Back at the Forum in Inglewood, California
July 14, 1983
IN WHICH IT IS DISCOVERED THAT MISTAKES WERE MADE
(J.T. and VACHON arrive at their offices at 9:00 in the morning, and have a chat.)
VACHON: "So, we're apparently weakness-free at this point."
"It looks that way. But now we have to address another issue."
VACHON: "What's that?"
"We have almost no flexibility at this point. When I was hired, we had 47 guys under contract in the organization. Now, we're at 49.
As you well know, we're limited to fifty. We have to act and clear some space ... or put ourselves in a position to clear some space as soon as possible."
VACHON: "Damn, that's right! Sh*t, I'd forgotten about that. Anything you have in mind?"
"Well, I stayed late last night and scoured the league for guys at the end of their deals. I found a few."
(J.T. continues.)
"We're definitely not going to get Tony Esposito or Glenn Resch. They're two very solid goalies and their teams need them desperately and aren't going to part with them. We're not going to get Jerry Korab, either. Wasn't Korab with the Kings not long ago?"
VACHON: "We did have him, yeah."
"What happened with that?"
VACHON: "Contract was up. He signed with Minnesota as a free agent, and Minnesota placed him on waivers three days later. Buffalo claimed him."
"I'll be damned. I tried to trade with the Sabres, and they weren't letting him get away."
VACHON: "Well, we already have Lorne Stamler."
"And, we can get Phil Myre. The Sabres
are willing to listen to an offer for him."
VACHON: "Wonder what they're asking?"
"Not all that much, actually. And we opened up some more space right away by trading two for one."
VACHON: "Excellent! So, Myre's going to be our third goalie? Or will it be Mattsson?"
"I'm not going to use Myre. No one who didn't play for the Kings in the past, present, or future will ever be called up to the big club."
VACHON: "The future???"
"You heard me. No one. This is going to be an all-King endeavor."
VACHON: "So
that's why you didn't use the Swedish free agents."
"Exactly. So, we're at 48 contracts now. Which is nice, because we might sign another guy soon."
VACHON: "I wonder how our fans have been reacting to all of the news we're making."
"What in the hell?!?! That should be at 80. Very recent draft pick? Who???"
VACHON: "I thought you were aware of the guys you couldn't deal away!"
"I was! I thought so, anyway. Were there any I missed? I could have swor-"
"Oh no."
VACHON: "Are you kidding me???"
"Dammit. I traded Gans away as part of the deal to get Scott Bjugstad. I just blew it, Rogie."
VACHON: "I propose a moratorium on trades for the foreseeable future. I think we've done enough deals."
"That's probably the right call, yeah. Too many in such a short time."
(J.T. walks slowly to his office and shuts the door behind him.)