After a few months of trading to try to become a contender, what most people thought would eventually happen, did today. GM Derek Harland of the Los Angeles Kings has stated that he will be going into a huge rebuild mode. Owners of the team wanted to win now but Harland convinced them that the team was not strong enough to be contenders.
" When I come into the league most people thought for sure the Kings would go into rebuilding. But I went in a different direction, deciding to win now. I have realized though that the team is just not good enough to be able to compete, so it is time to rebuild. " Harland stated in a 4 PM (EST) press conference.
The lines as of now are:
Ladislav Nagy-Patrik Stefan-Darcy Tucker
Petr Cajanek-Brett McLean-Sami Kapanen
Randy Robitaille-Kevyn Adams-Nikita Alexeev
George Parros-Dan Fritsche-Darryl Bootland
Tom Poti-Brian Pothier
Andrei Zyuzin-Jassen Cullimore
Steve McCarthy-Bryan Muir
Manny Fernandez
Johan Hedberg
Clearly, this was not a team that was going to compete. Harland has made it clear that all players are available for picks and/or prospects. He also has stated he will go into free agency with a much different mindset.
" I was planning on going into the UFA period being a full buyer and I was going to send contracts to 3 of the top UFAs. Now I have scrapped that whole idea, and will only be looking to fill out any remaining roster spots or just to get to the league salary cap floor. The front office staff and I think this is the best idea to win in the future. " Harland left us there.
It will be interesting to see what he does now.