Kings Future on Defense

[LAKings88]

I think LA has a bright future on defense that is very underrated as far as the cupboard goes.

Roy and Walker are established and both still have room to grow.

*I still love MacD’s game

Mikey Anderson and Bjornfot are defensive studs.

Clague and Durzi have some offensive flair but need to nail down a spot (trade bait)
I can see either competing for Walker’s spot.

*Brickley can’t see him in an LA lineup really

Excited about the pipeline tho:
Hults (dark horse solid player)
Faber
Spence
Grans

Nouisinan (sp)
Morverare
Philips (pushed down on the depth chart)
Strand (same)

Not all of them will make it to LA but I think the Kings have some solid players ready to step in the next few years.

Click to read more...

 

[Peter James Bond III]

And add Ben Meehan to the list....5th round pick this draft. He would have went higher, but was injured part of last season. He may even had been playing with a broken finger, or something like that, if I recall. 18 pts in 25 games on D in the USHL are great numbers. He's at Lowell U, (with Kinf prospect Andre Lee) and 4 assists in 4 games and 17 pim. He's supposedly gritty and tough as well.
I know the Kings were excited to get him and think someone called him a 'more physical Alec Martinez'

Ben Meehan at eliteprospects.com

Meehan's decisiveness and timing in his actions was a hallmark of his game this season. He can process the play on a loose puck and close instantly, often deploying his full weight against the opponent. His play off the left point is full of deception, regularly freezing forecheckers with body-feints & faked shots and facilitating movement down the right-hand boards. -EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide

LA Kings Select Ben Meehan No. 140 – What You Need to Know

John Hoven | The Mayor
@mayorNHL
How about this comment on new LA Kings draft pick Ben Meehan - Think of a more physical version of Alec Martinez. Good puck mover / offensively minded.

 

[kilowatt]

Bjornfot - Faber
Anderson - Grans
Hults - Spence

That's really solid defensive depth, and defense is arguably our weak spot.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Bjornfot - Faber
Anderson - Grans
Hults - Spence

That's really solid defensive depth, and defense is arguably our weak spot.

Well, it's a 'weak' spot from the standpoint of we don't know where our #1-#2 are coming from. Depth was never a concern. That's a LOT of swings at #3-#6 dmen, have to pray that a couple hit at a higher level.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Don't count out Kim Nousiainen yet. Playing big minutes in Liiga for second yr and just turned 20 in November.
Was top 4 on Fins WJ team last yr.

Kim Nousiainen at eliteprospects.com

 

[cyclones22]

The only thing missing is that surefire #1 defenseman. But sometimes we confuse #1 defenseman and franchise defenseman. We've been spoiled with having a franchise defender for 10+ seasons. If that's our bar, we're going to be waiting for a long time for that Doughty successor. Also, I think the lines are blurring with the traditional categories, 2-way defenseman, offensive puck-moving defenseman and defensive stay-at-home defenseman. Where do Bjornfot and Faber fit? They are not dynamic offensively, but they are very good puck movers and potentially elite defenders. Did Ottawa draft Sanderson to be a #1 defender? I'm guessing yes and he's not exactly an offensive dynamo yet. A lot of projecting there. My point is that the definition is evolving. Our archetype is elite 2-way because that's what we've been accustomed to. Lots of folks consider EK and Brent Burns to be #1 defensemen even though they're terrible at defense. Grans could end up being some facsimile of that. Converted forward playing D. Anyway, maybe the lotto gods will bless us again and the Kings draft one of the top defenders in this upcoming draft. It helps that I think we've got a couple of #2s seemingly in the pipeline and some #3s and #4+ guys.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The only thing missing is that surefire #1 defenseman. But sometimes we confuse #1 defenseman and franchise defenseman. We've been spoiled with having a franchise defender for 10+ seasons. If that's our bar, we're going to be waiting for a long time for that Doughty successor. Also, I think the lines are blurring with the traditional categories, 2-way defenseman, offensive puck-moving defenseman and defensive stay-at-home defenseman. Where do Bjornfot and Faber fit? They are not dynamic offensively, but they are very good puck movers and potentially elite defenders. Did Ottawa draft Sanderson to be a #1 defender? I'm guessing yes and he's not exactly an offensive dynamo yet. A lot of projecting there. My point is that the definition is evolving. Our archetype is elite 2-way because that's what we've been accustomed to. Lots of folks consider EK and Brent Burns to be #1 defensemen even though they're terrible at defense. Grans could end up being some facsimile of that. Converted forward playing D. Anyway, maybe the lotto gods will bless us again and the Kings draft one of the top defenders in this upcoming draft. It helps that I think we've got a couple of #2s seemingly in the pipeline and some #3s and #4+ guys.

No, franchises spend 20 years looking for a Doughty. He's nigh-irreplaceable from that standpoint (26 min a game, #1 PP, #1 PK, all at a league-best level).

Ferraro again put something into words that I really struggled with. He called Faber (I think, would have to review--but you'll get the gist) a #2, #4 type. In his eyes, your #1 and #3 are the drivers. That's where a guy like Burns is a #1, when you can put him with a #2 like Vlasic. It's not perfect because very few guys are as complete--even in type, never mind ability--as Drew, but that made sense to me.

Using his definition, right now, I think we're absolutely stocked with #2-#4s. We need to find a #1 in there somewhere. Is it Bjornfot, paired with Grans or Faber? It's possible. I'm not saying we DON'T have those guys. But it's hard to argue we certainly DO. They're all relative lottery tickets right now.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Well, the Kings may have taken Byram, if he dropped from #4 overall last year. Think it may have been: Dach, Byram and then Turcotte. I am very happy with Turcotte.
AND I think the Kings talked about Drysdale, especially pre-lotto...but when jumped to #2, it was down to Byfiled - Stutzle. They may have had to consider Drysdale,
before getting to Byfield . Stutzle. I think the Kings want to draft a #1 / #2 D badly.

If the Kings get a top 5 pick 2021 draft, there are 5 that are possible #1 guys; mynhldraft - the top 5 are all defensemen. Would love one of them.

2021 NHL Mock Draft | 2021 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

 

[kingsboy11]

I was always perplexed as some people criticized our lack of defensive prospects. Yeah we don't have a Makar or Hughes type of defenseman in the system, but I think we're well loaded on prospects. We've been craving a Voynov replacement for 5-6 years and I think Anderson, Bjornfot and Grans makes up for that. And now add in Spence, Nousianen, Hults, Clague, Faber and probably someone else I'm forgetting and you've got insane depth. If you want to argue about that there's no beef on the blueline then that's fair. I think the future bright and we'll see evidence of that this upcoming season

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I was always perplexed as some people criticized our lack of defensive prospects. Yeah we don't have a Makar or Hughes type of defenseman in the system, but I think we're well loaded on prospects. We've been craving a Voynov replacement for 5-6 years and I think Anderson, Bjornfot and Grans makes up for that. And now add in Spence, Nousianen, Hults, Clague, Faber and probably someone else I'm forgetting and you've got insane depth. If you want to argue about that there's no beef on the blueline then that's fair. I think the future bright and we'll see evidence of that this upcoming season

That's really all it is--no sexy bluechip names. But as a lot of people saw this WJC, it's a lot of guys playing prominent all-around and leadership roles for their teams--just not box score darlings.

I think it's fair to say, if you're really being critical, that defense is our prospect pool's 'weakness' if you have to. But it's still insanely deep! Just need to find the high-end players. That might be an eventual trade.

 

[cyclones22]

The new age #1 defenseman is viewed as dynamic offensively and sub-par defensively. Makar and Hughes play almost zero PK time. Folks will point to "controlling the flow of the game" as some sort of quasi eye-test defensive barometer. Sure, when the player has the puck. Prime Doughty was among the league leaders in advanced metrics AND GAA when on ice per 60. That's controlling the flow of the game. Don't get me wrong, I'd take an offensive dynamo D in a second, but in part because we've got a potential top pairing defensive defenseman or two in the pipeline. I'm not picky, I'd prefer a very good all-situations defenseman in next season's draft, but I'd take an exceptional offensive PMD if that's what's available.

 

[Sol]

I hope the Kings don't let go of MacD. He's the only defenseman we've had in a long time that could really drop bombs. I'll never forget when Vegas rag dolled the Kings physically, and the Kings had no response.

 

[Sol]

Well, the Kings may have taken Byram, if he dropped from #4 overall last year. Think it may have been: Dach, Byram and then Turcotte. I am very happy with Turcotte.
AND I think the Kings talked about Drysdale, especially pre-lotto...but when jumped to #2, it was down to Byfiled - Stutzle. They may have had to consider Drysdale,
before getting to Byfield . Stutzle. I think the Kings want to draft a #1 / #2 D badly.

If the Kings get a top 5 pick 2021 draft, there are 5 that are possible #1 guys; mynhldraft - the top 5 are all defensemen. Would love one of them.

2021 NHL Mock Draft | 2021 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

If we were in the draft spot, Id easily be happy with Drysdale. Him and Laffrenierre were considered the best shots of the draft. It'd be nice to finally have a great shot from the Blue line. Like the Schneider Blake days.

 

[TwzKing]

What happened to Brickley, out of college people were really high on him

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

What happened to Brickley, out of college people were really high on him

Injuries, personal issues (dad passing ), just hasn't put it together yet. Has the tools, that's for sure, but he hasn't progressed. Big year for him to show what he's got otherwise he's likely to move on.

 

[LAKings88]

What happened to Brickley, out of college people were really high on him

I think injures and the passing of his father.

 

[Mattias]

Need an Owen Power in this group.

Plenty of depth pieces. Need a #1

 

[regulate]

What happened to Brickley, out of college people were really high on him

Between two serious injuries (lower body) the last two years, in addition to the death of his father mid-season two years ago, he's only played 55 games in the AHL and 5 in the NHL. On occassion he's looked effective, but his reads defensively need a ton of improvement. He'll have to really have a good, albeit abbreviated campaign this year in the A to get another contract which seems a long shot right now. Wouldn't rule out the taxi squad, but I think they want him playing everyday to give him a chance to show what he can do.

 

[JTeller97]

I'm crossing my fingers for Brandt Clarke, he seems like a perfect fit for our pool.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Lets re-visit this thread after the 2021 draft.

Luke Hughes
Owen Power
Brandt Clarke
Carson Lambos

 

[ru4reals]

And when we add Owen Power to this group watch out!!!

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Well, the Kings may have taken Byram, if he dropped from #4 overall last year. Think it may have been: Dach, Byram and then Turcotte. I am very happy with Turcotte.
AND I think the Kings talked about Drysdale, especially pre-lotto...but when jumped to #2, it was down to Byfiled - Stutzle. They may have had to consider Drysdale,
before getting to Byfield . Stutzle. I think the Kings want to draft a #1 / #2 D badly.

If the Kings get a top 5 pick 2021 draft, there are 5 that are possible #1 guys; mynhldraft - the top 5 are all defensemen. Would love one of them.

2021 NHL Mock Draft | 2021 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

I don't care whether LA gets a number 1 type D-man in 2021 draft! I would like a Matt Beniers...sometimes the best defense is a great offense. As for Drysdale he's not a numero uno type maybe number 2-3. Thank God the Kings were able to get youngster Quinton Byfield who given time will be a stud ala Anze Kopi-Star! On the Defensive side though a lot has been said about Brandt Clarke the RDman that played with the Barrie Colts and is now in Slovakia playing there since no OHL season is being played at the moment! But he's projected to go top 2-3 by most Scouts and number 5 by Bob McKenzie! Clarke has put decent numbers as a 16-17 year old(o.66) in 57 games in the OHL! As a 15-16 year old scored at a 1.55 clip at the Major Midget level in Ontario,Canada(Don Mills Flyers)!Most draft pundits having Clarke going to the Seattle Kraken!

 

[jfont]

Well, the Kings may have taken Byram, if he dropped from #4 overall last year. Think it may have been: Dach, Byram and then Turcotte. I am very happy with Turcotte.
AND I think the Kings talked about Drysdale, especially pre-lotto...but when jumped to #2, it was down to Byfiled - Stutzle. They may have had to consider Drysdale,
before getting to Byfield . Stutzle. I think the Kings want to draft a #1 / #2 D badly.

If the Kings get a top 5 pick 2021 draft, there are 5 that are possible #1 guys; mynhldraft - the top 5 are all defensemen. Would love one of them.

2021 NHL Mock Draft | 2021 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

Unfortunately the Kings will not get anyone of those because, in my opinion, the Kings will make the playoffs and miss out drafting at the top.

 

[No Name The Nameless]

I wouldn't say I'm excited but I'm not down. Lots of B level prospects in there. I'm not sure how B level prospects translate in the NHL but so long as a couple hit and the King's add a top 2 damn to offset they should be okay.

 

[kilowatt]

I don't care whether LA gets a number 1 type D-man in 2021 draft! I would like a Matt Beniers...sometimes the best defense is a great offense. As for Drysdale he's not a numero uno type maybe number 2-3. Thank God the Kings were able to get youngster Quinton Byfield who given time will be a stud ala Anze Kopi-Star! On the Defensive side though a lot has been said about Brandt Clarke the RDman that played with the Barrie Colts and is now in Slovakia playing there since no OHL season is being played at the moment! But he's projected to go top 2-3 by most Scouts and number 5 by Bob McKenzie! Clarke has put decent numbers as a 16-17 year old(o.66) in 57 games in the OHL! As a 15-16 year old scored at a 1.55 clip at the Major Midget level in Ontario,Canada(Don Mills Flyers)!Most draft pundits having Clarke going to the Seattle Kraken!

If the Kings draft later than 10, I think they should draft Wallstedt. He's gonna be one hell of a goalie.