2017 NHL Draft Discussion

[King'sPawn]

I have seen many Kings' games and you are only two players away to contend again . Kopitar is a game breaker but needs someone to play with. You just need to swap Muzzin for a scoring winger and package your first with Gaborik to get some salary gap and getting back decent young roster player. The Gap space can be used to sign UFA

What UFA should the Kings pursue but not overpay for, they can afford, and outproduce Gaborik?

Trading away our first when we need cost-controlled young talent will keep us where we are.

 

[theMajor]

An Oilers fan in Bakersfield? How, if I might ask, did that happen?

the Oilers AHL affiliate team is based out of Bako, strangely enough

 

[Reaper45]

I don't disagree but keep in mind those teams loaded up with size BECAUSE of the Kings. THEY were chasing US.

Cold War part deux. The Kings could really really use a Maroon or two though.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Cold War part deux. The Kings could really really use a Maroon or two though.

Absolutely. Just saying if you're on top, you're the one being chased. How many moves did teams make JUST to combat us? Hell, the Ducks went out and got Kesler because Kopitar was just flat-out embarrassing Getzlaf.

 

[Reaper45]

Absolutely. Just saying if you're on top, you're the one being chased. How many moves did teams make JUST to combat us? Hell, the Ducks went out and got Kesler because Kopitar was just flat-out embarrassing Getzlaf.

No I hear you. And now the Kings are getting embarrassed.

 

[Noonan61]

Really hoping Cody Glass falls to us.

 

[AnThGrt]

Outside of Patrick, Hischier, and likely Mittlestadt/Vilardi there isn't a player I can't see drop to our pick. Even the latter two I've seen on more than one ranking listed after #10. Kind of crazy how open this draft is outside of the former two names. What is nice is even at our pick there is a decent chance we can walk away with the best player in the draft.

Excluding those four I'd be happy with any of Glass, Pettersson, Tolvanen, Necas, Tippett, and though I'd prefer one of the forwards zero issue if Liljegren dropped to us and we nabbed him or or one of the other possibly best D in the draft Hague/Heiskanen/Valimaki/Makar. While I wouldn't be nearly as happy I could live with it too if we nabbed Rasmussen, Foote, Lipanov, or Suzuki. Really way too open and imo little separating 3-16. Tippett, Hague, Rasmussen, and Poehling are the names I'd imagine Lombardi likes given their style and our team philosophy.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

I have seen many Kings' games and you are only two players away to contend again . Kopitar is a game breaker but needs someone to play with. You just need to swap Muzzin for a scoring winger and package your first with Gaborik to get some salary gap and getting back decent young roster player. The Gap space can be used to sign UFA

While selling off our assets and starting over may be the most logical option, it is not likely to be chosen. (What are the chances of getting another Kopitar (2005), Quick (2005), and Doughty (2008) in the same 5-year window? Plus having a Carter (2003) on a long-term reasonable cap hit?) So, moving on to the second-best option, we have to determine what is our identity now, what holes do we actually have vs. system fit issues, and if, like you suggest, we can adjust sufficiently enough with the addition of a couple of players who fill the holes in the roster.

I hate the idea of trading away another first or trading down to get more picks, but if this draft is that weak, it has to be examined. I'd have to go back and look at past weak drafts that are comparable to get an idea.

KP, thanks for the recommendations. I'll check them out.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Outside of Patrick, Hischier, and likely Mittlestadt/Vilardi there isn't a player I can't see drop to our pick. Even the latter two I've seen on more than one ranking listed after #10. Kind of crazy how open this draft is outside of the former two names. What is nice is even at our pick there is a decent chance we can walk away with the best player in the draft.

Excluding those four I'd be happy with any of Glass, Pettersson, Tolvanen, Necas, Tippett, and though I'd prefer one of the forwards zero issue if Liljegren dropped to us and we nabbed him or or one of the other possibly best D in the draft Hague/Heiskanen/Valimaki/Makar. While I wouldn't be nearly as happy I could live with it too if we nabbed Rasmussen, Foote, Lipanov, or Suzuki. Really way too open and imo little separating 3-16. Tippett, Hague, Rasmussen, and Poehling are the names I'd imagine Lombardi likes given their style and our team philosophy.

Glass would seem to fit that profile as well.

 

[LAKings88]

Starting to like Suzuki. Little more skill over size.

Necas seems like a Kings pick.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Saw him play in Madison a couple of weeks ago when I was up that way. Scored into an empty net and you could tell in warmup he could really fire the puck (warmup is a great way to spot top players, IMO).

The USHL has gotten so much better than when I first started checking out games a decade ago. It's not the CHL, but it never will be, but the stigma about drafting guys in the 1st round is clearly gone. This is a kid who comes from a great programs, is headed to a great college program and has proven himself in the WJC. I hope the Kings can look over the 5'10 (and he may not be that tall), because this is the type of player we desperately need in our system.

Let him play two years under Jerry York and I think you have an NHL goal-scorer ready to step in on a cheap ELC.

If La Kings has chance to draft some USHL player who you would take of trio Mittelstadt, Bowers and Tolvanen?

 

[KopitarFAN]

With the wins by the Islanders and Lightning, they clinch the 14th and 15th positions in the Lottery (assuming Toronto doesn't completely blow it, regardless, 2 of those 3 teams will own these spots). Meaning the Kings can't be worse than 13th, which includes just a 0.1% chance of dropping to 15th and a 7.2% chance of a Top 3 pick.

It is worth noting that Philly and Carolina (currently hold the 12th and 13th spots) play each other on sunday, obviously that guarantees someone 2 points, so one Kings regulation loss will guarantee no worse than the 12th spot.

EDIT: Also, a Winnipeg win and a Kings regulation loss (in conjunction with the above) would guarantee them 11th.

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl/pick_odds

 

[King'sPawn]

If La Kings has chance to draft some USHL player who you would take of trio Mittelstadt, Bowers and Tolvanen?

Great question.

I haven't seen them play myself, it's based on what I've read. Here's how they appear to me in different facets:

Shooting:
Tolvanen
Mittelstadt
Bowers

Playmaking:
Mittelstadt
Bowers
Tolvanen

Size:
Mittelstadt
Bowers
Tolvanen

Defense:
Bowers
Tolvanen
Mittelstadt

Since I really want the Kings to go for pure talent, I would go:
Mittelstadt
Tolvanen
Bowers

But I doubt Mittelstadt would fall down to 12th/13th.

 

[kings11]

Currently, we sit at 10th with the odds we likely fall to the 7th/8th spot....
However, and I know this is kinda gimmicky but when I play the online simulation it has us moving up 65% of the time and into the 2nd/3rd spot.... Keeping in mind the simulator takes into accounts odds and their mathematical possibilities, It piqued my interest....

So my question is whose in that 7/8 spot and how do they fit into our system current and likely into the future system since whoever comes in will likely be demanding on defense while allowing substantial offensive liberties...Think Mike Stothers philosophy.... also will this kid be a plug and play type player????

????? - Kopitar - Toffoli
Forbort - Doughty

Pearson - Carter - Brodzinski
Muzzin - LaDue

Brown - Kempe - Gaborik
Gravel - Martinez

Lewis - Shore/Dowd - Shore/Dowd

Quick
Campbell

I really like this bottom 6 and it has plenty of offensive potential but how would they perform defensively, can that 4th line be a stopper/grinder unit..is Gaborik too soft to be on the B6???

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'm hoping this works out like my fantasy football league. I missed out on the playoffs on one of the last plays of the season...then won the draft lottery

 

[KopitarFAN]

Currently, we sit at 10th with the odds we likely fall to the 7th/8th spot....
However, and I know this is kinda gimmicky but when I play the online simulation it has us moving up 65% of the time and into the 2nd/3rd spot.... Keeping in mind the simulator takes into accounts odds and their mathematical possibilities, It piqued my interest....

So my question is whose in that 7/8 spot and how do they fit into our system current and likely into the future system since whoever comes in will likely be demanding on defense while allowing substantial offensive liberties...Think Mike Stothers philosophy.... also will this kid be a plug and play type player????

????? - Kopitar - Toffoli
Forbort - Doughty

Pearson - Carter - Brodzinski
Muzzin - LaDue

Brown - Kempe - Gaborik
Gravel - Martinez

Lewis - Shore/Dowd - Shore/Dowd

Quick
Campbell

I really like this bottom 6 and it has plenty of offensive potential but how would they perform defensively, can that 4th line be a stopper/grinder unit..is Gaborik too soft to be on the B6???

No, only players in this draft who fit that bill will be had in the Top 3, and short of a miracle jump to the Top 3, they'll be picking 10-13.

 

[regulate]

Currently, we sit at 10th with the odds we likely fall to the 7th/8th spot....
However, and I know this is kinda gimmicky but when I play the online simulation it has us moving up 65% of the time and into the 2nd/3rd spot.... Keeping in mind the simulator takes into accounts odds and their mathematical possibilities, It piqued my interest....

So my question is whose in that 7/8 spot and how do they fit into our system current and likely into the future system since whoever comes in will likely be demanding on defense while allowing substantial offensive liberties...Think Mike Stothers philosophy.... also will this kid be a plug and play type player????

????? - Kopitar - Toffoli
Forbort - Doughty

Pearson - Carter - Brodzinski
Muzzin - LaDue

Brown - Kempe - Gaborik
Gravel - Martinez

Lewis - Shore/Dowd - Shore/Dowd

Quick
Campbell

I really like this bottom 6 and it has plenty of offensive potential but how would they perform defensively, can that 4th line be a stopper/grinder unit..is Gaborik too soft to be on the B6???

Yes, we are in the 10th spot in the draft, but it is not mathematically possible to fall lower. The Kings will pick between 10-13th depending on what happens this weekend (unless we win the lottery, current odds of a top 3 pick sit at 14%).

 

[KopitarFAN]

I don't know if this was common knowledge, but the lottery will take place on April 29th.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/addition-of-golden-knights-curbs-appeal-of-tanking-1.695461

 

[Basilisk]

I don't know if this was common knowledge, but the lottery will take place on April 29th.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/addition-of-golden-knights-curbs-appeal-of-tanking-1.695461

Good to know! I tried looking up the date yesterday, but to no avail. Thanks!!!

 

[KopitarFAN]

Philly won, meaning a loss of any kind in either of the final 2 games for the Kings will assure them of no worse than the 12th lottery slot.

 

[kings11]

Just randomly thinking out loud, but since both the NHL/LV want and need to field a strong team... is there any chance in hell Jeff Carter could net us the Knights 1st rounder ?????

 

[KINGS17]

Just randomly thinking out loud, but since both the NHL/LV want and need to field a strong team... is there any chance in hell Jeff Carter could net us the Knights 1st rounder ?????

I doubt it. Carter has probably 3-4 productive years left, if that.

An expansion team really needs to get a player out of the entry draft that is a viable asset in the NHL for 10-12 years.

 

[kings11]

I doubt it. Carter has probably 3-4 productive years left, if that.

An expansion team really needs to get a player out of the entry draft that is a viable asset in the NHL for 10-12 years.

I sure as hell would try though... Maybe Carter, Dowd, McNabb?? McNabb has been surpassed, Kempe is better at Center so i'd replace Dowd with him at 3C and well Carter would hurt but any of the top 3 is worth it... LV gets 3 starters on cheap contracts, we get the top prospect type youth infusion we sorely need... Hell, throw in Bishop's rights as well...