Dean Lombardi strives for hockey history in World Cup

TORONTO – History drives Team USA general manager Dean Lombardi.

Listen to him speak and he often brings lessons he has learned from moments in the past.

When asked about what it means to be the head of the American brain trust for the World Cup, Lombardi explained how important American events help drive him in his daily existence.

“It’s really hard to describe what this feels like,” Lombardi said. “I guess it goes back to the way I was brought up, whether it’s your uncles or people who knew who went to Vietnam and know what those guys went through and what their reasons were. We don’t get a lot of opportunities to really do something for your country. I was raised under Kennedy saying about don’t ask what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. This is really something that touches upon that. It means a heck of a lot to me, those colors, in so many more ways than hockey.”

In a short tournament where emotions run high, Lombardi’s belief in the importance of his country and playing for something greater than just a game could prove vital towards Team USA’s chances.

He doesn’t see this tournament as a vital piece of the United States’ history per se, but a moment in time where he and his players can contribute to his country.

“I think it really helps in this tournament to get that pride built up and the importance of this tournament,” Team USA defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. “It’s not just an event for fans to watch. It means something to us players. It means something to our country and you don’t get many opportunities to wear that USA jersey and represent your country, so when we do – you really want to seize the opportunity.”

Lombardi’s obsession with history goes along with his passion and loyalty to his players. When he truly believes in something he dives in headfirst and becomes fully engrossed. His players with the Los Angeles Kings – where Lombardi is the general manager – know this first hand.

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“I love being a player for Dean Lombardi. He’s a very smart hockey mind. I think the biggest thing about him is he truly cares for his players as if they’re almost one of his own children,” Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. “He really, really, cares about his players. And he’s going to do anything it takes to get the next step on the opposing teams to make our team better. He has been awesome and he believed in me since Day One, so I try to do everything I can to help him as well.”

In order to get that edge, Lombardi sometimes gives his Kings players some homework, and the topic involves blending history with the current state of hockey.

“It was to do a little stuff on World War II I think, or we had to pick what kind of soldier you would be, what kind of gun you would use and how it is similar to your personality and what kind of player you are. There’s always little stuff, he’s talking about previous winners in any sport, stuff like that he’s always kind of relating to,” said Canada and Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin. “It was like, ‘you’re in the trenches with a shotgun, you’re like a grinder type guy,’ right, know what I mean – kind of similar to that as a long … a sniper is a guy that scores goals. Similar to that, so, it was just kind of finding what your role is a little bit more. He’s always doing different stuff like that so it’s always cool.”

Lombardi will also bring up his favorite athletes from other sports in order to drive a point home with the Kings. To reporters, Lombardi often mentions the likes of New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter and others when he’s trying to make a comparison and he does the same with his players.

“We’ve done some projects together when it kind of gets you thinking outside the box. Maybe not just necessarily focusing on hockey but maybe other sports,” said Kings captain Anze Kopitar, who is a part of Team Europe’s World Cup of Hockey roster. “I know he’s huge on Derek Jeter – can’t blame the guy – huge on Tom Brady, Larry Bird and all those winners who have played different sports too. It’s not just hockey for him, it’s a lot of different stuff that gets you thinking and kind of implement that into – whether it’s leadership, preparation. You name it. It’s interesting. It keeps you on your toes that’s for sure.”

Kopitar also said he has even received reading material from Lombardi.

“I think that’s one of the best things a player is you know a GM is loyal to you and will do everything to get you going to help you out,” Kopitar said. “That’s what you want. That’s what we pride ourselves on in LA. It’s a big family and that’s how we’re trying to do things.”

To those who don’t know Lombardi, this may seem eccentric. To those who grew up with him, it’s Lombardi’s way of communicating with his players in order to get the most out of them.

“I would say he was intense more than I would say emotional. His ability to react to situations with his intensity is probably one of his best assets,” said Nashville Predators assistant general manager Paul Fenton, who played with Lombardi as a youngster with the Enfield Stars in Connecticut. “When we all get put under scrutiny in the world, you have to react in some way, shape or form and a lot of times the pressure changes your reaction. I don’t think that happens with Dean. I think he’s incredible under pressure and he’s made great decisions in hockey because of it.”

Those who have worked with Team USA have appreciated not only Lombardi’s passion, but also his ‘no-spin’ style. With Lombardi you often don’t get a person who walks the company line.

“I’ve gotten to know Dean over the last probably year now, since this whole thing kind of started,” Team USA defenseman Ryan Suter said. “He just seems like a no BS guy and I really, really respect that a lot. Obviously he’s won and he knows what it takes to win.”

Sometimes Lombardi’s lack of filter along with his strong beliefs can make the wrong impression. Lombardi’s harshly worded statement about Mike Richards after the Kings and Richards agreed to a settlement on the latter’s termination could be construed as hollow because of Richards’ decline and his long-term contract.

Lombardi was also seen as too soft on defenseman Slava Voynov after he kept Voynov with the team following an arrest for domestic violence – and let Voynov practice with the group.

In Richards’ case, Lombardi believed he gave the player multiple chances and was betrayed. Because of this he needed to sound off on his emotions.

Voynov eventually self departed to Russia, and Lombardi put parameters in place with the Kings to teach players about domestic violence along with the struggles of substance abuse.

“I mean, because he’s so invested and emotionally involved when someone kind of goes against what he thinks that guy is and what kind of player he is, that hurts him and he’s going to say how he’s feeling,” Muzzin said. “Any resource we needed or a motivational speaker or anything like that, they wanted to cover all ends and make sure that the issues are done and I believe they are.”

Even though Lombardi has won two Stanley Cups and is seen as one of the more forward thinking NHL GMs in regards to puck possession, his faith in the players who won him championships has led to some contracts that have left the Kings somewhat salary cap strapped.

Dustin Brown is 31 and has scored just 11 goals each of the last two seasons. He carries a $5.875 million salary cap hit through 2021-22. Teammate Marian Gaborik is 34 and scored 12 goals in 54 games last season. He holds a $4.875 million salary cap hit through 2020-21

The Kings are also on the hook for $1.57 million of Richards’ salary cap hit as part of a termination settlement with the forward.

In essence, the Kings have committed $12.32 million of salary cap hit for three players who accounted for 23 goals last season. One player isn’t on the Kings anymore.

But Lombardi has said he plans to get back to his organizational strengths of drafting and developing rather than signing veterans to lucrative deals. That started in earnest this summer and the plan is to continue this strategy moving forward.

A strong showing by Team USA could spark Lombardi as he heads into another season with the Kings. It would also enhance his legacy in the game and give him that piece of nationalistic history, which he craves.

“I think no matter what you’re trying to add to your legacy and you’re trying to win,” Fenton said. “ I look at ’96 (USA Team) and Jack Ferreira was the assistant GM there with a tweet with the picture of that team. I think we remember. I think we all remember when you play in tournaments like this. It does add to your winning, to your legacy you’re trying to build.”

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper

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