The PuckPedia Hockey Show Episode 26: Trouble in Maple Leafs Land ft. Former Kings AGM Mike Futa

On Episode 26 of The PuckPedia Hockey Show we welcome on former Los Angeles Kings Assistant GM and current Sportsnet analyst Mike Futa.

We start off the episode talking about Mike’s background (3:00), starting by playing hockey and then working his way up through the OHL as an Assistant Coach then a General Manager, before transitioning to the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings.

He worked in the Kings front office for over a decade, with the team winning 2 Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014. He talks about the relationships along the way that helped navigate his path in hockey (13:00). Then we dive into his work with the Los Angeles Kings and how he and GM Dean Lombardi and the staff were able to build a sustainable Stanley Cup contender (23:00).

Futes tells a great story about how once it was determined the Lightning were going to draft Stamkos 1st overall in the 2008 NHL Draft (25:00), he called Stamkos to see who he would personally take 2nd.

Then we dive in on the process of drafting players, but once they’re drafted how important it is to develop these players (31:00). Mike goes on about how much Dean Lombardi invested in development for the Kings and how that played a key factor in their success. But also how many late-round picks the Kings hit on that ended up paying dividends for them.

Then we talk about what’s happening around the NHL right now (44:00). Barry Trotz stepped down as GM of the Nashville Predators, and Mike could tell the job was taking a toll on Barry when he saw him at the Hall of Fame in November. Then we talk about the awesome Stadium Series outdoor game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins.

We also touch on the Toronto Maple Leafs and what exactly has gone wrong in Mike’s opinion (49:00). Then we wrap up the episode talking about his favorite part being on the media side for Sportsnet.

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