Blake talks future
More notes from our friend Don Fulton...
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As Jack Johnson noted recently, the game is still fun - even on a last-place team - and team captain Rob Blake feels the same.
"As long as I'm playing I'm having fun. There's a lot of stuff around the game that isn't much fun, but once I get in the game and start playing it is absolutely fun," Blake said. "You never want to be in last place that's for sure, so the spirit and energy you see here (at practice) and in the games from this team is from the respect we have for the rest of the league."
Blake indicated that he still favors a return to the Kings next season and perhaps beyond, and sees many reasons to be excited about the future.
"I feel like I want to play another year or maybe a couple," he said. "I'll approach that this summer and I'll train like I always do and then see the options that are there for me. My focus has always been Los Angeles since I returned, and even though I don't like the position that we are in, I still think there are steps that can be taken this summer to really improve this team and take it to another level."
"I still think there are steps that can be taken this summer to really improve this team and take it to another level."
I think one of those steps is for Mr. Blake to take a decrease in pay.
GOD NO!!!!!!!!!!!!
The best way for Blake to improve the team, would to not re-sign and retire. The game has past him by. Besides, Brett Hull needs a roomate at the retirement home.
I don't care if it's a player/assistant coach gig...at a reduced rate of pay of course...
1 year deal with incentives
for 2.5 to 3.0 million with
a club option for second year. Absolutely NO NTC
clause so if DL wants to move him at 08-09 trading deadline they can without
the drama of this year. If
he really wants to be here
he will take it without any
b.s. and if he does not let
him walk and try to get more from another team or
retire.
I think Blake has alot of knowledge to share with the young defensemen,but his legs and body don`t react to his brain.I`m sure he is a great guy, and well liked by the team. But let him mentor at practice or in the locker room.Two years is enough of him taking bad penaltys and guarding the right post.
The way things are going Metalmaster is right, sign him for one year but wait and make sure that is in our best interest. If we trade cammy for a d-man and happen to sign an FA that is better and younger, cheaper cha cha cha....offer less or let him walk. I have to say it is good of him to offer publicaly that he like us and wants to stay, being we are last in the league and from the sound of some of these know it all's on this site we are going in the wrong direction...again Metalmaster?
KINGKONGKORAB
08-09 will be the season that defines Lombardi era.
This is the season where
some results need to be shown on ice or it will be
bye bye Crawford and DL will be in hot seat. This will also be his 4th draft as GM and he should be able
to land a couple of almost
immediate impact NHL players with 1st round picks and draft for depth
in the organization with
the remainder.I do not look
for major trades or major
FA signings this season. Not a whole lot of FA d-men
of qualityare available. I
think DL will draft Doughty
if he can and maybe make a
move up in the first round
(Cammy) to draft Bogosian or another defenseman. This is a very d-heavy
draft.
Blake is still a top 4 defencemen on any team in the NHL. He gets lots of respect from teammates and around the league. Any one who knows hockey will tell you that. He's good for 2 more years, but at reduced cost of course. The Kings have too many holes at D to fill this summer already. DL will bring him back.
Pay Blake 2.5 Mill when Visnovsky is going to make 7 Mill next year. Oh Please
anonymous, what makes you the know-it-all?? granted he's a big name and does have lots of respect, but look at his plus/minus dude.
Also, he slows the team down and leads the team in giveaways night after night. the stats dont lie, quit livin in the past HE'S GARBAGE...retire his jersey in Denver
Dude Jeremy
I guess you don't know anything about plus/minus.
The kings as a team are -40
Blake -19
Visnovsky -23
Nobody will be a + as long as you have goaltenders that can't stop a beachball.
Pretty hard to stop the puck when your d-man guards the post.
Do you watch hockey??
P.s. plus/minus doesnt take into account power play goals allowed, which he would be over 100
Love Hockey Season seats behind Kings bench.Plus NHL Package on Direct TV.
Guess you have never played the game. If you don't like the way the d-man guards the post you should talk to Coach Crawford, its by design and everyone has there assigned positions. I guess thats why its a team sport.
Seats behind the bench...hockey package...must be an attorney
"I'll approach that this summer and I'll train like I always do..."
In other words, he'll sit on his fat ass and use the first half of the season to get into shape, like he always does.
No thanks...