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Creating a Core
I think one thing we will all take away from the draft is that 1) Dean Lombardi is not very enamored with the current roster and 2) He is willing to trade just about anyone to build the core of young players that he wants to become the foundation or core of the team for many years to come.
This last week I read somewhere that Dave Taylor never settled on a core group of players and that the many trades he made ensured the Kings never had a pure core to build on. Be that as it may, I think it is plain that by the beginning of the coming season we will see the beginning of a core that may very well be the first time in Kings history where the philosophy is in place to assemble the talent that is capable of truly competing for the Stanley Cup.
Another thing is that Lombardi is true to his philosophy. The one comment he made was that it all begins between the pipes and he proved that by drafting the top goaltender in the draft as well as a young man who can steal a game. A great pick for the #11 slot when no one slipped from their projected spot. And, you will notice that he is the first of 4 goalies selected in the first round this year, and there are five picks remaining.
BTW, getting O'Sullivan (47 goals in the AHL last season) and drafting Trevor Little for a brittle Demitra is a solid move and I'm excited about what else or new President/ GM has in store for the franchise.
i'm oldnslo,
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