2019 Draft Discussion

[Peter James Bond II]

Say the Kings luck out and get one of Hughes/Kakko, do we go defenseman with our Toronto pick? If so, which defenseman should be available around 20-25 and who would you pick?

Here is Bob McKenzie's last posted rankings:

Bob McKenzie’s draft rankings are out for 2019

The defensemen in the 20-30 range are: Moritz Seider, Thomas Harley, Alex Vlasic, Ville Heinola, Ryan Johnson, Antonni Honka, and Kaeden Korczac.

this site is good, as when you click on each player, there are a few blurbs on each and often video clips. Plus, they show where teams are currently ranked and a selection for them.
Matthew Robertson is also a defenseman in the 20s and listed as the Kings pick here; currently the pick is at #27. Of course, the Kings 2nd rounder should be like 32-35 overall.
Should get 3 highly touted selections.

http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/

Finally, eliteprospects is good to see career stats and if you enter 'Jack Hughes' (or any of the top rated players) you'll see 5 publications rankings, like 'ISS Scouting', 'McKeens' etc.
Compare their 5 lists. Start here and see the 5 prospect lists.

Jack Hughes at eliteprospects.com

 

[Peter James Bond II]

No wins in 10 games and still ahead of Ottawa? Geez. They just fired Boucher. Hopefully, they play inspired and start a string of wins!

 

[AzKing]

Here is Bob McKenzie's last posted rankings:

Bob McKenzie’s draft rankings are out for 2019

The defensemen in the 20-30 range are: Moritz Seider, Thomas Harley, Alex Vlasic, Ville Heinola, Ryan Johnson, Antonni Honka, and Kaeden Korczac.

this site is good, as when you click on each player, there are a few blurbs on each and often video clips. Plus, they show where teams are currently ranked and a selection for them.
Matthew Robertson is also a defenseman in the 20s and listed as the Kings pick here; currently the pick is at #27. Of course, the Kings 2nd rounder should be like 32-35 overall.
Should get 3 highly touted selections.

2019 NHL Mock Draft | 2019 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

Finally, eliteprospects is good to see career stats and if you enter 'Jack Hughes' (or any of the top rated players) you'll see 5 publications rankings, like 'ISS Scouting', 'McKeens' etc.
Compare their 5 lists. Start here and see the 5 prospect lists.

Jack Hughes at eliteprospects.com

I would go after another forward since this is a Forward heavy draft and there will be value all the way down. When you can get a guy like John Beecher in the 2nd round, that's good value. It probably depends on who slides down.

I also wouldn't put it past them to put something together to move up in the first if they see a guy that they like. They could put their 1st and 2nd in a package and probably get up into the Top 15. If a guy like Kaliyev, Zegras or Krebs slides out of the top 10, it may be worth jumping up.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Pretty excited for the draft, even if the Kings do not get #1 or #2 overall. 3 picks in the top 35 will be a tremendous boost for the quality-growing prospect pool.

Consider that the Kings are nailing it in the second round, 4 years running. (and added 2 more quality second rounders, via trade: 2016 Grundstrom, 2018 Durzi)

2015 Cernak (oh well) 2016 Clague 2017 JAD 2018 Thomas. That's pretty damn good. And add: 2016 Grundstrom and 2018 Durzi. I would suspect based on the addition of those 2, the Kings have more talented second round prospects than any team, 2016-2018. Of course, a pool of 5 second round draftees in 3 drafts. All 5 have promise. You really can't say a single one of them are sucky.

Now add the 33-35 overall 2nd Rd from this draft to those 5 second rounders. 6 quality prospects. Grundsrtrom should make the team this coming year and JAD and Clague have shots too. Durzi should sign and be with the Reign.

 

[Mats26]

You take what the draft gives you. It is a forward heavy draft, I expect going in that the 2 1st round picks to be forwards unless a high ranking D falls. I don't want another Forbert or Tuebert pick because of "needs".

 

[KINGS17]

If the Kings don't get the #1 or #2 overall, Blake needs to trade our next 3 first round picks for the #1 overall, so we can get Bo!

 

[Fat Elvis]

Any thought in using TOR's 1st to acquire a young stud player/prospect? Not sure who that player would be, but there are teams that don't have a 1st round pick or are up against the cap and would be interested in getting into the 1st round. Just spit balling

 

[King'sPawn]

Here is Bob McKenzie's last posted rankings:

Bob McKenzie’s draft rankings are out for 2019

The defensemen in the 20-30 range are: Moritz Seider, Thomas Harley, Alex Vlasic, Ville Heinola, Ryan Johnson, Antonni Honka, and Kaeden Korczac.

this site is good, as when you click on each player, there are a few blurbs on each and often video clips. Plus, they show where teams are currently ranked and a selection for them.
Matthew Robertson is also a defenseman in the 20s and listed as the Kings pick here; currently the pick is at #27. Of course, the Kings 2nd rounder should be like 32-35 overall.
Should get 3 highly touted selections.

2019 NHL Mock Draft | 2019 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

Finally, eliteprospects is good to see career stats and if you enter 'Jack Hughes' (or any of the top rated players) you'll see 5 publications rankings, like 'ISS Scouting', 'McKeens' etc.
Compare their 5 lists. Start here and see the 5 prospect lists.

Jack Hughes at eliteprospects.com

Whether it's 1, 2, 3, or 20th overall, Kings should pick BPA.

Though I do think it's pretty forward heavy, there are defensemen available who would be good value picks in the late first. My favorite d-men who could be had are Vlasic and Heinola. Byram and Soderstrom are likely gone by the mid-first.

Even though Seider is ranked highly, I wonder if he'll fall due to the league he plays in.

 

[DoktorJeep]

With this current roster featuring minutes getting fed to the skating carcasses wearing jerseys that say Phaneuf, Carter and Forbort I’m holding out hope for a lottery pick. Especially top two, that changes everything when it comes to the outlook for the offseason.

If somehow we get lucky and have a shot at Hughes or Kakko, I think you make a statement by picking whichever one is available and position them as the new hope for the franchise. Further you use that player, ideally Hughes, to forge a new identity for this team.

If we don’t get a top two pick, I assume any statements about new identity get stowed, and they come back with a message of time to retool around the existing, rotting core. So the theme of the draft will be about aggressively restocking the cupboard with players who project to be in the Nhl in 1-3 seasons, regardless of upside or role.

My hope is they focus on drafting for long term needs which are at the top of the current roster. Any picks beyond the top two, I think your strategy has to be best player available based on organizational need. And that need is skill + speed, regardless of position.

If the Kings are making choices, I wouldn’t draft a high ranked forward whose upside is a middle six player over a relatively lower ranked defenseman who projects to be a guy who drives offense enough to play in your top three.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Any thought in using TOR's 1st to acquire a young stud player/prospect? Not sure who that player would be, but there are teams that don't have a 1st round pick or are up against the cap and would be interested in getting into the 1st round. Just spit balling

I'm for it, for the right fit, or even a player 24-28 on a good contract. Your team should have a good core group between 24-28 (those 5 yrs) and the Kings probably are dead last in the NHL for quality NHL players in that age range. Terrible.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If the Kings don't get the #1 or #2 overall, Blake needs to trade our next 3 first round picks for the #1 overall, so we can get Bo!

Vontae Mack or bust.

 

[TopT]

Kaliyev is falling out of the first round on some lists, would love to get him with Toronto pick

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Kaliyev is falling out of the first round on some lists, would love to get him with Toronto pick

He must have some serious shortcomings to fall out of the 1st round with 49 goals and 96 points.

Weird.

From what I read above average skating and avoids physical contact.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'd be on board with a him with our late 1st if he were to fall that far. I could even see packaging to jump up a few picks to secure it. I actually get the feeling Blake is going to try to get two top-1o picks with all these assets, maybe more. But maybe I'm being too optimistic

Re: Kaliyev for those worried about the Russian factor don't, he's American born in Fla.

 

[AzKing]

If Kaliyev falls into the 2nd round, you take him. At that point, he is worth the risk.

 

[TopT]

He must have some serious shortcomings to fall out of the 1st round with 49 goals and 96 points.

Weird.

From what I read above average skating and avoids physical contact.

yes, skating and competitiveness is what I read but 50 goals+ as a 17 year old.... ; I think the scouts are over analyzing again; his shoot is fantastic and what the kings are missing is goals; he could be a Danny Heatley type of player

 

[TopT]

I'd be on board with a him with our late 1st if he were to fall that far. I could even see packaging to jump up a few picks to secure it. I actually get the feeling Blake is going to try to get two top-1o picks with all these assets, maybe more. But maybe I'm being too optimistic

Re: Kaliyev for those worried about the Russian factor don't, he's American born in Fla.

And he is not even Russian

 

[Frolov 6'3]

yes, skating and competitiveness is what I read but 50 goals+ as a 17 year old.... ; I think the scouts are over analyzing again; his shoot is fantastic and what the kings are missing is goals; he could be a Danny Heatley type of player

True, but his profile is extremely similar to Valentin Zykov as well.

 

[regulate]

If Kaliyev falls into the 2nd round, you take him. At that point, he is worth the risk.

I bet he goes in the teens.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[TopT]

True, but his profile is extremely similar to Valentin Zykov as well.

also true but Kaliyev is the better goal scorer

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[SettlementRichie10]

If Kaliyev falls to the Toronto pick, you take him and run out of the building because you’re probably wanted for grand larceny.

 

[kovacro]

If Kaliyev falls to the Toronto pick, you take him and run out of the building because you’re probably wanted for grand larceny.

Get a chance to watch this kid repeatedly. Been to close to a dozen games this year.

He’s got a nose for the net, good instincts, knows how to find space.

Skating has improved from last year. Like any kid his age, he’ll need to pack on some muscle and fill out his frame.

Has the potential to be a good pro.

Lots of scouts in the building today versus London to presumably have a look at him and McMichael, who also potted a goal as London won.

I have seen the same 2-3 scouts about 4-5 times this year to have a look.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Skating and shot are what an NHL team can improve with guys like Adam Oates and similar consultants. What you don’t want is a prospect to have to work with Craig Johnson and OD to develop those areas.