Dean Lombardi is the best GM this organization has ever seen.The constant disrespect (ie. He built off Taylor’s picks, he’s mike milbury etc) is something I’ll never understand and frankly this organization treated him like trash on the way out.
We were a laughing stock (save one year in 93) for the entirety of the franchises existence. I mean it was a sad history of losing. Under Dean, someone that could actually articulate a plan and articulate his vision for the team. We never had that before, and we certainly lost that immediately after he left. Results speak for themselves and now there’s pining for the old days, wonder why.
Dean was pretty thorough in rebuilding the franchise from the weight room to the equipment guy. Development was nonexistent before DL, offseason team training was nonexistent. Some of Taylor’s picks would have never seen as much nhl action if not for DL’s program. We never would have heard of Quick, Kopitar wouldn’t be winning any Selke’s, missed out on Doughty, no Martinez to win us a Cup, no Voynov to fly down the slot to beat the Blues in the playoffs, no Stoll to send the Canucks packing, No Justin Williams game 7 heroics.
Just to recap, DL brought the best 3-4 years that this franchise will probably ever see. 2 Stanley Cups and 1 WCF appearance. Nobody can blame him for trying to extend that run.
Some of his comments in his last season here indicate he was gearing up for an overhaul with leadership. Unfortunately he’s been knifed in the back, game of thrones style, by Luc Robitaille who clearly convinced AEG he can do better with the team as is. No overhaul needed and can still contend.
There’s a reason why DL went back to Philly quietly, he had nothing good to say about Luc and he trusts the Philly organization. I’m not sure he’ll choose to GM again given how things transpired in LA.
