Kings Article: A Look At LA Kings 2016 2nd Round Pick D Kale Clague

[FrozenRoyalty]

Outside of front office changes, it's been a relatively quiet summer for the LA Kings, so how about we take a look at some of their young prospects?

First off is their 2016 second round draft pick, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) defenseman Kale Clague, who the Kings are very, very high on.

Read all about his progress, including exclusive comments from Clague and Kings assistant general manager Michael Futa, at...

A Look At LA Kings 2016 2nd Round Pick D Kale Clague

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[Statto]

Thanks Gann, nice read.

 

[Sol]

What's the floor and ceiling of this guy's potential? Heard a lot of good things about him but I just want an honest outlook.

 

[Stimpythecat]

Corey Pronman called Clague "top-end talent."

 

[lumbergh]

Reminds me of one Thomas Hickey.

 

[damacles1156]

What's the floor and ceiling of this guy's potential? Heard a lot of good things about him but I just want an honest outlook.

Skilled, good skater, good vision.

But like all prospects need to see him play against MEN.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Reminds me of one Thomas Hickey.

Far better skater than Hickey. If he were just Hickey with great skating, that would be a very good player.

 

[johnjm22]

He does sound a lot like Hickey. Which isn't a bad thing necessarily.

Hickey was/is also a good skater.

 

[King'sPawn]

I agree the overall role he would be fulfilling and playstyle he would be using sounds a lot like Hickey. Granted, I haven't seen much of him, so I could be off base.

But I liked Hickey, too. I think most people would have liked Hickey if he wasn't taken 4th overall. Either way, he has still carved out an NHL career.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

He does sound a lot like Hickey. Which isn't a bad thing necessarily.

Hickey was/is also a good skater.

Good skater, not near-elite skater. Didn't mean to suggest Hickey was a bad one, just wanted to illustrate how good Clague was.

Maybe Nick Leddy a better comparison?

 

[johnjm22]

Good skater, not near-elite skater. Didn't mean to suggest Hickey was a bad one, just wanted to illustrate how good Clague was.

Maybe Nick Leddy a better comparison?

Skating was one of the main reasons the Kings selected Hickey at 4th overall. When you watch him play his skating ability sticks out. I don't know if he's elite in this area, but I don't think just calling his skating "good" does it justice either.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

You know you're right; I think I remember people talking about Hickey's skating like Neidermeyer's. Wonder who I'm thinking of that I misremembered Hickey. At draft time, anyway.

 

[King'sPawn]

You know you're right; I think I remember people talking about Hickey's skating like Neidermeyer's. Wonder who I'm thinking of that I misremembered Hickey. At draft time, anyway.

Does anyone really know what you're thinking?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Does anyone really know what you're thinking?

I'm not sure even I do

 

[Fishhead]

Hickey is a good comparison for Clague, size and skating wise.

I think Clague plays a tad more physical. Pretty much a wash offensively. Both really good skaters and on-ice thinkers. Both guys have exceptional vision.

The biggest difference I think is that Hickey was always an offensive guy who needed to work harder to improve his defense. Clague was more of a solid defensive guy who needed to work on his offense. Clague is more of a 2-way guy where Hickey has always been more of an offensive type.

In the few times I've seen him play, Clague also reminds of LaDue with his skating and vision.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

So basically, Clauge is Hickey where Hickey should have been drafted

 

[Kingspiracy]

So basically, Clauge is Hickey where Hickey should have been drafted

Or clague should have been drafted 4th overall !!