Ben Shelley: SHORT READ: Kings will pick second overall

Kings pick second?? Eklund is already reporting the Kings will pick first. 2nd goes to a mystery team. Get your facts right!

I imagine the kings fan base is the only one that’s actually happy tonight

It still BS a playoff team gets the number 1, but pleasantly surprised Kings got #2. You draft a center and look to trade one of the centers at some point for a high end winger

It still BS a playoff team gets the number 1, but pleasantly surprised Kings got #2. You draft a center and look to trade one of the centers at some point for a high end winger
- fsanford

Im super stoked LA gets 2nd. But its maddening that a Pitts or Edm or any other team knock out of this play in could get 1st over all.

Im super stoked LA gets 2nd. But its maddening that a Pitts or Edm or any other team knock out of this play in could get 1st over all.
- poisondhearts37

Only teams I won’t be pissed if they win it will be Montreal, Chicago, Arizona or Minnesota as they likely would have been in it if we resumed the season anyway.

As much as I want Calgary to tank it, it just wouldn’t be right. Plus the added controversy that will follow for the next 2 decades of lafreniere’s career

If you missed the draft lottery and want to watch it (or watch it again), here are the top 3 picks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU5-n8-QEVk

I'm not sure if that's actually Rob Blake or a cardboard cutout. He doesn't move an inch, even when LA gets the #2 pick. Robitaille, naturally, can't stay still and says "Wow" at the news.

There's also a video of picks 4-8 if you care to see those, as well.

I posted this in the last comment section, but I'll re-post it so that more can see it. Here's TSN's article on Bob McKenzie's final draft rankings:

https://www.tsn.ca/bob-mc...tain-draft-year-1.1488272

Byfield NO QUESTION

It still BS a playoff team gets the number 1, but pleasantly surprised Kings got #2. You draft a center and look to trade one of the centers at some point for a high end winger
- fsanford

Kupari. Madden. Or Thomas are my bets.

I think the Kings should:
- Draft Byfield at #2
- Have all prospects start season in AHL/ECHL/CHL/NCAA as not to burn up years on contracts
- Bring Turcotte in as 3C, and learn under Kopitar
- Bring up Byfield as 2C
- Have Turcotte & Kopitar rotate spots based on situation
- Retire Kopitar’s #11

Although the Kings should probably take Byfield, I think they will take Stutzle.

Over the past several years, Blake has said that all Kings draft picks will need to be good skaters. Stutzle is the best skater in an otherwise underwhelming draft year when it comes to skating ability.

Additionally, the Kings have a stable full of centers and ZERO top six LW prospects. Stutzle is a natural LW.

On the final TSN draft rankings, 10 scouts gave their draft rankings. Exactly 5 had Byfield at #2, while the other 5 had Stutzle at #2. However, none of the 10 had Stutzle below #3, while two had Byfield below #3 (one at #4 and the other at #6).

It doesn't hurt that Marco Sturm, an up and comer in the Kings coaching staff, is also German and could create a special bond between player and coach.

I think the Kings end up taking Stutzle this Fall.

I think the Kings should:
- Draft Byfield at #2
- Have all prospects start season in AHL/ECHL/CHL/NCAA as not to burn up years on contracts
- Bring Turcotte in as 3C, and learn under Kopitar
- Bring up Byfield as 2C
- Have Turcotte & Kopitar rotate spots based on situation
- Retire Kopitar’s #11
- less.than.qualified

Let’s hope there are even seasons for some of these with gate sales being so necessary.

Of course they’re trying, but it’s going to be very tough for some of these teams.

Although the Kings should probably take Byfield, I think they will take Stutzle.

Over the past several years, Blake has said that all Kings draft picks will need to be good skaters. Stutzle is the best skater in an otherwise underwhelming draft year when it comes to skating ability.

Additionally, the Kings have a stable full of centers and ZERO top six LW prospects. Stutzle is a natural LW.

On the final TSN draft rankings, 10 scouts gave their draft rankings. Exactly 5 had Byfield at #2, while the other 5 had Stutzle at #2. However, none of the 10 had Stutzle below #3, while two had Byfield below #3 (one at #4 and the other at #6).

It doesn't hurt that Marco Sturm, an up and comer in the Kings coaching staff, is also German and could create a special bond between player and coach.

I think the Kings end up taking Stutzle this Fall.
- tkecanuck341

I do believe stutzle is a natural C and this is the first year he’s played wing but don’t quote me on that. Either way that versatility could be enticed for the kings.

In my mind I think stutzle is comparable to barzal, where as byfield is comparable to barkov. My gut feeling is that stutzle has a higher offensive ceiling given today’s NHL but there’s no guarantee either player will hit it.

Either way if I draft either I start stutzle in the AHL and send Byfield back to junior for a year.

Although the Kings should probably take Byfield, I think they will take Stutzle.

Over the past several years, Blake has said that all Kings draft picks will need to be good skaters. Stutzle is the best skater in an otherwise underwhelming draft year when it comes to skating ability.

Additionally, the Kings have a stable full of centers and ZERO top six LW prospects. Stutzle is a natural LW.

On the final TSN draft rankings, 10 scouts gave their draft rankings. Exactly 5 had Byfield at #2, while the other 5 had Stutzle at #2. However, none of the 10 had Stutzle below #3, while two had Byfield below #3 (one at #4 and the other at #6).

It doesn't hurt that Marco Sturm, an up and comer in the Kings coaching staff, is also German and could create a special bond between player and coach.

I think the Kings end up taking Stutzle this Fall.
- tkecanuck341

That's pretty much what I was thinking and partly said yesterday. Bob McKenzie said that Stutzle's skating is "10/10" and, as you pointed out, Blake and co are enamored with skating. Also, they've taken a Euro in each of the last two 1st rounds (Kupari, Bjornfot). The organization seems really proud of their Euro scouts and may go with the Euro player just to sort of flex that strength. Finally, I thought about the Sturm connection, as well, and Blake even joked yesterday that Sturm is likely already preparing his pitch for Stutzle.

Stutzle just seems like a very "Kings" pick. I'm not sure how I feel about that because Byfield seems safer, Kupari and Fagemo haven't exactly improved since being drafted and Stutzle's skating might not be quite as special on the smaller NA ice. If they do pick him, they hopefully know what they're doing and it works out.

That's pretty much what I was thinking and partly said yesterday. Bob McKenzie said that Stutzle's skating is "10/10" and, as you pointed out, Blake and co are enamored with skating. Also, they've taken a Euro in each of the last two 1st rounds (Kupari, Bjornfot). The organization seems really proud of their Euro scouts and may go with the Euro player just to sort of flex that strength. Finally, I thought about the Sturm connection, as well, and Blake even joked yesterday that Sturm is likely already preparing his pitch for Stutzle.

Stutzle just seems like a very "Kings" pick. I'm not sure how I feel about that because Byfield seems safer, Kupari and Fagemo haven't exactly improved since being drafted and Stutzle's skating might not be quite as special on the smaller NA ice. If they do pick him, they hopefully know what they're doing and it works out.
- Osprey

Fagemo seems to be a guy that alot of people are very high on though. It almost seems even the Kings are more high on Fagemo than Kupari. Perhaps its because of what they have seen after the fact?

As much as I’d like to address organizational needs, and trade back to draft Drysdale. I just can’t pass-up on a potential impact player.

It’s true. Stutzle can skate like the wind, and should see his game translate well to the NA game. But I see a lot of players already on our depth chart that check the same boxes.

Speed (10/10), intelligence, and a hunger for the puck all seem to be attributes the Kings have in spades.

What they don’t have his 6’4” Monster-Boy!

Sure, they have plenty of Centre depth (Turcotte, Villardi, Madden, Thomas). But none of them have the package Byfield brings to the table.

Villardi can move to the wing and still use his size to his advantage. He could potentially pair up with the smaller Turcotte for a “size & speed” combo.

I think the Kings will send out some red herrings, and reports will leak about drafting Stutzle, or trading back for Drysdale.

But Byfield will be the guy on draft day!

Fagemo seems to be a guy that alot of people are very high on though. It almost seems even the Kings are more high on Fagemo than Kupari. Perhaps its because of what they have seen after the fact?
- poisondhearts37

I imagine that it's because Kupari came over to the AHL this season and, seemingly, had trouble adjusting to the smaller ice and/or the culture change. Fagemo stayed in Sweden, where he was comfortable. Next season, assuming that he comes over, Fagemo may have the same difficulty that Kupari did, while Kupari might be more comfortable. They could very well flip flop, making Kupari look like the better prospect again.

Although the Kings should probably take Byfield, I think they will take Stutzle.

Over the past several years, Blake has said that all Kings draft picks will need to be good skaters. Stutzle is the best skater in an otherwise underwhelming draft year when it comes to skating ability.

Additionally, the Kings have a stable full of centers and ZERO top six LW prospects. Stutzle is a natural LW.

On the final TSN draft rankings, 10 scouts gave their draft rankings. Exactly 5 had Byfield at #2, while the other 5 had Stutzle at #2. However, none of the 10 had Stutzle below #3, while two had Byfield below #3 (one at #4 and the other at #6).

It doesn't hurt that Marco Sturm, an up and comer in the Kings coaching staff, is also German and could create a special bond between player and coach.

I think the Kings end up taking Stutzle this Fall.
- tkecanuck341

I’ll be happy with either one.

Some people compare stutzle to Patrick Kane. Watching highlights I definitely see it.

Some of you have probably already seen these, but here are two excellent scouting reports on YouTube that I've found. This guy goes over and shows the players' strengths and weaknesses (which are not too bad, but it's good to see areas that they need improvement in, instead of only their strengths, like most video packages).

Byfield:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShlawnEJjMU

Stutzle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OMdGCtpMr4

I’ll be happy with either one.

Some people compare stutzle to Patrick Kane. Watching highlights I definitely see it.
- KINGS67

Same. Happy with either one. Stutzle is a stud. I think you know what you get with him. Maybe a question mark is adaptation to smaller ice, which is probably an issue for all Euro-based and developed skaters. But man he looked good in the World Junior highlights I've seen. Really creative under pressure and great vision.

But...

Byfield's physical tools are rare. He's skin and bones at 6'4", 215. Kid has good mitts and looks very fast north/south. He'd have another year to develop in the OHL and no pressure (aside from being the 2nd pick) to contribute immediately. The fact that he's one of the younger players in the draft is really intriguing.

Again, either way, the Kings will get a strong piece to add to a nice system and it is a good day to be a Kings fan.

Same. Happy with either one. Stutzle is a stud. I think you know what you get with him. Maybe a question mark is adaptation to smaller ice, which is probably an issue for all Euro-based and developed skaters. But man he looked good in the World Junior highlights I've seen. Really creative under pressure and great vision.

But...

Byfield's physical tools are rare. He's skin and bones at 6'4", 215. Kid has good mitts and looks very fast north/south. He'd have another year to develop in the OHL and no pressure (aside from being the 2nd pick) to contribute immediately. The fact that he's one of the younger players in the draft is really intriguing.

Again, either way, the Kings will get a strong piece to add to a nice system and it is a good day to be a Kings fan.
- Only_A_Ladd

I’m so excited. It literally accelerated the rebuild.

So glad Kings lived up instead of ANA. I was skeptical all day yesterday until it happened.