O'Sullivan on his time with Kings

[Psych3man]

Very interesting inside stuff on Kings and Kings coaches and management

Patrick O'Sullivan Discusses His Time with the Kings

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Fascinating story, everyone kind of knew what Crawford was. I had heard/read things about him over the last 10-15 years where players would say he could be tough to work with but it was also always the most talented and younger players on a team; look no further than what he did with the youth in Vancouver during his entire time there that included guys like the Sedins and a young Kesler. He tried to push young talent to be better.

That also brings up the point that O'Sullivan also didn't seem to give a damn no matter what he says; we saw it and his stats prove it. Crawford was canned and Terry Murray brought in, and I remember reading O'Sullivan was irritated that he finished on the top line with Kopitar and Brown the prior season but he had to earn his spot back there in TC the following year.

That's just the way it goes, we have seen top lines one year not mesh at all the following for whatever reason even with the same players. The onus falls onto the player to grow and adapt, not the coaching staff (unless your are a veteran, which he was not). You're only as good as your last shift and then you have to prove everything all over again. Isn't that just a part of daily life? I would think so, it is for me anyway.

Regardless, he played an important piece in Kings' history by being the piece that brought Williams here and the rest is history. While I think he could have made more of his NHL chances (he was the same player in Phoenix and Edmonton, keep in mind) it's a sad story to read all around. I'm glad he has spoken up and there seems to be more attention being paid to the well being of hockey players the people and not the hockey player on the ice.

Sometimes the cards simply are not in your favor and there is not a damn thing you can do about it though, sounds like this was his fate.

 

[davnlaguna]

I forget the year, but it was close to his last with the Kings.
At Tip A King in the tent on top of the parking structure, all the players were either in small groups or alone with a game of some kind along the sides. Except POS. He was near the center of the room and alone. No line for him. Everyone knew he was a goner. He sat in the middle of the room, looking sad and alone. I tried to talk to him for a little while. He knew that the line for Drew and Kopitar were the ones everyone was in and he just read his book.