Tribute All Inclusive Former Kings players thread

Vamos Rafa

Registered User
Jan 11, 2010
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I hate to turn this into another f*** Luc thread but his legacy as a King has taken quite a bit of damage since being promoted to being the president of the team. Wish he stayed in his smaller role with the business operations. Blake’s reputation with the Kings was already damaged before being hired as the GM but it sucks it happened to Luc.
 

Bandit

Registered User
Jul 23, 2005
33,051
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Unemployed in Greenland
I hate to turn this into another f*** Luc thread but his legacy as a King has taken quite a bit of damage since being promoted to being the president of the team. Wish he stayed in his smaller role with the business operations. Blake’s reputation with the Kings was already damaged before being hired as the GM but it sucks it happened to Luc.
If I could go back in time and tell 1990 me that in 34 years I’d hate Luc Robitaille I probably wouldn’t survive to tell the tale. Loved him as a player but now? Eat shit and die.
 

Steve Zissou

I'll order you a red cap and a Speedo.
Feb 3, 2006
7,470
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City of Angels
460610297_916540093851443_4643981900216815328_n.jpg

...so you guys still talking about me!?
 

Telos

In Byfield We Must Trust
Aug 16, 2008
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Reno, NV
I don't hate Robitaille, but I understand the sentiment. He was never suited for the front office and never should have been put in that position. It's not entirely his fault and I don't fault him for taking the opportunity when given. I honestly don't think there is anything sinister or nefarious going on with him, his history, or even his decisions. I think he was put in a position way over his head, he's not the sharpest tool around much like Gretzky, and he fumbled around doing what he thought was best while not know what he was doing and things ended up predictably. I would even be okay with him remaining somewhere in the organization as long as it had nothing to do with hockey operations decisions.

I don't like Rob Blake and that isn't going to change. I do hate that his jersey is in the rafters.
 

Raccoon Jesus

We were right there
Oct 30, 2008
63,418
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I don't hate Robitaille, but I understand the sentiment. He was never suited for the front office and never should have been put in that position. It's not entirely his fault and I don't fault him for taking the opportunity when given. I honestly don't think there is anything sinister or nefarious going on with him, his history, or even his decisions. I think he was put in a position way over his head, he's not the sharpest tool around much like Gretzky, and he fumbled around doing what he thought was best while not know what he was doing and things ended up predictably. I would even be okay with him remaining somewhere in the organization as long as it had nothing to do with hockey operations decisions.

I don't like Rob Blake and that isn't going to change. I do hate that his jersey is in the rafters.

Putting a good guy in the wrong role OFF the ice as well is just so meta
 

Chazz Reinhold

Registered User
Sep 6, 2005
9,214
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The Stanley Cup
I don't hate Robitaille, but I understand the sentiment. He was never suited for the front office and never should have been put in that position. It's not entirely his fault and I don't fault him for taking the opportunity when given. I honestly don't think there is anything sinister or nefarious going on with him, his history, or even his decisions. I think he was put in a position way over his head, he's not the sharpest tool around much like Gretzky, and he fumbled around doing what he thought was best while not know what he was doing and things ended up predictably. I would even be okay with him remaining somewhere in the organization as long as it had nothing to do with hockey operations decisions.

I don't like Rob Blake and that isn't going to change. I do hate that his jersey is in the rafters.
Pretty sure the story isn't one of Luc falling serendipitously into the position. The media reporting that's been posted around here in the past is that he back-stabbed and power-grabbed his way to where he is, so I don't think you paint him as some hapless fool who fell into a job he wasn't qualified for.
 
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Telos

In Byfield We Must Trust
Aug 16, 2008
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Pretty sure the story isn't one of Luc falling serendipitously into the position. The media reporting that's been posted around here in the past is that he back-stabbed and power-grabbed his way to where he is, so I don't think you paint him as some hapless fool who fell into a job he wasn't qualified for.

It is certainly possible but I haven't seen any evidence or firm sources of that. Don't get me wrong, this organization is painfully nepotistic. Both Luc and Blake almost exclusively use only people they are familiar with from their past. This is something they also share with Gretzky - he always trusted, believed, and relied on practically everyone he ever met or was close to him. I disagree heavily with most decisions made by both Luc and Blake. I just wouldn't throw him in a fiery pit and can't hate him, he is synonymously an LA King and one of our top 5 all-time greats.

When I look at him, his actions, and literally everyone in his history describing all interactions with him I don't see a Machiavellian mastermind. I see a happy-go-lucky, non-college-educated, hockey player that never strayed far from the rink, believes he understands all aspects of the game who hires and trusts only those that he has worked with in the past. He makes poor decisions, I am upset with his job performance and want him removed, but I don't hate him for his actions or believe he is intentionally or purposefully hurting the Kings for his own gain. I would admit that I might hypocritically belive that is a lot closer true for Blake, but I just don't see it for Robitaille.
 

Telos

In Byfield We Must Trust
Aug 16, 2008
33,059
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Reno, NV
Mike Milbury banter isn't exactly hard-hitting news journalism :P Replacing Lombardi in favor of Luc was devastating, but I don't see it as black and white that he drugged AEG and pulled the rug out from under Lombardi. He is an idiot to think he could do better and be standing there disagreeing with Lombardi during Dean's downfall, but I don't think he begged, pleaded, and wrestled his way into AEG's graces, he was there and tapped for the position and they gave it to him.

I am all for ousting him, but I just think people are putting too much conspiracy mastermind agency over Luc's ascension. The responsibility for his ascension and role is squarely on AEG. Conversely, Luc is absolutely responsible for his horrid, nepotistic, decisions. He needs to go by any way possible even if it means blasting him into the sun. I am just saying that if I were in charge and he wanted to be the old guy standing rinkside talking about hockey in his day, I am fine with that. I just don't want him deciding anything more than hot dog prices at this point.
 
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Statto

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May 9, 2014
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I like the part where he sums it up.. paraphrase "Vilard, Iafallo, Kupari and Durzi for a washed Goalie.. if that dont make you angry as a fan, i dont know what would".. timestamped below


The bit that makes me frustrated is the trade for PLD. Bringing Kuemper into it is unfair on him.

The PLD for Kuemper trade was a good deal, but it shouldn’t have been needed. Therefore that does not in any way absolve the trade for PLD, which was a bad one from day one. The pieces I cared about were Vilardi and the 2nd round pick. Weirdly I’m more annoyed about the pick than Vilardi (who I was 100% behind even when his back was screwed). It didn’t need a sweetener. Don’t get me wrong I would not have moved Gabe either, but without the 2nd you could at least ‘argue’ the deal was value.
 
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