2019 Draft Discussion

[Ziggy Stardust]

More info on Cozens for the uninitiated. He may very likely be gone before #5 though.

How Dylan Cozens turned himself into a top NHL Draft prospect - Sportsnet.ca
“His skating was really coming along, he had a real natural high hockey IQ – he was seeing the ice very well and understood the game,” said Lawrie. “He was ahead of the other players that were playing very often. So that’s probably when you started hearing whispers around town and around the rink that there’s a young guy that might go a long way in this sport.”

“My impression when I first started scouting him is that he’s a prototype winger,” said Lethbridge director of player development Bob Bartlett, who was working for Moose Jaw when he started scouting Cozens. “He’s just grown and he’s had good opportunities and has taken advantage of them all and his puck-handling is certainly his biggest improvement.”

And because of his positional versatility, Anholt sees a lot of a current NHL star in Cozens.

“My comparison, whether it’s right or wrong, is Jeff Carter,” said the Hurricanes GM. “And I think Jeff Carter was such a great junior and he’s been such a great pro, and there’s a lot of comparisons because Jeff Carter can play right wing, he can play centre, he can score.”

 

[member 88115]

Lucic would have to be protected in the expansion draft. After the season the Kings had, why would you want to add that sloth with a crippling contract. Even at 50% retention, the length and the NMC and his deterioration make him a negative asset. And you want to add that on top of Phaneuf, Carter, Quick, Kovalchuk?

I’m not sure if being the oldest, slowest, and most expensive team in the league is the way to go.

Call me crazy but I do like a proposal made by an Edmonton Fan on the main boards of:
To LAK: Looch (1 mil retained), 8th OA

To EDM: Carter
That would allow LA to move up to the 6th pick with our 2nd rounder, since it was talked about the top 6 prospects are level above the rest of the group. I won't comment on who to draft cause I don't follow any these young kids coming up. But I do agree about picking the best available player, instead of need. Not sure who would get exposed at the expansion draft and if its even worth it.

 

[regulate]

Call me crazy but I do like a proposal made by an Edmonton Fan on the main boards of:
To LAK: Looch (1 mil retained), 8th OA

To EDM: Carter
That would allow LA to move up to the 6th pick with our 2nd rounder, since it was talked about the top 6 prospects are level above the rest of the group. I won't comment on who to draft cause I don't follow any these young kids coming up. But I do agree about picking the best available player, instead of need. Not sure who would get exposed at the expansion draft and if its even worth it.

Hard to see EDM doing this in any way shape or form, but if they did, I'd just hold onto the 8th pick and the 2nd rounder too. There are tiers in the first round, but most people think the difference between 4 to 10 is not that great of difference. Whoever picks 8th overall will get a very good player, likely one of Zegras, Turcotte, Boldy or Krebs.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Here I'll do something easier for all purely youtube watchers... Find me the several reports that praise Cozen's IQ because for each you provide I can provide 2-3x for a Dach, Turcotte, Zegras, etc. Maybe IQ "issues" is over-blowing it yet can anyone argue that or find the numerous pundits who praise yet alone say he has one of the best IQs in this draft like a Dach who he regularly gets compared to? Have watched at minimum a handful of most of the top prospects games, most tournament games, yet admitting only a handful combined live games (and none of someone like Podkolzin who I'm not flying to Russia to go watch lol). Not sure how many can claim even one of those here though.

To what Frolov 6'3 wrote I guess Virtanen has an amazing IQ as exactly what you wrote is exactly what he did in the juniors (except better than Cozens while being faster and MUCH more physical) as with Zacha for two recent examples. How is that working out now? Think NJ doesn't wish they went with the higher IQ guy like Rantanen/Provorov who went right after him? How about VAN with Nylander/Ehlers? Both Virtanen/Zacha have better shots than Cozens too. Also I clearly wrote he is likely going to be a great 2nd liner and that means could play 1st line. Puts him above those two comparable players I brought up yet illustrates a point. Never said end of the world either if we draft him just disappointing given the options and season we just endured. I simply prefer going with a similar floor yet higher ceiling and significantly higher IQ guy over the player one sees goes early often in drafts because, "OMG!!! Dude is huge, skates fast, and has a crazy shot. Let me ignore all else!" Obviously Cozens is actually good at defense yet so is/was Virtanen/Zacha just check the former's advanced stats in the NHL if you disagree.

Honestly I've made my points throughout the past few weeks. Do not need anyone to agree with me and frankly indifferent if anyone does(n't). I just can't stand and not saying you Frolov 6'3, AzKing, or whoever necessarily here is that, but posters who just spout baseless claims and opinions as facts with zero research or knowledge. Fact I still regularly have to read comments like Dach can't skate or Podkolzin loves Russia and never plans on leaving shows just how little many have read, followed up on, and done their own research in as opposed to just regurgitating an ignorant non-contextual tweet someone posted.

You came up with HFboards newest term; IQ issues. I asked where you read that, no analysis is saying that or so called expert. You made that up yourself and that is fine, if that is your opinion. Yet those people are not pundits or YT watchers. I am missing something here.

Now ‘others’ need to come up with reports that praise his IQ ? Wow...I am already glad that most stick to the basic skills that you can actually watch. I am sure Zacha & Virtanen had other shortcomings.

Get off your high horse, you are no better than others here. It was a genuine question/comment.

 

[CanadianKingsFan14]

Turcotte and Cozens are who I like to see the Kings draft. Turcotte is offensively gifted and is also the best 2 way player in the draft. If it wasn't for his injuries at the beginning of the year he'd be a top 3 pick imo. Cozens is also a solid player as well. I'm not that high a Dach.

 

[cyclones22]

Forget about Cozen's IQ...I want to know about his "puck poise"! I remember when that one originated on the main board like 10 years ago. Good times.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Honestly I agree with the Cozens-to-Virtanen comparison to a large degree. Cozens is clearly better in my book but I get the same vibe.

But I also feel that way about Podkolzin--immensely skilled, skates with his head up his ass like Lindros.

Maybe 'vision' would be a euphemism for 'IQ' since people are arguing semantics instead of the issue which is their ability to see the entire ice/entire play. Not quite tunnelvision, but they also don't make the best use of their options and teammats.

 

[SFKingshomer]

Honestly I agree with the Cozens-to-Virtanen comparison to a large degree. Cozens is clearly better in my book but I get the same vibe.

But I also feel that way about Podkolzin--immensely skilled, skates with his head up his ass like Lindros.

Maybe 'vision' would be a euphemism for 'IQ' since people are arguing semantics instead of the issue which is their ability to see the entire ice/entire play. Not quite tunnelvision, but they also don't make the best use of their options and teammats.

Thankfully I'm not the only 1 who noticed Podkolzin stickhandling with his head down. He's going to get smoked...

 

[crassbonanza]

The more I watch him, the more I like the idea of Dach. I feel like his ceiling is sky high and he could easily end up the best player out of this draft, if he is available at 5 I hope the Kings snag him.

 

[Frolov 6'3]

Cozens has twice as many assists as Virtanen had in his draftyear. Not a few, but twice as much..

Virtanen also had that other sexy skill, physicallity. Cozens is far from soft but he is not a banger. Dustin Brown is a better comparison. I wouldnt compare Brown with Cozens.

 

[funky]

At this point I don't give a crap which name is called, as long as the player is healthy, and not a reach.

Turcotte and his overall play and skill looks awesome
Dach's size and Vision look appealing
Byram - finally a partner for Drew
Cozens - speed and skill, great arsenal
Podkolzin - if we don't take him and he is the next Tarasenko I don't want to hear another 10 years of bitching

no matter who we get out of this group they will become our top prospect. hopefully Blake doesn't try and get cute.

Any chance Blake takes a high ranked goalie with the second 1st? I don't support it but I just have that feeling?

 

[BringTheReign]

Any chance Blake takes a high ranked goalie with the second 1st? I don't support it but I just have that feeling?

There's no way this happens unless we make a separate trade to nab another 1st rounder beforehand on top of Toronto's. Blake is on the record multiple times now saying we need skilled players to restock the cupboards. Quick/Campbell are more than enough to get us through this next season with Petersen waiting in the wings. The only way I see a high ranked goalie prospect being added earlier than the middle rounds of the draft is if we traded Quick to a contender in exchange for one of their prospects.

 

[AlphaBravo]

What a waste of a 1st if we draft a goalie. Quick, Campbell, Petterson and whoever else Ranford develops down the line are more than adequate for the next 8 years. We need skilled forwards and puck moving D.

 

[LAKings88]

I’m hoping Colorado takes knight with their second first.

Even better at 4OA (yeah right)

 

[King'sPawn]

Any chance Blake takes a high ranked goalie with the second 1st? I don't support it but I just have that feeling?

Possible, but not likely. The Kings will probably pick a goalie in the third or fourth round, such as Dustin Wolf or Mads Sogaard.

 

[Herby]

The Kings have way to many issues in the pipeline at both F and D to consider taking a goalie in the 1st round.

 

[Jericho111091]

If we're picking a goalie early in a draft I'd wait for Jesper Wallstedt in 2021

 

[Peter James Bond II]

The Kings have way to many issues in the pipeline at both F and D to consider taking a goalie in the 1st round.

Agreed. Unless there's a goalie high on their list that drops and they feel they should take him. Like the 3rd round and beyond. I can't see them using one of their top 3 picks on a goalie. Back in the JF Berube days, the Kings had 0-1 other goalies in the system.

They now have 4: (not counting Petersen, even) Kehler, Villalta, Hrenak, Ingham. Those 4 are enough to keep Ranford busy. Too early to tell if any of them pan out.

 

[ru4reals]

You heard it here, this is how the first 5 picks will go down:

1. Jack Hughes (Given)
2. Kaapo Kakko (Given)
3. Chicago will take Dylan Cozens(Big Strong stud Center down the middle which Chicago needs)
4. Avalanche will take Podkolkin (Sakic loves forwards and plus they already have Makar)
5. KINGS here ya go drum roll......will take Bowen Byrem. Too good to pass up although we need
forwards I think Blake and company will take Byrem.

There you go folks no need speculating the prophecy has spoken. Now in saying this I'll probably be completely wrong but seeing that it looks good to me I'm sticking with it.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

If we drop I like Turcotte.

The way I see it Hughes,Kaako,Podkolzin,and Avalanche take either Byram and Turcotte. Kings win one way or the other! Byram as a top 2 D-man and Turcotte as a speedy centre behind Kempe who doesn't lack the Jets either!

 

[regulate]

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Turcotte and Cozens are who I like to see the Kings draft. Turcotte is offensively gifted and is also the best 2 way player in the draft. If it wasn't for his injuries at the beginning of the year he'd be a top 3 pick imo. Cozens is also a solid player as well. I'm not that high a Dach.

Like Turcotte a lot but Cozens and Dach scare the crap outta me! If I was the Kings I'd stay the hell away from them...Like Byram and Turcotte the most! Maybe S Poulin with TO's pick and a winger(Cajkovic) or Korczak) a RD in the second round!

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Fans will be all over the place till June. I trust the scouts and their reviews of the actual player. Podz is #3 and if Hawks want Turcotte that's fine. But honestly Pods should not drop past us.

Of course alot can change from now to draft day but:
A move to drop from 5 to pick 8 is risking potentially losing out on Turcotte\Byram\Cozens\Dach and Podz.(picked at 5)

Podz #1 Russian Prospect
Cozens and Dach #1/#2 Canadian prospect
Byram: #1 D
Turcotte: I would rate him at #2-#3 US prospect (Zegras\Boldy \Turcotte(most complete but very close)

The offer to potentially pass up on these guys would need quality assets to justify this move even if we end up getting Zegras(which I like as well)


Let's not make this draft worse than it is.

From a Kings Fan perspective,
We need to come out of this draft with one of Turcotte\Byram\Cozen\Dach\Podz Same expectations as if we were picking 3rd.
If Podz is at 5 we should consider picking him, i'll be fine with that pick and trust our scouts.

Then: (The hard part)
Try to move that TOR pick in top 15.

By the by...Turcotte's family trace their ancestry to French Canada with Grandpa...Real Turcotte! Dad was former first rounder(Montreal 1983) and Indiana born Alfie! Les Canadiens rushed young Turcotte and curtailed his career!

 

[AzKing]

Like Turcotte a lot but Cozens and Dach scare the crap outta me! If I was the Kings I'd stay the hell away from them...Like Byram and Turcotte the most! Maybe S Poulin with TO's pick and a winger(Cajkovic) or Korczak) a RD in the second round!

How do two guys who are projected at worst to be 2nd line Wingers(Cozens can play both) or Centers and have the skillsets to be #1's scare the crap out of you?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]