A two-month or so lockout might be the best thing for the Kings' chances of a repeat

I think the lockout will end sometime in late November or early December, allowing for a fifty-game season or so. An extra two months off or so would be just what the doctor ordered for the team to recharge both physically and mentally. As with many recent Cup winners, they'd have a real short summer otherwise and would be suffering from the "Cup hangover," having a hard time maintaining intensity in regular season games when the intensity of the playoffs was still fresh in their minds. By the time November/December roll around, they'll be chomping at the bit to get back on the ice and the vets will have extra time to physically recover after a 102-game season.

It's possible. I still think the shorter season favors the veteran clubs who don't have to play 100+ games to win the cup. However, I do like the idea of the kids building up more intensity having to wait longer to defend their title.

I agree that a month or two lockout would help the Kings for the reasons mentioned. IN particular, it would allow Quick more time to be fully healed. For that matter, a number of players league-wide are recovering from major surgeries / injuries, so for them, a lockout would be a blessing in disguise. However, it would still hurt the league as a whole, and if it goes longer than a month or two, no good could come from that.

I have actually been thinking this for sometime. Especially now that JQ has had back surgery.

Extra rest, and unlike other teams, the Kings don't have any new players they need to break into the system or worry about chemistry with. Same exact group. Should feel perfectly natural when they all return next year.

Still, I'd rather have hockey.

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Originally Posted by santiclaws

I think the lockout will end sometime in late November or early December, allowing for a fifty-game season or so.

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I'm hoping for a miracle so the season will start on time, but, with the history of work stoppages that Bettman and Fehr have, it just doesn't seem very likely.

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An extra two months off or so would be just what the doctor ordered for the team to recharge both physically and mentally. As with many recent Cup winners, they'd have a real short summer otherwise and would be suffering from the "Cup hangover," having a hard time maintaining intensity in regular season games when the intensity of the playoffs was still fresh in their minds. By the time November/December roll around, they'll be chomping at the bit to get back on the ice and the vets will have extra time to physically recover after a 102-game season.

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I agree and would like to add that if, by a miracle, the season does start on time and JQ isn't ready we would finally be able to see Bernier play as a #1 for...well, who knows how long....but, it would be a great chance for him to crank up his value.

We had a deep playoff run, and with the summer of "Partying with the Cup" the boys attention has likely not been devoted to working out.

A lockout that lasts until Xmas might be what we need to repeat. Provided of course the guys aren't spending all their time sitting on the couch, eating donuts and bon bons, and watching repeats of their cup win. A couple of more months to recharge, devote themselves to working out, and healing up.

Discuss

Was thinking the same thing. They've had the shortest summer ever. A couple months might not be a bad thing.

I agree with this. A lockout would be terrible for the league as a whole, and a bummer for Kings fans anxious to see the banner raised and our defending Stanley Cup Champions play. However, for the players themselves, especially JQ, it may not be such a bad thing.

The negative of a lockout out-weighs the positives of a lockout by a trillion tons.