The NHL Draft is an extremely exciting time for the potential draftees. It is a very time consuming process, but can be very rewarding. The 2018 NHL Draft is a two day process that some draftees can sit through and not get drafted. The 2018 NHL Draft is now over and the hard work starts for the prospects. The following is a list of the Los Angeles Kings draft picks, along with name, position, round picked and number picked, height, weight, 2017-18 stats and 2017-18 team (via NHL.com)
1/20 F Rasmus Kupari 5-11 163 39 6-8-14 Karpart (Finnish Professional League)
2/51 F Akil Thomas 5-11 177 68 22-59-81 Niagra Ice Dogs (OHL)
3/82 F Bulat Shafigullin 6-1 165 39 20-18-38 Two Teams 2017-18
4/113 F Aidan Dudas 5-7 164 68 31-34-65 Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
5/144 G David Hrenak 6-2 192 25 14-7-2 Saint Cloud State (NCHC)
6/165 F Johan Sodergran 6-2 205 57 17-16-33 Two Teams in 2017-18
6/165 G Jacob Ingham 6-4 191 43 16-22-2 Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Overall, a very solid draft by the Kings. The positions drafted include 5 forwards and 2 goalies but zero goaltenders. The forwards and goaltenders have talent and add depth, but not drafting a defensemen makes me think the Kings have enough depth on the defensive side. Not an overall big team now they could have used some more size up front, with only 2 of the 5 forwards above 6’0″. The Kings have a deep and talented prospect pool and they just added to it through the draft. The question is, who will make the most of their opportunity and make it to the big club this year, or in the future? We are due to find out in the near future.
(Photo:NHL.com)
