Rumor: Planning Ahead: 2019 Off-Season

[Herby]

I really think Hughes is a mistake for this team....I think Kakko might be the better pick.....I watched Hughes at the WJC, so very limited....but what I did see....not much...too easily pushed off the puck, felt like he was being manhandled out there....

He's 17, playing against the best 18 and 19 year olds in the world. Plus he was injured in the first game.

It will be challenging for him to jump to the NHL from the NTDP, not sure anyone has ever done it, but he will be the #1 pick, whether it's the Kings or not.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I would love either guys, but I don't think they would solve all of our problems right away. Both those guys would certainly lead the charge of the young prospects though.

And pray for Vilardi's health, and that's 2/3 of a potent rebound.

He's 17, playing against the best 18 and 19 year olds in the world. Plus he was injured in the first game.

It will be challenging for him to jump to the NHL from the NTDP, not sure anyone has ever done it, but he will be the #1 pick, whether it's the Kings or not.

Yeah I feel like there's a possibility Kakko is better when all is said and done, but the Kane/Gaudreau element of Hughes may be getting overlooked right now. Plus the usual hot-takery of bloggers and other fake pundits wanting to be 'right' about the #2 guy and creating a controversy where there isn't one in order to bring more excitement to the draft. Kakko is impressing playing against men, Hughes is "unfortunately" dealing with the lower-profile USNTDP, but: "Hughes' 16-year-old season is essentially unprecedented for an American player. At USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, he put up 116 points -- just one point shy of Auston Matthews' program record. The big difference is Matthews did it when he was a year older. The previous high-water mark for a U17 player at the NTDP was 82 points set by Phil Kessel and Clayton Keller. That's a 34-point difference from what Hughes did. Last I checked, both of those guys are pretty good NHL players." Also, "One of the more incredible stats from his 2017-18 season is that Hughes had 54 points against USHL competition, averaging two points per game. He led all USHL rookies and ranked 12th in league scoring despite playing only 27 games of a 60-game season." This article attempts to contextualize his efforts. Why Jack Hughes is the top-ranked 2019 NHL draft prospect

If you need more hype, here's Gare Joyce: Why Jack Hughes could be the best USNTDP product ever – Sportsnet

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Yeah, Hughes is a borderline generational talent. He’s a center version of Patrick Kane. Franchise changing player.

Kakko is very good, too, of course.

 

[AzKing]

Yeah, Hughes is a borderline generational talent. He’s a center version of Patrick Kane. Franchise changing player.

Kakko is very good, too, of course.

Both of those guys will have major impacts on the teams that get them. Neither of them will be busts.

 

[MartinS82]

I really think Hughes is a mistake for this team....I think Kakko might be the better pick.....I watched Hughes at the WJC, so very limited....but what I did see....not much...too easily pushed off the puck, felt like he was being manhandled out there....

For the USNTDP Zegras seems like he does all the dirty work for that line (with Hughes and Caufield). I would still take Hughes #1 if I was forced to choose, but I would rather trade out of that pick and grab Turcotte or Zegras around 7-10. I am concerned about how his game translates at the NHL level. He does well against USHL players, but has a harder time against the D1 teams they play.

 

[Kurrilino]

I really think Hughes is a mistake for this team....I think Kakko might be the better pick.....I watched Hughes at the WJC, so very limited....but what I did see....not much...too easily pushed off the puck, felt like he was being manhandled out there....

Drafting the by far best Center available with Kopitar and Carter being done soon is a big mistake ?
Kakko will be delighted to play beside a center like Kempe or Amadio.

 

[GoldenBearHockey]

Drafting the by far best Center available with Kopitar and Carter being done soon is a big mistake ?
Kakko will be delighted to play beside a center like Kempe or Amadio.

You know who the best defenseman was by far in his draft year?

Griffin Reinhart......

 

[Peter James Bond II]

"""Planning Ahead"""

I was told by my accountant in 2006, when I bought my business..."do you have an exit plan?" I was like..."what??"
You should plan ahead for everything.

The Kings execs and management should already be holding meetings 'Planning Ahead': College free agents, which RFA to qualify, the draft, free agency, and removing players"
Blake should have the Lombardi infamous player chart with all the slots and names should be in them. These 5 names should not be on the chart, but under 'removing players", should be these names: Phaneuf, Carter, Toffoli, Forbort and Quick.

 

[DoktorJeep]

"""Planning Ahead"""

I was told by my accountant in 2006, when I bought my business..."do you have an exit plan?" I was like..."what??"
You should plan ahead for everything.

The Kings execs and management should already be holding meetings 'Planning Ahead': College free agents, which RFA to qualify, the draft, free agency, and removing players"
Blake should have the Lombardi infamous player chart with all the slots and names should be in them. These 5 names should not be on the chart, but under 'removing players", should be these names: Phaneuf, Carter, Toffoli, Forbort and Quick.

Let’s hope Army sees your post and signs Rob up for an online intro to excel class at El Segundo community college adult education division. Doubt they ask for a transcript from bowling green to enroll.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

The 2012 draft rankings were interesting. Yakupov was the consensus #1 pick, and we all know how he turned out. Take a gander of all the prospects taken after him who turned into considerably better players.

2012 NHL Draft: Top 30 Prospects - Sportsnet.ca

Here is Central Scouting's list for North American skaters:
North American Skaters Final Rankings | NHL.com - 2012 NHL Draft

European skater rankings:
European Skaters Final Rankings | NHL.com - 2012 NHL Draft

They had Prokhorkin ranked #9.

Hopefully this is the year that he comes over and breaks out of the funk the Kings have had with Russian prospects.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Yakupov was a total anomaly, though, and all his worst characteristics were magnified by having to play in Edmonton.

If Yakupov is drafted by a semi-competent franchise, I think he turns into a pretty good player.

 

[Scottkmlps]

Yakupov was a total anomaly, though, and all his worst characteristics were magnified by having to play in Edmonton.

If Yakupov is drafted by a semi-competent franchise, I think he turns into a pretty good player.

Yup. He was never given a chance to develop properly. But that's Edmonton for you, "Look at our new, shiny toy"

 

[kingsholygrail]

Porkins is never gonna play in a Kings uniform.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

In her most recent Q&A on The Athletic, Lisa Dillman brought up a Providence Journal report that the Kings are front runners to sign college free agent Max Veronneau, who did attend development camp with the Kings in 2018.

She also provided this tidbit:
"It is my understanding that they have been aggressively scouting colleges and in Europe. The one advantage they have this year as opposed to other years is that they have job openings. That is an attractive thing for a potential recruit."

 

[BigKing]

In her most recent Q&A on The Athletic, Lisa Dillman brought up a Providence Journal report that the Kings are front runners to sign college free agent Max Veronneau, who did attend development camp with the Kings in 2018.

She also provided this tidbit:
"It is my understanding that they have been aggressively scouting colleges and in Europe. The one advantage they have this year as opposed to other years is that they have job openings. That is an attractive thing for a potential recruit."

That's cute that they think they have an advantage this year because there are job openings. Blake has been able to get college guys since he took over because these kids have been able to see the opportunity to play quickly.

That being said, it would be great to bag a couple more this year and hope that one of them surprises.

 

[kovacro]

You know who the best defenseman was by far in his draft year?

Griffin Reinhart......

Nah. He was behind Murray and Reilly was right there with Reinhart.

 

[crassbonanza]

You know who the best defenseman was by far in his draft year?

Griffin Reinhart......

Occasionally players bust, doesn't mean we should discount the top ranked player because it has happened before. The whole Kakko/Hughes competition has been really interesting because the general consensus among online posters is that Hughes will bust and Kakko is much better, meanwhile nearly all scouting groups still have Hughes as number 1 overall. I wonder why all of the posters feel so differently, because I doubt said people have watched more than a handful of both of their games.

 

[LAKings88]

I like Iaffalo but when was the last time a college free agent really payed off in big dividends? I mean, Pettersen was a big get as a goalie but mostly these guys haven’t been major contributors. It’s a free asset but I just don’t buy the hype anymore.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

Watching the Minnesota-Duluth (#3) vs Saint Cloud State game (#1) and the Kings guys are standing out.

Mikey Anderson is looking very poised and able to control the pace of the game as a Sophomore. He uses his body so well to get between his man and the puck. The kid looks like he could step into the NHL next year.

David Hrenak (G- St Cloud St) is making big save after big save. Has good positioning and quick reactions to recover when plays go sideways. Could be a big steal of a pick. Looking better than the other goalies drafted recently.

Special note: Easton Brodzinski (younger brother to our Brodzinski) plays an aggressive game that you'd hope Johnny would play

Game is on channel 221 for DirecTV subscribers

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Pierre LeBrun states that Todd McLellan is VERY HIGH on Rob Blake's list

will go over interviews with many candidates regardless, but he mentions that there's a lot of familiarity between the two; dating back to Blake's back stabbing days in San Jose

 

[Herby]

Pierre LeBrun states that Todd McLellan is VERY HIGH on Rob Blake's list

will go over interviews with many candidates regardless, but he mentions that there's a lot of familiarity between the two; dating back to Blake's back stabbing days in San Jose

Ofcourse it's someone Blake has a connection to.

The Kings should be doing an in-depth search for the right coach. NHL assistants, AHL, Major Jr, NCAA, International. (Ok maybe not highschool again)

If they end up hiring McLellan it sure seems to indicate that this coaching search was about as expansive as the last one.

 

[kingsboy11]

If they hire McLellan and go after Panarin, everything that they said around the deadline was just fluff. It seems like Luc and Blake are impatient which is exactly what this team does not need right now. They don't need anymore evidence to see that this current team simply doesn't have it now or in the near future.

 

[AlphaBravo]

Pierre LeBrun states that Todd McLellan is VERY HIGH on Rob Blake's list

will go over interviews with many candidates regardless, but he mentions that there's a lot of familiarity between the two; dating back to Blake's back stabbing days in San Jose

I pray this is not true. McLellan hasn’t won jack in his career. If we are keeping the vets, I want to get Torts as the coach for just two years. I would love to see him call them out and put them in line.

 

[Fishhead]

I’d prefer a younger forward looking guy, but I wouldn’t be terribly upset with McClellan. He’s a straight shooter and has a good hockey mind. I don’t think he’s really a fit where this franchise is though,

 

[Ghetty Green]

Kings need to target a defenseman this summer...

Trouba