Drury to Rangers

my money is on the rangers still missing the playoffs.

hannan lubo cammy baby

GReat! Now even I am bitter... and everyone calls me the "Kings PR guy"!

Drury must be getting at least $7 million/year for at least 6 years. Why would the Kings want to do that? Makes no sense...and shows how little sense the Flyers and Rangers have.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

YET ANOTHER snoozer season for the Kings.

They got my money this season... but they won't get me next season...

I enjoy watching Bob Miller & Jim Fox better than going to the games anyway.

THANKS AGAIN FOR NOTHING!!!!!

Dean sucks - plain and simple - here's to tier 2 players!

Guess NOBODY wants to play for the Kings AGAIN!

And just how much is Cammy worth NOW?

Good golly Miss Molly ... did the hotel operator forget to give Mr. Lombardi his wake-up call this morning, or what?

Maybe Marcel Dionne has some eligibility left ...

It's officially up on TSN FA Tracker...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=4965

Well, if the Rags offered Drury 5 to 6 years at 6 to 7 million, then I can't really blame DL for passing. It is more important that we improve on defense than on our scoring lines in any event.

But if DL goes out and signs Yashin, then I'm done with this team.

If the Kings go into the season with all that empty cap space, this will be the first season in the last 20 or so that I will not attend a game. Absolutely unacceptable to not spend the money on the team.

Anybody who buys season tickets for the Kings next season should ask for a refund. That would shake the cobwebs out of the front office.

I guess Nylander's available now...

Seriously, I think it's the deal length that these guys can't pass up. As much as I wanted Drury, and was even ok with overpaying for him, to do it for 7 years would be just too much. I'm ok with this.

I applaudd Glen Sather. He won't be there for long.

Not exactly sure why, but I always lose respect for players signing with the Rangers. Probably because the Rangers have a track record of spending stupid money, yet continually prove they can't win. Therefore, players going there are simply looking for the payday.

I've always thought Drury had character, but if this is true, I will question that.

Do you folks honestly think the Kings should've signed either Briere, Gomez or Drury for 6-8 years at $7 million/year or more?

The good news is maybe we can shoot for dead last, get the number one draft pick, and pick someone that's rated a round two pick.

What a joke... yes I'm bitter, i've been watching the kings for 20 years. They take advantage because we're die hard fans (unlike the bandwaggon Duck's fans, a team that can't sell seats unless they are a contender.) We've payed our dues they owe us.

These guys are NOT overpaid! Here's why:

Briere, Gomez and Drury are getting the money they deserve! They earned it the past couple of seasons. And they will put BUTTS IN THE SEATS at Madison Square Garden (and not the Staples Center). Unfortunately, it works that way in every BIG LEAGUE sport. Just the nature of contracts and our economy.

You don't think players are going to be topping out at $7-$8 million in 5 years, do you? That will probably seem like a bargain when 2012-13 rolls around.

HOW LONG WILL FANS KEEP BUYING KINGS TICKETS IF THE CLUB DOESN'T TRY TO IMPROVE?

Lombardi will have to pay Kopitar more like $10-$11 million a season when his big deal comes. Tickets will cost 2-3 times as much, too.

Like death and taxes, it's a certainty.

But TSN has it at 5yr/$35 million for Drury. Certainly that is an acceptable contract length?

Five-year deal worth $35.25 million - yeah, if he were to get this deal from the Kings I wouldn't be complaining.

Looks like Drury is a 5 year deal, $35.25 million. A little over $7 Million cap hit.

TSN drury 5 years 35.25mill

Rags got Drury for 5 years , $35.35 million, per TSN

Damn, can't believe we won't get either Drury or Gomez. Oh well, let's see if we can pick up some D.

Ok, we still build from within. What is DL going to do with all of the extra cap room money? Hannan and Souray are still out there.

This sucks!!!!!!!

I wouldn't be surprised if Deano had something similar to this on the table, so I'm guessing Drury's supposed long desire to play for the Rangers, plus Rangers being contenders now (as opposed to having to wait 2-3 years with the Kings) made this too good to pass up for him.

Drury was actually 5 years, but I'm glad DL passed on these guys. Too much money for too long. Sign Cammy, extend Lubo and find a defenseman at a reasonable deal. Then develop the kids. And don't let Modry take playing time away from a young guy who demands NHL ice time!

Rich - would it be possible that the Kings are looking at Paul Kariya?

I can't wait to hear what Lombardi will have to say about this. The sure bet: He didn't want to overspend. Also, the "top tier" FAs probably don't want to commit to a team without its goalie situation solidified and with 8 (count 'em 8) "holes" to fill (per Lombardi).

It's going to be a VERY long wait until the Kings can rebuild from within. As we've seen over the past 2 years, we can't (or won't) lure established players.

Good for Lombardi and AEG for not "overspending." BAD for the fans who have desperately waited to have something to celebrate.

And just think . . . the Ducks got Schneider - won't it be painful when HE scores against us next year?

That's life for Kings fans.

Cheers!

Everyone is missing the point. Drury's favorite team is the Rangers and he's always wanted to play for them. We clearly would have had to overpay and I'm glad that Dean Lombardi thinks with his head and not with his heart, like many armchair GMs.

At any rate, Rich...

Seeing as how tight-lipped team execs have been today, we wouldn't expect an interview or article with quotes from Dean, correct?

Anyone know a good email address for us to let the team know our displeasure?

We don't want Kariya.

Paul Kariya isn't a builder. I'll pass...

So... who's UFA next year?

As much as not being a part of these signings sting, those contract lengths are brutal. Gomez is going to be 34 and Drury is going to be 35 at the end of those deals, and as sweet as they would be now for the team, we'd have another Mattias Norstrom situation with those guys, you know?

I just have a feeling that when Lombardi gets to talk about what has transpired today it'll be revealed it was the length of the contracts. He probably wanted to sign them to 3 or 4 year deals and when he couldn't go longer he lost out because the players wanted that contract security, or something.

C'est la vie. Time to turn the attention the defensemen, I suppose...

meh, at least this will force us to play defence.

Rich now that the top 3 centers have signed, do you think you can tell us now what DL said about these guys in your interview with him.

I must say that I have no problem passing on Briere or Gomez or almost anyone at 7 or 8 years. But not getting Drury at 5 years stings. That is a doable term.

And although 7 mil/year is a little steep, I'm wishing DL could have done that deal.

Gann, I agree with you most of the time but we are 24 million under the cap. We couldnt come up with 7 million for 5 years. What do we do at center now? We have Kopitar Armstrong and then what? Wes Walz? Nylander... how does that help us? Trade for a center? Then we're giving up resources.

We need to quit worrying about the cap 4 and 5 years from now just a little bit. I am not saying blow up against the cap like the people that wanted Briere and Drury. I am also not saying get into a crazy Briere type contract.... but we have only 2 centers and nothing on the horizon. 7 mil over 5 is definately within grasp... especially when we got $11 million coming of the cap next year.

Why would Cammy stay here long term if we can't build a winner? Why would Lubo?
The Kings will improve, but not enough. Then we'll lose our youth as they come into their prime if they don't overpay for a free agent now to help out the team in more drastic ways.
Kansas City Kings? (the hockey version "Major League")

Anything new on signing Parse?

Did any of you ever think that maybe these players didn't want to sign with the Kings? If the Kings and the Rangers have the same offer on the table to Drury, which offer do you think he's going to take? Honestly. Some of you people are utterly ridiculous.

Ridiculous.

I'm so glad I didn't renew my season tickets this year. Too bad the renewal rate is around 94%. With a rate like that, the Kings will never improve.

If I recall correctly, L.A. is currently UNDER the salary floor. They HAVE to spend money, and still coupldn't sign one of those three centers. That's unexcusable.

The Kings ownership and management care More about soccer than they do about hockey.

Unbelievable, but true.

Maybe the grand plan is for the Kings to bottom out in '08 and land John Tavares in the entry draft? I know thats not a plan, but ...where are the builders? Builders are 27 - 30 y.o., not 16 - 19.

Another great off season for the Kings..Did Lombardi forget the Kings are about 20 million under the cap.

Get used to this sentance in the next couple of year,"With the number one pick, the Los Angeles Kings select..."