and the Kings are literally shouting that they intend to be a successful organization. In the end, that is much more important than who got what and who gave what.
[Reply]
Are gunna hear from Dean anytime soon?
[Reply]
Bill M. Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
@Who Knows?, I’m sure he’ll make a statement tomorrow after he’s done being mentally exhausted
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
@Bill M.,
Yes, it sounds like he’s had a long day.
But I imagine that he will have a chance to speak tomorrow, when Drew comes in to sign the contract.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:24 pm
@Who Knows?, I’m sure he’ll talk tomorrow. He’s probably out celebrating right now.
[Reply]
Don’t booo him .. Drewwwww him
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:30 am
@bogie99, what if i doooo drewww??
[Reply]
Congrats Drew you got your $7m. Congrats Dean you got your 8 years. Congrats to the players you got your buddy and top dman back. Congrats to us we got our team back and they’re gonna cause some serious damage this year. It’s a win-win-win-win. Business is business… now let’s play some hockey boys!!!
[Reply]
DBking Reply:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
@We B Ilya’n, well said
[Reply]
okay this is my feeling what he just said
“I Guess I’ll play” Hello even tho we all know he most likely not going to play tomorrow game
He should of said Yea I will play..Thats the right answer..I guess I’ll play more like I dont want to play.I just want to get my money and roll around in it.Nah am joking X-P
Welcome back Doughty.I hope big things come this season and the future…
Now our chances got alittle better.Still along hard road ahead of this team.
[Reply]
I never thought it would take this long and over the past week I was starting to get discouraged. I’m so glad it’s done, and he’ll be a King for a very long time.
[Reply]
I’m so glad Drew finally got this done. I’ve been a fan of his since his rookie year, and it’s been tough to read some of these posts while this was going on. It doesn’t matter who won or who lost here. It’s a done deal, and I’m glad Drew is still a King. Now lets go win a Cup or two or three or . . .
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:23 am
@Resedakingsfan,
Both sides won, I think. DD got the moola, Lombardi got the 8 years.
We, the fans (hopefully), get to see DD develop into a solid Norris contender year after year that will anchor the blue line and give life to the PP.
Welcome home, DD. Best wishes for a great season.
GO KINGS GO!!
[Reply]
Chip Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:08 am
@Gustavo, “Favorite”. Not “contender”.
[Reply]
Wow it actually got done! $7 mil is a pretty penny but we’ve got some of his UFA years so I guess it’s not all that bad.
Good to have you back. Hope you can put your playing where your money is and take it to the next level! 92-93 was a LONG time ago since we’ve been to the cup finals. This may be the season we return!!!
[Reply]
What a great birthday gift! Thanks Doughty for finally getting this deal done. Let’s get this season started and finally win some Cups!!
[Reply]
I just texted Puck73 and gave him the news, and also let him know the Lindburg baby is missing. Guess I was a little late, lol. Great day for the Kings and all of us long time fans!!!
[Reply]
lvkingaholic Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@Happy Lappy, hey jerry.. what time are you meeting up with puck tommorow?… center ice buddy……. gonna be a good time. if you talk to mike , tell him i will phone him around noonish tommorow…. thanks……. ron
[Reply]
so excited!! Thank you Drew!! Of course this happens the day I don’t obsessively check my phone for updates lol. O well by best friends birthday was more important (at least that’s what I told her), so thanks for the birthday gift Drew!!
[Reply]
After reading DD answers, its all right there. He wanted to be the highest paid King and money was the issue. “Show me the money”. He however gave the organization a couple more years so let bygones be bygones. Time to get a cup.
[Reply]
One word: Cornerstone.
[Reply]
Cynic Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:51 am
@wavesinair, More like Millstone, as in around our team’s neck. LOL!
We can always hammer it out into a cornerstone though…
[Reply]
bottom line is our team is set for the year, and we have the luxury of trimming the fat for our bottom 6 and final 2 D. Great problem to have. See ya parse, keep Lotki and Voy, DD to MAN, AM to the press box. Maybe hunter makes it?
Penner-Kopi-Williams
Gagne-Richards-Brown
Cliffy-Stoll-Richardson
Moreau-Lotki-Lewis/Westy
Mitchell-DD
Scuds-JJ
Greene-Voy
JQ
JB
SICK……….
[Reply]
KingMe20 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:29 am
@Kings x,
At this point? I’d keep Hunter around.
[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:11 am
@Kings x, Martinez is missing
[Reply]
“If they want me to play on Saturday, I guess I’ll play.”- Drew Doughty
Nice, i guess signing for $7 million will curb your enthusiasm.
[Reply]
Drew didn’t want to miss out on the German trim. Go DD.
[Reply]
Real 7 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:49 am
@Mike in Oregon,
just in time for Octoberfest!
have you ever been there? It’s WILD !!
OK guys, not too wild….
[Reply]
I figured he’d sign by the weekend; you know DD’s gotta get his VEGAS on. Can we start dominating now?
BTW, great job Mr. Hammond!
[Reply]
It’s funny. I’ve been annoyed at Doughty for the past few weeks but for some reason I can’t seem to remember what it was about.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:24 am
@JDBiGC, i know i know pick me me me!!!
Okay here it is u were annoyed of Doughty because u couldnt see him play Hockey at Staples Center at Oct 7 X-D
[Reply]
DOUGHTY!!!!! thank you for coming back! you deserve this contract and i know you wont disappoint. Ill see you all in las vegas at frozen fury! GO KINGS GO!!!
[Reply]
While I shared many fans’ anger about the protracted nature of this deal, there was one thought that persisted and made me want Doughty to come back. That thought was of how I would feel seeing that kid skate in Staples Center wearing the colors of one of the other 29 teams in the league.
Yes, the Kings have paid a lot to a largely unproven player whose potential is off the charts, but he could end up making this into a steal of a deal. Lombardi was right when he drafted him 2nd overall and told the media, “We’re glad he was still available.” No slight to Stamkos, but franchise forwards come around a hell of a lot more often than franchise defensemen.
Now it’s on Doughty to prove he’s capable of playing up to that large deal. 60-point seasons are no longer great seasons. They’re now what’s expected as a return on that sizable investment. The Kings deserve a best effort every night he plays, and he must continue to learn the game, grow as a player, and improve in his own end of the ice.
To think what he could become when he grows up? He could be a sight to see, or he could be a colossal failure. My hope is that with this contract squabble will come some maturity, and that with last season’s slide will come some humility. I’m glad he’s back, and now I want him to earn that check.
[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:09 am
@KingMe20, Agree with your post, let’s hope for the best.
[Reply]
Now I can stop -
Three times a day go to Google
Type in Drew Doughty
Select News
Select Last 24 Hours
GKG
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Ok DD you got your superstar money. Now how about concentrating on hockey 24/7 all year long so that you can soon be playing like a superstar.
[Reply]
Some context…
DD is now the Kings highest paid player. He is also making more than anyone on the Detroit, Philadelphia, or Vancouver roster. DD has been my favorite Kings player, but I can’t help feeling like the Kings massively overpaid.
If this deal handcuffs us over the next 8 years tonight’s elation that the deal got done will evaporate very quickly.
[Reply]
TwoFootAfro Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:28 am
@ForumFan, Zetterburg in Detroit is making $7.75 million at a 6.083 cap hit. Daniel Briere of the Flyers is making $7 million at a 6.5 cap hit. It comes down to which Doughty Dean Lombardi just bought. If it is the Drew the Norris finalist then we got a steal for those UFA years.
[Reply]
King Cobra Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:40 am
@TwoFootAfro, “If”
[Reply]
Does anyone know if DD’s existing contract has actually expired or was the upcoming season his last at $3.5m? In other words was he a signed holdout or unsigned holdout?
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:57 am
@ForumFan, He was not a hold out at all. His contract ran out and he became a restricted free agent without ANY contract. Calling DD a hold out is quite unfair. He did nothing of the sort. Hold out players are those that are not living up to a signed contract.
[Reply]
ForumFan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:22 am
@KC23,
thanks for the clarification
[Reply]
All I have to say DD if you cant do what Orr did at his age, you are overpaid.
Brown Kopi and JJ gave a lot to the Kings and Im sure they felt they left some money on the table and DD the potato chip put it into his chip account.
IM sure the next time around those three wont be so kind to the Kings Managment when it comes time for thier contracts one day.
Forget us having that one two punch in net when JQ & JB contract are due in 2 years.
By year three, star players or above average player will not Kings. Unless the cap his $100,000,00 cap.
I pray I eat my words for the way contrats are now, I think DL knows hes got 2 to 3 years to win the cup before all these contracts go up up and away…
So I will just enjoy these next two years and hope we win it all and can beat caps or pens in the final this year.
[Reply]
ForumFan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:28 am
@Sammuch,
agree completely. The DD of last season is definitely not worth it. The Kings are taking a huge risk I think with their future in cap terms.
[Reply]
so looks like the roster is set
Pens=kopi=willie
gags-richsrds-brownie
KFC=Stolly-Moreau
Richardson=lewis-Hunter
Doughty=Mitchell
JJ=scuds
martinez=Greenimal
Parse/Westie/DD2
quick
bernier
[Reply]
BluLiner Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:40 am
@tornado12, Wow, Kings have replaced 7 of 12 starting forwards in their lineup since just before training camp last year. (I think only kopi, willie, brown, stoll and richardson were regular starters before then)
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:21 am
@BluLiner, and all upgrades. I think thats why expectations are as high as they are right now! can the season start already?
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DD is so thick skinned that he will only be hearing ‘Droooos’ instead of ‘boos’
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I’m sitting here in a fancy hotel just waking up, yes I’m in Vegas. I get this text from Puck73 saying one thing “He signed”. This magical season is upon now folks. Maybe Drew could fly to Vegas and play a little in the Fury. Doubt that will happen. I think we all knew deep down that the kid was going to sign. Do I think he should be the highest paid King? NO! But did the Kings do the right thing? YES! In life we don’t always get what we want, we get what we need. We needed Drew, Drew needed us. I hope both sides are happy and now we can get dowm to playing some hockey. I still think it’s going to TAKE SOME TIME FOR THIS TEAM TO GELL, so please folks do NOT panic. I’m going to “move like Jagger” back to my fancy bed and get some sleep before me and the little lady of mine go to the Buffet for some chow. See some of you later today around Vegas…
[Reply]
IceGuy Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:43 am
@kinginsaltlake,
puck and I have always agreed that Vegas was the line in the sand for 8Ball.
And so it is.
I think I’ve been right all along.
You guys will get to see the 2011-12 Kings on the ice for the first time.
Lucky Bastards!
[Reply]
Sammuch Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:43 am
@kinginsaltlake,
well said I agree, the 1st month we will be .500 because of the trip over seas and then we will of and running hope to meet you soon and have a couple of suds…
[Reply]
Missed all the excitement from last night and just plowed through all the comments at once… whew!
Besides the obvious signing of DD, the thing that I’m most excited about now is how the entire organization is now talking about how the only acceptable outcome now is winning the Cup. From “I hope we make the playoffs” a couple of years ago to this. What a shift in mentality! I can’t wait to see how the team carries that “swagger” onto the ice.
With all the veteran talent we added, they should be showing all these kids the way to act like they belong all through the long, long season. Its almost here!!! GKG!
[Reply]
Welcome back DD!!! Lets get this season rolling!
[Reply]
I would bet that Kopi talked with DL and told him that it was OK with him if DD was at a higher cap hit. Kopi definitely has the class and character to take one for the team.
[Reply]
Dominick Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:21 am
@blugator, He probably has so much class that he doesn’t even care what DD makes. Probably doesn’t even care who makes the most on the team, or even keeps track.
[Reply]
blugator Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
@Dominick, Yeah, I totally agree about that. But, based on DL & TL comments, management was concerned about Kopi being highest paid. For them to then move on that, I’m just thinking Kopi may have let them know it was not a problem.
[Reply]
BluLiner Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:35 am
@blugator, All players want other players to get big money, in the end all their contracts go up.
I watched Stan Makita on NHL network last night. When Bobby Hull got a million dollars to go to Winnepeg many years ago, Mikita was thrilled – He said it would double his salary (and joked though that his salary wasnt much in the first place.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:41 am
@BluLiner, I happened to see that too.
Man the golden jet had some terribile Trump hair…
[Reply]
Did I miss something..Drew hasn’t been in camp? LOL
Nothing better than waking up on a Friday morning..turning on XM NHL channel and hearing the great news about DD…
BTW Rich..your name was mentioned throughout! In a reltively short period of time, you have become the go to guy for anything Kings related. Well done!
Welcome back Drew!
I still hold the same fear I did before…Leg injuries always scare me with guys who have held out..let’s hope that isn’t the case here.
I know I’ve beaten on both sides recently, but good job by all getting this done.
As fans we don’t care whether it’s 6,7,8 mil a year, we just want our best D’man on the ice wearing his Kings sweater. Unfortunately we do understand that this is a business as well.
Certainly no hard feelings towards DD or DL…
I’m just thrilled to death and can’t wait for the puck to drop in 168 hours…not that I’m counting!
GO KINGS!
[Reply]
I agree with Drew it is a business, he took the chance at not being added back to the team, these players work hard at becoming pros, giving up a lot of free time hanging with freinds socialy and otherwise, now he has it made, again it’s a business and he is the commoditiy.
[Reply]
My take is I won’t be booing Doughty for a couple of reasons.
#1 He might mistake it for the “Drewwwww” chant
#2 I won’t boo any Kings ever unless their cheap shot artist, which I hate (i.e.Avery).
#3 Silence says so much more. Imagine him being introduced and he hears nothing, which is exactly what he is going to get from me the first time he is introduced, but from then on I’ll be cheering him on like all the rest.
As far as the deal I think it was good, but it sucks it took so long to get there.
As far as Voynov … back to Manchester. Martinez at this point is a far better defenseman. You people talking about replacing Martinez with Voynov at this point should all be a shamed of yourselves. The notion is unfair and absurd.
[Reply]
Crown Royal Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:17 am
@KC23,
I have been a Martinez fan since he before he was called up last season. I love the speed he brings to the lineup but I don’t get your extreme preference for Martinez over Voynov.
Voynov played in the KHL as a sixteen year old. Voynov has been an AHL all star. Voynov won the fastest skater competition at the AHL all star game. Voynov, for the most part, has played better than Martinez so far in the pre-season.
I think, Kc, your statement about us being ashamed of ourselves and it being unfair and absurd is misplaced. Voynov may eventually turn out to be the better player. This is nothing against Martinez. I hope both players reach their potential and end up being a big part of the Kings future.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:57 am
@Crown Royal, I am not going to take sides on this one, but I just wanted to point out that we are discussing who the #6 defenceman will be. And, both are real NHL players. Can anyone have imagined 5 years ago that we would have 8 defencemen that are truly NHL quality?
[Reply]
carrie Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:00 am
@Crown Royal, I agree. I really like Martinez as a player and he’s shown steady growth since arriving with the organization. His growth has been, in my opinion, much more rapid than would be expected considering where he came in at. The issue at hand is do you reward the player that has shown constant steady growth or the player who came in at a higher level who’s growth hasn’t been quite as noticeable? With Martinez, it’s easy to see exactly where he’s improved and where he’s worked because for the most part he was a very solid AHL player and a questionable #7. Now he’s clearly shown he can develop the skills to be on NHL ice. Voynov on the other hand came in as an obvious eventual top guy with more minor problems. I think when you know someone is good to begin with, when they end up playing at or close to expectations it’s less surprising/noticeable.
I also agree that it isn’t unfair to question who gets the gold star here. In saying that Voynov has more upside or even potential upside, no one is diminishing the work that Martinez has put in or whether or not he deserves it. The question is just who gets it. Unfortunately, the NHL isn’t the place where you can reward a player just because of their work ethic. I know that TM has mentioned it in the past that the hardest decisions for the organization is always when you have the player that has done everything you’ve asked, but it still isn’t enough to beat someone else out. In the end, the team has to evaluate who is going to get them closer to the final goal. There’s nothing unfair about that, it’s just the way a professional sports team works. It’s a shame, but it’s also the facts.
Personally, I haven’t come to any sort of personal conclusion about what should happen because of a lot of things people have already pointed out in regards to logistical issues with both players.
[Reply]
ToughD Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
@Crown Royal, can’t believe voynov is outperforming Martinez. Anyhoo, I’m just bummed that we didn’t go after Robyn Regehr. I would have offered up Scuds. We’re deep on offensive dmen so even Scuds and JJ in a package deal for Regehr and picks.Afterall we have the new bobby orr in DD…or do we?
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:46 am
@KC23,
Since I haven’t seen Voynov play as many games in the NHL as Martinez, for me, it’s a tough call. Martinez did admirably last year and did what was asked of him. At the end of the year, I felt that he had earned the spot on the roster. But his preseason performance has been less than impressive. I would have hoped that he picked up where he left off, especially knowing that Voynov is going to gun for a spot on the team.
From what I’ve seen and heard about Voynov, he could very well be better than Martinez. But without seeing him more, it’s a wash, which is unfortunate because if Voynov doesn’t make the team, we will most likely lose him to the KHL.
[Reply]
So Mr. Wonderful, Mr Twinkle Toes re-signs. I, for one, will never watch another Kings game as long as greedy Doughty is on the team. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA just kidding. Great to have him back. God we fans forgive so easily……
[Reply]
Bob Mcknenzie from TSN states he reads La Kings insider every day! Watch the dd video on the front page of TSN.
[Reply]
Did Alec MarKINGez sign too soon. He makes a pittance compared to Doughty. I’m not saying he’s as good but relatively speaking, the disparity is disconcerting, perhaps.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:18 am
@clubaclub,
I don’t think so at all.
One guy came out of the blue to make the team alst year and had a nice rookie season. Nothing close to spectacular, but for a rookie, it was encouraging.
DD’s a star..He plays 25+ min PP/PK against the best of every team.
Martinez is a 6th D’man.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:50 am
@clubaclub,
The disparity between the highest paid players and the regular players is pretty staggering sometimes. But AM isn’t a star/marquee player, which DD is. He’s a dependable body, able to play safe minutes while your top players are off the ice, can chip in a few points, and not make mistakes that cost games.
[Reply]
Two good video clips on the Kings bottom right of this article on DD:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=377081
[Reply]
we know drew well and all he wants to do is play hockey.as you have all mentioned hockey is a business & should be treated as such.he has accomplished much at a young age however still has that fire in heart be to bring LA fans their first Stanley Cup.
[Reply]
I woke up this morning, the sun came up in the east, kissed the wife goodbye,rode the motorcycle to work, and through it all I kept thinking “DD has signed, what am I gonna do today?” Then I remembered that I am going to go home tonight, pack my bags, go to bed early, wake up early and HEAD TO VEGAS FOR FROZEN FURY TOMORROW!!! Yeah, a little excited, but who wouldn’t be? We are now poised for not just a Cup run this year, but excellent runs for the next few years thanks to DL. GKG!!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:57 am
@DesertKing, Packing my stuff right now. Vegas here we come!!!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:09 am
@KC23,
Wooo Hoooo!!
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:25 am
@DesertKing,
Enjoy it my man!
Life is all good today as a Kings fan!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:46 am
@nykingfan,
100%
[Reply]
Hunter is a king…..any details out there?
[Reply]
So with that contract, the Kings now have the 7th highest payroll in the NHL, 2nd highest in the conference to Vancouver, and highest in the Pacific Division and they still have enough cap space to make moves for injuries or at the deadline. the commitment is there from ownership and management, now the players need to step it up and get off to a great start to the regular season and really live up to the expectations. looking for another killer start to the year, hopefully without the big slumps we saw last year.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 7:59 am
@Sebastian, Even the players seem to agree with you … they know its time to put up because the whole organization has primed the pump for them. Time to suck it up and get it done. I’m thinking they just might.
[Reply]
All this angst because they didn’t want to pay 7 mill back when they offered the 7 to 9 years. Then DD takes a huge beating from the fans on how he’s a greedy cuss for wanting 7 mill all summer long. He misses camp. Dean, and Tim blitz the media with fiscal responsibility. DD takes another bashing for asking for 7 mill. DD signs for……….. wait for it……….. 7 mill, and everybody says thank you DD. DL wins!
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:35 am
@Dominick,
WE WIN!
At this point it doesn’t matter who was right or wrong. The only thing that matters is he’s in camp.
Greed and sports is the equivalent to.. Kings fans and dissapointment. They’ve always gone hand in hand!
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
@Dominick,
Did you forget the part where DD (or Meehan) did not want to a long term contract past 5 yers? DD got his 7 million and DL got his 8 years. Both sides win. Both sides compromised to get it done.
[Reply]
DLB Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@Gustavo, I get that people keep saying that. I don’t know what the definitive source was for it, though.
There were a couple of rumors earlier in the summer that had Doughty’s camp willing to do seven years, just at a higher price than the Kings wanted to pay.
It still looks like both sides compromised to me, so it doesn’t matter much.
[Reply]
people are gonna booo him a little?….umm m sure like 75% of staples center doesnt even know this was all going on.
[Reply]
Now that this is done can we just get to hockey. I hope that everyone remembers the most important part of this is that both parties are happy, they both got what they wanted. We as king fans should be thankful. Let’s not dwell on the negatives, and the past and be grateful for the things too come. Hopefully that means many, many years of unforgetable hockey memories.” Let’s get it on”…….
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:16 am
@P90X,
well said!
[Reply]
Rich — now that “the contract” is behind us, can you put up a thread for predictions, for total points, who we will play next June and what our PP% will be?
[Reply]
Flight leaves long beach at 850 tonight! man oh man i cant wait to experience my first frozen fury!!
[Reply]
7 mill for 8 (emphasis on
years! I like it!
[Reply]
This was a draw. Kings gave up $200K more than they wanted to and DD didn’t get the short term deal that he wanted.
I still think it was disingenuous of him to say that it wasn’t about money when it seemed to boil down to $200K a year, which is…..wait for it…..money. For the folks who keep telling themselves that it wasn’t about money, $1.6M represents real money. Unless those represent donuts or something else. Maybe DD wanted the extra cash for a Veyron or something.
All this is now moot since DD apparently doesn’t want to discuss what went on in the background so that he wouldn’t come out as the bad guy. He’s a King now, so that’s good overall for the club. But, he’s now under more of a microscope than ever before. He’ll get very little leeway from fans if he decides to pull another “come into camp unprepared” season with what he signed for.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:41 am
@vplaza,
whenever they say it isn’t about the money.
IT’S ABOUT THE MONEY!!!!!!!
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:48 am
@nykingfan,
Any way you slice it, put lipstick on the pig, if it sounds like a duck, walks like a duck, play with words, sugarcoat it, spin it….what he ultimately got was more money.
Because if it wasn’t, then he pulls a Jared Weaver and signs without hassles for what many believe was under market value (let’s not kid ourselves, $85M is a lot of money, but people thought he gave up the possibility of a $100+M contract if he waited for free agency). The kid held out for $200K a year. If it wasn’t about money, why hold out for that amount?
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:20 am
@vplaza,
Who knows what was going on.
It really depends on whether he was driving the bus or his agent was.
I took note of one thing he said was that he was not going to miss the opening of the season.
So did his agent tell him ..keep your mouth shut and we’ll continue to negotiate up until the start of the season and then take the best deal we can at that point?
Without having “inside knowledge” of the situation,it’s all just pure speculation.
vplaza Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:40 am
@vplaza,
Correct, no one other than the parties involved will probably ever know what went on. All we can go on is what was said and infer from what was not said. One report said that after the Kings made their offer, nothing happened until DL went back to Meehan with the $7M offer. Which essentially tells me that DD/Meehan held firm at $7M, banking on the hope that the Kings would flinch first. Which it sounded like they did.
We don’t know if the “threat” of wanting a four or five year deal was more than that. But one thing is plain and clear. They believed that DD should have been the top paid player on the roster and perhaps, wanted to be better than the fourth highest-paid dman by cap hit. You are correct, it’s all speculation.
I haven’t completely given up on Doughty, but he’s lost some of his luster with this crap he pulled. He’s not worth 7 mil a year but I guess his greed and tenacity proved the opposite. Better bring it this year or he’s toast.
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:19 am
@Scaught,
If by toast you mean a 21 year old single multi-millionaire then, yes, you are correct.
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Scaught Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, Toast as in not respected among fans, constant ridicule, think Barry Zito – save for you and those who think they might get a cut of that 56 mil, who knows.
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You made your bed Drew prepare to hear it opening night. Ill be the one in the Premier seating booing your ass. What a joke 8 years 7 million per hope you can earn that because if last year is any indication the Kings overpaid. Good luck.
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nykingfan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 8:43 am
@Brian Cantrell,
to each his own. You have every right as a ticket holder to boo him, but I think it’s just plain wrong.
We all want as much as we can get in our own jobs, so why should this be different?
He’s back before the season starts and he’s ours for 8 years.
Now he has to live up to the contract.
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ForumFan Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:34 am
@Brian Cantrell,
I think the Kings overpaid too. However, I would never boo someone on our own team. I just don’t get that.
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“I guess I’ll play.” Nice way to start. Earn your money and you’ll earn respect back from the fans.
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I have more and more respect for guys like JMFJ that guy wants to be a king, negotiating his own contract for a reasonable salary, then look at quick he took less to just play, that drew are GOOD teamates!
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I thought of an especially telling question…
If we hadn’t heard all the rumors about previous offers, if drew had signed this deal on July 1st, not hearing all the rumors about drew wanting shorter term, or how it was all over just 200k a year – would we have been ok with it then?
The answer is that many people would have said “yes” without hesitation. A few would have hesitated. A large number would probably say that he’s not worth it yet but he at least has a chance of growing into it. And a vocal minority would say he’s not that good in the first place. And really, for that group, 6.8 would have still been overpaying. So I think it is a fair deal. We bought three of Drews UFA years for only 1.6 million. I think that if drew does live up to his potential, then at 26-29 he will demand more than Weber does now. And what did Weber get? An extra 500K per year. For three years that’s 1.5 mil. So if 26 year old drew is ONLY as good as Weber, we’ve gotten a 1.5 million discount. If he’s better than Weber (its at least within possibility), this might be a steal by then.
And just to reiterate for the doubters – if Drew fails to reach Weber levels in the next few year, then he wasn’t worth this deal. He also wouldnt have been worth a 6.8 deal or even 6.0 deal. If drew busts at this point, we probably overpaid regardless of the details. But the alternative is the situation that Nashville is in. Weber went to arbitration, got 7.5 and now he’s still probably going to walk next year, in the first year of his prime. The point being that Nashville is screwed if Weber IS awesome, while LA is screwed if Doughty ISN’T awesome. Being a fan of my team doing well, I’d rather take a bet on a good player being awesome for my team, than assume he won’t be and watch him walk in his prime.
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DD88 Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:00 am
@Bill M., The holdout had nothing to do with greed he’s always had a thing for number 8. He wanted 8 mil 8 yrs. but had to settle for 7 mil 8 yrs. Now DD should change his number to 78 to remind him everyday how much the kings are paying him who knows if he plays up to his potential they might rework his contract in a couple of years to 8mil 8yrs and he can change his number again to 88. So don’t hate the player hate the 8.
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 9:12 am
@Bill M., The fact is the salary cap has been going up 5-10% per year so 8 years down the road, we may just look back and realize that Doughty’s salary was perhaps a bit high in the first couple years but quite reasonable for the last 5 years or so. I’m sure that was looked at from both parties and I think the Kings probably got a pretty good deal
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DLB Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 10:03 am
@Bill M., it’s the price you have to pay when the Kings absolutely would not consider anything less than 6 years.
A cheaper deal would have been shorter.
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Scaught Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@Bill M., Weber is still an RFA after this season, after he chose a one year option from a team elected arbitration. In my opinion, it showed great character as it allowed Nashville to decide how they want to go about signing their core of Rinne, Suter and Weber. – Doughty and Weber also couldn’t be more different in their style of play. One can be considered the most dominant and physically imposing force in the league (also has one of the deadliest slapshots) uses good sense and vision, sets up the offense and quarterbacks the power play. I agree that Doughty has a good chance of growing into his new salary, even a chance to earn more. But he will never eclipse Weber – with respect to how valuable he is to his team. Remove Doughty from the Kings, it hurts immensely but they currently have the talent and depth to move on. Remove Weber from the Predators, one can argue their season would be in danger of being lost. B/c he plays in Nashville, I think many fans are oblivious to just how good Weber is. In my opinion, he’s a once in a generation player. By this logic, Doughty should be at 7.5 when Shea is at 9 or 10. But …Dean caved in banking on him producing and becoming a bargain.
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Scaught Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@Scaught, *insert “the other” before “uses good sense”.
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I just hope he is not fat. We can’t afford 1/4 of the season for him to get in shape.
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DD’s answers were great until the last paragraph where he basically still talked about himself, only once referring to the fans. Play your ass off at a very high level and all will be forgotten and forgiven. Show up out of shape, get hurt or play poorly and all the fans welcoming you back (including me) will want you to give the money back and take a long friggin’ walk back to where you came from.
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No More Brain Farts. Play smart and don’t turn the puck over at bad times being fancy. Now you’re getting more money step it up.
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