Dean Lombardi Drafts versus Rob Blake Drafts

[King'sPawn]

I have set up a spreadsheet I started a few years ago, and since it came up in a different thread, I thought I'd trot out some numbers so people can see the trends which have stayed and trends which may have stayed the same.

Keep in mind Lombardi has about 10 drafts to Blake's three, so the sample size is quite different, but it may still be something to think about during the offseason.

Draft pick totals:
Lombardi
1st: 9
2nd: 12
3rd: 12
4th: 12
5th: 14
6th: 10
7th: 13
Total: 82

Blake
1st: 4
2nd: 4
3rd: 3
4th: 5
5th: 3
6th: 3
7th: 1
Total: 23

OHL Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 16
Defense: 11
Goalie: 0
Total: 27

Blake
Forwards: 5
Defense: 1
Goalie: 2
Total: 8

WHL Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 9
Defense: 4
Goalie: 2
Total: 15

Blake
Forwards: 1
Defense: 0
Goalie: 0
Total: 1

QMJHL Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 3
Defense: 2
Goalies: 3
Total: 8

Blake
Forwards: 0
Defense: 1
Goalies: 0
Total: 1

USHL Picks (includes USNTDP)
Lombardi
Forwards: 4
Defense: 4
Goalie: 0
Total: 8

Blake
Forwards: 2
Defense: 2
Goalie: 0
Total: 4

NCAA Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 6
Defense: 2
Goalies: 1
Total: 9

Blake
Forwards: 0
Defense: 0
Goalies: 1
Total: 1

European Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 7
Defense: 4
Goalie: 0
Total: 11

Blake
Forwards: 4
Defense: 2
Goalies: 1
Total: 7

Lesser Leagues (High School, AJHL, BCHL, etc)
Lombardi
Forwards: 2
Defense: 1
Goalie: 1
Total: 4

Blake
Forwards: 0
Defense: 1
Goalie: 0
Total: 1

Picks by Nationality
Lombardi
Canadian: 42
American: 21
Swedish: 5
Russian: 6
Slovak: 1
Czech: 3
Finnish: 2
Other: 1

Blake
Canadian: 7
American: 6
Swedish: 4
Russian: 1
Slovak: 1
Czech: 1
Finnish: 2
Other: 1

Size
Lombardi
Forwards under 6'0: 11
Forwards 6'0" - 6'1": 20
Forwards > 6'1": 17

Defense under 6'0: 3
Defense 6'0" - 6'1": 12
Defense > 6'1": 12

Goalies under 6'0: 1
Goalies 6'0" - 6'1": 5
Goalies > 6'1": 1

Blake
Forwards under 6'0: 4
Forwards 6'0" - 6'1": 4
Forwards > 6'1": 4

Defense under 6'0: 3
Defense 6'0" - 6'1": 4
Defense > 6'1": 0

Goalies under 6'0: 0
Goalies 6'0" - 6'1": 0
Goalies > 6'1": 4

There is quite a bit more (I broke a lot of this stuff down by round, too, but I get cross-eyed when I try to make tables via HTML). Anyway, here are some things which stand out:
- Nearly 30% of all of Blake's picks have been from Europe, as opposed to Lombardi's 13%
- Blake has yet to draft a defenseman 6'2 or bigger. But all four of the goalies he's drafted have size. Lombardi was a lot more predisposed to size with his skaters (only 14 skaters in 10 years were under 6'0).
- Both Blake and Lombardi draft a lot of forwards out of the OHL. 16/82 picks (20%) were done by Lombardi, and 5/23 picks (22%) were made by Blake
- Blake has spent more first round picks in Europe (2 - Kupari and Bjornfot) than Lombardi (1 - Kempe)

I'm not trying to draw any specific conclusions, but some of these trends are interesting, in my opinion.

Click to read more...

 

[KingCanadain1976]

I think this will be interesting to go back to in 3 years or so. I don't think Blake has had enough drafts to say much about his drafting yet.

 

[King'sPawn]

I think this will be interesting to go back to in 3 years or so. I don't think Blake has had enough drafts to say much about his drafting yet.

I agree. Sample size is definitely a big factor. I do think it's interesting that Blake has already drafted as many defensemen under 6' in three years as Lombardi has in 10 years.

 

[BigKing]

The big change for me is Europe. With DL's drafts going all the way back to when size was more highly valued, it is no surprise that he drafted larger skaters.

OHL pipeline with Futa remains open. WHL has been weaker the past few years which is probably a good reason why Blake has been down on it.

 

[KINGS17]

Number of Americans and Canadians taken by Blake almost even, which speaks to improvements in U.S development system. Also U.S. population is about ten times the population of Canada.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Great job KP, really interesting. What came to mind was how the game has changed the last 3+ seasons. With more put into skating, puck distributing and basically the speed of the game has ticked up. A lot fewer big bruising types being drafted by LA, though I like the Andre Lee with a flyer in the 7th. Jonny Utah must be seriously bummed out . I think both GMs trend towards character over flash, with Blake so far taking a few calculated risks to up the skill of the organization. Fun and interesting to watch it play out.

 

[King'sPawn]

Great job KP, really interesting. What came to mind was how the game has changed the last 3+ seasons. With more put into skating, puck distributing and basically the speed of the game has ticked up. A lot fewer big bruising types being drafted by LA, though I like the Andre Lee with a flyer in the 7th. Jonny Utah must be seriously bummed out . I think both GMs trend towards character over flash, with Blake so far taking a few calculated risks to up the skill of the organization. Fun and interesting to watch it play out.

I agree! There are definitely a lot of factors this doesn't take into account. But it does at least show either the organization's or Rob Blake's responses to changes happening in the NHL.

 

[Vino]

Lombardi

Left shooting Dman 16 (or 15, but I think DesLauriers was drafted as LD)
Right shooting Dman 12

Blake

Left shooting Dman 6 (Björnfot, Nousiainen, Doyle, Anderson, Phillips, Hults)
Right shooting Dman 1 (Spence #95, 4th round, 2019)

 

[King'sPawn]

Lombardi

Left shooting Dman 16 (or 15, but I think DesLauriers was drafted as LD)
Right shooting Dman 12

Blake

Left shooting Dman 6 (Björnfot, Nousiainen, Doyle, Anderson, Phillips, Hults)
Right shooting Dman 1 (Spence #95, 4th round, 2019)

Hmm, I may have to go through the picks again, but I have that Lombardi drafted 10 Right-handed and 17 Left-handed defensemen

 

[Reaper45]

First glance it seems like he either doesnt trust his scouts in the WHL or the QMJHL or that the talent is not what it was during Lombardi's time. Any idea which scouts handle those leagues? He also seems to trust Ruutu quite a bit.

 

[Vino]

Hmm, I may have to go through the picks again, but I have that Lombardi drafted 10 Right-handed and 17 Left-handed defensemen

I use eliteprospects.com.

2006
RD: Ryan. LD: Andersen, Nolet (In my mind Braun is LW, not LD).

2007
RD: Kidd. LD: Hickey, Martinez

2008
RD: Doughty, Teubert, Voynov. LD: Cambell

2009
RD: Kolomatis. LD: DesLauriers

2010
RD: - . LD: Forbort, Gravel.

2011
RD: -. LD: -

2012
RD: Miller, LaDue, Ebert. LD: -

2013
RD: - . LD: Leslie

2014
RD: McKeown. LD: Lintuniemi, Johnson, Middleton

2015
RD: Cernak, Roy. LD: -

2016
RD: - . LD: Clague, Moverare, Friend.

Did I miss something?

 

[King'sPawn]

I use eliteprospects.com.

2006
RD: Ryan. LD: Andersen, Nolet (In my mind Braun is LW, not LD).

2007
RD: Kidd. LD: Hickey, Martinez

2008
RD: Doughty, Teubert, Voynov. LD: Cambell

2009
RD: Kolomatis. LD: DesLauriers

2010
RD: - . LD: Forbort, Gravel.

2011
RD: -. LD: -

2012
RD: Miller, LaDue, Ebert. LD: -

2013
RD: - . LD: Leslie

2014
RD: McKeown. LD: Lintuniemi, Johnson, Middleton

2015
RD: Cernak, Roy. LD: -

2016
RD: - . LD: Clague, Moverare, Friend.

Did I miss something?

In 2015 you forgot Reddekopp, a left shot defenseman.

I also thought I counted Braun as a d, but now I don't know.

And I just realized I have 28 defensemen in the draft for Lombardi and only counted for the handedness of 27.

I'll need to go back and see what I missed then.

 

[YP44]

I think this will more show league wide trends. For example size of players being drafted getting smaller is not just an LA thing.

 

[Vino]

I think this will more show league wide trends. For example size of players being drafted getting smaller is not just an LA thing.

Hmm, watch how many small players Chicago drafted this year... . 6'4 - 6'6 - 6'3 - 6'0 - 6'6 - 6'2. Are they ahead of the curve or behind the curve?

 

[YP44]

Hmm, watch how many small players Chicago drafted this year... . 6'4 - 6'6 - 6'3 - 6'0 - 6'6 - 6'2. Are they ahead of the curve or behind the curve?

I think the new curve will be size with speed. Not sure on if that fits Chicago's picks.

 

[ru4reals]

I have set up a spreadsheet I started a few years ago, and since it came up in a different thread, I thought I'd trot out some numbers so people can see the trends which have stayed and trends which may have stayed the same.

Keep in mind Lombardi has about 10 drafts to Blake's three, so the sample size is quite different, but it may still be something to think about during the offseason.

Draft pick totals:
Lombardi
1st: 9
2nd: 12
3rd: 12
4th: 12
5th: 14
6th: 10
7th: 13
Total: 82

Blake
1st: 4
2nd: 4
3rd: 3
4th: 5
5th: 3
6th: 3
7th: 1
Total: 23

OHL Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 16
Defense: 11
Goalie: 0
Total: 27

Blake
Forwards: 5
Defense: 1
Goalie: 2
Total: 8

WHL Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 9
Defense: 4
Goalie: 2
Total: 15

Blake
Forwards: 1
Defense: 0
Goalie: 0
Total: 1

QMJHL Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 3
Defense: 2
Goalies: 3
Total: 8

Blake
Forwards: 0
Defense: 1
Goalies: 0
Total: 1

USHL Picks (includes USNTDP)
Lombardi
Forwards: 4
Defense: 4
Goalie: 0
Total: 8

Blake
Forwards: 2
Defense: 2
Goalie: 0
Total: 4

NCAA Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 6
Defense: 2
Goalies: 1
Total: 9

Blake
Forwards: 0
Defense: 0
Goalies: 1
Total: 1

European Picks
Lombardi
Forwards: 7
Defense: 4
Goalie: 0
Total: 11

Blake
Forwards: 4
Defense: 2
Goalies: 1
Total: 7

Lesser Leagues (High School, AJHL, BCHL, etc)
Lombardi
Forwards: 2
Defense: 1
Goalie: 1
Total: 4

Blake
Forwards: 0
Defense: 1
Goalie: 0
Total: 1

Picks by Nationality
Lombardi
Canadian: 42
American: 21
Swedish: 5
Russian: 6
Slovak: 1
Czech: 3
Finnish: 2
Other: 1

Blake
Canadian: 7
American: 6
Swedish: 4
Russian: 1
Slovak: 1
Czech: 1
Finnish: 2
Other: 1

Size
Lombardi
Forwards under 6'0: 11
Forwards 6'0" - 6'1": 20
Forwards > 6'1": 17

Defense under 6'0: 3
Defense 6'0" - 6'1": 12
Defense > 6'1": 12

Goalies under 6'0: 1
Goalies 6'0" - 6'1": 5
Goalies > 6'1": 1

Blake
Forwards under 6'0: 4
Forwards 6'0" - 6'1": 4
Forwards > 6'1": 4

Defense under 6'0: 3
Defense 6'0" - 6'1": 4
Defense > 6'1": 0

Goalies under 6'0: 0
Goalies 6'0" - 6'1": 0
Goalies > 6'1": 4

There is quite a bit more (I broke a lot of this stuff down by round, too, but I get cross-eyed when I try to make tables via HTML). Anyway, here are some things which stand out:
- Nearly 30% of all of Blake's picks have been from Europe, as opposed to Lombardi's 13%
- Blake has yet to draft a defenseman 6'2 or bigger. But all four of the goalies he's drafted have size. Lombardi was a lot more predisposed to size with his skaters (only 14 skaters in 10 years were under 6'0).
- Both Blake and Lombardi draft a lot of forwards out of the OHL. 16/82 picks (20%) were done by Lombardi, and 5/23 picks (22%) were made by Blake
- Blake has spent more first round picks in Europe (2 - Kupari and Bjornfot) than Lombardi (1 - Kempe)

I'm not trying to draw any specific conclusions, but some of these trends are interesting, in my opinion.

Props to you for this. Great insight on both GM's.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I'm not sure what we're supposed to get out of this.

 

[King'sPawn]

I'm not sure what we're supposed to get out of this.

Not really anything specific, to be honest. As stated, it's a small sample size for Blake, but compared to Lombardi, he is drafting more Europeans, has been drafting bigger goalies and there's been less of an emphasis on big defensemen.

Those are the biggest differences in drafting styles based on the sample size thus far.

Some feel it's more of a reflection on the changes in the league, while others may argue it's what Blake has put an emphasis on.

I'm not trying to push an agenda one way or another; it's just going to be slow in the upcoming weeks and thought there could be some discussion on it

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

First glance it seems like he either doesnt trust his scouts in the WHL or the QMJHL or that the talent is not what it was during Lombardi's time. Any idea which scouts handle those leagues? He also seems to trust Ruutu quite a bit.

Both leagues have fallen a bit behind in turning out quantity of talent is all, I think

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It's been quite some time the Kings had more than one or two prospects to get excited over. Of course it's hard to say how many of these guys will be legit NHL talent, but in terms of restocking a barren cupboard, Rob Blake has been very impressive in adding versus subtracting.

Now to see what becomes of these prospects and when the time comes, how the organization will start dealing from a position of strength. It took Lombardi's staff about five seasons to finally take that next step, and I feel like we're now entering the first season under an actual plan towards a youth movement.

 

[kingsboy11]

This is definitely something to keep an eye for the next couple of years. Not easy to to see the trends right away, but I think within the next 2 drafts it'll become much clearer.

 

[Herby]

I'm totally cool with the Kings staying clear of the WHL. These scouts have a brutal track record evaluating WHL players, especially ones considered high end.

I was very happy we didn't end up with either of the WHL centers as was rumored after we lost the lottery.

 

[BigKing]

It's been quite some time the Kings had more than one or two prospects to get excited over. Of course it's hard to say how many of these guys will be legit NHL talent, but in terms of restocking a barren cupboard, Rob Blake has been very impressive in adding versus subtracting.

Now to see what becomes of these prospects and when the time comes, how the organization will start dealing from a position of strength. It took Lombardi's staff about five seasons to finally take that next step, and I feel like we're now entering the first season under an actual plan towards a youth movement.

I think this is the first season of an on-ice youth movement but keeping all of their picks (except the one used for Torrie Mitchell) over the last three drafts give it a bit of a jump-start. Hopefully it doesn't take five years. Again, Vilardi could really help that, lottery luck next year and salvaging some quality out of Lombardi's last two drafts (Wagner, Roy, Clague).

 

[Sol]

It's wasn't hard to see that Dean had a boner for meat and potatoes north American boys.


Nice to see Blake is drafting in different regions.

 

[kilowatt]

It's wasn't hard to see that Dean had a ***** for meat and potatoes north American boys.


Nice to see Blake is drafting in different regions.

they were the only ones that could understand what the f*** sutter was saying

kyle clifford wasnt so much a leader as he was a translator