Originally posted by Skebo Most of the players like Sydor, Zhitnik and Jokinen improved when they went to other teams because they were given time to mature on those other teams. If anything they were thrown in the fire here in LA before they were ready. Berg's career was almost destroyed by starting him at LA before he was ready.
If you remember, Sydor was hated by most kings fans and were glad he was traded.
Zhitnik was traded more so for his personal issues. Poke around and you'll find out why he was traded.
Jokinen still hasn't proved anything to me. He still sucks.
I agree with you about Berg. But what choice did the Kings have. They had no one to sign because they were broke. He was brought up too soon. He could have been a decent d-man. He did have an attitude problem though.
If Karalahti wasn't so stupid he could have been a top 3 d-man right now for the kings. He was tough, physical and had an offensive touch. He could have been an Adrian Aucoin type player. But he'd rather drink. What a waste.
You guys have to remember that in years past the Kings had no other choice but to play guys like Berg, Olli, mini Blake and Storr. The talent was so bad that they were plugged right in, ready or not. Most of them would have been way better served to play a few seasons of minor league puck. But that was LA back then, trade all the picks for Gretz's pals. It filled the seats where before they were'nt, but it left the cubboards bare in terms of prospects in the system. But now that we have talent in the cubboards, I hope we have the coaches to lead them in the right direction.
Name some players that were not highly touted prospects that got better because of playing in Manchester.
The only two I can think of are Giuliano and Hauser. While they haven't made it to the big club yet, they appear to be on the radar screen. Neither were highly touted, but both have matured into their current roles and will likely see some time on the Kings roster if not this year then the next. They may not be elite players, but they have gotten better as a result of their stints in Manchester.
If you remember, Sydor was hated by most kings fans and were glad he was traded.
Zhitnik was traded more so for his personal issues. Poke around and you'll find out why he was traded.
Jokinen still hasn't proved anything to me. He still sucks.
I agree with you about Berg. But what choice did the Kings have. They had no one to sign because they were broke. He was brought up too soon. He could have been a decent d-man. He did have an attitude problem though.
If Karalahti wasn't so stupid he could have been a top 3 d-man right now for the kings. He was tough, physical and had an offensive touch. He could have been an Adrian Aucoin type player. But he'd rather drink. What a waste.
D
Everyone hated Sydor because he was thrown into the fire too quickly and didn't preform to expectations.
Zhitnik was either the Russian mob, the bottle, or both.
Jokinen wasn't even originally offered in the Palffy trade, but Bettman forced our hand.
Tubby, not that I disagree with your pov, but I'm curious to see who you'd get to replace Murray and his staff?
Honestly, I haven't even considered the options, and I know that VanBoxmeer may be just a pawn in the shell game, but EVERY coach in the NHL comes with an expiration date, and we have now heard everyone from Leiweke to Luc on down to an assistant zamboni driver say that this is the most talented Kings team assembled since the early 90s, so I would say that it's put up or shut up time for all of them, and honestly, Dave Taylor FEELS untouchable, but in a heartbeat I would throw that baby out with the bathwater if someone exceptional became available. I don't know that the Kings ownership would look outside of their slightly myopic world to explore the talent that is out there, (and I am not calling Taylor or Murray talentless...) but I would have to believe there is a person out there who could assemble a coaching staff that would maximize the efforts of "the most talented Kings team" of the past 10-12 years.
Actually the pansies are in Reading...One of the local florists in Reading is a sponsor. They have a sign behind the visitors bench that says "Worlds Biggest Pansies"...
Actually the pansies are in Reading...One of the local florists in Reading is a sponsor. They have a sign behind the visitors bench that says "Worlds Biggest Pansies"...
well I have said it earlier and I will say it again, i think the situation with Grebeshkov is attitude and confidence. It is not about coaching.
Last season it was obvious he had the tools to be a pretty good defenseman but his confidence was/is very fragile and probably still is.
I dont think he wanted to get sent down this year and now that he has it appears(from what I have read and heard) that his play has regressed somewhat this season. Someone is going to have to sit down with this guy and have a serious talk with him in where he stands with this organization because I am pretty sure they are keeping a eye on him in LA on how he responds to his demotion, how much he really wants to improve his game and be a solid contributer to the LA Kings. If he continues to regress or at the very most shows no improvement over some of the mistakes hes been making this year and last year its time to send him on his way.
I said last year, that I like the kid and was willing to give him another full season in Manchester(yes i was very frustrated with him last year). But I was not ready to give up on him last year. Some fans were, but I wasnt.
I want the guy to do well, because its good hearing stories like you hear from Weaver and Gleason saying how much they learned from playing in Manchester.
