News Article: Patrick O'Sullivan to Edmonton; Justin Williams to LA (3-way Trade)

[Zad]

I've had about 6 hours or so to think about this trade.

If Justin Williams was in the Cup winning form, this trade is a good one for the Kings. Nobody here would think the trade sucked under that scenario. Most would praise Lombardi for making a great trade and upgrading the wing / center position. In other words, on his best day, Sully is not nearly as good as JW on his best day though Sully is still developing and a few years at least before his prime and JW is arguably going into his prime.

So, the trade is analyzed by evaluating the chances of JW returning to form and on that issue, we don't know dick. Dean makes it sound like JW was checked out and got a good bill of health...was it the same idiots who evaluated McCauley, Cloutier, et al.? THAT is the detail I want to read. What exactly is his injury, how did it happen, precisely how long has he been out each time, did he re-injure the same knee, what was the prognosis of the surgery before and after the surgery, what specific training he has engaged in since the surgery, his strength testing, how much contact drills has he been involved in, etc. THAT would be valuable information, not this ******** about how good he was when he was healthy.

Regarding the 2nd, let's not overreact to it. We have another 2nd, right? I personally think Dean's explanation is total nonsense. What does a blogger leaking it have to do with giving them a 2nd? JW wasn't a roster player, who cares if it is leaked. Why would the Canes leave the negotiation table? I want to hear the logic behind that because it sounds spun.

I then look at Sully...I have never heard that he is a cancer, that he has a bad attitude or that his teammates did not like him. I have never heard that there was some major character issue with Sully. Quite frankly, I believe that this wasn't about trading Sully and was more about getting JW.

I do worry about Dean's character a bit now. That is TWICE in less than a year that he has signed a player, represented that player as being part of the long term plans of the team and then trading him. Dean has lost a lot of credibility and if I am a player agent, I assume everything that comes out of his mouth is probably spin or sell. That doesn't necessrily make me against the trade. We should separate the merits of the trade from the person making it.

From the players' perspective, I am almost concerned. Sully clearly was not having a great year. He was playing above average hockey. However, I cannot believe that Anze, Dustin, Frolov and the kids aren't thinking about this trade. Be them for a moment. You would really ask some questions about the seriousness of management in building around the represented core. Maybe, in some respects, that will play out in a positive manner because it will teach the players that if you don't pull your weight and play at peak levels, you are gone to the boonies (i.e., Alberta).

I am certain of one thing - Dean just put a big part of his job on JW. JW doesn't come back from injury and Sully goes on to flourish and Dean can look forward to a long scouting career.

 

[DIEHARD the King fan]

As far as whether or not to be pissed off about the trade, save that emotion for when we can determine whether it was a bad trade or not, because we won't know that until Williams plays a full season with the Kings.

- T

I dont know whether I'm more pissed about the trade or the fact that I bought his damn jersey, thereby sealing the deal.


I guess the question is really "IF" he plays a full season.

And for those who say he's not injury prone, that merely begs the question: What do you call it when a player has 2 knee surgeries, a torn achilles tendon and two broken hands in just over 8 seasons of hockey, if not injury prone? I know, you call them freak accidents (which seem to happen more to certain people than to others, right?) That means they are injury prone.

 

[nikolai19]

LA ultimately walks away with the best player in the trade. I don't think anyone is denying that. Right now, Justin Williams has scored more goals, assists, points per season than per season than Cole, O'Sullivan, or Kotalik. He also has a Stanley Cup ring (as does Cole). He's only 27 and he's only going to cost a few hundred thousand more a year and the deal length is the same as O'Sullivan's.

In three years, O'Sullivan would have left via FA. This is not a certainty but in all likelihood he's not the type of player they are going to get to sign to a 6 or 7 year deal.

Williams, if healthy, will help out LA in many ways. We can only hope that he is fully healthy. An 82 game season with Justin Williams will help LA that much more to getting into the playoffs.

For what it's worth, many have said that Williams is a true professional and is VERY WELL LIKED by his teammates. I don't know if the exact same thing can be said for O'Sullivan (I haven't heard one way or the other).

 

[Zad]

I'm sure this was posted somewhere already

Feb 16, 2009: Broken hand, sidelined indefinitely.
Dec 4, 2008: Missed 25 games (achilles tendon).
Sep 17, 2008: Achilles tendon, sidelined indefinitely.
Apr 5, 2008: Missed the last 2 games of the regular season (back injury).
Apr 2, 2008: Back injury, day-to-day.
Apr 1, 2008: Missed 43 games (torn ACL).
Dec 21, 2007: Torn ACL, remainder of the regular season.
Oct 4, 2005: Shoulder injury, day-to-day.
Mar 27, 2004: Missed 1 game (bruised ankle).
Mar 25, 2004: Bruised ankle, day-to-day.
Feb 21, 2004: Missed 3 games (broken left wrist).
Feb 13, 2004: Broken left wrist, sidelined indefinitely.
Apr 6, 2003: Missed 36 games (sprained left knee).
Apr 4, 2003: Sprained left knee, day-to-day.
Jan 20, 2003: Sprained left knee, remainder of the regular season.
Jan 18, 2003: Sprained left knee, left Saturday's game.
Nov 27, 2002: Missed 5 games (strained left shoulder).
Nov 15, 2002: Strained left shoulder, early December.
Dec 16, 2001: Missed 3 games (sprained right shoulder).
Dec 10, 2001: Sprained right shoulder, day-to-day.
Mar 19, 2001: Missed 12 games (broken finger).
Feb 22, 2001: Broken finger, late March.

Jesus. May the hockey gods help us. We will need it.

 

[ILuvLA]

Justin Williams is a great pick up. Would it have been nice to get Williams and not trade away Sully or anyone else? Yes. But you cant trade nothing and get something. Williams is that SNIPER that all of you were asking for. Hes everything that O`Sullivan isn't. Hes smart. He knows how to create plays. He plays the game like its Chess. And he has a hard nosed, girtty all or nothing attitude. This move just might excel Kopitar into the 80 point seasons.

And hes not injury prone. Hes just had a few bad and unlucky incidents. And Lombardi said he got his knees and everything checked out. Handzus was injury prone when we got him. Greene was injury prone when we got him. Oh and Stoll had a head that was soft as egg shells.

I understand its hard to see Sully go we all had really high expectations for him I included. But the kid couldn't hang on the top lines. Plus Carolina got him and turned him right away for another "injury prone" underachieving winger in Cole? What does that say about him. Plus did anyone listen to TSN. or Sportsnet? They were all saying Sully wasn't anything special. I thought he would be good when he first came in. But then when I saw that his Hockey IQ wasnt that high it got me a little worried. At least we traded Demitra and got us Hickey, Teubert, Doughty and Johnson D:

Totally concur with this post. I too had high hopes for POS. I also think that Wiliam's recent injuries have been flukey. He CAN be a true sniper.

Is it just me or does anyone else get the feeling that LA is slowly turning into Philly West?

 

[Zad]

I dont know whether I'm more pissed about the trade or the fact that I bought his damn jersey, thereby sealing the deal.

I almost immediately thought about you after I heard about the trade and, forgive me, I laughed a little but promised myself I would buy you a beer for doing so.

 

[lance9199]

Totally concur with this post. I too had high hopes for POS. I also think that Wiliam's recent injuries have been flukey. He CAN be a true sniper.

Is it just me or does anyone else get the feeling that LA is slowly turning into Philly West?

Philly West? I'd gladly take missing the playoff's only once in the last 15 years!

 

[jt]

Justin Williams (when healthy) is everything that POS proved he isn't and can't be over his short duration here. A winner. A net crasher. A 30 goal scorer. A guts player. A leader. A lockerroom hero.

I don't know about "can't be", but at age 24 playing for a struggling team and being given lots of ice time, he should have scored more than 5 goals in the last 29 games. When Williams was 24 he scored 31 goals.

I don't like the return. I like Williams as a player but not at the cost of Sully + a second rounder. Then they turned around and dealt him and the pick to the Leafs for Cole... That should say something about the value of O'Sullivan.

So since the Canes had to include a 2nd rounder to get Cole, why does anyone think O'Sullivan is worth a ton?

I love this trade. I realize not everyone will. But the hysterics over it, at least as evidenced by the comments in Hammond's blog, are seriously insane. Has nobody ever seen Williams play before? He's a very, very good player. Despite his ACL tears, his skating is still fine - he'll likely be the fastest player on the team. His shot is deadly. He's defensively solid. He's got tons of heart. And it's hilarious seeing all the people whine over his injuries - the same people who earlier in the day were yelling DO IT DEANO over Marian ****ing Gaborik. They were all ready to make every excuse in the world for him. Williams is going to make a lot of people sorry they hated this trade, and sooner rather than later.

Great post.

Two points:

We know from Hammond that DL spoke to Frolov about elevating his game. There is no doubt he had the same conversation with Patrick. Frolov responded, Sully didn't. It's that simple. Frolov showed a whole lot of desire over the past month whereas O'Sullivan seemed to mark time. This may be step one in singing Frolov to a long term extension this summer.

Secondly, I don't like the deal. O'Sullivan has not reached his potential, and I think we gave up on him too early. Williams has won a Cup (and was the second best player on that team) but is damaged goods. We should not have had to give up a second. Having said that, DL has earned the benefit of the doubt from me, and I will keep an open mind. The guy hs proven heknows what he is doing.

Whether he had the same conversation with O'Sullivan or not, O'Sullivan should have been IMPROVING the last two months. 5 goals in 29 games doesn't scream "I'm a great young player".

But I like the deal. While O'Sullivan PROBABLY hasn't reached his potential, he leveled off at JUST the time he should have been improving. For a guy earning $4M this year, he sure isn't earning it.

I trust Lombardi though (I think) and I'm guessing this trade was more to due with Sully not liking Murray or his style than it was about potential because if Lombardi thinks an injury-prone Williams is the player to put us over the top, we're in for a lot more misery.

I don't even trust Lombardi all that much, but I like this trade. Yeah, there's injury risk but if you can't trust doctors, fire them...or just quit hockey. They say his lower body injuries are ok and that's enough.

You do realize that Williams was traded for some of the same reasons right? Not living up to his potential fast enough for fans like you?

Where do you get this info from? Lombardi said they didn't want to trade him but HAD to in order to get Markov.

That said, Justin Williams is exactly the type of player we need, as others have described. Yes, the recent injuries are causing great anxiety for we Kings fans. But, DL said the medical reports were good. I know there is some risk, but that's what it takes sometimes. Like others have said, if Gaborik is seen as a good fit for the Kings despite his injuries, than so should Williams.

Good post. Williams is EXACTLY what this team needs. If he were healthy he would have cost O'Sullivan and a 1st...not a very late 2nd.

First off, I'm going to say this is a great trade for the Kings! Someone explain to me how having a 27 year old guy, with a cup ring, leadership traits, hard work ethic & willingness to do whatever it takes to win is a bad thing?

I can understand everyone's concern's about the injurys. However it's not like Lombardi picks up the phone & makes all these deals on his own. Do you not think that many of the LA top brass gave their views of Williams?

This kid is a stud, a guy that is going to be a top 6 player, will re-gain his form & will be a player that will make you say Patrick O'Who? I'm sorry but when was the last time O'Sullivan had a game that made you say WOW, that kid is coming along? Who is Patrick O'Sullivan to make himself bigger than the team? To hold out while the rest of his team takes part in trainning camp?

You guys all want a winning team in Los Angeles; just as much as I want a winning team in Los Angeles. Let Lombardi complete what he's working on, he's not going to be perfect in every deal but he's sure making things look great. The future has to become the present at one point or another, I think Lombardi knows the Kings are going to get a top 10 pick this year, they have Frolov to sign, and they are making progress in many areas.

Another good post. I don't hate O'Sullivan but he's got alot of growing up to do and nobody can tell if it will ever happen. In fact, I think it's more likely Williams plays 75+ games than O'Sullivan fully matures.

I'm sorry, but the "but the injuries" or "if he's healthy" stuff is nonsense. How anyone who has been a Kings fan for more than five minutes could support trading youth for injured vets. I don't care about his character. It's not all about that. It's about getting HEALTHY, TALENTED players on this team, and O'Sullivan was both.

I've never been his biggest fan either, but it's just a horrible trade all around from a value standpoint. AND we throw in a 2nd? Really? I don't care how shallow you think this draft is, it's never shallow enough to pass on having the option to select a player at an earlier time.

But what does history have to do with Williams? If you never ever trade for injured guys, there's ALOT of guys you'd never want.

And what is it about 14 goals in from a 24 yr old screams talent? I like O'Sullivan just fine and even more a year ago...he's just not making the progress he should have this year.

 

[The Judge]

Are you going to include O' Donnell, Stoll and Handzus in that? Because, to be fair, they seem to be working out well for us. But ya, his desires to pick people with low value does seem risky. I don't know if Williams will work out for us, but it did sound like he did his homework on doing the medical checkups.

That's why I said "for the most part."

I don't think Dean is great in trading for players like DT.

 

[VictoryRose]

One theory could be that when Lowe found out that LA was getting Williams as part of the 3 way deal, he upped the ante for Cole, which forced Rutherford to up the ante for Williams.

Considering Rutherford had to ship a 2nd round pick with O'Sullivan for Cole (O' Sullivan alone wasn't good enough?), my guess is it was Lowe who took advantage of the leak and used it as leverage to get more out of Rutherford and consequently, DL.

Just a guess. Could be way off base.

EDIT: Primakov's theory is more plausible. It'll be interesting to find out the real story at some point once the dust settles.

- T

Tony, ace on.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

I love when people say "When he is healthy"......Williams has only played in 70 or more games only 3 times in 9 seasons....that means if he is consistent he will play in 70 games or more 1 time before his contract expires.

No he has played 70 or more games in 4 of 8 NHL seasons and played 49 of 50 games in the SEL during the lockout.

2000-01 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 63
2001-02 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 75
2002-03 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 41
2003-04 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 47
2003-04 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 32
2004-05 Lulea HF SEL 49
2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 82
2006-07 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 82
2007-08 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 37
2008-09 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 32

That still isn't a pretty picture but up until he was injured these last two seasons, he only missed significant time in 02/03 when he had another knee injury.

Feb 16, 2009: Broken hand, sidelined indefinitely.
Dec 4, 2008: Missed 25 games (achilles tendon).
Apr 5, 2008: Missed the last 2 games of the regular season (back injury).
Apr 1, 2008: Missed 43 games (torn ACL).
Mar 27, 2004: Missed 1 game (bruised ankle).
Feb 21, 2004: Missed 3 games (broken left wrist).
Apr 6, 2003: Missed 36 games (sprained left knee).
Nov 27, 2002: Missed 5 games (strained left shoulder).
Dec 16, 2001: Missed 3 games (sprained right shoulder).
Mar 19, 2001: Missed 12 games (broken finger).

These last two injuries are very frightening. I hope he can get back to where he was before these last two injuries. Maybe he should just take the rest of the season off and get healthy!

 

[Reaper45]

I don't know about "can't be", but at age 24 playing for a struggling team and being given lots of ice time, he should have scored more than 5 goals in the last 29 games. When Williams was 24 he scored 31 goals.



So since the Canes had to include a 2nd rounder to get Cole, why does anyone think O'Sullivan is worth a ton?



Great post.



Whether he had the same conversation with O'Sullivan or not, O'Sullivan should have been IMPROVING the last two months. 5 goals in 29 games doesn't scream "I'm a great young player".

But I like the deal. While O'Sullivan PROBABLY hasn't reached his potential, he leveled off at JUST the time he should have been improving. For a guy earning $4M this year, he sure isn't earning it.



I don't even trust Lombardi all that much, but I like this trade. Yeah, there's injury risk but if you can't trust doctors, fire them...or just quit hockey. They say his lower body injuries are ok and that's enough.



Where do you get this info from? Lombardi said they didn't want to trade him but HAD to in order to get Markov.



Good post. Williams is EXACTLY what this team needs. If he were healthy he would have cost O'Sullivan and a 1st...not a very late 2nd.



Another good post. I don't hate O'Sullivan but he's got alot of growing up to do and nobody can tell if it will ever happen. In fact, I think it's more likely Williams plays 75+ games than O'Sullivan fully matures.



But what does history have to do with Williams? If you never ever trade for injured guys, there's ALOT of guys you'd never want.

And what is it about 14 goals in from a 24 yr old screams talent? I like O'Sullivan just fine and even more a year ago...he's just not making the progress he should have this year.

jt, good to see you around these parts, it's been awhile.

 

[VictoryRose]

I see Dustin as Justin Williams lite. I can't help but think that Justin will have a VERY big effect on Dustin's game.

I talked to someone in the org tonight about this trade, and this is exactly the line of discussion that came up.

Justin's influence on the leadership of the team will be huge, make no mistake.

 

[The Tikkanen]

Why would you trade a player you just gave a front loaded deal? I was beginning to buy into the Lombardi ponzi scheme but it's just a bad joke on me again. Trade makes absolutely no sense. Dumbardi is supposed to be getting younger and cheaper for this supposed re-build from within scheme but insists on not only trading for or signing crap hockey players but he continues to trade top talent to other Western Conference teams. It's going to be very difficult for this Kings team led by the Madoff of NHL GM's to make the playoffs before his deal his up.

 

[VictoryRose]

but he continues to trade top talent to other Western Conference teams.

What?

Do you seriously want to revisit the Lubo trade?

Seriously, team for team, I am pretty sure both are satisfied, the Kings probably more so.

Other than that, what the hell are you talking about?

 

[DIEHARD the King fan]

I've had about 6 hours or so to think about this trade.

If Justin Williams was in the Cup winning form, this trade is a good one for the Kings. Nobody here would think the trade sucked under that scenario. Most would praise Lombardi for making a great trade and upgrading the wing / center position. In other words, on his best day, Sully is not nearly as good as JW on his best day though Sully is still developing and a few years at least before his prime and JW is arguably going into his prime.

So, the trade is analyzed by evaluating the chances of JW returning to form and on that issue, we don't know dick. Dean makes it sound like JW was checked out and got a good bill of health...was it the same idiots who evaluated McCauley, Cloutier, et al.? THAT is the detail I want to read. What exactly is his injury, how did it happen, precisely how long has he been out each time, did he re-injure the same knee, what was the prognosis of the surgery before and after the surgery, what specific training he has engaged in since the surgery, his strength testing, how much contact drills has he been involved in, etc. THAT would be valuable information, not this ******** about how good he was when he was healthy.

Regarding the 2nd, let's not overreact to it. We have another 2nd, right? I personally think Dean's explanation is total nonsense. What does a blogger leaking it have to do with giving them a 2nd? JW wasn't a roster player, who cares if it is leaked. Why would the Canes leave the negotiation table? I want to hear the logic behind that because it sounds spun.

I then look at Sully...I have never heard that he is a cancer, that he has a bad attitude or that his teammates did not like him. I have never heard that there was some major character issue with Sully. Quite frankly, I believe that this wasn't about trading Sully and was more about getting JW.

I do worry about Dean's character a bit now. That is TWICE in less than a year that he has signed a player, represented that player as being part of the long term plans of the team and then trading him. Dean has lost a lot of credibility and if I am a player agent, I assume everything that comes out of his mouth is probably spin or sell. That doesn't necessrily make me against the trade. We should separate the merits of the trade from the person making it.

From the players' perspective, I am almost concerned. Sully clearly was not having a great year. He was playing above average hockey. However, I cannot believe that Anze, Dustin, Frolov and the kids aren't thinking about this trade. Be them for a moment. You would really ask some questions about the seriousness of management in building around the represented core. Maybe, in some respects, that will play out in a positive manner because it will teach the players that if you don't pull your weight and play at peak levels, you are gone to the boonies (i.e., Alberta).

I am certain of one thing - Dean just put a big part of his job on JW. JW doesn't come back from injury and Sully goes on to flourish and Dean can look forward to a long scouting career.

You have distilled (pun intended) the various issues surrounding this trade that echo in my mind. I believe that DL has no credibility left, and am further inclined to believe that the writing was on the wall as soon a Sully held out. I don't think Sully was dealt because he held out, but that DL was more inclined to deal Sully post holdout for that reason alone. But I wanted to believe that he was an untouchable core player and bought into his (DL's) spin and therefore didn't hesitate buying that #12 jersey. I am feeling stupid (more so than usual) right now.

I think fans must now realize that the feigned openness and honesty of this team's management is just that, feigned. They will tell us what they think we want to hear and then change their tune when it suits their fancy. They will spin their stories to suit their motives, good bad or otherwise.

As to the message the trade sends to other Kings players, that could be interpreted either way. Play hard or your out, or no one is safe no matter what management tells you or does publicly. As to the notion of developing players from the get go to wear the Kings tatoo on their butt, that sound bite has now gone out the window. Lubo, Cammy, Sully, all gone even though they were here from their start. No, what we apparrently want is players with a Flyers logo tatooed on their butt.

Bottom line here is that this trade is not the sure fire move we need to instill confidence in the other players. This is the roll of the dice of a riverboat gambler, and we have been burned by DL's injury gambles before. Beyond that, even if you were going to trade Sully, wouldn't he have been far more valuable to a team like Atlanta, packaged with prospects and picks for Kovalchuk than a risky trade like this? I think this trade will severely hinder our chances of landing Kovy on draft day without giving up Frolov or Brown. So keep that in mind when you think about getting Kovy into a Kings uni.

Finally Zad, you are right. If Williams doesn't perform to the level of his earlier play when he was scoring 30 and assisting on 40, DL has gambled, not only on our teams future, but upon his continued tenure as a GM here as well.

 

[Hopper15]

You guys got fleeced. Justin Williams is extremely injury prone.

 

[VictoryRose]

I feel bad for Patrick.

He's a nice kid who has been through a lot off the ice.

That said, there is a time and place to come of age, and it better be now.

Actually, it needed to be two years ago.

He's on his third nhl org now at age 24, and I sort of get the sense the carousel doesn't stop here.

 

[not tellin*]

I've had about 6 hours or so to think about this trade.

If Justin Williams was in the Cup winning form, this trade is a good one for the Kings. Nobody here would think the trade sucked under that scenario. Most would praise Lombardi for making a great trade and upgrading the wing / center position. In other words, on his best day, Sully is not nearly as good as JW on his best day though Sully is still developing and a few years at least before his prime and JW is arguably going into his prime.

So, the trade is analyzed by evaluating the chances of JW returning to form and on that issue, we don't know dick. Dean makes it sound like JW was checked out and got a good bill of health...was it the same idiots who evaluated McCauley, Cloutier, et al.? THAT is the detail I want to read. What exactly is his injury, how did it happen, precisely how long has he been out each time, did he re-injure the same knee, what was the prognosis of the surgery before and after the surgery, what specific training he has engaged in since the surgery, his strength testing, how much contact drills has he been involved in, etc. THAT would be valuable information, not this ******** about how good he was when he was healthy.

Regarding the 2nd, let's not overreact to it. We have another 2nd, right? I personally think Dean's explanation is total nonsense. What does a blogger leaking it have to do with giving them a 2nd? JW wasn't a roster player, who cares if it is leaked. Why would the Canes leave the negotiation table? I want to hear the logic behind that because it sounds spun.

I then look at Sully...I have never heard that he is a cancer, that he has a bad attitude or that his teammates did not like him. I have never heard that there was some major character issue with Sully. Quite frankly, I believe that this wasn't about trading Sully and was more about getting JW.

I do worry about Dean's character a bit now. That is TWICE in less than a year that he has signed a player, represented that player as being part of the long term plans of the team and then trading him. Dean has lost a lot of credibility and if I am a player agent, I assume everything that comes out of his mouth is probably spin or sell. That doesn't necessrily make me against the trade. We should separate the merits of the trade from the person making it.

From the players' perspective, I am almost concerned. Sully clearly was not having a great year. He was playing above average hockey. However, I cannot believe that Anze, Dustin, Frolov and the kids aren't thinking about this trade. Be them for a moment. You would really ask some questions about the seriousness of management in building around the represented core. Maybe, in some respects, that will play out in a positive manner because it will teach the players that if you don't pull your weight and play at peak levels, you are gone to the boonies (i.e., Alberta).

I am certain of one thing - Dean just put a big part of his job on JW. JW doesn't come back from injury and Sully goes on to flourish and Dean can look forward to a long scouting career.

Why would you trade a player you just gave a front loaded deal? I was beginning to buy into the Lombardi ponzi scheme but it's just a bad joke on me again. Trade makes absolutely no sense. Dumbardi is supposed to be getting younger and cheaper for this supposed re-build from within scheme but insists on not only trading for or signing crap hockey players but he continues to trade top talent to other Western Conference teams. It's going to be very difficult for this Kings team led by the Madoff of NHL GM's to make the playoffs before his deal his up.

i couldn't have said it any better. i'm too tired and too done with this to think about it any further. why now? i don't understand the urgency under which this deal was made. and his excuse to add the 2nd just doesn't add up to me. the players are either worth it or they aren't, that should have nothing to do with it.

 

[VictoryRose]

Bottom line here is that this trade is not the sure fire move we need to instill confidence in the other players. This is the roll of the dice of a riverboat gambler, and we have been burned by DL's injury gambles before. Beyond that, even if you were going to trade Sully, wouldn't he have been far more valuable to a team like Atlanta, packaged with prospects and picks for Kovalchuk than a risky trade like this? I think this trade will severely hinder our chances of landing Kovy on draft day without giving up Frolov or Brown. So keep that in mind when you think about getting Kovy into a Kings uni.

Just maybe, getting Kovy isn't in the plans. Just a thought?

 

[no name]

Jesus. May the hockey gods help us. We will need it.

I thought the same thing. If he isn't injury prone then that list says he is a wimp.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

Mark my words.. another King killer is born!

 

[The Judge]

I am a big fan of Dean and supporter but not lately. To me he is loosing credibility. He signs 2 players and say they are a big part of the team and trades them away - Sully and Vishnovsky.

I do understand to some degree his reasons but the risks on Williams to what we have to give up is too much.

I am not sure he knows exactly what to do to a team that is just missing a couple of pieces.

Unless, POS is not a TM type of player.

Maybe Dean wants us to be close to a Philly type of team?

Where's Dave Taylor?

 

[Zad]

lol

I just got an image of Sully in the shootout trying to go high glove on Quick.

LMAO!

Hey, if you can't laugh at these things...

 

[JDM]

Well, I've been wanting to see O'Sullivan traded at some point since about December. I like him, but was liking him less and less with each game. He wasn't even showing the flashes off brilliance with snakebitten finish that the rest of the team has. He's been flat, and while I kind of wanted him to become this great player for the Kings, in the back of my mind I thought there was an outside shot he would become elite, I'm not sorry to see him go.

I am torn on Williams though. I'll tow the line and say I've seen him play, like what he brings to the table and will be a tremendously good fit with this team and help curb our style of play towards the gritty, front of the net presence that we've all be yearning for lately.

IF HEALTHY. I tend to go with optimism, but I can't help but be a little skeptical. A broken hand doesn't worry me really, the knees do, but I'm glad those injuries are further behind him. If he was out right now with a knee issue I would find this trade unnacceptable, regardless of how good he is when healthy.

Going with the assumption that he stays healthy and plays a near full season for the Kings next year, I think this is a great trade. We weren't going to make the playoffs next year with the same team we have now. While waiting for Sully to blossom would be nice, we need guys who have already reached their potential, not just a bunch of potential on NHL ice, which is all we've watched this season, hence the inconsistancy. Williams, having won a cup, and put up some good seasons and played 500+ games, will bring some consistancy that we've lacked. I'm glad we went out and got a guy in his age rage.

Fact of the matter is, out of all the prospects we have, we knew the most about what Sully could bring to the NHL, and he was the most valuable/expendable/known asset we had.

Can't get something for nothing, and I agree with Zad that this was mostly about wanting to get Williams and having to give up O'Sullivan to get him than it was trying to unload O'Sullivan.

Conversation probably went like this:

Lombardi: I want Williams.
Rutherford: Hmm... make me an offer.
Lombardi: Calder.
Rutherford: What's this button in the phone cradle do? Let me try it-
Lombardi: Wait wait wait.... Gauthier?
Rutherford: Oh Dean, you are a silly man.
Lombardi: Alright fine. O'Sullivan. He's young, talented, signed. Come on.
Rutherford: Maybe... Kopitar for Williams and a 2nd?
Lombardi: Surely you jest. O'Sullivan is the best player I'll give up.
Rutherford: Well, he's nice, but I don't want him. I want a good playoff run THIS year, I need someone whose been there. So thanks, but no thanks.
Lombardi: Well wait a minute, let me make a few calls, get you someone you'll like.

Then Lombardi calls a few teams, gets no real interest, Oilers get word O'Sullivan is on the table, call up Lombardi and offer Cole. Lombardi refuses Cole but says 'Hang on, I can still get you O'Sullivan for Cole, but not from me.

This is of course assuming Lombardi instigated this, which I assume he did. Lombardi isn't the type of guy to just get a random offer for a guy and take it just to get rid of the guy. Lombardi targets something he wants, and for better or worse, he manages to get it. He seems to like these 3 way trades, which I think makes a strong case for him targetting Williams instead of wanting to unload O'Sullivan.

The contract dispute stands out as a problem, but as for O'Sullivan being locker room trouble, I've never heard such things. I can understand him not being a big help in the lockerroom, and I see negativity in his eyes too often, but the only word about his character since his initial pouting over going to the minors was that considering his childhood he is remarkably sound of mind.

I'm excited to see a power forward on this team who can also snipe. Hopefully Williams equals an extra Brown + O'Sullivan.