Prospects’ chances

Based on what I’ve seen in the rookie camp and games, I’ve come up with some projections on the likelihood of certain players making the Kings’ roster out of training camp. A couple disclaimers… One, I didn’t include Brayden Schenn, because he has been injured and hasn’t participated. Two, I certainly reserve the right to update my thoughts, based on what we see during the regular training camp. It’s very competitive, and it’s been fun to watch these prospects and guess how they might project in the years to come. It will be even more interesting, starting Saturday, to see how they fare against NHL veterans. Below, I’ve selected seven of the higher-profile prospects and gave my best guess as to their short-term futures…

THOMAS HICKEY
You have to start with the premise that, with one spot already open and Matt Greene out for the first month, the Kings will keep a defenseman such as Davis Drewiske and also take a rookie. Based on that, I give the edge to Hickey because while he was not the oldest, most-experience defenseman in rookie camp — that would be Fransson — he was consistently the most poised and in control, and made few mistakes. Are there more dynamic defensemen out there? Certainly, but whomever makes the roster will be asked to play immediately, so that’s why I give the nod to Hickey.
Chance of making team: 40 percent.

JOHAN FRANSSON
The great unknown, Fransson arrived from Sweden at the start of the rookie camp and impressed from the start. Physically and emotionally, he’s a mature player who has a strong all-around game. It’s no stretch to think that he could play in the NHL soon. Here’s the question, though. What happens when the adults show up? Fransson is 25 years old and has been playing against professionals in Sweden for seven years. He should be doing well against 20-year-olds, as he is. Will that level be maintained when he starts competing against NHL veterans in regular camp?
Chance of making team: 30 percent.

KYLE CLIFFORD
One gets the sense, from listening to Dean Lombardi and Ron Hextall, among others, that the Kings would like to see Clifford force them to keep him on the roster this season. They like his size, attitude and skill, and indeed Clifford looked ready, physically, to compete against NHLers. The only question is, where would he fit? He’s not a top-six forward right now, and the Kings’ third line appears set. Clifford is a winger, so would he displace Rich Clune? Kevin Westgarth?
Chance of making team: 30 percent.

COREY ELKINS
Elkins got a chance to redeem himself in the rookie game in Phoenix. That’s where, on Dec. 26, in his third NHL game, he gave up the puck, with led to the Coyotes’ game-winning goal. Elkins was back in Manchester shortly thereafter. In camp, Elkins displayed good size, skill and poise, and also played with a “A” on his jersey. It’s a cramped competition for that fourth-line center role, but Elkins was a player who stood out to me more than I expected him to.
Chance of making team: 30 percent.

JAKE MUZZIN
Even though I’m personally a big fan of Muzzin’s game, I’m putting him in this spot for the same reason I elevated Hickey. With Greene out for the first month, I’m thinking the Kings might lean toward experience, and while Muzzin was highly impressive in the AHL playoffs, he still has only 14 games of pro experience. Muzzin has a strong all-around game, and it certainly wouldn’t be a shock to see him make the team, and it wouldn’t be a surprise, at all, to see him called up during the course of the season.
Chance of making team: 25 percent.

ANDREI LOKTIONOV
He’s almost there. Loktionov has great instincts and he is, as one scout put it, a “slippery” player in the offensive zone. You might hear people say that Loktionov is small, but he’s really not. He’s almost 6 feet tall, and he already looks bulkier than he did last season, so that’s a good sign. To make the NHL, he will need to show that he can “play big” as well, and while that might happen this season, the presumption is that a player such as Brayden Schenn, or maybe even Elkins, has the edge if the Kings are looking for a fourth-line center.
Chance of making team: 25 percent.

BRANDON KOZUN
Every competition needs a wild card, right? Kozun is intriguing because, despite his slight stature (5-foot-8) he has put up huge numbers at the junior level. He’s ultra-fast and has great scoring instincts. The question, naturally, is whether or not he will be able to hold up against physical play at the pro level. It’s almost certain that Kozun will go to Manchester this season and get a chance to play a high-profile role with the Monarchs, but if he thrives there, it’s realistic to start thinking of Kozun as an NHL player.
Chance of making team: 10 percent.