Here’s the third set of answers from today’s open forum…
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Question: how much does frolov love it when heidi calls him fro?
Answer: I’m not sure. Is Frolov even aware that he’s being interviewed?
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Question: With Quincey, Johnson, Doughty, Greene set for next year and beyond, any thoughts on trading Voynov, Hickey, Teubert, Bagnall or
Piskula for some scoring? Is Loktoinov [sic] on the radar? Does Lombardi believe the Kings need to add an outside scorer, or is there
someone in the pipeline he sees coming up?
Answer: You’d have to anticipate that, at some point, at least a couple of these defensive prospects will be moved. It’s only natural, given
the depth there and the relative lack of depth in terms of top-level offensive prospects. That’s why this stage of development is so
important for Lombardi to watch, so that he can identify which of these prospects he absolutely doesn’t want to lose. That process is
ongoing, and it’s why Lombardi spends so much time traveling to watch players and talk to scouts. Loktionov is on the radar, but he’s only
18 and he’s obviously still in juniors. He’s going to need more seasoning before he starts looking like a NHL prospect. Lombardi does
believe that the Kings need an outside scorer. It’s not realistic to expect that one of these kids is going to step right into a top-six
role. The Kings need a veteran scorer, either on the wing or at center. A wing is probably more likely at this point. The question is, will
they find one via trade or via free agency?
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Question: What do you see as priessing’s future with the kings. they are paying him alot of money to sit on the bench. Is he not playing
because he is just too much of a defensive liability? He has to be worth something to someone. Maybe the senators would like him back!
Answer: Yes, that would be the reason. As far as his value, well, if you know someone who is interested, you should give Lombardi a call.
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Question: As a season seat holder, I am miffed that my prices went up last summer and now with that recent promo folks were able to buy
lower bowl seats at a fraction of the price I paid to replace my fellow season seat holders who told the Kings to take a flying leap. So my
question is was it the Kings (Luc-no business experience/Chris McGowan-no marketing success) or AEG (Leiweke-no comment needed) who came up
with this promo and do the powers-that-be realize how upset season ticket holders are? Whatever happened to us paying less than any other
ticket buyer?
Answer: At this point, I’m sure the Kings are well aware of how their season-ticket holders feel about the $11.50 thing. I’m sure it will be
a topic of discussion at the next season-ticket holder’s roundtable meeting.
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Question: For at least the 3rd time I will ask the unanswered question: who pays the salary of a Junior player during the first 10 games
they are on the roster of their NHL team? And what rate are they paid? Is it their junior team that is paying their salary (since they are
on a junior level contract) or the NHL team they are playing for on a “per game” rate? Obviously, once they hit the 10 game mark they are
now an NHL player and their standard entry rookie contract kicks in, i.e. whatever they negotiated along with bonuses. Finally, how does a
“tryout” contract work? Does that player get any stipend whatsoever on a per game basis? Is there a difference between an amateur (someone
in college) and a professional tryout (someone who has been a pro before)? Years back, at the end of a Kings season in the late 90s, Jason
Blake had an amateur tryout because his Univ. of North Dakota season had ended. He did well, and the Kings signed him to a pro contract
afterwards. So for an “amateur” tryout I would assume he makes only expenses…as any payment would nullify his collegiate elligibility.
Answer: 1) I’m pretty sure I answered this one on a previous forum, but I’m happy to give you the answer. During the nine-game “tryout”
period, a player is paid his NHL salary on a per-game basis. So you’d look at the player’s entry-level contract and do some basic division,
basically. The NHL team pays that salary, as long as they’re playing for the NHL team. 2) I believe your breakdown of the tryout agreements
are correct. although I haven’t studied the CBA on this issue. I would bet that you’re correct though.
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Question: When Jack Johnson comes back, who will be leaving? Did DL tip his hand list night when he said the Defense was going to get
“younger” when JJ comes back. That seems to not bode well for Preissing or O’Donnell. More than likely Preissing. But of the 6 that dress
regularly who will not be playing?
Answer: Again…three weeks away, way too early to say. Hey, that rhymed. And I wouldn’t read too much into what Lombardi said. First of
all, it’s basically Murray’s call, and second, Johnson is 21 years old (22 in a few days), so any way you slice it, the defense will get
younger when he comes back. Even Harrold is 25. But I can give you a pretty good assurance that nothing is set in stone in terms of what
happens to the defense in three weeks.
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Questions: 1) With Jack Johnson’s injury causing him to miss half, if not most, of the year, how do you think Dean will handle his RFA
status ? A cheaper, short term contract so JJ can prove himself better and get a Kopi-sized contract ? Or base his contract on what he did
last year under a different system and whatever he can accomplish with his time in this year’s system ?
2) Do you think Dean Lombardi can find any takers for guys like Kyle Calder or Tom Preissing ? Preissing is a constant scratch and Calder is
taking up a spot that someone like Moller can take up once he gets back from injury.
3) Given Moller’s injury at the WJC and Lombardi’s comments about how he was concerned that the Swedish team did not pick up on it, do you
think he will allow players to compete again next year ? It sounds like he holds the WJC in high regard so if he does allow them to go, do
you think he will send a Kings representative to monitor the Kings players closer ?
4) I see you write on the Kings for the Hockey News. Out of curiousity, how do you like working for them ? They provide some interesting
insight although I do not agree with all of their opinions. Do they hassle you to change stuff to fit their viewpoints ?
5) Can you provide some comments on Quick’s statement that there is consistency btw the systems implemented in MAN and LA ? Do you sense
that even though Purcell and Boyle get sent up and down, they can jump in and play w/o too many adjustments ?
6) Do you get the impression that the players are getting frustrated with the line juggling ?
Answers: 1) Good question. It’s something I have thought about as well. The irony is, Johnson’s injury might cause the agent and GM to switch sides. Usually, it’s the agent looking for a short-term contract for a young player, so that he can get the player a mega-bucks contract in his prime. I still think Lombardi would be inclined to lock up Johnson for as long as possible, but it’s not as much of a slam-dunk decision as it was with Brown and Kopitar. 2) Well, it’s certainly not as easy as some people think. As the playoffs get closer, that market for “veterans who can play a steady few minutes” gets a little bigger. A little. 3) Lombardi is a big believer in the value of tournaments such as the World Juniors, so it’s hard to imagine he’d ever stand in the way of a guy such as Moller playing in that tournament, but after this incident, Lombardi might ask for a bit more communication. 4) The stuff I write for the Hockey News is pretty straightforward, mostly just news and notes, so I can’t imagine that they need to change much. I only deal with the editors over there and I’ve never had any problems. 5) Yes, that’s very consistent with what I understand, and that’s the benefit of having Kings assistant GM Ron Hextall be the GM of the Monarchs. There’s constant communication with the Manchester coaching staff and Bill Ranford is frequently back there working with the goalies. It makes it much easier for these young players to have some continuity. 6) No, not really. What coach doesn’t juggle lines? Terry Murray does it more than some, maybe more than most, but remember also that this is his first year. He’s still learning the capabilities of these players. The players are comfortable playing with pretty much anyone. If this type of frequent juggling is still happening next year, the arguments against it will have a lot more merit.
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Question: Do you think the Kings would consider Martin Havlat? He’s kind of injury prone, but when he’s playing, he’s really quite good. He probably could be had for a reasonable price considering his impending UFA status. Just your thoughts, thanks. I’ll take my answer off the line.
Answer: Thanks for the call. We’ll put you in the running for the concert tickets. Havlat has skill, but as you alluded to, I honestly can’t remember the last time he played a full season. As a complementary player, he wouldn’t be the worst choice in the world, but wouldn’t a spot like that be better filled by a younger player (if one is ready)? I’m not sure Havlat would be able to fill one of those top-six positions that the Kings need to fill, first and foremost.
