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Forums :: Blog World :: Matt Ross: Rate the GM: Rob Blake
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Matt Ross
Joined: 06.01.2019

Feb 12 @ 1:25 AM ET
Matt Ross: Rate the GM: Rob Blake
poisondhearts37
Los Angeles Kings
Location: A goaltending coach, A few good bounces and the oilers are cup champions!!
Joined: 01.24.2010

Feb 12 @ 4:15 AM ET
For me. I give Blake a B. I don't hate his moves. I don't even hate the Kovi signing. I don't like it. Since I wanted the rebuild to start a year earlier. But maybe the muzzin return isn't as good a year earlier. But so far I like the trades for the most part. But the next 4 or 5 moves are gonna be important as well.
kastr99
Washington Capitals
Location: MD
Joined: 09.10.2011

Feb 12 @ 7:59 AM ET
I don't think he's a guy you want to steer the ship long term....
farooge
Nashville Predators
Location: Nashville, TN
Joined: 08.25.2006

Feb 12 @ 8:28 AM ET
outsiders prospective here - i read the referenced article and I agree, Blake's been awful. Makes me wonder what it takes to be considered a 'smart guy' in hockey circles. I'm guessing the bar is pretty low (esp for former players)
Za Warudo
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 04.20.2019

Feb 12 @ 8:36 AM ET
Why are the Kings not trying to move Kopitar? It’s not as if he’ll still be an elite player when they are in their next contention window.

And don’t tell me he wouldn’t be willing to waive his NTC for the right situation.
mf1313
San Jose Sharks
Location: Lethbridge, AB
Joined: 08.25.2010

Feb 12 @ 8:53 AM ET
Why are the Kings not trying to move Kopitar? It’s not as if he’ll still be an elite player when they are in their next contention window.

And don’t tell me he wouldn’t be willing to waive his NTC for the right situation.

- Za Warudo


Probably cause he's signed for I believe another 4 years at a cap hit of 10 million. Hard for teams to fit him even if the kings retain a ton of it.
Za Warudo
Pittsburgh Penguins
Joined: 04.20.2019

Feb 12 @ 9:28 AM ET
Probably cause he's signed for I believe another 4 years at a cap hit of 10 million. Hard for teams to fit him even if the kings retain a ton of it.
- mf1313


Salary can be retained, up to 50%. This can be used as leverage to gain additional draft picks.

Assuming a healthy Nolan Patrick, who says no to Kopitar to Philly for Patrick and two 1sts, with LA eating 4 mil?
Ross77
Joined: 11.21.2014

Feb 12 @ 11:58 AM ET
Kopitar would be awesome in Winnipeg!!!!
Connor and 2nd round pick.
Only_A_Ladd
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Sabres VERY Much in Hellebuyck Hearing they are the closest treat to getting a deal…bu a mile., CA
Joined: 06.06.2013

Feb 12 @ 12:21 PM ET
Kopitar would be awesome in Winnipeg!!!!
Connor and 2nd round pick.

- Ross77


Done. I'll prepare the paperwork.
Only_A_Ladd
Los Angeles Kings
Location: Sabres VERY Much in Hellebuyck Hearing they are the closest treat to getting a deal…bu a mile., CA
Joined: 06.06.2013

Feb 12 @ 12:28 PM ET
outsiders prospective here - i read the referenced article and I agree, Blake's been awful. Makes me wonder what it takes to be considered a 'smart guy' in hockey circles. I'm guessing the bar is pretty low (esp for former players)
- farooge


Why do you think he's been awful?

His grade will be determined based on expectation. If your expectation is the team should remain competitive through a rebuild, then he gets a "D" at best. But I don't think that's a reasonable expectation given the cap situation. Blake will be graded, in retrospect, based on the team's drafting and development of talent AND how he transitions out the vets and brings in players to complement the young guys. Scott Wheeler of 'The Athletic' did a comprehensive ranking of all NHL teams' prospects and the Kings ranked #1. I'd link to it...but paywall. So Blake gets a "first semester" grade of a B from me, but the implementation of the talent into the team and the roster management is a "second semester" grade that is TBD.
Bojangle
Los Angeles Kings
Location: WI
Joined: 03.12.2013

Feb 12 @ 6:20 PM ET
Blake and Luc need to go. Blake brought in Kovy to a system that still has the same system due to a team filled with aging, big, slow vets. Did they actually think Kovy would thrive in this system? Stupid move. There have been other bad and questioning moves and some okay ones. His coaching choices are horrible too.

The Kings need to stop living in the 2 Cups ERA and dump a lot more of this core. Get a fresh coach in there. Get a new GM that has ZERO ties to the Kings. Get younger, faster and more skilled. Get a new system in place that works in today's NHL. Blake said they were going to be really busy in the off season this past summer. Instead, they did squat.

I give Blake a D+/C-
Matt Ross
Joined: 06.01.2019

Feb 12 @ 10:05 PM ET
For me. I give Blake a B. I don't hate his moves. I don't even hate the Kovi signing. I don't like it. Since I wanted the rebuild to start a year earlier. But maybe the muzzin return isn't as good a year earlier. But so far I like the trades for the most part. But the next 4 or 5 moves are gonna be important as well.
- poisondhearts37


Matt Ross
Joined: 06.01.2019

Feb 12 @ 10:08 PM ET
Salary can be retained, up to 50%. This can be used as leverage to gain additional draft picks.

Assuming a healthy Nolan Patrick, who says no to Kopitar to Philly for Patrick and two 1sts, with LA eating 4 mil?

- Za Warudo


I like NP a lot, but he seems injury prone unfortunately. Dig his game when healthy though.
Matt Ross
Joined: 06.01.2019

Feb 12 @ 10:09 PM ET
Why do you think he's been awful?

His grade will be determined based on expectation. If your expectation is the team should remain competitive through a rebuild, then he gets a "D" at best. But I don't think that's a reasonable expectation given the cap situation. Blake will be graded, in retrospect, based on the team's drafting and development of talent AND how he transitions out the vets and brings in players to complement the young guys. Scott Wheeler of 'The Athletic' did a comprehensive ranking of all NHL teams' prospects and the Kings ranked #1. I'd link to it...but paywall. So Blake gets a "first semester" grade of a B from me, but the implementation of the talent into the team and the roster management is a "second semester" grade that is TBD.

- Only_A_Ladd