Per a team announcement early Monday morning, GM Rob Blake and the LA Kings have “mutually agreed to part ways.”
No immediate replacement was named. Instead, President Luc Robitaille said their search for a new General Manager will begin immediately.
On the surface, things appear to have changed over the weekend, after earlier indications through various sources to Mayor’s Manor were Blake and coach Jim Hiller were both “likely to return.”
Regarding Hiller’s future behind the LA bench, no formal announcement was made on Monday morning. However, he later added that he hasn’t spoken with Robitaille or anybody else in upper management regarding his future and understands a change in GM could impact his status. It appears he will return, yet that is purely speculation at this point.
“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Rob for his dedication to the LA Kings and the passion he brought to his role,” said Robitaille. “Reaching this understanding wasn’t easy and I appreciate Rob’s partnership in always working toward what is best for the Kings. Rob deserves a great deal of credit and respect for elevating us to where we are today. He has been an important part of the Kings and will always be appreciated for what he has meant to this franchise.”
Also per the release — “During his eight years as General Manager, Blake guided the Kings to a 309-238-71 regular-season record (.557 PTS%) and clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs five times over his tenure.”
Robitaille is expected to provide further details when he meets with the media later this week.
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