Dan Cloutier vs. LA Kings, a classy organization

[Goallum]

Cloutier caught in a hard reign



I wonder what the other side of the story is...

[BerniernextRoy]

loutier's wife, Nikki, accompanied her husband to the American League, where they lived in a hotel. They were expecting their first baby in December. As the due date neared, Cloutier asked the Kings to move them into an apartment. The team balked and said the Cloutiers should stay in their hotel.

"I said: 'I can't, we're expecting a baby here. I don't know if it's a big thing to you guys, but to me it's the most important thing,'" Cloutier said. "Finally, I called the [Players' Association] and they said after 28 days you're entitled to get a place."

Am I the only one that thinks Cloutier should have gotten the Apartment himself? Dude makes 3 million and change and you have to beg the Kings for an apartment?

[Nucksfan39]

That's a sad story. I don't care if he isnt earning his 3.1 a year, you don't treat a guy like he is a piece of equipment.... This story isnt going to help the Kings sign any Free Agents this summer, not too many players want to go to a team where the management jerks people around like that. Cloutier has heart thats for sure. I wonder if this is why he hasn't really played up to par with the Kings?

[FroFan]

Wow. Obviously, Dan's got the cash to upgrade his accommodations on his own dime, but if these stories are true, that's BS on the part of the Kings.

Looks like Dan is angling for a buy-out, since complaining to the media about that stuff isn't going to make him any friends in the organization.

[santiclaws]

Hmmm... They insisted he stay in a hotel, even though his wife was having a kid?! A Super 8? Economy flight for an injured player??

If true, and I have no reason to believe it isn't, pretty bad way to treat your players, regardless of their performance.

[Stix]

Originally Posted by BerniernextRoy

Am I the only one that thinks Cloutier should have gotten the Apartment himself? Dude makes 3 million and change and you have to beg the Kings for an apartment?

The mentality is: Get whatever you can out of the team. They owe it to you.

[Nucksfan39]

Originally Posted by BerniernextRoy

Am I the only one that thinks Cloutier should have gotten the Apartment himself? Dude makes 3 million and change and you have to beg the Kings for an apartment?

The thought crossed my mind too, but maybe there is some stipulations involved. But if the Kings are supposed to give him an apartment then thats what he should get, regardless of salary. It's probably easier to have the team rent a place then it is for him to personally sign a lease or renters agreement or whatever

[BerniernextRoy]

Originally Posted by FroFan

Wow. Obviously, Dan's got the cash to upgrade his accommodations on his own dime, but if these stories are true, that's BS on the part of the Kings.

Looks like Dan is angling for a buy-out, since complaining to the media about that stuff isn't going to make him any friends in the organization.

You know its too bad this story didn't come out before Breakfast with the GM event. Maybe Rich Hammond's gang at ITK will clear this all up.

And yes Cloutier is clearly angling for a buy-out.

[santiclaws]

Originally Posted by BerniernextRoy

Am I the only one that thinks Cloutier should have gotten the Apartment himself? Dude makes 3 million and change and you have to beg the Kings for an apartment?

I'm pretty sure that he's entitled to one per NHL/NHLPA agreement, which is why he called the NHLPA.

[backofthenet]

As he stated, it is hard to feel bad for a guy making 3.1 million a year.

Labs has complained about this type of situation too. When his girlfriend got sick and he missed those games they sent him down to Manchester...away from his girlfriend.

I know it seems cruel, but come on boys, this is a business. DC came here and wasn't just mediocre...or even inconsistent...he was the worst goalie in the league. Yet, he was constantly played.

He new what he was doing when he signed that gift of a contract. I do not expect him to walk and he is 100% entirely due all of his money, but stop with the complaining. You had the opportunity to grab the #1 spot and you failed miserably. You are now in Manchester and if you think it is the right thisg to do to take minutes away from the younger prospects, then you have another thing coming.

I got an idea...sense you stunk up the place so bad and are not even close to being worth an entry level contract, let alone the money you are making, why don;t you earn your contract in another way? Like not bash the team that took you on when Vancouver gave up on you and threw you out? Like just come in with a smile and work hard when asked. Like, when you're told you won't be playing, spend the time with your family and be happy about it.

And, if you do not the accommodations in VAIL, Co....use an extremely teeny, tiny part of your contract to upgrade. This is what us business people do in the real world when we go on trips.

[Crusader Knight]

Originally Posted by FroFan

Looks like Dan is angling for a buy-out, since complaining to the media about that stuff isn't going to make him any friends in the organization.

you really think he has friends now? he was relegated to a super8 and they were gonna let his newborn live in a hotel

[The Natural]

I don't really buy it. DL has never used low tactics for guys with NTC so I don't see why he'd do that with Cloutier wanting Cloutier to retire or request a release.