This discussion does illuminate problems with the “culture” of the LA Kings and why they have struggled over the years. For the fans, we have had our heart broken over these years.

Is the “new” team an improvement? Hard to say. I think so. I can say this, after busting your ass at work all day, hockey is great to watch !!! Would be better if the Kings were more than a .500 team…

All I meant was that the details are available, so there was no point in my rehashing them.

I wish you were this upfront and honest about the current Kings’ players than you are with those older hacks. I’d love to hear your analysis of “Cechmanek vs. Cloutier, Who was worse?” Haha!

I’m very interested in reading more about the Blues/Kings trade and how it went down exactly and everything that was involved in Gretzky demanding a trade and being sent to STL to join Brett Hull. Do you have any links that would discuss what you did not want to get into?

Tsyplakov was on some horrible teams…big reason is because despite his skill, he was horrible too! :-)

I heard Azevedo wasn’t impressive in the mini-camp. Did you see him during the camp and what did you think.

Good articles and i like your support of your opinion. keep it up.

But even though he has played as a first or second-line center for much of his NHL career, his numbers, especially in terms of goal scoring, just aren’t where they should be for a player with his skill, and that’s because he is very much a one-dimensional (pass always) player who can be easily shut down by taking away his passing lanes.

If Johnson was a joke, Tsygurov was the worst joke in history! :-)

And don’t worry…I do not require meds. I’m fine :-)

Stumpel had that one soild year and then stunk things up the rest of the way. He is just far too predictable, making it easy to shut him down completely. He simply refuses to shoot the puck. And I dispute your assertion that he has had a “great career numbers wise.” Looking at his career NHL stats, he’s had little more than a mediocre career…maybe worse than that.

Shevalier? Chapdelaine? Those are just two of many former Kings who were, in a word, horrid.

Its funny, but 10 years ago, stumpel was the no. 10 overall scorer in the league. I think his best quality was his puck control, like you said. He’d stick out the rump and create lots of space. He moved around a lot, but had a great career numbers wise. I always liked stumpel.

By the way, its so funny when a player like potomski is mentioned. We forget all the no-names that peppered the league. How about Jeff Shevalier or Rene Chapdelaine?

Tsygurov was not above average skill-wise, or in any other aspect of the game. Sorry, but he was garbage.

Johnson and Mckenna should never have played in the NHL. They were simply awful. They grew up playing hockey and were never going to learn to skate. they define goon.

Sorry, but if you thought Tsygurov was an “above average player,” you were watching a different player!! :-)

Oh, not to attack you, but I really disagree with the Tsyplakov derision. I liked him and thought he was a decent, above average player. Again, maybe he never really fulfilled his potential, but I think you were harsh on him. Maybe you talked to him or had inside info, however.

cheers

As for Tsygurov, no…seriously, the guy was one of those horrible hacks. After the first handful of picks each year, the draft is a serious crapshoot. Tsygurov’s problem was between his ears. He thought he could get by without having to work hard. Having to fight had nothing to do with it. The guy was a head case and had serious attitude problems.

What I meant about Blomsten is that can you really say Gretzky was surrounded by mediocrity because a player was there for 6 games? Tsygurov was a russian, perhaps the transition at that time was too much for him. He must’ve had some talent to go in the 2nd round regardless of what he did here in the NHL. Remember, he came into a league with Crowder, Probert, and Kocur from a continent where fighting is banned. It was pretty freakin scary out there for him i bet.

Great Job with the Blog and great that you post and debate.

cheers

Blomsten played in so few games, in large part, because he was horrible.

As for what McNall did, yeah, but he really took advantage of Pocklington, who had no choice because of his serious financial problems. Keep in mind that he also got $15 million from the Kings in the deal, something we don’t see anymore (cash in trades) because the league prohibits it.