I usually like your writing, but not this time. I will tell you why. "DO THE KINGS PLAN TO MISS THE PLAY-OFFS AGAIN?" That in itself is not an accurate question. I'm sure they want to make the playoffs, but not at the expense of the future. I wouldn't call it a dumb question because of the frustration we all have but if you look at every player in the organization right now, the Kings are about 2-3 years away from being what DL wants them to be. "WHY BLAKE, WHY NOW, WHY EVER?" Passionless hockey? I guess you missed those 2 games in a row he got the boot this past season. Just kidding, I'm sure you didn't. But that was the most passion I've seen from him in his career considering it took him this long to get thrown out of 1 game let alone 2 in a row. I think he is slightly overpaid, but his knowledge is priceless. I do not hold a grudge for the Colorado trade thing like many do, so I'll admit I might be a little biased about Blake." EFFECT OF ‘LOSING ENVIRONMENT’ ON OLDER PLAYERS" I agree also with that." KINGS’ CULTURE AND SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS" Who in the hell wants to play for a team that has nothing but a history of losing? That is why this is taking so long. The marquee UFA's don't really care about the warm weather. The only reason Anaheim is getting them is because they show a desire to succeed NOW. This thing has been messed up for so long that nobody wants to play in LA."CRITERIA FOR NO TRADE CLAUSES AND NO MOVEMENT CLAUSES" I agree with you also on that. I think the future now will be without no trade clauses unless you are a top 1-10 player in the league."BLOGGER GETS CALLED OUT" This one really bothered me. I don't think you should be boxed out like that and you should pressure them to give you some kind of an explanation. Thats total BS on the Kings part."WHERE DOES THE ONTARIO REIGN FIT INTO THE KINGS’ ORGANIZATION?" I like this."HOW MUCH PATIENCE DO THE KINGS EXPECT FANS TO WAIT UNTIL PLAY-OFF HOCKEY COMES TO TOWN?" How does Hextall know if these trades would have put them in the playoffs? Were they getting Crosby and Ovechkin? Again, we are all frustrated so who knows what trades were offered and who cares."IS THERE A WAY TO COACH THE PLAYERS MORE EFFECTIVELY TO PLAY GRITTIER?" It's hard to coach any team that is out of it in December."WHAT CAN THE KINGS DO TO INCREASE PRINT MEDIA COVERAGE WITH THE TIMES?" Who cares about the Times? We have our buddy Rich Hammond covering the Kings. Seriously, the Times will cover them when the Kings start winning. Hockey is not a mainstream sport yet, especially in LA. That time will come."MATINEE GAMES" I agree, get rid of them."MY TAKE" The youth have to take responsibility in winning, at the minor league level. The UFA's are not coming to LA if there is no chance in winning the Cup. You wrote an article the other day about how much hope there is in the youth level in this organization and it is still there. That is what every Kings fan should focus on right now. These young players will slowly trickle up to the Kings and improve as they learn the NHL game. In the meantime we should all be patient and let this happen. The UFA's that they sign will be fillers that make them competitive. Eventually they will have what they need to make a run and THEN the UFA's will come. |