Prospect Info: 95th Overall Jordan Spence Defence

[kings11]

Faber is definitely tops on my list. Keep that guy.

Over the next 2 years it’ll be interesting to see what the Kings do on defense..
do the Kings trade for a LHD?
Can any of the RHD play the Left?
Regardless of how Durzi and Roy play, I’ll repeat that the future of the right side will be
Doughty
Clarke
Faber
Do Mikey and Toby take that next step? Is one included in a trade for that elusive LHD?
We’re getting back on track to bring a winning club and we’re up to the eye balls with young studs and decisions need to be made

 

[Statto]

Over the next 2 years it’ll be interesting to see what the Kings do on defense..
do the Kings trade for a LHD?
Can any of the RHD play the Left?
Regardless of how Durzi and Roy play, I’ll repeat that the future of the right side will be
Doughty
Clarke
Faber
Do Mikey and Toby take that next step? Is one included in a trade for that elusive LHD?
We’re getting back on track to bring a winning club and we’re up to the eye balls with young studs and decisions need to be made

I think if we lose one of them in that deal Anderson is the one you choose to let go, simply because Björnfot has the higher ceiling. Mikey playing on the top pair probably helps his trade value but on a contender I see him as a solid #5 that can play up the lineup and PK.

However, controversially, I also think Durzi will be on the board even though that probably sounds nuts. Why? Because he is very quickly become a valuable young piece, we have so much depth at RD and his next contract will be cheapish (appeals to the likes of Arizona). If they have complete faith in Clarke and Faber then I think it’s a possibility (I’m not saying I’d have the stones to do it). Regardless they are going to give up a key young defensive player to acquire the LH defenseman and whomever it is half the board will freak out because it’ll be a very good player we lose. I don’t think Spence, Walker or Roy come close to getting it done, hence I think Durzi may be in play as his trade value is quickly going up. Call it a gut feeling.

Honestly though, I have no clue as to what I would do but I would move a right shot guy as they hold slightly more value and we are seriously loaded there.

 

[kilowatt]

I wouldn't trade Durzi at this point. He is one of the best offensive defensemen we've had post-lockout. He's rivaling some of Drew's best seasons at his current pace. Walker is probably expendable, maybe even Roy if the return made sense (a young top-pairing LHD), but Durzi is so exciting to watch. Love his game. Hope we hang on to him. Let him and Clarke walk the blue line for years to come.

 

[Statto]

I wouldn't trade Durzi at this point. He is one of the best offensive defensemen we've had post-lockout. He's rivaling some of Drew's best seasons at his current pace. Walker is probably expendable, maybe even Roy if the return made sense (a young top-pairing LHD), but Durzi is so exciting to watch. Love his game. Hope we hang on to him. Let him and Clarke walk the blue line for years to come.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Durzi. I just don’t see how everything and everyone fits ultimately and as such we will end up moving someone we don’t want to lose.

 

[HookKing]

Don’t get me wrong, I love Durzi. I just don’t see how everything and everyone fits ultimately and as such we will end up moving someone we don’t want to lose.

At this point it's pretty straightforward: a bird in the hand...

 

[Statto]

At this point it's pretty straightforward: a bird in the hand...

Yeah… I’m probably over thinking it.

 

[HookKing]

Yeah… I’m probably over thinking it.

Well, Blake is probably telling himself the same thing. Hence the need for another voice.

 

[SufferingSelfCreated]

Well, Blake is probably telling himself the same thing. Hence the need for another voice.

One of my favorite quotes:

"Don't believe everything you think"

We all live in our little echo chambers.

 

[TruKingFan]

One of my favorite quotes:

"Don't believe everything you think"

We all live in our little echo chambers.

Some wayyyyy more than others….thats for damn sure.

 

[King'sPawn]

Mine's fairly similar.

1. Clarke
2. Faber
3. Kirsanov
4. Spence
5. Nousiainen
6. Grans
7. Moverare
8. Clague
9. Strand
10. Meehan
11. Durzi
12. Doyle
13. Phillips

Yeah, Durzi's making me feel stupid now.

Time to rewatch some and see what I missed.

 

[Eagle Fang]

Yeah, Durzi's making me feel stupid now.

Time to rewatch some and see what I missed.

I don't think many people would've thought he'd be this good in the NHL (so far). You and the rest of us in the Reign thread knew his offensive skills were very good. Of course on the flip side we also saw he was a train wreck in his own zone and assumed vs NHL caliber talent, he'd get exposed.

Certainly hasn't been the case so far and I think a lot of us are surprised with his defensive play. Then again even Ollie Maatta looks pretty good recently so you never know haha.

 

[King'sPawn]

I don't think many people would've thought he'd be this good in the NHL (so far). You and the rest of us in the Reign thread knew his offensive skills were very good. Of course on the flip side we also saw he was a train wreck in his own zone and assumed vs NHL caliber talent, he'd get exposed.

Certainly hasn't been the case so far and I think a lot of us are surprised with his defensive play. Then again even Ollie Maatta looks pretty good recently so you never know haha.

I understand and appreciate the reassurance. The point remains that it wasn't about failing to think he'd be this good. It was casting him as an AHL PP specialist.

The majority of us (including myself) missed something.

 

[FSL KINGS]

I understand and appreciate the reassurance. The point remains that it wasn't about failing to think he'd be this good. It was casting him as an AHL PP specialist.

The majority of us (including myself) missed something.

Could have just finally clicked. Durzi wasn't the 1st D recall from Ont. Didn't get a shot until Doughty went down & they needed a PP1 D. Management may not have realized he was going to stick either.

 

[cyclones22]

Durzi really started to turn it around when the entire Reign team did last season. He was really good at least offensively in the second half of the season. And then went up to another level this season. Judging defense on the AHL level is difficult only because it can be so Helter Skelter. Especially when some of the pairings are terrible because some of those guys are not prospects at all.

 

[LAKings88]

Over the next 2 years it’ll be interesting to see what the Kings do on defense..
do the Kings trade for a LHD?
Can any of the RHD play the Left?
Regardless of how Durzi and Roy play, I’ll repeat that the future of the right side will be
Doughty
Clarke
Faber
Do Mikey and Toby take that next step? Is one included in a trade for that elusive LHD?
We’re getting back on track to bring a winning club and we’re up to the eye balls with young studs and decisions need to be made

Helge Grans too.

I have a feeling the Kings won’t rush Clarke or Faber. I agree that both are the future.

Walker seems expendable.

Roy is that Scuderi piece.

 

[cyclones22]

I don't think they will rush either as well, but if they kill it in Prospect and training camp then who knows. I think they will want to sign Faber this offseason. One more year at Minnesota wouldn't be a bad idea but you certainly don't want to get into an Adam Fox situation where he doesn't sign with you.

 

[kings11]

Helge Grans too.

I have a feeling the Kings won’t rush Clarke or Faber. I agree that both are the future.

Walker seems expendable.

Roy is that Scuderi piece.

All I can see and think about when people post all our Dman is ….
Damn we have a lot of valuable trade pieces lol
And i haven’t even gotten to the forwards

 

[LAKings88]

I don't think they will rush either as well, but if they kill it in Prospect and training camp then who knows. I think they will want to sign Faber this offseason. One more year at Minnesota wouldn't be a bad idea but you certainly don't want to get into an Adam Fox situation where he doesn't sign with you.

I think Hoven says he will join the Kings after his college season is over. Will go to the AHL.

 

[tkb81]

I don't think many people would've thought he'd be this good in the NHL (so far). You and the rest of us in the Reign thread knew his offensive skills were very good. Of course on the flip side we also saw he was a train wreck in his own zone and assumed vs NHL caliber talent, he'd get exposed.

Certainly hasn't been the case so far and I think a lot of us are surprised with his defensive play. Then again even Ollie Maatta looks pretty good recently so you never know haha.

maybe its the case of smarter decisions are made in the NHL and the lower leagues its more erratic .. it makes sense in my head haha

 

[Peter James Bond II]

Don’t get me wrong, I love Durzi. I just don’t see how everything and everyone fits ultimately and as such we will end up moving someone we don’t want to lose.

That's true...but I don't think it will be Durzi. After 19 NHL games, I would rather put him on PP1 and move Drew to PP2. That's how good he is. Maybe they can try both on the point.
Why not?

I agree about the upsides of Clarke and Faber....but hard to tell when they will be able to break in. Can't have all of: Doughty, Roy, Faber, Clarke and Durzi...AND Grans
It's a shame 1 or 2 of them is not LHD. Things will play out. I'm sure some team that wants a RHD, will be coming to the Kings a calling.

The crazy thing is, Durzi will just keep getting better and better. His poise, quickness, decisiveness, awareness, puck skills, ozone play, passing, CONFIDENCE and even shot are all
top notch. The transition from OHL to AHL to NHL are huge steps and he's made the hardest one look easy. Wait until next year. He may be the best D on the team.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

maybe its the case of smarter decisions are made in the NHL and the lower leagues its more erratic .. it makes sense in my head haha

He's a thinker, and he does well with flow--I agree with that.

The issue I had previously had with Durzi was the one I thought Clague would have--his offense would be good enough for the NHL, but not good enough to overcome his defensive shortcomings; well, his offense has been VERY good at the NHL level, but his D has been NHL average-ish, which was the real surprise for him sticking. I thought he could maybe be a Marc-Andre Bergeron not-every-day type of OFD but he's already proven that wrong. Happy to be wrong, he's a good kid, we were always rooting for him I think, just didn't know if he had 'it', and the 'it' he has is not just all of the above, but a moxie/confidence that he didn't seem to have even in Juniors, never mind at the AHL level--he always had that 'tentativeness' that people hated about Clague.

 

[kings11]

That's true...but I don't think it will be Durzi. After 19 NHL games, I would rather put him on PP1 and move Drew to PP2. That's how good he is. Maybe they can try both on the point.
Why not?

I agree about the upsides of Clarke and Faber....but hard to tell when they will be able to break in. Can't have all of: Doughty, Roy, Faber, Clarke and Durzi...AND Grans
It's a shame 1 or 2 of them is not LHD. Things will play out. I'm sure some team that wants a RHD, will be coming to the Kings a calling.

The crazy thing is, Durzi will just keep getting better and better. His poise, quickness, decisiveness, awareness, puck skills, ozone play, passing, CONFIDENCE and even shot are all
top notch. The transition from OHL to AHL to NHL are huge steps and he's made the hardest one look easy. Wait until next year. He may be the best D on the team.

I think that’s unrealistic about Durzi ever becoming our best Dman but I would like to know if either Durzi or Faber can play their off side. I think a bottom pairing of Faber-Durzi would be dynamic

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

That's true...but I don't think it will be Durzi. After 19 NHL games, I would rather put him on PP1 and move Drew to PP2. That's how good he is. Maybe they can try both on the point.
Why not?

I agree about the upsides of Clarke and Faber....but hard to tell when they will be able to break in. Can't have all of: Doughty, Roy, Faber, Clarke and Durzi...AND Grans
It's a shame 1 or 2 of them is not LHD. Things will play out. I'm sure some team that wants a RHD, will be coming to the Kings a calling.

The crazy thing is, Durzi will just keep getting better and better. His poise, quickness, decisiveness, awareness, puck skills, ozone play, passing, CONFIDENCE and even shot are all
top notch. The transition from OHL to AHL to NHL are huge steps and he's made the hardest one look easy. Wait until next year. He may be the best D on the team.

I'm sure LOTS of teams are high on Faber right now and I hope he's not the one to go. I think he's the eventual Roy replacement, but even higher end--like a 2D like Tanev.

I assume at least one of them is gonna try out as an LHD, and it may be Spence, as versatile as he is. One of them crossing over would solve a LOT of problems, as would Kirsanov coming over.

The other thing is good luck putting together a 2024 lineup haha, it's jsut too hard.

Doughty / Anderson
Bjornfot / Clarke
Kirsanov / Durzi
Faber, Spens, Grans? I don't know! Where does Roy go? Walker? What if Nousiainen comes over and just rips shit up? It's all a good problem to have. Some will have to be liquidated.

 

[Eagle Fang]

maybe its the case of smarter decisions are made in the NHL and the lower leagues its more erratic .. it makes sense in my head haha

It does and I think several players have mentioned in some ways the NHL is easier in the sense that there is more structure and your teammates in general are better. We've seen it with Clauge and Strand. They were not very good in ONT but did pretty ok in LA.

 

[Eagle Fang]

I'm sure LOTS of teams are high on Faber right now and I hope he's not the one to go. I think he's the eventual Roy replacement, but even higher end--like a 2D like Tanev.

I assume at least one of them is gonna try out as an LHD, and it may be Spence, as versatile as he is. One of them crossing over would solve a LOT of problems, as would Kirsanov coming over.

The other thing is good luck putting together a 2024 lineup haha, it's jsut too hard.

Doughty / Anderson
Bjornfot / Clarke
Kirsanov / Durzi
Faber, Spens, Grans? I don't know! Where does Roy go? Walker? What if Nousiainen comes over and just rips shit up? It's all a good problem to have. Some will have to be liquidated.

I see a couple of people are pretty high on Kirsanov. Never seen him play and don't know much about him other than what I read in scouting reports. Hopefully he comes to NA soon.

LA's defense prospects are starting to shape up nicely. While maybe not top prospects, Spence and Grans have looked pretty good in ONT so far with definite NHL upside.