Kucherov Shipped to the Big Apple!

                                                          Kucherov Shipped to Big Apple!

As news broke of Nikita Kucherov trade to the NY Rangers I headed down to LA LIVE, home of the front offices of the LA KINGS to see if we could speak with anyone from management.

I arrived outside GM Todd Snider suite where we regularly conduct interviews with him.  Greeted by the Tony the security guard who told me that he was in a meeting and isn’t available to speak at this time. I decided to wait.

About 10 minutes passed and captain Steven Stamkos emerged from the suite. He had a angry demeanor on his face and as I yelled past the security guard “Steven can I get your thoughts on the trade just announced?”  he quickly went through a No Access door slamming it behind him.

I again retreated to the lovely couch, poured myself a complimentary iced tea and engaged in some chit chat with Tony. We knew each other from the many encounters we had over last couple years. Asked him how kids and wife were, talked about how hot the weather was the usual mindless chatter between two people who really are not acquaintances.

“Hey Tony, what do you think about the trade today?” I asked

“Come on man, you know I don’t watch hockey, I’m a Lakers fan” he responded.

Well guess their goes the fan perspective down the drain.

Finally, Coach Martin St. Louis opens the door and approaches me.

 I asked him “Martin, can I get your thoughts on the trade today?”

“Dennis, I get paid to coach the players Mr. Snider provides me on the ice, I’ll continue to do that until either Mr. Snider or myself see fit that I shouldn’t do it anymore. Sorry, I need to go I’m late for another appointment.”

Martin obviously wasn't happy either!

 Thirty more minutes pass, Tony tells me the Lakers are going to turn it around next year just wait and see. How his girls loved Taylor Swift and was thankful to the organization for getting him tickets because he couldn’t afford it, oh and of course more talk of the weather.

Finally, GM Snider comes out from behind his double doors, and I ask if I can speak with him about the trade. He says he has time for couple questions before he heads to the actual press conference.

Dennis: “Todd why did you make the trade?”

Todd: “Dennis it boils down to this, we were approached by New York to see if we would move Kuch (Kucherov) . After internal discussions and many, many back-and-forth discussions with them we decided this would be the right direction for the club. In Middlestadt and Newhook we receive 2 young players 25 and under who we believe can contribute to the long-term goals of this franchise. Which is obvious to win the Stanley Cup, plus we had the opportunity to move into the first round and grab another pick for next year.  We also saved 5 million against our cap which next year I’d like to not be up against the ceiling to allow to be more flexibility.”

Dennis; “Can we expect more trades this off-season?”

Todd: “We will evaluate any offers we get, some players might not like the direction we are going and if they don’t wish to be here then we will try to find them a home elsewhere”

Dennis: “I saw Stamkos come out of your office, he didn’t look happy. How does he feel about the trade?”  

Todd: “You’ll need to ask him that yourself, was he upset? I’m sure he was. He and Kuch were close but I’m sure he knows it’s a business we are running here.”

Dennis: “Todd, I know you have to run, one last question. How did Kucherov take the news when you told him?”

Todd: “You know Kuch, he took it like a professional and I’m sure Broadway will love the first interview he does. He'll probably be shirtless , drinking a beer , and throwing out printable quotes which the New York media can eat up! I wished him all the best and thanked him for last couple years here.”

With that GM Snider headed through same NO Access door that Stamkos used, and I wished Tony all the best, “stay out of the heat” and headed too the press conference.

Dennis Bernstein Kings Beat reporter.