Kings News: Rob Blake to replace Hextall as Assistant GM

[Ziggy Stardust]

I just wanna know what the guy has done to deserve this position, even if it is to get DL coffee. He's still going to be paid well to do so. Were they really that deprived of candidates?

Could ask the same question about Luc and Nelson Emerson when they were hired. Dave Taylor didn't have much experience in management when he was promoted to GM (I think he served only a couple of seasons as McMaster's assistant).

 

[taz346]

Blame the ******* who is now in Toronto for how he left the Kings. I wasn't very fond of his second stint here either, but then again, the team was garbage and coached by an idiot behind the bench and didn't have any goalies capable of stopping the puck.

I totally agree and quite frankly, I think Blake will do just fine with this new position. I hope he gives some of the D some pointers on using those famous hip checks he used to use.

 

[Herby]

It's not a PR move, hiring Luc, Norstrom or Lappy would be seen as a PR move. Hiring one of the most unpopular players in team history is not good PR. I can't wait for the jersey retirement, will be one hell of an awkward night. Most long time fans hate Blake, and that is a fact.

 

[KINGS17]

Could ask the same question about Luc and Nelson Emerson when they were hired. Dave Taylor didn't have much experience in management when he was promoted to GM (I think he served only a couple of seasons as McMaster's assistant).

Wouldn't you agree that Nelson Emerson and Mike Donnelly kind of started on the first rung? It doesn't get much lower than working with the kids on the ice during development camps.

I hardly see the comparison between these guys and the position that Blake is being given, and given is the right term. It was not earned.

 

[taz346]

I love the doom and gloom of everybody talking like we just traded Drew and Kopi for a 2nd and the franchise is spiraling downward.

My hatred of any old Kings players died the second Brown lifted the cup. Everybody save your hate for Torres and Doan and Smith. And stop acting like like we are the Flames and have Feaster as a GM.

^^
This. My God, people are acting like Blake ran over their favorite relative or stole money from them.
Booing any member of your team or the management is so damned childish, I can't believe what some here are saying.

 

[KINGS17]

^^
This. My God, people are acting like Blake ran over their favorite relative or stole money from them.
Booing any member of your team or the management is so damned childish, I can't believe what some here are saying.

If I buy the ticket, I have the right to express my opinion. It's not childish to hold people accountable.

Did you watch the kind of effort Blake put forth on most nights in his 2nd stint with the Kings? Dude, definitely stole money.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

People seem to also forget that Blake actually took less to re-sign with the Kings after winning the Norris Trophy in '98, and the Kings only signed him for three years, taking him right to unrestricted free agency age. You could also blame the team for putting themselves in the position they were in with Blake, along with the fact that they kept low balling him.

 

[Herby]

If I buy the ticket, I have the right to express my opinion. It's not childish to hold people accountable.

Yup.

But some people refuse to boo or hold people accountable for their unprofessional behavior. Hell, there was a Ryan Smyth appreciation thread on this board, even after his lies and deceits were revealed.

People can blame TL all they want, but Blake is the one who took it to the media and Blake was the one who removed his C. And then Blake came back to the Kings big money offer and played like dog **** and cared more about his tan than helping the team on the ice.

Sadly this whole thing just stinks of Luc, just like it was his idea to have Blake on the post game shows, but Luc didn't want him embarrassed by the booos so they had him
off-site at the casino in Palm Springs. Another laughable moment.

 

[tigermask48]

I just wanna know what the guy has done to deserve this position, even if it is to get DL coffee. He's still going to be paid well to do so. Were they really that deprived of candidates?

Were there better candidates? Sure, absolutely. Was there any that wanted to basically have the position in name only, and otherwise learn the ins ands outs of being a GM? Maybe not. I'm starting to see this as solely doing Blake a favor. We can argue on whether DL should or should not be doing that favor, but I'm also just trying to see a silver lining in something that annoys me so take this as just my 2 cents.

 

[taz346]

If I buy the ticket, I have the right to express my opinion. It's not childish to hold people accountable.

Did you watch the kind of effort Blake put forth on most nights in his 2nd stint with the Kings? Dude, definitely stole money.

Did I watch? Being a King fan for me goes back to the '70's. Days of Eddie "Jet" Joyal, Bill "Cowboy" Flett..Days of games at the Long Beach Arena. Jiggs McDonald announcing before Bob Miller took the job via Jack Kent Cooke. So yes, I did see all of Rob Blakes actions with the Kings. I've seen a lot of players, managment, and fans come and go thru the years and I stand by my words that to boo any of your team or managment is extreemly childish. Especially when all people really know is what the media relays to them.

 

[KINGS17]

Yup.

But some people refuse to boo or hold people accountable for their unprofessional behavior. Hell, there was a Ryan Smyth appreciation thread on this board, even after his lies and deceits were revealed.

People can blame TL all they want, but Blake is the one who took it to the media and Blake was the one who removed his C. And then Blake came back to the Kings big money offer and played like dog **** and cared more about his tan than helping the team on the ice.

Sadly this whole thing just stinks of Luc, just like it was his idea to have Blake on the post game shows, but Luc didn't want him embarrassed by the booos so they had him
off-site at the casino in Palm Springs. Another laughable moment.

It really does, unfortunately. As I said before, I don't want to see any of the players from the past failed culture assume a leadership responsibility that involves player development.

If they want to bring Blake back and get him in the good graces of the fans, they should start with that hockey-mania (or whatever they called it) that they have prior to the start of the season outside of Staples Center. Blake can be the main attraction at the dunk tank, or maybe that carnival game where you throw the cream pies at the guy's face.

 

[KINGS17]

Did I watch? Being a King fan for me goes back to the '70's. Days of Eddie "Jet" Joyal, Bill "Cowboy" Flett..Days of games at the Long Beach Arena. Jiggs McDonald announcing before Bob Miller took the job via Jack Kent Cooke. So yes, I did see all of Rob Blakes actions with the Kings. I've seen a lot of players, managment, and fans come and go thru the years and I stand by my words that to boo any of your team or managment is extreemly childish. Especially when all people really know is what the media relays to them.

Well, we're are going to have to agree to disagree then. I don't think holding a guy like Blake accountable is childish at all.

 

[King RAZZ]

It really does, unfortunately. As I said before, I don't want to see any of the players from the past failed culture assume a leadership responsibility that involves player development.

If they want to bring Blake back and get him in the good graces of the fans, they should start with that hockey-mania (or whatever they called it) that they have prior to the start of the season outside of Staples Center. Blake can be the main attraction at the dunk tank, or maybe that carnival game where you throw the cream pies at the guy's face.

I'd prefer throwing baseballs... I wonder if my bean ball has lost any speed...

 

[Quattro]

DL said he wanted to build a model franchise (like Detroit) and he did. The Kings won their first Stanley Cup. The team is built to last. The prospect list is strong. Every game sells out. The team is gaining in overall popularity on television. People like us put up 1000 post threads on Bud Holloway. The recently departed assistant GM is in line to become another teams GM. In a screwy lockout shortened season the Kings made it to the conference finals.

I lol'd hard at this

 

[Butch 19]

Welcome back to L.A., Rob.

And good luck, hope you do as good a job as Hextall did (as if I actually know what Hextall actually did as AGM to help the Kings win the Cup. Find out, and do the same thing).

 

[Winger23]

Did I watch? Being a King fan for me goes back to the '70's. Days of Eddie "Jet" Joyal, Bill "Cowboy" Flett..Days of games at the Long Beach Arena. Jiggs McDonald announcing before Bob Miller took the job via Jack Kent Cooke. So yes, I did see all of Rob Blakes actions with the Kings. I've seen a lot of players, managment, and fans come and go thru the years and I stand by my words that to boo any of your team or managment is extreemly childish. Especially when all people really know is what the media relays to them.

People who express how they feel about someone is childish just because they are on your team? Get over it. People spend their hard earned money on this team, and Blake's own actions and words spoke volumes, didn't need the media to make my decision for me. Just because you are willing to cheer for someone that most here will not and being around since the 70's does not mean anything. People have the right to boo whoever they want.

This is a terrible, terrible decision to bring this guy aboard. Aside from Roenick, who could be worse?

 

[The Butcher]

I just lost respect for Blake when he gave up the "C". That went against everything I thought NHL players were.

But I also believe in bygones and he's once again a part of our team so I don't really see much choice other than accepting him and moving on.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Well, we're are going to have to agree to disagree then. I don't think holding a guy like Blake accountable is childish at all.

Accountable for what though? At the time that Blake stripped himself of the captaincy, I was pissed off at him and the organization for taking things personally in negotiations. When the facts came out, I see why that happened. It was a very emotional response from Blake, who was given an ultimatum and a take it or leave it offer after he had spent 11+ years with the team and had accepted less than market value to re-sign a three-year deal back in '98.

So what do the Kings do in turn? They not only nickel and dime him, but they tell Blake this is the best offer that they have, there is no room to negotiate, and if he doesn't sign, he's gone. They threatened to get rid of him. So in turn, he felt that he was unwanted by the organization and relinquished his captaincy. Cooler heads prevailed after Taylor had a sit down with Blake and the negotiations in turn became a big distraction that hovered over the Kings' and Rob Blake's head throughout the season until he was dealt.

Leiweke and Kevin Gilmore pulled this crap on a number of occasions. How about we relive the way this team operated with some quotes from one of the most beloved Kings players of all time?

http://mayorsmanor.com/2009/11/20-questions-with-20-interview-with-luc-robitaille/

I still don’t quite know what happened either. I thought we had a great run. When it comes down to a contract its always about one guy. I had a great year. I was 11th in scoring in the league. We had done everything right. But then I was offered a pay cut. I wasn’t expecting a huge…um…I don’t know what I was expecting. But I was expecting something. When I was offered a pay cut – you know – that never happens to the leading scorer on your team. I was really disappointed. It happened 24 hours before the July deadline. It was certainly weird the way it happened. There was not a lot of communication. I didn’t understand it. But at the time I wasn’t going to go and shop myself around. I was going to go for the team that really wanted me. So that’s what I let the Kings know at the time – I said “If you want me, you have until tomorrow to sign me†and that was going to be it for me. They never called me back.

Hey guys, remember the debacle that was Jeremy Roenick? Take a guess as to who was responsible for that.

 

[Model62]

The concern to me is to how quick everybody is turning on DL again. Shouldn't we put a little faith in the man that's made our organization what it is now compared to what it was?

Who says it was DL's decision? Maybe it was the new Top Exec's (whomever that is) and Luc's?

 

[Herby]

This is a terrible, terrible decision to bring this guy aboard. Aside from Roenick, who could be worse?

Luc also tried to bring his buddy Roenick back a few years ago giving him a video blog or something like that on lakings.com, infuriated the fans.

As far as I am concerned Blake is in that select group of people that I could never get behind returning to the Kings in any capacity.

Rob Blake
Ryan Smyth
Dmitri Khristich
Rick Tocchet
Pat Quinn

All took shots at the Kings, the fans, the city, management etc. on the way out. All are arrogant grade A ***-holes. Having to see Blake's name on the website, quoted in articles, in the media guide on the radio etc. is just going to absolutely suck as a fan.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

What did Tocchet say? And even if he said something negative about the team, look at where they were at the time he was brought in, the organization was a mess. To lump him in with the others doesn't seem fair.

 

[jt]

People seem to also forget that Blake actually took less to re-sign with the Kings after winning the Norris Trophy in '98.

What are you talking about? They made him the highest paid Dman in the NHL and that's "taking less"?

http://www.hockeynut.com/9899/salary1098.html

PLAYER TEAM POS. SALARY
Fedorov, Sergei DET C $14,000,000.00 US
Kariya, Paul ANA LW $8,500,000.00 US
Lindros, Eric PHI C $8,500,000.00 US
Hasek, Dominik BUF G $8,000,000.00 US
Sundin, Mats TOR C $6,347,164.00 US
Forsberg, Peter COL C $6,000,000.00 US
Gilmour, Douglas CHI C $6,000,000.00 US
Gretzky, Wayne NYR C $6,000,000.00 US
Messier, Mark VAN C $6,000,000.00 US
Joseph, Curtis TOR G $5,500,000.00 US
Blake, Robert LOS D $5,267,500.00 US
Roy, Patrick COL G $5,113,260.00 US
Richter, Mike NYR G $5,100,000.00 US
Bure, Pavel VAN RW $5,050,000.00 US
Francis, Ronald CAR C $5,000,000.00 US
Modano, Michael DAL C $5,000,000.00 US
Jagr, Jaromir PIT RW $4,988,491.00 US
Yzerman, Steve DET C $4,800,000.00 US
Selanne, Teemu ANA RW $4,750,000.00 US
Turgeon, Pierre STL C $4,650,000.00 US
Hull, Brett DAL RW $4,500,000.00 US
MacInnis, Allan STL D $4,500,000.00 US
Recchi, Mark MON RW $4,500,000.00 US
Mogilny, Alexander VAN RW $4,200,000.00 US
Stevens, Scott NJD D $4,152,579.00 US
Krupp, Uwe DET D $4,100,000.00 US
Tkachuk, Keith PHO LW $4,100,000.00 US
Bourque, Ray BOS D $4,000,000.00 US

 

[KINGS17]

Accountable for what though?

I think you better go back and do some research.

Not to mention the crap play and complete lack of effort Blake put forth in his 2nd stint with the Kings, Blake has a lot to answer for.

This has to be the dumbest thing Dean has done since becoming GM of the Kings.

 

[taz346]

People who express how they feel about someone is childish just because they are on your team? Get over it. People spend their hard earned money on this team, and Blake's own actions and words spoke volumes, didn't need the media to make my decision for me. Just because you are willing to cheer for someone that most here will not and being around since the 70's does not mean anything. People have the right to boo whoever they want.

This is a terrible, terrible decision to bring this guy aboard. Aside from Roenick, who could be worse?

I don't think anyone forces people to pay their hard earned money on attending games. If people aren't happy with the team then why not just stay home, watch on tv and save your money. I doubt the players or owners really give a sweet chit, one way or the other.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

What are you talking about? They made him the highest paid Dman in the NHL and that's "taking less"?

http://www.hockeynut.com/9899/salary1098.html

Blake was already earning over $3M. He won the Norris and took on a $2M per year increase after winning the Norris Trophy and leading the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 5 years. He could've held out for more as he was looked to set the precedent for what top defensemen earn. It wasn't long after where Pronger set that example when the Blues gave him $9M per year. The Kings could've signed Blake at a longer term for slightly more than $5M (he was asking for around $6M or so I believe). They screwed up royally and the market price for Blake skyrocketed after the Pronger contract. Go do some research and find out for yourself.