Rob Blake’s reset: Former Kings GM on holding himself accountable and preparing for another shot
October 27, 2025
Rob Blake’s reset: Former Kings GM on holding himself accountable and preparing for another shot
7 comments
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*He oversaw a tidy Kings rebuild, making the playoffs in five of his eight seasons as GM, but with his contract expiring at the end of last season, he essentially fired himself.*
*The team formally announced in early May that Blake and the organization had mutually agreed to part ways. But Blake simply didn’t think he had earned the right to continue on as GM after the Kings got knocked out by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for a fourth straight time.*
*“Something had to change, right?” Blake said. “You just can’t get to a point where you lose four years in the first round — and probably that it was to the same team also affected it. In the past, I’ve had to hold players accountable in situations like that — coaches accountable in situations like that. It just comes up the chain. The right thing to do was part ways there. It got to the point where something else had to give.”*
I wish he fired Hiller as his last act
He wasn’t a great GM but he’s the only one in the front office who takes responsibility for his actions.
That I can respect and wish him the best moving forward.
If Hiller rolls 4 lines & 3 pairs of D in the Edmonton series, this wouldn’t be a talking point. I don’t believe he’s learned his lesson either, they’ll do the same thing in this year’s playoffs
Hiller could learn about personal accountability from how Blake took ownership (albeit too late and likely just a face saving move to a certain extent). Last playoffs, Hiller took zero responsibility, was defensive about his decision making, and even threw his own players under the bus. That is serious lack of leadership which should be a fireable offense for a head coach. How many of the guys do you think are motivated and inspired to play for good ol’ “if Q chips that out, we’re not even talking now” Hiller?
Blake made some good and some bad moves like any gm but he was not the reason the team stagnated. Poor talent development and too limited of a system has.
7 comments
Make sure to [join the /r/LosAngelesKings discord as well](https://discord.gg/H6EH73h) for live game chat and more!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/losangeleskings) if you have any questions or concerns.*
*He oversaw a tidy Kings rebuild, making the playoffs in five of his eight seasons as GM, but with his contract expiring at the end of last season, he essentially fired himself.*
*The team formally announced in early May that Blake and the organization had mutually agreed to part ways. But Blake simply didn’t think he had earned the right to continue on as GM after the Kings got knocked out by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for a fourth straight time.*
*“Something had to change, right?” Blake said. “You just can’t get to a point where you lose four years in the first round — and probably that it was to the same team also affected it. In the past, I’ve had to hold players accountable in situations like that — coaches accountable in situations like that. It just comes up the chain. The right thing to do was part ways there. It got to the point where something else had to give.”*
I wish he fired Hiller as his last act
He wasn’t a great GM but he’s the only one in the front office who takes responsibility for his actions.
That I can respect and wish him the best moving forward.
If Hiller rolls 4 lines & 3 pairs of D in the Edmonton series, this wouldn’t be a talking point. I don’t believe he’s learned his lesson either, they’ll do the same thing in this year’s playoffs
Hiller could learn about personal accountability from how Blake took ownership (albeit too late and likely just a face saving move to a certain extent). Last playoffs, Hiller took zero responsibility, was defensive about his decision making, and even threw his own players under the bus. That is serious lack of leadership which should be a fireable offense for a head coach. How many of the guys do you think are motivated and inspired to play for good ol’ “if Q chips that out, we’re not even talking now” Hiller?
Blake made some good and some bad moves like any gm but he was not the reason the team stagnated. Poor talent development and too limited of a system has.