This team still has ways to go. They have yet to truly experience success. The team still suffers from streaky play and inconsistent effort. If the offense is producing, the defense falls through lapses, when the defense is being stingy, the offense fails to produce. It has been a seesaw season with the Kings at times looking like a surefire playoff team and other nights looking like a team that is clinging to a playoff spot.
I'm not too sold on the coaching. I think at this point in his career, Terry Murray is more suitable as an assistant coach. He's good at teaching a system, but he can't adapt to any changes to match up with his opponents. Just look at how teams like Phoenix, Chicago and Vancouver eat up the Kings and how Terry Murray can't make adjustments on the fly.
So after Richards and Semin sign for huge money from other NHL teams what does Deano do then?
Sit down with his media man Rich Hammond and answer his softball questions with more ridiculous cliche' filled comments like he has been doing for years?
Hammond interviewing Lombardi and Murray is like Pravda interviewing Nikita Khrushchev.
I wish there was some media in this city that would ask them the tough questions.
- Dean, why halfway through year five of your reign is the team 7th in the West and falling fast?
- Dean, why halfway through year five of your reign do the Kings not have an answer to the second line center and first line LW question?
- Terry, with as poor as your centers other than Kopitar have played was it in hindsight a bad decision to send Schenn back to juniors?
- Terry, why after the Hawks iced the puck would you send out the Westgarth line?
- Terry, to follow that up, earlier in the game after Chicago had sent out the Kane line you sent out the Westgarth line which lead to the Kings taking a penalty. Since you had the last change we can safely assume you wanted this matchup, care to explain why?
- Terry, why is Jarret Stoll, a player who has gone scoreless in 15 games on the #1 PP unit and one of the best PP d-man in the NHL is on the second, can you explain that?
- Terry, Johnson and Doughty have not played well at all as a pairing, why do you keep them together at ES where they struggle yet refuse to play them on the PP where they excel?
As long as Murray and Compon are here, the answer is never.
I've been saying since the first year those two idiots were hired, that they were the wrong guys for the job, and most everybody here slammed me. Funny how many people have changed their stance.
That sums up your view enough. Where are the umpteen questions for the players who aren't pulling their weight out there?
These players have demonstrated to all of us that they can play at an extremely high level and beat any team in the league when they want to. For whatever reason the players are prone to taking long vacations from winning or at least getting points, yet you have zero questions for them.
You can start with a few questions for Hossa's valet who rolled out the red carpet for his PP goal last night.
__________________
"In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened." - Vin Scully being clairvoyant in 1988.
The Los Angeles Kings - 2012 Stanley Cup Champions
As long as Murray and Compon are here, the answer is never.
I've been saying since the first year those two idiots were hired, that they were the wrong guys for the job, and most everybody here slammed me. Funny how many people have changed their stance.
I can't put a lot of blame on Murray. He got the Kings to the playoffs for the first time in forever.
Compon on the other hand... the PP is so unimaginative, it seems easy to defend. I watch other games, and teams seem to have set PP plays, and they sometimes work. Not much of that going on in the Kings PP. I think almost anyone could do a better job than Compon.
But both of them are still waiting for a #1 LW and #2 C for the last 5 years (or 3 years by some kind of new-math counting system).
I can't put a lot of blame on Murray. He got the Kings to the playoffs for the first time in forever.
Compon on the other hand... the PP is so unimaginative, it seems easy to defend. I watch other games, and teams seem to have set PP plays, and they sometimes work. Not much of that going on in the Kings PP. I think almost anyone could do a better job than Compon.
But both of them are still waiting for a #1 LW and #2 C for the last 5 years (or 3 years by some kind of new-math counting system).
Time to trade some D for some O?
You mean like Chicago's last night???
I agree, if Dean does nothing this season, in regards to bringing in a legit LW I have lost all faith in him too.
That sums up your view enough. Where are the umpteen questions for the players who aren't pulling their weight out there?
These players have demonstrated to all of us that they can play at an extremely high level and beat any team in the league when they want to. For whatever reason the players are prone to taking long vacations from winning or at least getting points, yet you have zero questions for them.
You can start with a few questions for Hossa's valet who rolled out the red carpet for his PP goal last night.
Are those not legit questions for Terry and Dean???
That sums up your view enough. Where are the umpteen questions for the players who aren't pulling their weight out there?
These players have demonstrated to all of us that they can play at an extremely high level and beat any team in the league when they want to. For whatever reason the players are prone to taking long vacations from winning or at least getting points, yet you have zero questions for them.
You can start with a few questions for Hossa's valet who rolled out the red carpet for his PP goal last night.
For some people the burden is never on the players. After all Terry Murray cleared that puck last night off of Toews skate and into the net. It's not like Doughty did anything wrong.
Regarding the original question, it could be the Kings year but even if Bettman handed Brown the cup I am thinking the other team's captain would take it away within the next minute.
The LW on the #1 line should not be an issue with THIS team being a division champion. They have illustrated time after time that they can be the best team in the Pacific Division when they set their mind to it. Dallas is nothing special. San Jose's defense is weak. The Pacific is there for the taking. Do these players have the will to make it happen?
For some people the burden is never on the players. After all Terry Murray cleared that puck last night off of Toews skate and into the net. It's not like Doughty did anything wrong.
Regarding the original question, it could be the Kings year but even if Bettman handed Brown the cup I am thinking the other team's captain would take it away within the next minute.
The LW on the #1 line should not be an issue with THIS team being a division champion. They have illustrated time after time that they can be the best team in the Pacific Division when they set their mind to it. Dallas is nothing special. San Jose's defense is weak. The Pacific is there for the taking. Do these players have the will to make it happen?
I agree, if Dean does nothing this season, in regards to bringing in a legit LW I have lost all faith in him too.
Please list the "legit" LWs that are available and what you would give up to get one. You surely will be losing a roster player. Ready to send Simmonds or Johnson packing?
This team was way ahead of schedule last season. Dean has his work cut out for him though with Williams being a UFA this off season, and plenty of RFAs to re-sign.
Please list the "legit" LWs that are available and what you would give up to get one. You surely will be losing a roster player. Ready to send Simmonds or Johnson packing?
This team was way ahead of schedule last season. Dean has his work cut out for him though with Williams being a UFA this off season, and plenty of RFAs to re-sign.
David Booth might be available per the FLA team beat writer. He'd look great on Kopi's left side, and doubt he would cost JJ. Maybe Simmonds + one of our D Prospects.
Dean clearly wanted a LW this past off season, and didn't fill that hole, simple as that. He needs to bring in somebody, and Sturm is not the answer, sorry.
Last edited by ibleedkings: 01-04-2011 at 11:44 AM.
This team has all of the players to make a run this season. Right now it is mental with this team, they have the talent and ability to win the Pacific this season. They just need to sort out the effort needed to achive the goal.
Getting Mitchell back is the short term key to getting the season turned back around.
Whatever this year is, next year is the year of Schenn and the following year is the end of the Smyth contract, the worst on the team, as well as Mitchell's, the second worst.
This year could be the year by trading some picks/prospects/salary away for Penner, Semin, Richards, Volchenkov, Kaberle, etc. Better to wait one year.
David Booth might be available per the FLA team beat writer. He'd look great on Kopi's left side, and doubt he would cost JJ. Maybe Simmonds + one of our D Prospects.
Dean clearly wanted a LW this past off season, and didn't fill that hole, simple as that. He needs to bring in somebody, and Sturm is not the answer, sorry.
Never said Sturm was the ultimate answer. Maybe Booth is, sounds like you are ready to send Simmonds + Hickey/Voynov to Florida.
Yes it is ultimately on the players, but management and coaching are not doing their parts either. This roster should be farther along after five years and some of TM's decisions are nothing short of mind boggling.
All those questions are very valid about the current state of the Kings, do you have any kind of answer why the Kings have a 3rd line center with one goal as the PP trigger man or why they would send a goon out after the other team ices the puck.
You get an offensive zone faceoff with the other team having tired players on the ice and you send out your 4th line goon?
For some people the burden is never on the players. After all Terry Murray cleared that puck last night off of Toews skate and into the net. It's not like Doughty did anything wrong.
... Notwithstanding using an example of a completely unlucky bounce that led to a goal, it's two sides of the same coin. Your burden is never on management, yet the GM allowed the Kings to struggle on late last season and get beat in the playoffs because he wouldn't go into his system (or elsewhere) and get a goaltender and the coach the GM hired didn't want to use the backup on his roster. The GM and his coach allowed Dwight King to stink up the first line when he shouldn't have been in the NHL to begin with. The second line was the best on the team until the coach the GM hired felt it was just going too good, and decided to break it up because ... why? The coach the GM hired had a wonderful defensive pairing in Scuderi-Doughty, and broke that up because ... why??? Sick of winning?
And beside that, people here hold the players accountable all the time. Read the GDTs, it's there. They're just holding the management of the team responsible as well, and they NEED to be held responsible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KINGS17
Regarding the original question, it could be the Kings year but even if Bettman handed Brown the cup I am thinking the other team's captain would take it away within the next minute.
... Yeah, pathetic attempts at some sort of "burn" aside, Brown's having the best season of his career. What a bum he is; how dare he raise his level of ability and step forward from the second line to the first and make the most of it. The nerve of him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KINGS17
The LW on the #1 line should not be an issue with THIS team being a division champion. They have illustrated time after time that they can be the best team in the Pacific Division when they set their mind to it. Dallas is nothing special. San Jose's defense is weak. The Pacific is there for the taking. Do these players have the will to make it happen?
... Chrissakes, TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. The first line LW isn't an issue??? Is this your first look at hockey in the NHL? Have you not learned anything in the years you've been following the game? That has to be one of the most non-sensical and ignorant things I've ever read, congrats.
Despite Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown having the best seasons of their respective careers with almost NO help from the other wing, the organization can't seem to find a solution to this issue. This very issue ruined the chemistry of the second line, forcing a breakup of it in order to prop up the first. And yet you want to wonder if the players have the will to win? Maybe they could use a little help? Name to me a division winner that had a hole at first line LW. Just one division winner. I'd be more inclined to say that it's remarkable that Brown and Kopitar have had the seasons they have had while essentially being part of a two-man line all season.
As for your comments about the other teams - if Dallas is nothing special, then how are they winning? Are they doing it with mirrors? They certainly have good goaltending so far, but there's 42 games left to go. If they're a fluke, then they'll sink down on their own. The Sharks have an above-average defense, actually; their goaltending is letting them down, and their offense is solid. If San Jose's goaltending pans out, what then? The Kings certainly LOOK more impressive than the other teams in their division, as in their numbers are better. But, they aren't having success, because they're not being used efficiently. That comes down to poor coaching, and it's a poor reflection on the GM who hired that coach. While the Kings' players themselves should and do bear responsibility for the disappointing results of this season, given their supporting stats and goal differential - more responsibility needs to be placed on the inefficient and unimpressive way the organization has handled the team in the past season and a half. It's not easy to win when management has tied one of the team's hands behind their backs.
I've never questioned Lombardi's ability to garner and collect talent. My question with him has always been - can he do anything with it once he has it?
... Notwithstanding using an example of a completely unlucky bounce that led to a goal, it's two sides of the same coin. Your burden is never on management, yet the GM allowed the Kings to struggle on late last season and get beat in the playoffs because he wouldn't go into his system (or elsewhere) and get a goaltender and the coach the GM hired didn't want to use the backup on his roster. The GM and his coach allowed Dwight King to stink up the first line when he shouldn't have been in the NHL to begin with. The second line was the best on the team until the coach the GM hired felt it was just going too good, and decided to break it up because ... why? The coach the GM hired had a wonderful defensive pairing in Scuderi-Doughty, and broke that up because ... why??? Sick of winning?
And beside that, people here hold the players accountable all the time. Read the GDTs, it's there. They're just holding the management of the team responsible as well, and they NEED to be held responsible.
... Yeah, pathetic attempts at some sort of "burn" aside, Brown's having the best season of his career. What a bum he is; how dare he raise his level of ability and step forward from the second line to the first and make the most of it. The nerve of him.
... Chrissakes, TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. The first line LW isn't an issue??? Is this your first look at hockey in the NHL? Have you not learned anything in the years you've been following the game? That has to be one of the most non-sensical and ignorant things I've ever read, congrats.
Despite Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown having the best seasons of their respective careers with almost NO help from the other wing, the organization can't seem to find a solution to this issue. This very issue ruined the chemistry of the second line, forcing a breakup of it in order to prop up the first. And yet you want to wonder if the players have the will to win? Maybe they could use a little help? Name to me a division winner that had a hole at first line LW. Just one division winner. I'd be more inclined to say that it's remarkable that Brown and Kopitar have had the seasons they have had while essentially being part of a two-man line all season.
As for your comments about the other teams - if Dallas is nothing special, then how are they winning? Are they doing it with mirrors? They certainly have good goaltending so far, but there's 42 games left to go. If they're a fluke, then they'll sink down on their own. The Sharks have an above-average defense, actually; their goaltending is letting them down, and their offense is solid. If San Jose's goaltending pans out, what then? The Kings certainly LOOK more impressive than the other teams in their division, as in their numbers are better. But, they aren't having success, because they're not being used efficiently. That comes down to poor coaching, and it's a poor reflection on the GM who hired that coach. While the Kings' players themselves should and do bear responsibility for the disappointing results of this season, given their supporting stats and goal differential - more responsibility needs to be placed on the inefficient and unimpressive way the organization has handled the team in the past season and a half. It's not easy to win when management has tied one of the team's hands behind their backs.
I've never questioned Lombardi's ability to garner and collect talent. My question with him has always been - can he do anything with it once he has it?
You sort of misread my statement regarding Brown. It was more about the team's penchant for getting scored on right away after the Kings score a big goal to tie a game or take the lead.
I have and will take Lombardi to task when necessary. In my opinion he hasn't made too many mistakes yet. Cloutier being the most obvious, not trading Cammalleri sooner would be the next one to me. Lombardi has instilled a completely different culture in the organization and that has taken time. Murray was/is the right coach for a young group of guys that obviously wasn't responding well to Crawford.
Regarding the LW situation and the Pacific Division this season. It is a hole on this roster. It doesn't have to get filled for this team to win this division, this season. All of the teams in the Pacific are competitive and they all have holes. It is going to be a battle of wills. Right now the Kings young guys that were so good last season are letting them down in key situations.
... Notwithstanding using an example of a completely unlucky bounce that led to a goal, it's two sides of the same coin. Your burden is never on management, yet the GM allowed the Kings to struggle on late last season and get beat in the playoffs because he wouldn't go into his system (or elsewhere) and get a goaltender and the coach the GM hired didn't want to use the backup on his roster. The GM and his coach allowed Dwight King to stink up the first line when he shouldn't have been in the NHL to begin with. The second line was the best on the team until the coach the GM hired felt it was just going too good, and decided to break it up because ... why? The coach the GM hired had a wonderful defensive pairing in Scuderi-Doughty, and broke that up because ... why??? Sick of winning?
And beside that, people here hold the players accountable all the time. Read the GDTs, it's there. They're just holding the management of the team responsible as well, and they NEED to be held responsible.
... Yeah, pathetic attempts at some sort of "burn" aside, Brown's having the best season of his career. What a bum he is; how dare he raise his level of ability and step forward from the second line to the first and make the most of it. The nerve of him.
... Chrissakes, TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. The first line LW isn't an issue??? Is this your first look at hockey in the NHL? Have you not learned anything in the years you've been following the game? That has to be one of the most non-sensical and ignorant things I've ever read, congrats.
Despite Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown having the best seasons of their respective careers with almost NO help from the other wing, the organization can't seem to find a solution to this issue. This very issue ruined the chemistry of the second line, forcing a breakup of it in order to prop up the first. And yet you want to wonder if the players have the will to win? Maybe they could use a little help? Name to me a division winner that had a hole at first line LW. Just one division winner. I'd be more inclined to say that it's remarkable that Brown and Kopitar have had the seasons they have had while essentially being part of a two-man line all season.
As for your comments about the other teams - if Dallas is nothing special, then how are they winning? Are they doing it with mirrors? They certainly have good goaltending so far, but there's 42 games left to go. If they're a fluke, then they'll sink down on their own. The Sharks have an above-average defense, actually; their goaltending is letting them down, and their offense is solid. If San Jose's goaltending pans out, what then? The Kings certainly LOOK more impressive than the other teams in their division, as in their numbers are better. But, they aren't having success, because they're not being used efficiently. That comes down to poor coaching, and it's a poor reflection on the GM who hired that coach. While the Kings' players themselves should and do bear responsibility for the disappointing results of this season, given their supporting stats and goal differential - more responsibility needs to be placed on the inefficient and unimpressive way the organization has handled the team in the past season and a half. It's not easy to win when management has tied one of the team's hands behind their backs.
I've never questioned Lombardi's ability to garner and collect talent. My question with him has always been - can he do anything with it once he has it?
You sort of misread my statement regarding Brown. It was more about the team's penchant for getting scored on right away after the Kings score a big goal to tie a game or take the lead.
I have and will take Lombardi to task when necessary. In my opinion he hasn't made too many mistakes yet. Cloutier being the most obvious, not trading Cammalleri sooner would be the next one to me. Lombardi has instilled a completely different culture in the organization and that has taken time. Murray was/is the right coach for a young group of guys that obviously wasn't responding well to Crawford.
Regarding the LW situation and the Pacific Division this season. It is a hole on this roster. It doesn't have to get filled for this team to win this division, this season. All of the teams in the Pacific are competitive and they all have holes. It is going to be a battle of wills. Right now the Kings young guys that were so good last season are letting them down in key situations.
I always understand and respect your point of view, as i feel the same way in most regards with the exception of where the blame goes to.
In professional sports, its the responsibility of the GM to understand the character (which DL prides himself on) of the team and players. If there are players that are not living up to the bill or fitting that mold..its the responsibility of the GM to fix it one way or another. Whether its the coaches or players, if something aint right, Dean needs to fix it. There is nothing wrong with blaming the GM if things are going in the wrong direction or even stagnant. Thats what they are paid to do.
It almost seems like a impossible task, but there is a reason whys GM always change jobs. There are just a few that stick with teams through thick or thin.
I've never questioned Lombardi's ability to garner and collect talent. My question with him has always been - can he do anything with it once he has it?
While I'm waiting until next year, I think this is the same question I have as well. If we want a team which will sit in the top 10 of all NHL teams for several decades, DL is the perfect fit. But if we want a GM who is willing to go for broke and make a big trade in an effort to get over the final hurdle and go for the cup, he may not be it. There's a reason his name is rarely attached to a blockbuster trade or a mega-UFA contract.
I'm not faulting him for not signing Kovalchuk, or Hossa for that matter, or even for not making some huge trade that we might not know was on the table, but at some point he is going to have to. I'm hoping he holds off until the off-season, unless it's a deal for a someone who'll be in Kings colors for more than one year, but come this off-season, we better be heavily involved in trying to make something happen, like say signing Semin, and then next year we need to start making a big push.
We have prospects and picks coming out our ears. It's time to maximize their value, and that has to be done between now and September on some of them. This off-season better be an interesting one.
I think the pieces are already there to make a run, especially if Mitchell gets/stays healthy. Are there pieces missing that if in place would make it a better run? Sure.
I think what is holding them back, more than anything, is coaching, specifically the head coach and PP coaching.
The PP is so predictable it's not even funny. That's all that needs to be said about that.
As far as head coaching, take last night for example. I gotta feeling Murray went in the room after the first and said "good job guys, keep doing what you're doing". Problem is, adjustments needed to be made to attempt to counter the adjustments you KNEW were coming from the other side. Since those adjustments were going to be based on what the Kings did in the first, then you better change it up some.
His line choices in certain situations boggle the mind. After an icing call when the opposition is tired, putting out the 4th line maybe isn't the best idea.
His goalie decisions baffle me. Earlier this year he played a red-hot Quick against a lesser team the first night of a back-to-back, then played a cold Bernier against San Jose, and we all know what happened after that in the standings. That was a DUMB decision. At least last week he appeared to have learned from that.
Also, if your goalie gives up 4 in the first period, PULL HIS ASS. I don't care why the goals were given up....you either pull the goalie because he's sucking, or you pull him and tell your team you are doing so because defensively they are embarrassing the poor guy. It's a STATEMENT move. The Kings were down by only one miraculously and a GT change could have shifted momentum. But no, Murray wits until the guys lets SIX goals in.
So, I have a sinking feeling that as long as the current coaching staff stays in place, our year ain't really coming.
