Confirmed with Link: Changes Incoming

[KINGS17]

Hoping all this gets fixed in the next CBA. There is absolutely no reason fans should buy tickets to watch an inferior team because a player is on a long term deal, for big money, if he isn't playing up to the level of the contract.

GMs should be able to cut players. No guaranteed contracts.

 

[KINGS17]

Look how injured that 06-07 Flyers team was. Look at how many coaches the Flyers go through. The last guy that lasted 4 full seasons was Keenan.

If Stevens gets the job, and it doesn't work out, then they'll find another guy that the players are ok with.

Yes, the inmates are running the asylum now.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Hoping all this gets fixed in the next CBA. There is absolutely no reason fans should buy tickets to watch an inferior team because a player is on a long term deal, for big money, if he isn't playing up to the level of the contract.

GMs should be able to cut players. No guaranteed contracts.

It's tough when the pressure valve is small. No cap in baseball, so you pay what you can. If the big markets get all the players, that's how it goes. There's a cap and no guaranteed contracts in the NFL, and QB is really the only position. The NBA and NHL don't have that. At least NHL players aren't resting every other game, but you never know what might happen.

 

[Martyros]

Hoping all this gets fixed in the next CBA. There is absolutely no reason fans should buy tickets to watch an inferior team because a player is on a long term deal, for big money, if he isn't playing up to the level of the contract.

GMs should be able to cut players. No guaranteed contracts.

You think players will agree with that?

 

[theMajor]

You think players will agree with that?

not in a million years. the onus is on the GMs to control themselves. the players union will never agree to non-guaranteed contracts

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Doubtful anyone needs to worry about a hard grinding system anymore.

It'll be a sight to see when we go up against one.

 

[regulate]

I think it's a shoe in that Stevens is named head coach, as early as tomorrow.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I'm hoping Ranford stays on board as well. I'm thinking a former player and another former coach with experience will be looked upon as assistants. That seems to be the trend, as Chicago has Kevin Dineen and Mike Kitchen as assistants, the Penguins have Rick Tocchet and Jacques Martin, the Sharks have Bob Boughner and Steve Spott, etc.

Going to guess the Kings will have a similar makeup behind their bench.

 

[BigKing]

Guys...if it was a full house cleaning, then Blake wouldn't be the GM.

I feel like some are forgetting that Stevens has been an assistant with the Kings since 2010 so he isn't "Sutter's Guy". The only thing that this team had going for it last season was its defense and he runs that show. There is a valid argument that the defense was so good because they never did anything risky on offense, but I'd have no problem maintaining a Top 10 defense if they can get in to the Top 15 in offense next season.

This team isn't the Avs. Just because there are changes, it doesn't mean you throw the baby out with the bathwater. I'm extremely weary of the Luc/Blake combo, but the one thing that Lombardi didn't mess up in the last three years is the infrastructure and franchise philosophy. Making Stevens the head coach doesn't mean it will still be "Sutter Hockey".

The offense will rebound simply because Sutter isn't there and guys will be happy to come to the rink. Then you loosen up the offensive game plan while still maintaining a strong defense. The coach is important, of course, but this roster isn't built to be like the Caps and they aren't going to be able to change that in one off-season.

How can this be forgotten when thinking Stevens is just Sutter 2.0?

https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2011/12/19/la_kings_lick_their_wounds_and_some_ice_cream.html

 

[Legionnaire]

Sounds like John Stevens might be our head coach. Umm

I like Stevens. I'd be okay with that considering that there aren't that many great options out there IMO.

 

[KINGS17]

You think players will agree with that?

The players didn't agree to their salaries being limited to 50% of hockey related revenue when it was first proposed. That's why there are lockouts.

When it comes to CBA negotiations, time is always on the side of the owners.

 

[Kingjin]

Long time lurker here and came to post this question.

Do you think the Kings are taking their time with announcing new Head Coach that it might be Mike Stothers and they are waiting for the Reign to be done with the playoffs? I feel Stevens is still to similar to Sutter.

 

[KingsHockey24]

I'd be perfectly fine if Stevens was named the head coach. More interested in seeing who the assistants will be.

 

[kovacro]

Kings' focus on Stevens as head coach

he Los Angeles Kings currently have their eyes on just one head coaching candidate, assistant coach John Stevens.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, general manager Rob Blake is planning to meet with Stevens and see if he's a fit to take over.

http://www.tsn.ca/kings-focus-on-stevens-as-head-coach-1.723553

 

[AlphaBravo]

Guys...if it was a full house cleaning, then Blake wouldn't be the GM.

I feel like some are forgetting that Stevens has been an assistant with the Kings since 2010 so he isn't "Sutter's Guy". The only thing that this team had going for it last season was its defense and he runs that show. There is a valid argument that the defense was so good because they never did anything risky on offense, but I'd have no problem maintaining a Top 10 defense if they can get in to the Top 15 in offense next season.

This team isn't the Avs. Just because there are changes, it doesn't mean you throw the baby out with the bathwater. I'm extremely weary of the Luc/Blake combo, but the one thing that Lombardi didn't mess up in the last three years is the infrastructure and franchise philosophy. Making Stevens the head coach doesn't mean it will still be "Sutter Hockey".

The offense will rebound simply because Sutter isn't there and guys will be happy to come to the rink. Then you loosen up the offensive game plan while still maintaining a strong defense. The coach is important, of course, but this roster isn't built to be like the Caps and they aren't going to be able to change that in one off-season.

How can this be forgotten when thinking Stevens is just Sutter 2.0?

https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2011/12/19/la_kings_lick_their_wounds_and_some_ice_cream.html

I was going to literally post this exact same comment, including the not throwing the baby with the bathwater comment. lol

 

[deeshamrock]

I hope so.

@REALepsnLeBrun
Kings' coaching search for now includes just 1 man: associate coach John Stevens. Rob Blake wants to discuss things with him, see if a fit..

The key words in that text are 'for now', doesn't mean they aren't interested in or going to interview other candidates, they'd be shortsighted not to. Given his role and the responsibilities he had and his history with the players, it would make sense to talk to him

I like Stevens, he was my favorite Flyers coach and his inexperience and age were the reasons he was let go. He was a good coach, and turned around the team from cellar to ECF in 1 yr. He was criticized by the Phlly media (there's a shock) for being too close to the players, soft in way. They had a lot of young guys under 22 and Snider wanted a 'harsher parent' so Stevens went out the door and Lavvy (who I never liked) was hired. I am not a fan of the hot headed types how throw tantrums (and in his case, punch out soda machines)
From what I 've read today, he's a serious candidate on their short list.


From Elliotte Friedman on the King's coach hunt

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-canucks-coach-criteria-good-news-green/

' For a few years now, we’ve assumed John Stevens would succeed Darryl Sutter, but it appears there are no guarantees, although Stevens will get a chance to interview for the job. All the comments about offence remind me of Larry Bird’s decision to fire Frank Vogel at Indiana last season, saying, “We’ve got to score more points” as Vogel said he’d do anything to keep the job.

The word in league coaching circles is that Los Angeles will be searching for bright, offensive minds. And even if that type of person is not chosen as head coach, there will be another opportunity in an “offensive co-ordinator” style position. Wonder if their AHL coach, Mike Stothers, gets a spot on the bench as some of his guys get an NHL shot. If so, I will miss his “text messages from the bus” with reporter Lindsay Czarnecki.

Wow, wouldn't that be a refreshing change

9. Finally, word last week was that if Lombardi stayed, the Kings would take a shot at keeping Ben Bishop. No idea where that stands now.

That's curious, he wants $$$ to be a starter, he's not a backup, he want those 60 games. So where would that leave JQ and where would the 7M Bishop for him x LTC coming from?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

If Stevens wasn't their head coaching candidate of choice, then I don't think they'd get in his way and prevent him from taking on other coaching gigs. We already know Vancouver was hot after him before they hired Willie Desjardins, although now it appears that their head coach of choice will be Travis Green.

I look at how the Islanders responded to their coaching change and went with their assistant, Doug Weight, and how they turned things around with him. Same with Boston and Bruce Cassidy. These are two very recent examples of assistants coming in and having an impact in team performance.

 

[King'sPawn]

If Stevens gets the job, will he take the team out for celebratory ice cream?

 

[goosh]

I'd be happy if it's Stevens. He strikes me as a cerebral, even-keeled guy, and his selection would allow the Kings to retain their defensive identity. I'm sure he'd hire at least one offense-oriented assistant, as well. He's gotten a lot of praise over the years from Darryl Sutter.

 

[Fishhead]

not in a million years. the onus is on the GMs to control themselves. the players union will never agree to non-guaranteed contracts

I think it depends. If the cap is loosened a little by allowing teams to cut players but still pay them with a smaller cap penalty, it might be feasible. It would take some creativity, however.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The visual of Lavy punching out a vending machine is killing me

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think it depends. If the cap is loosened a little by allowing teams to cut players but still pay them with a smaller cap penalty, it might be feasible. It would take some creativity, however.

I thought the NHL denying the Olympics was their first salvo in holding on to that as a bargaining chip.

 

[Little Psycho]

If Stevens gets the job, will he take the team out for celebratory ice cream?

He'll teach them all how to bake cakes.

 

[Cook24]

With Gallant going to Vegas, I either want Stothers, or Tippett(I believe I read he can opt out of his contract with Arizona this summer). I've been reading way too much hate directed at Tippett. He's had horrible rosters to work with in Arizona and kept that team competing for playoffs other than the last couple seasons.

 

[kings11]

With Gallant going to Vegas, I either want Stothers, or Tippett(I believe I read he can opt out of his contract with Arizona this summer). I've been reading way too much hate directed at Tippett. He's had horrible rosters to work with in Arizona and kept that team competing for playoffs other than the last couple seasons.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the last time our PP was awesome wasn't thanx to Coach Tippett??