With the next 48 hours being some of the most excitement Kings’ fans will get in this otherwise challenging year, bar none the most talked about, hated and debated component has to be Blake and his no trade clause or as I like to think of it, to waive or not to waive, that is the question… yikes!
This week on XM they were were comparing Blake to Sundin where they suggested that Sundin was less embraced by Maple Leafs' fans than Blake. The implied message I got was that somehow Kings’ fans had more positive emotions for Blake compared to Sundin. It was at that point that I knew as much as I love XM and Home Ice (Is there any channel worth anything other than 204? …. I didn’t think so either.) They are uninformed as to the way most here in Los Angeles really feel about their team’s captain.
First, let’s restate the obvious. Whatever amour and admiration Kings’ fans had for Blake ended in 2001 when he was traded to Colorado when, regardless of accuracy, he was deemed a turncoat whose first love was his wallet not his team. In fairness to Blake, back then, money was probably the entire reason better players left.
In fairness, Blake’s moves since the lock-out gave me the same take on him. In the new CBA, bonuses apply to a team’s salary cap. The payment of those caps for the Avalanche to Blake and Sakic, an issue that never existed when these players’ deals were signed, made it impossible to re-sign Blake or Sakic for cap reasons without some help from the players.
No shock that Sakic worked with the team and Blake took his check and moved on to his current $6 million dollar two year deal with the Kings. I even watched Blake’s press conference after his signing. Blake turned around his jersey and explained, “See here, it says Blake not boo”. His complete inability to appreciate why there were boos seemed dim to me then and now. He knew exactly why he got that reception and the reason he left Colorado was identical to why he left the Kings. Less for Rob, Blake picks up his toys and goes home….ouch!
Fast forward to this year and two of the most talked about names are Sundin and Blake. (I get Hossa is getting as much ink; but he doesn’t have a no trade clause.) The debates between the two are both heated and passionate. What I find different between the two are the takes from the players’ themselves. One has consistently expressed loyalty to his team. The other flip flops are much as Presidential candidate Kerry ever did. Let’s take a gander from some of Blake’s own words:
December 30, 2007 The Denver Post:
“.. the former Avalanche defenseman said he would consider waiving his clause to go to the right team. (The Kings) would have to come to me first, but, yeah, it's a possibility," Blake said, after Saturday's 3-1 Kings victory over the Avs.
Blake says ‘it is a possibility’
January 12, 2008 Fox Sports
“Rob Blake and Nagy are due to become unrestricted free agents this summer and Blake is apparently willing to finish this season with a contender.”
Contenders Only Need Apply
January 17, 2008 WDFN
“ Chelios also talks trade possibilities, saying that he thinks a defenseman would help the team most. His defenseman of choice? Rob Blake of the Los Angeles Kings. "He's in a situation there where there's just no end at the light of the tunnel and he's lost his drive right now," Chelios says of Blake. "I've been there. I talked to him last time we played him, and he would love to come here."
Chelios Speaks for Blake?
January 21, 2008 Daily News: Inside the Kings
“Blake's response: "I don’t know if that’s exactly what was said (between he and Chelios), so I’ll leave it at that."
Blake said he wasn't upset at all with Chelios for making the comments. When I asked if there's any truth to him losing his drive, he gave a long ``Well ...,'' then said he was still trying and he didn't know any more he can say about that.”
Blake on Chelios
January 29, 2008 L.A. Times
“Blake, who has a no-trade clause in his contract but has been rumored to be on the block heading into the trade deadline Feb. 26, has been choosing his words carefully when asked about a possible trade. But he was quick to downplay the significance of the trip.
"Home or away, it doesn't matter that much," he said."
Blake’s Indifference
February 4, 2008 NHL.com
“You know there is a group of teams that can compete for the Cup and if they want to get a couple of guys just to push them over the top, I am totally for it,” Blake said. “If I was an older player without a Cup, maybe. My goal was to come here and to build something and that’s what I hope happens.”
That being said, even he admits you just never know. There will be a lot of speculation over the next few weeks for sure,” Blake said.”
Blake Says Ya Never Know
February 8, 2008 Windsor Star
“According to highly-placed league sources, Anaheim is where Blake will be headed at the trade deadline.”
Anaheim or Bust
February 17, 2008 Daily News
“On hoping to hold a position with the Kings after his playing career: ``It’s a little premature to answer that but I’ve dedicated most of my career with the L.A. Kings and always wanted to stay in hockey when I'm done (playing). I think the likely choice would be to stay with the L.A. Kings. It’s what I would like, but I don’t control those sort of things.''
Blake’s Retirement Plans
February 18, 2008 L.A. Times
“You're going to read a lot of stuff," Blake said. "Nothing has changed on my part. I expressed my feelings to stay here again and do what I wanted to do when I came here two years ago. . . . My goals have been, two years ago, to sign here, to finish here. And to do something here, and that hasn't changed. If it takes two more years, three more years, or five years, I hope I'm involved somehow with that process."
Blake – A King For Life?
February 20, 2008 L.A. Times
“Kings President and General Manager Dean Lombardi, in Naples, Fla., for the NHL general managers' meetings that end today, said he had not asked Kings captain and defenseman Rob Blake to waive his no-trade clause. They met last week to discuss Blake's future, and Blake, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, said later he did not want to leave.
"I just don't think it's necessary to go through the process unless there is a legitimate offer," Lombardi said. "If we have an offer. . . . I'm not at that point."
Lombardi Says No Legitimate Offer for Blake
February 20, 2008 Fox Sports
“One of those players with a no-trade clause is Rob Blake of the Los Angeles Kings. Los Angeles is in last place in the NHL and Blake is in the last year of his contract. He's a 38-year-old future Hall of Famer who could possibly help a team in a playoff run and a trade could help the Kings obtain some assets to improve the team.
The problem is Blake has a no-trade clause and it's been announced that he doesn't want to waive that clause. This is understandable since he'll have to uproot his family next year as he is an unrestricted free agent this summer and doing it again for a few months of a stretch run and potential playoff run is a big pain.
Naturally, some Kings fans are unhappy.
. . . Fans were upset by Blake's decision to be traded in 2001 and they're upset by his decision to not be traded in 2008. No matter what Blake does, it's wrong in the fans' eyes.”
Blake Cannot Win with Fans
February 23, 2008 Winnipeg Sun
“Blake, who has said his preference is to remain with the Kings. Lombardi has pretty much established a short list in his own mind and is listening to offers. If he gets a good one he will ask Blake the question. If he doesn't, he won't. And if I do ask and the answer is no, then the answer is no," Lombardi said. "It's up to him."
If Blake Says No, is He a Bad Guy?
February 23, 2008 Globe and Mail
“Lombardi himself hinted broadly at the annual winter GMs meetings last week that practically all of his veterans (read over 30) players were in play. And Lombardi’s fellow general managers were saying Blake’s name was getting tossed around regularly, even by Lombardi himself.”
Lombardi Tosses Around Blake Regularly
February 23, 2008 CBC Hot Stove
“Rob Blake: Could receive an offer to waive his clause within 24 hours. Anaheim, San Jose and Colorado are rumored interested in him.”
February 23, 2008 Rogers Hockey Central
“Rob Blake: noted conflicting reports that he'll waive his "no-trade" clause this weekend.”
To Waive or Not to Waive
February 24, 2008 Spector Reports on TSN
“It's still unknown if Rob Blake will waive his no-trade clause to allow the LA Kings to trade him. Anaheim is reportedly out of the running but San Jose could still be interested.”
Blake Won’t Be a Duck
Bottom Line:
Only Blake and Lombardi know for sure what deal(s) are or are not on the table. Only Blake knows if the rumors about him only being willing to go to Anaheim or San Jose are true. All this notwithstanding, if Blake truly wants to rejoin this organization after his retirement, he needs to rethink his loyalties and choices.
Fans won’t embrace Blake (for those that still might) if he forces Lombardi’s hand by so restricting his short list thus negating a maximum return for the Kings. It just begs the question whether he gets his part as to why fans see him the way they do. They revere Robitaille for his love of the Kings and their fans. He never left for $$ the way Blake has left two teams already
including this one.
Consider the example Brown sets about loyalty. He recently had a show about him on Fox Sports, “In His Own Words”. Brown’s wife is a huge hockey fan and has won two national championships. She would love to be able to see all of the hockey available in Southern California. The problem is she is banned from going to the Ducks’ Honda Center unless the Kings are playing there. That is an example Blake never got.
Hockey Buzz Season Ticket Holders:
I will be participating in Tuesday's live internet trade coverage on Hockey Buzz where the Kings expect to be key sellers. I hope everyone will join me!
Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net