Rob Blake: Kings on the right track, but it's a slow train

SAN JOSE -- Rob Blake, who left the Kings as a free agent in July and signed with the Sharks, had nothing but praise for his former club's rebuilding plans.

"I think they're doing things right. I look at their team and the blocks they have to build around and they're going to be just fine," he said. "Those young [defensemen] are going to be there for many years to anchor that team, and that's going to be a lot of fun to watch."

But with his 39th birthday approaching in December, Blake didn't think he had time to wait for this slow process to reach its ultimate destination. And, when Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi didn't contact him as soon as free agency began, Blake decided to pack up and move to San Jose for a one-year, $5-million contract.

It's not the first time he's left the Kings. Blake's salary demands led the franchise to trade him to Colorado in 2001, where he won a Stanley Cup. He returned to Los Angeles in 2006 for a two-year, $12-million deal but had two of his worst seasons statistically and endured a slow recovery from an April 2007 hip operation.

Retiring as a King "was my plan when I went back there, no doubts about that. That's what I had in mind," said Blake, who won the Norris Trophy with the Kings in 1997-98 and still has a beachfront South Bay home. "But so many things happen during seasons.

"I enjoyed my time there. I'm glad I went back there. I got to play and my family got to see me, the kids and everything. As things worked out, it's nice to move up here."

Blake and the Sharks will provide the opposition for the Kings' home opener Sunday at Staples Center, and yes, he's prepared for the kind of rude welcome he got when he played for the Avalanche.

"I've been through it before," he said, "and I'm sure it's going to be much the same."

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: San Jose Sharks defenseman Rob Blake before a game against the Phoenix Coyotes at HP Pavilion in San Jose on Sept. 30, 2008. Credit: Kyle Terada / US PRESSWIRE

Comments

[randall]

Spin the story all you want, Blake, but the fact of the matter is you screwed the Kings back in the day when you forced the trade to Colorado and you screwed them again by refusing to waive your no-trade clause at last year's deadline so the team could acquire a first round pick for your services. You wanted to stay then and help with the rebuild, then 3 months later you suddenly discover 5 million reasons to bail for NoCal. You do have one thing right, though. The sellout Staples crowd on Sunday will boo your ass every time you hit the ice. And deservedly so.

[Blake ROX]

For all the times you boo Blake, think about the fact that DL is the one who gave Blake the NTC. Also, I'm sure he just got tired of losing with us (Kings). We are continually rebuilding! The guy is getting old and can't be the center of the team... and he also can't baby sit a bunch of youngins. The Sharks are a perfect team for him and I think they're gonna bring the hammer down on us on Sunday... and Saturday? haha