For all those disappointed by the Third consecutive outing of the Kings NHL qualifiers in the first round, Rob BlakeThe director general of the team, has a message: he feels your pain.
“Just a very difficult ending in the season,” said Blake on Monday in her first public comments since the Kings were eliminated from the EDMONTON OILERS Last Wednesday. “A lot of disappointment, a lot of frustration, a lot of anger. I don't think we played almost the level we needed to succeed in the playoffs.”
As for what he intends to do on this subject, come back this summer. Because even if the Blake's press conference was long on frustration and disappointment, it was short on the specific measures he plans to take to repair things.
Which does not mean that he has said nothing. He said that the team did not intend to buy the last seven years of the center Pierre-Luc Dubois“Contract of $ 68 million. He also said the spell of the temporary coach Jim Hiller has remained indeterminate and that the long -term solution of the goalkeeper “is probably not in place in this team at the moment.”
And although Blake has a solid nucleus to build – Forward Anze Kopitar,, Kevin Fiala,, Adrian Kempe,, Phillip Danault And Trevor Moore with defenders Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson, who are all under contract for at least two more seasons – the Kings have seven players who become free agents without restrictions, including defender Matt Roy, striker Trevor Lewis and goalkeepers Cam Talbot And David Rittich.
“We always think that this group has made progress in many different areas,” said Blake. “We have to find a way to ensure that this translates into the playoffs.”
How much time Blake, 54, a defender of the fame of fame whose n ° 4 jerseys are suspended from the chevrons of Crypto.com Arena, must get there is uncertain. He entered the last season on his contract as director general, having assumed the post in 2017, then signed an extension of three years while this agreement expired. And while the Kings made the playoffs four times during Blake's mandate, they did not progress beyond the first round.
It may be understandable that Blake has more questions than answers at this stage, because the Kings expected to prepare for a second round series with the Vancouver Canucks this week. Instead, they are preparing for next season.
Blake said he had planned to spend a large part of the coming weeks to speak with players and staff, including Hiller, who was responsible for bringing the team to the playoffs when he replaced Todd McLellan in early February. He did it, but if it was enough for him to gain full -time work, neither the director general nor the president of the Luc Robitaille team would say.
Kings Center Pierre-Luc Dubois warmed up before a match against Nashville predators in January. Dubois had a hard time in his first season with the Kings.
(George Walker IV / Associated Press)
“Luc and I, some hockey staff members, will meet him and simply pass the exact changes which, according to him, would be put in place before making a decision,” said Blake, who refused to say how long this process would take.
A problem that Blake conceded was certain to arise during these meetings with Hiller was the fate of the team's neutral zone trap of the team. The Kings succeeded with this system, which uses three players to obstruct the neutral area and make it difficult for opponents to enter the offensive area in control. But some players have complained that the style of play has become too flawed and predictable.
“We must have a deep discussion about it,” said Blake.
“When we talk a bit about systematic changes and different things that can be incorporated, we must understand why the game has not resulted in the playoffs. The team was successful, has reached qualifying series. But in no case is not good enough.”
Regarding Dubois who, not to mention the 2020-21 season interrupted in interpretation, had career in careers (16) and assists (24) in his first season with the Kings, Blake said that the solution resides in the team, not the player.
“We have to make it better,” said Blake. “He has experienced a constant performance about his career and has deviated from this this year. It is therefore up to us as staff – coaches and management – to help them become more productive for us. ”
As for the situation of the goalkeeper, the Kings have only one goalkeeper (Aaron Dell, a safeguard of 35 years with the Reign Ontario) with all experience in the NHL throughout the organization. Blake, however, is at the top of the Erik Portillo, 23, who played well for the reign, the a Ahl of the Kings.
“We do not have as a long-term solution other than we have a young player who played very well in Ontario,” he said. “It takes time for this position.”
