How Long Can Management Go Without Being Held Accountable?

The way Quickie was released really pissed me off. I get that's it's just business, but I was still not happy with the way it went down.

As for any personality conflict between Gabe and Coach Todd, that was just my opinion. And the majority of regulars here strongly disagreed with me.

Whatever.

I wasn't in the room, so I don't know. But that's what it appeared to be, based on the back and forth between player and coach.

I will say this: The Kings could really use a player like Gabe. And I'll just leave it at that.
The way Quickie was released really pissed me off. I get that's it's just business, but I was still not happy with the way it went down. <------Me too

I will say this: The Kings could really use a player like Gabe. <-----Right on

At the end of season press conference with Flake and Silver Hair, they were almost laughing at the fans stating we are one big family and will have everyone over for a Christmas Party or Thanksgiving or whatever nonsense he stated. Like 3 1st round playoff exits in a row was some big joke.

Some of us fans (likely the vast majority on this board) have their hearts in the team. When mgt says that it certainly can rub people the wrong way (myself included). Instead of saying "we need to be better. We owe it to our paying customers to do X, Y, and Z. Starting today we are working so this doesn't happen again." I didn't hear any of that.

The fact is Flake has 0 playoff series wins during his wretched tenure as GM. The sooner he is gone the better.
 
The reality is that Gabe, like the less talented Arty, could/would not play the style of hockey the Kings demanded. They Kings can really only tolerate one Fiala like player on this offense. Gabe is thriving because the style is different, and I still think Kempe would score 50 goals if he played in a more open offense like Winnipeg amongst others.
I think some of you are missing the point - I doubt management ‘de-valued’ Vilardi, they just thought the key to beating EDM was down the middle and PLD was their answer. You gotta give to get. Problem is, they overvalued PLD.
 
The reality is that Gabe, like the less talented Arty, could/would not play the style of hockey the Kings demanded. They Kings can really only tolerate one Fiala like player on this offense. Gabe is thriving because the style is different, and I still think Kempe would score 50 goals if he played in a more open offense like Winnipeg amongst others.
I see it a little differently. I think Gabe fit into the Kings style fine, but at some point the Kings leadership fell in love with the idea of having a fast skating, agile team which did not play into Gabe's strengths. Also there were decisions made on both sides which did not sit well with the other, and led to a high level of resentment that could not be easily overcome.

Still a totally boneheaded trade any way you slice it though. We had an actual high end goal scorer and traded him away. Just silly.
 
It was highly and decidedly counterintuitive.
In simpler terms, it was one dumb f*ck trade.

A player like Gabe on this particular team could potentially make the difference between making a deep run in the playoffs and missing the playoffs entirely.

The most tragic aspect of this as it stands today is he's exactly what we need: A player with hands like that who finds ways to put the puck in the back of the net or dish out nifty assists.

I'd be willing to bet the GM For the Winnipeg Jets purchased a large volume of champagne after making that trade.
 
I see it a little differently. I think Gabe fit into the Kings style fine, but at some point the Kings leadership fell in love with the idea of having a fast skating, agile team which did not play into Gabe's strengths. Also there were decisions made on both sides which did not sit well with the other, and led to a high level of resentment that could not be easily overcome.

Still a totally boneheaded trade any way you slice it though. We had an actual high end goal scorer and traded him away. Just silly.
Was the resentment to the level that they had no choice but to trade him? I have suspicions that it was but I could very easily be incorrect.
Something about his time here was problematic and it seemed obvious. Whether it was his back issue, the org feeling that he wasn’t committed to the physical conditioning he needed to get past the back issue, compensation he wanted that was beyond what the org felt he had earned, etc.
If the decision was that at some point he would walk away or get traded then the org had to determine when he had the most trade value.
Given his history the one good year was a good time to trade. Waiting another was risky.
I have to think this was part of the assessment.
But yes, it sure doesn’t look like a good move on any level. And we know how hindsight works.
 
So long as Kings fans are content with mediocrity, and continue to be apologists for the front office, combined with continually attending games and buying merch........same as it ever was.
 
Was the resentment to the level that they had no choice but to trade him? I have suspicions that it was but I could very easily be incorrect.
Something about his time here was problematic and it seemed obvious. Whether it was his back issue, the org feeling that he wasn’t committed to the physical conditioning he needed to get past the back issue, compensation he wanted that was beyond what the org felt he had earned, etc.
If the decision was that at some point he would walk away or get traded then the org had to determine when he had the most trade value.
Given his history the one good year was a good time to trade. Waiting another was risky.
I have to think this was part of the assessment.
But yes, it sure doesn’t look like a good move on any level. And we know how hindsight works.
Hard to say as things can always change, but I believe the feeling was he would become hard to resign as a RFA and would not re-sign once he got to the point of being an UFA (which was still several years away).

At the point it had reached, my personal opinion is that it would be hard for the two sides to get past their grudge, for lack of a better word, and come together in order to build a bridge.
 
Hard to say as things can always change, but I believe the feeling was he would become hard to resign as a RFA and would not re-sign once he got to the point of being an UFA (which was still several years away).

At the point it had reached, my personal opinion is that it would be hard for the two sides to get past their grudge, for lack of a better word, and come together in order to build a bridge.
I think this is right. I think the negativity was too real.

Obvs the trade was bad. But I do have a wonder about the what/if?
Had PLD come in and played as the org expected (25/75, big physical presence) how would the team look now? How would that trade look?
Clearly it’s whistling in the wind but it’s too bad we did not see how the trade could have worked out. And as much blame as the org should get, I just don’t want to minimize the fact that Dubois did not have the desire to play. I mean, can you imagine the size and skill and just not caring?
 
I’m still annoyed he let Chychrun get traded for a 3rd round pick and a 33 year old stay at home dman to Washington. Chychrun already has 13 goals and 20 assists on the season. Are you telling me the Kings couldn’t use a 50-60 point blue liner PP specials playing 20 minutes a night?
 
I’m still annoyed he let Chychrun get traded for a 3rd round pick and a 33 year old stay at home dman to Washington. Chychrun already has 13 goals and 20 assists on the season. Are you telling me the Kings couldn’t use a 50-60 point blue liner PP specials playing 20 minutes a night?
How much are you paying him?
 
I’m still annoyed he let Chychrun get traded for a 3rd round pick and a 33 year old stay at home dman to Washington. Chychrun already has 13 goals and 20 assists on the season. Are you telling me the Kings couldn’t use a 50-60 point blue liner PP specials playing 20 minutes a night?
Could be mistaken but didn’t Blake have a deal w AZ for Chychrun before their GM decided to go a different direction? And wasn’t the reporting that Blake was pissed over how it happened? I imagine AZ didn’t want to trade within the division.
I think Blake has tried to get Chychrun and who wouldn’t?
I have little doubt that Blake’s offer was better than what they accepted. I think it was too uncomfortable to give the Kings what they needed.
That’s my recollection anyway. I’ve been wrong plenty.
 
I remember seasons we were the best or close to it on the PP and PK, and we didn’t necessarily win. I remember when we had zero Cups and Ducks fans lorded it over me. Jeez, people, I want to win as much as anyone, but if you didn’t cry ‘12, and if ‘14 wasn’t enough to tide us over a little, then check out other franchises. Reality: we won’t every year.

That being said, we could be better.
 
Could be mistaken but didn’t Blake have a deal w AZ for Chychrun before their GM decided to go a different direction? And wasn’t the reporting that Blake was pissed over how it happened? I imagine AZ didn’t want to trade within the division.
I think Blake has tried to get Chychrun and who wouldn’t?
I have little doubt that Blake’s offer was better than what they accepted. I think it was too uncomfortable to give the Kings what they needed.
That’s my recollection anyway. I’ve been wrong plenty.
Sounds plausible. I just don’t understand why Blake didn’t revisit the player once he knew the Sens were willing to move him. It was widely rumored that he was available this past summer.
 
Sounds plausible. I just don’t understand why Blake didn’t revisit the player once he knew the Sens were willing to move him. It was widely rumored that he was available this past summer.
Yeah, don’t know anything about the details on that. Blake has clear interest. Perhaps cap concerns or maybe just waiting for the player to hit FA? Honestly don’t know.
I think it’s been reported that Chychrun wouldn’t mind being in LA (family connection here). I think he’s a great fit. Let Gavy go and get Chychrun.
 
Why he was still a junior in college…he wanted a crack at the state championships or something to that nature.
After most college players with his skill have long since signed. Yeah, he gave up a year of FA (millions), not to mention a nice paycheck to play another college year. Only a dim bulb believes for a second that he was going to sign with the Kings. That is why Blake had to trade him to Minnesota and not elsewhere.
 
Back
Top