2006-06-25 17:28:26 · 7 answers · asked by Vahe B 1 in Sports ➔ Hockey
we've had an absolutely unentertaining, lousy last couple of years. really went south with the blake trade - miller and deadmarsh were great but hardly ever played. yes, much of the last few years was due to high end players getting injured or knocked out completely - but it's worrisome because while they will be well under the salary cap - GM Lombardi doesn't seem to enthused about spending money.
perhaps demitra had an attitude problem, but the Kings used to really mean something in this town - i still have my original colors jersey from the days at the Forum - but lately they just seem to be in the shadows and don't appear to even try, and when you consider the owner Phillip Anschutz is a billionaire who won't spend on this team yet makes his fortune from real estate (heavy investor in downtown), lives in Denver and is not even a local or a citizen here and thus probably doesn't care so much - i think he uses the team to promote his real estate interests like Staples Center.
Unfortunately, the Kings are probably just a screw that makes bigger things turn for him, and i hope and pray somebody who actually, sincerely cares gets the team away from him and puts it back where it used to be.
Hockey exploded in the western US when Gretzky came to Los Angeles not just because of the personality of him but his ability. the whole team responded and the hockey was incredible. it was the classic Los Angeles team made up of a bunch of players trying their hardest. now - it's just unmotivated.
2006-06-25 17:50:58 · answer #1 · answered by Kevin A 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
The Kings have been in a sort of "rebuilding" stage for a few years. They just need to dump the deadwieght(i.e. Jeremy Roenick)and find a real number one goaltender. They really don't have that bad of a roster(Visnovsky is great, Frolov will be if he can be consistent, Avery is better than his reputation leads you to believe). I think that the 17th overall draft pick and the prospect they got was too little for a player of Demitra's ability...but who knows? Their pick, Trevor Lewis, may be great in a few years.
Will the Kings be a serious contender next year? No. Could they steal an 8th spot in the playoffs? Maybe, but they've got to get a real goalie.
2006-06-25 17:38:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Kings probably expected more out of Demitra, and when the Wild actually offered them something for him they jumped at the chance to dump him and his salary. This will be a great offseason for adding free agents, so I see this one as a chance to purge a guy from the payroll that is injury prone, didn't live up to expectations and may even be starting the downside of his career.
2006-06-25 17:55:22 · answer #3 · answered by slap_shot69 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully. With Crow as coach, it should take two, three years before they become a good team. He'd still be with the Nucks if it wasn't for the whole Bertuzzi incident.
I personally think the Kings robbed the Wild picking up O'Sully. It would be nice to see him on the Kings this season.
I'd really like to see the Kings go after Biron from Buffalo. A big improvement over Garon.
2006-06-26 13:11:40 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I do think so, I tihnk what that trade did the most is flexiblity, that is 4.5 million ayear for 2 years La will be saving.
Getting Patrick O'sullivan and Min 1st round draft pick was a great deal
It seem yo me Lombardi is trying to Frolov since Taylor sign him to a 5 year deal last year... Iknow La is trying to get havlat from Ottawa but I don't see giving Ottawa what we need to get a deal done I know I would want Cammeralli or maybe brown and frolov but then La might think that's too much.
I really like La draft pick from last year Kopitar and i see him making impact on the team this year
2006-06-26 07:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by ian b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its hard to tell with one move.
It could have just been a salary dump in hopes of landing a certain high-profile player (i.e. Pronger per say). Just watch what the team does over the summer and then it will be clear if they are trying to rebuild or not.
If they are trying to rebuild in the end, O'Sullivan is a very good young player. Not Crosby or Ovechkin type players but good nonetheless. O'Sullivan, Cammalleri and Frolov will be key if the Kings hope to rebuild successfully.
2006-06-25 17:37:16 · answer #6 · answered by ~O.N.E.~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was so not worth it for a draft pick.
2006-06-25 17:59:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋