Trade details

Did we really need to send a second round pick for him?

I don't like this trade at all. I have a feeling O'Sullivan is going to have an amazing career, this was a poor trade on our part.

sully and a second for williams...

let's hope that hand heals...

i think it's official that we have thrown in the towel this year....

I don't mind Sully for Williams, but WHY the 2nd??? All's we get is Williams?! Is he THAT good???

We could have had Cole!?!?!?!?!? So we traded someone that will be putting up 30 in 1 - 2 years for someone that is always hurt and never lived up to his potential

is it possible we got more or is that it?

Why, why, why was this deal made? Add a 2nd for a player that is a marginal upgrade at best?

I'm sick to my stomach - It's why the Kings have been doormats for years - AND a 2nd round pick? Are you JOKING????????

I know DL said he would make a trade that would not be popular, but this one is horrible ---- what does he do when he can't sign Frolov?

AND a 2nd? WTF? This is sick!

Say your prayers, rabbit.

Lombardi has A LOT of explaining to do.

Horrible trade. I am ticked off. I waited until the Kings signed Patrick O'Sullivan this off-season to get season tickets. O'Sullivan will be an amazing player and is our core player. We just traded him away like it's nothing. I am very angry at the Kings organization right now.

MAJOR changing of the mind????

What exactly does that mean, Rich?

POS is weak, unproven and plays on the perimeter too much.

From the outside, this one looks a bit dodgy.../

like I said before, GREAT TRADE DEAN!!!!!

O'Sullivan was the only one complaining publicly about the constant line changes, right? I'm sure more players weren't happy with the juggling, but that's another thing... Also with him missing training camp because of contract issues, maybe he just wasn't happy playing for the Kings?

Williams only plays in about 30 games a year...what did this deal accomplish?!

This was obviously a trade for the future. Seeing as none of us are GM's, it would be stupid to think that Williams injuries weren't taken into account when making this deal.

I liked Patty a lot. He had skill, seemed determined and was a great interview. Something has not been the same with him this year. Not sure if he would have been able to be the player we needed him to be. I trust DL and hope Williams brings us something nice to the table...when he heals that is.

i wonder if this is more about sully rather than williams...

this is a huge risk/reward deal for everyone...

this just opens up a lot of questions this year on possible call ups....
williams doesn't join the team immediately....

purcell and molller stay up...oscar was not in question...i guess them scoring last night was huge...jk...

who gets called up?

raitis on IR...
harrold stays on d?

very interesting...

What that means is that POS is GONE, and Williams is in. Not that I like it at all especially when we gave up a 2nd round with him...

I just hope that Williams can turn it back on like he did with the Hawks.

Is this a joke?

Terrible trade.

THIS IS A HORRIBLE MOVE! I would rather have seen them include Sully in a deal that involved a sniper. Heck, I would have been okay if he went to Minn for Gaborik. What is the Kings front office thinking.....

I hate this trade. Williams isn't going to do shit here and will be injured most of the time. Cliff Ronning part deux.

which second round pick?

LAKings.com is reporting that Priessing got sent to Manchester.

I know that's not super-relevant...but there it is.

--Carolina sent Justin Williams to Los Angeles for Patrick O'Sullivan and a second-round pick.
--Carolina traded O'Sullivan and its own second-round pick to Edmonton for Erik Cole and a 2009 fifth-round pick.
--Edmonton traded a second-round pick to Buffalo for Ales Kotalik.

From ESPN....

MORONIC MOVE! PLUS WE GAVE UP A SECOND ROUNDER FOR A GUY ON IR! A JOKE

MORONIC MOVE! PLUS WE GAVE UP A SECOND ROUNDER FOR A GUY ON IR! A JOKE

Its the flames 2nd rounder

Its the flames 2nd rounder

I'm really disappointed we didn't get more in return. I felt Patrick was really coming into his own with the Kings and he will be missed. Let's be open minded and hope Justin Williams is at least as good as O'Sullivan is after we've had him for a while. Good luck to you POS.

With Williams on IR, who comes up from Manchester?

I guess that turn at Albuquerque turned out to be correct.

Its the flames 2nd rounder

I like williams but a second round pick? I don't mind giving up O'Sullivan because I think he is a little over rated. I think he tops out at 25 goals a year while Williams has proven to be a big goal scorer. He is also a physical player much like a Dustin Brown. There is video on Youtube of him fighting. I don't see O'Sullivan dropping his gloves. This is a longterm big pickup if Williams can get healthy.

this makes no sense. fans should be irate with D. Unless there is something we didnt know, this is an awful return for Sully. Justin is damaged goods, hasn't played a 1/2 season in 2 years.

I like williams but a second round pick? I don't mind giving up O'Sullivan because I think he is a little over rated. I think he tops out at 25 goals a year while Williams has proven to be a big goal scorer. He is also a physical player much like a Dustin Brown. There is video on Youtube of him fighting. I don't see O'Sullivan dropping his gloves. This is a longterm big pickup if Williams can get healthy.

Im not convinced that we sent the second. Buf EFF Edmonton, they endud up with Kotalik and Sully.

if we were going to take a risk why not Sully and a 2nd for Gaborik. Heck we would have gotten more for that. This is very weird I hope we can hear from DL about this one

I sure hope Dean Lombardi knows what he is doing and this wasn't simply a knee-jerk reaction to O'Sullivan having problems with the contract negotiations. It's bad enough that the Kings trade a promising young player for a guy who hasn't played a full NHL season in a couple of years, but giving away a 2nd pick too? I want some of whatever Lombardi's smoking.

Kings ownership put all their trust in Lombardi and is letting him run the show without tying his hands. If the Kings don't make the playoffs next year I see him gone and we start off from scratch all over again with promises of a bright future after yet another "rebuild".

WHAT???? We traded POS and a 2nd for a guy that has 3 goals and 7 assists in 32 games? Even if he wasn't happy, he is easily a 60 pt guy in a normal full season. To me it sounds like we paid them to take him off of our hands. Absolutely REDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!

Means that we are done for this year.....Means that DL knows we are done,TM knows it,now I know it...This Sucks.

Rich,
WTF is Deano thinking? Williams has only had two healthy seasons. Was Sully going to be the same problem as Cammy? I hope Deano plans on explaining why he traded the guy with the best hands on the team for a comprable player that has major injury history and is older?

Rich,
WTF is Deano thinking? Williams has only had two healthy seasons. Was Sully going to be the same problem as Cammy? I hope Deano plans on explaining why he traded the guy with the best hands on the team for a comprable player that has major injury history and is older?

this looks like a salary dump to me.
remember o sully signed that 4 yr/$21Mm deal?
i think this is a precursor to a big FA signing in the off-season.
gaborik maybe?

a nice deal might have been o sully, moeller and a 1st rounder for kovulchuk.

I can't say I'm shocked at this trade, but I can't say I understand it either. Didn't the Kings just sign O'Sullivan in October? Was this another Camalleri situation where they were upset with how he handled the contract issue? He hasn't exactly produced at the rate we'd all expected on the ice, and I'm sure that had something to do with it.

But POS AND a 2nd round pick for Justin Williams?? What?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=269755&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_main

NOT HAPPY! Sully is just having a bad slump and we give up on him? What does this say for the kings as an organization! I like many fans are disappointed, Rich send DL a text telling him fans are pissed! Sully was one of the reasons I came to games.

For the moment I hate this deal. What does Williams bring that Sully doesn't. Isn't Williams a walking bag of injuries?

Hawks? You mean Canes, I hope!

Positives:

Williams has won the Cup
Williams crashes the net and skates very well
Williams can and has scored 30 goals in this league
Williams is only 27

Negatives:

Williams plays right wing; as does Brown, Purcell, Moller and Simmonds
Williams has been injured a lot
We gave up O'Sullivan AND a 2nd rounder (WTF!?!)

So much for my favorite King. I know we was playing sort of "soft" this year, but I just loved his hockey sense and great hands. Oh well. I find it amazing though that they would go after someone with that sort of history of injuries. I don't care for that at all.

Wow, is that what we call addition by subtraction? Did we really have to give up the 2nd rounder, too? Clears up Patty's 3 million per year, but we pick up Williams' 3.5 million. That just doesn't make sense, unless POS was just too much of a cancer.

I'm a DUMBA$$, IT's JUSTIN Williams, not JASON! Man, JUSTIN according to TSN, OUT INDEF, w/ broken wrist!

GREAT!

On top of everything else, he is under contract for 3 more years.... there was absolutely NO REASON to make a deal like this now. It could have waited until summer.

To say that I am a bit miffed about this one is an understatement.

This is enough to make me never see a Kings game again. It makes no sense, and it looks like Anthony was right all along about DL.

Pretty disappointing. I don't get this trade.

POS never did look like he fit in with the Kings socially and playing wise - I don't know much about Justin Williams but scouting must have seen something. I liked POS so I am sad to see him go.

Looking forward to Lombardi's comments. That will surely be an interesting read.

If this is it, then for once and likely the only time ever I agree with Anthony. He hasnt posted yet, but he will

it bears worth repeating....

ALEAXNDER FROLOV AND AGENT: ARE YOU HEARING THIS?

please...all parties...make a good deal come the off season...and don't be a manny, boras or frankie...

please...because if there's any warning d.l. has given is that you don't screw around w/ him and his plans...

cammy...dead
sully...dead

i truly hope fro doesn't make this list...!

Terrible trade. O'Sullivan's attitude must have turned DL off to him. Why the hell do we keep acquiring injured players? I'm sure DL is hoping Williams turns out like Handzus did this year. I guess its a trade of damaged goods. O'Sully (mentally) for Williams (physically). The 2nd rounder I DO NOT GET. Ugh.

Any one calling for DL's head right now needs to find a new sport to follow.

POS was a whiney malcontent. Ecstatic he's gone, ecstatic. He's being replaced by a solid leader and cup winner in J.Williams.

You all whined and cried when lubo was traded too. Go away.

What is so great about this trade? They guy just recently broke his hand, Feb. 15 to be exact! PLUS we give up a 2nd in a deep draft! OMG, WTF IS DL THINKING???????

Justin Williams is the BEST player in the trade, however with his injury history he's a big question mark. Skill-wise, he's well above POS + Cole.

Unbelievable. I like Williams and I'd be ok with this if he wasn't coming of an ACL (see Handzus), followed by a torn Achilles and now a broken hand all in less than a year and a half.

Patty O must've been causing some problems because this makes no sense at all. Maybe DL contacted DT for some advice on what to do at the deadline. I look forward to Patty O getting a hat trick on 4/7/09.

i think the shep fairey "hope" kings poster for this season has been 86'd...

it's official...

we have given up after last night's loss...

does this deal get done if we win last night?

legit question...

i really don't mind this trade as long as williams is healthy (though i acknowledge the history of kings+injuries). if he doesn't come back full and stay healthy, then i'd be bummed, but otherwise i don't see williams not being as good or better than pos.

Boo-Hoo whiners, Williams has a pair, O'sully doesn't, O'sully is a b**ch and a head-case from the beatings his dad laid on him and he held-out during camp, all of these are reasons why POS is gone, bye-bye Patty.

PS those of you who still question DL are not well equipped

Well, that trade's about as lame as it gets. Lame is a very nice way of putting it.

gralx -

[first of all, call me unconvinced on this trade -- for the moment]

The reason it needed to be now, I imagine, is that CAR is trying to get into the playoffs, as is EDM, and they both had their needs filled. You have to believe -- assuming this trade is a good idea -- that DL would have had to give up more to get a healthy Williams over the summer when CAR wasn't motivated to add someone for the playoffs. The fact that what CAR wanted and got was Cole makes me think that initially it's likely that they were looking at someone else on the Kings, someone more like Cole. I don't know. Certainly if Justin Williams is unafraid to get his nose dirty in front of the net, that's one thing we all know DL and TM like, and one of POS's weak spots.

I like Patrick. I'm sorry to see him go. It's hard to know whether this is a good trade for the Kings, a win-win for POS and the Kings, or if the Kings gave up too soon on POS and got too little back.

It would be funny if from now on POS smiles all the time.

You have to be wondering what not only Brown and Kopitar are thinking, but also Kyle Quincey. We know that POS and Quincey are great friends.

What does this mean for the locker room? Is the captain going to own up to some of the team's inability to finish?

The extremes on this website are downright laughable. Worst trade ever? Never see a King's game again? WOW.

I can't say I'm completely on board with this trade, but DL is not a complete idiot. He knows both of these players better than any one of us, and is certainly aware of Williams' injury history.

I wouldn't be surprised if O'Sullivan turns out to be the better player in the long run, but at the same time, there is something to be said for acquiring a player (with a ring) who has proven himself capable of scoring 30 goals.

What a risky and costly trade. Its a poor trade when looked at face value. But Lombardi got his (injury prone) player. Someone has to fill the void left by McCauley, Cloutier, and Nagy.

ANOTHER Injury plagued player. WHY.

I understand the concept of dealing Sully. We have a lot of young talent.

But...

ANOTHER INJURY PLAGUED PLAYER?

big risk/reward....

d.l. wasn't kidding about adding players who have won...

who's next...?

If you step back and realize what O'Sullivan has accomplished at the age of 24 and take into account how poorly he fit into Terry Murray's system, this trade makes all the sense in the world.

http://williams11.com/

It's a good move for a O'Sullivan AND the Kings. He's going to put up much better numbers in Edmonton and the Kings now have Kopitar, Brown, Stoll and Williams locked into their Top 6.

I wonder what number he will wear seeing as Kopi is 11

Wow I'm shocked Anthony hasn't already started screaming at DL yet. Only a matter of time...
Don't worry Anthony, you can use Sully's old jersey to wipe your tears.

This trade makes no sense. Sully was a great player, who never smiled...but Now he has a reason to join with Lubo on talking smack about their previous teams.......

I sort of noticed sully being moved around the last few games, and specially when we played the blue jackets....He just didn't play like him self.

Sully will probably blossom in YEG, just like Cammy did in YYC... good luck, dude

I agree with those that have said that O'Sullivan played a lot on the perimeter and played "soft". That said, I will miss him on the penalty kill.

I can only guess that given his history with his father, perhaps he's a bit of a head case in some way that is a detriment to his development and to the team.

It might also be a case of his style not fitting particularly well with the current system.

I wish him well, but can definitely see him hurting the Kings somewhere down the line.

Looks like this one took a right turn at Albuquerque. Wow... I can't say I like the deal. I don't mind the idea of getting Williams but wow... I hope this means that there is some kind of verbal agreement with Frolov. DL HAS to re-sign him now unless he is going to blow assets at the deadline for a superstar like Kovalchuk.

NOT IMPRESSED...
I am with you. We, the fans that have been loyal, have been sitting through crap for what, 8 years? And our reward for being patient and being understanding through the rebuild is an IR guy, more salary and gave up another 2nd round pick. Richardson sure looks like he was worth that 2nd rounder too!

I just looked over this guys career numbers. 2 years of 30+ goals, the rest he hasn't broken 20. Take Williams last 2 half seasons and put them together. They don't add up to Sully's one year this year. I am sure Edmonton would have taken Sully for a 3rd round pick. That is more than we got back. We gave away Cammy, we gave away Sully. WE HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING IN RETURN. We were in a position to take on salary to make a playoff push. Instead we give away 2 valuable commodities (costing the franchise more money) for a bag of pucks.

Don't like it we overpaid even it was Patty O for Williams. I'm willing to give Dean the benefit of the doubt but this whole Flyers reunion stuff has got to stop unless its for the likes of Carter, Richards etc.

DL better call up Trevor Lewis, since this clown is injured..

Why did we give up a 2nd rounder? Is Justin Williams THAT good? Man, I'm so angry right now..

I can understand if we gave up a 2nd to gain a 1st or something, but no.... We give up a "core player" and a asset "2nd rounder" for a guy on the IR??? OMG, this is horrible! DL better hope this guy can stay healthy. It's so typical of him to go after injured players that it's not even funny, what a joke!

I'll join the chorus and say I don't like this trade. But more importantly, I don't understand it. Acquiring O'Sullivan was one of Lombardi's first moves as GM of the Kings and he traded Demitra to get him. Now after only a season and a half really of seeing O'Sullivan play, Lombardi has given up on him? I can see why Carolina would want to make this deal but for the Kings it does not make sense.

I know the Kings have a lot of talented young forwards but O'Sullivan had proven himself at the NHL level whereas most of the other have not (Boyle, Purcell, Lewis, Molson, Gauthier, etc). Certainly O'Sullivan had not been having a stellar season but it's called the sophomore slump and lots of players explode out of it in their 3rd seasons.

I think if the Kings were looking to move a forward it should have been either Calder or Armstrong. Maybe the return would not have been as good, but the return for O'Sullivan was less than I would have expected.

This was a short-sighted, unnecessary, and stupid trade. Up until today I had believed in what Lombardi was doing. I'm not so sure I do anymore.

Get over it people. No one commenting on here knows what the master plan is. Williams brings cup winning experience and if healthy probably produces about the same numbers as Sully. I liked Sully as much as the next fan but I also have faith in DL to do what needs to be done long term. Don't be fooled by almost making the play-offs this season. We are a young team with much to learn and if we are going to finally break into the play-offs next year we will need the kind of experience and leadership that Williams can bring.

GO KINGS

Rich:
You have got to set up a poll to see what percent of the fans like/hate this trade. PLEASE! I'm afraid Jack Johnson is gone next year if there is a hint of contract problems.

Justin Williams!!! THe cup is ours!

I hate this trade and immediately take back any admiration I had previously expressed for Dean Lombardi. I plan on protesting this inept move by using my wallet and refrain from going to see anymore Kings games this season. I'm really upset with this...

I am very angry, we keep guys like Calder and Gauthier and trade our only potential sniper for an injury plauged nd liner and then throw in a 2nd rounder to boot. After giving up a 2nd for Richardson and now this I think DL is alergic to them.

Worst Lombardi trade yet. BAND-Aid Boy Williams for O'Sullivan.

I never thought I would say that we got older at this trade deadline. I understand that we love our Los Angeles Flyers, but really are we trying to reassemble the flyers from the early 2000's?

This was a step or two backwards, and that is assuming that Justin Williams even plays every game. His 10 points in 32 games puts him on pace for around 25 points this season if he played every game.

Mess with Deano and its looong winters and short summers Cammy to Calgary and POS to Edmonton

I think this one is really going to backfire. I guess I understand the logic but I think Patty O will be a good player and Williams will probably sever one of his arms on a broken piece of glass at Staples during his first game.

The worst part is that he's injured right now.. You guys say Gaborik is injury prone, wtf is this guy? Injury PRONE!!!!

We couldn't even deal Calder, Armstrong or Gauthier for draft picks, but we deal one of our core players..

Now the demitra trade looks pretty even..

Demitra and a 2nd rounder for Justin Williams and Trevor Lewis

Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said:

“We thank Justin for all he has done for us.....It is difficult to part ways with Justin because of what he has meant to our organization. The last few years have been tough on him and our team with his injuries, and we wish him all the best in Los Angeles.”

... what Rutherford really meant was: thanks for taking our damaged product Deano! Good luck!!

We basically got a pretzel for O'Sullivan. How does this improve the team? Even if he covers Sully's 14-18 goals per year, what's so special about this guy?? The kings need scoring, not more grit. So what if he crashes the net and plays tough? That wouldn't matter if you can't make the other team scared of being scored on.

It all comes down to Williams' health. If he regains form (and I just heard the Hurricane's GM say he would) then we are bigger, more potent offensively and more experienced.

I trust Dean.

Lombardi lost me today. Williams is a nice player but he should have cost us no more than the 2nd round pick. I wouldn't have traded Sully straight up either because of Williams injury problems the last few years. WTF is DL's obsession with signing or trading for injured players?!?!?! I'm not one to be hysterical but between Lombardi doing NOTHING to help this team by not acquiring ANY kind of scoring during the season (essentially throwing away a playoff spot within reach) and now giving POS away. . .it's all just so stupid.

This is a really confusing trade. It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. A kid that can already score and a 2nd for for a guy that can score...sometimes...if he's healthy.

I can only hope that DL has something up his sleeve that no one else is aware of yet. And I look forward to Rich (or someone else, but preferably Rich) asking DL "WTF?".

I personally am not happy with this trade. DL got screwed. Even if williams turns out to be healthy he gave up way to much for a guy how has played such a small amount of games in the last 2 years. This sucks balls.

I am kinda happy sully is gone. he isn't really THAT good. he skates around and usually loses the puck. but come on... he is worth more than that. and a 2nd rounder??? WTF? typical Kings move. unbelievable.

What a horrible, terrible, utterly non-sensical move by DL. Williams is literally broken, AND we lose our 2nd rounder?

Ask me yesterday if anything could happen to make me decide NOT to renew my season seats, I'd have said no.

I'm not renewing.

..."a MAJOR changing of the mind in the Kings' front office" or, as I suggested a few weeks ago, the Kings front office doesn't divulge quite as much to you as you assume. Of course, they're going to deny talks and downplay trade expectations. That's the way of the GM and it's a mistake to take it all literally. You can't shoot down rumors with authority anymore simply because someone that you contacted in the front office denied them. I hate to say it, but you've now gotten a little taste of what Eklund, Senchirp and other bloggers have to live with. It can't be fun to have events contradict what you reported, then have people question your veracity, even though you were just reporting what someone else said.

A little shocked by this trade but not really opposed to it. I think this team need a wake up call. I liked Williams in previous years and hope that he can regain his old form. He can manage to do so than I think LA will come out on top with this trade. Hate to see Sully on Edmonton but at least his bad angle shots that wrap around the bound and come back to his own end will happen against us instead of to us.

Like I've said, I understand the idea of trading Patrick O'Sullivan, but the problem here is we traded for another injury plagued player.

One more comment to add to this flourishing thread.

First, like others, I imagine there must have been a significant locker room / 'tude issue with POS. If not, how did he suddenly lose his promise?

Second, by picking up an injured player it sends the message that we're giving up on the playoffs this year. I'm a realist and I know the odds of making it aren't good, and even if we do, we're probably getting bounced by Detroit or SJ in the first round... but it's not the sort of leadership I was hoping for from management.

Damn...Sully will be a high scorer I believe. If this was based on his holding out...I don't think the players see him negatively, they all seem to get along well. The slump? Sully had 37 points, while CONSTANTLY being shuffled from line to line. He could have done better but so many could have done better. Handzus has 29 points. Calder has 22. Simmonds who was recently on Sully's line has 22, did we expect that line to produce more? Get rid of Gauthier, Calder, we need offense! Ivanans is a left winger with 2 points and a load of stupid penalties.

Is ANYONE surprised that Justin Williams was drafted and played with the Flyers?

re: williams' injuries...

i'd rather have a guy who gets a hand broken by a shot or slash or whatever it was or other "freak injuries" like the ACL and achilles than somebody like Gaborik who suffers from one chronic injury.

plus...why pay for gaborik now if you can sign him as a UFA on july 1st?

Lombardi must've felt bad about stealing JMFJ from Jim Rutherford. This makes up for it. Thanks Deano.

You know, the more I think about it the more I don't hate the trade, but I do find it confusing. What happened to the youth movement? Why another right wing? It just seems odd.

Are they trying to blow up what is left of the fan base? I am assuming that the bulk of people on this site are the REAL fans. Is this the first step to a move to Hamilton?

Rich, it would be wonderful you could provide some information on Williams and what the front office was thinking prior to the big "changing of the mind". I realize you may not be able to devulge some info, but you can't tease like that and not give something up.

today, working in the Kings ticket sales office just became a worse job then selling Hummers

Wow. Patio is gone. There goes my favorite (by far) King of the last few years. I don't know Williams but he is going have to be pretty amazing.

This is the first time I've really wondered what DL is doing. I was drinking the DL kool-aid but just stopped. Patio kept me interested in a few pretty lousy Kings teams. I don't understand this trade.

Is DL building the 2003 Flyers here? how did we miss out on Recchi?

For someone who has found gems in the 2nd round (Moller,Simmonds, Voynov) its very surprising that Dean would give up another 2nd round pick in a questionable trade. First being the disasterous Cloutier trade, last year's draft day trade for Richardson, and now with Williams. Atleast we still have another 2nd roudner in '09. For now.

Uh.....wow!

I'm in OMGWTFDUH-mode over this one.

Giving up a 2nd in addition to a young player signed through 2011 for an oft-injured older player making more cash. I'm floored.

He is going to blend right in in Edmonton's system. WOW!

today, working in the Kings ticket sales office just became a worse job then selling Hummers

today, working in the Kings ticket sales office just became a worse job then selling Hummers

I am assuming this qualifies as a rental trade? We'll get him for the first 30 games next year?

This may have been the dumbest trade Lombardi has done in his life...Actually..yes this is the DUMBEST trade he has ever done. First instead of just getting ERIC COLE. He got garbage, He traded in a Nice Shiny Corvette for a broken Cadillac...Sure the Cadillac looks like it has potential, but its been in many accidents. WHAT REALLY PISSES me OFF about this trade is SULLY WANTED!!!! to play for LA just like LUBO and what does Lambo do? Trade them both blind sited....What does this do for future signings like Jack, Doughty and co. Why would you want to dedicate your career to LA when LA in turn puts u on a crappy team. Dean has no soul. This orginization is retarded and when I thought this team was going to get better...NAH its only going to get worse....F Dean, F the Kings, F THIS I'm out!

Guys, I may be the only guy here who sees some sense in this trade.

This is a character trade, substituting a moody self-centered guy for one often-injured warrior, a guy who has had two major left ACL surgeries and a ruptured Achilles Tendon, and always came back early. You could say DL could've gotten more for POS, but not at the trade deadline. You could say JW only scores 3 goals this year and has never maxed out >30, but look at what we NEED: Someone with the guts to go into the middle, take the cross-checks and the butt-ends and deflect shots, disrupt the goalie--someone like JW. We have too many pretty players, too many guys who look good who are unable to pay the Warrior's price.

Only time will tell if DL has understood our needs, but I've got the feeling he got the right guy.

Quisp,

If you're saying that CAR and EDM have a need for a playoff rush, then shouldn't they be the ones overpaying and not the kings?

I'm actually ok with Sully/Williams trade now that I've cooled down a bit but to throw in CGY's 2nd pick is thing that puzzles me. It just simply an overpayment.

Well, one thing is for certain. The Kings deserve to have at least one more player comeback from an injury successfully. If feels like Zus has been the only one in 10 years to pan out.

If JW gets and stays healthy I love the pickup. I love the addition of a proven winner and net crasher in the locker room. Sully has disappointed me this year and I love the shakeup this creates for the rest of the guys. If it turns out to be just another McCauley situation, it will, of course, totally suck.

That being said, DL must feel that one of our prospects will pick up the slack should this trade turn out to be a bust. That, along with cap room and another FA pickup (or two), will help ease the pain should JW fall my the wayside.

Regardless, I like the move for a winner. We, yet again, are losers. I don't care for once second about the talk surrounding our potential, the future, yada yada yada. UNTIL we actually start winning, it means nothing.

O'Sullivan and a 2nd for Gaborik?

O'Sullivan, Moller, and a 1st for Kovalchuk?

Proposals like that make it clear why you're so upset by this trade. Post them on a Minnesota or Atlanta board and see the response you get.

I laughed hard when people thought Staal would be coming the other way. Honestly, Kings fans are worse than Leaf fans on the value of players.

Williams' injuries since 2001:PER TSN

BROKEN FINGER
SPRAINED RIGHT SHOULDER
SPRAINED LEFT SHOULDER
SPRAINED LEFT KNEE
BROKEN LEFT WRIST
BRUIESED ANKLE
TORN ACL
ACHILLES TENDON
BROKEN HAND

PETER FORSBERG HAS NOTHING ON THIS GUY.

first of all...

I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT MINNY WAS REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT TRADING GABBY...

i think that speculative talk was a fishing expedition for minny to see what they can get...

and i truly believe that minny could be just as happy to trade negotiating rights for gabby come off season...
and they might just be willing to walk away from him completely w/out any return...i know that's crazy talk to some, but i think the friction btwn both parties is strong...

if they were serious about giving up gabby this early, i'm positive it would have been done already...

Honestly, to get Gaborik would have to be Johnson, O'Sullivan, Tuebert, Moller, Bryan Cameron, and a conditional 1st. You guys are hilarious.

Oh and I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooo Sick of this PHILLY Connection. Look where its gotten us so far...CALDER. GOAT BOY and now WILLIAMS! Thanks Murray for "SILENTLY" killing this team!

@ NOT IMPRESSED: I am definitely not impressed that you think Anthony is a legitimate source of of hockey knowledge or info.

A healthy Justin Wiiliams would make most here forget about Sully with a return to form next season. If not, then the criticism about DL about DL being a much better drafter than trader should resume. I don't like us giving up a 2nd to help facilitate a trade to bring a player back to Carolina that they covet, but I think its been clearly established that the Kings brain trust values Williams' leadership as much as his ability and he is a known quantity to them. This is a young team that needs more veteran leadership and Wiiliams has won a Cup.

Sully will definitely be missed and may have a outstanding career, but his perimeter play this season makes one wonder if he will be willing to pay the necessary price in the future for a championship run. His skill and speed fit in perfectly with Edmonton, but I like Willams' physcial play and grit as well as his goal-scoring ability. Let's hope he can recover his health next season. His low point totals this season make one wonder if he has been playing with the broken hand for awhile....

I'm not bothered by trading POS.

I'm bothered by the pick and picking up an injury plagued player.

What's with this team and its pension for picking up the injured of the league?

Maybe if O'Sullivan ever finished a check or went into the corners for loose pucks he'd have the occasional injury too.

i think i just sh*t my pants. Horrible move. We traded sully for an injured player? WTF man.

if this guy heals up over the offseason and score 30 goals dean will look like the smart guy that we think he is, and we will be UNDERPAYING a 30 goal scorer.

Payback is a bitch and I guess Carolina returned the favor for the deal they made that gave us Jack Johnson.

I would rather have an injury prone proven goal scorer then another support guy on this team. Please everyone keep in mind we are 24th and 25th in the league in goals per game and total goals in the league. Justin has playoff experience. And a Stanley cup. O Sully does not. None of these statistics matter this season but will be much more beneficial when it really matters most next season and beyond... Is it risky and could he be a bust? Yea sure, but we need to take these chances to really move forward and be a contender.

Ak-

At this point, I totally agree with you. This is like signing a mini-Gabby. I was just thinking that..

I really think adding a 2nd for this guy is a complete waste. This deal was decent as a 3-player swap, but that pick could have been another Moller, Simmonds, or better.

Oh well..

Hate this trade. Sully will have better years than the best of williams. I think we could have got more in the off season even if it was another first round pick. I would rather have done nothing. DL and trades and Free Agents so far has me very worried. Cammy and a 1st for a few slots up now this. Dan Cloutier, Zeus at 4 mill per, Preissing, McCauley, Thornton, and Wilsie.

There has been something off about the Kings that I can't put my finger on. (Aside from the obvious losing)

We do have an incredible core to work from, but it has been apparent that they are extremely young and struggling to reach those next gears. kopitar has become a more rounded player but we need him to be a true number 1 dominant center. Brown is our version of Morrow I don't believe he will ever be much more than what he is now. Frolov has been impressive this year but he is not a pure goal scorer either.

All of the Kings "core" players have seemed to be perimeter players this season. We do need that pure force of a goal scorer who can take it down the slot and nail it home still. As much as I hoped for the offensive output of Sully to be a replacement for Cammy, it was becoming apparent that his game did not fit with this team. I am wary of taking on a player with so many injuries but I do believe LA has gotten an upgrade over Sully IF/when Williams returns to 100% health. If anything a little fresh air in the locker room might go a long way towards making this team more competitive.

The Visnovsky trade was ridiculed to death prior to the season but imho it has made us a more complete overall team that fits the mold of a team built for the playoffs. Maybe the term "core" should be uncanonized from Kings fans rehtoric. DL needs to do what is best for this team. The kings did better this year with a step in the right direction and will hopefully finish strong. Patience is still required like it or not. A couple more tweaks at the right time and we could actually find ourselves in the playoffs around this time next year.

this deal really pissed me off!
Rich, you need to get more details...I really don't understand

POS JW
AGE 23 26
Sal 3M 3.5M
Contrct years 2 2
Point 37 10
status Hlty Hurt

and a second rounder too...my head hurts

"Justin Williams will be a 30 goal scorer in this league again"

http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip146263#clip146263

I'm a bit surprised too, but I'd reserve judgment. I wouldn't call Williams injury prone. Tore his Achilles during off ice workouts and then he broke his hand inadvertantly blocking a teammate's shot.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the 2nd round pick (I am assuming it was Calgary's 2nd round pick, which will be around 55th overall). For every Moller you're able to draft there, there are usually a dozen duds selected in other years.

As was mentioned, O'Sullivan has been rumored to not be the greatest locker room guy even going back to his days in junior. That may have played a role in this as well. Barring another injury, I think this will be a minor upgrade for the Kings.

I just took a wander over to LAKINGS.COM. I noticed their add for the "stretch run pack", which is now the playing out the string pack. It features Sully in the add. You'd think they would have pulled that within 30 seconds of doing this "deal"

Some people here need to calm down. I'm seeing far too many knee-jerk reactions to this trade.

The Kings wouldn't have traded O'Sullivan unless someone inside the organization thought there was a really good reason to do so. Obviously Lombardi did, so let's all wait and see what he says. I'm sure it won't take long. It may just be something as simple and uncomplicated as the organization feeling that O'Sullivan wasn't quite working out the way they had hoped he would, and thinking it was best to move him now.

And as far as Williams goes, yes, he's injured right now. But it might make a little bit of sense to do a little bit of checking around to find out more about him before rejecting him out of hand. He's a relatively unknown entity in the Western Conference, and on that basis alone I think folks might want to reserve judgment before deriding this trade as a bad one for the Kings. If Lombardi thinks Williams is worth O'Sullivan AND and the 2nd that was picked up from Calgary last summer, that should count for something.

As a comparison, lot of people in Pittsburgh were initially very upset last week when they found out that trading Ryan Whitney "only" yielded Kunitz and Tangredi.

Plus, has everyone forgotten about the O'Donnell and Erberg re-ups already?

POS has been a detriment to this team this year..I had seen suched marked improvement over the course of last year but has truly regressed recently, constantly getting his shot blocked, not making smart passes or desicions with the puck. His skating was never an asset. His hands are amazing but he has stopped moving his feet and using his teammates.

Justin Williams will get healthy. His goals are scored much like cammys, wicked shot, being in the right place at the right time, but he will step in front of the net to deflect a shot, drive to the front, create screens. He plays defense and scores sort handed goals regularly. His speed is an asset, something this team despritly needs. Kopitar will be his Staal. And everyone is complainin about our power play. When he gets healthy, watch it bloom. Fro is our left winger, maybe kovalchuk in the future..but now on rt wing we have Williams and Brown for the top 6.

As for the 2ed, think of it as our 3rd..it was Calgarys and I imagine their moves today had something to do with it. Look what we got for Detroits 2ed last year...(richardson) a healthy williams is more expereinced, more of a leader and team player,more offensive, and better defensivly...so it took a second. Car had to add a second of their own with patty to get half a season of cole! Imagine if we had done all this for a rental~!

just as a side note, check out on the home page for la kings, click the button labeled 5. Its advertising for the stretch run ticket pack with our own Patty O scorring on the oil.hehe

Justin Wiilams plays boths wings BTW (like Brown & Frolov), for those of you interested and not contemplating suicide or a change in team loyalty.

Horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE.

Lombardi has been a master at trades, but this one just makes no sense.

This is CONSTANTLY on the injured list. Hand issues, ACL issues, MCL issues... I just cant believe we did this. I just see no reason.

A 2nd should have come OUR way, not THEIR way. Even then, I wouldnt have made the trade.

O'Sullivan > Williams

Bad trade.

That's it, I'm done with this team, and I HATED $ully. I hated the way he held the team for ransom during the summer.

This is the stupidest move I have EVER see from a GM. We could have had Cole for the massive overpayment we sent.

Who is going to score for us now? Not that $ully scored much.

It's like paying more for a totally broken car when you had one that was a bit iffy a while ago, but basically OK.

STUPID. Washington here I come.

Dean screwed up. This is a screw up. This is a bad trade. IT IS A BAD TRADE. There's nothing else to say about it.

Justin Williams: one broken hand, two severe acl and mcl injuries, one torn achilles since he's been in the league (amongst other various injuries.) What the hell, Dean?

Will you guys relax? You make it sound like O'Sullivan was actually a good player.. He has 2 less goals than ERIC COLE this season, he does the same STUPID move in the shootout EVERY time and never scores, he doesn't play with 110% effort ecery night, and DL finally got tired of this. Remember his interview with Rich when he said he only wants guys here who "care"? Well Sully didn't care, and you could tell by his pathetic season. Williams is 10 times the player O'Sully will ever be...and he's won a cup! What has O'Sully done in only 3 less years??? Right, absolutely nothing except hold out after a decent season.....goodbye!!!!!

I hope Dean reads this page, just to see how angry the fans are with the deal he just pulled.. Any word on who's getting called up Rich? Or when Justin Williams will be back?

gralx, I was just about to say the same.. It's sad seeing Patrick O'Sullivan gone :(

I've learned my lesson from past mistakes and won't judge this trade until I hear Deano's explanation. Absent that explanation, however, I don't like the trade at all.

I'm sure Rich will do his best to get quotes from DL, and then we'll all get to parse through the double-talk to find out what really transpired.

Actually I'm more mystified by the Ducks moves. Losing Pahlsson is gonna hurt.

Really? Why all this aggression?
DL is an idiot?
He can't build a team?
He can't make good trades....??

Sharks, anyone?

JW needs to get healthy (obviously) and therefore can't be counted on in the remainder of this Season.
Handzus took a full year to get 100% again and he is a great pickup! JW will be a great pickup too.

I just can't wait to hear from all the angry folks here in a year when JW is panning out great for us..... it probably will sound like this: "I always said he's great!"

Dummies.

Did you guys see the army ping pong champ gag...everyone seemed to be on the same page except osullivan. Seems like a little thing to pick on but he may have been a downer in the locker room.

He was averaging about 10 blocked shots a game and he covered a ton of ice. Problem was, his 10 shots were being blocked, he lacks outside speed but plays the perimeter game, and his defense has declined. It was becoming frustrating watching his play. Having said his I always thought he would get better. He has a great shot, he just needs lots of space, amazing hands, he just needs to move his feet..so his talents werent being put to use which may or may not happen in edm..he'll be another shorty with hands for them..

Williams will charge our power play. His shot is amazing, just look at this goals over the past several seasons on nhl.com and he'll remind you cammys sniping ability. He is a proven leader, sc winner, defensivly aware and kills penalties while scoring several short handed goals per season. He has speed which we have needed so badly as well. Lombardi talked about getting players in different levels of development and we had too many under 25. We will benefit from this trade. Ands lets not forget it took sully and a second to get cole for only half a season...Imagine if it had been sully and a second for a rental.

I dont like the second pick involved either however, we got richardson for detroits second pick so dont think that todays moves by calgary had nothing to do with us relenting that pick to attain a nessesary piece for next year.

and williams is expected to be gone for at least one month
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2468

JonG-

Yeah, what about those Ducks moves, huh? Pahlsson, Moen, and Huskins-gone. All 3 within the conference, and 2 to the Sharks no less! Wow, that'll come back to haunt them, and us, and everyone else for that matter.

Rich, please, please, please ask Dean Lombardi his rationale for making this trade. If the Kings can sign Gaborek during the offseason then perhaps we can get a full season out of the two of them combined...

this trade does suck, but it is because dean and the coaches do not like sully or think he is all hyped up what people make him to be

tantrum4 ....... JUST STOP

Patty O IS a good player. Had a very good season last year. This year, all of our offensive players look like a garbage under this new system. One thing to keep in mind, Sully did have 9 goals before Christmas. That's good production. Could play the PK too. He's currently on a cold streak right now, but so has everyone else.

Sully will rack up a lot of points playing under edmonton. It's almost a perfect fit.

Who do we get? Another injury plagued player. He's made of tin foil, and now he's going to play in the western conference? QUESTIONABLE TRADE.

I can't wait to hear DL's comments. I thought Sully has so much promise and we dump him for a guy who's scored 12 goals in two seasons. I don't get it. It's a lot like the Handzus signing, and while Zus has played much better this year, it's still a bad deal IMO.

Phoenix cleaned up this deadline, as far as the Pacific goes.

Tambellini in Edmonton just fleeced Dean Lombardi bigtime.Got him back for firing him in L.A.,what goes around comes around.Lombardi strayed from the master plan and probably has lost his job now.Certainly has set the Kings back one more year.

Tambellini in Edmonton just fleeced Dean Lombardi bigtime.Got him back for firing him in L.A.,what goes around comes around.Lombardi strayed from the master plan and probably has lost his job now.Certainly has set the Kings back one more year.

Tambellini in Edmonton just fleeced Dean Lombardi bigtime.Got him back for firing him in L.A.,what goes around comes around.Lombardi strayed from the master plan and probably has lost his job now.Certainly has set the Kings back one more year.

why should lombardi care that this deal upsets the fans? he makes deals to try to make the team better, not to keep armchair GMs happy.

sometimes the best trades are the ones that upset fans. i admit i'm surprised by this one, but only time will tell. for the meantime, what's with all the whining?

"I hope Dean reads this page, just to see how angry the fans are with the deal he just pulled."

Same fans who were pissed about not getting the number one pick and stamkos. How'd that turn out?

Lesson: guess all you like, but you never know how it will turn out.

Sully had maxed out his potential. This trade was for next year. This year is done. If Williams comes back fully healthy next year, then I really like the trade. We definitely need a scorer with speed and he is an upgrade to the slow-footed Sully.

The key is we need a No 1 scorer/center. Everything rests on free agency. If we don't land one in the summer, I can't see us making the playoffs again. Surely DLombardi doesn't have a year after this one as a grace period. Next year is the key and this trade helps us get better.

Deano has proven to know what he's doing when it comes to draft picks.
But he shouldn't be allowed to make trades anymore. This team is beginning to remind me of the kings after they went to the finals in 93. They traded away too much talent for grit and ruined the team. I bet Kopitar and Frolov are on the trading blocks this summer.

hockeyme,
you do realize that O'Sullivan wasn't being serious in that little ping pong video!
I think assuming he was a "downer' in the locker room is a leap, and it looked like he had pretty good friends in Anze, Dustin, and of course Quincey.
I guess DL is trying to take the team to the next level, but i am a little shocked and disappointed to see this move. Hope it works out for the best.
All the best to Patrick! I hope he does well.

Baumgartner22 maybe do a bit of research on good 'ol Justin's injuries...

12/2007 - Torn ACL AND MCL in his knee

4/2008 - Cack injury

9/2008 - Torn Achilles tendon

Baumgartner22 maybe do a bit of research on good 'ol Justin's injuries...

12/2007 - Torn ACL AND MCL in his knee

4/2008 - Back injury

9/2008 - Torn Achilles tendon

I LOVE this trade. POS sucks my balls. He's weak, has a bad attitude, doesn't understand the concept of passing, and takes shots from suck crazy angles that an 80 year old grandmother could stop his weak ass shot. And the idea of going to the net?? The guy's never heard of it.

Fantastic work Dean, keep it up.

I can't get over how happy this makes me.

LAkings.com has some Kings Vision videos interviewing Lombardi about the trade and the two signings. Good little videos. Go check them out.

Okay, so, now...

...what number is he going to wear? 10? (That's my guess...) Not 12, right?

Not for salary, since Wililams is due to make $1.25M more than O'Sullivan overall for the next two years, when both players are UFAs.

Not for age, since O'Sullivan is three years younger.

Maybe to rub off the Stanley Cup-ness on him. Now, we've four players who have even played in a SC game: Williams, Stoll, and Greene (all '06), and O'Donnell ('07). Only unfortunate that neither of those were with the Kings.

Has to be for positioning. With O'Sullivan gone, Moller can go to C (his natural position), and Williams can move to RW.

Only thing is we still need some LW. Based on nhlnumbers.com, the only two natural LW we have (healthy) are Frolov and Calder... and I've yet to find Calder's biggest fan... or only fan. Maybe DL can try to pick up UFA Tanguay in the offseason.

As for the second-round pick... doesn't matter whose it was, at least we had our own and Calgary's (from the Cammalleri trade). Hopefully it was Calgary's since our own will be a higher pick.

Why Deanm, why Dean...just give me answer!!!

Why Dean, why Dean...just give me answer!!!

He will wear #99

......Blockbuster deal!

When you see a 2nd was thrown in (Calgary's), it will most likely be 58-60th, so it's not as bad as moving our 2nd. It will be interesting to hear DL comments that's for sure.

the same fans that bitched about the signing of Handzuz, is what Lombardi is thinking.

To the people bashing the trade, keep in mind that we just acquired a former all-star who can finish. Not only did we fill the need of a sniper, we also acquired a guy with top-end talent. O'Sullivan was a quality player, but it'd be a stretch to call him elite. He is a solid 2nd or 3rd liner, and in my opinion, will remain a solid 2nd or 3rd liner for the rest of his career. Dean risks that stability to pick up a guy who could be on our top line once he regains form. The immediate reaction is to call the trade a loss, but one shouldn't judge Williams until he gets back his strength, which might not be until next season.

put me in the "o'sullivan wasn't actually that good," "this trade will be worth it if williams can stay healthy," and "AND a 2nd rounder??" camps.

as for the ducks trades, wow. i cannot believe they traded pahlsson. chicago looks very tough now, especially in the playoffs.

I like this trade. POS doesn't seem to fit the "new" NHL. Kings need some speed players and this guy's got it. Now let's bring up some of the kids from the minors and let them have a shot since the playoffs seem to be out of the question. Why not?

Dean Lombardi must love being in LA, given it's proximity to Las Vegas, b/c he sure as hell loves to gamble.

Anybody remember picking Thomas Hickey 4th, when he was rated in the mid-20s?

Or maybe he'll gamble that Justin Williams will be healthy. Despite the fact that his Achilles, ACL, and a broken wrist AND a hand have all been an issue. I mean, hockey players don't need wheels, knees, and hands, right?

Like Cloutier, McCauley, Nagy, Preissing, V. Bure, and Calder, I see this as probably not working out very well.

Maybe this off-season DL can sign me. I'll work hard. I'll even get an LA Kings tattoo on my posterior, for good measure.

Hahaha, "set the team back one more year".

As if O'Sullivan was that instrumental to the teams success. You may not like the trade but Sully was our most expendable/valuable asset.

Draft day trades and UFA signings will determine whether we stagnate or move forward next season.

So, in DL's discussion about the trade with Darryl Evans, he said this:

He wants Oscar Moller to take POS's position, and he thinks he can step into that role.
Williams is a proven goal scorer, an SC champion and he has a high 'compete' level.

So why the 2nd round pick? I'm going to guess that it had something to do with closing the deal (which people have talked about, so I won't go into it) but I also think it was a payment to get Sully off the books for a cheaper player. We saw earlier today that TOR took on an extra 500k in salary for a 4th round pick (I think that's what they calculated to on TSN). I'm guessing that had something to do with it too.

I think too many of you are looking at Williams' stats for this season as the only rationale for judging this deal. Look at his stats 2 and 3 seasons ago. Both seasons are far better than Sully has done to date.

I'm not saying that Sully isn't more naturally gifted, but Williams has proven twice that he can score 30+ goals in this league, and brings leadership and Cup experience to boot.

Why do you think Sully has been moved around so much this year? It's because he won't pay the price to be where he needs to be. I'll take two ugly goals over one pretty goal any day.

Deano's got me on board with this one, though I do agree that a 2nd was a little bit much. Maybe Sully and a 3rd or 4th would have been more in line, but sometimes you've got to make it happen while you can.

I have said this once and Iw ill say it until I am blue in the face...if Williams gets healthy this teams is bigger, tougher, more experienced, offensively more productive and grittier...I know that is a big "if" but we will have to wait and see.

Second, if this deal helps get Frolov signed, I am all for it.

"dave fouser said:

put me in the "o'sullivan wasn't actually that good," "this trade will be worth it if williams can stay healthy," and "AND a 2nd rounder??" camps.

as for the ducks trades, wow. i cannot believe they traded pahlsson. chicago looks very tough now, especially in the playoffs."

most sensible post i've seen through all of this.

Ok... So some of you guys like the "Proven 30 goal scorer". Here's some stats for you.

POS: First 3 (incomplete) years in the league playing for the KINGS
41 goals
68 Assists
109 points

In 2 out of 3 years POS has scored more than 15 goals (including this year which is incredibly likely)

POS scores once in every 4.59 games (career).
POS scores once in every 4.43 games (2008-2009).

Injuries: None

Williams: First 4 years in the league playing for the FLYERS and CAROLINA
48 goals
85 assists
123 points

In 3 out of 8 years Williams has scored more than 15 goals.

Williams scores once in every 3.95 games (career).
Williams scores once in every 5.75 games (2007-2008 & 2008-2009 Neither was a full season)

Injuries: Torn ACL, Torn Achilles-Tendon, broken hand

Someone point out the upside please?

DAmn it..Mike beat me to it.

This sounds EXACTLY like all the bitching about Handzeus when we acquired him. Damaged goods, huge salary, blah,blah,blah.

Would you get rid of him now???

We all know that Dean knew about Zeus's work ethic and had faith he would make it back. That faith in Zeus by DL when he was down not only paid off, but paid in SPADES! You think Zeus will ever want to leave the team and guy who gave him a shot when he was down?

There is a HUMAN element in all of this which I think is being missed.

JW is injured and has been a lot for the past few years. Our system doesn't produce many injuries (At least not yet). JW went 200+ games straight w/out injury before these injuries started popping up. This guy ALSO has a history of NO injury play which is being ignored.

Is it a risk? Of course. We all discussed this yesterday when Quisp mentioned the thought of this trade on the globeandmail.com site. I said I don't want JW, not because he's injured, but because I want a bigger named player. Obviously those guys were not there, so DL got the next best thing and replaced POS with a grittier, more talented version of POS.

I was rooting for POS, but I thought Deano made it pretty clear that there were high expectations of POS with this contract and we all knew full well what the consequences would be if he didn't live up to them.

Does anyone here really believe POS was living up to his potential and growing into that top line forward he was supposed to me? Not me. He's been incredibly soft this year, always shoots from the outside, gets bounced off pucks easy, his forecheck is less than effective. I'll miss him on the PK, I think he does really well at that role, but that is NOT what we were paying him for.

If both JW and POS are healthy, which is more proven and talented? Friggin obvious. Add the attitude issue (if it does exist, I have no idea, that's hearsay to me) and there's your answer as to why he was traded.

The 2nd rounder is what I would like an explanation for. If JW is healthy, then it makes sense. In this condition with the added risk, I don't understand the reason for the pick unless there is something severly positive about JW's condition that we know nothing about.

Here's something else...If we truly are thinking we are done for the season, then DL acquiring an injured player and shipping one off gives someone in Manchester an opportunity to impress THIS year in preparation for next year's training camp. I'm ALL for that. Whatever gives the youth more of an opportunity to play in the big dance is fine by me. Drewiskie got his shot and did a helluva job! That little stint might have earned him a spot next year on some NHL team. If not us, it benefits us as his value increases. The kid that comes up could do what Drewiskie did and by draft day, DL has a little more value to offer someone and regain that 2nd rounder or a big time player.

Again, I think the HUMAN element is in play here too. DL has history with this guy and he's putting faith in him again. My feeling is that the loyalty to JW will pay the same dividends that Zeus paid. I'll bet (Although he may never tell you) DL is probably banking on that.

If you want to leave....go. Don't let the f-n door hit you on your whiny a$$ on the way out. 29 years I've dealt with the BS of this team and never once have I thought about leaving, especially now that I FINALLY see some light in the OVERALL tunnel. DL is an honest guy ABOVE his abilities as a GM and I trust his judgement. Doesn't mean you have to. Just don't ever claim to know more than he does. I guarantee you that you don't.

Good luck Sully! I wish you the best!

Welcome Justin! We want a frikkin' Cup! Help us get one.

You will see a long 'tirade' in a few moments that came out anonymous, even though it said I was signed in. (Gotta fix that Rich). Starts out about Zeus and how Mike beat me to the comment.

Just wanted to take ownership of the comments.

O'Sullivan will never live up to his potential playing left wing. O'Sullivan is first and foremost, a center. He is far too creative and a far too good passer to be a wing. When Lombardi traded for Stoll, he dashed any hopes of O'Sullivan succeeding personally and professionally in a Los Angeles Kings uniform.
To me, O'Sullivan was our 2nd line center, not first or 2nd line left wing. O'Sullivan has chemistry with Frolov and Moulson. In my opinon, that should have been our 2nd line this year. Now we will never know. I have no doubt in my mind that O'Sullivan will succeed in Edmonton, as long as he is centering their first or second line.

Agreed, bad move.

POS was one of my favorite players. He was having an off year but he's going to flurish in EDM and kick our asses every time he plays the Kings. POS has some of the best hands in the league. On top of it all, DL give away a 2nd rounder to boot to "pull this off". Pull what off??? Safe to say, the great majority of us wanted POS to be a King. And to trade him for a player with the injuries Williams has had? This so reminds me of a trade George Maguire made for the Kings in the 70's, was it for Pit Martin? The guy played 2 games and had to retire due to previous injuries.

I've been a HUGE fan of DL's from the start. This trade has left me scratching my head and completely questioning his judgement.

Even if the Kings thought that POS was the scourge of the earth or something, he IS valuable SOMEWHERE - can't say this speaks much for a GM's salesmanship abilities.

ACL/MCL/Achilles no way, that is too funny, for an up-and-comer. Just to think, POS would have made training-camp next year.

How come it took them so long to get Moeller back into the lineup!!!!!!!!

I'll put this comment here to make it an even 200.

I keeping thinking about the following: DL is not an idiot. He didn't wake up yesterday morning and say, "I know! Why don't I trade a future 40-goal scorer and a pick that could turn into another Moller for a has-been with injury problems?? Where's the phone? I hope I'm not too late!"

What does that tell you about DL's opinion of POS, of Williams? Is it locker room stuff? How does DL really feel about POS's habit of staying on the perimeter? Or about the fact that he and his cohorts have for all intents and purposes disappeared down the stretch?

The answer is not, "he has a jones for Philly."

Kings short sighted here.I think Deano was offended in the contract negotions.O'Sullivan late in joining the team for camp hurt Deanos feelings.The whole team has under achieved in regards to scoring.Maybe TMs system,maybe line combos.Whatever Kings get an injured scorer with a history of injuries with a Stanley Cup win expierence.They lose a younger,lower cap hit scorer and penalty killer with more upside.
Was this not the preaching super plan,go with the younger core and develop them as a group to be a winner.Do you think that O'Sullivan won't get better? stronger? smarter? more productive? If anyone answered no you certainly don't know Patrick O'Sullivan.He is a winner and over achiever his whole hockey career and a bump in LA is not going to stop him, thats something you can bet on.Patty will go to the Oilers and burn the Kings for years to come.If only................