Jun 2, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings left wing Dustin Penner (25) shoots against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
The clock has struck midnight on Dustin Penner’s time with the Los Angeles Kings. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before Penner signed somewhere outside of Los Angeles and yesterday everyone found out exactly where that destination was.
Pouring a little salt in the freshly cut wound, it was announced that Penner had signed a one-year contract with none other than the Anaheim Ducks, the freaking Ducks.
Penner was originally brought to Los Angeles in order to help solve the Kings’ offensive problems, which did not pan out exactly how everyone had hoped. Penner scored just 11 goals during his time with the Kings, that is 11 goals in 117 games. I’m sure that is not what Lombardi had in mind when he brought Penner in.
However, he did score one pretty important goal during his time with the Kings. A goal Kings fans will never forget and a goal Coyotes fans wish they could forget.
What a celly. I still get goose bumps watching that video clip.
So Penner is leaving Los Angeles, and headed down the 5-Freeway to reunite with the Ducks. I’m sure this pissed off many Kings fans, hell it even irks me a little bit. But Kings fans shouldn’t hold any kind of grudge against Penner and should in no way boo him or hold this against Penner when the Kings meet the Ducks in the future.
Penner mentioned on several occasions that he wanted to come back to the Kings and that he hoped things would be able to get worked out contract wise in order to get him back in a Kings jersey next season.
But, if you have been keeping up with the Kings’ salary cap issues at all then you have to understand how hard and virtually impossible that was going to be for both Penner and Lombardi.
So this was kind of doomed from the start.
Secondly, he was a class act while with the Kings. For every fan that hated Penner and his problems or lack of productions there were five more that loved him and his personality on and off the ice. If in any aspect of the game, the Kings are losing more in the Twitter game and fan interaction with the loss Penner than anything else.
Finally, Penner understands that he did not live up to what was expected of him in Los Angeles. He even mentioned it in his farewell conference call with the local media.
Penner on his time in LA - 'Wish that I could have contributed more....but made a lot of firends that will span my lifetime...won a Cup'
— The Mayor | Team MM (@mayorNHL) July 16, 2013
That was Penner, he never hid from the media or his problems and addressed them head on. He was the definition of class.
I think that last part of that tweet is the biggest though. He played a pivotal role in bringing the first Cup to Los Angeles. Playoff Penner was a different Penner and he made a difference for the Kings. No one can deny that.
So I hope the Kings faithful do not feel too much bad blood toward Penner. I understand, he left for the Ducks, which sucks. But you have to understand he loves Southern California and doesn’t want to leave. So it was only fitting he head back to Anaheim. So when the Kings are playing the Ducks go ahead cheer against him, it’s the Ducks I’ll never say don’t cheer against the Ducks.
But, try not to base too much of your hatred on Penner’s move and try not to give him any extra slack because of it either.
However, if you do feel a little angry from time to time watch that video clip a couple of times and I’m sure you’ll feel a little better about the whole situation.