Dempsey
Mark it zero
The Kings' prospect pool these days is largely filled with prospects who may be considered under-rated. Picking in the mid-20's every draft for the last six years, the Kings have had to get by with unknowns and afterthoughts for replenishing their roster.
Prospects still on their NHL rosters:
Henrik Borgstrom: In Florida it's looking like Borgstrom will be their third line center and could see himself in the top-6 at some point. Borgstrom was brought in via trade this summer and the Kings see him as a future scoring line player for years to come who will help bridge the gap between their aging veteran roster and their future core.
Kevin Stenlund: The Kings' 7th rounder in 2015 ended up going at the end of the 2nd round a week later to the Blue Jackets. Fast-forward three years later and he's looking like he may have made the NHL Blue Jackets' roster as a hard-working forward with great size and puckhandling ability. He's excelled in pre-season with some PP time, but could still work on his skating to be more effective.
Tage Thompson: Traded to the Sabres in the NHL, Thompson is now "catching up" after probably turning Pro a year earlier than he could have. Thompson has excellent skating and puck skills for a still-lanky 6'5" forward, and possesses an excellent shot that can beat goaltenders cleanly.
Noah Juulsen: His spot on the NHL Canadiens' blueline this season was always his to lose, and it looks like he could be in the NHL to stay after a late-season call-up last year. His offense has yet to show itself in his one year as a Pro, but his defensive game is ahead of the curve.
Christoffer Ehn: Ehn has come over from Sweden as a 22-year-old and, through hard work in all three zones, has earned himself a spot on the fourth line of the Detroit Red Wings.
Rourke Chartier: After suffering through some injuries last season as a second-year pro, many expected Chartier to need another year in the AHL and possibly fade into prospect obscurity. Instead, the forward has nearly locked down a spot on the SJ Sharks fourth line. Chartier is a hard-working forward with a good two-way game and an excellent shot. He's been a scorer at lower levels but his game may make him a valuable checking line forward in the NHL.
Dylan Gambrell: Still up with the NHL's San Jose sharks going into the final cuts, Gambrell has good scoring upside but may require some AHL time first. He turned pro at the end of last season and got into a few games at the tail end of the regular season.
Jonathan Davidsson: Yet another Swede, and the Kings' second-round pick in 2018 as a previously undrafted scorer out of the SHL. Davidsson has an excellent shot and very good speed. He's expected to have top-six potential, but may round out as a third liner who can add some offense and play responsibly in his own zone. Davidsson may not make the final cut in CBJ camp but it will be close.
Not a bad haul for a team who's prospects were ranked near the bottom of the league this past off-season. A few will still spend time in the minors, but the Kings can look forward to this incoming forward depth very soon.
Prospects still on their NHL rosters:
Henrik Borgstrom: In Florida it's looking like Borgstrom will be their third line center and could see himself in the top-6 at some point. Borgstrom was brought in via trade this summer and the Kings see him as a future scoring line player for years to come who will help bridge the gap between their aging veteran roster and their future core.
Kevin Stenlund: The Kings' 7th rounder in 2015 ended up going at the end of the 2nd round a week later to the Blue Jackets. Fast-forward three years later and he's looking like he may have made the NHL Blue Jackets' roster as a hard-working forward with great size and puckhandling ability. He's excelled in pre-season with some PP time, but could still work on his skating to be more effective.
Tage Thompson: Traded to the Sabres in the NHL, Thompson is now "catching up" after probably turning Pro a year earlier than he could have. Thompson has excellent skating and puck skills for a still-lanky 6'5" forward, and possesses an excellent shot that can beat goaltenders cleanly.
Noah Juulsen: His spot on the NHL Canadiens' blueline this season was always his to lose, and it looks like he could be in the NHL to stay after a late-season call-up last year. His offense has yet to show itself in his one year as a Pro, but his defensive game is ahead of the curve.
Christoffer Ehn: Ehn has come over from Sweden as a 22-year-old and, through hard work in all three zones, has earned himself a spot on the fourth line of the Detroit Red Wings.
Rourke Chartier: After suffering through some injuries last season as a second-year pro, many expected Chartier to need another year in the AHL and possibly fade into prospect obscurity. Instead, the forward has nearly locked down a spot on the SJ Sharks fourth line. Chartier is a hard-working forward with a good two-way game and an excellent shot. He's been a scorer at lower levels but his game may make him a valuable checking line forward in the NHL.
Dylan Gambrell: Still up with the NHL's San Jose sharks going into the final cuts, Gambrell has good scoring upside but may require some AHL time first. He turned pro at the end of last season and got into a few games at the tail end of the regular season.
Jonathan Davidsson: Yet another Swede, and the Kings' second-round pick in 2018 as a previously undrafted scorer out of the SHL. Davidsson has an excellent shot and very good speed. He's expected to have top-six potential, but may round out as a third liner who can add some offense and play responsibly in his own zone. Davidsson may not make the final cut in CBJ camp but it will be close.
Not a bad haul for a team who's prospects were ranked near the bottom of the league this past off-season. A few will still spend time in the minors, but the Kings can look forward to this incoming forward depth very soon.
