Jason Lewis: Kevin Gravel, Top 20 Prospects, and the AHL Out West

Great article on Gravel. It makes a lot of sense too, I think it's similar situation with Vey getting traded where as we just had no room for him with Richards staying. Good Luck with the flight, I few over Texas once when the pilot told us all we would be experiencing 'bucking winds'. It was scary.......

Another exceptional write up! To possibly lose kevin gravel to FA will suck but as you mentioned the Kings are starting to stack the pipeline with "high end" up and coming D talent so it won't sting as much to lose a player like gravel... As for the AHL coming out west, I have to say it's about time. I always wondered why the west teams have ALL their prospect teams on the east coast. Never made any sense! It'll be nice to see our teams prospects for our own eyes

Hey Jason, the link to the HF article is broken.

I can't wait to watch some AHL action close to home!!!

Hey Jason, the link to the HF article is broken.
- tkecanuck341

Sorry about that, link should be working now.

I can't wait to watch some AHL action close to home!!!
- Stu17

It would be absolutely fantastic from a standpoint of both the AHL and the Kings. The Reign absolutely kill it already in attendance. They are atop the ECHL almost every season. That's with only a handful of NHL prospects. With it converting to an AHL team not only would CBA be just about full every night, the Kings would have their affiliate within a stones throw of Staples.

No doubt I would be spending a lot of my evenings in Ontario if that happens.

It would be absolutely fantastic from a standpoint of both the AHL and the Kings. The Reign absolutely kill it already in attendance. They are atop the ECHL almost every season. That's with only a handful of NHL prospects. With it converting to an AHL team not only would CBA be just about full every night, the Kings would have their affiliate within a stones throw of Staples.

No doubt I would be spending a lot of my evenings in Ontario if that happens.
- Jason_Lewis

yeah me too for sure. To see some of the up and coming talent in Ontario would be awesome. I have to say I have been wanting to see the younger Kopitar, Gasper, with the Reign.......haven't made it yet but I'm glad to hear they have good attendance. I heard its a great venue.

It would be absolutely fantastic from a standpoint of both the AHL and the Kings. The Reign absolutely kill it already in attendance. They are atop the ECHL almost every season. That's with only a handful of NHL prospects. With it converting to an AHL team not only would CBA be just about full every night, the Kings would have their affiliate within a stones throw of Staples.

No doubt I would be spending a lot of my evenings in Ontario if that happens.
- Jason_Lewis

I live in Rancho. I'll be right there with you! I'll get season seats for sure if the move happens in 15-16.

Great read, Jason.

The most intriguing to me seems to be Prokhorin. Tough to tell how KHL success translates to the NHL, but having as much success as he as at such a young age is encouraging.

Thanks for the scoop/perspective on gravel.......it will be interesting to see how his situation plays out.
I'm wondering............we gotta be close to talking about training camp. Do you know when the rookies start? Today was a somewhat cooler day today, kinda smelled fall in the he air. Training camp talk will make it official..........NHL hockey is just around the corner.

Great read, Jason.

The most intriguing to me seems to be Prokhorin. Tough to tell how KHL success translates to the NHL, but having as much success as he as at such a young age is encouraging.
- Nick_Dangles

I think it's really telling when you look at how he has done compared to other highly touted prospects who moved to the KHL. Maxim Kitsyn is a perfect example. Not nearly as talented as Prokhorkin but still considered a fairly solid talent...kid couldn't even get out of the MHL (KHL minor league). Meanwhile you get a 19 year old Prokhorkin who leads his KHL senior team in scoring. Really impressive.

I, as I am sure the Kings are as well, hoping he continues his strong play in Russia til the end of his contract. Honestly there is not different in my eyes of playing 4 years of NCAA vs. a player staying in Europe until 21-22 and playing some senior level hockey. KHL is pretty competitive these days, and even though there is the connotation that Russian hockey and Russian players have increased risk of not translating well and/or staying, Prokhorkin's results thus far are really really promising. Very North American style as well. Big body, loves to initiate contact. Kind of been manhandling defenders in the KHL just simply due to his physical and aggressive style. All good things aside from his current contract status with the Kings being somewhat in limbo.

Would the Kings/Monarchs get any compensation if Gravel signs with another team? I know he signed an AHL only contract.

Lets say the Oilers sign him. Assuming he doesn't make the big club, they will probably want him to develop with their AHL club. Since he has a contract with the Monarchs in 14/15....what happens?