Seven draft picks for Kings

The NHL Draft will take place next Friday and Saturday in Pittsburgh — typing that almost gave me a seizure — and the Kings, at the moment, are scheduled to make seven picks in the seven-round draft. Here’s the rundown…

FIRST ROUND
No. 30.

FOURTH ROUND
No. 121.

FIFTH ROUND
No. 151.

SIXTH ROUND
No. 171 and No. 181.

SEVENTH ROUND
No. 183 and No. 211.

A few notes… Columbus has the option, per the Jeff Carter trade, to take the Kings’ first-round pick either this year or next year. Given that this year’s pick is the lowest-possible pick (No. 30), conventional wisdom is that the Blue Jackets will defer to next year, but they don’t have to make the decision official until draft day. The Kings’ second-round pick goes to Philadelphia as part of the Mike Richards trade. The Kings’ third-round pick goes to Edmonton as part of the Dustin Penner trade. The extra sixth-round pick (No. 171) came from Philadelphia as part of the trade for Stefan Legein. The extra seventh-round pick (No. 183) came from Edmonton as part of the trade for Colin Fraser. And, of course, as the Stanley Cup champions, the Kings will make the last pick of the draft (No. 211).