The Kings Thirty Somethings

In their long history of fruitlessly pursuing success, the L.A. Kings have often brought in "mature" veteran players to help alleviate their inadequacies of the moment. The trade or signing always seemed to have solid rationale and great potential just like their latest 30 something acquisition, Ryan Smith.

Granted, 33 is the new 28, and yes the Smyth trade makes a lot of sense. He should be a great fit with the young Kings. But his age, multi-million dollar salary, his unique #94 and the fact that he's joining a long list of the many ”past their prime 30 somethings” who have bravely come to the Kings with high hopes only to be confounded by the laid back SoCal non-hockey environment, makes this move just another royal crapshoot.

Will he join the Kings’ least  successful veteran acquisitions;  Gary Unger, who at 33 played 58 games for the Kings and  scored 10G -10A  with  -17 rating.  He still had the long blonde hair sans helmet which made him look fast , but did not really have his former passion for the game. Steve Shutt age 32,  59 games  (15g  25a, -16) had the ex-Montreal aura and not much else. The most recent mature Kings flop was Jeremy Roenick at age 36; Summered in Italy and  flew to L.A. hoping to get in shape during the pre-season. LOL; 58 games 9 goals and bye bye.

The 30 something loopiness also was evident as the Kings repeatedly jerked around Hall ‘o Famer Luc Robitaille, who was first traded away at 27 for the 31 year old Rick Tocchet, brought in to provide muscle and scoring for Wayne’s world. Tocchet played parts of 2 seasons in L.A. and then was traded for Kevin Stevens who at a mere 30  played a season and a half for the Kings and was subsequently traded for Luc who was brought back at age 31. The Kings then, in their infinite wisdom, allowed Luc to become a free agent and sign with Detroit at 35,  where he proceeded to win the Stanley Cup.

WIll Ryan Smyth  be a mixed blessing like Terry Harper 33,  who brought some leadership and beligerance along with his toothless Chesire Cat grin to the Kings. At age 35 Harper was traded to Detroit with Danny Maloney for Marcel Dionne, age 24. (2nd best King trade ever, after Gretzky). Is Smyth a valuable future trade deadline chip?

The other 30 somethings who brought moments of satisfaction and weeks of frustration include Jarri Kurri 31, Pat Conacher 33, John Tonelli 31 and Ray Ferraro 32. Or can Ryan be the next Bob Pulford, who at age 34 came over from the Leafs and played 2 seasons for the Kings, became headcoach and then GM. He brought a whole lotta class, leadership and success to the team during his tenure.

(Or the 'dare we dream' scenario.)

When the Kings claimed the 35 year old Bob Nevin from the Minnesota NoStars in what was called the “Reverse Draft”, he was already 5 seasons removed from a 31 goal season as the captain of the NY Rangers. The Kings hit the jackpot with this free and priceless acquisition, as Nevin really clicked with Butch Goring and 34 year old Frank St. Marseille (acquired the previous year ). They became known as the Kings' "Hard Hat Line”  because of their relentless work ethic and 'cause they were the only forward line where all three members wore helmets. (What a concept!)  Nevin went on to score  64 goals and 77 assists in three seasons with the Kings, matching his carreer high of 31 goals at the age of 36!  Let’s hope Ryan Smith can rekindle the spirit of the Hard Hat Line and channel a bit of Bob Nevin's scoring touch. 

                  As long as King fans expect this of Ryan,

and not this,

 

                                                                                  they won't feel like this.