Many remember an interview Lombardi gave Daily News’ Rich Hammond during training camp regarding the Kings’ younger players and what he was anxious to see from them. Lombardi explained how the kids need to take responsibility for winning, not just individual statistics.
“I'm going to be curious to see those guys and where they are, in terms of taking it to the next level, not only as a player but as a guy who is responsible for winning. It's one thing to play in the league. It's another thing to win in the league. That's not to negate the free agents who came in, or the young players and the draft picks that will be here. But if you made me pick one, I'd be curious to see if those guys are going to take it up a notch. It's not only how they play. It's about bringing a presence. You know when a guy is on a mission to win, and those guys should be there now. They've proven they can play in the league and they've proven they can be pretty good players. Let's see if you can prove you can win.”
Lombardi’s Pre-Season Expectations for the Young Core Players Returning
The funny thing about this quote is how on one side Lombardi wanted guys like Kopitar, Frolov, Cammalleri and Brown to step up and go for team wins and team goals not just individual statistics. In direct contrast, with the exception of Cammalleri, these same players are not the Kings’ designated leaders. One of the first blogs I ever wrote was on what makes a captain. I appreciate why Blake got the “C” but then and now felt the team made the wrong choice. My vote was for Armstrong.
For those who want to chime in and rightfully so how Cammalleri disproves my take, riddle this. I have never had the privilege of meeting Cammalleri. Nonetheless, I see him as a puck hogging me first player who is not a part of this team’s future. If someone was going to get a letter, give it to Brown since he doesn’t take shifts off. The letter should go to a player who exemplifies team and giving 100% regularly and that is not Cammalleri. Does anyone else want to take Cammalleri off the point on a two man advantage where he is so reluctant to pass and use his teammates that he easily gets stripped of possession? Me either.
What has me pondering these questions as this season for the Kings comes to a close? Crawford gave a recent interview to the Daily News’ Rich Hammond that should provide clarity how I got here where Crawford discussed whether the players were angry about losing.
“Taking ownership? Well, that's a difficult thing. I think they're still very respectful of some of the older people on this team, people like Rob Blake, Thornton, Armstrong and those types of guys, even Jon Klemm and the fact that he has won a Stanley Cup. Even Handzus, some of these older guys that are in our lineup. I think we're still not at the stage where Brown or Kopitar or O'Sullivan or even Cammalleri, and certainly Frolov and Johnson, are coming in and being the voiceful guys in the room. That's not going to happen, to any great degree, right now. I think we're encouraging them to be a little bit more voiceful in the room. We have encouraged them to take ownership of things like our special teams and our rush chances against.”
Ownership for Losing?
Someone needs to help me appreciate how Kopitar, Brown, Frolov much less Johnson, O’Sullivan can own the room when the team’s management gave the room to the under-achieving veterans signed either in the off-season or the prior off-season by Lombardi. You know, those bridge/filler players Dean discussed who were here for the limited purpose of being place holders until the younger, skilled players become NHL ready.
Over the course of this year, I discussed my take that the team’s designated players are who teammates look for guidance and leadership when leaders are needed. Others countered to me that no one needs a letter to lead; anyone can step up and take the room. It turns out that either being a seasoned veteran or getting the “A” and “C” is more than just alphabet soup. Rather, the players are looking to Blake, Thornton, Armstrong, even Klemm (huh?), out of respect when a rallying call is needed to change the course of things.
The thing is that Crawford and Lombardi gave the room to the veterans – whether they knew it or not. Does anyone seriously think that Steve Yzerman or Joe Sakic were vocal leaders at the beginning of their careers when they were first made captains? Doesn’t the Penguins’ coach, Therien, seem to have a point when he gave the “A” to Sidney Crosby and later the “C”?
Sure, these choices stirred the pot of press and fans alike. But, and this is no small point, when those teams gave letters to the players that would become the team’s core, they gave them a legitimacy with those designations that enabled those individuals to speak and take the room. Perhaps it would have been easier to let the kids speak and lead by thrusting leadership upon them. This choice would have propelled them to take ownership of this team. It just would. Does anyone share my take that the kids wouldn’t own anything if they took charge of rushes against? Huh? Exactly.
Here is the Rich Hammonds' take on dressing room chemistry of the Kings in response to a fans' question to give some context:
``What's your take on the locker room chemistry? Do they all seem to get along? Is it old guys vs young guys? Point producers vs non point producers?''
Regardless of how it is now, it will never be as bad as it was with Sean Avery. I know most fans loved him, but he was a loud, divisive figure in the locker room. You'll never see a team with 20-some guys who all adore each other equally, but in general I think the Kings have pretty good chemistry. The younger guys, such as Cammalleri, Johnson and Kopitar, are showing leadership but are still respectful of the older players. It's a fairly low-key room, which contributes to good chemistry, but it's also a bit of a cause for concern, since I think the organization would like to see a little more ``fire'' in the room."
Kings' Room Chemistry
If Lombardi and Crawford really want the Kings’ builders to make this their team, to make them responsible for winning, then frankly give them the room. Make it official. Had this regime made a different choice, perhaps the year might have had different results then ceding the room to the veterans. Remember, these are the same players Lombardi told season ticket holders that he found unimpressive before they became under-achieving when the year played out at a recent Season Ticket Holder event.
Here are some links to recent Kings’ articles including Modry being named the Kings’ Masterton Trophy candidate:
Modry Named Kings’ Masterton Candidate Manchester Answers Kings’ Call Kings – Sharks Preview Carla Muller Carla.hockeygal@att.net