Lombardi, on the coaching search

anything on Brad Richardson? Thanks for all you do Rich!!

Rich - thanks for all the hard work over the last 2 days - just an awesome source of info

Dean's neck is completely on the line with this hire, so it seems only right he gets some slack and gets to hire the guy he wants in place with the team he's building. If this was the Kings most important draft in franchise history, than i think its safe to say this is the most critical coaching hire in Kings history. The forwards are making huge strides and there are going to be some guys i feel will make a big impact with this club next season. Brian Boyle, Teddy Purcell, Matt Moulson can all develop together with the core players with a coach that hopefully will be fair but let the guys play and learn together. They will lose some games obviously, but i think they are gonna surprise some people as well.

Our defensive core has been solidified for the next 5-10 years, and we have a stable of stud goalies on the way thru the ranks.

I wont say this is the best time ever to be a Kings fan, because the late 80's, early 90's will always be special for me. I think the team that is being assembled now could be a special team to follow as well, and very fun to watch.

We get the right coach, a few key ingredients, and a little bit of patience, this team will do some damage. And not just one and done for five years. Im talking serious playoff contender year in and out. A team that has respect around the league, but every team hates to play them and every fan cant stand them. I dont think even the Gretzky teams had that.

I dont know bout you guys, but I'd prefer a team in LA that has some swagger to them, but not cocky, but always willing to pay the price and give everything on the ice. A team where free agents line up to sign contracts, and those free agents pay off. A team where our prospects dont turn into busts or other teams stars. A team that holds on to its top draft picks and develops them and turns them into NHL players that want to win in LA.

I've never thought the Kings would ever become that kind of team, but I do believe that now. I cut Dean a lot of slack because he has a vision I can believe in and his positives for the future far outweigh the negatives of the present. So take your time Dean, just make sure its the right guy.

WELL DONE Rich, great job covering the draft!!

Fantastic job, Rich!

Just curious, did you find out from DL if Teuburt was the player they wanted when they traded up for the 12th pick, or were they targeting someone else? Some rumors say Beach.....

Thanks again for great draft coverage.

Rich, thanks a million for all your hard work this weekend. You deserve a few days off yourself.

I recently read that DL wanted Teuburt from the start

Agreed Josh,

Everything I've read (including Rich's post from Friday) say that DL was targeting Teuburt the whole time.

I'm so curious to see who our next coach is! At this point, with DeBoer's out, I'm kind of leaning towards Dineen. No Quenville or Tortorella please (I know I said before I wanted him, but I've changed my mind), and as great a guy a Johnston may be, I really don't want someone who has been under Crawfords tutelage for so long.

Fresh team.

Fresh coach.

I'm all on board with you SuperSonic. I feel it in my bones. This can be a devastating team if nurtured properly.

HIRE ENRICO BLASI!!!!!!!

from TSN.ca

"Despite spending more time in the AHL than at any time in his career, Brad Richardson was productive at that level (scoring 40 points in 38 games), giving an indication that the 23-year-old has the stuff to stick in the NHL if given the chance. "

So how do the centers line up?

Is Tony Granato an option? is he still an assistant with the avs?

To SuperSonic420:

I couldn't agree with you more. I've been waiting and hoping for 35 years for the Kings to do it the right way. Dean Lombardi is doing a great job and this draft was excellent. Also, good to hear that many coaching candidates are inquiring about the job. Being the only team without a head coach actually kind of raises the profile of the position and emphasizes the teams overall plan.

Also, Rich, your work is a fans dream come true. Thanks.

Just out of curiosity, how do you guys feel about Quenville? He's been successful, proven and did wonders in St. Louis. Personally, I have no problem with Johnston; he's well respected, knows our kids and would be a good teacher, same with Mark Morris. I know Morris isn't going anywhere as he's pretty much tied into Manchester according to DL but I like Quenville.

What do you think?

Maybe he is just tired...but when talking about having money to spend on keeping the core players here, he never mentioned O'Sully's name.

JDM makes a good point - and Dineen might just be the best guy when all is said and done

DL's last few comments have Dale Hunter written all over them.

Stupid to go into free agency with no coach. Any potential players are going to want to know who they're playing for. I know he's not going to be targeting any huge names but who's going to sign here without knowing who the coach is?

i believe the target had to be Teuburt, as his role fills a gapping hole in the King's youngers. Also, beach is too far from being a team player. he really needed to go to a team with strong veteran presence. Chicago is shooting itself in the foot, taking all those hotheads. I even have some concern about Loktionov with his Avery-like stats at the Worlds (3G, 5A, 29P in 6 games).

JDM may be on to something with Dineen. He has worked with younger players, the personality seems to fit, he is young enough, but still has a touch of gray. I'd like to see him get an interview.

We need to have patience with the youngers, remember brown and cammi had an additional year in Manchester with the wasted year. That year made them the players they are. One day Cammi will look back and be thankful to the Kings for nurturing him through his development into a professional player.

I'm not sure where you see Dale Hunter on Dean's comments. Personally I don't think we should have a "sean avery" as head coach.

I like the Dineen angle and am very interested with the guy... at the very least he would have tremendous insight with the cross town chickens

WHEN IS HE GOING TO RESIGN SULLY?!?

@ Kevin:

I could be wrong, but I don't think Deano can actually resign Sully until June 26...because of his RFA status. That doesn't mean that they aren't working together on a contract right now to be ready for that date.

Check out this link and tell me if I'm reading it correctly...

http://www.nhlscap.com/offer_sheets.htm

I think the Kings can sign him whenever and that June 26 is when an offer sheet can come in from another team. I read it as the Kings have until June 26 to either sign him, or for someone to file for arbitration. If they can't do one of those things by the 26th, he's open to be contacted by other teams.

I could be wrong though. The article isn't exactly clear to me on the signing of RFA's by their current club.

Rich, any word on how much Sully wants in dollars and years? Has he given the Kings a number to qualify and match?

I like the different atmosphere here.

I recall a few years ago in the Andy Murray era, when the kids came up from Manchester, people in Staples Center were not very enthusiastic, and were calling the team the Los Angeles Monarchs.

Now we have a bunch of kids slated to come up and we actually have bright outlooks.

Wow how times have changed.

This is my understanding of the RFA situation- Free agency doesn't begin until July 1 for both RFA's and UFA's, meaning O'Sullivan is not actually an RFA until then. Although teams can contact an unsigned, non-arbitrated, soon-to-be RFA prior to the start of the free agency period (eg, beginning June 26th), they cannot tender an offer sheet until the player is actually an RFA (July 1). If the Kings are worried about another team swiping him, they will make sure to have him locked up before July 1.

Wouldn't Larionow, not as our coach, but maybe as a kings assistant trainer, be helpful in training our young Russians we just drafted??

I recently read that, as a teenager, Dean Lombardi played for hockey mentor & coach Gary Dineen. Hmmm?

Any chance that one may consider DL, hypothetically, as an extended member of the Dineen hockey family?

Like others' in this fabulous forum have mentioned, is it possible for Gary's brother, Kevin Dineen, to be the next Kings coach?

When DL speaks of philosophy, creating a culture, player development, and toughness, only two viable candidates come to mind.

Kevin Dineen and Dale Hunter.

Kevin in Portland (AHL), Dale in London (OHL)

Both men are proven NHL greats, with extensive hockey lineage.

Successful hockey coaches, proven leaders, tough as hell, invaluable players on their respective teams.

Either would be a good hire in my estimation.

GO Kings GO!