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Five Year Anniversary of Darryl Sutter Hire

By Jamaal Artis

Feb 2, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter (L) presents President Barack Obama (R) an engraved silver hockey stick at a ceremony honoring the NHL Stanley Cup Champion Kings and the MLS Champion Los Angeles Galaxy in the East Room at The White House. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter (L) presents President Barack Obama (R) an engraved silver hockey stick at a ceremony honoring the NHL Stanley Cup Champion Kings and the MLS Champion Los Angeles Galaxy in the East Room at The White House. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Darryl Sutter has reached a five year anniversary with the Los Angeles Kings.

It was five years ago today that Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi called up an old friend trying to fill the head coaching vacancy.

When the Kings started the next season, there was championship optimism. Especially after a blockbuster trade for Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards and free agent signing Simon Gagne.

Initially, the Kings struggled. After a couple of lengthy losing streaks, Lombardi was forced to make a change and fire then-coach Terry Murray.

With Murray gone, Lombardi called on an old friend — Darryl Sutter.

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Lombardi and Sutter had been together with the San Jose Sharks.

With the Kings, the duo turned them into one of the NHL’s elite teams.

Sutter brought an edge and emotion to the young team turning the season around after getting some scoring help by bringing in Jeff Carter.

Once in the playoffs, Sutter took the team to the pinnacle by winning the first Stanley Cup in team history. They did so via their dominant run, going 16-4 in the post-season.

Proving that his first season was no fluke, Sutter would return to the Western Conference Finals and win another Stanley Cup over the next two years.

Lombardi’s hiring of Sutter has proved to be one of the best moves in Los Angeles sports history.

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And for Kings fans today it’s been five wonderful years with coach Sutter.

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