Panarin to Kings

[DryKing]

Correct that Luc is the public face of hiring and firing. I think Luc does decide on a GM or Coach, and others involved in the coaching/development side. But I also believe that AEG is the final decision. It’s why Luc has consistently referenced Beckerman over the years when discussing the operation.

I do also believe that once the hiring occurs Luc is very involved but allows those he hired to do what they do, whether that’s wise or not. I don’t think he’s telling Holland what moves to make or Hiller what lines to roll. Luc is the conduit to the real decision-makers. Holland has a deal, goes to Luc for the OK, they look at the contracts with the Cap Room, and Luc goes to Beckerman to sign off.

That’s the hierarchy that I see. Not that I don’t think Luc is responsible for any of it. Of course he’s culpable. I’m hardly in any position to want to be an apologist for him. But we also don’t know if there were moves he wanted that were not approved, or if any moves were dictated to him.

I think Luc is effectively in a role that is designed by AEG. It’s why I think his role with the team is not as hands-on as people might think.
It’s just my read on it.

Honestly I do not know either way, but I agree that it's unlikely Luc is hands on with every trade and decision. Ultimately he should be choosing the right people and putting them in roles to handle most of that, while focusing on larger Organizational strategies and implimentations.

I will note a few of personal observations, however.

1) AEG has built a stable of Champions in other sports. The LA Galaxy, for instance, has won the championship 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2024 (with 10 finals appearances). Eisbären Berlin (DEL) has won the title 10 DEL times, including wins in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, and 2024. Given the track record of other teams under the AEG umbrella, it's very hard to claim AEG is the problem (not saying you are, just process of elimination).

2) The Kings went south when Luc hired Bergevin as the advisor to the GM. All of a sudden, the Kings began chasing Bergevin's dream players which resulted in the whole PLD debacle and set the franchise backwards. This to me indicates that Luc either did not trust Blake, or ultimately had a different vision which he looked to enforce while not technically being hands on in doing so. Queue Bergevin.

3) All indications (at least publicly) was that Luc wanted Blake to stay, and Blake chose to step down. This again, leads me to believe there was a vision imbalance between the two. When Luc hired Holland, Bergevin was quickly cast aside and moved on (meaning Holland was not going to put up with the same treatment as Blake).

There is plenty of ownership for the shortcomings to go around, but I feel that ultimately it rests on Luc. Luc is trying to right the ship through Holland, and so far it looks relatively hopeful, but Luc, much like Hiller, never seem to take any ownership of the shortcomings of this team.

 

[DoubleMinor]

Honestly I do not know either way, but I agree that it's unlikely Luc is hands on with every trade and decision. Ultimately he should be choosing the right people and putting them in roles to handle most of that, while focusing on larger Organizational strategies and implimentations.

I will note a few of personal observations, however.

1) AEG has built a stable of Champions in other sports. The LA Galaxy, for instance, has won the championship 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2024 (with 10 finals appearances). Eisbären Berlin (DEL) has won the title 10 DEL times, including wins in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022, and 2024. Given the track record of other teams under the AEG umbrella, it's very hard to claim AEG is the problem (not saying you are, just process of elimination).

2) The Kings went south when Luc hired Bergevin as the advisor to the GM. All of a sudden, the Kings began chasing Bergevin's dream players which resulted in the whole PLD debacle and set the franchise backwards. This to me indicates that Luc either did not trust Blake, or ultimately had a different vision which he looked to enforce while not technically being hands on in doing so. Queue Bergevin.

3) All indications (at least publicly) was that Luc wanted Blake to stay, and Blake chose to step down. This again, leads me to believe there was a vision imbalance between the two. When Luc hired Holland, Bergevin was quickly cast aside and moved on (meaning Holland was not going to put up with the same treatment as Blake).

There is plenty of ownership for the shortcomings to go around, but I feel that ultimately it rests on Luc. Luc is trying to right the ship through Holland, and so far it looks relatively hopeful, but Luc, much like Hiller, never seem to take any ownership of the shortcomings of this team.

I think your #2 point is very true. And your other points are well stated also