I’ll also post interesting quotes as I continue to transcribe them.
Dean Lombardi, on the Simon Gagne trade:
“I think there were just a number of things. Obviously you have a veteran player whose game is clearly defined and is a very good player. [He] wasn’t fitting in, so to speak. That said, this is an NHL player that’s proven to play on a good team, so you don’t do this unless you feel fairly comfortable in what you have coming through the minors. It’s not the same thing, but it’s similar like when you move Jack Johnson for Carter. Well, you don’t do that unless [you have] Voynov coming through. We feel pretty good about our depth up front in the system, so that opens up a roster spot.”
Lombardi, on the trade:
“I’m not denying that this is a good player that I’ve known a long time, and I know that if he wanted to go anywhere, that would be the place he’d want to go. The worth was probably around a third or something if I wanted to do it at the deadline. We kind of did it in a way that’s got a contingency, a fourth to a third. So I was satisfied with that and being able to put him where I know he’d be happy. And this is a player that came to us as a free agent, and so he chose us at the time, so given that we had to do this if I can, I will certainly put him somewhere I know he’ll be happy. Judging from when I talked to him today, he was very pleased with it and actually had mentioned that if he had sat out much longer, he was probably going to come and see me. For a guy that’s had a storied career and started there, there’s an intangible here that hopefully works for both of us.”
Lombardi, on injury updates:
“Martinez is certainly on schedule. I don’t know if I can put a number on it, but I think originally we were looking at two to four weeks, and I still think that’s in the ballpark here. So it’s safe to say that the original prognosis still holds. Greener might be a little ahead of schedule, but that’s still a ways off given the gravity of the injury. Willie – I guess it’s fair to say that the one good thing that happened here in the last couple of days is he did say something failry positive to our trainer in terms of possibly coming back. He had another procedure done on him today that he thought helped him the last time. I don’t want to get into medical terminology, and no, it’s not steroids or anything, but it’s something he wanted to try. Apparently he did this a couple of weeks ago, and it helped him. He’s doing it again now, and again, we’re still kind of in that same holding pattern overall. That’s the frustrating thing, that you can say that there’s a timetable on Marty and a timetable on Greener, but there’s really no timetable here. It is what it is.”
Lombardi, on whether cash considerations motivated the trade:
“This was not, in any way, motivated by cash space per se. Heck, we have plenty of space. I mean, for this year, we have seven million in space.”
Lombardi, on Jake Muzzin:
“His game last night was pretty special for a young player breaking in. But the learning curve, as we all know, never goes straight up. But to see him fitting in and doing some of the things he’s doing is certainly a good sign.”
Lombardi, on Keaton Ellerby:
“We knew all the work that was done as far as before we traded for him and knowing where his game was – the key for him is because he hasn’t been in our system and comfortable in our development program, there’s a little bit of going back to basics and getting a foundation. And that’s what you’re starting to see now. Be hard to play against. Keep your gaps tight. Keep your stick in the lanes and start there. And instead of like when he broke into the league as a young player, a high draft pick and come in and save a franchise – and we’re already seeing improvement in that.”
Lombardi, on Davis Drewiske:
“You guys all know Drewiske never stops as far as the type of kid he is. He’s just a dog out there. I don’t mean ‘dog’ in a bad sense. I mean a ‘dog’ as in ‘just never quits’.”
Lombardi, on whether he’s looking to add another left wing, or whether Trevor Lewis’ contributions have changed his assessment:
“We still have Brad Richardson, who can play all of the positions. That’s one thing that’s good about Brad. He’s a guy that can play every position – center, left wing, right wing. He can go play on your top lines as well as play a checking line. So he’s still a part of this group. As I said earlier, I think the only reason we do this is not thinking I’ve got a trade coming…This isn’t a case where OK, I’m going to use this pick and go replace Gagne. The focal poinbt here is get the roster spot and if we need a player, we feel fairly comfortable that at least those kids in the minors – are they going to be Gagne? Well, maybe some day. But at least we felt that they were kind of at the stage where maybe Nolan and King were last year, where ‘OK, if we’ve got to use them, we’re comfortable with that.’ With that said, if in fact, a player comes up that can really help us, well, we’ve got the cash and we’ve got the cap space. But the intent of this at this stage is not to go in the market place and fill that right now. But then again, you never know in this thing when you’re on the phone all the time. If something hits me, we’re prepared to do it.
On the talented forwards in Manchester:
“There are different stages of “ready”. Ready for a shot, ready to make an impact, ready to fit in…They’re as good of forwards as we’ve had come through the system. And I mean ‘through the system’ in how I feel about this – Kopitar and Brownie and those kids who come in and Drew, I don’t consider that technically ‘coming through your development program’ and paying your dues in the minors. But when you look at what their game is and what they’re able to do, they’re good hockey players.”
On whether negotiations have started on a contract extension for Rob Scuderi:
“I think that it’s fair to say that we’ve had some informal discussions. I wouldn’t say we’ve gotten to the meat of it, but it’s fair to say that we’ve had some informal ones.”
On whether it’s important to determine his future with the club before looking outside the club to improve the blue line:
“Yeah, I think it’s fair to say that it’s something we’ll continue to look at. You’re probably right in the sense that it would make a lot of sense to tighten this before the trading deadline and before the season ends, that’s for sure.”
Best o Luck to hom and I hope Philly makes the playofss too.
I have always wanted to see the cup come down to the Kings and Philly.
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This says a ton about Penner playing big and Clifford proving he needs to play every game. It also says that Nolan and King are reliable enough not to need Gagne around for the security of having a proven player, at least not at 3.5 million.
Richardson might get into a game once in a while now and he deserves a few starts since he really helped get us here.
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Coming in $7M “under budget” would get you a nice bonus in most jobs. That’s assuming, of course, that you get the job done. I have no doubt that Dean would use up all that space tomorrow, though, if it would sufficiently improve the team.
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CB14 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
@Kenny44, The problem Dean faces is that he can’t add a player with a significant salary next season. Kings are already going to be tight with the cap as it is due to the lower Cap and Quick’s extension kicking in. I could see him making a deal for a d-man with an expiring contract to help sure up the back end.
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xeropoint Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
@CB14, I think it was you who did a nice breakdown of next year if I’m not mistaken.
CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Dustin Brown ($3.175m) / Anze Kopitar ($6.800m) / Justin Williams ($3.650m)
Tyler Toffoli ($0.870m) / Mike Richards ($5.750m) / Jeff Carter ($5.273m)
Kyle Clifford ($1.500m) / Jarret Stoll ($3.250m) / Dwight King ($0.750m)
Trevor Lewis ($1.200m) / Colin Fraser ($0.825m) / Jordan Nolan ($0.578m)
DEFENSEMEN
Drew Doughty ($7.000m) / Willie Mitchell ($3.500m)
Matt Greene ($2.950m) / Alec Martinez ($1.000m)
Slava Voynov ($2.500m) / Rob Scuderi ($3.400m)
Keaton Ellerby ($0.735m) /
GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Quick ($5.800m)
Jonathan Bernier ($1.525m)
——
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,030,227; BONUSES: $135,000
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): ****$2,404,773****
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CB14 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
@xeropoint, Yup, that was me. I think Martinez gets more than 1 million because he’s got 3 years of NHL experience already. Same with Bernier, I think he gets around 2 million. It’ll probably depend on how the new rules in the CBA affect guys who are still not arbitration elegible. If they get what you figured in, it would be tight, but it still might work.
The only other issue might be if Bernier gets an offer sheet. That would be a difficult choice for Dean whether to match it or not.
Kenny44 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@CB14,
That would be ideal
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Brad Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
@Kenny44, Bernier will be traded at the deadline unless Quick gets hurt. DL will address any needs around the deadline and Bernier will be the price he is willing to pay. I know Kings fans hate the fact Bernier is gone, but you can’t keep a goalie of his caliber as a backup. Plus Bernier has no future as a #1 in Los Angeles, it’s time to maximize his value and bring in a player like a Jay Bouwmeester.
In DL I trust. Sounds like he got what he could (something from nothing, really) and even found a place that Gagne would be happy with.
To me, this seems like a no-lose situation for both teams involved.
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mash-ola Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@vplaza, Anyone who helps bring a Stanley Cup Championship deserves respect. He’s so thoughtful and thorough, though during his interviews… He reminds me of Larry Merchant on those HBO Boxing broadcast interviews… The words and thoughts sometimes get swirled in a haze of verbiage and dangling tangents…
It’s great if you’re sleepy and need something to put you over the edge, though.
GO KINGS GO!
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Way too many hints about a forward coming up. Bottom line Toffoli or maybe even Vey, will be here some day soon.
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Ryanoliver Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
@KC23, only way would be by injury. Pretty sure the only forward that doesn’t ave to clear waivers is Nolan, and he isn’t going down
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KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:48 pm
@Ryanoliver, agreed, injury is pretty common though, especially the way we play.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:52 pm
@Ryanoliver, If you don’t bring a forward up then they are going to go with 8 defenseman on the roster. Which maybe is not such a bad thing with Mitchell and Greene out for a while yet. And DD2 has played some forward in the past. What I kind of don’t get though is this: why is DL jumping through hoops to keep a guy (Campbell) on the roster who has yet to play?
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
@KC23, specificslly referenced in the interview and he says no (not that he would give us a real answer)
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mash-ola Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@KC23, Toffoli??? Oy Vey!
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I’m not sure I follow the logic behind all of this. Last June it seemed DS bent over backwards to get Gagne in the lineup, remember Richardson was playing perfectly fine and this was the Stanley Cup finals mind you. Now when we badly need the offense first he sits then DL lets him go, presumably to not have to lose Campbell WHO HAS YET TO PLAY A SINGLE MINUTE AS A KING.
DL and DS just won a cup, I’m sure they know what they’re doing. But I seem to be missing something here that someone can explain. Or maybe DL is leaving room to bring Toffoli up even though he’s denying it. Or maybe we already lost one defenseman (Hickey) to Waivers and DL felt he needs to do what it takes so that we don’t lose any more depth.
Thoughts?
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
@HockeyNerd, One thing I did miss up there that makes sense: Deal Gagne NOW and get a pick or wait til summer and get nothing……
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vplaza Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:47 pm
@HockeyNerd,
Seems pretty straightforward to me. Gagne wasn’t fitting in (DL’s words). He found a taker willing to give a conditional pick for someone he wasn’t going to get anything for at the end of the season. It provides him with some roster flexibility.
Not sure where Campbell came into the picture, but Gagne was not the answer to the offensive woes the team was having so far. Oh, and if frees up some cap space, though not really an objective.
Sounds logical.
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KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
@HockeyNerd, The thing that is missing is Gagne’s offensive effectiveness. Just didn’t happen.
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CB14 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
@HockeyNerd, I don’t understand the trade either. I honestly think, even though Dean denied it, that Gagne requested the trade. A 4th round pick isn’t going to help you win the title this season, Gagne might. Guys like Vey, Toffoli, Pearson, and Androff are all very promising young players, but none of them have played a second in the NHL.
It seems like people are forgetting just how much this team has struggled to score goals this season before the last 5 or 6 games. King has given us nothing offensively, Penner and Lewis have only recently given us a little something. Gagne hasn’t produced much this season, but it needs to be mentioned how none of the other Kings forwards outside of Carter and mabye Clifford were producing anything during the games Gagne played. At the very least Gagne gives us another option to plug in at LW. If they had gotten a d-man for Gagne, then I’d understand, but a pick doesn’t help this team at all this season, that’s what’s so puzzuling to me.
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kylek Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:03 pm
@CB14, Rational points all, but the plain fact is that as talented as Simon is, he is not going to play the kind of heavy game this team needs him to play. Yesterday’s game against Anaheim showed how effective the Kings can be–it was a game that was reminiscent of the Cup run. I think management and coaches made a calculated decision that the team has a better chance day in and day out relying on a physical, first to the puck game in lieu of sending out a top line with a scorer who isn’t going to do what every forward on the team is now expected to do.
I give DL credit for sending Gagne back to Philly. It will give him a chance to succeed, in an environment where he will be comfortable. That was a “thank you for last season and working to get back in the lineup after injury”. Good move by Dean on all counts.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
@CB14, I think the key, which wasn’t brought up in the call, is how the ‘not fitting in’ part relates to Sutter. I think he is the main reason behind this in that Dean values his opinion and if Sutter said he wasn’t getting along with the rest of the guys, it might just be one of those things where he felt like Simon wasn’t buying into the team concept. Remember, in the call Dean said how much he knows the guys in the room care about each other. If you have one guy, especially a veteran (and second oldest guy on the team), who isn’t ‘caring’ as much as the others it can quickly affect the overall mood. It seems to me this wasn’t as much an ability or effort decision as it was a personality one. Of course, as he said it had nothing to do with the cap or cash.
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CB14 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I don’t know what to take away from what DL said about not fitting in. I can’t see how a veteran like Gagne would be a problem in the locker room. He’s a veteran who has played with some Kings players previously, and fought back from a concussion last season to play in the finals when virtually everyone thought he has finished for the season. Of course i’ve never been in the locker room, so it’s certainly possible that he is a probelm in the room. I guess it’s possible that he was complaining about his lack of playing time, but wouldn’t his first move be to request a trade from DL? Which DL said he didn’t do.
I still think we’re not getting the whole story of the situation.
jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), With the greatest respect, i believe the ‘not fitting in’ was only in relation to the style of play the Kings are successful at. SG has never had any previous issues in the locker room and it would not make sense at this time.
I also believe that DL wants to do what is best in the long run for all of the guys who have played for him. Gagne has a very high points per game ratio, but he needs to play more games in order to secure a good contract this summer.
DL has found good homes for many players who did not currently fit here in the past, therefore, I would suggest that was why he did not hold out for what may have been a slightly better deal.
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
Just to clarify, just because a guy doesn’t ‘fit in’ doesn’t mean he’s a cancer. It just means he’s not really, well, fitting in with the group. I don’t believe it was only in relation to his style of play although that may be part of it. But he’s a pro and he can adapt to what the coach wants so it’s not like he figure out the playing part. Hell, look at Penner. That guy was off the radar and now he’s right back in it. Just my 2 pennies.
phil sykes Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:33 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), its not part of it . its all of it …………… the fitting in comment is strictly to be translated as – he dosne fit into our system right now …. it has absolutely nothing to do with personal issues he may have had or didnt have with teammates – it had nothing to do with that ……………. gagnes a pro and gets along with everybody …. this was a system thing , and a injury riddled player not producing like he did in the past …. now a healthy scratch permanently unless someone gets hurt …….. so u move him to do him a favor so he can play somehwere …… all the while knowing , if there is an injury richardson can step in or the guys in the minors can be called up
again this had nothing to do with gagne not fitting in with his king teammates ….. thats bs
Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 9:04 am
It’s as if you were there phil. Of course, you weren’t so you can’t be so sure. I maintain the FACTS dictate a guy like Gagne, who you yourself say is a pro, has all the ability in the world to adapt to the system. He chose not to and that, in and of itself, is an issue on the team. I highly doubt, as I said above, that he had personal issues with guys but his unwillingness to buy in no doubt can distance himself from the group. The idea that it’s a ‘system thing’ is a joke.
Phil Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:55 pm
@HockeyNerd, Really the only player playing now that did not play much last spring is kyle clifford. This trade has several dimensions to it, but I think the primary reason this trade was made is that Clifford significantly improved to the point that he took Gagne’s spot
in the lineup. DL alluded to Voynov replacing JMFJ and this is a similar situation.
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if we keep playing like we do
A) We dont have any offensive troubles
B) No need for a big trade any time soon
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KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:56 pm
@Lake Forest, I thought it was very clear he wasn’t looking to add player from anywhere other than manchester, but of course if he is offered something that is clearly going to improve our team DL would look long and hard at it.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
@Lake Forest, That can be a big “If” with this team though. Our defense and goaltending (at least when healthy) is second to nobody but we get in these 6 or 7 game streaks where NOBODY scores. That’s why I’m a little concerned about this trade. We lost some flexibility and in return got nothing that will help us right now. I’d feel better with another veteran forward or even Toffoli on our roster right now.
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Simon Gagne – 5 points in 11 games
Dustin Penner – 3 points in 10 games
Dwight King – 3 points in 16 games
Jordan Nolan – 3 points in 17 games
Colin Fraser – 2 points in 13 games
Trevor lewis – 4 points in 17 games
I know Gagne hasn’t looked very good this season, but his production hasn’t been any worse than some other players.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
@CB14, Part of that though is that DL and DS probably felt he was a liability defensively.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
@CB14, Again, the ‘just not fitting in’ thing doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with his ability or production as your breakdown shows.
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xeropoint Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
@CB14, In all fairness, even looking at those numbers, Gagne was arguably the most expendable (and I DO like Gagne) but would also fetch the highest return of all those on this list.
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Shotongoal Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
@CB14, every player you list here has intangibles that Gagne did not bring to this team this season. I don’t know why people want to try to read between the lines (again, some more) with regards to what Lombardi does or says with this team. He stated himself plain and clear why this trade was made. Gagne is easily the most expendable of the players you listed, and I don’t think Lombardi would look at any of the players you listed ( other than Gagne) that he would consider expendable right now on this team.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:59 pm
@Shotongoal, What puzzles me is last June, with Richardson and the 4th line playing perfectly well DS BENDS OVER BACKWARDS to get Gagne in the lineup. This is the STANLEY CUP FINALS mind you. What intangibles was he displaying then that he isn’t now?
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Shotongoal Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
@HockeyNerd, just speculating but I think they thought Gagne would bring fresh legs and a PP threat. I mean he replaced Richardson, he wasn’t replacing a top six or for that matter top nine forward. It was a low risk high reward change.
Shotongoal Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:12 pm
@HockeyNerd, as far as this season, he has been pretty much invisible for the most part. What I find kind of funny is that people were fairly ripping on Gagne this season, and I’m speaking in general terms, but now some are in morning and “confused” by this trade. I’m very happy that they will get a 4th and very possibly a 3rd instead, for a player who obviously did not fit into their plans for the rest of this season
CB14 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:39 pm
@Shotongoal, I agree with you about Gagne being the most expendable, but how does his departure help the Kings in any way this season? To me it doesn’t. They don’t need the cap space, the extra money, or the roster spot for a minor leaguer. The pick is nice, but it’s not going to help you for another 3 to 4 years. I’d understand if Gagne were moved for something that would help the Kings today, ala JJ for JC, but just trading him for a pick when you’ve struggled to score goals for a good part of the season just doesn’t seem logical to me. Even Dean said this trade would’ve been there at the trade deadline, why not wait until then to make sure a need doesn’t arise. Our minor league players seem very talented, but none of our top guys to my knowledge have seen a minute of play in the NHL.
I also don’t understand what Dean means when he said, “[He] wasn’t fitting in, so to speak.” From what i’ve seen off Gagne, he hasn’t looked good, but he hasn’t looked any worse than Penner, or most of our other forwards, did at the start of the season. It’s not like the whole team was playing great hockey except for Gagne. I realize that his style of play isn’t ideally fit for what the Kings do, but even with that said, he hasn’t played horribly. I would’ve loved to have seen him given a chance back alongside Carter and Richards now that Richards’ play is back to 100%.
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Shotongoal Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 8:27 pm
@CB14, I think if this team had not started to turn things around and look like the Cup champs of last year then this trade probably wouldn’t have been made right now, and he may have gotten a chance to play. But if they continue to play well then Gagne obviously wasn’t going to play unless someone got hurt. Even if he would have gotten some ice time it probably wasn’t going to be in a top 6 or top 9 role. Therefore, why not get this deal done now? His stock wasn’t going to go any higher later if he wasn’t playing. As far as the comment “he wasn’t fitting in, so to speak”, I don’t really know what’s that means because I’m not privy to that type of inside info. But, I think it’s very clear by what Lombardi said and what the team has done lately, that Gagne wasn’t going to be a factor no matter what. In fact it appears from what Lombardi said, that they would probably look to MAN if they needed help, similar to what they did with Nolan and King last year. Unfortunately, Gagne just didn’t work out and I really was excited about his signing, was happy to see him come back in the Finals last year, and was looking forward to him being healthy and “right” this season, but it didn’t happen….it never really happened for him here.
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:39 am
@CB14, He could trade that draft pick for another player. Trading Lokti for a pick has already helped us.
jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:02 pm
@CB14, and he only played 13 minutes per game. So, the stats are good. he will fit in well in Philly.
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CB14 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:54 pm
@jet, I think he’ll be great in philly.
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Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:37 am
@CB14, Lots of guys do great in Philly, they score lots of goals there. They can lead the league in goals. But they didn’t win the cup last year and this year we have more points at this stage. More to hockey than goal scoring.
Osaka Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 3:34 am
@CB14, All of those guys bring something else besides offense.
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“But at least we felt that THEY were kind of at the stage where maybe Nolan and King were last year, where ‘OK, if we’ve got to use them, we’re comfortable with that.”
Who’s going to take a guess as to who these guys might be?
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KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
@xeropoint, At one point he mentioned the whole line as a general statement. Which breaks it down to 3 possible guys. Pearson, Vey and Toffoli.
Most would assume Toffoli, but Vey definately is a possibility. Pearson probably least of the three, but you never know.
I wouldn’t bet against Toffoli though. He just is such a sniper.
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xeropoint Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:30 pm
@KC23, Between all three of those guys, there’s barely 2 full seasons as a pro. Combined. It seems contradictory to the whole “paying their dues” thing.
Mind you, this is just my observation. If they really feel the kids are more or less ready, then great. It’s just me trying to figure out DL’s thought process behind this, since he seems big on bringing players through “the system” and “paying dues” and all that.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
@KC23, I have heard whispers from within the organization that Toffoli has definitely been being considered for call-up.
But take this with a half a grain of salt because I’m definitely no @goldielocks when it comes to these things!
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Michael J. Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
@Duncanz,
Those “whispers” you refer to come from pretty reliable sources. Bringing Toffoli up is part of the discussion.
luc20rules Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
@Duncanz, Much may depend on what position is to be filled as well. I don’t know if that Schenn/Loki “natural position” as DL likes to refer to maybe a big factor.
He’s got a lot of confidence in whomever would be called up from Manchester for forward help. My guess is that the pecking order is Toffoli, Pearson, then maybe Kozun. Bringing Toffoli up would require a little shuffling of the lines, but who knows, maybe he just sits in Richardson’s spot if he gets a call-up. He’s also got Stewart down there collecting dust.
My money is on Regehr two weeks before the deadline for a defenseman off our current roster plus a low level prospect with upside/a pick. Streit might also be in the mix, but I think Sutter pushes for someone he knows, and Regehr could be brought back into the fold on a new deal if Mitchell and/or Greene isn’t healthy enough next season. That would give you the model Lombardi’s stuck to, with a vet and a kid paired together.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:51 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores, Think you’re getting WAY ahead of yourself here. Mitchell AND Greene should both be back and healthy by playoff time, Mitchell probably sooner than that. That’s 2, possibly 3 defensemen we’d have to cut at that point. I don’t think DL makes a deal and I don’t think he’s looking to bring a forward up unless and until someone gets hurt. Then, it’s probably going to be Stewart who has some previous NHL experience. Toffoli may get a look but I doubt it unless a top 6 forward goes down, even then probably not. Pearson is VERY unlikely.
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Shotongoal Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
@HockeyNerd, I agree and I think the only way any of the kids at MAN get recalled is if this team reverts back to the first month of this season…..and I don’t think any of us wants to see that happen! Of course that excludes a catastrophic injury occurring to a top 6 forward…..and I know none of us wants that to happen!
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Michael J. Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:27 pm
@Shotongoal,
This team is dialing it in. No way there is any change to the roster if they continue to inch their way up in the standings-barring the unfortunate. DL will worry about roster spots when Willie and Greener are ready to come back.
phil sykes Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:51 pm
@HockeyNerd, mitch and greene may not be back at all … work on the premise they wont be ………. those are dangerous injuries for guys their ages … could even put their careers in jeopardy …… even if they do come back – they wont be healthy and will not have had game action in about a year …..
so aquireing someone like rhegeur would be a genius move ….. however , i can also see the kings standing pat – as muzzin and drewiske are playing well , and once martinez comes back ellerby will sit ……….. so if dean does get a top 4 tuff guy – great ……. if he dosent , we have the personnel playing right now that can challenge for a cup …. thats all anyone can ask (assuming martinez comes back fairly soon and ellerby sits )
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 8:06 pm
@phil sykes, You cannot say acquiring someone would be a genius move until you know 1) who it is and 2) what we had to give up to get them.
luc20rules Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:23 pm
@He Shoots, He Scores, No way a highly touted prospect sits. Nobody does that a young player only gets better on the ice. Just look at who has been up to sit as a healthy scratch in Kings History. The only guy that did was maybe Parse was thought highly of, but his high scratch #s came after he was tormented by many injuries and wasn’t the same.
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 11:30 pm
@luc20rules,
Didn’t Schenn get called up and sit a bunch of the games for TM?
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he’s crafty, if not devious, that dl…
i guess you either keep the faith or lose it on this one…
but i still think we go after another defenseman…i think the kings would be taking a chance on a young back end into the payoffs, as part of our top 6…just a hunch/theory…
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Shotongoal Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
@variable, not if they keep playing like they have the past 2-3 weeks. I think if they continue to improve, and they’ve given no indication that they won’t, they will be very comfortable with this lineup going into the playoffs, with or without Mitchell and/or Greene. This has been the teams blueprint since they started putting the pieces of this team together. They didn’t bring this roster back for nothing.
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variable Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 12:16 am
@Shotongoal,
yeah…but it’s definitely a gamble, because we have already had significant injuries…and if another d-men goes down, we’re in trouble…so, there’s some belief that we need to be more cautious on defense than on offense – sounds funny, huh..?
i think that our offense wi;; finally start to come around – i really do…carter is primed for 25+ goals, if he keeps this pace up…if kopi, willie and penner can score goals with more consistency and the others contribute a bit more than they have, we should be ready to go for another deep playoff run…but i think we are gonna need another veteran d-men…
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jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:09 pm
@variable, It will be interesting if the new4 stay on the currect trajectory. The growth is fast, but if Sutter can keep their confidence up while keeping them on an even keel, then we may be witness to an incredible coaching story. Im starting to believe he can.
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variable Reply:
February 27th, 2013 at 12:10 am
@jet,
perhaps, buddy…but it might be asking too much too soon from the youngins’….
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The first thing I thought after thinking about the deal was Penner. If Penner thinks we got no options he will start ordering the extra scoop of ice cream pretty quick.
All the talk about bringing guys up is to keep Penner on his toes. How did they do it last year? Bring up King and Nolan, right?
I’m not doubting they will call guys up but I think it’s a bit more of a threat than a plan.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
@LA_1968,
You do realize you are talking about grown men and not 14 year olds? Sutter and Lombardi are as straightforward as they come and they do not play such games.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
@Michael J.,
Yes. Yes and No.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 8:14 pm
@LA_1968, Good points!
Duncanz Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 8:13 pm
@Michael J., Good points!
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jet Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:11 pm
@LA_1968, I have started an email campaign to IHOP, asking them to discontinue the “all the pancakes you can eat deal”.
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LAKMiles Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:22 pm
@jet, Man Penner is a pro he proved it in the playoffs. Also thats what I think this trade was about, Penner just beat out Gagne for a roster spot. Penner had a nice no look backhand assist and a goal recently and then Gagne is out…. that is no coincidence. Plus DS wants his boys to play a slam crash bang game if your not doing that your out and Gagne is one good slam crash bang from a career ending injury…I think DL and Ds made a good decision and its not like Gagne had to go to Columbus lol.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
@LAKMiles, I think it’s a coincidence.
Even without Simon on his tail anymore, DP has far from cemented his spot.
There’s still the trade deadline to come, too.
But if he does recover his (more consistent) form from the playoffs, there’ll be no happier punter than the one right here in Pahrump.
BTW, this was probably the most informed group of questioners I have ever heard of regarding hockey in LA. Kudos to the reporters.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
@jet,
Jim Hill was certainly NOT part of the media scrum today.
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KC23 Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
@jet, Fantastic point actually and shame on me for not also mentioning that because in the past I’ve been critical of the lack of tough questions asked by our media.
Jon is defineately not shy. Love his questions. Sometimes I think he is asking a naive question and then his follow up question is the zigger.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 7:25 pm
@jet, Mr. Jon Rosen knows his hockey.
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Kings x Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 10:20 pm
@jet, seriously Dillman with the prp injection question. Wow!
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Bottom line is that Gagne has what every player dreams of, and that’s his name on the Cup, and now he’s got a chance to contribute to a team. The best possible outcome.
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The most interesting part of the call was DD and Voynov mentioned along side Suter & Chelios and Pronger & Neidermier. That is some heady company. Dean was rather effusive with Voynov. We know DD will be the mainstay of our blueline for a long time; but it sure sounds like Slava is looking at a nice big payday pretty soon.
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Good move by DL. Ganne just hasn’t been the same since his injury. I dont think we’ll get the 3rd though with the goaltending Philly has
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Jon,
Really great job of managing and writing for the blog. I like your style layout and presentation with the interviews and also the audio conference calls etc. Starting to forget who the previous blog writer was.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 26th, 2013 at 11:32 pm
@Kings x, I’ll never forget ol’ what’s-his-name …
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Jus’ kiddin’ @RH, we know you’re lurking just beneath the surface under the @phil sykes/@Adam M sobriquets.
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Dean said you don’t make this trade unless you feel you have players in Manchester capable for filling in if there are injuries.
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