On one hand you would wish Clouts would just bear down and focus on his job. I know it's hard on the pittance of a salary he is being paid, but why does he have to gripe to a Canadian paper? On the other hand, is this one of the reasons there is a perception that LA (and the Kings organization) is an undesirable place to play?

On one hand you would wish Clouts would just bear down and focus on his job. I know it's hard on the pittance of a salary he is being paid, but why does he have to gripe to a Canadian paper? On the other hand, is this one of the reasons there is a perception that LA (and the Kings organization) is an undesirable place to play?

On one hand you would wish Clouts would just bear down and focus on his job. I know it's hard on the pittance of a salary he is being paid, but why does he have to gripe to a Canadian paper? On the other hand, is this one of the reasons there is a perception that LA (and the Kings organization) is an undesirable place to play?

On one hand you would wish Clouts would just bear down and focus on his job. I know it's hard on the pittance of a salary he is being paid, but why does he have to gripe to a Canadian paper? On the other hand, is this one of the reasons there is a perception that LA (and the Kings organization) is an undesirable place to play?

Apologies for the multiple posts - having issues with my browser/connection.

If he was as good at goaltending as he is at whining at all the supposed slights this organization has put him through...the Beachball should be in the hall of fame... He just doesn't get the fact that he isn't wanted here...

Wow. I guess Cloutier wants to be bought out. Good riddance. The part about the Kings not getting him an apartment... get it yourself dude. It's not like your not overpaid as it is.

I've been a big supporter of Lombardi (and still am) but some of the moves they've made with Cloutier haven't made sense. I think Cloutier has a legitimate beef with this organization.

The Kings screwed up giving this guy a two year extension, then over playing him last year when everyone could see he was struggling. This year they couldn't bury him quick enough.

If it is true that the Kings wouldn't give him an apartment in Manchester when he was about to have a child, then this organization should be utterly ashamed of themselves.

Lombardi, if you want to attract free agents over the next few years, you'd better answer these accusations.

I mean life is tough at 3.1 million a year. I don't know how you survive? I mean geez, spend a little of your own cash and get an apartment. What's that gonna cost you? 2,000 a month? I think you can afford it

I mean life is tough at 3.1 million a year. I don't know how you survive? I mean geez, spend a little of your own cash and get an apartment. What's that gonna cost you? 2,000 a month? I think you can afford it

I think the issue is how he was treated in comparison to how other NHL teams treat their players and presumably how this organization treats individual players. Dustin Brown was allowed to leave to visit his pregnant wife on a road trip. Now I don't know if the Kings funded that trip but I am guessing they did. Having to go to the NHLPA to have your team fulfil their end of a contract isn't exactly encouraging. Especially to players considering coming here.

That said, this is one side of the story.

Its not about the money, its about the way the situation and how the player was handled.

I cannot wait for this guy to get out of LA. The Kings have shed alot of the losers that were weighing the team down and Cloutier is one of the last ones remaining. I wish the Kings could get their money back from this loser. He should be thanking the Kings for paying him a ton of money for being injured and playing like crap. If it were up to me I would have bought out his contract a long time ago.

I don't see why he has a problem with super 8 I mean we payed for his surgery and the plain ticket to Vail and Super 8 isn't that bad. The misses and I like their in-room microwave for the wee ones when we travel. This has the sounds of sour grapes by Clueteir not really understanding the NHL is around to make money not put him up in fancy Holiday Inns and stuff.

I'm sure he cries every time, on his way to the bank.

Mr. penny pincher. Can't even spring for an apartment.

If half of what Cloutier says is true (esp. the Super 8 motel and the apartment) then he has a right to be po'd. What strikes me as strange is that other players speak favorably of the organization, and want to stay. Sounds like a singular toxic situation, and one that the team needs to resolve now.
Dan played a hell of a game last night, and deserved to win. He did everything in goal his team could have asked for. The two goals were not his fault-far from it. He even had fans in my area cheering for him and yelling encouragement during breaks. Irrespective of his performance other nights, he earned the cheers yesterday. Now if the Kings could only clear the bleeping puck...

3.1 million.... Take 10% or so off the top for the agent. Take another 50% in federal and state taxes and your talking 1.3 or so to spend. That is still a lot of money but we all live within the parameters of our pay checks. The guy who makes 50,000 thinks the guy earning 150,000 is rich, and so it goes. I am not a fan of Clout's game but what he makes is really immaterial to how he feels he's been treated. One needs to measure his treatment against the other players on the team and the leauge.

I'm looking in from the outside with only his version but from here it looks like he was shafted. If he was not going to play in Manchester, he should not have been told he was. If everything he says is true then it is a pretty damning indictment of the Kings organization. Even I, with my little company would not put my people in a Super 8 for an extended period. What is that about? How do we attract quality free agents or keep our UFA's with this kind of talk out there?

Cloutier wants out of LA and we want him gone. I would rather have a plastic fake practice goalie between the pipes than Cloutier. I hope he has fun looking for a apartment in another city. Maybe this time he can pay for it himself instead crying about it.

Rich,

If you are going to go ahead and have an open forum, kindly ask Cloutier why he didn't just retire and become an ufa if he was treated so poorly by the kings?

Also, if you could ask him why he felt compelled to release this information now rather than waiting til he signed on with another team?

Seems to me, this article is nothing more than an act of a self loathing egomaniac.

Ummm...Wow!

I make around 30,000 and live in a nice house, about an hour away from Manchester. He can't find an apartment for 3.1 mil?!? What a whiny little girl!
My reality is that if I stunk it up at my work I wouldn't even dream of asking about perks!
I can't believe there are people pitying him right now!

"I haven't had too many things to smile about since I've been here," Cloutier said, beaming, as he spoke after the Kings' morning skate in suburban El Segundo. Well, Dan, neither have us Kings fans since you've been here so I guess we all have something in common.

"I had a great time up in Vancouver and was treated great up there by management and everybody. It was a little different coming here. It's been difficult at times, hard on me. But I'm a hockey player and I've dealt with it and I still have to go out and play and stop the puck." Uh, yeah, it's been hard on us fans too and hey, that stopping the puck thing, sounds like a great idea.

"Don't get me wrong, it's been a great career. I got a chance to play 10 years, made a lot of friends, played in some great cities, made tons of money. But to end it like this, that's not the way anybody wants to end it." Ok Dan, then just end it already.....just retire and put everyone out of their misery you ungrateful jerk.

Always defended the guy in the past but in his situation, I really don't think he's in a position to throw stones. Sounds like a lot of whining and sour grapes.

Above all, he's been paid $3 million+, each of the last two seasons. He's earned about $100k of that. The apartment vs. hotel thing is different. The Kings are already paying him $3m+, they have a right to save "company" (AEG) money, and only pay for a hotel. Dan didn't have to take the money. He could have refused the assignment, and either A) retired, or B) Failure to Report List. He chose the money, so deal with it. No offense to the good folks of Manchester, but I don't think an apartment costs the same as one in Manhttan Beach. He could have gotten an apartment for around $1000/mo, and written it off as a business expense. Quit crying and deal with it!

Guys. He was in the AHL at the time. The AHL is all about bus rides and no name hotels. Get over it Dan. You could've upgraded your ticket unless the plane was full. You could've found an apartment on your own. Sounds like he's just whining about being in the AHL.

I'm sorry the accomodations weren't to his liking. I mean flying coach, heaven forbid! I think this article is all about making other teams feel sorry for him in the hopes of catching on somewhere else. I mean anything to take everyone's eye off of the terrible numbers at Manchester and the horrible start w/ the Kings (being pulled 2X). The release makes sense after a good game. The feeling is then this is what he can always do, it's the Kings fault he hasn't. What B.S.

I love how Cloutier found it easy to mouth off to the Vancouver press.

He is showing no class by whining like a 4 year old and basically saying he is some unwilling participant in this fiasco.

I'm a firm believer in taking care of your own and usually things take care of themselves.

He has been given mulitple chances to prove he was worth a 2nd rounder but all he's done is whine and make excuses and watch pucks go in the net. That is really what it boils down to and everything else is a lame excuse.

I will say that not letting him and his pregnant wife stay in modest accomodations is pretty shabby treatment. (allegedly)

But I am sick and tired of this guy and the Kings need to buy him out and send him packing.

Fact is, this has nothing to do with Dan Cloutier's personal finances, or his performance as a goaltender on the Los Angeles Kings or Manchester Monarchs. He has a valid personal services contract signed by both parties, and this is not just some single sheet of paper that says "We will pay you 3.1 M. Period" There are many issues that the union has negotiated with the league and the organizations and the players have a right to exercise the options to have these upheld. Dan Cloutier, or ANY player under contract to an NHL club has the right to have the Kings uphold their part of the bargain. If there was a negotiation that states that after 28 days he is entitled to leave a hotel for suitable lodging, then so be it... why would the team so cavalierly decide to ignore contractual obligations?

There are two sides to every story, but to just assume that Cloutier is whining with no basis of fact is a joke. I'm sure the players and the NHLPA are unified on matters like this, and whether it's Cloutier, Matvichuk, Klemm, or any other veteran asked to toil in the American League, the players have rights, and power to them and their agents to make sure they are enforced.

I can't see them promising he'll play EVERY game:

A. the way he was playing which sucked.

b. with so many in the minors, I think we were sitting two goalies a game.

c. Manchester is developmental and having a 30 something year old veteran between the pipes and your 20-24 year olds in the stands watching is stupid.

Rich,

What do you think of the article? Do you think Cloutier (or his people) contacted the reporter for this sob story?

Also, can you see this of the organization that you spend so much time with?

Super 8 Motel? I guess that's for the 8 wins he's earned as a King so far.

Good luck Kings trying to land potential free agents. This could be very damaging..

all i gonna have to say is....

HE
MAKES
A
SH!T
LOAD
OF
MONEY
TO
SUCK

Out here in the real world where we live is not typically our employers problem. It's our own.

Marc Nathan
You are the voice of reason
once again. The tools up here will be whining in the summer when no players
want to sign here with all
the "great" young talent.
This Cloutier fiasco may
explain some of the reason why. This team is going to finish with less points than last year (probably)
and Manchester is not making the playoffs either
so maybe the talent ain't so great.

My first reaction is "Isn't almost all of this stuff information that we already know?"

We know he played hurt, didn't like the new mask, had to have surgery, got sent down this year, wasn't given much of a chance, etc.

The Super 8 for the surgery and issue with the apartment are new and frankly disappointing.

If I had to guess the Kings brought Clouts up hoping he might play well and get picked up at the deadline.

As for the article I am guessing it is mostly the result of it being old home week for him, being inteviewed by familiar reporters. He didn't exactly hold back on FSN West last night either.

I think the guy just wants to leave and we should give him every opportunity to do so...

I see both sides of the issue. He's done absolutely nothing to earn the $3.1 million, but to put him up in a super 8 50 miles away from the rehab facility sounds extremely petty.
I also understand he can well afford to get an apt for himself and his family, but if thats part of the NHLPA contract then the Kings should honor it.
This sounds like a divorce that needs to happen for both sides.
Too bad because he played an outstanding game last night.

If I threw my company under the bus like Clouts did, I'd be sent packing in a week!

Interesting . . . How much is the Super 8 hotel outside of Vail? The closest Super 8 is in Breckenridge at 30 miles away STARTING at $101 per night. Well that's over $3000 a month. How much are apartments in Vail? Probably more than some people's homes.

Say what you will about Cloutier, and I see many of you did, but this team has a LONG and SORDID history of poor treatment of it's players.

Of course we can only go by what we read, but none of this surprises me, and it shouldn't surprise any other Kings fan.

Cloutier's NHL career may or may not be over. But he should be treated with respect regardless, and it doesn't sound like the Kings have done so.

To me, it's not so much what he said or his terrible play last year. He has been a constant distraction since his contract signing and continues to be. It's almost as bad when Avery was here and so many po'd at him. Fans need someone to hate and Clutz is it for 2 yrs now. Get rid of the ball and chain, one way or another and as DL has said, go for the character ones who want to play for L.A. and not just self.

I seem to remember a discussion about ownership around this site recently...and how many people thought it was fine and dandy. Why is it we can never land big free agents again?

I think Dan is choking on sour grapes, after all it's not like he received Kobe Bryant's V.I.P. treatment from the Colorado resorts. Wasn't Kobe becoming a/or just barely a father when the skeletons fell out of the closet? Good luck next year in one of the Euro leagues Dan, and take some extra cash to find a good form of shelter.

This is one side of the story. How was Clout's attitude towards Manchester, management, coaching staff, other players, etc? If you act like trash you'll get treated like trash and it appears he is and was.

I think he can afford his own plane ticket and lodging. I work my tail off teaching in a public school and have no complaints, I love it. This sub-par player isn't treated like a king, no pun, and he vents about how horrible it is here. Work harder and you will get what you deserve, if you have the talent to back it up. Stop making excuses and just do what you're payed for, to stop pucks. At least your owner isn't cutting your budget by 4 billion dollars (our governor is to our schools). Sorry, had to vent a little myself. One year left on your overpaid contract that should have never been offered until you played a few games to see how crappy your really are.

can we start a collection for his buyout? I'll put in $50

If I was Cloutier and really wanted my own apartment, I would have rented my own. Then take the Kings on Judge Judy and sue the crap out of them.

I'll wait to hear Lombardi's side of the story before I point any fingers. I can say though how is it fair for Cloutier to get an apartment and for the rest of our AHL players to not. I know the wife is pregnant and all, but as mentioned many times before, the dude can afford an apartment himself. He definitely is not doing himself any favors by talking to the papers. Good luck signing with another team if the Kings get rid of you.

I said it before and ill say it again, DL never should have signed him period! And on top of that an "Freakin Extension" before 1 game played in a kings uni. Cloutier play has been abysmal before he got here and has stayed as such.

If your the worst goalie in the NHL for a year what do you expect?

hey clouts remember when you couldnt even stop a BASKETBALL at some games. Your goals agaisnt was absolutely horrible and you frustrated fans beyond belief with the amount of money you were making compared to your performance every night.

I am actually pretty disspointed because i felt he was doing better this year but just didnt have defense to back it up, however i am a HUGE advocate of locker room chemistry and lambasting your organization while your visiting your old home is horrible for the locker room. Im sure your teaching ersberg all the right things right? TIME FOR YOU TO LEAVE.

Ersberg should kick his sorry butt. Cloutier was paid 3+ million to play in the minors to get him in top form to make his way back into the NHL. What did he end up doing in Manchester after the surgery? Exactly what he did before the surgery with the Kings. I say we give him a fond farewell beachball party out of the Staple Center.

We'll guarantee your ultimate comfort at BeachBall 6...and we'll even leave the (goal) light on for you...

if was dean i would ship his ass to the east coast league for the remainder of his contract and let him rot there after this stunt,all he is doing is asking to get bought out of his contract

People who are bashing Cloutier are classless. He deserves what the club is supposed to give him. It doesn't matter how much money he makes. What a bunch of Tools.

Looks like the Dan Cloutier Appreciation Society just ended its meeting from the phone booth again...