Dean Lombardi of LA Kings Rips Jack Johnson and Univ. of Michigan

[du78]

NHL Network and TSN are reporting a story that LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi ripped Jack Johnson and Red Berenson and the University of Michigan in an interview with the LA Times. I just watched the report on the NHL Network and the commentators are supporting Red Berenson and the Michigan program. Here is the story from the TSN site

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=307298

[Puck Swami]

I already gave my full opinion on the Michigan thread, but Lombardi's quotes were shocking, inaccurate and venemous towards Berenson.

And good for Johnson for sticking up for Michigan and Red. The kid is 100% right. Lombardi was unprofessional in his quotes.

There is no place for any NHL GM to talk that way about one of the legendary coaches in college hockey. Ever.

[Muskieman]

I already gave my full opinion on the Michigan thread, but Lombardi's quotes were shocking, inaccurate and venemous towards Berenson.

There is no place for any NHL GM to talk that way about one of the legendary coaches in college hockey. Ever.

Don't know what was worse....what Lombardi said or what Rangers Coach John Tortorella said to legendary news reporter Larry Brooks after the Rangers lost to 'Philly on Thursday. Both acts were classless and I hope both guys get axed ASAP by their respective teams.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Don't know what was worse....what Lombardi said or what Rangers Coach John Tortorella said to legendary news reporter Larry Brooks after the Rangers lost to 'Philly on Thursday. Both acts were classless and I hope both guys get axed ASAP by their respective teams.

Torts and Brooks have a long-standing "feud". Nothing will come of that exchange.

On the other hand, Lombardi has no business talking sh*t about Red Berenson.

[Gurtholfin]

Don't know what was worse....what Lombardi said or what Rangers Coach John Tortorella said to legendary news reporter Larry Brooks after the Rangers lost to 'Philly on Thursday. Both acts were classless and I hope both guys get axed ASAP by their respective teams.

In watching the video, Gaborik's gloves came off first. With Avery there and now the whining, I'm starting to dislike the Rangers quite a bit.

[du78]

I already gave my full opinion on the Michigan thread, but Lombardi's quotes were shocking, inaccurate and venemous towards Berenson.

And good for Johnson for sticking up for Michigan and Red. The kid is 100% right. Lombardi was unprofessional in his quotes.

There is no place for any NHL GM to talk that way about one of the legendary coaches in college hockey. Ever.

What amazes me is that there seems to still be some of the "old guard" college players can't play in the NHL sentiment still in the ranks of the NHL. Obviously it is not like it was years ago, but there still seems to be some of it. Berenson and the school should sue him for those defamatory remarks.

[Puck Swami]

What amazes me is that there seems to still be some of the "old guard" college players can't play in the NHL sentiment still in the ranks of the NHL. Obviously it is not like it was years ago, but there still seems to be some of it. Berenson and the school should sue him for those defamatory remarks.

Lombardi is American and played college hockey himself at the DII level for Elmira College and U of New Haven. He has no business making remarks like that about Berenson, who is a legend at both the NHL and College level as a player and as a coach.

[4four4]

Lombardi is American and played college hockey himself at the DII level for Elmira College and U of New Haven. He has no business making remarks like that about Berenson, who is a legend at both the NHL and College level as a player and as a coach.

Don't you think he is mad at Johnson for playing so poorly this year? Minus -19 or whatever it is.

[M-HockeyNet]

Don't you think he is mad at Johnson for playing so poorly this year? Minus -19 or whatever it is.

If he's that mad, then why do they keep putting Johnson on the ice for 24 minutes per game? It's like, "Jack's terrible, so lets give him the second most ice time on the team!" Uh, okay...

[mookie1995]

What amazes me is that there seems to still be some of the "old guard" college players can't play in the NHL sentiment still in the ranks of the NHL. Obviously it is not like it was years ago, but there still seems to be some of it. Berenson and the school should sue him for those defamatory remarks.

he complimented Jack Parker (for some reason...). he didn't say 'college sux'.

Lombardi is American and played college hockey himself at the DII level for Elmira College and U of New Haven. He has no business making remarks like that about Berenson, who is a legend at both the NHL and College level as a player and as a coach.

isn't he allowed to comment on development of players? much like people took sides with bobby bowden, just because you are a legend that doesn't necessarily mean you have a job until you die.

obviously i am not close to the michigan program to comment one way or the other if red (or bobby) still runs a tight ship. but if lombardi thinks he sees something and he is informed, why isn't he allowed to say it.

who's left to yell, "the emperor has no clothes" if we are all told to shut up?!?

[du78]

Lombardi is American and played college hockey himself at the DII level for Elmira College and U of New Haven. He has no business making remarks like that about Berenson, who is a legend at both the NHL and College level as a player and as a coach.

I totally agree with you and I didn't know his background. What is interesting is that I have a cousin who played hockey at Elmira at about the same time Lombardi was there. I wonder if he knew him as Lombardi was only there for a year. As far as I am concerned Lombardi just burned his bridges with the college hockey community. I can only imagine what some of the Kings college draft picks are thinking right now.

[4four4]

If he's that mad, then why do they keep putting Johnson on the ice for 24 minutes per game? It's like, "Jack's terrible, so lets give him the second most ice time on the team!" Uh, okay...

I agree. It is weird. Obviously, something is going on.

[Puck Swami]

Don't you think he is mad at Johnson for playing so poorly this year? Minus -19 or whatever it is.

It doesn't matter. Criticize the player in private if you must.

And don't ever rip his college coach in the media. Berenson is a legend, who was a former NHL Coach of the Year before reviving the Michigan program where he starred as player. Berenson has won NCAA championships and likely turned out more NHL players than any coach in America as well as graduating hundreds of players from one of the finest universities in the world over the years. The man can not only win, coach, develop and graduate players, but he does it with integrity. Red has given more to hockey than most and did not deserve that asinine attack. To rip him like that was shameful.

[4four4]

It doesn't matter. Criticize the player in private if you must.

And don't ever rip his college coach in the media. Berenson is a legend, who was a former NHL Coach of the Year before reviving the Michigan program where he starred as player. Berenson has won NCAA championships and likely turned out more NHL players than any coach in America as well as graduating hundreds of players from one of the finest universities in the world over the years. The man can not only win, coach, develop and graduate players, but he does it with integrity. Red has given more to hockey than most and did not deserve that asinine attack. To rip him like that was shameful.

I totally agree. Personally, I would never call out a player or coach in front of the media.

[Gurtholfin]

isn't he allowed to comment on development of players? much like people took sides with bobby bowden, just because you are a legend that doesn't necessarily mean you have a job until you die.

obviously i am not close to the michigan program to comment one way or the other if red (or bobby) still runs a tight ship. but if lombardi thinks he sees something and he is informed, why isn't he allowed to say it.

who's left to yell, "the emperor has no clothes" if we are all told to shut up?!?

He insinuates that all GMs in the NHL agree with him.

Bad form by this guy. Can't imagine what he was thinking. Extremely unprofessional and uncalled for.

[Puck Swami]

isn't he allowed to comment on development of players? much like people took sides with bobby bowden, just because you are a legend that doesn't necessarily mean you have a job until you die.

obviously i am not close to the michigan program to comment one way or the other if red (or bobby) still runs a tight ship. but if lombardi thinks he sees something and he is informed, why isn't he allowed to say it.

who's left to yell, "the emperor has no clothes" if we are all told to shut up?!?

Lombardi can feel however he wants. But saying what he said in public is still wrong. Saying that player "didn't get any coaching" and that "Michigan is the worst" are flat out wrong and come off as venemous and stupid. I am sure Red and his staff put hundreds of hours into coaching Johnson, and most college progams don't come anywhere close to Michigan's success in producing NHL players, so how could Michigan be the "worst"? The use of bad superlatives by Lombardi is ridiculous.

[du78]

It doesn't matter. Criticize the player in private if you must.

And don't ever rip his college coach in the media. Berenson is a legend, who was a former NHL Coach of the Year before reviving the Michigan program where he starred as player. Berenson has won NCAA championships and likely turned out more NHL players than any coach in America as well as graduating hundreds of players from one of the finest universities in the world over the years. The man can not only win, coach, develop and graduate players, but he does it with integrity. Red has given more to hockey than most and did not deserve that asinine attack. To rip him like that was shameful.

GM's should never rip players in the press. I agree speak with the player and his representatives, if need be, in private. Now he has a player who will never trust him and is probably wondering how do I get out of here with some dignity? He dissed one of the dean's of college coaches who has given a lifetime to the sport at all levels. I don't know if Red or the University have made any statements but they must be fuming. It just stuns me that he would make statements like this. It is one thing to criticize a player, say he hasn't played well and needs to improve in some areas but to flat out rip him is totally unfair.

[M-HockeyNet]

GM's should never rip players in the press. I agree speak with the player and his representatives, if need be, in private. Now he has a player who will never trust him and is probably wondering how do I get out of here with some dignity? He dissed one of the dean's of college coaches who has given a lifetime to the sport at all levels. I don't know if Red or the University have made any statements but they must be fuming. It just stuns me that he would make statements like this. It is one thing to criticize a player, say he hasn't played well and needs to improve in some areas but to flat out rip him is totally unfair.

From Michael Spath of The Wolverine's game recap tonight:

Note: In town for Saturday night's game against the Detroit Red Wings, former Wolverine and current Los Angeles Kings' defenseman Jack Johnson took in the game. He even took a pair of shots during Michigan's second-period entertainment - Score-O.

After the game, Berenson refused comment and laughed off a question when he was asked if he'd like to respond to an article in which the Kings' general manager rips Berenson's coaching acumen and development of Johnson as a player.

As he walked away from the press conference to his team's locker room, Berenson said "You can write your own story on that" giving little reason to validate the absurdity of the initial comments.

[Puck Swami]

don't know if Red or the University have made any statements but they must be fuming. It just stuns me that he would make statements like this. It is one thing to criticize a player, say he hasn't played well and needs to improve in some areas but to flat out rip him is totally unfair.

Red won't address it, according to the Detroit newspaper. He has way too much dignity and well-earned stature to stoop to Lombardi's level. I hope some other college coaches and NHL people defend Red here, because I'd hate to see Lombardi be able to get away with comments like that.

[du78]

Good for Red as he is taking the high road. No reason to inflame the situation anymore.