2021 NHL Entry Draft - Round 1: July 23 (8 p.m. ET; ESPN2, SN, SN NOW, TVA Sports)

[King'sPawn]

Even people who do it for a living were surprised by Price going at #6. Pittsburgh traded up from #3 to move to #1 to draft Fleury, because they didn’t want to risk not being able to draft him. Eric Staal is who most figured would go #1 that year, but Florida was set on Nathan Horton, so they moved down.


But they knew what they were doing, that’s for sure. You don’t take a goalie that high unless you know he can will his team to win games. Unfortunately for the Kings, they didn’t get that the two times they selected a goalie in the first round.

Yup. The broadcast lost their lid at the Price pick. He was an expected first rounder, but not top-5.

The top prospects were, essentially:
Sidney Crosby
Jack Johnson
Bobby Ryan
Benoit Pouliot
Gilbert Brule
Anze Kopitar

I think Price was a discussion point of going to LA, because they "needed" a goalie. They had to just settle for Quick in the third round.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

Yup. The broadcast lost their lid at the Price pick. He was an expected first rounder, but not top-5.

The top prospects were, essentially:
Sidney Crosby
Jack Johnson
Bobby Ryan
Benoit Pouliot
Gilbert Brule
Anze Kopitar

I think Price was a discussion point of going to LA, because they "needed" a goalie. They had to just settle for Quick in the third round.

This is a great subject.
Quick or Price. Choose one.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Quick, without hesitation.

Imagine how different Quick's rep would be in a different market.

Price's legend is largely built on two back to back monster seasons otherwise he's had a lesser career than JQ and it's not close, even in the regular season when Quick's been hurt and inconsistent.

 

[AlphaBravo]

Quick, without hesitation.

Imagine how different Quick's rep would be in a different market.

Price's legend is largely built on two back to back monster seasons otherwise he's had a lesser career than JQ and it's not close, even in the regular season when Quick's been hurt and inconsistent.

I would take Quick from the 2012-2014 time period because I know he was clutch and helped us win the cup (he was not amazing in 2014, but still good). But it does look like Price is the better goalie on the long-term. Quick has really fall off the map after being superhuman for a few years.

 

[cyclones22]

I would take Quick from the 2012-2014 time period because I know he was clutch and helped us win the cup (he was not amazing in 2014, but still good). But it does look like Price is the better goalie on the long-term. Quick has really fall off the map after being superhuman for a few years.

Not surprising really considering style of play. Quick was one of most explosive if not THE most explosive goaltenders in the league in his prime. Those types of athletes have shorter shelf lives. If Price plays for Nashville he's Tomas Vokun or Pekka Rinne at best. If you play for an Original 6 team add 10 points to your resume.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I would take Quick from the 2012-2014 time period because I know he was clutch and helped us win the cup (he was not amazing in 2014, but still good). But it does look like Price is the better goalie on the long-term. Quick has really fall off the map after being superhuman for a few years.

Price's seasons are largely exactly the same as Quick's. You're only emphasizing my point that his rep exceeds his results.

 

[Reclamation Project]

This is a great subject.
Quick or Price. Choose one.

Quick can't hear you, he's got his two Stanley Cup rings plugging his ears.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Regardless, taking it back to draft philosophy--yes you CAN find goalie gems in later rounds but most of the 1st rounders turn into good starters at the very least. We have plenty of 'Quick-like' lottery tickets in the system, I wouldn't be opposed to taking a bluechip goaltender in this draft of all drafts.

I know I normally am one to say it's better to get your goalie outside the 1st but we have so many of those, just like with every otherprospect position in our org--we need high end, not volume.

 

[King'sPawn]

I'm not anti-taking goalie in the first round. I do think it's risky to spend a high pick on a very volatile position. Since so much of a goalie is mental, focus, and maturity, you HAVE to hit on it.

People don't like a bottom-6/b player with a high pick. You essentially have to guarantee a reliable starter.

 

[LAKings88]

I still think the Kings will get a solid player at 8OA.

Petersen is the next wave goalie. Don’t see LA taking a goalie this year in the first.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Yes, Craig Button is an idiot.

But for once I'd like him to be right about something... this:

Owen Power Craig Button Mock Draft - TSN.ca

8. Los Angeles Kings - D Luke Hughes

Hughes, who has committed to play in Ann Arbor next season, has a great brain for the game and is a great competitor. The younger brother of NHLers Jack and Quinn can impact the game with his skating and puck skills and will be a top-pairing defenceman for the L.A. Kings with the potential to be a No. 1 in the mould of Morgan Rielly.

 

[raswilliam]

Jets bolster blueline, Oilers add skill up front in Button's second mock draft

 

[raswilliam]

Yes, Craig Button is an idiot.

But for once I'd like him to be right about something... this:

Owen Power Craig Button Mock Draft - TSN.ca

8. Los Angeles Kings - D Luke Hughes

Hughes, who has committed to play in Ann Arbor next season, has a great brain for the game and is a great competitor. The younger brother of NHLers Jack and Quinn can impact the game with his skating and puck skills and will be a top-pairing defenceman for the L.A. Kings with the potential to be a No. 1 in the mould of Morgan Rielly.

oops, beat me to it.

 

[All The Kings Men]

 

[Legionnaire]

I'd be thrilled if the Kings drafted Hughes.

 

[Mattias]

Hughes
Wall


Eklund

Guenther


Any of those four and I am content. In the camp for a blue chip goalie if Hughes is not available. We need one so bad

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I still think the Kings will get a solid player at 8OA.

Petersen is the next wave goalie. Don’t see LA taking a goalie this year in the first.

I'd like to see one of the teams ahead of the Kings...Anaheim,New Jersey,Detroit,San Jose take Wallstedt...that means a forward or D-man Kings like will fall to them

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Regardless, taking it back to draft philosophy--yes you CAN find goalie gems in later rounds but most of the 1st rounders turn into good starters at the very least. We have plenty of 'Quick-like' lottery tickets in the system, I wouldn't be opposed to taking a bluechip goaltender in this draft of all drafts.

I know I normally am one to say it's better to get your goalie outside the 1st but we have so many of those, just like with every otherprospect position in our org--we need high end, not volume.

Just like to see our prospects play 2 -3 seasons to determine if any are worthy of being NHL material...Villalta...no...Ingham,maybe,Parik,maybe,Hrenak,if he's not dealt to Seattle in a wink wink deal and Markkanen,maybe...Kings have a shit load of goaltenders,why add to it when they need bonafide scoring wingers and a Stud LD-man?

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Yes, Craig Button is an idiot.

But for once I'd like him to be right about something... this:

Owen Power Craig Button Mock Draft - TSN.ca

8. Los Angeles Kings - D Luke Hughes

Hughes, who has committed to play in Ann Arbor next season, has a great brain for the game and is a great competitor. The younger brother of NHLers Jack and Quinn can impact the game with his skating and puck skills and will be a top-pairing defenceman for the L.A. Kings with the potential to be a No. 1 in the mould of Morgan Rielly.

Having thought it over...if Bjornfot and Anderson can play that shutdown role I'd be OK with LA taking Luke Hughes at 8. Not sure what his potential is but a puck rusher that gets involved on the Offensive side would fill the prescription of the Kings

 

[LAKings88]

I don’t think it’s bad to take a goalie in the first round only that payoff is likely four to five years down the road. Knight cam in relatively early I guess. Hart seems to be struggling after the hype. Even Vasilevsky was the second of two picks in the first round for Tampa. That is ideal imho for taking a goalie in the first.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Not surprising really considering style of play. Quick was one of most explosive if not THE most explosive goaltenders in the league in his prime. Those types of athletes have shorter shelf lives. If Price plays for Nashville he's Tomas Vokun or Pekka Rinne at best. If you play for an Original 6 team add 10 points to your resume.

Price is Vokoun or Rinne at best? No

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Just like to see our prospects play 2 -3 seasons to determine if any are worthy of being NHL material...Villalta...no...Ingham,maybe,Parik,maybe,Hrenak,if he's not dealt to Seattle in a wink wink deal and Markkanen,maybe...Kings have a shit load of goaltenders,why add to it when they need bonafide scoring wingers and a Stud LD-man?

I don't think you go out seeking it, for sure--but if the BPA is a goalie and that's a position of relative need, why not?

Kings have a shitload of goaltenders but they're mostly lottery tickets no matter high we are on any individual one. Like I think Parik COULD be an absolute stud but he's more questions than answers...bringing in a bluechipper to push them is a good move.

I don’t think it’s bad to take goalie in the first round only that payoff is likely four to five years down the road. Knight cam in relatively early I guess. Hart seems to struggling after the hype. Even Vasilevsky was the second of two picks in the first round for Tampa. That is ideal imho for taking a goalie in the first.

Totally agree with this, I think I mentioned before I'd LOVE the Kings to get back into the late first for one of the goalies if they're still around (crossing fingers for Cossa around 20). Kings have the prospects/picks to make it happen.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I don't think you go out seeking it, for sure--but if the BPA is a goalie and that's a position of relative need, why not?

Kings have a shitload of goaltenders but they're mostly lottery tickets no matter high we are on any individual one. Like I think Parik COULD be an absolute stud but he's more questions than answers...bringing in a bluechipper to push them is a good move.




Totally agree with this, I think I mentioned before I'd LOVE the Kings to get back into the late first for one of the goalies if they're still around (crossing fingers for Cossa around 20). Kings have the prospects/picks to make it happen.

Maybe Anaheim takes J Wallstedt because after Gibson there are question marks...O Ek Eriksson and L Dostal?New Jersey has M Blackwood but is he the answer? Columbus have their goaltenders I believe while Detroit are banking on signing J Van Pottelberghe after the 2021-22 season from Switzerland providing someone else doesn't gobble him up. And San Jose may take a goaltender since they've been unhappy with theirs for years and M Jones is now 31 years old...I don't like Cossa for 1 reason and not based on anything other than he'll turn pro next season because of the late 2002 B-day. Kings have a boatload they should work on the other aspects that need addressing...stud L-Dman or two and some big physical wingers that can retrieve pucks...that and a legitimate scoring Wingers! The Big physical Wingers are lacking bigtime in LA and Ontario! As for the scorers well time will tell whether our crop of prospects become scorers at the AHL and NHL level

 

[LAKings88]

Biggest thing for me with goalies is contract.

I just can’t see them justified in getting those upper to max contracts. Such an important position but a hot goalie paid at 3m can go just as far as a 10m a year goalie.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Biggest thing for me with goalies is contract.

I just can’t see them justified in getting those upper to max contracts. Such an important position but a hot goalie paid at 3m can go just as far as a 10m a year goalie.

This year they didn't, and hope ("can") isn't a strategy.

Agreed on the salary though.