Monday morning, a large group of LA Kings players met with the media to share their end of season thoughts on various topics. We’ll have written articles and video up soon to share info on a myriad of different topics. We’ll start with GM Rob Blake and coach Todd McLellan (via a separate article here).
Below are a series of tweets that went out following the conversation with Blake — some of which summarize what he shared, others offer additional thoughts or context from Mayor’s Manor editor John Hoven.
If anybody ever needed confirmation about what type of person Rob Blake is… Today's end of season press conference might be the best example.
He stopped the media from asking any questions to kick things off. Made it a point to first talk about Dustin Brown.
Pure class.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
Arvidsson herniated disk. Surgery tomorrow. Three to five months recovery.
Three Kings players with separated shoulders in Round One. No other surgeries at this time. They played through it.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
Turcotte suffered his second concussion of the season with the insane hit in the Colorado series. He was done for the playoffs. There is concern.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
LA Kings offseason plans:
— Add a goal scoring winger
— Add some toughness
— Add a power play
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 15, 2022
[note: the above tweet was actually from this past Saturday]
Blake indicated he clearly understands the need for LA Kings to add some toughness this offseason. Also confirmed our previous reports that they looked at some options at the Trade Deadline, but none of those materialized. Expecting it to be addressed this summer.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
Blake and McLellan both emphasized the news for growth to come from internal options. Can't simply look outside the organization for help.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
Blake admitted signing Kempe to a long-term deal is priority No. 1 at the moment (big piece of the budget moving forward). They had some brief discussion during the season, but both sides agreed that it was best to wait. Didn't want to interrupt the special season he was having.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
Random notes…
As mentioned on a recent KOTP, expecting the Kempe contract at about 5×5.5… we'll see.
Also wouldn't be surprised to see Martin Frk sign in Anaheim.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
For anybody wondering, all of the LA Kings coaching staff are under contract for next year.
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
FWIW — I'm not expecting Chris Hajt to assume the head coaching role.
On the other hand, there's an opening in San Diego… Will he be considered for that role? Or does Ducks GM PatV already have his guy in mind? Regardless, expecting Hajt to land a HC job somewhere. Smart guy. https://t.co/ynteu2idNQ
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) May 16, 2022
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Could the Kings go after somebody like CROSBY from Pittsburg if he is available