As we know, the Kings have the 19th overall pick in the first round of the NHL Draft. Unlike the past few years, when it’s been relatively easy to pick a handful of first-round prospects who might end up as a King, this year it’s wide open. Conventional wisdom might be that the Kings will select a forward, given their need for 5-on-5 scoring, but remember also that the NHL is close to Major League Baseball than it is to the NBA or NFL in terms of draft-pick development. In the latter two leagues, it’s very common for a first-round pick to step in right away. In baseball and (to a lesser extent) hockey, a prospect might need a couple years to develop, by which time a team’s needs might have changed. That’s why, even though it’s a cliche, teams in the Kings’ position do often go with the “best player available.”
That said, a few pundits league-wide still try to take a crack at how the first round might play out. These mock drafts have a very low success rate — and that’s certainly no knock on those attempting to do them — but it can give you a general idea of where players might be slotted. So here’s a few mock drafts, with the player the Kings are projected to take…
mynhldraft.com: Quinton Howden, LW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
NHL.com (Mike Morreale): Austin Watson, LW, Peterborough (OHL) (Note: this draft is older, with the Kings slotted at No. 21 instead of No. 19. Nick Bjugstad and Brock Nelson would also theoretically be available)
NHL.com (Brad Holland): Howden (Note: same as above. Tyler Pitlick and Kirill Kabanov would also theoretically be available)
NHL.com (Shawn Roarke): Jeff Skinner, RW, Kitchener (OHL) (Note: same as above. John McFarland and Calvin Pickard would also theoretically be available)
NHL.com (Jen Raimondi): Watson. (Note: same as above. Pickard and Jonathan Merrill would also theoretically be available)
NHL.com (Adam Kimelman): Stanislav Galiev, RW, Saint John (QMJHL) (note: same as above. Dylan McIlrath and Jack Campbell would also theoretically be available)
NESN.com: Watson.
As you can see, that’s six mock drafts and four different players, and of course that doesn’t take into account the possibility that the Kings might move up or down in the first round. Should be interesting…
I’ve never seen these kids play so I place my faith in the Kings scouts. But I’d hope the person that thought Teubert
was the better pick over Tyler Myers stays home sick the day of the draft!
But I do know who i want them pick further down the board. Initials – R.G. !!!
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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
@tron, who’s RG?
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tron Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
@VanKingsFan, Radco Gudas – he was in the kings rookie camp last summer
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Seabass Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
@tron,
Yes, I agree. That kid is a hitting machine and central scouting has him at 91, that would make him prime pickins for the Kings 2nd round pick from Philly.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
@Seabass, 91 sounds more like a third rounder to me
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Seabass45 Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Yes, Im bad at math
jet Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
@tron, I would rather have Beukeboom with our second.
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Steve McQueen Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
@tron, if you haven’t figured out why Teubert was pick over Myers, you need to do your homework. In a nutshell, the Kings lack a big bruising defenseman in the organization, and having already drafted 3 puck movers, include the #2 pick in Doughty they went with Teubert. Myers was considered a project by everyone,and that’s the reason he fell to 12. I think this horse has been beaten to death.
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Julio Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 10:44 am
@Steve McQueen,
Myers will be playing in the NHL for a long time, Tuebert may not even make the NHL. Tell the RETARD who choose Teubert to stay home.
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Steve McQueen Reply:
June 12th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
@Julio, that RETARD also selected Doughty over all the other equally ranked dmen and found a guy named Simmonds, Martin Jones, as well as several others.
Arthur Reply:
June 26th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
@Julio,
It is apparent now that Teubert over Myers was a complete bust. Lombardi himself said this spring that Teubert is not close to making the NHL right now. That was just one of those good old fashion mistakes. No other way around it. Also, Doughty was BY FAR the consenus #2, that was a no brainer by the Kings. Honestly, the best players the Kings have not named Doughty (a no brainer as mentioned) were assembled by Dave Taylor. People keep forgetting this while fauning over Lombardi. I am NOT impressed with Lombardi. He took Hickey #4! Ranked about 13. And where is he? No where. Teubert ranking in the 20′s, took 13th, (over Myers!) You do NOT draft for need, never ever! Theses guys are years away from making it, you won’t know what you’ll need 3 years from now, you always take the best player. Actually, Lombardi’s trades have also been subpar, Williams? Giving away Avery? Blowing a #4 and passing on Myers? Just repeating Simmond’s name over and over.. ok, other that and Johnson falling in his lap, show me the genius please? Oh yes, and WAY overpaying Kopitar as a RFA?!?! He is not a top 5 player, yet being paid like one. Really.. Lombardi isn’t looking so hot, and I’m worried about the Kings going forward.
Austin by the descriptions sounds a lot like our boy Clifford, although I haven’t seen him play in person.
Would love it if Skinner fell to us but he wont fall that far. Avoid Terasenko, Kabanov, any russians in general I think.
Galiev really intrigues me though since he plays in North America. Again, I don’t get to see any eastern CHL teams play in person.
Heres my top 5 for the Kings to pick:
1. Skinner
2. Etem
3. Galiev
4. McFarland
5. McIlrath
I am not opposed to taking defensemen in the first round. Best player available I think, not including goalies.
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Cricket Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Howden sounds like Clifford too, and his skillset is compared to Rob Neidermeyer. Low risk player, doesn’t seem like he’ll be a top choice for us.
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Joel Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
@VanKingsFan, I’d actually like to see the Kings trade up into the top 5 and take a shot at Nino Niederreiter. They have the surplus picks to do it, and they certainly don’t have a pressing `need to add that much more depth to the system.
To me it’s a long shot, but I like the footage I’ve seen from him and think he can step into the Kings’ lineup as early as 2010 or 2011. He definitely has that borderline cocky attitude you want to see from a younger player.
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54FIGHTING Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
@VanKingsFan,
My top 6
1. Jeff Skinner – the kid can score
2. Nick Bjugstad – a big lanky center that reminds me of Jason Allison but is often compared to Ryan Getzlaf.
3. Quinton Howden – a big, fast LW. Just what the Kings need.
4. Austin Watson – Would like to see more but he only really improved his stock after being traded.
5. Vladimir Tarasenko – Will he be there when we pick?
6. Dylan McIlrath – Toughest kid in the toughest league. Our D would be stacked!
Should be an interesting draft since there is such disparity after the first 2 picks. I’ve seen Tarasenko ranked 3rd and also in the late 20′s. Same with Skinner – ranked top 10 and also in the 20′s. Mix in the draft day trades and it should be a good time at Staples.
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Definetely would like to see a potential top six winger in Round 1, but it’s hard to argue against our track record lately if we went another direction.
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I think at that position the best player available will be a winger. I like the idea of Skinner or Howden. Would be nice to get a local kid like Etem or Bennett.
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It’s just nice to see the Kings so far down in the draft.Next year I hope we get pick #30
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rich: what is the probability that the kings would make a package to present a trade where they could move up to the top 5? there may be a team in those slots who would rather get 3 NHL readu players for next season, and the Kings may get the 1 player who would make an impact for our more immediate team development plans.
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I really don’t have an informed opinion that could pick out five names — and even the mock drafts have players being picked in the top ten by one guy and in the end of the round by another.
However, there are a couple of possibilities I keep coming back to, and no one has mentioned them yet.
(1) Dean trades up. If he has his heart set on player x, he could well try to get, say, the Rangers’ #10 pick for our pick and a warm body.
(2) Dean trades the #19 pick and we have no pick in the first round. There are three teams I can think of that might have an interest in trading their way into the first round.
Philly – they don’t have a pick until #89 at the earliest, with a condition that could have the Flyers waiting until #119. We know how Lombardi likes his Flyers.
Calgary – they don’t pick until #64. And, unlike Philly, they need something good to come out of the draft (due to the sucking). Fit this into my Iginla for Williams and Stoll plus picks and prospects fantasy, as you see fit.
Toronto – don’t pick until #62. And, you know, Burke is Burke. I put them on the list because I think Burke will try to trade up. I just don’t think there’s anyone on that roster that we want. I mean besides Luke Schenn.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
@Quisp, Knowing how Iginla and the Flames feel about each other, I just really cant see him leaving. Flame for life I think.
I could see a trade with Philly. I would like to pry Giroux or Lieno out of there if we can.
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LBlocal Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@VanKingsFan, Or Carter & Lappy!
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JJ4Pres Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@LBlocal, Or Coburn…..
quisp Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
@VanKingsFan,
This is from the National Post, 4/15, liberally edited by me so it will fit:
My translation: either bring in a couple of top six forwards or get me out of here. I’m 33. I want a cup.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@quisp, Point taken, and don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to see Smyth – Kopitar- Iginla, but I still think he will stay with the Flames. They were supposed to be a really good team last year, the pieces appeared to be in place I thought at the start of the year. I think they have one or two more years where they truly can contend with Kipper and I think they will make a big effort to keep him.
They dumped the big salary of Jokinen, they can let Higgins walk as a UFA, they will let Toskala walk as a UFA as well as Conroy. Somehow they need to try and figure out how to dump either SArich or Staois and their big salaries. I think they will do all of the above and have room to add the piece or two that Iginla needs.
All that being said, Iginla was right up there with Smyth as one of my favourite players around the league so if we got the both of them in Kings jerseys I would be ecstatic!
7 Mil hurts though…
number 6 Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@Quisp,
I’m personally not all that sold on Iginla as one might think. Yes he’s a great player and leader, but combine him with Smyth and all of a sudden some of the top end talent on the Kings starts getting old real quick. In just three more years he’s bordering on 37 years old.
I much prefer a scenario (IF a trade were made) where we partner with Philly cause they have so many top forward options.
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luc20rules Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
@Quisp, Is Burke diluted enough to trade for our #1 this year for Toronto’s #1 next year? Can you say lottery next year? Although truth be told I would really like to see the Iginla thing happen way more, and as wacky as that whole Kessel trade was, I think Calgary’s trades have been wierd especially the Phaneuf deal.
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jet Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
@luc20rules, I am pretty sure Burke gave next year’s first to Boston also. It would have to be the 2012 1st. Still likely to be pretty good.
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luc20rules Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
@jet, That makes the Kessel thing worse than the Phaneuf thing. Maybe we can get the #1 from Toronto for both 2012 & 2013 for the Kings #1 this year. Burke does seem to be in early 70s Kings GM mode.
jayrew Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
@Quisp, they can feel free to throw Mitch Wahl, Memorial Cup winner in ’08, to salt that deal a little more.
He’s a tough cookie with a good attitude
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Quisp Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 4:40 am
@Quisp,
Oops. I said nobody had mentioned trading up, but Rich did in the original post. I guess I should learn how to read.
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How ’bout trading up to the #1 pick? Any chance the NHL would want to force a deal like that since the draft is being held in beautiful downtown Los Angeles, and that would be headlines on all the sports casts and newspapers the next day?
Probably not, but I can dream, can’t I?
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USCG Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@Hey Quisp!, are you serious? Do you know what it would take to get the number 1 overall pick? goodbye to simmonds, parse, stoll,, williams, and our pick…and that’s at a minimum. Get real. And a forced trade? cmon man.
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USCG Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@USCG, Not too mention why would we trade to number 1? Taylor Hall and Seguin are not Ovechkin or Crosby like players. If it was someone like that then yeah go for it but these guys aren’t gonna be as dynamic or impactful to a team as ovechkin or crosby.
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Can anyone see any of our top prospects getting traded on draft day so the Kings can move up? If so who and to what team.
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I’m not terribly familiar with the prospects outside of the top 7 or so, but apparently it’s supposed to be a pretty deep draft. I would love to see the Kings land a late 1st round gem.
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I heard Nick Bjugstad may be available when we pick, hes a high school kid whose uncle played in the NHL..should be interesting what happens
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Crown Royal Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
@Mike L,
If Scott is his uncle and bloodlines run true then the kid could be a real sniper. As you may recall Scott Bjugstad was on the ’93 Kings team that went to finals. He was playing a back-up center role though his forte and success came as a goal scoring winger…forty goals one year for the North Stars.
Bjugstad told me once that the best teammate he ever had was Dave Taylor. The second best was Larry Robinson. He also said what made Gretzky a great scorer was he believed he was going to score every time he went on the ice. He never got discouraged by the goaltenders.
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Mike L Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
@Crown Royal,
Thanks for sharing!, I don’t remember because i was born in 1992…lol But it would be cool to draft Nick at #19 he may go higher though…
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JWR Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
@Crown Royal,
Sorry, Scott Bjugstad never played with the Kings during the 92-93 season. He spent that (his final pro year) with the Phoenix Roadrunners.
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Crown Royal Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
@JWR,
I haven’t looked it up to verify this but I recall the Kings picked up him late in the season and I’m pretty sure he didn’t dress during the finals. He was a healty scratch. In the conversation I had with about the ’93 playoffs I pointed out to him that DiPietro and Carboneau destroyed Conacher and some of the other Kings centers in the faceoff circle.
He his reply to that was that he knew as he was there. I took that to mean he was on the team but didn’t play. He did play for the Kings briefly and I’m pretty sure it was ’93. If he didn’t I stand corrected.
JWR Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 8:57 am
@Crown Royal,
According to this site he only played 7 games with Phoenix and none with the Kings that year.
http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/bjugssc01.html
PuckRogue Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
@JWR,
Bjugstad did not play with the Kings in the ’93 playoffs. The Black Aces that year consisted of Knickle, Semchuk, Williams and Chapdelaine…and I’m pretty sure that was it.
-PR
Doesn’t look like the Kings will draft anyone who will be NHL ready this year so who from last years draft makes the team this year?
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John Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 9:55 pm
@Dennis,
Schenn, Loktionov or Voynov
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quisp Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
@John, @dennis
Loktionov and Voynov are from the year before. From the 09 draft, Schenn and Clifford have a pretty good shot, I think.
09: Schenn, Clifford, (Kozun).
08: Loktionov, Voynov, (Teubert, Azevedo) (’08 class includes Doughty).
07: Hickey, Muzzin [drafted by PIT], Martinez, King (’07 class includes Moller and Simmonds).
06: Bernier, Lewis, (Holloway).
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A question for those of you that have attended an NHL draft before: is it worth going or is it pretty boring? I’m a big Kings fan and hockey fan and thinking about going to the draft…but also thinking that it will be pretty boring. There are 15 minutes between picks and even when a pick is made, all you’re seeing is a kid walk up to the stage, no actual hockey. Or am I wrong and is this actually an exciting event to attend?
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Crown Royal Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
@LB,
I attended the draft several years ago in Edmonton where it was a real event. That was Iginla’s draft year (funny people are posting about him today).
I enjoyed it and the guy I was with at the draft was a huge hockey fan from Finland who bought a hot dog for one of the first round picks ( a kid name Timo Rikiharvi sp.) who was from Finland. San Jose went way off the board to pick this huge winger (Timo) who was barely heard from again.
As the draft is in L.A. it might be a chance to hockey with a lot of Kings fans. If I were in town that day, I would attend but will be out of state.
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luc20rules Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
@Crown Royal, On TV during the draft they have analysts that show highlight reels of players that may be taken. Are there any big screens with highlights playing or audio of the analysists in the draft building at the draft in Edmonton?
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Crown Royal Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
@luc20rules,
Not there but that was quite a few years ago. I imagine it’s changed.
David Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
@LB,
I have never gone, and I probably wont get to go this year. But Im sure that the atmosphere will be great.
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Bryan Agee Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
I went to the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio and here is my experience:
It was one of the best hockey experiences I have ever had believe it or not! In the couple hours before I got to see Patrick Kane being selected number 1 overall I got to:
1)Walk around and see all the NHL trophies that were on display (Art Ross, Vezina…every trophy!) I mean, it was kind of boring but at the same time I don’t get to do that everyday!
2)I got to get my picture on an Upper Deck hockey card in my Kings jersey!!!
3) My Dad and I got to have our picture taken with the Stanley Cup and I got to touch it! (Yes, at that time in 2007 I said screw it we aren’t ever going to win…screw the jinx…I am touching this thing!)
Then when the draft started we booed the hell out of Gary Bettman…THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN…And then my Dad and I were the laughing stock of the upper section because we drafted Thomas Hickey #4 overall and he wasn’t even on the scouting report sheet they handed out to us when we walked in the door!!!
All in all it was wonderful. I saw literally every hockey jersey/fan there that night all waiting for their chance to cheer…Talked a lot of hockey…ever so eagerly waited in anticipation for the next big trade which never happened!!!
I can’t wait for the Los Angeles Kings draft YAY! And no, they didn’t have any scouting reports on the jumbo tron or anything…I just followed that kind of stuff on my cellular phone while the thing was going on! And yes…Alcohol made the slow times fly by actually
GO KINGS GO!
Like my dad said…how many times in life will you get to see the NHL draft live? Probably about as many as an All-Star game???
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Lando Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
@Bryan Agee, Thanks for sharing your memories. I will be driving up from San Diego to experience the draft for the first time. Can’t wait!
Old Codger Reply:
June 7th, 2010 at 7:55 pm
@LB, To answer your question, if you get the chance—go. I have over the years attended a few drafts even though they were on TV, but believe me, meeting fellow King fans, and they are fans, is priceless. That coupled with the fact the Kings really show appreciation to their fans by putting on the feed-bag and drinks. Sorry I won’t make it this year, as I have retired and moved north, but I won’t give up 40+ years of being a king fan.
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skanadian Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 7:00 am
@LB, Go to the draft. You will be severely disappointed if you don’t. I live in Ottawa and three friends and I went when it was here in 2008. Of course, this was the year that the Kings had the #2 overall selection and chose DREW DOUGHTY! My friends and I watched most of the first round of the draft from our seats in the third level – yes the arena was completely packed. Following the Sens and Habs picks, much of the arena cleared out, so we could basically sit wherever we pleased.
We attended both days of the draft. Proudly sporting my Kings jersey, I cheered each time the Kings were announced to select or involved in a trade. I even cheered in the seventh round when the Kings selected Garret Roe. Overall, it was a pretty great experience. Naturally, I was heckled by Habs, Leafs and Sens fans for being a Kings fan, but they were actually in good spirits about it. A Leafs fan heckled me and I responded with “1993″ and then proceeded to tell Habs fans to “Not say anything…” They had a good laugh, which is surprising since I hate Habs fans.
During the first day, I met basically every first round draft pick. Most importantly, I managed to spot Drew Doughty before he went upstairs to have his first ever Kings photos taken. He said he was done signing and had to go just as I spotted him. I yelled and he saw that I was wearing a Kings jersey – the only one there – so he stopped and signed very happily. I met Teubert a bit after that. He was very happy. Him and Doughty both signed a puck I have in my room.
The only other Kings encounter I can recall was with Dave Taylor. He was there with Dallas. I wanted to speak to him, but he was busy conversing in the lobby with a few other scouts. When Taylor saw me approaching, he stopped in mid-sentence and looked at my Kings jersey. He seemed shock. He smiled and looked up and gave me a nod. I walked past and waited for a few minutes as I figured their conversation would soon end, unfortunately, it did not and I did not have the opportunity to speak with him.
Overall, I met about 45 different draft picks, plus hockey personalities, recognizable scouts, GMs, etc. I left my friends to go outside and search for people following the draft on Saturday. While apart, they met Glenn Anderson, Sean Burke, Glen Sather, Brian Burke and many others. Outside, I met Bobby Clarke as he tried to sneak his way through the gates and into his car. I was the only person around and he stopped to speak for a moment. He seemed a bit hesitant, but we chatted for a couple minutes. I’ve met some big names before, including Gretzky, but I was very intimidated by Clarke. Like Gretzky, he had an aura around him – I guess that’s from ’72 and the Broad Street Bully days in Philadelphia.
Good times. Following the draft on Friday, we went to the hotel where the players were staying. I met Doughty again. He said they were going to “The Cabin,” which is a bar in Ottawa. I informed him that it was a “bad bar.” He then asked my opinion on which bar he should go to… I told him to go to “Pier 21″ and that is where he ended up for some underage drinking. It was certainly a proud moment of my life. Doughty listened to my directions.
@LB and anyone hesitant to go to the Draft… Please go. It is a fantastic experience and everyone involved is very open to give you the time to talk and appreciate hockey. It is a spectacle that is the absolute perfect environment for the fan. You will not regret it.
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OttoKing Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 8:41 am
@skanadian,
I live in Ottawa too, and went to the same draft. I would recommend going for sure, as it is really just a great time, and you get to be as big a hockey-geek as you want to be! Bobby Orr was sitting in the box behind our seats, and he was signing autographs and taking pictures for half the night. I didn’t get to meet any of the draft picks or Kings management, but I didn’t really try. It was easy to pick out faces on the draft floor, and all of the people in our section were watching the Brian Burke-Brian Murray conversation.
I would definitely recommend, however, that you bring a radio, or a cell phone, or something to keep up with what is happening. It is easy to miss an announcement, and it seems like not everything is announced. I heard about the Cammalleri trade while standing at a urinal, so information is not always easily available. If they announced that trade (and if memory serves, it was finalized before the actual draft started), I missed it, and had to ask people why LA was drafting again so early in the first round. I cobbled together the info from the people around us, and thankfully, the PVR had all of the details and analysis when I got home, so I didn’t really miss anything.
Other than that though, I would absolutely agree that the experience was awesome — and free! If you’re as intrepid and dedicated as skanadian was, I bet these experiences are farily common, although it may be harder to get to talk to people from the Kings organization in LA than in Ottawa. Either way, in my experience the fans in LA are as knowledgeable and interested in their team as any Canadian city I have been to games at, so it sounds like a blast (I’m already a little jealous)!
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I was thinking the same thing. Especially when I have to leave work early to get there on Friday. Unless the Kings or Staples have something else planned, I too think it may be boring. Interesting & neat to see, but boring.
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Not likely we get a pick that will be NHL ready this draft,unless we swap with Boston, so who from last years draft will be ready to make the team this fall?
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Now that the tickets have gone on sale, lets get some of the bloggers on this site to pick a place to meet inside or outside Staples and get this all planned in advance. I’m calling you out Quisp, your sort of the big cheese on this site so why dont you pick the time and the place and lets get the puck rolling !
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Quisp Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 4:01 am
@puck73,
Ha! Big cheese… big mouth, I think you mean. It would be fun to get everyone together, but I won’t be in town.
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Rich–
Can you see if you can get a seating chart for the draft…are their any lower bowl tickets available to anyone, or do we all have to sit way up in the 300′s?
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Calivin Pickard all the way. You can never have enough goaltending depth. Especially one that plays for team Canada in the under 17 tournament.
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I really like Skinner,Howden abd Nelson… One question — I know that the Kings have cap space for one big UFA,but do they space for two UFA’s shockers?
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If he’s still there Jeff Skinner would be superb. Have actually seen him play and he scores plus has real leadership qualities and makes others better.
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I just got a email a little bit earlier today saying i was selected to work at the Draft!! haha should be fun
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Chicago has to move some players this year… Sharp looks like the man who will be gone. I would take Sharp for are 1st pick if the Kings think no one is good at 19pk.Or Give them a minor leauge D who up and coming. Chicago needs cap room and they want to improve their D next year I hear. Sharp is a LW and we need that too… if Fro is history.
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Mike L Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:29 am
@sammuch,
I know everyone is talking about Chicago having to move players because of cap, but as some hawks fans have kept saying. Huet will either be traded (doubt it) or buried in minors and waived, if they can do that or trade campbell there actually good and don’t have to get rid of guys. I know everyone is talking about the firesale but they might actually make it work.
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tantrum4 Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 1:20 am
@Mike L,
There’s no chance Chicago won’t be moving a few guys this year. They are at a $57 million cap hit next year and still have to sign about 6 players. Even if they send Huet to the minors they still have to pay his contract. And who the hell would take on Campbell at $7.5 million for the next 5 years??
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Mike L Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 1:39 am
@tantrum4,
im just telling you what all Chicago fans are saying. And if they do have to move someone they all want sharp to stay and move Versteeg
DougS Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 1:55 am
@tantrum4, Mike L.
Yes, that is the point, isn’t it? That if Hawks really believe that trading Huet and/or Campbell is the answer to their problems, they’re not being realistic. Thinking that you can dump Huet’s entire contract by trading him is downright delusional (who will add $5.6 mil in cap hit for a goalie in the doghouse?). And like tantrum says, caching him in the minors will still cost them
Trading Campbell is no magic wand, either, because the team taking him would almost certainly require the Hawks to take on some cap hit in return. Like how the Kings insisted on dumping Preissing’s contract on Colorado in the Smyth trade. Maybe they could get rid of $2-3 mil worth of cap hit, but not the whole $7+ mil.
Quisp Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 4:36 am
@Mike L,
Hawks fans can’t add.
No one is going to take Huet or Campbell in trade. Campbell will have the second highest cap hit of all defensemen in the league next year; Chara is number one, and Chara is a UFA a year from now. Campbell has another six years on his contract. Six years at $7.1MM.
Huet will be the 8th highest cap hit for goalies next year, and he’s about three times as expensive as the next back-up on the list. His cap hit is about $3-4MM too high.
It’s true if you bury either of these guys in the minors, the cap hit comes off the books (you still have to pay the salary though). To send Campbell to the AHL is basically unthinkable. A buy out is possible, and would say about $4MM (and keep a huge cap hit on the books until 2022 — twelve more years).
Chicago will have to give up other valuable assets in order to get anyone to take these contracts off their hands. Keep in mind that these are toxic contracts. The GM that willingly brings them on will have angry fans to answer to.
And by the way, the actual numbers for Chicago, for next year, at best, they are $13MM over the cap, dressing the cheapest players they have under contract (and assuming you re-sign Niemi to the raise he is 100% guaranteed to get). Thirteen million over the cap.
Hawk fans can say whatever they want. Wings fans, this time last year, said the same thing. The Wings only lost Hossa, Hudler, Samuelsson and Kopecky (not to mention Leino).
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Crown Royal Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 6:02 am
@Quisp,
You’re pretty much right about the Hawks cap problems. Detroit lost three valuable players plus two players, Kopecky and especially Leino, who many in NHL inner circles believe are overrated.
They have already re-signed Hudler and Holmstorm which probably has something to do with Lindstrom coming back next year. One more run at the cup?
In any case, it will be very difficult for Chicago or any team to remain dominant for a long period of time. Good scouting and effective development become even more signiicant in today’s NHL.
Quisp Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 4:39 am
@sammuch,
I forgot to mention. I would be surprised if anyone were willing to give up a first round pick for Patrick Sharp.
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sammuch Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 7:58 am
@Quisp,
I think they would give up one or two of thier minor leauge guys to get Sharp… they just might to do it! Just think they will need help on the LW if Fro is gone. Its LW the Kings are really weak.
I think the Kings want to do something big in the draft this year, they are either going to move up in the draft or make a trade for LW.
One thing I know is going to happen, Kings will make some kind of trade at one of the 2 day draft days to get a LW in thier lineup!!!
Unless they can sign the top Free agent Kovi or Mar and they are both LW.
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Bob Miller will be on NHL Live soon on XM radio 204 and the NHL Network on TV.
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Paul From Oxnard Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 10:31 am
@Paul From Oxnard, Entertaining interview with Bob, including a couple of funny stories.
His favorite all time call: Daryl Evans capping the comeback in the Miracle on Manchester.
His biggest fear: That the Kings will win the Stanley Cup the year after he retires.
June 12th will mark 50 years in broadcasting for Bob. Hope we can give him a few cups before he hangs up the mic.
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eh guys, Ray Whtiney will be a King next season!
http://www.hockey30.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1171:ray-whitney-à-la?&Itemid=18
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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 10:52 am
@Hockey30, In English…?
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jet Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
@VanKingsFan, ~ Ray will test the free agency market. He is unlikely to play in a Hurricanes uniform again. Rumors say Los Angeles is greatly interested in signing the free agent.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
@jet, Don’t really want him. Too old and slowing down. Maybe if he is $2 Million or cheaper.
Pobo Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Here’s the translation…
Ray Whitney in LA?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
By HOCKEY30.com
According to the News and Observer, Ray Whitney test the free agent market.
The daily said that the Carolina veteran forward will not ever Hurricanes uniform.
Unrestricted free agent as of July 1, Whitney could get along with his good friend and general manager Jim Rutherford.
Rumours from Los Angeles, the Kings would be greatly interested in signing the free agent market.
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Quisp Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@Pobo,
Yawn. I think they mean to say, “we heard that LA was interested at the trade deadline.” Not the same thing.
DougS Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Hmm… Methinks this is just some dude plugging his own website.
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Paul From Oxnard Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 4:30 am
@DougS, I agree. I think the Kings were interested in Whitney at the deadline as a rental player and maybe would have paid him one more year, but he wanted more then that. No way they’d give him a long contract now. He’s 38 years old and scored like 21 goals last year. The Kings can find much younger guys who can do that (Frolov/Kovalchuk). I don’t see Whitney coming to LA unless he’s signing with the Quacks.
I don’t really follow these draft players but I would love to see DL put a deal together and move us up. Not only do we need a forward now rather than later but the Draft is here in LA people…we need some EXCITEMENT!!!
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The idea was offered up above by Quisp, but I don’t see the Kings trading away their first round pick and ending up with no first rounder, especially not when the draft is in LA.
The Kings will want to make their own noise in the first round when the draft is being played out in front of their own fans.
Trading up I can see, but trading out of Round 1 won’t happen unless it’s a highly, highly unlikely too-good-to-be-true offer from some other team.
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Quisp Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@Pumpernicholl,
I don’t think it’s going to happen. Overwhelmingly, the most likely scenario is that we pick at 19. However, as far as making a splash in front of the home crowd in our home rink, a blockbuster trade would do that better than picking some kid most people haven’t heard of.
Seriously, which would create the most excitement on draft day:
“With the nineteenth pick, the Los Angeles Kings are pleased to select, from the Saint John Sea Dogs, Stanislav Galiev.”
or
“We have a trade to announce. The Los Angeles Kings trade 19th overall pick, Justin Williams, Jarret Stoll and Colten Teubert to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Jerome Iginla.”
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Howe 9 Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
@Quisp,
Number 2
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NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
@Quisp, I like number 2, but I think Calgary will like it too much. I bet they would trade Iginla for our #1 and Teubert, provided they resign to the fact that they are in a rebuilding mode.
New topic: Would you pick Russian prospect Kirill Kabanov if he were still available in the 2 or 3 round?
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Daniel Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, Not now, not after he got dumped by CAA. I think that means he and his handlers (aka Father) are a total mess and are uncontrollable. No need for that. I would rather have two tough 20-goal scores than one assh*** 40-goal scorer.
54FIGHTING Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED,
MAYBE – MAYBE with the late 3rd round pick. MAYBE.
Quisp Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED, @Daniel
I probably wouldn’t. Maybe with a late round pick. I would be surprised if he gets taken in the top 60 picks by anyone other than Sather.
sammuch Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 8:09 am
@NOW IMPRESSED,
I think Kirill Kabanov will be taken in the 1st round. If other teams pass on him late, look at Washington taken a chance on him, I hear Ovi likes him a lot. He pick Backstrom and he will make Wash pick him. Under Ovi he will groom into a great player. I also hear Pitsbrugh is highly intersted in him too.
Too much to pay for Iggy, and I would pick Kiril in the 4th or later.
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USCG Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
@VanKingsFan, seriously, I agree. That is WAYYYY too much for an old guy. The only thing that I would be okay with would be ONE of those two (preferably Williams), Teubert, and a pick. No more.
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DougS Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Agreed, given Iginla’s age. I would swap Stoll or Teubert out of the equation, or trade a lower-round pick, or insist on a warm body or a significant pick in addition to iggy.
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Quisp Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
@DougS,
Well, I’m torn. On the one hand, it’s unusual for people to accuse me of giving up too much in my crackpot trade proposals. I would be happy to get Iginla for less. I would be happy to keep Teubert. I would be happy to keep one of Stoll or Williams, in theory, but my reasoning was this:
Calgary needs a center. Calgary has no picks. Calgary is going to need a face-saving return in order to justify making such a deal. Stoll or Handzus, one of them, is going to be edged out in the next year or so (if you believe Schenn is going to make the team, the kid isn’t going to be the #4 center forever). Williams is not likely to be re-signed (if you ask me) when his contract is up, so the question really is, what do we want for those guys? Picks? Small pieces? Or roll them together for one big piece?
My original premise was that Iginla was not going to be had for less than two significant roster players. And then I reasoned that the pot would probably have to be sweetened with picks or prospects.
I think the first round pick would be attractive to CGY because they don’t have a pick until the 3rd round. So that seems like good GM-ing right off the bat. And then, getting two younger, useful players who compete…that’s literally as good as one could hope for. Maybe Teubert is too much. but I include him only because I think he would be irresistable to Sutter, especially since he traded Teubert Sr., I mean Phaneuf.
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DougS Reply:
June 8th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
@Quisp,
I dig where you’re coming from regarding what Suter would want in return for Iginla. I was speaking in terms of what DL ought to be willing to give up to make it a good deal for the Kings, and I just think that’s too many assets to give up for a player about to decline.
Compare that to the Smyth trade, where the Kings gave up Quincy and also picked up an aging front-line player, but they got Colorado to take on a major liability to help mitigate the risk of Smyth getting hurt and/or old. So I would say that the Kings ought to draw the line at 1 warm body, 1 prospect and a pick, but maybe not the #19 overall. Unless Calgary sweetens the deal.
I think it’s important to remember that DL would be operating from a stronger position than Suter because he will still have the better team without the deal (and because, as you say, Iginla has kind of asked to be traded). DL could easily (and should) walk away if the price is too high, saying, “Thanks, but no thanks. See you in the playoffs…. Oh that’s right, your team choked and didn’t make the playoffs last year. Sorry….”
54FIGHTING Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 9:36 am
@Quisp,
Calgary is in a bad position. No 1st round pick, poor prospect pool, limited cap space with aging stars and out of the playoffs. The writing is on th wall but I don’t think they are ready to rebuild yet.
They need:
prospects – mainly goalie and defense but could use some forwards too.
Top 6 players and a backup goalie for the NHL club.
Cap releif.
I don’t think we’ll see their GM and Coach still there by the All-Star break.
VanKingsFan Reply:
June 9th, 2010 at 9:37 am
@Quisp, I just don’t know if Calgary would do another trade like that. They already traded a huge name star (Phaneuf) for a pile of decent (unspectacular players). If they give up Iginla for the return you offered then they are again losing star power for a return of good players…. but nothing that can replace Iginla’s shine. I just don’t think they can do it, I don’t think the fans of Calgary will allow them to do it.
It is basically a very similar return to what they got for Phaneuf. Stajan=Stoll, Hagman=Williams, White/Mayers=1st round pick/Teubert.
So it seems to me that they are getting a lot more from this Iginla deal than they did from Toronto in the Phaneuf one(remember Aulie to TO as well). Its hard to compare Iginla and Phaneuf but I would guess that Dion receives a bigger return via trade due to his age and future upside.
i only seeing an Iginla trade being accommplished at all by being a 3 team trade. for instance he goes to Chicago, and then perhaps to LA. or thru NYR then to some other team.
i think i would spend my money on Kovi, first; jerome would be a backburner test the waters process.
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My prediction is that we either:
-trade our 1st/prospect (Moller) for Versteeg
-move up to the #13 range by trading our 1st, a 2nd, 3rd
-trade to get an additional late round 1st round pick, maybe our first from next year, and additonal 2nd, 3rd round picks.
-trade a pick to get rights to negotiating rights to either Kovachuk or Hamhius
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quick will be traded to ny islanders or flyers
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