Dean Lombardi Appreciation Thread

[Little Psycho]

I'm gonna miss his references to other sports and athletes

 

[Choralone]

Thanks Dean. You were the best GM in Kings history. I'm sorry you didn't have one more year to right the ship that had been floundering, but sentiment and management don't often mix well. I know you'll learn from your mistakes and wish you success in your next NHL job, which I am sure will be offered very soon.

Thank you for all the work you did from the ground up in bringing a winning culture to the Los Angeles Kings. I hope it outlasts you.

 

[KINGS17]

 

[Jason Squirties]

I'll just echo the sentiments here, what a great gift for the city of LA and its fans to witness and be a part of. I hope one day I'll get to personally thank you, best of luck going forward.

 

[GKJ]

I'm thankful for what was accomplished under his tenure, and I'm thankful that AEG had the foresight to move on now before the situation got completely out of control.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Love Dean and I wish he would have been given another year, two tops to fix his mistakes. Because when the full rebuild happens, and it's only a matter of time, I want Lombardi steering the ship again.

 

[Rorschach]

I buy Kings jerseys now since I can wear them in public, in LA and in Canada. Thanks Dean. Two Cups is eternal.

 

[SlimCharles]

Thank you Dean Lombardi and Darryl Sutter. Those two will be forever known as the two men who helped guide the Kings to their first two Stanley Cups. For that, we are always grateful. They are Kings legends.

 

[Butch 19]

I'm a big DL fan. He gave me 2 Cups when I couldn't believe we'd ever get 1.

Thanks DL, thank you very much!!

this!!!! ^^^^

... and from the summer of 2014 to now seems to have gone by sooo fast.

Back then, we had 2 Cups in the bank and we all had dreams that DL had "mostly built" this juggernaut team that would match (and hopefully surpass) the wings 25 playoff appearances in a row.... I mean it was all right there, ready to take off again.

Like others have said, the Voynov and Richards situations really affected this team much more that we could imagine.

And like that (snaps finger), it's over. At least the high expectations are severely cut back to our new reality.

Here's hoping that Blake can work some magic and get us back to where we need to be.

Go. Kings. Go!!

edit: Dean did NOT make Kopitar suck this season. If Kopi had had an average season, we'd be in the playoffs with those same #6 or #8 seed dreams right frickin' now. Instead I'm reduced to cheering for NYR, lumbus, and Nashville. Kopi, you owe us, big time!!

 

[Reaper45]

What saddens me is that the architect of the immense culture change in Los Angeles that culminated with two cup wins has an appreciation thread of only 35 posts. Thank you Dean, I'm fortunate to have seen the first in person and that my father, a lifelong fan of the Kings, was able to see both in person. I liked Taylor, but guys were still using typewriters during his time as GM. No one lived in L.A., it was during the season only, then back to podunk Canada or Minnesota. Lombardi got guys to buy into the Kings and built a two time Stanley Cup champion that had guys with the Kings tattoo. Thank you Dean, for bringing in Crawford and Murray and, finally Sutter, thank you for all of your successes and your failures, I gladly accept them all because in the end, 2 Stanley Cups. If I ever run across you in person, the beers are on me.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Sad. I would have been fine with him moving to President, Blake as GM and Futa as Assistant GM. No offense to everyone else but Dean had a law degree so he is the smartest of the bunch.

Sutter had to go, no doubt.

Minus the Cloutier trade and extension, some of the UFA gamble trades, and the UFA signings this past summer has made some very good deals and negotiated some shrewd contracts.

 

[HeadInjury]

While his decisions over the last 3 years have been suspect, those 2 Cup victories should have bought him more time. He will land on his feet and we all owe him a debt of gratitude.

 

[Telos]

The man will certainly go down as one of the most important figures in Kings history. Dean Lombardi was imperative to their success. I am not thrilled that he is no longer a part of the organization, but I hope he finds a new home soon. There is no way the hockey world will let Dean be a free agent for long.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Couldn't find a clip of DL's commentary on the 2014 win they had at the end of the documentary. But I think it's one of the best.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

First i want to thank dean for all he did to make this team successful so thank you. Next i tweeted the mayor and asked

@mayorNHL Any chance you would do a shoot interview with Dean pro wrestling style? I bet its a 6 hour 2 dvd release

the mayor responded with
Would gladly do it. 100 questions already loaded in the chamber.

DL - call me.

I would so love to see that lol insights on trade all the stuff we want to know but don't answered All kinda good stuff I guess we will probably have to wait till dean does a book to find out thou

 

[kilowatt]

Dean deserved better than this. He was unquestionably the reason the Kings won two cups and the reason for the complete culture overhaul. I still believe in you Dean, and I'll be rooting for whomever hires you next (unless it is the Ducks).

I think it was a bad idea to fire him. He made some desperate moves in the past few years that didn't pan out, but I wonder what sort of pressure he had on him from others in the organization.

Also, at some point, the onus really needs to be on the players to, well, play. Carter and Pearson were the only two forwards trying night in and night out. That's a tough rub for Lombardi and Sutter.

Thanks Dean - you will be remembered and regarded extremely highly around these parts, and you will most certainly be missed!

 

[MsMeow]

I know we have a thread with all the reasons Dean was let go. I want to thank Dean for all he did for the Kings and their fans.

I was a season ticket holder Dean's first year with the franchise. When we went to the select a seat event one evening Dean was there and gave a talk to a group of 50 fans or so with a Q&A at the end.

I was there with one of my daughters and had some more questions. Dean noticed us kind of milling around after the talk was over and waved to us to come over saying, "You have some more questions?"

The talk was held on a concourse at Staples Center. With redcoats waiting and obviously wanting to go home Dean spent the next 45 minutes discussing his plan. How he would categorize players as tattoo guys (Brown being the most obvious example), transition players that the young guys could lean on (Handzus probably the best example), and mercenaries (vets he would sign at the beginning of a season and trade at the deadline for picks and prospects - a guy like Stewart being a prime example).

I left very impressed and thinking, finally someone with a plan. Not only someone with a plan, but someone willing to share his plan with the paying customers.

Over the course of the next couple of years I was fortunate enough to run into Dean at various team events and would ask him how he felt the plan was progressing. One of these times at the practice facility he invited me to his office and showed me his famous 5 year plan board. Again, I left impressed as he had laid out every position and what he felt he needed and how he expected to get it.

Thanks Dean for bringing the fans two Stanley Cups and for sharing your plan. It was a great ride.

This is such a GREAT story!!

 

[TonySCV]

He'll be remembered (most likely) as the greatest Kings GM of all time.

Says it all really.

 

[Rorschach]

In my dream scenario, Gare Joyce reconnects with Dean and writes a book with Dean on how he built the Kings. I still want to know who Dean chose Hickey over.

 

[KINGS17]

 

[lumbergh]

I'm looking forward to Dean Lombardi taking another team to success. Just as long as it's in the Eastern Conference.

 

[The Butcher]

I know many of you have called for Deano's head over the last few seasons but I can't help but worry that we are headed back to the dark days with Luc and the only man to ever tear the c off their kings jersey.

Not very happy about this move but we'll see.

 

[Team Cozens]

I'm looking forward to Dean Lombardi taking another team to success. Just as long as it's in the Eastern Conference.

The Eastern Conference Buffalo Sabres are looking for a GM.

Most Sabres fans want Lombardi. What are his best strengths?
Clearly he signed a few terrible contracts being loyal to his Cup players.

 

[Choralone]

The Eastern Conference Buffalo Sabres are looking for a GM.

Most Sabres fans want Lombardi. What are his best strengths?
Clearly he signed a few terrible contracts being loyal to his Cup players.

Strengths? He showed he is able to completely rebuild a failing organization from the ground up by focusing on the niggling details (no more typewriters in the front office, for instance) and the overall culture (loyalty, heart, etc.).

He had a plan, and executed that plan step-by-step. He only ran into trouble when his plan succeeded and he had to come up with a new one (maintain success rather than achieve it).

Everyone is way too focused on how things ended around here. I bet he's already learned from most of his mistakes and the next team he gm's will be the beneficiary.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If your biggest fault is loyalty, life's not so bad.