Ask Dean Lombardi

Rich, if you could forward this question to Dean it would be greatly apperciated...

As a rule there are coach's who are better suited to coaching a younger, and coach's who coach veteran easier, with lack of goal scoring lately, do you feel it's a coaching issue, or are the leaders of the team, maybe not stepping up. At what point does a GM look around and say a change needs to be made, either with coaching, or with the guys leading this team, Rob Blake, and Scott Thorton don't seem to be leading this team, there is an obviously lack of heart, and you'd like to see a guy like Thornton maybe stir things up a bit and drop the gloves or something to get this team going...what are your thoughts.

1-Why not bring up speedier young players from Manchester and give them a chance in the "new" NHL style, rather than some of the "plodding" veterans whose better days are obviously behind them?

2-Is it time to give up on Rob Blake? He seems to be playing at a level far below what should be expected of him.

3-What are the odds of trading for a "superstar" who can score some goals for this team and take some of the pressure off Cammy, Fro, Kopitar, etc.? Or are the days of the "Gretzky Blockbuster" gone in today's NHL?

4-What are DL's thoughts on the constant line-changing?

If Purcell continues at the pace he is at in the AHL, will he be brought up to be with the Kings by the end of the season or are they going to make him put in a full year at Manchester ?
If the kings continue to suck at scoring does the likeliness of him being called up change any ?
Are you trying to trade Nagy yet ?
Which defenseman are likely to get called up first ?
When Calder gets back and Moulson is still out playing Nagy, are you really gonna send down Moulson ?

Rich could you ask him

1. How would he grade HIS progress in his second year as GM.Is he happy with the direction the team is currently heading, even though the growing pains can be tough to watch.

2.Does he feel our team lacks toughness?

3. When was the last time you took a vacation? (a non-scouting, lounge on the beach, sipping a Mia Ti kind).

Are the free agents you've signed over the last two summers here to win, or have you signed them in an attempt to fill in the many holes that still exist, and give the younger players a little more time to develop at a slower pace, both in LA and Manchester?

Dean Lombardi, I know you hired Crawford because of his "Run & Gun" style of coaching, but as a fan it is tough to see that Crawford has implemented any style of hockey at all since he has been hired, and now the players just don't seem to respond to anything that he does or says. Is it time to start looking for a new head coach, or the players that fit his coaching style?

I'd ask if Dean is satisfied with the team so far this season? Why and why not?

Ask what he thinks this team needs to make the playoffs THIS season? Or does he think they are not ready this season?

What pieces (besides goaltending) would he like to add?

Aside from Dustin Brown and Zeiler, The Kings get out hit and pushed around every game.

-With that in mind, and with Ivanans injury, is there a plan to add a physical defensman, or a Shannahan-type forward to bring some grit to this team and protect some of the kids from getting run?

-What are the plans for Cloutier given the fact that he's struggling in the AHL?

-Are you disappointed with the play of Lubo, Blake, Preissing, Nagy, etc?

-Why not give Cammy the "C" since he is obviously leading this team on and off the ice?

You've got to ask Dean about the Bryzgalov situation....did Burke REALLY offer him up for just a conditional pick? Would Dean turn that down??

1) When first hired, was Marc Crawford your first choice as head coach.
-were any other individuals considered or interviewed.

2) The salary cap is about $51 million. Almost 1/5 of the team's salary is being paid (or wasted) to Rob Blake & Handzus. Between them, they have 2 goals (one empty netter) and are a combined Minus-15.
-thoughts

3) Knowing that Handzus was not 100%, why did you sign him to a 4 year contract.
-why not 1 or 2 years and make him earn the rest (wasn't the McCauley experience a lesson to you).

4) Was acquiring Dan Cloutier your decision or Crwaford's.
-and was signing him to 2 more years without him playing a single game a mistake.

5) Is Babs the goalie of the present and Bernier the future. Or can we expect a trade for one soon.

6) Why is it that most of your free agent acquisitions are ex-sharks and ex-flyers.

7) Thoughts on the coaches constant line juggling.

8) Any players from Manchester gonna replace Zeiler one of these days.

9) Thoughts on the team being shut out the last 2 games.

10) Is Crawford's job secure.

Dean Lombardi, I know that you hired Crawford for his "Run & Gun" style of coaching, but as a fan it is hard to even see if Crawford has implemented any kind of coaching style. Something has to change! Is it time get the right players for that style, or is it time to get a new coach a try a new style?

How much interaction do you have with Coach Crawford? Do you ever see something on the ice you don't like and make a point of mentioning to him - or are you very much a hands-off kinda guy?

Looking forward to hearing Dean's insights. Three questions:

1) Two of our three Captains (Blake & Thornton) appear laid back and unable to lead by example on the ice. Shouldn't these titles belong to someone with more fire OR game as opposed to seniority ?

2) I liked the FA signings, but have been VERY disappointed in Stuart, Hanzsus and especially Preissing. Were they signed to be difference makers ? Why aren't they ?

3) Top two needs: 1) Power Forward with Grit to play in front of the net 2) Stay at home D-Man with Grit (i.e., like Matty was), even if we sacrafice speed for size. Our team forwards and D-Men are too much out of the same mold - Agree ?

Thanks Rich. GREAT blog.

Why is this team, meaning this year and in the next couple, any different then any recent Kings teams?

We as Kings fans are used to high expectations and poor results.

Also, while we seem to have a lot of young talent, is that talent progressing at an acceptable rate for Dean & Marc?

1. Have you given any thought to picking up a more physical defenseman, i.e Richard Matvichuk, to imrpove toughness on the blueline?

2. Were you suprised that Brian Burke was unable to get anything in return for Bryzgalov?

3. It seems that the team, especially on the blueline, are not capable of consistently keeping opposing forwards from beating them to the net from the corners. Have you noticed this or are we just on crack?

Dean, based on your experiences with your two prior NHL organizations (SJ, Phi), are you seeing the kind of systems and coaching that you feel are up to the standards you have seen previously? Obviously you put this coaching staff together, but now that you've had a chance to see things "break down" --- can you compare this system to others you may have been more comfortable with? And, of course, have you EVER seen a coach tinker with line combinations as much as Crow does, and if not, does it make you as uncomfortable as it makes us fans?

Is it true that Burke offered Bryzgalov to the kings (before Burke waived him)? If so, what were the reasons it didn't go through? His thoughts on Bryzgalov?

Is he eyeing any trades to bring some toughness to this team this year?

Will he please try to woo Scotty Bowman outta retirement to coach the Kings instead of Crow? :)

What does he think of Boyle's development as a D-MAN so far?

I meant to say that i really liked question #3 posted by Ex-Sportswriter about bringing in the super-star. Have wondered that many-a-day...

thanks Rich!

do you feel this team is playing to its potential? if not, why not?

DL I realize you're not the coach but I've got a couple of questions about how much certain players are playing. Why was Thornton given an 'A' and then benched for several games at the beginning of the season? Why isn't O'Sullivan seeing more offensive playing time? He seems to be doing well on the penalty kill but I don't understand why he isn't being given more minutes to develop on offensive lines. He seems to have some great moves which might get better with more practice.

Who do you consider as the Kings "Shut-Down" forward line? It was painfully obvious last week when the Kings could not stop or contain Ryan Getzlaf's line in a 6-3 loss at home, where you have the last line change.

Is this an area you're looking to upgrade immediately?

1. with a quarter of the season gone, can you give a grade to the team based on your preconceived expectations of them.

2. as objectively as possible, should the fans be frustrated with what they have seen on the ice thus far? are you?

This is more of a statement than a question...

With the extension to Ryan Getzlaf and the Ducks cap issues, you should consider giving Corey Perry an offer sheet to (a) piss off Burke and (b) shut up Kings fans about the 2003 draft.

1. How do you judge the developmental progress of our young kids right now: JJ, Sully, Kopi, Brown- even Cammy and Fro?

2. How is Bernier handling having being sent back down, now that the shock has worn off?

3. Handzus has really struggled and looks like he's still injured, though he does seem to be just beginning to make some plays in the last couple games. Can you comment on that at all? What should we expect from a healthy Zeus who's on his game?

4. How do you judge Labs and Aubin's performances so far?

5. Do you think the overwhelming fan criticism of Blake is justified? How do you judge his play? What are the positives you see JJ taking from him?

What is his real plan of attack for this year. Is it......Try to make the playoffs, or is it just play the year out, not really concerned how it goes, if we make the playoffs we're ahead of the game, if we don't, no problem, we'll be there (maybe) in two or three years.

I believe contracts for Cammi, Kopitar, Jack Johnson, and Frolov come up in the next couple of years. If we finish within the bottom 6 teams this year and next year, does he feel these players will want to leave and pursue the Stanley Cup with a better team rather than continue with a rebuilding process. And, if they do leave, will he consider this a start-over for the rebuilding process, and ask the fans to wait another 2 or 3 years.

Hi Rich,

Just because we have players that showed what they can do in the past is no guarantee that they will perform to that standard now or in the future. Do you see this in anyone on our team now? If so, what can and will be done? How long before the fans see something being done as opposed to hearing about what needs to be done?

Just because we have talented players does not mean we have a talented team. When can the fans expect to see such a team?

Dean has often commented on how it is important for a young team to have veteran leadership in the locker room.

To what extent does he believe that lack of playoff experience can inhibit the development of younger players?

Dean, what is your plan for the FUTURE?

You lose Blake, Stuart and Modry at the end of the season but don't have equal value in Manchester to replace them!

Are you going to sign more "fillers" or do you plan on acquiring some young D-men who CAN step in and play next season

What can and is being done about the Kings inconsistent play? This "tag" has always seemed to follow this team. One game we're fantastic doing the unbelievable (coming back against Dallas to win). The next games the kings seem to show little heart and look like they are coasting out there...

Does Dean see it the way us fans see it? An if so, what does he think causes it? And what does he think will be the solution?

We're just so tired of the roller coaster, not knowing which kings team is going to show up on any given night...Maybe all the character guys Dean has been nabbing in the minors will change that for us, but I'd love to hear Dean's thoughts...Thanks Rich!

What is DL's plan with the defense next season? With Blake, Modry, Stuart all coming off the books, and not many defensemen ready in the MAN, is he just going to look at free agency? Or does he plan to bring back Blake, after his terrible start this season?

Where's the beef?

Where's the toughness?

Why four years for an injured Handzus?

Will we ever see Cloutier in a Kings uniform? (I hope this is a resounding NO)

Any thoughts on extending Cammy as he is by far the best player and leader on this team. That way washing over the disappointment in his getting crushed at arbitration.

I only have 2 questions....

when will the team toughness be addressed ?

when will Dave Lewis take over the head coaches job ?

Ask Lombardi if he is satisfied with Crawford's performance as coach. Does he feel that the team shows enough desire to play for him?

Rich,

awesome blog!

with Ivanas out, and Bagnall called up to Manchester, have you considered recalling Westgarth or Crosty? and if not, why?

thanks,

Marko