The Last Three years

[LAKings88]

Been thinking about the last three years and how difficult it has been to watch a dynastic team seemingly crumble.

There are a few things that don't sit right honestly. Not that I'm holier than thou, but to see such a good team get torn down kinda from the inside still leaves a bitter taste.


Stoll and the pool party stuff. (I get it, athletes party) Him taking the brunt of repercussions.
Voynov
Richards (In hindsight, I don't think it was handled right at all)
Stripping Brown's C
Williams walking away/let go

Still love my team but it has a different feel than before all this happened. Loved seeing the class displayed by Vinny and Iggy. I have seen multiple eras come and go. Have matured in my expectations and knowledge after watching two cup runs. A new era is beginning again with Blake. I still think this team can contend again. Feel a little broken about the past three years is all. Probably a little to punch drunk tonight and feeling bummed about what could have been. Grateful for what was tho.

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[Ziggy Stardust]

It's possible for them to stage a bounce back, though not sure how soon it'll come. Look at what the Ducks have gone through over the last decade since they won the Cup. San Jose has been considered strong Cup candidates ever since they landed Joe Thornton, and all that's earned them is one appearance in the SCF. It took Pittsburgh another seven seasons to get back on top, under new management and three different coaches in between.

But then you look at how some bad decisions has set a team like Boston back, and with the exception of their eep run in 2013, they've never been as good as they were in 2011 when they beat Vancouver.

It may take some time for the Kings to go on another successful playoff run, but I do think it's possible with some good decisions in player transactions and some luck in drafting and developing talent.

 

[LAKings88]

I still believe in this team Ziggy.

I like the youth coming in and am looking forward to seeing some more creativity hopefully.

I think I have come to enjoy this team even in down years.

Cups are special, but not the norm. Been spoiled for awhile but I still remember some craptastic years.

I think the lack of respect in the NHLs greatest teams article got me thinking down this line.

LA had a very good team for a span there.

 

[damacles1156]

Sadly,

We need to accept: 2012-2014 most likely, will be the best Kings teams you will ever see in your lifetime.

The Kings may eventually have a better team on paper(down the road), but it may not perform.

 

[Bandit]

**** that, I'm not sad about. Those teams kicked ass and I'm still stoked that I got to witness not one but two Stanley Cups get paraded out onto home ice in person and be hoisted over my favorite team's captain's head.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Sadly

I'm tired of that word. Why is it sad? They got to the top. They set records doing it. Doing multiple things in the same playoff tournament that probably won't ever be done at the same time again. How many teams win 10 consecutive road games, go up 3-0 in every series while starting each series on the road, come back from down 0-3, and win three road Game 7's?

Enjoy it. It was unlikely to happen to begin with, and unlikely to happen again. It's like life. It's made up of the little moments. It's all fleeting.

 

[yankeeking]

I'm tired of that word. Why is it sad? They got to the top. They set records doing it. Doing multiple things in the same playoff tournament that probably won't ever be done at the same time again. How many teams win 10 consecutive road games, go up 3-0 in every series while starting each series on the road, come back from down 0-3, and win three road Game 7's?

Enjoy it. It was unlikely to happen to begin with, and unlikely to happen again. It's like life. It's made up of the little moments. It's all fleeting.

damn right what a run and having seats for it all was nuts, sharing it all with my adult son awesome, I know it doesn't look probable now or anytime soon but thats what sports are all about here's to losing some of the bandwaggoners for awhile and shorter beer lines as a result and making one more run before DD leaves for TO :sarcasm .............. I do not know what more we can ask for , most wanted a coaching change,done, many wanted a GM change, done , not sure how many wanted blake after his antics in the past, but one thing he has proved he is heartless and treats this as a business , one of DL'S biggest flaws was his love of his players , so the stage is set for head first into retool lets hope blake is as good a GM as he was a dman

 

[cyclones22]

Yeah, why do you think it's so hard to win multiple championships? The system is set up to discourage it from happening. From where you draft, the salary cap and when you win, players rightfully deserve to be paid. That is the price of doing business as a championship club trying to win multiple times. The Kings won twice and are paying the piper now. Whatever, life goes on. When I read fans say that the last 3 seasons have been disastrous, I think they're the most spoiled MFs around. Really? Disastrous was 10 years ago. Your memories can't be that short.

 

[LAKings88]

I've been a die hard fan since 89.

I'm eternally grateful for two cups, but I'm sorry, the last three years have sucked. Especially if it is mainly the players quitting on a coach. Or whatever reason you want to spin. It did not just come down to cap constraints. Something happened to this team. Hoping this dark cloud had been exercised this offseason.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Yeah, I still fondly look back and cherish the two Cup runs and will rewatch highlights and games during the offseason, but I don't think about it every time I watch the current Kings.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Stoll was on his way out anyway. You're kidding yourself if you think he was gonna stay here. Once he was unable to win faceoffs consistently, his role was a mystery.

 

[ru4reals]

Yuuuuup I'm still riding HIGH after the first cup in '12 and still can't believe we won it in again in 2014. I would have never thought in my lifetime that I would see a cup but 2! I can finally live in peace. However, in saying that I would love to win it again before I go. But I agree pretty much Richards career going in the toilet and Voynov's situation pretty much set us back a few years. I think our core guys can still get this team back into contention but it's gonna take a lot for them to ever reach where they were in '12 and '14.

 

[Rorschach]

Been thinking about the last three years and how difficult it has been to watch a dynastic team seemingly crumble.

There are a few things that don't sit right honestly. Not that I'm holier than thou, but to see such a good team get torn down kinda from the inside still leaves a bitter taste.


Stoll and the pool party stuff. (I get it, athletes party) Him taking the brunt of repercussions.
Voynov
Richards (In hindsight, I don't think it was handled right at all)
Stripping Brown's C
Williams walking away/let go

Still love my team but it has a different feel than before all this happened. Loved seeing the class displayed by Vinny and Iggy. I have seen multiple eras come and go. Have matured in my expectations and knowledge after watching two cup runs. A new era is beginning again with Blake. I still think this team can contend again. Feel a little broken about the past three years is all. Probably a little to punch drunk tonight and feeling bummed about what could have been. Grateful for what was tho.

I share your sentiment but not your assessment that the dynasty has crumbled. It's the cap era so there is just more years between wins. There were three years between 2010 and 2013 for the Hawks. There were seven years between 2009 and 2016 for the Pens. We still have the core pieces to do it again.

We have to solve some annoying issues but our issues are not as serious as other teams' issues. The Habs, with no 1C, and the Leafs, with no 1D, or the Blues, with no 1G, these teams are considered some of the "good" teams in the league and have much more serious problems than we do.

 

[KINGS17]

The Leafs have the assets necessary to solve their problem via trade.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I just want to see the Kings give it their all again. Bored with the underachieving. If they can't win anymore giving it their all, then fine, but when you can tell their hearts aren't into it, it's just frustrating.

 

[BigKing]

It's really more the last year and half. Still high off of 2012-14 in the 2015 season plus there were excuses for it (Voynov...lots of hockey played etc.).

2016 was a lot of regular season points plus very good at home. As a STH, they were very good at home in 2015 and '16 so I still got to witness a lot of wins.

Stumbling into the 2016 playoffs and getting smoked was the turning point. It's been **** since then and doesn't look that promising moving forward.

Still have at least one more season of the Ducks only having the one Cup. It's hard to sit here and be "sad" about the last three years (Kings have had much worse three year, four year, eternity stretches) when you have Cup memories that are still vivid.

****...we used to wax nostalgic about beating a depleted Red Wings team in the 1st round as one of the franchises shining moments. I'm not sad about a damn thing.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

That is very true. The greatest successes of this team prior to 2012-14 could be counted on one hand:

- The 2001 Playoffs
- The 1993 Cup run
- Defeating the Cup champion Flames in '90 in OT
- The 3-1 series comeback to beat the defending Cup champs, the Oilers in '89
- The Miracle on Manchester

And that's it.

 

[KINGS17]

It's really more the last year and half. Still high off of 2012-14 in the 2015 season plus there were excuses for it (Voynov...lots of hockey played etc.).

2016 was a lot of regular season points plus very good at home. As a STH, they were very good at home in 2015 and '16 so I still got to witness a lot of wins.

Stumbling into the 2016 playoffs and getting smoked was the turning point. It's been **** since then and doesn't look that promising moving forward.

Still have at least one more season of the Ducks only having the one Cup. It's hard to sit here and be "sad" about the last three years (Kings have had much worse three year, four year, eternity stretches) when you have Cup memories that are still vivid.

****...we used to wax nostalgic about beating a depleted Red Wings team in the 1st round as one of the franchises shining moments. I'm not sad about a damn thing.

Yes, no more having to watch highlights from the Miracle on Manchester, and the 1st round win over Detroit, and kid ourselves into thinking that was great.

 

[LAKings88]

Yeah, I still fondly look back and cherish the two Cup runs and will rewatch highlights and games during the offseason, but I don't think about it every time I watch the current Kings.

I don't dwell on it a lot. I also have hope for the future.

Funny thing is, the first and second cups had such an impact on me as a long time fan, but I have not wanted to watch the videos in some time.

My view as a fan has changed since the cups, which I never thought I'd see happen in LA.

Not so much a feeling that I can take it or leave it but that I know now not to expect championships, or playoffs even, and to appreciate the team for what it is.

Anyway, I'm not in a constant state of whoa is me, just with hindsight, it's hard to see how some of how this went down. As someone said, that's life.

But I do feel like some of the accomplishments of this group have been kinda tarnished by the things I've mentioned. Just an opinion. Still wouldn't trade those championships in for anything tho.

 

[BigKing]

Life is harder when you have expectations for things and they don't come to fruition.

We used to be excited about making the playoffs while winning a round was a "I was there when..." moment. You get used to winning and have expectations. Then you start buying into the "dynasty" talk that came out of '14 and, three years later, you are wondering if Kopitar is a possible anchor on this team moving forward.

Life comes at you fast. I think "sad" is the wrong choice of words as it is more disappointing that everything seemed to fall apart.

Better to have loved and lost than not loved at all, right?

My biggest gripe is the entertainment value of the team and how pathetic they were in regards to standing up for each other last season. Losing is one thing but last season was just an embarrassment.

 

[TruKingFan]

**** that, I'm not sad about. Those teams kicked ass and I'm still stoked that I got to witness not one but two Stanley Cups get paraded out onto home ice in person and be hoisted over my favorite team's captain's head.

Hell yeah! In fact, not just TWO Cups but two of the most historic Cup runs in the history of the NHL and yet some people here still think - meh so what - Kopitar's contract suck because they signed hm for more than what I would have paid him. Gimme a break.

 

[lumbergh]

I'm eternally happy that the Kings hoisted the Cup twice. On the one hand, we got spoiled. On the other hand, it makes you realize how hard it is to win a Cup.

Now I'd just like them to make the playoffs and be competitive. A deep run or two over the next five years would be good. I'd be satisfied with that. Just as important, I'd like to be entertained watching Kings hockey again. If there's anything that's frustrating about the past season, it's just how dull the team has become.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I'm eternally happy that the Kings hoisted the Cup twice. On the one hand, we got spoiled. On the other hand, it makes you realize how hard it is to win a Cup.

Now I'd just like them to make the playoffs and be competitive. A deep run or two over the next five years would be good. I'd be satisfied with that. Just as important, I'd like to be entertained watching Kings hockey again. If there's anything that's frustrating about the past season, it's just how dull the team has become.

My exact sentiments. It almost became a chore to watch the team this past season. It was excruciating and extremely disappointing to see what they have become: a team that simply didn't care.

 

[The Tikkanen]

I'm excited to see what Blake does this summer, I expect major changes. And I look forward to seeing just what the Sutter effect was on these guys. Cause that's the excuse right now, this guy put the shackles on us and made up grind the boards until our hockey pants turned white from so much rubbing. I'm also looking forward to seeing Lewis nabbed by Vegas so I don't have to watch his heavy hands for 14 minutes a night.

 

[KINGS17]

Hell yeah! In fact, not just TWO Cups but two of the most historic Cup runs in the history of the NHL and yet some people here still think - meh so what - Kopitar's contract suck because they signed hm for more than what I would have paid him. Gimme a break.

One has absolutely NOTHING to do with the other. I am very pleased and satisfied to have witnessed two historic cup runs, and to have seen the cup raised in person twice.

The pleasure derived from those two experiences has nothing to do with Kopitar, Brown, or Gaborik's contract sucking. Those contracts suck and will hamper Blake's ability to get the Kings back to contending again, which is all I care about. I am no longer excited at the prospect of just making the playoffs with an aging roster which has a very low probability of even advancing to the conference final.