Kings Rookie Chart, HF Style

[King'sPawn]

Hey all,

So after the very long process of voting for the prospects in the organization who, if all were signed and playing with the Kings, would be eligible for the Calder, we finally have the list finalized.

First of all, I want to thank everyone who voted as well as those who contributed in the threads. It was the first time I even made a poll in HF, and I've been here since, uh, I honestly don't even remember. Maybe 2005?

#1 - Alex Turcotte, F, 59.1%
#2 - Gabriel Vilardi, F, 53.6% (tie-breaker)
#3 - Rasmus Kupari, F, 46.4% (tie-breaker)
#4 - Cal Petersen, G, 28.9%
#5 - Arthur Kaliyev, F, 33.3%
#6 - Jaret Anderson-Dolan, F, 44%
#7 - Mikey Anderson, D, 32.8%
#8 - Tobias Bjornfot, D, 35.3%
#9 - Carl Grundstrom, F, 50%
#10 - Kale Clague, D, 46.9%
#11 - Akil Thomas, F, 43.3%
#12 - Samuel Fagemo, F, 54.4%
#13 - Sean Durzi, D, 55.6%
#14 - Nikolai Prokhorkin, F, 62.5%
#15 - Johan Sodergran, F, 29.5%
#16 - Markus Phillips, D, 24.5%
#17 - Matt Roy, D, 23.1%
#18 - Daniel Brickley, D, 36.6%
#19 - Kim Nousiainen, D, 31.4%
#20 - Jacob Moverare, D, 57.5% (Tiebreaker)
#21 - David Hrenak, G, 31.8%
#22 - Lukas Parik, G, 56.8% (Tiebreaker)
#23 - Aidan Dudas, F, 35.4%
#24 - Jordan Spence, D, 30.0%
#25 - Blake Lizotte, F, 59.3% (Tiebreaker)
#26 - Austin Strand, D, 46.4%
#27 - Cole Hults, D, 60.5%
#28 - Sheldon Rempal, F, 75.8%
#29 - Bulat Shafigullin, F, 34.6%
#30 - Matthew Villalta, G, 58.3% (Tiebreaker)
#31 - Mikey Eyssimont, F, 47.6%
#32 - Andre Lee, F, 58.6% (Tiebreaker)
#33 - Jacob Ingham, G, 63.6% (Tiebreaker)
#34 - Braden Doyle, D, 54.2% (Tiebreaker)
#35 - Alexander Dergachyev, F, 29.2%
#36 - Chaz Reddekopp, D, 47.8%
#37 - Drake Rymsha, F, 44.4%
#38 - Brad Morrison, F, 57.1%
#39 - Cole Kehler, G, 72.2%
#40 - Bokondji Imama, F, 100%

We had several different discussions on the players, one of the biggest disagreements to start has been the validity of including some of these players as prospects. While I understand not all liked this criteria, it had to be drawn somewhere. Keep in mind this list does not include players like Sean Walker, Austin Wagner, Matt Luff, etc, so even if you have a few who don't feel belong, there are a few young players in the organization others feel would belong. They just aren't Calder eligible this year.

With that being said, is there a different criteria you would want implemented in the future, if we were to do this again?

Breaking down the depth chart more, this is what we have:

LW
Carl Grundstrom
Samuel Fagemo
Johan Sodergran
Blake Lizotte
Bulat Shafigullin
Andre Lee
Alexander Dergachyev
Brad Morrison
Bokondji Imama

C
Alex Turcotte
Gabriel Vilardi
Jaret Anderson-Dolan
Akil Thomas
Nikolai Prokhorkin
Aidan Dudas
Mikey Eyssimont
Drake Rymsha

RW
Rasmus Kupari
Arthur Kaliyev
Sheldon Rempal

LD
Mikey Anderson
Tobias Bjornfot
Kale Clague
Markus Phillips
Daniel Brickley
Kim Nousiainen
Jacob Moverare
Cole Hults
Braden Doyle
Chaz Reddekopp

RD
Sean Durzi
Matt Roy
Jordan Spence
Austin Strand

G
Cal Petersen
David Hrenak
Lukas Parik
Matthew Villalta
Jacob Ingham
Cole Kehler

Breaking it down this way, I see a few things:
- We have a good deal of LW depth, even if no "star" potential.
- We have a combination of quality and depth at Center, left defense, and goaltending
- We have a low quantity but boom/bust on right wing/right defense

I am reevaluating my list after reading some arguments (and as more information has come our way). But how about the rest of you? How did we do as a forum in determining the Kings depth chart?

Click to read more...

 

[Kingspiracy]

Our center depth looks great if Gabe can get out of bed. I'd like a blue chipper on D before I get too excited though.

 

[kingsboy11]

It says a lot about our prospects pool that we have Akil Thomas and Fagemo outside of our top 10.

 

[Rusty Batch]

Cal Petersen and Gabe Vilardi stand out as players ranked way too high. Fagemo is too low

 

[kovacro]

I’d have Hults higher on the list and Vilardi a peg or two lower.

 

[Master Yoda]

That's a lot of depth. I wouldn't be surprised if any of those guys in the top 30 go on to become a regular.

 

[King'sPawn]

I’d have Hults higher on the list and Vilardi a peg or two lower.

I agree. It seems like, looking at the list, some players deserve to be higher, but I have a really hard time saying "Hults should definitely be above x or y" but I think it's applicable for a lot of the prospects, which I think says a lot about our depth.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I'd basically swap Roy and Strand--drop the former heavy, boost the latter--and Fagemo is making his case for higher. But I already made that known thru my votes, so nothing really changes. Maybe push Petersen down a bit, think we may be a little too excited about him as a collective.

Most of the other stuff is just splitting hairs, I don't really feel anyone is that out of place otherwise.

 

[Reaper45]

Until he's healthy Vilardi doesn't even make my list.

 

[bland]

I'd basically swap Roy and Strand--drop the former heavy, boost the latter--and Fagemo is making his case for higher. But I already made that known thru my votes, so nothing really changes. Maybe push Petersen down a bit, think we may be a little too excited about him as a collective.

Most of the other stuff is just splitting hairs, I don't really feel anyone is that out of place otherwise.

Roy has already proven that he can play and play well in the league. He is a smart, steady, mobile right shot defender who looks more than capable of anchoring a pairing featuring one of the plethora of left shot kids working into the lineup once he has a bit more experience.

He is ranked ridiculously low on this list.

 

[bland]

Until he's healthy Vilardi doesn't even make my list.

Until he competes again, he is *Gabe Vilardi.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Roy has already proven that he can play and play well in the league. He is a smart, steady, mobile right shot defender who looks more than capable of anchoring a pairing featuring one of the plethora of left shot kids working into the lineup once he has a bit more experience.

He is ranked ridiculously low on this list.

Are you confusing him with Walker?

Because Roy has played 25 NHL games on the bottom pairing of the worst Kings team any of us have seen. He hasn't proven anything in the NHL, much less that he can "play well" and "smart, steady" isn't even part of his draft profile, never mind his NHL game. Showing lots in the AHL is a start, but that's all it is.

He's a late-rounder so bless him for exceeding expectations already, but I just see a guy whose offense isn't good enough to outweigh his weakness, because his defense is on par with Randy Jones (edit: so far, and probably unfair given how much time he spent with Phaneuf. Need to see more with someone else).

He could/should develop more and bless him for enduring this season, but I'm not giving him bonus points for simply existing on the roster when we had no better options. He doesn't get a free pass simply because he made a few smooth offensive plays. And maybe this is just where 'philosophy' kicks in because a guy playing NHL games doesn't mean he's 'proven' in my eyes, especially in this case, as we know it's just that the Kings defense sucked mightily, and that Clague was supposed to be the callup before the foot injury.

Edit: okay, looking further, maybe I wouldn't drop him, but I don't for a second take him before anyone in front of him. It's more about Strand needing a bump more than Roy needed a drop.

 

[bland]

With Vilardi as a longterm project, and Thomas and Prokhorkin projecting as wingers, the Kings have a terrific pair of two-way centers with off the charts compete levels and above average puck skills. They are similar players, in slightly different weight classes. While the team isn't necessarily building a collection of top center prospects, those two alone are a fantastic base up tge middle. Vilardi is in that icing on the cake section, because the team won't necessarily be in trouble if he can't regain his health, but man, now that they have Turcotte they have a hell of a lottery ticket in their pocket.

The defense has a strong pool of two way, responsible, highly competitive players who skate well. Its not dissimilar from their top two center prospects. Anderson, Bjornfot and Roy all look to be high level safety nets. Clague has a bit more flash, but isn't risky, and also projects to make it. The rest of the group has more work to do to show that their weaknesses aren't going to prevent them from showcasing their strengths. I am not as high on Durzi as a lot of folks, but he has plenty of time to refine his reads.

There is a good collection of wingers who have very specific skill sets without being "complete" players. Undoubtedly some of them will hit and some will miss, probably with surprises on both sides of that line. There is a good variety of speedsters, power on the wall and net front poachers. It's going to be fun watching that group develop.

Petersen looks to be a gem. There is another good mix of different styles behind him. There are almost too many in the same age range to fully support them all with game time, but thats two years down the road and undoubtedly those ranks will thin before that time.

Personally, i don't agree with much of the hf list behind Turcotte, but thats the point of the boards, right? I see a good, sizable collection of B+ prospects with varying skills, and a couple of high-end home run swings mixed in. There is an awful lot of reason to be excited. Whether the developmental team can handle them, thats the real question. They haven't had this kind of skill to work with, and have struggled to churn out even reliable role players with the meager options at hand.

 

[bland]

Are you confusing him with Walker?

Because Roy has played 25 NHL games on the bottom pairing of the worst Kings team any of us have seen. He hasn't proven anything, much less that he can "play well" and "smart, steady" isn't even part of his draft profile, never mind his NHL game.

He's a late-rounder so bless him for exceeding expectations already, but I just see a guy whose offense isn't good enough to outweigh his weakness, because his defense is on par with Randy Jones.

He could/should develop more and bless him for enduring this season, but I'm not giving him bonus points for simply existing on the roster when we had no better options. He doesn't get a free pass simply because he made a few smooth offensive plays.

I will just say this, and leave it at that. I think your opinion is 100% incorrect and i am frankly not sure what you were watching.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I will just say this, and leave it at that. I think your opinion is 100% incorrect and i am frankly not sure what you were watching.

Well, that's fine, fortunately the stats back that up. I was watching a guy who had literally THE worst shot differential amongst Kings d-men despite getting softer bottom-pairing usage for most of it.

He came along by the end of the year, but he looked shellshocked like Martinez did in his first callup, 75% great, 25% shit show. Like I said, he needs more time with not-Phaneuf, and there's definitely some upside there after watching his growth in the AHL, but proven? After a quarter season of that? That's the thing I take issue with.

I don't take him as one of our top 13ish prospects, that's for sure. Saying he's way too low...sorry, I'm not buying on that. Like I said, moving a slot or two up or down is splitting hairs. I don't fuss too much if you take him over Sodergran, even Durzi. But pushing him up near/past Clague is too much for me. That's all. Edit: and I don't even think that's a knock, the top guys are just that good.

Double edit: and in retrospect thank you for being kind about it when it's pretty clear you probably just shook your head and muttered "what an idiot" under your breath

 

[Ghetty Green]

Roy has already proven that he can play and play well in the league. He is a smart, steady, mobile right shot defender who looks more than capable of anchoring a pairing featuring one of the plethora of left shot kids working into the lineup once he has a bit more experience.

He is ranked ridiculously low on this list.

Completely agree. I like what i saw from Roy last year. I think he could flourish as the steady third pairing RD

 

[Basilisk]

Why was I under the impression that Sodergran was a center and Kupari and left wing?

 

[King'sPawn]

Why was I under the impression that Sodergran was a center and Kupari and left wing?

Not sure about Sodergran, but he's always been a LW from what I've seen and read.

Kupari plays all positions. I listed him as RW since he was right handed and there were so few who played the role.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]HFKings[/TD][TD]Pronman[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Alex Turcotte[/TD][TD]Alex Turcotte[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Gabriel Vilardi[/TD][TD]Arthur Kaliyev[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Rasmus Kupari[/TD][TD]Rasmus Kupari[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Cal Petersen[/TD][TD]Tobias Bjornfot[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Arthur Kaliyev[/TD][TD]Kale Clague[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Jaret Anderson-Dolan[/TD][TD]Samuel Fagemo[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Mikey Anderson[/TD][TD]Akil Thomas[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Tobias Bjornfot[/TD][TD]Jaret Anderson-Dolan[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Carl Grundstrom[/TD][TD]Mikey Anderson[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kale Clague[/TD][TD]Carl Grundstrom[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Akil Thomas[/TD][TD]Daniel Brickley[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Samuel Fagemo[/TD][TD]Sean Durzi[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Sean Durzi[/TD][TD]Gabriel Vilardi[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Nikolai Prokhorkin[/TD][TD]Nikolai Prokhorkin[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Johan Sodergran[/TD][TD] Lukas Parik[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Markus Phillips[/TD][TD]Jordan Spence[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Matt Roy[/TD][TD]David Hrenak[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Daniel Brickley[/TD][TD]Austin Strand[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kim Nousiainen[/TD][TD]Chaz Reddekopp[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Jacob Moverare[/TD][TD]Markus Phillips[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]David Hrenak[/TD][TD]Matt Villalta[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lukas Parik[/TD][TD]Cole Hults[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]

 

[Moses Doughty]

In case anyone is confused about Pronman's list, Cal graduated out of it so he's not an omission

 

[regulate]

[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]HFKings[/TD][TD]Pronman[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Alex Turcotte[/TD][TD]Alex Turcotte[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Gabriel Vilardi[/TD][TD]Arthur Kaliyev[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Rasmus Kupari[/TD][TD]Rasmus Kupari[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Cal Petersen[/TD][TD]Tobias Bjornfot[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Arthur Kaliyev[/TD][TD]Kale Clague[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Jaret Anderson-Dolan[/TD][TD]Samuel Fagemo[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Mikey Anderson[/TD][TD]Akil Thomas[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Tobias Bjornfot[/TD][TD]Jaret Anderson-Dolan[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Carl Grundstrom[/TD][TD]Mikey Anderson[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kale Clague[/TD][TD]Carl Grundstrom[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Akil Thomas[/TD][TD]Daniel Brickley[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Samuel Fagemo[/TD][TD]Sean Durzi[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Sean Durzi[/TD][TD]Gabriel Vilardi[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Nikolai Prokhorkin[/TD][TD]Nikolai Prokhorkin[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Johan Sodergran[/TD][TD] Lukas Parik[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Markus Phillips[/TD][TD]Jordan Spence[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Matt Roy[/TD][TD]David Hrenak[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Daniel Brickley[/TD][TD]Austin Strand[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kim Nousiainen[/TD][TD]Chaz Reddekopp[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Jacob Moverare[/TD][TD]Markus Phillips[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]David Hrenak[/TD][TD]Matt Villalta[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Lukas Parik[/TD][TD]Cole Hults[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]

Pronman listed Vilardi at #13 is an insult to his talent. You either list him at #1 or #2, or you don't rank him due to injury. I don't understand his train of thought there, especially when he states, in his own words, " I think if he’s healthy he’s a true top prospect even with the skating concerns. If he had 100 percent health, he’s a projected first-line forward." That does not sound like your 13th best prospect to me. Reddekopp on his list is also misplaced. He should not even sniff the top 22. Lizotte should be higher, and Dudas didn't even rate a mention, nor Moverare. Most of his comments though were fair.

 

[kingsboy11]

Pronman listed Vilardi at #13 is an insult to his talent. You either list him at #1 or #2, or you don't rank him due to injury. I don't understand his train of thought there, especially when he states, in his own words, " I think if he’s healthy he’s a true top prospect even with the skating concerns. If he had 100 percent health, he’s a projected first-line forward." That does not sound like your 13th best prospect to me. Reddekopp on his list is also misplaced. He should not even sniff the top 22. Lizotte should be higher, and Dudas didn't even rate a mention, nor Moverare. Most of his comments though were fair.

Reddekop over Markus Phillips is laughable

 

[Basilisk]

Not sure about Sodergran, but he's always been a LW from what I've seen and read.

Kupari plays all positions. I listed him as RW since he was right handed and there were so few who played the role.

You know what? It's THIS site: Los Angeles Kings - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps


For the longest time, they actually had Roy as a forward. On Roy, I had to send them an email explaining that they had made a mistake. LoL, instead of out-right believing me, they actually challenged me and ended up changing it 2-3 months after that! I guess it's a great site for contract status and salary cap stuff, but it's crappy if you want to know what position a player plays!!!

 

[King'sPawn]

To borrow RJ's beautiful table, I am putting in my list (at least as much as it matches with HFKings and Pronman
[TABLE="class: brtb_item_table"][TBODY][TR][TD]My List[/TD][TD]HFKings[/TD][TD]Pronman[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Alex Turcotte[/TD][TD]Alex Turcotte[/TD][TD]Alex Turcotte[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Cal Petersen[/TD][TD]Gabriel Vilardi[/TD][TD]Arthur Kaliyev[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Gabriel Vilardi[/TD][TD]Rasmus Kupari[/TD][TD]Rasmus Kupari[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Mikey Anderson[/TD][TD]Cal Petersen[/TD][TD]Tobias Bjornfot[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Carl Grundstrom[/TD][TD]Arthur Kaliyev[/TD][TD]Kale Clague[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Rasmus Kupari[/TD][TD]Jaret Anderson-Dolan[/TD][TD]Samuel Fagemo[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Jaret Anderson-Dolan[/TD][TD]Mikey Anderson[/TD][TD]Akil Thomas[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Tobias Bjornfot[/TD][TD]Tobias Bjornfot[/TD][TD]Jaret Anderson-Dolan[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Arthur Kaliyev[/TD][TD]Carl Grundstrom[/TD][TD]Mikey Anderson[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Akil Thomas[/TD][TD]Kale Clague[/TD][TD]Carl Grundstrom[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Samuel Fagemo[/TD][TD]Akil Thomas[/TD][TD]Daniel Brickley[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Kale Clague[/TD][TD]Samuel Fagemo[/TD][TD]Sean Durzi[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Lukas Parik[/TD][TD]Sean Durzi[/TD][TD]Gabriel Vilardi[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Markus Phillips[/TD][TD]Nikolai Prokhorkin[/TD][TD]Nikolai Prokhorkin[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]David Hrenak[/TD][TD]Johan Sodergran[/TD][TD] Lukas Parik[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Matt Roy[/TD][TD]Markus Phillips[/TD][TD]Jordan Spence[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Nikolai Prokhorkin[/TD][TD]Matt Roy[/TD][TD]David Hrenak[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Jordan Spence[/TD][TD]Daniel Brickley[/TD][TD]Austin Strand[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Blake Lizotte[/TD][TD]Kim Nousiainen[/TD][TD]Chaz Reddekopp[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Sean Durzi[/TD][TD]Jacob Moverare[/TD][TD]Markus Phillips[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Johan Sodergran[/TD][TD]David Hrenak[/TD][TD]Matt Villalta[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]Daniel Brickley[/TD][TD]Lukas Parik[/TD][TD]Cole Hults[/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE]

 

[Lt Dan]

Thanks for the hard work on this KP!