Mocking the draft II

Mock drafts are far more entertaining than they are constructive, given that it’s all but impossible to predict, at one time, what 30 general managers are going to do, but it’s still fun to take a peak and guess what the Kings might do at No. 19 next week. NHL.com has released a few mock drafts, all of which naturally start with Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin going 1-2, but then vary greatly. As far as the Kings are concerned, the mock drafts are unanimous…unanimous in their disagreement, that is. All five have the Kings taking a forward, as almost everyone presumes they will, but they all offer different candidates. Here’s a look at the mock drafts, and the prospects involved…

Adam Kimelman has the Kings taking Vladimir Tarasenko, a winger from the KHL.

Mike Morreale has the Kings taking Jeff Skinner,  a winger from the OHL.

Brad Holland has the Kings taking Emerson Etem, a winger from the WHL.

An anonymous Eastern scout has the Kings taking Evgeny Kuznetsov, a center from the KHL.

An anonymous Western scout has the Kings taking Brock Nelson, a high-school center from Minnesota.

So the projected picks are all over the place, from the KHL to the CHL to high school. The most interesting pick might be Etem, a native of Long Beach, but several other mock drafts have Etem going in the top 10.

75 Comments

  1. variable says:

    well…not a lot of fanfare being made about the depth of this year’s draft compared to recent years…
    but, like in all drafts, there are treasures waiting to be discovered…

    i’m still coming from the “guessing” perspective that dl will be a busy, busy man come next friday…

    [Reply]

  2. variable says:

    so…

    we are about a week away from d-day…

    i think it might be a good idea to start discussing how and when all of us would like to get together…

    my proposal…:

    we all meet in front of gretzky around 1 or 2…and go in all together when the doors open…

    for RICH’s suite event, we all wore our handle names on our tops…maybe we can pre-make our own distinctive name tags upon arrival to figure out who’s who…

    if anybody cares to add any suggestions or has any ideas, please post accordingly…

    if anyone would like to email me…please do so…:

    the1variable@gmail.com

    look forward to getting together with many of you if possible…:)

    [Reply]

    Atomic Steve Reply:

    @variable, I’ll be there. Can’t wait, this should be fun.

    [Reply]

    number 6 Reply:

    @variable,
    Just saying hi variable. Back in US. Getting ready for the draft (on tv obviously for me).
    Hope you’re well.
    By the way, love to get your feedback, but from my pov I can’t begin to imagine Why the Kings would draft a center as some of these people project, unless DL thinks the kid is off the charts. They already have their next No. 2 center in Schenn.

    [Reply]

    variable Reply:

    @number 6,

    hey, buddy…

    glad to hear all is well…

    i think a winger is what we should get, but ultimately…and hexy just reconfirmed this yesterday on nhl live…(if you believe him)…we will be picking the best overall player available vs. what the teams needs…

    and i guess that’s the interesting factor and question to ponder when considering strategy…: best player available vs. greatest team need…

    i tend to be on the side of “best player available” as of this year…i’m not sure if there’s any type of immediate impact player the kings could employ on wing IF they stay at 19…

    i know many on here have hypothesized ad nauseum as to what’s gonna happen, but im really unsure and anxious to see how dl handles the day and days leading up to july 1st…and i’m gonna say that most of the “big tickets” and trades will be made july 1st to july 5th/6th…

    i would think that this year we will be as busy as anybody else in trying to make deals happen…

    i don’t think a center is in the offing, but these things always tend to change based upon who the team thinks is the “best player available”…

    [Reply]

    54FIGHTING Reply:

    @variable,

    Yes, BPA. Even if that means a defenseman because you must project 3 years down the road is when these kids will hit the NHL. Look at Bernier – drafted in 2006 and just ready for the show.

    Plus you can always trade from a position of strength to fill your weaknesses.

    puck73 Reply:

    @variable, See ya at the Gretzky at 2PM, look forward to seeing you and everyone else there as well !

    [Reply]

    jammer06 Reply:

    @puck73,
    where do y’all skate? they use that term up here in oakland and SJ, I thought you boys were down in LA.

    [Reply]

    jammer06 Reply:

    @jammer06,
    oops I realize you meant statue, disregard

  3. Phallariffic says:

    Trade up for Etem!

    [Reply]

  4. deelo says:

    I am willing to bet a premium beer that the Kings don’t make the 19th pick.

    [Reply]

    variable Reply:

    @deelo,

    i agree…and i think that’s a safe bet…

    [Reply]

    Moondoggie Reply:

    @deelo, Just a guess but I think DL will probably try to trade up, possibly in the top 10. He’ll have to give up something but there’s some good talent out there this year, particularly with what Rich came up with this AM. All these guys look good, Etem, Skinner and particularly Nelson look very intriguing. I’d also agree, I just don’t see DL dipping into the KHL, just too risky I think. You have to have the commitment like Lotki and Voinov have that these guys will come over and spend some time in the AHL before making the big club…..

    [Reply]

  5. Ersberg says:

    I’m going to go out on a limb a bit here, but I don’t think the Kings will pick any Russians(from the KHL or other) for a couple of years.

    [Reply]

    GoKings09 Reply:

    @Ersberg,

    I don’t think DL is really afraid of taking Russians, as long as it is a situation like Voynov and Lokti where he talks to them before and feels sure of their commitment to play hockey over here even if it is in the AHL or CHL before making it up to the Kings.

    [Reply]

    54FIGHTING Reply:

    @GoKings09,

    True. Plus at the combine when doing interviews you have to think one of the first questions asked to these kids is what their intensions are – to play in the NHL or not. I remember reading old DL interviews that he would ask if they would come over right away if the team wanted them to.

    I would love for us to get Tarasenko. That would be a steal at #19.

    [Reply]

    Ersberg Reply:

    @54FIGHTING, DL asking them what their intentions are is a given; it’s their change of heart is what would concern me as a GM. I.e Radulov.

    With having Voynov, having had Frolov, who is now out on UFA, and the possibility of landing Kovalchuk, it just makes me feel that it’s enough for DL to deal with at his point in time.

    luc20rules Reply:

    @GoKings09, Remember though with Loki & Voynov he picked them as value picks 1 or 2 rounds after they were slotted talent wise.

    [Reply]

    54FIGHTING Reply:

    @luc20rules,

    Loktionov maybe but not Voinov. He was never slotted for the 1st round.

    luc20rules Reply:

    @luc20rules, Voynov was taken 32nd overall and Loki 123rd overall (5th round). Hexy in a Breakfast with the GM said that the Kings had Voynov in the top 20 & Loki in the mid 2nd round talent wise and both slipped, because a lack of a contract between the KHL & NHL. But that may not have been what the majority opinion around the League & Media.

  6. VanKingsFan says:

    Edmonton is listening to offers at least for #1 overall…I would give my left nut for #1 overall.

    Think we can fleece Eddy??

    Kings 1st rounder (19 overall)
    Kings Second rounder in 2011
    Oscar Moller
    Martin Jones

    FOR

    Taylor Hall!

    [Reply]

    USCG Reply:

    @VanKingsFan, lol im sure Edmonton would take that…that’s an offer they can’t refuse.

    [Reply]

    VanKingsFan Reply:

    @USCG, haha thats why I used the term “fleece”

    They have made some bad trades in the past…

    I am just dreaming of Hall on the LW with Kopitar for the next 8-10 years.

    [Reply]

    Moondoggie Reply:

    @VanKingsFan, That would be a great trade for the Kings…..

    [Reply]

    mckinggolf Reply:

    @VanKingsFan,

    I like your thinking, but do you think Edmonton would go for it? If they would we could then go after some of those Chicago guys and add a physical Dman.

    [Reply]

    Quisp Reply:

    @mckinggolf,

    #1 pick for Oscar, Martin Jones our #19 and next years #60?

    Hmm.

    I don’t think that would fly. But, maybe they would listen to…

    Dustin Brown, Jarret Stoll and Brayden Schenn for the 2010 #1 pick.

    [Reply]

    GoKings09 Reply:

    @Quisp,

    Yeah, I don’t think there is anyway that first one would work and they could get better offers from other teams. As for the second trade, they may do it, but it just opens more holes on the Kings roster in a 2nd line center by losing Stoll AND Schenn as well as Brown. I think we may have a better shot at the #2 pick than the #1 seeing as Boston still has #15 and has less pressing needs than Edmonton because they are a good team already but I don’t see us getting either one.

    Bob Bobson Reply:

    @Quisp, This is not directed just to Quisp specifically but quantity does not trump quality no matter how much we, as fans, want it to.

    VanKingsFan Reply:

    @Quisp,

    Like i said.. can we fleece them, and I am dreaming. Edmonton would be stupid to accept my first offer. But that’s what I would throw at them and see what they came back with.

    Quisp Reply:

    re quantity v. quality

    the point of my proposal is it would cost the kings more than kings’ fans are willing to offer in message board trade proposals.

    Brown and Schenn are both first round picks, and both probably untouchable. Stoll is a legitimate roster player. Taylor Hall, as good as he is, is a prospect. He’s the big prize this week, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be better than Brown or Schenn. I personally think he will, but there is always a measure of uncertainty.

    But really I was just picking names off the top of my head. I don’t think trading for Taylor Hall is even desirable for the Kings. I could just as easily said “Kopitar straight up for the #1 pick.” Or Doughty. Whatever.

    Edmonton is not trading that pick for anything less than a spectacular return.

  7. Geno says:

    IF the Kings don’t make a pick in the first round and they should be shoot. The Draft is being held in LA, you can’t trade your pick away unless you move up in the first round. You have to reward the loyal fans with a first round selection.

    [Reply]

    54FIGHTING Reply:

    @Geno,

    Not if it’s a trade for a star winger or better player. I wouldn’t be upset if Gary Bettman walked to the podium and announced that there’s been a trade and L.A. has aquired Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg for the #19 pick + whatever else. That’s better than McIlrath / Skinner / Bjustad or whatever else.

    [Reply]

    Corey Reply:

    @54FIGHTING, I am always upset when Gary Bettman walks up to a podium. And he will hear my displeasure on Friday….

    [Reply]

    geno Reply:

    @54FIGHTING, I don’t care who your getting in return, you don’t trade away first round picks like previous regimes have done. They made a plan to build slowly and should stick to it.
    First round picks are at a primium noadays.

    [Reply]

    Geno Reply:

    @geno, I’m from Toronto and have been a loyal kings fan for years. I go way back to the Triple Crown Line days. (Dionne, Taylor, Simmer) and all the lean years in between. With DL they have been building the team the right way through the draft and I hope he continues to do so. DL can add the scoring winger through free agency on July 1. Kovy or Marleau and select somebody in the first round to add to the prospect list, that’s how you can be good for alot of years. I will be attending the draft in LA next week and hope that they either move up or hold on to there pick. I wouldn’t and mind reaching for one of the Russians available i.e Kabonov or tarsenko. I think they are at a stage were they can gamble. They are both very talented. As long as DL gets a good feeling about them wanting to play in the NHL with Kings and by all means go for it.

    54FIGHTING Reply:

    @geno,

    I don’t agree. You trade from a position of strength and with our picks and prospects that is exactly where we are at.

  8. Eric C. says:

    I think Anaheim will snag Emerson. I’m also skeptical that Taraenko or Skinner lasts until 19th. I’ve heard Skinner is the best goal-scorer outside of Hall or Seguin.

    [Reply]

    NOW IMPRESSED Reply:

    @Eric C., I agree. Emerson would be a great pick if he’s still available. I also like Austin Watson, I think he’d be a good pick for 19th. Taraenko is too small, although they say he doesn’t shy away from the rough stuff. We already have a bunch of small guys in the minors. I think Dean will pick Etem or Watson before Skinner, simply because they are more of a complete package than Skinner is. But Skinner at 19th is a great pick too.

    [Reply]

    I will beat you at NHL 10 Reply:

    For the final rankings, Skinner was ranked in the 40s and for the midterm rank in the 50s. Based on that, I doubt he would go in the top 19. Although I really like him and he has proved he could score. He drew compasisons to Mike Richards. Whatever happens I hope it’s for the better. Go Kings!

    [Reply]

    54FIGHTING Reply:

    @I will beat you at NHL 10,

    Ahhh, the beauty of rankings. So CSB which puts out its rankings early has him at 34 for North America but ISS has him at 9 and THN at 25. I’ve seen others that rank him high and others low. From the 5 links Rich just posted he’s picked: 9, 19, 9, 29 and 13th. That’s a big difference. The problem is: that is how just about everyone is after the first two (Hall and Sequin). There is a consensus that the big 3 D-men will go next mixed in with a Connolly, Nino and Johansen, but it’s not clear cut on numbers 3-20 or so. Some rank certain guys high, others low. It wasn’t like last year when the first 5 were pretty much set and then there was a general agreement with the top 10. Not this year, so if you’re a GM picking 19th it’s very likely that a guy you like will drop to you because were is Tarasenko slotted to go? I’ve seen him anywhere from #4 to #23. So if you’re really high on Dylan McIlrath and think he’s the next Scott Stevens there is a darn good chance you can get him at #19, same with Skinner, Bjustad, Howden, Etem, Watson, Connolly (health concerns), Burmistrov or whoever DL likes and then you mix in the wild cards of Kabanov (I hope someone takes him before us so we can have one of our guys fall into our laps) and McFarland and Campbell (some say he may do a Carey Price and go top 5). Who knows. Next Friday will be awesome! Can’t wait to see it live!

  9. Tyfighter77 says:

    Kuznetsov and Voynov are both from Chelyabinsk and have played for Traktor. Maybe they have even played together. Makes things interesting.

    [Reply]

  10. JWR says:

    Off Topic but something to lift the boredom till next week. Halak to the Blues.
    http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=324934

    [Reply]

    54FIGHTING Reply:

    @JWR,

    Wow. That isn’t as good of a return as I would have expected.

    What’s next? Maybe a Quick plus D prospects to Philly for Carter and Hartnell? Then the Kings sign Mason as our starter with Bernier as the backup?

    [Reply]

    jason_bort Reply:

    @JWR,

    Wow! That was a lopsided trade! The comments are pretty interesting. One person said “Now Carey Price can breath easily and will earn all his records in Montreal and not somewhere else.” So it was competition that made Price play poorly? Hmmm…

    [Reply]

    variable Reply:

    @JWR,

    very interesting deal…

    can this be a prelude to other deals…?

    i guess the habs were convinced they were gonna lose in arbitration…and didn’t want to keep two high-priced goalies…

    capitals gm george mcphee was on nhl live yesterday and was contemplating the reasoning that the traditional goaltending practices of allotting 65-75 games to yr “top” goalie might be on the decline…and that a co-number 1 tandem style could be seen a lot more in the future…he thought that some gm’s might invest more so in two top goalies than any other position…and he was using this year’s playoffs as the example to make his point…

    so obviously, montreal is not one of those teams who will be partaking in such finances or strategies…

    and you can’t help to ponder a bit if mcphee’s comments parallel dl’s perspective re: quick and bernier…

    mcphee also had very short and pointed comments re: semin and that he would like to keep him and his scoring…but would not even budge on discussing anything in detail and ended the line of questions abruptly…

    the reason i bring this up is the fact that semin had been mentioned as “rumored” to be a player the kings would like to seek…however, i don’t think that’s likely, considering semin might be frolov 2.0 – a slight upgrade in scoring potential, but just as consistently inconsistent…and apparently…very unlike frolov…is not a very good practice player/team player…which could only minimize his value…

    mcphee is a pret-tay, pret-tay slick gm…and deserves tons ‘o’ credit for his recent drafting…i could totally see some teams adopting the goalie philosophy he spoke about in the near future…

    the kings are in prime position to set their own destiny…i hope there’s a budget for everyone…(!)

    [Reply]

    number 6 Reply:

    @variable,
    var, just caught your comments above. thanks. yes i was thinking more or less along the same lines because of the 3 yr down the road idea And that no one is gonna come in immediately and make a huge impact anyway.
    definitely didn’t see that halak deal coming at all… and for players i’ve never heard of!

    [Reply]

    I don't understand Reply:

    I just can’t fathem why Montreal would possibly make this trade. Halak is at his prime and is obviously a better goalie than Price. He carried them to the Confrence Finals and single-handidly stole both the Washington and Pittsburgh series’. I think this guy is great.

    They said on NHL.com that a reason he was dealt was cause he was a free-agent come July 1, kinda like Bouwmeester last year. But Halak is a RESTRICTED free agent! There must be something that we don’t know going on here. Maybe Halak was a dick in the locker-room, or maybe he got in trouble with the law, who knows?

    What confuses me is what they traded him for. They just traded a young, All Star goalie and all they got in return is a few unproven prospects with bad stats.

    Does this mean that the Kings could trade guys like Voynov, Lewis, or Hickey for stars like Iginla, Lecalvier, or Briere? I guess this means that prospects trade-value is higher than ever right now. Anyway I really hope the Kings do something big this offseason.

    [Reply]

    DougS Reply:

    @I don’t understand,
    According to CapGeek, Montreal post-trade has 14 players under contract for next year and $11.3 mil in cap space. And no goalies. technically speaking, because Price is RFA, and coming off of a $2.2 mil/year contract.

    That probably means that had they kept Halak (likely at $3-4 mil year), they would have had 2 multi-million $/year goalies under contract taking up $6 mil in cap hit.

    Montreal’s cap situation isn’t dire, but it is hard to get around the fact that they’re paying Scott Gomez $7.3 mil/year and Cammalleri $6 mil/year for the next several seasons.

    [Reply]

    I don't understand Reply:

    I’ll tell ya, the pressure is on this year for Carey Price. Montreal has given up Huet and now Halak so he can be a starter and he hasn’t proved anything in his 3 year career. Remember when he was a rookie and he was supposed to be the next Brodeur. It’s safe to say that thats not gonna happen and Montreal’s GM is the only man on earth who still believes it. I don’t understand.

    [Reply]

    Quisp Reply:

    @I don’t understand,

    I think MTL can get Huet back if they want him.

    [Reply]

    DougS Reply:

    @Quisp,
    2x :-D

  11. Doug E says:

    That’s all the Kings need…another Russian named KUZNETSOV!

    [Reply]

    Bob Bobson Reply:

    @Doug E, I think the Kings should get Brock Nelson just b/c of the name alone.

    [Reply]

  12. puck73 says:

    This organization is so stocked with mobile d men that we obviously cant keep them all. I would have ta think that some of them maybe moved for 2 things we really need, a dominant 2nd line center, or a 40 goal scorer. This is the beauty of drafting and developing young d men, you can trade some of them away when you absolutely need a top 6 offensive player and you never have ta worry about some other teams GM holding a gun to your head. After so many years of doing business the wrong way we are now in a position of strength, Thanx DL and Hexy !

    [Reply]

  13. King Doughnuts says:

    How many picks do the Kings have this year?

    [Reply]

    Bob Bobson Reply:

    @King Doughnuts,

    Kings have 9 picks overall

    http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=531776

    [Reply]

  14. Cristobal says:

    That Halak deal, and Chicago’s situation, are perfect examples of why the salary cap sucks.

    Just plain bad for hockey.

    [Reply]

    DougS Reply:

    @Cristobal,
    While I don’t really have any arguments in favor of the salary cap, I think that blaming the cap for the Blackhawks’ current dilemma is a little like blaming traffic laws when you get ticketed for doing 100 mph in a school zone.

    The Hawks’ problem is not the cap as such, but the fact that Dale Tallon thought it was a good idea to give Huet a $5.6 mil/year deal, and Campbell an 8-year deal at over $7 mil/year. Those aren’t just bad deals in hindsight, they didn’t make sense at the time. And I don’t care how much money Scottie Wirtz is willing to put into the team, that’s just a poor use of payroll, salary cap or no.

    [Reply]

    bob Reply:

    @Cristobal, Seriously??

    You preferred teams like the Rangers, Red Wings, Colorado, etc….going out each year and signing the best FAs on the market? Signing them to ridiculous money that the smaller market teams couldnt compete with? Look at the parity now in the league, it’s awesome.

    [Reply]

  15. LBlocal says:

    This just in from HF.

    http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12214/kings2010_draft_preview/

    [Reply]

    The Future Reply:

    I’d make a few changes on that list:

    Schenn
    Bernier
    Kozun
    Hickey
    Jones
    Voynov
    Clifford
    Teubert
    Loktionov

    [Reply]

    David Reply:

    @The Future, I dont understand how anyone could have Schenn over Bernier.

    [Reply]

    Quisp Reply:

    @David, @thefuture

    I would go with:

    Bernier
    Clifford
    Schenn
    (Muzzin)
    Loktionov
    Hickey
    Voynov
    (Zatkoff)
    Kozun
    Teubert
    King
    Jones

    Joel Reply:

    @Quisp, Do you happen to have some inside info on Clifford? Not a criticism, I’m just generally curious since I’ve seen that you predict he will make the club next year instead of Schenn, and have him rated this high. You’re the only one I’ve noticed so far with this assessment.

    I have to plead ignorance either way since I haven’t seen his highlights.

  16. sammuch says:

    I think if this Skinner Kid is not taken by 19th, take him. He a lot like Sakic when he got drafted. Lots of goals not a lot to say about the guy, sakic got drafted 15th overall. He very underated, I would take this kid 3rd overall in draft. He is diffently the 3rd best offancive guy in the dratt this year.

    Kings do not need to move up in the draft if they can get him at 19. But like Sakic he wiil be taken between 12 to the 16th spot in the draft

    [Reply]

  17. oldthunder says:

    Anybody else think DL might trade for a young (25 years old) winger like Nathan Horton out of Florida? He is capable of being a first line winger if he is out of Florida. Seems like a DL type, big body and plays hard. Kid’s NTC kicks in in a few days, looks like they might want to dump his salary. I think his salary cap hit is 4 million 2010,4.5 in 2011 and 5.5 in 2012, which is not too bad. That leaves some cap room for DL to sign other players.

    [Reply]

    VanKingsFan Reply:

    @oldthunder, I would love this. I have always loved Nathan, I watched him play a lot in Oshawa when I lived on that side of the continent.

    [Reply]

    DougS Reply:

    @VanKingsFan,
    Sounds good to me, too. My only caveat is that (as I hear it) FL’s situation isn’t really a salary dump so much as they feel they need to re-make the chemistry of the team…. Which kind of hints that there was something wrong with the old chemistry… and therefore, the players who were a part of that chemistry…. But who knows? [shrug]

    If the Kings are going to get him, better get him now: With Dale Tallon in charge in FL, he’ll probably get an extension for $8 mil/year for the next 10 years or something like that….

    [Reply]

  18. tornado12 says:

    OFF TOPIC ALERT
    Congrats to your 2010 NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers! Lets hope some of that championship kharma lingers in the Staples Center air long enough for the Kings to inhale.

    [Reply]

    Jogen Reply:

    @tornado12, they may need respirators when inhaling the fumes from the celebration outside.

    [Reply]

    gralx Reply:

    @tornado12, Yeah, i was thinking right liquid, right room, wrong sport :>(

    [Reply]

  19. Harry says:

    Hey Rich,

    Any word on this?

    Kings get permission to talk to former Flyers coach John Stevens

    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/06/flyers-kings-john-stevens-mark-hardy.html

    [Reply]

    Stevens is a Nerd! Reply:

    You’d think it would be difficult for a former head coach to step down to an assistant. I never was a Stevens fan, maybe because I live in Buffalo and hate the Flyers. Anyway, it would be a good move and if he understands his role, he would probably be a better assistant than Hardy ever was.

    [Reply]

    DougS Reply:

    @Stevens is a Nerd!,
    I imagine going back to being an ass’t. again probably beats being an unemployed ex-head coach.

    [Reply]

  20. Buster says:

    Two mentioned players in my top 5 making it to the Kings (Skinner and Etem). Two others have players I’d like to see us draft slipping past us.

    [Reply]

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