Want to get into the top-10 at this year’s draft? Call the Los Angeles Kings. Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports that the Kings are “open for business” in regards to the eighth overall selection in the upcoming draft.
The Kings, who haven’t made it past the first round of the playoffs since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014, have amassed a huge number of picks over the last few years, making their prospect list longer than most. In 2020, they had five picks in the first three rounds including second-overall Quinton Byfield. In 2019, they had another five picks in the top three rounds, including fifth-overall Alex Turcotte. Now, with the team trying to move closer to contention, it seems they are ready to sacrifice some futures for current help.
To get an idea of what that eighth overall selection may represent, Luke Hughes occupied the spot in yesterday’s final draft ranking from Bob McKenzie of TSN. That ranking is based on polling of current NHL scouts, meaning there is a real chance someone as talented as Hughes is still available at that spot. Even if it’s not him, there is enough talent at the top of this draft to make the eighth pick pretty appealing.
Draft picks in the top five are rarely moved in the NHL, but trades involving picks 5-10 are a little more common. In 2011, Columbus sent Philadelphia the eighth overall pick in the Jakub Voracek–Jeff Carter deal. It ended up being Sean Couturier. At the 2012 draft, the Penguins received the eighth overall pick in a package for Jordan Staal and ended up selecting Derrick Pouliot. In 2013, it was the ninth pick heading from New Jersey to Vancouver for Cory Schneider, eventually leading to the Canucks selecting their captain, Bo Horvat. In 2017, the Rangers ended up with Anthony DeAngelo and the seventh overall pick for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta, using it to pick Lias Andersson.
The results have been mixed, and almost always come down to the player that the team ends up picking. Even in the Pouliot and Andersson years, there were several NHL stars still on the board. Though late-round firsts have a much lower probability of success, the eighth overall pick carries plenty of value even in this uncertain draft year. If the Kings are really entertaining offers, they should be able to command a hefty price.
Buffalo will be knocking. Eichel, Reinhart maybe Oloffson? I’m still guessing a deal with LA and Anaheim gets done with Eichel going to one and Reinhart going to the other along with a player or two. It’s about to get very interesting for the fans.
I agree 100%. Buffalo would then have picks 1, 3 & 8.
Unless it’s used for jack eichel I wouldn’t trade pick. We need defensemen prospects ASAP. Hughes or Clarke would help complete the rebuild cheaply
Buffalo has an abundance of young LHD, just saying. Colin Miller RHD…
Yeah, but they’re really looking for a top 4 LHD.
The kings have a lot of under the radar defense prospects who are close to making the show.Clague, Durzi as well as Bjornfot. Plus some guys who in a few years should make a splash in Spence and Faber. It never hurts to get a guy with the caliber of Hughes but I don’t think LA is hurting for future D-Men.
Clague was left unprotected and has shown little at nhl level. Bjornfot has also shown little other than being a stay at home defender with little offensively. Durzi is awful in minors. None of those project to be top 4 caliber, I have watched both nhl and minors affiliated games. Kings have the best wings and centers around the league and that’s about it. Wouldn’t be unhappy with wallstedt either.
They’re young and highly touted players. I think have some patience with these kids and I think they will surprise you.
True, but they’d like to make the playoffs. They had young depth before the cup years but picked up Mitchell, Greene & Scuderi to speed up the process.
Bjornfoot is a top 4. Clague is somewhere between 5-7. Durzi probably will be a career AHL player with a few cups of coffee.
3rd overall for Eichel (+ other players)
Or
2nd overall for Eichel (+ other players. example A- goalie)
8th overall for Rhino (+ another player)
There ya go.
Seattle isn’t trading 2OA for Eichel.
The Eiffel trade return is goin to be lower than so many fans think
What really? I don’t think any players in this draft will live up to Eichel’s. I think Buffalo would be dumb to settle only for the 2OA for Eichel. Franchise centremen don’t fall out of the sky, and there really aren’t any Franchise players in this draft. (Crosby, OVI, McKinnon, Eichel, McDavid etc)
Eichel is also none of those you mentioned. Good yes. Great not likely. He is also coming off a serious neck injury and is owed 10 million a season
Franchise player at this point is probably an overstatement on Eichel, you’re correct. I still doubt any player in this draft will perform better than he, perhaps 1 or 2. Luke Hughes could be somebody to watch as he draws some parallels to his brother though not as good. However to trade for a pick that might pan out when you have the actual asset already is not wise. They need to get something of substance whether a high 1st rounder plus a high end prospect and a roster player seems more in the ballpark. You’re right injury complicates matters as it’s a concern and Eichel desire to move on may cost BUF some leverage. Ultimately I don’t have a crystal ball but I can’t see them trying Eichel for a pick in a relatively weak draft. But this is Buffalo we’re talking about.
*trading not trying
Understand I don’t say this lightly….Jack Eichel is the closest thing to Mario Lemieux since Mario (don’t get me wrong, he’s still LIGHT YEARS away from Mario, but in terms of style of play, size, reach, skill, etc. he’s the closest) but…
Until he becomes mentally tougher than a toddler who dropped their cookie, it doesn’t matter.
I’d let another team sell the farm for him.
Yes Kings should move it to move up the draft and select their D man. Or move down a few spots select Lambos and get another pick.
Move up a few spots and get Luke Hughes!
Didn’t trade up. Got their D man. Pretty much most ranking organizations had in the top 6. Brandt Clarke. Welcome toLis Angeles.