GDT: 2019 Draft Discussion: LA Kings pick 5th, 22nd overall 8 p.m. ET (NBCSN, SN, TVAS)

[Winger23]

f*** you Blake. Draft is a bust.

 

[Little Psycho]

It wouldn't be the Kings if there wasn't some kind of disappointment

 

[Cook24]

Stupid with Robertson and vlasic still there. Could’ve traded up a bit from 33 and not given up to much to take one of them...

 

[KingsHockey24]

Way better skater than Forbort.

 

[Telos]

They had the jersey ready to go and everything. LOL, they are commenting and saying LA played it too safe, he is a bottom pairing guy, and there are high skill home runs on the board. Figures. We are getting Burked.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Björnfot is a very capable two-way defenseman with few weaknesses in his game. A strong skater who reads the game well and contributes both offensively and defensively. Also a good leader and he competes hard on every shift. Can be used on the powerplay, but stands out more in his own end with this solid play. (EP 2019)
Björnfot is in superb physical shape and he is both strong and got good conditioning, Hockeyprospect.com 2019
He has a strong and hard first pass to start the transition game and he also has the ability to transport the puck zone-to-zone himself, Future Considerations 2019
He is a solid stickhandler and good passer, as likely to make the simple, safe play as he is to attempt something more challenging, McKeen's Hockey 2019
Complete defender.. competent in all situations.. nice lateral mobility with the puck allows him to find space to make plays under pressure, Draftin Europe 2018

Oh good, here comes Lintuniemi/Moverare 2.0.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I just don’t understand that pick at all. Bjornfot is a 4-5D at his absolute best. Kaliyev has the skill set to potentially be a 30 goal scorer in this league.

I just don’t understand why you feel the need to draft Bjornfot at 22 with Kaliyev and others still on the board.

This is the Forbort pick all over again. Drafting for need, not BPA.

Edit: I take that back. This is not even drafting for need, considering we have Durzi, Walker, and a thousand other bottom pairing PMD already in the system. I don’t know what kind of drafting this is.

 

[kilowatt]

Scouting report on Bjornfot:

Bjornfot was a touted prospect for a few years and a minutes eater for Sweden’s international teams, including being one of the best defensemen at the U18s and named the best defenseman in Sweden’s J20 league. His skating provides a lot of his value. His ability to lead a rush, pinch off the blueline and close on his checks is very good. His feet allow him to make stops and transition pucks. He has solid defensive acumen and generally is trusted by coaches to play tougher minutes. His puck game is average. He can have the odd flash offensively due to his feet and above-average vision. His skill level doesn’t overly impress, but there were times, particularly in the second half of the season, he showed more confidence making creative plays. He could be a reliable two-way defenseman in the NHL who might not put up points.
NHL scout on Bjornfot: “He’s not flashy, but he’s a very mobile and smart defenseman. He kills a lot of plays, can skate pucks up and can give you some offense.”

Lowest ceiling of the first round, probably.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

That has "we took a forward at 5, we have to take a defenseman at 22" written all over it

 

[RocketKing]

f*** BLAKE, they are unbelievably stupid. This f***edup team makes NO sense

 

[Cochese]

You have an early 2nd rounder, use that for D!!! This team needs forward prospects.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Really the dumbest time to be taking 'safe' picks.

 

[kovacro]

“Compete and character, we need to get that” Blake on Sportsnet with Friedman.

 

[Telos]

Jesus, Blake is throwing down the Dean Lombardi character card.

 

[Cook24]

Kingspawn make me feel better about this...

 

[riznat]

Yesssssssssss

What do you like about him? I know nothing about him and you seem pumped.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The more they talk, the more i hate it.

Do we not have 100 of this f***ing guy in our system already?

Like is anyone questioning our ability to find bottom pairing d-men?

 

[Little Psycho]

You can find this type of player anywhere. Wasted pick.

 

[kingsboy11]

First time in over a decade with 2 first round picks, sometimes you gotta swing for the fences. This felt like a sac fly

 

[AmadiosAmigos]

Glad we have a team full of character like Clifford, Forbort, and Bjornfot that cant F'n score. Kaliyev's 51 goals would have been amazing - a goal scorer we lack, character we do not!

 

[Islcey]

Looks good to me.. plenty of forwards left, I'm sure we'll get a good one at 33. Nice pick in my opinion. Turcotte and Bjornfot are great additions to our prospect pool, excited to see how the rest of the draft plays out.

 

[deaderhead28]

Lol Blake has no idea what he is doing.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

First time in over a decade with 2 first round picks, sometimes you gotta swing for the fences. This felt like a sac fly

it was a f***ing pitcher bunt.

 

[Herby]

If Kaliyev turns into a star this will be Blake's version of Tarasenko, talked about on here for years.

I just don't get why they are neglecting goal-scoring so much, oh wait, nevermind they've been doing it for a dozen years.

 

[Choralone]

Pronman originally had him ranked as the 37th best skater in the draft, but his stock has been rising and in his most recent mock draft, Pronman had him going 21st.

Bjornfot was a touted prospect for a few years and a minutes eater for Sweden’s international teams, including being one of the best defensemen at the U18s and named the best defenseman in Sweden’s J20 league. His skating provides a lot of his value. His ability to lead a rush, pinch off the blueline and close on his checks is very good. His feet allow him to make stops and transition pucks. He has solid defensive acumen and generally is trusted by coaches to play tougher minutes. His puck game is average. He can have the odd flash offensively due to his feet and above-average vision. His skill level doesn’t overly impress, but there were times, particularly in the second half of the season, he showed more confidence making creative plays. He could be a reliable two-way defenseman in the NHL who might not put up points.
NHL scout on Bjornfot: “He’s not flashy, but he’s a very mobile and smart defenseman. He kills a lot of plays, can skate pucks up and can give you some offense.”

edit: kilowat beat me.