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

[LAKings88]

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

Agreed on the salary though.

Price Still hasn’t won anything. Lundqvist or Luongo didn’t either. Rinne too. Florida Bob. Dipietro (yikes).

It’s such a symbiotic position. Some guys are a cut above and can steal games but I just don’t think the results have ever proven out while taking up cap space. A strong team can carry an average goalie more than a brilliant goalie can carry a weak team. Just my opinion tho.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Price Still hasn’t won anything. Lundqvist or Luongo didn’t either. Rinne too. Florida Bob. Dipietro (yikes).

It’s such a symbiotic position. Some guys are a cut above and can steal games but I just don’t think the results have ever proven out while taking up cap space. A strong team can carry an average goalie more than a brilliant goalie can carry a weak team. Just my opinion tho.

Sure and I'm not saying throw 10m at a guy. It's a dumb idea. Only that 'replacement level goaltending' is all you need is a myth. Where'd the Avs go?

The last 'average' guy that won a cup was Binnington catching fire. Niemi. Leighton. Look what happened to them and their teams shortly thereafter.

You need some real stability to go deep. A goalie with a high floor that can catch absolute fire, mentally strong, can handle a workload. The 'elite 40 game' guys are a meltdown waiting to happen. Yeah a strong team can carry an average goalie to the 2nd round but when you run into other juggernauts the best goalie often wins. Avs vs. Vegas, TBL vs. Carolina, go on down the line. We're talking about marginal gains at the highest level and 'top 15' isn't good enough if you have to play those teams repeatedly across a series.

Yes sometimes it's the 'hottest' goalie rather than the best, but again, that's not a strategy. That's blind luck. You don't build a franchise praying for Binnington.

 

[TruKingFan]

I enjoy checking out different mock drafts from different pages, but I gotta say, this one has me very surprised because of one specific reason. Anyone else see it?View attachment 446865

Detroit taking 2 goalies?

 

[LAKings88]

I still like Beniers. Kid is just good at hockey.

 

[funky]

There are 12 guys that I really like and we are picking 8. That is good odds.

Powers
Edvidsson
Hughes
Clarke
Lambos

Wallstedt

Guenther
Eklund
McTavish
Beniers
Johnson

Raty - still intrigued by this guy.

if we make the pic we still add to our collection of prospects. We are loaded up on center’s right now but who knows how this off-season shakes out with trades. I love those five defenseman and out of the forwards I think Guenther would complement Byfield really well


I have a big feeling to pick is in play though

 

[Mats26]

There are 12 guys that I really like and we are picking 8. That is good odds.

Powers
Edvidsson
Hughes
Clarke
Lambos

Wallstedt

Guenther
Eklund
McTavish
Beniers
Johnson

Raty - still intrigued by this guy.

if we make the pic we still add to our collection of prospects. We are loaded up on center’s right now but who knows how this off-season shakes out with trades. I love those five defenseman and out of the forwards I think Guenther would complement Byfield really well


I have a big feeling to pick is in play though

If you remove Powers and Berniers, they won't be available at #8, we still have a good shot to pick BPA at these positions:

Potential Top Tier Goalie
Potential Top D man or at least a very good #2 Dman
Top Winger

Also I would add Lysell to the list.

 

[Docgonzo]

I think my list for what I hope for is

Hughes
Eklund
Johnson



Guenther
Wallstedt

 

[Legionnaire]

There are 12 guys that I really like and we are picking 8. That is good odds.

Powers
Edvidsson
Hughes
Clarke
Lambos

Wallstedt

Guenther
Eklund
McTavish
Beniers
Johnson

Raty - still intrigued by this guy.

if we make the pic we still add to our collection of prospects. We are loaded up on center’s right now but who knows how this off-season shakes out with trades. I love those five defenseman and out of the forwards I think Guenther would complement Byfield really well


I have a big feeling to pick is in play though

This is a unique draft. The Kings could possibly nab the best player at number 8.

The Kings are still rebuilding and the fact that we could draft any position and still be addressing a need proves that.

Hopefully the Kings are able to add a piece that will be a major part of the future core.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Any word if there will be a draft party this year?

The last one I attended was 2019, and having it take place at the Grand Central Market was such a terrible decision, and a giant step backwards from previous draft parties.

I think the last one previous to 2019 that was fun to attend was the 2008 draft at what was then the Nokia Theater. They made a pretty decent selection that day.


I think Johnny Utah was upset the Kings didn’t draft the meat head with the second pick.

 

[Herby]

Any word if there will be a draft party this year?

The last one I attended was 2019, and having it take place at the Grand Central Market was such a terrible decision, and a giant step backwards from previous draft parties.

I think the last one previous to 2019 that was fun to attend was the 2008 draft at what was then the Nokia Theater. They made a pretty decent selection that day.


I think Johnny Utah was upset the Kings didn’t draft the meat head with the second pick.

Hey buddy, your people all wanted the meat head too because his name ended in "ian"

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Hey buddy, your people all wanted the meat head too because his name ended in "ian"

Ha, I think they were joking about that one. I can tell you we were hoping for Tyler Myers at 12, until they swapped places with Buffalo so they could select Colten f***ing Teubert.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Can't talk about draft parties without talking about Thomas Hickey!

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Can't talk about draft parties without talking about Thomas Hickey!

Thank God they had an open bar for that one.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Wheeler's Rankings--

Wheeler: NHL Draft's top 100 prospects — Michigan players top the 2021 ranking

Probably the best read of them all this year, I'm biased, love his coverage. Paywalled, but if you don't have The Athletic, you're missing out imo.

I'll just say he's extremely high on Kent Johnson and I could see the draft playing out this way leaving us with very good players to choose from.

 

[AnThGrt]

I truly love Wheeler's "The Gifted" series he does.

I tend to agree with him that in a draft like this why not go for Johnson as his upside is great if reached. Given how everyone here clamors for Zegras he is not the same yet the closest player this draft to him.

Barring we do not move the pick I am super excited to see how the draft plays out and confident we walk away with an amazing piece.

 

[King'sPawn]

Wheeler's Rankings--

Wheeler: NHL Draft's top 100 prospects — Michigan players top the 2021 ranking

Probably the best read of them all this year, I'm biased, love his coverage. Paywalled, but if you don't have The Athletic, you're missing out imo.

I'll just say he's extremely high on Kent Johnson and I could see the draft playing out this way leaving us with very good players to choose from.

Agreed.

I am high on Hughes, Peart, and Hreschuk as far as left D.

Up front, Johnson has grown on me. I still think Lucius could be arguably the best forward.

I also like Tyler Boucher in the 2nd-4th round.

 

[BringTheReign]

Agreed.

I am high on Hughes, Peart, and Hreschuk as far as left D.

Up front, Johnson has grown on me. I still think Lucius could be arguably the best forward.

I also like Tyler Boucher in the 2nd-4th round.

Wheeler answered a question in the comments comparing Faber to Peart favorably in terms of potential to rapidly develop in his D+1 year, which is a great sign. It would be fantastic to nab him if we miss out on one of the big 4 (or 5 if you include Lambos).

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I bet Peart goes up to the 20s.

Hadn't really thought too much about Cole Sillinger until today either.

 

[King'sPawn]

Wheeler answered a question in the comments comparing Faber to Peart favorably in terms of potential to rapidly develop in his D+1 year, which is a great sign. It would be fantastic to nab him if we miss out on one of the big 4 (or 5 if you include Lambos).

I wish I had said that before you mentioned it, because honestly, I thought the exact same.

Watch a shift-by-shift game if you haven't already. Dude is one of the most composed and economical players with the puck. Doesn't bow down under pressure, and only carries/holds onto the puck for as long as he needs to before distributing it. He doesn't overskate with the puck.

 

[Herby]

I truly love Wheeler's "The Gifted" series he does.

I tend to agree with him that in a draft like this why not go for Johnson as his upside is great if reached. Given how everyone here clamors for Zegras he is not the same yet the closest player this draft to him.

Barring we do not move the pick I am super excited to see how the draft plays out and confident we walk away with an amazing piece.

Yup, go back and read the Zegras posts, you could use the Spider man meme to describe the two of them leading into the draft. I guess the big difference is KJ was being drafted after his freshman year while Zegras was being drafted out of the NTDP.

Zegras has obviously taken gigantic steps in both his D+1 and D+2 seasons, and also looks like he will play C in the NHL, which I don't think is very likely for KJ. But it really isn't out of the realm of possibility that KJ explodes next year as the game slows down for him, and he hopefully lives at Yost's weight room.

I'm thinking it's less and less likely that he is there for the Kings at 8, it only takes 1 GM wanting to swing for the fences.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Yup, go back and read the Zegras posts, you could use the Spider man meme to describe the two of them leading into the draft. I guess the big difference is KJ was being drafted after his freshman year while Zegras was being drafted out of the NTDP.

Zegras has obviously taken gigantic steps in both his D+1 and D+2 seasons, and also looks like he will play C in the NHL, which I don't think is very likely for KJ. But it really isn't out of the realm of possibility that KJ explodes next year as the game slows down for him, and he hopefully lives at Yost's weight room.

I'm thinking it's less and less likely that he is there for the Kings at 8, it only takes 1 GM wanting to swing for the fences.

When I started seeing him falling down draft boards it shocked me a little but I just figured maybe I was missing something. Dude was a cheat code last year, and still looked like a madman as a college frosh. I think people are overthinking it, and yeah, a guy with a slight profile vs. a bunch of men is gonna take a little time.

 

[kinghock]

Agreed.

I am high on Hughes, Peart, and Hreschuk as far as left D.

Up front, Johnson has grown on me. I still think Lucius could be arguably the best forward.

I also like Tyler Boucher in the 2nd-4th round.

I really like all your choices, but want to add one more.
I believe Kings need elite goalie prospect really bad.
I would take Benjamin Gaudreau with one of our second round picks.
I do not believe Hughes will be available at 8th.

My dream draft for first 4 picks will be:
Johnson
Peart
Gaudreau
Boucher

 

[Lt Dan]

McKeen's/Yahoo Mock Draft
Mock Entry Draft: 1.0

8. Los Angeles Kings - LW William Eklund - Djurgardens (SHL)
The rich get richer. Then again, at spot #8, it’s happening one way or another. Eklund is a play-driving forward who just had an excellent draft year season in the SHL. He has quite a motor and despite not being the biggest guy, he navigates very well in greasy areas. Alas, even for those who are the most enthralled with him as a player, there is reasonable doubt about just how high his offensive upside is. But there’s no doubt that he’ll one day be taking a regular shift in a top nine position in the NHL and that’s just what the Kings need to add the most in light of their embarrassment of high-end prospect riches.

 

[LAKings88]

McKeen's/Yahoo Mock Draft
Mock Entry Draft: 1.0

Would love this.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

I bet Peart goes up to the 20s.

Hadn't really thought too much about Cole Sillinger until today either.

I began noticing more about Sillinger the past few weeks. Based on what I have read, he seems to be very strong, focused, works hard and leadership qualities as well.
Wheeler stated his shot is third best in this class. At 6'0" 201 and his dedication to the gym, his legs and some toughness, I would not think taken at #8 overall is a reach.
One stated this: “I’d say Sillinger is ahead of Guenther. He’s more dynamic. He can take over a game by himself. Guenther’s very good, really good, but Sillinger is scary. He’s a freak. Sillinger’s a stud.
The Kings could use a scary freak that wants to take over games. This class does not have many forwards with size, toughness and skill. Plus, he can play LW or C.

There's a great article on theathletic about him. Need to ne a member.
NHL Draft prospect Cole Sillinger is done keeping up with his family. Now it's about surpassing them.

These are good numbers. more than a PPG in Medicine Hat his 17 year season.

2019-20	Medicine Hat Tigers	WHL	48	22	31	53	22	19	|
Canada White U17	WHC-17	6	5	0	5	2		|
2020-21	Sioux Falls Stampede	USHL	31	24	22	46	39	5	|

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

All of his 20-21 goals: