It’s a great song by Tom Petty. It’s not so great, however, watching it happen to the Kings’ season. At this point, I’m not going to pretend to know what the solution is. We’ve got fans warring with other fans over who’s to blame (I’m not completely innocent of this either). Nothing is the Kings’ universe right now seems galvanized, and the team is playing it’s absolute worst hockey at a critical time.

I could talk until I’m blue in the face about what needs to happen. I’ve done it at length in previous posts. One thing that’s been painfully apparent over the last 5 periods of Kings’ hockey that bears mentioning: This team doesn’t appear to meet even the bare minimum requirement for heart right now. They’ve been through a coaching change, and the results over the long term are now debatable. For the last 3 seasons, I’ve been on board as believing this team was a tight knit one, a team that goes to battle for one another, willing to sacrifice life and limb for the ultimate goal. Right now, I’m feeling like I might’ve been a little stupid for buying that. It’s a mess right now. There are so many negatives right now, it’s hard to know where to start. I don’t think it’s a matter of the guys not knowing what needs to be done, it just isn’t happening. Uncharacteristic defensive mistakes have left team MVP Jon Quick out to dry his last 4 periods (it would be fair to mention some questionable officiating in Phoenix – who by the way, is still owned by the NHL just for the record, but those are obstacles any great team should overcome). And, as has been the case most of the season, the team can’t score a big goal when it’s needed most.

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating: Look at games where the Kings score 3 or more goals, and you’ll notice net presence, guys going into the hard areas of the ice to make goals happen and to help make valuable time and space for skilled players to do what they do best. Look at games where the Kings score 2 or less, and that same willingness to go to the net, to take a beating to make a play is absent. It’s a simple observation. Internal combustion engines can’t run without fuel, and the Kings can’t score consistently without some effort to get into those difficult, prime scoring areas of the ice and without net presence. The guys in that locker room know it, and it’s still not happening.

You can speculate all you want from there. Is there a lack of chemistry in the locker room? Is the talent that guys in the lineup have previously shown all an illusion meant to fool the fans and followers of the team into thinking we were better than this? Why do the players actions in critical moments right now scream “I give up” or “I just don’t care”? It appears the wheels are coming off, fast.

Again, I don’t claim to know the exact nature of the problem, but I don’t believe it will go away if ignored. I’m a man of science, and I’m skeptical of anything until presented with strong supporting evidence. Right now, that evidence screams to an early grave for this team. Missing the postseason means a major housecleaning is coming in all likelihood. As much as it would pain me to see a lot of the guys on this team shipped out, there isn’t much of an argument against it right now based on this team’s play. Something clearly isn’t working. During the home stretch, when you’d predict the team should be playing it’s best hockey, it’s playing it’s worst. Change is imminent, and it may be big change. That’s not a comfortable idea. Who wants to see any of our guys raise the Cup elsewhere? Not many, I’d suspect, at least among Kings fans.

So, while it all looks gloomy at the present, I will bring to light a few positives that remain. The Kings are still in a playoff spot tonight. Tomorrow night Calgary, one point back of them, plays in Phoenix; and Dallas, two points back, plays in Chicago. Phoenix remains the NHL’s pet team and they will continue to do their best to make the team attractive to potential buyers. While I hate the idea of Phoenix having a five point advantage over the Kings, it’s better than falling potentially into 10th. Chicago beating Dallas, obviously also helps. San Jose has played awful lately, and at 36 goals against in 9 games, their defense and goaltending is about as airtight as a screen door. As bad as things are right now, the division is still up for grabs.

With 3 days before Chicago invades Staples Center on Saturday; I’d be surprised not to see some new faces in the Kings’ lineup by then. Despite the gloomy outlook, there remains time to right the ship. But it will take change, and above all, it will take heart.

The Kings’ still have time to prove my preseason hypothesis correct. Here’s to hoping next time I make a Tom Petty reference, it’ll be “I Won’t Back Down” instead of “Free Fallin”.

GO KINGS!

-JS

A little less than 48 hours ago, I wrote at length about why I think Dean Lombardi NEEDS to go all-in for Rick Nash. Since then, it looks as if Lombardi lacks the balls to go big. There’s a lot yet to be resolved but when you’re being outbid by teams who have a lot less of what Columbus’ primary need is, it looks like ol’ Deano is trying to get by on lowballing. Lest I mention, it’s never worked before in Dean’s case? While that could all change (and I hope it does), it might be prudent to look at what other help is potentially available in the next 10 days.

James Van Riemsdyk – LW, Philadelphia

 

Van Riemsdyk is a big bodied LW with decent speed and good hands. So far he’s yet to top 21 goals, but he’s only 22 years old with a lot of upside. The biggest concerns about him are twofold: He’s yet to find consistency in his game, and he’s returning from a concussion in the coming days. Based on what we’ve seen in LA of players having difficulty returning to form after concussions (think Randy Jones in 09-10, Drew Doughty in 2010-11 and Mike Richards this season.), this could be a risky move. The chatter is that the Kings and Flyers have discussed a Van Riemsdyk for Jack Johnson deal. Considering that Johnson, at two years older, is closer to his development peak than Van Riemsdyk is, this may seem like an overpayment. One Flyers’ fan I spoke with about the potential deal thought Philadelphia would have to include a pick in the deal. If healthy, Van Riemsdyk would be a good fit for the Kings, given their obvious connection and history with Philadelphia and the fact the two teams play a very similar system. Still, if we’re talking trading Johnson, I’d rather it be part of a package for an elite scorer. But, I’ve already beaten that horse enough…

 

 

 

Michael Grabner – RW, New York Islanders

 

This one may be a bit of a pipe dream, as Grabner is locked up for four more years after this season, but the Austrian Winger is, next to Nash, the best fit for the Kings’ needs. Grabner is one of the fastest guys in the entire league, decidedly faster than anybody on the Kings’ roster. He’s also got great hands – scored 34 goals last season and should get close to 30 this season. His presence in the Kings’ top 6 would add an element the Kings are severely lacking, and Grabner’s blazing speed no doubt would open up more ice for guys like Kopitar and Brown. While the Islanders might not be actively looking to deal Grabner, they’re are a team in a constant state of rebuild. Dangling a first round pick and a decent prospect would get their attention at the very least. The other option to consider when talking about the Islanders: Rick DiPietro is perpetually on Injured Reserve, Evgeni Nabokov is a UFA and all but certainly gone come next season, and Al Montoya is a fringe NHL goalie at best. While they have guys in their system with potential, they’re at least two seasons away from mop up duty. Offering Jonathan Bernier for Grabner would be a good deal for both clubs. The Isles get a can’t miss young goalie to build around, and the Kings get a speedy sniper-caliber winger. This is one that I think Lombardi needs to at least take a stab at. If he’s speaking to Islanders’ GM Garth Snow, it’s probably not about P.A. Parenteau.

 

 

Chris Stewart – RW, St. Louis

 

Rugged St. Louis Blues winger Chris Stewart is an interesting case. He’s been a consistent scorer – 28 goals in each of the last two seasons, and isn’t afraid to get into the hard areas and go to the net to score. His toolkit might be comparable to Kings’ Captain Dustin Brown, but Stewart has more speed and better agility and is bigger (that’s no knock on Brown, but we all know his balance mechanics are suspect at times). Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk came to the Blues last season in a blockbuster deal and finished up on a tear under then Blues coach Davis Payne. When the Blues stumbled out of the blocks this season and Payne was replaced by Ken Hitchcock, Stewart found himself in the doghouse quickly. Hitchcock has the talented Stewart pulling 4th line duty in St. Louis, making his value extremely low at the present time. He would provide a great fit for the Kings and the escape from St. Louis could see him return to last season’s form. Stewart is a top 6 worthy forward who could be had for non-roster assets at this point – since the Kings have only a first round pick in 2012, think prospects. Even if the Kings do get a guy like Grabner or Van Riemsdyk, I’d like to see them add Stewart anyway, simply for depth. He’d look great as the Kings’ second line RW alongside Mike Richards.

 

Nikolai Kulemin – LW, Toronto

 

After hitting the 30 goal mark last season, Kulemin has had a dreadfully disappointing 2011-12. With only 5 goals and 23 points, the Leafs’ winger hasn’t exactly been productive. However, Kulemin does possess speed and tremendous skill and has been a plus player the last two seasons on a non-playoff team. Reading what fans and critics have to say about Kulemin reminds me a lot of former king Alexander Frolov, a guy with tons of offensive potential who wound up being enigmatic at best, but whose play away from the puck was an integral part of the Kings’ checking line. Kulemin, if he could be had at the right price, could be a good depth add with potential for a lot more if he returns to last season’s scoring form. Biggest issue here is that Leafs’ GM Brian Burke has his team in the thick of the East playoff race, and is said to still be high on Kulemin. The Leafs need some help on defense and in goal, so the potential for a deal to be made is there, just so long as the Kings’ don’t give up too much for him.

 

 

Jeff Carter – C/RW, Columbus

Considered by many to the be consolation prize in the Rick Nash sweepstakes, it’s believed that the Kings and Blue Jackets may have been discussing a deal for the allegedly disgruntled Cater before Nash’s availability became public knowledge. Carter was supposed to be the prize acquisition for the Blue Jackets this past offseason, but he’s been oft-injured during his tenure there and Columbus GM Scott Howson is rumored to have been shopping him for some time. The positives? Carter and Kings Center Mike Richards are best friends and there are those who think reuniting the two be a huge positive in Los Angeles. Carter has been a prolific goal scorer at the NHL level, scoring as many as 46 goals and consistently hitting the 30 goal plateau. He can play both Center and Wing, a plus since the Kings’ cupboard is stocked with centers currently. He’s got decent speed and would no doubt add another serious scoring threat to the Kings’ lineup. But at what cost? Carter’s character has been in question the past couple years of his career, and with the value Lombardi puts on that aspect, it’s almost hard to believe he’d consider adding him to the locker room. But, apparently that’s the case. Carter’s cap hit is somewhat reasonable for a guy with a 30-40 goal scorer pedigree, but he’s signed for the next 10 seasons. If a deal were to happen, this would be Carter’s second trade after signing that deal. It’s enough to make you wonder at the very least. Rumored deal discussed prior to Jaret Stoll’s hip injury was Bernier and Stoll for Carter and Columbus backup goalie Curtis Sanford. The deal would get Columbus their goalie of the present and future, and the Kings would shed Stoll’s expiring contract and acquire Carter and a serviceable backup for Quick. While I think the deal could potentially yield dividends if Carter and Richards rekindle some of their scoring magic from Philadelphia, it could also be a potential nightmare for the Kings if Carter implodes in party-hungry LA.

 

Ryan Malone – LW, Tampa Bay

 

Before last season began, it’s been suggested that Malone could have been a King for a mere 2nd round pick. Lombardi reportedly sat on the deal too long, the Lightning had a banner season and Malone was off the table. Fast forward to 2012 – The Kings need a winger who can score and Malone just might fit the bill. The guy they call “Bugsy” in Tampa is a fearless competitor, and while his numbers aren’t gaudy, he does a lot of the heavy lifting on teammates’ goals, the type of intangible that doesn’t show up on the scoresheet. He could provide a net presence the Kings have lacked in stretches where they haven’t scored much, which has been often this season. The Lightning want a young goaltender who can start and stick around for years to come, and Jonathan Bernier is the ideal candidate for that role. While Bernier for Malone straight up seems like a bit of an overpayment, especially while Tampa is in selling mode, there is a factor to consider: Malone has a No-Movement Clause in his contract and gets to decide where he goes in any potential trade. An irresistible offer such as Bernier might persuade Lighning GM Steve Yzerman to lobby Malone to waive his no-trade clause to head to the West Coast. Malone’s playoff experience, even at a relatively steep price, could also help bolster the Kings’ chances at a long playoff run.

 

Again, Id like to see Dean grow some balls and make the big deal to get Nash, especially since it’s rumored a hated rival is gunning hard for him (even if the deal doesn’t make sense for either team, they’re driving up the price). However, since we know Lombardi doesn’t normally conjure up the needed fortitude to make a blockbuster move, it’s at least somewhat reassuring that there are other guys out there who could potentially provide the Kings with some goal scoring help.

GO KINGS!

JS

 

 

 

Game changers. There are not many of them in the NHL, and they’re rarely available at the trade deadline. When news of Rick Nash’s availability via trade broke earlier this week, the first thing that popped into my head was “We HAVE to do this. We NEED this guy”.

Nash is one of the NHL’s premiere wingers. He possesses an uncanny combination of size and pure skill that makes him special. He’s broken the 40 goal plane twice, and the 30 goal plane 4 times – his lowest goal scoring total since his rookie season was 27. And he’s done all this despite never playing with a legitimate playmaker type centerman.

Enter Kings center Anze Kopitar. Anze has been a 60+ point center in the NHL every season in his 5+ year career, without ever having the privilege of an elite, game-changing winger.

It’s a match made in heaven. Nash would likely break the 50 goal plateau playing on Kopitar’s wing. Kopitar would likely smash the 100 point plateau with a winger of that stature playing alongside him. It would make this Kings’ team much more than a potential contender. I believe it would put them over the top.

The Kings’ number one goaltender, Jonathan Quick, is giving up less than two goals a game (1.91 to be exact). He has given the team a chance to win in all but perhaps one of his 48 games played. The problem: His team is dead last in the league in scoring. Goal support at a withered clip of 2.10 per game makes Quick’s job the most difficult of any in the league. Even raising that average by .5 goals/game would give the Kings 12-14 more wins. That would give the Kings 89-93 points right now. They’d be the NHL’s top team by a very wide margin. Instead, scoring struggles have the Kings sitting at 65 points – good for 7th in the West, yet only 3 points out of first in the division behind a largely unimpressive San Jose team.

This year brought high expectations to the Kings. The acquisitions of Mike Richards and Simon Gagne were supposed to improve scoring and make the Kings Pacific Division favorites. Right now, if not for the play of Quick, they’d be buried in the division cellar behind surging Anaheim. Having already made a coaching change (which I believe has generally been positive), the man who’s job is most at risk going forward is general manager Dean Lombardi.

Lombardi, when he was hired in the Summer of 2006, preached of a 5 year plan that would make the Kings legitimate Cup contenders. While he’s done a lot to build a winning culture, the obstacle between the Kings and a serious run at the Cup is but one: they lack a goal scoring winger with game changing capabilities. Guess what? One just became available.

Dean failed at getting us Hossa, Kovalchuk, and Brad Richards. While Zach Parise would look good in a  Kings uniform, I don’t see them making nearly a good enough offer to land perhaps the game’s best American born winger. But they can get Nash.

The biggest gripes about a potential deal for Nash I’ve heard from fans on social media is “it would cost too much”. Columbus needs a good young goalie and help on defense, something the Kings have in spades. For some, the idea of giving up Jonathan Bernier (who likely won’t ever be a number one in Los Angeles), Jack Johnson, a top 6 forward/top prospect/1st round pick seems preposterous. I think people stuck in that frame of mind are missing the big picture.

We already have an all-world goalie in Quick. True, he is a UFA after NEXT season, but I’m not worried about him walking. He’s a humble kid who got a big break with the Kings’ organization when he was off most other teams’ radar. The Kings gave him his shot in front of the highly touted Bernier back in 08-09, he took the reins and hasn’t let go. I believe Quick will be a King for life. He’s the organization’s best goalie since Vachon, and could easily be number 1 on that list as he continues to improve. The likelihood that Bernier ends up being even as good as Quick, much less better than, is very slim. And I like Bernier, but right now, there’s perhaps two goalies in the league better than Quick. You’re talking a few parts per million that Bernier eclipses that at any point. Yes, he’s a nice insurance policy but at less than 20 games a year, a capable veteran backup would more than suffice. That’s just the reality of it. Bernier is the team’s most valuable asset, and the time to use him to make the team better is NOW.

About Johnson: I like Jack. He’s having a better year, he’s going to beat his career best mark in goals if he scores just one more; and he’s cut his minus rating at least in half at this point. Every time Doughty is out for any reason, Jack gives us a glimpse of what he was made to be: A number one defenseman. Part of me hates the idea of dealing him, he’s a great guy and made a big commitment to the club signing a 7 year extension last season. But, Johnson’s age (24), along with the length and reasonable cap hit of his current contract make him a very valuable asset. He’s never going to get a chance to fulfill his destiny as a number one guy in LA. Unless, we deal our current number one…

I’ll go on record as saying, I love Drew Doughty. He’s a fantastic kid, with a childlike love of the game you can’t help but like. I do think this season’s performance is an anomaly for him, he missed all of camp over that contract dispute (or rather, his agent held him out for a bigger payday because he has a personal grudge with Lombardi). Doughty is a rare talent that any team in the league would love to have. That said…If Columbus GM Scott Howson calls me and says “We’ll give you Rick Nash for Drew Doughty”, I make that deal without blinking. Nash is a game changer, exactly the type of player the Kings need to get to the next level. With Slava Voynov, who is better suited to a top 4 role than a 3rd pair spot, more than NHL ready; and the fact that Johnson steps up his play by orders of magnitude every time Doughty is out of the lineup, while fans might be disappointed, it would instantly make the Kings a better team.

The other name that’s been thrown around in rumors regarding Nash is Captain Dustin Brown, another fan favorite. I love Dustin and would like nothing more than to see him be the first King to touch the Cup. He’s an outstanding human being, his work ethic and willingness to do the dirty work, as well as his presence in the community make him an important cog in the machine. But, Brown has been playing with a tentativeness to his game for several weeks. I have often thought to myself  ”He looks like he knows he’s on the way out”, though I have no legitimate info that would make that more than a hunch. If we all take our fan glasses off for a minute, would you rather have a top line of Nash-Kopitar-Williams or Brown-Kopitar-Williams? We all love Brownie but Nash isn’t going to come cheap. The Jackets aren’t going to beg to take Penner or Stoll off our hands, they’re going to want a roster player with value.

Provided it isn’t gross overpayment, I don’t mind giving up a lot to get Nash. As I’ve stated many times, he’s a game changer. There are very few of those in the entire league, and they’re rarely available. If we’re talking getting a guy like Nash, I think absolutely NOBODY on the Kings’ roster except Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick should be untouchable.

Acquiring Nash could help boost scoring, and help the Kings reach the promised land, Lord Stanley’s Silver Cup, without Jon Quick needing to put on the greatest display of postseason goaltending in NHL history. I’d bet Quicker would appreciate it too.

Ultimately, I think either landing or not landing Nash will be what decides Dean Lombardi’s future as Kings’ GM. He’s whiffed on three game changers so far. This is his chance to silence his critics and make the Kings a team opponents fear. If he fails, the Kings could well be another first round casualty (unless Quick steals at least one series). It’s likely that AEG cleans out the front office if that happens. Lombardi knows this. My hope is that he realizes in time that lowball offers, just as with big name free agents, don’t work with big trades. This move could define the franchise.

Time to put up or shut up, Dean.

GO KINGS!

JS