Stevens and Nachbaur Fired

[bouncesonly]

He, can we have sturm back till the world cup?
even if he performs well in LA, you won't make the playoffs this years, so he should hav time to coach our national team at least 2-3 weeks prior to the World cup and during it.
He is the best we ever had, so it's a big lose for us.

No, when Kings go full tank mode, they bring the tank to other teams as well. Sorry.

 

[LAKings88]

Pretty sure the players knew because they asked for the firings. Pure guess, but I bet it was Doughty who made the call.

Blake has done nothing but quadruple down on this player core. As a Kings fan, I hope he’s right. I don’t think he’s done making changes and that a trade is coming shortly, regardless of how the team plays next week.

Funny enough, I kind of hope they magically start to turn around their defensive woes. With games against ANA, MIN and CGY this week, they have an opportunity to make a statement.

The core issue from which all problems fester is the poor depth on defense. I’d argue that after Doughty, the Kings don’t have a top 60 NHL defensemen on the roster.

Phaneuf is a 5-6 at best, and shouldn’t play more than 60 games. Muzzin is a fine #3, but can’t be counted on for 20 minutes of TOI. Martinez, Forbort, and Fantenberg all fall in the 4-7 range and are well north of 25 yo.

It’s been 3 years since the jailbird was ejected, so a fix for a #2 defenseman is way overdue and killing this franchise on and off the ice.

Maybe I’m wearing purple tinted glasses, but I don’t think the Kings need a $5M+ guy to plug the hole. You have to think that the only chips to move are Pearson and Kempe, who combined make under $5M. With no cap room, not a lot of options out there, so it’ll be interesting to see what move Blake makes.

I agree about the defense. I also say let LaDue play mistakes and all.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

I'm not arguing about not giving them a chance, but just because players have been around 30 years does not mean they are going to be good on the business side. It's pretty damn naive to think just because a guy was in the locker room automatically gives them the knowledge and insight on how to run a team or even what to look for in players or coaches.

Like I said, I have no idea if Robitaille is going to be good in hockey ops or not, but some posters are condemning him and saying we need someone with KNOWLEDGE of hockey ops.... sorry, like him or not, Robitaille is a hall of famer, who knows what it takes to succeed in the game, who knows what it takes to play at that level, who knows what it takes to MAKE it to that level, now whether or not he can translate that into a successful career in hockey ops, I always said, that remains to be seen, but to automatically assume that the guy knows nothing about hockey ops is idiotic at best.

 

[johnjm22]

While we're at it, can we get rid of Ranford too?

Quick's game needs an overhaul.

The responses to this post have been very predictable. Everyone thinks Ranford is awesome.

In reality the success of Kings goaltending has less to do with Ranford and more to do with the Kings defensive style.

I think "Overhaul" is too strong of a word, but Quick's game has needed a few simple tweaks for awhile.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

The responses to this post have been very predictable. Everyone thinks Ranford is awesome.

In reality the success of Kings goaltending has less to do with Ranford and more to do with the Kings defensive style.

I think "Overhaul" is too strong of a word, but Quick's game has needed a few simple tweaks for awhile.

Didn't realize that Jones and Bernier were actually able to take the Kings defensive system when they left.....

That does explain why they can't defend this year I guess....

 

[KINGS17]

Again, being a hall of fame hockey player does not make you knowledgeable when it comes to running an entire organization.

I don't automatically assume anything about Robitaille. I have been around at various events and talked one on one with people in the Kings organization in the past. My impression is they don't think Robitaille is very capable. Blake is smart, Robitaille isn't. Like it or not this is what people in the organization believe to be true.

Let me put forward a hypothesis which based on conversations and observations I believe to be true. Kopitar's agent comes in asking for 8 years, $80M with much of it paid in the early years of the contract and a NTC. Dean says the two sides aren't even in the same ballpark. This happens in September of 2015.

Lombardi: Kings, Kopitar not close in talks - LA Kings Insider

Kings, Kopitar ‘not even in the ballpark’ on new contract

Contract talks stall for some time. Robitaille gets involved. Instead of thinking what would be best from the organization's perspective, he approaches it from the standpoint of what he believes he would be asking for if he was in Kopitar's position, and viola it's a done deal, Kopitar gets his asking price. Also at the same time Robitaille goes to Uncle Phil and starts whispering in his ear about how Dean is ready to trade or let Kopitar walk and playing hardball with Kopitar is a mistake.

I don't say this because I have heard it. I am not plugged in like the mayor. I say it, because when I say it to people in the organization, they go quiet and kind of shrug and give you that head tilt you get when you are on the right track, but they don't want to say it.

Then in mid-January of 2016, Kopitar gets exactly what he was seeking.

Kings C Kopitar agrees to eight-year extension

Do any of you really believe Dean Lombardi went from saying "not even in the same ballpark" to let's give Kopitar exactly what he wants in 4 months? Not a chance. The Kopitar contract has Robitaille's finger prints all over it.

The Richards gaffe was the beginning of the end for Dean Lombardi, but Dean is keen on critical self evaluation. He had already said he wasn't going to make that kind of mistake again, and was going to start treating his players more like assets. Use logic here and I think you will draw the same conclusion I have reached.

If this hypothesis is correct, and I believe it is, does it give you confidence in Robitaille's brillance as a leader of an entire NHL organization?

I really hope Dean Lombardi writes that book someday.

 

[johnjm22]

Do any of you really believe Dean Lombardi went from saying "not even in the same ballpark" to let's give Kopitar exactly what he wants in 4 months? .

Yes.

"Not even in the same ballpark" is a negotiating tactic. Kopitar got paid similar to his main comp. DL was just trying to get him to sign for a little less.

DL paid pretty much everyone in accordance with their comps.

 

[KINGS17]

Yes.

"Not even in the same ballpark" is a negotiating tactic. Kopitar got paid similar to his main comp. DL was just trying to get him to sign for a little less.

DL paid pretty much everyone in accordance with their comps.

I don't think it was a negotiating tactic, because I think Dean knew the "market" had gotten ahead of itself with the Toews and Kane contracts.

 

[johnjm22]

I don't think it was a negotiating tactic, because I think Dean knew the "market" had gotten ahead of itself with the Toews and Kane contracts.

My guess is that when Kopitar and his agent asked for 10M/8Y, Lombardi countered with 8M/8Y. When Kopitar's camp didn't budge it became a waiting game. Who's going to cave first?

DL probably knew Kopitar would be valued at 10M based on comps, but wanted to save a little cap space and get him down to 9M. Offering 8M and saying "we're not in the same ballpark" is probably a negotiating tactic to get Kopitar's camp to meet in the middle.

There was some reports in December that they agreed on 9.75M

 

[fsanford]

The responses to this post have been very predictable. Everyone thinks Ranford is awesome.

In reality the success of Kings goaltending has less to do with Ranford and more to do with the Kings defensive style.

I think "Overhaul" is too strong of a word, but Quick's game has needed a few simple tweaks for awhile.

I dunno Jack Campbell needed lots of coaching, he was given up for dead. They took him off the scrap heap, and he has been a pleasant surprise.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Kind of brilliant in a roundabout way--remove the players' excuses with Stevens; add in a rah rah emotional guy with no real ties in Willie D: if he does great, great, if he doesn't, whatever; and prep Marco Sturm without immediately throwing him into the fire. Now that I've slept on this i like it more.

The responses to this post have been very predictable. Everyone thinks Ranford is awesome.

In reality the success of Kings goaltending has less to do with Ranford and more to do with the Kings defensive style.

I think "Overhaul" is too strong of a word, but Quick's game has needed a few simple tweaks for awhile.

Disagree. most of our goalies go elsewhere, have a good year, then start fading. Seriously, pick a dude, it's a pattern.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Do any of you really believe Dean Lombardi went from saying "not even in the same ballpark" to let's give Kopitar exactly what he wants in 4 months? Not a chance. The Kopitar contract has Robitaille's finger prints all over it.

Richards gaffe was the beginning of the end for Dean Lombardi, but Dean is keen on critical self evaluation. He had already said he wasn't going to make that kind of mistake again, and was going to start treating his players more like assets. Use logic here and I think you will draw the same conclusion I have reached..

You didn’t even mention the Patches fiasco. What a complete disaster that would’ve been and Luc ended up getting a friendly agent fired over it.


Second, I really believe that the acquisition of Bishop was the beginning of Dean starting to move on from the core. It made ZERO sense to acquire Bishop unless you are thinking of moving Quick for assets down the line. He explicitly said he had concerns about Quick long term and that Bishop isn’t an insurance policy.

 

[deeshamrock]

I hope Sturm has major input on the system the Kings will be using, because historically, Willie rolled lines in order, w/o regard to matchups or analytics. I'm guessing of who they wanted for 'interim' he was available , maybe just to get thru the year.

 

[LAKings88]

Kopitar is a world class player. Brought LA two cups as their main pivot. How do you let him walk or trade him?

What package is worth it or makes them better without him?

Guys like him rarely get traded.

You can make a good argument that Tavares should have been traded and that the writing was on the wall in his case.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Re: Willie D

"“There are a lot of things as a coach that maybe you can’t control, but what he can control and what he will control is the atmosphere in that locker room,” Valley said. “He’ll challenge the leaders to really be leaders.”"

Whether this happens or not, I think it's something we can all agree is our major question from the outside looking in.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I hope Sturm has major input on the system the Kings will be using, because historically, Willie rolled lines in order, w/o regard to matchups or analytics. I'm guessing of who they wanted for 'interim' he was available , maybe just to get thru the year.

Yep. Though in one way that's good because Stevens' minutes spread was like every night was Game 7. It sounds like Sturm is going to be the major tactician though. I'm actually really stoked to see what he can do, everything I've heard about him sounds phenomenal (Sturm that is). --analytics informed, but in touch with the modern player.

 

[apocalypse]

The Kings need a little bit of youth injected into their roster but I think they got what they really needed and that was a coaching change.

 

[123slam]

Time to start our 43-21-5 run

 

[Reaper45]

I haven't weighed in yet but why keep Lowry too? Should've cleaned house. Worst case scenario they could've gave Modry the call to run the d since he's already in Ontario.

 

[johnjm22]

Second, I really believe that the acquisition of Bishop was the beginning of Dean starting to move on from the core. It made ZERO sense to acquire Bishop unless you are thinking of moving Quick for assets down the line.

The Kings were in a playoff race with Calgary. The Flames main issue was goaltending and they were looking to acquire a netminder at the deadline (Bishop appeared to be the main target). DL acquired Bishop so Calgary couldn't. Quick was also coming back from injury so they wanted to ease him in and Bishop was an upgrade over Budaj.

It made perfect sense.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Again, being a hall of fame hockey player does not make you knowledgeable when it comes to running an entire organization.

I don't automatically assume anything about Robitaille. I have been around at various events and talked one on one with people in the Kings organization in the past. My impression is they don't think Robitaille is very capable. Blake is smart, Robitaille isn't. Like it or not this is what people in the organization believe to be true.

Let me put forward a hypothesis which based on conversations and observations I believe to be true. Kopitar's agent comes in asking for 8 years, $80M with much of it paid in the early years of the contract and a NTC. Dean says the two sides aren't even in the same ballpark. This happens in September of 2015.

Lombardi: Kings, Kopitar not close in talks - LA Kings Insider

Kings, Kopitar ‘not even in the ballpark’ on new contract

Contract talks stall for some time. Robitaille gets involved. Instead of thinking what would be best from the organization's perspective, he approaches it from the standpoint of what he believes he would be asking for if he was in Kopitar's position, and viola it's a done deal, Kopitar gets his asking price. Also at the same time Robitaille goes to Uncle Phil and starts whispering in his ear about how Dean is ready to trade or let Kopitar walk and playing hardball with Kopitar is a mistake.

I don't say this because I have heard it. I am not plugged in like the mayor. I say it, because when I say it to people in the organization, they go quiet and kind of shrug and give you that head tilt you get when you are on the right track, but they don't want to say it.

Then in mid-January of 2016, Kopitar gets exactly what he was seeking.

Kings C Kopitar agrees to eight-year extension

Do any of you really believe Dean Lombardi went from saying "not even in the same ballpark" to let's give Kopitar exactly what he wants in 4 months? Not a chance. The Kopitar contract has Robitaille's finger prints all over it.

The Richards gaffe was the beginning of the end for Dean Lombardi, but Dean is keen on critical self evaluation. He had already said he wasn't going to make that kind of mistake again, and was going to start treating his players more like assets. Use logic here and I think you will draw the same conclusion I have reached.

If this hypothesis is correct, and I believe it is, does it give you confidence in Robitaille's brillance as a leader of an entire NHL organization?

I really hope Dean Lombardi writes that book someday.

Brilliant post.

I was never 100% on board with the Lombardi firing for these exact reasons. He was righting the ship. And if Dean can be counted on for anything, it’s helming a proper rebuild.

 

[KINGS17]

I hope Sturm has major input on the system the Kings will be using, because historically, Willie rolled lines in order, w/o regard to matchups or analytics. I'm guessing of who they wanted for 'interim' he was available , maybe just to get thru the year.

Not sure the Kings have the player personnel Sturm needs to play the system he prefers.

 

[KINGS17]

Brilliant post.

I was never 100% on board with the Lombardi firing for these exact reasons. He was righting the ship. And if Dean can be counted on for anything, it’s helming a proper rebuild.

Should I respond to this post to pump my own tires? Is that kind of like re-tweeting? Maybe I should ask the mayor?

 

[Choralone]

Should I respond to this post to pump my own tires? Is that kind of like re-tweeting? Maybe I should ask the mayor?

I pumped my own tires on the last page, you've got my permission...

 

[mrkolice]

the only question that keeps bothering me is: how did they convince desjardins to accept the interim contract. a few missing puzzles here. but i guess it will be possible to post-mortem reconstruct the action that was going on behind the scenes in last the week or so. time will tell.