Honest assessment of Dean Lombardi After the 2nd CUP.
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They already have 2 cups, I rather have a chance at a 3rd Stanley Cup. Look at that, look at all he has given up with NOTHING to show for it but a 5th round pick and 1 playoff win in 3 years. Go ahead, be honest with yourself and grade him post the 2nd cup.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
I was a big fan of the Sekera trade. Less so of Lucic. But it's also ignoring the context of 'the window was open so we're going for it.' I appreciate that our GM thought that Sekera trying to replace Voynov meant a hell of a lot more than McKeown, who STILL isn't sniffing the NHL. I appreciate that he took a shot with LeCavalier and Schenn. Though I will say that he started fumbling his way through last season (LOL SCUDERI) before, at least in his words, getting back to what made us successful in the first place (which has yet to really play out).
I'd give him a C overall. B+ for vision, D for execution and results. But I'm giving him an "Incomplete" for this year so far. If I had to break it down, I'd say he tried as hard as he could to save our 2015, but Voynov broke that. the real mess, imo, was last year. Because if you look at all those moves, ultimately they boil down to "I traded a bunch of guys who are currently having NO or little impact in the NHL in an attempt to keep our Cup window open." (Martin Jones nonwithstanding because that was a different situation altogether).
I'd give him a C overall. B+ for vision, D for execution and results. But I'm giving him an "Incomplete" for this year so far. If I had to break it down, I'd say he tried as hard as he could to save our 2015, but Voynov broke that. the real mess, imo, was last year. Because if you look at all those moves, ultimately they boil down to "I traded a bunch of guys who are currently having NO or little impact in the NHL in an attempt to keep our Cup window open." (Martin Jones nonwithstanding because that was a different situation altogether).
damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
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Don't care if the Kings suck for the next Decade+.
Most fans witness exactly ZERO cups in their lifetime. I have seen two, in person, thank you Dean Lombardi.
Most fans witness exactly ZERO cups in their lifetime. I have seen two, in person, thank you Dean Lombardi.
Butch 19
Go cart Mozart
Cannot argue with this ^^^^ (but I really, really, REALLY want to - and I will... someday again
)In Dean I (still) trust
You can't judge him for the Bishop trade, we haven't even seen a game of it yet... Since the second cup things haven't been pretty, but it hasn't been entirely abysmal either. We're going to have to re-visit this thread in the offseason, but until this year plays out I will reserve judgment and side with Deano. They are his reins to lose at the moment.
Ziggy Stardust
Master Debater
It'll likely take another GM for them to compete for a third Cup. It was a great three year run from 2012 to 2014, and things started picking up in 2010 when they first made the playoffs, but that's all in the past, and some drastic changes have to be made in order for this team to move forward.
Like you said, he deserves credit for that three year run, just as much as he deserves criticism for what he's done since then. Just look at Ray Shero and his run in Pittsburgh. They had a great run in 2009 and 2010, but at some point he had to go in order for the team to reclaim its glory. That day will come at some point for the Kings.
The past couple of years probably added a ton of miles and stress onto Dean's shoulders. I wouldn't be surprised if he's just mentally drained and fatigued. How many team's dealt with the number of off-ice issues as he had to deal with from 2014-2015? I guess the Patriots might know something about that...
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
I agree with Ziggy here entirely.
Don't think DL is the GM to lead us beyond this year.
Someone will smartly bring him aboard to build, though.
Don't think DL is the GM to lead us beyond this year.
Someone will smartly bring him aboard to build, though.
Yup. People keep saying he won 2 cups, that's nice but it's in the past. This is a business, thanks for what you've done but if this is what we're getting from here on out, good luck elsewhere.
My biggest problem with the Lucic trade wasn't what he gave up(at the time) to get him but looking back at it, he was making 6 million, how much did DL think he would want to re-sign after that year? Why make that trade if you weren't willing to pay him and keep him? Realistically who thought they could get him for 4.5M a year at his age when you gave 4.8+ to Gaborik? I wish he would have just given Williams a 2 year deal like the Caps did and traded Jones for assets. They would have had at least 2 more draft picks, plus Miller, and their own 1st. All assets for a time like this. Plus they'd still have Williams.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
To be fair, that's a whole lot more than 'nice.' And like I said, I also think the context of a lot of those moves is what brought us those two cups in the first place--DL saw the chance to do something really special and went for it. I can appreciate that. As long as he stops it now
The Lucic trade will always be baffling BUT I think, although speculative, we mostly agree on a few things: 1. Jones had the offer sheet threat and wanted to start, so we had to get SOMETHING; 2. Remember we had lottery protected that 1st the previous year so we were under pressure to make the playoffs; 3. more speculative on my part but Colin Miller and the 1st were the price of salary retention. Not that those things would make it better per se, but I understand it, it wasn't a random trade made in a vacuum. And keep in mind Williams also wanted a bigger role and may have wanted out--it may not have been as simple as "just sign him," we couldnt' give him what he wanted in terms of role/situation, not money. Sometimes there's nothing you can do. Same deal as with Willie Mitchell's departure.
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I would almost agree with this other than the fact that this team is set up to contend for years. Lombardi's loyalty to players and panic moves have drove this team off a cliff.
In my opinion, which doesn't mean much, I think he's a bottom five GM at this point, and today's trade, if nothing else becomes of it, should be the final nail in his coffin.
No one is hoping more than me that this move is a precursor for him to do something very good and redeem himself
To be fair, that's a whole lot more than 'nice.' And like I said, I also think the context of a lot of those moves is what brought us those two cups in the first place--DL saw the chance to do something really special and went for it. I can appreciate that. As long as he stops it now
The Lucic trade will always be baffling BUT I think, although speculative, we mostly agree on a few things: 1. Jones had the offer sheet threat and wanted to start, so we had to get SOMETHING; 2. Remember we had lottery protected that 1st the previous year so we were under pressure to make the playoffs; 3. more speculative on my part but Colin Miller and the 1st were the price of salary retention. Not that those things would make it better per se, but I understand it, it wasn't a random trade made in a vacuum. And keep in mind Williams also wanted a bigger role and may have wanted out--it may not have been as simple as "just sign him," we couldnt' give him what he wanted in terms of role/situation, not money. Sometimes there's nothing you can do. Same deal as with Willie Mitchell's departure.
Oh yeah, pre June 14th, 2014, he was arguably the best GM in the NHL for years now. I more than just trusted Dean, I no longer trust Dean at all. And just like any other job, even if it's hindsight, you look back and review someone's performance and it's not what he meant to do or what his vision was but what actually happened. I just hope they don't end up losing Pearson or Toffoli because of him. I still don't dislike Dean Lombardi, he's probably the best thing to ever happen to the Kings organization considering the results. I just don't want him in charge anymore. They all have to go eventually just like Ray Shero and Peter Chiarelli were fired.
damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
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Honestly,
Every GM that doesn't win the cup every single year sucks. What exactly are your thoughts on say the Blues GM ?
Or Minnesota's ?
Plenty of GM's don't even have a single Cup or Finals appearance to their name.
Every GM that doesn't win the cup every single year sucks. What exactly are your thoughts on say the Blues GM ?
Or Minnesota's ?
Plenty of GM's don't even have a single Cup or Finals appearance to their name.
the OP has a negative slant to it.
Not buying out Richards it the low hanging fruit but really Richards made promises to stay clean and for the first time in his career he hired a personal trainer. I admit I bought in and thought he was going to turn it around, and I didn't even go see him.
Voynov ****ed the team over and forced DL's hand for a few of the deals.
Sekera getting injured makes the deal look very bad, but was pretty fair value at the time of the deal. It was a steep price but the team was a contender and believed to be a top 4 d-man away.
Considering the offer sheet probability of Jones and the retention on Lucic I still have no problem with that deal. Was fun watching him for one year as a king.
The above is purposefully slanted the other way. The truth is I would rather go for it than play it safe ala Winnipeg's GM. You can't steal second with your foot on first, and ya you get thrown out a few times, but sometime you get to 2nd and come around a score.
Not buying out Richards it the low hanging fruit but really Richards made promises to stay clean and for the first time in his career he hired a personal trainer. I admit I bought in and thought he was going to turn it around, and I didn't even go see him.
Voynov ****ed the team over and forced DL's hand for a few of the deals.
Sekera getting injured makes the deal look very bad, but was pretty fair value at the time of the deal. It was a steep price but the team was a contender and believed to be a top 4 d-man away.
Considering the offer sheet probability of Jones and the retention on Lucic I still have no problem with that deal. Was fun watching him for one year as a king.
The above is purposefully slanted the other way. The truth is I would rather go for it than play it safe ala Winnipeg's GM. You can't steal second with your foot on first, and ya you get thrown out a few times, but sometime you get to 2nd and come around a score.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
GMs are hired to get fired. They're great until they suck.
Everyone thinks Holland is the worst GM ever now, but he's a legend. SAme with Lou before he left NJ.
Yet, Chayka is revered somehow.
Shiny new toy syndrome happens with GMs more than any other position in hockey. I think practically anyone can 'build' years 1-3 by trading the **** out of their roster and making draft picks.
And what, Dean Lombardi is like a bad teacher that can't be fired because he has a tenure? I'm not a Blues or a Wild fan so I don't care what they do. Penguins fired a GM and a coach that won them a cup and guess what? They just won it again. Funny how that worked out.
You just defended every bad move, too bad there wasn't a good move you could point to in the last 2 1/2 years and say, "but look what he did here", don't you think that speaks for itself? So every move was a bad move but we're just going to excuse every bad move because even tho he's the boss, it was all everyone elses fault and none of it was his? C'mon. So Dean Lombardi is the best General Manager in the world with horrible luck and way too much loyalty.
damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
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Sure he can be fired.
But some folks are acting like Lombardi hasn't done anything for the Kings franchise.
damacles1156
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2010
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I agree,
I guess it's all personal perspective.
Perfect scenario, people like seeing Kempe up in the NHL; I however feel, Kempe has been an utter disappointment all season.
Probably cause I watch so many AHL games, got to see Kempe nightly.
kingsboy11
Champions Again
There's no defending the Richards decision. I understand his reasoning, but he was done.
I'll always defend the Sekera trade. Dean's hand was forced when Voynov lost his mind. The team went on a 9 game win streak before the deadline that year and he went out and got the best defensemen available. Not his fault Sekera got hurt.
The Lucic trade wouldn't have been the trade I would've made. Rather would've looked elsewhere to deal Jones and definitely would've held onto the 1st round pick. There were a lot of good players available where we were at.
Lecavalier and Schenn was surprising move with Vinny actually performing pretty well. Schenn sucked, but he was a placeholder that year for Forbort/Gravel.
We can complain about all the assets that was traded away, but honestly I'm not losing any sleep over the players that we traded. I'd rather have a GM who's willing to make a deal to get better rather than sit on his hands. Certainly can't ignore the 1 playoff win in 2 years though.
I'll always defend the Sekera trade. Dean's hand was forced when Voynov lost his mind. The team went on a 9 game win streak before the deadline that year and he went out and got the best defensemen available. Not his fault Sekera got hurt.
The Lucic trade wouldn't have been the trade I would've made. Rather would've looked elsewhere to deal Jones and definitely would've held onto the 1st round pick. There were a lot of good players available where we were at.
Lecavalier and Schenn was surprising move with Vinny actually performing pretty well. Schenn sucked, but he was a placeholder that year for Forbort/Gravel.
We can complain about all the assets that was traded away, but honestly I'm not losing any sleep over the players that we traded. I'd rather have a GM who's willing to make a deal to get better rather than sit on his hands. Certainly can't ignore the 1 playoff win in 2 years though.
King'sPawn
Enjoy the chaos
- Jul 1, 2003
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I'm a huge fan of Lombardi. My only beef is, if he's going to keep gambling with house money when there are some major organizational weaknesses, then he needs to go before he bankrupts the team.
Right now this move is the opposite of what is needed.
But I will be forever grateful for what he's done for the Kings.
Ollie Weeks
the sea does not dream of you
- Feb 28, 2008
- 13,324
- 2,647
Its too bad this thread was typed out and waiting to launch at the first sign of an iffy move leading up to this deadline.
And the trade that fires the thread into orbit is what I would scientifically categorize as "a fine thing"," one that might not matter much one way or the other.
Admit it, you wanted to see Iginla for a 2nd.
And the trade that fires the thread into orbit is what I would scientifically categorize as "a fine thing"," one that might not matter much one way or the other.
Admit it, you wanted to see Iginla for a 2nd.
KINGS17
Smartest in the Room
- Apr 6, 2006
- 32,583
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I think Dean changed the culture of the franchise and should always be in the organization in some capacity, but I do think it's time to let Futa take over as GM.
I don't want to see a return to the "let's hire former Kings player" mentality when it comes to hiring for executive positions in the hockey personnel area.
I think the Sekera trade was fine and at the time I advocated moving Martinez for a forward prospect to clear salary cap space for Sekera.
In retrospect, I don't get the Lucic deal at all.
I don't want to see a return to the "let's hire former Kings player" mentality when it comes to hiring for executive positions in the hockey personnel area.
I think the Sekera trade was fine and at the time I advocated moving Martinez for a forward prospect to clear salary cap space for Sekera.
In retrospect, I don't get the Lucic deal at all.
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