If the Kings' Rob Blake wasn't so good, this wouldn't be so awkward.
Blake, the club's aging captain, has to go. He is still one of the top four players in franchise history and his Hall of Fame credentials are unquestioned. He is a stand-up guy.
But the team is going to miss the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. His best contribution right now would come from leaving, with the club getting a couple of draft picks before the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
What makes this obvious isn't just the team's horrible record.
When asked recently if he had lost his drive, Blake responded, "Well ..."
A "well" is as damning as a "looks that way" or a schedule in your locker that gets checked every day until the end of the season.
