Top 7 Reasons Kings Didn’t Have It This Year
- Updated: March 30, 2017
No secrets, the Kings have sorta sucked this year. They had their moments, winning streaks and all. And yes, they kicked the ass of those punks Calgary Flames tonight. But let’s face it. Something has been missing! So, nudged by Calisports NHL Director Jeff Duarte, I have fleshed out a top list of reasons that I originally posted somewhere in the forest of Facebook.
- We paid Anze Kopitar too much money. A 10 million dollar man better be able to do more than Lee Majors could do, since that 1970’s star was just worth six mill. Paying so much for one player can’t help the “team” on even a practical level. The imbalance of unity, as well as the practical case of locating and paying quality players. PS: he didn’t produce either.
- No Milan Lucic or Vincent Lecavalier – two players who brought magic and energy on the ice last year. I’m guessing we couldn’t afford them? And the Lacavalier situation, where he was forced to retire? Yeah, I’ll never get that one. All I know is their energy and magic is GONE.
- No announcer Bob Miller partway through the season. Due to health concerns, Miller had to retire. We lost what could be considered the heart of the Kings. He didn’t hold up the Cup for nothing. He definitely defined “We are all Kings.” And without him behind the mic, there was a definite letdown. And letdowns matter in the long run of a playoff run.
- This is the big one for me. Our GM traded our backup goalie Peter Budaj, who had been filling in admirably for injured Jonathan Quick, for Lightning Ben Bishop. So we trade one player who has been fighting for our team with everything he’s got … for this tall dude. Dumb. I believe such trades actually harm the locker room spirit, though many will not agree, and no one will talk about it. If you notice the real deflation came around the time of that trade. Would the team have deflated anyway? May be impossible to say.
- Marian Gaborik has been standing around watching hockey. Maybe he has been hurt and that is the reason for his lack of spark and scoring. But if that’s the case, why are we playing him?
- The Kings started looking more like an AHL team. With so many Ontario Reign joining the NHL squad, it started to look like we were competing in the wrong league. And here’s the thing – the young-ins just may be satisfied with playing in the NHL; the playoffs might just be a bonus for them. Players coming down the stretch have to be super hungry for the playoffs; they can’t be satisfied with playing with the big boys.
- Is it me, or is coach Darryl Sutter OK with losing? Yes, I understand that the coach’s charisma is minimal at best, and he does not change his tune, which can be empowering. However, could the Kings have been helped with a bit more edge and fire from the leader who could have led the way?
So there is one list. We all have our own reasons why we think the Kings have struggled. Some points may match; some of yours may be completely different. That’s what makes the sport so personal … and so universal. And finally, no matter what, there will be one thing we all agree on: Go Kings Go!
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2 Comments
About Jim Ellis
Brien Biggs
March 31, 2017 at 7:52 am
I totally agree with the first one we paid him way too much money and gave him the captains C for a mediocre season.
Peggy Morgan Henry
March 31, 2017 at 2:55 pm
1) Yes, too much money for Kopi…He is a big player for the Kings, but the bleeding started way before this. After that wife-beater, Slava Voynov got busted, the Kings seemed to lose their forward momentum. Then Quick was injured twice, and we keep trading good goalies away to other teams. ie: Budaj (Tampa Bay), Jones (Sharks), and now Bernier. (Ducks goalie) I think Sutter probably demanded that they acquire a ‘decent’ goalie…Budaj got better as time went on and I wish they’d never gotten rid of him. Who’s next? King? Oh right, he already is gone.
2) Yes, Why do we keep playing Gaborik? He’s was a great player who has spent his time on the Kings injured and is not sparking any great plays to the net lately.
3) Bob Miller’s health takes priority and it sucks to lose him. Nothing else to say on that. We’ve been very fortunate to have him all of these years. I’ve listened to him since day 1 and loved to listen to the games even though our Kings weren’t always winning.
4)I agree with losing Lucic and LeCavalier didn’t help the team. I liked LeCavalier when I met him at the Tip-a-King. He was very personable and a good guy. Lucic fired up the team and fought hard for his teammates. If the team gets rid of Kempe, I’m gonna scream!
5) Last but not least, Daryll Sutter doesn’t seem to have his heart in it any longer. Hey, he took us to Two Cups, where the second one was agonizing but thrilling to watch. He just maybe already thinking about retirement. Many of us do and hopefully, if he comes back next year, he could find a little perspective on that ranch of his this Summer. Personally, I believe that it’s time for a new face for their head coach. I love Darryl but don’t stick around if you can’t work with who you have and inspire them to do great things.