Lombardi discusses goalies
A year later, it seems that everyone's favorite topic is still goaltending, namely what the Kings can do to solidify theirs. While some are still clamoring for a major trade or free-agent signing, Dean Lombardi attempted to explain why that's not likely to happen. Here's what he said:
``That possibly is not even there to tempt you. We saw this two years ago, when we put Cloutier on the two-year deal. It didn't work out. You can talk about trades. How many proven No. 1s do you feel really good
about (trading for)? I don't think there's much of a shot. I don't think there's a No. 1 out there like that. Vokoun fits that category, but we tried that last year and it didn't work out. Is there going to be that caliber of player on the market? I don't think so.
``Ersberg being a little older gives you some comfort there, even though he got (to the NHL) a little earlier than i thought. I think he's showed some potential. Our mindset has to be, all are guys are going to be No 1s
and we're going to make them into that. What we didn't have in the past was guys who had potential. Quick, seeing him win big games in the minors is encouraging. You watch him let in a (bad) goal and the whole team comes over to tap him on the pads, then he shuts them down the rest of the way. We've got Bernier there. Zatkoff goes to the (college) final four and should be ready for the next step. They all have enormous potential, and in the end it's up to them to see who's going to be the best.
``Jason (LaBarbera) has paid his dues. I think he's earned the right to consider himself the No. 1 guy. He's got some progress to make and he's doing that, particularly in terms of getting himself in top condition. We're going to make them all better. Do i see us signing a free-agent goalie? No. Do i see us forcing a trade? No.''
"Zatkoff goes to the (college) final four and should be ready for the next step."
Except Zatkoff DID NOT make it to the Frozen Four.
Ersberg and LaBarbara did well for us, this year. I think this team is playoff caliber if we can get two shut-down players on D and do what it takes to block shots and play balls out (i.e. the Nashville Predaotrs.) Since I live in Nashville, I refer to guys like Shea Weber and Greg Zanon as examples that would put us over the hump. All of this is easier said than done, of course. But if Dean can miraculously bring in two quality Defensemen this offseason, we're good.
We need to get this thing rolling soon. Frolov and Brown aren't getting younger. What, Dean, we'll wait til the "kids" are 30 before we start seeing results?
Why can't Dean realize Jason just isn't good enough? He's a capable #2 guy, thats it.
3:12pm anon,
Right...what does Lombardi know about assessing the talent of galtenders anyway? He had a horrible record of bringing in talented goalies in San Jose, right?
Do i see us signing a free-agent goalie? No. Do i see us forcing a trade? No.
Do I see us making the playoffs next season based on the above two questions and their subsequent answers? No.
How many other teams in the NHL would consider Jason as a #1 goalie?
"Why can't Dean realize Jason just isn't good enough? He's a capable #2 guy, thats it."
It's not that he doesn't realize it, it's that he has very little choice. Basically he is hoping to use him as "filler" until one of the younger goalies steps up and claims the position. Again, there is very little available, either through a trade or via free agency so it is what it is until one of these younger guys steps up.
Annonymous........ I agree!
but no one is really out in the market to fit our needs as a #1 goalie......plus we have prospects waiting in line...so I think Dean is making the right moves FOR NOW... not HAS but IS........
I'm very dissapointed in his lack of credit-giving to Ersberg... I think he has the potential to carry the team, especially if we play better d-fence infront of him next season... open your eyes Dean
I am uncomfortable with how much credit DL seems to be giving LaBarbera. I like the idea of starting with Ersberg in LA next season but I think we've seen enough of LaBabera to realize that he isn't #1 material. His Achilles heel is his rebound control, which is VERY poor for a guy at the NHL level, especially playing behind a D like we had this season. I'd be more inclined to see Ersberg share the net with an inexpensive, experienced vet like a Johan Hedberg type, and let LaBarbera be traded somewhere for a late round pick...
I'll defend DL again...I know, I always do. I've seen how the other Kings gm's did and I'm desperate for someone to come in with a plan. So far, at least he has a plan.
Did anyone think he was going to put down JL? What purpose would that serve? I'm sure the #1 job is up for grabs, but he has to be hoping that either Bernier or Ersberg earn the job. Also if he's thinking of trading JL putting him down will not increase whatever value he may have.
One positive from his comments that we can all agree on...I didn't notice anything about Cloutier. That in itself is a positive.
people ...once again you are missing the boat here. DL knows who is reading these interviews. I assure you that he is very careful about what he says - which is why you hear him talking out of both sides of his mouth. Do you actually think that he is going to come out and say that Labs is not the #1 goalie? What would that do to your confidence and ability to prepare yourself for another grueling season? Can anyone say "CLOUTIER"? He must protect the ego and mentality of his players or he is not going to get anything out of them. The same goes for Ersberg. The kid was beyond expectations but if DL comes out right now and says he'll be vying for the #1 spot, what message does that send to Labs, Bernier, Taylor? He will say a lot of things without saying anything at all - that is DLs M.O.
Motel 6 - I agree with you. And I agree with Mr. Lombardi's assessment of his situation. There are no real upgrades in goal available for trade. That's a market reality. And the two guys who are ready right now for the King's are Labarbara and Ersberg. He is giving Labs props but not handing him the job. I guarantee you that if anyone proves they are an NHL-caliber #1-goalie, that player will be starting. Whether that is Ersberg, Zatkoff, Bernier - time will tell. And September is a long ways off.
I'm still only 50% certain the Kings retain Ersberg next season... and part of that 50% is that I'm only 50% certain Ersberg wants to play in North America next year... If he's going to sit in Manchester behind Bernier... he'd most probably rather stay home and play in Sweden.
Ersberg won't sit in Manchester, he's either #1 or #2 in LA
Not exactly rocket science you guys....Basically DL is saying the options are limited in acquiring a goalie via free agency or trade, he tried that. If he gets a decent offer I'm certain he'll pursue it. But the options in the pipeline are very real, Ersberg, Quick, Bernier and Zatkoff plus Lababs. We can only carry two; there's five who have a very realistic shot at being the No's 1-2. Again, patience. DL has had to rebuild from the ground up, progress is being made. We all knew going into this it would take time. Give the kids a chance to compete for the No.1 spot before shooting the messenger.
I find myself in agreement with 40 years of ..., but remember if you bring in 2 d-men, they need to be healthy for most, if not all season for results.
He can talk all he wants but if either of those guys are the goalie for the Kings the majoirty of next year, we will be in the running for the top pick in the draft again.
I think Ersberg is the stopgap goalie until Bernier is ready for the Kings roster to stay... With the logjam of goaltender prospects coming in as of late...I believe that we'll be a contender within the next two years...with one or two of these prospects between the pipes...
The only true problem I find is on defense...which can eiher help out the goaltender or turn him into the second coming of Dan Cloutier... I want more of the former and getting rid of the latter altogether...
The Beachball is NOT the answer to any chance we have of ever making a playoff game...and the sooner he's gone...the better chances will go for the kids in the system to advance... Buy him out... Send him to EUROPE... Do SOMETHING to ensure that he doesn't remain on the Kings roster OR create a logjam for our minor league goalies who deserve spots more then he does...
As for JLB...he's a decent goalie...just not a #1 in my book...even though he did a pretty decent job considering the escort service we had in front of him... If he can back up Ersberg...I think we can actually make the playoffs next year...with some decent D in front of them...
What has LaBarbara done to "earn" the #1 goalie moniker? He was awful most of this season. He was even worse 2 seasons ago when he was in LA. HE'S NOT A #1 GOALIE!
The ONLY way he can become a #1 goalie is if he learns how to stop rebounds and control the puck. You can't keep kicking the puck right up the slot and expect your defense to pick you up. You can blame this season on the D all you want, but I GUARANTEE if Ersberg were the starter, the Kings would have at least challenged for a playoff spot. He knows how to STOP the puck, not just let it bounce off him.
If the Kings come out of training camp next year with LaBarbara being the starter, we'll have an excellent chance at picking John Tavares.
Interesting to look at C. Huet in Washington right now. Here is the case of not giving up on a goalie too soon, as he is appearing to be an outstanding goaltender now. Why did we give him up? Seems he could have kept us from this whole Cloutier issue to begin with.