The Los Angeles Kings and vice president/general manager Rob Blake mutually agreed to part ways, the team announced on Monday.
The move comes four days after Los Angeles squandered a 2-0 lead to Edmonton in their Western Conference first-round series. The Kings have been eliminated by the Oilers in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last four seasons.
“On behalf of the entire organization, I would like to thank Rob for his dedication to the LA Kings and the passion he brought to his role,” Kings president Luc Robitaille said. “Reaching this understanding wasn’t easy and I appreciate Rob’s partnership in always working toward what is best for the Kings. Rob deserves a great deal of credit and respect for elevating us to where we are today. He has been an important part of the Kings and will always be appreciated for what he has meant to this franchise.”
Blake, 55, had been in the team’s front office since 2013. The Hockey Hall of Famer was promoted to vice president/general manager in 2017 and guided the Kings to a 309-238-71 record and five postseason appearances during his last eight seasons.
A Norris Trophy recipient in 1998 and Stanley Cup winner with the Colorado Avalanche, Blake played 805 of his 1,270 NHL games with the Kings.
–Field Level Media
