The Stanley Cup Playoffs are more than just observing who can win Lord Stanley. The playoffs are when people start trade/free agent rumors, what coach will be fired at seasons end, and about the upcoming draft, which will be held June 21-22, 2019 in Vancouver.
This year the top 3 prospects look to be locks, while the rest of the draft is suspect at best.
The mocks drafts have the New Jersey Devils selecting Jack Hughes first overall, followed by Kaapo Kakko going second overall to the New York Rangers and Vasili Podkolzin going third to the Chicago Blackhawks. The rest of the draft is pretty open and unsuspecting and it is a very forward heavy draft. With that said, The Los Angeles Kings, who are picking 5th overall, is going to get a top-notch prospect. Those promising, elite players include Center Kirby Dach, C Dylan Cozens, C Alex Turcotte, D Bowen Byram, and C Peyton Krebs. The key players, Turcotte, who is a Nathan Mackinnon type of player, and Byram, whose play resembles Drew Doughty, are expected to be available at #5.
Regardless of whom the Los Angeles Kings pick they will get a player who can help build for the future. They need offense and defensive help so many of these prospects, either forward or defensemen, will give the team a cornerstone player to build off of. The Kings most immediate need is speed and defensive help
If the Kings do not get everything they need at the draft there is the free agent market, but the Kings do not have much cap space to sign another big ticket item.
Who do you want the Kings to draft 5th overall? This could be a fun draft to keep your eye on, preferably because this is a deep draft.
Photo: thedraftanalyst.com
