Lombardi on how he developed the team.

[CaptHowdy00]

Lombardi discusses impact of patient ownership ? LA Kings Insider

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Thanks for the link. While it is in Dumbo Speak, which is essentially using 90,000 words where as a simple "Yup" would do, the point comes across - there needed to be buy in from everyone and it happened. I love how this team has morphed from perennial joke to perennial behemoth. Good luck NHL, the Cup comes through LA first and some other cities next (Chicago).

This caught my eye:

“Two, I want money for development,” Lombardi continued. ” I said, ‘I don’t really care how much you spend on the payroll right now,’ and he was kind of shocked at that. I said, ‘It’s not about the payroll. You’ve got to invest in player development and drafting, and that’s where you’re short here.’ And, he said, ‘OK,’ and he stuck with it.

I know it wasn't a jab at Al Murray, but it goes to show how out of touch he was when he was fired.

 

[CaptHowdy00]

The other part that I thought was funny, "Get some sunshine in the gym".

 

[davnlaguna]

A former player in 2009, told me years ago that guys went to Detroit for less money because Detroit did the little things that other teams did not do. They help find houses for players, they help find tutors for the players kids, they gave the players the best equipment . He then went on to say that the Kings wanted to be the club that did whatever they could, within the CBA, to respect the players. He showed me the weight room and the film room. Talked about finding the players houses all near each other. Having a Toyota rep help the guys find cars, esp with car pool stickers . They wanted to be a team that players wanted to come to. Then he pawned me off to Jamie Kompon for an hour.
I don't think that the Kings have pulled anyone in as a UFA to a discount, but once a guy gets to LA, I think they have a better chance to keep them. I am kind of glad Kovy didn't come to LA. I don't know if they would have the team they have now.
As fans we had it rough for a while. Not knowing if the ship was going to sink or float. Little did we know it was going to fly

 

[oxnardkingsfan]

Right now there isn't any room for free agent signings. Why on earth would the Kings want to bring in some big name free agent only to have to break up this team? Maybe after this upcoming season and a couple players leave there might be some room but I think I'd rather see them just replenish from within the organ-eye-zation.

Ox

 

[Kings4OT]

Cool read.

Ox, I am not sure what your responding to, but I don't think anyone is talking about going after a UFA

 

[davnlaguna]

Right now there isn't any room for free agent signings. Why on earth would the Kings want to bring in some big name free agent only to have to break up this team? Maybe after this upcoming season and a couple players leave there might be some room but I think I'd rather see them just replenish from within the organ-eye-zation.

Ox

Oh I know. I was more talking about how Detroit could attract players. I don't think the Kings have done that. When the cap space becomes available it would be nice to see a player choose the Kings over some East Coast team. I am fine with keeping and paying Kings players. It makes the fans feel like they are our guys. Some teams trade/change so much that buying a jersey is a roulette game