Ask an exec (for real)

Thanks Rich for this site. It's an amazing source of information and insightfulness on the Kings. Great job.

My question for Dean is to get his opinion on drafting Russian players. I know there has been some discussions about an agreement between the NHL and the Russian Hockey Federation but does he see picking players from there as a liability? With the fourth pick this summer and Cherepanov very high on many lists and probably there for the team if they want him, I was just curious what his opinion is.

Thanks.

Thanks again for your blog. Could you please ask Mr. Lombardi how close the Kings intend to get to the top of the cap? I understand they have to have some space to make moves towards the trade deadline. I am just curious if they are going to go after a big name UFA or give it another year with the young talent and let them mature some more. Also I would like to know what is going to happen at the goalie positon. Thanks, Steve in Springfield IL.

I'd like to know how soon do they start working on their draft board and if they have their first round pick in mind? Does he see a position that this draft is strong/weak in?

Keep up the good work.

Hola, I just wondered why the Kings seemed to rekindle their interest in Brady Murray and signed him. It just seemed to me that he was kind of lost in the fold even with his father as our head coach a impressive Freshman year at North Dakota. Also does the organization have a plan for bringing Jan Marek over to either Manchester or Los Angeles? Sorry if these have been touched on in previous comments.

I'd like to know where he sees Brady Murry playing this coming season(just signed to a multi year contract today)?

I know Lombardi can't name names, but are the Kings going to pursue a former Sharks defenseman to be part of the Kings' blueline when the free agent floodgates open?

And what type of center will the Kings be looking to add? How many roster spots is he planning on addressing through free agency or trades, and what prospects does he expect to compete for roster spots for next season?

i've always been a huge petr kanko fan and was just wondering where he fits into the kings plans if at all, since he's a restricted free agent

The most obvious question is in terms of goaltending. If we've seen anything in this year's playoffs it's that a lot of teams have some very high quality goaltending. Although we have some good prospects, they are quite young. Jason's the only one that seems ready for another shot (if his knee recovers well in the offseason). What happens with Cloutier? Will we be held hostage to his health for another season? Why on earth was he given a multiyear contract after being run out of Vancouver?

What happens on the blueline this year? We have Lubo (thank goodness) and Professor Blake. Jack will be there, too. Which leaves 3 spots open with no one else a lock to make the roster. How many youngsters would they be willing to start at the same time? Will some veterans be moved in to bolster the D?

And here's hoping we sign some top 6 forwards. We've got good youngsters in Anze (duh), Frolov, Cammi (assuming he's signed), Dustin (keep improving!) and O'Sullivan (assuming the Manchester playoff confidence carries over into the NHL). Just one or two legit forwards more would make for a pretty interesting, deep, offense.

Welcome back from Lakers purgatory!

Lombardi made comments before the season about Cammalleri's agent "seeing [Mike] as a 35 goal guy" , and having unrealistic salary demands.

Now that Cammalleri put up a 34 goal season, and was nearly a point-a-game player, has Dean changed his attitude toward Cammalleri's worth at all?

Also, he was known, while with San Jose, to take a hard line in salary negotiations that saw several young players missing at least portions of training camp. Is that hard-line approach part of his philosophy with regard to salary negotiations?

What does Dean think Jan Marek can bring to the Kings? How hard are the kings pursuing him?

Thanks!

Josh, Torrance CA

Are the Kings interested in Swiss-goaltender Jonas Hiller? He's an unrestricted free agent and is said to be drawing interest from about 10 NHL teams.

With Lombardi stating that the team may go with a three-goalie tandem, it might be worth taking a look at an experienced, yet young, goaltender with plenty of experience in the international stage.

Questions for Dean Lombardi:
Can you take us through a normal day in life of Dean Lombardi this offseason in LA, in a general sense?

Besides being an assistant to Mr. Leiweke, what’s Luc Robitaille’s role with the current Kings squad? Mentor?

Do you feel any added pressure to improve this team from last season’s disaster? How much? How important is it as a GM to not let pressure become a factor?

During the trade deadling, what would you say was the estimated ratio between serious proposals you received from other teams and the actual deals that were made? (Example 10:1)

What were your observations in your recent European trip as far as Kings prospects go?

What’s your reaction towards the positive analysis and the negative criticism you’ve received when some analysts pen the Kings in to make the post-season next year, where others predict it’s going to be a bumpy ride for another 3-4 years before the Kings are a contender?

Why wasn’t there a “State of the Franchise” meeting late in the season with Season Ticket Holders? Do you plan to add any more meetings next year besides the 2 breakfasts?

My favorite member of the Kings is Lubomir Visnovsky. Can you draw any comparisons to the type of player Lubo is to previous defenseman this league has seen?

Do you think there’s plenty of room for improvement in Alexander Frolov’s game and do you look for him to take the kind of steps he took last season in becoming “that” player?

Dustin Brown. Is it safe to say he’s turned the page offensively?

I disagreed with the New York Islanders signing Rick DiPietro to a 15-year contract. In fact, I thought it was damned foolish to sign ANYONE beyond 5 years. Then, I saw Anze Kopitar play… do you think it’s possible to sign him to maybe a 12-year contact? :D

When did you get the feeling Anze Kopitar was “special”?