Kings bring in DJ Smith

[Johnnysuede71]

There hasn’t been a single teammate to ever publicly question his leadership ability over 18 seasons as a pro. Not one. In fact we’ve had a decade plus of teammates and former teammates who say the exact opposite.

So what evidence do we have that he’s an ineffective leader?

Evidence? Ok well first he wasn't the team leader until halfway through his tenure....just a great player in a room full of leaders who for a 4 year period were arguably the best team in hockey. Dustin Brown was the captain of that team. I think we can all agree DB's time in that position was an unmitigated success. Since Anze took the 'C' the team has not made the post season 5 of 7 years and was out in the first round the other 2. Sure you can talk about 'rebuilding' and that is fair but I think we are seeing this season...(and frankly in both first round playoff exits)...that there is a lack of team leadership at the heart of the problems with this team...particularly as it's currently constructed. IMO...Kopi's legend status is tempered by his 'nice guy' energy and he fails to reach the players when that need arises. He is respected...but not 'feared'. (See: Mark Stone)

 

[symbology]

I believe the comments reference the style of leadership... not about the immense respect and admiration from his teammates... and all of us.

Good point.

 

[jammer06]

We don't stand tantrums in our toddlers, why do we want them in our leaders? Or is that what's wrong with America today?

 

[Dexter]

A thread on the assistant coach has turned into a thread about Kopitar's leadership. Never change, LGK!

 

[rinkrat]

 

[DryKing]

Hard to think that Kopitar isn't an excellent Captain. The question more is do the Kings have the right on-ice leadership mix and is Kopitar the right Captain for the Kings today (including how he works, and potentially balances, the leadership style of the coaching staff).

Brown, in my opinion, is the best Captain the Kings have ever had, but would not have been as effective without the right supporting leadership cast (those with an "A" like Kopitar and Greene, and many leaders on the team without one {Stoll, Williams, Mitchell. Gabby - just to name a few). Kopitar was an excellent "A" on that team as his style, among other things, helped to balance out Sutter's.

An excellent leader isn't always the right leader for the team.

 

[Statue4Deano]

I believe the comments reference the style of leadership... not about the immense respect and admiration from his teammates... and all of us.

I completely understand that people have preferences in what they perceive as leadership styles. Nothing wrong with that. I argue the issue with the Kings is they don’t have enough leadership period. You can’t lay that problem at the Captain’s feet just because he wears a letter. That’s an issue bigger than one man. That’s roster construction and the personal responsibility of each players in that room.

Look at the rosters of the 2012 & 2014 teams. There was leadership all throughout those lineups and most of that came from guys who didn’t wear letters. Those players expected accountability from their coworkers and everyone in that room felt that peer pressure.

Right now we know from multiple reports that Kopitar, Doughty and Danault are demanding accountability every night and applying peer pressure as best as they can but they aren’t getting buy in from the whole room. Again it’s not those three guys responsibility to lift of the play of every other professional on the roster. They’re doing their part but the issue is bigger than any one guy or group of guys who wear letters.

 

[VCRW]

...Kopitar, Doughty and Danault are demanding accountability every night and applying peer pressure as best as they can...

We have no way of knowing exactly how this has been presented to the team at large. As I said, it may be about leadership style, not leadership qualifications. If the players aren't responding, doesn't that say as much about the messenger as the message?

During the Cup years, I had a friend who worked for Lombardi and was often inside the locker room. I miss having that insight into the dynamics within the team.

 

[DRGinLBC]

 

[symbology]

Hard to think that Kopitar isn't an excellent Captain. The question more is do the Kings have the right on-ice leadership mix and is Kopitar the right Captain for the Kings today (including how he works, and potentially balances, the leadership style of the coaching staff).

Brown, in my opinion, is the best Captain the Kings have ever had, but would not have been as effective without the right supporting leadership cast (those with an "A" like Kopitar and Greene, and many leaders on the team without one {Stoll, Williams, Mitchell. Gabby - just to name a few). Kopitar was an excellent "A" on that team as his style, among other things, helped to balance out Sutter's.

An excellent leader isn't always the right leader for the team.

I was going to bring up the supporting cast during the cup years. This team just does not seem to have the same large group of vet / leader types. Maybe when (dare I say "if) they get out of this funk, the players and team could be much better off.

 

[symbology]

Just some info on the new assistance coach.

 

[Birdman]

There hasn’t been a single teammate to ever publicly question his leadership ability over 18 seasons as a pro. Not one. In fact we’ve had a decade plus of teammates and former teammates who say the exact opposite.

So what evidence do we have that he’s an ineffective leader?

No playoff series wins in his tenure.

 

[VCRW]

Edmonton losing tonight takes a lot of the pressure off the entire team for Saturday's game. Hope the Oilers have a letdown game now that the streak is over. Would love to see the Kings play confidently and take the game to the Oilers.

 

[Birdman]

Edmonton losing tonight takes a lot of the pressure off the entire team for Saturday's game. Hope the Oilers have a letdown game now that the streak is over. Would love to see the Kings play confidently and take the game to the Oilers.

Team will have 2 practices after being off the ice for a week. Edmonton took a little break, then went to Vegas and lost a tight one.

We’re gonna get steamrolled.

 

[VCRW]

Team will have 2 practices after being off the ice for a week. Edmonton took a little break, then went to Vegas and lost a tight one.

We’re gonna get steamrolled.

Hey… a man can dream… this is Hollywood!

 

[jammer06]

I dunno Edmonton was definitely gripping their sticks in that one with Vegas. We can take all the help we can get so lets hope they keep choking their chickens

 

[Clif]

Kings let right off after their road streak comes to an end. Sometimes the pressure released from an ended streak can linger.

I think I’ll just go ahead and watch.

 

[santiclaws]

We can take all the help we can get so lets hope they keep choking their chickens

That would actually relieve the stress, wouldn't it?