So, how does the Kool-Aid taste now?

[Byatch1979]

With the much anticipated trade deadline over and done with, and the Kings walking away with yet more draft picks (and not the kind that many dreamers around here were anticipating), how's everyone feeling about DL's 'master plan' now?

In my opinion, no one should be all that happy, or really even all that surprised.

Anyone notice that the draft picks the Kings have acquired from other teams are all going to be late round picks (maybe not the Modry one)? What Stuart fetched was basically a third and fifth rounder, a far cry from what some predicted, but I won't hold DL accountable for their idiocy. He got what Stuart was worth, same with Modry. Aubin? Who cares. Bottom line, most around the league see DL's performance as a failure to maximize what he had (yet again).

Now what didn't happen was anything else whatsoever. The only bright spot with this is that there were no throw in deals 'Huet or Reinprecht-style' that might have been necessary to facilitate larger deals. I saw this happening with Purcell. The negative is that the fat on the King's roster wasn't turned into squat, it's just useless fat. Why? Largely because of NTC's. Nice job DL. Who, other than a genuine bum buddy, would give Scott Thornton a NTC? I didn't know it was possible for Scott to be anymore useless to the Kings, but DL found a way.

By not moving more roster players, the Kings remain more competitive for this season which can't please the 'tank for Stamkos' jabroni's around here. The seemingly more level-headed (or foolish) crowd, that's satisfied with giving DL a full five years to work with (and suck) before giving judgment, will say 'wait for the draft, big moves will be made' are likely just setting themselves up for another disappointment, ala 07 draft, but that remains to be seen. These folks own the most stock in Kool-Aid by far.

No matter how many picks the Kings have, the draft is unlikely to yield any difference makers for the next season, and since LA is a FA graveyard, the same can be figured for free agency. This means that the Kings should be in the thick of things for the Tavares sweepstakes. Yippie. What this also means is another year of complete and utter suckage for LA. Now supposedly, all this losing is supposed to turn into Stanley Cup dominance forevermore and all's well that ends well, and DL will be the greatest GM who ever lived.

Personally, before my lips are stained red, I need to something more tangible than the promise of better things tomorrow while we stink up the ice today. I've heard THAT story far too many times before. And while we wait, the disappointments roll on, and the dreamers dream and the Kool-Aid drinkers glug. Same ol, same ol, I suppose.

[gescom]

i like it for use of "jabroni" alone!

[azkingfan]

Besides the obvious standings did this season really suck worse than last year? We started the season with a win against the SC champs in England and got to see our future young goalie phenom beat out every other average or below average goaltender on our roster coming out of training camp. We got to see 2 come from behind wins and 1 almost come from behind win in 3 games that we were down by 3 or more goals. We saw the emergence of our own home grown power forward stud Dustin Brown, 20 year old Anze the all star, Patrick O'Sullivan's 5 point night, Brian Boyle's first NHL goal on his first shift as well as him planting Phanuef on his ass during that Calgary game. We're still on pace to have a better record than last year. As Jim Fox would say "from the standpoint" of no playoffs.... yeah that sucks, but I've really enjoyed watching this young team come together this year.

[twistedwrister]

Originally Posted by Byatch1979

No matter how many picks the Kings have, the draft is unlikely to yield any difference makers for the next season...

Provided the Kings actually end up with one of the top three picks, there might be one who makes the club, albeit as a rookie and not a profound difference maker.

That is, unless you're talking to the Stamkos "jabroni's".

[twistedwrister]

Originally Posted by azkingfan

Besides the obvious standings did this season really suck worse than last year? We started the season with a win against the SC champs in England and got to see our future young goalie phenom beat out every other average or below average goaltender on our roster coming out of training camp. We got to see 2 come from behind wins and 1 almost come from behind win in 3 games that we were down by 3 or more goals. We saw the emergence of our own home grown power forward stud Dustin Brown, 20 year old Anze the all star, Patrick O'Sullivan's 5 point night, Brian Boyle's first NHL goal on his first shift as well as him planting Phanuef on his ass during that Calgary game. We're still on pace to have a better record than last year. As Jim Fox would say "from the standpoint" of no playoffs.... yeah that sucks, but I've really enjoyed watching this young team come together this year.

It has had some moments to be sure, and the kids have CLEARLY developed over last season.

[Die Radio Die]

Originally Posted by Byatch1979

With the much anticipated trade deadline over and done with, and the Kings walking away with yet more draft picks (and not the kind that many dreamers around here were anticipating), how's everyone feeling about DL's 'master plan' now?

In my opinion, no one should be all that happy, or really even all that surprised.

Anyone notice that the draft picks the Kings have acquired from other teams are all going to be late round picks (maybe not the Modry one)? What Stuart fetched was basically a third and fifth rounder, a far cry from what some predicted, but I won't hold DL accountable for their idiocy. He got what Stuart was worth, same with Modry. Aubin? Who cares. Bottom line, most around the league see DL's performance as a failure to maximize what he had (yet again).

Now what didn't happen was anything else whatsoever. The only bright spot with this is that there were no throw in deals 'Huet or Reinprecht-style' that might have been necessary to facilitate larger deals. I saw this happening with Purcell. The negative is that the fat on the King's roster wasn't turned into squat, it's just useless fat. Why? Largely because of NTC's. Nice job DL. Who, other than a genuine bum buddy, would give Scott Thornton a NTC? I didn't know it was possible for Scott to be anymore useless to the Kings, but DL found a way.

By not moving more roster players, the Kings remain more competitive for this season which can't please the 'tank for Stamkos' jabroni's around here. The seemingly more level-headed (or foolish) crowd, that's satisfied with giving DL a full five years to work with (and suck) before giving judgment, will say 'wait for the draft, big moves will be made' are likely just setting themselves up for another disappointment, ala 07 draft, but that remains to be seen. These folks own the most stock in Kool-Aid by far.

No matter how many picks the Kings have, the draft is unlikely to yield any difference makers for the next season, and since LA is a FA graveyard, the same can be figured for free agency. This means that the Kings should be in the thick of things for the Tavares sweepstakes. Yippie. What this also means is another year of complete and utter suckage for LA. Now supposedly, all this losing is supposed to turn into Stanley Cup dominance forevermore and all's well that ends well, and DL will be the greatest GM who ever lived.

Personally, before my lips are stained red, I need to something more tangible than the promise of better things tomorrow while we stink up the ice today. I've heard THAT story far too many times before. And while we wait, the disappointments roll on, and the dreamers dream and the Kool-Aid drinkers glug. Same ol, same ol, I suppose.

Just for the sake of full disclosure...

Wayne Simmonds was selected with the last pick in the 2nd round, 61st overall in what many called a weak draft.

[arizonabay]

It tastes like purple.


And silver.

[BabaORiley]

Stuart was immediately pronounced a "Top Four Defenseman" by Ken Holland -- and just watch, he'll be a much better player in a hardass organization like that. I know he turned down the extension and didn't want to be here, but I thought he was worth a bit more than, what, the 30th and 120th picks?

[mitchrock]

The team has played well here in 2008. Core young players are beginning to blossom. We actually got something for Aubin. hmmmmmmmm Seems like we're right on track in year 2 of a 5-6 year rebuild.

[USCKingsFan31]

Right right, we get it.

The Kings are losers, have always been losers, and will always be losers.

Anyone who maintains any hope that things will ever get better for us is a jabroni.

Anyone who wants to give current management more than 1.75 seasons to play out their plan is a jabroni.

This is so tired... if you want to let your frustrations out, go right ahead, this is a very frustrating team to be a fan of. But all of this talk about Kool-Aid drinking and DL-ass kissing isn't fair.

What is the problem with having some cautious hope?

Aren't we SUPPOSED to hope the team will get better? Aren't we SUPPOSED to hope we are going in the right direction?

Trying to look at things positively is a perfectly fair practice that in my opinion gets way too much flak around here. We may very well be doomed to suck for 40 more years; but I for one will remain hopeful. What's the point of being a fan without hope?

[nayagamj]

Originally Posted by azkingfan

Besides the obvious standings did this season really suck worse than last year? We started the season with a win against the SC champs in England and got to see our future young goalie phenom beat out every other average or below average goaltender on our roster coming out of training camp. We got to see 2 come from behind wins and 1 almost come from behind win in 3 games that we were down by 3 or more goals. We saw the emergence of our own home grown power forward stud Dustin Brown, 20 year old Anze the all star, Patrick O'Sullivan's 5 point night, Brian Boyle's first NHL goal on his first shift as well as him planting Phanuef on his ass during that Calgary game. We're still on pace to have a better record than last year. As Jim Fox would say "from the standpoint" of no playoffs.... yeah that sucks, but I've really enjoyed watching this young team come together this year.

well said. completely agree.