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

Team News

Where in the World Have the Los Angeles Kings…

November 10, 2020November 11, 2020
by KT Nash

It has been a long eight months since we have last seen the Los Angeles Kings or the Ontario Reign play in California. As we inch closer to a 2020-2021 season, let us explore what the Kings have been doing with their extended offseason.

This is a departure from my traditional article format; however, it is interesting to see how the team has used this time to relax, recharge, and, most importantly, train for next season. I am going to compile several mini articles highlighting some of the most interesting offseason stories on the team.

Anze Kopitar Runs Youth Hockey Camp with the President of Slovenia?

Yes, you read that correctly. Slovenia was hit less severely by the Covid-19 pandemic and, with proper social distancing measures in place, Anze Kopitar was cleared to run his annual Hockey Academy youth summer camp in his hometown of Bled, Slovenia. As if actually being able to do something outside was not exciting enough, Borut Pahor, the President of Slovenia, came for a visit to play with Kopitar and the campers! Sounds like a fun way to spend the offseason!

   
  
 
 
  View this post on Instagram
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   @instahockeyacademy had a special guest today. Thank you Mr. president @borutpahor for a pleasant visit!
 A post shared by  Anze Kopitar (@anzekopitar) on Jul 9, 2020 at 8:30am PDT

5 Prospects in Germany

While North America is not quite ready to return to hockey after spending several months in “the bubble”, some European leagues have begun to return to play. The Kings’ parent organization, AEG, is also the owner of the Eisbaeren Berlin hockey club in Germany’s top league, the DEL. The Kings had plenty of top prospects that were excited to return to play, thus, the Kings lent 5 players, Alex Turcotte, Tyler Madden, Akil Thomas, Aidan Dudas, and Jacob Ingham, to the team to allow them to play a little bit before the AHL and NHL seasons resume. It is nice to see the Kings play… somewhere!

   
  
 
 
  View this post on Instagram
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   :)
 A post shared by  AT19 (@_alexturcotte) on Oct 18, 2020 at 5:00pm PDT

Alex Iafallo Finds a New Project while Staying at Home

For Alex Iafallo, staying in Los Angeles seemed to be the best option, but that does not mean that he was just sitting around doing nothing since early March. An avid surfer, Iafallo decided to build his own surf board! He also put together a pretty nice edit of the whole process. Hockey? Craftsmanship? Cinematography? He is man of many talents. Who knew?

   
  
 
 
  View this post on Instagram
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Built this board in the garage in March, finally put an edit together - - - - - - - 🎵: Invincible by Deaf Kev (NCS release)
 A post shared by  alex_iafallo (@alex_iafallo) on Sep 20, 2020 at 12:33pm PDT

Evidently, the Kings have been very busy throughout the extended offseason. These are just a few of the most interesting stories but, like all hockey fans, I cannot wait to see all of these players back in Los Angeles playing the great game of hockey.

Main image via nhl.com

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.

Ontario Reign

Prospect Report: Rasmus Kupari

June 11, 2020June 12, 2020
by KT Nash

Day five of 10 prospects in 10 days is Rasmus Kupari, the Kings’ first round, 20th overall draft pick in the 2018 NHL draft.

Kupari is a forward who plays with tenacity. He had an excellent draft year, earning him high rankings. He spent the majority of the season playing for Kärpät of Liiga, Finland’s premier men’s league. Taking into consideration that he was a seventeen year-old playing in a men’s league, he had solid offensive numbers. He posted 14 points (6+8=14) in 39 games played en route to a league championship.

Kupari also played for Kärpät’s junior team posting 7 points (3+4=7) in 11 games in the 2017-2018 season. Representing Finland, he played in the IIHF under-18 World Juniors Tournament and the under-20 World Juniors Tournament. In the under-18 tournament, he helped lead Finland to the gold medal, scoring 3 points (2+1=3) in 4 games and he went scoreless with the under-20 team.

Due to his evident offensive capability, NHL experts and scouts placed him in the middle of the first round of the 2018 NHL draft. He slipped a little bit, going 20th overall with the Kings.

After completing development camp with the Kings, Kupari signed a three-year, entry-level deal. He was then loaned back to Kärpät for the 2018-2019 season. He had another solid offensive season, posting 33 points (12+21=33) in 43 games played. He also represented Finland in the IIHF World Juniors Tournament for the second straight year. He scored 5 points (1+4=5) in 7 games, helping Finland win the gold medal.

Entering the 2019-2020 season, Kupari was ready to play in North America. He began the season with the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate, and quickly demonstrated his offensive ability. He posted 8 points (6+2=8) in 27 games played before he represented Finland in his third consecutive IIHF World Juniors Tournament. Sadly, in the first game of the tournament, he tore his ACL, requiring surgery that ended his season.

Losing the majority of his season due to this injury was a hinderance to his development; however, he is still an extremely promising prospect for the Kings. Next season, he will likely split time between the Kings and the Reign. I presume that he will start with the Reign in order to continue recovering from his injury.

Looking further into the future, Kupari will be a mainstay with the Kings. He brings something that the Kings clearly lack: speed. He is a wonderful skater with a complementing shot. He should be extremely valuable at the NHL level as soon as next season.

Prospects

Prospect Report: Samuel Fagemo

June 9, 2020June 10, 2020
by KT Nash

Day three of 10 prospects in 10 days brings us to Samuel Fagemo, the Kings’ second round, 50th overall pick of the 2019 NHL draft.

Fagemo, originally from Gothenburg, Sweden was eligible for the 2018 draft. However, although he had a decent season, he went undrafted. He was then invited to the Arizona Coyotes’ development camp, but this did not result in a contract.

Instead of coming to North America, Fagemo spent the 2018-2019 season playing with Frölunda HC of the SHL, Sweden’s premier hockey league. He had an extremely productive second draft year with Fröunda HC. He posted 25 points (14+11=25) in 42 games played with his first full season in the SHL. He also represented Sweden in the IIHF World Juniors tournament where he posted 1 point, an assist, in 5 games played. In the SHL playoffs, Fagemo scored 10 points (6+4=10) in 16 playoff games that resulted in a SHL championship.

Fagemo’s impressive 2018-2019 season drew the attention of NHL scouts and experts alike. It was no longer if he would be drafted, but when he would be drafted. Most experts placed him anywhere throughout the second round. The Los Angeles Kings also noticed his talent; they originally had considered him for the 2018 NHL draft, but trading for the pick did not work out. However, that would not be the case in 2019. The Kings traded their 64th and 126th overall draft picks in order to move up to the 50th overall pick, allowing them to claim Fagemo.

After completing development camp with the Kings, Fagemo signed a three-year, entry-level with the team. However, instead of playing with the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Kings decided to loan him back to Fröunda HC for another season. This season he scored 22 points (13+9=22) in 42 games played. He also scored the most goals as a junior (under 20) in the SHL.

The highlight of Fagemo’s season was the IIHF World Juniors where he represented his native Sweden. Although he was not named the MVP of the tournament, he had the most goals (8) and points (13). He also won a bronze medal and was named to the all-star team on the tournament. He was simply fantastic in this tournament and if it is any indicator of his potential at the NHL level, his future is bright.

Next season, it is likely that he will come to North America and begin his career with the Kings organization. As it stands, it is probable that Fagemo begins his season with the Reign. The Kings have multiple options at right wing, especially if the Kings decide to shift Jeff Carter to wing due to a surplus of young centers. He is a good all-around player with a scoring touch and I would not be surprised if he earns some playing time with the Kings next year.

After not being drafted in his first year of eligibility, Fagemo has continued to prove his naysayers wrong. I am personally quite excited to see him in Los Angeles. I think he has potential to be a solid second line player on a competitive Kings team in a few seasons.

Ontario Reign

Prospect Report: Alex Turcotte

June 8, 2020June 9, 2020
by KT Nash

Day two of my 10 prospects in 10 days brings us to Alex Turcotte, the Kings first round, fifth overall pick of the 2019 NHL draft.

Many Kings fans, myself included, were disappointed when the Kings slipped to the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft. However, their fortunes were reversed when Alex Turcotte was still available for the Kings. The majority of NHL experts concluded that Turcotte would be taken with the third overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks. Turcotte, originally from Illinois, would have been the “hometown kid” in Chicago. However, the Blackhawks chose to go with Kirby Dach with their pick instead.

When comparing their draft year numbers, Turcotte was more productive; however, they did play in completely different systems. Turcotte, playing for the United States National Team Development program and the United States National Under 18 program, scored 96 points (39+57=96) in 53 combined games between the two programs. Dach played for the Saskatoon Blades, scoring 73 points (25+48=73) in 62 games. While the United States development program is different from major juniors, these numbers demonstrate that Turcotte had a better season offensively than Dach.

The draft-year statistics explain why many people were surprised that the Blackhawks chose Dach over Turcotte because Turcotte has more potential to become a strong two-way first line center at the NHL level. Chicago’s loss is Los Angeles’ gain as they now have one of the most touted center prospects in their development system.

Before being drafted, Turcotte had already committed to play NCAA hockey with the University of Wisconsin. In his freshman year, he had a decent, albeit not wonderful, season. He faced multiple bouts of illness and a knee injury en route to 26 points (9+17=26) in 29 games. He also represented the United States at the 2019 IIHF World Juniors tournament scoring 2 points, both assists in 5 games. It is important to note that NCAA hockey better replicates the NHL style of play over major juniors, as it is harder to produce offensively and it is a more physical style of play. These factors, when combined, demonstrate that Turcotte had a solid season. He has proved that he was ready to play at the professional level.

On March 11, the Kings signed Turcotte to a three-year entry level contract. This ended his NCAA career as he is no longer eligible play in that league. He was supposed to report directly to the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate. However, things did not go as planned as the NHL and AHL both postponed their seasons on March 12, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As the AHL has cancelled the remainder of their season and the Kings are not included in the NHL’s return to play plan, Turcotte’s season is over and he can set his sights on next season. Kings fans cannot seem to agree on if he will play in the NHL or the AHL next year. It is simply too early to tell where he will play, as lot depends on Jeff Carter’s future with the Kings. The Kings also have many young centers who are striving for roles at the NHL level. In all likelihood, Turcotte will split time, in some capacity, with the Kings and Reign.

His true potential exists in his future, beyond his first year in professional hockey. He is a two-way center with an extreme upside; he could potentially assume the role of either the first or second line center on a team that has many options for center. His role will become more apparent when he earns some playing time at the NHL level.