Why I don't want the Kings to draft Stamkos...

[CooLz]

I had this discussion with a roommate of mine (of all 6 hockey fans in san diego, I happened to end up with the ONLY ducks fan), but he asked me what I thought about the Kings winning their last two games, and if I wanted them to tank it to get Stamkos.

My answer is a resounding no! I think the team this year (especially with the emergence of Dustin Brown and Patrick O'Sullivan) is perfectly capable of making it into the playoffs and even going far in them. (edit: when i say capable of making the playoffs, i mean that they are talented enough to make the playoffs personnel-wise, NOT that i expect them to make it this year). It's not for inability that we're last place in the league. It's the fact that we don't have that killer instinct, that sense of desire to win every game and give it their 100% each and every game.

I think that inconsistency is part of being young and inexperienced, and I feel like we would be much better off building up an identity and team unity, gathering momentum into next year by pulling together a respectable 2nd half of the season.

By tanking in hopes of getting Stamkos, it would teach horrible habits and attitudes to the rest of the team, which would be most harmful to the younger ones.

Most likely we will still finish near the bottom of the league, and if we get Stamkos or a top pick, I'm all for it. I just feel as if that's our plan for improving the team, that seems like a plan for rebuilding for another 5 years, not for a team that's in the (God-willing) middle of a rebuild.

thoughts?

[HTK]

Finish 5th. Win the lottery. Draft Stamkos.

or

Finish 5th. Win the lottery. Trade Down for FY09 #1. Draft Doughty.

[The Natural]

I read half of the first sentence or at least what I thought was a sentence... then gave up. Anyone else?

[kingsfan66]

do you really think the kings can make the playoffs? and your duck fan room mate needs to learn there is something called a draft lottery.

[King'sPawn]

So you don't mind if the Kings get Stamkos, you just don't want them to lose on purpose to do so.

But you have to realize the Kings aren't just "tanking it." They are at the bottom of the league and in a prime position to sell assets. This will, in turn, make the team younger and even more inconsistent short term. Overall, it's for the long term health of the team, and ultimately, I don't think it will teach the young players bad habits if they are trying to build a team together.

The problem is when they eek out wins while displaying the bad habits, and having the wrong veterans leading the way.

[Die Radio Die]

Originally Posted by King'sPawn

So you don't mind if the Kings get Stamkos, you just don't want them to lose on purpose to do so.

But you have to realize the Kings aren't just "tanking it." They are at the bottom of the league and in a prime position to sell assets. This will, in turn, make the team younger and even more inconsistent short term. Overall, it's for the long term health of the team, and ultimately, I don't think it will teach the young players bad habits if they are trying to build a team together.

The problem is when they eek out wins while displaying the bad habits, and having the wrong veterans leading the way.

Do you honestly think there are "wrong" veterans on this team? Who?

[kendawg]

Originally Posted by The Natural

I read half of the first sentence or at least what I thought was a sentence... then gave up. Anyone else?

I'll help you out...

He's saying he doesn't want the team to TANK in order to draft Stamkos. If the team just sucks and ends up with a high pick, then he wouldn't mind picking Stamkos. So, the title of this thread is NOT what the OP is actually trying to say.

[Brodeur]

Joe Sakic was on the worst team in the NHL for his first three seasons and it would have been four if not for the expansion San Jose Sharks. Dare I say he persevered fine and Quebec eventually collected enough high draft picks to become a powerhouse for ten years.

As the Maple Leafs are finding out right now, it eventually takes a toll on a franchise when you shortcut and trade draft picks to make a futile run at a Cup as a bubble playoff team.

Management is not telling guys like Brown and O'Sullivan to tank for a higher draft pick. Tanking might seem like the likely outcome of trading veterans who are impending UFAs, but that's just how it goes when you're on the lower end of the proverbial totem pole.

[Mr. Teeny]

I don't want this team to tank, because that implies not caring, not playing with heart, etc. I'd be disappointed if I saw the team quit out there on the ice. You don't want to encourage a culture of losing, but worse than that is a culture of not caring.

I don't want this team to win, either. They are clearly not ready to compete for the playoffs. To even sniff them this year, they'd have to win what? 26, 27 out of the remaining 36 games? We all know that won't happen, so why screw up your pick in a great draft year by winning too many games?

Ideally, I want this team to start, or continue, losing good games. Make them close, show a strong compete level, but come up short. Sell some vets. Bring up some kids. Compete hard. Learn what it will take to win games in the future, but lose games now.

[King'sPawn]

Originally Posted by Die Radio Die

Do you honestly think there are "wrong" veterans on this team? Who?

Not so much now. However, I do think the team was in horrible shape with Roenick and Avery, and to a lesser extent, Demitra on here.

I do have some issues with our defensive corps, particularly since we only have one rookie d-man yet defense has been our biggest problem. That might not be a personality thing, but I do think it's a bad example to be setting for the kids.

So I guess the point is (long and short of it) is that we're better off than what we had before, but we don't exactly have the most inspirational leaders, either, in my opinion.

[Salty Dog]

Originally Posted by Die Radio Die

Do you honestly think there are "wrong" veterans on this team? Who?

All of them?