Toggle sidebar

Maturation and evolution causing movement in Kings Spring Top 20 Prospects

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates

HF Article

Registered User
Nov 16, 2005
12,505
3
adrian_kempe_ontario_reign.jpg
Photo: LA Kings top prospect Adrian Kempe plays an advanced pro game despite being still just 19 years old (courtesy of Lee Calkins)


?

The Los Angeles Kings system remains robust in role players, grinders, and two-way defensemen. This has always seemed to be the case. However, the organization is starting to see a nice evolution from a few players within the system. When you have so few high end picks, you have to hope for the growth of the Mersch’s, the Dowd’s, and the Auger’s of the pipeline to come through for you in filling in the gaps. While some of these players are in the very nascent stages of their careers and development paths, they are starting to rise just like the development team had hoped.… read more

The post ?Maturation and evolution causing movement in Kings Spring Top 20 Prospects appeared first on Hockey's Future.



More...
Click to read more...
 
Two things become apparent from this list in my opinion.

A) The Kings prospects list is pretty weak after Kempe. If Dean deals him this trade deadline, we may as well buckle in for a really bumpy ride starting in about three seasons when this core will be largely over the hill and/or retired and/or traded. Move Kempe and we give up all hope of following New Jersey and Detroit as teams that managed to retool on the fly and go from one cup winning core to another (or very good team in New Jersey's case).

B) The list shows not much of a desire to stray from the norm, outside of the decision to place Nic Dowd at third, which is simply misguided. Dowd shouldn't be ahead of Mike Amadio, and I would have said that prior to the five goal outburst. Dowd is 25, so likely at or near his ceiling as a player, and at best we can hope for another Nick Shore type, a solid 3rd or 4th line citizen. Frankly there are several I'd place ahead of Dowd, simply because their ceilings are much higher but their downside isn't much lower than Dowd.

Also, while he did drop finally, what is with the love so many have for Zykov? That love should be going to Dergachyov.

I'd rank my top 20 as:

1. Adrian Kempe
2. Michael Mersch
3. Nick Amadio
4. Alex Dergachyov
5. Kevin Gravel
6. Paul LaDue
7. Spencer Watson
8. Erik Cernak
9. Derek Forbort
10. Nic Dowd
11. Zach Leslie
12. Justin Auger
13. Jonny Brodzinski
14. Valentin Zykov
15. Austin Wagner
16. Steven Johnson
17. Kurtis MacDermid
18. Matthew Mistele
19. Matt Roy
20. Chaz Reddekopp
 
kingsfan said:
Also, while he did drop finally, what is with the love so many have for Zykov? That love should be going to Dergachyov.
Click to expand...


He might be the most technically gifted player in the Kings system. Really really really good with the puck.

Admittedly there is kind of a clump of centers who are all very similar. Dergachyov, Amadio, and Dowd I see all with the ceiling of 3C. Different players, different styles, pretty much a similar upside.
 
Nice job on the article.

So do the Kings have the worst prospect pool in the league? I don't see too many players making an impact at the next level.
 
BigBrown said:
Nice job on the article.

So do the Kings have the worst prospect pool in the league? I don't see too many players making an impact at the next level.
Click to expand...

No, I'd definitely say we are skirting around the 22-25 area though. But not the worst. Go check out pools like NYR, Colorado, or New Jersey.

The Kings, if anything, have many players who you could see slotting into their system in some way. They project futures of players pretty well. Auger is a good example. Maybe wouldn't cut it in any other system but I'd say has a decent shot with the way the Kings play. Guys like Zykov, Cernak, Kempe, Gravel, Dowd, and Forbort would be able to cut it as top 10 in most other systems, unless we are talking top 5 groups IMO.
 
Jason Lewis said:
He might be the most technically gifted player in the Kings system. Really really really good with the puck.

Admittedly there is kind of a clump of centers who are all very similar. Dergachyov, Amadio, and Dowd I see all with the ceiling of 3C. Different players, different styles, pretty much a similar upside.
Click to expand...

I don't see it. The development just hasn't materialized there yet in my opinion and I question whether it will.
 
kingsfan said:
I don't see it. The development just hasn't materialized there yet in my opinion and I question whether it will.
Click to expand...

It's really hit or miss. Game to game. Since it is his rookie year patience is probably a good approach. I've talked to a few scouts who have a similar take as you. Saying a player like that...you shouldn't HAVE to look for him on a night to night basis.

Others have been really impressed with his mentality and puck skill.

I'd say it's a real toss up at this point. He has a lot to like, but there are questions.
 
Great writeup and analysis.

I would add Jake Marchment in the 15-20 area. Has had a great season in Erie, with
20 goals in 45 games. He came on in last year's playoffs, with 8 goals and 14 pts in
19 playoff games and has had a strong season this year. For those in Canada that have seen him play...would appreciate your feedback.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=138930&encode=TRUE

Hard to get reads on Lintuniemi and Cernak, due to their injuries. Nice to see that
Macdermid may turn out to be a player. Determination can go a long way. Mistele not in the top 20? Scored 50 OHL goals last year, when you include the playoffs. (37 reg season and 13 playoffs) Had a 5 goal game yesterday.

Hope Ladue signs...but lots of D in Ontario. Kingsfan: Matt Roy and Steven Johnson ahead of Jacob Middleton? Have heard good things about Matt Roy.
 
Peter James Bond II said:
Great writeup and analysis.

I would add Jake Marchment in the 15-20 area. Has had a great season in Erie, with
20 goals in 45 games. He came on in last year's playoffs, with 8 goals and 14 pts in
19 playoff games and has had a strong season this year. For those in Canada that have seen him play...would appreciate your feedback.

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=138930&encode=TRUE

Hard to get reads on Lintuniemi and Cernak, due to their injuries. Nice to see that
Macdermid may turn out to be a player. Determination can go a long way. Mistele not in the top 20? Scored 50 OHL goals last year, when you include the playoffs. (37 reg season and 13 playoffs) Had a 5 goal game yesterday.

Hope Ladue signs...but lots of D in Ontario. Kingsfan: Matt Roy and Steven Johnson ahead of Jacob Middleton? Have heard good things about Matt Roy.
Click to expand...

Mistele is the one I hated leaving off, and right after I kind of finalized everything he started destroying.


The thing with these lists is that they seem so finite but I'm actually tweaking them almost all year.


Captain Mittens said:
Who has impressed you the least JLew?
Click to expand...


Leslie. No question.

There is a lot to like in his game but there is just, I dunno there is a lot of work to do to get him thinking the defensive game better and playing better in his own end. Super aggressive and can really skate well which is great to see, but he is really rough around the edges. He has also been in and out of the lineup without relative consistency so that hasn't helped.
 
LaDue is a Junior not a senior.

Thoughtful write-ups, seems we may have some NHL players hiding in the organization. May not be filled with star players, but there's some NHLers.
 
Jason Lewis said:
Leslie. No question.

There is a lot to like in his game but there is just, I dunno there is a lot of work to do to get him thinking the defensive game better and playing better in his own end. Super aggressive and can really skate well which is great to see, but he is really rough around the edges. He has also been in and out of the lineup without relative consistency so that hasn't helped.
Click to expand...

Maybe try him out at wing? Like they did with NicDes.
 
Kitsyn's currently a +28 on his team.... the next highest guy is only a +16 .....and there's one guy who's a -22!!!! Ha!!!
 
Yann Sauve is on Manchester. Wow. I remember in about 2006, maybe early 2007 discussing prospect rankings for the 2008 draft and some had Sauve ahead of Drew Doughty at the time. He had a lot of legitimacy as a prospect a decade ago. Shocking to see how poorly he did at the professional level (and junior to a degree as well).
 
Great analysis as always, Jason. It goes without saying I disagree with some rankings, but what I appreciate most about your lists is your sound reasoning and your stances are always defensible, even in disagreement.
 
Fat Elvis said:
LaDue is a Junior not a senior.

Thoughtful write-ups, seems we may have some NHL players hiding in the organization. May not be filled with star players, but there's some NHLers.
Click to expand...

The more relevant point about LaDue is that he is 23 years old already. So, is Forbort and Gravel. LaDue is just 6 months younger than these two.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom