Player evaluation: Loktionov

ANDREI LOKTIONOV
This season: 1 game, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 penalty minutes, 11:52 ice time.
The good: Loktionov progressed enough, in his first full year after coming over from Russia — he was a fifth-round pick in 2008 — that he earned a call-up in late November when the Kings needed a center when Jarret Stoll was injured. Loktionov injured his shoulder in that game, but he seems to be adapting well to the North American game. People in the organization rave about his “hockey sense” and there’s a belief that he could project as a second-line center.
The bad: Loktionov is listed, probably quite generously, at 179 pounds. The play on which he was injured in Edmonton was a relatively benign incident in which there really wasn’t much contact. Loktionov’s ability to thrive at the NHL level is going to depend on his ability to improve his body control and strength.
Going forward: Over the next 12 months, the Kings would love to see either Loktionov or Brayden Schenn position himself as the second-line center of the future. Loktionov has a bit more flair to his game, and looks as though he could end up being a major fifth-round steal. He will get a long look during training camp, for certain, but is he physically ready?