Dean Lombardi confirmed, via email, this morning that the Kings will hire Davis Payne as an assistant coach to replace Jamie Kompon (as first noted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
Payne fills the qualifications that Darryl Sutter set forth last week — in this post — when he talked about hiring an assistant coach. Payne is young (he turns 42 in September) and has a deep connection to the Western Conference. He took over as interim coach of the St. Louis Blues during the 2009-10 season and held that job until he was fired 13 games into last season.
Payne played eight seasons at the NHL, IHL and ECHL levels as a winger, including 22 games with the Boston Bruins in the mid-1990s. He is also a former ECHL and AHL head coach.
Kewl
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fuzzerson Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@❌TheAcaciaStrain❌, Phantom of the Power Play?
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FatManChew Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@fuzzerson, If the Kings can pick up their PP I’ll break out into song.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@FatManChew,
Pick up the PP???
I’ll dance on my toes for a week if they can keep maintain it at the same level of the SCF Game 6 vs NJD
magnum69 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:16 am
@FatManChew, You sing i’ll dance …………………
Ted Koontz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:37 pm
That is a perfect fit, Davis Payne is a great coach. And will be a awesome assistant coach in LA. Happy for the Kings!!!!
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magnum69 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:19 am
@❌TheAcaciaStrain❌, No Payne No Gain!
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I like it!
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ok
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Seems like a great fit to keep the Kings at the top.
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If they’re comfortable with him, why not!
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House of Payne. Gotta love that.
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king lopez Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
@Caot Jam, I Love that show!
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Bonvivant Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
@Caot Jam, King of Payne now baby.
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Go Kings Go!
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Are his deep connections his coaching experience from 09-10 until last season? He wasn’t a very effective head coach… I wonder what about him other than his age, made him attractive? The fact that he had been a head coach for 2+ years? I don’t see this guy taking over when DS moves on…
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:50 am
@Stuart, Being a head coach for three seasons before age 40 is pretty impressive in itself. Since nobody really knows this guy, we should probably give Sutter the benefit of the doubt. He does LOOK pretty smart though…
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
@Stuart,
That’s not necessarily the major concern in hiring Assistant Coaches, though.
Besides, there’s Johnny Stevens on tap too, if you want to hire in-house.
I guess DS’s comment about finding someone that was a better coach was a bit of a quip.
Never-the-less, young and fresh is good and his future potential may reveal itself at the Kings.
And he seems to have the right sort of intensity.
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Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
@Duncanz, I was only mentioning him taking over as a response that someone had made during the initial “DS is looking” thread. I don’t think anyone on our staff will take over from DS.
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Crown Royal Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@Stuart,
Maybe DS sees Payne as a younger guy with head coaching expierience and good ideas. Some years ago I got to know George Burnett a little. He was head coach of the Oilers in his early thirties (he coached them durning the lockout season) and he was one of the sharpest young hockey minds I’ve ever met. He has never been an NHL head coach since his stint with Edmonton but has been an assistant coach with the Quacks and a minor league coach for the Rangers. He’s now an OHL coach and GM.
The point is he didn’t pan out as an NHL head coach but is a smart hockey guy. Maybe Payne is cut from the same cloth. DS is no dummy so he must think this guy has something to offer.
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@Stuart,
Oh, I didn’t see the quotation marks or the reference.
Silly me.
Well, DL has certainly shown a propensity to sign leaders.
When you look at the number of former ‘C’s and HCs we have on the roster, we are sure not hurting in those departments.
It’s good to have multiple options with top level experience should, for example, Bessy fall ill in the barn and need a few years of nursing to get her back to good health.
Today, we only got stronger in this area.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@Stuart, That post was probably mine. I think it makes sense, under the Lombardi regime for just that to happen. When your coach tires, you’ve got great stability.
RLane420 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
@Stuart, ya we should have kept….. sarcasm.
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RLane420 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
@RLane420, Kompon.
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Alaska Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:06 pm
@Stuart, He was 12 games over .500 as a head coach with St. Louis. How about St. Louis screwed up by pulling the plug on a coach whose team was 6-7 at the time. I wonder what would have happened if DS was fired after being 2 games under .500 early in the season. Payne is one of the most prepared coaches you will ever see.
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Darryl wasn’t just posturing with the young+former coach+teacher type requirement. This seems like a great hire, albeit likely temporary – Dude’s got a future in the head coaching ranks, likely.
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Horrible hire. St. Louis had the worst PP in the league under DP last season. Isn’t that what we’re trying to fix?
“The Blues have the league-worst power play”
http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/rankings/_/name/stl/st-louis-blues
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:52 am
@PRMan, He wasn’t their pp coach and he was fired by the 13th game. Give the guy a break in his first hour with the Kings. Many said Sutter was a horrible hire, as well.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:55 am
@PRMan, Harsh much? as BbBG said…i dont believe he was in charge of the PP and he is replacing Kompon so……
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PRMan Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
@PRMan, We’ll see. Hope you guys are right…
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SDGolfer Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@PRMan,What a double standard. Kings PP sucked last year and it was Kompons fault. STL PP sucked, it was Davis Payne’s fault?
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Jon Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
@SDGolfer, We didn’t blame Terry Murray or Sutter for our bad PP, so isn’t blaming ST. Louis’s head coach for their bad PP a double standard?
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DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
@PRMan,
It was the players’ fault….. oh, wait a minute…… nevermind…..
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Shakes Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
@DesertKing, I blame Elliot
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DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
@Shakes,
LOL
nykingfan Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Shakes,
Helene? lol
nykingfan Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@DesertKing,
cmon players fault? How can you possibly blame them for missing wide open nets or failing to shoot from prime scoring areas?
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Michael J. Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@nykingfan,
cough… Trent Hunter… cough
CAA Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@PRMan, That was my first reaction as well – but again, as I said when the playoffs began – I’d rather have a first rate PK and a blase PP then the other way around
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Rick James Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
@PRMan, Coming from a Blues and kings fan this isn’t a horrible move. Payne did a decent job after replacing Andy Murray and then had early season struggles. The Blues needed real leadership but Payne should satisfy DS needs behind the bench while gaining quality experience under a Stanley Cup Champion team. Go Blues then Go Kings.
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Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@Rick James, what did the five fingers say to the face?
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PP Anybody? Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
@Stuart, Slap!
Marty4Ever Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
@PRMan, Maybe the reason was the StL players? Remember because of/under Tampon our PP sucked too, then we caught fire in the SC Finals.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
@PRMan,
There are at least 1/2 dozen bloggers in here that could do a better job with the LAK PP than JK ever did (No, I do not include myself in that list). I see no downside on hiring Payne.
We’ll all just have to see nice and look pretty until the season opens and the team performs.
If Brown delivers PAIN, what does PAYNE deliver?
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RLane420 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
@PRMan, Ya and Sutter was a horrible hire as well. When will people learn.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:42 am
@PRMan,
It’s a new face behind the bench…that’s all there is to it. There were soo many people who were 2nd guessing about bringing DS in…and look what he did.
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Edward Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:50 am
@Cruiznblue, Why don’t some of you look up Davis Payne on hockeydb.com?????? First, he was a very successful head coach in the minors and got the chance to move up to the Blues. Payner never got a real chance in the NHL as a player HOWEVER he was team mates with Dan Bylsma with Greensboro in the early 90′s under Jeff Brubaker. Players that have played the minors for so many years usually end up being good head coaches. All this bashing on Davis Payne, let up! Give him a shot! Gee, I bet those that have bashed this and the Sutter hiring in the beginning, probably have never, ever laced up the skates and played the game. I HATE Couch Potato Coaches!
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mrbrett7 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
@Edward, Well done…well done.
I guess he performed well on the ranch!
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I hope he speaks Sutter, right?
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:54 am
@iansez, Boom…Jeez
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
@iansez, This aint Payntball..
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NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
@Duncanz, That pun was payne-ful to read.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@NOT IMPRESSED AGAIN,
This thread is Payntently unfunny anymore.
plywood Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, I hope we have a strong PP now when an opponent is sent to the paynatentiary. (can’t believe I typed this)
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:23 pm
@playword,
Oh, the payne, the payne, Will Robinson!
Welcome Davis! I will say though….His last name sets him up for some bashing and puns should he not work out.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, As much as it Paynes you to think about.
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kinglouie Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@Duncanz, +1 rimshot
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luc20rules Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
@Duncanz, As long as he puts the PAIN on the opponents PK it works out.
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So, we’ve got the major (Payne) to go with our Colonel (Clifford).
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Kaiser Soze Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@Buster, Except a Colonel outranks a Major.
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Kings x Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
@Kaiser Soze, And the colonel may be sent to the minors
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New name on cup next year. Go kings Go .
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Shakes Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
@vladimir, +1
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IceGuy Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:15 am
@vladimir,
DL, DS now DP.
I’m beginning to sense a pattern in all this.
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Bring the Kompon! Er… Wait a minute, something’s
not right…
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DS went to great Paynes here.
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DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@Duncanz,
I think he sealed the deal when he brought the 3-legged milking stool to his interview.
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Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@DesertKing, DS’s stool is only 1-legged!
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DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
@Stuart,
TMI
Mark Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:52 pm
@Stuart, right off the curb
Mark Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@Stuart, laughed out loud when I read it
TM – I was right
JK – I was right
DS – I was wrong
Davis Payne – Based upon my lesson from DS, I will reserv judgement 1/4 of the season is in the books. If I were him, I would just look at the film from the 20 play-off/Finals games and go with that.
By the way, the Kings obviously are not scrimping on payroll since I offered to do that job for nachos.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@Dessert,,
We now have the greatest “D” men in tbe league leading our ranks:
Dean
Darryl
Davis
Dustin
Dommer
Dessert
Duncanz
DiD I forget anybody …. ?
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Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@Duncanz, no, but your list is a little too long by one!
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Chip Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@Duncanz, Drew? And maybe an additional Dustin?
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Chip Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
@Chip, Oh, and Doty.
wes Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:07 am
@Chip, Dustin = x2. Davis = x2. And when you’ve got a full, returning roster as the 2nd youngest, second biggest team in the league, AND the reigning Stanley Cup Champions: Dingleberries = x0.
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
@Duncanz,
Dominick? Paul “D” Armbruster? “Dick” Hammond?
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@DesertKing,
“DETHHHPICABLE!”
JackKentCooke Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@Duncanz,
Doty.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
@JackKentCooke,
Funny, I just had some ‘dac dent duc’ for lunch at the Pho Nee Pho!
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@Duncanz, With all these D’s, what ‘Cup’ size is this new-found leadership?
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Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@Duncanz,
AYAYAYAYAYAYAY….
This is DOLOROSO!!
Is it October yet?
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
@Gustavo, Que pena, senor, que pena …
Steve W Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
@Duncanz, Another Davis for Whiskey.
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Kings x Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:44 pm
@Duncanz, Douche
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Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
@DesertKing, Haven’t you heard? The USDA has recently reported that pork-bellies and nacho cheese costs are skyrocketing!
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DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
@Stuart,
Are you telling me that gold is cheaper than nachos?
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I can already tell he’ll be better than Kompon..Last 4-5yrs our pp was horrible..Lets see what he brings to the table..
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
@lakingsphan0427, Not exactly true. He did a good job with it in the 2010 playoffs. Let’s give credit where credit is due…..even if it’s not much.
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RLane420 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:41 pm
@lakingsphan0427, at least he played ICE hockey.
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Who are we gonna hate on now?
no contract
squabbles, scrubs or inept coaches left, plus a championship
roster intact = nowhere to aim my irrational displeasure
towards… You’re no fun Kings
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DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
@xeropoint,
How about the other 29 teams who want to take our shiny Cup away? How about the loser weak commissioner? How about Ryan Clowe, Mike Smith, the Gingers, POC Burrows, Moaner Doaner and every other sniveler that tha Kings left crying in their playoff/Finals wake? Yes xeropoint, there is plenty to hate
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dkrasne Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
@DesertKing,
“Ryan Clowe”
I forgot all about that guy. If there is a lockout, I hope play resumes Friday, November 23rd so we can raise our cup banner against San Jose. It will be especially gratifying since the window (if there ever was one) for this group of Sharks is closing.
Still can’t believe we only lost 4 times after that.
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King Cobra Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@DesertKing,
That’s The Spirit!!!!
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Harry Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@DesertKing,
You forgot the Antiheim Dsucks
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Buster Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
@Harry,
They’re the Ucks. They have no D.
Jody Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@Buster
That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year. That includes Kopidor and Brad Doty.
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
@xeropoint,
I give it until our first unexpected loss or two.
The desperate diehards will find plenty to float their boats.
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plywood Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
@Duncanz, I’m 100% certain that a SOME point during the season people will demand we fire at least half the team, the GM, the owner and that GD’ed Payne. Human nature during any slump, and all teams go through it.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@xeropoint,
Try hating 29 other teams that will be gunning for us next season.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
@xeropoint, Yeah, if this team is say 6-8-6 20 games on I wonder who’s going to take the blame?
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
@HockeyNerd, @HockeyNerd!
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OT:
Semin signs with Carolina for 1 year/7 mil deal.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
@goldielocks, That’s a good signing for Carolina IMO, especially the one year part so he can’t slack. For all the downside, the guy nets 30 every year and has consistently one of the best plus/minus ratios in the league. Staal and Semin together is a good pickup for them
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Buster Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@goldielocks,
It’s nice of Carolina to swallow a contract like that.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
@Buster, They didn’t swallow it. They wrote it. He was UFA.
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goldielocks Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
@Duncanz,
It seems nobody wants to sign with Detroit these days. What’s up with that?
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
@goldielocks,
They have already signed their “luxury” RWs in Jordan Tootoo and Mikael Samuelsson, at a fraction of the cost of the Russian Racket.
obrandy Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
@Buster, i see what you did there
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@obrandy, That Carolina is one cap-tivating chick.
Sebastian Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@Buster, LOL!!! good one
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Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@goldielocks,
Glad to see Semin remain in the east coast. He could have been a western conference killer playing alongside Datsuyk.
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OT
After almost 30 years of public service, I have hung up my guns and retired. I still need to make some money, so I am embarking on a new career. I will be creating and operating a special interactive Kings blogging website, where Kings fans can express their ideas in a forum free of politics, religion and f’n profanity. This site will provide “inside” information that….(ring, ring)…. Hello?… yes, this is DesertKing….. who?…oh my, what can I do for you?…..Kansas?….but why Kansas, I thought they only grew corn in Iowa?….. no, I don’t want my moniker changed to “Scarecrow”… right…. but not even a little bit like yours?….. ok, gotcha, but I don’t have an attorney…. oh, thank you, thank you for letting me keep my Commodore 64… right, new career path, I’m on it….Good…bye… (click).
Well, as I was saying, I will be embarking on a new career, quite possible writing a coffee-table book about nachos and the importance of cheese densities…..
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
@DesertKing,
Don’t know about nachos, but I think you have a future writing cheesy TV commercials or senior’s circuit power boat racing.
(this was a compliment, in the wake (!) of your undoubted proven talents)
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DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 12:53 pm
@Duncanz,
Would that be real power boats or the RC models? I don’t know anything about either one but somehow that seems important????
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Kingsfanone Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:44 pm
@DesertKing,
Congrats on the retirement, buddy!
Also congrats again cuz you’re a Stanley Cup Champion too!
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As to the Davis Payne hire, I am reminded of the smartest client I ever had, who was sufficiently wise, that when confronted with an issue about which he knew nothing would declare, “I don’t have anything intelligent to say.”
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@JackKentCooke, Why?
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not surprised…
RICH….
do you know the terms/length of the deal…?
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Fire Payne!
Damn, that just doesn’t sound as good as “Fire Kompon”
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@Sebastian,
Just doesn’t give you the same … burning sensation.
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DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
@Sebastian,
Who is this “Kompon” person? Sounds like a character from a horror movie.
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Michael J. Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@DesertKing,
Don’t waste your money. I’ve already seen it. Slow story line. No action. Poorly developed plot.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@Sebastian, I was going to write the same thing.
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Here’s a bunch more on the new guy, including a scrap with McCabe and a huge dis by sportscenter… http://bit.ly/OeDeQQ
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I used to worry about new hires…but the last time I did that the new hire lit a fire under my/our team which is now in the process of enjoying their days with the cup. Somehow winning the cup has cured me of my previous pessimism. Give him a shot. If Sutter is happy with him then I am happy with him. In Sutter we Trust
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plywood Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@dkrasne, +1. He hasn’t failed us yet
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OK this will work BUT would rather have had former LA King and Hall Of Famer, Lary Robinson, now with the Sharks…GKG.
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What if??? What if Payne isn’t hired to head up the power play???
DK?
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Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@Michael J., you expect Dwight King to become a player/coach???
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Michael J. Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@Stuart,
I was thinking of the other DK, aka “Nacho Man”
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
@Michael J.,
Nacho, nacho maaan
I wanna be
A nacho man!
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
@Michael J.,
Its gonna cost extra cheese now that they have passed me over once.
this guy will be great…he has what it takes to demand respect. i have not idea what happened in St Louis but he sure is a good speaker and I believe our power play will be better.
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So if this doesn’t work out will it be a “Payne” full power play to watch?
Just wondering.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
@HockeyNerd, It could be a Nerd death experience!
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Honestly, I think our power play will still be only about the middle of the pack….and with everything else we do so well I can live with that.
The problem is that we have 7 or 8 forwards who can score 20 goals but at the same time probably nobody who will score 40. For 5 on 5, that’s great. It keeps the opposition from
Keying on one line or one player. For the Power Play, not so good. You’d be better off having 3 30 or 40 goal scorers and the rest 10 goal scorers so you can get those “big guns” out for most of the 2 minutes. That’s just not the type of team we have and I don’t think Payne can do that much about it. But we will see and lets hope I’m wrong.
[Reply]
Niko Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@HockeyNerd, We can finish in lower half for all I care if we have a #1 PK and score close to 3 G/G. Didn’t we almost have a positive goal differential on the PK in the playoffs?
[Reply]
Deirdre Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@HockeyNerd, I think this team, with a full year under Sutter and playing as we saw form March 1 onwards, is fully capable of scoring. Kopi and Carter could hit 40, Gagne (healthy for the first time since 2009 ) could hit 30, Richards, Brown and Williams can hit 25. I also think Doughty is gonna have a monster year, esp on the PP. We’ve seen what they can do, they have seen it too. Payne can fine tune, tweak and such, but Sutter’s stamp i salready on this team.
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@HockeyNerd, That all sounds well and good except when you look at the fact that the top Power Play team in the league last season, Nashville, had ZERO 30 goal scorers. Their highest scorer had 27 goals. Their next highest had 24 goals, all the rest were under 20. What they had was a balanced attack of 9 players with at least 15 goals. The Kings will have a top 10 PP next season now that JK is gone.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
@CB14, Let’s hope so. Beyond having a good Power Play for its own sake it would help to discourage runs being taken at our players. Only time will tell. (Assuming no stoppage).
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:32 am
@CB14,
Absolutely
[Reply]
Not sure about this hire,but willing to give Davis Payne the benefit of the doubt and a least a chance to prove his worth. Thought more along the lines of Igor Larionov or Bernie Nicholls!
[Reply]
OT: Wait, it wasn’t coulombs?
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/clockgate-nhl-says-los-angeles-malfunction-human-error-153357919–nhl.html
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@vplaza, hogwash! DL was right.
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@Stuart, I think so too…there are many examples of that same thing happening in other games. so either DL is right, which i believe is the case or the NHL hires a ton of stupid clock officials.
[Reply]
vplaza Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
Fortunately, the Kings made the playoffs by more than 2 points, so it really didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@vplaza, true in that respect, but the other parallel universes where the butterfly effect was/is different could’ve seen the Kings take a nosedive after losing to the lowly BJ’s again… we could’ve spiralled into a dire freefall and been overtaken by the Flames, Db could’ve been traded and DL fired and thus not able to say STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!
oh what a world, what a world…
buthenagainmaybenot!!!
vplaza Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@Stuart,
I want a recount of the coulombs, just to make sure.
[Reply]
Its interesting that there is only a vague title of Assistant Coach. The PP was JK’s while he was here may not be Davis Payne’s. I wouldn’t be surprised if another Assistant Coach is initally incharge of the PP or if it is a colaborative group as they say most of the Coaching functions are carried out. JK over the PP may have been a title from the old regime of TM.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@luc20rules,
According to Mitchell, Bernie Nicholls said “Doesn’t matter … doesn’t matter. Just score some power play goals when it counts the most” and they just did that, didn’t they? No Xs and Os there so I don’t know if we really need the PP coach now.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@goldielocks, it’s like Shaq always said wrt his terrible freethrow shooting…
[Reply]
CL Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@luc20rules, It’s always been “Assistant Coach.” I’m pretty sure there’s never been a “Power Play Coach.”
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
@CL, Jamie Kompon’s title was Special Teams Coach, which means PP & PK. With St Louis before that he was the Video Review Coach (Analysis teams play and preview coming opponents). Although its my understanding that when DS got there they went to a more group method of coaching.
[Reply]
CL Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
@luc20rules, http://kings.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=41319
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:31 pm
@luc20rules,
Kompon never coached the PK. That was all John Stevens.
In DS we trust, bring the Payne!!
[Reply]
If Darryl is good, I am good with it.
[Reply]
Much like my opinion of the DS pick, I’ll wait and see. Doesn’t get me excited or upset. He goes in with a big advantage. Cup winning team, lots of talent and could hardly get any worse than last year. IOW, he had better do well.
[Reply]
After watching Davis at the ECHL level, bringing a complete joke of a team to the league champioship in a very few short years, using the awesome talents of raw players and turning them into stars. Damn. Excited for the Kings, and I an Blues fan!
[Reply]
Sutter hasn’t made many mistakes yet, without him, his intensity , hockey smarts and motivation, no Cup. He changed this team, the way they think, act, and perform. He interviewed several candidatss before picking Payne. If he trusts him, with all his hockey sense and smarts , I do too.
[Reply]
BrokeKingsFan Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
@Deirdre, yep
[Reply]
All I want to know is if he can lift a Cup!
[Reply]
No comment, just lets hope he will improve the PP to greatness, that the only weekness left on the Kings to fix…
[Reply]
Sounds like the perfect choice!
[Reply]
As longs as Bernie Nicholls continues to be a “Consultant” with the team(including the power play) we are going to be fine, he is the reason those lines started working well together, I saw him at el segundo working with the guys, and let me tell you, he was working as hard as they were, and he loves the Kings so much he was doing it for free!!!! So bring on who ever you want DS just make sure when it comes to the offense you continue to trust The pumpernickel!!!!!!
[Reply]
Three questions for this guy:
1. Did you bring your compete?
2. Are you heavy on the stick?
3. What is your shot mentality like?
(and yes these will live on forever, so get over me repeating it).
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
@Lake Forest, can you repeat that?
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
@Stuart, sure why not…..
baby here yet?
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
@Lake Forest, not yet… we’ll be 7 months on monday…gulp
CB14 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@Lake Forest, I hope all his answers to those questions are NO.
[Reply]
Strange, usually I would be googling and looking for any info on this guy. But, I really don’t care much and have more of an “ok, sounds good” feeling about it.
Has finally getting a taste of winning made me disinterested or has it just removed the giant chip on my shoulder? Was being a perpetual loser what drove me to look into every player and coach the kings hired? Did finally winning a cup kill my drive to look for a reason why we might win the cup?
Why am I talking to myself?
Ok, Sounds Good. Welcome Mr. Payne.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@concussionman02, I blame it on the concussions.
[Reply]
ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@concussionman02, Sounds like you haven’t shaved yet!
[Reply]
YeahWhatever Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@concussionman02,
Hahaha – I was having the exact same thought as yours while skimming the comments!
At the end of the day, I never saw Kompon as more than a fly in the ears of the boys anyway, so I’m fine with them having tutors to solidify their specific skills (like Ranford) and the emotional commitment Sutter engages.
We’re keeping almost our entire team & we know they want to win and they’ve bought in to the new creative system (tho I still think TM is awesome for creating a D mindset for the whole team & Stevens for keeping it all about Flyers West [old] style), so everything new is just window dressing to me.
I wish him luck, but I have so much faith in my team, I don’t think they’ll need luck one way or another. It’s all about them mad hockey skills now, baby.
NoJinx!! & Go Kings!!
[Reply]
I think we should have a night where everyone at STAPLES wears a flannel shirt to say thanks to Sutter for bringing the cup to LA.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@Mudfish4, maybe the Kings should put out a commemerative flannel SC Champion 3rd jersey! LOL
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
@Stuart, How about a Stanley Cup Patch with the Cup riding shotgun while Daryl drives a tractor.
[Reply]
kingsofsb Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
@Mudfish4, Great idea!!
[Reply]
Mudfish4 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
@Mudfish4, Maybe for the banner raising game, they could hand out t-shirts that are designed to look like flannel shirts with the words “This ain’t baseball” on the back.
[Reply]
okay! I.D.I.O.T. (In Darryl I Obviously Trust)
Guess it couldn’t get worse?
[Reply]
Just finish picking my half season seats. Man they are going fast. Thank goodness I decided to become a season seat holder last year and not this year.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
@KC23, Does this mean that you will be giving away seats again to underprivilidged Kids and Bloggers again like you did last season?
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@puck73, No, it means now I’m broke.
[Reply]
Meanwhile this tidbit from the Star-Ledger regarding the NJ Devils coaching changes:
“DeBoer’s coaching staff was whole again. He had lost two assistants following a run to the Stanley Cup Finals but replaced them with a franchise legend in Scott Stevens and the coach behind one of the top power-play units in the league last season, Matt Shaw.
The selection of Stevens seemed to be an obvious one once Larry Robinson made the lateral move to become associate head coach of the San Jose Sharks. DeBoer and Stevens would spend time after each home game last season writing evaluations and talking. It was an opportunity to take a peek into Stevens’ way of thinking. DeBoer came away impressed, praising Stevens’ hockey intelligence.”
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
@JackKentCooke, Stevens was Great…..At delivering a forearm, and Elbow right between the shoulder and Dome! Just ask Lindros and Kariya!
[Reply]
JackKentCooke Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
@JackKentCooke,
Continuing from the Star-Ledger
“Shaw will be upstairs, in charge of the power play — a position he excelled at in San Jose. During his three years with the Sharks, they finished fourth, second and second in the NHL with a man advantage. Adam Oates ran the unit last year and the Devils finished 14th in the NHL.
“It’s not very often you’re looking for a coach, especially a guy that can run the power play part of your system. Somebody that has one of the top three power plays in the league the last three or four years, led the league in shots on the power play the last three or four years,” DeBoer said. “The fact that he’s available too is something we feel very fortunate about.”
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
@JackKentCooke, Damn! I was really looking forward to getting my dailey Devils update tonight on Fire and Ice. Thanks alot for ruining my evening!
[Reply]
JackKentCooke Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:59 pm
@puck73,
If you were a little older, by evening you would have forgotten you had already read this.
puck73 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
@JackKentCooke, Your a good egg Jack !
[Reply]
JackKentCooke Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 7:24 pm
@puck73,
Even better is the bacon and egg breakfast Jack at Jack-in-the-Box. Add hash browns and a Diet Coke and you’re ready to go into the corners and muck it up.
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 7:23 pm
@JackKentCooke,
So there is the thought that NJD got a good man …..
[Reply]
JackKentCooke Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
@Duncanz,
Thanks, but nothing I submit has thought behind it.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
@JackKentCooke,
For some reason I am drawn to comments with no thought behind them.
I have not rationalized this yet.
Boo! Boo! Boo! Boo!
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
@puck73,
You’re missing the words “I’ve gotta…..I’ve gotta….I’ve gotta….I’ve gotta”.
[Reply]
Yay! I thought it would be Bernie, but I’m happy the team is settled and still loving this feeling. THE KINGS ARE THE KINGS!
[Reply]
Anyone else have the joy of getting screwed during Select-A-Seat? Just got done and what a disappointment. I feel like I just got kicked to the curb, my wallet taken, and splashed with mud from a passing Vespa. Some of the low points:
1. My seats from last year were taken from me and I was thrown back into the pool with everyone else.
2. No HockeyFest discount (hell, no HockeyFest period).
3. No ability to purchase tickets for the home opener or other games, something that has been offered each of my previous years.
4. Only given priority for one game per round in the playoffs.
Yep, I know that I am just a scrub 10-game weekend pack ticket holder, but this is ridiculous. I guess this is what I deserve for not selling my SCF tickets and making some large bank and actually attending the games as a Kings fan. I have a feeling I will not be renewing last year since the Kings organization decided selling tickets to people who then resell them at higher prices is more important than taking care of their fans. If Staples did n ot sell out almost eery home game last year, then I can see the need to change philosophy in order to sell seats, but they sold out 38 games last year so there wasn’t a lack of buyers.
This sucks. GKG-AGAIN!!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
@DesertKing, Having a good day?
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
@puck73,
Nope, the county lost my paycheck, the Kings ticket office screwed me, my dog hit a train, my wife didn’t run away with the postman, my shoes were too tight, the Sun didn’t come up in the west, and someone peed in my Cheerio-O’s. Other than the extra half-hour of sleep and the Angel game yesterday, retirement sucks.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
@DesertKing, Well, all I can say is, welcome to the world of relief, Hammonds Blog, where your dreams like winning rhe Cup come true
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
@puck73
Oh, and I didn’t get the assistamt coach’s job either. Yep, the day just keeps getting better. WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE RAN OUT OF NACHO CHEESE!? Now I have to go to Costco…..
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
@DesertKing,
The hits keep on coming – a bus just pulled up in front of my house and my mother-in-law got off it.
Stuart Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
@DesertKing, hilarious!!! I hope your not dancing at the end of a rope this very second!
CB14 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
@DesertKing, Look on the bright side, you don’t have to go to work tomorrow, or ever for that matter. Enjoy your retirement, and thanks for your service!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
@CB14,
Thanks, but my son has announced that he wants to go to college in Montreal. Guess who starts 2 new jobs on September 1st?
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:04 pm
@DesertKing, Who goes from SoCal to Montreal? That’s unheard of. Just inform your son that girls dress in layers when it’s cold, and that’ll change his mind.
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
@CB14
But ain’t they French girls?
LVKINGS88 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
@DesertKing, Oh DK you crack me up, good luck too you.
Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
@DesertKing,
Please accept my most insincere sympathies for your ticket package plight.
To alleviate your suffering, you should know that last Monday morning we had the most wonderful online Select a Seat experience upgrading our full season tickets to better seats without paying an extra dime for them.
We’re now on the 3rd row of section 214 where the team shoots twice and right next to the Premier Section wall. We not only improved the overall view by seven (7) rows from the isle seats on Section 219, but we also have a much better angle to view the opponents goal.
If that wasn’t enough to brag about, we will now be able to see the banner being raised without the stupid Jumbothron machine obstructing our view.
I hope this help you feel better
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
@Gustavo,
I think you just crowned the DessertKing.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:05 pm
@Duncanz,
LOL…all in good fun
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
@Gustavo,
Thanks for helping. The seats you took sound like my seats from last season, section 214, row 7, and you are right, they are awesome (except you spend the whole night with people passing you in the aisle since there is only one way in and out of the row). I ended up paying extra and moving back down to my first season seats in 114, since this will be my last year of watching Kings hockey with my son before he leaves for school. The best part of 214 is you get to sit near @shotsongoal. Enjoy!
[Reply]
TiredOfIt Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
@DesertKing, Thank God……another smart fan with a take on the most ridiculous seat selection crap and total LIE in the history of this team. I have a half season plan and was promised when I made the deposit that “there will be plenty of seats” HAHAHAHAH….Joke #1. I log in 45 minutes before my selection time and notice that there are 4 sections from 114 to 117 and only 4 locations with 3 seats together to chose from. In an obvious PANIC, I call my Stupendous ticket rep and ask Dude?, what up with all of the red dots? What do you mean? he says. UH…you told me there would be plenty of seats left for me…and now they not be none! What are my options if I can’t get the seats I was promised? “Well”, he says, you can upgrade to a full season, move toward the center for more money or move up to the 200′s and save money. Joke #2. I said “and the fourth option is to cancel”? “oh…uh…no…uh….I’m sure there will be something available for you because we’re not holding back any seats”…I thought for a minute…..”what does he mean by that”?…then I saw the button in the upper left hand corner that read “half season seats” and “full season seats”…Guess what…when I clicked on the full season button a plethora of magic seat locations appeared out of nowhere…..so I toggled back and forth between the half season seat “we’re not holding anything back button” and the wicked “If you upgrade and spend twice the cash…you have more of a selection” button. Joke #3 and biggest example of bait and switch in the history of Ticketdom. The moral of this very true story is that if you give a dance, you’ve got to pay the band. I did get 3 seats at the top of the section near an aisle so I guess all’s well that ends well. It wasn’t my first choice but I’m sure we will enjoy watching the boy’s go for another cup. GKG
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
@TiredOfIt,
Strange, I had the same conversation with my ticket agent. The funny thing is, I was talking to him a couple of weeks ago, telling him my kid wants to go to school in Montreal, and he said I should mention it to Luc the next time I get a chance to talk to him. Guess what else I am going to talk to Luc about?
[Reply]
TiredOfIt Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
@DesertKing, I would love to be a fly on the wall near that conversation….let me say thank you in advance for myself, and the several friends of mine that are 10 game plan holders that are outraged at what is happening with these ticket sales. I am getting pretty sick and tired of the blase’ oh well attitude that the obviously well-to-do Bandwagon fans are taking toward this. I actually read a comment from somebody yesterday about being a “real fan” because they were able to take a vacation day off work to go the beach to see the cup and they “earned” the chance because they got there early and “put in the work”?. This is what it’s turning into? 40 years of wanting and supporting and waiting? I love the players on this team and the coaching staff and the support group and the announcing crew, but I’m not too keen on the org right now.
Lake Forest Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 7:09 am
@DesertKing, to make you feel better, JK is gone
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:41 am
@Lake Forest
Thanks! JK still sucks and now I feel a little better! By the way, who is the JK person? Does he know anything about hockey?
Lake Forest Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
@DesertKing, Well, technically he did help coach a Stanley Cup Champion Team….
Funny though that the unemployed Kompon got hired before Payne.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
@Belexes, You know what else is funny? Davis payne looks alot like John Stevens The ButtHead!
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
@Belexes, JK had connections.
[Reply]
$10 says if we didn’t win the cup 90% of these comments would be saying what a bad move this is xD
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
@Subby, + 2 x $5 Buffalo Chicken sandwiches.
And yes, this is so true …
[Reply]
My wife likes the hiring…..she said that iam a payne in the butt
[Reply]
Off topic…DOAN
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NHL&id=571&line=164821&spln=1
Apparently Detroit is out of the running for Doan. ‘Too expensive’, they say…
Was it the Penguins who offered $30 mill over 4 yrs? It looks like Doan is using that offer as a bench mark to negotiate with everyone else.
[Reply]
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
@Gustavo, Buffalo offered the 30 million I believe but extremely doubtful he will end up there. If I had to guess, I’d say AZ, SJ or Kings since he doesn’t want to move his family.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
@BringbackButchGoring,
Can’t blame him for not wanting to move the family. It’s a hassle with 4 kids…but for $30 million over the next four years he’d oprobably want to say only two words to his wife and the brats.. “START PACKING!”
His wife would probably respond with an adamant “GET A GOOD LAWYER, BUSTER!!…I TOLD YOU A MILLION TIMES I WANT TO SHOP IN RODEO DRIVE AND DRIVE A CONVERTIBLE MBZ WITHOUT MELTING MY NEW NOSE JOB” after which he’d park his nuts in her purse and mutter a lame “OK” then sign with the LAK for much less.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:28 pm
@Gustavo,
Got everything all worked out, don’tcha!
Buster Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:19 am
@Gustavo,
For the last time, I’m not a lawyer. BUT I play one on TV.
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 8:41 am
@BringbackButchGoring, My take as well. I think it’ll be between SJ and the Kings. More likely the Sharks imho as I think DL will not have as good an offer sheet.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 8:50 am
@KC23,
Good, I can’t wait to love hating the sharks that much more. I definitely don’t want to see doan in a kings sweater.
Pop goes the Weasal.
“On the issue of conditions, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said both sides want the “best ice possible.” Typically, as the season wears on, and the playoffs are held in the late spring, ice conditions tend to diminish. However, with an influx of newer arenas throughout the league — many of which have updated facilities to maintain the ice — those problems appear to have been reduced.
For instance, in the Stanley Cup finals last June, neither New Jersey’s Prudential Center nor Los Angeles’ Staples Center had problems with their surfaces.”
Really I seem to remember the ice being slow in NJ because of high humidity making the ice soft in games 1, 2, and 5. Munters anyone? Also indoor on ice temp were like 80 degress in games 1 & 2.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
@luc20rules,
Statements lose all credence as soon as “..Gary Bettman said..” shows in any NHL news report
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
@Gustavo,
Perfect!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
@luc20rules,
Rule #1 – Never listen to Gary Bettman
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
@luc20rules, Pop icecology …
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 8:44 am
@luc20rules, I listen to Gary Bettman like a listen to info-mercials, insurance salesmen and tele-marketers.
I don’t.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 8:45 am
@luc20rules,
Yep NJ’s arena was a sand box.
[Reply]
What a talent this guy is. First he stars in Phantom of the Opera, then he sings at Kings games, and now he is coming aboard to coach. Some people just have it all….
[Reply]
Bonvivant Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
@rick, Davis Gains.
[Reply]
rick Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 9:12 pm
@Bonvivant, Uh, it was a joke…
[Reply]
DS hasn’t screwed up yet, so I have no reason not to trust him with this hire.
Right on Payne, bring the cheap heat brother.
[Reply]
Here we go, the poor guy is being blusted by so many , the same way SUTTER got blusted when he got hired before even coaching a single game. Give the guy a chance , give the guy a chance to work with the players and atleast give him 20 games Before you throw him in the fire.
GO KINGS GO
[Reply]
DEH Reply:
July 26th, 2012 at 11:23 pm
@Gmo, Honestly from some of these comments it seems like people were expecting Scotty Bowman or something. The guy deserves a chance.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:20 am
@Gmo, I think I read maybe two or three comments that were negative in approaching 300 posts. That puts “so many” at about 1% or less.
[Reply]
Wait, you mean Darryl Sutter doesn’t have to clear his choice with the posters on LA Kings Insider before making a hire?
[Reply]
D. Payne, Boss! D. Payne!
[Reply]
No Payne – no game
[Reply]
Welcome aboard!!!
[Reply]
off topic…
I was reading about Eli Manning and what he told his teammates at the opening of training camp.
He told them last season wasn’t good enough. They may have won the Super Bowl, but they were 9-7 during the regular season and easily could have missed the playoffs all together. In other words, they can’t be satisfied just because they won it all. Their season bordered on complete failure
the same applies to the Kings. We won the Cup but we were close to not making the playoffs as well. The kings also can’t be satisifed with last year and need to come into camp with the attitude of needing to improve big time this season.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:23 am
@nykingfan, Good points, but I just don’t see DS and the players leadership core as being the satisfied type personalities. I think they’re going to take being the first time to repeat in almost a generation very seriously.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:46 am
@KC23,
I don’t see them being satisified either. It’s just un-chartered territory for most involved. You never want to be satisifed and I can’t see this team being that way.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:58 am
@nykingfan, the only ones that worry me about getting complacent are the rookies… guys like King, Nolan, VV might think this SC winning stuff isn’t so tough and might start EXPECTING to make it every year… but as has been said, I doubt the leadership in the room will that go on for very long.
unrelated, kinda – my wife and I were watching the video the other day and we were talking about what an experience for Nolan, 19 and already a STANLEY CUP CHAMPION… some guys earn all the luck!
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:25 am
@nykingfan, BTW, I bought a finals program for you if you want it. It’s a nice one actually bought at the game in Staples.
Why? Not sure really, but there is something about you’re posts that gives me the feeling that we see the King’s and their history in the same light.
nykingfan Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
@KC23,
Dude serious? that’d be awesome.
We do agree on a lot.
jess Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:37 am
@nykingfan,
I’m sure you will see a much more consistent kings reg. season team. With that said, it’s not necessary to be at the top of the leader board during the regular season, matter of fact, it’s better to hang back a bit, then pour on the juice when it means something. The finish is the only thing that counts.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:44 am
@jess,
Top of the leader board?
This isn’t golf
[Reply]
jess Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Michael J.,
Well sort of, Vancouver was reg season points leader, and they went golfing right after the first round
nykingfan Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:49 am
@jess,
They don’t need to win the Presidents trophy, but a couple of losses here or there and we’re talking about a new GM/coach and a bunch of new players. Not to mention a bunch of miserable fans.
The end result does matter, but you have to get there first.
You also want to get home ice advantage during the regular season. You can’t think you’re going to win the cup again only losing one road playoff game. It’s just not realistic to think that way.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:48 am
@nykingfan,
Although I predicted a slow start for the Kings last year, I never would have imagined that they would have struggled during the regular season like they did. Thankfully, under the helm of DS this coming regular season should be far less frustrating than last year. I believe this team wants to prove the skeptics wrong, and will be determined to have a strong regular season this time out.
This team has too much leadership and talent to struggle like they did last year.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:02 am
@Michael J.,
I can’t disagree with you, but no matter who you are, you always need some type of motivation.
The fact that they struggled so badly during the regular season and almost didn’t make it, gives them something to think about and shoot for.
I didn’t mean to imply that these are lazy players or guys who don’t care. that’s not the group we have.
[Reply]
Fun morning read for you all in my latest post about a pretty cool new feature from the Kings site… http://kingsnewsdaily.com/kings-benefitted-enormously-from-matchups-claims-canucks-writer/
And here’s my response to one answer in the comments section of the main article: re: Kings repeating – What’s fiction is the statement by Thomas Drace saying the Kings ”benefitted enormously from favorable matchups.” This is the single biggest load of bs surrounding the Kings win. Why? Because the Kings didn’t ‘squeak by’ those ‘favorable matchups’ (you know, the 1, 2 and 3 seeds), they DOMINATED them. Oh, but let me guess. You ‘enormously’ believe if Daniel was healthy, the Canucks would have won the Cup, right? Besides the health factor, which translates to every team, the number one factor for the Kings is staying hungry. The first time for most of those guys is naturally the most motivating. Can they individually ‘want it’ as much? That’s the biggest huddle for a repeat.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:47 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Vancouver, the best “regular season” team in the business. Playoffs? Choke.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
@jess,
VanHoover = San Jose Jr.
[Reply]
nykingfan Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:06 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
favorable matchup against the top team in the west…too funny!
Brown made the ultimate statement in that series when he nailed Henrick and sent him into la-la land..and I don’t mean Los Angeles!
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:26 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), this was my response to his:
That “credit” you so begrudgingly gave was all but wiped out with your “That said…” nonsense. It’s obvious you feel they were more lucky than good. Do you think the Nucks would’ve come out on top had it been a best of 11, 13, 31? Face it, the Kings were rolling and, as evidenced, nobody was going to stop them. Even a top-tow pairing would’ve only been out on the ice so much. It would’ve taken a D-corp full of top-two pairings to slow the Kings. Resorting to saying things like they “benefitted enormously from favorable matchups and both timely injuries to their opponents…as well as a remarkably clean bill of health on their end” sounds petty and ignorant. Who would’ve been a more difficult matchup? Any of the #4-7 teams? Considering the Wings were clipped rather easily by a team that was then preyed on, and the Sharks were dealt with pretty swiftly, which leaves CHI which had their own issues in net, I can’t see any other difficult match-ups coming out of the west. In fact, to even say the Kings had favorable match-ups after beating the top 3 teams in the west is just outrageous! And to the “health” issues… if you can’t stay healthy you shouldn’t advance. Nobody had an answer for the Kings forecheck, nobody had an answer for the top line (or the second, third, or fourth for that matter), nobody had an answer as to how to solve Quick (except for everyone in the NBC booth), and nobody had answer for the will, determination, and heart of a champion! See you next year Vancouver…
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:50 am
@Stuart,
Nice! Good blast ‘Stu’ !
I have a feeling that weekly feature is going to be fun…at his expense! I like how he added all his ‘adjectives’ but forgot the one that negated them all…lucky.
The FACT is, we had Jonathan Quick, who was the single biggest factor in winning the Cup and nothing about his performance was lucky. Nothing.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:56 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), true that!!
Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:01 am
@Stuart,
My name is Mike Miller and I approve of this post.
[Reply]
Hello Everyone!!! I have not posted in a long time. So Here I sit on a Friday with not much to do. So I read a few post just to check in on what is happening in the KINGDOM. Looks like everybody are the same. Good to see that @kc23 is back in the season ticket holders program. I’m sure tickets this year will be hard to get so hopefully I’ll make it out for a game or two. It seems a bit funny knowing we are on top. The best team in the NHL… The Kings!!! No body can take that away from us.
After we won the Cup it has taken me awhile to fully understand the meaning of it all. Never have we as Kings fans been in this position. This summer is so much different from seasons past. I really like the fact that most of the team is in tact. It should be a better regular season for us. Hopefully the players and Owners get this contract thing worked out so we will have hockey. I do think we are the best team that the NHL has. With another year under Richards and Carter, things should only get better for our team. Can’t wait to watch hockey again, but most important hearing Jim Miller say, “Stanley Cup Champion Network”
Well folks hope all of you are well and loving life. Can’t wait till the Cup makes it here to Salt Lake. Word on the street is that Lewis will have the cup for a day and that he will bring it here so we in Utah can check it out. Last I heard the Cup was at the Redondo Beach Cafe. Hopefully next stop Salt Lake City. Really I don’t know how to handle being the Cup winner. All I know is it sure feels good wearing my Kings gear around town and KNOWING that our team are the winners of hockey.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:38 am
@King Charles of Salt Lake,
+100
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:20 am
@King Charles of Salt Lake, By the way I have something for you when we meet again. Nothing much, just a program (but a nice one) from the finals. I’ve collected a lot of King’s programs over the years. For example I have the program from the first LA finals ever back in 93. A program from the King’s first playoff series win against the Oaland Seals back in 69. Game 7 in fact.
[Reply]
Shotongoal Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:55 am
@King Charles of Salt Lake, Charlie check your phone I’m sending you at text pic.
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Dustin Brown’s new t-shirt… http://bit.ly/PGR0ux
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:48 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
awesome shirt! wish it was only the image of Brown with the Cup and nothing else. would like to buy one anyway.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:54 am
@Sebastian, Agreed. Just the picture would of been much better.
[Reply]
wes Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:39 am
@Sebastian, agreeing with Sebastian and KC23. Make it just that high-contrast image of Brown hoisting hockey’s holy grail. White on Black. No f-bombs, no words period.
That would be the shirt I want. The better part of 2-3 million Kings’ fans would probably agree. I hope someone in the team’s licensing/merchandising departments is paying attention.
[Reply]
Why is there so much bitching and moaning about tickets for the next season?
Is it that hard to understand and accept that one of the immediate consequences of winning the Cup would be the new waves of fans wanting Full Season ticket?
If you had a 10 game pack or 1/2 season pack for the longest time during the losing or under performing years, you will be pushed out by those who want a full season package during the winning years. And there are plenty of them willing to take the full 42 game package. It’s a business decision you and everyone out there with the slightest business sense would make in a NY minute without hesitation or remorse.
If you’re going to be mad at someone, aim it at the new fans who may also drop their full season packages if and when the team hits inevitable struggling seasons sometime in the future.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:14 am
@Gustavo, I can’t see the point to this post. Obviously you’re a 1%er that can afford season seats while others cannot, and now, can’t even have the pleasure of having the seats/packages that they had for some time…
It’s not hard to understand but it is hard to accept. Especially when people have followed a certain brand/company for so long when it was an ugly toad, and now that it’s a prince (or King) there is no love or need for the faithful (not saying this is the case because I doubt anyone is anything to AEG other than numbers on a screen, but over the lean years, people got comfortable/mislead with all the “personal” calls from marketing/ticket agents and feel that they have an actaul investment that was appreciated more than it really was).
So please, just see it for what it is and don’t gloat because of your privledge. A little empathy goes a long way. It’s almost as bad as sending text messages from the luxury box to your freinds that you know couldn’t be there… playing with people’s hockey is like playing with their emotions, smokey!
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:26 am
@Stuart,
Well said. It’s really hard to know a bunch of bandwagoners came along for the ride and beat out truly die hard kings for tickets because of financial constraints
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:32 am
@FKA PakiFro,
Yup. It is a drag to follow the team for so long only to get priced out of the conference and cup finals.
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:35 am
@M.J., totally! I went to both the games against STL, but skipped on the WCF thinking I would save the $$$ for a seat (a single at that) to a SCF game, but was never an option the way they were priced…
Gary Livingston Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:47 am
@stuart,
SCF tickets were extremely well priced. Even at face value compared to other teams. And, of course they were going to sky rocket hitting the after market! It is the SCF!!! With a team that had NEVER WON THE CUP!
That said, you should realize that the SCF game prices were probably 25% the cost of seeing a team in a “hockey” market.
People fly into LA from Vancouver, spend the weekend around town, visit Disneyland, and attend the playoff games here at Staples for cheaper than it costs them to buy a single ticket in the FIRST ROUND at Vancouver.
Their first round costs more than the SCF in LA!
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:51 am
@gl, point?
Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:51 am
@Stuart,
Everyone who attends hokey games does so because they can afford it, regardless of the type of package we have; full season, single ticket, 10 pack or whatever else.
I do not gloat about what we can afford and we do not bitch when center ice on the glass is out of my reach. Pretty much for the same reasons. And it is definitely not a privilege. We earn or have saved for every dime we choose to spend on our seats or the team paraphernalia and charity events. We did not bitch at AEG or anyone else when we could not afford any sort of tickets
You’ll never get me to agree that any of us ticket buyers have made a real ‘investment’ in this team over the good, bad or ugly years. Unless we bought AEG stock shares, of course. What we’ve done is make an emotional commitment to follow this team in the hopes one day (like this past June 11 Game 6 vs NJD and for months afterwards) we get to enjoy what we’re enjoying today.
If we expects material compensation, rewards or ‘breaks’ for that emotional attachment we create a false entitlement illusion that will only lead us to disappointment. I do my best to stay clear of that. Call me cynic or whatever. So be it.
The price for entertainment increases every year. So do medical expenses, milk, shoe polish and ribbon for the labeling machine at the office desk. Same thing with ticket prices to watch hockey. And the higher the demand, the lower the free services we’ll get along those tickets we buy.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:58 am
@Gustavo, whatever your financial situation is is fine by me. I was simply answering your questions that you posted… I apologize if you weren’t gloating, but coupled with your “joking” post above to @DK, it just seemed like you were, or at the very least, disparaging the complaints/feelings of other Insiders…
and an investment of any sort, whether financial or emotional, is still an investment.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@Gustavo, What makes business sense is to reward loyal customers. It’s called long-term gain and is often superseded by short-term greed.
[Reply]
Gary Livingston Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:42 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
But, didn’t long term fans have plenty of time to purchase those ten game packs or whatever, well before the playoffs were even over?
They usually reward those long term fans by giving them the first chance to make those purchases before the general public. And, those bandwagon fans would be part of the general public.
So, I’m not sure what more anyone would expect from the organization here.
[Reply]
FKA PakiFro Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:50 am
@Gary Livingston,
From the posts above, the ten game holders are being pushed out of their seats in favor of full season holders. Seats they’ve held for a while. Not cool.
The thing about long-term fans for the Kings is that they know we’ll be there. 29th overall or Stanley Cup champion. The bandwagoners will ride this season..maybe next and be done. I hope some young kids really got into this season so they turn into NHL prospects (or us) in 10-15 years.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
@Gary Livingston, I’m hearing a lot of people were unable to choose their same seats when they were given the chance to renew but I’m not sure about all the facts so what you say may be true also.
Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I believe AEG is doing just that.
Two of my friends got 4 extra full season packages each to share with their clients and their adult kids. If the team had remained a habitual first round exit team, they would have stayed with their 2 full season seats for themselves and their wives. These couples have been full season ticket holders since the early Forum years. They do not deserve the wrath from any 10 game package owner.
Many full season ticket holders are buying additional full season ticket packages. It is fair for them to get priority over the 10 pack or 1/2 season ticket buyers. Unfortunately this causes the smaller package holders to upgrade or see their benefits reduced or eliminated.
I don’t believe it’s something as simple as a ‘band-wagoner vs old faithful’ fan situation with the ticket packages. Winning creates all sorts of new demand.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@Gustavo, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that words posted on this blog in a general direction, mostly just to vent outloud, are direct attacks on season ticket holders. It’s not like @tiredofit was out in the street turning your friends’ car over or anything because they snapped up 4 more seats. “Fair” is a fickle term, but alas life is not fair, and I’m not trying to champion the lowly 10-game buyers (because they are obviously beneath FULL season seat holders) either…
Of all this, you are right in saying this is entertainment, and it’s well known that we overpay for our entertainment across the board, so to quote AK, it is what it is.
Duncanz Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 2:08 am
@RoyalStewart,
Lowly? Beneath?
You hopeless, unrepentant 2%er, you!
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
@Gustavo,
Heres the deal. When I renewed my 10-pack in March (early renewal to lock in the lower rate and assure playoff priority IF we made the playoffs), I was guaranteed my seats. I was also advised that my seat prices were going up $3 a seat, which I considered myself fortunate since others were seeing a steeper increase. Then the impossib le happened. The Kings backed into the playoffs, reached their full potential, kicked everyone’s butt and rolled to the Cup. Wooo Hooooo!! STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!! Then came the Select-A-Seat renewal letter a couple of weeks ago. No offer of locking in seats for the home opener, no HockeyFest break, and priority for only one game per playoff round. Then, during Select-A-Seat, I learn that my seats, which I had already been told were being raised by $3 a game, were no longer my seats and I had to start the system all over again. Yes, that made me mad.
But here is the kicker. Prior to winning the Cup, the Kings sold out 38 of 41 home games and the other 3 were damn near sold out too. So why the rush to delete the 10-pack fans in exchange for full season fans? Especially since the Kings make more $ per seat per game on the 10-pack packages than they do on the full or half season seats?
Basically, many are opposite because we are getting screwed when there was no reason to screw us, especially since many of the 10-pack holders who forked out $$ even when the team sucked. It just seems that the “business” part of the Kings organization isn’t in sync with the “fan support” portion of the Kings organization. Despite this, GKG-AGAIN!!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
@DesertKing,
Sorry, “opposite” should have been “upset”
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
@DesertKing,
I’ll answer just a couple of your points before Lord Hammond decides to send us all to Siberia for arguing, lol.
Even if you’re willing to pay more per game for your 10 pack, the organization does not have any guarantee they will sell the other three 10 pack games that almost make up the 41 home run during the season. It is much more profitable to sell the full season.It guarantees payment for games that could be less attended during the Holiday Season, Spring Break and when crappy teams play us.
This last playoff run was unexpected. It took almost everyone by surprise to the delight of everyone who loves this team. The demand for full season tickets has also been unprecedented, unexpected and probably caught management a tad off guard and did not have enough time to come up with solutions to keep the 10 packers happy. After we beat Phoenix, I told my wife ‘the 10 game packs are going to the way of the Dodo bird’. And it looks like it is.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:16 pm
@Gustavo,
Siberia! LOL!
kingsofsb Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@Gustavo, Full season seat sales cover pre-season games to, which never sell out. I don’t think those are part of the 10 game pack.
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
@Gustavo,
What part of all but 3 games sold out do we not understand? There was no reason for this change since they were already selling out every game. This is just a bad policy change, plain and simple.
kingsofsb Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@DesertKing, Bummer to hear about the bait and switch. I am surprised that the fine print of your agreement with the Kings allowed this.
As of this morning season seats were available starting at $22 a seat/game. Maybe three or four of those impacted can get together and split a full season. Then have a draft to pick who gets what games. This apporach would also guarentte access to the playoffs and all the other benefits that you had with the 10-game pack. You can do a 10-month payment plan so that hit to the wallet is spread over almost a year and sell any seats that are not used.
The era of cheap kings tickets is over and I hope that the increases we all pay at the gate are reinvested into players and coaches salaries, which so far with the Quick and other re-signingings seem to point to in this direction.
[Reply]
plywood Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
@DesertKing, The times dictate (sadly) that loyalty is is always beaten out by the quest for a dollar.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@Gustavo, shrugs … supply and demand, its the way the world works. OTOH getting upset at those that are upset is no less silly.
[Reply]
TSN is reporting that Shnae Doan wants 4 years, $30MM to play for anyone other than Phoenix.
Have fun playing for the Rangers, Doan!
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
@tkecanuck341, wow… who is his agent? Don Schmeghand? Can the NYR even afford a 7.5M cap hit? Sounds like he really wants to stay in PHO.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
@tkecanuck341,
WOW..I wonder if Phoenix would pay him that much to stay.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:06 pm
@Gustavo, he might give them a home-town sweetheart deal. If he really wants to stay in the desert. It seems like he’s pretty much saying you’ll have to pay through the nose to get me to leave the desert, but it will be possible… let him die in the dust, then. So much for him wanting to win.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:30 pm
@Stuart,
Well, after seeing the contracts to Parise, Suter, Weber and even Semin, I imagine his agent will try to squeeze the most he can out of any GM.
More and more, it looks like Jamison does not have what it takes to buy the team from the NHL. all these mystery investors are nowhere to be confirmed.
Eventually, Doan and his family will have to make the decision, not his agent. That’s when reality hits the harder and winning and family needs play a card over dollar signs…or not.
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
@Gustavo, I hadn’t heard that there were issues with the new ownership team… that org is screwed! the next few weeks will be very telling and insightful as to the true “champion” nature within SD… but loyalty is a very frustrating quality too, and the results of it are sometimes hard to explain and accept, except for the loyal party.
I’d still like him on the Kings, but not for anywhere near that money, even if it were possible.
bmova Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
@tkecanuck341, Who the hell does Doan think he is. Only twice had he had 70+ point seasons, never over 80, and he’s on the decline of his career. Kopitar doesn’t even make that much. There is something seriously wrong with this.
[Reply]
Gmo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:28 pm
@bmova,
He is not worth more than KOPI and that is a FACT .
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
@Gmo,
Neither was Doughty last summer. That’s a bigger FACT, lol. But he got paid more than Kopi.
Kopi did not get his contract this year. He’ll get his mega moola deal in a few years. Same with Brown. Based on what other free agents got what’s the right $$ for Doan?
Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@Gustavo, my best guess would be somewhere around 4-5M/year for 2 years. He’s old and he’s more of a leader than a point producer. It’s hard to base the other FA’s cash-ins because of their age and #’s they put up.
JackKentCooke Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 6:07 pm
@Gmo,
Cost of living is less in Slovenia.
Duncanz Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:43 pm
@JackKentCooke,
I’d have thought so too but that notion was disspelled recently in these very blogpages by one of our many Slovenian Insider compadres.
Apparently the costs of many types of goods and services are greater than they are here, believe it or not.
The iron curtain has been melted down and well and truly reforged, it seems.
BringBackButchGoring Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
@bmova, Yes, how dare Doan take the same amount of money as people offer him in the free market. That’s crazy. If I were him, I would demand a lower offer.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@BringBackButchGoring,
LMAO!!…My sentiments, exactly.
bmova Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, The article says Doan wants, not what other teams have offered. If other teams have offered him that, than they’re stupid. That’s what’s becoming a problem with the league.
Cry Baby Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, Free markets are rarely smart markets. IF Doan can weasel 7+ per, more power to him but it would be a clear indication the market is off it’s rocker. Kind of like when my home more than tripled in price over the course of a few years. I pity the poor sucker that lost his nut on that one!
Cry Baby Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
@BringBackButchGoring, Free markets are rarely smart markets. IF Doan can weasel 7+ per, more power to him but it would be a clear indication the market is off it’s rocker. Kind of like when my home more than tripled in price over the course of a few years. I pity the poor sucker that lost his nut on that one!
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:16 am
@Crybaby, Remember Doan is a player that automatically becomes a fan favorite due to his work ethic, approachability, and character. That definitely factors into any decision by ownership to sign him as he brings money back to the team through licensing, advertising, ticket sales, etc.
KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
@tkecanuck341, Wanting and getting are two different things.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
@tkecanuck341,
No way, no how. How about 4 million and a Cup for 1 year Shane? Sound good?
[Reply]
Gmo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
@tkecanuck341,
that is just so wrong in so many levels. Doan is good but you ain’t worth that kind of money. Who does he think he is asking for that kind of money ? How many cups you have Doan? What you have only been in the playoffs 2 times in the last 10 years ? I hope no gm falls for it and gives him that. Let him end his career with the CRYOTES
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
@Gmo,
+1
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:38 pm
@Gmo,
I think Doan not having won a Cup yet makes him much more valuable than if he had. He’s hungry for one and he’ll work his tail off to win it.
What is he really worth dollar wise? I’ll leave that one to DL to massage the 8 million he’s got left in cap space to get him.
From my fantasy GM chair I’d pay 6 mill for him 4 years, no bonuses, no front load, no clauses.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@Gustavo, you would sign doan the moan to a 4 year contract? or did i read that wrong?
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
@Gmo,
A lot of teams feel they are close to competing for the cup (minus a few parts). Doan isn’t the best to ever play the game, but he’s the best available right now, and the market reflects what teams are willing to pay to gaurentee they get the best available.
If our team wasn’t so deep, the Kings would be right there making offers, and buying him coffee, or making a video or something.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
@Dominick (defrim65),
Agree, but I still don’t think we need him. The team chemistry is obviously working right now and to pay $7 million to someone who isn’t as good as our top players who would now be making less than Doan isn’t going to help in the locker room.
Cruiznblue Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@Gmo,
+2
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
@tkecanuck341, 4 years @ 7.5 million for a 35 year old! HAHAHAHA. He wants to make 7.5m at age 39. Sure buddy…good luck with that.
[Reply]
Cruiznblue Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@Sebastian,
If that’s the case…he clearly is more concerned about the money rather than getting a cup…which his days are limited on getting as it is.
GL with that…
[Reply]
wes Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
@tkecanuck341, yeah, the money’s insane. League revenues go up, caps go up, salaries go up. It’s not a year ago, it sure isn’t 2 or 3 years ago. And it’s soon to get re-tooled by a new CBA. Player representatives and GMs can barely keep up with this roller coaster, we fans just try and keep our heads from spinning.
[Reply]
So, when is the “over-under” for a new post from Rich?
[Reply]
tkecanuck341 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
@Michael J., 4:23pm.
[Reply]
neil Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
@tkecanuck341, 4 20
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tkecanuck341 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
@tkecanuck341, Over it is.
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This is shaping up to being the best year of my life. Shortly before the Kings win the Stanley Cup I find out that my wife is pregnant with our first child (been trying for about 3 years and have had one miscarraige). Then, last week I got a new job closer to home for 38% more money than I am earning right now. If my permagrin gets any bigger the corners of my mouth with meet in the back and the top of my head will fall off.
Thank you all (especially you, Rich) for being here to make this year that much sweeter.
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Lake Forest Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@370455VinSD, awesome man congrats on all those things, especially the little one!
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Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
@370455VinSD, indeed! Congratulations are definitely in order!!! Permagrin is an awesome thing to have!
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DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@370455VinSD,
Get in the car we are heading for Vegas. Bring some money.
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KC23 Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
@370455VinSD, Sweet. Yeah, been pretty good for me as well.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@370455VinSD,
Congrats on all counts!!!
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Newf Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@370455VinSD, so if the Kings winning the cup and all your other fortunes turns you into the Joker, i guess Kopitar gets to become Batman.
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Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:05 pm
@370455VinSD,
Congrats on all the blessings, especially your child
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Duncanz Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
@370455VinSD,
Cheers for now and the next 7 months, 370!
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Wrt 10 game packages…..those are not season seats per se.10 game packages are just that….10 games for that season….
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RoyalPain Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
@neil,
Yeah, that’s the way it was explained to me years ago. There were not enough season ticket holders so they came up with marketing ideas to attract fans who could not go to all the games. Now that demand is way up, these will go away. Maybe the best solution is to go in on a full season with other parties. I know a bunch of people who do this.
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I wonder where @Duncanz is at?? It’s friday, he ain’t got not job, and he ain’t got [stuff] top do!!
maybe he’s at the dr’s getting that “burning sensation” looked at…
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Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@Stuart,
Thanks for the visual…
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Hey Kings Fans (except one person – and I use that term loosely).
Hope you’re all having a great Friday, leaning back in your office chairs, with your feet on the desk while your company computers make loads of $$ for you, dreaming of the weekend and going home in a couple of hours to your suburban utopia in Millionaire Acres at the periphery of whichever priveleged county you occupy where with a quick hug and a wave on your way past your adoring family, you will park yourself in your favorite easy chair in front of your multi-pixel super screen, pull up a jar of your favorite scotch, lean back and put your feet on the coffee table and hunker down for 2.2 days of fabulous Kings 2012 Stanley Cup replays and your brand new season highlights DVD (with extras).
And don’t forget to wake up and run for your life when the family burns the house down around your no good, recalcitrant @$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sensational!
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plywood Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@Duncanz, +1000. (Said by someone who used to scrape 8 bucks together to get into a game in the early days—great seats though)
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Duncanz Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
@plywood, Could I borrow 8 bucks?
With a few more willing donors I could afford a Staples nosebleed for one encounter next season.
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plywood Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:12 am
@Duncanz, Any time. Want me to paypal it to you?
Hey Kings Fans (except one person – and I use that term loosely).
Hope you’re all having a great Friday, leaning back in your office chairs, with your feet on the desk while your company computers make loads of $$ for you, dreaming of the weekend and going home in a couple of hours to your suburban utopia in Millionaire Acres at the periphery of whichever priveleged county you occupy where with a quick hug and a wave on your way past your adoring family, you will park yourself in your favorite easy chair in front of your multi-pixel super screen, pull up a jar of your favorite scotch, lean back and put your feet on the coffee table and hunker down for 2.2 days of fabulous Kings 2012 Stanley Cup replays and your brand new season highlights DVD (with extras).
And don’t forget to wake up and run for your life when the family burns the house down around your no good, recalcitrant @$$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sensational!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Stuart Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@Duncanz, you’re not on trailer arrest again, are you?
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Duncanz Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@Stuart,
Well, I prefer to publicize it as non-self-imposed domestic exile.
At the very least it means my (250) potted plants get regular watering and Tex has a nigh on full time dominos & PBR partner.
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Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@Duncanz,
Wow, are there two of you?
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DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@Duncanz,
I’m retired.
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Michael J. Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@DesertKing,
As in tired twice, or tired again?
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DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@Michael J.,
As in both, plus new tires from Yokohama that come with an Angels jersey….
WRT the 10 game packs, if you did the early renewal in March, you would be in. Now I did have to change from the weekend package to the new purple package as when it was my time to choose seats, I did not like the selection left for the weekend package. By changing packages though, I did get better competition per the scheduling and a better seat lcation for a tad bit less than I paid last year due to commiting to the early renewal. My rep told me only full & 1/2 season seat holders got the opportunity to keep their original seats and even all of them did not. All others in the 10 game category got the first choice of what was left based upon senority. Once Select A Seat is completely over, I would not be suprised to see additional 10 game packs aw well as 5 game holiday packs being offered once the season starts.
On to Doan…..No way would I pay him 7.5 mil/4 years. Too much money & time for his age & production IMO.
On Payne: Welcome to the Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings! Do all you can to keep us motivated, prepared, ready & able to defend OUR cup!
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DEH Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:23 pm
@King Alex, These contracts now days make Drew Doughty seem blue collar middle class.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
@King Alex,
Regarding Doan, If he’s all about the ego gratification of being signed at the rate of an elite NHL player, then forget him.
However, if all that bluster is gotten beyond and a common sense move to the Kings for a commonly beneficial price considered, then Doan could be an awesome asset.
Production level for me wouldn’t have to be restricted to Gs & As though.
He’s a seasoned and savvy pro.
Even in a 3rd line role, the number of hits he would rack up and penalties he would draw are worth thinking about.
Still more, he’d be another good middleweight to add and take the heat off the Dwight Kings and the Mike Richards of the lineup.
I’d be quite happy to see how the Kings do with the same squad that won the Stanley Cup.
But I’d be intrigued if DL were able to add some well crafted steel to the group.
If you are well built for the playoffs but not a sure thing as a regular season unit, a guy like Doan could really put you over the top.
Wherever he ends up, his fortunes next season will be closely tracked.
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King Alex Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
@Duncanz, I agree Doan would be a terrific addition to our roster & I love his game as he plays his game with his heart on his sleeve, but paying him on average more than any player on our roster is IMO not warranted or justified & could be detrimental to team chemistry. 7.5 mil per season would make him the highest paid King on our roster & he does not deserve that honor noe merit it IMO.
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DEH Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:08 am
@King Alex, you have to remember that those 7.5 mil contract offers came from east coast teams. He stated a couple of times that he wants to stay in the west. I suspect he will eventually take much less money to stay in the west, the east coast teams are offering the high price to pry him away from the west.
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Watching the tsrat of the Olympics tonight and already noticed 3 things:
1. No mention of the Kings winning the Stanley Cup
2. No hockey players seen yet
3. Ryan Sechrist?
4. NBC
Add up those 4 things and what do we have?
Two weeks of TV that sucks! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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SDGolfer Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@DesertKing, Are you gonna be at the laugh factory this weekend?
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DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
@SDGolfer,
People who work for nachos and adre Kings fans must never ne allowed on a f’n stage
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Shakes Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
@DesertKing, They mentioned Kopi when Slovenia came out!… Oh wait sorry I’m on the east coast so it’s been broadcast already. My favorite part was the NBC announcers talking over all the good music
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DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
@Shakes,
Awesome at least there is some redeeming value to this NBC horror.
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Anze Kopitar at Olympics!!
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Question for all you Insiders. If the reports are correct & Shane Doan wants 7.5 mil per year for 4 years at age 35, how much is Brown worth? IMO I would never pay Doan more than Brown.
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DesertKing Reply:
July 27th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
@King Alex,
+1
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Duncanz Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 12:27 am
@King Alex,
I believe without a shadow of a doubt that DL will render this question moot.
SD would be a great addition to our already formidable lineup but would not scare me as an addition to any other team in the Division. That is assuming he wished to stay closeish.
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wes Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 12:39 am
@King Alex, you are correct. At $7.5M, the Kings need to send Doan a blunt “never mind.” If Lombardi were to sign Doan for that, not only would Doan (a good player, but indisputably one on the backside of his career) become the best paid LA King, making quite a bit more that Jonathan Quick (which would be insane!), he’d be paid twice what Dustin Brown is, which is, again, insane (although Brown is probably the best bargain in the league), and nearly criminal. Forget Shane Doan, if that’s anywhere near what he feels he needs to make, to even talk to him about it would be a scandalous assault on the integrity and accomplishments of the guys that just dominated their way to a championship— reducing Doan to childish tantrums in the process.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 6:13 am
@King Alex, pretty much
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DEH Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:20 am
@King Alex,
Shane Doan, “I want $7.5 mil per year for 4 years”
DL, “Sorry… I couldn’t hear you over the delusion in the background. We’re offering $3.5 mil per year for 2 years and a box of tampons, take it or leave it.”
Shane Doan, “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you over the nothing you were saying. I will not play for anything less than $7 mil a year”
DL, “Sorry but you’re not worth that”
Shane Doan, “that’s because the Refs keep screwing me over, if the refs called a fair game I’d be worth Crosby money”
DL…*hangs up* “should have offered 3 boxes of tampons”
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Gustavo Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:59 am
@King Alex,
This whole 30 mill / 4 yr thing came from the Buffalo Sabres, right?. A team as close to winning the Stanley Cup as I am to being elected president. If the Rangers or Penguins make that offer, I’m sure Doan’s ears would perk up. But not the Sabres if he wants to win the Cup.
As for Brown, he’s contract dates back to 2008. It’s not fair to Doan or any other player to compare what he’s worth today to what another player was worth 4 years ago. When the time comes to extend Brown, he does deserve a good pay day.
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Real professional move. Not that I would expect anything less. Since DS had a big say in it, I trust it.
Now that this issue is solved, what is our next move? I’m bummed that Semin is no longer an option. But then again, was he ever? Do we lure Doan to LA or would that cause big problems. I haven’t forgotten what he did in that handshake line. I’d love to see Kristian Huselius as a KIng, if to just hear his name said on a regular basis. Hey, I just think it’s an awesome name. But I read he’s had some injuries.
Not to be greedy but everyone will be gunning for us next season and we need to be as strong as we can be.
Congratulations and welcome to L.A. Kings, Mr. Payne.
Go! Kings Go!
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KC23 Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 7:47 am
@MattG717, No need to make a move just to make a move. We know we have what it takes to win a cup already. Offer Doan barely fair market value, take it or leave it. He leaves it and that will be that, unless Doan is motivated by a strong chance to get his name on the cup. From what I’ve read though, the cup doesn’t seem to be at the top of the list. I get the feeling that $ is what he’s interested in. I mean 30 mil in 7 years? Give me a break.
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KC23 Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 7:48 am
@KC23, sorry 4 years 7 mil per year.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:04 am
@KC23,
$7.5 mill per year. Yeah, pretty unreasonable. But I’d give him $6.0
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
@KC23, If money is all he is interested in, why is he visiting Philly, Rangers, Pitts, SJ, Det and us? All winners. Besides, it was Buffalo that offered the 30 million and Doan is going to turn it down apparently. Fair market value for Doan will vary on each team but looks like it will probably be around 6 million for four years. If Carter is worth that, than Doan is also (but for different reasons)
DEH Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:30 am
@MattG717, I’s say trade Bernier to Toronto for Matt Frattin and then sign Ty Conklin or Alex Auld for a year or two. We will have a goaltender to hold the backup fort until Martin Jones or Chris Gibson is ready, and we get a sniper with grit.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:25 am
@DEH,
I’d prefer Roloson over Auld or Conklin.
One Bernier is worth more than one Frattin. Add a 2md or 3rd round pick next summer and I’m happy.
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MattG717 Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:25 pm
@Gustavo, I agree. Dwayne is very experienced and had some good seasons not long ago. He could also provide solid perspective for Quick.
BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
@DEH, It’s one thing to be a sniper in college; whole other ballpark to be a sniper in NHL. Frattin couldn’t even make our team currently. I’d much rather get their first round pick or second choice a guy like Nadri that has more natural talent. Although Nadri might turn out to be a bust so maybe Nadri and a 2nd.
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MattG717 Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:22 pm
@DEH, Not familiar with Frattin, but that sounds good. We’ve got to make a decision and let JB get his chance.
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Shane Doan did act like a total fool and was disrespectful to us after we dismissed him and the Cryotes this summer, but the guy is a great player and leader and would make the Kings AArmy even more unstoppable!! Making our team better at a reasonable price should be more important to us than holding a grudge against him.
The question is reasonable price? If he is truly asking for 7 plus million a year for 4 years than he can forget about it! He is in his late thirties and averages around 50 -55 points a year. Below is a chart that should show a good starting point to finding a reasonable and fair price to sign Shane Doan.
I think 5 million a year for 2 year or 4 million a year for 4 years is a fair price, what do you guys think?
=============================================================
Top Forwards age 36-and-older for the 2011-12 season
Player Age Goals Points Cap Hit
Ray Whitney 39 24 77 $3 million
Martin S.Louis 36 25 74 $5.6 million
Teemu Selanne 41 26 66 $4 million
Vinny Prospal 36 16 55 $2.5 million
Jaromir Jagr 39 19 54 $3.3 million
Steve Sullivan 37 17 48 $1.5 million
Saku Koivu 37 11 38 $2.5 million
Todd Bertuzzi 36 14 38 $1.93 million
Jason Arnott 37 17 34 $2.8 million
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 9:13 am
@King Cobra, Number 1 is DL is not going to offer Doan 7.5 million. Obviously Phoenix is not either so clearly Doan will play for less if he sees a good fit for him and his family. Number 2, a player’s worth is not entirely measured in goals and points. Guys like Ray Whitney, Teemu Selanne, Todd Bertuzzi and Shane Doan, in particular, bring alot more to the table than points. Doan adds leadership, grit, will to win, experience, hits and would be a great teammate. Again, there is a reason that there has been 10 different Stanley Cup Champions in the last ten years. It’s just natural there is a bit of complacency after winning a cup and also from playing 100 games the previous season. Doan will help with that.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:00 am
@King Cobra,
Good comparable chart. Thank you!
I think Doan is better than any of those guys. Including Selanne, Whitney and St. Louis. Not as fast or as high of a point producer, but much stronger, durable and punishing than any of them. He’s also a much better fit to our overall physical style of play.
As much as I hated him during the playoffs, I’d not hesitate to give him $6.0 and 4 years.
Or you can also say he’s worth that extra 20% (1.0 mill) so we don’t have to see him boarding our players at least 6 times a year if he goes to San Jose.
Yeah, I know that’s an extra million above what anyone else here is calculating he’s worth. But since it’s not my money, I feel generous today
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bmova Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@Gustavo, Selanne is the best player on that list, hands down. No way Doan compares to him.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
@Gustavo, You can use that as an argument to sign every single free agent of any value. We have a certain chemistry of players whose skills complement each other and work well together. I’m not so sure Doan fits right into that. Do you still want to give the guy MORE than Brown or Kopitar for a likely 3rd line role? I don’t.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@King Cobra, I’d rather not have him at all after the shenanigans he pulled. I do have to grudgingly admit he’d make our team better. We hardly NEED him though and he is far, far from WORTH what he is asking. We are in a very unusual negotiating position for the first time in…. well 45 years. Send him a check for 2 million, no more, and attach a picture of a silver metal thing with a note attached that says “this can be yours but you must act now, our offer will expire very soon”. That is the ABSOLUTE most I would do. And if he plays elsewhere I’m more than OK with that…
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 2:18 pm
@HockeyNerd, Well OK 5 million. Absolute top. We hardly need the guy.
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Gustavo Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
@HockeyNerd,
We need Doan in our team as much as we do not want him strengthening another division or conference rival like San Jose, Vancouver or Detroit.
NO just for what he an produce, but also to help spread the minutes around among out top 9 forwards. 82 games is a long grind and this time we want a much more solid seeding going into the playoffs.
wes Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 5:01 pm
@King Cobra, excellent contribution with those numbers on the league’s geezers! Selanne’s a unique case, guys that old just aren’t supposed to be that good. But given age and total skill set + physicality, Doan right now is worth more than any of them. So you’ve brought a valuable perspective to this discussion. In today’s market, $6m next season might be acceptable, but $6m at the back of a four year contract sounds a lot less reasonable. 19 or 20 m$ for 4 years, cap hit around 5. If that doesn’t fly, oh well, not a huge disappointment. The Kings are used to seeing Doan play for a tough divisional rival. They’ve handled it before, they will again.
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MattG717 Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:31 pm
@King Cobra, Wow, that lays it out pretty well. Yeah, listen if he wants to be a King and help us win I’m for it. It’s just odd he would even be open to it considering how we just crushed him and his team. But I can’t see Phoenix really making it that far again and he would definitely have a way better chance to win the Cup with us.
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Duncanz Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 12:56 am
@King Cobra,
Kings have the luxury of having plenty of pieces to trade. Plus there will be top level players available at the right times should the Kings require upgrading later on down the line.
Just look at how things worked out with Jeff Carter.
Therefore paying SD at a premium or for too many years is not a temptation to DL. In fact, it would be counter-intuitive.
No need to go mortgaging yourself up when you’re the Stanley Cup holder and you have a settled squad as he does.
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So hypothetically, if we bring in Doan, where exactly do we put him…
Brown – Kopi – JW
Gagne/Penner – MR – Carter
Gagner/Penner – Stoll – Doan???
King – Fraser – Lewis
I guess it can work. My only fear is that when you have too many star players, egos might get in the way.
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BringbackButchGoring Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@bmova, That would be my lineup. The good thing about the Kings is they have no true “stars” just a bunch of really good players that don’t seem to be egocentric. All the cocky bragging about how we are going to run away with the league next year and we don’t need anybody or anything seems pretty misguided to me. Dang I hope the players are more realistic and grounded than the bloggers….
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Gustavo Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
@bmova,
The only true star in this team last season is our beloved Conn Smyth Winner, Vezina ‘should have won it’ and Stanley Cup Champion, Jonathan Quick.
He’s the player that can walk into the locker room or step on the ice and claim he not only carried this team into and thru the playoffs, but also gave Lombardi a home discount that allows him to retain almost $8 mill in cap space to sign someone like Doan.
Chances of Quick putting his ego ahead of the team needs are nil. And I if it happens, Suter will send whoever to the farm to milk cows and clean up poop until their egos calm down.
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MattG717 Reply:
July 28th, 2012 at 11:33 pm
@bmova, Just some questions. Wasn’t Simone contemplating retiring now that he’s won a Cup and with all the concussions and all? Are we sure he will be back next season?
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HockeyNerd Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 11:44 am
@MattG717, Apparently the concussions were not concussions but a growth within his neck. He had surgery to have it removed and is 100% healthy!
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bmova Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 2:45 pm
@MattG717, I haven’t seen any article that says that. Where did you read it?
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rogiesbackup Reply:
July 29th, 2012 at 8:44 pm
@bmova, You have to go to his website…simonegagne.com…..anyways, how scary will the kings be with a healthy Gagne!!!
Pierre McGuire is a homer even when covering Water Polo!!!
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