Facts:
- Played hockey through to University of New Haven
- Labor Law Attorney from Tulane University
- General Manager of San Jose Sharks from 1996-2003
- Scout 2003-2006
- General Manager of Los Angeles Kings 2006-current
Is it time for Dean Lombardi to go? He came here to a team playing at the bottom of the league and said for us fans to give him 5 years. He started drafting and brought in Terry Murray to see to his young players. Things looked good, the Kings learned to play a defensive game, Murray made Kopitar into one of the best two way players in the league. We moved from that bottom spot to making the playoffs. Everything looked good.
But what happened?
Nothing. That’s what has happened. Not a thing. No one changed or grew. The team became stagnant in a defensive mode. We have great goaltending and great defense. We even have a few great offensive players. But we can’t score. We can’t move up. We are stuck. We as fans wonder why our offensive talent is not playing to their ability. Think about it, we have drilled into these young players minds to protect the net, shut the offense of the other team down, prevent scoring. But these young players have had their own talents stiffled as well. Sure, we have one of the lowest goals against average but we can’t score to win the game.
What to do?
- Nothing and keep the Lombardi defense mindset and hope we can shut down the other teams and come out on top by 1-0 or 2-1 games?
- Try another coach again?
- Fire Lombardi and hope the new GM will put together a more offensive team?
I think we all know that the time is for Dean Lombardi to go. We have waited a long time for our team to move up the line and we want to see a Stanley Cup brought to LA. We are not asking for too much. NO! Just because we are a Southern California team does not mean that we do not want the ultimate prize. Dean Lombardi has done a lot of good for us. Brought us up, brought us good defensive game play. He backs up his team with his words and tries with his actions. It’s time to move on to the next step. Sutter may or may not continue with the Kings if a new GM is brought in, but maybe he will get the chance to coach a more offensive game without Lombardi? I say its worth a try.
We have been together a long time, this LA hockey team and us fans. Since 1967. How much longer do we have to be patient and wait? I’ve come to the conclusion that we are done. Done waiting. Done being patient.
The time is now…right?
hockeyjockey
February 13, 2012
Really? Bold words Tracy.
I do not know enough about the inner workings to have an opinion I can back up. Don’t know if AIG minions have Final say in $$ and how nuch free reign Lombardi is really given. He dies Love this sport. As does Lewike as evidenced by his total enthusiam at games. I am not someone who says something just to say something. Don’t do it at my job, and won’t do it here. I will read and listen, and think on what new information I glean. I was wrong about Sutter, I did not known enough. I will try harder on this topic.
GO KINGS GO!!!
tracykingslover
February 13, 2012
I dont’ think it has to be a bad thing to make this move. Lombardi doesn’t have to go down in flames or anything like that. In fact, keeping him in the orgaization would be great for us in a scouting role or administrative role for sure. But his mindset is and always has been from the very beginning a defensive one.
Same as when he and Sutter were let go in San Jose. They brought the team to a good defensive spot and then it just stalled. stopped. time to move on.
His skill is what he has done with us and now its time to bring in someone with the opposite skill to finish it off.
I’d love to be one who will stand behind everyone for a long time and hope that things get better, but I have to look deep inside my King’s fandom love and say, nah. I want more.
hockeyjockey
February 13, 2012
I’m listening.. good points..keep in scouting capacity? Would he go for that?
GO KINGS GO!!!
tracykingslover
February 13, 2012
He used to scout – but would probably want a President position or such. I think that would be great for him. He does like to spin things.
tracykingslover
February 13, 2012
AIG wants their team to win. They don’t care about GM’s, coaches, players or fans. They are a business and look to the bottom lilne. But thats ok, thats what they are supposed to do. Without that, we wouldn’t have the money to get players or even have a team.
As for cap hit, etc. Yeah, Penner will be gone after this year (if not in two weeks) and that immediately frees up over 4 million. Stoll probably will stay, but may go in a trade. Everyone else will probably stay as well, but we could use that money and trade plus use our Manchester trade bait.
There is lots we can do to get some scoring in here. I was happy for the kids, but I’d like to see scoring from the guys who make 4-6 million first!
hockeyjockey
February 13, 2012
I think my Loyalty and refusal to think about the bottom line of $$ shows here..If I
kept the fact that this is all about what can turn a profit and that it is all a business I do not
think I would have the love of Hockey that I do.. I love it for the game that it is.. the way the
players do when they are little boys first learning this amazing sport..and as they mature and
think they have a chance to play as a Pro.. I do not think they are thinking.. oh this is how I
can make a living.. Olympics and World Games show that.. they sacrafice their time, money and bodies for the glory of the sport. That is how I prefer to think of the game.. so yes..
the “Overseer” the Lord that we pledge fealty to is AIG.. and He is a cold blooded businessman. But I see our team as a team, and see our players as indiviuals.I embrace them into the fold. Then as we lose some for trades.. I still follow them and wish them well. I always have a bit of unease when we play a former team mate. There are some that I feel never were ‘true Kings’, the rentals.. but when something like the Ryan Smyth thing happens I take it personally, and it hurts. He will be remembered as an elite when he retires and I am
sure he will go into the Hockey Hall of Fame.. but it will always be a bit sour for me now.
So here we go again.. time to see who we gain, and who we have to let go of..
So not my favorite time of year!!
GO KINGS GO!!!
tracykingslover
February 14, 2012
I love the trade deadline! but I seriously might shed some tears for my guys if any are moved. Even Penner.
Miguel Rodriguez
February 13, 2012
I’m not usually one to have knee-jerk reactions or to call for management changes in response to team play issues. But, I really do feel like this Lombardi-led team has reached some kind of plateau. I think that Mr. Lombardi did a great job with this team and made us a playoff-caliber team again. But we’re stuck. We’ve not yet made it out of the first round of the playoffs and I have a hard time believing that we’ll do so this year.
A lot about the Kings has improved under Lombardi’s watch, defense and goaltending especially. But our goal production has suffered, tremedously so. And there are a lot of reasons for this and not all of them are Mr. Lombardi’s fault. But you have to look at how a manger responds to crises. Lombardi’s reaction to low goal-output was to fire one defensively-minded coach and to hire another. What this tells me is that Mr. Lombardi is stubbornly sticking to the kind of thinking that has the team where it is at today. Managers need to be able to adapt to new situations. I don’t feel that Mr. Lombardi is able to do so.
And then there is his draft strategy. Now, I understand that draft picks don’t always work out the way you had intended. But it’s hard not to look back at the drafts under Lombardi and what we have missed out on and not cringe. In 2006 he picked Trevor Lewis over Claude Giroux. In 2007 he picked Thomas Hickey who has yet to crack the NHL over Logan Couture, Kyle Turris, Sam Gagner, and David Perron. In 2008, he picked up Colton Teubert over Jordan Eberle. 2009 was actually pretty good for him since he picked up Brayden Schenn which ended up netting us Mike Richards. And it’s still too early to tell how the 2010 and 2011 drafts will pan out (seemingly good since we picked up Tyler Toffolli and Derek Forbort).
And then let’s talk trades. Under Dean’s watch, we’ve seen a remarkable number of young players drown in our defense-first system, only to be traded and flourish elsewhere. Teddy Purcell, Wayne Simmonds, Matt Moulson etc… In return, we get guys like Penner.
Don’t get me wrong, I really do like Lombardi and I think he saved this team in more ways than one. And not everything that’s gone wrong can be layed at Lombardi’s feet. In fact, a lot of what has happened just comes down to bad luck. But the fact remains that the Kings have not realized their potential under Lombardi. And even worse, there does not seem to be any kind of organizational shift under way which addresses the problems that we face. For that reason, I do think that it is time for new management. It saddens me to say so, but it’s time to move on.
tracykingslover
February 13, 2012
“Lombardi’s reaction to low goal-output was to fire one defensively-minded coach and to hire another. What this tells me is that Mr. Lombardi is stubbornly sticking to the kind of thinking that has the team where it is at today. Managers need to be able to adapt to new situations. I don’t feel that Mr. Lombardi is able to do so.”
- This is exactly what I was trying to get at. He has done wonders for us with the “Dean Lombardi” way. And thats great, but we need more than just ONE way. In order to win, we have to have both offense and defense. Just the way the game is. No one to blame for that.
“And then let’s talk trades. Under Dean’s watch, we’ve seen a remarkable number of young players drown in our defense-first system, only to be traded and flourish elsewhere. Teddy Purcell, Wayne Simmonds, Matt Moulson etc… In return, we get guys like Penner.
– the trades I am a little less upset about. I think the Richards trade was a good one. We would still be complaining about Simmers not scoring enough and Schenn may or may not ever meet his potential. I think we won on that one, I believe that its been too short of a time for Richards to totally acclimate to the Kings. He is really too good to not step up – I actually think he may still be not 100% after the concussion. Give him time. and of course we ALL hate the Hickey one. UGH!
Just goes to show, it’s time for a change. And thats ok.
Miguel Rodriguez
February 13, 2012
I definitely agree that the Richards trade was a good one. It’s a trade that, to me, is a no-brainer. What I was trying to get at was the fact that Simmonds and (to some extent) Schenn have flourished in Philadelphia in ways that we could only dream of them doing here. Right now, Wayne Simmonds has as many goals as Kopitar. That’s insane.
I’m totally glad to have Mike Richards on this team and would make that trade again and again and again. But what the hell were we doing to Simmonds and Schenn that was holding them back so much?
I’ll tell you what, stifling their natural creativity. Players in our system are so locked in to set plays and defensive assignments that they’re scared senseless of making the “wrong” play. This completely strips these guys, who were drafted specifically because of their offensive creativity, of the asset that is needed most in today’s NHL.
Let’s face it, hockey players and coaches in the NHL today are smart as hell. They’ve seen just about every formation and strategy that you can name. The only thing that will get you past that is creativity, doing something that no one expects. That’s what scores goals today.
tracykingslover
February 13, 2012
Totally agree! Look what happens when the kids come up from Man, they bust ass and are all over that place trying and in the most part, succeeding. Richards was the same when he first came.
Then we beat that out of them. We needed that change with Murray and we didn’t really get it with Sutter. All I know is I want my team to succeed and changing coaches didn’t do it.
hockeyjockey
February 13, 2012
Very good points made.. esp the draft piks.. when you see the comparrisons side by side..
ouch!
And yes we have traded away players that have florished elsewhere.. I will say Brain Boyle although he is not repeating his stellar year of 10-11.
And when you say Bad Luck.. all teams have that..
damn is new management the answer.. we all speculate.. I wish I was certain..
GO KINGS GO!!!
Miguel Rodriguez
February 14, 2012
Brian Boyle really was frustrating when he was with the Kings. He was never really bad but never did live up to the expectations we had of him. A guy that big and with that much power really should have been much better at the NHL level. He was fantastic in Manchester but could never bring consistent offensive production for the big club.
Not that the Rangers have had much luck with him either though. They were loving him last year and it looked like hewas finally coming around offensively, but this year he has fallen way off. Who knows, maybe he can be part of a bigger trade package for them.
What really bugs me about the Brian Boyle situation is the fact that we picked him up at #26 in the 2003 draft. That’s two spots above #28 which went to Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry. Ouch! But that was Dave Taylor’s pick, not Lombardi’s.
hockeyjockey
February 14, 2012
Since I have not seen your name here til yesterday.. You may not know that my one and only is Alexander Frolov.. Totally blind when it comes to him.. so don’t even think of saying anything negative ..please. Since he went to the Rangers last year( and because The Rangers have always been my East Coast team.. parents from there.. grew up watching) I
got Center Ice last year to follow them.. I also had all the NY blogs going and all the other
social media.. really did get to know that team.. found out that Brian spent the previous summer with an ice skating coach who totally retaught him how to skate. That and all his hard work really showed last season. I think he really jelled with his linemates as well.. I am of the belief that you need to find lines for players to skate on a consistant basis for them to do their best. Don’t know what is going on this season.. also am starting to believe we the fans are serioulsy kept in the dark when it comes to injuries..perhaps the player and the team think it is a playable injury and it comes across to us as the player just not being up to
what we think he can do..So who knows..
GO KINGS GO!!!
The Recipe Seeker
February 15, 2012
Miguel, I am really happy to see a man’s perpective of a woman’s blog. Maybe you can adress Tracykingslover on her comments about the trades. I’m anxious to learn all I can about Kings’ team do any input is appreciated. Thanks
tracykingslover
February 14, 2012
First off, I need to say I don’t care how good Corey Perry turned out to be, I will still hate him
also, hockeyjockey, you make a really good point about the hiding of injuries. I still think that is the prob with Richards, but not in a huge way. But probably didn’t get to really get all the way healed.
PS – still miss Fro’s wrap around, lol.
hockeyjockey
February 14, 2012
PS – still miss Fro’s wrap around, lol.
I cannot tell you how often I say to the TV to Bobby and Foxie..
“Oh Fro would have taken that into the net”
I try to keep it to myself when I am in public least people think I am nuts
GO KINGS GO!!!
The Recipe Seeker
February 13, 2012
You wonderful people are way out of my league regarding Mr. Lombardi. However now is the opportunity for Kings novices like me to follow more closely the trading negotiations. I would love to hear more about what changes need to be made in order for us to score more goals and win more games. It’s really that simple once they figure out their playbook. Thanks for the info and hopefully there will be more to come.
tracykingslover
February 13, 2012
We should do a hockey 101- NHL trade deadline and how it works. I’ll think about that.
For now, just know that Feb 27th, 2012 at noon pst. is the deadline and no more trades will be allowed for the rest of the season. So tons of activity going on these next two weeks.
If you want, you can go to tradecenter at tsn. Its east coast and Canada biased, but you can find info if you look hard enough. Kinda like Nordstrom Rack, you can find something good that is buried if you look hard enough. LOL
http://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre
hockeyjockey
February 14, 2012
Rick Nash!!! Are you Kidding me??????
Geez.. I just listened to NHL on the Fly.. they just said he is going to be on the market..
did not say weather it was Nash or the GM that went to the other and said lett’s see
what happens.. He has a no trade clause.. which basically means he gets to say who
he goes to .. if he goes.. it is crazy these days.. Another Captain.. He just signed a 7 year
contract.. He is an elite.. he is a future Hall of Famer.. he is one of the good guys..
which means I can appreciate his elite skills without getting nauseous.. ie he is not an ass.
He has always been a Blue Jacket.. and they have never been a contender .. and as good a player as he is.. he deserves a chance while he still has time..
So jeez .. We cannot not be interested.. When a Star comes along you got to try..
this would be interesting .. to see what we would have to give up.. and this is the part of
Hockey I HATE.. What does Columbus want.. youth.. free up salery to go after more ,,
youth.. who would we have to give up? Voynov.. Lokti.. Cliffy.. it makes me nauseous.
oh I already used that term.. ahhhhhhhhh
GO KINGS GO!!!
tracykingslover
February 14, 2012
Nash is indeed going on the market. He is lifting his no trade clause to be traded. He wants to stay in Columbus but sees that they need to change and he needs to go to lighten up cap space and also to give himself a chance at a cup where he won’t get it in Columbus.
Lots of talk about Nash to LA but it would take Bernier (they need a goalie), JJ (they need defense) and maybe a young one in Man or a pick.
I’m so split on this. I would love Nash but his cap hit is I think 7.8 million so we would have to get rid of a lot going that way. Should we wait and let Penner and Stoll go after their contracts are up or go for it now?
I would be ok with Carter out of Columbus. Cheaper and I like him.
hockeyjockey
February 14, 2012
I will get SO Sour if JMFJ is traded.. that is just wrong!!
Bernier.. I would love for him to get a chance to shine.. if it would be in Columbus..
I don’t have any ill feeling for that club.. which translates as they havn’t done anything
harmful to our Team
Carter.. yeah ..ok.. we have really good Trainers and Rehab guys.. since he is injury prone..
I think we have done well with our injury prone players.. You All MUST KNOCK ON WOOD
when you read this part.. Yes I am of the superstitious nature.. I work at the Race Track remember.. we are nothing if not superstitious :-0
GO KINGS GO!!!
tracykingslover
February 14, 2012
Also I heard that Nash gets to say which teams he would like and just rumor, but I hear its LA and VAN. I would think he would go east.
I would HATE to have him on Detroit or NY!