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 several challenges and opportunities currently surrounding the LA Kings — sharing key notes on a handful of players, including: Fiala, Danault, Turcotte, Byfield, Talbot, Gavrikov, Anderson, Clarke, and a few prospects. Then, stick around for a bonus segment, where Boomer offers his annual GM Report Card on Blake and the Kings.
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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If the PLD deal isn’t a PERFECT fit then it’s a F. Blake gave up that for a “misunderstood player” that must for once in his career be happy. It will be great! If he is trouble and Blake didn’t talk to Toronto for Nylander then he finally lost his touch and there is a huge amount of pressure now because I’m not sold on PLD. If he isn’t a success story like Fiala and Danault then there is a big problem. PLD hasn’t played 1 game yet, but it’s fair to say if this is a bust it will really hurt the team losing Iafallo, Vilardi, Kupari, and Durzi for 1 guy. Nylander started out as a center and moved to the wing like Byfield. Only difference is Byfield failed as a center and needs Kopitar and Kempe’s help. The really problem is the scouting has gone downhill. Byfield will be a NHL player, but Turcotte, Kupari, Bjornfot, and Thomas have all been bust at this point in their careers. Let’s hope Clarke can be good in the NHL because if he’s a bust then that’s on the scouts. All this is meaningless if PLD works. But if it fails both Blake and scouting need to be addressed for a $68 million dollar contract. I hope as a fan PLD is the greatest trade by Blake and I hope Clarke steals the job from a NHL ready Jordan Spence. Should be a really interesting year.