HBO's 24/7 - A look inside the LA head office
12 noon, Thursday:
/camera cuts to a taxi navigating the streets of LA
(voiceover)
Mr. Savill: When I applied for this job I didn't think I'd actually get it. I mean, when a team is as good as this one is, no one expects the GM to get fired.
He must have slept with someone's wife or something.
/montage of the Staples Center, busy streets, hockey fans wearing LA jerseys
(voice over)
Mr. Savill: It was 1am when the owners called me. I was hung over at the time so I think I threw the phone across the room. I'm glad it went to voicemail and not to my cursing and swearing as I rolled over to go back to sleep.
I woke up to a voice mail from the representative for the ownership group asking me if I'd be interested in taking over the franchise.
He needed to know by 1pm, so here I am.
/implied question from an interviewer
Mr. Savill: Are you kidding me? I'd be crazy not to take this job. Great salary, great team, winning record! Even if I screw it up I can still make it look like it was the previous manager's fault and come out smelling like roses!
*pause*
You can edit that out right?
/camera cuts to Mr. Savill walking into his new office
Mr. Savill: You see? This is how you know this group is the real deal. That's premium coffee right there. This isn't Calgary or Edmonton... this is the real deal.
(voice over)
Narrator: Mr. Savill had hoped he would have some time to settle into his new position, but as he would find out, there was much work to be done.
/camera cut to Mr. Savill on the phone
Savill: What do you mean we have no cap space? Uh huh. Uh huh. I don't unders.... uh huh. Who? When did we trade for him? No. Well who do we have up from the minors? Uh huh. Ok. Yeah, I'll work on that.
Narrator: With the team at the cap and a paper thin roster, the new GM would have to start putting together a plan to prepare this team in case of an unthinkable injury. But that wouldn't be the only headache of the first day on the job.
4pm, Thursday:
/camera cut to the LA Kings practicing the power play
Savill: *response to an implied question* We are preparing for a back to back with Tampa Bay. I'll be travelling with the team, but not because I have business to do. I just like Florida. *yelling at the players on the ice* What's Hossa doing? He looks like he's about to cry!
Narrator: Hossa had only been with the club for 2 games, but he was already in the GMs doghouse.
Savill: To say that I'm disappointed that he's on the team is a bit of a stretch. I mean, I'm sure we could find a use for him somewhere around here. Maybe not for nine million dollars though.
Assistant: *whispers*
Savill: 9.5 million? *yelling at the players on the ice* You better start putting up some numbers you bum!
7pm, Sunday
/montage of back to back series with Tampa Bay
Narrator: Hossa would score one goal and would be a -2 over the 2 games against Tampa Bay. The Kings would split the series, but the results did not help the morale of the team. The team had lost 4 of its last 5 games. Their lead on the Western Conference was starting to dwindle and it the stress was starting to mount.
/camera cut to the cabin of the team plane
Narrator: The new GM was starting to get attention from the other GMs in the league, but not for his work. They all wanted something from him
Savill: Look at this. 37 emails. Everyone wants something. This guy wants to send me a 5th round pick for Hossa! I don't even know if he's actually a GM or some guy pranking me!
Savill: *response to an implied question* I'd love to make a deal right away. I want to let people know I'm in charge and ready to do business. It just has to be the right deal. I can't make a mistake the first week on the job.
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Formerly CPHL - LA Kings
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