1997- I wanted to take Sergei Samsonov with the 3rd overall pick. I was intrigued by his amazing offensive talents and how well he played against men in the IHL. We ended up with Olli Jokinen who after a couple of awful years has really gotten his career back on track.
With the second first round pick, I knew we were doomed when we took Zultek, I had seen him play a ton that year (his first with the 67's) and knew he would never be a good pro. Amazes me this guy was taken in the 1st round, had 2 lousy, re-entered the draft and still got taken in the 2nd round in 99, I guess size does matter.As for this pick, I was hoping for Robert Dome , what can I say. I loved those IHL players.
1998- I was really hoping for Mike Van Ryn who was coming off a solid first year in college hockey. We ended up with pylon Mathieu Biron, who is destined to be a journeyman #6 d-man.
1999- Our first was traded for Palffy, before that I was pretty high on Denis Shvidki . Who like Biron seems destined to be a fringe NHL player. Overall this draft has stunk so far and I am happy we moved our pick.
2000- I totally missed the ball on this one, I was really hoping for Brad Boyes who I had seen play in the OHL. I thought he would be the perfect pick for the Kings, I didn't know anything about Alexander Frolov except that he was Russian and had good hands (but they all have good hands)
2001- Had a couple first rounders here. Was very disapointed in the Jens Karlsson pick, was hoping for Marcel Goc or Tim Gleason here. 3 years later and Karlsson still can't score, well neither can Goc, but Gleason had an excellent rookie pro season. With the 30th pick, I was really hoping that we would gamble and draft Mike Cammalleri who had lit up the CCHA and had a nice World Junior tourney. Unfortunately we took Steckel. who appears to be a bust. The silver lining in this draft though, LA was able to get Cammalleri with a 2nd round pick and able to trade for Gleason, so I come away pretty happy.
2002- Denis Grebeshkov was our man if he was still available, everyone knew it, so it was pretty much a given we would take him and I had no problem with that. Jiri Hudler free falling and Anton Babchuk falling a bit, made you consider them. But I wanted Grebeshkov.
2003- The big draft, 3 1st round picks. I had actually proposed on the Kings board, of moving up a few spots to grab Dustin Brown if he fell to 9 or 10. I was shocked he fell all the way to the Kings, shocked that Philly and the NYR passed on him. With the later picks, I was very happy to land Jeff Tambellini, he was one of the guys I had targeted with one of those picks, taking Brian Boyle I hadn't. I preferred Shawn Belle to somewhat balanace out the draft by taking a d-man over another forward.
2004- As of now I am looking at one of the 2 goalies. Either Shwarz or Montoya.