What's going wrong?
This is quite a messy situation. Last season, it was fairly easy, on most nights, to identify what the problem was with the Kings. Goaltending and penalty killing were usual, and obvious, suspects. What makes this six-game stretch so disturbing, from the Kings' standpoint, is that so many different things are going wrong. Not only that, but the team's strength one night becomes its weakness the next. For instance, Crawford talked after the Dallas game about how well the penalty-kill unit fared. Then, two nights later, it got destroyed. That's the sign of a bad team. This is a team that hasn't been able to do anything well, consistently, over the course of the first six games.
This is the worst six-game start for the Kings in 20 years. Here are some thoughts, in no particular order...
-- As I said last night, these aren't even close losses. The Kings rarely are fighting back once they face a deficit, and when they do, as they did for a stretch against Boston, they quickly give the lead back up again. That's either a coaching issue or a player-leadership issue, or both. I saw it again last night against Detroit. When the Kings fell behind 2-0 in the second period, they essentially stopped playing for a long stretch. Who is motivating this team?
-- I don't believe that Rob Blake and Michal Handzus are in game shape. Blake has come under a lot of criticism for his play, and rightfully so, but he said at the start of training camp that he wouldn't be 100 percent until two months into the season. I think it's fair to ask the question, ``In that case, should he be playing?'' The coaching staff has decided he should. Some people have praised Handzus' defense and penalty killing. I can buy that argument, but he was also brought in to be the second-line center and provide scoring depth. I haven't seen it, and I don't think it's because he has forgotten how to play hockey. I wonder if there are still issues with the knee. It's been pointed out to me, by a team observer, that big guys often take longer to recover from ACL surgery than little guys.
-- To follow on Handzus... As I said, he was supposed to provide second-line minutes. Ladislav Nagy was supposed to be right there beside him. Through six games, Nagy has zero goals and three assists, two of them on the power play. Crawford gave him a chance on the first line, and honestly I still haven't seen much. Maybe I'm just not familiar with his game and I'm missing something... So you've got those two, and you've got Stuart and Preissing, who haven't been terrible but haven't been setting the world on fire either. It's not a stretch to say that Kyle Calder has been the Kings' best free-agent acquisition. What does that say about Dean Lombardi? Especially a year after he brought in players such as Cloutier, Willsie, McCauley and Thornton...?
-- There is one player who isn't being given much of a chance... Where is Patrick O'Sullivan? Obviously it's easier to play well when the expectations are lowered, but isn't it worth giving him a shot as a top-six guy, just to see what he can do? Even for just one game? Marc Crawford is liberal with line changes, but where is this one?
-- Don't underestimate the London factor. As I wrote at the end of training camp, teams that start their seasons overseas are typically doomed to a slow start. I don't know why exactly it is... it just is. Look at the way the Ducks have started also. This is a risk that AEG knew about, but it still took.
-- The defense was supposed to carry this team, but it hasn't. I hesitate to criticize Visnovsky, because he's usually so ridiculously solid and consistent, but so far this season he's been bad more than he's been good. Blake, Stuart and Preissing... we've covered it. Is it a stretch to say that Johnson-Modry has been the Kings' best defensive pairing this season? And wouldn't you have cringed if I had predicted that in mid-September? But again, have these guys forgotten how to play hockey? Probably not. They're all established NHL players, which leads me to think that coaching is playing a part in this. Is the system good enough? Is the basic instruction lacking?
-- There are fundamental problems with the way the Kings play. They're not clearing puck out of the zone at a good enough ratio, and they're not getting pucks deep into the offensive zone. At times last night, the Red Wings looked like they were running a practice drill in the Kings' zone, with the way they were able to cycle the puck. The Bruins scored at least two of their goals directly because the Kings were unable to clear the puck. On offense, there's an inability to get the puck deep in the zone and keep it there. There is little sustained pressure on the opposing goaltender, and that's a coaching thing.
-- I have yet to see any bounce-back from this team, any real fire. Often when a team gets embarrassed, it will come out strong in the next game. After the St. Louis meltdown, I thought the Kings would come out and punish Dallas. They didn't. Then after that debacle I thought, Boston will be a bounce-back game. It wasn't. This is either a coaching thing or a player-leadership thing. The captain, Blake, and two of the assistants, Thornton and Visnovsky, are very low-key guys. Cammalleri is very fiery and competitive, but he's still a younger guy and he's feeling his way around, as far as the whole leadership thing. This is why I thought Armstrong should at least have gotten an ``A.'' He's not afraid to speak his mind, and right now there needs to be a message sent in that locker room. This, more than anything technical, might be the Kings' biggest problem right now.
-- Along those lines, where is the big momentum-turning fight during a game? I'm not even certain that I believe in this sort of thing, but isn't it at least worth a shot? When the Kings are putting their fans to sleep in the second period, shouldn't Ivanans -- or, to make a better point, someone like Thornton or Zeiler -- drop the gloves and try to get people fired up? Isn't it at least worth a shot? In general, this often looks too much like a finesse team. They're trying to spread the scoring around, because that's legitimately important, but where's the hitting?
-- It's hard to put too much blame on the goaltending, especially with a 19-year-old kid back there. There is a thought in my mind that the Kings are trying too hard to protect this kid, and you know what happens when you think too much in sports... Perhaps they need to loosen up a bit and just play, and not think so much.
-- The dressing-room chemistry seems to be good. It's a real good group of guys, on a personal level, and they seem to like each other. So I don't think that's a problem. Is the coaching staff getting through to them? Maybe that's an issue. The fact that Dave Lewis was brought in, as sort of a ``father figure'' to the players, tells me that there might have been an issue with Crawford's ability to relate to the players. I don't know that for a fact, but if there is, that's a bigger issue than any X's or O's problem or an inability to kill penalties. If the players aren't on the same page with each other, or with the coaching staff, a team just isn't going to win. Not the Kings, not any team.
The reason all of these topics are being explored is that the talent level on this year's Kings team seems, at least on paper, to be better. And so it's only natural, in that case, to look at coaching. Maybe the answers are simple. Perhaps all of the things mentioned above will work themselves out, once the Kings emerge from their post-London fog and learn to incorporate all the new guys into the system. Perhaps...maybe...but would you bet on it at this point?
Rich, you are the man. Not only do you provide us with great coverage, but also offer some of the best and most-honest analysis' i've ever read from a fan/reporter.
keep up the good work and don't ever leave us.
thanks!!
Thank you for articulating mine and I'm sure many Kings' fans frustrations so fervently. I agree that there are far too many red flags this early in the season.
Rich, I think you hit just about everything. The only thing that I can think of is how players "consciously" or "subconsciously" checked out when Murray was coaching and they were signaling to ownership that it was time for a change. Do think that this is possible? It seems unreasonable this early in the season but at this point anything is possible. Maybe the shortened training camp was a bigger factor than we originally thought. It didn't give this team time to mesh. But there is no excuse for the lack of heart. And that lies solely on the leadership - both coaches and players.
Exactly. Where's the hitting? Maybe it's time to let Brown out of his cage. He can change the tempo of the game with a single hit.
Oh... and Blake better get his game back. Right now, he's on pace for what, -95?
A lot of these things have been said at one point or another, but this is a fantastic way of bringing all these points together, along with some that have not been mentioned that needed to be, in a way that shows how serious and deep this problem is overall.
I can't give Blake an excuse. He's a captain. If he's hurt and plays, he better not hurt the team. If he IS hurt and doesn't play, step aside and let Harrold or Boyle come up. If he's the leader, then frikkin LEAD or get out of the way.
Handzus is contributing at least. Not what we were expecting, but 4th line work is fine for him, and us, right now. (This should be giving Sully 2nd line duties as previously mentioned by Rich)
Our best D-man right now is our youngest D-man, Johnson. Anze is 19 and is doing much better than Frolov. Why is there a problem with a 19 year old in net that does fantastic, even when he doesn't have a D in front of him? (Which is quite often) It's OK for wingers and defensemen, but not Goalies? Players are players and you have a back-up don't tell me there is much of a difference. There's NOT!
I agree with Rich, management is thinking WAY too much.
Ivanans, Zeiler and Army was our crash line and the most effective. Probably because they were the only aggressive line of the night! When your checking line is sending messages to your team, it's time to fire your coach.
It's good to know the dressing room is good. Lots of shoulders to cry on after all these losses. If the room is so good, where are the player only meetings? Where are the bitch and calling out sessions that most winning teams have? When the accountability is coming from your fans, your leadership is a failure.
FIX IT DEAN....NOW!
Great post Rich. With all the issues, this list needed to be put together to realy put this in its proper perspective.
great analysis Rich!
No disagreement from me on any of your points, Rich. I can only add that I was wondering if I was the only one wondering what happened to Visnovsky because he has been awful the past two games. Of course, he hasn't been the only one.
Rich, have you had any contact with DL? I would be curious to get his take. Hey Markov is still unsigned, we could try him :-)
As far as Brown, he was looking to make a classic Brown hit a few times last night. You could see him sail through a zone, and just miss. Sadly, it took him out of the play and he never landed one. This team needs to get tougher. They dont hit ANYTHING! Armstrong and Z are the only ones throwing the body, and half the time... they miss.
Rich, you're right on.
But a bit to subtle.
I'm not as subtle or forgiving.
The problem still remains, and it starts from the top.
Lombardi is a terible G.M. None of his free agent acquisitions have produced thus far.
-Blake
-MCauley
-Thornton
-Wilsie
-Dallman
-Klemm
-Aubin
-Nagy
-Handzus
-Calder
-Stuary & Preissing are playing marginal.
Because of Blake & Handzus's contract, they have very little cap room left to deal for a descent NHLer.
He's stupid for hiring Crawford.
And I can't believe that he traded our beloved Captain Matty and Pushkarev for MODRY of all people and a 1st round.
Now look at the kind of captain we're stuck with.
I'd fire him first.
Fire Crawford second.
Buy out Blake third.
Anyone agree.
You know i was really excited about this seasion and i still have hope that something will snap, but for the years that have gone by, im sick of saying next year it will be better. Rich your words are what i feel, and im glad i have here to come and read about fellow fans that care for the team, but also want answers when we know something is wrong. And ya its early but lets think about the 1 point that kept the Avs out of pos-season, all the games are important, and i dont think any of us here could have seen us starting like this.
Rich, excellent analysis. You are spot on with your views.
Now, when are you going to request an interview with Lombardi, present your's and the fan's views and get some answers?? Where has Lombardi been these past couple weeks while his team is getting run over on a nightly basis? Where is he and why is he seemingly hiding out while Crawford and Blake take all the heat?? Lombardi hired Crawford, he signed Blake, he signed Nagy and Handzus. Does he have no opinion on what has unfolded thus far? Does he have no solution to offer? Does he have no explanation to fans who have dropped hundreds, if not thousands of dollars of hard earned money on this team??
Give us answers Dean!! Crawford and Blake keep saying the same thing over and over, yet nothing has changed. Take some responsibility Mr. Lombardi and let us know what you think and what you are going to do about making this team better!!
One common thread that came up while talking to the players last night was that they seemed to agree that they were not all on the same page, that they aren't all playing within their system.
Not on the same page? Right now, it doesn't even seem like they're reading from the same book!
You know what this team needs, Rich?
Tony Granato!
The team is God awful right now.
Agree that Modry and Johnson have been the best defensive pairing thus far.
Stuart reminds me of a rookie overhitting and getting caught out of position. What he does in scoring comes back two-fold in the defensive end.
This team's captain is gutless.
System, shmystem. These guys are professional athletes (at least in the sense that they get paid to play). They're all years beyond the level of basic instruction. This is a problem from within each and evey member of this team with very few exceptions. Plain and simple, they're just not getting the job done. It's a team playing awfully, not an awful team.
Sad to say but towards the end of last nights game the only thing I was wanting was for someone to lay a hit on either Zetterberg or Datsyuk! I know they're shifty but for gods sake a little physicality would slow down their creativity. Tired of seeing the Wings make the Kings their bitch every time they play.../
Great job Rich, you hit on a lot of good points. I find it hard to believe that Crawford has already worn out his welcome with the players. A year and 6 games seems a little early unless he wasn't right to begin with.
I thought Brady Murry had a good observation when he talked about his game. He said he was doing a lot of chasing instead of controling the play. I think that is a great way to say how the Kings look, all they're doing is chasing.
Maybe it's time for another ask DL?
What an awesome piece. Pretty much summed up everything in that article.
This team has no back-bone and more importantly have zero "team" concept. I've been to all three garbage games at home and it looks like 20 individuals playing out there.
I think it has everything to do with coaching and even more our captain. He looks like he's sleeping half the time.
Nick Nickson commented on a few players that got dealt last season and talked about salaries being the issue. I'd say all of DL's salary additions have been disgraceful and it starts with Blake.
If i'm going to blow 200 dollars a game at least have some passion. I'd rather see all the kids get a game if this is the product i'm going to be force fed.
DL needs to step up and start removing the garbage no matter how unpopular it may be. Burke did it in Anaheim and he pulls the trigger daily. If players don't want to play for this crest they can leave.
I'd appreciate more than anything just to see the players get pissed off on the ice from time to time. Zero emotion is frustrating.
I just wanted to add that, given the comments history of Modry bashing, that he is LEADING THE KINGS IN PLUS/MINUS. I'm not advocating a fan club. I'm "just saying."
Okay, I've got something else to say. Crawford -- unless I don't understand his system -- likes to activate his D. This was, in part, the reason that Nordstrom could be moved. He was never going to be that mobile D guy Crawford wants. Modry (for better or worse, etc.) fits that mold, as does Stuart. Of course, it's obvious that the risk of activated D is exposing yourself defensively, which the Kings have been doing right left and center. Now, if you're winning every game 7-5, maybe that's okay. Certainly it's fun to watch. But the team doesn't appear to have the confidence to pull it off. They let teams score in bunches and then check out.
Blake does in fact appear to suck. I'm sure Crawford doesn't want to shift him away from playing against the opponents' best players, but that day is fast approaching. I am reminded of the last days of Larry Robinson. We're not there yet, but, like I said, "fast approaching."
Kopitar is giving away the puck a lot. To me this means one thing: other teams are onto him. That's what happens when you're a talented rising star. People study you and figure you out. The coaches need to find a way to support him, so he's not trying to carry the team on his shoulders. I think this means keeping the #1 line together. And also, since Jack Johnson has been a small bright spot so far, I'm tempted to dream about what Kopitar etc will be like with Johnson as a fourth forward on the ice (think Coffey circa '85). This is where the Crawford system will suddenly look like genius. I expect Johnson will be this guy in a matter of months.
p.s. I also think Crawford needs to be given the chance to do his job. If he's fired this year, I will be pissed.
I agree with the list of Lombardi free agent signings. However, I'd rather he be a draft pick genius than a free agent genius.
two last things (since I said I only had one thing to say...sorry).
1) my prediction that the Kings point total would equal the goals total of Calder, Handzus, Nagy and O Sullivan is way off the mark so far, by 33%. Those guys have three goals, the Kings have 2 points.
2) ESPN Rumors now has the Kings interested in Forsberg. A bad idea in August...is it genius in November?
Absolutely correct. I keep waiting for this team to click and play like an actual NHL team. Some fire in the meantime would be nice.
Hey Rich, very good article, have you heard any word on the John Tavares draft year? He only misses '08 by 5 days and I know his camp is pushing for him to be in next year's draft. I don't think Dallas will make the playoffs or have a very good year so that's a couple more balls in the draft lotto for us. I hate to give up on the team so soon, but I am looking at all possibilities.
BTW Anthony, I don't agree. Too early to tell on the free agent acquisitions. The Norstrom trade should turn out good. The Jack Johnson trade was tremendous so let's not throw Dean under the bus just yet.
That being said, the whole team needs to step it up, especially Blake and Crawford needs to find a way to make that happen.
I think a big dose of confidence is all this team needs to get on a roll, they look like they are playing not to lose.
Forsberg? What did he do for Nashville?
Ugg.
I think Johnson may be one of our best defenseman but maybe it's time for Kill Jack Kill mode to turn on for him. I also think Brown isn't playing with the same amount of physicality that he has shown in previous seasons.
I wholeheartedly agree with O'Sullivan needing more of a chance but maybe with his mouth injury they are trying to limit his minutes so they don't make his problems any worse ?
also, since we're talking a lot about "passion" and people who look like they WANT to be there, I think the next game you dress Murray, Willsie and Dallman, and sit Nagy, Handzus and Blake. if that seems extreme, consider that we have the Wild, Flames and Canucks as our next three games, and could easily be 1-8 before we know it.
Having said that I will be pissed if Crawford is fired this season, I now see the extra added bonus of having Dave Lewis as an assistant coach.
"Perhaps all of the things mentioned above will work themselves out, once the Kings emerge from their post-London fog and learn to incorporate all the new guys into the system."
I don't know. The team already seems to be in late-season form, given the way they've ended a few of the past seasons. But that's not good. :(
I actually couldn't even bring myself to watch the game last night (and mind you, I have to pay for Center Ice to see the Kings more than once or twice a year where I'm at). I flipped to it for a few minutes at a time, but I'm just so underwhelmed by the way the Kings are playing in the defensive zone and by the seeming ease in which their opponents can clear the zone.
my observations:
Strip Thornton of his A. He can be a great off ice leader without an A, if hes not gonna do anything but miss a check once a period put the A to use and give it to cammy or armstrong.
Crawford sucks at putting together lines
Nagy only moves his feet and tries to play hockey when hes on a line with frolov.
O'Sullivan deserves that spot on the first line with Kopitar and Brown. how fucking obvious is it hes the only 2nd-3rd liner hustling moving his feet and creating space. Oh ya and he actually has talent something Nagy has not shown any of, not to mention pride or effort.
And no the mouth injury does not affect Crawfords dumbshit descision, he's got a full face shield on he will be fine. Crawford really needs to put together some lines that actually work. it is not that hard on any given night to see who is skating and who is not. Oh ya and please send Bernier back so he doesnt become a UFA a year sooner so he can bolt to a team that does not hang him out to dry an average of 4-5 times a night. Labarbra and Aubin can have horrible career GAA's who cares. not that Berniers career GAA really matters but I can only imagine him getting fed up with how shitty this team plays and wanting to leave.
Rich, with seeing your comments I would have thought you were sitting next to me last night. We definitely saw the same game. Red Wings were schooling the Kings, holding on to the puck and winning every battle. I was sick to my stomach. I LOATH the Red Wings. Especially the goalie interfering HolmOstrom……
Blake is playing with no heart.
Entire Defense is playing scared.
Nobody is finishing checks.
I to blame the Coaching staff.
Everybody was coasting to the puck.
Positive play I saw:
Sully had some decent plays.
Count Kopitar
Cammalleri
Army
I don’t fault Bernier for the crappy showing of the D.
Simply brilliant analysis Rich. You covered everything that needed to be covered.
Thank you
I'm SO glad someone finally said it, CRAWFORD IS NOT AN NHL COACH!! He admitted that when he was hired by the Kings. "Anyone could have won with that team"
His only success came with an All-Star team in Colorado. He has NEVER proven anything at this level. Fire Crawford and put Lewis behind the bench.
40 Years of mediocrity is enough.
Rich, thanks for the analysis of this misery. It struck me last night that this blog has turned many of us from uninformed spectators into rabid fans. Not that so many here have not suffered year in and out with this club.
It seems to me that Kings management can't make the right choices for this club. The last guy that did was Bruce McNall and he had to got to jail for scaming the banks in order to do that.
What happens? Do the players and coaches arrive in the South bay and decide flip flops are better than ice skates. Blake likes to surf? Go surfing then, but don't expect a paycheck from our pockets when you don't play like a professional.
Give the 'C' to Cammy, hire a new special teams coach, and demand results. Those could be a few places to start and try to right the ship.
One last thing, our guys must start hitting the opposition. Otherwise teams will continue to skate right around us and pick off goal after goal. It's a simple game, and every guy in the league is a high quality player, there really are no excuses.
Perhaps we've set our hope a bit too high.
Great piece Rich.
Been on the long Kings road since 1971 and this season perplexes me. I don't think this club is as good as a lot of us predicted in the preseason but are playing well below their talent level. I will give them a little longer for the London hangover factor to subside, but they need to fix it and quickly. For the first time in a long while as a Kings fan, if they get down a couple of goals, it's time to get something done around the house...Sad
Oh ya one final observation.
This team is playing slow and weak. They are getting out skated and out muscled on a nightly basis. Please someone tell Kopitar to become physical, hes got plenty of time but the sooner he develops it the sooner he becomes one of the most dominant players in the league. Thats right, I said it. but please can we have a defenseman taller than 6'2 that can hit. Please send up Petiot.
This reminds me of San Jose 5 years ago. They had all these young guys ready to take over, but it was still Nolan, Damphousse, Ricci, and Marchment who thought they were in charge. One by one they had to be removed. It's common knowledge among fans that Visnovsky is a PP quarterback and Blake is just a good shooter. Too bad Blake and Crawford think that Rob should still be the one carrying the puck up ice EVERY TIME. Those two do not work well together at all, they should either divide and conquer or someone should tell Blake to defer.
PS. Stuart needs to be benched until he gets his head together. He really could be a top pair guy if he would gain a little composure.
Rich, I like all of your comments. It's nice to have someone on the media that actually cares.
I think there have been so many changes in this team that we need to be a little more patient. They did have a short training camp and started in London then had a week off. I think at 10 games in if we don't see improvement then we start pounding on these guys. I know they're excuses but these things do affect the players.
We're screwed. We all love this crappy team. Yay
Six games in and an entire preseason is long enough to workout the kinks and figure out the lines. The Kings are a talented bunch of professional hockey players who with few exceptions can produce the quality of play that is expected on any given shift. I know we are looking for the best and most productive line combinations possible but any three guys on any line at any time should play at the level expected. When the right combos are found and the chemistry happens, the team should then become a force to reckon with. That said, until the players consistently play at the level expected, no lines will ever emerge as the right combination of players. How can you see what will work best together until you see what each player can do as an individual?
The problems are:
Effort
Execution
Team work
The “system”
Not correcting the problems
These are all aspects of leadership and coaching. If the coaches are is doing their job and the players are not doing what the coach is asking, then bench the player even if it is Blake. If the players are doing just what the coach is asking, then fire the coach.
These players are well conditioned professional athletes and if they can play back to back games and compete both nights, then two weeks after returning from London should no longer be an issue. These players are supposed to be professional who understand the game. How long can it take to “get this system, how different can “the system be”? - Put the put in the other teams net and keep the puck out of your net- . I know there are differences in each team system and it is not as simple as this but come on… How much different can a system be and how long can it take these professionals to get it?
As stated in other posts, there are many issues that need to be addressed NOW! But we are not getting any better as a team. As each problem is addressed a new problem emerges, as those are fixed, the old ones reemerge. We all know what the most consistent problems are from game to game and these are the issues that don’t seem to be getting the attention they need. Even if we find the right line combinations, Leadership, coaching and defense are still what will cause us to loose games. Individual players are not the problem. Not doing something about it is the problem.
Six games in and an entire preseason is long enough to workout the kinks and figure out the lines. The Kings are a talented bunch of professional hockey players who with few exceptions can produce the quality of play that is expected on any given shift. I know we are looking for the best and most productive line combinations possible but any three guys on any line at any time should play at the level expected. When the right combos are found and the chemistry happens, the team should then become a force to reckon with. That said, until the players consistently play at the level expected, no lines will ever emerge as the right combination of players. How can you see what will work best together until you see what each player can do as an individual?
The problems are:
Effort
Execution
Team work
The “system”
Not correcting the problems
These are all aspects of leadership and coaching. If the coaches are is doing their job and the players are not doing what the coach is asking, then bench the player even if it is Blake. If the players are doing just what the coach is asking, then fire the coach.
These players are well conditioned professional athletes and if they can play back to back games and compete both nights, then two weeks after returning from London should no longer be an issue. These players are supposed to be professional who understand the game. How long can it take to “get this system, how different can “the system be”? - Put the put in the other teams net and keep the puck out of your net- . I know there are differences in each team system and it is not as simple as this but come on… How much different can a system be and how long can it take these professionals to get it?
As stated in other posts, there are many issues that need to be addressed NOW! But we are not getting any better as a team. As each problem is addressed a new problem emerges, as those are fixed, the old ones reemerge. We all know what the most consistent problems are from game to game and these are the issues that don’t seem to be getting the attention they need. Even if we find the right line combinations, Leadership, coaching and defense are still what will cause us to loose games. Individual players are not the problem. Not doing something about it is the problem.
Nagy has zero goals and three assists, ... Maybe I'm just not familiar with his game and I'm missing something
When he was in Phoenix, wasn't his middle name 'enigmatic'?
London factor ... This is a risk that AEG knew about, but it still took.
The only risk AEG cares about is the ROI of their real estate projects. Kings fans will fill the non-PR seats at an 85-95% clip win, lose, or draw (well, not draw anymore, but you understand). Nothing changes with the Kings until the box office dips significantly.
Along those lines, where is the big momentum-turning fight during a game?
Maybe Ivanans hasn't learned enough English yet to be able to ask "Wanna go?"
Rich, the Kings have flown below the radar of the local LA sports media for so long, we almost never hear such take-them-out-to-the-woodshed rants such as this. Do you ever worry that the team management and/or the players being criticized will give you the cold shoulder and try to make it harder for you to do your job in the future?
Along these same lines, have you ever made a 'full disclosure' statement about just what the you (or any member of the LA sports media) gets from the Kings? Obviously they give you a press pass to sit in the press box for games (free ticket). Do they serve a (free) buffet in that press box? Do they give you gratis transportation for away games? Anything else?
A very difficult position we are in. Too early to make a move and shake things up or not soon enough? Ever since the Cloutier debacle, I have yet to trust Crawford. And yet who else is out there that can do his job? Crawford does have the best resume. What Lombardi may be forced to do is find a coach that fits HIS style, a la Burke. Perhaps Lombardi/Crawford just don't have complimentary styles and that's what's killing us.
Blake has got to waken up or strip him of his C. Enough is enough...
I don't really worry about any backlash. If a journalist is fair to the players, coaches and management, then the writer shouldn't worry about what's written. If there's backlash, so be it. At this point, I can honestly say I have no problems with anyone in the organization.
What do we get, as media? Yes, a press pass, but nothing else. There's no free meal, other than free soda, popcorn and maybe a cookie. No free parking. No travel with the team, although Andy Murray gave us an open invitation to fly on the team plane and we took advantage of it once, two years ago, because it was the best way to get to Nashville. Other than that, we're on our own. Did I miss anything?
Last night vs Detroit might have been the end of my being a STH. 20 yrs watching, 19 yrs being a season ticket holder. I was so incensed I asked my wife on drive home whether I should get Lombardi's email address to rant and fire Crawford. It's the coach's job to prepare a team to showup, not fold like a lawn chair.
I also was offended by the vampire movie "30 Days Of Night" sponsorship of Detroit game at Staples. I have a faith in God, proudly. Didn't go to Wings-Kings game to have some ghoul whisper on the jumbotron "no God." I CAME FOR A HOCKEY GAME NOT A MOVIE PREVIEW!!! Didn't see a game, other than the one played by Detroit. This may be the final straw. Seriously. $200 of tix, parking, food, expensive beers per game. What a waste. A team with no heart, no soul, no desire.
Thanks again Rich.
King's fans are used to rooting for teams that lack the talent to be contenders. This has allowed AEG to short change the King's fans for years. It was not long ago that Andy Murry had a team composed largely of Manchester Monarch's playing tough, gritty hockey. You had to root for the team's effort and heart. They obviously cared.
Marc Crawford has a much more talented group of players who are lost, confused and frustrated. Often, they are so out of position that they appear to be spectators watching, rather than participating.
AEG may finally have finally left us with a "team" that even King's fans can't stomach.
Please start boycotting Kings games until they realize that fans are pissed. Money is all that AEG and management care about and as long as us fans keep paying, they will "stay the course". Boycott and they will get the message.
I miss Avery's attitude! Just imagine how PISSED OFF Sean Avery would be during those games. What happened to the grit, the emotion, the passion I've seen the Kings show? They need a spark. They need to start bleeding and making the other team bleed, Fuck man it's hockey. They are trying to make every goal pretty...passing too much on the pp, shoot it crash the net. Maybe they should bring back the slogan "PLAY HARD, KINGS HOCKEY" shit cause I'm not seeing it.
Can I get a refund of NHL Center Ice? I only bought it to watch the Kings and now I only end up throwing stuff at my TV.
Brian, I agree. Love him or hate him, the fire that Avery brought to the game is exactly what this team needs right now.
Brian, I agree. Love him or hate him, the fire that Avery brought to the game is exactly what this team needs right now.
Hey Rich and Matt, As usual, yours is by far the best Kings coverage. Funny, but the LA Times coverage looks a lot like yours.
It's so great to see so many intelligent and rabid fans. My frustrations and rabidity began in 1971, and I can honestly say that this year is the WORST. It is truly nauseating to watch this team. The King's management insults its fan base with the team they have fielded.
I blame Lombardi, who I think is very overrated as a GM. His great free agent signings are a disaster and we will be living with the genius "PLAN B" for some time. I am still furious and disgusted that in a town like LA, that demands winners (and frankly loyal Kings fans DESERVE a winner) that DL whimped out on the wheat and rationalized signing the chaff! Now, he has wasted money that could have gone for at least one of the great players available who would have impacted the club much more powerfully that the guys he signed. I don't buy that none of those players wanted to come to LA. DL lacked the balls to execute and took the "safe" road.
When you look at the list of players signed, it is truly mediocre work, beginning with the unforgivable deal with Cloutier last year. At this point, I think it's safe to say that no matter how good they play over the rest of the year, all of DL's acquisitions are grossly overpaid. Let's also not forget his likely squandering of the 4th pick. Couldn't he prove what a genius he is in the later rounds? I guess "can't miss" prospects bore DL. C'mon.
Crawford is also weak and reeks of mediocrity in my opinion. Bozo could have coached that Avs team, and his quotes seem like airy-fairy metaphysical BS. Where is the passion to win? It's simply not there! What would Andy Murray have done after the disgusting breakdown against the Blues and every game since? He would have skated those guys to the point of puking or hospitalization or swapped them out for the best guys at Manchester. Crawford should do same and join them while he's at it. Murray has shown what he can do with a far less talented Blues team. Maybe Dave Lewis was the best move yet. At least he knows what Scotty Bowman would do! Crawford's gotta go.
Rob Blake has given us many years of great play, but he's done. I think it's fair to give Handzus some time, but Nagy has been a stiff everywhere he's been and has always been an underacheiver. It's terrible to beat on these guys and guys like Calder and Stuart, but we got the bottom of the barrel, I think. They all look like they're standing in cement and are playing the whole game shorthanded.
Much of the feedback from the fans of your column begs for more time for O'Sullivan which I also wish would happen. Give the guy a chance to play. It was depressing to see that Bernier and Murray got sent down, because other than O'Sullivan, Cammy, Johnson and Kopitar, they were the only guys worth watching. I feel for Bernier. He played great, and it was so discouraging to watch him be sold down the river by lazy, undisciplined play.
Perhaps one of your readers was right, in that it would be more fun to just watch the kids ala Wayne Gretzky's approach.
But, it's too painful to watch this too much longer. We will definitely have a shot at Tavares, though if this is the season for us. Perhaps that could be one positive to look at in all this.
Disgusting though.
The Avery trade was the worst move this bass-ackward team made. Whenever the team even started to look like they have this season, Avery would roll out and start firing everyone up. Now all we have left is a team that doesn't realize that checking and fighting is allowed at the NHL level.
Boycott the Kings games. When they lose money, AEG and mangement will realize that the fans are fed up. If fans keep attending the games, then they will "stay the course".
Thank you for articulating the Kings situation so well. It does start at the top. I never understood the ecstacy of some fans at the hiring of Lombardi and his subsequent hiring of Crawford. They were really given too much credit for success each of them had achieved. Their failings were well documented last year and are glaringly obvious again. The poor coaching ability is very clearly exemplified by the choice of Blake as captain and snub of Armstrong. Army has been a part of the team with most of the young players and has been one of their leaders for several years. Any success Blake had as a captain or as a player is old news.
Something you did not mention is that this is the largest coaching staff in the league. "Too many cooks spoil the soup" comes to mind as does "one rotten apple can spoil the barrel". If he were such an effective coach why does he need so many assistants? Many people called for the head of Andy Murray even though he got players playing above their abilities and had a winning record when he was fired. This group has more talent at their disposal and can't get them to play. Just goes to show, fans really should be careful what they wish for.
I also was offended by the vampire movie "30 Days Of Night" sponsorship
During one intermission they had some dance contest involving 3 guys, one of whom was making lewd gestures. David Courtney chastises him for it ("we're family entertainment"), then the next timeout, they advertise a movie that looks like it would gross out Quentin Tarantino & Rob Zombie's love child.
Consistency, thy name is not Los Angeles Kings.
and frankly loyal Kings fans DESERVE a winner
Why do so many people still not understand cause and effect?
It's because Kings fans show up win, lose, or draw that the team never challenges.
Why do you think the Ducks won so quickly? Because OC sports fans stayed away in droves when that team was mediocre. Any Duck owner (Disney or Samueli) was faced with the same proposition: either win here or move/fold.
Outstanding analysis, Rich. A couple of thoughts.
First, they're playing with absolutely no sense of urgency or passion. Zero, zip, nada. This is completely unacceptable, and someone (either a player or Crawford) better address this soon. There is simply no more time to waste.
Second, Lombardi's free agent signings have not only failed miserably for the most part, but the vast majority of them are ex-Sharks who were either drafted or acquired by Lombardi. In other words, he knows them well from San Jose, and he's sticking only with those who are familiar to him, i.e. it's an overly cautious, "tried and true" approach. Either that, or dare I say it, there's a bit of cronyism going on by signing players for whom he feels a sense of sympathy or loyalty. If so, that is hardly an acceptable standard for determining who to sign. I'm sorry to say this, as I previously had great respect and admiration for Lombardi's intellect and savvy. But it's painfully clear that something is terribly amiss with the "revamped" Kings, and much of the blame must lay at the feet of Lombardi.
Thanks again, Rich!
Thanks, Rich, for good analysis, as always. Maybe it is the London factor and the fact that with so many new faces, the team hasn't been able to "gel" yet. But, they had a full week off after the London games, which should have been plenty of time to get over jet lag.
The few bright spots I've seen thus far are the play of Kopitar and Cammy, both of whom are well on their to proving that last season for them was no fluke. It will be interesting to see how Cammy plays against the Wild. He was the only player to express anger and frustration after the Detroit game (which the LA Times noted). If he walks the walk with a goal or two tomorrow, the Kings should give serious thought of giving him an "A", if not the "C" eventually. Jack Johnson has been steady, with no glaring mistakes and has done quite well, all things considered. The same can not be said for the rest of the Kings D, which has been unceasingly AWFUL!!!!! HORRIBLE!! 8 goals to Boston?!! I thought Orr and Esposito had long since retired.
In no way do I blame Bernier for this. He has played quite well, and many, in fact most, of the goals he gave up would have gone in regardless of who was in net, be it Bernier, LaBarbera, Cloutier, or even Roy or Brodeur for that matter. I think sending him down now will be best for him and, hence, for the Kings, in the long run.
Is it time to axe Crawford? No, in my opinion. Way to early. But, if things don't turn around for the better, he could be on the hot seat by year's end. Remember, the playoffs, not the Cup, were the realistic goals for this year. But, having been through far too many losing seasons since I started following the team in '84 (at age 9), is it too much to ask for at least some IMPROVEMENT over last year, at least some hope that we're heading in the right direction?
Rich. Very good article. I think that Crawford is the problem. He just isn't getting this team ready and motivated to giving 100% every shift for 60 minutes. This team does have better talent on it than last year, but simply isn't play up to its level. Sending Berneir back to the minors because they don't want him to expereirce lossing sends the wrong message. Crawford should focus on getting this team to play better. But then again maybe he just can't accomplish that.
I always look forward to your commentary.
Thanks
I too enjoyed your article Rich, but I respectfully believe you overly complicated it.
The Kings, like any team, is only as strong as its leaders allow it to be.
Blake and Modry are the "veteran" presence on defense and an embarassment.
Zeus and Nagy are the "veteran" presence at the forward position and they too have been ineffective.
If the "leadership" of the team is this bad, it trickles down through the fabric of the entire team.
Add to that potentially some of the worst coaching I have EVER seen in Crawford with his ADHD style, and you have the core experience of the team exude failure.
Kopitar, Cammy, Brown, Frolov and Bernier are TOO YOUNG to lead this team and the leaders are too ineffective for whatever excuse or justification they may have to lead.
Lombardi, sadly as I am such a fan of his, has failed as he was the general that put together this army of veterans.
uh go DUCKS!!!
Excellent article Rich, you called it exactly as most of us have seen it. Your insights are brillant. Tragic to send down Bernier and Murray, they seemed to be the few that were actually doing something. The "C" must go to Cammy, he's ready and well respected. There is a true leadership problem in both the locker room and on the ice. Cammy's fiery nature is exactly what's needed right now, there is no motivation with this team. A coaching change is inevitable, wait until the end of this season and the season is lost, period. Dave Lewis was brought in for a reason; it's fair to say that he is probably the most qualified to take the team right now. Crow isn't getting the job done. The team lacks drive and leadership. Blake is, unfortunately done. He gave the Kings many great years but he's finished. Trade him and, if there are no takers, waive him. He's playing with no heart. If he's hurt, IR. Same for Zeus. The Kings have plenty of youth in the organization which should be served, they should be given a chance. Many are not ready to assume positions in the NHL. However, as I've said in past postings, I'd rather watch juniors or young AHl'ers than this bunch of underachievers. I've been a Kings fan for over 40 years, yes, since the beginning. This is the worst play I've seen yet. Tragically, I believe it's only going to get worse before it gets better.
One more thing Rich, keep up the great work. Your honesty and openness are the only thing going right for this team right now and for us fans.
I too was at the game and did not like the sponsorship sell out of the crass "30" movie. Was it not the very night of the Kings 40th Anniversary? How could that not have even been a part of the program? What were you thinking Luc? Where is the team pride both on the ice and in the front office?