Kings Select Martin Chromiak (Round 5, Pick 128)

The LA Kings have selected forward Martin Chromiak with the 128th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft!

The Vitals

Position: Winger
Shoots: Right
DOB: 8/20/02
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 181
Hometown: Ilava, Slovakia
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 30 (North American Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 35
TSN/Craig Button’s Final Ranking: 41
The Athletic/Corey Pronman’s Final Ranking: 65
McKeen’s Hockey Final Ranking: 44

What The Experts Said

Via Corey Pronman (subscribe to The Athletic here):
Chromiak started the season in Slovakia’s pro league and didn’t get much opportunity. He came to the OHL for the second half and sat at around a point per game with Kingston. Chromiak is a very talented player. He has high-end skill and shows a lot of confidence with the puck, trying to make plays through defenders or to his teammates. Chromiak also has a plus shot and can score from the dots. On the power play and inside the offensive zone he’s very dangerous. He lacks NHL quickness though, and off the puck he’s just OK, with a tendency to be a perimeter player who doesn’t win many puck battles. I like the talent and what he’s done versus his peer group internationally and in the OHL, but I understand why among NHL scouts he’s a divisive player.

Via ESPN’s Chris Peters
Chromiak made the jump to the OHL from the pro ranks in his home country of Slovakia at midseason. He played with 2022 draft-eligible phenom Shane Wright when he got to Kingston, and those two clicked in a significant way. Chromiak has to tack on some muscle, but his hand skills are very good. He owns a quick release and can get his shots off from just about any angle. On top of that, he makes quick decisions with the puck and seems to have a very good sense of how to maximize his abilities on the rush or in the offensive zone.