Kings End Draft Week With High Expectations After Picks, Clarke Extension
The 2026 NHL Draft was one for the ages.
Plenty of twists and turns, which is the norm this time of the year.
The Los Angeles Kings got a lot of business done this past week, including a contract extension and the selection of several players into the organization.
A wild week concludes, but we now stare free agency in the face.
Brandt Clarke Re-Signed
Defenseman Brandt Clarke re-signed with the Kings this past week, giving him full confidence to lead the defense going forward. An offensively gifted defenseman with a physical side, Clarke has really come into his own, putting the defense on his back. Since debuting in the NHL in the 2022-23 season, he has developed into a star on the back end.
His career-high 40 points this past season show that he has increased his point total each season. He is now the leader of the Kings’ defense, and with a new 5-year, $37 million deal, he can relax and play the type of hockey that got him drafted in the first place—good extension for both sides.
Kings Select Elton Hermansson at No. 19
The 2026 NHL Draft was a spectacular event. The Kings did not draft until 19th and grabbed scoring right winger Elton Hermansson. He is a high-motor forward who has highlight-reel potential. His skating is exceptional, and he plays with the intent to score on every shift. He never quits on a play and is fun to watch in the offensive zone.
At 6-foot and 182 pounds, he is not the biggest player, but his skill set is second to none. Last season, he had 21 points in 38 games with Allsvenskan, the second-highest professional level in Sweden. He had the honor of being named the best forward at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, tying the tournament with 12 points with four goals and eight assists. He will be fun to watch at Crypto.com Arena.
Liam Lefebvre at No. 46
Center Liam Lefebvre was picked with the 46th pick in round two, and his offensive creativity is already being shown at the Kings’ development camp.
A big center at 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, he has all of the tools to be a fixture in the Kings’ lineup in the near future.
Yegor Rybkin at No. 89
Another solid pick by the Kings happened in round three at pick 89 as they selected goaltender Yegor Rybkin. Last season with Nizhny Novgorod Chaika of the Russian MHL (Russian Junior Hockey League), he posted a 5-2 record with a .915 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average in 11 games.
A massive goaltender at 6-feet-6 and 212 pounds, Rybkin plays a game of position but is also calm for a netminder. Extremely athletic for his size, he does cover the bottom of the net well, but tends to get beaten with fakes a bit too much. He will be one to keep an eye on, but he will be a few years away, given the Kings’ goaltending depth.
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