Unreal. This certainly was a pleasant surprise to wake up to. Picking 2nd instead of 5-7th, which is where the Kings were VERY likely to be picking, is fantastic. Instead of the Turcotte situation, where they basically got to pick whomever was left of the group after Hughes/Kakko, now they get to be in control of the situation. I don't really have a preference who they pick, I'd just trust Yanetti and crew to grab the best prospect available.
Prospect Info: 2020 NHL Entry Draft Thread
- Thread starter King'sPawn
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ibleedkings
Rob Fake
Quick question that might have already been answered. If play doesn't resume from COVID, what happens to the first pick? I'm assuming all the playoff teams get a crack at it? It'd be nice if they just move us up! 
Zegs2sendhelp
Registered User
- Jul 25, 2012
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Prob just give it to penguins/hawks or oilers.Quick question that might of already been answered. If play doesn't resume from COVID, what happens to the first pick? I'm assuming all the playoff teams get a crack at it? I'd be nice if they just move us up!
KingsFan7824
Registered User
- Dec 4, 2003
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But if the talent is at least relatively the same, you'll probably take the chance with the bigger talented guy over the smaller talented guy.
Not sure it must be RHD. I'd have no issue taking Pronger/Lidstrom/Stevens/Bourque as a building block.
They're going to have to hit the cap floor. That roster, by my count, and it's generously filling in some of the yet to be determined RFA contracts, would be less than $38m. That roster, plus Brown, Carter, and Quick, would hit only about $55m, which is still less than the floor. You could even add Kempe in there, and it's still less than the floor. You could then double Walker's current cap hit, and it would still be less than the floor.
Not only will all of the prospects not work out, but we're probably going to see more than 2 players that have played 100 games on the team.
kovacro
Uvijek Vjerni
Quick question that might have already been answered. If play doesn't resume from COVID, what happens to the first pick? I'm assuming all the playoff teams get a crack at it? It'd be nice if they just move us up!
johnjm22
Pseudo Intellectual
- Aug 2, 2005
- 21,479
- 18,924
A good point, but Byfield would be the youngest out of any of those #2 picks. And now thanks to COVID the most inexperienced as well.
Reinhart played 9 games and went back to junior.
I'm glad we still have Kopitar. Having AK makes me feel much much more comfortable bringing a young center like Byfield into the NHL right away.
KINGS17
Smartest in the Room
- Apr 6, 2006
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This was a very good read, thank you.
Byfield moves really well for a big man. Good edges, with ability to change directions quickly.
The stuff on Doughty was interesting as well, with the most frequent comment being "lacks urgency".
KingsFan7824
Registered User
- Dec 4, 2003
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The Kings made their choice, and now they're responsible for giving Doughty a reason to care. He's been through the exhilaration of the golden age, he's won his individual stuff, he's got his money. This isn't 30 years ago. A guy like Doughty isn't killing himself for a bad team. Not where he is in life now anyway. Hitting on this 2nd pick will go a long way toward building a sense of urgency again, since it's the new crop that will be driving the bus. Don't pay so much for a passenger, etc, etc, but they did what they did, and have to work around it. This is going to be the only way to do it.
KINGS17
Smartest in the Room
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Yeah, the mistake the Kings made is not recognizing the type of leadership Doughty would provide when they gave him his last contract.
I think Doughty is going to try to flip the switch back to ON at some point in the next few seasons, and we will discover there is insufficient voltage.
Should have been traded.
BringTheReign
Registered User
Apparently we haven't even interviewed Byfield yet. They told his agents that they didn't want to bug him since they didn't think they'd pick that high. I feel like sitting at #4 they should've done that already, but at the same time, I've heard scouts say the interview can actually be harmful rather than helpful in terms of overthinking picks. They also could just be taking their time considering we won't draft until October or so.
The more I think about it, the more I think it has to be Byfield. You just can't pass it up. Get Byfield, secure #1 center, make them all fight it out and the center that doesn't make top 1/2 center then you package them for another player. Byfield was a month away from being considered the 2021 first overall. There is just too much there to work with. Stutzel doesn't have generational hockey sense, you gotta go with who has the most unteachable tools and highest ceiling.
I appreciate the olive branch. I must admit, while I was glad to not see the Ducks in the top 3, I would rather have seen the Ducks in the top 3 than a placeholder team getting #1 overall.
As for a weakness, I would say #1 defenseman. The Kings have centers, wingers, and goaltenders covered, but all of their defensive prospects have ceilings that project as 3-4 guys with one or two having #2 potential, but no one that can eventually replace Doughty, etc.
I do think they will try to move back up into the first round with some of their second rounds picks. If a player they like is still available, they are starting to stockpile quality prospects, they may go for a need if a BPA falls.
I appreciate the olive branch. I must admit, while I was glad to not see the Ducks in the top 3, I would rather have seen the Ducks in the top 3 than a placeholder team getting #1 overall.
As for a weakness, I would say #1 defenseman. The Kings have centers, wingers, and goaltenders covered, but all of their defensive prospects have ceilings that project as 3-4 guys with one or two having #2 potential, but no one that can eventually replace Doughty, etc.
I do think they will try to move back up into the first round with some of their second rounds picks. If a player they like is still available, they are starting to stockpile quality prospects, they may go for a need if a BPA falls.
KINGS17
Smartest in the Room
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I watched some video of Byfield last night, and his skating is very good. Doesn't have as much pure power in his stride as Kopitar, but his ability to change direction at nearly top speed is very impressive.
Herby
How could Blake have known?
The Kings will very likely be picking in the Top 5-6 again next season, and next years draft looks to be very defense heavy. I just don't see how the Kings can pass up drafting a potential franchise center at this spot. Take Byfield and address defense next season with someone like Clarke, Power or Hughes.
KingsFan7824
Registered User
- Dec 4, 2003
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There may be many truths there, but the only one that matters is they have to make it work with Doughty. History cannot matter. We've been saying that for years now(which I suppose is ironic). Or some relative equivalent to Doughty, should Doughty choose that road for some reason.
KINGS17
Smartest in the Room
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The Kings are going to have the opportunity to select a very good defenseman in the 2nd round this season as well, and I agree the Kings will be picking near the top of the draft again next season.
DryIslandBartender
KCCO
- Jun 30, 2006
- 5,632
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Blake was just lamenting how the staff is working themselves tirelessly on this draft and they don’t even bother to call the guy to see where his head is at?
He pukes you die
Registered User
- Jun 9, 2020
- 38
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Wow. You do know that Doughty is one of the fiercest competitors and best leaders in the league regardless of the team’s record, right? Maybe you were referring to Brad Doty - if so, my bad.
KopitarFAN
Reno Sucks!
Lt Dan
F*** your ice cream!
When he wants to be
His performance in games against Calgary at at the apex of his feud with Tkachuk were far far far above his everyday performance.
I am not talking good or bad game variances either. The differences were a big as the shrimp haul Forrest and I got after that hurricane
Pandaman11
Registered User
- Dec 3, 2009
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Well, my prediction was semi-correct. I thought that after reviving the biggest market (population-wise) last year, they'd do the same this year with us & the Ducks. But... I didn't see the pandemic coming. Of course the tv channels are stronger. They don't get the June draft to match the NFL? No problem, throw them a bone and give two televised events.
Anyway, dear Quinton, please don't be a bust. If he's for real, I'm really excited for our future. However, I do believe he needs one more year in the OHL.
Anyway, dear Quinton, please don't be a bust. If he's for real, I'm really excited for our future. However, I do believe he needs one more year in the OHL.
kovacro
Uvijek Vjerni
KINGS17
Smartest in the Room
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Did you read the scouting evaluation from the post I quoted? Doughty is definitely one of the biggest trash talkers in the game today. His performance last season was not indicative of a leader or a fierce competitor.
