In part III, Davis is asked about people who influenced him to want to be a coach…what did he know about Darryl Sutter before he interviewed…other “friends’ with the Kings…staying in the “mix” when in “transition”.
JF: Anyone that sticks out to you, as a major influence, in becoming and then progressing as a coach?
DP: I think in becoming a coach, Bob Francis, who was coach of the year in this league. He coached me in the minors, he spoke a language that just made sense to me and just really clinging” to how he operated and how he presented things, was something that really got the gears turning as far as my understanding of how to deal with players and systems and teams and I think that was a huge, huge factor. Then, once I developed a relationship with Larry Pleau, through our affiliation in Alaska and on through the minors and then on to the National Hockey League, his ability to maintain that even keel about where you are and what you’re doing each day, I think had a big influence on me. There are so many other guys, but I think those two in particular, played a big part.
JF: What did you know about Darryl Sutter when you came to the Kings for your interview? Perhaps, watching and learning and competing against him?
DP: That was really the extent of our relationship, coaching against his teams in Calgary when he was the GM. I’m sure we had met in passing in a hallway somewhere but never really had any time to talk or anything like that. I knew that, like all the Sutters, there was a work element and a respect element and a passion for the game of hockey element that is unparalleled and I found that to be “bang on accurate”. His ability to communicate and his ability to understand people, I think is something, that to the level that it is, is really powerful and has been really neat and hopefully as we get going here, it will be something to learn from because he is outstanding at it and I think that this team obviously saw the results of his feel for players and for teams and what’s necessary for the group and I see that as a real positive thing for our group to continue.
JF: Anyone else in the Kings organization that you knew a little bit more than just saying “hi”?
DP: Well I played with Billy Ranford for a little bit (Boston Bruins), so there was kind of a common understanding there, but his was as a number one goaltender and mine was as a fringe fourth line winger. But, you know, just to see a familiar face and obviously, you know how locker rooms are, once you’ve played with a guy, you’ve always played with him. So it was kind of nice coming to a staff that there was an acquaintance there. I played against John Stevens in the minors, but never really had a chance to meet him or get a chance to know him. There is no question that I’m the new guy and getting a chance to learn a lot about these guys and how they tick and how they how they make this team tick.
JF: As a player, it’s play, you’re scouted, and you’re drafted. Maybe you’re traded. As a coach, how do you stay in the mix? Do you have an agent? Do you monitor other teams? How do you do that when you are not necessarily working?
DP: All of that. You have an agent working for you just as far as expanding your contacts and maybe getting some phone calls and trying to find out what is going on in a certain situation. As far as yourself, it’s relying on your relationships with people throughout the game that you’ve met. Or phone calls to people to introduce yourself. These are things that you’ve got to do if you find yourself in “transition”, so to speak.
How about sending someone to cover Manchester….NHL is done for the year.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
@Neil,
Maybe they can’t show pics or comment cuz NHL players are down there and it’s against THEIR rules to do so during a strike/lockout? See Rich Hammond incident for background example……
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Neil Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@Kingsfanone, Thanks…didnt think of that….but the Kings DO mention Manchester and their players on their website…see sidebar…
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Eventually, the Kings will be back, and when they are, I have a feeling Mr. Payne is going to be a better addition than our former offensive/PP coach was. Thank you Jim for reporting on this.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
@DesertKing, i’m thinking so too, sure would be nice
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SDGolfer Reply:
October 28th, 2012 at 1:30 am
@DesertKing, yeah,if we had a better PP coach, we would’ve won the Stanley Cup, wait, nevermind.
You forgot to lump in TM too, since it’s cool to bash these men who obviously had no part in molding the 2012 Cup team.
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DesertKing Reply:
October 28th, 2012 at 9:57 am
@SDGolfer,
Yep, TM was our true savior and we should recognize him as the architect who got us the Cup. He so graciously arranged to be fired mid-way through the season so DS could take over and lead the team to the Cup. TM’s ability to develop the Kings into the 30th best offense in the league is regarded as an extreme accomplishment. And Kompon, the actual architect of the impotent Kings offense and PP, well we should give him all the love and praise for fooling other teams into thinking we sucked on offense and therefore surprised them in the playoffs when our offense appeared. The fact that our playoff offense was created and led by DS and Nichols should be completely ignored. Obviously Kompon was of immense value, since the first thing DL did after winning the Cup was fire Kompon and give him the oppotunity to create more offensive greatness with a competing team.
In reality, TM was a great teaching coach who instilled terrific defensive principals, but didn’t have a clue on offense and couldn’t make in-game strategy changes. Kompon was completely ineffectual at everything he did. Once TM was gone and DS relegated Kompon to video review, the Kings became a defense-first team that could score goals and that is what won them the Stanley Cup.
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luc20rules Reply:
October 30th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
@DesertKing, Don’t forget Kompon was also valuable in the DS era setting up chairs & tables for meeting, bringing the coffee & donuts, and staying to clean up. While the Coaches and Consultant Nichols went to the practice ice with the players.
luc20rules Reply:
October 30th, 2012 at 6:48 pm
@DesertKing, I hope the bar is set higher than what Kompon provided. LOL
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Shouldn’t it be Davis Love III? Just sayin…….
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FYI Insiders:
Monarchs will be playing the Worcester Sharks @ 4pm PST. Dwight King will be joining the Monarchs on the ice this evening for his first game with them this season, and a total of 4 Kings Stanley Cup champs are now in the lineup!
You can listen to the broadcast on manchestermonarchs.com or you can purchase the live stream on AHL live (one time purchase is $6.00). You can buy larger live stream packages (which I’m contemplating) as well.
Enjoy the game folks, I know I will, and Go Monarchs!!
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jess Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Also please keep this in mind,
The more you support the Monarchs and the AHL this year, the more power you take away from Gary Bettman.
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jess Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
-And Fehr..
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Belexes Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
@jess,
Do all of the 4 Stanley Cup champs have their name on the cup?
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jess Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@Belexes,
Unfortunately no
-Don’t get me started!!
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jess Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
-And I don’t care what anyone, award, or piece of paper etc.. ever says. Lokti is part of the 2012 Lord Stanley’s Cup winning team, our Los Angeles Kings!
DesertKing Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
@jess,
I think TM should be on the Cup but not Lokti except when Kompon is on there but only if Evil Load is allowed to coach the Kings but that can’t happen without some type f engraving malfunction that would mean that DD is not as good as Kovalchuk but almost as good as Gretzky. So what do you all think about that and do you think we can win if are not losing? (Man do I miss that Adam guy and now my head hurts)
jess Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
@DesertKing,
Do not take anymore bath salts.
Finally some hockey to cheer for. Listen now.
http://tunein.com/radio/WGIR-AM-610-s29036/
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Dear, Kings fans. Please, sign this petition now.
http://www.change.org/petitions/nhl-commissioner-gary-bettman-end-fan-lockouts-grow-100-000-new-sports-jobs-rebuild-the-american-dream
Thank you.
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Dear Fans,
You are probably wondering why I am handling all press releases for the NHL and not Commissioner Bettman. That is a good question. To dispel any rumors, Commissioner Bettman is still in complete control and we all answer to him, our fearless leader. We owe everything to him, our one and only. Commissioner Bettman deserves your sympathy. He suffers from a very rare illness that was only identified on June 12, 2012. It is known LombardiAfterWinningTheStanleyCupitis. It is a very debilitating illness that robs the afflicted person of the ability to communicate, bot in public and in negotiation sessions. It has serious symptoms including slurred speech, staggered gait and an overly friendly demeanor. Please join with me in hoping our glorious Commissioner is able to recover and continue to lead the NHL to new heights of success.
Signed,
Bill Daly
Assistant Comissioner
Head of Propaganda
National Hockey League
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USHA#17 Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
@DesertKing,
Yeah, and I hope he comes back expanded, with six new and exciting teams!
Lemme see, Tusla, Baton Rouge, Bar Harbor, Jackson Hole, Moab and Death Valley
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
@DesertKing, huzzah >_>
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Monarch win 5-1. Dwight King with three assists!
Murrays Phantoms lose again..
Quote from Phantoms blog:
“Disgusting, undisciplined hockey continues with this team. Please go to Allentown!”
Sound familiar?
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
@jess, hah!
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Jim…hate to say it but this little bit is being taken a long way. Well, better this then golf I suppose…uph!
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To Terry Murray,
If you are a man of honor, take that ring off your finger and mail it to Lokti…
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It is official, VanHoover has just realized that the Kings have won the Stanley Cup and they still have not. This realization was evidenced by the 7.7 earthquake off their coast which was the result of a massive warping of reality in that city when they no longer had any hockey to watch and their dreams of winning a Cup this year were dashed by the lock-out, forcing them to look outside their little hockey bubble and realize the true Stanley Cup champions were in LA.
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jess Reply:
October 28th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
@DesertKing,
Did they light any of their own stuff on fire?
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Thanks Jim
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