Luc Robitaille, the Kings’ president of business operations, was on the ”NHL Live” show on the NHL Network this afternoon with E.J. Hradek and Bill Pidto. Robitaille discussed Jonathan Quick’s soon-to-be-signed 10-year contract extension (reportedly for $58 million) as well as the Kings’ possible offseason plans and his thoughts on what might be the ultimate fate of the missing Game 6 puck…
(on Quick’s contract extension…)
ROBITAILLE: “Jonathan, he’s one of the players we’ve had for a long time in our organization. From Dean and Ron Hextall and our entire organization’s point of view, it was very important that we get things right with him. Everybody saw the kind of player he was in the playoffs. We’ve known, for the last three years, the kind of player he is. He’s putting up amazing statistics throughout that time. So it was important for us and our plan, for the next seven, eight, 10 years, knowing that we have Drew (Doughty) with us and Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, to make sure that he was part of our organization during that time.’’
(on locking up young players to long contracts, and still retaining some flexibility…)
ROBITAILLE: “We want to build something special. Everybody knows Dean Lombardi is a great builder. You look back three or four years ago, and it’s safe to say that we took our time and we did things right. That being said, keep in mind that even though it looks good now, we signed Anze Kopitar before he became the player he is today, and we signed a few of those guys before. We took a gamble and it was the right gamble. That being said, they are being fairly compensated. At the same time, they’re helping our team. All these kids, they want to win. They want to have the opportunity to win more than one championship, and we feel we’re in a good position now, and for the next few years, that we’re going to compete for it every year.’’
(on the Kings’ plans for the rest of this summer, roster-wise…)
ROBITAILLE: “We’re going to look, like everyone else, at what’s available (on the free-agent market) next week. At the same time, we want to make sure that we’re talking to all of our guys that helped us win the Stanley Cup. This is one of those situations where we’re pretty happy with the team we have right now.’’
(on whether the Kings will get back the missing Game 6 puck…)
ROBITAILLE: “It’s kind of funny. I’m not sure we’re going to do a full investigation, and call the FBI, but we certainly would like to see if we can get that puck. We’ve looked at videos, and we’re asking some questions around. It’s something we’d like to have. Our guys, in every series, collected in every game the puck that they won with. That was kind of like our team thing. Looking back, Jordan Nolan has it on his stick, and he’s so excited that he just turned around and let it go. That’s something that we’re going to tell him. Next time, if he has a chance to win the Stanley Cup, he should make sure he hangs on to that puck. It’s one of those things that, we’ve love to have it back. We’re going to ask as many questions as we can.’’
(on his feelings about winning the Stanley Cup from the management side…)
ROBITAILLE: “It’s been amazing. I’ve been here since 1986. I left a few times but I always kept a place here. I’ve said to everyone. The L.A. Kings have always been my franchise. They’ve treated me and my family really good. To be part of the group that won the Stanley Cup, it’s something very special. One thing that I notice, being in the front office you realize how many people you touch, how many people care. There are season-seat holders who have been there 45 years, some for 25 years. There were a lot of grown men crying in the stands. That certainly made it really special for every one of us, and certainly me and my family included.’’
Bye Bernier
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variable Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@jonsey,
+1,000…
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CB14 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@jonsey, Take Poorman with you.
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puck73 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@CB14, I talked to poorman for about 10 minutes today. Looks like he has forgotten about Bernier…….for now
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@puck73, I recall a certain someone saying the same thing about Patrick O’Sullivan…
Kingsfanone Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
@puck73,
Doesn’t matter. Let them take Poorman with him too!
He’s the one covered in corn husks.
KC23 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@puck73, So when does he plan to take his little run around the Staples?
CB14 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@puck73, Amazing what a Stanley Cup does to some people. I’m sure the next time JQ loses 2 games in a row he’ll be back to his normal self.
Kingsfanone Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@KC23,
I see what you did there………”little” run around Staples!
Duncanz Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@purge73,,
Quick sucks.
Only Zatkoff’s got what it takes to win the tough games down rhe stretch!
LA_1968 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@puck73, I like @poorman. He should come back. Does he hate us as a group here, or is he afraid of what peeps will say here, or maybe he would say he’s indifferent to LAKI? Let’s face it. Every player on the team, and the team as a whole surprised us all here with what they did getting the Cup.
The Puck Stops Here Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
@puck73, Yeah, he moved on to Dr Drew. Lol!
Harry Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@jonsey,
Why are we such in a rush to trade Bernier?
Who is going to be the back up? Zatkoff is a UFA, Jones has no NHL Experience. We need a solid back up. Quick played alot of minutes this year. I believe our back up goalie should see more ice team in the beginning of the season.
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Chris Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@Harry, Amen! No rush to send the kid off. Nothing wrong with having the kid ride the pine and play a bit more in the first quarter of the season especially. It will be good for JB so when he does eventually go he can play a solid role in the rebuilding/upbringing of a youthful team. ie) Edmonton
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deepsea_drumz Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
@Chris, Hope JB can get a little more ice team this coming season. Especially towards end of reg. season to keep Quick fresh. Hoping Penner comes back. I believe he knows his role in L.A. now. This could be a truly great season.
deepsea_drumz Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@Harry, I think if L.A. is not fighting for a playoff spot this year (like last season), Let Bernier get more ice time last 20 games of year to keep Quick fresh.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@jonsey, Bernier has been a great King and has accepted his role with class, dignity, and a great sense of team. When he’s traded I wish him the best and hope he develops into the second best goalie in the NHL. I’d love to see him and Quick mentioned in the Vezina trophy mix for many years to come.
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puck73 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I think this is a solid, well reasoned take…thank you.
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red49er Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@40YearKingsFan, I actually think JB has matured quite a bit in the couple years. His quotes after games always seemed self – serving at best and a slam at his teammate at worst. Haven’t heard that at all this last season and no public complaining about his lack of playing time.
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McCheese Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@40YearKingsFan, and he grows a mean playoff beard.
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luc20rules Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
@40YearKingsFan, +1, I say keep him until we lose him, need at another position becomes great(AHL player failed to fill void after injury), or offer is just too good to pass up. I think trading him, before the season would be a mistake. Play Bernier alot early to rest Quick, then maybe at the trade deadline move him if there is an incredible offer. If not you will want Bernier if Quick were to go down with an injury. I would also suggest Bernier if traded to be traded to the Eastern Conference, while he hasn’t been an exceptional backup. I do remember his level of play when he was playing full time in Manchester and just being called up to start NHL games. He was unbeatable when playing every other night.
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deepsea_drumz Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 9:45 pm
@40YearKingsFan, Ditto. Our team has a lot of class and players with great work ethics. Keep Bernier one more season at least. We know he will eventually move on…..hopefully to east coast team……But injuries happen. If Quick should get a groin injury or something we need a suitable backup. We’ve had our share of less than steller goalies.
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Lavamantis Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
@jonsey, Wow, talk about first world problems:
“That’s something that we’re going to tell him. Next time, if he has a chance to win the Stanley Cup, he should make sure he hangs on to that puck.”
Can you believe that’s one of the LA Kings big issues right now? As a long time fan, this entire conversation is pretty close to unbelievable.
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What else can you say? LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!! King of the Kings!
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tellmeY Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@DesertKing, i thought Gretsky was the King of Kings….
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Duncanz Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@tellmeY,
I thought ….. it’s a hockey blog, never mind ….
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370455VinSD Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Duncanz, He does save, just like Quick.
deepsea_drumz Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 9:47 pm
@tellmeY, He was a hired gun. I’ll never consider him a true L.A. King. Luc YES, Rogie, YES, Marcel, YES But not Gretzky. He’s an Oiler.
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Hey Luc…take the cup to Detroit instead of to Quebec. You brought it back here when you won with Detroit. I think they deserve to see what they DIDN’T win just like you made us do.
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basking in the nhl media glory everyday…and the continuous playing of the “congratulations , stanley cup champion los angeles kings!” commercial/salute being played on the nhl network…(primarily to sell merchandise – so i’m not fooling myself too much here)…makes this whole dream seem more like a reality…
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Steve W Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@variable, I still haven’t seen the SI commercial yet.
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Jgomez Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@variable, Im waiting for the DVD with Bob and Jim making the call, like many others
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370455VinSD Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
@Jgomez, I hope it is games in their entirety and more than just game 6. I thought I heard/read that they did multiple games. I won’t be upset if it only the last one though.
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Jgomez Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@370455VinSD, Yeah they started with game 4 of the final I think. I hope we get 3 games with their calls. I don’t mind if two of those include loses…it will add to the drama:)
Lake Forest Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
@variable, I come home everyday EAGER to see replays.
What do i get??
30 reruns of NHL Network – NHL Tonight. It’s freaking BS.
I’m all for reruns, but of something ELSE.
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Duncanz Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
@ambivalable,
CAN’T STAND this uncalled for freakin’ WEST COAST BIAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHEN are they going to TALK about the OTHER 29 TEAMS in the LEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’M TIREDOFIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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variable Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@Duncanz,
love the humor of the kiwi more so than i love its juice…
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Itchy Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
@variable,
You need to squeeze Duncz harder then.
McDonalds Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
@Duncanz,
LOL
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An amazing day for sure. I had been hoping that we could lock up quick to a long term deal and I check this site later then usually to find this great news!
Just told the GF we need to start working on a child so he/she can experience the best goalie these eyes have ever seen.
GKG
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Sandy Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@Jgomez, Ask her to marry you first.
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Michael J. Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Sandy,
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Jgomez Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@Sandy, Oh man, do I have to?
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Stuart Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@Jgomez, not so much… it’s pretty much a defunct social contract anyway!
That should make some people real happy around here.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
@Jgomez, Did her response include a Brown-like check on Henrik Sedin?
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Jgomez Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), No, she told me to stop flirting with her haha
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Kingsfanone Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@Jgomez,
You needed a goalie excuse to start working on a child?
What about because yogurt comes in different flavors? French bread soaks up the excess spaghetti sauce on your plate?
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Jgomez Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@Kingsfanone, Well it needs to be special. I can’t do it for something ordinary like yogurt, spaghetti, or love
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Kingsfanone Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@Jgomez,
NOW you are talking!
Continue……….
AliCali Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@Jgomez, I do believe “Pulling the goalie” is the best expression about trying to have a child.
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Kenny44 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
@AliCali, How do you think @MT Netter got his name?
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So, why is it a certainty that Jonathon Bernier will soon be gone? After next season he will be a RFA. The Kings won’t lose him to free agency. Should he sign an offer sheet-good! I’d be happy with four #1 draft picks. Plus we need to remember that “he’s the backup”.
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Ose Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@Michael J., He wont be a Backup for long.
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IlikeTheLaKings Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@Michael J., That’s a pretty silly thought process. For starters we’d only get four #1 picks if he signed somewhere for around 7.8 million which would never happen. He’d probably sign somewhere for 2-3 million and that would net us a single second round pick. (far less than what we’d get back in a trade, even today)
Second, you may refer to him as “the backup” but he has the talent and pedigree to be a starter and as a result he seems himself that way. He’s already expressed in interviews since he’s been here that he wants to be a starter in the NHL someday. We’d be almost certain to lose him as an RFA when it comes to that.
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Michael J. Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@IlikeTheLaKings,
I guess you missed the sarcasm font.
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IlikeTheLaKings Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@Michael J., That’s some poor sarcasm execution, that’s for sure.
Donald_S Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
@Michael J.,
Because he won’t be content to be a backup forever, and Dean has said they’ll have to honor that at some point. It would be great if he’d hang in for one more year, give Jones another year of seasoning. But he may want to have a change as a number one sooner, and Dean may be forced to honor that, rather than having someone disgruntled in the room.
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Whoever has it is probably holding onto it for a some time and then gonna pop up with it in 20 years and sell it.
How do you prove its the right puck? Are the game pucks marked with a number? Anyone could say any puck they got in that game is it.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
@Subby,
Yes, someone yesterday said the game pucks have serial numbers on them.
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puck73 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@Subby, The puck is hiding underground with Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley, James Dean, Jimi Hendrix, and Sid Vicious, and will make a surprise appearance when we least expect it!
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Kingsfanone Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@puck73,
No. Elvis is in aisle 5…….peanut butter, and he’s got a bunch of bananas too.
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Stuart Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@puck73, I think you forgot about Hoffa!
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puck73 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
@Stuart, He’s in the end zone in East Rutherford New Jersey.
Kingsfanone Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Stuart,
Mike looks like Hoffa……..he can’t forget him!
40YearKingsFan Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
@puck73, I would not believe any of this if it did not come from “Puck” himself.
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Love it! Love AEG
thank you
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Quick you rock! Dean you da man!
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5.8 mil per? Sounds good.
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Go Kings Go!
The Pucks in NJ
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Duncanz Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@Gail Web,
There was a young forward named Anze
Who wanted his puck back from NJ
Well, it won’t be in heaven
Said number eleven
It’s livin’ on a prayer with Bon J.
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variable Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
@Duncanz,
you mean on a prayer with yo la tengo….
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I really cant wipe this grin off my face right now….We are so set its rediculous! We will win another cup…maybe not next year, or the year after (hopefully we do) but I am almost positive we will win at least another one within the next 5 years. I really cant believe as a Kings fan i can say that with utter confidence but thats were im at right now. Flyin high baby!!!
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So do we bring Penner back and make it the whole team???
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plywood Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
@McCheese, YES< YES< YES
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Pili Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 6:16 pm
@plywood, I can only add….YES!!!!
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Word around is that Shane Doan IS indeed interested in playing for the 2012 Stanley Cup Champions Los Angeles Kings…(sorry, I don’t get tired of the long name)
If that happens, I’d like Dean L. to put a clause in his contract that he must kneel on center ice of game 1 in October….and kiss Dustin Brown’s 2012 Stanley Cup Championship ring!
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Kenny44 Reply:
June 28th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
@Gustavo, It would be a funny press conference to watch.
Doan:
“I remember telling Dustin in the handshake line how much I respected the way he and the Kings played in that series. I think if you watch the video, you can see me say the word Jugg-er-naut. (some thought I was saying “f__ y__ Brown”, but I as paying my compliments, really). Watching the Final, that really made me realize how much I needed to get away from the bad influence of Tippett, Smith, Hanzal and Brule, which kind of got to me. As everyone knows, I beleive in projecting the image of a character guy, and I need guys like Darryl, Dustin, Mike, and Matt to back me up with that.”
Robitaille:
“That being said, this is one of those things that we’re happy with our team so we focused on depleting our competition. Doan should really compliment Trent Hunter’s game and fill the leadership void left by Ethan Moreau in Manchester.”
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In ’07 the Ducks suddenly had too many good goalies. Good-bye JS when Hiller signs for long run. Then Hiller goes down & they have a couple has beens in goal. Bernier has proved his worth, he’s part of Kings’ soul and should stay. He knows our defensive system and the players. Especially important come playoffs when all teams change strategy. Notice Canucks couldn’t change anything & weren’t prepared for their short post-season? So much for a President’s trophy…
As for Doan vs Penner? Take Doan. Penner has been ragged on for his play each year when his team isn’t in 1st place. He can’t seem to meet expectations and only exceeds them when his team is mowing down competition in playoffs. Oilers gave Penner big $$ offer sheet & lured him away from Ducks. One of many bad investments in OIl Country. Doan offers more anyway, he can fill in leadership role if one of our core players goes down with injury.
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