Manager of the Kings, Rob Blake, resigns following the team's latest elimination in the playoffs.
LA Kings and Rob Blake Part Ways After Another Playoff Loss to Edmonton Oilers
The Los Angeles Kings and general managerRob Blake have called it quits, following the team's fourth consecutive first-round playoff defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, the Kings announced on Monday.
In a statement, team president Luc Robitaille acknowledged Blake's dedication to the L.A. Kings and expressed gratitude for his work. "Rob deserves a great deal of credit and respect for elevating us to where we are today. He has been an important part of the Kings and will always be appreciated for what he has meant to this franchise," Robitaille said.
Now, the Kings brass will commence their search for a new general manager immediately.
The team's setbacks against the Oilers have become a familiar narrative. The Kings started the series with promise, but crucial blunders sealed the Oilers' victory. In a press conference on Monday, Coach Jim Hiller revealed he had yet to discuss the situation with Robitaille regarding his future. Hiller, in his third year as head coach, has faced criticism for the playoff loss, despite regular-season success.
Blake, a Hall of Fame defenseman with a considerable portion of his career played with the Kings, joined the team as assistant general manager ahead of the 2013-14 season. His reign as general manager saw the introduction of a comprehensive player development program, making the Kings' one of the most impressive in the entire NHL. However, the team hasn't won a playoff series since.
This year's early postseason exit might have been the most disappointing for Blake, as the team established franchise records for wins (48) and points (105) while breaking the record for home wins (31), making them the first seed in the playoffs. Yet, the team lost the following four games at home, extending the franchise record for the longest playoff series win drought to 11 seasons.
Unlike his predecessor, Dean Lombardi, who was frequently visible and accessible both around the team and the media, Blake's reticence to speak publicly and fan criticism of his roster management and trading decisions have singled him out. A significant example is the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade in 2023, which proved to be a mistake when Dubois performed poorly, setting career lows with 16 goals and 24 assists.
Yet, Blake made amends last summer, trading Dubois to the Washington Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who excelled throughout the season and is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. Blake's acquisition of Andrei Kuzmenko from the Philadelphia Flyers last March also revitalized the Kings' offense, saving a struggling power play and winning 17 of their final 22 games to place second in the Pacific Division.
With the playoffs now settled, the LA Kings will turn their attention to finding a new general manager who can put an end to the franchise’s playoff curse against the Edmonton Oilers.
Factors Hindering the LA Kings' Playoff Success Against the Edmonton Oilers:
- Historical disadvantage: The LA Kings have struggled to beat the Oilers in the playoffs, with the Oilers leading the playoff series 9-2, last winning in 1989.
- Recent performance: The Kings have faced difficulties overcoming the Oilers in the playoffs for several years, with Edmonton dominating some series.
- Skill and depth: The Oilers boast high-level talent, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, which has hurt the Kings’ chances in playoff series.
- Goaltending and defensive strategy: The Kings' goaltending and defensive strategies have often struggled against the Oilers' offense.
- Team dynamics and coaching: The chemistry and leadership within the team, along with coaching strategies, play a significant role in playoff success, which the Kings have failed to achieve consistently against the Oilers.
- Despite a promising start in the playoffs, the Los Angeles Kings' season ended in another first-round loss to the Edmonton Oilers, marking the fourth consecutive time this narrative has unfolded.
- As the LA Kings search for a new general manager, an analysis of their playoff performance against the Oilers reveals factors such as historical disadvantage, recent performance, skill and depth, goaltending and defensive strategy, and team dynamics and coaching.
- Understanding these key issues will be crucial for the Kings' new general manager as they strive to put an end to the franchise's playoff curse against the Oilers.
