I'm sure it's no secret to you all, that I don't like this guy and what he's done thus far.
It's obvious that this team is on pace to have a worse record than last season. I attribute most of that on DL's failure to fill the most crtical position on a hockey team. The goaltending.
I don't know what he was thinking when he believed that Cloutier, Labs, and Aubin would be enough to fill that role. I strongly believed that he was just hoping one of them would be a stop plug until Bernier was ready.
I don't know when Bernier will be ready or if he'll end up being another Jamie Storr. He brags about the stock-pile of talent we have in our system. Why not trade some of that for an elite goalie whom the forwards and defenseman can have confidence in. I'd rather have that than three 50 goal scorers b/c that goalie can shut down the goal scorers. Just look at what's happening in Pheonix. Bryz turned a last place team into a playoff contender. He's even shutting out his former team (the ducks).

As far as his free agent signings. C'mon how many of you guys believe that any of them are worth the money they're getting.
This G.M. has wasted more money on garbage players than any other G.M. in the league. To say that Handzus' play hasn't been good is an understatement. But this idiot had it coming. He should have learned his lesson from the McCauley Debacle. Both have bum knees. And both were signed to multi-year contracts. He bought out McCauley and then he signs "the Key player" to a FOUR YEAL DEAL. Why not sign him to one or two yeal deal, and see how it works out. And let Handzus earn more years on the roster. Most G.M. would have learned a serious lesson, but not ours.
And I don't know why he has this infatuation with signing ex-shark and ex-flyer players. That's just too much of a commitment to his formers players.

To be honest, he was lucky to get the G.M. job on the Sharks (BTW I don't see any rings on that team).
I just don't think he has the Skill to be a G.M. He's just not qualified enough.

Well im glad that he's addressed the "patience" of the fans..at least he knows we're suffering. I think DL is acting in the best interest of this franchise and he's sticking to his plan. I like to see consistency and not panicking and making stupid trades just for the heck of it..

Anthony, you've said the same things over and over again. You don't seem to ever read the comments back. How many times has it been explained that there is no magic goalie pill. We know, you think we should have gotten Bryz. It wasn't an option. As far as your inability to understand why Lombardi gave opportunities to Cloutier, LaBarbera, and Aubin - try this - how about because they have all been very good goalies at the NHL level in the past. The only GM you would be happy with is Miss Cleo. You and many others do not realize how good of a player Alyn McCauley was. Scott Thornton was the best player I've ever seen at cycling the puck when he was in San Jose. It's too bad he doesn't move his feet anymore, but there's no way DL could have foreseen that. Mistakes happen. You are in no position to assess Lombardi's qualifications to be a GM. And most of all for me, when you use the term "garbage players" in every post it shows how completely ignorant you are of the process and what the players go through with injuries, etc. I said it 3 months ago and I'll say it again - you don't need to post on every thread here. If you have something insightful to lend then go ahead. Believe me there are legitimate criticisms to be made. But if you're just gonna bitch about Lombardi over and over again, you should get a hobby for the next 3 years.

Hey Anthony!

Can you pleeeeaaase throw away that broken record already? I've been only scanning your posts of late and now even that is too much for me to handle...

This is sort of off topic, but since we're talking about prospects, I thought I'd let you guys know how some of the guys in juniors & the AHL are doing:

Oscar Moller (Chilliwack - WHL): 34 GP, 25G (10PP), 25A, 50P, +8

Thomas Hickey (Seattle - WHL): 30GP, 7G (5PP), 13A, 20P, +8

Wayne Simmonds (Owen Sound - OHL): 29GP, 17G (7PP), 22A, 39P, -8

Jonathon Bernier (Lewiston - QMJHL): 15GP, 7W, 7L, 2.95 GAA, 0.903 Sv.%

Teddy Purcell (Manchester - AHL): 38GP, 12G (7PP), 36A, 48P (2nd in AHL), +1

Brian Boyle (Manchester - AHL): 37GP, 17G (11PP), 18A, 35P, -11

Erik Ersberg (Manchester - AHL): 24GP, 9W, 8L, 2SOL, 2.76 GAA, 0.902 Sv.%

Dan Cloutier (Manchester - AHL): 12GP, 3W, 8L, 3.50 GAA, 0.875 Sv.%

A couple of things to note...

1: It doesn't appear that Bernier is the #1 guy in Lewiston. A kid named Peter Delmas has played almost 2x as many games as Bernier.

I wonder if Matthew or Rich could confirm whether Bernier is starting or not?

2: Moller, Hickey, and Simmonds all appear to be playing well, but Simmonds minus rating would concern me a bit if I were DL. Although Owen Sound does have a losing record, and has given up 31 more goals then they've scored, so I guess it's not surprising?

Anyways, I hope you guys find this stuff interesting.

Maybe it's time to give Ersberg a shot? :rolleyes:

I'm not too big on Anthony's comments either.
He just loves to hear himself too much.

But in this case, he has a right to be discouraged with the direction this team is headed.
I mean how much more losing are we to bear.

After 40 years of dissapointment, Anthony has every reason to rant and rave.

DL hasn't been able to turn things around.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to pick up a few things from his counterpart in Anaheim. Pretty much everything he (Burke) has touched has turned into gold and paid off for the Ducks.
Anything DL touches turns into crap. With a few exceptions.
But overall, DL's grade is a D-.

Paul,

a) Bernier started the season with the Kings.
b) Bernier just participated in the World Juniors.
c) Wayne Simmonds does not play for Owen Sound any longer.

Anthony, jazz, and fed up, you guys are the epitome of the myopia that is prevalent throughout 95% of the Los Angeles Kings fan base. If you can't stand the temporary blemishes, you're free to leave.

Matt, thanks for providing the link to that transcript. Much appreciated.

I can understand guys like Anthony and others who complain and rant about everything that DL does or does not do; or the results or lack of results that's behind on every DL move. I feel your pain too as a long time Kings fan.

However, that is also the problem with you guys - your frustrations year-after-year as Kings fans have closed your eyes and mind to what DL is trying to accomplish for this franchise.

If you read that transcript and really try to understand what DL is trying to say and also realize what an uphill battle DL has in his hands, you will understand where he is coming from.

To Anthony and others, you guys need to understand that his time-frame for progress on this team is totally different from your time-frame of when you want to see results. You guys will never be satisfied of whatever DL is doing because you guys want results NOW and for the millionth time, it is not going to happen this season or the next.

You guys have to understand that he is building this franchise from all levels or his so called "5 sectors". He is not just trying to develop a core roster that can grow, mature and play in the NHL, he is also trying to assemble a staff that he can count on to bring in more talent to this franchise. All of these take time.

Don't lump all of your years of frustration with the Kings franchise on a GM that's been with us for 2 years. But hey, he understands that and recognizes it. What I like about what DL said, is that he understands our frustration as fans, understands our history etc..but he is willing to stick to his guns and let the franchise grow from the bottom up.

I look at our team right now and I am pleased that it's the young guys carrying this team. It's the young guys that are producing night-in and night-out. They definitely have more room for growth and they need to bring that enthusiasm, energy and intensity every game but boys are growing and learning together.

Yes, we are last in the league but can you imagine if we are last in the league right now and have a full roster of overpriced, unproductive veterans that have one foot out the door and no rookies to be optimistic about the future and no farm system to draw upon some youth? That scenario would be more upsetting to me.

Paul...Thanx for the stats, it shows that good things happen for those who wait.

Personally, I like DL and the direction he's trying to point the team. Everyone knows this wasn't a process that was going to happen overnight. To expect miracles in 1-2 years is unrealistic. I've been a Kings fan for a VERY long time. This season has been painful but not the most painful to watch. Why? Because there's hope in the pipeline. Yea, I'd like to see the team get Stamkos in 08 or Tavares in 09. DL is attempting to do what no other LA GM has ever had the guts to do; rebuild the organization from the ground up, everything, every department. Not an easy task by far, just look what he had to do in scouting alone. We've got some good kids out there and we're stocked with draft picks. Blake will probably be gone in February, going to the bidder with, of course the most draft picks. This is going to pay off huge in the long run; instead of cycling different players through the system year after year, these will be LA developed players that, if the talent is there will remain with the organization for years. Remember what DL said about LA's goaltending? We've never developed a goaltender, not one in 40 years. It speaks volumes for our minor league system and our scouting department, something DL has had to rebuild from the ground up.

Paul, from what you posted it shows there's hope, not immediate but in the not too distant future. These kids will only get better as they age. The team and the fans will benefit for years to come. It will take something LA fans don't have much of with any of their teams, patience.

Well said Carey.

to add to the prospect info:
-Delmas will be Lewiston's starter for at least another year and he's a pretty good goalie, so he'll most likely continue to be played a lot from here on.

-Simmonds was recently acquired by the soo greyhounds, just before the WJC. Hartsburg probably had something to do with the trade as he coaches both the greyhounds and team canada. Prior to the trade, simmonds was one of the most sought after players in the ohl. Not a bad post-draft year for a guy who only showed up on one scouting service's top 200.

Also, for those of you who are so ready to discard Labarbera- give the kid some time. This is his first year as a #1 in the NHL and he has put up respectable GAA and Save% numbers, particularly given the shoddy play of the kings defenseman and the relative inexperience of all the young forwards that are garnering the majority of ice-time. For ex, his save % is better than Kiprusoff's, Hasek's, Khabibulin's, and Turco's, to name a few of the more established goalies in the league. Seriously, some of you either need a reality check (elite goailes can not be had for prospects and are a rare commodity) or to learn a thing or two about hockey before you spout off.

-J

Well said Carey.

to add to the prospect info:
-Delmas will be Lewiston's starter for at least another year and he's a pretty good goalie, so he'll most likely continue to be played a lot from here on.

-Simmonds was recently acquired by the soo greyhounds, just before the WJC. Hartsburg probably had something to do with the trade as he coaches both the greyhounds and team canada. Prior to the trade, simmonds was one of the most sought after players in the ohl. Not a bad post-draft year for a guy who only showed up on one scouting service's top 200.

Also, for those of you who are so ready to discard Labarbera- give the kid some time. This is his first year as a #1 in the NHL and he has put up respectable GAA and Save% numbers, particularly given the shoddy play of the kings defenseman and the relative inexperience of all the young forwards that are garnering the majority of ice-time. For ex, his save % is better than Kiprusoff's, Hasek's, Khabibulin's, and Turco's, to name a few of the more established goalies in the league.

Seriously, some of you either need a reality check (elite goalies can not be had for prospects and are a rare commodity) or to learn a thing or two about hockey before you go off on rants.

-J

Well, anthony does touch upon something relevant: just what the hell is so special about the San Jose Sharks? They win more than us, yes, but so do a lot of other teams. They became more competitive once they acquired Joe Thornton, and Lombardi wasn't responsible for that. To this day, they've won the same amount of Stanley Cups as the Kings: zero.

And I don't understand why there is an intimation (coming from Dean, no less) that he is responsible for Brown, Kopitar, Cammalleri and Frolov. They're all Taylor's guys. Getting rid of Taylor was questionable, but firing Andy Murray, to this day, stands as one of the most moronic moves the Kings have transacted. The year the players supposedly "quit" on Andy and got him fired, they finished just six points out of a playoff spot with 89 points!! Look at what he's done in St. Louis. Unbelievable.

We can thank Dean for what, Cloutier and Thomas Hickey, who would've been chosen in the later round? Jack Johnson? Johnson may turn out to be decent but the dude is just too damn short, in my opinion, to be a dominant D-man. Don't even get me started on Crawford. His Stanley Cup came by way of Sakic, Roy, and Forsberg. Period. The man just can not coach young players.

Dean and Crawford are setting us back another decade. In turn, I will then be known as 50 YEARS OF LOSING and have another hobby than watching the Kings: farting razor blades from my monstrous sized ulcer. (Thank you, Walter Matthau.)

fed up:

Does Anthony have a right to be discouraged? Absolutely, I know I am!! I just don't think it's appropriate to call another human being garbage when you've never met that person. If they hurt or insult your family, absolutely you can call them garbage after you spit on them. But a HOCKEY player? Come on.

Why keep saying the same thing 5 times a day? I guess so when we finally get a good goalie he can say it was his idea? There are no shortcuts. Let's see how deep Chicago and Phoenix get in the playoffs (2 examples of teams with 'elite' goalies and shoddy defensemen.) How well are Toskala and Raycroft doing? Look for Lombardi to shore up the D before he sweats the goalie position.

Finally, if you think Burke has the Midas touch you should talk to some people in Vancouver.

Now when Lombardi says that Nagy and Preissing are pretty much exactly where we expected, well that's what I have a problem with. And when he says we're still figuring out what style of team we're going to be, I think that should already be in place. Still I wouldn't give him a D- this early.

Sorry about the mistake on Simmnonds. I didn't see that he was on a new team.

Here's his updated stats: 34GP, 19G, 23A, 42P, -9

Regarding Bernier, I am indeed aware of his being on the Kings and the Canadian junior team, but I didn't think that would take him away from twice as many games as the other goalie on his team. So I went to the Lewiston website and started going through their games. Bernier wasn't even dressed before their last game since he lost a 4-1 game on 12/7.

So if it was just because of the WJC & his Kings stint that he's missed so many games, he should return to starting this weekend.

I hope you're right, because if he's not starting, why is he there?

Patiences, patiences, patiences.

If the Kings end up with the worst record, theres a chance the Kings might wind up with the first overall pick. Having a couple of picks in the 1st round of a deep draft will help the Kings for many years. I'm really hoping they end up the 1st overall pick. Stamkos would really look good in a Kings jersey.

you want to know the best thing about anthony clamoring for bryz? he didn't want to get bryz at the time because he thought labarbera was at least as good and probably better.

seriously. go look up the post.

Paul: Thanks. Another Kings prospect not listed above is...

Bryan Cameron (Belleville - OHL): 41GP, 25G (13PP), 24A, 49P, +16

For all you guys/gals who are griping about DL, well evidently you weren't around for the George Maguire era when he gave everything away for guys who wanted to come out and retire in the sunshine and played like it was a house league. You would have been in your glory, it was a gripers holiday.

So off topic, what is with the new pop up adds? Cause there really starting to suck

Could someone please provide me with a link to the unbridled success in San Jose that DL keeps alluding to...

Thought maybe some of you would like to see some of your sailing companions as you aren't the only ones in the boat. From the Toronto Sun: The Leafs will never win if they are owned and operated by their current management/owners. Get a real owner who cares about making changes in order to win!
The leafs(Kings) need to fire ferguson(DL) and pal maurice(Crawford) and get somebody who will kick this team to the limit. How long can this go on, If this was another team,(We know better don't we) ownership would have cleaned house by now, starting with the GM(DL), He's done nothing for this team, only make them worst.....FIRE THE LOT. See, that song is sung all over the NHL when things don't go the way the fans want them to. Personally, I think the Leafs have a much bigger problem then the Kings do.

Paul,

Great job! Thanks for posting those stats, and I am SUPER excited for Oscar & Simmons to come to the Kings sometime soon!

In regards to Bernier, keep in mind that he missed about 3 - 4 weeks of starts while he trained with and competed for Team Canada at the World Juniors...

karl: Well put, wish I'd said that....

Paul: Bernier is seeing ice time but not as much as Delmas. Tough call but I think Lewiston is giving Delmas the majority of the time knowing Bernier is going to be at Manchester next year, just a guess. Delmas is also ranked as the #2 North American goalie for the 08 draft...see:

http://www.lewistonhockey.com/news.php

Keep in mind, Bernier went with Team Canada to the World Juniors Championships and had an excellent tournament.

Rich/Matt...I'm also curious, can you check with DL/Hextall and see how the kid is doing? I know they're keeping close tabs on him....thx!

maybe some of you should see what the others have to say about OUR Kings. Check it out.

http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/
teams/toronto-maple-leafs/inde
x.html

pop-ups are wack.

While we're on the subject of myopia.....

DL states that "the Kings have never developed a goaltender in 40 years." Do any of you remember a goalie named Jamie Storr? Drafted in the first round, played a bunch of games for the Kings. Prior to that there was Robb Stauber in the 80's. Neither one panned out very well, did they?

Now all of you with your rose colored glasses are ready to anoint Jonathan Bernier as the second coming of Ken Dryden!

Wake up before it's too late and you find yourself drinking the kool-aid, like the followers in Jonestown!!

The organization is in the best hands it's EVER been in!!!!! GO KINGS GO!!!

I never once implied that we had a chance to obtain Byrz off waivers.
Pheonix had a worse record than we did, and had first dibbs on Byrz. The reason why I bring him up all the time, is to demonstrate that a goalie position is the most important position on a hockey team. And it needs to be filled as priority. DL has failed to fiil that need.
Though Nick's comment is correct. I did mention that I'd rather have Labs than Byrs. But that was before his injury.
Good squad does have a point as well. I should tone it down on the "garbage comment".
But I get so frustrated when my beloved team keeps losing.
My apologies.

Hockey Only mentioned that article. Here's a direct link:

http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/toronto-maple-leafs/story.html?id=a55919dd-f86e-4395-bad6-69a586e8a69e&k=26290&add_feed_url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.faceoff.com%2fhockey%2fteams%2ftoronto-maple-leafs%2fleafscolumns.atom%3fviewer%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.faceoff.com%2fhockey%2fteams%2ftoronto-maple-leafs%2fstory.html

Great article. Lombardi's comments in it are honest, what can I say. I appreciate his honesty. Tomas Vokoun for Bernier and a 1st rounder? I'm glad he said no. He's willing to tell me the options have been there and he has denied the quick fix. Risky? Considering our history of quick fixes, I'd say no.

I'm willing to take more of a risk by bringing up Bernier now. I just don't believe that every player has to run his 'prospect' course through the system. Dustin Brown was here at 18 and would not be the power forward he is today without starting at 18. What if he stayed in the AHL for 4 years like most of our prospects seem to? Where would we be now? Sometimes I believe special players, like Bernier, and his competitive fire, need to be challenged early. Yes, the goalie position is a bit different. Can Bernier do any worse than what we have now? He doesn't seem like a kid who is easily discouraged, unless he feels as if a team is holding him back from battling, competing and learning in favor of 'the prospect channels' or 'his best interests'.

Anyone who thinks Jonathon is going to be ruined by competing now is simply asking for more mediocrity. Someone brought up Jaime Storr. #1 prospect who we paid a cool 1 million a year for 8 years or so, half that time in the minors, just to excel (HA!) as a glorified backup and fail miserably. We brought him along 'babystep style' and got 8 years of crap.

Cut it out...please. Let the kid compete and fail a little while we suck so he'll have dealt with that inevitable baggage EVERY NHLer deals with when they make it to the big show. The doubts, the speed of the game, etc. Let Bernier deal with that while we suck so he can be ready when we're on the rebound.

Let the kid compete. What would Patrick Roy do if he was held back? IIRC, I believe he was and it wasn't until they let him compete that he fueled his own fire and became the greatest goalie ever. Let Jonathon fuel his own fire. Give him the chance to grow now. He won't be perfect, but show some confidence in the kid. Hell, now would be a perfect time to show that after the way he was treated in the World Juniors. I would expect serious loyalty points from him for many years to come if we were to start him right now after being pulled for Mason in the WJC's. He wants to compete and win, let him try!

Anyway, enough with the rant, great article. Nice insight.

I listened to Kings Talk after the Dallas game interested to hear what DL had to say. One caller asked a significant question about giving hmself a grade like he does to the players after each game. He gave himself an "A" for effort and a "C+/B" for results. I thought that was interesting when you are dead last in the league. I know that there are other aspects that he is thinking about but the product currently on the ice speaks for itself. I don't think that you have to finish in the bottom 3 for a number of years to rebuild. He could have had Hickey last year if the Kings had finished in the 8 to 10 from the bottom area and maybe even higher. I don't know how he can look people in the eye making a comment like that. Great question to whoever asked it.

If Bernier is not playing every night, why is he down there?

If we wanted him to compete for a spot, he could have stayed here to do that.

I don't know if Bernier is a franchise goalie or another Jamie Storr, and yes, I do remember Storr. I used to call him "Blue Line".

But Bernier won't develop much if he doesn't get to play. He got benched in LA (sent back to juniors). He got benched by his World Juniors coach. And now some of you guys are telling me he's not the #1 guy on his junior team? How exactly is that good for his development? If he's not good enough to start in juniors, how come we expect him to be great?