Prospect Info: 2019 Draft Discussion: LA Kings pick 5th, 22nd overall

[YP44]

I would be happy with Cozens.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

So why do I see us taking Cozens at 5?

Because we are still a bunch of size queens when it comes determining which players we deem valuable as an org. Cozens is a great skating big tough center who has elite hands and given a season or two in the AHL will become our next Kopitar type player. He isn't as flashy as Hughes but he has a great break a way game and a rifle of a shot to boot. He could develop his passing skills more and needs to work on his overall demeanor (gets a bit too ruffled at times) but other then that he is as close to being a can't miss NHLer as there is at this point. My dark horse (or the player I would take at 5 is Zegras. I like his game allot more then the rest and think he and Cozens are very similar talents but the edge goes to Cozens because of his hands. Zegras will be a solid NHL'er and I see him as the perfect 2nd line center on any true contender but I think that Cozens is a little bit more of a difference maker.

Thanks TG!!

No worries about Cozens' upside? That's what gets me. Sometimes he looks like Jeff Carter or even Blake Wheeler, sometimes he looks like Jake Virtanen. I agree he's an NHLer no matter what, but he seems like a 'safe' pick rather than a home run, and at a time when we need the home runs (though strikeouts would also be awful, eg. Vilardi if he doesn't self-resurrect).

 

[AzKing]

I don't quite understand the hype behind Kirby Dach. At first he was my #1 guy but after looking at some video I think they're much better options.

He's a big bodied playermaker, who's an average skater.

Cozens is a much better skater than Dach, and plays a more physical game while still having decent size at 6'3.

If you want a playmaker, either Dach or Krebs are your guys. Dach is more of a big strider than an average skater. He needs more time than a guy who has short legs but he has pretty good top end speed. This is a breakdown on Dach that highlights why people have him rated so highly:

With his team over matched at the Hlinka/Gretzky this year, he consistently was able to create rush opportunities with his excellent skating and puck handling abilities. In games where the shots were 40-20 against Saskatoon, he was still able to consistently generate opportunities and create his own space.

Dach is a dominant retrieval guy on the forecheck and forced opposing defenders to rush plays and make mistakes. He does this by chasing them down with his speed, or by physically putting them into the boards. Dach is able to make opponents feel duress.

At 6’3.5, Dach has wide wing span and frame that the NHL covets for the center position. Where he varies though is the dynamic way he can handle the puck at speed within that large frame. He creates turnovers by using his body and reach to turn the puck loose and then bears down on defenders quickly. His head is always up surveying what the defense gives him. By moving his arms around he is able to create angles for successful passes even with guys all over him. His shot is very good, but his mind is pass first and it shows in his numbers, over the past two seasons he is a 32 goal, 87 assist player. He is able to slow the game down as he enters the offensive zone as his frame makes him all but impossible to knockoff the puck. His vision is as good as any big man I have seen and he has to tools to make sure his passes are received.

 

[regulate]

I don't quite understand the hype behind Kirby Dach. At first he was my #1 guy but after looking at some video I think they're much better options.

He's a big bodied playermaker, who's an average skater.

Cozens is a much better skater than Dach, and plays a more physical game while still having decent size at 6'3.

Agree Cozens is a better skater, but NHL Central Scouting, who has watched all of these guys play much more than any of us, has Dach rated at #3 in North America, behind Hughes and Byram in their final rankings. Turcotte is at #4, Cozens at #5 and Zegras at #6 in NA.

 

[AzKing]

Cozens, Turcotte and Dach will all 3 be at a minimum top 6 guys. The biggest question is whether they turn into elite players.

I think between each one, Turcotte has the most complete game and is the best overall. Cozens hasn’t had to play much defense so that’s something you can’t really grade yet and Dach is more of a passer than a shooter.

If you are going BPA and have the option, Turcotte is your guy. I would then probably go Cozens and then Dach because Cozens is more of a threat to score 30+. We need scorers more than playmakers. I would be angry with any of them though.

 

[kings11]

Cozens, Turcotte and Dach will all 3 be at a minimum top 6 guys. The biggest question is whether they turn into elite players.

I think between each one, Turcotte has the most complete game and is the best overall. Cozens hasn’t had to play much defense so that’s something you can’t really grade yet and Dach is more of a passer than a shooter.

If you are going BPA and have the option, Turcotte is your guy. I would then probably go Cozens and then Dach because Cozens is more of a threat to score 30+. We need scorers more than playmakers. I would be angry with any of them though.

Turcotte is my guy but he isnt dropping, heck he'll go higher than most assume..

 

[LAKings88]

Dropping out of two just sucks.

No idea who LA picks. Maybe they should drop back a couple spots.

 

[Nizar]

Moritz Seider suffered concussion after boarding by former King Ladislav Nagy.

 

[Docgonzo]

Cozens, Turcotte and Dach will all 3 be at a minimum top 6 guys. The biggest question is whether they turn into elite players.

I think between each one, Turcotte has the most complete game and is the best overall. Cozens hasn’t had to play much defense so that’s something you can’t really grade yet and Dach is more of a passer than a shooter.

If you are going BPA and have the option, Turcotte is your guy. I would then probably go Cozens and then Dach because Cozens is more of a threat to score 30+. We need scorers more than playmakers. I would be angry with any of them though.

So in terms of NHL comparatives it’d be Turcotte=Toews, Cozens= Matthews, Dach=Getzlaf? Probably not as good but peak outcomes?

 

[kings11]

So in terms of NHL comparatives it’d be Turcotte=Toews, Cozens= Matthews, Dach=Getzlaf? Probably not as good but peak outcomes?

Turcotte = Toews/Bergeron
Dach = Getzlaf/Thronton
Cozens = Wheeler/Guerin

 

[LAKings88]

I’m aboard the Caufield train. Those numbers are glaring. Better than Zegras and Turcotte. I’d take the risk. Take a guy like Tomasino/Lavoie at 22. Might mitigate the risk a bit. BPA at 33.

Wouldn’t mind trading back with Buffalo/Anaheim and picking Krebs/Cozens/Dach or Newhook.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

‎NHL Draft Class: John Wroblewski, coach of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 team on Apple Podcasts

 

[Reaper45]

I'm on the Turcotte train but he'll likely be gone by the time we pick

 

[kings11]

I'm on the Turcotte train but he'll likely be gone by the time we pick

We should start a rumor theas he's still hurt... something dammit , then he'll surely fall to us...

 

[redcard]

I heard Kakko is considering forgoing the NHL in order to pursue a career in billiards.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

Turcotte, Byram, Zegras are my choices for our pick.

 

[AzKing]

So in terms of NHL comparatives it’d be Turcotte=Toews, Cozens= Matthews, Dach=Getzlaf? Probably not as good but peak outcomes?

The guy who wrote the article compared Cozens to Monahan from Calgary and Dach to Malkin. Krebs was part of the story too and he compared him to Elias Lindholm.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I heard Kakko is considering forgoing the NHL in order to pursue a career in billiards.

I heard he's a Fortnite addict and they had to hide all the Jellie Bellies or he'd eat himself to death.

 

[King'sPawn]

Any chance there going to do one on Arthur Kaliyev ? I have heard the mayor mention him as a possible target

Hey, I know you read John Hoven regularly, but I just wanted to let you (as well as everyone else) know the article on Kaliyev is up.

2019 NHL Draft Preview: Arthur Kaliyev, OHL Forward

Already working on Turcotte, which should be up in a few days.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

Hey, I know you read John Hoven regularly, but I just wanted to let you (as well as everyone else) know the article on Kaliyev is up.

2019 NHL Draft Preview: Arthur Kaliyev, OHL Forward

Already working on Turcotte, which should be up in a few days.

ty very much appreciated this is the one prospect i could find nothings really on and since the mayor mention him i wanted to read more about him in case he ends up a king

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Bobby Brink compared to Justin Williams eh? He'd be a nice pickup with the second first round selection, should he still be around.



He was the USHL forward of the year, on the smaller side at 5'8", and bound for Denver University.

 

[tonellisghost]

Thanks TG!!

No worries about Cozens' upside? That's what gets me. Sometimes he looks like Jeff Carter or even Blake Wheeler, sometimes he looks like Jake Virtanen. I agree he's an NHLer no matter what, but he seems like a 'safe' pick rather than a home run, and at a time when we need the home runs (though strikeouts would also be awful, eg. Vilardi if he doesn't self-resurrect).

Living where I do now up in NoIdaho (about ten miles from the Ca border) I catch every Cheif game (spokane) and a ton of other WHL games along with bantaam and peewee up to tripA so I have a really good read on all of the WHL kids and I would still definitely take Cozens. I think the concerns about his upside are a bit over hyped. The kids is giant and always on the puck. Pretty tenacious guy. I like his game. Granted Caufield is just a superstar sniper but he gets banged around pretty good and quite often. Still manages to score a crap ton but how will he last in the NHL? That too is a gamble. One thing for certain, all of the kids available at 5 are exceptional young talents so we should do fine.

 

[kings11]

Living where I do now up in NoIdaho (about ten miles from the Ca border) I catch every Cheif game (spokane) and a ton of other WHL games along with bantaam and peewee up to tripA so I have a really good read on all of the WHL kids and I would still definitely take Cozens. I think the concerns about his upside are a bit over hyped. The kids is giant and always on the puck. Pretty tenacious guy. I like his game. Granted Caufield is just a superstar sniper but he gets banged around pretty good and quite often. Still manages to score a crap ton but how will he last in the NHL? That too is a gamble. One thing for certain, all of the kids available at 5 are exceptional young talents so we should do fine.

Expecting both Turcotte and Byram to be gone by #5.. Is Dylan Cozens better than Kirby Dach?? I think that will be the question.. I dont think Podzolkin is even in the equation unless he falls into the teens

 

[Frolov 6'3]

We are all expecting Turcotte to be gone @ 5, me too. But he is ranked lower than 5 by several scouting services.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Bobby Brink compared to Justin Williams eh? He'd be a nice pickup with the second first round selection, should he still be around.



He was the USHL forward of the year, on the smaller side at 5'8", and bound for Denver University.

I saw him live and think he's more of a Jordan Eberle type but either way, he's pretty good.