On if they need to get away from the ‘heavy’ game the team has become known for:
“To a point. The philosophy that the team has been built on the defensive side, like I’ve said, over and over, will stay in tact. Brodzinski is a little different player than Dwight King. Adrian Kempe is a different player than Jarret Stoll. In that aspect, yes, there are different changes. You have to be able to adapt or adjust to the players that you have available.”
“I don’t know, there are issues with everybody’s contracts. I’m probably one to speak. [Laughter]. I think you know, with what Pat [Brisson], Luc [Robitaille] and I experienced through Anze [Kopitar’s negotiations] too, there’s a familiarity of what limits are – you know, ‘Hey listen, let’s get down and other stuff out and get this deal done.’ So yeah, Toffoli [Tyler] and Pearson [Tanner] they’re priorities right away here to get done.”
This certainly is refreshing to read.
http://mayorsmanor.com/2017/04/rob-blake-on-how-and-why-john-stevens-was-promoted/
Adapt and adjust, two things we saw that this team was incapable of doing under Sutter over the past three seasons.
It's all talk, right now.
Only results on the ice matter.
It's all talk, right now.
Only results on the ice matter.
It's all talk, right now.
Only results on the ice matter.
https://lakingsinsider.com/2017/04/24/focus-middle-blake-stevens-talk-kopitar-evolved-conditioning/
Rosen shared some interesting points from Stevens and Blake
Yes, and it's not up to Stevens or Blake. These guys are either worth the money they are getting or they aren't.
Sadly, Dean Lombardi has set Stevens and Blake up for failure by rewarding players for past achievements.
I think we have to give Blake some time to recognize and realize he has to tear it down to the foundation and begin again. Problem is assets which in the past would have value don't because of the contracts that come with them.
Assets the Kings have with value: Carter, Muzzin, Martinez, Doughty, Toffoli, and Pearson.
If the Kings go into a rebuild there is a lot to be said for moving almost all of these players. I know people will say there are no guarantees with a rebuild. I can almost be certain though the current roster is not going to win a Stanley Cup.
Pretty clear from the last week's press conferences that the Kings will not be undergoing a rebuild now. Not sure where you're getting this from. Maybe if they miss the playoffs again in 2018, but right now no one is talking about a rebuild.
Yes, and it's not up to Stevens or Blake. These guys are either worth the money they are getting or they aren't.
Sadly, Dean Lombardi has set Stevens and Blake up for failure by rewarding players for past achievements.
I think we have to give Blake some time to recognize and realize he has to tear it down to the foundation and begin again. Problem is assets which in the past would have value don't because of the contracts that come with them.
Assets the Kings have with value: Carter, Muzzin, Martinez, Doughty, Toffoli, and Pearson.
If the Kings go into a rebuild there is a lot to be said for moving almost all of these players. I know people will say there are no guarantees with a rebuild. I can almost be certain though the current roster is not going to win a Stanley Cup.
Not to be too much of a stickler here, but that's exactly why any player ever gets a raise of any kind in new contracts. No one gets a new contract with a raise and such for potential. They get them for what they've actually done. At the time, Gaborik had been a Conn Smythe worthy candidate on a championship team. Now, I think we gave him too many years, but let's not pretend a contract for him was out of the blue.
Not to be too much of a stickler here, but that's exactly why any player ever gets a raise of any kind in new contracts. No one gets a new contract with a raise and such for potential. They get them for what they've actually done. At the time, Gaborik had been a Conn Smythe worthy candidate on a championship team. Now, I think we gave him too many years, but let's not pretend a contract for him was out of the blue.
Not to be a stickler, but Kopitar's 2nd contract was based mostly on potential. His two-way game hadn't developed much yet when the 2nd contract came along.