Closed-door meeting

DB last season=drove to the net and scored many goals
DB this season=drive wide, shoot wide, miss wide.

Uhhh...no...they don't need to be a lot more excited and hungry. They need to continue to phone it in for the rest of the season and get a good pick.

Why have a meeting now? I think it was due about 20 games ago when the ship first started sinking. Now it is completely futile.

2007-08 Los Angeles Kings NHL 78 33 27 60 55 -- -- -- -- --
2008-09 Los Angeles Kings NHL 77 24 29 53 62

Me thinks you may want to re-think that statement. New system also equals different offensive results. Brown is also killing penalties, something he has never done, is now the captain, which bears quite a bit of responsibility for a young kid (yes, he is still a young kid), and yet, is only 7 points off his pace from last season.

Yeah, he's had a terrible year for a guy who will consistently net 25 goals/year and 50 to 60 points.

I like Ersberg (the Kings goaltender) "But" and there is always a "But", I see his future with the Kings as the number 1 guy in Manchester next season and IF Bernier has a really good camp along with El Quicko, those will be the two guys up here. The "Hasek" style moves only work with Dominik. I personally thought that when Calgary scored the 2nd goal, it should have been stopped, I also feel the guys should have won it, it almost looked after the 2nd goal that they went into a vacation mode. There are those that will disagree with me, that's ok, just my observation. All in all, I thought it was a darn good season and they did about what I truly expected from the rookies and they were great. Geeze, I can hardly wait til training camp. If we can get a real sniper to go with either Fro or Kopitar this team will be in the playoffs and I don't mean one and done. They need to get alot more nastier in their end, you know, like take no prisoners. I would most certainly resign Army and most certainly say goodbye to Ivanans, probably Richardson (although I really like his drive) Mr. "Z" also and he also works his butt off .... checking the boards. Gauthier would be on the fence with me. My untouchables, Simmonds, Williams, Doughty, Quincey, Quick, Frolov, Armstrong, Moeller, Purcell, Boyle, Handzus, Greene, O'Donnell, Brown and Kopitar. Some of these guys aren't going to be back next season especially if DL goes after a top notch scorer and/or someone in camp burns the building down. It sure is getting fun now.

I disagree Johnny...they (Brown and the leaders) are trying to change the culture of losing on this team, in this franchise. Even if the game means nothing, you still play to win.

As a fan, yes, lose!!

Nah, no need to re-think it. It's pretty clear how bad his year has been.

You're making excuses for him, when weren't allowed to use the "new system" crap for Sully.

His point totals should be HIGHER than last seasons, not lower.

I think the whole organization should finally steer away from this "rebuilding" mentality because it's the source for every excuse to lose. Being young or inexperienced is certainly a hindrance but when it's used as an escape goat for why your team doesn't show up, then it sets everyone up for more of the same. "it's okay, these kids are young..."

I've said all along that the culture of winning starts from the top. Yes, rebuilding was necessary from years of mismanagement but if you're not competing every year to win the stanley cup then what is it all for??

I agree that this "players only meeting" is a coming a little too late. I think Brown is a good player but it's clear that a veteran like Handzus should be wearing the C.

As far as effort and results? Just look at what St. Louis is doing with young guys and a few veterans. They've found a way to win which took them from being dead in the water to possibly sneaking into the playoffs. The big question is: How long before this Kings team finds their way?

We lack mental and physical toughness on this team. Everyone owns coming ready to play. The guys paid to be physical need to step it up.

Wow, that was a really good post, KingFan.

I concur with the "C" comment, by the way.

Dustin's premie might be on his mind alot. Timing seems right. I can't get too worked up about Dustin's peformance.

Gimme that old time hockey religion...

AMEN, KingFan4ever!!!!!!
AMEN, Mr.Brett7!!!!!!
AMEN, russainsocal.
AMEN, Ersberg.

Somebody on the Kings, PLEASE?
Gimme that old time hockey RELIGION.

I get so peeved this time of year, hearing the Canucks broadcasters and the Flames broadcasters talking about PLAYOFF HOCKEY INTENSITY on their teams. Then, I hear people on the Kings happy about their improvement even though they aren't in the playoffs.

To change the culture in the Kings locker room, this season has to be considered a disaster, because the Kings go home in early April. At this point, what does it matter about draft position? To be treated like men, you have to act like men.

It's about time, Captain! Losing blows cheese! Play to win every night! Fake it, and you'll end up like Brian Boyle. The only thing us fans really want is that you care, and you show you care. I remember the late Great JLB breaking his stick on the crossbar after another one goal loss. Hate the loss, love the caring!

Why else would we all be blogging about a 25th-26th place team playing out the string? WE care! They want to be winners, think about how Detroit or Calgary or Vancouver or Montreal player would deal with missing the playoffs?

-end of vent-

I agree Dustin has been off but who can blame him. Hopefully his son will continue to get better over the summer and that fear won't be on his mind affecting his game.

Hey it's hard to separate personal and work. I have some stuff going on in personal life right now and it definitely is on my mind at work. It's just not that easy to drop it at the door.

Uh...Ersberg...

You want to cry over Sully? The man does not go to the net, period. He is perimeter player, with some slick moves, and will never be more than a 2nd to 3rd line player in the NHL until he grows a pair of hairy balls and learns what it takes to score in this league.

I'm not trying to defend Brown. He has had his off games. He is also still something like 2nd or 3rd in the NHL in hits (gee, same as last year where he finished around there), his point totals are virtually identical.

He has a new role on this team. Ever done that? Ever gone from being a nobody to all of a sudden, hey your now the man and everyone is looking to you? Do you HONESTLY think that doesn't effect anyone? Do you NOT think it's a coincidence that his play has dropped since his 2nd child was born? HE IS HUMAN.

So many of you are so frustrated, your just looking for anything to complain about.

There is more going on here than what you see everygame. Your not going to turn around 40+ years of losing in 40 minutes.

Brett-

For one, I'm not crying. Second of all, Brown is play EXACTLY how Sully did, which is from the perimeter.

My original points were very simple. He's had an off year. That's all. I never indicated his "inhumanity" or that there may or may not be some underlying problems to his play this season.

I merely stated he had a tough year, points wise, because thriving players would increase their prior year totals, not decrease.

He's a good player, I don't doubt that, but when a guy that's characteristic for driving to the net and scoring ISN'T doing that, then there's an issue.

You mentioned he was third in hits, correct? Well, if his problems off the ice reflect how his play is on the ice, shouldn't ALL of his game reflect that of his current personal situation? How does he then manage 3rd best in the league in hits, yet have a dropoff in production? It's not just HIS points, it's the teams points. If he was driving to the net, his linemates should and would have more high percentage goals(rebounds etc) from him driving to the net like he usually does.

I'm not frustrated over Brown's play. As a fan, I was indicating his dropoff in play. I'm sure he's a bit frustrated, though.

You say he has had an off year. I say he has had the type of year he will normally have.

I say you expect WAY too much.

Brett-

Come on. The guys plays harder and grittier than ANY King, plus he has tremendous skill.

You don't think he could get 35+ a year? I know he could.

Moral victories simply don't count and especially with the Kings who always try and find the silver lining in all their failed seasons as a hockey club.

This year they will tout the fact that the team got better defensively and in all likelihood, won't finish at the bottom of the league. But anytime you don't make the playoffs should be considered a failure. If this were the Chicken Wings they'd be chasing their players out of town and mass hysteria would ensue.

Yes the GA is down (229 so far vs 266 in '08) but GF is down as well. (201 goals so far against 231 last year) The only constant between these stats is that the results are the same: NO PLAYOFFS

Bottom line is that the product on the ice is average at best. Whether or not it gets better than that is proportionate to what standards the organization will set before their players. To me it should be CUP or BUST every year, not a five year plan to maybe get to the playoffs...

And finally, for the record, my comments about Brownie are more of about whether he has been a good captain, not about his recent play. (which is a different subject altogether) I have kids so I know what he's going through and yes I don't care who you are, that stuff will get to you.

My comments point to an overall leadership sense. It just seems to me that Brownie is a follower more than a leader, which doesn't diminish his talent as a hockey player. It's simply a question of personality.

That's the difference between LA and places like Ottawa and Detroit.

We're too soft on our team and market. The Kings' attitude is "hit the beach" if they don't make the playoffs. In Detroit(or similiar system), there's two options:

1) Win
2) Win soon or else

We're such a "soft" market team. We need to EXPECT them to win. We pay the money. The management ices the team. That team needs to play to win. Not play to golf or go to the beach.

I'm aware that 80% of this team wants to win(most of the time). The difference is, it doesn't show on the ice every night.

The "personality" of the team needs to play hungrier and more competitive than ever. We're in a larger league, and coupled with a bad economy, teams should not only be playing to win, but play for their livelihood.

Look at all the sports markets in the area. The Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, and even the lowly Clippers show up most of their games. The Kings should be expected to show up very much the same way these teams do.

Historically, the Kings seem to show up for about 60-70% of their games, but are on a mental "vacation" the rest. The solutions starts at the top, and ultimately works its way down the players. If it all needs to be changed, then so be it.

Up until a recent string of games, Brown was one of the only two guys who really got in front of the net and crashed the crease. His play has dipped lately, but like a lot of things, it's too soon to call for someone else to wear the C after his first season. Anyone who suggests that Handzus should be captain: it's easy to say that now but I don't think anyone considered him a year ago when a lot of us, if not all, were busy griping about what a bust of a signing he was.

It's frustrating but I just don't think we'll really see where this team is going until next year, after they've had one full year of Murray's system under their belts. But, that's what everyone says. No playoffs next year=failure...

wow...

so glad to read soooo many good/strong posts...

everybody on this site has tons 'o' passion...!

i don't think it's out of line whatsoever to call dusty out on his performance of late...

sure...mason and nicole probably weigh heavy on his mind...

but he is the captain of a professional sports team...and...no matter how fair/unfair it is...there are plenty of expectations that come along with such an entitlement...

KINGSFAN4EVER AND ERSBERG....

you both are extremely on point w/yr posts...excellent job...!

winning starts from the top...there are many issues that still plague the kings' mental composition, regardless of how far they have come (or not) in certain statistical criteria...

but what it translates ultimately to is...WINS AND LOSSES:

- how do we win?
- how do we lose?
- are we a team that learns from our mistakes?
- are we constantly making the same errors that lead to a loss?
- have we learned how to win despite the scenario of a game?

i also think you have to ask yrself the question that if we are fortunate enough to get a high-end player in the off-season, does that fix many of the aforementioned questions?

sure...we will probably score more...however, does that address what and how the team thinks?

has any team the last few seasons stated that they "fear" playing us?

we have had some top end scorers before that were able to add offense and not much else...and that didn't necessarily translate into wins/playoffs/success...

it is much more important to me that we add someone who can help us in all these departments in which we currently lack in...if it's a hossa/gabby/kovy (? to all 3) then, fine, go for it...

i have the opinion that it's going to take a whole lot more of the intangibles that are going to make the bigger difference for this team...

for every high-impact score sheet player we add, we should also add a high-impact non-score sheet player to the mix....it's so hard to find a free agent out there that has the whole package...and if you trade for one of those players, you run the risk of losing valuable assets in other parts of team composition...

BAKO....

when he says "give me that old-time hockey religion", he's absolutely correct...

the whole team needs to bleed l.a. kings...we have a lot of players who want to do just that...and there are times when some/many do...but it's clear that it's not enough...we are on our way to another off-season of "rationalization" and "compromise"...

we need to start thinking that we are bright enough to be "winners" and not settle for anything less...

winning fixes everything...

for a team that hasn't won anything of late, this is the biggest...and hardest...lesson for them to master...