2022 Draft Discussion (after the trade)

[King'sPawn]

The draft is less than 5 months away, so we might as well have a repository to discuss it.

I'll update with more info soon, unless someone else feels like tacking on stuff.

I also published my first article regarding the draft on MM, even though it's someone unlikely available. I plan on churning more of these out.

Click to read more...

 

[Statto]

Mateychuk - basically the only LHD in the first half of the first round, in the area we likely draft. The rest are all RD.

 

[Fat Elvis]

Is the 2022 draft considered strong in any particular position?
How does it compare with 2020-21 in talent?

 

[Sybil227]

I really hope we grab a goalie in the 2nd/3rd round. That's a pipeline that needs filling.

 

[Schrute farms]

I thought last draft there was a 25% chance we'd trade the 1st round pick for something immediate. For this coming 2022, i think it's the other way around -- 75% chance it's traded. Unless there's an elite LHD with size (currently not) or an elite goalie (IDK) around where we pick....i see it going in a package for something good.

 

[Statto]

I thought last draft there was a 25% chance we'd trade the 1st round pick for something immediate. For this coming 2022, i think it's the other way around -- 75% chance it's traded. Unless there's an elite LHD with size (currently not) or an elite goalie (IDK) around where we pick....i see it going in a package for something good.

Agreed. I named Mateychuk on the assumption we use the pick, although I think he likely goes too early for us. Personally I’d trade the pick and go for a decent goaltender in the 2nd. We definitely need another quality over quantity draft.

 

[kilowatt]

Just for some light reading, here are some articles:

• NBC: NHL Draft: Top 32 prospect rankings for 2022 - Pro Hockey Talk
• Sporting News: NHL Draft prospects 2022: Updated big board, ranking of top 32 players overall
• The Hockey Writers: https://thehockeywriters.com/2022-nhl-draft-rankings-january-forbes/
• Sportsnet: Sportsnet's 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: January Edition

My best guess is we'll be picking in that 15-20 range. I think our best-case scenario is an elite scoring winger falls in the draft a bit. A couple guys I like are Isaac Howard, Frank Nazar, and Cutter Gauthier. Cutter's already 6'3 195 at age 18, a physical goal-scoring winger. From Scouching regarding Cutter:

Cutter Gauthier is one of the more fun players in this group, let alone much of the draft. He's quick, his hands are quicker, and he can deceive with that quickness before pulling pucks wide to drive around defenders. His shot selection is more volume based, and his passing in transition offensively can be a mixed bag, but there are many flashes of really impressive talent with Gauthier and by the end of the year he could be higher on my list than the early 20s.

 

[FrozenKing18]

I'm assuming we get a LHD. Maybe a goalie. Im unfamiliar with our G prospects, do we have any promising future starters?

 

[lumbergh]

Just for some light reading, here are some articles:

• NBC: NHL Draft: Top 32 prospect rankings for 2022 - Pro Hockey Talk
• Sporting News: NHL Draft prospects 2022: Updated big board, ranking of top 32 players overall
• The Hockey Writers: https://thehockeywriters.com/2022-nhl-draft-rankings-january-forbes/
• Sportsnet: Sportsnet's 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings: January Edition

My best guess is we'll be picking in that 15-20 range. I think our best-case scenario is an elite scoring winger falls in the draft a bit. A couple guys I like are Isaac Howard, Frank Nazar, and Cutter Gauthier. Cutter's already 6'3 195 at age 18, a physical goal-scoring winger. From Scouching regarding Cutter:

"Cutter Gauthier" is a fantastic hockey name.

 

[Gjwrams]

I'm not expecting us to draft until the 2nd round....Do we have a list of those dudes.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I can't imagine we make a mid-1st pick. Almost positive it gets traded UNLESS the team feels they're getting a top-5/10 guy on their list dropping. Otherwise I would guess we either trade up or trade out. We have MORE tahn enough quantity, time to consolidate for some quality, or liquidate for more picks/assets to spread out the age stratification.

 

[Peter James Bond II]

No more RHD until 2025 draft. Please.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

I can't imagine we make a mid-1st pick. Almost positive it gets traded UNLESS the team feels they're getting a top-5/10 guy on their list dropping. Otherwise I would guess we either trade up or trade out. We have MORE tahn enough quantity, time to consolidate for some quality, or liquidate for more picks/assets to spread out the age stratification.

I liked last years strategy and hope they repeat it, given the bloated state of the prospect list. Walk away with 3 or 4 guys at the top of their list in rounds 2 and 3.

And I too would be very surprised if we have a 1st in 2022.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I liked last years strategy and hope they repeat it, given the bloated state of the prospect list. Walk away with 3 or 4 guys at the top of their list in rounds 2 and 3.

And I too would be very surprised if we have a 1st in 2022.

Was really thinking pretty much exactly that. Grab 2-3 of 'your guys' and maybe a couple of depth players just to keep the age range honest and systems stocked in various leagues. Trade a couple of prospects for future picks. Crazy year for the Kings to be drafting haha.

 

[SmytheKing]

Agreed. I named Mateychuk on the assumption we use the pick, although I think he likely goes too early for us. Personally I’d trade the pick and go for a decent goaltender in the 2nd. We definitely need another quality over quantity draft.

Goaltending is reaaaaaaaaaaaaallllly weak this year from everything I'm seeing in rankings. That could change but this isn't likely the year to pick one. Last year for sure, but this one is a pass. Of course, who knows what they turn out to be in a few years.

 

[kinghock]

I'm assuming we get a LHD. Maybe a goalie. Im unfamiliar with our G prospects, do we have any promising future starters?

Only Parik

 

[Docgonzo]

This draft seems horrible from a Kings perspective lol. Draft seems to be dominated by centers and rhd which they don’t need more of. The wingers available will probably go high and only 1 real option for LHD at the moment. And no real high goalie prospects, definitely see them trading this first round pick.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

"Cutter Gauthier" is a fantastic hockey name.

Some quality names in this one. Gotta soft spot for "Rutger McGroarty" and Calle Odelius, both realistic picks.

I also wish we could move up for Slafkovsky, I've loved him for yearrrrs.

 

[Telos]

Still a little sad we missed out on Wallstedt last year. Obviously, we need a promising goalie prospect sooner rather than later. Some more quality defenders would be nice as well. We've been pretty good about getting the players we've wanted for some time. I am fine with them trading picks though to move up or get roster players to help push things forward though rather than look for more futures.

 

[King'sPawn]

Is the 2022 draft considered strong in any particular position?
How does it compare with 2020-21 in talent?

It's definitely less hyped than other drafts. Most notably, Shane Wright is considered to have an underwhelming season.

Plus, the WJC where some top prospects could have been more hyped, has been rescheduled till AFTER the draft.

Plus, the bigger hype is reserved for next year, with phenoms Bedard vs. Mitchkov.

I still dislike the term "weak"/"strong" draft. There's talent every year.

The forwards are drawing the most attention.

 

[Reclamation Project]

No more RHD until 2025 draft. Please.

Correct, Kings need centers.

 

[Docgonzo]

Correct, Kings need centers.

If it team Canada can roll out 9/12 centers in their lineup then so can the Kings! Luc/Blake logic.

 

[kingsfan]

It's definitely less hyped than other drafts. Most notably, Shane Wright is considered to have an underwhelming season.

Plus, the WJC where some top prospects could have been more hyped, has been rescheduled till AFTER the draft.

Plus, the bigger hype is reserved for next year, with phenoms Bedard vs. Mitchkov.

I still dislike the term "weak"/"strong" draft. There's talent every year.

The forwards are drawing the most attention.

Excellent assessment, especially this line.

I seen a few people bemoan the fact there isn't elite goalie talent in this draft and that maybe we shouldn't draft one because of it. The greatest goalie we've ever had was a 3rd rounder. Arguably the Vezina winner this year, Igor Shesterkin, was a 4th rounder, Ilya Sorokin was a 5th, etc. There is plenty of goalies in the NHL that went in rounds one or two, but plenty outside that range too. This is a fine year to throw a mid-round pick at a kid that's a long range project and let him marinate, preferably overseas.

Guys that I see LA targeting for forwards if they keep the pick that are in the area we're likely drafting are Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Marco Kasper and Isaac Howard. Cutter Gauthier too, but I think he's gone by the time we pick and could see him getting up into the top 10. It wouldn't surprise me if they grabbed a defenseman at all though still, and there are plenty in the range we're likely to pick.

LA seems to value character at least as much as skill in the higher picks under Blake (and under DL too) . Additionally, the picks have been heavily focused on NA and when they do venture into Europe it seems to be mainly Sweden and Finland. They have drafted one Russian under Blake and just two since 2014 so don't expect them to go there, especially in the top two rounds.

 

[Fat Elvis]

IF LA does make their 1st round selection in this draft, I really hope they go BPA. Sort it out later.
But I agree with the idea of moving it to acquire an immediate roster upgrade.

 

[kingsfan]

I say it's 50/50 we move the pick. If we make the playoffs (or management thinks we will when they trade it), I think we'll likely move it. If we stumble and fall down the stretch, we'll likely keep it. That said, we have a very deep prospect pool and we'll need to start sending out bodies at some point. Packaging a guy or two with that 1st would get a very nice return.