Prospect Info: 2024-25 Kings Prospects in CHL/College/Europe

[Statto]

The difference being that a good number of those guys are at minimum in the AHL, ECHL or Europe playing games and under contract to their teams. There is still upside there in those picks.

The Kings likely aren't even going to get a single AHL or ECHL game out of a 2nd round pick which is just disastrous value for that high a selection.

In a vacuum it’s not disastrous because the hit rate on 2nd rounders for any team is relatively low. Unfortunately it becomes a disaster because the development issues we’ve had with 2nd rounders(and 1st for that matter) had presented us with issues, plus the trading away of other high end talent. Don’t get me wrong it never seemed like a great pick but I’m not that mad about it as our drafting has been good. It’s the various other issues post draft that is real issue. The cupboards are not well stocked despite some notable decent prospects.

 

[tigermask48]

Right, there is no real significant loss regarding Hughes, at least nothing that someone like Conmy or Reeder don't almost immediately replace.

The issue becomes that another lottery ticket failing before it even got a chance to succeed for a franchise trying to make the most of it's lottery tickets, right now, does get hurt a bit by this.

Yeah, I've been vocal here the last few years, that the Kings have done and continue to do a great job (for the most part) of scouting and identifying NHL players.

But over that same time they've been pretty bad at developing those talents into tangible results. Especially into top flight NHL players. The skill and talent is there for sure, but LA just has not been able to do much other than turn everyone into fringe NHLers with a few exceptions.

Development definitely continues to be a concern.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The Hughes pick was always a head scratcher, just like the Chris Gibson one...and on both, people here called it immediately, and on both many suggested picks nearby that have gone on to have success.

It happens, but my only point is if we see it at the time, what the heck goes so wrong with those ones? Almost feels like someone 'stealing' your pick in a fantasy draft and you have no contingency plan so you panic pick. Even the dialogue/discussion about why they made those picks and the players themselves was lacking, so what gives?

I actually am one that frequently defends the Kings drafting, too, so this isn't me pretending I can be better, just would love to know what happened int hose cases in particular.

 

[King'sPawn]

The Hughes pick was always a head scratcher, just like the Chris Gibson one...and on both, people here called it immediately, and on both many suggested picks nearby that have gone on to have success.

It happens, but my only point is if we see it at the time, what the heck goes so wrong with those ones? Almost feels like someone 'stealing' your pick in a fantasy draft and you have no contingency plan so you panic pick. Even the dialogue/discussion about why they made those picks and the players themselves was lacking, so what gives?

I actually am one that frequently defends the Kings drafting, too, so this isn't me pretending I can be better, just would love to know what happened int hose cases in particular.

Agreed. Would be interesting to hear some conversations that happened with these players.

I remember one of the things they talked about that was highlighted was how he wouldn't back down despite being much smaller. Compete levels like that are generally favorably viewed as you can't teach that.

I think he just hasn't grown or improved his weaknesses, so his production never improved.

I think they had good reasons, even if I don't think it was a good pick.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Agreed. Would be interesting to hear some conversations that happened with these players.

I remember one of the things they talked about that was highlighted was how he wouldn't back down despite being much smaller. Compete levels like that are generally favorably viewed as you can't teach that.

I think he just hasn't grown or improved his weaknesses, so his production never improved.

I think they had good reasons, even if I don't think it was a good pick.

I can get on board with that

I just remember seeing his draft description and being like "wait, we already have Blake Lizotte" (and Turcotte) and though he's the 'type' he didn't seem to have much 'oomph' otherwise. Obv. they knew more than I did. Just hard for me to fill in the blanks on this one compared to many of their other picks.

 

[Statto]

Agreed. Would be interesting to hear some conversations that happened with these players.

I remember one of the things they talked about that was highlighted was how he wouldn't back down despite being much smaller. Compete levels like that are generally favorably viewed as you can't teach that.

I think he just hasn't grown or improved his weaknesses, so his production never improved.

I think they had good reasons, even if I don't think it was a good pick.

I think one of the issues was that he hadn’t grown or it on weight. I think,it was Yannetti talking about that 12-18 months ago, but no idea if that’s changed.

 

[tigermask48]

As far as Chris Gibson goes, haven't they been on record as saying they just took the best goalie available?
They recognized the need for another goalie in the system, but also had the luxury of taking on a long-term project because they had Quick, Bernier, and Jones at the time.

I think one of the issues was that he hadn’t grown or it on weight. I think,it was Yannetti talking about that 12-18 months ago, but no idea if that’s changed.

Yeah, Hughes is still apparently 165ish, and hasn't grown much if at all. I vaguely recall Yanetti saying they had hoped he'd grow into his just under six foot frame, add like 20lbs, and that just never happened.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Schrute farms]

Wasn't there something recently that said the russion LHDman KK was likely to sign soon (spring/summer)....maybe it was Mayor related.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

As far as Chris Gibson goes, haven't they been on record as saying they just took the best goalie available?
They recognized the need for another goalie in the system, but also had the luxury of taking on a long-term project because they had Quick, Bernier, and Jones at the time.

Yeah, Hughes is still apparently 165ish, and hasn't grown much if at all. I vaguely recall Yanetti saying they had hoped he'd grow into his just under six foot frame, add like 20lbs, and that just never happened.

I could see that especiallys ince he was shorter to begin with

Kind of the Madden problem...dad was built like a fire hydrant, Tyler was like 150 pounds soaking wet, so you'd expect him to put on some man strength but it never happened

 

[tigermask48]

Wasn't there something recently that said the russion LHDman KK was likely to sign soon (spring/summer)....maybe it was Mayor related.

It was from Mayor and it seemed to have some truth as Kirsanov was in LA for dev camp last summer. But he was also injured and never participated on ice iirc. Then he signed a 1 year contract with his KHL team. It sounds like this is the summer it may actually happen as he's healthy, a free agent, and the interest is there.

 

[King'sPawn]

That's very cool. This allows them to assign him to Ontario/the Black Aces after his OHL season ends.

Wasn't there something recently that said the russion LHDman KK was likely to sign soon (spring/summer)....maybe it was Mayor related.

Yeah, Kirsanov is playing in the VHL playoffs now (the minor pro league in Russia). Not sure if he'll be moved up to the KHL as well. The series is tied 1-1.

His contract ends after this season, so hopefully he'll sign with LA afterwards and come to North America.