The first stage was the introductory phase where he assumed power with President Luc Robitaille when the failings at the end the Dean Lombardi era were too much to endure for an organization that grew accustomed to competing for championships. His learning curve was gradual at first, buffered by the still-competitive core that led Los Angeles to a post-season berth, albeit a short one as they were swept by the expansion Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The curve got increasingly steep in Season 2 when a poor start to the season keyed the decision to oust head coach John Stevens after just 13 games and appointing Willie Desjardins ill-suited to reverse the team’s fortunes, as interim coach. The result was disastrous with the on-ice product unwatchable on many nights and had players counting down the days to Game 82. With an aging core and without the use of three consecutive first round picks (from 2015 to 2017, two were traded away by Lombardi and Gabe Vilardi’s health issues prevented him from development), Blake entered Stage 2 with the appointment of Todd McLellan last April.
McLellan’s presence regained respectability behind the LA bench and although positive results were not immediate, the seven-game winning streak at the conclusion of the shortened 2019-20 campaign had signaled the franchise had turned the corner. The improved play was executed with the backdrop of the organization’s ever-growing pool of prospects cultivated by Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti and all appearances are that he executed three consecutive successful drafts.
Stage 3 started at this past trade deadline with the departure of a chunk of its championship core – Tyler Toffoli, Alec Martinez and Kyle Clifford – made emotional farewells to the only NHL home they knew within a two week window in February, a stunning blow to the fanbase but a required move needed to facilitate clearing roster spots for the evaluation of the young talent next season and gather additional draft pick currency.
By shrugging off its historically poor lottery luck, Stage 3 accelerated with a turn of the card that places Blake in the power seat of the upcoming NHL Draft.
While selecting first-overall would have claimed the grand prize in this draft Alexis Lafreniere, who draws comparisons to Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau, with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly turning over the LA logo at the second spot, it gives them far more options than being at No.1 where the only option is selecting the French-Canadian forward.
Though the lean is likely towards Sudbury center Quinton Byfield, the lack of a clear-cut second-overall pick and the distance between now and the October draft day affords the organization much more racetrack to analyze their targets as well as entertain trade proposals.
The current state of the franchise led to a level of transparency not seen in Blake’s regular media discussions; I have criticized the homogenous makeup of his current inner circle of advisors, as all are former NHL players, with the departure of Assistant GM Mike Futa. In confirming he will fill that role (though in no rush to do so), he conveyed that seat at the table will be filled with an individual who will expand the spectrum of thought in decision making.
“What I want is something different than what I have now,” Blake related. “The specific need, the scouting background is important not necessarily a playing background, but more so with the younger generation. Just some different ideas, things outside the box. The combinations of all those opinions help you come to a better decision.”
The suggestion of adding an individual who resonates with the current generation of players likely was a contributing factors in the departure of Futa (age 52 and a finalist for the New Jersey Devils GM job) and Ontario Reign coach Mike Stothers (age 58). While both men had built strong across-the-board relationships in their tenures and another franchise will be the beneficiary of their knowledge and character, these changes further distance Blake’s regime from that of his predecessors.
Potential is a tricky thing; it is great to possess but it leads to consequences if not cultivated properly. Though the past two seasons have been difficult for a Hall of Fame player who is used to winning, with the triggers pulled over the space of the past 12 months his decision of the route back to contention appears to be the correct one.
With the increasing positive vibes surrounding the team following the criticism of the bumps in the road he’s endured (Desjardins hire, Ilya Kovalchuk tenure), I asked Blake if he feels any sense of validation. He revealed a trait that was instilled by his mentor Lombardi, a sense of loyalty to those who delivered the ultimate prize which delayed the steps which were unavoidable.
“I don’t know if there is any validation or if I’m looking for validation,” Blake said. “For me, it doesn’t come until you reach the final (thing, a) championship. The part that was most difficult for me was having to take that veteran team, the one that accomplished so much ... for the history of the franchise for the sake of a better word, dismantle the team. I hear some things, people said ‘why didn’t you do it from Day 1.’ I wasn’t prepared to do that. I wanted to make sure I gave those players who had been through it ... every single opportunity to do it again.”
You can hear the entire 40-minute Blake interview here.
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July 11, 2020 at 03:00AM
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Kings GM Blake: “The most difficult thing for me was dismantling the team” - The Fourth Period
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