BLAKE IS GONE!

[LAKINGSFAN]

I can see it going either way. We alll know that new management likes to come in and put their stamp on things. It could also be that Luc told him to leave Hiller as the coach moving forward. I agree, Hiller just imploded in the series with the Oil.
We will also see if who Holland brings in as the AGM and possibly groom to replace him.

 

[Kings4OT]

I really dont see Holland doing much different than Blake...poor drafting, bad trades and horrible big contracts. Leaving Jill is a complete waste of the season no matter what else the GM does. Unfortunately Luc and fans are gonna want "the next step" so i really expect a dumb trade for some vet guy....Holland hates analytics so expect a guy that looks good on a score sheet but really kinda sucks, like a laine or something.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I can see it going either way. We alll know that new management likes to come in and put their stamp on things. It could also be that Luc told him to leave Hiller as the coach moving forward. I agree, Hiller just imploded in the series with the Oil.
We will also see if who Holland brings in as the AGM and possibly groom to replace him.

Currently it's Emerson as AGM, seems like its a title only being Blake's buddy all these years. I don't even know what his real responsibilities are, just that he's a part of the Beach Club and he's been in the AGM position since 2022.

If Holland clears house some of these guys are in trouble, but we will see. His first few moves, both at the team and staff level, will speak a lot of what we should expect.

 

[histkng23]

Being that Holland is almost 70 years old, is not expected for him to hold the GM duties for long. Hovan was curious if Holland brings his son Brad along, whom he had as AGM in Edmonton. If it some how purges the likes of Nelson Emerson & Glen Murray, might be good....

All I can hope for is the renewed emphasis on drafting/acquiring players with balls that will go through a wall for this organization. Players that aren't afraid to lay the wood & go to the front of the net offensively, and clear the front of the net defensively.

Got sick & tired of the pillow fighting teams of the last 8 years (essentially).

Also, this is it for Luc running this team. If the Kings are unable to make a deep run in the playoffs (at a minimum) next season, then AEG should have no choice but cancel Luc out of the organization...

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Spence already pitching the fire Jill line to Holland since he got screwed during the POs...

 

[Kings4OT]

The most Kings thing we could get of late is Hollands big move is he offer sheets Bouchard





And the Legend

 

[PuckinUgly57]

He will attack the UFAs immediately IMO. Gavrikov will be signed, Kuzmenko will not and Jeannot is 50/50 depending on ask.

But putting in an Offer Sheet for Bouchard would be such an FU, that would be awesome.

 

[Kings4OT]

Kings 1 of 4 teams ready to go "all in" on Mitch the bitch



This is my shocked face....

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Dear Baby Jesus, what if he fires Jill and brings Babcock out from under whatever rock?!

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I think it's unwritten that Jill has basically this year to get LA through the WCQF. If not, bye bye.

 

[histkng23]

I think it's unwritten that Jill has basically this year to get LA through the WCQF. If not, bye bye.

Apparently Jill's contract was for 2 years with a 3rd year option. So is this year or bust...

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Apparently Jill's contract was for 2 years with a 3rd year option. So is this year or bust...

Where did you find this out? If true hallelujah. I thought it was a straight up three year deal and this would be year two, if he got fired with one year left that financially restricts a top end coach even if a little bit having to pay Jill for a third year not to coach.

They're still paying McLellan I believe, paying two former coaches not to coach is a terrible look. So a third year option is freaking awesome. Could be the difference between a Maurice and a Dejardins.

I really liked him until this whole debacle in the WCQF and then his arrogance appeared in the post games when confronted on his decisions. Screams zero accountability.

If anything this group needs MORE accountability. Better get 50 wins and a WCQF win there Jilly boy. Minimum.

 

[histkng23]

Where did you find this out? If true hallelujah. I thought it was a straight up three year deal and this would be year two, if he got fired with one year left that financially restricts a top end coach even if a little bit having to pay Jill for a third year not to coach.

They're still paying McLellan I believe, paying two former coaches not to coach is a terrible look. So a third year option is freaking awesome. Could be the difference between a Maurice and a Dejardins.

I really liked him until this whole debacle in the WCQF and then his arrogance appeared in the post games when confronted on his decisions. Screams zero accountability.

If anything this group needs MORE accountability. Better get 50 wins and a WCQF win there Jilly boy. Minimum.

Hovan mentioned it on a recent Kings Of The Podcast. Specifically, then one about Blake & Kings separating.

They also mentioned the same about Ownership, and still paying McClellan. Alluded to them not liking the idea of continuing to pay coaches that are no longer with the club.

Was a pretty interesting podcast episode, worth a listen to. Starts with why Lombardi was relieved of his capacity. Centers mostly on his extending the contract of Sutter, whom at the time, Management was wanting to sever from due to the near revolt of the players.

Also, implied that Lombardi was apparently going to be fired at the conclusion of the 2012 Playoffs. Fortunately, they obviously won the Cup, which, coupled with the win in 2014, gave Deano credit, and Management kept him.

But then the wheels were coming off by them missing the playoffs 2 out of the next 3 seasons. Compounded by Deano crafting a disappointing USA team at a World/Olympics (can't remember exactly which), and that gave Management the justification to part ways.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Ill definitely check it out.

I didn't think they were fond of paying a coach not to coach anymore, I can't imagine any franchise is. Add in a second termination in two years and that would definitely rub Uncle Phil the wrong way. That third year option is a massive escape clause.

And if you think about it, being an NHL coach is an awesome gig - most of these guys don't last more than 2-3 years in one spot, get termed and end up elsewhere making a new salary plus being paid by a former team. Double dipping at its finest, sign me up. I'd get results but then they'd fire me after a year for making Clarke cry in the locker room telling him his balls need to drop and pulling a Lamoriello prohibiting flash on the team (Buster).

Interesting stuff about Dumbo. Didn't know the Sutter extension put him on the hot seat but did know (or sense anyway) that 2012 would have been his last year if results didnt happen.

There were rumblings about it that season as late as January 2012 because the team had underachieved so much to that point and had big salaries, making the big trade for Penner at TDL 2011 and then an even bigger move that summer bringing in Richards and taking on that contract that had like 10 years left on it or whatever. He had to swing big for the fences to save his job and he hit a grand slam with the Carter move, won the Cup and pulled it off. That was such a massive risk when you think about it because Carter had that mega deal still as well. I think that was Dumbo's grenade in the room, if it didnt work out some other GM will have to clean all that up. Also a very GMey thing to do.

It's interesting though ownership would cut him loose after 6 years after a true rebuild but gave Bowlby 8 with nothing to show for it. Nepotism at its finest.

That Team USA was the World Cup in 2016 and Dumbo was the GM. Wow did he assemble a terrible team, he went for the basic formula as he did in LA, big hulking character guys but at least LA had some skilled players (Carter, Gaborik, etc). That Team USA was nothing but the Forborts of the world, minimal skill, slow and couldn't score. I remember reading the hockey world laughing at what he had on the roster.

No surprise they were shit canned early on.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

Toronto Maple Leafs don't renew Brendan Shanahan's contract after latest playoff exit

Brendan Shanahan, hired as Toronto Maple Leafs president in 2014, didn't have his contract renewed after the team's latest playoff exit.

www.usatoday.com

If Toronto can do it, why can’t the Kings? I really believe that it’s time for Luc to go.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

(All the statements in parenthesis are my own semi-not high thoughts)

Why Kings could go big-game hunting this NHL offseason: Catching up with Ken Holland

The Kings' new general manager is eager to get to work on his roster: "I plan to be aggressive. Ownership is prepared to go to the cap."

www.nytimes.com

One week into the job, and there are not enough hours in the day.

Since being named general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, Ken Holland has been on the phone with fellow GMs, agents and staff — it’s been a whirlwind.

And he’s loved every minute of it. Boy, had he ever missed it.

“It’s great being back in a GM chair,” Holland told The Athletic on Wednesday. “I’m excited.”

The Hockey Hall of Famer was quick to thank Kings owner Philip Anschutz and team president Luc Robitaille for the opportunity — one that checked all the boxes for him, both professionally and personally.

A team that has a chance to win. A big market. A West Coast city that fits nicely with wife Cindi and their home in Vernon, B.C., and a life that includes four kids and 10 grandchildren.

It was the perfect package.

Now it’s time to roll up his sleeves. He’s hit the ground running.

One of Holland’s first decisions was to reach out to Rob Blake, inviting him out for dinner to pick his brain. Not every outgoing GM would be interested in that kind of invite, but it’s telling of the person that Blake is that he accepted.
(Why ask Blowby for his thoughts? He was horrible at the job.)

“Being the classy, professional gentleman that he is, we got together for dinner for two and a half hours and talked a lot about the team and some other things,” Holland said. “So very, very valuable for me.”

Holland has decided to keep Blake’s front-office group pretty much intact, which includes wanting to keep Nelson Emerson (AGM), Glen Murray (senior director, player personnel) and Marc Bergevin (senior adviser to GM) in the fold, among others, although we’ll see what happens with Bergevin on the New York Islanders GM front, where he’s interviewed twice, per league sources.
(The more things change, the more they stay the same. Unless this is a one year plan, where if they don’t get passed the first round and everyone is fired than this is just dumb.)

“I’m going to keep everybody,” Holland said. “They had 105 points. They’ve gone through a retool. It was a wonderful job by Rob Blake and all the people around him. I mean, they’ve made the playoffs the last four years in a row.” (The Kings haven’t made out of the first round in those four years. That’s why you’re here. And if you’re keeping everyone who has contributed to the mediocrity, then you shouldn’t be here.)

Holland didn’t blow up the Edmonton Oilers’ front office, either, when he got there. He did bring three people in of his own.

“I am going to bring in a person on board here, someone that knows how I think, and other than that, I look forward to working with Nelson and Glen and Luc and (head coach) Jim Hiller and everyone there,” Holland said. (Don’t say Babcock!)

Holland wouldn’t say who that person was he was bringing in, but I would be surprised if it wasn’t Tyler Wright, who was with him with the Detroit Red Wings and the Oilers.

As for Bergevin, if he doesn’t end up as the new Islanders GM, both sides are fine working together in L.A.

“Berg has been a general manager in Montreal,” Holland said. “His name is floated around out there. I wouldn’t hold him back. I wouldn’t hold anyone back if they had a chance to become a general manager or a head coach. But if Berg is back, I’ve obviously got a great relationship with him. We were together on the 2016 World Cup Canadian management team. We spent a good month together, and obviously we were both GMs and he’s a former Red Wings player in the 1990s when I was in the front office there.

“If Berg stays, certainly he’ll be somebody that will be very important to me. Because he’s been in the chair, and that experience is always valuable.”

Ironically, Holland himself met and interviewed with the Islanders this spring as part of their GM search process, although he would not comment on that. (So would he had called being the Islanders’ GM,
one that checked all the boxes for him, both professionally and personally? Because BC is farther away from NY than LA.)

There’s also been interest over the past year from a couple of other NHL teams, wanting Holland as a senior adviser.

“I did talk to some other teams, but at the end of the day, the situation had to work for my wife and I,” he said. “We’ve got four kids and we have 10 grandkids. Family is No. 1.”

In the end, the Kings’ GM job called out to him for all kinds of reasons, and Cindi was obviously an important part of it.

“I spent a lot of days on the road in my life,” Holland said. “She was home raising the kids and taking them to those school events, and I was missing birthday parties, I said to Cindi that if I had an opportunity to come back (as an NHL GM) and that if it fit for Cindi and fit for me, I would be interested in it.

“But at this stage of our lives, it had to be a decision that worked for the both of us.”

And again, the Kings’ job was perfect in every way.

“It worked personally and professionally,” Holland.

After a year out of team management, Holland said his juices were starting to flow this past season. He never saw himself as potentially retired, but rather as unemployed. He stayed in touch with the game by taking on an advisory role with NHL Hockey Ops, which allowed him to attend GM meetings and Board of Governors meetings. He watched NHL games every night all year long.

After his mutually agreed-upon exit from the Oilers last June following a Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Final, Holland feels re-energized and absolutely up to trying to take the Kings to the next level. (There won’t be a next level if you’re keeping the entire front office.)

“It’s a great opportunity, a great organization,” the four-time Stanley Cup champion executive said.

Holland’s hire wasn’t met with unanimous praise. Some segments of the Kings’ fan base wanted younger blood. A more modern vision. And you get that, for sure, from their perspective.

And like any GM, Holland hasn’t batted 1.000. But if you look at where the Oilers were when he took over and where they were when he left, sometimes you miss the forest for the trees. The Oilers were a mess when he got there, despite having the best player in the world. They were a win short of winning the Cup when Holland left, the hockey culture completely overhauled in the process.

Does that mean Holland will lead the Kings to the promised land?

No one can answer that for sure. But I know he won’t be afraid to swing for the fences.

You can absolutely bet he’s going to be aggressive this summer trying to upgrade the Kings roster.

“It’s a good team,” Holland said. “There’s good veteran leadership on the team. There’s some good young kids that are on the come up. It’s L.A. It’s got a great history. It’s a great brand. It’s an entertainment capital. Hopefully I can make a few decisions and we can convince a player or two to come join us like we were able to do in Detroit and able to do in Edmonton.”

The Kings have the salary cap space to swing hard enough.

“I plan to be aggressive,” Holland said. “Ownership is prepared to go to the cap. The goal is to put a competitive team on the ice and, at the right time, be aggressive to try to make the team better and more exciting. Whether that happens in the next six to seven weeks or next year at the trade deadline or next offseason … but certainly the plan is to be aggressive at the right time.”

I would be surprised if the Kings didn’t enter the Mitch Marner sweepstakes, for example, if the pending unrestricted free agent is indeed available July 1. Just like I would be pretty surprised if the Kings didn’t do all they could to enter a Connor McDavid frenzy if, for whatever reason, the best player in the world doesn’t extend with the Oilers. (I’m not saying he won’t extend. I’m just saying in case he doesn’t.)

No name will be too big for Holland. He’s going to be big-game hunting to get the Kings over the hump. (Not if he’s keeping the entire front office.)

 

[Kings4OT]

McJesus isnt going anywhere, his wife started some business there. I could see maybe after his next contract if he still hasn't won maybe going someplace he thinks gets him on the cup

 

[Kings4OT]

(All the statements in parenthesis are my own semi-not high thoughts)

Why Kings could go big-game hunting this NHL offseason: Catching up with Ken Holland

The Kings' new general manager is eager to get to work on his roster: "I plan to be aggressive. Ownership is prepared to go to the cap."

www.nytimes.com

One week into the job, and there are not enough hours in the day.

Since being named general manager of the Los Angeles Kings, Ken Holland has been on the phone with fellow GMs, agents and staff — it’s been a whirlwind.

And he’s loved every minute of it. Boy, had he ever missed it.

“It’s great being back in a GM chair,” Holland told The Athletic on Wednesday. “I’m excited.”

The Hockey Hall of Famer was quick to thank Kings owner Philip Anschutz and team president Luc Robitaille for the opportunity — one that checked all the boxes for him, both professionally and personally.

A team that has a chance to win. A big market. A West Coast city that fits nicely with wife Cindi and their home in Vernon, B.C., and a life that includes four kids and 10 grandchildren.

It was the perfect package.

Now it’s time to roll up his sleeves. He’s hit the ground running.

One of Holland’s first decisions was to reach out to Rob Blake, inviting him out for dinner to pick his brain. Not every outgoing GM would be interested in that kind of invite, but it’s telling of the person that Blake is that he accepted.
(Why ask Blowby for his thoughts? He was horrible at the job.)

“Being the classy, professional gentleman that he is, we got together for dinner for two and a half hours and talked a lot about the team and some other things,” Holland said. “So very, very valuable for me.”

Holland has decided to keep Blake’s front-office group pretty much intact, which includes wanting to keep Nelson Emerson (AGM), Glen Murray (senior director, player personnel) and Marc Bergevin (senior adviser to GM) in the fold, among others, although we’ll see what happens with Bergevin on the New York Islanders GM front, where he’s interviewed twice, per league sources.
(The more things change, the more they stay the same. Unless this is a one year plan, where if they don’t get passed the first round and everyone is fired than this is just dumb.)

“I’m going to keep everybody,” Holland said. “They had 105 points. They’ve gone through a retool. It was a wonderful job by Rob Blake and all the people around him. I mean, they’ve made the playoffs the last four years in a row.” (The Kings haven’t made out of the first round in those four years. That’s why you’re here. And if you’re keeping everyone who has contributed to the mediocrity, then you shouldn’t be here.)

Holland didn’t blow up the Edmonton Oilers’ front office, either, when he got there. He did bring three people in of his own.

“I am going to bring in a person on board here, someone that knows how I think, and other than that, I look forward to working with Nelson and Glen and Luc and (head coach) Jim Hiller and everyone there,” Holland said. (Don’t say Babcock!)

Holland wouldn’t say who that person was he was bringing in, but I would be surprised if it wasn’t Tyler Wright, who was with him with the Detroit Red Wings and the Oilers.

As for Bergevin, if he doesn’t end up as the new Islanders GM, both sides are fine working together in L.A.

“Berg has been a general manager in Montreal,” Holland said. “His name is floated around out there. I wouldn’t hold him back. I wouldn’t hold anyone back if they had a chance to become a general manager or a head coach. But if Berg is back, I’ve obviously got a great relationship with him. We were together on the 2016 World Cup Canadian management team. We spent a good month together, and obviously we were both GMs and he’s a former Red Wings player in the 1990s when I was in the front office there.

“If Berg stays, certainly he’ll be somebody that will be very important to me. Because he’s been in the chair, and that experience is always valuable.”

Ironically, Holland himself met and interviewed with the Islanders this spring as part of their GM search process, although he would not comment on that. (So would he had called being the Islanders’ GM,
one that checked all the boxes for him, both professionally and personally? Because BC is farther away from NY than LA.)

There’s also been interest over the past year from a couple of other NHL teams, wanting Holland as a senior adviser.

“I did talk to some other teams, but at the end of the day, the situation had to work for my wife and I,” he said. “We’ve got four kids and we have 10 grandkids. Family is No. 1.”

In the end, the Kings’ GM job called out to him for all kinds of reasons, and Cindi was obviously an important part of it.

“I spent a lot of days on the road in my life,” Holland said. “She was home raising the kids and taking them to those school events, and I was missing birthday parties, I said to Cindi that if I had an opportunity to come back (as an NHL GM) and that if it fit for Cindi and fit for me, I would be interested in it.

“But at this stage of our lives, it had to be a decision that worked for the both of us.”

And again, the Kings’ job was perfect in every way.

“It worked personally and professionally,” Holland.

After a year out of team management, Holland said his juices were starting to flow this past season. He never saw himself as potentially retired, but rather as unemployed. He stayed in touch with the game by taking on an advisory role with NHL Hockey Ops, which allowed him to attend GM meetings and Board of Governors meetings. He watched NHL games every night all year long.

After his mutually agreed-upon exit from the Oilers last June following a Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Final, Holland feels re-energized and absolutely up to trying to take the Kings to the next level. (There won’t be a next level if you’re keeping the entire front office.)

“It’s a great opportunity, a great organization,” the four-time Stanley Cup champion executive said.

Holland’s hire wasn’t met with unanimous praise. Some segments of the Kings’ fan base wanted younger blood. A more modern vision. And you get that, for sure, from their perspective.

And like any GM, Holland hasn’t batted 1.000. But if you look at where the Oilers were when he took over and where they were when he left, sometimes you miss the forest for the trees. The Oilers were a mess when he got there, despite having the best player in the world. They were a win short of winning the Cup when Holland left, the hockey culture completely overhauled in the process.

Does that mean Holland will lead the Kings to the promised land?

No one can answer that for sure. But I know he won’t be afraid to swing for the fences.

You can absolutely bet he’s going to be aggressive this summer trying to upgrade the Kings roster.

“It’s a good team,” Holland said. “There’s good veteran leadership on the team. There’s some good young kids that are on the come up. It’s L.A. It’s got a great history. It’s a great brand. It’s an entertainment capital. Hopefully I can make a few decisions and we can convince a player or two to come join us like we were able to do in Detroit and able to do in Edmonton.”

The Kings have the salary cap space to swing hard enough.

“I plan to be aggressive,” Holland said. “Ownership is prepared to go to the cap. The goal is to put a competitive team on the ice and, at the right time, be aggressive to try to make the team better and more exciting. Whether that happens in the next six to seven weeks or next year at the trade deadline or next offseason … but certainly the plan is to be aggressive at the right time.”

I would be surprised if the Kings didn’t enter the Mitch Marner sweepstakes, for example, if the pending unrestricted free agent is indeed available July 1. Just like I would be pretty surprised if the Kings didn’t do all they could to enter a Connor McDavid frenzy if, for whatever reason, the best player in the world doesn’t extend with the Oilers. (I’m not saying he won’t extend. I’m just saying in case he doesn’t.)

No name will be too big for Holland. He’s going to be big-game hunting to get the Kings over the hump. (Not if he’s keeping the entire front office.)

Makes sense, go someplace that failed...keep everyone and fail. With a track record like that, why not do the same exact thing that got you fired before