Obligatory Fire Todd MClellan, Rob Blake & Co.

[KINGS17]

To his credit it was probably hard to type and format that so well with a full mouth

I dunno, I guess I just take big offense to the idea that fans of such an old franchise are just dumb LA fairweather fans rather than the ones who stuck with them through thick and thin. Not gonna be such a good look insulting them with an empty building. I know he doesn't speak for the Kings but I also know that kind of arrogant behavior doesn't show well.

"lol they just don't get it" is a smug superiority take that you can't really afford to hold when you have a basement team for half a decade.

If it were as simple as 'just be patient' yeah, some of us did that for 40 years or our whole lives. I'ts not like we haven't seen a shit product before; the difference is a shit product stuck in the mud.

Yes, Kings fans know a shit product when they see one. It's what made the build up to the years 2012-2014 so great. We all knew it was different that time.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Yes, Kings fans know a shit product when they see one. It's what made the build up to the years 2012-2014 so great. We all knew it was different that time.

Exactly, and treating everyone like they just are a bunch of entitled babies that started watching the Kings only in 2012 and 2014 just makes me see red.

 

[tny760]

It's no wonder Blake and Luc love LA so much.

They get fellated for access by a tiny group of wanna-be-famous fanboys, only have to hold court for a tiny contingent of actual media, and rarely have to field any hardball questions. They can hide behind whatever shitty decisions they make and no one else in the league is going to give them any scrutiny. You just have to wonder when AEG will notice.

just gotta vote with the pocketbook i guess, ain't no amount of smoke they can blow up AEGs ass to cover for consistently empty seats

 

[Fishhead]

I think 2010 was when it was apparent things were working and coming together. This current iteration is shit, but I will think we will know relatively quickly once the truly high picks are on the roster if things look promising.

Regardless of what the talking heads say about us not knowing anything, we've seen all this before. I said before this season starts that this is the year that Blake needs to start improving the roster. I expect some improvement but their record is secondary. Some of the assets need to be used to build the back end. There is really no excuse, we have two young guys playing quite well and Doughty. I don't really care about the forwards right now because those are the easiest to acquire. Just letting things play out this year would be a failure and missed opportunity and just diminishes prospect values. It takes two to tango, but we have the means to overpay.

 

[cyclones22]

Exactly, and treating everyone like they just are a bunch of entitled babies that started watching the Kings only in 2012 and 2014 just makes me see red.

If anything, that historic run made me MORE patient with the direction of the franchise. I'd be livid if those seasons never occurred. And yes, Kings fan for almost 40 years here. Back when the Kings were broadcast on Channel 9.

 

[Ryan120420]

Re-hire Lombardi and get Tortorella to coach. I'm not sure if I'm joking or not.

Or hire from within, Mike Stothers.

Oh, wait... neverminded. He is now an assistant coach with the Ducks and last I checked they are 2nd in the division.


Another bad decision by Blake and company.



The Kings have turned into the old-boys' club:

Rob Blake, Todd Mclellan, Luc Robbiltie and Marco Sturm

Only when this band of buddies are gone will the Kings improve.

 

[Maynard]

Bernstein and Hovan should be forced to exclusively cover a Canadian team for a while to gain some f***ing perspective

I like this idea but I don’t think those teams allow hobby bloggers into the press box. They have these weird standards where you need to be an actual credentialed media professional to get that level of access.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I like this idea but I don’t think those teams allow hobby bloggers into the press box. They have these weird standards where you need to be an actual credentialed media professional to get that level of access.

And to be fair, I'm fine--actually, great--with the idea of 'fan' access and bloggers, I think that's progressive of the Kings. There's room in the market for that niche and for 'positive' writing--it just needs some counterbalance and there isn't anyone in this market holding balls to the fire. A lot of people here dislike Helene--but she at least busted some chops even if infrequently. Bless Lisa, she's a true professional, but she's not going to rock the boat. Everyone else? Pure fellatio. And can't blame them, if they were the only reporter going hard at the team, odds are they'd stop getting called on or disinvited or something with this soft ass franchise.

And if they were in canada, they'd get eaten alive

 

[motalar]

And to be fair, I'm fine--actually, great--with the idea of 'fan' access and bloggers, I think that's progressive of the Kings. There's room in the market for that niche and for 'positive' writing--it just needs some counterbalance and there isn't anyone in this market holding balls to the fire. A lot of people here dislike Helene--but she at least busted some chops even if infrequently. Bless Lisa, she's a true professional, but she's not going to rock the boat. Everyone else? Pure fellatio. And can't blame them, if they were the only reporter going hard at the team, odds are they'd stop getting called on or disinvited or something with this soft ass franchise.

And if they were in canada, they'd get eaten alive

It is strange how it has come to this. If you watch the post practice press conferences, the questioners are either Kings employees (Jimmy or Daryl) or the bloggers, neither of whom will ask anything remotely controversial. Lisa is there too, but she is not rocking the boat either (I do enjoy her work for the Athletic, though). Neither the Times, Daily News or OC Register send a reporter who in theory could hold team accountable. The Times doesn't even send a reporter to home games anymore. They've been pulling writeups from the AP.

 

[cyclones22]

And to be fair, I'm fine--actually, great--with the idea of 'fan' access and bloggers, I think that's progressive of the Kings. There's room in the market for that niche and for 'positive' writing--it just needs some counterbalance and there isn't anyone in this market holding balls to the fire. A lot of people here dislike Helene--but she at least busted some chops even if infrequently. Bless Lisa, she's a true professional, but she's not going to rock the boat. Everyone else? Pure fellatio. And can't blame them, if they were the only reporter going hard at the team, odds are they'd stop getting called on or disinvited or something with this soft ass franchise.

And if they were in canada, they'd get eaten alive

Agreed. As a comparison, I follow the Mens USMNT in soccer heavily. Especially during World Cup Qualifying with the run up the big event. In order to get into the press room with the USMNT manager, you basically have to kiss ass and lob softballs. Don't criticize Gregg Berhalter or ask hard questions or you'll get your press pass revoked. It is such a soft environment compared to other sports. In other parts of the world, he would get skewered by the press. Then you've got some mainstream mouthpieces calling fans who aren't happy with the status quo "toxic". Luckily there's been a large groundswell of fan YouTube channels etc providing analysis and commentary with actual well-reasoned criticism. And because of that, some of the mainstream media are finally starting to grow a pair.

As someone else already mentioned, imagine having to cover a team where hockey is the #1 game in town. Being a yes man and cheerleader won't get you far in that environment. If the Kings continue down this path that some of us fear, the chorus is only going to get louder and if it does, then unfortunately we dissenters are going to be proven right. And believe it or not, we DON'T want to be.

 

[KingsHockey24]

I think 2010 was when it was apparent things were working and coming together. This current iteration is shit, but I will think we will know relatively quickly once the truly high picks are on the roster if things look promising.

Regardless of what the talking heads say about us not knowing anything, we've seen all this before. I said before this season starts that this is the year that Blake needs to start improving the roster. I expect some improvement but their record is secondary. Some of the assets need to be used to build the back end. There is really no excuse, we have two young guys playing quite well and Doughty. I don't really care about the forwards right now because those are the easiest to acquire. Just letting things play out this year would be a failure and missed opportunity and just diminishes prospect values. It takes two to tango, but we have the means to overpay.

That was a super fun season. We made the playoffs for the first time since 2002 (My first time watching the Kings in the playoffs), our young core looked promising (Kopitar, Brown, Doughty, Frolov, Simmonds) and you can clearly see the improvements this team made with Terry Murray behind the bench.

Also just a side note; had Ryan Smyth scored on that wide open net and Frolov capitalized on the breakaway I'm almost positive we win that series.

 

[Sol]

Honestly, it's pretty insulting that there's kind of this thing I hear among Kings fans talking about the cup runs negating all the suck in the last couple decades.

It's never been easy being a Kings fan. Honestly. Even the years they won the cup. There was no reason to watch the Kings that regular season and be like "wow this team is going to do good in the playoffs."

Think about it the only time you had any reason to have hope in the Kings during the cup years was when they actually swept the first round in 2012, and the Kings were on the brink of elimination how many times in 2014? Being a Kings fan was at best one month of Bliss among the many months of sucks

 

[Telos]

Honestly, it's pretty insulting that there's kind of this thing I hear among Kings fans talking about the cup runs negating all the suck in the last couple decades.

It's never been easy being a Kings fan. Honestly. Even the years they won the cup. There was no reason to watch the Kings that regular season and be like "wow this team is going to do good in the playoffs."

Think about it the only time you had any reason to have hope in the Kings during the cup years was when they actually swept the first round in 2012, and the Kings were on the brink of elimination how many times in 2014? Being a Kings fan was at best one month of Bliss among the many months of sucks

Maybe. I get what you're trying to say and slightly agree, but during those years you can definitely tell we were a serious, potent, and powerful team. They would respond to like any goal against in a couple of minutes, they had mad swagger, they were very punishing to play against, and they just had that it factor and were always in the game and could always fight back and take over the game. Not only was the defense and goaltending solid but the offense was clicking, making things happen, and getting clutch results when needed. Those teams were much more enjoyable to watch than now. From 2011-2015 I was on the edge of my seat and I loved what I saw on the ice. Since then and before then I would absolutely agree with you, it has been painful...

 

[Sol]

Maybe. I get what you're trying to say and slightly agree, but during those years you can definitely tell we were a serious, potent, and powerful team. They would respond to like any goal against in a couple of minutes, they had mad swagger, they were very punishing to play against, and they just had that it factor and were always in the game and could always fight back and take over the game. Not only was the defense and goaltending solid but the offense was clicking, making things happen, and getting clutch results when needed. Those teams were much more enjoyable to watch than now. From 2011-2015 I was on the edge of my seat and I loved what I saw on the ice. Since then and before then I would absolutely agree with you, it has been painful...

I dont think you're wrong at all. But you didn't see that side in the regular season which was what made it difficult to necessarily have hope. They were a low scoring team in the regular season, and relied heavily on Quick in 2012 to even get into the playoffs. And then in 2014 they had that swagger but they were definitely going to game 7s for a reason.


but my entire thing is that I feel like they'd have a lot longer rope if they SHOWED any type of bite during the regular seasons. But even now they're painfully mediocre at best. You knew Cup Kings were a good playoff team... but it was a tough pill to swallow when you'd see them be ass for the majority of the regular season.

 

[Mats26]

Bernstein and Hovan should be forced to exclusively cover a Canadian team for a while to gain some f***ing perspective

They won't last 2 days covering for a Canadian team. They will be called out on their B.S by fellow reporters\bloggers\fans and driven out of town. They got a good stick going in a small market. Can't wait to hear the positive spin they will have after we tank another year.

 

[cyclones22]

Can't wait to hear the positive spin they will have after we tank another year.

"Byfield, Turcotte and Kaliyev are all waiver exempt, so they'll start the season in Ontario..."

 

[BigKing]

The current coverage of the Kings is definitely a "don't bite the hand that feeds" type of thing. I actually had this issue with Hammond back in the day but he is tough as nails compared to what we have now. The last LAKI guy--forget his name but loved The Simpsons--would even criticize when warranted.

Well, that's well out the window. I don't blame the bloggers one bit: they are just big fans like the rest of us that are either making some money, getting crazy access or both. Seems like a dream job for someone who follows the team religiously anyways. The problem here, as mentioned in this thread, is that there is no real independent 3rd party to really tell it like it is. The last LAKI dude flat out called the Pearson trade "bad asset management" the day it happened. Now you get Clague claimed on waivers in order to get Tynan a look and it's like "Good luck to Clague. Here's a podcast I did with him".

Kings picked up a lot of new fans during the Cup runs that don't know a damn thing about the history of this franchise. This is the shit they get fed now--including the Faust/Fox broadcast--so they think that everything is just fine. Just keep talking about how good the players in Ontario are (until they show how good they actually are once they get up here), the ones in Juniors or Europe and then toss out the 10th 3rd f***ing jersey in the last six seasons to distract even more from the garbage product. While we are at it, put a f***ing drum line in the stands during the games to distract even more.

Hockey has changed, sure, but these new fans don't know what it was like. That 18-36 demo is what they are targeting and most of us on here (anyone that was involved in a Kings message board during the 90s or been on HF since the early 2000's) are past that. "Bark Madness"? We hate it but the Snapchatters love that shit. They want to sell tickets to people that don't have as much responsibility and won't be too tired to go see Arizona come to town on a Tuesday night.

Anyways, those of us long-timers went through years and years of garbage but it finally paid off. What's been going on now for us long-timers now is like when a pro athlete hangs them up at the end of their career because they've already won and the thought of another off-season of training, training camp and then the grind of the season just isn't worth it anymore. Well, watching this franchise feels like we are right back to where we were prior to the Cup wins and it is just a grind to get through it. Having finally been given the ultimate reward as a fan, trying to watch every game feel likes having to go to the gym to stay in shape for no f***ing reason. Like, do I need to see how well Tynan plays on a Sunday night or can I do something--anything--that is more enjoyable? Prior to the Bluc era, I would need to see how Tynan fared but now? Shit...I took the wife to a nice dinner while watching the Chiefs/Broncos game and then just looked at Twitter for highlights of the goals afterwards.

It's going to be a real kick in the balls if Blake fails at this rebuild. Going to make it harder to stay invested in this franchise. Never imagined a time where Kings Hockey wouldn't be one of the most important things in my life but you get to a point where you just keep intently following this shit show and have to ask "Why do I hate myself so much?"

It used to be a badge of honor to be a die-hard Kings fan. Now they are like your favorite indie band from the 90s that sold out and got a big label deal. You hate their new shit and their new fans and all you can do is play the old shit and talk about how much more "real" they used to be.

 

[tbrown33]

They won't last 2 days covering for a Canadian team. They will be called out on their B.S by fellow reporters\bloggers\fans and driven out of town. They got a good stick going in a small market. Can't wait to hear the positive spin they will have after we tank another year.

Here's my Hoven impression:

"GUYS they have a plan"

"This is the plan! It is the best plan"

"Everything is going according to plan, which I've detailed here on this three month old link:"

Actual reporters would, you know, QUESTION the plan based on actual events transpiring. They simply defend the "Toddfather" and Blake at ever turn, it's f***in wild man.

 

[YP44]

Or hire from within, Mike Stothers.

Oh, wait... neverminded. He is now an assistant coach with the Ducks and last I checked they are 2nd in the division.


Another bad decision by Blake and company.



The Kings have turned into the old-boys' club:

Rob Blake, Todd Mclellan, Luc Robbiltie and Marco Sturm

Only when this band of buddies are gone will the Kings improve.

Soloman sitting with the quackers too

 

[YP44]

Honestly, it's pretty insulting that there's kind of this thing I hear among Kings fans talking about the cup runs negating all the suck in the last couple decades.

It's never been easy being a Kings fan. Honestly. Even the years they won the cup. There was no reason to watch the Kings that regular season and be like "wow this team is going to do good in the playoffs."

Think about it the only time you had any reason to have hope in the Kings during the cup years was when they actually swept the first round in 2012, and the Kings were on the brink of elimination how many times in 2014? Being a Kings fan was at best one month of Bliss among the many months of sucks

Honestly best regular season was 15-16...when LA had Lucic..hmmm

 

[Sol]

Honestly best regular season was 15-16...when LA had Lucic..hmmm

yes Lucic was the piece. The prodigy himself.

 

[YP44]

haha, that team looked so good at times that year.

yes Lucic was the piece. The prodigy himself.

f***ing Sharts.

 

[Sol]

"Byfield, Turcotte and Kaliyev are all waiver exempt, so they'll start the season in Ontario..."

Kings brass to Kings fan

"I GOT A PLAN ARTHUR"

then with the follow up

"WE NEED MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOE MONEY"

 

[KINGS17]

Honestly, it's pretty insulting that there's kind of this thing I hear among Kings fans talking about the cup runs negating all the suck in the last couple decades.

It's never been easy being a Kings fan. Honestly. Even the years they won the cup. There was no reason to watch the Kings that regular season and be like "wow this team is going to do good in the playoffs."

Think about it the only time you had any reason to have hope in the Kings during the cup years was when they actually swept the first round in 2012, and the Kings were on the brink of elimination how many times in 2014? Being a Kings fan was at best one month of Bliss among the many months of sucks

You could seeing it coming together during the regular season in 2012 after Sutter became the coach. The Kings just missed winning the Pacific Division that season, and as they say, "were built for the playoffs".

 

[KINGS17]

The current coverage of the Kings is definitely a "don't bite the hand that feeds" type of thing. I actually had this issue with Hammond back in the day but he is tough as nails compared to what we have now. The last LAKI guy--forget his name but loved The Simpsons--would even criticize when warranted.

Well, that's well out the window. I don't blame the bloggers one bit: they are just big fans like the rest of us that are either making some money, getting crazy access or both. Seems like a dream job for someone who follows the team religiously anyways. The problem here, as mentioned in this thread, is that there is no real independent 3rd party to really tell it like it is. The last LAKI dude flat out called the Pearson trade "bad asset management" the day it happened. Now you get Clague claimed on waivers in order to get Tynan a look and it's like "Good luck to Clague. Here's a podcast I did with him".

Kings picked up a lot of new fans during the Cup runs that don't know a damn thing about the history of this franchise. This is the shit they get fed now--including the Faust/Fox broadcast--so they think that everything is just fine. Just keep talking about how good the players in Ontario are (until they show how good they actually are once they get up here), the ones in Juniors or Europe and then toss out the 10th 3rd f***ing jersey in the last six seasons to distract even more from the garbage product. While we are at it, put a f***ing drum line in the stands during the games to distract even more.

Hockey has changed, sure, but these new fans don't know what it was like. That 18-36 demo is what they are targeting and most of us on here (anyone that was involved in a Kings message board during the 90s or been on HF since the early 2000's) are past that. "Bark Madness"? We hate it but the Snapchatters love that shit. They want to sell tickets to people that don't have as much responsibility and won't be too tired to go see Arizona come to town on a Tuesday night.

Anyways, those of us long-timers went through years and years of garbage but it finally paid off. What's been going on now for us long-timers now is like when a pro athlete hangs them up at the end of their career because they've already won and the thought of another off-season of training, training camp and then the grind of the season just isn't worth it anymore. Well, watching this franchise feels like we are right back to where we were prior to the Cup wins and it is just a grind to get through it. Having finally been given the ultimate reward as a fan, trying to watch every game feel likes having to go to the gym to stay in shape for no f***ing reason. Like, do I need to see how well Tynan plays on a Sunday night or can I do something--anything--that is more enjoyable? Prior to the Bluc era, I would need to see how Tynan fared but now? Shit...I took the wife to a nice dinner while watching the Chiefs/Broncos game and then just looked at Twitter for highlights of the goals afterwards.

It's going to be a real kick in the balls if Blake fails at this rebuild. Going to make it harder to stay invested in this franchise. Never imagined a time where Kings Hockey wouldn't be one of the most important things in my life but you get to a point where you just keep intently following this shit show and have to ask "Why do I hate myself so much?"

It used to be a badge of honor to be a die-hard Kings fan. Now they are like your favorite indie band from the 90s that sold out and got a big label deal. You hate their new shit and their new fans and all you can do is play the old shit and talk about how much more "real" they used to be.

I would be hard pressed to watch every game and follow this team religiously at this point, even if I was being paid.