Kings, GM Rob Blake Agree to Part Ways After Exit from 2025 NHL Playoff Bracket

The Los Angeles Kings lost their first-round playoff series to the Edmonton Oilers in six games, and now they will be looking for a new general manager.

Los Angeles announced Monday it "mutually agreed to part ways" with vice president and general manager Rob Blake.

"The search for a replacement will begin immediately," the announcement said.

"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," team 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 was the general manager for Los Angeles for eight years after the team promoted him to the position in April 2017. He was previously the assistant general manager and replaced the fired Dean Lombardi.

However, he was already a franchise legend well before he started working in the front office.

Blake was a defenseman for the Kings across 14 different seasons during a playing career that also included stops with the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks. He played for Los Angeles for the first 12 seasons of his career from 1989-90 until it traded him to Colorado during the 2000-01 campaign and then returned for two seasons from 2006-08.

The Hall of Famer was a Stanley Cup champion (with the Avalanche), James Norris Memorial Trophy winner and seven-time All-Star who appeared in 146 career playoff games, 57 of which came for the Kings.

That put him under more of a spotlight than most general managers, seeing how his number was retired by the team he was helping run, but he found quick success in the front office as Los Angeles made the playoffs in his first season with the position.

It also reached the postseason in each of the last four campaigns but never advanced past the first round in any of its five playoff appearances during Blake's tenure.

The next general manager will be tasked with elevating the ceiling for a franchise that established itself as a regular playoff contender in the Western Conference with Blake.