Prospect Info: 2014-2015-2016 Kings Prospects in the CHL/College

[Whiskeypete]

Sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that they are NHL ready... far from it. I just meant that they might get a game or two in order to burn a year off of their ELC. Obviously, it isn't in the interest of the Kings to do that, but sometimes NHL teams will do it anyway as an incentive to get them to sign. Otherwise, Dowd and Gravel could just as easily wait until June and sign with any other NHL team they like.

Just wondering from any of you who look closely at the business side of it, how likely is this to happen? It happened to two of our graduates from last season (LeBlanc and Hanowski), so it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Like you had mentioned regarding McNabb, since the Kings have depth at center, maybe they're willing to risk losing Dowd? It's true he wouldn't get a better offer by going to free agency, but he might take the chance in order to end up somewhere more appealing for his situation... like somewhere thinner at center or closer to his hometown. Just a thought.

i can't see Dean giving them a taste as an incentive to sign, this isn't something he does with prospects. if anything he keeps them on the farm longer than most GMs and they will have wait for their opportunity. i also can't see him burning a year of ELC. Dean is very meticulous and pre-plans his contracts/cap, to burn a year of ELC for them would possibly put him in a bind in 2-3 years from now.

take Slava Voynov for example, he sat and waited for his chance in MAN. he was ready for the NHL, but kept working on his game in the AHL. when the right offer was in place Lombardi traded J Johnson for Carter and it opened the roster spot for Slava.

i think Dowd fits in with the type of player - person that Lombardi and Futa draft. he could possibly leave if given the opportunity, but to where and to what circumstances? sure he could go someplace that is weak down the middle and in need of players, but would he prefer to just play in the NHL or play for championships?

personally Gravel is a lock and will be in LA within the next few years. he has been discussed at great lengths here and many like myself look forward to what he will bring to LA.

Dowd will have to grow, improve and earn his opportunity. he has other C's ahead of him competing for the same spots, he won't be handed the position.

Brodzinski i hope returns to SCSU for at least a year, but he also will have to earn his stripes. he will be playing with and competing against another crop of wingers at that point which are skilled players. one will be Mersch, but we are talking about two entirely different skill sets and i think expectations of where they fit in. Zykov, Porky and Kitsyn - they will be arriving on the scene around the same time as Jonny B.

 

[Whiskeypete]

Jon Rosen ‏@lakingsinsider 24m
The Kings have signed Nic Dowd and Michael Mersch. More to come...

Jon Rosen ‏@lakingsinsider 14m
Dowd (SCSU) signs a one-year ELC; Mersch (Wisconsin) signs a three-year ELC.

The Mayor John Hoven ‏@mayorNHL 3m
@Whiskeypete26 Thee of the four expected to sign ASAP. Dowd could end up in Ontario to start out. Also, Lowry probably staying in school.

 

[Reclamation Project]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=712311

 

[etherialone]

Done yesterday and way to go.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Video interview with Michael Mersch:

Picture from bleacherreport.net

Video of mic'd up Nic Dowd:

More on Nic Dowd at lakingsinsider.com and mayorsmanor.com

Picture from Mayorsmanor.com

 

[HYORI 1963]

Is it just me, or does Mersch, look a lot like Martinez?

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Just for fun, two prospects in one interview!

Good clip, thanks. They really seemed to love the St. Cloud program.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Hopefully they do get Dowd and Gravel locked up at the end of their seasons because they have a real shot at getting some good ice time in Manchester next season.

Senior profile videos of Gravel and Dowd.

I meant to thank you for putting these up, Ziggy. I like to know who I'm rooting for. . Looking forward to seeing them play in Manchester. Somehow I don't think it will be too long before they are leaders there too.

 

[The Exiled One]

Good clip, thanks. They really seemed to love the St. Cloud program.

Some already regard him as SCSU's greatest captain. Personally, I think that he was a great captain for his era, but trying to pick a favorite captain is like trying to pick a favorite child.

Nic Dowd in particular is a passionate individual. While he's yours, he'll be all in, heart and soul. Just because it's the nature of the business, some day the Kings organization is going to break his heart.

 

[Scottkmlps]

Some already regard him as SCSU's greatest captain. Personally, I think that he was a great captain for his era, but trying to pick a favorite captain is like trying to pick a favorite child.

Nic Dowd in particular is a passionate individual. While he's yours, he'll be all in, heart and soul. Just because it's the nature of the business, some day the Kings organization is going to break his heart.

What's that suppose to mean?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

What's that suppose to mean?

i just read it as if he's traded, cut, sent down, etc., a guy that's heart-and-soul committed to his team takes it extra hard.

Pro game is very different from college/club in that regard.

 

[The Exiled One]

What's that suppose to mean?

Most players will get traded/cut at some point in their career. He's got a stronger than average sense of loyalty, so if/when that happens, it will break his heart. That's not a knock on the Kings fine organization... it just is what it is.

Reassignments won't bother him. Moving up through the system is a challenge he is familiar with.

 

[Scottkmlps]

Most players will get traded/cut at some point in their career. He's got a stronger than average sense of loyalty, so if/when that happens, it will break his heart. That's not a knock on the Kings fine organization... it just is what it is.

Reassignments won't bother him. Moving up through the system is a challenge he is familiar with.

Ahhhh....gotcha. Just seemed like a strange comment for somebody to put is all.

 

[Caser]

Nikolai Prokhorkin was named to extended Russia NT roster for WC2014 and, imho, his chances to get to the final roster are rather high, as he had a good KHL season with 37 points in 52 games + he can play both center and wing + he's only 20 years old (which is rather important as it is expected from new NT coach to add some younger guys to the team).

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Like you had mentioned regarding McNabb, since the Kings have depth at center, maybe they're willing to risk losing Dowd? It's true he wouldn't get a better offer by going to free agency, but he might take the chance in order to end up somewhere more appealing for his situation... like somewhere thinner at center or closer to his hometown. Just a thought.

At 2:03 in the interview below, Nic refers to playing right wing at the time. That gives him some flexibility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIDq62J_p_0 Sorry, I don't know how to embed videos.

 

[saintsnsoldiers]

....

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Nikolai Prokhorkin was named to extended Russia NT roster for WC2014 and, imho, his chances to get to the final roster are rather high, as he had a good KHL season with 37 points in 52 games + he can play both center and wing + he's only 20 years old (which is rather important as it is expected from new NT coach to add some younger guys to the team).

I wonder if he realizes that Kings fans haven't forgotten about him half a world away. We're keeping tabs on him. Thanks for the info, Caser. I liked him in that one video done by two young guys in the bedroom of one of them, I guess. One of the guys has a Russian accent and they "take a photo" of him. It sounds creepy the way I've described it but it's actually a bit amusing.

 

[Primakov!]

i can't see Dean giving them a taste as an incentive to sign, this isn't something he does with prospects. if anything he keeps them on the farm longer than most GMs and they will have wait for their opportunity. i also can't see him burning a year of ELC. Dean is very meticulous and pre-plans his contracts/cap, to burn a year of ELC for them would possibly put him in a bind in 2-3 years from now.

Depending on how you look at it Lombardi has actually done that with players before. He twice used that incentive to give college free agents extra money to sign with the Kings.

He gave Joe Piskula and Davis Drewiske 5 game trials at the NHL-level that earned them a pro rated portion of their contract for that period, which fattened up a signing bonus package.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Depending on how you look at it Lombardi has actually done that with players before. He twice used that incentive to give college free agents extra money to sign with the Kings.

He gave Joe Piskula and Davis Drewiske 5 game trials at the NHL-level that earned them a pro rated portion of their contract for that period, which fattened up a signing bonus package.

Don't forget that the team was crap when those two got their 5 game stints. This is a much different team and time for the Kings.

 

[uncleben]

2013 7th rounder Dominik Kubalik has signed with HC Plzen of the Czech League for the next two years instead of return to the OHL.

 

[Primakov!]

Don't forget that the team was crap when those two got their 5 game stints. This is a much different team and time for the Kings.

Point was that it's something that Lombardi has done before in the past so it's not as unheard of as Whiskeypete seemed to be saying.

If I'm not mistaken Lombardi was one of the first to push the rules on bonuses to college free agents and the NHL had to make amendments to specify what could and could not be given.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

2013 7th rounder Dominik Kubalik has signed with HC Plzen of the Czech League for the next two years instead of return to the OHL.

Good move.

 

[King'sPawn]

Good move.

Maybe for himself. I can't imagine DL being very pleased with the decision.

 

[David Strorm]

Zykov with a goal and an assist as Baie Comeau sweeps Rouyn Noranda. They are the first advance to the semi finals.

 

[MynameisKing]

Watching Minnesota vs. Union final. Just wished we could of kept Fasching.