That's true...the Kings came pretty close that year to winning it. However, it wasn't just Gretzky that turned around the Kings. It was really Bruce McNall, who purchased them from Lakers owner Jerry Buss. He was the one that engineered the Gretzky deal and surrounded him with talent that the Kings had never had. I was in college in LA at the time and hockey was quite the buzz for a few years.
McNall signed Gretzky, but really Gretzky came to the Kings because of
any reason that doesnt include the name Janet Jones. It wasnt just Gretzky, as you say, it was also guys like Blake and Robitaille, to name a couple. I went to game three of the finals vs Montreal at the Fabulous Forum and screamed until I was hoarse, good times.
In reality I was just trying to be funny (I'll keep working on it) but except for the few years Gretzky was here, and a couple after, the Kings have a long history of not being very good.
Edited to keep an international incident from erupting over why Gretzky agreed to come to the Kings instead of Detroit or Vancouver. Certainly something that happened decades ago needs to be fought and argued over, but I will leave it to people who still care why.
(p.s.- Janet hypnotized Wayne and made him buy the Coyotes)
Last edited by Heathcoat at 9/24/2009 6:17:47 AM