Tuesday (12/4) practice

Rich,

Thanks for the update. But why would you tell us that DL gave you information but it is "off the record?" Are you trying to get us salivating with new information? I just don't see the point in telling us at all. Kinda like, "I know a juicy rumor but I can't tell you..."

Rich,

"off the record"?

WTF is WRONG WITH YOU!? Can't you devulge ANYTHING?! ANYTHING AT ALL!?!

Primarily because if I put that one piece of the conversation out there, without explaining that it was basically a private conversation, I'll get five comments or e-mails along the lines of ``Did you ask him (this)?'' or ``Why won't you ask him (this)?'' or ``What players got what grades?'' I understand your point, but I'm just explaining why I only shared a small sliver of the conversation.

And there it is...proving my point, within moments.

Rich,

Thanks for the great insight and candor. Based on your reply above, I am interpreting your blog to mean that DL is letting you share the fact that he & Hexie assign grades to each player after each game. However, the part of the conversation that was "was way, way off the record," as you say, are the actual grades that DL and Hexie give to specific players.

Is my presumption close to what you are alluding to? Or were you guys actually discussing potential player transactions? Regardless, I can certainly understand why DL and yourself would find it prudent to not disclose what grades are being given to which player. If that kind of information were to be made public, it would cause player morale and faith in team management to torpedo down into the depths of Davey Jones' Locker...

Well the team finally played well. They got physical and a little mean (thank god), I wish we could see that every game. Blake looked good out there too. Taking the body going to the net. They really looked hungry last night.

Rich,

Any chance you asked Dean L. when he plans to find a quality goaltender? This team sucks for the most part. There are some noteable exceptions; Cammi, Brown, Kopitar, O'Sullivan, and Johnson.

For the most part we could have a decent club. But as usual with this franchise goaltending is just too weak. I like LaBarera, but let's face it, Aubin is aweful, injured or not.

I was just looking at TSN where a headline is, "Luongo's play powering Canucks."

Seems obvious to me that the Kings will go nowhere (they're usual MO)until the goaltending situation is resolved.

Oh, don't tell me, we're waiting for Bernier. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting.

Please ask Dean exactly how long we should continue waiting. Then when that day comes, please wake me up. Until then I can not continue to take the Kings seriously.

Thanks for understanding that, 619. I thought I had gone loopy for a minutes.

Since Cammalleri is feeling fine, what is the reason for his crappy play lately? Which player is he, the one that had 10 goals in 10 games or this new guy that imitates Armstrong? Dude needs to step it up big time. Bet he got a "C" grade last game.

In my books, after those gift wrapped turnovers, Lubo deserved an F-.
In Lombardi's diluted mind, wouldn't be surprised if he gave Lubo an A Plus.

And while he's at it, can Lombardi explain to me why he chose Thomas Hickey over Sam Gagner.
But then again it's very common these days for G.M.'s to waste their 4th overall pick for a 26th ranked player.

As much as I liked how they played last night, this team has been Jekyll & Hyde so you don't know what you'll see Wednesday night.
I thought Lubo did some good things against Edmonton. The turnovers were brutal, but his offensive game had a little spark to it. It may not be much, but its more than he's done all year.
Somebody put out an APB for Cammy. He's gone missing. He says he's healthy, so its time for some goals.

Rich...Thanx again for all you do and for all the updates. Understandably, things are sometimes said in confidence for the greater good of the team and the blog. No, neither you, DL or us would want to post the grades the players receive, in fact, nothing should ever be publicized that is said in confidence. That's one of the big problems with journalism today. It limits the reporters ability to report and ultimately limits a reporter's sources. It also underminds the confidence of the readership; readers loose faith in reporters who betray their sources. It has something to do with integrity, I think. Thanx Rich and Matt for all you do for us diehards, your work is more appreciated than you know.

As for last nights latest debacle, no comment, well not much anyway. It was too bad LA lost the lead to begin with but they didn't quit. One question I have, just one, with Aubin's groins the way they are, I'm wondering why not bring in Quick for the shootout? Oh yes, he would have been cold. But Quick has more experience facing shootouts in both the ECHL and AHL. I'm thinking he probably would have been a better choice. Agree with the above, the Kings will go as far as their goaltending takes them. We still don't have strong 2nd or 3rd lines. As we've seen recently, we're not going to win too many games without more scoring. Teams are keying Kopi's line, after that there isn't much left to defend against LA. From what I'm seeing at Manchester, it looks like it may be awhile until good scoring balance is achieved. 2008 free agency anyone?

Anyone complaining about the goaltending this year hasn't been watching very closely. Sure the occasional bad one slips by but the goaltending is VASTLY improved over last year.

Thanks for the insight Rich, and I'm sure the more of those "off the record" conversations that you don't publicize, the better info you'll get from DL because of the trust he has in you not to divulge things he wouldn't want you to.

I'm with Dan H. on the "off the record" stuff. It's good to know that DL is sharing some of the good stuff with you, Rich. If it becomes "reportable" later on, that's fine. If not, that's fine too. There's a lot more to running a hockey team and being a responsible reporter than cow-towing to clueless fans.

Well, I cant agree more.