Prospect Info: 2015 Draft Thread

[kingsfan]

I encourage people to look at the average age of NHL retirement, it's an easy google.

You are going to be shocked at what you see.

There is a reason why guys in the NHL that hit 1000 games are honored. There is a reason Jagr is a freak of nature.

There is only one Nic Lidstrom ETC, Joe Thornton ETC.

30 years old in the NHL, is old.

Think of it this way, How many Willie Mitchell's are in the league ? The Kings replaced him easy right ? The Kings have a RR in the wings waiting right ?

Even what those two guys have done, is impressive. So it's rare for NHL players to play at high levels past the age of 30. It's really old, if you came into the league at 19/20.

And whats the average age of average or above players who retire, not the fringe guys? Guys like Quick and Kopitar don't retire very often before age 35.

 

[Thrice]

Not impossible. Likely ? no.

What are the odds the Kings win two more cups, in three years with this current core ?

So we have pointed out two franchises that navigated core changes with some great success.

Two out of thirty, in the last two decades ?.

So everyone does it right ? just need a solid base ?

That was the point I am trying to make. What the Kings did, and Hawks are doing. Is unprecedented so far in the Salary cap era.

Not the normal mode of operation. It's more likely that the Kings will suffer some down years, while the current core ages, and is phased out.

Absolutely agree. Lombardi tried to out-smart the salary cap system by locking in his entire core (and then some) to super long deals at relatively friendly AAV with the hope that the cap would keep going up. That plan has backfired with the steep decline in Richards and Brown and the decline in the Canadian dollar.

Now we'll see the true test of just how good a General Manager Lombardi is. He made his bed and now he has to lie in it.

 

[damacles1156]

Absolutely agree. Lombardi tried to out-smart the salary cap system by locking in his entire core (and then some) to super long deals at relatively friendly AAV with the hope that the cap would keep going up. That plan has backfired with the steep decline in Richards and Brown and the decline in the Canadian dollar.

Now we'll see the true test of just how good a General Manager Lombardi is. He made his bed and now he has to lie in it.

Bingo.

100% agree.

I am grateful to see the Kings win two cups in three years, that doesn't happen often, if at all. Now the real work happens, how do you transition out declining core members, to young guys that are cheaper, in the salary cap era.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Bingo.

100% agree.

I am grateful to see the Kings win two cups in three years, that doesn't happen often, if at all. Now the real work happens, how do you transition out declining core members, to young guys that are cheaper, in the salary cap era.

Amen.

It's scary to think that in 4-5 years time guys like Kopitar and Carter are (possibly) going to be 2-3Cs and that we'll need someone else to do the heavy lifting. DL's real test was everything coming after the first cup.

 

[King'sPawn]

Thomas Chabot

 

[YP44]

Absolutely agree. Lombardi tried to out-smart the salary cap system by locking in his entire core (and then some) to super long deals at relatively friendly AAV with the hope that the cap would keep going up. That plan has backfired with the steep decline in Richards and Brown and the decline in the Canadian dollar.

Now we'll see the true test of just how good a General Manager Lombardi is. He made his bed and now he has to lie in it.

the CDN dollar is back up around .82-.83. Still a large decline from when Toews and Kane were signed (back then the cap was predicted to sky rocket next year), however the stagnant cap was predicted if the dollar was what .81? so hopefully the cap will go up a bit.

 

[KINGS17]

The top priority of this off season IMO is getting out of Richards contract without buying him out.
With that said I would like to see Richards packaged with our 1st to move back in the draft for a later first.
I look at Pearson and Kempe and know LA can draft a good player later in the first.

The Kings have a chance to draft an impact player with the number 13 pick overall in this draft. They likely won't be picking this high again for the next 3 or 4 years. They should probably keep the pick and look for a player they can develop into a #1 center, or 2/3 defenseman.

 

[KINGS17]

Amen.

It's scary to think that in 4-5 years time guys like Kopitar and Carter are (possibly) going to be 2-3Cs and that we'll need someone else to do the heavy lifting. DL's real test was everything coming after the first cup.

Again, this is why Dean can't afford to give Kopitar 8 years with an AAV over $9M. It's not going to be pleasant in around 5 years if he does.

 

[sinister6000]

Meier looks a lot like Jagr, and Kovalev in his highlights.

 

[LAKings88]

Meier looks a lot like Jagr, and Kovalev in his highlights.

I like him a lot. Hearing he isn't so strong in his own end tho.

Konecny is highly skilled but on the smaller side.

Be happy with either of these picks. Knowing LA tho, it will be a player from way out of left field.

 

[kingsfan]

I like him a lot. Hearing he isn't so strong in his own end tho.

Most 18 year olds aren't. That's something that comes with experience and will be taught.

I'd rather we focus on the skills, the natural instincts, the players that have that drive to the net, shot the puck mentality. You can teach anyone to play defense if they are willing to listen, but you can't teach someone to score 40 goals.

I'm not sure what I think of Meier yet, but I won't shy away from picking him based on his defense.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Most 18 year olds aren't. That's something that comes with experience and will be taught.

I'd rather we focus on the skills, the natural instincts, the players that have that drive to the net, shot the puck mentality. You can teach anyone to play defense if they are willing to listen, but you can't teach someone to score 40 goals.

I'm not sure what I think of Meier yet, but I won't shy away from picking him based on his defense.

I'm thinking that about just about any forward, really. You can always teach defense, and players with high offensive awareness should be like learning sponges in that regard. I can see it being considered a little bit more with natural centers and players drafted to be that guy considering how demanding our system in particular is of that position, but wingers? **** it, bpa that cherry picker.

 

[YP44]

The Kings have a chance to draft an impact player with the number 13 pick overall in this draft. They likely won't be picking this high again for the next 3 or 4 years. They should probably keep the pick and look for a player they can develop into a #1 center, or 2/3 defenseman.

I'll be happy if he we pick someone great but remember LA also picked Colten Tuebert with the #13 pick so there's no guarantee. getting rid of Richards is guaranteed cap space.
Either way I will think DL does the right thing.

 

[damacles1156]

Just because Lombardi/Futa had some misses before in the 1st round. Doesn't mean they should stop trying to pick impact players at the 1-15 spots.

Overwhelmingly the majority of impact NHL players, are picked in the first round. So Tuebert was picked 13th, so what, that has nothing to do with this draft class or these draft players.

You take shots this high up in round one. This draft is very deep 1-15.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

The questionable first round selections from Deano tend to have occurred when he was making a pick out of need to address the lack of blue chip defense prospects.

 

[Docgonzo]

The questionable first round selections from Deano tend to have occurred when he was making a pick out of need to address the lack of blue chip defense prospects.

And even then Hickey had done pretty decent on the Islanders it's just Tuebert that is real big black mark.

 

[kingsfan]

The questionable first round selections from Deano tend to have occurred when he was making a pick out of need to address the lack of blue chip defense prospects.

There's no proof that it was a 'need' pick versus who the scouts felt was the BPA. Teubert was just a terrible pick.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

There's no proof that it was a 'need' pick versus who the scouts felt was the BPA. Teubert was just a terrible pick.

They talked about wanting to have a tough dman to play with Hickey. It was a pick based on need given the skilled dmen they had in the system at the time.

 

[kingsfan]

They talked about wanting to have a tough dman to play with Hickey. It was a pick based on need given the skilled dmen they had in the system at the time.

So because they talked about it they did it? That's a big leap, not to mention DL has shown a knack for signing stay at home types via UFA and landing them via trades.

Drafting a kid who won't make the NHL as a regular for 3-4 years down the road based solely on a perceived need is foolish, especially what is a 'need' now very likely won't be in 3-4 years anyway.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

So because they talked about it they did it? That's a big leap, not to mention DL has shown a knack for signing stay at home types via UFA and landing them via trades.

Drafting a kid who won't make the NHL as a regular for 3-4 years down the road based solely on a perceived need is foolish, especially what is a 'need' now very likely won't be in 3-4 years anyway.

However you perceive it, they made that pick out of necessity. Same goes for Hickey. The Doughty selection was obviously the best available player, as were Pearson and Kempe.

It's no coincidence Hickey and Teubert were partners on the WJC. The Kings wanted them to be a future pairing on their blueline.

 

[Thrice]

There's no proof that it was a 'need' pick versus who the scouts felt was the BPA. Teubert was just a terrible pick.

You might want to give this a listen. Especially 24:00 on.

http://www.puckpodcast.com/2014-nhl-draft-interview-mark-yannetti-la-kings/

 

[King'sPawn]

I'm thinking that about just about any forward, really. You can always teach defense, and players with high offensive awareness should be like learning sponges in that regard. I can see it being considered a little bit more with natural centers and players drafted to be that guy considering how demanding our system in particular is of that position, but wingers? **** it, bpa that cherry picker.

I have a couple concerns with Meier.
1) He plays with one of the most dynamic junior players, that will lead to an inflation of statistics.
2) 23 of his 44 goals and 35 of his 90 points are on the powerplay.

These are just numerical concerns, where I am unsure how offensively gifted he is.

There's no proof that it was a 'need' pick versus who the scouts felt was the BPA. Teubert was just a terrible pick.

For what it's worth, my friend and I talked to Lombardi at the 2008 development camp. My friend brought up the team's lack of toughness; Lombardi let out an exasperated sigh and said "That's why we drafted Teubert."

Not that I can expect you to take my word for it. Unfortunately, it's all I can contribute.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I have a couple concerns with Meier.
1) He plays with one of the most dynamic junior players, that will lead to an inflation of statistics.
2) 23 of his 44 goals and 35 of his 90 points are on the powerplay.

These are just numerical concerns, where I am unsure how offensively gifted he is.

I agree with that, I'm unsure how I feel about Meier yet as well; I mean, I like him, but my post was just more about taking the BPA over need and not shying away from a kid because of his defense. If the offensive instincts are there, defensive positioning can be taught, and high hockey IQ is a gift that helps one succeed at the next level. To tie that re: Teubert as well, I'm glad DL has (maybe) learned a lesson here, as we haven't touched a high-pick SAH type since. It's just my unprofessional opinion, but the guys who are just big stay-at-homers in junior usually lack the foot speed and IQ to hack it vs. the big leaguers, where the offensive d-men and other high-skill guys have the ability and play-reading to become better players at the next level even if they don't have the size/physicality that the position needs (i.e. players often grow into a stay at home player rather than get drafted that way, and it's certainly not worth a first round pick to blow your wad on SIZE TOUGHNESS TRUCULENCE over a bpa).

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

You might want to give this a listen. Especially 24:00 on.

http://www.puckpodcast.com/2014-nhl-draft-interview-mark-yannetti-la-kings/

Thanks! I remember listening to this interview last year and Mark Yannetti touches on those "big mistakes" that resulted when they drafted out of need.

And in addition to that I do remember reading/hearing other interviews where they openly discussed the Teubert and Hickey picks being selections made out of necessity.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Why the long face?