Mon May 05 16:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake Out After Four Consecutive First-Round Exits

**Los Angeles, CA** – The Los Angeles Kings announced Monday that General Manager and Vice President of Hockey Operations Rob Blake will not be returning to the organization. The decision comes after the Kings suffered their fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit, this time at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.

Blake, whose three-year contract expired, had overseen the Kings’ rebuild since 2017. While credited with building a competitive roster through shrewd drafting (Mikey Anderson, Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke) and significant acquisitions (Phillip Danault, Viktor Arvidsson, Kevin Fiala), the team’s inability to advance beyond the first round ultimately led to his departure.

Kings President Luc Robitaille praised Blake’s dedication and contributions in a statement, acknowledging the difficult decision. Robitaille will hold a press conference Tuesday to further address the situation. The future of head coach Jim Hiller, who has two years remaining on his contract, remains uncertain.

Blake’s tenure was marked by both successes and questionable moves. While he secured key players and drafted promising talent, some trades proved costly, including the acquisitions and subsequent departures of Pierre-Luc Dubois and the controversial trade of Brock Faber. A poorly structured contract for goalie Cal Petersen also hampered the team. Despite recent improvements and a strong finish to the season, including the acquisition of Vezina Trophy finalist Darcy Kuemper, the consistent first-round exits proved insurmountable.

The Kings averaged 46 wins and 102 points over the last four seasons under Blake, demonstrating a consistent level of regular season success that couldn’t translate into playoff wins. The search for a new general manager is expected to begin immediately.

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