LOS ANGELES, Ca. – Los Angeles Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi has made it clear that there is a youth movement occurring in Los Angeles. That is made even more apparent with the fact that the Kings have 16 picks in this year’s entry draft.
For a team that finished tied for the worst record in the NHL, it’s obvious that the team needs to go in a rebuilding direction. The team attempted to go with veterans prior to Lombardi’s arrival three years ago and that failed miserably with no playoff appearances.
Photos courtesy of the NHL
Los Angeles is just stacked at the forward position. With Patrick O’Sullivan having a breakout 2007-08 season, and the emergence of center Anze Kopitar the past two seasons, the Kings could be tough to defend against. Add the fact that they also have playmaking left wingers Alexander Frolov, and a 30-goal scorer in Dustin Brown, you have the makings of an exciting team.
Of the top 10 prospects Los Angeles has, six of them are forwards. Of the six, Brian Boyle (C), Matt Moulson (LW) and Teddy Purcell (RW) got the call to play with the parent team after playing well in Manchester (AHL).
The Kings are also solid in the net, although it wasn’t very apparent the past two seasons with veterans Jason LaBarbera and Dan Cloutier playing most of the time.
Los Angeles is also looking forward to the development of goaltenders Jonathan Bernier and Jonathan Quick.
Bernier saw action early in the season when he defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 in the opening series at The O2 arena in England. He was projected to be the number one goalie, however that was derailed after he struggled when returning to States.
Quick also saw action during the 2007-2008 NHL season and was solid in his debut against the Buffalo Sabres during a 8-2 victory.
The Kings have a glaring weakness on the blue line. Veteran defenseman Tom Preissing, Lubimor Visnovsky and Jack Johnson will return, while Rob Blake becomes a unrestricted free agent.
Photos courtesy of the NHL
Los Angeles has some help coming from one of their top prospects in defensemen Peter Harrold who filled in admirably with his promotion to the big club. Last season’s fourth pick overall Thomas Hickey still needs time to increase his strength and stamina before he can be called up. Joe Piskula is a physical defenseman who, with a good training camp, will be added to the Kings roster for the beginning of the 2008-2009 season.
It’s obvious with the aforementioned youth movement and the glaring need for defensive support, the Kings would be in need of a defenseman in the draft. However, that will be addressed with the second pick overall in Drew Doughty.
The Kings, with the 28th pick overall via the Mattias Norstrom trade to the Dallas Stars last season, the Kings will be looking to possibly select center Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats (WHL). With Eberle, the Kings get a proven finisher who ranked fifth in goals (42), and more importantly in close games in which he had nine game winning goals. In two season with Regina, Eberle has scored 130 points in 136 games. His offense will be much needed for a team that has had trouble putting the puck in the net the last few seasons and is considered by some scouts as a true sniper with tremendous skills. In other words, Eberle has the potential to be the ace in a poker hand seriously lacking in one. His offense will be much needed for a team that has had trouble putting the puck in the net the last few seasons and is considered by some scouts as a true sniper with tremendous skills.
With that said, expect the Kings to make the following announcement come draft day.
“With the 28th overall pick, the Los Angeles Kings select, from the Regina Pats, center Jordan Eberle.”
Contact the author at Andy.Villanueva@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.