Thread: I hate to say it, but Doc was right.

Lombardi's goal hasn't been just to win a Cup, it's been to ice a team that can consistently compete at the highest level of the game for a prolonged period of time.

I wonder just how much winning the Cup this "early" will affect his longterm goal for the organization. There are some players with questionable mental fortitude at the top of this roster, even though they had just proven that they could out-will and out-compete anybody. Now I wouldn't trade that Cup for anything - that isn't what I am saying. But winning it with a mediocre regular season and a dominant post-season after a couple of years of early exits might make the "hangover" more likely than if they had a few years of solid success under their belts first. The hangover isn't about ego or attitude, its about dealing with achieving a life-long goal and the natural state of relaxation and pride that comes with it. The shortened season, without a training camp, feeds right into the "hangover" and early struggles.

The Kings don't have the high-end skill to win games that they don't deserve - in that sense they are still in the middle of the NHL pack. They will round into form sooner or later, possibly too late to be a real factor in this year's Cup chase. They do know what it takes to win in the playoffs, but the playoffs ain't the regular season - you just can't sustain that kind of intensity.

Will beats skill.

Originally Posted by Dr. Naysay

Will beats skill.

In the playoffs, absolutely. I don't think that is as clear-cut over the course of the regular season. And starting a shortened season without training camp? I'd err on the side of skill if you are looking to steal some early points.

To be honest, I don't really care all that much what happens this season. I just don't want to see any rash decisions made that deter from the longterm goal for the sake of righting this asterisked ship. Let 'em struggle and figure it out - if they don't, well, 13-14 will be a truer test.

JT trolling and Mondo bashing Brown.

Nothing new.

Originally Posted by Mondo Blando

Lombardi's goal hasn't been just to win a Cup, it's been to ice a team that can consistently compete at the highest level of the game for a prolonged period of time.

I wonder just how much winning the Cup this "early" will affect his longterm goal for the organization. There are some players with questionable mental fortitude at the top of this roster, even though they had just proven that they could out-will and out-compete anybody. Now I wouldn't trade that Cup for anything - that isn't what I am saying. But winning it with a mediocre regular season and a dominant post-season after a couple of years of early exits might make the "hangover" more likely than if they had a few years of solid success under their belts first. The hangover isn't about ego or attitude, its about dealing with achieving a life-long goal and the natural state of relaxation and pride that comes with it. The shortened season, without a training camp, feeds right into the "hangover" and early struggles.

The Kings don't have the high-end skill to win games that they don't deserve - in that sense they are still in the middle of the NHL pack. They will round into form sooner or later, possibly too late to be a real factor in this year's Cup chase. They do know what it takes to win in the playoffs, but the playoffs ain't the regular season - you just can't sustain that kind of intensity.

I'm tired of your whining. I'm moving on now.

Originally Posted by Birdman

JT trolling and Mondo bashing Brown.

Nothing new.

hrmph

Originally Posted by Birdman

JT trolling and Mondo bashing Brown.

Nothing new.

Anybody not bashing Brown at this point simply hasn't seen a game this season...

I nominate myself as captain of the Kings. Having captained the last two drunken tourney teams for LGK, I find myself more than qualified at this point. At least I wouldn't pull up and avoid hitting guys. And maybe my inevitable major injury caused by the opposing team would rally the boys. Just a thought.

ELC, here I come!

Originally Posted by FishMonger

Anybody not bashing Brown at this point simply hasn't seen a game this season...

I nominate myself as captain of the Kings. Having captained the last two drunken tourney teams for LGK, I find myself more than qualified at this point. At least I wouldn't pull up and avoid hitting guys. And maybe my inevitable major injury caused by the opposing team would rally the boys. Just a thought.

ELC, here I come!

I'm tired of your whining. I'm moving on now.