I know the correct way is to draft BPA and when Yannetti talks, it seems that is their approach, but if they have a few players in an exact tier, they then look at a few tie breakers - do they have a need at a certain position in the system and that becomes their pick, maybe intangibles as a tie breaker, etc.
I'm sure they're accutely aware what is lacking in the pipeline and with so many that have graduated and lack of a #1 selection last 2 drafts, there is now needs in most every position. Goaltending was the weakest a few years ago, but not at the moment...with Portillo doing well (except last game) and Slukynski really impressing this year...add in that Ingham has re-established himself in the ECHL and should be in Ontario next yr. I'd let go of Dell and Copley.
Last 3 drafts :
Center is now a weak spot, as the last 3 drafts have seen Hughes, Pinelli and Helenius. Helenius has a shot to become a 4C...Pinelli had an okay first yr in Ont, but came on at the end...and yet gets benched in the playoffs, as Sturm goes with vets...what kind of development is that for Pinelli? And Hughes moves to BU and his numbers still underwhelming...esp for his 3rd year. I don't get that pick and would be surprised he ever gets a contract.
Wings - Ziemmer was a great 3rd rd pick and was surprised he didn't go in the second rd. Too bad the anke injury set him back most of the yr. I think he can play in the AHL, but WHL may be best, to get a full season there, UNLESS he shows he's really ready for the AHL and has a good Summer and camp...I guess they can make that decision in a few months. LW Conmy had a great Freshman year. Led New Hamp in scoring...saw some of his high;ights. Impressive. Was like a young Cammaleri. Maybe there's a player in 2 yrs? Good instincts and nice shot. Great for 6th rd. Connors seemed to tail off. Jared Wright had a great yr at Denver U and out of his 15 goals, 5 were game winners, including a big one in finals. Great 6th rd pick and may be a pro after next yr?
Aatu Jamsen goes back to 2020 draft and has had 2 good years in Liiga and now coming over. This is great....good skills and scoring touch. Kaleb Lawrence...had a good season and surpased 20 goals and 9 pts in 8 playoff games...2 suspensions? Did not see why...but Kings could use a 6'7" 220 lb winger that does some rough play...I was not impressed with him at rookie camp, but hopefully he's come a long way. May get a contract, apparently. The Kings really need a few in this list to SURPASS the ones that have not turned the corner and made a bigger impact: Chromiak, Madden. Fagemo..I cannot figure out, except that he does not have more elements than a pro shot and goal scoring touch...to be a top 6 in the NHL...Or to be effective bottom 6er. Too bad. Seems like he deserves a shot, but no spot. Andre Lee goes back to the 2019 draft and may yet get a shot at line 4 on the Kings...yet, I do not see the Kings bringing in more than Akil and Turcotte for 24-25...UNLESS Lee or Helnius truly beats one of those out? Or, Turc gets traded? I'd rather keep Turcotte and finally see what he has at NHL level for a full season.
Defense -
Clarke. His time has come. Let Roy go...try to get a pick for his rights and give Clarke a spot. 3 years sonce drafted? Geez...Clarke would somehow be second pairing on most NHL clubs now. No, he's not a dumpster fire on D. Give him a spot. Kings BADLY need offense from backend.
The rest is kind of weak. Dvorak was a great pick and has upside, I would surmise he will be in Ontario...still 18! Turns 19 MAY 25. LHD still needs a legit top pairing type. Also - Booth signed, but seemingly a best possible future botton LHD...not much offense. Losing Toby was boneheaded. Maybe drafting Toby at #22 OA was the mistake? No size, offensive game...but some caharacter, good skating and capt of his team? Drafting vanilla not working,,.Toby, Hughes. Now, if Kirasnov comes over and can play in North America? That could be huge...turns 22 in Sept. Has a 24-25 contract in KHL Torpedo. Can he get out of that and sign here? I bet he could challenge for 3LHD now. Not sold on another year of Engund...contract or not. Gav could truly help Kirsanov as well.
Mania. RHD. I didn;t hear much about his season...I know he has good skating and decent skills....Sparkes? Looked good at rookie camp and moves pretty well at 6'8" 238. Going to Mich State this season...will be big for him and know what the Kings may or may not have by this time next yr. Salin? Has performed well...but how well? Another 5'11" defenseman and RHD? Not sure he has a future and just the next Nousiainen..albeit slighlty better?
I'd say since C is weak, would draft a center at 21 OA. As long as has REAL upside. No Jack Hughes'. Maybe Hage falls to 21. Boisvert could be there, but has some question marks, but upside. There's Jett Luchanko...the unicorn that is Letourneau. Andrew Basha. But since QB is seemingly taking center soon...and Turcotte could surprise as a 3rd center STILL YET....or Pinelli take a big step...a top winger or D would be fine at 21 OA. Maybe Greentree, Connelly, or Chernyshov fall to 21. Love Connelly's goal scoring, but seems to not fit the Kings mantra of 200 ft player...Greentree or Chrenyshov may be great picks here...IF Chernyshov could commit to coming to USA, within a yr. I think the Kings do not take a big risk with their first #1 pick in 3 years...but do not want then to go ultra safe.
D that my be good at 21: LHD Solberg, LHD Freij...both late risers. I'd be fine with either. Seems Hutson and Kiviharju are not the best for 21 OA, with some that will be available at 21. I wish the Kings had a second rd pick. Maybe they could deal Roy's rights for a #2 or #3 rd? Or deal Arty for a #3 rd? Sux.
An intriguing defenseman could be 6'6"216 lb 19 year old, Jesse Pulkinnen, He had a lackluster year at 18 and apparently busted his azz to become a player, after not being drafted.,,,talk of him sneaking into rd 1. After reading about him and seeing this video...I'd be down...If Yannetti and staff believe he's best at 21. To me, if someone improves every area of their fame from 18 to 19...who's to say he's just getting warmed up and keeps elevating year to year.. He's a beast and plays physical...why not? What's the downside? The Kings took 20 year old Pearson in 2012? Worked out pretty well...until his game fell off...yet 285 pts NHL career, pretty good for 30th overall 20 yr old.
Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Jesse Pulkkinen, 2004-12-27 Laukaa, FIN Finland. Most recently in the Liiga with JYP. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com
After watching this....I would love to see the Kings draft him. Who at 21, in all of the lists out there, will truly have more upside than Pulkinnen? He's a beast and going to get much better, too. I'm weary of the draft eligibles that show little growth from 17 to 18...Tanner Howe's etc....than see a player like Pulkinnen, that grew so much from 18 to 19 and seems to be already handling himself more than well in Liiga.
MASSIVE U20 numbers, before being elevated to LIIGA, Loving the 47 PIM in 18 games. 28 pts...11 goals? Then 10 pts in 7 playoff games. Just dominated. Also had a good U20 WJC. Followed by good Liiga numbers. 29 games 8 pts...24 pim and a minus 1. Most on that team were minus, for that matter. Many -10 or more.
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]
U20 SM-sarja[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]
28[/TD]
[TD]47[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]
Playoffs[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]
10[/TD]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]
Finland U20[/TD]
[TD]
WJC-20[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]
3[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]
JYP[/TD]
[TD]
Liiga[/TD]
[TD]29[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]
8[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]-1[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]