Quote:
Originally Posted by ozzzzzzzzy  I usually like your writing, but not this time. I will tell you why. "DO THE KINGS PLAN TO MISS THE PLAY-OFFS AGAIN?" |
Your question is fair; my heading was misleading. The question in caps was actually the question asked by a STH. I should have written that more clearly. (and that was a fair question at the time based upon the answers Hextall was giving.) He really did make it sound like the Kings shouldn't try to get into the play-offs til they were contenders.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozzzzzzzzy "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. |
That heading was me taking some liberties with someone who really felt that Blake was such a waste of space that he was taking up a roster space for literally anybody that was NOT Blake. A serious level of 'tude against Blake. He isn't my favorite player; but if his salary was more in line with what he can do at 38, I would be a lot less opposed to him being here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozzzzzzzzy 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. |
Call me crazy but I think there are players that so want to stay in the NHL that they would come to the Kings. Most of the best player acquisitions are the quiet ones that cost less and where expectations are far lower. Two examples: Neil Broten to the Devils in '95. They just won a Cup. Cory Stillman to the Hurricanes. Tampa Bay gave up his rights when they lost the arbitration and he went to the Canes b/c they were the only team that wanted him. (Bill Clement put this on a broadcast when the Canes won the Cup.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozzzzzzzzy "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. |
I have been given a varied array of excuses why I don't have a press pass. (It is now in the works for next season so this hopefully will be moot.) First, I was told it was about my pronoun use in my blogs. (Really.) Something about me using the word 'we' when I wasn't employed by the Kings. The second one was because I am a season ticket holder they were afraid I would act like a autograph happy hound rather than with the appropriate demeanor. The third one was that I didn't include player quotes. Then I started taping interviews and transcribing them in my blogs. The NHL called the Kings asking them to credential me and the Kings said they were waiting for a NHL directive. Things pretty well stopped cold from there.
I introduced myself to Hextall so the Kings could meet me in person and make their own impressions -- which I would accept either way. Hextall said I should write to the PR Department. During the season, I contacted the Media Department to respond to a Union Leader article. The email was ignored outright.
Since I have spent a season doing nothing beyond trying to earn the right to access; steps are being taken to get me press credentials prior to the start of next season by Hockey Buzz.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozzzzzzzzy 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? |
You would have to ask Hextall that was a near direct quote from him to a STH question.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozzzzzzzzy "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. |
I agree is is difficult. I don't agree that should give the coaching staff a pass from trying to make it happen. Hextall's sole response is 'This was a hard team to coach'. That is a cop-out. Effort and accountability is a reasonable expectation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozzzzzzzzy "WHAT CAN THE KINGS DO TO INCREASE PRINT MEDIA COVERAGE WITH THE TIMES?" Who cares about the Times? |
This was a fan question. Also, though, as great as Hammond and Fulton are, and they are, it is reasonable to want more than one press to cover the team in a city this big. Also, make no mistake, if Hammond ever moved on, that coverage would stop. All of me believes that.