Dean Lombardi Book

[Axl Rhoadz]

Missing the playoffs repeatedly with a high payroll and making a string of questionable deals probably contributed to it. In the offseason leading up to their final seasons, they kept talking about needing to adapt, and it never happened.

Yah, I get that, but I don't think he was fired because of it. This guy had been the GM for 10+ years and had brought the organization 2 cups. Teams take dips, management learns from it...why you wouldn't have faith in the guy to work it out is beyond me. I'm telling you, it's cause he wouldn't fire the coach...and Sutter HAD to go.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

I still want to know why the Kings fired him....I'm convinced it's because Lombardi refused to let Sutter go.

DL was sacked because he couldn’t fend off those that wanted him gone that were pursuing their own ambitions. If it were about results, this current regime wouldn’t be around as long as it has been.

 

[LAKings88]

I met him at the practice rink one day. It was the camp after they drafted Schenn. Shook his hand and said thanks for building the right way. He nearly crushed my hand.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

DL was sacked because he couldn’t fend off those that wanted him gone that were pursuing their own ambitions. If it were about results, this current regime wouldn’t be around as long as it has been.

How many years did it take for us to see results the last time the Kings went through a rebuild? You think Hextall would be back working with these guys who supposedly backstabbed Lombardi, who hired Rob Blake (who was working in the league office, just like Shanahan) to replace Hextall?

I recall similar critics calling out Sakic and Colorado’s nepotism, but suddenly those critics have gone silent.

 

[LAKings88]

Only two decisions I really didn’t like from DL are the Richards non buyout and Lucic trade. I get his wanting to support Richards. Lucic was just a bad decision. Past is the past tho.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

How many years did it take for us to see results the last time the Kings went through a rebuild? .

Current regime didn’t sell us on a rebuild after canning DL. So that argument doesn’t fly.

You think Hextall would be back working with these guys who supposedly backstabbed Lombardi, who hired Rob Blake (who was working in the league office, just like Shanahan) to replace Hextall?

I don’t know what else was available for Hextall but certainly there were agendas and people wanting to use the power vacuum to their advantage.

 

[Anguyen92]

I wasn't too fond of DL trading Budaj for Bishop. I get the rationale on why (trying to go for the 1a/1b kind of goaltending approach to not wear down Quick after he recovered from injury), but why did he trade the one guy that was trying to keep this team hoping for a playoff spot? Getting Iginla wasn't bad, thinking maybe a different scenery can get him to have one last go hoping to get a deep playoff run. The Lucic trade was one of those, I get the rationale again, but ehhhhh......

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Yah, I get that, but I don't think he was fired because of it. This guy had been the GM for 10+ years and had brought the organization 2 cups. Teams take dips, management learns from it...why you wouldn't have faith in the guy to work it out is beyond me. I'm telling you, it's cause he wouldn't fire the coach...and Sutter HAD to go.

We saw a similar situation play out with other former Cup champs. Tallon built the championship Blackhawks but he was ousted, Quenneville was let go and he coached them to three Cups. Pens let go of Bylsma and Shero five years after they won a Cup, and Pens fans wanted them long gone before that. Kings let go of Lombardi/Sutter three years after their last Cup.

Neither has been hired to coach or run a team. I’m guessing it’s partly due to their own decision of not wanting to face the grind again, and that the game has passed them by. The sport evolves, and you’ve got to adapt to survive. That said, they offer a ton of invaluable experience, but we have yet to see the teams that have hired them enjoy any success as a result.

 

[All The Kings Men]

I still want to know why the Kings fired him....I'm convinced it's because Lombardi refused to let Sutter go.

It's never just one thing.

 

[Stimpythecat]

Maybe we'll get the full scoop on the Mike Richards and Voynov fiascos and just how deeply their actions divided the locker room.

Regarding on dividing the locker rooms, I have an idea on richards but it's too speculative to post. No inside info though.

 

[Ghetty Green]

First day cop

Remember him showing Hammond his boxes with Purcell as the top line RWer ?

 

[Lt Dan]

How many years did it take for us to see results the last time the Kings went through a rebuild?.

2006-2007 until we made the playoffs in 2009-10

This current rebuild really started last season(19-20) and I think the Kings could realistically make the playoffs next season 2021-22. We will need some youth to grow and show and learn about the Facts of Life and likely a trade or FA signing, but it is do-able.

 

[BigKing]

2006-2007 until we made the playoffs in 2009-10

This current rebuild really started last season(19-20) and I think the Kings could realistically make the playoffs next season 2021-22. We will need some youth to grow and show and learn about the Facts of Life and likely a trade or FA signing, but it is do-able.

The rebuild officially started around two years ago today when Muzzin was traded so the 2019 season is the start of it: this is Year 3. Blake fortunately stuck to his plan of not trading draft picks/prospects--outside of a pick for Mitchell--prior to the 19 season so he had two full drafts under his belt prior to the true rebuild starting. This is important since 2017 has Vilardi and Anderson paying dividends right now, JAD knocking on the door and the possibility of Kupari and Thomas being ready at some point next season. Hell, DL looks to at least salvaged a little something out of his final drafts with Matt Roy and hopefully Clague so praise Jesus that those drafts aren't complete airballs.

Playoffs or bust next season. This is the 2008-09 season for Blake's rebuild. Year 3 just like DL. Need to see younger guys start to take over, play with confidence and believe they can win. Will be a little different since DL's roster didn't have any team legends on it that have won Cups so the "taking over" thing might be more of an on-ice result v. a leadership role but point remains the same.

Take a look at that roster in 2008-09: it is pretty ugly. Is that Kopitar better than the current version? More exciting for sure but "better"? Frolov is a better winger than what the Kings are currently rolling out but holy shit Ivanans skated in 76 games. Ersberg. LaBarbera. Calder. Harrold. Gauthier. Armstrong.

DL inherited a much stronger prospect core with 23/11/32 while Blake inherited Roy, Clague and Wagner. The difference between the two is that Blake inherited a stronger active roster of vets so I think the same timeline applies: playoffs in Year 4. There are lots of holes in this lineup--just like the '09 team--but young guys need to continue to solidify themselves like the young guys in '09 and Blake is going to have to start the riskier part of the rebuild: adding a semi-significant player via trade or FA signing. Now, this might not happen yet since DL didn't have any real "impact" veterans to go along with the youth so he got Williams and Smyth. Blake already has these vets so he might sit on his hands again and wait longer on these prospects: he can afford to unless we see 11/8 etc...fall off a cliff as this season goes on. DL had the young studs and needed to add to them whereas Blake needs more young studs to augment the vets.

The idea that some have with the playoffs two additional seasons from now is insane. They need to start competing earlier in Kopitar and Doughty's contracts. TM wasn't signed to a five year deal so he could hopefully make the playoffs in the last season of it. The "Five Year Plan" is not to just make the playoffs in five years but to rather be a legit contender for the Cup.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Blake fortunately stuck to his plan of not trading draft picks/prospects

Fortunately the trade for Pacioretty fell through, even though Luc and his friend weren’t negotiating in good faith.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Fortunately the trade for Pacioretty fell through, even though Luc and his friend weren’t negotiating in good faith.

I believe that deal would've involved the draft pick that turned into Kupari, and supposedly Muzzin. Not necessarily throwing away the rebuild, or as disastrous as the Lucic trade, when the return would've netted a 30+ goal, 60+ point winger.

I think that offer would be scoffed at now. Pacioretty had a couple years of pedestrian numbers, but he's been pretty stellar in the post season and has been producing like his old self the last two seasons.

 

[BigKing]

I believe that deal would've involved the draft pick that turned into Kupari, and supposedly Muzzin. Not necessarily throwing away the rebuild, or as disastrous as the Lucic trade when the return would've netted a 30+ goal, 60+ point winger.

I think that offer would be scoffed at now. Pacioretty had a couple years of pedestrian numbers, but he's been pretty stellar in the post season and has been producing like his old self.

It would have led to more mediocrity and kept the rebuild from happening so the results would have been more disastrous than the assets lost. Butterfly effect and all but it also puts in to question the Bjornfot pick, Grundstrom etc.

It's actually fortunate that Kovalchuk was such a total bust instead of captaining the ship to the black hole.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It would have led to more mediocrity and kept the rebuild from happening so the results would have been more disastrous than the assets lost. Butterfly effect and all but it also puts in to question the Bjornfot pick, Grundstrom etc.

It's actually fortunate that Kovalchuk was such a total bust instead of captaining the ship to the black hole.

Agreed. At that time they felt like they were a piece away after the playoff loss to Vegas. The Kings got terrific results during the regular season from many of their vets (and Kempe), but they returned to form soon after, which is when management finally relented to a rebuild.

I definitely wouldn’t say they were “all in” with pursuing another Cup, but were making some cautious moves without sacrificing the future, up until they came to the realization that the team needed a major upheaval.

 

[BigKing]

Agreed. At that time they felt like they were a piece away after the playoff loss to Vegas. The Kings got terrific results during the regular season from many of their vets (and Kempe), but they returned to form soon after, which is when management finally relented to a rebuild.

I definitely wouldn’t say they were “all in” with pursuing another Cup, but were making some cautious moves without sacrificing the future, up until they came to the realization that the team needed a major upheaval.

Depends on what "all-in" means. If you publicly say you are keeping picks and rebuilding the pipeline but then decide to trade a 1st round pick shortly thereafter, then I question the commitment to the future. If Kovy worked out or they got Patches. I think we are looking at DT-era drafts where they are picking in the early teens-to-low-20s. Doesn't mean you don't get good players but you also aren't acquiring additional picks and prospects during this time either.

Give me the route we've been on every time.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Depends on what "all-in" means. If you publicly say you are keeping picks and rebuilding the pipeline but then decide to trade a 1st round pick shortly thereafter, then I question the commitment to the future. If Kovy worked out or they got Patches. I think we are looking at DT-era drafts where they are picking in the early teens-to-low-20s. Doesn't mean you don't get good players but you also aren't acquiring additional picks and prospects during this time either.

Give me the route we've been on every time.

Prior to making the post season, we saw Blake make some Dean Lombardi like moves in acquiring veterans known as being hard working, good character players like Torrey Mitchell and Nate Thompson, and attempted to upgrade his blueline by adding a proven defenseman in Phaneuf in a 4-5 role (remember, Doughty and Forbort were the top pairing, followed by Muzzin and Martinez).

No firsts or second rounders (or prospects, which they had barely any to offer at the time) were exchanged for a desperation move. The Pacioretty attempt was to get a legit top line player signed to a long-term deal at a reasonable cost.

Can't fault them for trying, just as Lombardi attempted to get Roberto Luongo as one of his first moves as GM, but wound up with Dan Cloutier instead. He also tried to and was unsuccessful in signing the likes of Drury, Gomez, Briere, Brad Richards, etc. A lot of bullets dodged there.

 

[Kingspiracy]

I still want to know why the Kings fired him....I'm convinced it's because Lombardi refused to let Sutter go.

I hope he does go into those sorts of details, but would the kings have got him to sign some sort of confidentiality clause in his contract? The book might not be the tell all that we are hoping for.

 

[BigKing]

Prior to making the post season, we saw Blake make some Dean Lombardi like moves in acquiring veterans known as being hard working, good character players like Torrey Mitchell and Nate Thompson, and attempted to upgrade his blueline by adding a proven defenseman in Phaneuf in a 4-5 role (remember, Doughty and Forbort were the top pairing, followed by Muzzin and Martinez).

No firsts or second rounders (or prospects, which they had barely any to offer at the time) were exchanged for a desperation move. The Pacioretty attempt was to get a legit top line player signed to a long-term deal at a reasonable cost.

Can't fault them for trying, just as Lombardi attempted to get Roberto Luongo as one of his first moves as GM, but wound up with Dan Cloutier instead. He also tried to and was unsuccessful in signing the likes of Drury, Gomez, Briere, Brad Richards, etc. A lot of bullets dodged there.

Sure. DL was fortunate to miss out on a lot of his swings just like Blake is most-likely-fortunate that he wound up with Kovy instead of Patches and it all blew up real quick.

If he makes the rumored Patches trade, I'd call that pretty close to a desperation move based on the team's results the prior four seasons. Patches wound up on a better roster and we've seen a 1st round loss and a conference final. I mean, they've been good but he joined a team that just went to the SCF v. a Kings team with one playoff game win in four seasons. He hasn't been the piece to put them over the top and he definitely wouldn't be that guy here. He most likely helps them to a worse draft position and, quite possibly, the potential for Blake to be a buyer at trade deadlines v. the seller he has been since the 2019 season.

I know that the Lucic trade was a desperation move and it seems like some on here use this as the definition of "desperation" but just because the rumored Patches trade would provide a longer return while not costing as much (although Muzzin is absolutely nothing to sneeze at as far as giving up an asset) doesn't mean it wouldn't have been a desperation move. Hell, the Kovy signing was a desperation signing...over 35 year old that hadn't played NHL hockey in years. They were desperate to milk the Cup core for as long as possible so any move to add to a rotten core could be considered desperate.

I mean, how good would they have been with Patches but no Muzzin? Just short-sighted stuff based on 2018 season mirages. "We were like the #1 defensive team but just need scoring so we can move a Top 4 guy for a 20 goal winger".

I'm not even trashing Blake here but I can fault him for trying based on the makeup of the roster and the pipeline he inherited. If DL wants to take a swing at some big name FA's because he has inherited a much better prospect pool and then immediately thinks he has his future goalie in Bernier while also scooping up O'Sullivan and Johnson then I can't fault him for trying. Thank goodness it didn't happen or else Doughty probably doesn't happen.

Pretty sure Blake would say that they misdiagnosed what they thought they had after the '18 season. Credit him for going into full rebuild mode pretty quickly and sticking to it thus far. Lombardi has a lot of "best moves you make are the ones you don't" and the whole Patches thing is Blake's top non-move. It would have set this franchise back several years and we would not be sitting on this exciting prospect pool.

 

[Maynard]

Regarding on dividing the locker rooms, I have an idea on richards but it's too speculative to post. No inside info though.

Thanks for letting us know.

 

[King'sPawn]

As the book is talking about trying to build a championship team, I'm not sure he will discuss why he was fired. It doesn't seem to be an autobiography.

 

[BigKing]

As the book is talking about trying to build a championship team, I'm not sure he will discuss why he was fired. It doesn't seem to be an autobiography.

Seems like he would want to discuss how hard it is to stay on top, however. I'd hope so. We'd all love him to divulge where the bodies are buried but I'd at least like some discussion of the final years as well.

 

[Stimpythecat]

I hope he does go into those sorts of details, but would the kings have got him to sign some sort of confidentiality clause in his contract? The book might not be the tell all that we are hoping for.

I agree. I don't think he's allowed to divulge that sort of thing.