Blake Gone – What Does His Departure Really Mean?

Carla,
Reading what you wrote reminded me of DL talking about Detroit and Kenny Holland's theory that the way for kids to learn is to have them play with great players. I wonder what was going through DL's mind when it became obvious that Blake would go to San Jose. What is Plan B? I am as in favor of playing the kids as anybody on this board but I'd like Blake, Hickey, Martinez, et al learning from at least one veteran who has done something in this league. Now if DL was as quick to walk away as it seems I can only assume that he has something else in mind. I look forward to seeing what that is...

Carla,

Excellent!!!

I totally agree...its time for the kids to rise to the occasion. Yes there will be some challenges next year, but these kids have the opportunity of a lifetime!! This is now THEIR team..

There has been a lot of talk about who the next captain and alternates should be etc...I say it goes to the first leader in the room that stands up in camp and states "this is our team and there are no excuses etc......" Especially if there tends to be talk in the room about all the trades and Blake leaving etc. Kopi, Brownie or JMFJ will need to stand up and claim the team and get the team to move on and take on this challenge.

I say it will be an exciting year...not one with 40+ wins, but exciting in the sense that we will see who's the real deal etc. If they don't get locked up long term this summer, then Kopi, JMFJ, Boyle and Greene are playing for contracts...you just never know what could happen.

This will be fun and as you said in another post, it may take some booze to make it through, but I think it will be something to see!

thanks Carla! Always appreciate your posts!

There's one thing that has not been mentioned relative to the leadership roles that Boyle and Gauthier assumed in Manchester. It really was natural for these two guys to step up since they are two of the oldest guys in the room and Boyle had been the captain of his college team and Gauthier, I think, was the assistant captain on his. It was good to see that the team came together under their leadership. It will be interesting to see if the new coach makes better decisions when he choses the captains than the stupid choices Crawford made.

Great article. I am looking forward to this season, not because I think we are going to win the stanley cup, but because I want to see these kids play and watch them grow up. It can be painful, but it could also be exciting.

This sounds like an expectations thing to me. Anyone who thought the Kings were going to be signing anyone now for inflated dollars weren't reading Lombardi's quotes going into this in the first place. I have no idea where this team ranks next year; but at least the excuses are gone. Time to find out if DL is the guy or not. I see no other way to find this out. And if the team is in last place, then another lottery pick and I bet next year's team plays harder than last year's team did. That alone would make it worth it. (alcohol may be required more than usual next season):salute: Carla thank you for another well thought out post. I know there are alot of kings fans who think we should have went out and grabbed an ufa but, I am glad that we did not. I am tired of losing our young talent to grab rfa's whose game has left them. You do not have to look very hard to find KING draft picks filling vital nhl roster spots. I'm with you, Deano put up or shut up.

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Originally Posted by SpanishFly

Did this chick really just compare what Dean Lomardi is doing to the Billy Crystal character in "When Harry Met Sally"

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Yeah; this chick made an analogy to a scene in a movie. And your point is? :firefire:

im 23 and havnt seen 'when harry met sally' when did it come out and is it on dvd yet?

anyway...thanks carla

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Originally Posted by Exodus1045

I'm 23 and havent seen 'when harry met sally' when did it come out and is it on dvd yet?

anyway...thanks carla

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*ugh* .... more proof that I am old. :47smile:

It came out in 1989 and yes; it is on DVD. (You are most welcome!!)

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Originally Posted by SpanishFly

ummm.....know your audience?

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I hear you and wish that seemed doable. There are people here of all ages and backgrounds from what I can tell. I am 100% open to learning about my audience here. :108smile:

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Originally Posted by CarlaMuller

This may be the disconnect. The Kings had no intention of signing the 'top talent' going into this UFA period. Also, by all accounts, this was a weak unrestricted group to begin with. I would have even less confidence if the Kings signed Campbell for the deal he got. A #1 defenseman who is not known for his defense. Redden gets a 6 year deal for 6.5 million per annum, the same ##s from his last deal and Ottawa repeatedly tried to trade him. Finger gets 3.75 million and has 94 NHL games. Blake at $5 million. No thanks across the board.

This sounds like an expectations thing to me. Anyone who thought the Kings were going to be signing anyone now for inflated dollars weren't reading Lombardi's quotes going into this in the first place. I have no idea where this team ranks next year; but at least the excuses are gone. Time to find out if DL is the guy or not. I see no other way to find this out. And if the team is in last place, then another lottery pick and I bet next year's team plays harder than last year's team did. That alone would make it worth it. :manybeers: (alcohol may be required more than usual next season)

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Disconnect? The only disconnect is DL not being able to replace either of the team's top 2 defensemen. Are you actually saying he didn't try to go after Stuart or Oprik? C'mon, Carla. You can't disguise a salary dump by wrapping it in rose petals. The Kings are now the NHL's Clippers.