2019-20 Kings News/Rumors

[BigKing]

Completely feel that the plan was to keep picks while also trying to contend and, if Blake felt they were close to being a real contender, then perhaps picks/prospects would be moved for the right person.

This was wrong. To his credit, he changed the plan with the Muzzin trade but this isn't the path he thought he'd be taking when he signed up.

There is a plan but I can understand if one feels that there isn't a specific vision. It's tough to follow a pretty transparent builder who frequently shared his vision if you are at the helm of a rebuild and you seem to keep things close to your vest. Gives plenty of ammo to those that doubt him.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I guess some people missed the clear as day direction the organization pointed out they were headed towards.

Kings GM knows a return to Stanley Cup contention leans on prospect development

Blake on Clague, defensive rotation, more from SOTF; Bouma to camp on PTO - LA Kings Insider

“We’ve been focused on this the past three years,” Blake said. “We knew what we had and the direction we wanted to go. We wanted to protect our picks, protect our prospects.”

As the Kings trudge through an awkward transition, Blake is trying to protect his plan for the future, too, making sure the talent the Kings have collected has plenty of time to prepare for the NHL.

“It’s not horrific. But it’s bad.”

That was the ESPN.com assessment of the Kings’ prospect pool in August 2016, ranking it 29th in the NHL at the start of Dean Lombardi’s final season as general manager.

Like it or not, hanging onto picks and developing prospects is a plan, a plan this organization hasn’t done since... 2006. Now that the team is doing that, we have pockets of complainers whining about it.

 

[YP44]

So why didn’t Dean do that when the glory days were far behind? You guys would ***** if Blake did that, and ***** when Blake is rebuilding. “He has no plan” you say, and this is what you come up with when someone pokes holes in your biased viewpoint.

it is my believe Lombardi wanted to re-stock but was not given a chance to re-tool.

As for Blake, my take on his tenure is has been reactionary but I understand why. His first year the team was elite defensively and made playoffs with a franchise setting point total. Yes they got swept but I believe that series was very close and took a record breaking performance by a goalie. Looking back the Kuemper trade looks ugly but made sense at the time (a theme in this post). He then signed Kovalchuk which I did not like at the time, but I at least understood the thought process. Team is elite defensively but complete crap offensively, bring in one of top offensive players in the NHL for the past decade sounds like a no-brainer in theory. So although I did not like it, I understood it. It became clear the wheels fell off right off the bat, however he made a trade to deal pearson for hagelin hoping to re-energize the team. Was not a fan off the hop of that deal either but again I understand it, and was glad he eventually got a 3rd for Haglin. The muzzin deal was a slamn dunk, and this past off season I do not see anything he has done as a fail. It will be interesting to see what he can do this trade deadline and draft (if he is still GM come then).

I am stubborn and will defend DL to the death, and wanted him to stay but bottom line is he didn't and me and everyone else needs to stop thinking about what he would be doing with the current make up of the team. Comparing Blake to DL is dumb as team make up, cap, era, pressure on team and other factors are so different.

I was not on board with Blake being the GM due to past history but does not mean i will not judge him based on moves and not the past. If there is truth he maybe not be GM for long I am ok with it and imagine it would be due to either him not wanting to see it through or due to difference in his view vs corporate view. Doesn't mean he is failing.

 

[crassbonanza]

it is my believe Lombardi wanted to re-stock but was not given a chance to re-tool.

When do you think he wanted to restock? Do you think that AEG was calling for the Bishop trade?

 

[KingsCourt]

Isles beat writer Arthur Staple mentioned it in passing in an article last week. Bernstein has apparently been running with it a bit.

TG on this board alluded it to it as well prior to Staple.

You mileage varies regarding how you judge those that are talking about it, but Staple isn't necessarily a lightweight.

thank you...would not mind some fresh blood in the organization, but that doesn't mean would be better

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Completely feel that the plan was to keep picks while also trying to contend and, if Blake felt they were close to being a real contender, then perhaps picks/prospects would be moved for the right person.

This was wrong. To his credit, he changed the plan with the Muzzin trade but this isn't the path he thought he'd be taking when he signed up.

There is a plan but I can understand if one feels that there isn't a specific vision. It's tough to follow a pretty transparent builder who frequently shared his vision if you are at the helm of a rebuild and you seem to keep things close to your vest. Gives plenty of ammo to those that doubt him.

It's this 100%

@Ziggy Stardust I've been accused of being a Blake apologist so hopefully this carries something coming from me but I don't think 'stocking picks and rebuilding' is much of a strategy in and of itself. Yes, that's the plan so far, and I think we all should be happy at what the system looks like at this point, especially given he was working from essentially a black hole. But what BigKing said above is my issue--what are we building towards? We've gotten more skilled, younger, faster, and with this last draft, higher character; but I want to know what Blake thinks the 2023 Kings should look like. Are we just a team full of waterbugs? Are our defenseman aggressively attacking? Are our forwards highly responsible? We're playing a 1-1-3 now, are we working towards a defend-and-counterpunch team? Like, it's nice to have some flexibility but it's also wholly understandable that people are nervous.

 

[ibleedkings]

It would just be really strange to see Blake step down after all his leadup to this role. He worked with the league and as AGM for a bit--why step down as GM? Kick Futa up? Go back to AGM? It's just weird.

I agree with you @Statto that if it had any real legs it may be bigger news, but why would there even be smoke enough that it's publicly known as a rumor to even beat writers? How does that get out of the org? It's just strange news if nothing else.

The Mayor would be talking about it too.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Someone's gonna have to stitch GM into his sweater before he can rip it off.

He’ll rip the GM title off the sign on his office door.

He still believed the team was a contending team with the core in place. A mantra the current FO repeated several times after DL’s ouster as you know.

Whats the plan? Can you tell me what Blake said about what kind of style and team this will be in the future?

The plan afaik is draft and develop from within and return to the playoffs as soon as the 21/22 season with Kopitar and Doughty leading the way.

I think Kopi and Drew’s best days are behind them and their cap busting numbers will prevent the Kings from being able to add enough talent to the rest of the roster to be a cup contender. Best case is a playoff also ran.

 

[Choralone]

I don't know. I think the strategy is emergent. Kings are picking the BPA. I think what's going on is that at some point in the next couple of years, they'll see what kind of team they're building, if there's an emerging identity simply from its composition as it gels, and then decide if they want to reinforce this identity or move it in another direction. As we've learned, there's not one recipe for a contender. I imagine with a five-year contract, McLellan will have a lot of say what kind of team he wants as well.

It doesn't sound like a master plan, but I think it might be better to get the best raw talent, then prune and shape what we have rather than decide our identity straight off the bat and draft with blinders on. We're certain to trade some of these guys anyways, and some will not pan out. I think you need your core (future core) established instead of building your identity on the shifting sand of draft picks.

Lombardi was the exception when it came to being up-front in discussing the building of a team, and even then it was pretty general (build from the net out, defense first, high character).

 

[Bandit]

Weird way for his ironman streak to end if he doesn't play tomorrow.

 

[YP44]

When do you think he wanted to restock? Do you think that AEG was calling for the Bishop trade?

I think that offseason. Before he was fired he talked about re-stocking the pipeline and cupboard. I have said this before and been asked for links but can never find them, but I am certain I remember him saying it on a radio hit or I remember reading it. It is why I now say "I think" vs "he wanted".

He didn't get the chance, and that is not uncommon. Very few GM's get 2 kicks at the can.

 

[head eyes]

Weird way for his ironman streak to end if he doesn't play tomorrow.

Must've been all the coke over the break. Diet or otherwise.

 

[YP44]

Must've been all the coke over the break. Diet or otherwise.

maybe that is why the other poster wants stoll fired

 

[KINGS17]

Completely feel that the plan was to keep picks while also trying to contend and, if Blake felt they were close to being a real contender, then perhaps picks/prospects would be moved for the right person.

This was wrong. To his credit, he changed the plan with the Muzzin trade but this isn't the path he thought he'd be taking when he signed up.

There is a plan but I can understand if one feels that there isn't a specific vision. It's tough to follow a pretty transparent builder who frequently shared his vision if you are at the helm of a rebuild and you seem to keep things close to your vest. Gives plenty of ammo to those that doubt him.

I think you hit on a key element regarding the displeasure with Blake at this point in his tenure. We were a bit spoiled in terms of the open communication we received with Dean Lombardi. He told us in clear and certain terms exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it. Even though the Hickey pick was a big reach, there was some sound reasoning behind it and Dean explained it.

We don't get that from Blake now. The entire organization seems to be slipping back into an inability to articulate a clear vision of what this team will look like in the future. Hanging onto your picks and prospects, and trading vets for additional picks is a means to getting to the envisioned end, not a plan to get to the end and contend. I don't want to see the Kings organization slip back into anything like the Vachon/Taylor era where you had no idea what the GM was thinking or trying to accomplish.

I would also like to see more activity along the lines of what Dean managed to do in picking up players like Quincy and Stuart, then dealing them at the trade deadline for future assets. I liked the Muzzin trade, but to me that was something that obviously needed to be done. Expect the same with Toffoli soon. Again, it's obvious it needs to be done.

 

[DoktorJeep]

maybe that is why the other poster wants stoll fired

Dude, Stoll isn’t a coke dealer, his responsibility ends at smuggling Molly into Wet Republic inside his banana hammock.

 

[KINGS17]

I think that offseason. Before he was fired he talked about re-stocking the pipeline and cupboard. I have said this before and been asked for links but can never find them, but I am certain I remember him saying it on a radio hit or I remember reading it. It is why I now say "I think" vs "he wanted".

He didn't get the chance, and that is not uncommon. Very few GM's get 2 kicks at the can.

There was an interview with Bob Miller where Lombardi clearly said he had made some mistakes and needed to treat the players more like assets. I am sure most people here recall it.

 

[KINGS17]

I think Kopi and Drew’s best days are behind them and their cap busting numbers will prevent the Kings from being able to add enough talent to the rest of the roster to be a cup contender. Best case is a playoff also ran.

Yup, this 100%.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

There was an interview with Bob Miller where Lombardi clearly said he had made some mistakes and needed to treat the players more like assets. I am sure most people here recall it.

That interview was conducted in 2016. His inaction following that interview and trades made during the course of that season seem to contradict what some here are saying was his “plan.”

 

[Fishhead]

Yup, this 100%.

I'm actually not completely concerned over their contracts..... yet. If they keep up a solid level of play, those contracts are going to be a smaller percentage of the cap than they are today. I don't think it would be that difficult to move them if needed. They could be considered on the cheap side if they don't fall off a cliff. It's a big "if" that we will find out the answer to in the coming years.

The concern hinges on whether they can keep up their play. They both have games suited towards longevity, but stuff like that is impossible to predict. The salary cap should approach $100M before these guys retire, so it shouldn't hamstring the team all that much.

I'm far more concerned over identifying the proper young guys to fit the system and parlaying movable players into assets, even if they are less that we hope for.

 

[Magicman]

Weird way for his ironman streak to end if he doesn't play tomorrow.

It is not uncommon for a player with a lingering issue to get a minor "Procedure" when having 8 days off during a mid season break.

Especially one where continued play could make it worse and become worse.

 

[KINGS17]

I'm actually not completely concerned over their contracts..... yet. If they keep up a solid level of play, those contracts are going to be a smaller percentage of the cap than they are today. I don't think it would be that difficult to move them if needed. They could be considered on the cheap side if they don't fall off a cliff. It's a big "if" that we will find out the answer to in the coming years.

The concern hinges on whether they can keep up their play. They both have games suited towards longevity, but stuff like that is impossible to predict. The salary cap should approach $100M before these guys retire, so it shouldn't hamstring the team all that much.

I'm far more concerned over identifying the proper young guys to fit the system and parlaying movable players into assets, even if they are less that we hope for.

I agree as each player gets older maintaining the level of play is a big concern. I still am thinking it would be best for the speed at which the rebuild can occur if one or both is moved eventually.

 

[kings11]

I agree as each player gets older maintaining the level of play is a big concern. I still am thinking it would be best for the speed at which the rebuild can occur if one or both is moved eventually.

I could understand this if we had that Franchise type young player or the 1OA pick.. but we dont and as much as everyone wants to get rid of players, most of what we have is unmovable.
Doughty/Kopitar/Quick/Carter/Brown wont stop the Kings from signing key UFA talent.. Its the fact that those players dont/never have wanted to come here.. Toffoli/Marty/Soupy/Hutton/Ryan/Lewis/Clifford should all be moved or at least try to move them... next season it should be Carter/Brown/???... and so on

 

[YP44]

at some point we need a GM (not ruling out that it is not Blake) who is ok with being the villain and making the hard decision trades. For example I want him to retire a king and think he is the greatest king of all time, but Dustin Brown. With only two more years on his deal what value does he have?

 

[Sparky206]

at some point we need a GM (not ruling out that it is not Blake) who is ok with being the villain and making the hard decision trades. For example I want him to retire a king and think he is the greatest king of all time, but Dustin Brown. With only two more years on his deal what value does he have?

More value mentoring the kids here and playing on the 4th line than flipping him for a 5th round pick while retaining. Essentially, he has negative value with his cap hit so you can't move him.

 

[KINGS17]

More value mentoring the kids here and playing on the 4th line than flipping him for a 5th round pick while retaining. Essentially, he has negative value with his cap hit so you can't move him.

You can get a lot more than a low pick for Dustin Brown.