Forum answers II

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Questions: 1) How much stock does DL put in the combines? 2) Has your relationship with DL changed since the Justin Williams 'incident'?

Answers: 1) Not a ton. After this year's event, Lombardi said he basically uses the combine, and all the prospect interviews, as a way to confirm or deny the conclusions he and his staff reach during the season. The physical testing is interesting, I suppose, but Lombardi also makes trips to visit players in their hometowns, and he feels that he learns a lot more about the players but visiting them in that enviornment, and also, of course, by watching countless hours of video. 2) Not really, although the phrase ``once burned, twice shy'' comes to mind. I will say that, based on the Williams ``incident,'' I was more careful with the Pronger crap from Friday. I asked a couple follow-up questions, just to make sure that he wasn't using lawyer-speak and ``truthfully'' answering on a technicality. But as far as the Williams thing is concerned, we resolved it the day it happened.

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Question: Do you think DL is interested in signing gritty players, specifically Neil or Clowe?

Answer: Clowe is a restricted free agent, so I highly doubt it. Players such as Neil go back to a couple questions that were asked in the last open forum. Chris Neil, while talented in his own right, is a third- or fourth-line player, something the Kings already have a surplus of. Given the other holes they have on the roster, I don't think it's very likely that Lombardi is going to be out shopping for more third- and fourth-line guys.

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Question: Will anshultz actually address the fan base in regards to the direction of the franchise? It would be nice to have an owner who at least explains why he is the man hiding behind the green curtain.

Answer: You shouldn't hold your breath on that. He's practically the Wizard of Oz.

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Question: Rich, if the Coyotes move to Hamilton and Gretzky is out as coach, do you think the Kings would (should?) bring Wayne into some sort of role with the team? Having Luc and The Great One as the faces of the franchise seems like a grand idea.

Answer: Sure, but even in the scenario you present, I find it pretty unlikely to think that Gretzky would be unemployed, just sitting around available to take some sort of symbolic job from the Kings. Perhaps years down the road, yes, but considering that Gretzky's hometown is practially a neighbor of Hamilton, it's hard to think that he wouldn't still be involved in that (theoretical) franchise in some form.

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Question: As I recall the Kings players themselves indicated at the season-ending exit meetings that a scoring LW should be the team's top offseason priority. Given that Dany Heatley is one of the top LW in the league and actually available, do you think that puts him at the top of Dean's list ahead of Lecavalier, Hossa and Gaborik? And if Ottawa asks for Frolov, JJ and our number 5 pick for Heatley and Ottawa's number 9 pick, do you consider that fair and pull the trigger?

Answer: As far as a ``list,'' you're talking about different situations. Hossa and Gaborik are free agents, while Heatley and Lecavalier are trade targets. Before you even get to the point where you're weighing one player against another, you have to decide whether you want to just dish out money or if you want to give away prospects/picks/players. That's a very important distinction, and a decision that has to be made first. That colors your salary structure, among other things. If I'm the GM, and that's the proposed deal, I think I would do it. Seems fair, considering Frolov is entering the last year of his contract.

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Question: Forgot to ask you about Ivanans... What are the King's plans for the enforcer role? Will Westgarth finally get his chance?

Answer: Most likely, it's still Ivanans' spot to lose, as he's under contract for another season. As we saw this season though, having Westgarth there is valuable, either because of injury or because of subpar play by Ivanans.

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Questions: It seems some folks signed up as buyers, but it seems like many of the NHL buyers or potential buyers (McNall, the guys after him, Baggio, etc)have hope more than financial wherewithal, to be polite about it. Can the league keep sustaining such large losses? From Isle owner Wang's comments, it seems the Islanders are up for sale and hv been sustaining heavy losses for years (not that Wang's word is necessarily worth a whole lot given the CA accounting fraud but with the Yotes' and Kings making similar claims it seems likely true). 2) Do the 2009 NHL playoffs count since the "grittier" teams were all eliminated relatively early and two skill teams made the finals.

Answers: 1) The league definitely has an issue with some of these teams, but then again, every league does. In every pro league, there are teams that aren't cutting the mustard and should probably be moved. The NHL seems to be the only league in which you hear the word ``contraction'' tossed around though, which puts a different dimension on it. The post-lockout CBA, in general, has made teams more financially secure. The problem with the NHL is that is has teams in areas (Arizona, Georgia, Florida) that perhaps shouldn't be trying to sustain teams. That's the big issue, I think. 2) I think so. If not, they're going to have some big trouble trying to get the Cup back from the Pens.

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Question: Rich, we both know Dean will not tip his hand on any deals that are being discussed with other teams, but why has Jack's name popped up so much in the rumor mill. Is it because he is an RFA ? He can be qualified and at the very least will be right ? He is not arbitration eligible either. He can be signed to an offer sheet by another team , but I think other teams are leary of Dean's threat to go after that teams RFA's. The silence by both sides kills us fans but the KINGS are in control ,at this point, of Jack for at least next season ........right ?..? What does your gut feeling tell you happens on draft day regarding the #5 pick.

Answer: I think the questions about the No. 5 pick have probably been sufficiently addressed in previous questions, but the question about Johnson is definitely valid. To clarify, in addition to what you said, Johnson cannot be signed to an offer sheet. So why is Johnson's name coming up? A few reasons, I think. 1) The general thought that the Kings are looking to make a trade, and that a young defenseman might be involved. 2) The fact that, one year ago, Lombardi had contentious talks with a restricted free agent (O'Sullivan). 3) The fact that Johnson's dad pulled this stuff with the KHL team. Regardless of all that, they're all just rumors.