Honest assessment of Dean Lombardi After the 2nd CUP.

[KINGS17]

We have enough cap space to trade for any forward in the league at this point in the season. That's not the issue. The issue is assets, and it's twofold now, and we're seeing that DL is now damned if he does, damned if he doesnt--on one hand, people are saying hold on to prospects and picks; on the other, DL needs to trade for a forward. No matter what happens, the deadline will pass, and he'll be lambasted for whichever one happens. That's the only thing I take issue with.

Yes, a d prospect can be used to trade for a forward, but Cernak isn't enough leverage for a top-six guy.

Yes, Dean is going to be lambasted. Better to be lambasted by the people that are wrong, than the people that are right.

 

[mrc23]

Yeah, you're right. Quick sure is going to age a lot for the few months the Kings have Bishop. You realize he's a UFA who the Kings won't even try to retain right? You know what would have been a smart trade? Waiting and using those assets and cap space for a F, what the team actually needs. Just go look at the stats, Budaj > Bishop so far in 2016-2017. No guarantee he outperforms Budaj even from here on out.

And whoever mentioned that any GM would have tried to sign Gaborik, yes you're right. NO GM would give him 7 freakn years. The guy is a walking talking injury waiting to happen. Also people act like giving away prospects is no big deal, Cernak was a 2nd rounder so they either suck at drafting or it's a big deal. And it doesn't even matter if the guy fails miserably and never touches NHL ice, it's still an asset at the time of the trade to get something you NEED.

I just looked at the stats...this is what I saw:

Budaj in February: 2-6-0, 2.02 GAA, .884 save percentage

Bishop in February: 5-0-0, 1.17 GAA, .953 save percentage

And if Cernak being a bust in the 2nd round means we "suck at drafting," is Moverare being a much better prospect picked in the 4th round mean we're "great at drafting"? As long as we hit on late round picks like Ladue and Moverare, and hit on a few higher picks like Forbert and Clague, I think our defense should be fine.

 

[Face Wash]

Grade for entire body of work for Kings: A-

Grade since June 14, 2014: C- (It'd be worse but I don't blame Voynov on him, just his reaction to it)

Take the great with the bad...but I think it's time to move on with all the respect in the world for what he did. He's a builder...not a maintainer.

 

[TradeMadeMeSignUp]

Grade for entire body of work for Kings: A-

Grade since June 14, 2014: C- (It'd be worse but I don't blame Voynov on him, just his reaction to it)

Take the great with the bad...but I think it's time to move on with all the respect in the world for what he did. He's a builder...not a maintainer.

That's fair.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

I just looked at the stats...this is what I saw:

Budaj in February: 2-6-0, 2.02 GAA, .884 save percentage

Bishop in February: 5-0-0, 1.17 GAA, .953 save percentage

And if Cernak being a bust in the 2nd round means we "suck at drafting," is Moverare being a much better prospect picked in the 4th round mean we're "great at drafting"? As long as we hit on late round picks like Ladue and Moverare, and hit on a few higher picks like Forbert and Clague, I think our defense should be fine.

Those goaltending stats are why today I don't have a real problem with the trade. Budaj is a back-up who had one of his best years, who gave us everything he had, but due to our lack of goal-scoring, one bad goal in a couple of games could mean the end to our season.

We're okay on defense because this organization has put a tremendous focus on defense. 3 of our 4 picks last draft were defensemen, for example. But when seen in the broader context outside of just one trade, we've been essentially throwing our first and second and some third-rounders out the window and then trying to play the game with mid- to late-round chips. They are complementary players or AHL guys, but we're not going to get our scoring from these guys and we're getting less and less from our older guys, except Carter. He's a Magic Man. If we can't fit in any primary scoring NHL forwards under the cap, then we need to draft another Pearson. Our last forward drafted with real scoring potential was Pearson 5 years ago. And we drafted him when we won the first Stanley Cup and had the last pick of the first round (and other rounds, obviously.)

ETA: I looked at the stats for the players drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft and Pearson is one of the best picks.

 

[BallPointHammer]

Does Dean Trust Dean

What concerns me is DL inconsistently following his own plan - build through the draft, develop your young players and prospects, manage the salary cap with an eye on the future, value continuity but make the tough decisions needed to maintain flexibility.

Good:
1. Drafting and player development

Bad but not his fault:
1. Off ice player debacles damage roster

Bad:
1. Why not buy-out Richards and then see if he's committed to getting his act together
2. Sekera trade
3. Lucic trade
4. Jones - let him sign an offer sheet and take the draft picks

Very Bad:
1. Ill advised contracts - if guys want too much then trade them or let them walk

Conclusion:
The salary cap is god and a "core" of 6 or 8 or 10 players is utterly impossible - D

 

[damacles1156]

Those goaltending stats are why today I don't have a real problem with the trade. Budaj is a back-up who had one of his best years, who gave us everything he had, but due to our lack of goal-scoring, one bad goal in a couple of games could mean the end to our season.

We're okay on defense because this organization has put a tremendous focus on defense. 3 of our 4 picks last draft were defensemen, for example. But when seen in the broader context outside of just one trade, we've been essentially throwing our first and second and some third-rounders out the window and then trying to play the game with mid- to late-round chips. They are complementary players or AHL guys, but we're not going to get our scoring from these guys and we're getting less and less from our older guys, except Carter. He's a Magic Man. If we can't fit in any primary scoring NHL forwards under the cap, then we need to draft another Pearson. Our last forward drafted with real scoring potential was Pearson 5 years ago. And we drafted him when we won the first Stanley Cup and had the last pick of the first round (and other rounds, obviously.)

ETA: I looked at the stats for the players drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft and Pearson is one of the best picks.

The Draft is always a crap shoot.

People can say "Pick more Pearson's" but it's not that simple.

Look at Kempe, largely touted as a "He shouldn't have fell that far in the draft" But even Kempe doesn't have a scoring touch like Pearson, and likely never will.

 

[Bandit]

Grade for entire body of work for Kings: A-

Grade since June 14, 2014: C- (It'd be worse but I don't blame Voynov on him, just his reaction to it)

Take the great with the bad...but I think it's time to move on with all the respect in the world for what he did. He's a builder...not a maintainer.

Not necessarily disagreeing but who IS a maintainer? Last 20 years who has kept their team perennially at the top of the mountain? Basically nobody, because it's nearly impossible.

Colorado had a few good years thanks to the Lindros trade, followed by a LOT of mediocrity. Detroit had some good years, partly kept afloat by transitioning from Yzerman to Datsyuk with the luck of the 862nd round, but they've been mediocre for a long time now and most wings fans hate Holland at this point. It took Pittsburgh what? 8 years to get back to the top? And that's with the best player in the game on their team during that whole time. Crosby too.

Even the Hawks ****canned thier GM because he didn't know how to file paperwork, but he was the one that did the building and they've been able to sustain because of the fact that the two main offensive pieces they have were drafted in back to back years. They are the anomoly, not the norm. They've had a lot fo things fall right for them to have the success they've had, and we're only one cup behind them (in the modern era).

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I really do think that missing the playoffs this season will start the countdown clock to Dean's tenure.

With this payroll and team, that result is unacceptable, and those responsible have to be held accountable.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I really do think that missing the playoffs this season will start the countdown clock to Dean's tenure.

With this payroll and team, that result is unacceptable, and those responsible have to be held accountable.

He should be fired if they miss the playoffs. Three straight years of failure with one of the highest payrolls in the league.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

The Draft is always a crap shoot.

People can say "Pick more Pearson's" but it's not that simple.

Look at Kempe, largely touted as a "He shouldn't have fell that far in the draft" But even Kempe doesn't have a scoring touch like Pearson, and likely never will.

No, Kempe is not Pearson, but he is our top prospect and a first-rounder, where we're much more likely to find a Top 6 player. Yet we've only had a first-round pick once in the past 4 drafts, so we're not likely to find the cheap scoring help we need.

 

[moosehead81]

The Richards incident fell into Lombardi's lap and saved the Kings the cost of a buy-out although they settled later for what was essentially the annual interest on the money saved. Even so, obtaining Richards and, maybe even more so, later getting Carter that first season resulted in 2 Stanley Cups. They're still waiting in Philadelphia and Columbus for a cup win with the assets the Kings gave up for those two. In hindsight, that was a tremendous move and Carter's still paying major dividends.

 

[KINGS17]

Not necessarily disagreeing but who IS a maintainer? Last 20 years who has kept their team perennially at the top of the mountain? Basically nobody, because it's nearly impossible.

Colorado had a few good years thanks to the Lindros trade, followed by a LOT of mediocrity. Detroit had some good years, partly kept afloat by transitioning from Yzerman to Datsyuk with the luck of the 862nd round, but they've been mediocre for a long time now and most wings fans hate Holland at this point. It took Pittsburgh what? 8 years to get back to the top? And that's with the best player in the game on their team during that whole time. Crosby too.

Even the Hawks ****canned thier GM because he didn't know how to file paperwork, but he was the one that did the building and they've been able to sustain because of the fact that the two main offensive pieces they have were drafted in back to back years. They are the anomoly, not the norm. They've had a lot fo things fall right for them to have the success they've had, and we're only one cup behind them (in the modern era).

I tend to agree, so why did Dean attempt it?

He has made several questionable decisions starting with his failure to buy out Richards.

I think he should have trimmed the fat after 2014. The Kings won the 2014 Stanley Cup more on guts and guile than anything else. The handwriting was on the wall. It was time for Dean to retool and try to come back with a younger and better team in 3 or 4 years.

Now he has a mess on his hands.

The problem in Detroit is their management became enamored with their playoff streak, and who really cares. Detroit should have blown it up a long time ago and been drafting in the top 10 over the last few seasons.

 

[KINGS17]

He should be fired if they miss the playoffs. Three straight years of failure with one of the highest payrolls in the league.

I could have accepted the bumpy road in the standings if it wasn't for the payroll.

All Dean needed to do was show me he had a plan to get back to contending while Doughty is still in his prime.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I tend to agree, so why did Dean attempt it?

He has made several questionable decisions starting with his failure to buy out Richards.

I think he should have trimmed the fat after 2014. The Kings won the 2014 Stanley Cup more on guts and guile than anything else. The handwriting was on the wall. It was time for Dean to retool and try to come back with a younger and better team in 3 or 4 years.

Now he has a mess on his hands.

No way, the team taking the ice on paper in 2015 was gnarly. The writing wasn't on the wall yet until the Voynov fiasco and literally everything went wrong that year.

And you're really asking why a guy with employment that demands it tried to keep going after Cup-WCF-Cup? No GM in sports cuts that team up after the two distinct paths they took. Don't rewrite history.

 

[LAKings88]

Things I question:

Not buying out Richards first and foremost-Should of done it, let his trust and and bond get in the way.

Gaborik-In hindsight it should have been a shorter deal. I don't think they believed he would depreciate so fast.

Greene over Mitchell. It's a wash now but I thought it was wrong. Greene seemed to have a big influence on the room but Mitchell was the better dman.

Not trading JDub at the deadline-LA was fighting for a spot and all so I get that it would have taken some brass balls. Bad asset management tho. Maybe they thought he would come back.

Sekera doesn't even bother me, not sure what the behind the scenes were or if they thought he would resign. I'm guessing they did. Would have been brilliant if he did.

Lucic-I get the why-just thought it was short sighted. Lot of good players were available at that draft spot. We all knew he would cost to much the following year.

Kopitar-Hands were tied. Franchise center with two cups. Key to it all. Kopi bent him over. In truth he should be around 7-8 million.

 

[KINGS17]

No way, the team taking the ice on paper in 2015 was gnarly. The writing wasn't on the wall yet until the Voynov fiasco and literally everything went wrong that year.

And you're really asking why a guy with employment that demands it tried to keep going after Cup-WCF-Cup? No GM in sports cuts that team up after the two distinct paths they took. Don't rewrite history.

The one that missed the playoffs? Again, I was pretty much okay with going after Sekera in 2015, but Dean gets paid to see these things before I see them.

I'm not rewriting history. Step 1 after 2014 should have been buying Richards out. Then you go from there. Instead Dean has repeated the same fundamental error over the last 3 seasons.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The one that missed the playoffs? Again, I was pretty much okay with going after Sekera in 2015, but Dean gets paid to see these things before I see them.

I'm not rewriting history. Step 1 after 2014 should have been buying Richards out. Then you go from there. Instead Dean has repeated the same fundamental error over the last 3 seasons.

I mean at the start of the season. If you're advocating dismantling that team after what they've accomplished fine, but I hope you can understand why he did not, and why we pushed so hard for the playoffs. The only 'warning sign' guy really was Richards, we returned almost everyone else coming off that Cup and were scary to everyone.

 

[KINGS17]

I mean at the start of the season. If you're advocating dismantling that team after what they've accomplished fine, but I hope you can understand why he did not, and why we pushed so hard for the playoffs. The only 'warning sign' guy really was Richards, we returned almost everyone else coming off that Cup and were scary to everyone.

Someone else brought up a good point regarding asset management. Dean could have traded Williams during the 2014-15 season, but failed to do so.

As I said, Dean gets paid to see these things before we do. As the 2014-15 season progressed, Richards wasn't the only warning sign. In a high stakes game you have to know when to fold your hand.

The 2014-15 team was scary on paper, not scary on the ice. The 2014 run was amazing, but I think we all have to admit the Kings were fortunate to beat Chicago. No doubt the Kings earned it, but it was a very tough mountain to climb.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

The Draft is always a crap shoot.

People can say "Pick more Pearson's" but it's not that simple.

Look at Kempe, largely touted as a "He shouldn't have fell that far in the draft" But even Kempe doesn't have a scoring touch like Pearson, and likely never will.

wow after 7 games you have your mind made up on how hes going to do in the nhl What bs I am so glad you have nothing to do with the kings management . Wonder what pearson scoring was after 7 games. This kid has 2 points both on pp something this team need is scoring especially on the pp. He has been playing against people older his entire career. He is only 20 years old. Guess what Pearson was just getting drafted at 20 Give up your hate already for him. Do you have something against him?I think you must as you hate on him at every chance you get. He got his chance by management to play i think you should let him play and give him a chance before writting him off

 

[xavi4life]

Lombardi gets an F.

Sorry, but the cups are in the past and the current on-ice product is ****. I haven't spent a dime on this organization for that reason. Do the Kings have a prospect pool that should give us any hope for a future championship? Nah bruh.

I have some great memories and I've met some great friends thanks to the Kings, but what they are now is a sad shell of what they once were. Lombardi has failed to ice a team that can make us feel proud.

 

[TradeMadeMeSignUp]

Yesterday's game was worrisome for multiple reasons. First the obvious, losing 2-1 with Budaj, Bishop, or Quick is all the same. Second, the best line against the Wild was Gaborik, Shore, and Lewis, they produced 2 even strength goals and for some reason were broken up yesterday. DS Needs to stop trying to get Kopitar going, he can get himself going for 14 million this year. Third, Mcnabb was responsible for two big mistakes and they both lead to goals vs the Wild so he benches Gravel and not Mcnabb? DS makes less and less sense everyday.

We'll see what happens today. Maybe DL strikes gold like he did with Gaborik and Carter.

 

[LAKings88]

I didn't like breaking up that line or sitting Gravel over McNabb either.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Me neither. My reaction: LaDue in? Yay! ....Gravel, not McNabb, out? Fail.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I honestly dislike the Lucic and Sekera trades more than the Richards decision. I, along with many others, believed that Richards could make a turn around. He had been challenged before in his career, and never failed to deliver. We were wrong, as was Dean.

The Sekera deal makes no sense from day one unless you're planning on giving him a big extension. If not, then you don't make that trade. Full stop. Sekera would have been a quality top four defenseman for us, and more or less filled the Voynov hole. Dean should have had a very good idea as to what Sekera wanted. If he can't match it, then don't make the trade.

Lucic I have less of a problem with, I suppose. He was the perfect fit for our forward corps, and had a year left on the contract. Still, though, you should have an idea as to what it will cost to keep him. If you can't match it, don't make the trade.

If we win even one playoff series in 15/16, I think Lucic is still a King today. Just like if we don't win a Cup in 13/14, Gaborik walks. What happens on the ice directly impacts what happens to the roster, down to the most minute details, and it's easy to forget that sometimes.