Speculation: 2020-21 LA Kings News/Roster/Rumors Discussion Part VI

[BigKing]

I just don't know how Blake could have a front row seat to watching the guy not be able to make a single adjustment to avoid losing 4 straight playoffs games after going up 3-0 and then say to himself: "This is the right coach". That wasn't just a "Well he'll learn from it" moment, it was one of the most historic choke jobs in all of sports for all time.

And then they can him and his successor takes them to the SCF. Todd was also at the helm of the Oiler choke job against Anaheim.

I wasn't completely against it because he is a coach that has won games but it wasn't an inspiring hire, not the type of hire one would associate with a new hotshot GM that just had to be hired before he was lost to someone else.

But I get it: Blake bombed on his first coaching hire so he chose a guy that he played for previously and is comfortable with. It's just easy to talk about the old boys club with this management team and wonder if everyone's position is based on merit or if they played with or coached Blake and/or Luc at some point in their careers. It is a bit frightening that it feels like we went from a management/coaching staff that cut their teeth elsewhere to a bunch of dudes that were part of the 1996 - 2005 Kings. Like, I don't want to go back there unless I get to be 16 -25 years old again.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[YP44]

Brown is such a beauty

 

[Master Yoda]

It's funny because it's true

 

[KingsFan7824]

And then they can him and his successor takes them to the SCF. Todd was also at the helm of the Oiler choke job against Anaheim.

I wasn't completely against it because he is a coach that has won games but it wasn't an inspiring hire, not the type of hire one would associate with a new hotshot GM that just had to be hired before he was lost to someone else.

But I get it: Blake bombed on his first coaching hire so he chose a guy that he played for previously and is comfortable with. It's just easy to talk about the old boys club with this management team and wonder if everyone's position is based on merit or if they played with or coached Blake and/or Luc at some point in their careers. It is a bit frightening that it feels like we went from a management/coaching staff that cut their teeth elsewhere to a bunch of dudes that were part of the 1996 - 2005 Kings. Like, I don't want to go back there unless I get to be 16 -25 years old again.

DL went back to his old friend who was on a literal Canadian farm when he was starting to feel the heat.

 

[FrozenKing18]

Lmao

Brown is a treasure

 

[BigKing]

DL went back to his old friend who was on a literal Canadian farm when he was starting to feel the heat.

Sure did so I get it with Blake.

 

[Sol]

And then they can him and his successor takes them to the SCF. Todd was also at the helm of the Oiler choke job against Anaheim.

I wasn't completely against it because he is a coach that has won games but it wasn't an inspiring hire, not the type of hire one would associate with a new hotshot GM that just had to be hired before he was lost to someone else.

But I get it: Blake bombed on his first coaching hire so he chose a guy that he played for previously and is comfortable with. It's just easy to talk about the old boys club with this management team and wonder if everyone's position is based on merit or if they played with or coached Blake and/or Luc at some point in their careers. It is a bit frightening that it feels like we went from a management/coaching staff that cut their teeth elsewhere to a bunch of dudes that were part of the 1996 - 2005 Kings. Like, I don't want to go back there unless I get to be 16 -25 years old again.

This is why the team is where it's at.

There was zero reason why Luc and Blake got the job. If they weren't kings, they wouldn't be with the Kings. That should tell you everything.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

This is why the team is where it's at.

There was zero reason why Luc and Blake got the job. If they weren't kings, they wouldn't be with the Kings. That should tell you everything.

Luc? Yes, 100%

Blake? Absolutely wrong. The guy is as educated as they come amongst GMs 1st off--2nd off, he's spent time around the league in various offices and as Assistant GM. He's well qualified for a job anywhere. It's arguable whether he's the BEST candidate for a lot of reasons but if not here he'd have a job somewhere.

 

[KINGS17]

And then they can him and his successor takes them to the SCF. Todd was also at the helm of the Oiler choke job against Anaheim.

I wasn't completely against it because he is a coach that has won games but it wasn't an inspiring hire, not the type of hire one would associate with a new hotshot GM that just had to be hired before he was lost to someone else.

But I get it: Blake bombed on his first coaching hire so he chose a guy that he played for previously and is comfortable with. It's just easy to talk about the old boys club with this management team and wonder if everyone's position is based on merit or if they played with or coached Blake and/or Luc at some point in their careers. It is a bit frightening that it feels like we went from a management/coaching staff that cut their teeth elsewhere to a bunch of dudes that were part of the 1996 - 2005 Kings. Like, I don't want to go back there unless I get to be 16 -25 years old again.

TM was the typical kind of hire you expect from that era of Kings players. It's about comfort level, not being uncomfortable and winning.

How comfortable did Sutter make guys like Brown and Doughty feel when he showed up on the scene? There's your answer.

 

[KINGS17]

Luc? Yes, 100%

Blake? Absolutely wrong. The guy is as educated as they come amongst GMs 1st off--2nd off, he's spent time around the league in various offices and as Assistant GM. He's well qualified for a job anywhere. It's arguable whether he's the BEST candidate for a lot of reasons but if not here he'd have a job somewhere.

I will agree Blake is smart an well spoken. When and where has he ever been part of building a winning organization before?

He joined Colorado when they were tailor made for him to finally win a cup. Everywhere else as a player or in a management position what has Blake won with him in a leadership role? I can't think of anything.

 

[Fishhead]

I will agree Blake is smart an well spoken. When and where has he ever been part of building a winning organization before?

He joined Colorado when they were tailor made for him to finally win a cup. Everywhere else as a player or in a management position what has Blake won with him in a leadership role? I can't think of anything.

Didn't the Monarchs win the Calder Cup while he was GM? I know he was Asst. GM with the Kings for cup #2, which meant he would have been the AHL GM.

I have no idea how deep the role of an AHL GM is when it comes to building a winning team, since most of the roster is dictated by the parent club. Perhaps someone who follows that league better can chime in.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I'll always be grateful for what Sutter did for this team. However hearing him now in Calgary just makes me roll my eyes to the point they almost disconnect. Most of the shit he says is pure nonsense and I can imagine being around that type of personality getting old in 72 hours. We all know people that are total smart asses and condescending, they get very stale very quickly. Constant trash talking and bickering gets old very quickly. Look at the top coaches in the league, none of them behave that way.

 

[KINGS17]

Didn't the Monarchs win the Calder Cup while he was GM? I know he was Asst. GM with the Kings for cup #2, which meant he would have been the AHL GM.

I have no idea how deep the role of an AHL GM is when it comes to building a winning team, since most of the roster is dictated by the parent club. Perhaps someone who follows that league better can chime in.

Well, an AHL GM is given the players for the team, so player personnel is not necessarily a big job in the AHL.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

But I get it: Blake bombed on his first coaching hire so he chose a guy that he played for previously and is comfortable with. It's just easy to talk about the old boys club with this management team and wonder if everyone's position is based on merit or if they played with or coached Blake and/or Luc at some point in their careers. It is a bit frightening that it feels like we went from a management/coaching staff that cut their teeth elsewhere to a bunch of dudes that were part of the 1996 - 2005 Kings. Like, I don't want to go back there unless I get to be 16 -25 years old again.

I've been saying it for years, Blake is unable to think outside of the box. He makes safe moves...and has a team of scouts to help him draft. Tell me one 'creative' move he's made...I can't think of one.

 

[Fishhead]

I've been saying it for years, Blake is unable to think outside of the box. He makes safe moves...and has a team of scouts to help him draft. Tell me one 'creative' move he's made...I can't think of one.

Not sure what creative means. To be fair, most GM's have been making safe moves for the last year or so. The return on Muzzin was pretty good though, he got TML to cough up a lot.

 

[Reclamation Project]

What's the consensus on Laine? Yay or nay? Given how completely devoid the Kings are of a pure goal scorer I think you have to give him a long look. Would look really good next to Kopitar.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I will agree Blake is smart an well spoken. When and where has he ever been part of building a winning organization before?

He joined Colorado when they were tailor made for him to finally win a cup. Everywhere else as a player or in a management position what has Blake won with him in a leadership role? I can't think of anything.

I addressed that and said you can argue whether he's the right person for the job. I was addressing his actual qualifications and the idea that if he wasn't LA's GM he'd be unemployed.

 

[KingsFan7824]

TM was the typical kind of hire you expect from that era of Kings players. It's about comfort level, not being uncomfortable and winning.

How comfortable did Sutter make guys like Brown and Doughty feel when he showed up on the scene? There's your answer.

What were Crawford and Murray? Murray got the job because DL was in Philly with him. Not like Sutter was part of some grand plan that included firing a coach half way through a season.

In Oct 2011, did anyone have Dwight King as an answer to any question?

Winning makes everything easy. This was the right move. This set that up, which then allowed for this other thing to happen. If the Flyers don't make Richards and Carter available, are we talking Cup? Yes, DL also had to be willing to make a big trade.

 

[YP44]

What's the consensus on Laine? Yay or nay? Given how completely devoid the Kings are of a pure goal scorer I think you have to give him a long look. Would look really good next to Kopitar.

depends on cost for me

 

[Mats26]

Just a thought.

Do you think we would be contenders with: Pearson-Toffoli -Muzzin-Martinez-Clifford-Campbell-Carter with their current level of play. I would say playoff bound for sure. Makes you wonder why players excel once they leave the Kings. Is it a structure\culture thing? How do we change that.

 

[KingsFan7824]

What's the consensus on Laine? Yay or nay? Given how completely devoid the Kings are of a pure goal scorer I think you have to give him a long look. Would look really good next to Kopitar.

Would he? Gaborik was great for a little bit, but that's because he went to the net. Is Laine a go to the net guy? Do we want Kopitar deferring to a winger again? Has that ever really made him better or more productive?

If you're getting Laine, do it for some other C, not Kopitar.

 

[Statto]

What's the consensus on Laine? Yay or nay? Given how completely devoid the Kings are of a pure goal scorer I think you have to give him a long look. Would look really good next to Kopitar.

Not for me. He’s a huge red flag character wise. There is no disputing his talent but again too many of his issues get played out in public. Also, when a guy with his talent could be on the move to his 3rd team in such a short period you have to question things. He’s said himself that when he was younger he’d want to do things his way, which you cannot do at this level.

The big talent move we need is at LHD and this is just the start of the window to make that move. If the player(s) they want aren’t yet available they need to wait until they are, not make any move just to keep the impatient amongst fans happy. We could maybe do with a winger, although any of Fagemo, Kalyev, Turcotte or even Vilardi could fill a couple of Wing spots so it may not be needed. I wouldn’t mind a Stoll, Green (I mean one guy) type move where 25-27 year old character role guy can come in and galvanised the culture and leadership. Even if our current guys are great in the room things get stale and someone experienced but from the outside would really help.

 

[fivehole32]

I've watched a few CBJ games and Laine looks pretty nonexistent, but so do most of the Jackets. I think Laine's value has supremely plummeted and for the right price I think he could be had. It would be nice to have a pure goal scorer.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Just a thought.

Do you think we would be contenders with: Pearson-Toffoli -Muzzin-Martinez-Clifford-Campbell-Carter with their current level of play. I would say playoff bound for sure. Makes you wonder why players excel once they leave the Kings. Is it a structure\culture thing? How do we change that.

They had 1 win in 9 playoff games between 2015 and 2018, along with 2 seasons with no playoffs, and heading for a 3rd in 2019.

Most of all that during the structure and culture built by DL and Sutter.

Playoff bound? Seems at best 50/50. They consistently ran out of steam all the time.

They had their run, which came close to ending early many times in 2014. Would they still be rolling the 70's line out there? Because that kept working after the 2014 playoffs.

With Voynov, and had Richards not hollowed out physically, and had Brown continued to score, maybe the past we know is different. It almost certainly would be.

The way it all unfolded though? There was no coming back from it. Too much depth was lost, and lost for nothing. The drafting couldn't replenish the roster.