Forum answers I
Here's the first set of answers from this morning's questions...
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Question: Did you ever get the impression from Crawford that he was pushing for more veteran help? And by the organization possibly going even younger, do you have any perspective on whether or not Lombardi would be willing to trade Visnovsky or even Frolov for youth?
No, I never got the impression that Crawford pushed for anything in particular. He communicated with Dean on the direction of the team but I think it would be inaccurate to say that Crawford pushed, or lobbied, for any moves in terms of player personnel. In terms of going forward, I think anything is on the table at this point. Things could be very interesting over the next week or so.
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Question: Did you see this coming?
No, I really didn't. I really thought that once Crawford survived January, he would be around at the start of next season. I figured that he would be fired if the Kings got off to a rocky start next season, but never did I imagine he would be fired two months after the season. Lombardi also gave no indication that it was coming, and he was asked on a semi-regular basis. To hear him explain it, it's a decision he reached only in the last week or so.
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Question: DO YOU THINK MARK MORRIS MIGHT BE VIABLE OPTION,CONSIDERING THE RELATIONSHIP THAT HE HAS WITH THE YOUNG PLAYERS
I don't see why not. Lombardi and his staff have been very complimentary in regard to what's happening in Manchester, and I would have to think that reflects well on Mark Morris. Lombardi has said the ability to relate to young players is important to him, so it seems natural to at least give Morris a look, doesn't it>
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Question: Do you think it is a mistake to say NHL experience is not a necessity for the next coach or that DL is ok not having a coach by development camp ?
I tend to agree with Lombardi that it's better to have a good personality fit than a coach with a great resume. All great NHL coaches have to start somewhere, right? But if you're hiring a guy who isn't something of a known quantity, you'd better feel really strongly that he's the right fit because there is some risk involved. I tend to disagree with Lombardi that it's not crucial to have a coach in place for the development camp. That's a perfect time for the new coach to get familiar with players in the system and to sit down and get to know them as people. I think it will end up being a moot point, as I'll be pretty surprised if this coaching search lasts more than a month.
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Question: I know the Kings aren't opening up the coaching position too far yet, but has Craig Hartsburg's name come up in any conversations? As I'm sure everyone knows, he coached Team Canada at the WJC with some of our prospects... they obviously want to go younger with the squad and Hartsburg has experience with developing young teams in high pressure situations.
There is no real ``list'' of candidates at this point, but I did mention Hartsburg's name in my story today because I think he fits the loose description of what Lombardi said he's looking for. I think you're on the right track, in terms of looking at coaches who have experience working with prospects.
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Question: My original question was based on your meetings with Dean and the scouts and if you felt there has been a trade already in place for a while now. I know Dean has mentioned that at the deadline that they had something close but it fell apart. Do you think that trade still on the table or a variation of it that he is just holding off until the playoffs werec ompleted, all the buyouts took place, etc.? Now with Crawford's firing, it seems like Dean is going young. How do you feel that impacts potential trades down the line? With a new coach coming in, do you feel Dean has to do something drastic defensively with trades and/or free agency in order to give the new coach a chance to succeed? It seems it's a lot easier to win when you have a strong defense and goaltending than without one.
Well, the last part of your paragraph there is absolutely correct. And those are the final, big pieces of the puzzle that Lombardi is trying to put together. But I don't think you'll see anything ``drastic'' in terms of making the team a winner now, for the new coach. If that's what you're waiting for, don't hold your breath. Remember, Lombardi flat-out said that the team is getting younger. So if you think he's going to trade two prospects for an All-Star defenseman, or spend $7 million on a free agent...well, he's not. As for the first part, I don't think anything pre-trade deadline is still on the table. They've moved on to other names and other potential deals.
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Question: The real question is whether Tortorella would want the job. Rich, what do you think?
My answer would be this: read Lombardi's answer from the conference call last night about the Kings competing for a coach with other teams. Lombardi wants a guy who is excited about the challenge of building the Kings into a winner. Would Tortorella have that passion, or would he want to go to a team like Ottawa that is more ready-made for winning now? In his first three seasons, Tampa Bay went from 27 wins to 36 wins to 46 wins. Would he be fired up about trying to do that with the Kings? That's the biggest question.
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Question: 1.) Is there any turth to the rumors that the Kings are interested in Filatov or is it just posturing? 2.) Is Lombardi on the hot seat? 3.) Any word on where they are at with Sully's deal? 4.) Whos is this target under 30 defenseman?
1. I can't imagine any scenario in which the Kings would end up with Filatov. Nothing's impossible, but I'd be stunned. 2) No. Ownership just made a big commitment to Lombardi's ``win by building'' strategy. There's nothing to say they couldn't have a change of heart in 12 months, but not now. 3) They're still working on it. There doesn't seem to be panic on either end. 4) There's not just one target. It's a general statement and there's a few potential targets.
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Question: For example, why hire Crawford and then trade Demitra and NOT trade for Luongo? Crawford would have been great for THAT team, which would have lasted one season. But Lombardi hired Crawford and then went semi-younger. Now he is going 'full-blown' younger. There is adaptation and there is waffling. Which one is Lombardi best at?
To be honest, the hiring of Crawford makes less and less sense as time goes on. But that's why I have a hard time criticizing Crawford in all this. He is what he is, what he's always been. Lombardi knew what he was getting when he hired Crawford. Lombardi knew, when he took this job, that he would be doing a massive rebuilding job and that ultimately he would be putting a young team on the ice. And I don't think anyone really considers Crawford to be the type of nurturing coach that young players would necessarily thrive under. It's hindsight to say this now, but I really believe that they would have been better served hiring a different style of coach two years ago.
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Question: Between 0-100 (0% No chance / 100% No way they'll trade him), what percentage do you feel we'll see Cammalleri at the start of camp in El Segundo? Do you think Uncle Phil's new tax woes will affect the Kings in any way? Were you surprised to read this comment by Helene Elliott? "Leiweke declined to comment, letting Lombardi be the Kings' voice."? Inevitably, what was the biggest thing you attribute to Crow's not coaching the team anymore? Do you think the Kings will ultimately hire a recently fired coach, a coach with little or no NHL experience or In-house?
1) Right now, I'd say 40 percent. 2) No, not really. The fact that the Kings themselves are losing money, as an organization, is of more concern. Phil's tax woes are unlikely to trickle down to the Kings. 3) Yes, I'm always surprised when Tim Leiweke doesn't blab something to the Times. 4) That's a tough question. Crawford has always been a fiery coach who doesn't hesitate to yell, and in short, Lombardi decided he wanted a different type of locker-room presence to deal with the young players. 5) Ultimately I think it will be option two, a coach with little or no NHL experience, but not an in-house hire. That's just my gut feeling, as Lombardi would say.
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About Rich Hammond
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.
I wonder how Luc would do as a coach.
Is that even remotely a possibility?
Rich: you are ridiculously awesome. Thanks for the hard work over these last two crazy days, and thanks for your insight-- always well thought-out, with opinions I usually can't argue with.
Rich, I can't believe that ownership has fallen for this "win by building" policy that this GM has implemented.
To me his policy just states.
Sign them to alot of money. If it doesn't work - Buy them out.
Hire a coach for 3 years and an option. Then fire him and continue to pay his salary.
Rich, my question to you.
Is ownership paying close attention to this mans every move. I mean real close attention.
Are they really aware of how much money he's costing them and the fans.
Will they finally get the wake up call when Cloutier's $3.1 Million is bought out.
What will it take for ownership to do what the Sharks ownership did (fire him).
I mean one or two screw ups here and there is understandable.
But this becoming common & rediculous.
Thanks Rich - awesome stuff!
In response to one the last questions..... Demitra was traded for a prospect and a 1st round pick. Thus, a trend towards the youth movement. Luongo was not traded for because Lombardi did want to give up a certain player and/or prospect(s). Especially since he had just got hired during the time Luongo was on the market, Lombardi was not entirely familiar with all the Kings prospects. Had he traded Tukonen for Luongo, great, had it been Kopitar, not so good.
Rolf - My point was that the Kings could have gone two different directions during the summer of '06. If they would have kept Demitra and traded for Luongo and who knows who else, then Crawford would have been great for that team. But since they decided to go young, he was not a good choice to coach this team.
Rich, cannot thank you enough for all the hard work you put into this site. Even in the off-season you make it possible for us to keep up with the Kings, and that is a treat.
Anthony--I don't even know what to say. There's an old adage that coaches are hired to be fired. You can't fire the whole team, so Crawford swings. This most recent year the best we could have hoped for was an early playoff exit. Instead we get a top 3 pick, and yet you are still unhappy.
Oh, and by the way Anthony, it's "ridiculous" not "rediculous." I guess you did not get a degree in English as many lawyers do. Give it a rest, man.
I think when Crow was hired it was when the Kings saw themselves in more of a hybrid rebuild. I think the idea was to get younger and hold on to, and develop, prospects while surrounding them with good second tier veterans. I think DL was not planning on having top 5 picks and was thinking next year would be the year they start being in the playoffs. I think if Lombardi had a mandate from the beginning to do a tear down then he would have hired someone else. My guess is that Lombardi would not have taken a player like Hickey if he was counting on being a top 5-10 draft position team because of the quality of offensive defensemen in this draft. I think once he realized the plan wasn't working he pivoted and has now sold ownership on the need for a tear down. By tear down I don't mean trade everybody but rather attrition for the veterans and some trades to keep getting younger. My guess is that this will let the kids take more leadership in the room and the team will be next season where it was suppossed to be at the end of this one - not in the playoffs but competing for a spot.
Can I add Kevin Constantine's name to the list of potential candidates for the job?
Prior to last season, which he spent in the AHL with Houston, Constantine had four successful seasons coaching young players in the WHL. And we all know Lombardi wants a guy that can communicate well with young players. Plus, he has NHL experience with San Jose (8 seed that upset Detroit in the 1st round) and Pittsburgh. Seems like a good fit to me.
Wait a minute, was Lombardi the GM that fired Constantine in San Jose? That might make for an akward interview!
@Mike
Luc is too much of a nice guy to be found behind the bench. His presence may command respect and be motivating but he does not really have a motivating personality. He would be everyone's best friend on the team. That and I don't think he really has the knack/interest in coaching to really make a convincing head coach. I can't even picture a scenario where Luc has to yell or get mad at a player, I don't even know if he is capable of frowning.
I spent two hours last night with Lombardi and Hextal with three other season holders who have not yet renewed. Lombardi was unbelievably candid. He took A LOT of grief from the other three (long, long time) season ticket holders about the usual complaints. While I don't feel free to directly quote anything he and Hextal said, I can offer some things I came away with:
1. Lombardi is not looking at this season from a fan's perspective. (wins and losses) He has been much more focused on building a core and a culture from within than winning per se. He would not directly answer where he saw the club finishing or how many wins he would consider a success.
2. He is not going to go out and get an impact free agent. He wants the core players to feel an ownership of this team and to develop a bond. Free agents like Hossa et al will not contribute to that. Anyway, we can't sign one unless we over pay since while we have loads of potential, we are not a franchise that has a chance to win the cup anytime soon.
He was really taken aback by the intensity of the opposition to this position. I think his eyes really opened as to how angry the fan base is. I don't want to say his mind was changed because he really stood his ground as to his philosophy (and he used 40 years of King's failure to underscore why he thinks he was right). He strongly believes that you don't build a winning tradition unless you build from within. When we are one or two pieces away from a cup, and we have our own culture, that's when you spend on a FA.
3. Lombardi sees the core players, especially Brown getting really angry about losing. He feels Brown is ready to take a leadership role and that with Molson, Boyle, Purcell etc.. playing for the big club this year the team will really take on it's own character. The core players will mostly all have come up together. They are already close. The Browns and the JJ's will be energized by the youth and will step up to leadership roles. He is very pleased to see a cohesiveness beginning to emerge.
4. We are going with the goalies we have. He is hoping to hit it with one of our three prospects. It's Ersberg or Babs this year unless JB is unbelievable in camp. Within one or two season he expects (hopes) one of our three prospects to be a #1 goalie. He points out that in the history of the franchise, the Kings have never had one.
5. He didn't come out and say it but he might as well have; We are getting a young coach to go along with our young players. I would be very surprised if we sign anyone with NHL head coaching experience.
6. DL is very aware that we need some grit and size on the back end to go along with our puck movers. I do not think he yet sees where we are going to get a player like that from. We don't have one in our system who's ready to play.
7. He tried to keep Stuart and only traded him when he knew he could not sign him. He's hoping to get him back this year. A couple days ago, Detroit offered him half of what the Kings did last season and based on that, he feels there is a chance we can make a deal.
interesting Brian I like the info about Stuart... he's a guy we desperately need back. we still have no clear picture about how they're improving the backline situation. I think there are a few things to be encouraged about for next season, but it's not like they're going to do anything drastic obviously
Thanks for sharing that information Brian S. Did they change your mind about renewing?
Thanks Rich for your insightful blog.
Any word on whether the Kings are going to make offers to Constantin Braun, Valtteri Tenkanen, Johan Fransson and Niclas Andersen? The deadline for signing them is the 15th, I am informed. When do you expect to hear that Clouts has been bought out?
Rich,
Great work. Can you put a rest to the Malkin for Kopi and Brown plus our #2 pick trade? It is getting out of hand. Thanks
HEY WHERE'S FORUM ANSWERS 2??
IM DYIN OVA HEAA!!
Good young coach, no NHL experience: Peter DeBoer Kitchener Rangers! Coach and GM of Kitchener, went to Memorial Cup Finals, losing to Spokane Chiefs.
Ciccarelli, I think I will renew. We will most likely not make the playoffs again but with a new young coach, the newbies from Manchester and a number 2, the Kings should be fun to watch. And who knows, maybe we'll sneak in to 8th!
I love the fact that they are going young. Let's bring in Boyle, Purcell, and Moulson. If Bernier is the best goalie in pre-season bring him in to. If Hickey is one of the top d-men in pre-season, bring him in to. Let's get this ball rolling. Make the veterans know that, "Hey, we won't hesitate to put in a young player and sit your *** if you don't want to put out 100% effort every night."
I'm already excited about next season with the "even younger" direction. They might suck again for another year, but it'll be good to see each individual grow as a player. Bring in the right coach, and we might see miracles.
Chuck, another good one would be John Anderson of the Chicago Wolves. He's won 4 championships in 10 years. Two in the AHL, and two in the IHL. Maybe even Kevin Deneen is worth a look.
I want a new, fresh, so to speak, coach. Not some retread like Quennville or Tortorella. Definately not Hartley. Bring in a guy really hungry to coach in the NHL.
I know when the Crawford hiring was announced, I certainly rolled my eyes. not to say I didn't give him a chance once it had sunk in, but a little less than halfway through last season it was more than clear it wasn't really going to work out... the timing was the only thing that should have been that much of a surprise to anyone.
The minute Chris Chelios retires, offer him the head coaching job. Kings fans have to feel like this is another Groundhog Day. We should call ourselves The LA Groundhogs.
Fan since '75 and this club sickens me.