Brown may miss two games in February

Oh no, now the Kings may not make the playoffs!

Best of luck to the Brown family.

Are they having it here in LA? I like the idea of more hockey players being born here.

mad props to him for taking some time off with family (esp when it doesn't look to be crucial for the kings' season).

he chose to take a paycut for stability with family, and he's doing yet another thing to show his commitment to them.

"may" ask for the two days off?

Hey Dustin, if you plan on being married past next month, you *will* take two days off to be with her.

And if anyone on this team has earned a couple days off it is Brown.

Enjoy it! Best wishes!
You only have your first once.

I feel really lucky to watch Kopitar every night and I think he's gonna be legendary stuff for us, but I think Brownie is seriously on his way of becoming one of the most beloved Kings of this current 5-10 year era.

It would be a sad sad day if these two ever wore another team's colors...

God bless this new baby because the desire to have stability in his new family is one of the reasons Brownie wanted something longer-term with us. They should name the baby Jesus because he/she is the savior.

Well now that it seems to be much calmer in here now then what it was the other day. I would like for some of you nay sayers to listen up. I was listening to "In the Slot" today with Esposito and Tatty the host of the show and the question came up about the trade deadline and what certain teams should be doing, dump, pick up or clean house, and think you're getting something in return when in reality the guy you just let go was the better of the two or three you got in return. Espo went on to say that unless you've really got something to gain then it might be better not to make the move, but for teams that are really out of it, all that can happen is they'll get weaker from the trade. I watched Aubin in training camp and he really looked, right on, BUT, training camp and the real thing are night and day. Someone here the other day said "we need to trade Blake for some picks" If the Kings trade him, they should get more then "a pick" he can help a team for 2 more years so why give him away? When someone goes, I know that DL will make sure he gets something worthwhile in return. We all have our own ideas of what we would like on our team, I'd love to have Terry Sawchuk here and only 21, Red Kelly, Bob Goldham, Henri and Maurice, Marcel,Brownie,Kopi,Fro,how
about Jean Beliveau? Sure the fans want a winning team and deserve one, that's the difference between what the Lakers do and what AEG does. They act just the same way as Buss did when he owned them. The Ducks got owners who really cared and "Presto" they got the CUP. So as many of you know it takes more then the players and that's why the owners get their name on the Cup also.Yes all coaches have a system that they feel is good, but there will always be players who just don't fit. Was MJ a big name when he was in college? Not until he was in the right system. So you can keep the coach and change the players and have a system or you can keep changing coaches and systems, What is the simplest?

Jesus Brown! Sounds more like what Dustin would be saying to him after he finger paints all over the walls. I think Bobby would be much better, hehe.

That being said, Congrats to Dustin and his wife Nicole of their soon to be born child. I hope all goes well!!!

Brown should take several days off. He's sure earned it. Best wishes to the new Daddy and hopefully future Captain of the Kings.

Hockey Only... this is a different era. In the "Salary Cap" era, the valuable asset is a draft pick. The Kings would be elated to get a couple of picks in return for Blake but to expect DL to hold out for a young player who would help now is asking too much. Teams just aren't willing to give those up. You move veterans for draft picks now, not for other veterans or young players. You clear salary now and hope to add in the offseason if you are a seller at the deadline.

Hockey Only you want to stick with THIS group? The 6 mill on Blake is part of the problem, not the solution. You talk of not getting ripped off at the deadline then you conclude with this:

So you can keep the coach and change the players and have a system or you can keep changing coaches and systems, What is the simplest?

I don't know dude, you didn't explain it very well. I don't know WHAT you want to do? Fire Crow? Keep him? Keep him and Blake and WIlsie and the rest of the crap? Please explain.

"Espo went on to say that unless you've really got something to gain then it might be better not to make the move, but for teams that are really out of it, all that can happen is they'll get weaker from the trade."

Not to bag on Espo, but I think it goes without saying that no team makes a trade unless they feel they have something to gain, even if it's just for cap space. Getting younger and cheaper is always smart, and that's what most of the "out of it" teams are looking to do.

We're not getting anything of value other than picks for the veteran guys..ie Blake, Stuart, etc...
Why would another team give up a good, cheap, young player for guys who haven't had very good years?
I mention Blake in that, but I do want to give props to the guy.
Whoever feels that Blake should give up the C has no idea what it means to be a leader on a team. It's not always about goals, assists, +/- there are intanglibles that he brings to the team that we know very little about. You can catch things in what his teamates say about him.
The guy played the 1st couple of months with a bad hip. He easily could have sat out, but he showed the other guys what it takes to play in the league. Sometimes you have to play hurt and it looks ugly, but that's what a leader does.
When Barbs was getting beat up in the crease who was the only player that came to his defense? That's right, the Captain.
We're going to miss him when he's gone. Hopefully guys like Brown are watching and learning from him.

Blake's in his last legs of his contract so why not trade him to another team for picks and if he wants to join the Kings again next year let him work out a new deal.

Is Espo the guy that constantly sounds drunk? Can't stand him...

I understand what all of you are saying and what I'm saying is you can continue to change players, coaches and systems and continually chase your tail until all the pegs happen to fall into the correct hole or you can keep the coach, move those who absolutely don't fit the system or fire the coach, bring in another and hopefully he'll fit into the players system. Someone said "a different era" that's true it is and I've seen others here ask how about Melrose??? Well hell if that's what you want.... how about Bowman, You're asking for Murray back... the same bunch that wanted his head two years ago. St. Louis has got some REAL hockey people in place as does Anaheim and I'm talking OWNERS. If I was going to hire a coach, I'd put Pat Quinn at the top of the list. For the time he was here before, he was the winningest coach in L.A. history. Just remember this, here we all have opinions and they're not cut in stone. I want to see the Kings do well and make the right moves as much as any of you, but to make a move for moves sake ... no.

And if they guys you are trading are UP for FA status and you aren't gonna resign them, even if you trade for a 5th round pick you STILL GOT BETTER. Espo got carried away with one lucky stint as a GM. Not to bag on espo either but he's got rocks in his head. If the Kings aren't bringing blake back and they are out of the playoffs how is trading him hurting them? It's not and Espon needs to eat some more pasta and shut his hole.

Crawford needs to go. By the time Kings are ready to
win (if) he will not be the coach anyway. He has done a crappy job of coaching team this year and has created a losing culture that breeds more losing.

And of course I have tix to the game in Columbus...

j/k...much luck and happiness to Dustin and Nicole.

Nicole Brown..

:|

In case you have yet to listen to the Dean Lombardi interview from yesterday, here is it:

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jke6t3RvF5U

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCJ4Vgs1fYo

I really hope my patience is rewarded with Stamkos or Tavares but according to mynhldraft.com, I might not have my way... Let's hope DL feels like I do.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/

Good to know Dustin will be spending time with his wife. Seeing how he was squeezing the girls at the meet the players event...

For one day, Hockey is not the most important thing in your life.

Congratulations!!!

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thought that, cob.

Hockey only
I understand what you are saying and i believe that is happening. I always hated AEG when there was no salary cap but now that has changed. Ownership is important but not as much as in the past, they have handed over the reins to DL, he is in full control. I believe all teams are on a even playing field. DL has a plan and it is not a short term plan. Its about building from within' and gather depth in Manchester and Reading. Blake has been a great player for this org. My guess on Blake is that he will be traded for a prospect or draft pick or picks but he will be a free agent and could sign with us again for next season if needed. I never understood why the crowds booed him in LA (Colorado)all those years and if he cameback by way of Free agency next year I'd welcome him with open arms.
If you could bother pasting this great article on how Detroit drafts @ mostly lower picks this is similar to what i am trying to express.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10112/ken_holland_on_the_detroit_red_wings_drafting_philosophy/

What exactly has DL done since taking over that has been positive. He is relying on "luck" (the draft) to make this team competetive again. Ask the fans in San Jose how they feel about DL. Ask the fans in Vancouver how they feel about Crawford. Both teams are better off without them. Kings should have pulled off Luongo trade when they had the chance or resigned Garon.
You cannot win in this league with mediocre oaltending and crappy defense. DL actually wasted
a 1st round pick on Brad stuart when he was with San Jose and actually made a bigger mistake signing him as a free agent.