Los Angeles Kings 2014 NHL Draft preview

[HF Article]

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Even though the 2013-14 season that saw the Los Angeles Kings wrap up their second championship in three seasons just ended less than a few weeks ago, it is already time to think about the future.



On the backs of championship hockey, it is best to remember that the Kings got there via great drafting and development. It is that time of year yet again to restock the cupboards. They have had some limited amounts of picks in the more recent drafts due to transactions, but they have a full complement of picks this year to work with.

With an already solid group of prospects creeping closer to graduation status and pro hockey, the Kings will be looking to add another layer of depth to the organization.… read more



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[BigBrown]

I might not always make a post about it but I always read the HF articles about the Kings. You guys do a great job

 

[King'sPawn]

Well done, Jason!

 

[redcard]

Lets get another Tanner Pearson. That one worked out pretty well.

 

[CNS]

Interesting top prospects list. Mine differs a bit. Some are just a few spots. Biggest discrepancy is Jones. He's not a prospect IMO. I know HF has criteria but be real - zero chance he's in the A next year. I also have someone at 5 that I am VERY high on who didn't even make your list.

Overall good article. Just want to say you continually say we don't have a center at the NCAA or CHL level but Brodzinski is a center.

 

[AKAY47]

You know how people say you need to build your team through the draft? I agree but at some point you have to make a bold move with all your prospects. Remember when we were ranked #1 in prospects? Crazy that it translated to 2 cups in 3 years. So many other teams have stockpiled their prospects for years (oilers, preds, islanders, etc, etc) and haven't been able to win. I truly think the turning point for LA was trading two of their TOP prospects in Simmonds/Schenn for an established center in Mike Richards. He turned the culture of this team around. And once Voynov started showing he could be our #2, it made Jack Johnson available. Lombardi traded 3 guys who were supposed to be apart of a long term core for Richards/Carter who turned this culture around and helped turn the franchise around.

Remember when were mad at the Patrick O'Sullivan for Justin Williams trade? Another example of Lombardi trusting his instincts and trading a guy who was supposed to be apart of our long term core for an established veteran. Maybe you'll start seeing GMs do this more because of the success Lombardi has provided.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Captain Ron]

You know how people say you need to build your team through the draft? I agree but at some point you have to make a bold move with all your prospects. Remember when we were ranked #1 in prospects? Crazy that it translated to 2 cups in 3 years. So many other teams have stockpiled their prospects for years (oilers, preds, islanders, etc, etc) and haven't been able to win. I truly think the turning point for LA was trading two of their TOP prospects in Simmonds/Schenn for an established center in Mike Richards. He turned the culture of this team around. And once Voynov started showing he could be our #2, it made Jack Johnson available. Lombardi traded 3 guys who were supposed to be apart of a long term core for Richards/Carter who turned this culture around and helped turn the franchise around.

Remember when were mad at the Patrick O'Sullivan for Justin Williams trade? Another example of Lombardi trusting his instincts and trading a guy who was supposed to be apart of our long term core for an established veteran. Maybe you'll start seeing GMs do this more because of the success Lombardi has provided.

Just my 2 cents.

Over the years I have been one of Lombardi's biggest critics. I still stand by some of my comments on his more questionable moves. But, in the end he did get us 2 Stanley Cups. He has been the best GM in Kings history despite actions that had me scratching my head. I am glad he proved me wrong about his long term success though. Being wrong can be a good thing sometimes.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Over the years I have been one of Lombardi's biggest critics. I still stand by some of my comments on his more questionable moves. But, in the end he did get us 2 Stanley Cups. He has been the best GM in Kings history despite actions that had me scratching my head. I am glad he proved me wrong about his long term success though. Being wrong can be a good thing sometimes.

So are you saying that the more wrong you , the more right Lombardi is? ¥€¶℅

 

[ukyo]

You know how people say you need to build your team through the draft? I agree but at some point you have to make a bold move with all your prospects. Remember when we were ranked #1 in prospects? Crazy that it translated to 2 cups in 3 years. So many other teams have stockpiled their prospects for years (oilers, preds, islanders, etc, etc) and haven't been able to win. I truly think the turning point for LA was trading two of their TOP prospects in Simmonds/Schenn for an established center in Mike Richards. He turned the culture of this team around. And once Voynov started showing he could be our #2, it made Jack Johnson available. Lombardi traded 3 guys who were supposed to be apart of a long term core for Richards/Carter who turned this culture around and helped turn the franchise around.

Remember when were mad at the Patrick O'Sullivan for Justin Williams trade? Another example of Lombardi trusting his instincts and trading a guy who was supposed to be apart of our long term core for an established veteran. Maybe you'll start seeing GMs do this more because of the success Lombardi has provided.

Just my 2 cents.

I think the turning point was when Lombardi brought to the Kings the idea that even the #1 prospect pool is useless without a proper development program.

Oilers, Panthers, whoever, won't be able to replicate what Lombardi has done without overhauling their systems, which is a lot harder than just swapping out coaches and scouting departments, and stockpiling draft picks.

 

[Jason Lewis]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Interesting top prospects list. Mine differs a bit. Some are just a few spots. Biggest discrepancy is Jones. He's not a prospect IMO. I know HF has criteria but be real - zero chance he's in the A next year. I also have someone at 5 that I am VERY high on who didn't even make your list.

Yup, it's about the criteria. He doesn't meet it to be considered a full-time pro yet. I can see the argument. I mean, HF criteria aside he's only been a full-time back up for..what? half a season? He was a split starter for 2 months? Goalies are whatever though.

Overall good article. Just want to say you continually say we don't have a center at the NCAA or CHL level but Brodzinski is a center.

Yea ya know I heard several things about where JB played this year. When I saw him he was always at center but I know wing is his more natural position. I think I'm going to change that up in the depth chart if he starts next year at center again. That's a good point to bring up though CNS.

 

[Telos]

Great article and I love your pick. Quenneville is someone I hope we take a long look at. I think he'd be a great fit for us.

 

[Captain Ron]

So are you saying that the more wrong you , the more right Lombardi is? ¥€¶℅

Not necessarily. I just remember that, in the beginning, I did not believe Lombardi's long term plans would be successful. Mainly because some of his first round picks made me question his talent analysis. I will say he got a lot better at it the longer he was in LA and his trades made up for some of his earlier drafting mistakes. In the end he proved his long term plans were successful and have made the Kings a Stanley Cup threat for the foreseeable future. Do not read this as I disagreed with every move Lombardi made in the beginning. I was just a lot more critical of him than most other fans.

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Not necessarily. I just remember that, in the beginning, I did not believe Lombardi's long term plans would be successful. Mainly because some of his first round picks made me question his talent analysis. I will say he got a lot better at it the longer he was in LA and his trades made up for some of his earlier drafting mistakes. In the end he proved his long term plans were successful and have made the Kings a Stanley Cup threat for the foreseeable future. Do not read this as I disagreed with every move Lombardi made in the beginning. I was just a lot more critical of him than most other fans.

I was teasing you , Sir. We are all wrong from time to time.

The difference is most people won't admit it.

Toast to you

 

[CNS]

Yea ya know I heard several things about where JB played this year. When I saw him he was always at center but I know wing is his more natural position. I think I'm going to change that up in the depth chart if he starts next year at center again. That's a good point to bring up though CNS.

IIRM he played center all of last year. At the very least, he did at the beginning and end of it, including throughout all their playoff runs. Could be wrong though.

 

[BringTheReign]

If Roland Mckeown is still available do you see the Kings taking a look at him over some of the centers mentioned as possible targets for the Kings such as Quenneville and MacInnis? The kid seems to be a quintessential Lombardi type player who would have plenty of time to develop in our system. Everyone says the knock on him as far as dropping in draft positioning from last year is that he isn't spectacular in one place, but is incredibly solid and well-rounded, which sounds to me like the perfect late-1st-round pick.