Ben Shelley: Akil Thomas is one of the Kings’ most underrated prospects

Thomas is not going to make it at center on this team, so he needs to make it at RW. I don't think he's better than either of Kaliyev or Fagemo, so at best he will be penciled in at 3RW where he will compete with Brown and Kupari.

However, that means that one of those two guys will have to make it as 1RW, which is far from a certainty. More likely, Kaliyev and Fagemo are 2RW/3RW and the Kings have yet to find their 1RW of the future. In that situation, Thomas gets pushed off the bottom of the depth chart, as I don't think he's suited for a 4th line role over a guy like Wagner. Presumably, Brown will be sticking around for several more years as well.

Unless Brown decides to call it a career at the end of his current contract, or one of Kaliyev or Fagemo doesn't end up working out, then I suspect Thomas won't see many games with the Kings. I would be ecstatic if he were to prove me wrong and turn into a top-line capable player.

Tkecanuck ... I think your first assessment is probably correct. I can see Kaliyev, Fagemo and Thomas as the 1,2,3 on the right side, with Frk in there somewhere if he stays. By The time that happens though, Brown will be older and slower (I don’t really think he should be on the 1st line this year but he will be because they have a line up right now where they can’t play people where they should be played... ie Iafallo and Brown) and might even be done. On the left side it’ll be a little trickier. I am thinking eventually a Turcotte, Kempe, Kupari, and then a fight for the fourth spot between Andersson, Moore, and Wags.

Tkecanuck ... I think your first assessment is probably correct. I can see Kaliyev, Fagemo and Thomas as the 1,2,3 on the right side, with Frk in there somewhere if he stays. By The time that happens though, Brown will be older and slower (I don’t really think he should be on the 1st line this year but he will be because they have a line up right now where they can’t play people where they should be played... ie Iafallo and Brown) and might even be done. On the left side it’ll be a little trickier. I am thinking eventually a Turcotte, Kempe, Kupari, and then a fight for the fourth spot between Andersson, Moore, and Wags.
- KingKopitar

I agree that Turcotte and Kempe are going to be on the left, but I think Kupari is going to be a RW. In a couple years, I agree that Brown won't be top-six capable anymore, but they will bring him back as a 3RW/4RW, just for the leadership and culture benefit. He plays the type of game that is fitting for the bottom six. I like Thomas, I just don't see where he'll fit in the roster.

Also, you left Grundstrom out of your LW options. I think he has more of a shot to stick around than Moore does. For Andersson, I think he'll either get a middle-six slot or he'll move on. The Kings didn't acquire him to be a fourth liner.

I agree that Turcotte and Kempe are going to be on the left, but I think Kupari is going to be a RW. In a couple years, I agree that Brown won't be top-six capable anymore, but they will bring him back as a 3RW/4RW, just for the leadership and culture benefit. He plays the type of game that is fitting for the bottom six. I like Thomas, I just don't see where he'll fit in the roster.

Also, you left Grundstrom out of your LW options. I think he has more of a shot to stick around than Moore does. For Andersson, I think he'll either get a middle-six slot or he'll move on. The Kings didn't acquire him to be a fourth liner.
- tkecanuck341

To be honest I’m just not sold on Grundstrom yet. He seems to have gotten mad that he got sent down and hasn’t looked the same since. Now I think he has been passed on the depth chart. I’d say he needs a change of scenery and we could flip him for a good prospect or a second rounder....maybe. As for Moore, I liked what he brought last year. And you are right with Andersson. I don’t think they got him to play on the fourth line but I think the kid will take what he can get now.