Prospects | GO KINGS GO

Arthur Kaliyev is set to Make NHL Debut Tonight

February 2, 2021February 16, 2021
by KT Nash

Let’s just say that it is time for the Arty Party to come to Los Angeles!

It is no secret that I have been a huge fan of Kaliyev since the Kings drafted him with the 33rd overall pick of the 2019 NHL entry draft. Kaliyev, with his raw offensive talent, should have never slipped to the second round simply due to his lack of defensive prowess. Nevertheless, thirty-one NHL teams, including the Kings, chose to pass on him in the first round. When he was still available for the Kings’ first second round pick, it became a no-brainer: the Uzbekistan-born, American-made winger was going to be a King.

Kaliyev’s premier skill is his shot. Although it is not always pretty, it is insane, and it always seems to find the back of the net. He has the natural scoring touch that simply cannot be taught. Need proof? Here is his slap shot at age six:

for all of you that are amazed by @Arthur_Kaliyev’s shot. this is him at 6 years old lmaoo pic.twitter.com/3Lpsh0PQcW
— Igor Larionov II (@Igor_LarionovII) January 6, 2021

Most six-year-olds are still learning how to shoot without falling, but Kaliyev was taking one-timers. Throughout his amateur career, his offensive ability and production continued to wow everyone. When he was playing with the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, presumably due to his amazing play, there was even a wild conspiracy theory that he was not a sixteen-year-old rookie. That season, he posted 48 points (31+17=48) in 68 games. In his sophomore campaign, he only continued to impress: he became only the thirteenth seventeen-year-old player in OHL history to score over 50 goals. The last person to complete the feat before him was 2008 first overall pick Steven Stamkos. This begs the question: how on earth was he a second round pick?

His defensive game is simply lackluster. Throughout his junior career, he struggled defensively. In two out of three seasons with the Bulldogs, he finished with a negative +/-, including a -17 during the 2019-2020 season. It is, however, important to mention that both times he represented the United States during the IIHF World Juniors tournament, in 2020 and 2021, he finished with a positive +/-. Perhaps he just has to be with the right line mates that have the ability to cover for him a bit defensively because his shot is too good to waste due to a lack of defensive talent. At the 2021 World Juniors Championship, Kings fans were able to see him win gold and play on a line alongside fellow Kings prospect Alex Turcotte. It is very possible that this pairing translates into two-thirds of a future NHL line. With Turcotte, Kaliyev’s lack of defense was simply not a problem: he finished the tournament with eight points (3+5=8), a +/- 9, and the coveted Gold Medal.

Tonight is a big night for Kaliyev and the very vocal group of Kings fans who believe in “playing the kids.” Personally, I have very excited to see him in a game or two, but I fully understand that the team is not ready to use up a year of his entry-level deal, so do not expect this stay to be permanent. Nevertheless, this is an exciting night. The future is bright, Kings fans!

Image Credit: www.theathletic.com

Prospects

Welcome to LA, Quinton Byfield

October 17, 2020November 11, 2020
by KT Nash

The pick is in! The contract is signed! Quinton Byfield is officially a member of the Los Angeles Kings!

Needless to say, Kings fans are excited right now. After the Kings ended their season with a seven game win-streak, it seemed as if they had finally turned a corner in “the plan”, or the rebuild. As if things were not already looking up for the first time in several years, the Kings jumped two spots in the draft lottery, earning the second overall pick. Enter Quinton Byfield.

In almost any other draft, Quinton Byfield would have been the first overall pick: his combination of size, speed, and scoring ability is virtually unmatched, especially for an eighteen-year-old. The 6’4″, 214 lbs center has spent the past two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves, demonstrating his offensive capabilities. In the 2018-2019 season, he posted 61 points (29+32=61) in 64 games played and in the shortened 2019-2020 season, he posted 82 points (32+50=82) in only 45 games played. It is important to note that he was only sixteen during his first season and seventeen during his second season; in the OHL, these numbers are extremely impressive for a U18 player.

While his offensive statistics are noteworthy, I find his defensive potential particularly interesting. The OHL is an offensively-dominated league: it is not uncommon for even top draft-eligible prospects to be underwater in their plus/minus. Quinton Byfield is not only above water, but significantly so. In the 2018-2019 season, he had a +12 and in the 2019-2020 season, he had a +26. To put these numbers in perspective, I will compare them to the next highest player drafted from the OHL this year: the Anaheim Ducks’ sixth overall pick, defenseman Jamie Drysdale. With the Erie Otters, in the 2018-2019 season, Drysdale had a -24 in 63 games played and, in the 2019-2020 season, he had a +9 in 49 games played. For a defenseman in the OHL, these are solid numbers; however, they do demonstrate how exceptional Byfield’s numbers are, especially considering that he is a center, not a defenseman.

Defensive capability is normally taught over a significant amount of time. Oftentimes, top NHL defensemen and centers use their time in junior/college/minor hockey to finesse their defensive skills. Byfield entered major junior hockey having already learned to use his large size to his defensive advantage and that is rare. There is a reason that he is described as “Anže Kopitar 2.0”: he has the size and skill of Anže Kopitar with the speed that is necessary in the modern NHL and, like Kopitar, he has an innate aptitude for the defensive aspects of the game. I would not be surprised if he was able to accumulate several Selke trophies, the award for the most defensive forward, throughout his career.

Quinton Byfield is more than an impressive player, he is an impressive person. In conjunction with the Sudbury Wolves, he formed the Q’s kids charitable initiative supporting the NEO (Northeastern Ontario) Kids Foundation. He hosts NEO kids and their families as his personal guests at Wolves games. After the games, Quinton Byfield himself gives the kids a tour of the dressing room and introduces them to the whole team! It is clear that Byfield cares about the community around him, given that he put this initiative together himself. Through the Kings Care Foundation, he should be able to continue his community involvement once he is in Los Angeles.

   
  
 
 
  View this post on Instagram
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Byfield partners with NEO Kids and Wolves in launch of Q&#39;s Kids. 🏒 &#34;To give them a night out with their family where they can have fun is important to me,” said Quinton. 🐺 Read more 👉 visit Story!
 A post shared by  Sudbury Wolves (@sudburywolvesohl) on Jan 13, 2020 at 2:50pm PST

If you are still not impressed by his playing skills and personality, Quinton Byfield is also making history. As a second overall draft pick, Byfield surpassed fourth overall picks Evander Kane and Seth Jones as the highest Black draftee in NHL history. This accomplishment has earned him congratulatory remarks from the entire hockey community and celebrities alike. Byfield is aware of the magnitude of this achievement: he strives to be a role model to a new generation on Black hockey players and their families.

   
  
 
 
  View this post on Instagram
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Dave Roberts can&#39;t wait to watch @quintonbyfield play in LA. @Dodgers x #GoKingsGo
 A post shared by  LA Kings (@lakings) on Oct 9, 2020 at 2:00pm PDT

On October 16, the Kings officially made Quinton Byfield a member of the team by signing him to a three-year $10.725 million entry-level contract. The Kings have shown their excitement by giving him the highest possible salary for an entry-level deal. This makes Byfield officially eligible to wear number 55 with the Los Angeles Kings as early as next season, whenever it is set to start.

   
  
 
 
  View this post on Instagram
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Dream come true, Thank you to the @lakings organization and to everyone who’ve helped support me to this point in my career, Can’t wait to get down there and get started #calibaby
 A post shared by @ quintonbyfield on Oct 16, 2020 at 3:49pm PDT

Needless to say, there is a lot of pressure on Byfield to succeed, but don’t expect to see him play at the NHL level just yet. Kings General Manager Rob Blake has acknowledged that, physically, Byfield is ready to play in the league; however, he has also stressed that he does not want to rush Byfield’s development, especially as the team continues their rebuild. Sometimes, in a desperate attempt to improve immediately, transitioning teams rush prospects into the NHL and it stunts their development. Therefore, it is crucial for the team and fans alike to be patient with Byfield and his developmental trajectory.

This is a time of excitement for the Kings. The Kings never even expected to draft second overall this year: the team did not even interview Byfield before the lottery. Just seeing him in a Kings jersey demonstrates that the future is bright for this team and I, for one, am ready to see him in action representing the Kings in the near future.

Main image via Puck Prose

Prospects

2020 NHL Draft Sound Bites

October 8, 2020November 11, 2020
by KT Nash

Did you miss the 2020 NHL Draft and want to learn what the Kings did with their 11 picks? Look no further! This is an overview of what the draft looked like from the Kings’ perspective.

Round 1, 2nd Overall Pick

Ladies and gentlemen, this was the big one. The Kings ended the Byfield vs Stützle debate by selecting Quinton Byfield with their 2nd overall pick, proving my calculation correct! This pick made history as Byfield is now the highest drafted Black player in NHL history. Stay tuned for a full article on Byfield coming soon! Let’s just say that Kings fans are excited about this one!

Round 2, 35th Overall Pick

The Kings selected Helge Grans with this pick. Grans is an eighteen-year-old right-shot defenseman that brings size and skating ability to the table. As a point-per-game player, Grans has been an offensive menace at the junior level; however, he did struggle offensively once he was called up to the SHL’s Malmö Redhawks during the 2019-2020 campaign. Nevertheless, he still projects to be a solid NHL defenseman.

We have a Trade!

The Kings traded their round 2, 51st overall and round 4, 97th overall picks to the Detroit Red Wings in order to move up to the 45th overall pick. With this pick, the Kings selected right-shot defenseman Brock Faber. Faber has shown his skating ability on the United States National Team Development Program and should continue to build upon that at the University of Minnesota next season.

We have Another Trade!

It seems as if the phone was ringing a lot during the draft as the Kings made their second move in the second round. The Kings traded their 60th overall pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for former 2017 7th overall draft pick Lias Andersson. Things never really worked out for Andersson with the Rangers and, as a result of that, he was developed improperly. Hopefully, a fresh start in sunny Los Angeles will allow him to reach his full potential in the league.

Round 3, 66th Overall Pick

The Kings selected Finnish right-winger Kasper Simontaival. Simontaival is an interesting prospect given that he does have a very high ceiling but his young career has been marred by injuries. In the 2019-2020 campaign, Simontaival posted solid offensive numbers, scoring 57 points (25+32=57) in 48 games played, for the junior affiliate for Liiga’s Tappara team. He is known to have a strong hockey sense; however, whether or not he will be able to stay healthy enough to crack the NHL remains to be seen.

Round 3, 83rd Overall Pick

The Kings selected Alex Laferriere (not to be confused with 1st overall pick, Alexis Lafreniere). Laferriere is a a lethal offensive play-maker who specializes in the power play. In the 2019-2020 season, he averaged just over a point-per-game with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. He is clearly quite smart as well as he committed to play NCAA hockey at Harvard University next season.

Round 4, 112th Overall Pick

At last, we have a goaltender! The Kings selected goalie Juho Markkanen with the 112th overall pick. Markkanen spent the majority of the 2019-2020 campaign with the SaiPa U20 juniors team, posting a .881 save percentage in 18 games played. He is known for his athleticism; however, he needs to fill out his frame to be of a competitive size. Projecting his ability to crack the NHL is difficult because, oftentimes, goaltenders need more time to develop to their full potential. For the time being, expect him to play in Finland.

Round 5, 128th Overall Pick

The Kings selected Slovak left-winger Martin Chromiak. Last season he split time between the Slovakian HK Dukla Trencin team and the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs where he showed off his skills in two continents. With the HK Dukla Trencin, he only managed to post 6 points (5+1=6) in 32 games played; however, it is important to note that he was a seventeen-year-old playing in a men’s league. Once he switched to the Frontenacs, his offensive numbers improved: he posted 33 points (11+22=33) in 28 games played. Many scouts attributed part of this offensive jump to playing on a line with Shane Wright, a top prospect who will be eligible for the 2022 NHL draft. Nevertheless, he may prove to be one of the steals in this year’s draft.

One Last Trade!

The Los Angeles Kings traded the 2020 6th round, 159th overall pick and their 2021 7th round pick to the Carolina Hurricanes for the 2020 5th round, 140th overall pick. With this pick, the Kings selected Ben Meehan, an offensive, left-shot defenseman. Meehan is set to play NCAA hockey at UMass-Lowell where he can continue to work on his defensive game.

Round 7, 190th Overall Pick

The Kings used their last pick of the 2020 NHL draft to select Aatu Jamsen. Jamsen, a native of Finland, is a right-winger for the Pelicans of the U18 SM-sarja league. Last season, he was just short of a two point-per-game player; however, the SM-sarja league is not traditionally looked at for NHL scouting. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see where Aatu Jamsen’s career takes him, especially now that he is set to play on the U20 team.

Final Thoughts

Scouts and NHL experts alike are saying that this was a very successful draft for the Kings. The team has added several solid prospects and a potential superstar in Quinton Byfield to an already stacked prospect pool. This draft is the continuation of the team’s attempt to poise themselves to be very successful in the near future. Watching these prospects develop and eventually matriculate onto the Kings and Reign will be very interesting and I will be here to cover it every step of the way.

Main photo via @LAKings on twitter

Prospects

The Kings’ Take on the 2020 NHL Draft: Byfield…

October 5, 2020October 6, 2020
by KT Nash

There is no question of what the paramount moment of this year’s draft will be for the Los Angeles Kings. Finally the debate will be settled: the Kings will either chose Quinton Byfield or Tim Sützle with their second overall pick. However, this is not the only interesting aspect of the 2020 draft for the Kings. Keep reading for a full primer on what this draft can mean for the Kings and how it will affect “the plan” for the team’s future.

Quinton Byfield vs Tim Stützle

I had to start here because this is what everybody around the NHL and their mother cares about. It is evident that the Rangers will select Alexis Lafrenière with their first overall pick (if they somehow do not, then all of this debate was for nothing because the Kings would be happy to select him) but what the Kings will do with the second overall pick has been the subject of speculation since the draft lottery in June. The Kings have two realistic choices: Quinton Byfield and Tim Stützle.

Normally, I would do a deep dive into each player’s stats and highlights; however, I believe that they are so closely matched that, honestly, it simply does not matter. Either way the Kings are going to select a future star that will do amazing things for the team for years to come. I am simply going to offer some simple soundbites on why each player would be an excellent choice for the team.

The case for Quinton Byfield

He is Anže Kopitar 2.0: a big, strong center who can skate. He is actually quite young to be in the draft, having only turned 18 in August; somehow, the 6’4″, 214 pound Byfield can still grow. He will be a physical force to be reckoned with in the NHL. If selected by the Kings, he will be guided by Anže Kopitar in order to eventually take over the job as the Kings’ number 1 center. Oh, and did I mention, he can score. He will bring offense to a transitioning team that is starved for goals. Byfield seems pretty good to me, but there is still another wonderful option for the Kings.

The case for Tim Stützle

He is German Patrick Kane: a small, fast player with immense offensive skill. At 6’0″ and 187 pounds, he is undersized but his skating and stick handling abilities more than make up for it. He has also proved that he can play in pro hockey, having demonstrated his offensive capabilities in a strong rookie season with the DEL’s Alder Mannheim. He plays both center and left wing, which is arguably more useful to a Kings team with a prospect pool that is already stacked with centers. Stützle’s play also arguably better complements the modern NHL game of speed and skill over size and strength. He is definitely a good option for a Kings team who is looking to get faster and more offensively minded.

An armchair GM’s take

I believe that the choice is Quinton Byfield. It is so incredibly close in my mind, but I can provide some reasoning. Even though Time Stützle may be connected through his fellow countryman and the Kings’ assistant coach Marco Sturm, I think the Kings are going to go with Byfield. The Kings have asserted that they are going to take the best player available over the best fit for the team. Number 1 centers are hard to come by and Byfield fits the bill. There are less questions with him: it is clear that he is going to be a very good player, if not a star in the NHL; however, with Stützle this is less clear (although, personally, I do believe he will be a star). The Kings’ plethora of center prospects will not be a problem with the addition of Byfield: many of them will simply shift to wing at the NHL level. I also believe that the tutelage of Anže Kopitar will be an imperative benefit to Byfield’s development. However, take all of this with a grain of salt. I could very well be quite wrong.

Here is what the choice boils down to: the Kings are either going to chose Canadian Anže Kopitar 2.0 with a higher floor or German Patrick Kane with a higher ceiling. Either way, Kings fans should be excited to watch this new prospect develop and, eventually, become a stat of a future competitive Kings team.

So, what happens after the second overall pick?

The Byfield vs Stützle debate will be settled within minuets of the draft’s commencement. However, this will be just the start of a busy draft for the Kings. The Kings have 11 picks in this year’s draft. This is an insane amount of draft picks and it demonstrates Rob Blake’s and management’s commitment to “the plan”, or the team’s rebuild. Over the past several seasons, the Kings have stocking up on draft picks with the goal of revitalizing their prospect pool that was depleted during the Cup years. This is how the Kings will build a team that will, once again, be competitive in the near future.

All of these draft picks did come at a cost: many fan favorites, including Kyle Clifford, Alec Martinez, and Tyler Toffoli, had to be traded in order to obtain these extra picks. It was simply hard to watch these cup-era players leave, as evident by the calls to “fire Blake” every time he had to make a difficult trade in order to start investing in draft picks, securing the team’s future. However, for the most part, the pain of loosing beloved players is behind us and we can actually start to see the future and it is pretty bright.

The Kings now have the best prospect pool in the league and, with 11 picks in this year’s draft, it is only going to get even better. As a result of this, if the Kings make the playoffs next season, Rob Blake will be on the short list for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. In just a couple seasons, he turned a basically nonexistent prospect pool into the best in the league and these prospects are going to start cracking the NHL lineup, becoming impact players, in the next few seasons.

Now, let’s take a look and see what the Kings can do with all of these picks. After the first couple of picks in the draft, everything becomes pure speculation so I am not going to make any predictions at what specific players the Kings are going to chose. Instead, I am going to look at what type of player the Kings should go for with each pick.

Round 2, pick 35 overall: This is an amazing pick. This pick is, hopefully, going to be a player that slips out of the first round and finds himself with the Los Angeles Kings.

Round 2, picks 51 and 60 overall: These two picks were both acquired in trades. If I had my choice, I would go with a defenseman for at least one of these picks as the Kings are looking to build their defensive prospect pool.

Round 3, picks 66 and 83 overall: This is where the Kings might want to consider taking a goaltender. In the past, Rob Blake has traditionally drafted at least one goaltender every season.

Rounds 4-7, picks 97, 112, 128, 159, and 190 overall: This is the point where I just put my faith in the scouts. Oftentimes, these picks never matriculate to the NHL; however, sometimes stars come out of these late-round picks. Perhaps, the Kings can be one of those lucky teams this year.

This is going to be an extraordinary draft year for the Kings. In my opinion, it is a tipping point for the team with regards to “The Plan.” These draft and prospects picks will start to crack the NHL and, with any luck, the Kings will be a playoff contender as soon as next season!

Check back soon for more draft coverage!

Prospects

The Case for Martin Frk

August 11, 2020August 12, 2020
by KT Nash

Now that NHL Seattle has officially been named the Seattle Kraken, the league has shifted to the looming expansion draft. Personally, I have noticed that Kings forward Martin Frk is left out of many peoples’ potential protected players lists. However, I would like to make the case for why Martin Frk should be included as a protected player for the Kings.

There are many reasons to protect Frk but here I would like to detail a few.

Reason #1: This is the only reason that does not really have anything to do with Frk himself: the vast majority of the Kings’ young players are automatically protected. Per the rules of the expansion draft, any first and second year pro players and any unsigned draft choices are automatically exempt from the draft. For the Kings, this means that pretty much any forward that is deemed as a “part of the future” is automatically safe. It is likely that the Kings will expose some older members of the team with hefty contracts (i.e. Jeff Carter) but Frk is neither old nor does he carry an expensive price tag. As a result of this, protecting Frk is not taking a spot away from a young player with immense promise or a veteran whose role is pertinent to the future of the team. Instead, the Kings may chose to expose depth pieces that do not really bring anything special to the team.

Reason #2: Frk has leadership potential. While he will likely remain a depth player for the Kings, he brings physicality, a scoring touch, and playing experience at all levels. He is commended for his work ethic by his teammates and coaches alike. He is one of those players who leads by example. This will definitely prove useful to a team that is getting increasingly younger as each season passes: he will be a strong mentor to players who are coming up from the AHL because he has experienced the transition himself. As the last members of the Kings’ core from the Cup years either leave or retire, a player like Frk could potentially help transition the team into its new leadership core that consists of the current Kings prospect pool.

Reason #3: His shot. It is simply impossible to evaluate Frk in any situation without mentioning his shot. Its record-breaking speed of 109.2 MPH is simply insane. Unfortunately, his shot is even hard enough to injure players. However, this shot is going to prove the most useful in the playoffs: imagine trying to block that shot for an entire seven game series.

Throughout a playoff series, those unfortunate enough to consistently block his shots will be exhausted and bruised by the end of it. I would not want to be a defenseman or goaltender on that poor team. Nevertheless, this will give the Kings, and specifically Frk, a huge advantage in long series.

Frk’s shot will not only prove useful in the playoffs. In a limited showing with the Kings so far, Frk has produced offensively in both 5-on-5 and Power Play situations. In the future, I envision him playing on the third or fourth line in 5-on-5 play and on the first Power Play unit. However, his shot and subsequent offensive capability makes him a versatile player that can play and produce in almost any offensive situation.

In conclusion, having a versatile player like this will prove to be quite useful in a transitioning team: there will be many players coming up from and going down to the Kings AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. A player like Frk who can play in virtually any situation can be used in order to fill gaps left open when there are player transactions with the Reign. Honestly, in my opinion, there is no clear reason not to protect and keep Frk on the Kings as their stacked prospect pool makes the transition to the professional ranks.

Ontario Reign

Prospect Report: Kale Clague

June 16, 2020June 17, 2020
by KT Nash

Today is the final day of 10 prospects in 10 days. I decided to cover a prospect that is oftentimes overlooked by Kings fans. Kale Clague, a defenseman, was drafted by the Kings in the second round, 51st overall in the 2016 NHL draft.

Clague had a very successful draft year with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, posting strong offensive and defensive numbers. He scored 43 points (6+37=43) in 71 games played, whilst maintaining a plus/minus of +25. Clague was just as successful in the 2016 WHL playoffs, where the Wheat Kings won the WHL championship, posting 14 points (6+8=14) in 21 games played with a plus/minus of +5. Internationally, representing his native Canada, Clague won the Hlinka Memorial Gold Medal.

Going into the draft, scouts and experts placed Clague at the beginning of the second round. He was complimented on his offensive ability, but criticized for a lack of a solid defensive game. Many questioned how well he would adjust to the more defensively focused professional game from the offensively focused major juniors. Nevertheless, the Kings chose him with their 51st overall pick.

Clague spent his next two seasons in the WHL, continuing to demonstrate his offensive ability, while leaving room for improvement in his defensive game. In the 2016-2017 season, serving as the Wheat Kings’ alternate captain, he posted 40 points (5+35=40) in 48 games with a plus/minus of -8. Although his plus/minus was not ideal, he was named to the WHL East’s First All-Star Team. Internationally, he made his IIHF World Juniors debut representing Canada. Clague has 6 assists, the most by any defenseman in the tournament, in 7 games with a plus/minus of +6. Canada went on to win the Silver Medal.

In the 2017-2018 season, Clague improved his defense from his lackluster plus/minus in the prior season. He split the season with the Wheat Kings and the Moose Jaw Warriors. With the Wheat Kings, serving as their alternate captain once again, Clague posted 47 points (10+37=47) in 28 games. He had an impressive plus/minus of +31. With the Warriors, he scored 24 points (1+23=24) in 25 games played, while boasting a plus/minus of +11. His play earned him the Bill Hunter Trophy as the WHL’s Top Defenseman, was named the the WHL’s East First All-Star Team, and had the most assists by a defenseman with 60.

He was also named to Canada’s IIHF World Juniors team for the second consecutive season. Canada also took notice of his leadership capability, naming him one of their alternate captains. He scored 2 assists in 6 games en route to a Gold Medal.

Clague began his professional career with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign in the 2018-2019 season. This was the true test to see how well he defends at the professional level. He posted 29 points (7+22=29) in 52 games played and he had a plus/minus of -20. His season was cut short due to a broken foot. He clearly had trouble adjusting to the AHL game, but he was still a promising prospect for the Kings.

Prior to the 2019-2020 season, many believed that Clague would make the Kings roster. However, the team thought that it was best that he started his season developing with the Reign. He did eventually earn a recall to the Kings, going scoreless in 4 games with a plus/minus of -3 on a Kings team that was not playing well. With the Reign, he posted 25 points (8+17=25) in 49 games played. His plus/minus also improved significantly on a Reign team that was poised to make the playoffs. He had a plus/minus of -14, which is still not great, but acceptable.

Clague should make the Kings’ roster at the start of the season next year. He is extremely promising, especially offensively. If he is paired with a more defensive partner, his offensive capability will be able to flourish while he has the opportunity to improve his defense with a mentor. He should be a strong defenseman in the Kings’ future, probably playing on the second pairing and the Power Play. He is one of the Kings’ most promising defensive prospects, especially when taking into account that he fits well into the modern game as an offensive defenseman.

Prospects

Prospect Report: Tyler Madden

June 15, 2020June 16, 2020
by KT Nash

Day nine of 10 prospects in 10 days is Tyler Madden, the prospect the Kings received in the Tyler Toffoli trade.

After a successful season in the USHL, Madden was eligible in the 2018 NHL draft. He received generally strong, albeit not perfect, scouting reports going into the draft. He was chosen by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round, 63rd overall, which was consistent with his rankings.

Madden committed to play NCAA Division I hockey with the Northeastern Huskies. He had a very good showing in his freshman year with the Huskies, posting 28 points (12+16=28) in 36 games played. NCAA hockey is one of the best ways to emulate the play and style of professional hockey at the amateur level. College hockey is more physical and more defensive than any junior hockey. With that in mind, Madden’s statistics are quite impressive, especially for a freshman. He was named to the NCAA Hockey East All-Rookie Team and he had an honorable mention to their All-Star Team.

His performance also earned him a spot on Team USA for the 2019 World Juniors Tournament. He scored 4 points (3+1=4) in 7 games en route to a Silver Medal. This was a specular season for Madden and it improved his worth as a top prospect for Vancouver.

He spent his 2019-2020 season with Northeastern and had another productive campaign. He posted 37 points (19+18=37) in 27 games played. He scored more goals and points than in his previous season in fewer games played. He was named to the NCAA East First All-Star Team, their Second All-American Team, and the NCAA New England D1 All-Stars.

Madden was also traded to the Kings in the 2019-2020 season. Vancouver received Tyler Toffoli and the Kings received Madden alongside Tim Schaller, a 2021 second round pick and a 2022 conditional pick. This was an excellent trade for the Kings as Madden will surely play in the NHL in the near future. In fact, the Kings even signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Because he has signed a professional contract, Madden is no longer eligible for the NCAA. Next season he should start with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. As the Kings have a large prospect pool at center, it is unlikely that he will see much, if any, time with the Kings next year. He is a an excellent skater and will fit quite well in the modern NHL that is characterized by speed. In all likelihood he will be a mainstay with the Kings in the next few seasons, eventually working towards playing on the second line.

Madden is a Kings prospect that I am looking towards seeing with the Kings in the future; he will be an excellent offensive addition to a team that desperately needs it as soon as possible.

Ontario Reign

Prospect Report: Jaret Anderson-Dolan

June 14, 2020June 15, 2020
by KT Nash

Day eight of 10 prospects in 10 days is Jaret Anderson-Dolan, the Kings’ second round, 41st over draft pick of the 2017 NHL draft.

Anderson-Dolan, or JAD for the sake of simplifying his long name, is a center who is simply a leader on an off the ice. After being drafted 14th overall by the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs in 2014, JAD emerged as a mainstay in their lineup during the 2015-2016 season. He had a solid, but not amazing, rookie season posting 26 points (14+12=26) in 65 games played.

JAD first proved his true potential in the 2016-2017 season, also his draft year. He was named the alternate captain of the Chiefs and his production reflected his role on the team. He scored 76 points (39+37=76) in 72 games played. Team Canada took notice of his leadership and playing abilities and named him the captain of their under 18 team that played in the 2017 IIHF U-18 World Juniors tournament. JAD went scoreless in 5 games played and Canada was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Although he did not play well in the World Juniors Tournament, his performance with Spokane earned him high rankings going into the NHL draft. At only 17, JAD was one of the youngest players at the draft; yet, he was consistently ranked to be chosen in the first round. However, he slipped to the second round and the Los Angeles Kings selected him with their second round pick, 41st overall.

In the 2017-2018 season, JAD demonstrated that his offensive leap in the prior season was not simply a fluke. He posted 91 points (40+51=91) in 70 games played. He lead his team to the playoffs, where he scored 9 points (2+7=9) in 7 games played. His ability was noted when he was named to the WHL’s First All-Star Team due to his great season. After this campaign, JAD became viewed as one of the Kings most promising prospects. He was still 18, but he demonstrated the poise and leadership of someone who was much older.

JAD began his career with the Kings much sooner than expected. The Kings sustained several injuries during training camp prior to the 2018-2019 season and, because of his exceptional training camp, JAD earned the opportunity to play 5 games for the team, scoring his first career point, an assist. While he played well and did not look lost amongst seasoned NHL players, the Kings virtually self-imploded and it was not advantageous to use a year of a promising prospect’s contract on a team that simply could not win. JAD was sent back to Spokane where he was named their captain. However, a wrist injury drastically shortened his season.

Despite missing about half of the season due to his stint with the Kings and his injury, JAD still managed to post strong offensive numbers. He scored 43 points (20+23=43) in only 32 games played. He was also able to represent Canada at the IIHF World Juniors Tournament, serving as their alternate captain. He scored one goal in 5 games before Canada was eliminated.

The 2019-2020 season was JAD’s first full professional season. He began the season with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, before earning a brief recall to the Kings. With the Kings, he played 4 games, going scoreless. However, he had a very successful rookie campaign with the Reign, posting 28 points (8+20=28) in 53 games played. While this may appear as a poor season offensively when compared to his statistics with the Chiefs, it is important to understand exactly how different the AHL is from major juniors; major juniors is a significantly more offensive league as the players are younger, smaller, and less defensively inclined.

JAD will be searching for an opening night roster spot with the Kings next season and it is likely that he will receive it; he is a hard worker that has already proved that he can compete at the NHL level. Young, unestablished Kings centers need to look out for JAD because he might be taking their job next season. If he does not make the roster out of training camp, he will likely split time between the Kings and the Reign before becoming a Kings regular in the 2020-2021 season and beyond.

Ignoring his statistics, JAD is a good person and a team player. He has faced unfair discrimination due to his parents. He is the son of two moms and, because of this, he has slipped in not one, but two drafts. He was consistently ranked in the top 5 prospects for his WHL draft, where he slipped to 14 and he slipped from the first to the second round in his NHL draft. Despite this, he has reacted with nothing but poise and maturity. He is very young, yet he continues to prove that he is a leader on and off the ice. Just look at the way he talks about his life in the first interview he gave after he was drafted. He was only 17.

His billet parents best articulate his dedication to the game. He was consistently focused on eating well, sleeping properly, school, and training off the ice. He is going to be a leader and, potentially, the next captain for the Los Angeles Kings. He was already an excellent mentor to younger players in Spokane and this is likely to continue when he plays for an increasingly younger Los Angeles Kings team.

JAD’s two-way ability, combined with his pass first mentality will compliment other Kings prospects, including Arthur Kaliyev, well in the future. However, one of his biggest strengths is his versatility; he can play virtually any situation depending on need. He will likely begin his career on the third or fourth line, eventually working his way up to a top 6 spot on a competitive Kings team.

JAD is a strong skater who has a scoring touch and leadership capability. He is simply an all-around excellent prospect with few weak spots. Personally, he is my favorite Kings prospect and I look forward to seeing what he can do at the NHL level in the near future.

Prospects

Prospect Report: Jordan Spence

June 13, 2020June 14, 2020
by KT Nash

Day seven of 10 prospects in 10 days is Jordan Spence. Spence, a defenseman, was drafted by the Kings in the fourth round, 95th overall of the 2019 NHL draft.

Jordan Spence had an unorthodox journey towards professional hockey. Born in Australia, Spence first learned about hockey whilst living in Japan from his Canadian father. He first became serious about hockey when he moved to Canada at age 13.

At 17, he was drafted by the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats with the 20th overall pick. He is a small, offensively minded defenseman who skates well. In the 2018-2019 season, his first season with the Wildcats, also his draft season, Spence had an impressive showing. He continued to demonstrate his offensive capabilities, scoring 49 points (6+43=49) in 68 games played. His offensive ability did not limit his defense as well: he finished the season with an impressive plus/minus of +11 in the extremely offensive QMJHL.

His performance earned him a spot on team Canada’s under-18 roster, playing in the 2019 IIHF under-18 World Juniors Tournament. He continued playing well at the international level, posting 3 points (1+2=3) in 7 games played. However, his plus/minus of +5 is more impressive that his 3 points in this tournament.

At the conclusion of the season, Spence was highly decorated in the QMJHL. He was named to their all-rookie team, he won the awards for best rookie defenseman and best rookie overall, and he also had the most assists as a rookie in the league. These statistics earned him consideration as a solid NHL prospect. However, scouts and experts were divided on where in the draft he would be chosen. Some had him ranked as high as the middle of the second round, whilst others had him being drafted late in the fourth round as they were concerned that he would not be able to compensate for his small size at the NHL level. The Los Angeles Kings drafted Spence early in the fourth round.

Spence was always a sleeper prospect; he was never widely recognized by NHL experts. However, he has continued to play extremely well. In the 2019-2020 season, Spence had another incredible season. He scored 52 points (9+43=52) in 60 games played in the shortened season. He also had a plus/minus of +49, which is simply astonishing in major juniors. He was even awarded the Émile-Bouchard Trophy as the QMJHL’s best defenseman.

His continued success earned him a three-year, entry-level contract with the Kings upon the conclusion of the 2019-2020 season. Although he will not be ready to play in the NHL next year, he should be able to make the Kings in the coming seasons. He will probably play one more year with the Wildcats before making the transition to professional hockey.

His passing ability will be a welcomed addition to a Kings organization that has been historically starved for offense. The only area of concern is his skating: in order to be successful as an undersized defenseman in the NHL, he will need to be an excellent skater. His skating ability has not held him back as of yet, and it is likely that, with some time with the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate, he will be able to play well at the NHL level.

It is currently hard to see where his ceiling is; however, he could potentially be a mainstay on the second line of a competitive Kings team within the next four or five years. He will most likely receive significant power play time as well, due to his offensive ability.

Although he has been historically ignored by experts and scouts, Jordan Spence has the potential to be a solid NHL defenseman with his pass-first mentality and technical defensive skill.

Prospects

Prospect Report: Akil Thomas

June 12, 2020June 13, 2020
by KT Nash

Day six of 10 prospects and 10 days is none other than Akil Thomas, the Kings’ 2018 second round, 51st overall pick.

Thomas is an offensively minded forward who is known for his playmaking ability. He played for the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs in his draft year, serving as their alternate captain, demonstrating leadership potential. He scored 81 points (22+59=81) in 68 games played in the 2017-2018 season. These were statistics good enough to earn him high praise going into the draft; He was consistently ranked in the middle of the first round, with scouts complementing his skating ability and tenacity.

However, he managed to slip to the middle of the second round. Many believe that this was due to a lackluster performance in the IIHF under-18 World Juniors Tournament of that year. In 4 games played, he had 2 points (1+1=2); he was projected to have a better showing in this tournament. Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Kings were able to claim him in the second round.

Akil Thomas can be considered as a steal at 51st overall, especially when noting that some scouts had him ranked as high as 15th. He proved that he was an elite prospect in the season following his draft. In the 2018-2019, Thomas served as the IceDogs’ alternate captain once again and he posted 102 points (38+64=102) in 63 games played. He also had an incredible plus/minus of +42. These numbers are extremely good, even taking into consideration the how offensively minded major junior hockey is. Although team Canada did not name him to their World Juniors team, his spectacular season earned him a three-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings.

Entering into the 2019-2020 season, Thomas was named the captain of the IceDogs, further solidifying his role as a leader on the team. Before representing Canada in 2020 the IIHF World Junior Tournament, he scored 44 points (15+29=44) in 27 games played. The highlight of his season and his entire young career came during the World Juniors Tournament. Throughout the entire tournament, Thomas did not receive any significant playing time. Before the gold medal game, he only registered one point, an assist. However, with just under four minuets to go in the gold medal game, he scored a beautiful gold medal winning goal.

Scoring the tournament winning goal made headlines in the hockey community. Although he was under the immense pressure of the gold medal game, Thomas managed to score a goal after not receiving significant minuets throughout the tournament. This demonstrates his ability to be an impact player when the stakes are high. He simply leads my example and he rose to the occasion in this situation. His performance caused interest in potential trades within the OHL. Just days after his gold medal goal, he was traded to the Peterborough Petes in exchange for forward Cameron Butler and 4 draft picks. With the Petes, Thomas posted 40 points (9+31=40) in 22 games, before the season was ended due to the ongoing pandemic.

Next season, Thomas should play with the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. It is also likely that he will earn a call-up to the Kings sometime during the season. In the future, he will probably play in the top 6 on the Kings. He should convert well to the NHL level, especially when considering his offensive and leadership abilities.

Off the ice, Thomas is an entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of a successful clothing line called Zale apparel. This brand designs and sells street ware. He is also a podcaster; he hosts the “Soul on Ice” podcast alongside Damon “Kwame” Mason and Elijah Roberts. This podcast covers hockey throughout the ages from a modern perspective. It is interesting to see such an elite prospect commit to so many things outside of hockey. I look forward to seeing how he expands on these endeavors once he is playing in the NHL.

Akil Thomas is a character player that has the potential to be a great leader at the NHL level. I look forward to seeing how his natural offensive talent translates to the NHL level.