Kings News: [Hammond] LA Kings Have Hired Darryl Sutter As New Head Coach

[Reaper45]

Those Dave Taylor trades in '06 weren't too terrible. Certainly not "mortgage the future, save my job" deals; Grebeshkov and Tambellini for Sopel and Parrish, then later, Lehoux for Jackman.

Of those six, only two are still in the league (Sopel and Jackman), both of whom were on the "To Kings" side of the ledger.

EDIT: Oops. Sopel is in the KHL. Still. Those deals weren't awful.

Hindsight is 20/20, but at the time those deals were awful.

 

[Johnny Utah]

A younger coach will be willing to put in more of the hard work, video work and board work....what does Sutter have to prove, he has coached 3 teams and GM'd one of those 3?

I just don't get it. Why doesn't Lombardi go after an unproven coach...an up and coming guy in the AHL? This is the new trend in the NHL. Hell, even before the Blues hired Hitchcock they tried with Payne....

 

[bobafettish*]

A younger coach will be willing to put in more of the hard work, video work and board work....what does Sutter have to prove, he has coached 3 teams and GM'd one of those 3?

I just don't get it. Why doesn't Lombardi go after an unproven coach...an up and coming guy in the AHL? This is the new trend in the NHL. Hell, even before the Blues hired Hitchcock they tried with Payne....

because this is DL's 3rd coach in 6 years. kind of hard to put your job on the line with a young unproven coach.

 

[King'sPawn]

A younger coach will be willing to put in more of the hard work, video work and board work....what does Sutter have to prove, he has coached 3 teams and GM'd one of those 3?

I just don't get it. Why doesn't Lombardi go after an unproven coach...an up and coming guy in the AHL? This is the new trend in the NHL. Hell, even before the Blues hired Hitchcock they tried with Payne....

And Payne was fired... and that "terrible retread" Hitchcock turned the team around.

 

[Johnny Utah]

The only thing I like about the Sutter hiring so far is that the players are trembling and outside of there comfort zone...Making millions and living in LA is about to be a bit rougher...

 

[Fropitar]

Either the players respond to Sutter and life is great, or they turtle under the pressure Sutter places upon them. It will be interesting to see who responds well and who doesn't. I think Jack Johnson and Clifford, under Sutter are going to enter beast mode. Gagne, and Drew will turtle.

 

[deeshamrock]

Gagne, and Drew will turtle.

Gagne won't turtle, he's tough and he's been through this before both when Ken Hitchcock came and later when the Flyers went from John Stevens to Peter Laviolette and he thrived. STevens and Lavvy are polar opposites in personality and tactics, Lavvy was a hardass and taskmaster, driving and pushing his [players hard. Gagne excelled and no higher pressure than the Boston series when the Flyers went down 0-3 in the 2010 playoffs. Gagne was outstanding, scoring two of the biggest goals in the playoffs, the OT game winner in game 4 that gave them life and the Game winner in game 7 (both off terrriic work/feeds by Richards)
Gagne will do fine under Sutter, Kopi might have an adjustment period, as he's been fairly coddled so far with TM and Crawford.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Either the players respond to Sutter and life is great, or they turtle under the pressure Sutter places upon them. It will be interesting to see who responds well and who doesn't. I think Jack Johnson and Clifford, under Sutter are going to enter beast mode. Gagne, and Drew will turtle.

Are King fans still waiting for Mr.Minus Jack Johnson to start lighting people up? That was college, he was playing against guys who are now playing in rec leagues. The NHL has humbled his game and he's been exposed-he's not physical and he will never be a great defender, he's Joe Corvo light.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Hindsight is 20/20, but at the time those deals were awful.

I hated that trade so much, it was wasted assets. I didn't think Grebeshkov or Tambellini would become great talents either, but I figured the Kings could have gotten more for those two instead of a soon to be UFA in Parrish and a depth defenseman in Sopel.

What ticked me off even further was seeing the Ducks acquire Pronger months later for a package that included Lupul, Smid, a 1st and a conditional pick (which became another 1st as a result of the Ducks winning the Cup).

The Richards trade was a step in the right direction, but this team is still littered with too many players who are easily intimidated. That's where a player like an Iginla/Doan type would help this team immensely.

It's the attitude of this team that is the major problem right now. I always go back to looking at a team like the Phoenix Coyotes who are well coached but also work well together as a team. Just look at their lineup in comparison to the Kings and explain how they have scored 15 more goals than the Kings. Same applies for a team like Nashville with 16 more goals than the Kings.

And to compare, here are the regular lineups for both clubs:

PHOENIX COYOTES
Boedker-Langkow-Doan
Whitney-Hanzal-Vrbata
Korpikoski-O'Reilly-Pyatt
Torres-Gordon-Chipchura

Yandle-Schlemko
Ekman-Larsson-Aucoin
Summers-Rozsival


NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Kostitsyn-Fisher-Hornqvist
Erat-Legwand-Smith
Spaling-Wilson-Tootoo
Halischuk-Smithson-McGrattan

Suter-Weber
Bouillon-Klein
Hillen-Josi

 

[etherialone]

Are King fans still waiting for Mr.Minus Jack Johnson to start lighting people up? That was college, he was playing against guys who are now playing in rec leagues. The NHL has humbled his game and he's been exposed-he's not physical and he will never be a great defender, he's Joe Corvo light.

He's what, 24?

I gotta think he hasn't hit his peak yet.

Players develop at different rates.

I think some of what your saying about his play has been true during his first few years in the league at times but at times he has been exceptional too, just like he was back in Michigan.

You want to write off a top pairing 24 yo with his pedigree go ahead but to me, that is what our team has done throughout its existence (Bourque, Galley, Duchene, Wells Sydor and on and on) and it ALWAYS bites our backsides but go ahead.

While JJ may not be the uber elite Dman that it looked like he would become there is still a fair chance that he will and even if not he is going to continue to be a darn fine one.

You might want to let him completely develop before calling him Corvo lite or at least wait to see how a new coach has him play.

Under TM's system we deployed a hit and run style of checking. DS employes a hit and stick system, I think we are about to become allot meaner at the very least and that if we play this way that in time JJ will re-discover his hit in time.

You could be right and he may only ever be JJ but I am cool with that.

 

[Shellz]

Either the players respond to Sutter and life is great, or they turtle under the pressure Sutter places upon them. It will be interesting to see who responds well and who doesn't. I think Jack Johnson and Clifford, under Sutter are going to enter beast mode. Gagne, and Drew will turtle.

Drew will turtle? What kind if bs is that? These boards. I swear.

 

[CTKingsFan]

He's what, 24?

I gotta think he hasn't hit his peak yet.

Players develop at different rates.

I think some of what your saying about his play has been true during his first few years in the league at times but at times he has been exceptional too, just like he was back in Michigan.

You want to write off a top pairing 24 yo with his pedigree go ahead but to me, that is what our team has done throughout its existence (Bourque, Galley, Duchene, Wells Sydor and on and on) and it ALWAYS bites our backsides but go ahead.

While JJ may not be the uber elite Dman that it looked like he would become there is still a fair chance that he will and even if not he is going to continue to be a darn fine one.

You might want to let him completely develop before calling him Corvo lite or at least wait to see how a new coach has him play.

Under TM's system we deployed a hit and run style of checking. DS employes a hit and stick system, I think we are about to become allot meaner at the very least and that if we play this way that in time JJ will re-discover his hit in time.

You could be right and he may only ever be JJ but I am cool with that.

I agree.

It's true what they say about sports fans today needing instant gratification. Nobody has any patience. It's just do it now! now! now! NOW!


In fact I recall this message board completely writing off Matt Moulson. Nobody cared when he left to Long Island. Then this message board did that again with Teddy Purcell!

Then a year later everyone blames Dean Lombardi and yes he is responsible for those bad moves but this board as a majority was fully ready ship those guys out!

 

[KingPurpleDinosaur]

I agree.

It's true what they say about sports fans today needing instant gratification. Nobody has any patience. It's just do it now! now! now! NOW!


In fact I recall this message boarding completely writing off Matt Moulson. Nobody cared when he left to Long Island. Then this message board did that again with Teddy Purcell!

Then a year later everyone blames Dean Lombardi and yes he is responsible for those bad moves but this board as a majority was fully ready ship those guys out!

It's funny because then they use that as proof that they know more about hockey than DL, that they're a more "credible fan", or a better judge of talent

 

[KINGS17]

Either the players respond to Sutter and life is great, or they turtle under the pressure Sutter places upon them. It will be interesting to see who responds well and who doesn't. I think Jack Johnson and Clifford, under Sutter are going to enter beast mode. Gagne, and Drew will turtle.

Either way...good to know.

 

[DaAnimal]

Drew will turtle? What kind if bs is that? These boards. I swear.

Foxy made a great comment the other night when we played against the red wings. I can't remember exactly what he said, and yes I sat through and watched the entire game , was hoping for a comeback (lol)

Anyway, he made a really good point about Dewy. He said when he first started with the Kings he was just out there to have fun and play the game of hockey.

Now with the big contract he makes every game like a job or a duty. Therefore, he's not having fun out there. He's yelling and screaming at the refs. This definitely EFFECTED his game and I don't expect Dewy to have a good year. Perhaps with the Sutter hiring, he will be able to instill that fun atmosphere he had when he first stepped onto the professional ice rink.

I can be honest, I've been very critical of Dewy this season. The way he played last season did not deserve that big pay check. Though I love Dewy, management needs to realize he is a big factor in our W column and also our offensive production.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Foxy made a great comment the other night when we played against the red wings. I can't remember exactly what he said, and yes I sat through and watched the entire game , was hoping for a comeback (lol)

Anyway, he made a really good point about Dewy. He said when he first started with the Kings he was just out there to have fun and play the game of hockey.

Now with the big contract he makes every game like a job or a duty. Therefore, he's not having fun out there. He's yelling and screaming at the refs. This definitely EFFECTED his game and I don't expect Dewy to have a good year. Perhaps with the Sutter hiring, he will be able to instill that fun atmosphere he had when he first stepped onto the professional ice rink.

I can be honest, I've been very critical of Dewy this season. The way he played last season did not deserve that big pay check. Though I love Dewy, management needs to realize he is a big factor in our W column and also our offensive production.

Basically saying Doughty is immature. I also wouldn't wait for Sutter to instill a fun atmosphere. Doughty vs. Sutter might be the best competition we end up seeing this year from this bunch.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Foxy made a great comment the other night when we played against the red wings. I can't remember exactly what he said, and yes I sat through and watched the entire game , was hoping for a comeback (lol)

Anyway, he made a really good point about Dewy. He said when he first started with the Kings he was just out there to have fun and play the game of hockey.

Now with the big contract he makes every game like a job or a duty. Therefore, he's not having fun out there. He's yelling and screaming at the refs. This definitely EFFECTED his game and I don't expect Dewy to have a good year. Perhaps with the Sutter hiring, he will be able to instill that fun atmosphere he had when he first stepped onto the professional ice rink.

I can be honest, I've been very critical of Dewy this season. The way he played last season did not deserve that big pay check. Though I love Dewy, management needs to realize he is a big factor in our W column and also our offensive production.

Reminds me of Ricky Vaughn from Major League. When he first makes the show he's all balls, calling people out, starting fights, then he gets civilized and loses his edge. Doughty's a little young to be getting civilized. This, IMO, is another indicator of what a poor captain Dustin Brown is. There is no intimidating presence in the Kings locker room and there hasn't been one in a long time. You do whatever you want and you never have to answer for your actions. This should be the area Sutter fixes.

 

[The Tikkanen]

He's what, 24?

I gotta think he hasn't hit his peak yet.

Players develop at different rates.

I think some of what your saying about his play has been true during his first few years in the league at times but at times he has been exceptional too, just like he was back in Michigan.

You want to write off a top pairing 24 yo with his pedigree go ahead but to me, that is what our team has done throughout its existence (Bourque, Galley, Duchene, Wells Sydor and on and on) and it ALWAYS bites our backsides but go ahead.

While JJ may not be the uber elite Dman that it looked like he would become there is still a fair chance that he will and even if not he is going to continue to be a darn fine one.

You might want to let him completely develop before calling him Corvo lite or at least wait to see how a new coach has him play.

Under TM's system we deployed a hit and run style of checking. DS employes a hit and stick system, I think we are about to become allot meaner at the very least and that if we play this way that in time JJ will re-discover his hit in time.

You could be right and he may only ever be JJ but I am cool with that.

So are we on the 10 year plan with JJ? All of the sudden he'll develop on ice vision, not stare at the puck and get lost in his own zone? Remind me of the last skilled defensemen who wasn't good defensively who suddenly saw the light and turned it around. I'm sure there are examples out there I just don't see it with JJ. How long do you wait? 5 years hasn't been enough of a sample, he's 24 years old, do you wait til he's 28 and then decide if the guy can play defense? Do you wait til he eclipses the -100 mark?

 

[kingsfan]

27 CALGARY 82 46 25 11 103 .628 2.63 2.35
28 COLUMBUS 82 35 43 4 74 .451 2.62 3.37
29 CHICAGO 82 26 43 13 65 .396 2.55 3.40
30 ST LOUIS 82 21 46 15 57 .348 2.35 3.46

From NHL.com.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/teamstats.htm?fetchKey=20062ALLSAAALL&sort=avgGoalsPerGame&viewName=summary

Weird. The standings from Hockeydb.com is what i was looking at and they have different goal numbers:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/nhl19272006.html

I'll concede to NHL.com figures. They better have it right.

Either way, hardly dynamic offense.

DL is win now panic mode, because his future is at stake. i fully expect him to burn assets at this point trying to win.

DL is going to make some risky moves that will absolutely kill this team.

DL and DS will both be gone at some point late next season. only after DL has the chance to make some bad personnel moves that will cost LA. i expect this to be the worst of all moves in this team's history.

A bit dramatic don't you think. Worst of all-moves in Kings history? This the same team that dealt the 1st that would be Ray Bourque for a journeyman goalie that was out of the elague two years later?

For the record, in San Jose in 2002-2003, his final season in San Jose, as the team was completing a brutal year in which they didn't make the playoffs, DL did these deals:

2003-Mar-05 Owen Nolan traded from San Jose Sharks to Toronto Maple Leafs for Alyn McCauley, Brad Boyes and round 1 pick in the 2003 draft (Mark Stuart)

2002-Dec-06 Dan McGillis traded from Philadelphia Flyers to San Jose Sharks for Marcus Ragnarsson

2003-Jan-23 Niklas Sundtsrom traded from San Jose Sharks with round 3 pick in the 2004 draft to Montreal Canadiens for Jeff Hackett

2003-Jan-23 Jeff Hackett traded from San Jose Sharks with Jeff Jillson to Boston Bruins for Kyle McLaren and round 4 pick in the 2004 draft

2003-Mar-08 Bryan Marchment traded from San Jose Sharks to Colorado Avalanche for round 3 pick in the 2003 draft (Ryan Donally) and round 5 pick in the 2003 draft (Brad Richardson)

2003-Mar-11 Wayne Primeau traded from Pittsburgh Penguins to San Jose Sharks for Matt Bradley

2003-Feb-09 Shawn Heins traded from San Jose Sharks with conditional pick in the 2004 draft to Pittsburgh Penguins for round 5 pick in the 2003 draft (Patrick Ehelechner)

If anything, he did deals to help the team (Nolan for futures) than harm them.

sutter takes talented teams and turns them to grinding teams that get progressivly worst: good luck doughty and kopitar staying in la for long

Sutter has a record of five straight seasons with a better record in San Jose. That's an NHL record. How is that progressively worse.

For the first time in 5 years I am starting to question Lombardi. Like they said on hockey night, he hired a guy 29 other teams were NOT after...No one was after Crawford or Terry Murray either. So this is his 3rd coach that no one wanted? I don't get it.

Why can't we go after coaches that other teams are bidding against like Dineen, Boucher, Eakins, etc...

Who said he didn't ask about them but their teams said no? Hiring from another organization mid-season isn't common, Kirk Muller aside.

We still might be if this season is a wash.If we miss the playoffs or even fail to make it out of the 1st round, Lombardi is done, as will be Sutter. AEG really went all in this season, and expect a return.

I'm just throwing this out there, but could you see Luc as our GM[not that I'd want him]?

I'd rather Hextall personally.

I agree.

It's true what they say about sports fans today needing instant gratification. Nobody has any patience. It's just do it now! now! now! NOW!


In fact I recall this message boarding completely writing off Matt Moulson. Nobody cared when he left to Long Island. Then this message board did that again with Teddy Purcell!

Then a year later everyone blames Dean Lombardi and yes he is responsible for those bad moves but this board as a majority was fully ready ship those guys out!

I love the Brian Boyle comments the most. The guy had a really good 20 games last year and suddenly DL gave him away, ingoring how bad he was before that. This year he's back to his 20 point season pace and suddenly no one really mentions him again. The board here is so negative at times.

 

[Thrice]

Hindsight is 20/20, but at the time those deals were awful.

Absolutely. Those were the definition of short-sighted.

 

[gtwyc]

So are we on the 10 year plan with JJ? All of the sudden he'll develop on ice vision, not stare at the puck and get lost in his own zone? Remind me of the last skilled defensemen who wasn't good defensively who suddenly saw the light and turned it around. I'm sure there are examples out there I just don't see it with JJ. How long do you wait? 5 years hasn't been enough of a sample, he's 24 years old, do you wait til he's 28 and then decide if the guy can play defense? Do you wait til he eclipses the -100 mark?

It seems that everyone and there mom in the hockey world understands that its quite common that d man usually completely develop at around 26 or 27 except for you. Your rants are useless. All we can do is wait and see what happens with the jj. There is more upside with him than downside anyway... Chillax bro.

 

[JT8888]

So are we on the 10 year plan with JJ? All of the sudden he'll develop on ice vision, not stare at the puck and get lost in his own zone? Remind me of the last skilled defensemen who wasn't good defensively who suddenly saw the light and turned it around. I'm sure there are examples out there I just don't see it with JJ. How long do you wait? 5 years hasn't been enough of a sample, he's 24 years old, do you wait til he's 28 and then decide if the guy can play defense? Do you wait til he eclipses the -100 mark?

Its funny how i totally agree on some of the things you are say and others points i shake my head.

I think Sutter will bring some accountability for lazy play and totally agree that Brown doesnt seem to have the leadership skills to gain respect int he room and from the young players. I could be wrong since i am not in the room ha but i just don't see that fire in Brown, and hope Sutter brings it.


But your thought on JJ just dont make sense to me, i can name countless dman that had a very similar start to their career. Sydor had alot of ups and downs just like JJ is having. Duncan Keith was the exact same (i followed him closely).

 

[The Tikkanen]

It seems that everyone and there mom in the hockey world understands that its quite common that d man usually completely develop at around 26 or 27 except for you. Your rants are useless. All we can do is wait and see what happens with the jj. There is more upside with him than downside anyway... Chillax bro.

You're right, I should have more patience. 3 or 4 more years and then we can have this discussion. I get the plans confused with Lombardi and his 5 year thing. Patience, patients.

 

[gtwyc]

You're right, I should have more patience. 3 or 4 more years and then we can have this discussion. I get the plans confused with Lombardi and his 5 year thing. Patience, patients.

DL and his "5 year plan" is a completely diff story. A story that I don't want to get started on (a sad story indeed).. but yes. all we can do is wait for JJ. I personally think he is gonna come around, but like I said we con only wait and see.. its not like he's playing awful hockey either.

 

[Live in the Now]

If DL can't trade JJ for somebody like Chris Stewart, or another young top six forward like that, no point in trading him at all. JJ makes a lot of stupid mistakes, but does some quality things too. I wouldn't see the point in trading him for anything less than another player capable of doing really good things for the club.