LA Kings: The Lasting Leadership of Dustin Brown Shines On
By Ryan Cowley
Even at 36, Dustin Brown continues to serve the LA Kings proudly as an unflappable leader after all these years — and it continues to be appreciated.
Depending on who you ask, Dustin Brown‘s worth as a member of the LA Kings can be interpreted in a plethora of ways. Some can argue that Brown should be shipped out of town due to his $5.875-million cap hit or due to the former captain being in the twilight of his career at 36. Conversely, many see Dustin Brown for what he was, and what he is: a loyal leader who was instrumental in bringing the LA Kings unprecedented championship success.
Regardless of which side of the proverbial fence you sit on, we can all agree that the next two weeks will be filled with the fear and anxiety of the unknown. After all, with the NHL’s trade deadline fast approaching, it is a possibility that Dustin Brown’s days in Los Angeles could be numbered.
One rumor last week had seen the New York Islanders being interested in Brown’s services after their captain, Anders Lee, went down with a long-term injury. The accuracy of this rumor will be determined in time but it does make LA Kings and their ever-loyal fanbase think about the possibility of seeing their fearless leader don the uniform of another team.
Still, Dustin Brown’s worth with the LA Kings remains high. Aside from scoring 14 goals in 31 games so far this season, Brown’s presence as a leader — one who, by the way, captained the LA Kings to two Stanley Cup crowns — is just as crucial now as it was nearly a decade ago. After all, at, this, an important juncture in the LA Kings’ current rebuild, while fellow veterans Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, and Jonathan Quick are all key in directing this team in the right direction, Dustin Brown’s contributions, while unsung to some, are just as pivotal.
Following team practice on Monday, Brown spoke with the media about his role as a leader to his team’s younger players.
“I think we have a lot of guys that are aware of those types of situations and try to help as much as they can,” the former LA Kings captain noted.
While he meant no disrespect to the club’s coaching or development staff, the 36-year-old did stress the importance of the younger players seeking out the older veteran player for advice or for help in their own games.
“I think it means a lot more coming from another player than it does from a coach, for me, personally,” Brown admitted. “That’s how I’ve always taken it. When I was struggling and someone, you know, got me out of my own head a little bit. I think it helps. I try to do that with a few players on this team. I think it’s better for the player to do it, to help [another] player out, especially somebody who’s been around and been through it before.”
For many young players, it is inevitable to become frustrated when they produce results less frequently than they’d like to. Adjusting to life in the NHL, though, as the old adage goes, is a marathon and not a sprint. In Dustin Brown’s eyes, it is his responsibility as a leader to emphasize this message.
“You can see it in young players getting frustrated because they haven’t scored in a few games,” the Ithaca, N.Y., native continued. “[We] just [need to] remind them that they’re playing the NHL, and very few people can be on the scoresheet every night.”
Regardless of how fans and experts see him now, no one can deny the impact that Dustin Brown has had on not only the LA Kings but even the Los Angeles sports scene and community as wholes. If there is a potential trade involving Dustin Brown that will benefit the LA Kings, then we must have faith in general manager Rob Blake and his staff for making the best decision possible. Whether or not he is still a member of the LA Kings past April 12, though, Dustin Brown’s impact nonetheless continues to leave a positive mark on this proud franchise — one even the newest generation of its players are and will be eternally grateful, and thankful, for.