Brown to be stripped of his C.

[PuckinUgly57]

Why announce it now? If they wanted to trade him, this makes him look damaged goods.

My guess is he was shopped and Dumbo tried to sell him as a leader with intangibles, "I'm offering my CAPTAIN" sort of thing and the reality came back. Brown has been an overrated captain around the league for about 5 years now, and I don't think Dumbo liked what he heard coming back.

Rather than keep trying to move him on that as a selling point, I think it was more like selling him as what he really is: a guy who with a mindset of effort but not a lot of results (at least in LA, maybe in a different system). I think by using the C to sell him is insulting to other GMs, they aren't stupid. I know I would have said "GTFO Dean, tell me what he REALLY brings".

This also makes any type of move - and that is still in play no matter what is circulating, keep that in mind (draft is coming up, Buyout Period is also coming up in 2 weeks) - less of a blow to the fans. Let's be real here, even as sucky as Brown is, he is a fan favorite and always will be. There are still a ton of fans out there who have the wool pulled over their eyes and think he is a 60 point guy.

It's sad to see his story come to this, but if a fan like myself saw this coming after 2012 there is no excuse a polished GM like Dumbo should not have seen this. He should have been moved in 2013 while his stock was already tumbling but still somewhat salvageable.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

The potential benefit is that he longer feels the weight of the C and starts to perform better. The spotlight is off of him now.

I don't think the spotlight was on him because of the C the last several years, I think his spiral in terms of production and salary were the driving factors. Richards didn't wear a letter unless someone was hurt, and he came under the same gun. This is a results driven business, and when you are one of the top 4 paid players on the team and cannot produce, you will be under the microscope.

I hope you're right, that this ignites him, but I have lost all faith in that. If his stat line wasn't a kick in the ass enough the last few years to himself, taking a letter off his jersey won't suddenly do that.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Doughty is too emotional to deal with the refs and the media that way (maybe)
I think he gets an A this year

My guess for the C will be either Kopitar or Carter, with Doughty and Greene as the As (assuming Greene is back). If not, believe it or not, I see Martinez sporting an A. He has a ton of leadership skills that are not shown on TV. He's calm, smart, makes the right plays and leads by example.

Agree about Doughty, as skilled as he is, he's too loose a cannon with his tirades sometimes. Think back to times when he smashed his stick, aggressively skated towards refs, yelling at them, etc. That's the mark of an emotionally connected player, which is awesome, but refs get tired of that barking real quick and eventually that falls on deaf ears. They like the strong, silent type of captain.

Just take a look down the freeway at Getzlaf. Refs give him 10 seconds and skate away in recent years because he never changed his communication style after being awarded the C years and years ago. They expect more from a veteran captain.

 

[Kings4OT]

I would put my $$ on Kopitar

 

[smackdown380]

I think the Kings are putting $80M on Kopi wearing the C

 

[CaptHowdy00]

I think Kopi gets an A along with Martinez and Carts gets the C. He delivers in leadership on and off the ice.

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

I think this move buys Brown a year. There's no way they ask him to relinquish the "C" and devalue him before a trade. This move appeases the fans and takes a lot of focus off Brown. I think this sets the table for Brown to do or die this year (Vegas almost officially getting a team after 2017 season, so expansion draft or trade are on the menu). Lombardi is either redeemed by Brown delivering or Brown is the scapegoat and he's gone.

My money is on Kings not signing Lucic and banking on Brown in top 6 with goal being ton use the cap to sing a Hamhuis or similar. Top 6 becomes #1 a healthy Gaborik - $80mil Kopitar - Brown #2 Pearson - Carter - Toffoli

 

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Big city will get NHL team for 2017-18 season

 

[Psych3man]

Big city will get NHL team for 2017-18 season

Yeah, because the talent pool isn't watered down enough already.
3rd and 4th lines on almost every team already suck.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Yeah, because the talent pool isn't watered down enough already.
3rd and 4th lines on almost every team already suck.

I disagree with this, I think prior EDs you're right but those were mainly through the Dead Puck era (1994-2004). There were career minor leaguers playing in the NHL because they could, you didn't need a lot of talent to play in the NHL then.

Look back to the 2000 Wild, they had both Matt Johnson and Steve McKenna, those guys don't even sniff an NHL roster these days. Because of the way the game has changed, there are some decent minor leaguers now who don't have a spot on an NHL team. The game changed, the players changed and I think we have more talent now overall than we did 15 years ago. It's a faster skill game now compared to the old clutch and grab.

That said, there will be some good pplayers available in the ED for Vegas. Look at the Kings roster alone, whoever they lose is going to be a decent addition to Vegas.

Unless your name is Nick Shore.

=)~~

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I would put my $$ on Kopitar

That's what I'm thinking overall as well, but I think Carter could be a dark horse. He is under contract for what, another 4-6 years? Part of the core, carries himself like a pro on and off the ice and has that demeanor to communicate with the refs. He's been a mentor to the younger kids and really morphed as a team player after he came to LA.

While Kopitar is my big bet, I wouldn't be surprised to see Carter, and I'm totally fine with either one. Better than Brown no matter what.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I think this move buys Brown a year. There's no way they ask him to relinquish the "C" and devalue him before a trade. This move appeases the fans and takes a lot of focus off Brown. I think this sets the table for Brown to do or die this year (Vegas almost officially getting a team after 2017 season, so expansion draft or trade are on the menu). Lombardi is either redeemed by Brown delivering or Brown is the scapegoat and he's gone.

The thing is, they didn't "ask" him to give it up, they told him he was no longer the C. That tells me enough I need to know and how they feel.

I do agree that this sets him up next season, it's sink or swim time. What I am afraid of is he will have his best year in half a decade, be protected from the ED and then again revert back and here we are again in 18 months saying Dumbo missed yet another opportunity to get out of a bad contract out of loyalty. He has done this a few times the last few seasons missing being traded, bought out, etc. The tease as we know it.

Were I Dumbo and given what we know, he is on that non-protected list next summer and is still shopped until then as quietly as possible. There are too many years and too much money left on that contract to take another gamble on a guy who has not done much in 5 years.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Found this looking around:

The Fourth Period :: Bernstein's Shots from the Point :: C-Less in L.A.

Bernstein's tone is pretty obviously pro-Brown so I think the "C-Less" he is referring to is the word classless. I do agree that it should not have been leaked the way it was, and were I Dumbo I would be trying to find out who did that. That was an internal issue that should have been addressed appropriately publicly.

I do not agree however, with his sentiment that Brown was misused by Sutter. Sutter is known to give time to players who produce and play well, he moves players when he sees things not working, not the other way around. Brown has seen significant time under Sutter on the first line, and no results, fourth line, no results. I don't think he watches LA enough to make that statement because it simply is not true.

Look at Pearson, he was stagnant almost all season long and then found himself benched for the first time in his career. He comes back, gets the message and starts producing - I would say he was the Kings' best forward from that point on (Feb?) until the end of the season.

Sutter is a no nonsense coach, and if you deliver the goods or are of value, you will get the time. If not, you'll ride the pine or see a diminished role until you prove yourself again.

 

[davnlaguna]

Not quoting you puck but everything "today" I agree with. People forget how bad 3-4 liners were in the past.
Howe played into his 50s. He played 80 games in his last year.
The thing is we remember all the good and forget the bad. It is light rock music. We remember the Beatles and the Stones but forget the band Stories with their number one hit "Brother Louie"

 

[histkng23]

I disagree with this, I think prior EDs you're right but those were mainly through the Dead Puck era (1994-2004). There were career minor leaguers playing in the NHL because they could, you didn't need a lot of talent to play in the NHL then.

Look back to the 2000 Wild, they had both Matt Johnson and Steve McKenna, those guys don't even sniff an NHL roster these days. Because of the way the game has changed, there are some decent minor leaguers now who don't have a spot on an NHL team. The game changed, the players changed and I think we have more talent now overall than we did 15 years ago. It's a faster skill game now compared to the old clutch and grab.

That said, there will be some good pplayers available in the ED for Vegas. Look at the Kings roster alone, whoever they lose is going to be a decent addition to Vegas.

Unless your name is Nick Shore.

=)~~

While I will give Bernstein a listen to every now and then, I really didn't put too much value in his opinion after 2013.

There were some roundtable videos that were posted on YouTube that summer via Mayors Manor. The one thing that Bernstein kept repeating and refused to waver from was his opinion that the Kings should, and needed at the time, to pursue Iginla in the free agency period. While Iginla's intangibles do bring value to the table, I just didn't see him fitting in anywhere at the time. So for Bernstein to keep repeating that over the course of the discussions, just seemed to come off as someone who didn't have a clear understanding of who the Kings are/were. Only in the last couple of years has Dumbo attempted to go after rentals, and big name FA's (not that Iginla was the cream of the crop), so his mentality that Dumbo should do that that summer, just made him appear out of touch. JMO....

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Kind of shocking how a captain of 2 Stanley Cup winning teams could be so hated on by his own team. I was never a Dustin Brown fan, but I must say he has been a great captain for the Kings.

Meanwhile, no one ever questions Ovechkin's legitimacy as a captain.

 

[Kings4OT]

Kind of shocking how a captain of 2 Stanley Cup winning teams could be so hated on by his own team. I was never a Dustin Brown fan, but I must say he has been a great captain for the Kings..

He was what they needed at the time he became C. The amount of leadership on the cup teams from guys that did not have a C/A on their jersey was immense(Richards, Carter, Mitchell, Scuderi....ect)....it could be argued they didn't really need a C, outside of a few months he didn't really lead by example and as Puck has mentioned numerous never stuck up for his team mates. He will always be the "greatest" C for the Kings in my book as he was on the cup teams but he is now taking up a huge amount of cap with zero results on the ice, no production even his hits aren't meaningful and still does nothing to rally or stick up for the team. Hate is a strong word tho doob and most of us do not hate him and he has done great things for the community, but the window to stay relevant is closing quickly and he brings nothing to the table at this point.

Meanwhile, no one ever questions Ovechkin's legitimacy as a captain.

Actually most of us here don't think Ovechkin is a great C either and really until this season his play wasn't that of a good team member. I am not sure why you made this comment, are we supposed to create a thread for all the leagues team captains and give our opinion on them?

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

He was what they needed at the time he became C. The amount of leadership on the cup teams from guys that did not have a C/A on their jersey was immense(Richards, Carter, Mitchell, Scuderi....ect)....it could be argued they didn't really need a C, outside of a few months he didn't really lead by example and as Puck has mentioned numerous never stuck up for his team mates. He will always be the "greatest" C for the Kings in my book as he was on the cup teams but he is now taking up a huge amount of cap with zero results on the ice, no production even his hits aren't meaningful and still does nothing to rally or stick up for the team. Hate is a strong word tho doob and most of us do not hate him and he has done great things for the community, but the window to stay relevant is closing quickly and he brings nothing to the table at this point.





Actually most of us here don't think Ovechkin is a great C either and really until this season his play wasn't that of a good team member. I am not sure why you made this comment, are we supposed to create a thread for all the leagues team captains and give our opinion on them?

I was actually defending Dustin Brown. Not sure why you got offended by it or took it so personally, but whatever.

 

[Kings4OT]

I am not offended, I am a fan who appreciates what he did for the Kings and his community but think its time for him to go. Brown has been a waste of cap space for a long time, you thinking he is worth that contract doesn't offend me or make me mad....makes me laugh more then anything

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Kind of shocking how a captain of 2 Stanley Cup winning teams could be so hated on by his own team. I was never a Dustin Brown fan, but I must say he has been a great captain for the Kings.

Meanwhile, no one ever questions Ovechkin's legitimacy as a captain.

I don't hate Brown at all, he is a great story in LA history - 1st round pick, found his way, developed into a legitimate power forward for a period of time, part of 2 Cup teams. However, I try to be as objective as possible and there are several things that are not so good:

- never stuck up for his teammates. This to me is the BIGGEST thing. If your captain doesn't have your back, who does?

- never stuck up for himself. All those years he was known to be a fierce hitter, 99% of the time he was confronted he skated away. Personally, I think 90% of his hits are/were clean, some were borderline but he's not a dirty player. What are you afraid of?

My point here is if you play that way, it will illicit a response, right or wrong, and you need to defend yourself and the way you play. Some guy comes at him for laying him out clean, get in that guy's face and say "I laid you out clean - and I'll do it again", not skate away or let someone else fight your fight. It sends a message of I play this way and it isn't going to change. Instead he had other people clean up his mess, which in my opinion made him look weak.

- incessant diving. He doesn't do it much these days but for about 5-6 years he was one of the best divers in the league. I absolutely hated that and something a C should not be doing at all. It's pathetic and shames the game. That's shit I expect from French Canadians or Europeans (Selanne was the king of this for some time as well), not a hard nosed US born captain.

- long periods of stagnation. I always break up Brown's career in 4 distinct periods: 2003-2008, 2008-Feb 2012, Feb - June 2012 and then June 2012 - current.
From 2003-2008 developed a ton, really broke through in 2004-05 at the AHL level during the lockout and came into 2005-06 looking like a legitimate NHL caliber player. He was most effective those 5 years.
2008-Feb 2012: he really hit a plateau but the last 2 years or so of that period you could see he was starting to decline. The last year before that period was the worst, which triggered the Brown is being shopped rumors leading up to the 2012 trade deadline.
Feb 2012 - June 2012: the first game (I think) after the deadline and he knows he's here still, he got a hat trick in Chicago and hit another gear going into beast mode. He was unstoppable during this time, culminating in the first Cup. This to me, was the peak performance period of his career.
June 2012 - Current: steady decline, monster contract, production has essentially evaporated, seems completely content making millions of bucks and not doing anything - and I mean even the hitting is gone. Sure, the Kings won a second Cup in this period with him at the wheel, but he was not nearly as big a factor as the first one. Unless you watched every game of the Kings during the playoffs, you won't see that. Same thing could be said of Richards, he was a huge reason for the first Cup but not so much the second.

The bottom line is he has served his purpose here, and I think a change of scenery would be best for him. He makes way too much money for what he brings, which isn't much the last 4 years or so.

The old adage, if Gretzky can be traded....