2018 NHL Entry Draft Discussion

[King'sPawn]

I think we all agree on getting the BPA. But we're discussing how players would fit if they are picked.

Otherwise this is a dead discussion thread since all we can say is "pick BPA"

 

[johnjm22]

BPA always regardless of position.

You can always trade the player down the road.

I wouldn't take a goaltender in the 1st round whether he's BPA or not.

 

[damacles1156]

I wouldn't take a goaltender in the 1st round whether he's BPA or not.

Don't really need to worry about that. The vast majority of Goalie prospects never get rated first round picks. It's always overwhelmingly forwards and Defense.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Highlights from Olofsson's season with Timra, he kinda does look like a young Kopitar. Olofsson is projected to go late in round 1 and could be available at 20 (unless a team ahead of them has him ranked higher than the general consensus).

 

[Sol]

Never ever take a goalie in the first round.

 

[Basilisk]

I think we all agree on getting the BPA.

I think this year it's different. If you believe in the whole "Cup Window" philosophy, then you also believe that ours is closing fast. I do believe Blake will try to take the BPA *who is also NHL-ready. This might mean that he selects somebody who wasn't drafted in either 2016 or 2017 and then had to re-enter this year's draft. We'll see how it all turns out in about 60 days, but my instincts say we'll be looking for a guy who can help us IMMEDIATELY.

 

[KopitarFAN]

I think this year it's different. If you believe in the whole "Cup Window" philosophy, then you also believe that ours is closing fast. I do believe Blake will try to take the BPA *who is also NHL-ready. This might mean that he selects somebody who wasn't drafted in either 2016 or 2017 and then had to re-enter this year's draft. We'll see how it all turns out in about 60 days, but my instincts say we'll be looking for a guy who can help us IMMEDIATELY.

They aren't getting somebody who will step into the lineup at #20, even if they somehow jumped into the back half of the Top 10 or 12, their is about a 40% chance that they would take an American (Wahlstrom, Tkachuk, Farabee and Hughes) who is gonna play college hockey next year.

 

[regulate]

They aren't getting somebody who will step into the lineup at #20, even if they somehow jumped into the back half of the Top 10 or 12, their is about a 40% chance that they would take an American (Wahlstrom, Tkachuk, Farabee and Hughes) who is gonna play college hockey next year.

You are spot on about not getting a player at #20 who is NHL ready. Zero chance in that. I would love to get Wahlstrom, but he will likely be gone in the top 8, maybe even the top 5.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Sign me up for the Svechnikov bandwagon! If Carolina takes the Kings pick at 20 plus Muzzin+, I’d jump on it in a heartbeat

 

[King'sPawn]

I think this year it's different. If you believe in the whole "Cup Window" philosophy, then you also believe that ours is closing fast. I do believe Blake will try to take the BPA *who is also NHL-ready. This might mean that he selects somebody who wasn't drafted in either 2016 or 2017 and then had to re-enter this year's draft. We'll see how it all turns out in about 60 days, but my instincts say we'll be looking for a guy who can help us IMMEDIATELY.

Playing in the NHL sooner doesn't mean the prospect is better. Would you rather have Brandon Gormley or Derek Forbort? Gormley played in the NHL two years before Forbort and was drafted higher, but he only has five career points in the NHL.

 

[Kingsfan1]

This is the first year I don't know to much about the prospects nor can I get excited over one . To many euros ranked high this year and I don't know anything about them . What are some comparable draft years to 2018?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

This is the first year I don't know to much about the prospects nor can I get excited over one . To many euros ranked high this year and I don't know anything about them . What are some comparable draft years to 2018?

I was thinking the same thing, a lot of Euros with question marks about how their games will translate, like Bokk. Might be a good year to get another one, frankly, take that swing. I'm liking that Olofsson kid!

 

[Reaper45]

I think Samuelsson is a safe pick to make at 20.

 

[FlameChampion]

Currently the GM for the Kings for the Oilers HFBoards Mock Draft. Picked Hayton at #20. What are the kings biggest needs prospect wise?

 

[KingsOfCali25]

Currently the GM for the Kings for the Oilers HFBoards Mock Draft. Picked Hayton at #20. What are the kings biggest needs prospect wise?

Skilled scoring wingers that can create on their own. Think P. Kane

Edit: we will go BPA but my choices...

1) Bokk
2) Denisenko
3) Olofsson

 

[LAKings88]

I wouldn’t mind a boom or bust Russian pick honestly.

Guessing LA ends up with a dman at 20.

 

[Herby]

I wouldn’t mind a boom or bust Russian pick honestly.

Guessing LA ends up with a dman at 20.

Agree on first part.
Disagree on second part.

 

[LAKings88]

Agree on first part.
Disagree on second part.

I hope not but at 20 I think it’s really hard to predict. I can see a few guys that they might think have more upside on defense in that slot.

 

[KingsOfCali25]

I hope not but at 20 I think it’s really hard to predict. I can see a few guys that they might think have more upside on defense in that slot.

In this draft...the players around pick 20 or later are actually more forward heavy than dman. The good dman will go early leaving the "non-Top4" guys and the headcase that is Ryan Merkley at our pick. I'd rather the Kings take a forward than dman.

 

[KopitarFAN]

I would be thrilled with Barrett Hayton at #20.

 

[regulate]

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Yes, if Kravtsov is still around at 20, you take him. Say he compares to Evgeny Kuznetsov...no substitution for that kind of skill. They say he may drop some, due to his contract situation...meanking he must be locked up a few yrs, but I could not find the specifics of that.
Would rather go after that, than a possible top 4 defenseman, or possible top 9 forward. I think some high skill players may fall to
20. I prefer a forward at 20. BFA. (best forward available) Kings need to get a top 6 forward, more than anything.
Players like Veleno, (but he should be gone by 15) Kaut, Kupari, Kotkanieni (would love to be able to get Kotkaniemi, but he should be gone by 15 too) Lundestrom, Bokk or Olafsson. And Serran Noel, Hayton, Denisenko, Akil Thomas or McLeod as well.

Kings D corp is decent and not what holds this team back...and Brickley and Clague are truly potential 3/4 D's...and still hope for LaDue. Then there's also Austin Strand and Michael Anderson. Andrerson was apparently a surprise at the WJC and his college team were NCAA champions. Not a bad year at all.
Conversely, how many potential top 6 forwards in the pipeline, outside of Vilardi? Possibly JAD. I would have no problem if the
Kings traded 20 + , to go after a Wahlstrom or someone in the top 10 they covet.

I LOVE eliteprospects site, as they link to DRAFT pages of: McKeens, ISS, Hockeyprospect.com, and futureconsiderations.com...and all the
eliteprospects profiles INCLUDE ALL STATS from the tournaments and include playoffs. AWESOME site to make comparisons...and they include Central Scouting rankings too. You also see the rankings of all sites on the player profile.

Elite Prospects - NHL Draft CenterISS HOCKEY TOP 31

www.mynhldraft.com is good too, and links videos.

 

[King'sPawn]

Would he bring his winning smile if he continues to wear #74 like Dwight King?

 

[deeshamrock]

Impressive writeup, I couldn't find him on TSN's top 100 or ISS's top 31.

ISS Top 31 - Top Prospect Rankings

But there are some pretty good forwards in the range where the Kings are drafting. Unless they like somebody in the top 12 or so and move a player with the 20 to move up.

 

[Sol]

If there is a really good pick for a fair price the Kings should make the trade. If not, the Kings should 100% draft a forward with their pick.