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CAPTAIN: Los Angeles Kings - Rob Blake
By Bethany | March 11, 2008
In keeping with my ‘Captains’ theme this week, I talked to KMS2 at Purple Crushed Velvet about Rob Blake, Captain of the Los Angeles Kings, here is what she had to say, also she wrote this before the trade deadline, so there ya go.
Rob Blake is technically the LA Kings captain but I wouldn’t exactly call him “The Captain”. He’s a veteran defenseman who played with the Kings from 1989-2001. When a new contract couldn’t be negotiated, due to Blake’s high salary demand, the Kings traded Blake to Colorado. Blake came back to LA as a free agent, signed during the off-season before the 2006-2007 season. Mattias Norstrom was the Captain of the team at the time and when he was traded at the trade deadline the Kings were captain-less for the remainder of the season. Blake was appointed the Captaincy before the start of the ‘07-’08 season but fans have not witnessed Blake display captain-like tendencies. He lost his cool in two games early in the season and even received his first ever ejection. After those bursts of emotion he admitted that he needed to maintain composure but I’m still searching for what leadership qualities he’s presented this season. In the middle of the season there were reports that he was willing to waive his no-trade clause if it meant he could be traded to a Stanley Cup contender. It’s never comforting to fans, and probably not to teammates either, to hear your captain talk about being traded to another team. In recent days he has denied those claims, but if they really weren’t true I’m wondering why he didn’t rebuff them when they first circulated the rumor mills.
I really liked Blake when he started his career with the Kings. I can’t say I’ve been thrilled with what he’s produced on the ice since his return. He’s definitely still a huge presence on the blueline and can chip in on the forecheck when appropriate but I haven’t seen his leadership qualities take form this season. Of course, I can’t see what goes on in the lockerroom but reporters are quick to note that he’s a tremendous mentor to rookie defenseman Jack Johnson and provides veteran experience and leadership on and off the ice to his teammates. If Rob Blake returns next season I hope he isn’t the captain. Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown are young guys that the fans have embraced but it’s questionnable whether they’re ready to don the ‘C’. Alexander Frolov has always been pushed to be better so maybe if he continues his strong play and consistently scores, he could be a plausible candidate. The Kings have some strong, skilled young players who could be capable of taking the captaincy but right now I just don’t know who should be captain. In order for this team to make a push for the playoffs next season and develop into a winning franchise, one thing is certain: this team needs a bonafide leader.
So there you have it, all about the Blake, from a Kings fan.
March 12th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Boo! How dare you question Blake’s captaincy? Who are you to repeat such claims on your own private blog? What did Blake ever do to you? I’ll never glance in your general direction as long my lungs draw breath due to this percieved slight. (tongue in cheek).
Anyway… on the part about not waiving his no-trade-clause; I don’t find players doing this to be in the least bit offensive. Blake, Sundin, et. al. gave up some (money/contract length) in negotiation to obtain that right, and their team was shortsighted (or wanted them badly) enough to grant it. Blake and Sundin effectively “purchased” their right of trade refusal and I for one do not begrudge them for utilizing it.
That said, a Captain is supposed to do what is best for the team. To this, I reply, I don’t think that extends to being traded… he can’t lead if he isn’t there. Perhaps he wants to be a King, sees that they have a bright future and wants to see it through. Isn’t this what many CBJ fans and the Dispatch writers gripe about with Foote?
March 12th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
If a player has a no-trade clause then he definitely has every right to not waive it. My issue with Blake was that rumors were flying several months before the trade deadline that he was willing to waive it. The rumors made it seem like he wanted to win the Cup this season. If in fact that was false he should have denied the rumors when they were first published instead of not saying anything.
I think the real question of his leadership will be on display in the off-season. He’s still an impact player but definitely not worth $6 million/season (completely Lombardi’s fault for overpaying him). It’ll be interesting to see if he’s willing to sign for much less or decides to play elsewhere.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:34 am
First of all, my comment that I wrote before disappeared.
Brad, that made me giggle. Also, I don’t read the Dispatch when they talk about Foote, it’s not good journalism the way they talked about him. In the words of McKenzie “it was character assassination”…argh. I feel awful for Sundin.
KMS2, did he deny the rumors about going to Detroit? Or did I just make that up? Maybe he felt that he didn’t need to…I don’t know. I am sure that the Kings will name a younger Captain soon. Do any of your younger guys wear A’s? I should know this but I don’t…forgive me.
April 1st, 2008 at 2:15 am
I don’t believe Blake every outright denied the Detroit rumor. From what I remember reading on ESPN’s rumor central is that he sort of dodged the question by saying something along the lines of “he didn’t remember everything that was discussed.” The A’s on the team are Cammalleri, Visnovsky, and Thornton. Although, I could have sworn that Frolov was wearing an A. Thorton hasn’t played very much thanks an injury and being a constant healthy scratch (which made me wonder why he was appointed the A…how much can a veteran, locker room guy do when he’s constantly benched?).
April 1st, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Oh yeah, that’s it…now I remember, he was like I don’t remember what was said. Or whatever. Is Frolov a UFA at the end of the summer? When do you think Kopitar will get an A?!