Prospect Info: 1st Round Kings Pick #29 Center/LW Adrian Kempe

[Basilisk]

YES!!!!! He's the only guy I wanted us to get!!!!!

 

[Peter James Bond]

wow, high ceiling projection as a 2-way playmaking 1st line center? i think TSN had him as a 3rd liner projection. either way, seems like a project boom or bust prospect

It doesn't seem like a bust. It's either boom or good 3rd line player. At 17, he was
an alternate captain on the MODO U20 Team. That's crazy. Players that are 19 are
far more mature than a 17 year old and Adrian was one of the 2 Alternate Captains?
Speaks volumes of his character.

4th in assists at the WU18 tournament:

http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/368/IHM3689900_85B_11_0.pdf

Scout’s Honor:

“Adrian is a big strong winger who can also play in the middle. He’s got some power forward potential, as he can be quite physical and tenacious on the forecheck. He surprised a lot of people by earning a jersey with Modo’s SHL team this season. He didn’t log big minutes, but was occasionally used on the powerplay and exhibited some of the talent that will probably make him a first round pick next month. Still needs to grow into his body, can look cubbish at times.”

Uffe Bodin – hockeysverige.se

“Kempe is a strong, bullish forward that has size, strength and a work ethic to match. He can be tenacious on the forecheck and never misses finishing a check. He has a heavy shot and isn’t shy to drive towards the net. (August 2013)”

Aaron Vickers - Future Considerations

“Kempe’s game drew rave reviews in the SuperElit where he served as an alternate captain of MoDo’s J20 team, so much so that he’s now seen action with the organization’s SHL entry. Kempe is an intriguing forward who has good size and an all-around skill-set that projects well moving forward. The Kramfors native plays with intensity and rarely takes shifts off which will go a long way for teams looking for a player that they can afford to be patient with in the second part of the first round.”

 

[etherialone]

He can score. 5 goals on Modo 3rd and 4th line at 17 is phenomenal.

Looking forward to TG's take.

• A member of Sweden’s gold-medal winning team at the 2013 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, Kempe averaged a goal per game (5-0—5) including a second-period tally in the team’s 7-5 win over Russia in the final.

• At the 2014 Under-18 World Championship, Kempe finished third on the team with seven points (1-6—7) in seven games as Sweden placed fourth, falling 3-1 to Canada in the bronze-medal game. He also tallied three points (2-1—3) in four games at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial.

Holden nailed it and I would only be re iterating what he said. Holden is the guy who I would look to from here out on our boards for the most complete and insightful takes on the draft. Great instincts.

I had us picking Kempe but believed we would have to move up to get him (in the draft thread). We spent more time interviewing him than any other prospect leading up to the draft and even spent time with him today.

I can add that he has been looked at very closely in regards to his background and character and this kid is not only squeaky clean but he is a smart kid who knows his own mind as much as a young man can. He reminds me allot of Kopitar and Williams in the kind of character that they both have. Kempe has a very relaxed attitude about him but plays with a ton of passion.

Is he comparable to Kopi at the same age? In many ways but in other ways he is a different type of player. I would say that Kopi at the same age had zero grit to his game (not that he has or needs much of it today either) where Kempe has a fair amount of "determination" which is a favorable attribute.

Of course Kempe lacks Kopi's vision and even when compared at the same age Kopi was considerably better at seeing the game and knowing the way a play was more likely to develop than Kempe who plays more of a finishers game most of the time.

That all changed during his intl play and he became more of a set up guy but I think that is because it was what he was asked to do. Given the choice he will look to shoot more then set.

I like this pick a bunch and think that in time he could become a very solid 2nd line C for us. He will take a couple of seasons before we see him sniff the AHL imo and he has a ways to go but he is certainly a very very good prospect and full credit to DL and co for picking another very very good young gritty skilled player who has loads of character.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

[nhl]626725[/nhl]

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1472495

Thread discussing Kempe on the Prospects board.

 

[Scottkmlps]

The last guy we drafted with his initials turned out to be pretty good.

I see what you did there.

 

[NikF]

I had Kempe at 10 overall. (my full rankings are on the prospects board, though buried at 3rd page right now)

From my first few viewings of him in my personal notes for the draft:

In short: Physical tools (size, skating), decent skill level and heavy shot, above-average hockey IQ, and very good compete level. File it somewhere under "hard to play against".
Gets open as well as adept at finding an open man. Decent size that he knows how to use. Throws the body. Responsible in D-zone, helps defense out and presents an outlet if D is under pressure. Very good wheels, especially for a guy that's listed at 6'2 - both mobility, straight line speed as well as acceleration. Does not shy away from dirty areas at all, be it traffic or boardwork, in fact actively drives the net quite often. Heavy shot and decent hands. Even if offensive upside - while decent - might not scream top 10 pick by itself, I think he has such a pro tool-set that he might end up going higher than projected. At this point, you're looking at a guy that can slide up and down your line-up and contribute on any line in numerous ways. I'd take this guy on my team any day of the week.

Later posts I've made over the year:

Kempe is a solid LW, that would fit the Kings identity like a glove. Don't know if he makes it to the Kings pick, but he's only ranked 27th in the McKenzie rankings, I personally believe he will be gone earlier though.

In short: Physical tools (size, skating), decent skill level and heavy shot, above-average hockey IQ, and very good compete level. File it somewhere under "hard to play against".

Gets open as well as adept at finding an open man. Decent size that he knows how to use. Responsible in D-zone, helps defense out and presents an outlet if D is under pressure. Very good wheels, especially for a guy that's listed at 6'2 - both mobility, straight line speed as well as acceleration. Does not shy away from dirty areas at all, be it traffic or boardwork, in fact actively drives the net quite often. Heavy shot and decent hands. Even if offensive upside - while decent - might not scream top 10 pick by itself, I think he has such a pro tool-set that he might end up going higher than projected. At this point, you're looking at a guy that can slide up and down your line-up and contribute on any line in numerous ways.

This guy should have more hype. "plus" player in any situation, you can just throw him out there sit back and relax

I like Kempe precisely because he doesn't have any big-time apparent flaws. The biggest flaw I can think of is his ultimate offensive upside, you probably don't want to spend a 1st round pick on a guy who might top out as a third liner. Also despite playing with men right now, Swedish league and big ice is still not as physically demanding as the NHL. Some of the things that he relies on and appear as strengths at the moment, might end up being just average at the NHL level, because his game is quite contingent on physical tools that could present a challenge once the physical game gets bumped up a notch at the NHL level. My biggest concern for Kempe all in all is his ultimate upside, but I would love the pick if my team selected him, I think he is going to carve out some role and excel at it, even if it isn't in the top 6, it's still going to be a player that contributes positively. He will still need to develop of course, and if you really want me to take a look at the worst case scenario - it's the one where his progression stalls and he doesn't stand out in any way at the next level all things considered, but now we're really getting into putting someone under a negative microscope. I mean, he's just a prospect, it's certainly possible. But I like him a lot as a player, and I don't think that's going end up happening.

And my final ranking:

10. Adrian Kempe

With MODO Nylander was the main guy to watch, though I routinely walked away more impressed with Kempe as long as both were playing against men (Nylander did have an excellent U18). Kempe's stride with the puck and transition game is eerily reminiscent to Kopitar's, though he does not posses that kind of upside. Kempe not only takes hits to make plays, he actively dishes them out and loves the physicality of the game often finishing hard on his forecheck. Possesses an underrated shot and is a good distributor of the puck. Adept at boardwork and can protect the puck. Underrated in transition and his ability to move the play forward. Great player to add to your team, legitimate concern that he might not have the upside beyond a 3rd liner, however I would be willing to roll the dice with this type of player.

Obviously not to raise people's expectations above what's reasonable, but he emerged as one of my favorite prospects in the draft early on.

 

[10 ft. pole]

Incredible! I was hoping the Kings would trade up to get Kempe!
Didn't have to. Steal! Youngest player in the draft...born Sept 13 1996.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=86313

Kempe is a strong, bullish forward that has size, strength and a work ethic to match. He can be tenacious on the forecheck and never misses finishing a check. He has a heavy shot and isn't shy to drive towards the net. (August 2013)

TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button:
Excellent skater with speed and quickness and he uses it to get to openings and to back off defenders. Excellent sense for the game and what is necessary and with his multitude of talents, he can deliver. A team player through and through.

I agree 100% I really like his game.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

When he plays within his own age group in international competition, Kempe is posting over a point per game. Can't wait to watch him at the WJC in the winter.

 

[KingsHockey24]

This will be Kempe.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

The cup is ours!

 

[CNS]

Interview with Mark Yannetti on Kings Draft Pick Adrian Kempe

Interview with Mark Yannetti on Kings Draft Pick Adrian Kempe

He really fits in what we’re looking for in a King, the way we built our team, the way our team is currently built. He plays a very similar style already to the style that we play. One of the fundamental areas that he probably lacks in because of the European game the way it is, is the puck protection we preach in LA and in Manchester is not.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Found this on twitter from @LAKings...

https://vine.co/v/bEI1AHmvixa

Hilarious.

 

[CNS]

Adrian Kempe talks being drafted by LA Kings

Adrian Kempe talks being drafted by LA Kings

On being drafted by the Kings:

Yeah. It’s exciting to be here and be [drafted] by LA. I saw some games in the playoffs this year. They’re a really good team and a really good organization so I’m really excited.

 

[CNS]

Adrian Kempe talks being drafted by LA Kings

On being drafted by the Kings:

Yeah. It’s exciting to be here and be [drafted] by LA. I saw some games in the playoffs this year. They’re a really good team and a really good organization so I’m really excited.

 

[Scottkmlps]

This will be Kempe.

So you're saying he's a future 4th liner that play's on multiple teams? I wish I could predict the future, it would be great. Did you predict the Kings would win the Cup in 2012 and 2014 as well? If so, I bet Vegas bookies aren't too happy with you.

 

[Reclamation Project]

So you're saying he's a future 4th liner that play's on multiple teams? I wish I could predict the future, it would be great. Did you predict the Kings would win the Cup in 2012 and 2014 as well? If so, I bet Vegas bookies aren't too happy with you.

Is it too late to return him? What's the refund policy on draft picks? I have the receipt and the card I paid with.

 

[jfont]

Just hope he doesn't turn into another Jens karlson

 

[damacles1156]

Plays the game like Landeskog, Just not as skilled. Awesome Skater, skates extremely well loads of speed.

Big frame like Landeskog too, not afraid of corner or board work will hit people.

Not a typical Swed player, more of a North American game. Good pick by the Kings.

He is just a few years off, like Forbort was. This kid reminds me of Jannik Hansen.

 

[Peter James Bond]

From Mark Yannetti:

"""Q: Was he a guy you would have traded up for?
We attempted to trade up, and we were unsuccessful. He was obviously one of the guys we were interested in trading up for. However at one point, once again we don’t gamble, we read the draft and we thought the way the draft was going one of our three guys. It was at that point we stopped trying to move up because we thought one of our three guys would still be there at 29."""

So, the Kings targeted 3 guys for pick 29. They did in fact try to trade up to get 1 of the 3. When they felt they were going to get 1 of the 3, they stopped trying to make a deal, as they felt they were getting 1 of the 3.

Wonder who the other 2 were and how the 3 ranked in order? Since TG said the Kings talked to Kempe the most, he may have been #1 of the 3.

 

[Primakov!]

I don't know if you guys watched the Christian Ruutu interview posted by KingsVision, but when asked about Kempe he said the team views him as a F7 -- a third line forward that can play some minutes on the penalty kill and power play units.

For a 1st round pick I was hoping they would see him as having a bit higher upside than that. It really makes me worried that the team just took another Trevor Lewis going by the description given by Ruutu.

 

[damacles1156]

I don't know if you guys watched the Christian Ruutu interview posted by KingsVision, but when asked about Kempe he said the team views him as a F7 -- a third line forward that can play some minutes on the penalty kill and power play units.

For a 1st round pick I was hoping they would see him as having a bit higher upside than that. It really makes me worried that the team just took another Trevor Lewis going by the description given by Ruutu.

It's a late round pick (almost a second rounder) That's what these type of picks produce.

The objective is to get two NHL roster players per draft in any round.

You are not going to find Tyler Toffoli's in every draft, in later rounds.

You look for kids that can make your NHL roster(in future years).

 

[Reclamation Project]

It's a late round pick (almost a second rounder) That's what these type of picks produce.

The objective is to get two NHL roster players per draft in any round.

You are not going to find Tyler Toffoli's in every draft, in later rounds.

You look for kids that can make your NHL roster.

11 home grown players will get their name on the Cup this year.

 

[Jason Lewis]

Love. This. Pick.

Did not even imagine he would be available at 29. Saw him going in the late teens early 20's for sure.

 

[KingPurpleDinosaur]

I don't know if you guys watched the Christian Ruutu interview posted by KingsVision, but when asked about Kempe he said the team views him as a F7 -- a third line forward that can play some minutes on the penalty kill and power play units.

For a 1st round pick I was hoping they would see him as having a bit higher upside than that. It really makes me worried that the team just took another Trevor Lewis going by the description given by Ruutu.

just how many top 6ers do you think are in each draft? then ask yourself how many are left after the 20th pick. i think it's important to come in with the right expectations.