2017 NHL Draft Discussion

[Reaper45]

I don't see foote at 20 better then Ryan Poehling or a few others . Despite your bpa concept its unrealistic when the kings best prospects are already defense man. Lets also acknowledge the majority of our d already is under 25 Needs to be a spot for said draft pick in 2 years I don't see one on defense in 2 years Lets not forget clague will be ready by then. Our forward are getting old and ready to take a lesser role We need replacement top 6 players asap

Who cares if the majority of d are under 25, they can be traded to address needs. If they think Foote or any dman is the best player available if they hypothetically traded back then great, pick him over a forward even if you hypothetically need a forward. Needs can change pretty fast.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

Who cares if the majority of d are under 25, they can be traded to address needs. If they think Foote or any dman is the best player available if they hypothetically traded back then great, pick him over a forward even if you hypothetically need a forward. Needs can change pretty fast.

So pick a player to trade him for a player you could have had in the first place Makes sense to me ................................ NOT

 

[KINGS17]

Over Ryan Poehling???

Not sure how far the Kings would have to move down and pick up a 2nd round pick, but either is acceptable to me. I mention Foote primarily because I saw him play in person when I was on a business trip to the Seattle area, and I was impressed.

 

[KINGS17]

BPA. Do not draft on need. I wouldn't pick Foote at 11 but if we trade down to the 20's? Sure. I'd pick Liljegren at 11 no problem.

Yup, I agree. If what the Kings value is gone by #11, no reason not to trade down, pick up an extra pick and get relatively equal value with a lower pick in the 1st round.

As an organization I would hope the Kings have enough faith in their scouting department to make three picks say in the top 50 more valuable than two picks in the top 42. That's if there isn't something available at #11 they consider a steal and an almost sure thing.

...and always, always the BPA.

 

[KINGS17]

So pick a player to trade him for a player you could have had in the first place Makes sense to me ................................ NOT

No, if a defenseman is the BPA in the draft at the spot you are picking, add depth to the defense and trade an older defenseman for a more established an older forward prospect(s).

 

[Reaper45]

So pick a player to trade him for a player you could have had in the first place Makes sense to me ................................ NOT

Reading comprehension is not your friend. When did I say pick a player to trade him? You stated most of the Kings d, on the roster and prospects are under 25, so we shouldn't draft any d even if the staff thinks they're bpa. I'm saying who cares if the majority are under 25, guys can be traded, like Gravel as an example if need be.

 

[Reaper45]

No, if a defenseman is the BPA in the draft at the spot you are picking, add depth to the defense and trade an older defenseman for a more established an older forward prospect(s).

Exactly, move Gravel for a comparable younger forward, or Leslie, or Lintuniemi. There are options.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

I would prefer a forward at 11, as the Kings need top tier forward talent...but they also need a top 4 defenseman. If Makar or Liljegren is there at 11, it may be best to select them. None of the analysts are putting Foote as high as 11.

Truth is, the young D: Forbort, Gravel, LaDue are all 24+ now. It's not like any of them are 20 or 21. Fantenberg is 25 as well. Clague may be a top 4, but too early to tell. Hard to know if Moverare, Reddekopp, Roy, Leslie, Lintuniemi, will end up becoming NHLers. So while I would like to see a forward selected at 11, I think it would be fine to get a top tier D, if one of those 2 fall there.

This year will be very telling just how good Kempe and Brodzinski are as NHL players. It will also be a big year for Amadio and Iafallo, to see if they have what it takes. As for Watson and Wagner, see how good they are at the AHL level. There's 6 forwards that all have NHL potential at being top 9 players.

 

[KINGS17]

I would prefer a forward at 11, as the Kings need top tier forward talent...but they also need a top 4 defenseman. If Makar or Liljegren is there at 11, it may be best to select them. None of the analysts are putting Foote as high as 11.

Truth is, the young D: Forbort, Gravel, LaDue are all 24+ now. It's not like any of them are 20 or 21. Fantenberg is 25 as well. Clague may be a top 4, but too early to tell. Hard to know if Moverare, Reddekopp, Roy, Leslie, Lintuniemi, will end up becoming NHLers. So while I would like to see a forward selected at 11, I think it would be fine to get a top tier D, if one of those 2 fall there.

This year will be very telling just how good Kempe and Brodzinski are as NHL players. It will also be a big year for Amadio and Iafallo, to see if they have what it takes. As for Watson and Wagner, see how good they are at the AHL level. There's 6 forwards that all have NHL potential at being top 9 players.

...and I don't think you will find a recent post which says take Foote at #11. I think if all of the players in the Kings top tier are gone by #11, there is nothing wrong with trading down to get an extra 2nd round pick.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

No, if a defenseman is the BPA in the draft at the spot you are picking, add depth to the defense and trade an older defenseman for a more established an older forward prospect(s).

So if the bpa happens to be a left defense all 8 times you would do that? Absolutely ridiculous So glad none of you are in charge around here There are only so many spots in the minors Mean while this team is using forward that will not make the nhl in its ahl top 6 because they have no other options. Yeah great planing

 

[AlphaBravo]

So if the bpa happens to be a left defense all 8 times you would do that? Absolutely ridiculous So glad none of you are in charge around here There are only so many spots in the minors Mean while this team is using forward that will not make the nhl in its ahl top 6 because they have no other options. Yeah great planing

I don't think you understand what others are saying. You always go for the best player available. Even though we are deep on left D, if the best player available is better than one of the leftys we have now, then you trade the lefty you have now and upgrade him with the draft pick (once he eventually develops to NHL level).

Or, as the prior poster said, you get that defenseman and package him in a deal for a skilled forward that is ready to go from AHL to NHL and is on his ELC.

Why would you draft a lower ranked, inferior offensive player, when there is a superior defenseman available? In the 2008 draft, if the Kings were deep on D and needed a winger, would you draft Nikita Filatov over Drew Doughty?

 

[KINGS17]

So if the bpa happens to be a left defense all 8 times you would do that? Absolutely ridiculous So glad none of you are in charge around here There are only so many spots in the minors Mean while this team is using forward that will not make the nhl in its ahl top 6 because they have no other options. Yeah great planing

Cause this happens all the time?

I have been advocating moving Martinez for a forward on an ELC with talent, but who hasn't broken out yet + at least a 2nd round pick.

Depth on a blue line is a good thing. It's how the Kings acquired Jeff Carter.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

Cause this happens all the time?

I have been advocating moving Martinez for a forward on an ELC with talent, but who hasn't broken out yet + at least a 2nd round pick.

Depth on a blue line is a good thing. It's how the Kings acquired Jeff Carter.

Its very possible I know i went to the extreme but left defense is not a need we have it in spades. I say draft and develop the best forward available. For every Jeff Carter trade we make we have a corresponding Lucic trade. I want this team to be like the red wings were develop talent from within. I'm tired of having to trade to acquire forwards We have a great developmental system lets see what they can do with some top end forwards instead of grinders and d man. Martinez doesn't have the value league wide to acquire the type of piece needed sorry It would have to be muzzin. News flash our developing of players is above average lets give them something to work with top 6 skill and see how it works once The is the perfect time to improve our top 6 our defense is fine for now

 

[funky]

Always take the best player available unless there is an exceptional pic that is ready to step in. Most of these guys take 4 to 5 years before they're actually on the team contributing in any positive manner. You never know what a team look like five years down the road. Most teams have numerous players turn over every couple of years.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

Always take the best player available unless there is an exceptional pic that is ready to step in. Most of these guys take 4 to 5 years before they're actually on the team contributing in any positive manner. You never know what a team look like five years down the road. Most teams have numerous players turn over every couple of years.

Most first round top 20 picks take 2 years not 5 A 5 year projection is a project fyi Forbort took 5 to play his first game and i believe he was the last one of his draft year to make his nhl debut. If this team is to improve there going to need forwards to step in every year on elcs. Its the best way to counter balance all the long term contracts imo Yes we need some d as well in the future however we need forwards a lot more

 

[AnThGrt]

I don't understand the Foote fascination. If he had a different name he wouldn't be as highly regarded. Should be a good defender, but anyone expecting offense or his dad from him will be sorely disappointed. Played on an absolutely stacked team making his numbers not all that special. If going defender:

Heiskanen
Makar/Liljegren
Valimaki
Hague
Brannstrom

Should all be taken before him. If we just want a big shut-down guy it should be Hague not Foote. He'll be a solid 2nd pairing guy likely, but prefer to take a flyer on one of those above that can be top pairing guys.

 

[KINGS17]

I don't understand the Foote fascination. If he had a different name he wouldn't be as highly regarded. Should be a good defender, but anyone expecting offense or his dad from him will be sorely disappointed. Played on an absolutely stacked team making his numbers not all that special. If going defender:

Heiskanen
Makar/Liljegren
Valimaki
Hague
Brannstrom

Should all be taken before him. If we just want a big shut-down guy it should be Hague not Foote. He'll be a solid 2nd pairing guy likely, but prefer to take a flyer on one of those above that can be top pairing guys.

This kid is a much better skater than his Dad. With his size and mobility, Foote is a good late round pick if the Kings trade down to pick up another 2nd.

 

[AnThGrt]

This kid is a much better skater than his Dad. With his size and mobility, Foote is a good late round pick if the Kings trade down to pick up another 2nd.

I know who he is have seen a handful of games and plenty of videos. All I stated is if a different name would still be considered highly, but not as highly. Furthermore guessing one of those 6 names may be available where he is and would take all of them 100% over him. That is just my view though, but one I've seen others share too. You're right if a late 1st he'd be a solid pick, but LA needs high-end pieces right now.

Pettersson measured at 165lbs not the feared 150lbs people thought. Not bad for draft year. Still attest he'll be a top 3 player in this draft and if we get him beyond lucky. Outproduced F. Forsberg D+1 year in his draft year and pretty much any other prospects production in the past decade draft year. Has shined in international and the only player in this draft that has truly shown star potential imo.

 

[KINGS17]

I know who he is have seen a handful of games and plenty of videos. All I stated is if a different name would still be considered highly, but not as highly. Furthermore guessing one of those 6 names may be available where he is and would take all of them 100% over him. That is just my view though, but one I've seen others share too. You're right if a late 1st he'd be a solid pick, but LA needs high-end pieces right now.

Pettersson measured at 165lbs not the feared 150lbs people thought. Not bad for draft year. Still attest he'll be a top 3 player in this draft and if we get him beyond lucky. Outproduced F. Forsberg D+1 year in his draft year and pretty much any other prospects production in the past decade draft year. Has shined in international and the only player in this draft that has truly shown star potential imo.

If Pettersson is available at #11, I doubt the Kings would trade down. He would be their pick.

 

[damacles1156]

All the high end players will be gone by the third pick.

The Kings are getting a project at 11.

Seriously need to keep our expectations in check. If The pick at 11 somehow turns out a gem by year two, that will be a miracle, considering how weak this draft is on high end talent.

 

[funky]

Most first round top 20 picks take 2 years not 5 A 5 year projection is a project fyi Forbort took 5 to play his first game and i believe he was the last one of his draft year to make his nhl debut. If this team is to improve there going to need forwards to step in every year on elcs. Its the best way to counter balance all the long term contracts imo Yes we need some d as well in the future however we need forwards a lot more

I did not say play their first game. I said and you even highlighted "Most of these guys take 4 to 5 years before they're actually on the team contributing in any positive manner." Maybe we have different ideas of what contributing in a positive matter means. To me to throw a rookie in there for a limited amount of games, for limited minutes, who ends up being unproductive or underproductive at that position I don't count. I also said 4 to five years. In most cases

year 1 post draft - back to CHL, or their jr leagues
year 2 post draft - graduate to AHL or stay in jr league
year 3 post draft - figure out the AHL get taste of NHL, rookie season
year 4 post draft -


courtesy of HOCKEYDB.com

2016 draft

- 3 players played over 28 games in year 1. Matthews, Laine, and Tkachuk.

2015 draft

1 Edmonton Connor McDavid C Erie Otters [OHL] 127 46 102 148 44 2016-17
2 Buffalo Jack Eichel C Boston University [H-East] 142 48 65 113 44 2016-17
4 Toronto Mitch Marner C London Knights [OHL] 77 19 42 61 38 2016-17
5 Carolina Noah Hanifin D Boston College [H-East] 160 8 43 51 48 2016-17
6 New Jersey Pavel Zacha L Sarnia Sting [OHL] 71 8 18 26 19 2016-17
7 Philadelphia Ivan Provorov D Brandon Wheat Kings [WHL] 82 6 24 30 34 2016-17
8 Columbus Zach Werenski D U. of Michigan [Big-10] 78 11 36 47 14 2016-17
10 Colorado Mikko Rantanen R TPS Turku [SM-liiga] 84 20 19 39 24 2016-17
11 Florida Lawson Crouse L Kingston Frontenacs [OHL] 72 5 7 12 48
24 Philadelphia Travis Konecny R Ottawa 67's [OHL] 70 11 17 28 49

this is 2 years now removed from the draft. I highlighted in red the guys I would consider contributing at their position in a positive manner. Kudos to Rantanen and Zacha who are getting close but not yet there.

2014 draft

1 Florida Aaron Ekblad D Barrie Colts [OHL] 227 37 59 96 131 2016-17
2 Buffalo Sam Reinhart C Kootenay Ice [WHL] 167 40 50 90 18 2016-17
3 Edmonton Leon Draisaitl C Prince Albert Raiders 191 50 87 137 44 2016-17
4 Calgary Sam Bennett C Kingston Frontenacs [OHL] 159 31 32 63 112 2016-17
8 Toronto William Nylander C MODO Hockey[SweHL] 103 28 46 74 36 2016-17
9 Winnipeg Nikolaj Ehlers L Halifax Mooseheads 154 40 62 102 59 2016-17
10 Anaheim Nick Ritchie L Peterborough Petes [OHL] 110 16 16 32 99 2016-17
11 Nashville Kevin Fiala L HV71 Jonkoping [SweHL] 60 12 5 17 18 2016-17
12 Arizona Brendan Perlini L Niagara IceDogs [OHL] 57 14 7 21 20 2016-17
15 Detroit Dylan Larkin C U.S. National [USHL] 160 40 37 77 71 2016-17
20 Chicago Nick Schmaltz C Green Bay Gamblers [USHL] 61 6 22 28 6 2016-17
21 St. Louis Robby Fabbri C Guelph Storm [OHL] 123 29 37 66 52 2016-17
24 Vancouver Jared McCann C Sault Ste. Marie [OHL] 98 10 15 25 36 2016-17
25 Boston David Pastrnak L Sodertalje SK [Swe-1] 172 59 64 123 62 2016-17

so about a dozen guys in year 3 that are playing a good grouping of games but under half of those actually putting up great numbers.

2013 draft

1 Colorado Nathan MacKinnon C Halifax[QMJHL] 300 75 131 206 96 2016-17
2 Florida Aleksander Barkov C Tampere [SM-liiga] 252 73 98 171 44 2016-17
3 Tampa Bay Jonathan Drouin L Halifax [QMJHL] 164 29 66 95 54 2016-17
4 Nashville Seth Jones D Portland Winterhawks [WHL] 315 29 96 125 90 2016-17
5 Carolina Elias Lindholm C Brynas IF Gavle [SEL] 293 48 96 144 58 2016-17
6 Calgary Sean Monahan C Ottawa 67's [OHL] 319 107 110 217 58 2016-17
7 Edmonton Darnell Nurse D Sault Ste. Marie [OHL] 115 8 13 21 93 2016-17
8 Buffalo Rasmus Ristolainen D TPS Turku [SM-liiga] 273 25 85 110 123 2016-17
9 Vancouver Bo Horvat C London Knights [OHL] 231 49 68 117 61 2016-17
12 Phoenix Max Domi C London Knights [OHL] 140 27 63 90 112 2016-17
13 Winnipeg Josh Morrissey D Prince Albert Raiders [WHL] 83 6 14 20 38 2016-17
14 Columbus Alexander Wennberg C Stockholm [Swe-1] 217 25 94 119 45 2016-17
16 Buffalo Nikita Zadorov D London Knights [OHL] 145 4 24 28 140 2016-17
17 Ottawa Curtis Lazar C Edmonton Oil Kings [WHL] 180 13 26 39 36 2016-17
20 Detroit Anthony Mantha R Val d'Or Foreurs [QMJHL] 70 19 20 39 55 2016-17
23 Washington Andre Burakovsky L Malmo [Swe-1] 196 38 57 95 36 2016-17
27 Columbus Marko Dano C Bratislava Slovan [KHL] 107 17 25 42 34 2016-17

Year 4 over and yes we have a solid group starting to contribute at a higher level. Approximately 1/3 of the first round picks are contributing at a good level. Guys like Dano, Mantha, Lazar, Morrisey, Zadorov, Nurse are still bottom pairing forward and defence production wise but getting there.


All I am saying is after 2 years unless you are a wonderkid like McDavid, Matthews, Laine, Eckblad, Eichel you are not having these prospects step in and considered a productive member on a cup contender. We have to temper our expectations on these prospects. This is a weak draft, we have an outside 10 pick, and I hope I am really wrong but we wont see any great production out of him for 4 to 5 years. In 4 to 5 years we don't know what our team will look like.

5 years ago we had Kopitar, Carter, Richards, Stoll down the middle. We were loaded with Center prospects.

2012 Los Angeles Kings Top 10 Prospects

1. Tyler Toffoli, Right Wing
2. Derek Forbort, Defense
3. Nikolai Prokhorkin, Center
4. Jordan Weal, Center
5. Tanner Pearson, Left Wing
6. Jake Muzin, Defense
7. Linden Vey, Center
8. Nick Shore, Center
9. Thomas Hickey, Defense
10. Tomas Hyka, Right Wing

You wouldn't think we would need to draft a center but 5 years later we have Kopitar and Carter as our top 2, and we relied on Dowd and Shore on the bottom 2 who are not world beaters by any means. It is a position we are weak throughout the organization.

All I am saying is you take the BPA as you never know what your organization looks like when the prospects are actually ready to contribute at a higher level.

 

[Legionnaire]

You don't draft for the team that you have now, you draft for the team that you want in five years. We need every position in our stable filled.

 

[funky]

Legion -I absolutely agree with you

I am hopeful somewhere after the first round we do grab a goalie however.

Still hope Blake signs another young UFA to help our pipeline.

 

[KINGS17]

Legion -I absolutely agree with you

I am hopeful somewhere after the first round we do grab a goalie however.

Still hope Blake signs another young UFA to help our pipeline.

We could always go the Martin Jones route.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I don't understand the Foote fascination. If he had a different name he wouldn't be as highly regarded. Should be a good defender, but anyone expecting offense or his dad from him will be sorely disappointed. Played on an absolutely stacked team making his numbers not all that special. If going defender:

Heiskanen
Makar/Liljegren
Valimaki
Hague
Brannstrom

Should all be taken before him. If we just want a big shut-down guy it should be Hague not Foote. He'll be a solid 2nd pairing guy likely, but prefer to take a flyer on one of those above that can be top pairing guys.

Yeah I think Foote will be a player, even a good one. I'm okay with it being a 'boring' pick to some degree as well. We're just unfortunately cursed with our first high pick in forever being a draft full of Kings-type players when we desperately need some high-end skill

They're all wild pitches to swing at, very few sure things (though to me Foote is one of them, to be an NHL player, at least)--go for the guy with the ceiling. No real need to trade down unless the org is eyeing a second rounder or potential faller (in which case I agree with K17--but don't do it just for the sake of doing it).