ontarioblue

January 22nd, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^

They have alot of cred. Come in last for nearly a decade, pile up tons of early first round draft picks, then start winning and you are a genius? Red has to change over his lineup ever four years, recruiting top notch players to come here. The Kings theory on success is suck real bad for a long time and eventually you will be good. Screw them!

Aequitas

January 22nd, 2010 at 10:00 AM ^

I couldn't say it any better than Johnson: "For my general manager to rip me as a person and criticize me as a person and as a player and call me an awful hockey player is irresponsible and unprofessional." Lombardi's comments crossed way over the constructive criticism line. Most people I talk to think he's just bitter at Red for the comments he made about Trevor Lewis. Turns out Red was right. Lombardi just buried the kid in the minors and couldn't care less whether he had a college degree to fall back on or not. Bottomline for me is that Lombardi would have never opened his cakehole if Michigan was having it's typical dominant season. He picked an opportunity to kick Red (and the program) while they were down. Lombardi is no Ken Holland, and I can't picture Ken making comments even close to that.

Wolverine318

January 22nd, 2010 at 10:37 AM ^

Not a good time for Lombardi to open his mouth when Jack is a RFA after this season... If I was Jack I would be praying the Kings trade him or let Jack play another season let him walk after the next season. Jack can always come to the Wings with Rafalski getting up there in age.

Wolverine In Exile

January 22nd, 2010 at 3:22 PM ^

I know Kronwall is good, but I still think the ceiling is much much higher for Johnson than Kronwall (I see Scott Stevens in Johnson much more than I see Lidstrom in Kronwall). Plus, Kronwall's injury history just scares me. I think Johnson playing in a more disciplined system with a hell of a good set of defensive mentors is capable of breaking through ceilings of potential, whereas I think we're seeing the best of what Kronwall can be today. Which is still pretty damn good mind you. Add to that the possibility you may be able to get Johnson now supremely motivated, and I think it's a win, although I do see your point and respect your opinion of Kronwall.