Confirmed with Link: Changes Incoming

[KINGS17]

If we were to listen to you we'd believe he's not suited to pump gas. He's well respected and has the job. I think we should trust him until proven otherwise.

Luc Robitaille is well liked. I wouldn't go so far as to say he is well respected.

You don't trust someone and see what happens in a job like this, you pick someone qualified.

 

[KINGS17]

Stanley Cup on the line, Kings down by 1, 1:30 remaining, faceoff in the opposing end.

Nolan, Lewis, Clifford, Shore, Doughty. And Quick is in net.

Martinez to Clifford to Toffoli. Toffoli shoots, Martinez scores on the rebound.

All I get from KINGS17 post is that Bailey may or may not be our coach next season. That and Luc may forget all the dreadful trades he has cooked up in his head before he calls Rob.

I know you're not serious, because you posted this:

Not even worth pulling the trigger on a coaching change midseason, especially this midseason. What does that accomplish?

I still think the whole Richards and Voynov sagas altered Dean's reasoning. Post-2014 was dreadful. Than last season he does a complete u-turn on his "loyalty" policy by ******** all over Greene in that disastrous, weak, loser move last ditch effort to re-sign Lucic, and then strips Brown of the C (apparently at the request of a coach many advisors told him to let go). Total amateur hour.

These aren't your children, and even as a parent you have to draw a line. This is a business and in any business there is a bottom line. The bottom line is contending for and winning Stanley Cups. Every move you make needs to align to that goal. I was a huge Richards supporter, but you simply can't take that risk when you have an ace in the hole. Preaching culture should be defined by winning and winning only happens when you put the team and organization above individuals. "Does keeping Mike Richards help the Kings win 3-5 years from now?" No. The most important decisions are usually the toughest and Dean didn't make the tough decisions. As a result the Kings are currently a fringe playoff team with a weak pipeline and complacent roster.

This Blake/Robitaille move doesn't seem like a thought out move at all. Blake is simply a promotion up a peg and Robitaille is purely a marketing move. What does Robitaille actually do that makes the on ice product more successful? Marketing and jerseys only go so far. As for Blake I wish him the best, and I have to imagine we see more youth injected because he knows Ontario better than anyone outside of Stothers. I think he's a lot smarter than most want to admit.

Better to trade a player a year early than a year late and that can't happen when you're loyal to everyone.

Let's hope Blake learns on the job very quickly. I doubt he is Houdini though and it would be tough for any GM to get out of the contracts Dean has handed out in recent years.

It was time for a change, but I don't think this is the change we were looking for the Kings to make. Should have either hired Futa or went outside the organization.

 

[CowMix]

I think DLs refusal to fire Sutter is what ultimately cost him his job.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Hopefully they hire Stothers or someone fresh instead of a retread. I'd keep Gaborik and Brown (not that they have much of a choice)and make minor moves. Trade Clifford and Nolan. Kempe, Brodz, Gravel, and any other kids should get a good look at making the roster full time next season. Keep the D intact unless someone blows you away with an offer for Muzzin or Martinez.

 

[KopitarFAN]

If Dean was President and GM, who was the VP?

I know Blake is now the VP and GM, with Luc being the President.

 

[KINGS17]

Serge Savard.

Some close calls Doug Wilson, Bobby Clarke

So, not so much.

 

[KINGS17]

Well Kopi and Drew it's your team now.

Hope practices are more fun. No more excuses.

 

[MsMeow]

What exactly did Blake do that has caused all the hatred? It was before my time.

 

[Little Psycho]

@GMillerTSN
...last night several Kings players went to his house to console him after his firing. Not ruthless enough? I'd rather live like Lombardi.

I'm surprised that they didn't keep have in the organization.

 

[Scottkmlps]

@GMillerTSN
...last night several Kings players went to his house to console him after his firing. Not ruthless enough? I'd rather live like Lombardi.

I'm surprised that they didn't keep have in the organization.

Wow, took it pretty hard it looks like.

 

[Seatoo]

Sorry if this has been said elsewhere, but was Sutter's entire coaching staff let go too?

 

[Scottkmlps]

Sorry if this has been said elsewhere, but was Sutter's entire coaching staff let go too?

Nobody has said yet. I would expect we'll find out at the 1 pm press conference today.

 

[King'sPawn]

Please don't let Ranford go.

 

[CowMix]

Nobody has said yet. I would expect we'll find out at the 1 pm press conference today.

No way they fire Ranford

 

[Seatoo]

Nobody has said yet. I would expect we'll find out at the 1 pm press conference today.

Thanks

 

[KingsFan7824]

What exactly did Blake do that has caused all the hatred? It was before my time.

Voluntarily took the C off his jersey before the 00-01 season because he felt he shouldn't be captain while a bitter contract situation was brewing. Ends up getting traded at the deadline, and ends up coming back in an Avs jersey in the 2nd round. Then signed as a free agent a few years later, as the 2nd choice after Chara went to Boston. Then, to one degree or another, stopped a trade to SJ(or just anywhere) at the 08 deadline, then left as a free agent a few months later.

 

[Butch 19]

What exactly did Blake do that has caused all the hatred? It was before my time.

oh no you di-uunt!!

 

[KINGS17]

Feels like blaming the style of play is such a cop out. For many years the Kings had crappy goaltending, crappy defense and sometimes we had scoring. Dean comes along and all of a sudden we have elite goaltending, Norris trophy winner etc. He completely changes the franchise from top to bottom. From equipment managers, changing weight rooms, hiring nutritionists, investing in development. There was so much that Dean changed and built the foundation for success that led us to two cups and fantastic playoff runs. Could have been a dynasty with 3 cups, and that's part of the reason why Dean Lombardi went after Lucic, Sekera etc. He felt this team had the ability to win more than just those two.

There's a lot of Hockey knowledge and experience that AEG just canned. Was it the right move? Not with Dean. With Sutter? Maybe. I don't like how it was handled and I don't like how Luc and Blake get promoted. They don't exactly do years of scouting, roster shaping, capology, you know grunt work. I'm not sure they earned the right to make roster decisions. Their known for their playing days and Luc is a good promoter, and make no mistake, Luc made a power play. Took advantage of the situation and went after Deans job. He's been wanting it for years.

At the end of the day, it's on the players. They played like crap for Terry Murray, had their little tantrum and then they get Sutter who they raved about. Now the same **** is happening except the decision makers do not have any experience running an NHL club.


Feels like we're heading right back to the pre-dean Lieweekly years with Dave Taylor as a figurehead.

I tend to agree. Dean Lombardi knew all these details mattered. I have my doubts about Robitaille and Blake being able to follow through with this concept.

 

[kings11]

Now I'm really curious to know more about not only Slava's potential return but also about..
Prokhorkin
Dergachyov
Kubalik
who will all likely get some serious consideration now that Dean is no longer leading the way..
Prokhorkins looks like a top 6 winger right now with top 6 skills
Dergachyov could probably take a bottom 6 role although the AHL would probably be best
Kubalik dominated the European version of the AHL so hopefully he gets a good look and if signed it translate over...

Brown-Kopiatr-Toffoli
Pearson-Carter-Brodzinski
Kubalik-Prokhorkin-Gaborik
Lewis-Dergachyov-Nolan
Mersch-Dowd-Clifford

Forbort-Doughty
Muzzin-LaDue
Gravel-Martinez
McNabb-Voynov
Greene

Quick
Campbell
Zatkoff

It sure as hell could be a lot worse....there are lots of intriguing kids who might finally kid the chance to finally come over and show out..

 

[KingsCourt]

@GMillerTSN
...last night several Kings players went to his house to console him after his firing. Not ruthless enough? I'd rather live like Lombardi.

I'm surprised that they didn't keep have in the organization.

Say what you will...Dean's loyalty was second to none.

 

[Scottkmlps]

Now I'm really curious to know more about not only Slava's potential return but also about..
Prokhorkin
Dergachyov
Kubalik
who will all likely get some serious consideration now that Dean is no longer leading the way..
Prokhorkins looks like a top 6 winger right now with top 6 skills
Dergachyov could probably take a bottom 6 role although the AHL would probably be best
Kubalik dominated the European version of the AHL so hopefully he gets a good look and if signed it translate over...

Brown-Kopiatr-Toffoli
Pearson-Carter-Brodzinski
Kubalik-Prokhorkin-Gaborik
Lewis-Dergachyov-Nolan
Mersch-Dowd-Clifford

Forbort-Doughty
Muzzin-LaDue
Gravel-Martinez
McNabb-Voynov
Greene

Quick
Campbell
Zatkoff

It sure as hell could be a lot worse....there are lots of intriguing kids who might finally kid the chance to finally come over and show out..

Get Voynov coming back out of your head. There are so many hurtles to get him back and it wouldn't be worth the time nor the effort.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Can we please put the Voynov coming back thing to rest! Dude beat up his lady friend! The clown is a walking poop emogi. He will not play in the NHL ever again. He's a PR nightmare.

 

[kingskring]

Say what you will...Dean's loyalty was second to none.

Which ended up being his downfall

 

[Scottkmlps]

No way they fire Ranford

Oh, I think he would be safe.

 

[eleventy]

Can we please put the Voynov coming back thing to rest! Dude beat up his lady friend! The clown is a walking poop emogi. He will not play in the NHL ever again. He's a PR nightmare.

Would fit right in with how everything feels right now.