Stevens and Nachbaur Fired

[Moses Doughty]

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.

He couldn't get an assistant job in the NHL after his firing and Canada didn't look great in the Olympics, so this may be his way back to the NHL (here or somewhere else)

 

[mrkolice]

He couldn't get an assistant job in the NHL after his firing and Canada didn't look great in the Olympics, so this may be his way back to the NHL (here or somewhere else)

yes. it makes sense. he got another bullet. that's a win-win situation.

 

[Little Psycho]

So is Strum joining the team later this week?

 

[mrkolice]

So is Strum joining the team later this week?

monday next week if i understood correctly. obligations in germany.

 

[Little Psycho]

monday next week if i understood correctly. obligations in germany.

So losses until then will be blamed on Willie. Got it.

 

[Moses Doughty]

yes. it makes sense. he got another bullet. that's a win-win situation.

Exactly-if he does ok he's instantly a candidate for other open jobs for making this team look alright, if it's bad it keeps his name out there and it's not his fault anyways (aka look at how we were with Stevens). If the Kings are amazing the rest of the way somehow him/Sturm are the two options for the job, and if Willie doesn't stay he's the Bruce Arians of the NHL market

 

[DryIslandBartender]

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.

AEG/Luc were never on board with a rebuild. Luc was convinced and convinced AEG we just needed to have a more lax clubhouse and less taxing playing style for success. He still thought this was a championship team.

 

[BigKing]

AEG was able to use the Carter injury as an excuse to push contender status. They will now pin this season on Stevens/Willie going in to next summer as they hand it off to Sturm. They will still be called contenders and they will pump the tires of JAD and, if healthy, Vilardi.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

AEG was able to use the Carter injury as an excuse to push contender status. They will now pin this season on Stevens/Willie going in to next summer as they hand it off to Sturm. They will still be called contenders and they will pump the tires of JAD and, if healthy, Vilardi.

They’ll do the same with the Quick injury.

 

[lexlavender]

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.

This is absurd, baseless conjecture. Luc became president of business operations in 2007 and president of the org in 2017. It's silly to think that Luc, who largely performed a ceremonial and promotional role, all of the sudden became this trusted final decision maker when things started going south.

You question why Lombardi caved? After all the bad deals he made up until then? Really?

I believe Luc is an idiot, but there are very little indications he has this cospiratorial sway over the organization as you discuss. I really don't care you've "talked to people" and "get that sense", that means nothing to me.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't disagree with your feelings on Luc. I don't want him making hockey decisions either. I know his title is president, but I'm not actually convinced he's much involved in personnel decisions involving hockey ops.

He cares about the uniforms and the decorations at the holiday party. I don't see him dealing with trades, signings, scouting, drafting ect.

Yeah, if it were someone other than Blake, I'd be more inclined to think he's hands-on, but they have a history. I don't think he's got much part in that other than as a sounding board. Luc is all personality and charisma, which is his qualification for the position. I don't see him as a saavy businessman or a brass tacks guy at all, he's simply a public relations figurehead, which is great. But I agree with K17 in the sense that he's probably selling the contender thing up the food chain, they seem to buy anything he says for better or for worse. Let's just hope it's for better.

 

[mrkolice]

So losses until then will be blamed on Willie. Got it.

it's one more day until the next game. i can't wait for it to start, but my guts tell me to bet on lak in next few games. no relevant rational explanation to speak of, just guts. bottom line i think the locker room is breathing again, deeply, and that they will be max motivated.

 

[Sol]

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.

Really good post and I'm not doubting your legitimacy when I say this ; DL was fond of giving big long term contracts, I don't understand why would he draw the line at Kopitar unless Kopitar is an issue in the locker room which all the random tidbits seem to imply.

Anyone else hear anything about Kopitar?

 

[fsanford]

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.

They ripped the C off of the "leadership" and never did rectify that one.

 

[Choralone]

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.

It seems like a second chance to show the rest of the league he can be an NHL coach, even if it isn't with the LA Kings long-term. If I were in his shoes I'd do it - based on his reputation after his stint with Vancouver, it doesn't seem like he has anything to lose.

 

[YP44]

He couldn't get an assistant job in the NHL after his firing and Canada didn't look great in the Olympics, so this may be his way back to the NHL (here or somewhere else)

I like what he did with Canada. They out performed my expectations

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Really good post and I'm not doubting your legitimacy when I say this ; DL was fond of giving big long term contracts, I don't understand why would he draw the line at Kopitar unless Kopitar is an issue in the locker room which all the random tidbits seem to imply.

Anyone else hear anything about Kopitar?

DL, I believe was unavailable for comment regarding Kopitars extension. Sutter filled in for him which was odd.

 

[BigKing]

Really good post and I'm not doubting your legitimacy when I say this ; DL was fond of giving big long term contracts, I don't understand why would he draw the line at Kopitar unless Kopitar is an issue in the locker room which all the random tidbits seem to imply.

Anyone else hear anything about Kopitar?

If DL did, indeed, have a problem with Kopitar, I'm sure it was more the dollars and not the years.

I thought about it at the time of the captaincy switch but quickly dismissed it since Kopitar seems like such a quiet, unassuming dude but I've been thinking about it this season: especially when Brown came back and was obviously a lift to the team.

What if part of his extension was that he would be made captain? I'm not even saying it would be Kopitar demanding it but rather an agent in his ear. I just have a hard time fully buying the "This will get Brown going" idea by embarrassing him while also making an unnecessary move with the letters. No offense to Carter or Doughty, but it is laughable that Brown doesn't even wear a letter. Actually, I take back not offending Doughty. It is a travesty he is wearing one and Brown is not.

 

[KINGS17]

I don't disagree with your feelings on Luc. I don't want him making hockey decisions either. I know his title is president, but I'm not actually convinced he's much involved in personnel decisions involving hockey ops.

He cares about the uniforms and the decorations at the holiday party. I don't see him dealing with trades, signings, scouting, drafting ect.

I tend to agree about the details, but unfortunately I think he has Uncle Phil's ear in regard to the general direction. I think Blake is allowed to make minor course corrections only.

I think Blake may be having trouble finding any takers for some of the Kings players right now when it comes to making trades.

 

[KINGS17]

Really good post and I'm not doubting your legitimacy when I say this ; DL was fond of giving big long term contracts, I don't understand why would he draw the line at Kopitar unless Kopitar is an issue in the locker room which all the random tidbits seem to imply.

Anyone else hear anything about Kopitar?

Dean's MO when giving a long term contract was to get a discount on the cap hit. He didn't get that with the Kopitar deal.

 

[AlphaBravo]

Doughty doesn't have an ounce of leadership in him. Yes, he is emotional, competitive, and wants to win. I respect that. I also respect his elite skills as a defenseman (probably best in the world). But the guy throws tantrums, is absorbed in himself, and I don't like the fact that he rebutted Stevens publicly about the team not being emotionally invested in the game after the Islanders loss. A true leader would say the play is unacceptable and we need to do something about it instead of making excuses.

Kopitar is more of a lead by example kind of captain. I am not in the locker room to hear what he says to the team, but the guy comes off as a passive/soft spoken person. I don't he does a 180 with his personality in the locker room and gives a passionate speak to the squad. I do think it made sense at the time to make him captain because he is one of the best players on our team. He will also likely be the one of the few players you can count on to be part of this squad long term.

I think it's too late to give the C back to Brown. Brown just needs to be incorporated into the supporting leadership group along with Carter, Phaneuf etc.

 

[Sol]

If DL did, indeed, have a problem with Kopitar, I'm sure it was more the dollars and not the years.

I thought about it at the time of the captaincy switch but quickly dismissed it since Kopitar seems like such a quiet, unassuming dude but I've been thinking about it this season: especially when Brown came back and was obviously a lift to the team.

What if part of his extension was that he would be made captain? I'm not even saying it would be Kopitar demanding it but rather an agent in his ear. I just have a hard time fully buying the "This will get Brown going" idea by embarrassing him while also making an unnecessary move with the letters. No offense to Carter or Doughty, but it is laughable that Brown doesn't even wear a letter. Actually, I take back not offending Doughty. It is a travesty he is wearing one and Brown is not.

Yeah Carter shouldn't wear a thing even Doughty.

 

[mrkolice]

nice read, via laki:

Coaching change representative of shortcomings across many levels - LA Kings Insider

rosen also gave something interesting in the comments below, quote:

"... and the org believes this group settled into some familiar habits they couldn't shake."

reading between the lines it means the players are united, nothing sick going on in the locker room. that's very important right now.

they'll be fine.

 

[BigKing]

Yeah...united in being lazy and happy to live in LA and collect fat paychecks.

There isn't a problem in the room as it relates to the players feelings towards one another: the problem is how they collectively hit the snooze button.

The way they are playing is Exhibit A for Lombardi's belief in guys wanting to play here just because of the weather and the lack of accountability brought by being in a large market that, for the most part, doesn't care about hockey.

 

[Moses Doughty]

I like what he did with Canada. They out performed my expectations

At best they looked bad/middling when not playing the Czechs or South Korea. Even without NHLers they should be better

 

[Little Psycho]

Oh that's good. Hopefully they are all united to get traded.