Kings Article: Kevin Gravel Is Moving Up The LA Kings Depth Chart Fast

[FrozenRoyalty]

He didn't last long with the Los Angeles Kings after his recall on February 11—just four games, and he didn't do anything spectacular, or otherwise notable.

But he was noticed, nevertheless, and by the right people.

The player in question is defenseman prospect Kevin Gravel, whose play over the past year-and-a-half has resulted in him rising to near the top of the Kings' depth chart for defenseman, perhaps even moving to the very top.

For the story on Gravel, including exclusive comments from Gravel and Kings assistant general manager Rob Blake, check out

Kevin Gravel Is Moving Up The LA Kings Depth Chart Fast

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[PJ Kings Hockey]

"If we’re asking a guy to get better hockey sense, that’s tough to do. But we’re not asking him to do that. He’s got all the tools, and you know what? Keep an eye on this guy over the next couple of years. He’s going to be part of [the Kings]."

Pretty impressive praise of Kevin Gravel from Rob Blake. Accepting the AHL contract instead of re-entering the draft and then impressing the staff to this point tells me all I need to know about what kind of player we can expect him to be.

 

[bob77]

Gravel and Forbort are really close on the depth chart. Gravel is a little better offensively and Forbort is probably a little better defensively. Either way, both should be making their way into the lineup, but with DS and DL propensity to keep looking for veteran D, many of which are older and slower or are not physical enough, it a tough road for these two in the Kings organization. They both watch one D after the other brought in and instantly treated by DS as if they are All Stars, when in fact other teams are just letting them go. McNabb, McBain, Ehrhoff, Schenn, Scuderi. Add to that Greene is now older and not so mobile. Meanwhile, the Ducks have groomed Fowler, Vatenen, Lindholm, and Depres and have impessive quickness on the backend. I know the Kings had Stanley Cup success with a few of these guys and this formula, but you can see it's not working, or it wont work all the time. I've been really disappointed this year that they didnt play Forbort and Gravel together on the third pairing for a bit. Its almost like DS refuses to look at it. He has his mind made up. We will sink or swim with his decisions. I am in the category that the Kings will probably lose in the first round. DS is constantly experimenting up and down the entire lineup, and the clock is ticking to get out game in order prior to the playoffs. For all the experimenting he does, it amazes me the experiments he refuses to try. You could throw Mersch into that. Maybe even Dowd. This team rides on the coattails of Kopitar, Doughty, and Quick. Everyone else is along for the ride except for flashes of brilliance from Carter and Toffolli. The current lineup is not the reason why the Kings are first in the division. The current lineup is part of why we have slipped. Its time this lineup do something.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Great article, thanks. I think Gravel should be a fixture next year.
Glad they are high on him. I think he will end up being a lot like Martinez -
solid overall play and dependable...able to contribute some offense.

Am ok with Scuderi acquisition, but bummed he has 1 more year.
Would rather have Gravel take that slot.

 

[BigKing]

Thought he looked much better than Forbort.

 

[Jason Lewis]

I think Gravel is actually better defensively than Forbort but that's just me.

His reads are so stupid good and he is super decisive. When he decides to go, he goes, and it is usually right. Great stick in lanes also, establishes position in corner. If he wants to get better the one aspect is foot speed, and even that is alright.

I'm partial having watched him all season but I think he is good enough to be on the Kings bottom pair right now ahead of McBain/Scuderi/Schenn

 

[King'sPawn]

Good article. Things sure have changed from when Gravel didn't sign an NHL contract and some people were insinuating there were character issues or "deeper things going on."

 

[regulate]

I think Gravel is actually better defensively than Forbort but that's just me.

His reads are so stupid good and he is super decisive. When he decides to go, he goes, and it is usually right. Great stick in lanes also, establishes position in corner. If he wants to get better the one aspect is foot speed, and even that is alright.

I'm partial having watched him all season but I think he is good enough to be on the Kings bottom pair right now ahead of McBain/Scuderi/Schenn

The key word in Jason's sentence is decisive. Gravel has that in spades above Forbort. Gravel > Forbort right now in most people's eyes. Forbort no longer waiver exempt next year, and I wouldn't be upset if both made the Kings next year, but one of the signed players on the current roster will have to go, and that's not likely barring trades.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

The key word in Jason's sentence is decisive. Gravel has that in spades above Forbort. Gravel > Forbort right now in most people's eyes. Forbort no longer waiver exempt next year, and I wouldn't be upset if both made the Kings next year, but one of the signed players on the current roster will have to go, and that's not likely barring trades.

In a way this feels like it might be Hickey v Muzzin all over again. A very promising 1st round pick has kinda stalled out in development versus the unheralded up and comer who just keeps getting better. Both players NHL ready and there's only one NHL spot. While I don't think Gravel has Muzzin's upside I think the choice will be Gravel over Forbort. Much like how Hickey carved out a nice career as a bottom pairing guy on Long Island I could see Forbort moving on and being a bottom pairing guy elsewhere as well.

Of note like you mention Forbort is out of waiver exemptions next year whereas Gravel has two more years (or 56 more games) of exemptions. So Gravel will be behind the 8 ball from an asset management perspective to start next year.

 

[Jason Lewis]

The key word in Jason's sentence is decisive. Gravel has that in spades above Forbort. Gravel > Forbort right now in most people's eyes. Forbort no longer waiver exempt next year, and I wouldn't be upset if both made the Kings next year, but one of the signed players on the current roster will have to go, and that's not likely barring trades.

They have looked good as a pairing in Ontario this year when they have been put together. It isn't left right balance but they are both comfortable with it. That wouldn't be a bad, cheap, young bottom pair for the Kings next season honestly.

 

[Scottkmlps]

Great article, thanks. I think Gravel should be a fixture next year.
Glad they are high on him. I think he will end up being a lot like Martinez -
solid overall play and dependable...able to contribute some offense.

Am ok with Scuderi acquisition, but bummed he has 1 more year.
Would rather have Gravel take that slot.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him take McNabb's spot next year.

 

[Trolfoli]

In a way this feels like it might be Hickey v Muzzin all over again. A very promising 1st round pick has kinda stalled out in development versus the unheralded up and comer who just keeps getting better. Both players NHL ready and there's only one NHL spot. While I don't think Gravel has Muzzin's upside I think the choice will be Gravel over Forbort. Much like how Hickey carved out a nice career as a bottom pairing guy on Long Island I could see Forbort moving on and being a bottom pairing guy elsewhere as well.

Of note like you mention Forbort is out of waiver exemptions next year whereas Gravel has two more years (or 56 more games) of exemptions. So Gravel will be behind the 8 ball from an asset management perspective to start next year.

Wouldn't surprise me for Forbort to be dealt this Summer.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Wouldn't surprise me for Forbort to be dealt this Summer.

That's what I expect.

I would like to see him have an NHL career. Being a first-rounder can be a millstone of expectations.

 

[FrozenRoyalty]

I think Gravel is actually better defensively than Forbort but that's just me.

His reads are so stupid good and he is super decisive. When he decides to go, he goes, and it is usually right. Great stick in lanes also, establishes position in corner. If he wants to get better the one aspect is foot speed, and even that is alright.

I'm partial having watched him all season but I think he is good enough to be on the Kings bottom pair right now ahead of McBain/Scuderi/Schenn

He's better than Forbort in all aspects of the game, IMHO.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Not fast enough! Hurry, KG, you're our only hope!

Great article Gann, thank you.

His IQ is fascinating and he looked faster to me than Forbort but that may just be his decisiveness getting him to the right spots faster. And he uses every inch of that wingspan, it's amazing. I think he's a good bottom pairing guy right now and the sky is the limit with those smarts.