Armchair GMs

[The Nuts]

Richards was a piece. He wasn’t the most important piece but he was essential. That’s what made the 2012/14 teams so great. They had all the pieces in the right places. They couldn’t win without him just like they couldn’t win without Williams, Carter, Scuderi, Greene, Gaborik; etc.

Some of those guys were only there for one cup, so they did win without them.

But I get the gist.

 

[Bollocks]

No Richards, no Cups. And yes, it is that simple. Mike was a winner and demanded accountability and responsibility from his teammates. His acquisition was crucial. There was a reason Mike was the player all the guys had to look in the eye as they came on the ice. Trying to diminish his contribution is denying history.

You could say the same for any of Kings' core players.

No Mike, no Quick, no DD, no Williams, no Kopitar, no Brown, no Carter...no Cup. All of them were instrumental in their own way. Heck, missing a key role player like Mitchell or Stoll and replacing with a lesser/worse fitting player could easily mean the Kings don't win either Cup.

 

[ICE24]

I like Laughton, however, does he move the needle to the next round? At this point, I would rather see if some of these AHL players can play in the NHL.

I don't see the Kings better than 4th in the Pacific next season, so why take on 4-5 million. At this point of his career, Laughton deserves better. For those of you that want the Kings to sign him, you are cruel, why would you do that to a player. Hasn't he suffered enough. Shame on you.
Have a great Holiday weekend.

 

[Halfwall]

Richards always seemed to me to be overrated, and Carter underrated. I was really sad when both Carter and Richards were on the table the Kings traded for Richards, instead of Carter. Worked out great, though, as they essentially stole Carter and got them both.

Richards was very good, but never looked like a future HoF'er. Getzlaf and Kopi I think were in the same bracket, until Getzlaf retired and Kopi kept going...and going.

I remember at an All-Star game where the announcers acted like it was the first time they ever saw Kopitar and were impressed how well he played outshining many of other stars on the Pacific team. I sometimes wonder how many points he would have put up over his career in a more offensively focused system.

Massively.

 

[VCRW]

You could say the same for any of Kings' core players.

No Mike, no Quick, no DD, no Williams, no Kopitar, no Brown, no Carter...no Cup. All of them were instrumental in their own way. Heck, missing a key role player like Mitchell or Stoll and replacing with a lesser/worse fitting player could easily mean the Kings don't win either Cup.

Not denying any of that. But Richards was the guy who brought all those separate elements together - as I said, the catalyst. If you remember the interviews with Dean, it was made clear Lombardi brought him in specifically to be "that guy". And it worked!

 

[Clif]

Richards was absolutely crucial. He was the catalyst. He was the guy who embodied what Dean asked from Kopitar and Brown but did not receive - taking responsibility for winning.

I was at a game soon after Richards arrived and was sitting in the AEG seats near the ice. On one power play, Brown badly blew 2 consecutive tip in setups from Mike. The string of expletives coming from #10 that followed the second blown chance was quite “colorful”. But then Mike skated off the ice calmly talking to Brownie and continued the pep talk on the bench. Greene was the judge. Mike was the prosecuting attorney.

Great story. His problems were very sad to watch but doesn’t diminish what he accomplished.

As sacrilegious as it may be I am ready for this team to be without Kopi. Gotta move on from that era and his retirement helps this thing move forward. I don’t know what this team is! And center depth is awful. But it needs to be different.

 

[VCRW]

Great story. His problems were very sad to watch but doesn’t diminish what he accomplished.

As sacrilegious as it may be I am ready for this team to be without Kopi. Gotta move on from that era and his retirement helps this thing move forward. I don’t know what this team is! And center depth is awful. But it needs to be different.

Turcotte suffers from the same affliction that took down Mike. He seems to think he's an indestructible 6' 4" and 230 lbs. instead of being a vulnerable 5' 10" and 180 lbs. I love Turc's game but grimace every time he is hit. I think we all fear that the next concussion will the final one of his career. Hope Turc heals completely over the summer and starts next season healthy and stronger now that he has a more mature body.

 

[05/29/93]

In 2010, my son and I attended a Kings game against the Flyers. Philly won 7-4 but it wasn’t even that close. It was a total beatdown with the Richards line and the Carter line doing the damage. On the way home I said to my kid, “I would kill to have Richards or Carter on our team!”

I remember that game! It was during the holidays and the Kings were slumping. I certainly do remember Carter and Richards both lighting the Kings up. Whoever could have known they both would be Kings not that much later.

 

[DryKing]

Turcotte suffers from the same affliction that took down Mike. He seems to think he's an indestructible 6' 4" and 230 lbs. instead of being a vulnerable 5' 10" and 180 lbs. I love Turc's game but grimace every time he is hit. I think we all fear that the next concussion will the final one of his career. Hope Turc heals completely over the summer and starts next season healthy and stronger now that he has a more mature body.

Totally agree - he's gotten better lately, but was well known for charging in like a bull only to pay the price.

What is wild, though, is that his concussions in the AHL both came off dirty plays that he didn't actually place himself at risk of. I really hope he can get and stay healthy and have a productive career. Damage may have already been done, though.

 

[Clif]

Turcotte suffers from the same affliction that took down Mike. He seems to think he's an indestructible 6' 4" and 230 lbs. instead of being a vulnerable 5' 10" and 180 lbs. I love Turc's game but grimace every time he is hit. I think we all fear that the next concussion will the final one of his career. Hope Turc heals completely over the summer and starts next season healthy and stronger now that he has a more mature body.

So true. I like Turcotte a lot. He makes a lot of smart, small touches with the puck but he is scary when he gets to the boards. But the fact that he doesn’t play scared in spite of all he’s been through, how can you not love him for that?

Also he needs to be on the PK next season. What a moron Hiller is for not even recognizing the simplest of fits for that roster.

 

[VCRW]

Looking forward to watching tonight’s Memorial Cup game on NHL Network. Woolley vs Cihar!

 

[VCRW]

Woolley has scored a nice goal in the second period. Rangers up 2-0. Cihar is trying hard but frustrated so far.

 

[K-Man #32]

Is it healthy to still have hate in my heart for Hiller and Holland for having a man crush on Ceci ?

 

[Statue4Deano]

 

[Bollocks]

View attachment 14607

As they should be.

But...who do they give up? Surely it would have to be Laf...?

 

[Statue4Deano]

As they should be.

But...who do they give up? Surely it would have to be Laf...?

Starts with Laf and I’d imagine any prospect we’ve got in our stable. I don’t think the Kings have the assets required to pull off a big trade.