For what its worth I thought Hartley was a good coach in Calg. I think its likely a 3 way race between Ruff, Gallant and Hartley. I dont even think Sothers gets a look.
- poisondhearts37

Gallant is reportedly now off of the board, going to Las Vegas, per Freidman.

Because Blake was promoted only two days ago, couldn't have imagined that he needed to be thinking about head coaches and probably wants to get this right, I wonder if he'll take his time with the coaching search and Ruff will accept a job elsewhere rather than risk being left unemployed. By the time that Blake is ready to hire someone, Hartley might be about the only choice that fits the criteria left.

Ya, it is kind of hard to believe since I can't see DL being Sutter's female dog and doing what ever he says. Do I think Sutter had a say in moves DL was making, yes just like I am sure every coach is. Do I think Sutter had anything to do with contract negotiations and giving Brown and Gaborik bad contracts? Very little if not at all.
- LAkings96

Maybe you're right, but I don"t like nor trust Sutter; and we all know what kind of man Lombàdi wàs - he would run through a brick wall for his extended family. My gut was telling me Sutter was turning some screws. Remember that neither ownership not the players wanted Sutter back. Lombardi woulzn't hear of it and resigned him for two more years apparantly even having to convince the goat himself to return.

I wouldn't say DL was his female dog, but if DL wanted to go and get someone that he thought would help but DS wasn't keen on it, then you have the Versteeg situation where DL gets him and DS buries him on the 3rd/4th line because "he needs to learn the system." DS played nice with the Goborik addition, but he was also a higher profile veteran than Versteeg. Regarding DL and hindsight, the money that went to 23 and 12 would've been better served being spread around do JWilliams and maybe even paid WMitchell for another year or two. That was a solid leadership group. You had lost MRichards and MGreene was already a step slow, but the leadership would've remained for another year or two and maybe some of the kids could've played with real leaders in the room... I truly feel leadership was/is a problem right now.
- Stu17

We think a lot alike. I always thought they should have resigned Williams and go ahead and let Jones go on offer sheet. That would have meant a 1st rounder and at least another pick coming back to us since he would sign for like 4 or 5 mil per.

We think a lot alike. I always thought they should have resigned Williams and go ahead and let Jones go on offer sheet. That would have meant a 1st rounder and at least another pick coming back to us since he would sign for like 4 or 5 mil per.
- verwustung

From everything that I remember about the Williams situation was he wanted longer term and the Kings didn't want to give him that, same with Mitchell.

So I just read the Kings coaching search is so far 1 and its Stevens.

6. Let me declare a conflict of interest: I have a personal relationship with Darryl Sutter and do not like to criticize him. After a day of research, here is what I think went down. Following last season, his contract was up and there was some serious debate about keeping him. Sutter is intense and driven. He pushes hard. The players wanted a new voice and many in the organization (both above and below Lombardi on the food chain) felt similarly.

One source (who does not work for L.A., but has connections there) said at one point the decision was made not to bring him back, but Lombardi changed his mind, believing in the man who led them to two Cups. He made the call to keep Sutter. Kelly Hrudey has a great line about people who get criticized for being too loyal: “Boy, what a terrible thing to say about someone, that they are too loyal.”

Lombardi was on an island with this call and when it became apparent during the season it wasn’t going to work, it put Lombardi in a weaker spot, especially since Sutter received a three-year contract in the neighbourhood of $8 million. Luc Robitaille’s stature was growing and ownership decided it was his time. Robitaille and Blake are similar, two L.A. guys who wanted to stay there but the opportunities were staring to come elsewhere.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...criteria-good-news-green/

From everything that I remember about the Williams situation was he wanted longer term and the Kings didn't want to give him that, same with Mitchell.
- LAkings96

And the Kings should've offered 4 years for Williams. I believe Mitchell wanted 2 years. Looking backwards, Mitchell would've most likely ended up on LTIR ala Pronger and that would have freed up the space. Of course there was no way in knowing this then, but I would've preferred a known commodity (their leadership) to a very streaky and fragile forward (Gaborik). We mostly likely don't end up mortgaging the future on Suckera and Versteeg, but probably never pull the trigger on the Lucic trade too. Hindsight's a female dog!

Looking more and more like John Stevens will be our next HC. Not a horrible choice. He's more along the lines of Babcock or Boucher in coaching style. He did good things in this organization. Look how well our defenseman have developed. Who ever thought that Muzzin would be the 7th best Dman in Canada? He needs to grab a couple of good assistants and all will be well.

Looking more and more like John Stevens will be our next HC. Not a horrible choice. He's more along the lines of Babcock or Boucher in coaching style. He did good things in this organization. Look how well our defenseman have developed. Who ever thought that Muzzin would be the 7th best Dman in Canada? He needs to grab a couple of good assistants and all will be well.
- verwustung

No, Blake is simply doing the right thing by giving Stevens his full consideration right off of the bat. It would be unfair to Stevens to make him wait for an interview while other teams are hiring. Blake is being respectful of Stevens by considering him early and not talking, for now, about any other candidates.

Most coaches have a shelf life with a given team, even after such tremendous successes with a given team...
- 333inthe3rd

Very true.

Gaborik was a known injury risk, so the length of this current contract was surprising. What's the locker room situation like regarding Brown?
- 333inthe3rd

I think the length was to keep the AAV down. Lombardi must have known that Gaborik wouldn't perform at a high level for the length of the contract, but he was surely hoping for a higher level than one good year. I imagine Lombardi was hoping for a good 3-4 years to coincide with LA's window; he was hoping for a Hossa-like aging slope.

DS played nice with the Goborik addition, but he was also a higher profile veteran than Versteeg.
- Stu17

I think neither were perfect fits for Sutter, but Gaborik scored so much (during 14-15) that he had to be played. I guess Sutter, like many coaches, will excuse more if there's corresponding production.

It's a thin line. I think for Sutter, if you're not going to produce a bunch, you better play his way then. I didn't always agree with his choices (esp re: Versteeg), but I saw where he was coming from.

also have to consider that this heavy, grinding style that they've employed has put a lot of miles on them physically, and its taken its toll. maybe it still works but they need younger fresher legs to do it.
- hiway39

Good point & not promising re: Kopitar. Over last couple years, no other forward in the league has played more in every situation than Kopi.

(BTW, Sheng, your link to the Ruff article has an extra character at the end that breaks the link)...

I wouldn't be surprised if he's at least one of the men who Blake invites in for an interview.
- Osprey

Thanks for catching that mistake.

Re: Hartley, he's known as a tough coach to play for. So in that way, maybe not the best guy to follow Sutter? Just a guess, but thinking they go more player-friendly.

No, Blake is simply doing the right thing by giving Stevens his full consideration right off of the bat.
- Osprey

Yea, I tend to agree. Stevens will have to convince mgmt how he can get more goals from a team that he was part of last year that couldn't score. Tough challenge.

Re: Hartley, he's known as a tough coach to play for. So in that way, maybe not the best guy to follow Sutter? Just a guess, but thinking they go more player-friendly.
- Sheng Peng

Blake's own experience playing for him might trump any rumors or testimonials from other players, and it probably wasn't too tough to play for him when they were having all of that success together. Perhaps he became more of a tough coach to play for when he was with the Thrashers and Flames and had to crack the whip to get them to perform, something that he didn't need to do with the Avs. That said, you might still have a point.

Yea, I tend to agree. Stevens will have to convince mgmt how he can get more goals from a team that he was part of last year that couldn't score. Tough challenge.
- Sheng Peng

I imagine that we may hear by early next week that Stevens is either out of the running or that the coaching search is expanding, which wouldn't be good for his chances, either.