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

[Ziggy Stardust]

Marchand is 5'9" and seems to be doing pretty well in the playoffs

But he’ll never survive against bigger opponents.

 

[fsanford]

Caufield doesn't look like a great skater to me and I think without someone that can create offense setting him up, he may struggle. I think he's really boom or bust and I don't know that the Kings can afford to blow a top 5 pick.

He is actually considered a very good skater.

And no I am not his agent.

 

[Herby]

Very little chance that Caufield outright flops. His arsenal of shots is world class. He would at the very least stick around as a PP specialist.

 

[KingsHockey24]

He is actually considered a very good skater.

And no I am not his agent.

He's basically Alex Debrincat.

Same size, same goal scoring capabilities, etc.

I'd be thrilled to see us pick him.

 

[Kingspiracy]

Marchand is 5'9" and seems to be doing pretty well in the playoffs

Kid is not going to play in the NHL for a couple of years, he will get stronger.

Marchand is a hard nasty little f***er though, does Caufield have that to his game?

 

[KingsHockey24]

Marchand is a hard nasty little ****er though, does Caufield have that to his game?

Does Debrincat?

 

[Kingspiracy]

Does Debrincat?

"DeBrincat is a small player with a dynamic skill set and a pure sniper. He is undersized, but can be very nasty to play against and shies away from no one"

Alex DeBrincat at eliteprospects.com

It's not gospel but does show that element to his game ( at least pre nhl) I'm not entirely against Caulfield, but would prefer a 6' center with 30 goal potential or a potential top pairing dman.

 

[TT1]

Hey guys, i'm drafting for L.A in a mock draft (2019 7-Round Mock Draft 4.0). I'm going into the 3rd round where my prospect picks could be swayed a bit depending on position, i'd like to know what your biggest needs are atm (both in terms of position and player playstyle, if possible). Thus far i've ended up with (your first 3 picks):

1 (5): Dylan Cozens
1 (22): Cam York
2 (33): Jamieson Rees

Apologies if these aren't position of needs or prospects that you like, i based the first 3 picks on my own list (BPA picks). Woulda gone with Turcotte (#4 on my list) or Byram (#3 on my list) at #5 if they were available.

 

[King'sPawn]

Hey guys, i'm drafting for L.A in a mock draft (2019 7-Round Mock Draft 4.0). I'm going into the 3rd round where my prospect picks could be swayed a bit depending on position, i'd like to know what your biggest needs are atm (both in terms of position and player playstyle, if possible). Thus far i've ended up with (your first 3 picks):

1 (5): Dylan Cozens
1 (22): Cam York
2 (33): Jamieson Rees

Apologies if these aren't position of needs or prospects that you like, i based the first 3 picks on my own list (BPA picks). Woulda gone with Turcotte (#4 on my list) or Byram (#3 on my list) at #5 if they were available.

To be honest, they aren't my favorites even if they are defensible. I'm not as high on Cozens as others, and I think York has tunnel vision. I like Rees though.

All things considered, I appreciate you putting yourself out there! Even though they aren't my favorite picks, I appreciate you making picks based on what you feel is BPA instead of trying to make nonsense picks based on a perceived need.

I hope you come back and continue to share.

As for overall needs, the Kings just need top end talent to restock their cupboard. The overall theme that went through the media and management in the offseason is "entitlement". They need drivers and character.

 

[crassbonanza]

It didn't say 23, I said three years. Kupari is now 19, that would make him 22. If he gets some games in with the Kings when he is 21, I would be pleasantly surprised if he was a major contributor.

Well, like I said the confusion for me was when you said Kopitar would only have one year left on his contract. Kopitar has 5 years remaining on his contract, so in that case we are not discussing 3 years from now. Anyways, let's jump forward to the 2015 NHL draft(21 year season), correct me if I am wrong, but I believe every single non goalie drafted in the first round has played games in the NHL. So, if Kupari is not playing any games until he turns 22 then he would be considered a bit of a disappointment. Which is why I was wondering if you were down on his development for some reason.

I think based on you misconstruing Kupari's age and it's relation to Kopitar's contract that you are just trying to be negative. Liiga is considered the second best professional league in Europe and it is considered by some to be above the AHL in terms of skill. Now, I do believe that the ice size difference and other factors can require a bit of adjustment for Kupari, but thinking that he won't make the team until 2022/23(or 2023/24 if we are still basing this off of Kopitar only having 1 season remaining) is just being overly pessimistic. I get that the team sucks and you aren't happy, but going out of your way to crap on one of the Kings top prospects is just beyond me.

 

[SFKingshomer]

The Kings don't have a Kane to get Caufield the puck.

 

[KingsFan7824]

The Kings don't have a Kane to get Caufield the puck.

That's not something to worry about right now. If he's the best player left, you take him. You worry about who is going to get him the puck in 4 or 5 years at some later date. The only need the Kings have is talent. They need everything, so you turn down nothing of quality if the opportunity presents itself.

 

[SFKingshomer]

That's not something to worry about right now. If he's the best player left, you take him. You worry about who is going to get him the puck in 4 or 5 years at some later date. The only need the Kings have is talent. They need everything, so you turn down nothing of quality if the opportunity presents itself.

I suppose you're correct. If they feel he has the most upside then I would be ok with the pick and it would be a huge sign that they have changed from the big and heavy line of thinking. I still think they will take a center....

 

[Peter James Bond II]

I think why some under 5'9" 175" players succeed, where others don't - is the successful ones are generally more slippery and can avoid contact better...no one can avoid all contact, but it helps to be more slippery...and the successful ones are more tenacious, aggressive and more fearless. If a small player lacks those 4 things, they will be neutralized often.

A good comparison was seeing Rempal on the Kings and then Lizotte. They both could skate and have skill. Rempal was not so much going into traffic and was pretty much perimeter. He did not seem tenacious or physical ability to overcome the defense or battles....whereas Lizotte (too bad only one game to see him in) was like a little cannonball, going to the net, battling hard behind the goal, going into traffic, and looked tenacious, confident and fearless.

I truly think Lizotte has a chance and may be a surprise player to make the Kings...and be good.

When looking at small players like Caufield, Brink and others, they had better have the : slippery ability , tenacity, aggressivenes, and fearlessness, or I would pass. Caufield sure knows where to go and is pretty deft, but also does not have elite speed. He skates well and has decent speed, but he'd better have those other elements to achieve his ceiling in the NHL. The problem in judging that, is you have to see it at the NHL level; (but you don't get to) not playing against other 18 year olds that are not out to destroy you or can... I'm not sure I take him at 5.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[RocketKing]

When I see clips of Byram he seems so fluid and always in control he reminds me of Scott Neidermayer. I love the guy but I'm sure the 2 other teams in front of us do too. Guys like that from the Blue Line can control big parts of the game, would be a huge impact for us.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I think why some under 5'9" 175" players succeed, where others don't - is the successful ones are generally more slippery and can avoid contact better...no one can avoid all contact, but it helps to be more slippery...and the successful ones are more tenacious, aggressive and more fearless. If a small player lacks those 4 things, they will be neutralized often.

A good comparison was seeing Rempal on the Kings and then Lizotte. They both could skate and have skill. Rempal was not so much going into traffic and was pretty much perimeter. He did not seem tenacious or physical ability to overcome the defense or battles....whereas Lizotte (too bad only one game to see him in) was like a little cannonball, going to the net, battling hard behind the goal, going into traffic, and looked tenacious, confident and fearless.

I truly think Lizotte has a chance and may be a surprise player to make the Kings...and be good.

When looking at small players like Caufield, Brink and others, they had better have the : slippery ability , tenacity, aggressivenes, and fearlessness, or I would pass. Caufield sure knows where to go and is pretty deft, but also does not have elite speed. He skates well and has decent speed, but he'd better have those other elements to achieve his ceiling in the NHL. The problem in judging that, is you have to see it at the NHL level; (but you don't get to) not playing against other 18 year olds that are not out to destroy you or can... I'm not sure I take him at 5.

Gaudreau doesn't have elite speed either, but he does have those other things.

I think the thing is Caufield doesn't carry the puck that much, he's more like Toffoli in that regard, and that bodes well for his durability. Just finds a seam, and give him 1 second with the puck.

 

[kilowatt]

Gaudreau doesn't have elite speed either, but he does have those other things.

I think the thing is Caufield doesn't carry the puck that much, he's more like Toffoli in that regard, and that bodes well for his durability. Just finds a seam, and give him 1 second with the puck.

I’m all for Caufield, I just really wish we had a second pick in to 6-10 range to take him.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I’m all for Caufield, I just really wish we had a second pick in to 6-10 range to take him.

Take 100% of Lucic or Eriksson to get their pick? Assuming they would trade their pick.

 

[KopitarFAN]

Take 100% of Lucic or Eriksson to get their pick? Assuming they would trade their pick.

Would do that in a second, either one of them fall right in line with when the Quick/Brown/Carter contracts expire.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Could the Kings use the 22nd pick from the Muzzin trade that keeps on giving to move up to draft Kakko?

Kupari and Kakko? I don't know. But it's trade capital at the Kings disposal.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Could the Kings use the 22nd pick from the Muzzin trade that keeps on giving to move up to draft Kakko?

Kupari and Kakko? I don't know. But it's trade capital at the Kings disposal.

I don't think anyone moves out of Hughes or Kakko as it's exactly what those teams need.

 

[YP44]

Could the Kings use the 22nd pick from the Muzzin trade that keeps on giving to move up to draft Kakko?

Kupari and Kakko? I don't know. But it's trade capital at the Kings disposal.

I was hoping LA would draft Kakko had they won the lottery.

I do not see why the Rangers would do it, and I honestly think you may have a better chance getting the #1 from the devils as they are more likely to be trying to get into the playoffs in the final year of Hall's deal than the rangers.

I think New Jersey says no but: 5OA, 22OA, Martinez, Vilardi

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I don't think anyone moves out of Hughes or Kakko as it's exactly what those teams need.

I was hoping LA would draft Kakko had they won the lottery.

I do not see why the Rangers would do it, and I honestly think you may have a better chance getting the #1 from the devils as they are more likely to be trying to get into the playoffs in the final year of Hall's deal than the rangers.

I think New Jersey says no but: 5OA, 22OA, Martinez, Vilardi

I would be surprised also. But it's fun going over the scenarios. Kings should get a terrific prospect at #5 and #22. There are a plethora of possibilities in both ranges.

The Kings are doing a very good job restocking their talent quickly.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I would be surprised also. But it's fun going over the scenarios. Kings should get a terrific prospect at #5 and #22. There are a plethora of possibilities in both ranges.

The Kings are doing a very good job restocking their talent quickly.

Believe me I would do very bad things for Kakko, I may even be convinced to Ricky Williams our draft