Kings and GM Rob Blake Mutually Part Ways After Four-Year First-Round Exit; Avalanche Fire Coach Bennett Post-Game 7 Loss

The Los Angeles Kings and general manager Rob Blake have mutually agreed to part ways following the team's first-round playoff exit against the Edmonton Oilers. The decision was announced by team president Luc Robitaille, who expressed gratitude for Blake's dedication and contributions to the franchise. Blake had been in the team's front office since 2013 and served as GM since 2017. The Kings' inability to advance past the first round for four consecutive years, including this season despite a strong regular season performance, has led to this change in management. Blake, a former Kings star and Hall of Famer, played 1,270 NHL games over 20 seasons, including 805 with the Kings. He won the Norris Trophy in 1998 and the Stanley Cup in 2001 with the Colorado Avalanche. The Colorado Avalanche have also made a significant change in their coaching staff, firing power play coach Ray Bennett following their early playoff exit. The decision comes after the Avalanche were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in a Game 7 loss, where Mikko Rantanen, formerly of the Avalanche, played a pivotal role in the Stars' victory, amassing 11 points in the last three games of the series. Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland and team president Joe Sakic expressed confidence in head coach Jared Bednar despite the team's disappointing end to the season. They also addressed the trade of Rantanen, stating it was a tough decision made to improve the team's depth, but acknowledged his significant impact in the series against them.