Monday update

Don't start Barbi.

Rich,

Any chance you could ask Lombardi about the possibilities of making a deal for a goaltender or free-agent signing (Shanahan)?
Or, why Ivan and Zeils keep getting starts despite not getting many minutes/what's the theory behind our 4th line?

Thanks.

please please please stop with the Shanahan requests. Not only is he wrong for this team but he doesn't want to play here. what part of "going with the youth" do you not understand? A goalie is a different story but even then, wouldn't the kings only do that if they were done with Labs? And if that were the case why not just send him down and give the kids some experience and give Ersberg the bulk of starts for the rest of the season to determine if they want to extend him long term, and if so, then be able to package one of the other goalies? it just doesn't make sense to spend money, give up valuable picks when you have options on this club and in the system. I think sometimes that you guys get too caught up in the "wins and losses" rather than focusing on building a foundation and a system for the long term - well beyond this year. take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.

Can you ask Lombardi why he's yet to acquire a #1 goalie despite being in his 3rd year with this team? I kind of feel like that should have been the top priority...Bryzgalov would have been nice.

Oh wait, I forgot that Cloutier was supposed to be 'that guy.' Kill me.

First of all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Rich Hammond. Secondly I think it's time for our semi-yearly chit chat with Dean, as to where his thinking is on the goaltending, trades (if any) Boyle, Moeller, and the Captaincy. Thank you Rich for all you do in making this the best and most outrageous blog for hockey ever.

A disappointing loss against detroit, the last thing you want to do is start Labs. The team's moral would be deflated even more.

Interesting little spat between St. Louis Blues Coach Andy Murray, who called out several players in the media, and Blues star Keith Tkachuk, who shot back: "I don't need the coach to tell me through the media, or any other player through the media ... if that's what he's searching for, it's a very young and fragile team to be doing that right now in the middle of the season. But if that's what he has to do, that's his decision.." [Post Dispatch]

Interesting blurb about former Kings boss Andy Murray on PuckDaddy/yahoo blog.
I have a feeling Andy Murray alienated a lot of Kings players over his tenure and that he's a big reason Blake left; and that certain injuries never healed (Allison/Palffy?).
Rich, would you mind offering up your take on A Murray, his tactics as a coach, and if you think he "lost" his players years before he was sacked?

Happy Holidays to Rich, Jill, and all the regulars.

I hope DL is not looking to trade for a goalie.
Reason - why not go for Tavers or a high draft pick in the next year’s draft.
It's clear that the talent level needs to be upgraded on the team. And one sure way to do it is through the draft.

Let's be patient and wait for Iceberg to return to the line up to stabilize the goaltending.
Even Labarbara plays better with Iceberg in the line up. Go figure.

Roger

psycho -
I agree with you for the most part. But like Rich and some other readers have said earlier, maybe getting a solid goalie and staying in the playoff race, and getting some wins, would actually be good in the long run for this young team.

I don't want to waste anything on a goalie trade though, and it's next to impossible getting a solid goaltender and not giving up anything good in return. I think Ersberg have proven that he can play a solid game, he just needs someone who can back him up as he probably can't handle the full workload of a solid #1 goalie. Giving Quick or someone else that job probably wouldn't be too bad.

Shanahan AND McLaren, actually. Maybe even Glen Murray.
In goal, Roloson, Gerber, Huet, Emery, Sean Burke...

If we were going all youth I wouldn't be asking these questions, psycho.

Whats up with Thrashers GM Don Waddell scouting the Kings last week at the Minnesota game??

http://thefourthperiod.com/news/atl081221.html

Eat, re "Shanahan AND McLaren, actually. Maybe even Glen Murray. In goal, Roloson, Gerber, Huet, Emery, Sean Burke..."

Shanahan - old and won't play in the west.

McLaren - to be what? a third pairing defenseman? I don't think so.

Glen Murray - he's all but retired. Recovering from surgery right now. Might not ever play again.

Sean Burke - retired

Huet - that would be a trade for a long contract. It would be essentially saying that we are not looking at any of our four big prospects as a starter in the near future. Therefore, it won't happen. And it shouldn't.

Gerber/Roloson - really?

I'd rather play the kids.

Shanahan - I want to hear from Lombardi what his take on this is. Many have said he won't play west of the Mississippi, but I want to hear if it's even considered.

Sean Burke - He is retired, but he does Yoga (last I heard) and he's a great goalie. If he felt like coming back, I'd definitely give him the opportunity.

Gerber/Roloson - Yes, Really. I don't follow their careers so I don't know if there are injuries, but these two are proven guys. Sure they're getting older and slower, but that's why they wouldn't cost much. They'd give us an opportunity to make the playoffs this season whether Bergie is fit enough, or not.
They'd be perfectly fit for this team, this year.

McLaren - We're not playing such hot defense lately. McLaren is a solid blueliner and we don't have much depth right now. McLaren isn't necessarily on my wish-list, but I want to know if there's any thought towards solidifying our NHL depth for the remainder of the season.

The others I named were just rambling streamofconsciousness names. No, I really don't want Glen Murray here. Shanahan I would welcome, but Murray would be hard pressed to score here and that's all you'd want him for, extra scoring.

how are we not going with the youth? the only older players on this roster are - as defined - "bridge" players who will not be with this club in a year or two (e.g. army, zeus, o'donnell). I'm saying stay with the youth, give them some valuable experience and assess whether they should be with us for the future ...

thank you Quisp. there are NO quick fixes for this club. there is no way a trade or a signing is made that will jeopardize what the process, especially for a player that has no future with this organization. It doesn't make sense from a financial or a development standpoint. Why give minutes to Glen Murray - a wash-up, slow winger, when we could give those minutes to Purcell, Lewis and give them valuable experience and time to improve their game - the game that they will be playing for the next 5-10 years while Murray is playing golf? think about it.

psycho - why do Ivanans and Zeiler play every game?
Why is Armstrong playing over Richardson (when they are healthy?)
I've said nothing of O'D, Zus, Calder, or Gauthier; our older, bridge players.
If we had a 4th line of Purcell/Boyle/Lewis I think a Shanahan would be a perfect compliment to the remainder of the season and that we would probably win 1 or 2 playoff series.
I guess nobody else wants that, besides maybe Anthony.
We're playing ourselves into 17th place overall which means no playoffs, and no top 10 overall draft pick.
Yay - sounds great.

ETR: So what your saying is that you would give up a possible top 5-8 pick in the draft just to make it to the playoffs and get shelled in the first round? Yes it would be cool to see Shanny in a Kings uni, but the long term effect it would have on the rebuild of this team is unthinkable. NO WAY,

Kingzzfan - No. I don't know where you got that from. If you're referring to Shanahan he's a free-agent and there are no trades involved.
If you're referring to Gerber, Roloson, or someone similar - a 2nd or 3rd rounder (i think we have more than just our own) and possibly someone like Moulson would get it done. I have no interest in trading our No. 1 pick unless we're doing something BIG and even then I'm skeptical.
If a good, good goalie were available with a swap of 1st rounders, I would think Lombardi might consider it.

Do you think were very much worse than the Blackhawks?