Dean Lombardi joined the Kings in Florida, after a trip to see the Manchester Monarchs for a few days. Lombardi’s attention, of course, will be focused on the trade deadline, three weeks from today. As typical with any general manager, Lombardi wouldn’t publicly tip his hand in terms of who he might seek or what he might give up, but it doesn’t take a coulomb specialist to know that Lombardi will be looking for a forward or two. The questions are, what is out there and what is Lombardi willing to give up?
The irony of the trade deadline is that the more-productive trades are usually made during the summer, not in the panic-driven market of February. That said, the Kings can’t afford to wait. The first line of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams has been productive, as has Mike Richards at times. After that, though, there’s a steep fall-off, and Lombardi’s moves over the past calendar year haven’t paid off. Dustin Penner, last year’s trade-deadline acquisition, hasn’t worked. (A move, mind you, that had the approval of more than 95 percent of voters on this blog.) Simon Gagne got hurt, Scott Parse got hurt, Trent Hunter hasn’t produced much and Ethan Moreau is gone. The Kings needed two of those guys to pan out, and none have. The question now is, can the Kings address their needs at the trade deadline? I asked Lombardi whether the dynamics of the deadline will allow the Kings to significantly improve…
LOMBARDI: “As the season moves along, people have a better handle on which direction they want to go. There’s two things that can happen. One, obviously, is a team just strictly downsizing, like we did five years ago, and just saying, `Let’s get picks.’ Secondly, you might have a philosophical change and just say, `It’s not a downsizing, per se, but we want a change to change the structure of our roster.’ So it’s not a rental, per se. It’s different. I think, as the deadline gets closer, it’s not about the deadline. It’s that more teams realize what they have or don’t have. They take into consideration how many injuries they have, and say, `If we get guys back, we’re OK,’ or they say, `We’ve got to look at upgrading our back end.’ And the rentals are always going to be there.
“The question about the rentals is just the price. If you look back, and you take all the deadline deals — just look at them and line them up — you’ve got all kinds of juice on deadline day, but how many of them have really effected the team? There’s this perception of all this juice and action, then you look at what really happens. Last year, arguably, we got one of the top players. How many players had average 25 goals? That was, `Wow, that was a big deal.’ In terms of the rentals, that’s always going to be there. As a practical matter, we don’t have a second and a third (round draft picks). Manchester is still a very young team, but you always have to be cognizant that (new) guys are coming through.’’
Question: So, as you look at it, it’s still a matter of finding the right fit?
LOMBARDI: “It’s being cognizant of knowing what we’ve got coming and knowing what we’ve got now. It’s knowing who we’ve got coming and who is going to help this team next year, and making (a potential move) fit with that. With a rental, you can say, `I don’t care if it doesn’t fit with these kids that are coming,’ but with other (trades), it’s, `OK, let’s trend this way.’’’
Question: But how patient can you afford to be? What if the only real option is a player who doesn’t necessarily “fit’’ with other things?
LOMBARDI: “I don’t have a problem with that. But as far as what’s out there, it’s like I said. There are probably seven or eight out there, but out of them, the ones that will be there as rentals, one of them will probably hit. Those are usually the ones that go to a really good team and don’t have to carry the mail.’’
This team needs some major help, and 1 top 6 winger isn’t going to fix it.
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Weasel Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@Whodawat,
Actually I think one true top 3 forward would do it. But, I don’t think we can get one at a reasonable price. Plus with only a little season left it wouldn’t be the same as having a guy for training camp and the preseason to help him learn the system and his teammates.
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Whodawat Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Weasel, I’m kind of on the fence about this. Our first line has been pretty good for the most part, but the drop off in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines is abysmal. Adding a top 3 type forward to play with Richards could do wonders or nothing at all.. Richards play of late has been pretty bad, but it’s hard to fault him with those wingers.
I guess my whole thinking is that the team needs an upgrade in talent throughout the line up… not just at one LW spot. I’m not talking about having a bunch of Rick Nashes throughout the entire lineup, but Richardson, Lewis, Hunter, Clifford, Fraser, and Westgarth are very marginal in terms of offensive capabilities.. and Loktionov hasn’t shown much finishing ability either.
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Weekes22 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
@Weasel, this system is pretty easy to learn dump the puck and pray to the lord we recover it.
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Anjin Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@Whodawat, I don’t think any trade is going to ‘Fix’ it.
This team needs a system that encourages creativity and a do or die attitude.
All we do is go into each game trying not to lose. How many of you have sat there with a 1 goal lead halfway through the 3rd just hoping we at least get 1 point?
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@Anjin,
Exactly. Worse, the player currently employed are not a natural fit. Their pairings are forced. Need a major change. Wait until off season.
No one trade at the latter part of this season is going to fix the Kings offensive woes.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@USHA#17,
True, but the trade for Justin Williams was kind of like what Lombardi is referring to. He upped the age a little with that move, but he also upped the skill, immediately and long-term. If there’s a similar move available, I’d hope he pulls the trigger. Chicago is stacked on offense and is seriously weak on D. I don’t see them trading Sharp for a bottom 3 D-man, but I do see them entertaining a top 3 for him, say JMFJ. I’d do it in a heartbeat. Even throw in a pick.
number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@PakiFro
I don’t think Chicago is seriously weak on D. How weak can you be when you have the Norris winner from two years ago, Duncan Keith, pairing with Brent Seabrook. They won the cup and lost Byfuglien. How weak can you be on d when you won the SC two years ago?
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
@number 6,
They’re GAA numbers are just not that good. Mind you they had to dump about half their team so its not exactly the team that won the cup.
rogiesbackup Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@USHA#17, I agree. DL stay away from trades/UFA. Pick up from Manchester first. If offense doesn’t produce, just gonna have to change play philosophy(more offensive style). That doesn’t happen well, then trade players.
Whodawat Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Anjin, I have to admitt that I hope that more often than not
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Duckbasher Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@Whodawat,
What I’m hoping is that they get rid of an overpaid doughty before everyone else in the league realizes his true value. He’s a bust and his contract will drag this team down for the next decade. Please Dean… rid our team of him before our next GM has to deal with your biggest mistake.
CB14 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@Anjin, Bingo! Dean said it himself, Penner was a 25 goal scorer and the biggest scorer picked up last off-season, yet he comes here and can’t score. Hmmm, I wonder why? Get rid of the system and replace it with one that works.
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hockeysureshot Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
@Whodawat, I actually think getting Gagne back and adding a Blake Wheeler type of player would help immensely. I hope Dean does not overpay and make a panic move.
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Whodawat Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@hockeysureshot, I doubt Gange comes back this season. He’s head must be close to mush at this point with all the concussions he’s suffered.
If a miracle were to happen and he plays next season, acquiring a legit winger would give us 2 very solid offensive lines.
That would make next season more exicting to me.
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Duckbasher Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@hockeysureshot,
He can’t afford to overpay. He’s at the cap right now. That is unless he somehow figures out how to bamboozle some other GM (like he was in the Penner deal) into taking one of his “mistake signings” off our hands.
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joan fondell Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
@Whodawat, Trade Scuderi for a top #4/5 forward to play with Richards.
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Hmmmm, DL is on the east coast before the trade deadline. Very interesting, and it is obvious that he has had some talks becuase he knows “what’s out there.”
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Kingsfanone Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@DesertKing,
Everybody on this blog knows what’s out there. Ask em! Ovechkin, Parise, Nash, Crosby, etc, have all been bandied about on this blog.
As Rich states, 95% of this blog KNEW that Penner was the right move.95%! Yet its ok for bloggers to ne wrong, but let DL misstep and everybody jumps on his case. Pretty nice to be so judgemental without the accountability, isn’t it?
My opinion on who Lombardi is coming back with?
Crosby, of course. Who else would he be after? Isn’t he playing NHL12???
Besides, shouldn’t they fix the teamwide offensive slump before they bring in someone else, so he doesn’t get any on him?
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wavesinair Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@Kingsfanone,
A bit of a nit-pick (but important to me nontheless)…
When you say “95% of this blog” you’ll notice Rich included “of voters” in his sentence. That is a HUGE distinction.
I can’t say how many readers voted, but I’d bet it’s no more than 50%, not to mention (as I always do) that the poll is very easily manipulated.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@wavesinair,
Good point! Could be a big distinction, but still 95% is a significant percentage.95% in any poll is large, but thanks for the correction!
I sit corrected!
My main point was how bloggers can spout whatever they want without accountability or responsibility. That includes rants from me!
luc20rules Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
@wavesinair, Your right most people that enjoy complaining will not vote, so they can continue to complain with out being wrong. I think most people felt that was the best deal available and that a big LW with good hands would improve the team, but I really think Penner has lost the competive spirt. He has to know that he scores more between in the slot and playing physical, but most of his time is spent along the boards or behind the net.
Duckbasher Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@Kingsfanone,
We don’t get paid a couple mil a year like DL does. So obviously we aren’t expected to be accountable for anything. Well.. except to buy tickets to the product DL provides us LA Kings fans. Has anyone been watching Philly play lately? DL traded Simmer and Schenn (and a pick) for Richards? That may go down as one of the worst moves in NHL history. I take that back… trading for Penner @ $4.5 mil will. I take that back… signing Dan Cloutier will. I take that back. Strapping the LA Kings with Doughty’s $7m a year (for 10 years) will be the biggest bust in NHL history. I take that back… mm… nope… that’s my final answer.
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Gustavo Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
@Duckbasher,
I’ve been one of DD’s most steady critics here, but I disagree with you on the ‘albatross effect’ of his contract. As long as the salary cap keeps making extra room, DD’s contract will NOT strap this teams ability to acquire other players. But DD’s performance must be there to validate its worth.
Oh…and his contract is EIGHT (8) years, not 10.
Weekes22 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
@Kingsfanone, we dont get paid millions to make decisions at the highest level, besides getting kopitar locked up name a good deal this guy has made, sure every gm makes a mistake but can you list me some good deals or picks this guy has made?
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At this point dl seems clueless….lets become sellers….
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Duckbasher Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
@neil,
all I hope is he leaves the team with the ability to draft some future talent. So I’m with you… sell for picks and let’s rebuild again. But this time… let’s hang on to some of our picks like Simmonds & Schenn.
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I say dump Jack Johnson, who has never once been positive +/-, and go after Rick Nash or someone like him–a tough leader on a team that needs to rebuild.
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Sebastian Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
@John, is it really Jack Johnsons fault that the Kings cant score 5on5 goals? Either way, he wont be traded, Kings will not give up defense to improve offense.
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@Sebastian,
Correct and at a very reasonable cap hit.
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He Shoots, He Scores Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:17 pm
@Sebastian,
Last I checked:
1) He plays in 5-on-5 situations
2) He’s an “offensive” defenseman
So yes, he’s partially responsible for the lack of 5-on-5 scoring. If you get rid of Jack, you’ve got Voynov (who’s been arguably better than Jack at different parts of the season) and/or Martinez to round out an “offensive” 2nd or 3rd pairing.
I don’t think either player as a replacement to Jack creates a hole. Might see a slight drop off between Jack and Martinez, but if you’re able to acquire a forward who can play with Richards, then it seems to me you’ve got a net gain, assuming that whomever is acquired can score more than one of Penner or Stoll, or even more than the whole Loktionov line. Without looking at the numbers, I’d be surprised if Penner, Stoll, Richardson, Loktionov, Lewis, and Clifford combined for more than 15-17 goals. You can probably find someone on the trade market that bests the goal total of 6 players on your roster, not to mention Fraser, Westgarth, or a Kopitar/Richards slump (depending on calendar sample size).
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bmova Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores, Have you looked at the stats??? JJ has 23 points this year; more than Stoll and Penner; while Richards and Brown have 26 and 27 respectively. Yeah, lets blame JJ for our second line’s inability to score!
bmova Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores, Oh, never mind, my comment should’ve been directed to John. My bad!
TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
@John, yeah lets get rid of our most improved player this year who is the only reason our powerplay has done anything this year and also has multiple GWG. Come on….
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@TeamJMFJ,
You really need to take an overall look at his numbers (including the quality of his opponents), compare them to those of the other seven Kings defensemen and then get back to us.
(Hint: I like Jack but question his real vs perceived value)
Here
http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/ratings.php?disp=1&db=201112&sit=5v5close_f10&pos=defense&minutes=50&teamid=14&type=goal&sort=A20&sortdir=ASC
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USHA#17 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@USHA#17,
PS With thanks to blogger Rick Knickle
mash-ola Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@John, It’s gonna take a lot more than just JJ to grab someone like Rick Nash. Columbus will no doubt ask for a lot.
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ghs kings fan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@John, I’m all for nash in fact I said that months ago, but I’d dump doughty. Sure he’s good but he’s also selfish and a crybaby.
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John Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
TeamJMFJ:
The only way you get a good player is by giving up a good player. You think we can pick up a scoring winger by dealing Drewiske? The fact that Johnson may be having a good season is exactly why you deal him, even if it hurts to lose him. As for GHS, no one will pick up Doughty’s contract. If they would, I’d send him and Penner off together!
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@John,
I agree…and JJ is more expendable this year with VV stepping up.
TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@John, yes i realize that. I personally would not deal JJ for obvious reasons lol. Id ship off A-Mart and VV before JJ. atleast he is proven himself.
Duckbasher Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@John, RIGHT ON!
Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
@John, Your offer is JJ because his +/- sucks for a guy who is currently a -21, and a -73 for his career?
Do you guys even listen to yourselves when you talk?
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@Dominick, +1
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Mudfish4 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@Dominick, I think he’s only a -8 right now no?
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Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@Mudfish4, I am talking Nash here? He is a -21.
Mudfish4 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Mudfish4, Ah. Gotcha!
Kingsfanone Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@Dominick,
No, they don’t listen to themselves when they talk. Not at all.
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Duckbasher Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@Dominick, You have to take into consideration who Nash plays for don’t you? Just imagine JJ’s if he was on Columbus.
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Mudfish4 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
@John, Yeah, trade the d-man that makes 2.5 mil less than Doughty and is in the top 10 in goals by defenseman. Someone that has shown he’s committed to the team by negotiating his own deal, one I think most would say is fair. Let’s face it, we aren’t losing games because our defense is letting us down. Oh, and mash-ola is right, it’s going to take a lot more than JJ to get Nash. I love how everyone thinks we can just go out and get guys like Parise and Nash without giving up the farm. Really?
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John Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
@Mudfish4,
So what’s your deal, then???
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@John, Alec Martinez and a 2nd round pick for Teemu Selanne. Selanne’s impact on this team down the stretch would be huge on both 5 on 5, and the powerplay. This guy can finish from the perimiter, in front of the net, and can create his own shots, even at 41.
You might say that is steep for a rental player but the fact is, not all of our assets will end up here, some you use as a chip when the situation calls for it.
Luke M Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
@John,
I think you look to trade Voynov before Johnson. You will never have the physical presence from Voynov that you have in Johnson. Voynov has a very desireable scouting report and he’s played enough games to prove he can play in the NHL.
I think you almost have to consider moving Brown if necessary. I know he’s the Captain, but I think he’s reached his potential and still garners a lot of interest from other teams. I say this as a big fan of Brown, but a bigger fan of winning.
I think trading Johnson would be a huge mistake. He’s got an excellent price tag for a defenseman of his calibir and he’s going to be a force after some more time with Sutter. Trading him would most certainly come back and bite the Kings squarely on the tushy. No doubt about it.
Mudfish4 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@John, I’ll answer this, but later. Have to get back to work.
Duckbasher Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
@John, Doughty (just to get rid of him and his contract) for anything?
Mudfish4 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
@John, Ok so I’m going on the assumption that we are looking for 2nd line scoring to go with Richards. (not getting a 1st line scorer that would bump Brown or Willie down)
Unfortunately, if you look at a lot of successful Cup winning teams, they supplement their top line talent with 2nd line scoring from home-grown talent, many of whom will eventually become 1st line talent. It goes back to DL always talking about the timing of having the right mix at the right time. (Ducks with Perry, Getzlaf, Hawks with Kane, Toews, Bruins with Marchand, Seguin, Detroit too many to list!) They all filled that 2nd line gap, but were surrounded by veteran talent and great goaltending.
Since we don’t really have that on the horizon, we have to look for teams that are in rebuilding modes that need good young defense prospects and perhaps a goaltender. Based on the teams that fall into that category, here’s a couple guys I could see. (again, not sure if they are even on the market since only NHL GM’s know that)
Jokinen or Ruutu from Carolina
Stafford or Roy from Buffalo
Stewart from St. Louis (had great potential in CO, struggled this year)
David Jones from CO (previous 30 guy, not as much ice time this year with Landeskog & O’Reilly coming on)
Blake Wheeler from Winnepeg
Lee Stempniak from Cal (King killer!!)
One thing to note. You never know where chemistry will click. Some of these guys either have never hit their potential or have fallen off of their past numbers. But look at someone like Lupul in TOR. He’s floated around for a long time. He has the talent, just never the right fit. Now he’s an allstar! You just never know so I’m going for guys that have the talent, but may not have hit full potential for one reason or another.
There are a few other options out there, but I feel they are on teams that are in the hunt or in our division and wouldn’t want to make a trade with us.
Thoughts??
Christian T Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@Mudfish4, I laugh everytime someone says to trade JJ. It almost shows a lack of knowledge of this team and hockey. His deal is too good to trade. Every team in the league knows how good he is along with being a bargain for years to come. Fans are the only ones that get down on him. I also throw in anyone who says to trade a young DD. Just because he had a good year or two at 18-19 we overlook the fact that defenseman mature late. VV makes us deep team at the blue line and does not make anyone expendable. I’d let Voynov go for Nash but I don’t think I would for Parise unless he signs with the Kings. I’m with Mudfish and puck73. Let’s get Selanne who is a rental that would probably only go to 2-3 teams.
I’d like to take a shot at Ruutu.
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Mudfish4 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@Christian T, For the record, I never said anything about Selanne. He’s not going anywhere. He’ll be a Duck or retire. That’s been clear for some time. That is about the only thing that is 100% for sure these days.
John Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@Christian T,
Voynov for Nash??? I’d make that deal.
Listen, no one wants to see JJ go. He’s a great defenseman, and key to the PP. But as I said before, you gotta give up something to get something, and defense is not our problem. Top line scoring is. He’d be worth a lot in market, which is why he’s valuable. You simply can’t deal a collection of fourth-tier players and assume they will magically add up to one top-tier guy. This isn’t Coinstar.
As for Mudfish’s ideas, they are all good. I don’t trust DL’s instincts at all, as he’s missed badly on Penner and (it appears) Doughty. The key, I think, is to get someone who doesn’t play a perimeter game like Penner or, sadly, Brown.
rik8020 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
@John, throw in Dought too if you can get Rick Nash
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rik8020 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@rik8020, I meant Doughty too if you can get Rick Nash
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funking Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@John, the team does NOT need to dump JJ he is productive the reason +/- is low is becuase he does all his scoring on PP. But what this team needs is someone who is offensively creative, a player that creates offense, not just a gaol scorer but like Richards a player who sees the ice and creates goals, someone like Camellari. I would like to see Kings go after MR’s buddy in Columbus. Carter wants out and why not hook him up with his buddy. Deal Penner or Bernier or any of the bottom six guys, I think Penner has improved and I like him on our team but our staff doesnt understand to plop his big body in front of the goalie the entire 2 min of every PP. thats how he scores. If we can keep him and implement this great…..whatever tho if we fail to score goals we will not move on….isnt there any one in Manchester who can improve this team, certainly the any of the bottom six can be replaced for one player at a time to see if theres a better fit.
Just the rantings of a fool.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 9:07 pm
@funking, then, to your point, why not Ray Whitney? Ofcourse, the yotes better fall off quick for that to happen
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Roger Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@funking, No way Carter is not that good nd his contract is too long.
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andy Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
@John, CAn’t see why Columbus would want Johnson they have plenty of young D-men. In any deal for Nash and/or Carter I bet they are asking for Loktionov,our first rounder 2012 and Bernier for starters.And Lombardi is crazy enough to entertain that offer. I think he’d get fired over such stupidity!!!
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N12 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
@andy, I heard the deal for Carter would be stoll+bernier for sandford and Carter. But I also read they are asking for a young roster player and a pick. But getting rid of Stoll would be to clear up cap space for Carter.
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rcinsc Reply:
February 8th, 2012 at 7:17 am
@John, OK, so get rid of JMFJ and his 4 or 5 game winning goals, and where are we? Out of the playoffs and looking in, if the season were over now. Without getting into a discussion regarding the most overpaid D-man on the Kings, the problem lies with EVERYONE’s inability to score consistently. If every forward was having a statistically average year, the Kings would be in a far better position than they find themselves now. I don’t think it’s personnel per se. Maybe it is just the system… Maybe Sutter having the team through camp next year will make a difference.
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My grandmother used to say….”You talk so much, yet you say nothing…….”
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Duncanz Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@Johnny Virgil, She must have been to a lot of stump speeches and town hall meetings.
I understand what he was saying but there are more lines to read between than AT&T !
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I just read the comments that Lombardi gave Rich, and , as Dean would say, “Quite Frankly” I have no Idea what he was talking about. I am sure that deep down, Dean knows that since he hired TM that this offense has been in the bottom 7. Sutter and Nicholls have made some difference for sure, but I also think they are getting as much out of them that is possible.
Lets be honest here, without a healthy Parse or Gagne, the wing situation is very thin to say the least on the top 6, so Dean will have to address it somehow.
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neil Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
See@puck73, seems like dl doenst what to do…..
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zulov Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@puck73, I love the Selanne idea – I would gladly deal for him – my guess is though, that he probably doesn’t want to go to the kings, and would rather finish his career with the Ducks.
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@puck73,
Correction; the offense hasn’t been in the bottom 7. It’s been in the bottom 1 or 2 if I’m not mistaken.
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“carry the mail”…..”juice”. Normally I always understand the jist of what DL is saying. Not so much in this interview.
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
@PakiFan, Have you noticed that DL is never on with Nick and Daryl or Bob and Jim? Or for that matter, have you noticed that there have been no podcasts this season of DL on Canadian radio either?
Ya know what? I think Tim Leiweike has left a sour taste in Deans mouth. I think Leiweike is the guy that forced the Doughty signing, and I think Leiweike is the guy that Forced the TM firing.
CAn I prove it? NO. But I have gotten that impression all season by DL’s absence.
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Phillip Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@puck73, I’m not so sure about the TM firing but I agree with the Doughty signing. Dean was on every talk show all summer long talking about the trade, Doughtys contract ect…ect…ect. Since the Doughty signing, this guy has vanished. It took weeks before I heard anything from him about Doughty signing. I said right then that managment rammed that deal down Deans throat.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Phillip,
for a paltry 200K more, they shoulda rammed it down his throat in August so Doughty wouldn’t have missed camp and been up to speed from the get-go. He struggled cuz of no camp and if they were just going to give in anyway, why not give in sooner?
Duncanz Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
&FKA PakiFro, I would say DD did that to the Kings (and himself!), not the other way around.
And 200G is 200G..
Listening to/reading his answers can be mind numbing. Bottom line: No team in 23 years has made the playoffs finishing worst in offense and the team that did (’88-’89 Canucks) played in a 21 team league where only 5 team missed the playoffs.
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I’ve never understood the love affair that some of you have/had with Penner. He’s stunk since day one. It’s kind of like the love affair that some of you have/had with Frolov. He had a couple of great seasons and now he’s Gretzky and the Kings should’ve never traded him. Sheesh.
I love Mike Richards and I think he’s being held back by his awful linemates. Hopefully Dean makes a deal for some help. Whoever he picks up couldn’t be any worse than Penner.
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Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@Tyler, Never understood the FRO hate either. He scored 5 something from the 3rd line, with no 1rst line minutes. A feet no one has equalled in over 20 years. He’s also the last King to score 35 goals.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@Dominick,
Talk about dearly missed. It’s sad that the only season he truly struggled was his last here. And even then he had 19 goals and 50-ish points. I’m always surprised and how people forget his 30 goal campaigns and arguably being the catylst behind Zeus and Simmer’s great seasons in 2009-10.
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Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@FKA PakiFro, I’m with you there. Funny that he’s hated so much, and yet 55 points was an off year for him. How many 3rd line players for the Kings since even have 40 points? Truely a waist of a career, and a valuable asset that we let walk for nothing. He only made like 2.5 mill, and his replacement only scored 16 from the same place. Right now, a 50-ish point player would be worth 4, or 5 million (easy), and yet people still complain about the guy.
evldog Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
@FKA PakiFro, absolutly agree. Fro was enough of a threat on that third line that opposing coaches had to split or increase ice time for their top defensemen to keep the kings third line in check and that only helped our first and second lines find some open ice. I for one miss Frolic. Certainly more than I’m gonna miss Penner.
Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@Tyler, Oopps! that’s “50 something”
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zulov Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@Dominick, I think Tyler was actually saying that he has a lot of FRO hate – which I completely disagree with – Frolov was a much better player than Penner. Not picking him up was the beginning of our offensive woes. No class. The guy had been a solid player the Kings. Yet DD gets 7 mill on potential.
The grass is always greener somewhere else. DL thought he could do better. Not picking up Frolov was an obvious mistake.
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Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@zulov, I wasn’t agreeing with him. I was saying I don’t understand his position on the Fro hate. It was (even in retrospect) a major loss, and those that cry about it years later do so in ignorence.
Duncanz Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@Dominick, Did Fros really have a future tho’?
He went to NY and basically vanished instantaneously.
Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@Duncanz,
True. But Frolov was out of his comfort zone. He had never shown the drop he had there, when he was here. I think being out of his element, and being on a bad team contributed. New York that season wasn’t that good, and with the Kings would have been a lot better (assuming Murray wouldn’t of used him as a whipping boy).
USHA#17 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Tyler,
Day 1 He won a cup with the Ducks where he was a major force late season and in the playoffs.
Day 2 Was a good player for the Oilers
Day 3 Sucked since
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g smith86 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
@Tyler, sure…Penner has shown very few good moments with the Kings so far, but MR is flat struggling right now…the guy is coughing up the puck on a regular basis…I would like to blame that on the fact that he is forced to play with 2 other guys that can’t finish and therfore he is trying to do too much, but still, MR is not playing well right now…I agree with you about the love affair that some here have with Fro…don’t quite understand it myself…Fro is long gone…you need to let it go, people!
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Ok, armchair GM’s… time to sound off. What moves would you make (if any) if you were GM? Specific names for specific names/picks preferred. No “Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk” responses allowed!
Personally, this scoring drought virus that has infected this team does not appear to be fixable at this point. One or two moves alone would not be enough, especially if it’s not a top-shelf player. Players I would be eyeing now would include (in no particular order) Travis Moen, Woljtek Wolski, Raffi Torres, and maybe Tuomo Ruutu. I would try to get these players for picks or any of the bottom six forwards. Drewiske and Martinez. Someone like Jeff Carter would require more than I would probably be willing to part with.
Ok.. Your turn. Knock yourselves out!
SCORE KINGS SCORE!
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tornado12 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@mash-ola, ray whitney for draft picks and/or future considerations
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meister könig Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@mash-ola, maple leaves are looking to get bigger and get help down the middle giving them penner or stoll preferably both in exchange for someone like macarthur or grabovski
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zulov Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@meister könig, They are never going to give up Grabovski for penner and stoll. But I would take Kulemin and another middle 6 winger.
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meister könig Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@zulov, yea I know it would need to be way sweeter for grabo im just saying we have some possible pieces toronto maybe interested in…i also would be thrilled for someone like kulemim
Duncanz Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@zulov, Kulemin is young and responsible – but he doesn’t score very much.
I wonder how worried Deanno is about losing his job if the Kings a)Lose in the first round, or b) don’t make the playoffs?
I don’t know too much about Dean’s tenure in San Jose, but after listening to Craig Button a little while back, it seems like Dean managed the Sharks the same way as he is currently managing the Kings by not making the right moves, let alone any moves to take the team to the next level.
We heard the “culture” and “identity” phrases come out of Dean’s mouth for the past five years or so, but what culture or identity has Dean brought to the Kings? The Kings definitely do not have a tough identity, nor do they have a skilled identity. Trading away one of the young and up and coming heart and soul players (Simmonds) without replacing his grit and toughness was a failure. Without Simmonds, the Kings are left with Clifford to fend for himself and his teammates. Drafting Lewis was a failure. Drafting Hickey was a failure. Trading Gleason AND Belanger for JJ and Teverdosky was a complete failure.
What is this team? Is he trying to model them after the Red Wings or after the Bruins? This team that Dean has assembled does not represent anything other than a bunch of “nice” guys who play hard. Is the Kings’ identity that of Dustin Brown, their captain? Yes, Brown is a physical, hard working player who can chip in with 25-30 goals, but he is also a chronic diver who never stands up for himself or his teammates. Is this what you want your captain to emulate?
I apologize for the rant, but I can go on and on… I just don’t know what Dean is doing with the team. The core has been compiled by Dave Taylor (Kopitar, Brown, Quick), NOT Mr. Lombardi.
I have been losing faith in Lombardi for quite some time, but its beginning to get to the point where I am starting to think a new GM is needed to take this team to the next level; someone who can make some creative trades and signings; someone who can actually create a real identity that either the Kings will be a skilled team like the Wings or a tough, in your face, intimidating team like the Bruins.
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PakiFan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@eric,
I don’t agree with everything you said, especially regarding some of the trades being failures, but you are right, something needs to change.
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Cry Baby Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
@eric, I really like Craig Button’s hairdo!
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@eric, Drafting Hickey was a failure? The only problem Hickey had earlier was some injuries. This season, the guy is an AHL All-Star. Also, and it has been brought up several times, most NHL defenseman dont develop until the ages of 24 and 27.
Remember this Eric, Willie Mitchell didnt stick in the NHL until he was 24, Greene 23, and Scuderi 26. Thomas Hickey is coming along very nicely thank you.
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eric Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@puck73,
Yes, Hickey is a failure. Why the hell did Dean pick a small defenseman, especially that low? If he was good, he would have made it already. I don’t think we will ever see him in a King uniform, just like we never saw Teubert, who, by the way, was another bad pick by Lombardi.
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vicarious Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@puck73, True Hickey basically lost two years to injury and it seems like he is working on his game in the AHL. I’m pretty sure Hickey could put up more points if he wanted but instead, to his credit, has worked on positioning and defense. However, for the 4th overall pick in that 2007 draft, reaching for Hickey was a large gamble which worked out badly for the Kings. They could have taken Alzner, the consensus best defenseman, who would basically be an upgrade on Scuderi. I’d like to see the Hickey pick work out but Hickey’s been passed by Martinez, Voynov and likely Muzzin on the King’s depth chart
Seems to me the Kings are not one of the league’s top 5 teams, as DL expected when he signed Richards, and he should see about bringing in some Manchester players to see how they fare in the NHL game. Hickey would be one and Cliche probably as well. Maybe Cliche for example would an upgrade over Fraser.
I think I posted the following comment before but its crummy to be five years into a rebuild and the Kings don’t have much in the minors to look forward too.
(I was one of the 5% who didn’t like the Penner deal originally, since I felt it was a reasonable move but too early to leave the rebuild. Then I thought it was a good trade after seeing Penner for his first few games with the Kings. After that, calamity. By my count, Lombardi’s traded 3 #1 picks, one to upgrade to get Teubert which was a bad pick–then traded Teubert + a #1 to get Penner).
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Steve W Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@eric, Button also believes that Hull’s ‘OT goal’in the 1999 SC finals was a good goal. He would-he was the Stars GM at the time!
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
@Steve W, According to the rules at that time, that goal should have been disallowed. On the other hand, I hated that rule and I am glad that it is gone.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@puck73, To this day, there are still banners in Buffalo New York that say “no goal”
Dan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@eric, I disagree with some of your post. The Kings are tough to play against, due to their strong defense, excellent goaltending, and the fact that they are one of the league leaders in hits. Trading Simmonds and Schenn for Richards was a great trade for what the Kings needed…a proven big league scorer, with leadership skills. The concussion messed things up, probably more than we know. Simmonds is an awesome player, having as good a year as we had hoped he would have had in LA. Schenn is coming around now, after injuries, and ineffectiveness. Yes, we miss Simmond’s toughness, and hoped that Westgarth would have developed more, so Clifford wouldn’t be the only guy to mix it up…hasn’t happened yet. This team needs someone to step up and play to their potential, like Penner, Stoll, and whomever. The Johnson trade was a good trade, even though Gleason would be a welcome addition. Hickey is still a question mark, but that is still to be seen. Your picture of Brown is a little off, in my opinion…he is one of the players who always gives an honest effort, though, at times, it seems odd that he can’t score what appear to be easy goals. This is fixable, with a MacArthur, or a Grabovski, for one of our extra defensemen, a pick, and maybe a Stoll…
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eric Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Dan,
Maybe the Flyers knew something about Carter and Richards that nobody else knew. One more hit to the head of Richards and he’ll be the next Crosby…
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Dan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@eric, That is a distinct possibility!
eric Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@Dan,
Also, I would have no problem with the Richards trade if Dean obtained a replacement for Simmonds, such as David Clarkson, Travis Moen, etc. But, he didn’t!
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PurpleBlacknGold Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@eric, Way too much in your rant to address it all while at work, but I can’t pass up your bashing of Brown. Please don’t mistake smart, hardworking play for diving. I have heard this a few times and can’t agree. Brown is smart in that he keeps his feet moving and gives 100% effort, especially when he knows there is potential for a call. Don’t mistake a player that is good at drawing penalties for a player who dives…there is a big difference.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@PurpleBlacknGold, My question would be, how many diving penalties does DB ever take? I don’t remember any..
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I didnt read it but here is my guess, he is talking about Us not doing anything at the dealine this year? Am i right or wrong?
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eric Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
@pr0cess,
That’s why I gathered as well, but as Rich said and as most are aware, a GM won’t discuss possible trades or transactions before they occur…
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Deke'r Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
@pr0cess, …..that’s what I’m hearing…
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DesertKing Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
@pr0cess,
I think you are wrong. DL wouldn’t be on the east coast,checking on Manchester, then going to Florida, if he planned on doing nothing. Something is in the works. DL needs to make something happen. Failure to make the play-offs or an early exit in Round 1 means he won’t be here next season.
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pr0cess Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@pr0cess, Cool thanks all i just didnt want to read the same old BS… And i hope i am wrong and he does make some moves.
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Go GET JEFF CARTER. End of story. We’re a better team with Jeff on the wing with his buddy Mike Richards! This guy played with the Greyhounds when I lived there. Kid can shoot the PUCK, arguably the best wrist shot in the league. GET IT DONE. I love Bernier but if it takes him, so be it, give up good to get good.
Snakes
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Kings in CO Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
@Snakes,
I agree 100%.
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Weasel Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@Snakes,
Carter’s a pretty big risk with contract and his injury problems this year. Plus he seemed to pout a bit about the trade to Columbus.
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@Weasel, Gretzky would be pouting if he played in Columbus as well.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@puck73,
The crews of the Nina, PInta and Santa Maria als pouted while playing for Columbus.
deadcatbounce Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@puck73, Gretzky was pouting here before the Kings shipped him off to St. Louis because he would have walked as a UFA.
Mike Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@Weasel, who wouldn’t pout about going from fan crazed city like Philly to book burning Columbus??? Columbus sucks when you are single and young… now if Jeff had 3 kids and a wife things might have worked out differently… Jeff would bust his zipper to come to LA…
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meister könig Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@Snakes, absolutely get carter…everyone is so afraid of his contract yet most people are sayin they’d rather go after parise for what hes either a rental player or hes wanting around 8 mill a season
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
@Snakes,
I think the only reason Carter would make sense is he has a history with Richards. But didn’t the Philly GM trade Richards and Carter beacuse of partying habits? Would reuniting them be a good idea?
At this point I’ll take anyone…maybe we should go after Avery
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mash-ola Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@Snakes, At what cost? I dont think the Jackets are going to take just a deck of playing cards and a Kings Ice Crew bikini calendar. If I’m Columbus, I’d be asking for Voynov, Clifford and a 2nd round pick… What is Jeff Carter worth to the Kings???
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Duncanz Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@mash-ola, He doesn’t want to play there so it boils down to who puts the most on the line for him.
At the same time, a lot of clubs wouldn’t/ couldn’f look at a contract like his.
Bob McKenzie is linking Carter and the Kings today so it appears the communication lines are up between LAK and CBJ.
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He Shoots, He Scores Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@Snakes,
I’m a little hesitant on Carter. Contract doesn’t really both me, it’ll be movable at some point if you need it to be. I think it would be hard finding a spot for him to excel in. He’s talked about his affinity for center, so does that make him your 3rd line center? Richards is also more effective at center, and I doubt you’d move Kopitar to wing. You’d have a talented center with subpar wings, which in my opinion, just perpetuates what isn’t currently working on the roster — the wings.
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He Shoots, He Scores Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores,
Plus the guy doesn’t have a flowery injury history. Shoulder, foot issues. Also hasn’t necessarily been clutch over the course of his career.
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matt Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 12:46 am
@Snakes, go get jeff carter
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“He who looks outside, dreams. He who looks inside, awakens.” – Carl Jung
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
@pautna, I guess that was what Lombardi was doing in Manchester. I mean, that is “inside” the organization right?
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pautna Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
@puck73, True, but I was referring more to the big club having plenty of offensive weapons, yet little scoring to show for it. And one or two ‘new’ players aren’t going to carry the whole team. Do we need a left wing and more depth? Absolutely, but we mostly need the dudes who are here to step up.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
@pautna,
Carl Jung never played hockey other wise he would have said “He who looks outside gets driven into the boards, he who looks inside goes to the slot and scores.”
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pautna Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
@DesertKing, LOL!
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
@DesertKing, Jesus saves..Gretzky shoots, he scores!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@puck73,
That should be a new bumper sticker!
LVKINGS88 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@DesertKing, DK you are a riot today!
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deadcatbounce Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
@pautna, That line of Jung-Freud-Adler was really good…
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pautna Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
@deadcatbounce, Yes, but they also had a tendency to over-think and analyze everything! Drove their teammates nuts!!!
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370455vinSD Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@deadcatbounce, Sometimes a hockey stick is just a hockey stick.
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Cry Baby Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@370455vinSD, Is somebody is taking psych 101?
number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:06 pm
@deadcatbounce,
funny that one
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bring up some manchester forwards, give them a chance. some players play better in the nhl. nothing to lose
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Gagne’s status is going to have a lot to say about what kind of moves -if any- the Kings make at the deadline. If he’s skating/practicing by the time the team finishes their road trip, maybe Penner’s an asset Lombardi can deal… Penner’s still a good player, he’s just a horrible fit for this team. potentially a great fit on a team with pass happy centers like Datsyuk or Thornton (JUST EXAMPLES, PEOPLE) since the coaching staff refuses to pair him with Loktionov. I understand why they don’t. The team obviously doesn’t have the depth to squander their top six.
Wish list: A healthy Gagne, and another top six right winger. *fingers crossed*
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He Shoots, He Scores Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@InfiN8,
Good insight, I agree.
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andy Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 6:00 pm
@InfiN8, When the Kings traded for Penner I was saying they should trade Hickey and a 3rd for him. But be it as it is I say put Penner with Kopitar and Browm and put Clifford with Richards and Williams. When Gagne comes back put him with Loktionov and Lewis with Richardson,Fraser and Westgarth making up the 4th line. When the Swedish season is done Lombardi needs to bring back Moller and Holloway they will add some punch to our 3rd-4th lines with an occasional stint on the top 2 units.
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Way to much pressure is put on the goaltenders so you have to do something. If the Kings don’t make the playoffs then Dean is gone. He blew out Terry so he would be next. The way this team is now they can’t come back when down so you have to do something.
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
@Alan, He had no intention of firing Murray. Leiweike made Dean get on a plane with him, fly out to Boston, wait for practice to end, and then can TM in private. Also, if you remember, it was Dean that went into the locker room after Murray was canned and roasted the players.
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Alan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@puck73, It was the right move to get rid of Terry. Like it or not no playoffs Dean is gone. I will help Dean pack his things if he need the help
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@Alan, I agree about firing Murray, you get no argument from me on that. I am saying that Leiweike forced that issue thank god. And I agree, if this team doesnt make it past the 1st round, or doesnt make the playoffs, Dean is gone.
Alan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@puck73, we both want to win a cup right Puck 73 go kings go
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g smith86 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
@Alan, I kind of bemoan the fact that all of our expectations of this team have been reduced to “if”…and at the beginning of the season it was “when” and “Now”…Most of us thought this team was going to be a strong contender,…top four in the league…now we see a team that can’t score and are as entertaining as watching grass grow…I still have a little faith that they can squeak into the playoffs…ya never know, once they get there any thing can happen…
PS…I still would like to see a different style of play…this system is killing the sport and too many teams play this type of style…Change it and bring back the roar to Staples
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“(A move, mind you, that had the approval of more than 95 percent of voters on this blog.) ” Haha, nice.
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Is it possible that because the Kings can’t send players down to Manchester for conditioning stints as in the past, injured players like Richards are reactivated back into the lineup too soon?
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I’m concerned that he is talking about “rentals”. We dont need a rental…we need someone that we can utilize over the long run. I dont see the kings making it deep this year even with getting a “rental”…even if it’s a top line winger. Players just dont seem to thrive under this team.
Let’s not waste our limited draft picks/prospects on a “rental”…go all out DL and get someone worthwhile that can be part of a franchise.
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Dean’s two alternatives “downsizing” or “changing the structure of the roster” both sound like a recognition that “the time is not now” and that we have to kick the can down the road. Further supporting this is the proposition that most of the rentals haven’t been game changers.
So, I assume we are either sellers or will deal some significant defensive/goaltending assets to bring more balance to the roster. The comment about being cognizant of what is coming further supports dealing existing key defensive/goaltending players since most of what is coming are defensive/goaltending guys..
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Too bad the real Jack Kent Cooke wasnt as intelligent and thoughtful with his statements as you are Sir.
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JackKent Cooke Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@puck73,
He was very intelligent. He sold the Kings.
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
@JackKent Cooke, Actually, he sold the Kings, Lakers, Strings, and the Forum itself in 1979 to Jerry Buss for 79 and a half Million.
He was still very rough around the edges when it came to dealing with employees.
JackKent Cooke Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
An additional point-Dean states that we have no second and third round picks and that Manchester is young. Translated this means that interim help is going to have to come from trades more than from within the system.
I tried Google for Lombardi to English translation software, but found nothing. So, this is the best I can do.
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Penner and Amart for Rutoo from the Hurricane we need a proven left wing.
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bbb7 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@HockeyfanB4Gretzky, I doubt they’d take that but Im +1 on that one.
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*clap clap* Thank you Rich for this line
Dustin Penner, last year’s trade-deadline acquisition, hasn’t worked. (A move, mind you, that had the approval of more than 95 percent of voters on this blog.)
What? Keep fans accountable to their own criticisms? COME ON RICH! This is a sports forum, there’s no sense in making sense…
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AZ King Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@aj,
+1
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DesertKing Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@aj,
You are right. I will step up and admit I did like the move. Right up to the point where Penner was scoring goals and getting assists in his first 3-4 games. Right up to the point where his personal life took a big hit and then he gave up on the ice and went Roenicke on us. Right up to the point where he lost 18 pounds in the off-season then came back and still displayed no desire or effort. Right up to the point where he had no goals, no assists, no shots and no hits during the Carolina game. On paper, DL made the right deal and we supported him. In reality, Penner became the Randy Moss of hockey through no fault of DL’s. Except for the comedy relief he provides on this blog, he has provided nothing of value to this organization.
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CB14 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@aj, I liked the trade. Happy now?
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Here we go again with the same deadline dealing BS coming from us bloggers.
Dl’s right in that very few of the big ticket items sold at the deadline amount to much that season.
Let’s remember Kovalchuk when the Devils got him at the deadline. He wasn’t able to intergrate his game with the way the Devils were playing and the trade didn’t help NJ make the playoffs that year. The one thing we all should have learned was that you don’t just go out and expect a big piece to fit seamlessly into your team structure and on ice philosophy. It usually takes a full training camp + to get the player up to speed as far as where your team is at.
Kovi’s just now fitting in well with NJ..it didn’t happen overnite and rarely does with that type of player.
So what you’re left with are the filler guys..the 3rd and 4th line players. They fit more easily, but you know what you’re going to get production-wise and you know that’s not going to be the difference maker.
We’re not going to the playoffs unless the guys we have in that locker room start playing up to their potential. All of them have the ability to play much better than they have. If they don’t, bringing in 1 or 2 guys isn’t going to do it for us.
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puck73 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@nykingfan, Boy, you just have to spoil all the speculation and fun with all your common sense and rhetoric!
And thats why we like you so much
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nykingfan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:52 pm
@puck73,
Thank you sir!
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bbb7 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@nykingfan, I actually think what we’re missing is exactly that- 3rd line players. Okay, and 2nd line players. But NO RENTALS please, we need someone who can actually score 15 goals a year, can score on more than 5% of his shots, and has some speed. Not so much to ask. We really dont need a superstar; our team isnt built that way. A couple of good 2-way guys who can score double the 5-7 goals our current 2-way guys are going to score would do it.
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variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@nykingfan,
that’s what we are probably gonna get – if anything – more 3rd and 4th liners…
(see below)…
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talk about saying a whole lot of nothing…(!)
deano is not only not tipping his hand, but not really addressing RICH’s question or the situation by not offering much to go on, other than that he might be willing to look at a few rental players in lieu of what we have brewing in manchester and elsewhere in the organization…
i think it’s gonna be really hard for him to get anything big on return unless he’s willing to give up a lot in the process…
realistically, the biggest moveable asset the kings have is jack johnson – not bernier…it’s not bernier because you cannot run the risk of trading yr primary backup goalie without…:
1. making a parallel move or simultaneous move for a backup goalie…
2. signing quick to a long-term dead – something that won’t happen until after the season is over, at the earliest…
with the exception of rick nash or another player of his caliber that we might not know of being available, trading bernier before the deadline would be not only risky, but foolish…and i seriously…seriously…doubt that dl is willing to take such a big risk…
so that’s why jj is the most tradeable asset…i’m not condoning we trade jj, but if i’m a prospective trading partner for the kings and if bernier is not available, i would almost demand jj be in the offing if i was going to give up anything substantial…
carter – risky and gives us future cap problems, rendering the team much less flexible…
hemsky – not the player we are looking for, albeit, an injury-prone talent that always seems to lure dl…plus, i think detroit or pittsburgh might have his number…
parise – if you ask louie lam, he’s not even available…plus, way too expensive for us to even take a chance with as far as being able to negotiate a long-term deal….
eric staal – there’s just no way with an $8/9mil cap hit…
iginla – gonna cost us the farm – literally…
so, besides some other lesser names like whitney and ruutu and maybe a few others, there’s not much deano can do…and that’s why i think yr gonna get evasive answers all the way to the trade deadline…and with so many teams still in the hunt, whatever we do, might cost us a fortune anyway…
sure, something is probably gonna get done…some players are probably gonna be moved…but i think it’s all gonna be for ancillary help…and that’s the best case scenario, imo…
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@variable,
I just made a post below, then scrolled up to see you hovering here above, and saw your comments: doesn’t answer Rich’s question. How surprised am I to see that? When people ask Ray Shero or Ken Holland a straight question, based on what I’ve seen (clearly not everything as they aren’t the GM’s for my team), they give a straight answer.
I’m really not that surprised. Oh well, guess I’ll read the interview and see for myself.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
@number 6, Lombardi’s an attorney, isn’t he? Therefore, I assume he’s had extensive training in either giving vague answers or giving verbose answers to questions that really don’t say anything. My apologies to any attorneys on this board.
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variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
@deadcatbounce,
yes, dl is an attorney…
variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
@variable,
hehe…
“signing quick to a long-term DEAL”…not dead – someone’s god forbid…(!)
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g smith86 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 10:00 pm
@variable, JJ isn’t going anywhere! He plays hard minutes and is probably making a little less then average…He should be a + player right now, I’ll give you that, but he is still young and has plenty of upside…if he were to be dealt, DL better be getting something very good in return…but who, at that salary, would be coming back our way? And you certainly would not want to trade him for a rental
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variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
@g smith86,
btw…i wasn’t advocating him to be traded…just stating that he’s the most tradeable asset…
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I just saw this post here. Haven’t read it yet but will do. But I just saw something ‘funny’. On nhl.com there under picks for upcoming 2012 draft, three journos have posted their ‘mock drafts’. Two of the three had the Kings picking a centerman.
How funny is that. I guess they haven’t studied the King’s stats very carefully. Just what we don’t need….. another centerman.
A good winger with some offensive instincts wouldn’t hurt.
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variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@number 6,
…or a center whom also feels just as comfortable on the wing, too, could help…vice versa…
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
@variable,
How many smiley faces would you like me to put? Please let me know and I’ll be glad to accommodate in another post.
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variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@number 6,
hehe…
no worries…
Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@number 6, Neither has Dean for that matter. DL is more likely in my opinion to use his first 3 picks to draft 2 defenseman, and a goalie. Uless he can’t trade up, and ends up picking 1 of those picks in the 4rth round, or above. That one will be a winger.
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@Dominick,
I KNOW (said in Craig Ferguson’s voice… if you’ve ever heard him). If you haven’t…. it lilts up at the end.
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variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@Dominick,
it’s was always suppose to be the “best available player”…or perhaps this year, it will be “the most pressing team need”…
who knows…(?!)
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Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@variable, “Pressing team need” has been wingers for years now. DL has ignored this to draft Hickey, Gibson, and Forbort types with his first picks (all of which are fie prospects, but don’t fill a pressing need), and ignore the over abundence of riches at those positions, and continue an obvious logjam like a beaver hording sticks and braches in a creek.
He should of used later round draft picks to fill out those positions, and used his top picks to address needs he’s yet to address in the draft with his top picks after 5 years. Just my opinion, but I’m not too happy with his “best player available” philosophy. Part of his job is too make a determination of what we need 5 years from now, and the last few years, everybody is left scratching their heads.
number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@Dominick
You and I don’t always see things the same, but I have to say that I could not agree with you more on this one.
Hickey, well there were better players available like Couture, but never mind. That was at the beginning of his tenure. I’ll cut him that one.
But Forbort when we already as you say had a logjam on d? And then Gibson last year. He lines up somewhere behind Bernier, Zatkoff and Martin Jones. Crikey. What do you want dude? By the time they are ready for the NHL, at that rate he still won’t have found someone for MR or Kopi to play with, and I could easily see Kopi getting fed up.
He’s nice and fluffy on the outside (Kopi….. not DL), but deep down I have to believe he wants to start winning. To say nothing of Quick. Both players (for whom DL was not responsible) are suffering from the same issue…. Kopi no real first line quality line mates, and Quick someone who can actually help to give him a bit of cushion so he doesn’t have to throw a shutout or one goal game every night.
Dang you Dominick. Why did you even bring it up? I know….. it’s Rich’s fault for doing the interview.
Dominick Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@number 6,
I agree. My bad.
mash-ola Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
@number 6, Which essentially means that the Kings will draft either a defenseman or a goalie!
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IMO Martinez is playing to showcase him along with Hunter. If LA can get a 5th or 6th for Hunter, they have to do it. Teams are looking for capable PMD’s and Martinez has shown he is more than capable of playing night in night out.
There are players out there like Carter, Parise, Stafford and Nash on the high end that would cost a bunch. Not sure if DL pulls the trigger on that big of a deal this year. Should be an interesting 3 weeks.
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What we need is some descent wingers like a Matt Moulson,Brian Boyle, or even a Teddy Purcell.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@King without a crown, Ha HA …. That horse has been beat, skinned, and dragged around a village till nothing reamained except bones.
We all know players excel as soon as they leave the Kings, that means It doesn’t matter who you bring in. The solution it to fix whatever’s going on internally with the system. If we keep not scoring how long will it take for people to turn on Sutter? or blame DL for bringing in known scorers like Richards and Gagne? A few more games like the last 2 and people just might think hmm maybe the wasn’t the problem afterall and thats a scary thought.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@408kingsfan, * TM wasns’t the problem afterall
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mash-ola Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@408kingsfan, “Travis, you’re a year too late!”
King without a crown Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@408kingsfan, I think we need to have a little more faith in the home growns. If they screw up Tofoli i am going to lose it……
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@King without a crown, you and me both brother
Bonvivant Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@King without a crown, There you go… You had to bring it up….
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
@King without a crown,
Boyle and Purcell were centers.
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Before reading DL’s comments I want to respond to Rich’s. So I’ll intersperse my responses>
Dustin Penner, last year’s trade-deadline acquisition, hasn’t worked. (A move, mind you, that had the approval of more than 95 percent of voters on this blog.) – R: I wasn’t one of the 95% but thats just me being childish. However, I was at very best, neutral. – Simon Gagne got hurt, R: If you keep going after enough guys with injury histories, at least one or more are gonna back up that history. – Scott Parse got hurt, R: Can’t blame him at all for that. That is just bad luck. Trent Hunter hasn’t produced much and Ethan Moreau is gone. – R: That isn’t a surprise. Trying to get older vets like that that have been around and probably seen their best days is trying to catch lightning in a bottle. It Can work, but you have to be really lucky.
Personally I prefer the idea of actually getting young players thru the draft. No guarantees there either though, but I just prefer it.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@number 6,
Good point about Gagne. Many people thought signing Mitchell with his concussion history was a bad move, but DL hit a home run with that one. The problem is that players are humans, and I haven’t met anyone who can take a person and know exactly what that person thinks or or how they are going to perform. You can only go by the numbers and the scouting reports, and those reports are compiled by- yep- more humans who have their own opinion and perspectives on the players they are judging. Gagne was looking good the first few games, hit the TM induced slump, then got concussed and probably won’t be back. How was DL suppoed to know that was going to happen?
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@DesertKing,
Well spoken. I do harken back to the fact that Yzerman only offered him a one year contract. Why? Because he missed games last year with TB as well, so he felt that to be prudent. This would tend to prove him right. Now the Kings won’t get this year out of him, and I really have to believe that with his history he’s gonna be very corner shy. Could be wrong on that, but assuming he plays next year…. I know if it was me, I’d be corner shy after having several concussions.
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as a follow-up to what i was saying before, you also get the feeling that dl is quite confident that he will finish his contract next season, even if the kings have a similar ending to this season as they did last season…
remember, upper-brass above dl…tim “don’t lie to us” leiweke and others…have previously said that the team needs to have a “measurable” and “significant” improvement form last year or used very similar terminology when posed the question regarding the team’s expectations going into the season …
and that is where you can speculate as to what that means…
personally, that would mean getting out of the first round of the playoffs…i mean, to me, that’s a measurable improvement…but as we have learned from the past, “measurable” and “significant” improvement can be quantified/interpreted completely different by those who sign the paychecks…
and i don’t expect leiweke to say anything relevant regarding dl’s status during the season…that would be shockingly unprofessional if he did…however, based upon what we were told before the season started, anything else less than getting out of the first round of the playoffs seems to be either treading water or even taking a step backwards…especially if you consider that upper brass had professed to going “all-in” in terms of the salary cap and signing free agents…
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pr0cess Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@variable, “and i don’t expect leiweke to say anything relevant regarding dl’s status during the season…that would be shockingly unprofessional if he did”
I call on him talking to the public about DD, Kind of was a chump move.
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@variable,
…. and as for winning the first round of the playoffs, which would clearly imply beating one of four very good teams, first they have to get there. They’re in 7th overall right now, and there are five teams within 6 pts of them. Each trailing team has a different dynamic. But Minn, Calgary, Dallas and Phoenix all have games in hand.
The way the offense has been since the AS break, there are certainly no guarantees whatsoever.
And I’ll bet DL is thinking of getting into the playoffs at all cost no matter what happens.
But as a neutral observer, I can’t think of any valuable trade to make at this point, because I don’t see one trade making a distinct difference in their play for the moment…. unless he is very fortunate and gets someone who flowers playing in LA w Richards, or Kopitar.
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and RICH…
i imagine that you expected a large blogger response with either the words “lombardi” and “trade” in yr thread header…
but to to put both of them in the same thread header might cause the site to crash or blogger health issues…or both…(!)
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We need someone who will shoot the puck. Tampa needs goalies and a d. My trade Bernier, A.martinez or Vyonov and a pick for Stamokos.
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Mudfish4 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@Kings fan in Vegas, Really? Stamkos? Yeah, that will happen.
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NB22 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@Kings fan in Vegas, they will never trade Stamkos. Why whould they?
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Dan Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@Kings fan in Vegas, Maybe Stoll and Parse for Malkin…:)
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I am so very tired of hearing from the crowd of bloggers that harps on dealing Drew Doughty. It is NOT going to happen and it would be foolish of the Kings to do so unless they get a Stamkos type of player in return (not going to happen either).
Ironically, it’s usually the same bloggers who steadfastly defend Jack Johnson ad nauseum, when it is apparent to everyone that is not an LA Kings fan that Doughty is a superior player both now and in the long term. The way people hype and over value Johnson on this forum is ludicrous. There is no way Chicago trades Sharp straight up for Johnson. Period. End of story.
Some of you act like Drew held out on you guys personally, and point out every little flaw in his game or mistake that he makes. Jack Johnson, meanwhile, is a slightly above average defenseman that can do no wrong in your eyes solely because he signed a “team friendly” deal. Maybe the real reason his cap hit isn’t that high is because he is NOT worth a higher salary than he received, and not because he is a team first guy like so many of you believe? This is a player who has never finished a plus defender.
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
@klong,
Totally agreed that the nature of the contract left DD open to all sorts of grief on the blogs. He’s not been as good as he was two yrs ago, he’s been up and down, but will probably develop into an excellent defenseman if he really puts his mind to it.
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With apologies to South Park’s underpants gnomes, I can’t escape the feeling that our 5-year plan looks like this:
1. Collect goalies and d-men; 2. ???; 3. Stanley Cup!
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
@Kenny44,
Kenny!!! Have you seen Stan or Kyle by any chance? They are like so rad!!!
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@Kenny44, Spot on!
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What I got from the interview was don’t get to excited if the Kings don’t make a move. Also if they do make a move it will be some washed up has been. Is DL job on the line? Does King/s ownership want a winner or are they just in the hockey busniess for the cash value? Where are the promises Dean made back at fan fest? I’m sorry if I keep bring up Fan Fest’11. I went that day. I drove from Salt Lake City right down the I15 over to the 10 right to the Staples Center front door. As I sat there I got the chance to see up close the “Big Wigs”. Dean could not sit down. He was excited about all the moves his people made. But he looked a bit nervous. Pacing back and forth. I think Dean has given this team all he could. But Dominic has said something today that has stuck with me. It’s all about Dean’s system. This is where we must find the leek. Dean does not want to admit that the way he views the game of hockey may not be the winning it all way. It’s a good way and it will get you to the playoffs. But this team has continually send players away who go to other teams and become better scorers. He let Holloway go to Sweden because he felt the kid wasn’t ready for the NHL. Maybe he wasn’t, but give the guy a shot. This system is taking a great player like KOPI and making him look AVERAGE. Put Kopi on any other team in the league and he’s in the top ten in scoring. Life is about risk. Risk giving up what you might believe is good and try something different. Risk, nobody who has ever grown within life has had to Risk something for the better outcome. I love the Kings WE ALL WANT TO SEE A WIN TUESDAY!!! Tough choices are part of life. There is no easy road. If the Kings are going to be able to finish this season with their heads raised high they and only they need to believe in what has gotten the this far. A simple knowing that when you give every ounce of your being for the betterment of the team. If a 9-7 NFL team can win the Super Bowl, then I say the worst scoring TEAM in the NHL can make a good run for the CUP. We have got to get there first, but first starts Tuesday in Tampa Bay. It all starts with a win. Go Kings !!!
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, i was there too for hocksy fest and had the same feeling. I was so pumped…and that feeling has slowly and steadily died…i almost dread the games now…but i watch hoping something miraculous will happen..
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DesertKing Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@TeamJMFJ,
We were there that day also, but I knew we had a problem when DL and TM indicated we didn’t really have any problems with the PP during the Q&A session.
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
@DesertKing, forgot about that…and then he grilled the kid who brought it up…
“Dustin Penner, last year’s trade-deadline acquisition, hasn’t worked. (A move, mind you, that had the approval of more than 95 percent of voters on this blog.) Simon Gagne got hurt, Scott Parse got hurt, Trent Hunter hasn’t produced much and Ethan Moreau is gone.”
With the exception of Gagne, who was has had past injury problems, none of these players are worth a penny…
We need a legit top line scorer. Not another guy who has had success in the “past”.
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number 6 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@KingsGuy,
That is what drives me batty wrt DL. The upper management and staff… guys from the past. Coaches…. guys from the past. Players…. JW (and I love that guy’s game, but ) nonetheless from the past. Hunter… past. Moreau… past. Gagne… past. If he could just temper his obsession with dmen and goalies, he might actually find in doing more thorough scouting…. and not eliminating everything except Canada, N America and Russia (No European drafts hardly other than O Moller) he might be surprised to find that there are some really talented forwards…. even wingers who could be drafted.
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California Royalty Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@KingsGuy, The Kings are in no position to acquire an outright game changing sniper. The only way that will happen, is if one (or more) of their top players are involved in the same trade. There are no valuable drafts picks available and no one would give up one of their best scorers for any of the bottom 6 plugs.
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Have to admit that I wasn’t in favor of the Penner deal from even before it was made. I remember checking and exclaiming while doing a fist pump because I saw the report that Penner had been traded to the Hbs. Fifteen minutes later, when I went back to read the details, come to find that was an erroneous report and he had been traded to the Kings. How I wish it would have worked out, but Penner will ultimately be Lombardi’s doom.
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There are 28 scouts at tonight’s Leafs/Oilers game. I hope the Kings have sent one of them.
Mikhail Grabovski (18G 19A is rumored to be on the move. I would love to see this guy be the Kings’ 3rd line centre. He has a scoring touch, is an UFA after this season. A cap hit of 2.9 Million.
Aside from how well I think he’d fit in with the Kings, I think Stoll would fit in with the Leafs. It would be a perfect deal for both teams.
I don’t think the Kings need to upgrade the top 6, it’s the bottom 6 that needs fixing. As I said before, the struggles of the 1st and 2nd lines is large in fact because the opposition can throw out a bag of pucks to defend the 3rd and 4th lines, leaving their strong lines against the Kings’ 1st and 2nd lines.
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Bonvivant Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
@California Royalty, Good points.
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g smith86 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
@California Royalty, the Leafs are in the Playoff hunt…I don’t think they will trade a guy that is contributing offensively and being productive for one who isn’t…just my humble opinion
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FdoFmFull Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
@California Royalty, I respectfully disagree regarding the top 2 lines:
First line: Kopi and Williams work well together but need a top-notch (1st liner)scoring winger.
Second line: Richards has nobody. Lately there’s been a bit of chemistry with Penner as they tend to find each other with some interesting passes, however, Penner is too inconsistent. Perhaps Clifford could work here, but I think he’s not mature enough yet.
Acquiring Carter and Moen would go along ways towards maximizing the current skill sets on the top 2 lines.
GkG!
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As far as 95% of the bloggers wanting Penner … 100% of those bloggers aren’t paid to know whether Penner would be a good fit. The one person who is paid to know was 100% wrong.
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variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
@KC23,
i thought it was a good trade at the time…
i don’t think any of us…including the guy who gets paid to make the decision, dl…had any idea that penner’s production would be this horrible at this point…
at least with gagne, everybody knew it was a high-risk/reward signing…
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KC23 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@variable, Penner is not an isolated incident. By itself, you can forgive, but in context with all the other failure of forwards to produce in DL history with the Kings it shows a disturbing trend. The one exception is Williams. That is the only forward DL has currently that looks like a good move.
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variable Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
@KC23,
yr right…
and i wasn’t giving dl an excuse…btw…
Helvetica Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@KC23, Paid or not, nobody could have predicted this level of drop off in effort and production from Penner. I know what you’re saying, but good fit or not, practically anybody in the NHL should be capable of putting up 10 goals and actually trying on a nightly basis. You have to realize too that, Lombardi was noted to have consulted with both Stoll and Greene from their time playing together back in Edmonton. The only thing dissenters were concerned with was Penner’s effort. Nobody questioned his skill set and ability to score.
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DL has been focused on building from the backend out in the draft. Now he needs to draft forwards. The kings are showing age and are slow up front. Stoll Penner Williams He is in tough spot . He can’t blow this thing and go for the quick fix (defense goaltending for forwars) Stay the Plan. Forwards develop quicker than the backend Dean has done the heavy lifting and we are seeing the benefits (goals against down) it comes with a price (goals for)
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This was an even better blow off than his coulomb speech…
QUESTION: So, Mr. Lombardi, what’s it like in Los Angeles today?
LOMBARDI: Well, as the day moves along, you get a better read on how the day is really shaping up. When i got up this morning, I looked out the window and realized it was a little overcast. But this doesn’t completely fit with the forecast i was given last night. So the first thing you have to ask yourself is, what is really going on outside. To do that, you have to actually go outside. But. there’s also the fact that a “day” is a measure of time, so for me to tell you what it’s like “today”, i have to have first experienced the entire day. And, as we know, only people in China have experienced the entirety of monday. So, i can ask my friends in China what the day has been like, but it will surely differ from my experience here in LA, so it’s not a comparable situation right now. You also have to be cognizant of the fact that LA is a big place, and things may be different in East LA, as say, compared to over here in El Segundo.
QUESTION: wtf are you talking about?
LOMBARDI: Well, it’s like i said. There are a number of possibilities that answer your question. I think, ultimately, we won’t know for sure what it was like in LA today until we get down to the deadline of day’s end… which, as we all know, is 11:59pm.
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Bonvivant Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@Helvetica, Lawyer speak.
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FdoFmFull Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
@Helvetica, After he gets fired, he’ll likely run for political office — perfect fit!
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grega11 Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 4:24 am
@Helvetica, brilliant!!
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DL is a first class joke.
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We’re gonna have to give up a good player to get a scorer. So yes, JJ could be on the trading block. Its been talked about since the start of the season. Other than Quick, Kopitar, Doughty and Richards, I think the rest of the Kings are expendable. It will be interesting to see what happens before the deadline.
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and we need somebody to “carry the mail”….. because Kopitar isn’t the player his contract says he is…
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Amen no trade will help this team rebuild off season with new gm.Get rid of the fat cats.
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Translation: im trying to get a rental…if you think he doesnt fit the team system long term then chill out
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Any rental the Kings go after should be brought in without giving up our first rounder this season. But knowing Lombardi he’ll peddle it because he’s going to get awfully desperate in the next 3 weeks. The Kings have a lot ‘tenders to deal. Wishing for us to retain Bernier and Quick…
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It might just be Brown’s turn to go. He’s had his turn and the team isn’t responding to the C so time to move on, for both parties involved. The next thing is get rid of Kompon the guy is a joke on offense if I watch another nine pass regroup in the neutral zone I will hurl, It’s time to chip it north and south and let the forwards skate to open ice. Then maybe we can make some real depth changes once we find out what they can really do. Can’t ask grinders to play possession hockey.
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I say worry less about the players, and change GM and coaching staff….I really believe that the system is what brought the players gears to a grinding halt. I think many of our guys have good hockey in them with “normal” coaching.
I dont understand the lack of creativity of TM or Sutter…freaking big time money coaches on a world stage sport, and they can’t get the team to work. Stubborn and whats worse, on the wrong side of stubborn.
How much would Marcel Dionne need to come coach a bit!
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onac Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
@jack, As long as he promised to take the choke collar off the forwards, I think Marcel could get whatever he wanted.
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deadcatbounce Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 6:27 am
@jack, When was the last time (if at all) Marcel Dionne coached? You’re falling into the trap of thinking that just because you were a great player you’ll be a good coach or manager, which isn’t always the case. Just ask Rogie or Larry Robinson…
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jack Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
@deadcatbounce, I was being silly …I dont think MD ever coached…
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What did DL say? Or was that Professor Irwin Corey, the king of double-talk?
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FdoFmFull Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 10:11 pm
@Royal Throne, Don’t forget, this is an election year!
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Dear Dean Lombardi,
Please do not trade for Alex Semin or Ales Hemsky. They are both overrated and they are the kind of player the kings have dealt for at the trade deadline. They names are what you are trading for not the kind of players they are today. They would really hurt the growth of this organization and I think giving anything up for them is a big mistake. I think you should just trade bernier for Parise and be done with it. Bernier by far is your best asset and Parise is the only one you should be thinking about getting at the deadline.
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Sorry, this was a response to an earlier post but it was buried way up the conversation…
@John, Ok so I’m going on the assumption that we are looking for 2nd line scoring to go with Richards. (not getting a 1st line scorer that would bump Brown or Willie down)
Unfortunately, if you look at a lot of successful Cup winning teams, they supplement their top line talent with 2nd line scoring from home-grown talent, many of whom will eventually become 1st line talent. It goes back to DL always talking about the timing of having the right mix at the right time. (Ducks with Perry, Getzlaf, Hawks with Kane, Toews, Bruins with Marchand, Seguin, Detroit too many to list!) They all filled that 2nd line gap, but were surrounded by veteran talent and great goaltending.
Since we don’t really have that on the horizon, we have to look for teams that are in rebuilding modes that need good young defense prospects and perhaps a goaltender. Based on the teams that fall into that category, here’s a couple guys I could see. (again, not sure if they are even on the market since only NHL GM’s know that)
Jokinen or Ruutu from Carolina
Stafford or Roy from Buffalo
Stewart from St. Louis (had great potential in CO, struggled this year)
David Jones from CO (previous 30 guy, not as much ice time this year with Landeskog & O’Reilly coming on)
Blake Wheeler from Winnepeg
Lee Stempniak from Cal (King killer!!)
One thing to note. You never know where chemistry will click. Some of these guys either have never hit their potential or have fallen off of their past numbers. But look at someone like Lupul in TOR. He’s floated around for a long time. He has the talent, just never the right fit. Now he’s an allstar! You just never know so I’m going for guys that have the talent, but may not have hit full potential for one reason or another.
There are a few other options out there, but I feel they are on teams that are in the hunt or in our division and wouldn’t want to make a trade with us.
Thoughts??
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You’re a joke lombardi, always answering with no sense and getting around the questions, just say yes we’re trying to upgrade or no were going to sit still and let these god awful players continue their miserable play. He better know whats out there to trade for because if we dont make multiple deals and acquire more than one winger this team is in trouble. we have six centers on the roster and there are four lines so do the math, get rid of some of these losers, send them down, cut them do something because nothing will change unless you make a personnel change.
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I’ll bet you DL could pass a lie detector test…And he would make a good politician as well
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g smith86 Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 9:19 pm
@g smith86, I’ll rephrase…He could beat a lie detector
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The Kings are not in a solid position to make a deal right now…DL is in a corner right now, probably getting pummled by crappy offers that basically have him selling the farm to Carolina for C Ruitu…Nobody will take Penner…Penner…r u guys kidding? Trade JJ? R u serious? I wouldn’t make any deals and watch the waiver wire closely if I were DL…And on a side note….I wonder how well the Kings would be playing if DL could have signed Kovalchuk, or B Richards
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Unload DD to get a top 3 scorer plus maybe a top 6. A puck moving top 2 defenseman at the deadline would be an extremely hot commodity. Then sign a moen or a ruutu. Get some strong net presence that supports the bottom six who can score. Let stoll and penner fall off in the offseason and bring in some development players or sign some free agents. Keep bernier. Yeah I think the system is what is killing our team, but bring in those pieces that can make our team now the best it can be.
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GET CARTER!
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What The Kings need are:
Attila The Hun on RW;
Vlad The Impaler on LW;
GOD at 1st line C.
But alas, UNAVAILABLE!!
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deadcatbounce Reply:
February 7th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
@Sergei Prozacutov, And Stalin as coach.
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The answer is NOT to trade JJ. He’s improved, he plays with heart. I’d trade Scuderi, to a team that is looking for mature guy on D, in exchange for a #4 or #5 forward with PP experience. The Kings can afford to give up a more defensive D man to a team desperate for guidance with younger, less experienced D. Get a solid forward who can help Richards be more productive.
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The problem is we don’t get offense. We don’t screen the goalie. We don’t get the puck to the middle of the ice on brekouts which would allow us options. We don’t use drop passes. When we do shoot we miss the net constantly, and there are no rebounds. A player or a trade is not going to fix us. WE need a new coach. Dave Tippet would be great.
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What seems ironic to me is the fact that players in the 50′s and 60′s didn’t wear helmets and their were less injuries. Todays game with their helmets and visors, there seems to be more injuries. That is something that really amazes me. Or the fact that some players are slacking off, complaining of headaches and being dizzy. In the NHL today a lot of players are getting concussions and I believe the NHL should be investigating as to why!!
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