JF: Now something it’s a little more personal…before you entered the sports world, any mentors you had?
Tim Leiweke: Well my mom, she died of cancer when I was young. We watched her battle it for five years, it was at a time where there wasn’t the wonder drugs, it was just when they were introducing radiation and she was a bit of a guinea pig, but when you sit there for five years and you watch someone battle it and beat it and battle it and beat it and battle it and beat it and finally lose to it, you have two choices in life, you either learn character and you learn to go fight and you learn to defeat the odds or you give up and you have a really good excuse in life and I was damned and determined as was my brother Tod…
we were not going to let that be our excuse. Could have been easy, there were a lot of bad things that happened but the character that that installed in us and the drive that that installed in us is–it still exists today. There are a lot of other mentors but there’s nothing in life that is going to either prepare you or destroy you like watching your mom die for five years.
JF: Once you entered the sports world, same type of question, any mentors that you kind of say ‘okay I’m in this industry now, I’m in this business now’–now you look and say ‘o.k. I’d like to do what he or she does’.
Tim Leiweke: It wasn’t as much looking or saying ‘I want to do what he or she did’ but I was very fortunate to have David Stern as a huge mentor, friend and to this day still one of the people that I’m closest with and most grateful for that he took the time he did to–you know–I was a young kid when I became the president of an NBA club (Denver Nuggets) and we took over a club that was in bankruptcy and the owners had been evicted from their apartment the first day I got there. Then the third day I got there we missed payroll–so David believed in me–I was pretty young and I think at the end of the day he stuck with me and believed in me and now we’ve become good friends and we’re very involved and partners in China, having two teams here and owning a piece of a team and so I was very lucky to have him in my life. Ironically it’s where I met Gary Bettman,…
…so I knew Gary Bettman from the NBA days. When I got into hockey there were a couple of people that I immediately developed a bond with and I have it to this day. I remember when we won the Western Conference and beat Phoenix; first guy I called at seven the next morning was Pierre Lacroix…
…He/we figured out a way to get Quebec out of Quebec and into Colorado and I remember the quiet meetings we’d have to do in cities in like Chicago and San Francisco because Pierre and the Quebec ownership could not ultimately be seen in Denver or we couldn’t be seen in anywhere on the East Coast. I’ll never forget spending hours talking to Pierre about how to build a hockey team, I’ll never forget him talking to me about character and guys like Joe Sakic at the time who was just a rookie and Forsberg and that Pierre believed how you built a great team…
…I remember he used to always tell me about the missing piece and then in their case it was always the goalie and so I watched when I was with him and they brought the Nordiques…
…to Colorado, Pierre taught me an awful lot about hockey and how to build a team and then when I left–Pierre and I became good friends and are to this day and that was a good conversation that day. Lou Lamoriello has been huge, he’s the guy I went to when I finally decided we’re doing something wrong here and as much as I loved Dave Taylor…
…we got to find a different kind of guy for where we’re at today and he was the guy that I counted on the most. Ironically Lou and I spent the most amount of time talking about Dean and so to this day Lou and I are on the executive committee, it was ironic that we were sitting there in the Stanley Cup Finals but I worked a lot with him leading up to that series on little things and details but I have a huge amount of respect for him and then finally I feel strongly about Dave Taylor and the commitment that he’s given to this organization–Dustin Brown and Kopi and Quickers…
…were his picks and he doesn’t get enough credit and I went out of my way, I called him when we won the Stanley Cup and let him know that we wouldn’t have won it without him. We did the same with Terry (Murray)…
…and made him understand and he’s going to get a ring because he deserves it. Dave’s never going to be my best friend, I get that, sometimes you got to make difficult decisions, Dave believes it was the wrong decision to this day and he may be right but I think Dave appreciates and cares a lot for this organization and he appreciates the fact that we won it and he knows he was one of the first calls I made to tell him ‘we would have never done this without you’ and ‘I won’t forget it’.
JF: Anyone you had to work against or negotiate against and at the same time came out of that negotiation with a lot of respect for–could be hockey, could be anything, could be business?
Tim Leiweke: Well I’m never going to tell people that I may still have to negotiate with again that I respect the fact that they either got the best of me or they’re really good and I enjoyed the experience. I will say that you know if you look at being a kid –that kind of was what my brother and I were when we got into this business–and we grew up without being able to go to college, we were dogs and we had to immediately do the “dog paddle” because of my mom and the fact that it was what it was and so when you think about–now you’re sitting there in the middle of the sales process that’s going to generate billions of dollars and you’re on the executive committee of the NHL and you were the chairman of Major League Soccer and you’re dealing with the titans of industry, there’s two real good things that come out of that. First and foremost is that I’m no longer intimidated, so no one blows me away. No matter how difficult or tough David Stern can be and he is a “tough nut” and certainly one of the toughest men I ever had to negotiate with, you begin to realize that education is not what installs spirit or knowledge or compassion or drive–that comes from the person from within, not necessarily what they learn or what books teach them. The second piece is just you know I guess the good news is hopefully and I think my brother who I admire the most is probably the same way I am, which is when you kind of come up that way you never take it for granted, you never get too big a head and you were never done, that’s the thing that I think serves this organization well and we see it with the Galaxy…
…The night of our second back-to-back championships I was with Bruce Arena trying to figure out how to win three and how to replace David Beckham and who are we going to bring in and how are we going to improve the team. Occasionally he thinks I’m a maniac but that’s that trait that comes out of not only being humble and hard working but never ever believing that you have accomplished anything or you certainly have accomplished enough and so I think the hardest negotiation and the hardest negotiator and the hardest person to please has always been myself and I don’t think that will ever change because I’m never happy, not yet and so same thing with the Kings, the highlight of my career by far is winning that Stanley Cup and the next morning I was like we got to do it again. I’d like one day for this organization and this period of time that we’re in right now to be seen as a legacy and there’s only a few legacy franchises, Montreal clearly, what the Islanders did, what the Oilers did and what I think the most recently legacy, which is the Red Wings. Why can’t we be that next legacy and so what kept me positive through this process I refuse to talk about is I think that our hockey guys including Hex (Ron Hextall) and Dean (Lombardi) and Darryl (Sutter)…
…I think they have put us in a position where if our players truly take a step back and understand the moment in time here that we have and understand the passion that this organization has for creating this right environment. I hope what they understand is one’s not good enough. I hope what they understand is they got a chance to be a legacy, that this could be the next legacy team in the National Hockey League and the question is are we going to accept and relish what we’ve accomplished today or like my mom taught me, do you sit back and say I think we could do more and I’m hoping that’s what happens here.
Is it Tuesday yet?
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Can’t wait to get the full Bob & Foxxy version of Kings hockey. That’ll be the official start of the season.
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“There’s nothing in life that is going to either prepare you or destroy you like watching your mom die for five years.”
Powerful words. Wow. The never ending drive in some people who lost a parent at a young age seems to be universal. As is the never ending feeling of being lost in some people who let it destroy them.
“The owners had been evicted from their apartment the first day I got there”
Owners rent apartments? Who knew!
“Lou Lamoriello has been huge, he’s the guy I went to when I finally decided we’re doing something wrong here and as much as I loved Dave Taylor”
Amazing. I really had no idea (a) that Leiweke was so versed in hockey and (b) that Lou was a mentor of his and how much he played a part in what the Kings have become and the irony of beating the Devils in the finals. Great stuff.
Very classy of Leiweke to go out of his way to make Dave Taylor know how much he means to the organization. If the Kings are sold (which appears likely) I wonder if TL will stay with AEG or not. In the past, I would have said ‘good riddance’ but now, after reading so much about the guy, I have to say I hope he sticks around and keeps that ‘never satisfied’ attitude firmly planted in minds of everyone in the organization.
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puck73 Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:02 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Solid post.
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:03 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), yeah i saw that too, just wow
i cant imagine watching someone you love, die a slow death like that, just amazing
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CB14 Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I remember hearing that Tim and the other top Execs at AEG had signed extensions before it was announced AEG was for sale. So he should be around for awhile.
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ziggyfan Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:46 am
@CB14, TL is a hockey fan. We see him all the time sitting at 105 and I am sure he doesn’t have to come to the games if he didn’t want to. I am glad we have him.
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variable Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
nice post, PAUL…
well-said…;)
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luc20rules Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 9:16 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Great Post PA and Jim nice series on TL. He hasn’t had support from most Kings Fans from posts I have read, but would have to say I don’t think any of us really knew much about his backround and hockey management experience. Most posts have stated he is just has regular business experience and shouldn’t mettle in the GMs actions.
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IF AEG is going hard after an NFL team for the proposed Farmers Field, I’m sure Tim will be the guy at the point of that drive. AEG unlike a majority of companies (or Congress for that matter) take long term views of where they are going.
They bought the Kings, to …
Build Staples Center, to …
Build LA Live, to …
Build the Marriott, to …
Build Farmers Field, to ..
Bring NFL football back to LA.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 9:17 am
@IceGuy,
They bought the Oakland Coliseum, and…
the Oracle Arena, to…..
Move the Raiders, to…
LA, to…
Tear down the Oracle Arena and Oakland Coliseum, to…
Develop a new version of LA Live in Oakland, to ….
Make more money in both LA and Oakland.
Frankly, the guys are geniuses.
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puck73 Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:06 am
@DesertKing, This is definately a post that all people who hate The Raiders dont wanna read, but the fact of the matter is, thats exactly what is going to happen. Also, Al Davis is no longer the face of The Raiders. Mark Davis is alot different then Al, in fact, hiring a president of football operations is something that needed to be done. Reggie Mckenzie is going to slowly but surely weed out all the malcontents, and change the culture of The Raider organization.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:10 am
@puck73,
+1
Mars Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 12:28 pm
@puck73, I dont hate the raiders, I hate the Raiders fans.
Even as a Kid I only went to a handful of games at the Colosseum and even then I didn’t feel safe. (which was rare) My dad was a bouncer at the forum, I never felt unsafe there, I was there during a riot too, pfunk sold out and people were busting in the doors to get in, it was a fun night to me, I didnt get nor see the dangers. But at raider games, I didn’t feel right.
I also remember as a kid my parents wouldn’t let me get a Kings starter jacket because of the gang implications it had at the time too.
I guess I may never understand all of that stuff being a white kid living and growing up in Torrance. I remember I dated this girl who lived out in Lynnwood right outside of Compton, riding my bike to go see her, how everyone told me it was dangerous, I never had any issues, I always found everyone nice and respectful. Maybe I was oblivious, maybe I was just lucky, I don’t know.
But yeah, raider fans are what give the raiders a bad name.
I for one hope that is why we don’t get the raiders back.
Now if we do, fine I can roll with it. I am just hoping otherwise.
DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
@Mars
Sorry, I have to disagree. I have seen the Raiders play in LA, Oakland and San Diego. The problem is almost always drunk fans from the other team making bad decisions and pushing things too far. Yes, I am a Raider fan. No, I am caucasian. No, I have two college degrees. Yes, I take my kids to the games. Yes, I have studied human behavior for the past 30 years prior to retirement. As a side note, I have yet to see a figbt at a Raiders game in Oakland. When the Raiders come back to LA, I would recommend you go to a game and enjoy it. AEG is going to do to Raider football what they did to Kings hockey – a great family event that ends up in championships and great yhings for southern California.
Mars Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
@puck73, Oh I will go to games, I just remember the fights (amongst fans, both raider fans too) someone throwing a cup of piss (literally) and other dumb crap like that. Not to sound like a dickbag, but it was generally the type of wouldbe fans that are not fans that start fights/riots (like after the laker games) the ones fans say are not real fans.
I do believe a new arena can change that, but also that a few can eff it up for all.
I have hope, but also hold reservations.
I was both saddened and pised when we lost both teams.
I never understood how LA cannot have a pro football team, and it also ended (the 90′s) the era of Rock/metal in LA too. It was not fun growing up in LA/SoCal for me. Everything I liked died then, 92-93 SCF loss,I graduated during the 95 lockout. Lost Gretzky. It was a bleak time frame for me. I never understood how we could lose two NFL teams, and anaslime could get a NHL team. Its a huge gap, Oakland to San Diego for the NFL.
I am jumping all over the place now. But needless to say, the Kings won the cup, ending 35 years of hopeful and bringing in joy and pride, though the talks of an NFL team have been ongoing, I think its closer than ever, so it may have taken a long ass time, its looking better and better.
I have higer hope than ever in my life, more pride and more to enjoy. (not that I have been sad or disgruntled but it is truly a better era coming in now)
Damn I hope that makes sense, trying to condense too much in a small space.
variable Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
@IceGuy,
isn’t it up to the l.a. city council to have the final say as to who/what/where/how/why a team gets to l.a…?
most peeps thought it would be minnesota or st. louis to be the top contenders…minnesota is officially off the board with their new stadium agreement…so that realistically means that the rams, raiders, chargers and…perhaps a long-shot…carolina…comes to l.a..
the NFL has said that they want to expand overseas to england in the future – which would totally suck, imho – so maybe everybody’s waiting for the league to make its expansion decision sometime in the foreseeable future…but if i had to pick two teams, it would be either the chargers or the rams..,,
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@variable, You can erase SD from that list they said last week that they are not moving from SD.
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variable Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 4:15 pm
@Kopi Bryant,
teams have said that before…(indy, oak, cleveland, st. louis…)…
if sd is out if it, the rams make more sense than the raiders…i can’t see them coming back a third time…but maybe it will be the NFL’s decision when they announce if and when they will expand to 32 franchises…i think that’s inevitable…
DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 4:25 pm
@Variable
Rumor is both teams coming back, similar to Jets/Giants or Lakers/Clippers scenario. Football every Sunday during the season.
Wow, great interview Foxy!
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With the exceptions of Pittsburgh and St. Louis, all of the teams that the experts picked as the best lost yesterday. In this shortened season where the first 3-4 games osare basically a 50-50 that you will win since no one is really ready to play, the goal should simply be to make the playoffs, since that is where the “real” season will actually begin. Even though we lost yesterday, it sure was n ice to be back in Staples, watching the Kings, talking to friends and eating nachos. And the best thing about yesterday? No Evil Load to screw up a wonderful and imaginative ceremony during the pre-game.
The big question now is do we fire Pia since we lost after she sang the national anthem?
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
@DesertKing,
I’m glad you saw that(regarding experts picks), did you see some of those scores yesterday? 5-2, 6-3, 5-1, 6-0, 7-3…You can throw the 3-2 league out the door for a couple of weeks. I think things are going to be screwy until everyone gets into a rhythm. Only problem is that teams who start out slow, could very well miss the playoffs.
So, am I to understand that every game of ours that NBC airs, runs the risk of NBC making an arbitrary decision to switch games mid telecast? I don’t understand how NBC decides that the So. Cal. market (outside LA) would rather watch Pitt-Phil than the Kings? San Diego has a huge Kings fan base. Even if the score is 4 -1 against. What a bunch of Bull Do Do!!!
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GailWeb Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@DesertKing, We need a new singer for sure sorry but do not like her
Go Kings Go!
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Robert R Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
@DesertKing, Yeah, let’s get Arlette. She did wonders for NJ in the finals.
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Rumor says Red Wings are considering 6year $30 million offer sheet to PK Subban.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 9:38 am
@goldielocks,
Detroit panicking already? Cool.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:21 am
@goldielocks,
Zip-pity do da…ok let’s see…30 divided by 6…carry the 5…minus a Voynov…add a Cup…adjust for ring size…equals…
Cool. The Wings can have PJ Stubban Pants for 5 million a year while the Kings dominate with SlavaLava DingDong for 4.2 million less.
Works for me.
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DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:49 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
SlavaLava DingDong! You make me want to SHOUT! Just a little bit louder NOW! Do you mind if we dance with your dates?
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kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 1:26 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Classic!!! SlavaLava Ding Dong! That’s funny dude!
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luc20rules Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Are you in fact Chris Berman venting, because ESPN doesn’t do the NHL anymore?
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CB14 Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 12:19 pm
@goldielocks, The Canadians would be stupid not to match that. Detroit needs to make it worth more than 5 mil a season for Montreal not to match it.
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variable Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
@goldielocks,
talk about overspending…
you see, this is a perfect example of why we will prob have another lockout in eight years…surprised, though, that kenny holland is really considering to give so much money to…at best, a second-line player who has yet to be consistent enough to stay in montreal…
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Gomez is with Guppies in Calgary but no contract as of now.
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Off Topic – Wow I’m watching the Flyers Sabres game right now and Pierre McGuire actually said Dustin Brown of the Kings is the best pure forechecker in the whole NHL! What?! Really?! They actually compliment a Kings player during an eastern conference telecast – I almost fell off my chair!
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goldielocks Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:13 am
@PurpleRocks,
That’s because they’ll televise Kings game a lot this season? I suppose that’s what corporate media does.
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Mars Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 1:20 pm
@goldielocks, Maybe Quick and Kopi will start to be recognized for their talents now.
It is kind of sad that it took a cup to do it.
Glad they are talking about Brown though, I think the trade rumors prior to the cup brough a lot of attention to him, everyone went nuts looking at him then.
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yetiman_oc Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 7:55 pm
@Mars, Kopitar was #10 on TSN’s top 50 NHL Players. Quick was somewhere around #15 with Doughty right behind him. Brown and Richards were in the top 50 as well.
Mars Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:15 pm
@Mars, I should go check it, I stopped reading TSN and went to THN, I was tired of every article being Canda then East coast, maybe a whiff of the west. Now I should turn back to it I guess. Thanks for the heads up.
Lake Forest Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
@goldielocks, let them make a compliment of our player and leave it at that. No conspiracy theory.
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goldielocks Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
@Lake Forest,
Nevertheless, it was Pierre McGuire whining about Stoll’s hit on Gionta in game 6 because of NBC’s farther broadcast for game 7. I was deeply offended.
puck73 Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:14 am
@PurpleRocks, Dustin Brown has definately stepped his game up! That being said, I’ll still take Datsyuk, and Kopitar.
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KC23 Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:46 am
@puck73, IMHO, Datsyuk is in a class all by himself and I hate Detroit and love the Kings. Datsyuk has another gear to stick handling and forechecking that no other current player has IMHO. He is clearly the best and by a fairly large margin.
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variable Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 1:49 pm
@PurpleRocks,
he certainly was during the playoffs – no doubt…
i think the criticism of NBC’s coverage…again, just like last year…is a lil’ over the top…i think the biggest problem with their coverage has nothing to do with the play-by-play team, (guys, these are basically the same crews ESPN had for years and they were quality professionals then as they are now still)…
sure…we have four of the best in the business…BOB, JIM, NICK and “MR. SUSPENDERS”, DARYL…but you can’t expect everyone else to be a duplication of what we expect…and for many of the yoots on here, if the network doesn’t praise the kings every other minute, yr not happy…
i see the kings being promoted better than ever before by the league…you cannot see an advert without a highlight or clip of a kings player in any of their montages…and that includes NBC…
the biggest issue, to me, about NBC’s coverage is the continued employment of one MIKE MILBURY…he is to color commentating as he was as a GM – awful and merely just a talking head bully that is clearly still there because NBC can’t have DON CHERRY or BARRY MELROSE…and because JEREMY ROENICK doesn’t know how to speak english on the air…
so there might be some factual issues here and there with some of the play-by-play…to err is to be human…even our guys make mistakes from time-to-time…but overall, we are the defending stanley cup champions…and even a boob like MILBURY has said that he thinks the kings will repeat…and the league/NBC might be arrogantly run enterprises…but even they won’t promote the hell out of the kings…we are the second largest media market…and so far, we are being treated like it…
that’s called respect…and we have earned it league-wide…the media is now behind us…
remember, everyone loves a winner…(!)
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variable Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
@variable,
sorry….
i meant to say…”…but even they WILL promote the hell out of the kings….”
im w/o a computer for a couple more days…phone typing has its limits…(!)
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King John Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 5:05 pm
@variable,
I distinctly remember Mike Milbury saying many good things about the Kings as the playoffs wore on last year. I think you’re being too hard on him. I think he was impressed with the hard-hitting forechecking pressing style of Kings play that reminded him of the Bruins two years ago. He likes the fact that the Kings are tough customers and have a goalie who is quick. And he wore a purple tie yesterday to emphasize the fact he’s behind the Kings. Give the guy a break: we have someone on our side (and it’s not Barry Melrose).
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Jim – thanks for a great interview …please tell Tim that we (the fans) were very touched by his greeting us at the Star Plaza entrance yesterday morning and giving us free hot dog and soda vouchers . . . it would have been nice to win the game but it was still an amazing day!
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:06 am
@stacy, +1
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GailWeb Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
@stacy, +1000
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Truely an elite ownership we have somehow stumbled into for the Kings. There was a day not long ago that an opening loss like we had yesterday would of really brought me down, but there is just something different about this organization now that gives me that “dust yourself off and get back in the fight” kind of feeling that only comes from winners up at the top of the organization.
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The Stars have put a new offer on the table for Jamie Benn, 5 years worth upwards of $35M (7M per) previous offer was 5 years $30M.
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a lil’ frustrated with this site…
i tried to participate under my real name yesterday, but to no avail…and i don’t want to use another email address…
anyhooow…
i think we won’t see top-shelf NHL hockey for at least a few weeks…
the obvious keys to our season is to have a healthy roster…with kopi and willie out, it definately had an impact in controlling the gaps and speed of a team of the blackhawks caliber…if we didn’t know already, those two are pret-tay, pret-tay good…don’t get me wrong – we are deep enough to play with anyone…but i do think this team needs its top players to be healthy if we have a chance to repeat…
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Mars Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 2:12 pm
@variable, I agree, but think they were not totally focused, they had one LONG day for a noon start. I agree its not the same missing two guys, but it shouldn’t matter inas well.
I think we will bounce back in the next game. I think the rust was knocked off yesterday, and going forward it will be better. Either way, I was still so excited to see a game. It was refreshing to get the Kings back. The nice weather helps too.
The next few games shall be even better, because we will get Bob and Jim back. I cannot stress enough how much I hate NBC. I have no freaking clue why they were talking about the Pens Philly game while the game was in motion, nor why they kept calling D. King DJ. I cannot stand Millberry either. I still with Roenick threw him a beating during the SCF.
Cannot wait to hear Bob and Jim Tuesday!!
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variable Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 2:45 pm
@Mars,
good points…all-around…
and yes, i can’t wait either to hear them call a game…;)
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jess Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@variable,
Agree, and it looked like there was a combination of obvious rust as well as guys unfamilliar in playing those positions together.
GUSTAVO Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
@variable,
I disagree…we’re not Kopi and Mitchell deep where we can march on as if nothing had happened. They were SORELY missed yesterday.
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variable Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 6:27 pm
@GUSTAVO,
eh…i think that’s what I said….
you should re-read above…;)
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jess Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
@variable, Responding to a decent post 101: Read, comprehend, answer accordingly.
One of the best interviews I’ve read
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Thanks Jim
Cannot wait too as well to here Bob and Jim, its been hell for sure watching NBC and there people, so very bad camera and talkers, what a mess
Welcome back Jim and Bob!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Daryl and Nick too, heard that Nick got locked out of room yesterday at game for 45 minutes, hope he got to go get a drink of water and or soda
Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Kings Go!
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DD’s hit on Carcillo has sidelined him for a few games…
That made me happy about the game..
Lots of one sided games yesterday…
The best being Winngs and Casucks..
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GUSTAVO Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
@SLIM,
Carcillo has a well documented history of suspensions for dangerously boarding and headhunting opponents. DD better watch his back if Carcillo comes back any time soon.
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hbjohn Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:31 am
@GUSTAVO, If Carcillo even thought about doing anything to DD, he would have to answer to Clifford or nolan. And we all saw what Clifford did to him 2 seasons ago.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 7:13 pm
@SLIM,
Carcillo out at least for a month last time I heard.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:18 pm
@SLIM, Really? Wow. Gotta find some news I thought Carcillo was a cheapshot goon. (I could be mistaken though, I dont read up on other teams much, but remember him coming up on Shanny’s radar last season)
[Reply]
So much for Teemu Selanne about ready for the glue factory. 4 points last night for the finnish flash! I still think he needs to pee into the dixie cup, because its hard to believe this guy still has speed, hands, and the hockey IQ that he does at 42.
[Reply]
GUSTAVO Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 5:09 pm
@puck73,
Doesn’t IQ grow with age and experience? I respect Teemu a lot, but I do not want him doing his thing on us. So I hope the glue factory can catch him soon, lol
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 12:16 pm
@puck73, Teemu is one of the all-time greats. He scored 76 as a rookie and is still great as a 42-year-old. And I met him once at the Brea Mall parking lot and he was awesome to talk to. I wish him the best against everyone but us.
[Reply]
I swear, Jim…if I have to see another photo of Gary Bettman in anything remotely related to LA Kings hockey I am going to barf all over my laptop…PLEASE NO MORE!!
Thankfully, it seems D. Fehr has already crawled back to the obscurity of his favorite rock and we won’t be seeing or hearing from him for another 8 years.
Can someone get pre or post-game interviews going with Darryl Sutter? They were funny as hell last season. It took Rich a while for DS to stop giving him monosyllabic answers, but eventually they started to come out in coherent sentence form.
[Reply]
HA HA!!…Torts pulled Lundquist with 10 minutes left in the 2nd period.
[Reply]
jess Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 5:39 pm
@GUSTAVO,
Good way to send a message to the rest of the team.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@GUSTAVO,
NHL Networks second favorite team starting 0-2. Someone was spending too much time training with the Swedish Bikini Team.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 9:34 pm
@GUSTAVO, CanSucks had a very quick and necessary hook for Goalie of the future Cory Schneider. Many more performances like that and Luongo may not be going anywhere.
[Reply]
that was exactly like our 1st pre-season game, so now let’s get it going in Denver…
[Reply]
What’s Kopitar’s status for Colorado?
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
@Robert R, lets rest him, he hasn’t had the best of luck against them
[Reply]
Robert R Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 7:54 pm
@Lake Forest, Not asking for strategy. I want to know what, if anything, has been decided.
[Reply]
Lake Forest Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 9:05 pm
@Robert R, this isn’t baseball. (Man I have been waiting to use that)
KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:57 am
@Robert R, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t play. He’ll be in. Bank on it.
[Reply]
I’d never understand when D-man gets interference by pussing the player into the goalie, the player fouled is also accused for goaltender interference. If both penalties did not take place absolutely simultaneously, only the player who committed the foul should be penalized.
[Reply]
So ducks, stars, sharks, coyotes each win one.
[Reply]
I could not help tearing up (laughing) as fans in Phoenix were choking up and shedding tears of joy as solemn music was blaring during their division Banner raising ceremony…
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 7:48 pm
@GUSTAVO,
Going to see the Kings play there next Saturday and going to wear my “Stanley 12″ Kings away jersey to remind them who the real Stanley Cup Champions are.
[Reply]
TeamJMFJ Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:59 am
@DesertKing, oh that was you! I was wondering who that was…
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 9:06 am
@TeamJMFJ,
Yep, and @Luc20Rules gave me some good advice for surviving a game at the Yotes doghouse. Our seats are 4 rows off the ice and only $37 bucks a piece. What a deal!
Robert R Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 7:57 pm
@GUSTAVO, Did any fans riot, smashing cars and setting fires?
[Reply]
Blackhawks hammering Cryotes does my heart good. More please. Thanks.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 9:15 pm
@Kingsfanone,
As soon as I hit submit I thought I should keep my mouth shut. 5-4 now.
[Reply]
Jon G Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:32 pm
@Kingsfanone, I got a warm glow of satisfaction seeing Mike Smith whack at the goalpost after giving up another lame goal. I was waiting for the ref to call an embellishment penalty on the goalpost.
[Reply]
KJ Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:16 pm
@Jon G, Smith giving up 10 goals in 2 games, that makes me happy! The whack on the goalpost…anger management maybe?
Mars Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:21 pm
@Jon G, LOL!
Mars Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
@KJ
LMFAO!
I kind of want to see him snap this season. (hopefully not against us)
I am still pissed at Hatchet Smith for the obvious.
Tappen showing off some impressive upper body strength on NHL tonight. Otherwise, a lot of sloppiness out ther tonight. It’s obvious that individual skill is winning now and probably will for a while until the teams that play like teams get their S together.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 10:51 pm
@Kenny44,
We wont see real hockey until about 6-7 games into the season. Right now, every game is a crapshoot.
[Reply]
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
January 20th, 2013 at 11:18 pm
@Kenny44,
Always enjoy seeing Tappen’s upper body
[Reply]
Interesting start to the Conference thus far.
I am not placing any stock for about a 2-4 weeks though.
But I love seeing all the guys predictions going haywire and scrambling to recover.
Cannot wait for a Driver here, but I would like to say thanks to KND, S&S and MM for your work too!
Looking forwards to a Bob and Jim calling on Tuesday!
That will signal the start of the Season for me.
Lastly I loved this article, would have been perfect if the Turd Burglar (Evil Load Buttman) was not mentioned nor shown. Thanks Jim! Great read and Great insight.
[Reply]
First year for me playing fantasy hockey this year. Had to resist the urge to overvalue kings players, but so far I’m doing good lol. It’s pretty fun actually
[Reply]
if anyone gets bored, andreoff scored a nice one against portland. highlights are up
[Reply]
It must be all the years of watching the Broad Street Bullies beat up on us as I love watching the Flyers get beat. GO KINGS GO!!!
[Reply]
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:28 pm
@Forum Gold,
Karma.
[Reply]
Who’s ready for a practice update?
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 9:11 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Me, Me! Tell me Kopi is playing and the lines are back to normal!
[Reply]
Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 9:43 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
[Reply]
The Kings lack of action or communication with their fan base on this site is abysmal.
The season has started and we still have nobody running this blog.
Nobody from the kings updated us that Stewart was waived and Kopi will probably be back in the lineup tomorrow.
Once again the nhl and it’s teams always show how they take care of their fan base.
Does anyone have a plan B for where we can go for real updates and conversation?
Boy do I miss Rich and how spoiled we were as fans.
[Reply]
7MILforHickey Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:06 am
@Nykingfan, yeah here you go have fun http://ducks.ocregister.com/
[Reply]
Nykingfan Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:20 am
@7MILforHickey,
Wtf is up with sending a link to a ducks website?
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:56 am
@Nykingfan, i agree with you, the best way to stay up to date is to join twitter. get your news from there, then come back here to chat about it.
[Reply]
rick Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:00 am
@Nykingfan, I have to agree with you. I have been trying hard to give some rope here and not complain, but this is ridiculous. YOu’d think the organization could temporarily have someone, anyone, give us up to date entries. This is beyond amateur, and beyond unacceptable, for those of us loyalists here who have rooted for this team through thick and thin and now start a Stanley Cup defending season without our best source of insider information.
[Reply]
Lines
Brown (23) — Kopitar (11) — Williams (14)
Penner/Gagne (12) — Richards (10) — Carter (77)
King (74) — Stoll (28) — Lewis (22)
Richardson/Clifford (13) — Fraser (24) — Nolan (71)
*Stewart waived
[Reply]
Nykingfan Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:22 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Having Kopi back is going to be a huge help.
Hopefully the return to the cup championship lines will kick in the mojo again.
Thanks for the update.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:28 am
@KingsNewsDaily
Lost in all the excitement, Willie Mitchell is also in his first full practice!
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:31 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Any truth about Greene injured and doubtful for the Avs?
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:38 am
@goldielocks, He is NOT on the ice!
[Reply]
hbjohn Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:34 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), My guess, Gagne and Richardson sits on Tuesday.
[Reply]
PRMan Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 12:22 pm
@hbjohn, Gagne looked awful in Game 1, a -3 and looked like the one responsible for most of it.
Richardson was OK, but Clifford, Fraser and Nolan were better.
So, yeah, that’s what I’d like to see.
[Reply]
hbjohn Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 12:24 pm
@PRMan, Richardson didn’t play in the first game. He was a healthy scratch
Mars Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:02 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), What was the point of getting Stuart if they are waiving him? Just to get rid of Westie? Picks? I dont get that one, not complaining, just trying to understand it.
I know DS doesnt use enforcers, but I am not seeing a lot of logic other than picking up picks and freeing cap space.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:10 pm
@Mars, Get rid of Westy’s salary cap hit and the picks for a guy that had no real shot of helping the team.
[Reply]
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@Mars,
From what I heard in an interview…..forget if it was Deano or Tim, they said they wanted to give Westy more of a chance to play somewhere….as he didn’t really fit into the Kings plans anymore. Granted, many teams say this when kicking someone away to the curb.
If true though, has to be an incredibly classy thing to do to give Westy an opportunity to play somewhere.
[Reply]
Questions:
Will Stewart get picked up off waivers?
Who will start tomorrow, Gagne or Penner?
With Mitchell back, will Muzzin get sent down? Unless I’m mistaken, Jake is NOT exempt from waivers.
Will Richardson also be a scratch or perhaps Nolan?
[Reply]
hbjohn Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:35 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I can’t see Sutter changing the 4th line after how they played on Saturday.
I think Penner gets the nod over Gagne.
Richie and Gagne scratch on Tuesday.
[Reply]
fsd1 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:36 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I actually thought Penner was one of the better players on the ice last game, thinking he plays.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 10:38 am
Adding to this day full of practice news, I just noticed Matt Greene is not on the ice.
[Reply]
hbjohn Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:07 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), they are saying he is unlikely to play tomorrow.
[Reply]
xeropoint Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:57 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I suppose the silver lining there is fewer penalties to kill.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:14 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Nolan’s line was the only line that did anything against Chicago so I doubt a healthy Nolan will sit, but there is a numbers issue on that left wing so you never know. I thought Penner played better than Gagne. Clifford may likely be the odd man out with Gagne going to the forth line.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:25 pm
@KC23, Then there’s that ‘automatic hat trick’ Richie scores every time he plays the Avs… but that was more of a Murray thing than a Sutter thing (relying on past performances).
[Reply]
hbjohn Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:59 pm
@KC23, I hope they don’t think about dressing Gagne on the 4th line, that would be useless. He doesn’t even bring the hitting and energy a 4th player should. Hopefully Sutter doesn’t touch the 4th line and let them get some chemistry going.
[Reply]
Guppies Brent Burns lower wookie injury possibly a few weeks out.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:31 am
@goldielocks,
I’m not familiar with an injured wookie…
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:58 am
@Michael J.,
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/brent-burns-hilariously-terrifying-nhl-headshot-now-more-071245013–nhl.html?
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:58 am
@goldielocks,
Aaaaauurauhnnn!!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:15 pm
@goldielocks, Burns is an importart part of the Sharks team. He is kind of their Mitchell. Sharks might be a hand full this year.
[Reply]
OK did I miss something here? Last year L.A. Times had a story, “Owner of Staples Center and Los Angeles Kings is put up for sale” Does Tim Leiweke go with the team, or stays with AEG?
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:05 am
@John Roy Morgan, At the end of the day, that’s up to who buys AEG. As for what TL wants to do, I don’t think anyone knows at this point. My guess is he stays with Philip.
[Reply]
OK did I miss something here? LA Times reported last year “Owner of Staples Center and Los Angeles Kings is put up for sale” Is Tim Leiweke part of the “team” deal. Or does he stay with AEG? Leiweke talks like team will be own by AEG for a long long time….
[Reply]
Kobe is giving 2 ticks away in Chicago. Any takers? They are lower bowl seats.
[Reply]
Time to get the email campaign going to the Kings to get this site up and running. Can anyone fill me in of the politics of why Rich left? I took the summer and the lockout off…I was so surprised to see the Insider site in such a sad state.
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:15 am
@Cry Baby,
Basically Rich was left in a double-bind by the league after Bettman and his henchmen ordered an interview with Westy be taken down from Rich’s blog. The interview with Westy was a couple of weeks after the lockout began and “Evil Load” demanded it be taken down. Rich was faced with the choice of being a pawn or being a journalist. Journalism won. We lost.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 12:29 pm
@Michael J.,
Journalism Lost! Rich cost himself and us because he got stuck in his principles. There is more than one way to skin a cat and those fat turds in Toronto now are ripe for the picking if Rich had swallowed a little pride and picked his moment instead of making an emotional decision by picking up his toys and going home. Imaging the position Rich (and by extension this blog) would be in now if he had hung around. He could have open up with both barrels with thousands of sympathetic eyes supporting him. He muted himself and deprived us while the NHL has carried on as nothing ever happened. Clearly this was his baby because the front office hasn’t a clue how to run this thing.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:15 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, Could not disagree more.
1. For starters the Kings had absolutely NO choice but to delete that interview once it had been posted. They were extremely lucky they did not got fined.
2. It is very unfair to speculate what Rich “cost himself”. You are not him.
3. Rich Hammond owes us NOTHING. This blog owes us NOTHING. The Kings organization owes the regular bloggers NOTHING. I will keep posting this until people get it. It is not a hard concept to wrap one’s head around.
4. You do not know what would have happened had Rich compromised his principals and stayed.
5. How happy would you be at your job if you were told you could do something, worked hard on it , than abruptly told not to do anything like that again? Would YOU “swallow a little pride?”. It’s not that simple, is it now?
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:52 pm
@HockeyNerd
1. For starters the Kings had absolutely NO choice but to delete that interview once it had been posted. They were extremely lucky they did not got fined.
- Agreed, but that is no reason for Rich to quit!!
2. It is very unfair to speculate what Rich “cost himself”. You are not him.
No, I am not him, But if I were, (a Journalist), I’d want to be where the buzz is. Rich’s reach was global, Its just my opinion but life cant be as good at the OC as it would have been for him here.
3. Rich Hammond owes us NOTHING. This blog owes us NOTHING. The Kings organization owes the regular bloggers NOTHING. I will keep posting this until people get it. It is not a hard concept to wrap one’s head around.
- What’s hard to wrap one’s head around, is how a journalist can be so thin skinned as to let notorious dick heads ruffle his feathers. He knew going in what the league was like. The Kings didn’t bust his balls, the NHL did, and they can do that because it’s their show. Rich bailed because of his standards and the cost is that he lost a credible platform, the Kings are obviously in a pickle and the cost to me is that I have a blog that isn’t as entertaining.
4. You do not know what would have happened had Rich compromised his principals and stayed.
-On the face of it, Rich was a Kings employee, and they were happy with him. He quit, he wasn’t fired.
5. How happy would you be at your job if you were told you could do something, worked hard on it , than abruptly told not to do anything like that again? Would YOU “swallow a little pride?”. It’s not that simple, is it now?
-I want to know what planet you live on where you can do whatever you want whenever you want? Because I want to live there!! Do you mean to tell me that you don’t have anyone telling what to do in your life. I bet you do. Rich is no fool and he knew quite well what he was doing by posting the interview with Westy, of all people. Rich got slapped because he was stirring it up and he knew he was stirring it up, otherwise, he is the most naive man alive. He boxed the NHL into a corner and they showed him who was boss. He should have just licked his wounds and carried on to fight another day. Quitting is not the answer. Staying in the fight is the way to go.
You’re showing a lot of emotion there sir. I like it, keep it going!
Save, Hrudey! Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:21 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
I’m a man of principles myself.
But have to totally agree with you on all your points on this one.
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:31 pm
@Save, Hrudey,
I can be the most stubborn SOB when it comes to sticking to my principles, but all it has ever gotten me was an upset stomach, lost productivity and other people carrying on as if nothing ever happened. Experience has taught me to choose battles carefully and that sticking to your principles can be too costly. In this instance, I think it has been for all involved.
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, Again I cannot agree. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with disappointment in the fact that Rich is gone and that this blog is not the same as it was that is not the same as posting judgements of what Rich should it shouldn’t have done and what he did or didn’t know. You simply do not know all the facts. None of us do. And again it is not a matter of not liking being told what to do. You are completely missing something here: Rich took the position with the understanding that HE WAS ALLOWED TO POST INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS AND OPINONS AND THAT WHAT HE WROTE WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE TEAM. It is very naive to say “he knew better”. If he’d let this slide where would it have ended? Could he have criticized an officials decision? A league’s suspension? The failure of the league to act when a team makes a mockery of the post game handshake including a slash after the whistle? The failure of the league to act when a player makes a mockery of the rules and plays a puck from the bench? If your answe is “yes” than why did he get away with criticizing the league so many times? And if your answer is “of course not” then how, pray tell was it so obvious that the Westgarth interview would be removed?
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:23 pm
@HockeyNerds,
How do you know that I don’t know all the facts?
Fact #1. What he posted on this site was not subject to review by the Kings Organization. His deal was with the Kings, not the NHL.
Fact #2. We’ll never know what attention Rich’s future post would’ve attracted, because he quit.
Fact #3. From where I am sitting, I appears to me that Rich may have taken a step backwards insofar as he doesn’t seem to be reaching as many people as he once did, and as a writer, that can only be a bad thing. On the blog his reach was truly global, but by moving to the Register, he removed himself at a time when Interest in the Kings has never been greater. We finally have national attention, and the blog would’ve been the go to source for all things Kings with Rich at the helm. I would have envisioned him as being the guy who gets the call from the NHL network more times than not, as well as all the other outlets discussing the Kings, especially if they made another run this year.
Fact #4. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Westy was on the PA bargaining team. He’s is clearly one of the smarter guys in the room and when you are negotiating sensitive contracts, you do it in private. That is a fundamental business practice, observed at all levels of business. The NHL are a lot of things, but one thing they are not though are fools.
If Rich is happy that most of his readers do so while sitting on the can, then more power to him. But in my opinion he picked the wrong battle.
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, Again, I am not seeing what point you are trying to make. You are trying to express an opinion that Rich should not have left over this. Fine, then say you are “disappointed” and leave it at that. To keep going further is to question his principals and integrity and that is completely uncalled for. Doctors, lawyers, business managers, and yes writers have a code of ethics that go beyond what someone tells them they can and cannot do. This is not the first time anyone quit over it and it won’t be the last. Rich fought no “battle”. He made a deeply personal decision based on facts he knew some of which I GUARANTEE you or I didn’t. Respect that and give it a rest.
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@HockeyNerd,
My original post was not in response to anything you said, but to @Michael J. You chimed in on my comment, not the other way around. Anything I want to say on this blog is my prerogative, so if you don’t like it, ignore it! You are totally entitled to your opinion, no matter how emotional and misinformed I think it is.
Just so you know, I email Rich directly and shared my thoughts on what a bonehead decision I thought he made. And just like you. if he doesn’t like it, he can eat it. I don’t care either way.
Don’t try and stifle me my emotional friend, Ignore me I can take it!
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 5:12 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, Do not put words in my mouth. Nobody is trying to stifle you or tell you what you can and can’t post. I wouldn’t worry anyway, last time I checked I wasn’t a moderator and I highly doubt they are going to make me one. What I DID say was it was disrespectful to speak for Rich. And that’s MY opinion and I’m sticking to it. So there you have it.
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 5:21 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Fair Enough!!
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 5:24 pm
@kissmyblarneystones,
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 5:43 pm
@HockeyNerd,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqqMzvM8epM
Right back at you!!
PRMan Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 12:25 pm
@Cry Baby, And this is a direct result of him being a “team employee” because sides are not allowed to talk except through their representatives once a lockout begins.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:59 pm
@PRMan, I have a feeling (rather hoping) that could possibly change, how the payroll works anyways. Or they could just hope there is not another lockout.
Sadly, they could do a MCD’s sponsored blog, then make the blog runner/journalist the MCD’s employee, thus avoiding any faux pas in the future. Then the team just grant full access to the team and areas etc.
But that is me just guessing.
@HockeyNerd True they dont owe us anything, but at the same time, they owe us everything, if it was not for the fans, they wouldn’t have what they do. I believe (read my belief) that they know this is a great outlet and they are looking hard. We just have to bide our time.
Sadly it is the same with sponsors and products. I am not a MCD’s fan, but whatever, I see it a good boost for the charities. Gotta stay positive somehow.
Personally, I am sure what Rich did was what he feels was right. You have to respect that, but you do not have to agree with it. Sure I wish he was still here. But life goes on. Its just another step in his career and another step in us being fans.
[Reply]
Cry Baby Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:06 pm
@PRMan, Thanks for the context. Rich did a great job with this blog but in all honesty I could care less who writes the thing. All I know is that this site has been my source Kings news for the last few years. I was reading Rich’s posts back when it was still part of the daily news and it’s current state saddens me.
Above someone said that the Kings org owes us nothing…and that is right. But it is in their best to keep the hardcore fans engaged and use this blog to further develop a thriving Kings community. I always enjoy the passionate dialogue this site encourages.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:12 pm
@Cry Baby,
Thank You!!
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:55 pm
@Cry Baby, Again: The Kings WILL replace Rich and it will be very soon. I for one would rather have them hire the right person slowly than the wrong person quickly.
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@Cry Baby, Well at this point you may now regret having asked, LOL. But you and many others here need to keep a few things in mind:
1. This blog won’t be the same ever again without Rich. Yes, he was that good.
2. All this time without him we have been allowed to pretty much post what we want when we wanted to.
3. The Kings organization IS looking to hire someone to replace Rich and that will happen very soon.
4. It is better for them to hire the right person slow than the wrong person fast.
5. It is not for us to decide for others what their principals are and when they should and shouldn’t compromise them. This goes way beyond expressing disappointment. It is very unfair to judge someone in that way, in this case a Rich Hammond who did so much for us beyond his job description when he was here.
[Reply]
My practice report is up. Still uploading video (with commentary). I’ve posed some questions and will update as the day progresses. Thanks for reading (and commenting) gents!
Monday practice: http://kingsnewsdaily.com/monday-practice-report/
[Reply]
Michael J. Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 11:59 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Thanks Paul.
[Reply]
Nykingfan Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 12:46 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Hey man
I just went thru your website completely..
You do an outstanding job!
You get my vote to replace Rich.
Keep up the great work and thanks
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:20 pm
@Nykingfan, Thanks a ton NY! I still have a ton of loose ends to finish up. Don’t forget to sign up for my daily newsletter too. I just redesigned it.
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King Alex Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:39 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Hey Paul, I just signed up. You provide more in depth coverage than anything I have seen. Thanks!!!
harty Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:14 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), thanks Paul, well done
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Sutter
Matt Greene is banged up with mid-body injury.
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This one is for DesertKing who if memory serves asked where Adam M went. In looking at Yahoo today, I saw the preview for the Kings Av’s game and stumbled upon this comment from good old Adam M……
I think that we need to make Hockey rules is the Opponent teams will not allowed to injured Anze because if that happens if the Kings will lose the Game without Anze so we have to let Anze Play and no more injured Anze like slashing Anze or boarding Anze that means The Opponent teams will be a Major Game Suspended for 5 weeks of Discussion.
I love Adam M!!!!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 1:52 pm
@King Alex,
Perfect! Normally I only get that same feeling after drinking a Slurpee as fast as I can.
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King Alex Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:31 pm
@DesertKing, I thought you would like this! I get this way after WAY too many beers!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:25 pm
@King Alex,
Brilliant! Guiness flavored Slurpees!
Whoa … message has been sent.
Sutter : hopefully our 1st and 2nd lines give us some quality mins instead of just playing them-basically just wasting time the other night.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 12:27 pm
@goldielocks, As you will see when my video finishes uploading, Sutter was fairly heated during practice today. A message was definitely sent.
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i think the kings spent all their time getting their sponsorship with McDonald’s all setup during the lockout and didn’t have enough time to hire that replacement for this site. i can sleep better at night knowing that the kings will be able to make up some of the money they lost during the lockout. we will just have to be patient a bit longer…on this site and on the ice. Saturday’s performance was mostly pathetic. 47 more to go. kings need 56 points to make the playoffs this year. hope they start with 2 on tuesday night.
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KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:21 pm
@yetiman_oc, I see no legitimate excuse for not having a writer set up by now. They had a TON of time to get this done. Someone dropped the ball, because the King’s ownership has never gone on the cheap. This is about someone not doing their job imho.
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Anybody out their know if….
Stewart was picked up by anyone?
Is Kopitar playing Tommorow?
How close is Mitchell?
What are the defense pairings for Tommorow?
Who won’t dress?
What are the forward lines?
How much Bernier will be used? Everyone here says DS likes to use that #1 til he drops but I heard NN say he expects Bernier to start about one third.
Which of Gagne and Penner won’t play on the top 2 lines and what will be done with them instead?
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 2:40 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Stewart not picked up
Kopitar will play.
Mitchell is not likely for tomorrow but maybe by the end of the trip.
Scuds/Doughty is known.
Gagne might be scratched in favor of Kopitar. The third and fourth line should remain the same as Saturday and the top two lines should be the same as during the playoffs.
Quick will start.
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KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:23 pm
@FKA PakiFro, That makes the most sense to me. I hope you’re right.
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Paul Armbruster take over the LA Insider blog assignment.
Who do we talk to?? This should happen asap…….
Paul would you consider if we the bloggers/fans can make it happen??
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:05 pm
@harty,
Yea. I hope SOMEONE gets the assignment soon. I don’t like coming to the site and searching through the comments for bits of news. The format Rich used really was great.
For now, I’m going back to http://www.insidesocal.com/kings/
Its more up to date than this.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:23 pm
@FKA PakiFro, There’s another site I here is very much up to date too with about a zillion times more coverage
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:44 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
I went to yours first this morning and afternoon for the Kopitar and Greene update. Your work is MUCH appreciated!
I just prefer the no picture, simple text format of this and inside the kings.
BringBackKingston Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:24 pm
@FKA PakiFro, hopefully, it’s just a situation where the new person has to give 2 weeks notice to their former employer. i’m counting last week as week one, so by the end of this week, i’m hopeful there will be a new blogger up and running.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:22 pm
@harty,
Thanks harty! While I very much appreciate the sentiment, it’s pretty late in the game to be making that happen. I expect an announcement fairly soon and I’d be surprised if John Hoven doesn’t get the job but would not be shocked to see a totally independent journalist get it instead. The problem is that an ‘independent journalist’ will run into the exact same problem Rich did, which leads me to believe they may be headed in a different direction. I’d be a fool not to want such a dream job myself, but the reality is, my experience leaves little to be desired. And while I have little doubt I could to the job, it would take some time for me to learn the ropes as it were and I have to believe they want someone to hit the ground running.
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harty Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:30 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), not to worry I’ve just registered for your Kings News Daily website……I encourage every blogger to consider the same.
Updated, informative and the videos are unbeleivable……..
Everyone check out KingsNewsDaily.com
This is a testimonial for sure……..
[Reply]
Gailweb Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:04 pm
@harty, thanks yes now the best web site to go
on and for sure the very best videos and
commentary too
Thanks Paul the very best!
Go Kings Go!
Kingsfanone Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:44 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
You can run. I’ve seen you….I think……
Oh, maybe that was skating.
[Reply]
kissmyblarneystones Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 5:40 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
You do a very good job Paul, Don’t sell yourself short. I’m surprised if you or someone else hasn’t throw your name into the hat. You’d be very capable.
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The Flames have traded goaltender Henrik Karlsson to Chicago.
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You know, Sutter must be one tough SOB. Stewart had 7 days to impress at the most inconvenient time. At the start of an abbreviated Training Camp. I think DS wasn’t interested in the trade from the get go and just went through the motions in case Stewart turned out to be something he wasn’t. DS probably would’ve preferred a stay at home defenceman instead as it seems we are heavy with forwards.
Stewart must be in a daze.
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Happy to hear Kopi is back in the practice mix.
But am I the only one a little worried that it might be too much too soon??
I’m not a trainer or physician, but I would definitely want the Kings to err on the side of caution…..especially when talking about one of our marquee players.
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KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:28 pm
@Save, Hrudey!, From looking at the practise videos I think they did play it safe by not playing him in the first game. He was ready then. This gave him 3 extra days and allowed us to get a look at our forth line in a real game. Clifford, Fraser and Nolan made the decision about Stewart an easy one as a result.
I would be shocked if Stewart didn’t make it somewhere. He looked pretty decent in the practise videos.
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Bob mckenzie reporting that Greener is out for the year? Really hope that’s wrong . If not, looks like we need to trade lokti or Bernier for a roster D.
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goldielocks Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:50 pm
@Michael_dd8,
Dean Lombardi Says D Matt Greene is “out for the year probably.”
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Real 7 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:53 pm
@Michael_dd8, multiple sources now reporting Greene out for the year with a “bad back” …
whatever that means
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Mars Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 3:54 pm
@Michael_dd8, Where did you hear/read that? Was looking but cannot find anything.
Did find out that Carcillo will be out a month (assuming from DD’s hit)
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2013-01-20/danile-carcillo-injury-update-blackhawks-winger-out-a-month-with-bum-knee
[Reply]
xeropoint Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:12 pm
@Michael_dd8, What?! Link?
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Kingsfanone Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:15 pm
@Michael_dd8,
Matt Greene out for remainder of season with back injury. Oh oh.
NHL Network just posted it.
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Kenny44 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:17 pm
@Michael_dd8, NHL Network reporting that also. Tough, tough loss. Our top two physical D are down. Time for somebody to step up. If Mitchy is coming back within the next week, I don’t think DL makes a move yet.
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xeropoint Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:19 pm
@Michael_dd8, Damn… That’s a big blow early in the season with the blue line already stretched thin and very, VERY wet behind the ears. The market is already starved for defensemen, so a deal for some veteran stay at home action may be tough to come by. Dean-o, bust out the flip charts and burn those anytime minutes, stat!
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Greene was one of my concerns among veterans. It seems to me that his physical play has been taking its tall on him. How long he can keep playing this way, was always the question for me. Since they already let Hickey go, DL has no choice but to make a move.
[Reply]
goldielocks Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:20 pm
@goldielocks,
BTW, Kings scout is at Sabres VS Mapleleafs game.
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Kenny44 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 6:18 pm
@goldielocks, Luke Schenn?
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The Kings have recalled defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk from the Manchester Monarchs. Greene has been placed on IR due to a mid-body injury.
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Gailweb Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:01 pm
@goldielocks, thanks oh no
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Mars Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:12 pm
@goldielocks, Noooooooo!
Damn, that sucks.
Guess I should have been following the monarchs better. I don’t know squat about Muzzin and Bodnarchuk. I can only pray they come in swinging like Nolan and King did.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:33 pm
@Mars, Bodnarchuk is a better skater and puck handler than Muzzin, but Muzzin is better on the boards and with traffic in front of his own net. I think Muzzin is perfect to replace Greene at this point. Muzzin has a fair amount of experience with many of our current roster as well.
[Reply]
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:24 pm
@goldielocks,
Lisa Dillman of the LA Times reporting Greene may be out for the remainder of the season.
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Maybe we can get Teubert back, he is not even dressing for the Oilers. Limited minutes for the big bodied teams.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:50 pm
@WTF, Negative. They’ll only want Stoll, a first rounder and Lokti for him, then conveniently forget to tell us “oh by the way he’s injured”. There’s not enough grease on all the worlds fast food grills to deal fairly with the Oilers.
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I am afraid that Greene and Carcillo will just be the injury iceberg. None of these players were properly prepared to play NHL level hockey and it physical beating. Thats why you have training camp and preseason games that help.you work up to that level. This 48is game abomination may just be a survival of the fittest (or luckiest).
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Mars Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:32 pm
@DesertKing, Agreed. It will be important to stay healthy. This might be the year of the goon squad. Only time will tell.
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Picked the wrong time to stop sniffing glue.
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not the time to panic. DL has created an awesome system that can replenish itself from the minors. these guys at Manchester are ready to step up and play in the nhl. everything the kings do down there is geared towards making them ready. look at king and nolan. the biggest question in my mind is who are they going to name as an Alternate captain. greene’s leadership will be missed more than his minutes imo.
[Reply]
HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:52 pm
@yetiman_oc, Panic, no but DL DOES need to get a top 6 stay at home — something I adamantly denied 2 weeks ago. Looks like I’ll be eating my words yet again.
[Reply]
yetiman_oc Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:57 pm
@HockeyNerd, no, give the young guys a chance. they have been trained for this day. kings were just very fortunate last year that they had very few injuries to the D men.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 5:04 pm
@yetiman_oc, The problem is that Hickey is gone AND Mitchell is out as well. If BOTH those things were not the case I would agree with you. But just ONE veteran presence at this point (Scuderi) won’t cut it. We have NHL experienced forwards we aren’t using and likely won’t. Lets get what we need.
This brings up another question -who do you give Greene’s “A” too?
A. Richards
B. Williams
C. Scuds
D. Mitchell
[Reply]
IN King Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:34 pm
@DesertKing,
Stoll has been the alternate in the past. I’d expect it to go to him.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:37 pm
@DesertKing, Scudes is coming up on the end of his contract, doubt it will be him. Mitchell is getting late in his career, but otherwise the best choice. Williams speech before game 6 made me think he is ready for the position. Richards seems like a natural with his long contract and experience.
Tough call.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 5:01 pm
@KC23, Yeah this summer/next season will be interesting.
http://capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=17
I am thinking Stoll/Williams/Richards.
What about DD?
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Kenny44 Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 6:16 pm
@DesertKing,
Mitchell. Good to have the D corps represented among the recognized leaders. He seems more vocal than Scuds and did a phenomenal job acclimating young Voynov last season, which speaks volumes about his leadership.
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Damn that’s a tough loss to take. Greener’s the heart and soul of that D.
We’re going to miss him on PK and his physical presence.
I seriously doubt DD2 can be the replacement.
Time for the kids to step up or DL to find a suitable replacement that won’t cost us an arm and a leg.
Anyone get the feeling the hockey gods are sticking it to us for being injury free last year?
[Reply]
yetiman_oc Reply:
January 21st, 2013 at 4:47 pm
@Nykingfan, don’t panic. dl has built a championship caliber system for years to come. call up one of the youngsters from manchester and give them a chance to show what they have. it certainly didn’t hurt last year when they brought up king and nolan. kings don’t need any more parts from other teams right now.
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