ESPN's E.J. Hradek reports that Rob Blake has agreed to waive his no trade clause to one of two Western Conference teams. Per another report, Blake has waived his clause for Colorado only. TSN’s Bob Mackenzie draws a far different picture:
“Contrary to reports, sources tell TSN that Rob Blake has not waived his no-trade clause. In fact, sources say Blake has told the Kings he does not want to be traded. If, however, the Kings are intent on presenting Blake with a proposal, sources say it will have to be to go to Colorado and would have to be significant enough for the Kings to incur the wrath of Blake, who made it plainly clear to the Kings he prefers to stay in L.A.”
The Wrath of Blake
Who is driving this bus anyway?
Here is the latest in this saga, fresh from Tuesday’s L.A. Times:
"He's given them an out, as a courtesy to them, which he doesn't want to do," one source said. "They can move him to Colorado or keep him. It's not over yet. . . . The ball is in [their] court."
Ball is in Kings’ Hands?
If the waiver is for Colorado only under a veiled threat, Lombardi may decide to proceed anyway if it is in the best interests of the Kings. At that point, Colorado can then consider it 'old home week' there with Forsberg ‘returning’ as well. If the prior rumor of a player, prospect and pick are accurate, consider these Avalanche players or prospects:
Avalanche Player Possibilities:
Some may think of more known names such as John Michael Liles or Jordan Leopold. Consider a lesser known quantity, that being Jeff Finger. He is a Colorado 8th round 1999 draft pick who believed in himself enough to keep at it until he made the roster this year. He is now 28 years old and a +8 in 57 games with 15 points and 32 PIMs. These numbers suggest perhaps he is more of a defensive defenseman or a mix rather than the offensive defenseman of which the Kings already have three (Visnovsky, Preissing and Harrold). Check his statistics out here:
Jeff Finger Statistics
Get more acquainted with him by checking out a recent Avalanche site article where he answered fans’ questions. A little tease is that he is a Michigan born player who shares LaBarbera’s love of Metallica and whose’ friend filled out his player profile who did a goof on Finger by saying he grew up a Québec Nordiques' fan despite growing up in Detroit’s Hockey Town. Check it out:
Jeff Finger Answers Fans Questions
To check out all of the current Avalanche statistics:
Avalanche Statistics
AHL Affiliate Lake Erie Monsters:
No player on the entire team has more than 32 points in 50 games (ouch). The points leader with the Monsters is Eric Healey who has a +/- of -10 and 25 PIMs and plays left wing 6’0 205 lbs. Here are his stats:
Healey Statistics
Here are the Monsters’ players’ statistics this season (it turns out that this is where Jamie Lundmark ended up after his stint with the Kings’ last season):
AHL Monsters’ Player Statistics
Other Colorado prospects are in the NCAA:
Of those, the most tempting collegiate is Colby Cohen, a defenseman. He participated in the USHL, USA Hockey’s Developmental league that is developing some of the best U.S. born players since the league’s inception. His stats can be read here:
Colby Cohen’s Avalanche Player Page
The latest Avalanche farm report can be read here:
Avalanche Farm Report
My Take:
How much wrath does Blake really have to play here? His two year deal expires this season. The team has ‘
managed’ to function without him since his stress fracture, go figure... Are the Kings better with him when he is healthy and motivated? Yes. Fans in Los Angeles are quite familiar with his ‘wrath’ and the only down side I see is not having him back next year – which for this blogger is not a moment too soon.
Blake’s suggestion that the trade better
‘be substantial’ and then only giving the Kings’ the right to trade with Colorado makes me wonder if I fell asleep in the ‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean and woke up in 2001. Anyone else feeling dejavu vu?
If Mackenzie’s quote is true, then how disingenuous is Blake’s recent claim that he wants to retire a King and be part of this organization. If I were to go into my employer and demand something that diminishes the value or future potential of my company, the next thing I would be doing is updating my resume. Enough said.
Hockey Buzz Season Ticket Holders:
I hope you will join me tomorrow when I participate in the first ever live internet NHL trade deadline coverage EXCLUSIVE to Hockey Buzz' season ticket holders. With news of Blake's willingness to waive his no trade clause, it promises to be a busy and potentially organizational changing day for the Kings and Dean Lombardi. Please join me!
Carla Muller carla.hockeygal@att.net
CarlaMuller
Blake Says Yes Or Does He? -- Updated w/Tuesday's Times' Take 
