Thread: Give Blakey the "C"

Editorial Comment
by Michael Zampelli

There is no doubt in my mind that Mattias Norstrom should welcome his buddy Rob Blake back to the Los Angeles Kings by returning the Captain's "C" to him. After last year debacle's, when leadership was needed from the Captain on several fronts, it seemed like Norstrom did nothing. This "leading by example" experimant doesn't seem to work so well, in fact some of these guys need a good shout-down or a kick in the ass.

Do you think Rob Blake would sit back and let Avery make the locker room into a circus? Would he say nothing as the team went on a 5-game losing streak, when every game is a win-or-die situation? HELL NO! Rob Blake is a leader that the other players respect and will listen to. He also has the emotions to put guys in their place if it will help the team. Norstrom is a great player, but I think it's time he let the leadership duties be handled by someone who wears there emotions on their sleeve. Rob Blake is the man for the job!

While we're on the subject of Rob Blake, if I hear anyone booing him I'm going to come down to your seat and smack you in the back of the head.

With all due respect, Blake was the Captain of this team for several years, and if you look back, they were some of the worst years in Kings history. I do not blame him much at all (ownership and GM's and coaches mostly screwed it up), nor do I think Matty has done all that well either as C. I like both these guys and both these guys are solid NHLer's, but if you want to know the truth, they both should be alternates. They both lead by example mostly, and do not do enough of the verbal motivation or butt kicking. I never knew or heard about Blake being vocal. I am not sure who should be C, but neither one in my opinion.

Also, the booing of Rob was not necessary, but not totally unjust. The guy had a 3 year, $19M deal on the table, and he rejected it. He forced the trade, and also, took some shots at us LA Fans after he left. The same fans that supported him through and through for over a decade. We do not get a chance to do TV interviews to say how we feel, so booing was all we had. I just hope Rob apologizes for his behavior, and comes clean about a few things thru the media, then we will all do the same by giving him a Standing Ovation at opening night.

BUCK

Blake left because he wanted to go to a team that had a chance to win the CUP. Why do you think he is back, he wants to retire in LA. Keep your fingers crossed he stays healthy. Personally, I think the "C" should be on Conroy's jersey.

Sorry, have to STRONGLY disagree with you here. What the heck is this love affair you have for Blake? Somehow you are conveniently forgetting that the season he was "negotiating" before he was traded Blake singlehandedly tore up the lockerroom chemistry. Instead of keeping his mouth shut, he repeatedly lied about his intentions in the press. OK, they weren't the controversial type Avery made, but they had the same effect and shows he, too, needs to learn the words "no comment". As I posted in another thread, I highly doubt that Rob Blake would have foregone the chance to play in the World champioship games to help work out the problems with the team. Matty Norstrom gave up winning the gold medal, second he missed this year, by his decision that the Kings were more important. The only things that are important to Rob Blake are money and glory. He isn't going to be paid chicken feed to play here as a 36 year old defenseman with diminishing skills, he will be the highest paid player on the team. Without the players he had in Coloado to put the puck in, his assist total will probably drop. Corvo had as many goals as he did last year, but Lombardi let Corvo at 2 million go and brought Blake back for 3 times as much money. He could have taken a lower salary like other players have done to go to/stay with the team of his choice, but Blake went for the money again. Once again, like years past in LA, he was quoted as wanting to stay in Colorado but wouldn't accept less $$ to do so. (And regarding Corvo and turnovers I've seen Blake do the same thing many times although somehow people let it slide for Blake. The same goes for "wide right" for attempted shots on goal.)

BTW, you won't be able to smack our heads for booing Blake because this signing has pretty much sealed that we won't been in our old season seats this year. Just having Blake back with the Kings makes me want to puke. If he is made the captain I may never get away from the royal throne.

I agree and you should make this a poll.

The "C" belongs to Conroy

I agree that Blake will bring tons of leadership qualities back to the Kings, and with Matti, Conroy and now Blake, there is two A's and C that just need to be divided up properly. Personally, I think Conroy is a great leader, player and the best attitude possible for the C, so Id like to see him wear it, but who knows he may be traded. Cant argue all three of these guys arent captain material.

Rob Blake never led the Kings anywhere.

I will not be cheering his return, but I will cheer when Lombardi trades him for more picks and prospects at the deadline. Maybe he can be part of a deal for Pronger. That would be sweet.

Nope. Can't see myself giving him the "C".

I'd rather give him a boot in the a**...