Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
There's the problem with being able to attract quality outside help. I'll remain skeptical of this current team and management until that help is aquired. We can retain all of the prospects we can draft that we want, but it's all for not if we can't land any quality outside players.
I can't think of a team that's won the cup that hasn't aquired key talented outside players to help get them there. We'll see come draft day and beyond.
Well, Lombardi has said that his goal is to build a perennial Cup contender. I am assuming that Lombardi is not covering for (or being lied to by) AEG. Given that, if the Kings make the playoffs it validates them as a team no longer in just rebuild mode. Once it gets to that point, the only issues with attracting quality outside help will be a matter of having the assets and resources to go get it (hence my other conditions for calling an end to the rebuild).
Well, Lombardi has said that his goal is to build a perennial Cup contender. I am assuming that Lombardi is not covering for (or being lied to by) AEG. Given that, if the Kings make the playoffs it validates them as a team no longer in just rebuild mode. Once it gets to that point, the only issues with attracting quality outside help will be a matter of having the assets and resources to go get it (hence my other conditions for calling an end to the rebuild).
The theory is there, but the practice and application has yet to be revealed. He's drafted great, yes, but Lombardi needs to close the deal with some aquisitions. In order to get to the playoffs, we'll need some additional help.
We dropped off the radar this season because our talent level/ceiling and experience caught up to us. Terry Murray and the coaching staff have a lot do with us not coming in dead last this season. Like it or not, our talent level less than the very system TM implemented this season. He is precisely why we finished higher than we were projected to.
At any rate, I'm way off topic, so I'm cutting it short.
Well, I am hoping that Johnson won't regress (further) this season. He is not that far off and there is really no fundamental reason for him to not become a dominant first pairing defenseman; he just needs some guidance. It irks me to say it, but it really goes to show that despite all of Blake's offenses, I think he was actually good for Johnson's development. Last season he was left to his own devices and he regressed. He started getting back on track late in the season when he was paired with O'Donnell, but by then it was already too late. Hopefully having him pair with O'Donnell the entire season will get his development back on track.
I agree that Johnson needed someone to mentor him this last season. I think a full season next to OD is the absolute best thing for Johnson. However, I think the reason Johnson regressed this season is BECAUSE Blake screwed him up and gave him no fundamentals.
Whatever Blake may have said in the locker room or otherwise to Johnson, watching his play on the ice could not have been inspiring in any way.
In fact, how awful for Johnson that he gets all psyched about playing with a boyhood idol, only to find out that even with the C on his chest he can't be bothered giving 100% effort.
Blake screwed up Johnson bad. I'm confident OD can fix it.
Forgot to add that the fact that at the end of the season, Johnson spoke the most highly of Modry as a mentor tells you all you need to know about the bang up job Blake did. I don't mean that as a slight to Modry, but next to Blake, Johnson shouldn't had even had time to look at Modry because of the plethora of info Blake should have been giving him.
Remember OD talking to Doughty all game every game for the first half of the year?
Remember Blake doing that to Johnson? Maybe if he did it, I would remember it.
I agree that Johnson needed someone to mentor him this last season. I think a full season next to OD is the absolute best thing for Johnson. However, I think the reason Johnson regressed this season is BECAUSE Blake screwed him up and gave him no fundamentals.
Whatever Blake may have said in the locker room or otherwise to Johnson, watching his play on the ice could not have been inspiring in any way.
In fact, how awful for Johnson that he gets all psyched about playing with a boyhood idol, only to find out that even with the C on his chest he can't be bothered giving 100% effort.
Blake screwed up Johnson bad. I'm confident OD can fix it.
Forgot to add that the fact that at the end of the season, Johnson spoke the most highly of Modry as a mentor tells you all you need to know about the bang up job Blake did. I don't mean that as a slight to Modry, but next to Blake, Johnson shouldn't had even had time to look at Modry because of the plethora of info Blake should have been giving him.
Remember OD talking to Doughty all game every game for the first half of the year?
Remember Blake doing that to Johnson? Maybe if he did it, I would remember it.
Actually, now that you mention it, that does sound right. My point was only that I would attribute Johnson's regression to the lack of a proper mentor, whereas he had one the season before. I totally forgot about Modry and assumed it was Blake.
not to much......... ok they are good... but the last player i wanna have on my team.....
not to mention to give away value like a top 5 pick and a 1st line defender
Actually, now that you mention it, that does sound right. My point was only that I would attribute Johnson's regression to the lack of a proper mentor, whereas he had one the season before. I totally forgot about Modry and assumed it was Blake.
He probably wouldn't come here but perhaps Chelios? If I remember correctly, he is UFA, comes from a great system and would be a perfect player for JJ to clone himself from. He's 47 so maybe if the Kings gave him an extra mil per year...maybe even make him a coach after the season since we still have young guys like Doughty, Quincey, Hickey, Voynov, Teubert, and heck, even Harrold and others.
He probably wouldn't come here but perhaps Chelios? If I remember correctly, he is UFA, comes from a great system and would be a perfect player for JJ to clone himself from. He's 47 so maybe if the Kings gave him an extra mil per year...maybe even make him a coach after the season since we still have young guys like Doughty, Quincey, Hickey, Voynov, Teubert, and heck, even Harrold and others.
- R
He started out in San Diego, and may still live there at certain times. I know he trains in LA in the offseason, so you never know.
EDIT: The info I gave was a show he did on training on Fit.tv, by the way.
