Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2015 16:51:13 GMT
The Los Angeles Kings went into the 2015 GHL Draft with only four picks, and none in the first two rounds. They exited with seven new prospects, including a first-rounder.
The Kings selected four forwards, including three centres, and three defencemen. Here is a look at the players they selected:
1 (21) - Roope Hintz, C
2014-15: Ilves Tampere (SM-liiga): 60-29-33-62
When Hintz was still available at 21, the Kings acted quickly, dealing centre Jeff Carter to Phoenix for the pick. Hintz was a bit of an off the board selection, but LA believes the Finn has a very high ceiling. The 6-foot-3 pivot's biggest strengths are his booming shot and devastating hits.
"If he develops to his potential, and we see no reason why he won't, here is our future first line centre," said Kings GM Josh Lewis. "Roope has an incredible shot, good hands and plays a very physical game. He needs some work on the defensive side of his game, but it will come. He's also a bit inconsistent. But we're confident he's going to be a very good two-way player. We don't have a current player on the roster like him."
3 (73) - Zach Werenski, D
2014-15: Michigan (CCHA): 29-11-21-32
Los Angeles was looking for a defenceman with this pick, acquired from Dallas for Brayden McNabb, and they got a safe pick in Werenski. He isn't expected to replicate his gaudy college numbers in the NHL, but he's projected as a steady shutdown defenceman with some offensive ability.
"Zach does everything pretty well," said Lewis. "He's solid all around. He's good in his own end and plays a physical game. He'll also be able to chip in a bit offensively. And he's extremely consistent - he shows up every single night. That's important."
3 (90) - Alexander Sharov, LW
2014-15: CSKA Moscow (KHL): 58-32-19-51
Sharov was passed over in last year's draft and will turn 20 in November. But that's not stopping the Kings from being enthusiastic about him. Sharov is projected to be an elite defensive forward, a strong third liner who can chip in a few goals.
"One weakness of this team is our bottom six has room to improve defensively. We don't have anyone like Sharov on the roster. We're talking about a perennial Selke finalist here. Hopefully he can be a staple on our third line for years. He needs to work on his consistency though."
5 (121) - Radek Sirovy, D
2014-15: HK SKP Poprad (SVK): 57-8-17-25
With three fifth round picks (which later became four), the Kings decided to roll the dice with this pick. Sirovy has big-time potential, but he's considered a project. It's anyone's guess whether he'll reach his ceiling, which is a top four offensive defenceman.
"Sirovy is definitely a boom or bust type of pick. But if he booms, he'll be a huge part of our blueline. He'll be as good defensively as Werenski, but with a strong offensive game," said Lewis.
5 (138) - Allen Burke, C
2014-15: Colorado College (WCHA): 30-19-13-32
The Kings reached deep into the draft rankings to uncover Burke, who was ranked #398. Consistency is a major issue, but if Burke can overcome that, he projects as a very good checking centre. He also has some playmaking ability, but it's anyone's guess whether that will translate to the NHL level.
"Burke is the kind of player I like, and one that we don't currently have on the roster. A good checking centre is key to success, and he has the potential to be a very good one," said Lewis.
5 (147) - Blake Speers, C
2014-15: Soo Greyhounds (OHL): 76-64-47-111
Speers piled up the goals for the Greyhounds, but his biggest strength lies in the defensive zone. Though he stands just 5-foot-9 and doesn't play a physical game, Speers is very good positionally and projects as a similar player to Burke, with more offence and better hands. The Kings wanted Speers badly enough that they traded next year's fourth round pick to St. Louis for this selection.
"Speers is a safer bet than Burke for the simple reason that he's able to do it on a more consistent basis. He's a guy who will probably be able to chip in 10-15 goals on the third line while also shutting down the opposition," said Lewis.
5 (150) - Brandon Carlo, D
2014-15: Tri-City Americans (WHL): 74-24-48-72
With the very last pick of the draft, the Kings gambled on size, taking the 6-foot-5 Carlo. It's no guarantee that he'll be an NHLer, but if he reaches his ceiling he'll be a solid two-way defenceman for the third pairing.
"We're very happy to get an all-around player like Brandon with the last pick of the draft," said Lewis. He's got the ability to be a two-way player with good defensive instincts and smooth hands."
The Kings selected four forwards, including three centres, and three defencemen. Here is a look at the players they selected:
1 (21) - Roope Hintz, C
2014-15: Ilves Tampere (SM-liiga): 60-29-33-62
When Hintz was still available at 21, the Kings acted quickly, dealing centre Jeff Carter to Phoenix for the pick. Hintz was a bit of an off the board selection, but LA believes the Finn has a very high ceiling. The 6-foot-3 pivot's biggest strengths are his booming shot and devastating hits.
"If he develops to his potential, and we see no reason why he won't, here is our future first line centre," said Kings GM Josh Lewis. "Roope has an incredible shot, good hands and plays a very physical game. He needs some work on the defensive side of his game, but it will come. He's also a bit inconsistent. But we're confident he's going to be a very good two-way player. We don't have a current player on the roster like him."
3 (73) - Zach Werenski, D
2014-15: Michigan (CCHA): 29-11-21-32
Los Angeles was looking for a defenceman with this pick, acquired from Dallas for Brayden McNabb, and they got a safe pick in Werenski. He isn't expected to replicate his gaudy college numbers in the NHL, but he's projected as a steady shutdown defenceman with some offensive ability.
"Zach does everything pretty well," said Lewis. "He's solid all around. He's good in his own end and plays a physical game. He'll also be able to chip in a bit offensively. And he's extremely consistent - he shows up every single night. That's important."
3 (90) - Alexander Sharov, LW
2014-15: CSKA Moscow (KHL): 58-32-19-51
Sharov was passed over in last year's draft and will turn 20 in November. But that's not stopping the Kings from being enthusiastic about him. Sharov is projected to be an elite defensive forward, a strong third liner who can chip in a few goals.
"One weakness of this team is our bottom six has room to improve defensively. We don't have anyone like Sharov on the roster. We're talking about a perennial Selke finalist here. Hopefully he can be a staple on our third line for years. He needs to work on his consistency though."
5 (121) - Radek Sirovy, D
2014-15: HK SKP Poprad (SVK): 57-8-17-25
With three fifth round picks (which later became four), the Kings decided to roll the dice with this pick. Sirovy has big-time potential, but he's considered a project. It's anyone's guess whether he'll reach his ceiling, which is a top four offensive defenceman.
"Sirovy is definitely a boom or bust type of pick. But if he booms, he'll be a huge part of our blueline. He'll be as good defensively as Werenski, but with a strong offensive game," said Lewis.
5 (138) - Allen Burke, C
2014-15: Colorado College (WCHA): 30-19-13-32
The Kings reached deep into the draft rankings to uncover Burke, who was ranked #398. Consistency is a major issue, but if Burke can overcome that, he projects as a very good checking centre. He also has some playmaking ability, but it's anyone's guess whether that will translate to the NHL level.
"Burke is the kind of player I like, and one that we don't currently have on the roster. A good checking centre is key to success, and he has the potential to be a very good one," said Lewis.
5 (147) - Blake Speers, C
2014-15: Soo Greyhounds (OHL): 76-64-47-111
Speers piled up the goals for the Greyhounds, but his biggest strength lies in the defensive zone. Though he stands just 5-foot-9 and doesn't play a physical game, Speers is very good positionally and projects as a similar player to Burke, with more offence and better hands. The Kings wanted Speers badly enough that they traded next year's fourth round pick to St. Louis for this selection.
"Speers is a safer bet than Burke for the simple reason that he's able to do it on a more consistent basis. He's a guy who will probably be able to chip in 10-15 goals on the third line while also shutting down the opposition," said Lewis.
5 (150) - Brandon Carlo, D
2014-15: Tri-City Americans (WHL): 74-24-48-72
With the very last pick of the draft, the Kings gambled on size, taking the 6-foot-5 Carlo. It's no guarantee that he'll be an NHLer, but if he reaches his ceiling he'll be a solid two-way defenceman for the third pairing.
"We're very happy to get an all-around player like Brandon with the last pick of the draft," said Lewis. He's got the ability to be a two-way player with good defensive instincts and smooth hands."
i'll be doing it all on friday as its teh only day off I have at the moment. Sorry, we are down people and its long late shifts at teh moment. 