Memo To Dave Taylor's Replacement
Posted: Fri Mar 31, 2006 5:49 pm
Dear Yet to be named Replacement as Kings GM,
First congratulations on your new job and good luck in what is surely a daunting task, making something out of the Kings (dare I say...the playoffs). Surely there are many issues on your plate, a new coach, player changes. I would not presume to give you advice on who should be the new coach. I really have just one thing to ask in terms personnel.
GET US A DAMNED GOALIE WHO ISN'T COMPLETE SHIT!
I am not sure why your predecessor thought that you could do anything worthwhile with a pair of backup goalies. But the truth is that you must be strong in the goalie position to suceed in this league. When I lived in Westers New York in the 90's I marvelled at how a team like the Sabres could succeed. They had decent talent among the skaters, but no superstars. But of course they had Dominic Hasek. So they one divisions made Conference Finals and were even in the Stanley Cup finals.
What other teams have been successful? The Devils have a pretty good goalie if I recall. So did the Avalanche. THe Lightning? Check. The Red Wings? Osgood, Vernon Maybe not the cream of the crop but far more capable than the clowns we currently have. Dallas had Belfour. The Kings most recent success basically came due to the hot play of Felix Potvin. I could go on and on, but the point is clear. To succeed you need a top-notch goalie. Besides stealing games with his saves, a top goalie inspires confidence in the team, allows young players to develop, and allows more aggresion to attack.
Now I believe we wil have plenty of room under the cap for the upcoming free agent market. I don't know who will be available. I know premier goalies do not grow on trees. But please, make the effort. Get us a good goalie....for once.
Sincerely,
A Kings Fan
First congratulations on your new job and good luck in what is surely a daunting task, making something out of the Kings (dare I say...the playoffs). Surely there are many issues on your plate, a new coach, player changes. I would not presume to give you advice on who should be the new coach. I really have just one thing to ask in terms personnel.
GET US A DAMNED GOALIE WHO ISN'T COMPLETE SHIT!
I am not sure why your predecessor thought that you could do anything worthwhile with a pair of backup goalies. But the truth is that you must be strong in the goalie position to suceed in this league. When I lived in Westers New York in the 90's I marvelled at how a team like the Sabres could succeed. They had decent talent among the skaters, but no superstars. But of course they had Dominic Hasek. So they one divisions made Conference Finals and were even in the Stanley Cup finals.
What other teams have been successful? The Devils have a pretty good goalie if I recall. So did the Avalanche. THe Lightning? Check. The Red Wings? Osgood, Vernon Maybe not the cream of the crop but far more capable than the clowns we currently have. Dallas had Belfour. The Kings most recent success basically came due to the hot play of Felix Potvin. I could go on and on, but the point is clear. To succeed you need a top-notch goalie. Besides stealing games with his saves, a top goalie inspires confidence in the team, allows young players to develop, and allows more aggresion to attack.
Now I believe we wil have plenty of room under the cap for the upcoming free agent market. I don't know who will be available. I know premier goalies do not grow on trees. But please, make the effort. Get us a good goalie....for once.
Sincerely,
A Kings Fan
