Con: It’s pretty clear to me that Jim Nill was the brain behind those Wings teams given his success in Dallas, not Holland.
Pro: Holland is an established enough name that he may be able to completely stonewall Luc meddling, but Lombardi should have had that cache after 2 Cups so what do I know.
All I know is this news means I’m probably watching more games of teams that are well-run and fun to watch rather than Kings games next season.
The NHL is in a great spot right now with the on-ice product, I can't wait for the games to start everyday. I just wish more people in a lot of the country would get behind the sport.
A couple of years ago it was Makar putting on the cape, this year it's Rantanen, who will probably be opposing the Oilers two big-stars in the conference finals. The Oilers are playing an exciting brand of hockey with a nice mix of skill and physicality and Dallas is just loaded, that is going to be a fun series if both teams finish the job. At least there is going to be great hockey to watch while our beloved Kings continue to wander in the woods.
It makes me think about the days of Quick in 2012 and Doughty in 2014, and how much fun it was to watch. Hopefully one day soon the Kings will have players like this again and can be playing games well into May and June.
What about trading Greentree for an over the hill 3rd liner to play on the top line? After all, we need our very own Abdelkader now that Holland is here.
I know a lot of people here get really emotionally invested in prospects. My advice would be, for the next two years you should adopt my way of thinking. Just view these guys as assets and nothing more, because that is exactly how Ken Holland is going to view them.
Holland has zero connection to any of these Blake picks, and will not think twice about moving young players away if he thinks the return will help the team win in the next two years. My guess is this was a point of conflict between Blake and Robitaille, and Luc was the win-at-all-costs now. F the future guy.
I'd actually be very surprised if we don't make it through the summer without one or two of Clarke, Greentree, Spence, Turcotte, Laferriere or one of the young goalies moved on from, for more immediate reinforcements. And you know if it is indeed Kopi's last year and they are anywhere close to the playoffs, they are going to be all-in at the deadline.