Enjoy a free replay of this week’s Mayor’s Minutes on NHL Network Radio, where John Hoven joined host Jim ‘Boomer’ Gordon to discuss all things LA Kings and the performance of GM Rob Blake. Additionally, stick around for a bonus segment, where Boomer offers his annual GM Report Card.
Today’s radio segment can be heard using the player below or download any of our audio files for free on the MayorsManor iTunes page located here.
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Mark Yannetti interview was one of the best hockey interviews I have heard. Great job!
We could have gone another hour. Fun topics, even better answers.
Makes me think that the conversations between Yannetti and Dean Lombardi must have been something to behold. I wish someone was wearing a wire so they’d be be recorded for posterity.
The point that ‘Boomer’ made on all these players, not being very good on LA and then going off to another team and having a rebirth in their production, makes me think it’s the Kings system. Seems to not change no matter the coach. Is it left over from the cup years where we built from the pipes out? I’m not saying it’s the wrong system, but whatever system you’re trying to implement you need those types of players. What says you, Mayor?
I’m also very concerned about the lack of muscle on the current team. Without a doubt I think “the kids” need to know they’ll be stood up for and protected. How do you see us addressing this issue (and Lemieux is definitely not going to put fear into anyone)?
And finally, more Yannetti please!!!
You and Boomer both make a valid point. But I think that simple complacency and stagnation is also possible (I think the Mayor hinted at that). Until the point at which Blake started cleaning house, there was a hope that they could avoid a rebuild and if they just stayed the course things would get back close to where they were. It may be that a fresh start jump-started all of those guys. Certainly in Martinez’ case I don’t think that the Kings’ system kept him from playing better defense; I think it’s just as likely that in Las Vegas, he was no longer the young guy who was always going to be junior to Kopitar, Brown, Doughty and Carter as a team leader.