Blake Extended for 3 Years

[johnjm22]

Going all in is subjective, up for interpretation, but one can see it that way if you look at the regimes actions and comments. Their introduction presser stated they felt the roster DL constructed was primed for more cup runs. Just needed a different culture/style.

That contradicts Ziggy’s contention that the current regime was handed a steaming pile and was in cap hell. Especially when we know Luc/AEG overruled DL on the Kopi extension and they gave Kovy 3 years when everyone else was offering 1 year deals.

And after Dean traded away Demitra and signed guys like Wilsie and Thornton, he was telling everybody how the Kings were still going to be competitive.

The management is always going to say the politically correct thing and paint a rosy picture. That's their job.

Read between the lines.

 

[HookKing]

Going all in is subjective, up for interpretation, but one can see it that way if you look at the regimes actions and comments. Their introduction presser stated they felt the roster DL constructed was primed for more cup runs. Just needed a different culture/style.

That contradicts Ziggy’s contention that the current regime was handed a steaming pile and was in cap hell. Especially when we know Luc/AEG overruled DL on the Kopi extension and they gave Kovy 3 years when everyone else was offering 1 year deals.

Doesn't contradict anything. He had no assets to sell and took one more bite at the apple by signing a UFA. Blake was pretty much handed an "all-in" situation.

 

[johnjm22]

Blake is going to have to make moves this offseason that benefit the team now without sacrificing the future.

or

Make moves that benefit the now and in the future.

It's a balancing act, but it can be done.

 

[AbsentMojo]

Blake is a first time GM learning the ropes. DL was a GM then back to a scout then GM again.. way more experience when he took the reigns in 2006. I believe Blake is doing OK for a first timer but Im not super optimistic on his ability to improve the overall org. DL used his knowledge of players while scouting in Phi to court players he liked - Williams, Richards, Carter.. he had quite a few tricks up his sleeve. Blake doesnt have that diverse background - and doesnt have the scouting instincts or the vision DL had (for better or worse). I think Blake will have to rely much more on good deputies to have success.

 

[kings11]

If Blake has proven anything over his tenure, it is that he is cautious and risk-averse. To keep improving the roster, he is going to have to be aggressive and bold. We'll see if he has it in him.

I would say the term and monies given to Danault were/are pretty risky

 

[theMajor]

I think he's earned it honestly

 

[LAKings88]

Comes down to what he adds and what he clears out. I’m not optimistic about next year just yet. Gonna be another dog fight to get to a top three spot and make the playoffs. Rookies need to contribute. Need to find the right scorer.

 

[Eagle Fang]

Blake is a first time GM learning the ropes. DL was a GM then back to a scout then GM again.. way more experience when he took the reigns in 2006. I believe Blake is doing OK for a first timer but Im not super optimistic on his ability to improve the overall org. DL used his knowledge of players while scouting in Phi to court players he liked - Williams, Richards, Carter.. he had quite a few tricks up his sleeve. Blake doesnt have that diverse background - and doesnt have the scouting instincts or the vision DL had (for better or worse). I think Blake will have to rely much more on good deputies to have success.

I'm no fan of Blake but you bring up a good point. This is his first sting at having full GM control over a team and it's definitely a learning process. He's done some good things for sure.

I just don't particularly care for the type of team he's building.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Dave Taylor got close to a decade, so I’m resigned to Blake being here for awhile.

AEG is on auto pilot with their Kings property, so I’m not surprised by 3 years. Assuming it’s true and doubtful it is ever “officially” reported.

As long as the team makes the playoffs, management will continue to have jobs in this town. Even if they miss next year, there will be enough excuses to blame extenuating circumstances.

I put no money down on the Kings being a top five team in the league as long as the current regime runs things. My bet is on an eventual firing before a third round appearance in the next 3 years. It’s takes one Roenick to sink a ship.

 

[Bandit]

Dave Taylor got close to a decade, so I’m resigned to Blake being here for awhile.

AEG is on auto pilot with their Kings property, so I’m not surprised by 3 years. Assuming it’s true and doubtful it is ever “officially” reported.

As long as the team makes the playoffs, management will continue to have jobs in this town. Even if they miss next year, there will be enough excuses to blame extenuating circumstances.

I put no money down on the Kings being a top five team in the league as long as the current regime runs things. My bet is on an eventual firing before a third round appearance in the next 3 years. It’s takes one Roenick to sink a ship.

Pretty crazy that the most successful GM we ever had only got 11 years.

 

[BigKing]

Was that really going all-in though? What future assets did he deal to go all-in? He bet on the veterans, who did deliver in his first season as GM, and then they added an offensive weapon in Kovalchuk who cost $6.25M. I don't know if I'd describe that as going all-in. He didn't even have an arsenal of prospects to trade to go all-in, and he didn't do it after one season of regular season success his first year on the job. He probably knew in the back of his mind this could blow up, and that's exactly what happened.

I just find it funny that people knock Blake for doing what he should've done, which is to hang onto picks. He could have just as easily started trading them away early in his tenure, like his predecessor had done repeatedly in chasing something that was already beyond approach.

I guess he's damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. And I've been vocal and critical about wasting a high first round pick on someone like Turcotte, but given that seven of the players on the roster were drafted under his watch, three were undrafted prospects he signed, and 10 others were players he acquired via trade/free agency, he deserves quite a bit of credit for turning things around.

I ask again, how many of you expected this team to be playing in a Game 7 in the playoffs this year?

He wasn't going all in.

It was a low risk move.

You give the roster another try without having to give up any assets. Meanwhile you bide your time hoarding picks/prospects.

He was all in on a roster that turned to dust: a roster that was supposedly a steaming pile of shit. If they were marginally better in '19 than '18 with Kovy being decent, does Blake keep just sitting on futures or does he add? You don't give an over 35 guy that much money and give him more years than anyone else unless you are desperate and are "chasing something that was already beyond approach".

You have criticized him Ziggy. I'll give you credit for that. I praise him way more over the last twelve months than I did his entire tenure and you are probably criticizing him more over that same time period more than you did his entire tenure. Makes sense since you and I are on different sides of the "Blake's Performance Until Muzzin Trade" debate and he finally got to a point with this season where one can actually give him praise for tangible results while--at the same time--tossing some cold water on the "He made the best prospect pool in the league faster than anyone!!!" hyperbole.

I don't think he is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't: I don't think anyone is knocking him for losing on purpose and accumulating assets. Almost all of us wanted him to do that. It's more that myself--and others--bristle a bit when he is lionized for going with the right process (one he decided on only after it spectacularly blew up in is face) when it is a process that is still a work in progress and, Game 7 or no Game 7, is a work in progress that may be devoid of the superstar difference maker you are looking to draft when you drag the franchise and fans through three of the worst seasons in the history of the team and currently have six first round picks to your name.

I'm fine with the extension since it is a work in progress and a shorter extension would lead to Hail Mary moves. I think we can agree that just sitting on prospects isn't going to take this team to the promised land and it was always going to be about trading some of them for sure things. Really questionable value now on several dudes that were leading the way on the top prospect pool ranking. What will Blake do this summer? It's what has been on my mind all season and it feels like what we will be talking about, good or bad, when it comes to Blake's run as GM of the Kings.

 

[bmr]

Meh, I don't think Blake has done anything yet that any average GM could have accomplished.

Holding onto to your draft picks is not a skill. Picking the correct players and the right people to develop those players, now that is far more valuable.

You're selling him short. Danault, Arvidsson and Edler were all slam dunks - all while minimizing any asset losses. Kovalchuk and Petersen are probably his biggest flops, but the terms are short and those aren't albatross contracts. Give the man some credit.

Didn't the Mayor say this same exact thing like 6 months ago?

How does this add anything of value to this thread?

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

You're selling him short. Danault, Arvidsson and Edler were all slam dunks - all while minimizing any asset losses. Kovalchuk and Petersen are probably his biggest flops, but the terms are short and those aren't albatross contracts. Give the man some credit.



How does this add anything of value to this thread?

Are you the ‘value’ patrol? Go arrest Sol, he’s guilty on multiple levels.

 

[bmr]

If Blake has proven anything over his tenure, it is that he is cautious and risk-averse. To keep improving the roster, he is going to have to be aggressive and bold. We'll see if he has it in him.

Are you sure about that? The best teams in the league have home grown their talent and consistently maintain that level of performance over many years. Nothing Blake has done so far has me worried in that respect. Lombardi went off the rails after winning the Cups also mixed w/ some bad luck. Blake seems much more cognizant of asset management. We'll see if he can make the difficult trade that is required to push us over the top once we start winning playoff rounds.

Are you the ‘value’ patrol? Go arrest Sol, he’s guilty on multiple levels.

Have warrants out for both of you.

 

[tomd]

Are you sure about that? The best teams in the league have home grown their talent and consistently maintain that level of performance over many years. Nothing Blake has done so far has me worried in that respect. Lombardi went off the rails after winning the Cups also mixed w/ some bad luck. Blake seems much more cognizant of asset management. We'll see if he can make the difficult trade that is required to push us over the top once we start winning playoff rounds.

I'll focus on your last sentence and say that I don't think the Kings will start winning playoff rounds until Blake makes that difficult trade that is required to push them over the top.

 

[bmr]

I'll focus on your last sentence and say that I don't think the Kings will start winning playoff rounds until Blake makes that difficult trade that is required to push them over the top.

That's fair - I think the kids will be better next year, Blake will make a trade or two that improve the team and hopefully our key players stay healthy down the stretch.

 

[Herby]

Blake has done an excellent job with trades and free agent signings and has found his coach.. The only issue that Blake has is to much loyalty to the wrong people. Stevens was a terrible coaching hire, he didn't change up any of the scouts and he has all of his buddies in charge of development, which has produced poor results with Blake's most important picks.

I think Blake goes back to his strengths this summer and either signs someone big or makes a big trade.

 

[Herby]

I ask again, how many of you expected this team to be playing in a Game 7 in the playoffs this year?

From when, last summer? No, I didn't expect it.

From when he was hired? Yes, I believe by year 5 the playoffs should have been the expectation, especially with three pretty high draft picks in 17,19,20.

 

[Surf Nutz]

Meh, I don't think Blake has done anything yet that any average GM could have accomplished.

Holding onto to your draft picks is not a skill. Picking the correct players and the right people to develop those players, now that is far more valuable.

Sounds like you work for the Ducks. You poo poo every Kings accomplishment. Double Agent Rubber Ducky.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Blake has accomplished nothing. Until he does, I’m neither overwhelmed nor underwhelmed by his performance as a manager. He’s made some good moves. He’s made some bad moves.

Sounds like you work for the Ducks. You poo poo every Kings accomplishment. Double Agent Rubber Ducky.

K17 was watching Kings games at the Forum when you were still a swimmer, kiddo. Sit down.

 

[johnjm22]

I'll focus on your last sentence and say that I don't think the Kings will start winning playoff rounds until Blake makes that difficult trade that is required to push them over the top.

There's no trade that could be made that would put this team over the top.

 

[tomd]

There's no trade that could be made that would put this team over the top.

That hopeless, eh?

 

[johnjm22]

That hopeless, eh?

This team isn't good. I don't see any move that turns them into a contender.

Blake would have to make 3 home run moves in one offseason for that to happen. What are the chances?

 

[Surf Nutz]

Do people forget that or do people forget he went all-in with DL's roster by running it back and then adding to it with Kovy?

You get out of cap hell by trading valuable NHL'ers while the sands through the hourglass take care of the rest. The former also allows you to ice a shit team and accumulate prospects and picks to fix the pipeline issue. That's the easy thing with the hard thing being picking/trading for the right prospects and developing them properly.

I'm not a Blake guy but his best results-based moves are Danault/Arvi, the Muzzin trade and the Anderson selection. Sweet moves and credit where credit is due but the pipeline thing is actually frightening because there are grave concerns over all of his first round picks from 2017 - '20. Maybe not a grave concern with Bjornfot but, still, he couldn't keep his spot in the lineup this year and that was even with Anderson out.

There are positives in the pipeline, no doubt, but it isn't as promising as it once was. Agree with you and I've been saying it for awhile now: this is the off season where the tough calls need to be made.

He's getting the extension under the premise of "okay...we like where this is going so here is three years to finish the job" but he's still sitting here with serious questions in goal and at the forward positions while riding off of a miraculous 99 point season where they somehow kept finding ways to get points. I think they are in a pretty precarious position and he's going to need to make some sort of impact move plus have Byfield and others take a leap.

It's just a lot different after making the playoffs the first time with Lombardi and you want to extend him since he is sitting on the 11/23/8/32 from 12 years ago while Blake is sitting on the current versions of 11/8/32 while not having a replacement for 32 or--depending on Byfield--11.

Lot of work to be done. I'm encouraged by his--IMO--low risk/high reward moves last Summer but the time to be cautious has now passed and we don't know how well he'll do at taking a home run swing. Can he part with his beloved draft picks and, if he can, will he move the right prospects or will it bite him in the ass?

His draft picks are not worth anything significant right now. Plus he could trade them and one could rapidly develop and make him look like a fool. He has no leverage to go big. He needs to do what he did last year pick reasonably priced sleepers to play roles that propel the team.

 

[Fishhead]

I am mostly in agreement, but he did trade for Trevor "Thousand Oaks" Moore

If Blake could identify players from juniors as well as he can identify guys from college, this team would have a cup before his contract is up again.