Blast from the past
For those who haven't seen it, the ``Vault'' section on Sports Illustrated's website is fantastic. With enough interest and time, you can read any article that has ever run in the magazine. So here's a couple, for old times sake. The first one is from April 8, 1968, a story about how those expansion Kings might win the Stanley Cup! The second story is about a little trade with Edmonton. The third is from Nov. 30, 1992, about how a rookie coach named Barry Melrose seems to have the Kings on track.
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About the bloggers
Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
From the Gretzky article, the line with the most resonance:
"Pat Quinn, general manager of the Vancouver Canucks: 'The Kings have got to try to be successful for the next three years, and if that doesn't work out they've left their team in mud for the next 10 to 15 years.'"
Well, they were nearly successful AND then stuck in the mud for 10-15 years. Hmmm. Good news is, that 10-15 year window is mostly over.
"$9,750 a man. That's an awful lot of money" - LOL
That 1968 article is both hilarious and sad as hell.
I love the line in it that St. Louis didn't win all season against Philly and won't start in the playoffs. Last I checked those Blues spent the next 3 years going to the Finals.
I need to find an old Don Cherry article SI did about 10-15 years ago. Friggin' HILARIOUS!
I stumbled across this website last week. It is a pretty neat site to follow the Kings prospects.
http://www.kingspipeline.com/
Why is it that we have to relive kings past? its just more pathetic that way. Its like sitting at home on a Friday night because all you're friends have ditched you.
Wow, Pat Quinn is a genius!
Pat Quinn, general manager of the Vancouver Canucks: "The Kings have got to try to be successful for the next three years, and if that doesn't work out they've left their team in mud for the next 10 to 15 years."
It is a good prediction by Quinn, and like you say the period is almost over. It is now time for the Kings to show what they can do with all the talent. If they play their cards right they have a chance to become a solid constant playoff team, who might have a peak one year and then anything can happen.
How good do you guys think Anze Kopitar can be?? Do you think he is capable of winning the Hart Trophy? Or is it more possible that Johnson and Bernier are our next superstars? Maybe Stamkos.. ;)
I was so excited over the Gretzky trade although I was sad to lose Carson. The next five years were the best times to be a Kings fan. However, the 15 years before and the 15 years after that small window are a total joke as this team is basically the Cubs of the NHL. We arent even competitive and there is no real direction. Atleast the Triple Crown line was somewhat exciting when we lost. Now we just shuffle kids back and forth and most of them are mediocre. We arent we signing any big time free agents?
After 35 years as a Kings fan beginning when my dad took me to the Forum as a little kid, I cant watch much anymore. There are always going to be down times with most teams in any sport, but the Kings are just pathetic.