Thanks Kings!
Sucks to say the next big thing to look forward to is the draft lottery and the draft, but it is what it is right?
I love this team even if we sucked this year. The future could be very bright for this team if the young guns continue to develop and the right veterans get brought in. At the game today during all the postgame/season stuff I got all choked up.
Some postmortem comments and a wish list for next year:
I would LOVE to see a new coach. I think J.S. Aubin's assessment that the Kings are a skill team trying to play to a grinding style is DEAD on and I do NOT on any level think Crawford is the right coach for this team. I don't know who the right guy for the job is, but it's time to start looking for him.
It's time to cut the cord on the Dan Cloutier experiment. It was a high risk investment from the start. His poor play and propensity for injuries and his negative comments about the organization have been enough. It's time to show him the door. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out Dan, have fun in Europe. You don't deserve another job in the NHL.
Give Erik Ersberg a new contract, pronto. This guy proved that we are a MUCH better team with consistently good goaltending.
Trade Jason LaBarbera to whomever will give us something for him. He's only good when he plays a lot, and he's not consistent enough. His Achilles' heel is his poor rebound control. We can keep him as a backup but if there's interest, we'd be better off bringing in an inexpensive, experienced guy like Johan Hedberg to pair with Ersberg for next season.
Let Jonathan Bernier play a TON of games in Manchester. Let him be the guy down there for a season unless he is too good not to call up and unless the team is ready for him in LA. He will either be the next great French Canadian goalie or he'll be the next Jamie Storr, which do we want?
Trade Cammalleri for a stud Defenseman. He just looks uninspired and has no hustle out there. Not signing him for more than the two year arbitration deal he got is looking like a brilliant move.
I have a lot more thoughts than that but I am tired.
Most of all I wanted to say, thanks to the Kings for helping to bring a little meaning to my life between September and April, for winning on my birthday and for being my fave team in sports.
-J