Today's Slapshot, 2015 Kings Draft Preview

[StevenToddIves]

This was recently published on Today's Slapshot, I thought you Kings fans would appreciate it:

http://www.todaysslapshot.com/nhl-prospects-2/nhl-draft-2015-ridiculously-in-depth-kings-preview/

I would love to hear what you think!

Click to read more...

 

[Captain Mittens*]

Thanks Holmes!

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Wow, well done--nice overview! Looks like you guys have really done your research, oftentimes people's knowledge of the Kings is pretty shallow and that's really apparent, but in this case, I'm pretty impressed. Loved the draft overview and I think things could very well play out like you've imagined. WE're going to have a tough decision to make one way or another.

One editing concern: The caption for Martinez's pic has "Alec Martinez was a steal for the Kings in the second round in 2007." I know you guys know he wasn't a 2nd rounder as the paragraph below cites his draft position correctly, just wanted to point it out

Thanks for the share!

 

[kingsfan]

Firstly, good write up for the most part. Nice detail, especially on the history of the Kings picks.

That said, I question how Spencer Watson is a top five prospect for us, having to leapfrog over six players that were drafted ahead of him by the Kings last year alone, nevermind Colin Miller, Jordan Weal, etc. I think you bought into the 'Let's find the next Tyler Johnson' hype to much on that one.

And can someone please explain to me the love for Valentin Zykov, or do we just think our prospect pool is just so bad that he gets the #2 nod?

 

[417th]

Firstly, good write up for the most part. Nice detail, especially on the history of the Kings picks.

That said, I question how Spencer Watson is a top five prospect for us, having to leapfrog over six players that were drafted ahead of him by the Kings last year alone, nevermind Colin Miller, Jordan Weal, etc. I think you bought into the 'Let's find the next Tyler Johnson' hype to much on that one.

And can someone please explain to me the love for Valentin Zykov, or do we just think our prospect pool is just so bad that he gets the #2 nod?

I can but we have discussed that subject before. He is STILL a great young player who can be a game breaker on offense and is becoming more and more responsible in his own end as time goes by. If you only go by stats for last season you will miss the fact that he was out due to injury for a good part of it and was traded during it as well. Put it all together and he still had a very good season. Zykov is an excellent young prospect with true top 6 potential. Lots of game tape out there with him in it and I think that if you watched it you would see just how solid he is.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Firstly, good write up for the most part. Nice detail, especially on the history of the Kings picks.

That said, I question how Spencer Watson is a top five prospect for us, having to leapfrog over six players that were drafted ahead of him by the Kings last year alone, nevermind Colin Miller, Jordan Weal, etc. I think you bought into the 'Let's find the next Tyler Johnson' hype to much on that one.

And can someone please explain to me the love for Valentin Zykov, or do we just think our prospect pool is just so bad that he gets the #2 nod?

Maybe, but I get the love. That pick is a swing for the fences for sure but the guy is an offensive savant.

 

[palffytofrovlov]

He was also projected as a mid 2nd to early 3rd rounder and Kings got him in the 7th... why not swing there....

 

[kingsfan]

I can but we have discussed that subject before. He is STILL a great young player who can be a game breaker on offense and is becoming more and more responsible in his own end as time goes by. If you only go by stats for last season you will miss the fact that he was out due to injury for a good part of it and was traded during it as well. Put it all together and he still had a very good season. Zykov is an excellent young prospect with true top 6 potential. Lots of game tape out there with him in it and I think that if you watched it you would see just how solid he is.

That has got to be the most overplayed piece of crap line on HF. You don't know me. You have no idea if I've never seen him in my life or if he billets with me. Quit assuming I've rarely or never seen a guy. I've seen him plenty. Is he a decent player? Certainly. Does he have top 6 upside? Yep. Should he be ranked 2nd overall in our prospect base? Not a hope.

And btw, yes, numbers can be a real good indicator and speaking from a scouting profession angle, seeing his production effectively level off as he gets older in an offensive league is at the very least mildly troubling.

He was also projected as a mid 2nd to early 3rd rounder and Kings got him in the 7th... why not swing there....

Mehh, there's plenty of guys that fall like that. Look at Ebert or Middleton. I liked the pick then and I do now too, but he hasn't done that much to warrant a promotion in the rankings of that magnitude.

 

[damacles1156]

I don't think Zykov is talented offensively like say, Toffoli(true top six guy). Toffoli was a two time 50G scorer in JR's. Almost scored 30G in the AHL too.

Zykov has some nice tools to start with, Size/Skating/soft hands. But I feel he is overrated as well.

I want to see him at the AHL level more, before I say he is NHL material. Zykov is 20, so he has room to grow/round his game out still.

Prospects are works in progress, look at Nikolai Prokhorkin, lots of people were convinced he was a surefire star in the KHL. Also a future top six player for the Kings.

Well how is that working out ?

 

[Anonymous028]

I don't think Zykov is talented offensively like say, Toffoli(true top six guy). Toffoli was a two time 50G scorer in JR's. Almost scored 30G in the AHL too.

Zykov has some nice tools to start with, Size/Skating/soft hands. But I feel he is overrated as well.

I want to see him at the AHL level more, before I say he is NHL material. Zykov is 20, so he has room to grow/round his game out still.

Prospects are works in progress, look at Nikolai Prokhorkin, lots of people were sure he was a surefire bonifide star in the KHL. Also a future top six player for the Kings.

Well how is that working out ?

I feel like Zykov gets a lot of love because even if he doesn't produce enough for a true top six role, his game is well suited as a bottom sixxer who can fill in on the top lines in a pinch. His board work is pretty polish for a kid his age.

 

[damacles1156]

Zykov's puck protection reminds me of Frolov, which is a good thing.

Still, kid has a ways to go.

 

[kingsfan]

I think it has more to do with the fact LA doesn't have many prospects who have top 6 upside and also project to be likely at least a NHLer. Most top 6ers are guys like Mistele and Watson, guys who will either be a stud or a dud. Zykov should be a NHLer no matter what, it's just a matter of if he'll crack the top 6.

 

[Anonymous028]

Zykov's puck protection reminds me of Frolov, which is a good thing.

Still, kid has a ways to go.

His first AHL season will be very telling, that is for sure.

 

[King'sPawn]

And can someone please explain to me the love for Valentin Zykov, or do we just think our prospect pool is just so bad that he gets the #2 nod?

He's not a very talented player, but I do not see a more competitive player in the pipeline than Zykov.

 

[kingsfan]

He's not a very talented player, but I do not see a more competitive player in the pipeline than Zykov.

I'll take Miller any day.

 

[417th]

That has got to be the most overplayed piece of crap line on HF. You don't know me. You have no idea if I've never seen him in my life or if he billets with me. Quit assuming I've rarely or never seen a guy. I've seen him plenty. Is he a decent player? Certainly. Does he have top 6 upside? Yep. Should he be ranked 2nd overall in our prospect base? Not a hope.

And btw, yes, numbers can be a real good indicator and speaking from a scouting profession angle, seeing his production effectively level off as he gets older in an offensive league is at the very least mildly troubling.



Mehh, there's plenty of guys that fall like that. Look at Ebert or Middleton. I liked the pick then and I do now too, but he hasn't done that much to warrant a promotion in the rankings of that magnitude.

What do you mean? You asked "And can someone please explain to me the love for Valentin Zykov, or do we just think our prospect pool is just so bad that he gets the #2 nod?" and I am merely suggesting that there is a ton of tape regarding Zykov out there and how he played this year along with a ton of info on his being injured and dealt as well. Wether you know him personally are a casual observer or any other part of the spectrumf then good, what I posted will have little to no value to you. I am simply responding to the fact that you asked a question. That said you have been critical of Zykov for awhile now and we have discussed it before with each of us having our own opinions as to the quality/caliber of the player that he is today and could become. If you are familiar with Zykov then your question seems off base (and I believe you are familiar with him) but If you are going to ask a question then you are likely to get an answer, that is what I gave you. The idea that the numbers are a good indicator of his performance this past season doesn't take into account that the kid was injured for a part of the season and was dealt to a new team (where he seemed to find his O game again all things considered anyways). I mean I see him as having a high caliber of talent and a very real shot at making it as a 2nd liner who plays a 200ft game but that is my opinion. I don't see where he has had any major drop off since he was drafted all things considered again.

In 42 games split between two teams he had 21g and 25a in 42 games.

The previous season he had he had 63 points in 53 games all with the same team (23g 40a).

He scored two more goals and had 15 more assists in a season that saw him play without interruption. It isn't like he lost his touch or fell off without any reasonable explanation. He had a serious injury and was moved to a new team this season. All in I think he had a pretty good year.

 

[driller1]

I'll take Miller any day.

I like Miller as a bottom pairing guy, but every time I see him, he's falling on the ice. When he gets a head of steam, he can skate like the wind, but I don't see the balance and low center of gravity that someone like Voynov has.

 

[kingsfan]

What do you mean? You asked "And can someone please explain to me the love for Valentin Zykov, or do we just think our prospect pool is just so bad that he gets the #2 nod?" and I am merely suggesting that there is a ton of tape regarding Zykov out there and how he played this year along with a ton of info on his being injured and dealt as well. Wether you know him personally are a casual observer or any other part of the spectrumf then good, what I posted will have little to no value to you. I am simply responding to the fact that you asked a question. That said you have been critical of Zykov for awhile now and we have discussed it before with each of us having our own opinions as to the quality/caliber of the player that he is today and could become. If you are familiar with Zykov then your question seems off base (and I believe you are familiar with him) but If you are going to ask a question then you are likely to get an answer, that is what I gave you. The idea that the numbers are a good indicator of his performance this past season doesn't take into account that the kid was injured for a part of the season and was dealt to a new team (where he seemed to find his O game again all things considered anyways). I mean I see him as having a high caliber of talent and a very real shot at making it as a 2nd liner who plays a 200ft game but that is my opinion. I don't see where he has had any major drop off since he was drafted all things considered again.

I encourage you to give me your answer. Telling me to go watch game tape isn't an answer.

That said, I apologize if I came across to harsh, I am simply overly frustrated with that type of statement on these boards and it seems way to prevalent with the draft days away and a bunch of fly by night wannabe scouts thinking they know it all because they watched a youtube clip of a guy once (not saying that's you at all). You caught my venting, which isn't fair. My bad. Thank you for providing a better reasoning for your views here.

 

[King'sPawn]

I'll take Miller any day.

Miller has moved up on the depth chart for sure, but he's still a few steps removed from being a glorified Corvo.

 

[kingsfan]

Miller has moved up on the depth chart for sure, but he's still a few steps removed from being a glorified Corvo.

Corvo's issues back at that age were between his ears, Miller doesn't have the same issues from all I have gleaned. To me, he's just a late bloomer, he has shown tremendous growth in the past three years.

 

[apadilla]

Nice read. Liked it so much I read it twice.

Question: If the Kings are on the clock with pick 13, and both Kyle Connor and Travis Konecny are available, what do the Kings do? Pick Connor or pick Konecny or pick neither or do they deal the pick for an extra 2nd rounder in '16? Based on the write up, I say pick Conner =)

 

[BigKing]

Zykov is obviously one of the Kings top prospects but a lot of the love is due to him feeling like a 1st round pick since he was LA's 1st pick in the '13 draft and they traded up into the 2nd to get him.

Remember the last time LA didn't have a 1st rounder in 2011? Christopher Gibson come on down...and never be signed, re-enter the draft and not get drafted again.

I am in the "worried" camp regarding Zykov as you'd like to see continued scoring as he gets older. Hoping he has a strong season in Ontario next season and am encouraged that everything the Kings say about his character lends itself to the fact he will be very coachable and a great fit in the Kings system: he just maybe needs the expectations dialed back a bit.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Zykov is obviously one of the Kings top prospects but a lot of the love is due to him feeling like a 1st round pick since he was LA's 1st pick in the '13 draft and they traded up into the 2nd to get him.

Remember the last time LA didn't have a 1st rounder in 2011? Christopher Gibson come on down...and never be signed, re-enter the draft and not get drafted again.

I am in the "worried" camp regarding Zykov as you'd like to see continued scoring as he gets older. Hoping he has a strong season in Ontario next season and am encouraged that everything the Kings say about his character lends itself to the fact he will be very coachable and a great fit in the Kings system: he just maybe needs the expectations dialed back a bit.

Unfortunately, and on the flipside of that, I think a lot of the dislike is coming from his expectations and hype rather than his abilities.

I think it's fair to have concerns about him, but he hasn't been anything but as advertised, and I'm thinking this upcoming year is more indicative of the player he is than last year when he spent a significant time injured and traded. He WAS coming back from a hernia.

 

[kingsfan]

Unfortunately, and on the flipside of that, I think a lot of the dislike is coming from his expectations and hype rather than his abilities.

I think it's fair to have concerns about him, but he hasn't been anything but as advertised, and I'm thinking this upcoming year is more indicative of the player he is than last year when he spent a significant time injured and traded. He WAS coming back from a hernia.

But those expectations are valid, he was drafted where he was in part because he has offensive upside. Seeing a guys numbers flatline is a valid concern when offense is part of the equation.

And while coming back from a hernia is an issue, he's also medically cleared to play and I assume since he had a contract with the Kings this season, he also likely had access to the Kings medical assessment of him. He's not coming back playing at 70% here.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

But those expectations are valid, he was drafted where he was in part because he has offensive upside. Seeing a guys numbers flatline is a valid concern when offense is part of the equation.

And while coming back from a hernia is an issue, he's also medically cleared to play and I assume since he had a contract with the Kings this season, he also likely had access to the Kings medical assessment of him. He's not coming back playing at 70% here.

Of course. But people are starting to, as a group, write him off as a prospect without giving him a fighting chance.

Zykov's numbers:
--2012-2013 with Baie-Comeau: 40g-35a-75p in 67 games (1.12 PPG) and 10g 9a in 19 playoff games (1 PPG). Received Rookie of the Year. 2nd leading scorer on 2nd place team in league, 1st in division.
--2013-2014 with Baie-Comeau: 2nd leading scorer on first place team in division. 23g-40a-63p in 53 games (1.19 PPMG) and 7g-15a-22p in 22 playoff games (1PPG).
--2014-2015 21g-25a-46p in 42 games (1.1 PPG) and 3-4-7 in 11 playoff games after being traded from BC to Gatineau and recovering from a month out with a hernia.

From HF itself, nice summary:

"Zykov has had a challenging third season in North America in 2014-15. After impressing in Kings camp and making a strong pitch for a roster spot he was returned to Baie-Comeau. A sports hernia injury suffered in November 2014 kept him off the ice for nearly four weeks and he was a surprising cut from Russia's U20 team for the 2015 World Juniors. In January 2015 he was traded from the Drakkar to the Gatineau Olympiques in exchange for Sabres' prospect Vaclav Karabacek and a 2015 QMJHL draft pick. To his credit, Zykov is scoring at a point-per-game pace since joining Gatineau and appears recovered from his injury. Long-term he remains one of the top forward prospects in the Kings' organization. His combination of high-end passing and stick skills and a desire to win battles and create scoring chances suggests he can be an elite offensive player one day. "

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/valentin-zykov/

Again, I don't think concerns are completely unwarranted, I just think the sudden urge of folks to drop him completely out of the top-5 of our prospects is missing context, like the conversations of Brown v Richards play. There's a sudden "I don't like Zykov" groupthink that's lacking any substantive discussion other than his slight drop in production. I think next year will be very telling on where he is but there's no reason to tank his value. He's still a guy with more upside than most of our prospects that also has a very good chance of making it as a skilled and gritty 3rd liner if his top six upside doesn't pan out. That's more than we can say about much of the rest of our prospect base.