It’s two days later and there are still several layers to peel back on the ‘Rob Blake won’t return as LA Kings GM’ story, as well as the aftermath that has ensued. We’ll be getting more into the former topic during an upcoming Kings Of The Podcast episode. In this article we’ll be looking to build upon our initial article focusing on some of the most likely candidates to fill the role.
In the spirit of full transparency, we aren’t at a point in the process yet where it’s time to list out who tops the leaderboard — that simply wouldn’t be fair to those involved. Nor would it really be possible, as that type of specific information simply hasn’t surfaced, even after talking to various sources. From all indications, this is still very much a work in progress.
What we can do, though, is provide a few updates and nuggets of information that have come up along the way.
To begin, we laid out the three most likely candidates on Monday — Mark Yannetti, Mike Futa, and Mark Bergevin. During his press conference the following day, team president Luc Robitaille essentially acknowledged at least two of those guys should expect to be interviewed. Both Yannetti and Bergevin are part of the internal group who were referenced.
“We have to talk to our own [people], you have to listen,” he said.
When the list is expanded to those currently outside the organization, will the Kings be looking for somebody with previous GM experience or could it be a first timer?
“We’re not going to close any doors on anything,” he continued. “We have to get the best person to help us get to the next level, and that’s what’s more important for me right now. It’s not fair to say we’re going to go one way or the other. We just have to get the right person and the best person for this organization at this time.”
What about a timeline to name the new General Manager?
“We don’t have a timeline, but obviously we understand the urgency; we know what’s coming up — there’s free agency coming up, the Draft is coming up,” he continued. “We understand that there’s an urgency, but at the same time, it’s a very important [hire] for this franchise. Hopefully, it’ll be as soon as possible.”
Robitaille also mentioned “a new voice” a few times. He also said the current group of managers (including himself) are “going to have listen and learn.”
And to share one final comment from the presser, he also said, “It doesn’t matter how old the person is, where they’re from — internally or externally — we just have to find the right person.”
With all of that in mind, let’s take a deeper dive into our original list and expand that group by adding a few more names.
UPDATED LIST OF LA GM CANDIDATES
Below is our updated list, in no particular order.
Mark Yannetti
– Nobody called and asked for my vote on this, but if they did, this is the guy. We gave a laundry list of reasons for such a hire a few days ago and after Tuesday’s press conference, he checks nearly all of the boxes Robitaille specifically hit on. Yannetti has been with the organization for nearly 20 years — and in his specific case, that’s a good thing, not a bad one. He had a front row seat under the learning tree for his first 10 years. He saw first hand what worked and didn’t work. Then, even though Yannetti continued to play a key role in the organization under Blake as the Director of Amateur Scouting, he’s been far enough removed from the day-to-day operations that he should still have an outsider’s perspective of what it takes to build and win.
Yannetti is an innovative thinker. He certainly has opinions, which he also balances with being a lifelong learner. During his entire tenure with the Kings, he’s regularly adopted and adapted. He’s as deep of a thinker as you’ll find in the game. Too young to be considered a dinosaur in any way, he’s also experienced enough to have shed any potential concerns about possibly being too green. He is not a hockey lifer, but more of a hockey junkie. Few in the game put in the work like he does.
Going back to something we said in our initial article — “Anybody who has ever come away from a conversation with Yannetti is smarter for the experience. Having him at the helm in LA could be a master class in hockey evolution.” — had us later pondering something. The GM role in baseball has evolved dramatically over the past two decades. Once upon a time, many hockey people saw the hiring of Kyle Dubas as a ‘next level’ type move for the sport. Years from now, elevating Yannetti to the GM chair could be looked back on as a similar shift in how successful NHL clubs start operating. Somebody at some point is going to be impressed enough to give it a try. It’s similar to Jon Cooper in a way; he didn’t have NHL head coaching experience, until he did. We won’t know with Yannetti until somebody is smart enough to make the call.
Nelson Emerson
Since our original article had Emerson in the ‘other guys’ category, we thought it wise to flush him out as a candidate a bit further. Sure, he’s one of Blake’s best friends and that will immediately turn some critics off. However, it’s important to remember that he’s actually worked for the Kings longer than Blake. After his playing days were over, Emerson found his way back to the club as an assistant coach from 2006-08. He then began a 10-year run as the team’s Director of Player Development from 2008-18. His fingerprints were all over the most successful decade in Kings franchise history. Nobody keeps such an important job like that by accident.
After largely serving as Blake’s key lieutenant the past few years (including being promoted to AGM in 2022), how many of his own ideas can he bring to the table? That’s a valid question that will need to be flushed out during the interview process. Robitaille doesn’t seem intent on just running it back as is. He talked about getting to the next level, so Emerson will need to bring some juice to the conversation. Like all candidates being interviewed, he’ll need to convince the powers that be that he’s the man for the job.
Marc Bergevin
This might be the key piece in the puzzle. If he wants the job, he just might have an inside track. He’s worked for the team in an advisory role the past few years and he has former GM experience on his resume. He’s believed to have already interviewed for two separate openings with the New York Islanders, President of Hockey Operations and GM. If given the President job, it’s safe to assume he’d take it. Why wouldn’t he? It pays more money and comes with more control. On the surface, LA’s GM job couldn’t compete when weighing the two against each other. Now, if it’s GM vs. GM job, that’s just a matter of preference and perspective.
What happens in New York could be the driver on timing of any decision in LA. We’ll have to wait and see.
Mike Futa
If nothing else, he’s emerged as a fan favorite if you checked in on what social media has to offer this week. Futa himself has openly said during radio interviews and on twitter that he’d like to come back. That’s been more than enough to motivate some people to try connecting a few dots. And why not, he’s what we’ve referred to as a hybrid candidate. He had an important seat at the table during the Lombardi years, was involved in a few of the early Blake years, and then has seen the world from a fresher outside perspective more recently. He certainly has the respect and relationship part covered. What new ideas has he come with that will help the Kings get over the hump? Get him in the interview room and hear him out.
Ken Holland
It’s never wise to overly pick apart what you hear at a press conference. We would always prefer to have actual conversations with a person, where ideas can be flushed out more thoroughly. However, in the absence of such dialogue at this time, there was something that Robitaille said that made my ears momentarily perk up. Again, it could be nothing – but he referenced it doesn’t matter how old somebody is. This is true. Wisdom and experience come in all shapes and sizes. Yet it also comes from swimming in the deep end. Holland has been there, winning multiple Stanley Cups. Now, 60 years old — and that’s not old by any means, he just happens to be the oldest on our list — Holland also brings something incredibly important in moments like this… Trust.
Robitaille is most likely to hire somebody he can trust as the next Kings GM. That statement can be taken many different ways, but it boils down to being able to believe in that person at the end of the day. Can they help? Will they be supportive? There may be a myriad of ways to look at trust, but this one is rather easy. Holland was GM in Detroit when the Red Wings signed Robitaille as a free agent. It’s where he won his only Stanley Cup as a player. There’s a level of respect there across the league, and there is likely a trust there with Robitaille that can’t be broken. That’s helpful.
We have no inside knowledge of this, yet it wouldn’t be surprising to see Holland (or somebody similar) involved with the Kings somehow should they opt to go with a first-time GM. Again, LA’s upper management thinks they’re close to challenging for a Cup and Robitaille is open about preferring a think tank type environment. Lombardi had Jack Ferreira as his wise owl, Robitaille could offer Holland a similar role if he doesn’t get the GM job.
Rob Hextall
Building on another soundbite from Tuesday, Robitaille talked about the Kings needing that killer instinct. Well, there are few people as intimidating as Hextall. Like several on this list, he’s familiar with the Kings, having previously served as the team’s AGM. Many in the organization still have a great deal of reverence for the former NHL goalie. After initially leaving LA in 2013 — in what ironically was the opening that led to Blake joining the Kings front office — Hextall served in a variety of roles with the Flyers, including General Manager. After leaving that post, he returned to LA as an advisor to Blake for two years (again, speaks to his ties to the organization) before taking the Penguins GM job. He’s also been the AGM and GM for Canada at the World Championships. He’s intense, and that might be just what LA is looking for right now.
A Name to Watch
There are reports out there about Mathieu Darche being a hot commodity this summer. He’s the AGM in Tampa Bay, so he clearly has plenty of good stuff on his resume over the past six years.
We’re going in a different direction, though. Remember, if the Kings go outside the organization, they’re likely looking for one of two things: a winning pedigree (we’ll get to those guys in the next section) or they’re looking for new-age thinking. What is the cutting-edge stuff that some other teams are doing?
Look no further than Mark Janko, AGM of the Dallas Stars. At just 48 years old, he’s already spent 25 years with the Stars, including the past nine years in his current role. During his tenure with the club, he’s had a heavy hand in contract negotiations and in the “construction and framing” of key contracts for many of their core players. This could translate well to future deals for Adrian Kempe, Brandt Clarke, Alex Laferriere, and others. He also helped create and manage the team’s analytics department. Further, Janko is said to have “worked closely with Dallas’ scouting staff, with an emphasis on the professional level.” Again, timely as the next Kings GM will be the primary person responsible for finding the player or two needed to get them over the hump, turning the current team into a true Cup contender.
Jim Nill is universally recognized as one of the finest GMs in the entire NHL. If the Kings are serious about bringing in somebody from the outside for all new perspective, Janko is a worth looking into.
High Profile Candidates
There were a few other names mentioned in our previous article — i.e. Chuck Fletcher (former Flyers GM), Jarmo Kekalainen (former Blue Jackets GM), and the legend Lou Lamoriello.
We’re quietly starting to hear more and more tidbits that lead us to believe the Kings are looking at a few high-profile candidates along with the guys listed above. What exactly does that mean and who might fit into that description?
Doug Wilson for one, as well as Brian Murray and Brian Burke come to mind.
While none of that trio have an obvious connection to Robitaille, they all bring one important factor — extensive hockey knowledge.
At one point a few years ago, Wilson retired to focus on his health. Word is, that’s behind him now and he’s been back in action working alongside Dubas in Pittsburgh. He may be looking to win a Cup before he finally rides off into the sunset. And perhaps that could be just enough of a hook to bring him West again.
Murray and Burke would at least raise an eyebrow to some because of their previous time in Anaheim. However, there is not denying that Burke suffers no fools and would bring the drive to win that the Kings are looking for right now.
Final Note
After checking with a few different sources, indications are that Pat Brisson is not currently in the running. As one of the biggest names at CAA, he’d obviously be leaving the agent world to join the other side, if he was ever to make such a move. It’s an idea that’s been whispered about for years in hockey circles. Now doesn’t seem like the time he’s ready to make the jump.
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