The Kings made 11 selections on Day 2 of the draft, bringing their total to a dozen picks to help restock their prospect pipeline.
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One day after taking forward Elton Hermansson 19th overall, they took six forwards, four defensemen and a goalie with fairly diverse profiles, as Kings scouting director Mark Yannetti discussed immediately after the draft:
No. 46, Liam Lefebvre, Center, Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
Having been passed over in one draft after an injury-plagued season, Lefebvre soared all the way into the middle of the second round, making him the top re-entry pick in a class that featured more older prospects than usual. He had a solid rookie season in the QMJHL, first leading Rimouski in scoring and then, after a trade, helping Chicoutimi to a league championship and Memorial Cup berth. He projects as an energetic forward with some attacking ability to create and finish shot opportunities off pass receptions.
“The word ‘special,’ in terms of intangibles, came up a lot,” said Yannetti, who emphasized Lefebvre’s dedication and ability to elevate his game as the stakes rose.
No. 49, Adam Goljer, Right Defense, HK Dukla Trenčín (Slovakia)
Goljer’s draft year saw him move up to the top pro level in Slovakia and shoulder big responsibility against senior players. Among his peers, he competed at the U20 World Juniors and captained the U18 Slovak selection. He fits a similar profile to Henry Brzustewicz, the Kings’ 31st overall pick last year, in terms of size and style, willingly and capably activating on offense with a smooth skating stride.
No. 80, Blake Zielinski, Wing, Providence commit (NCAA)
After a standout year in the USHL, Zielinski will improve his competition next year with the Friars. A straight-line winger, his competitiveness and commitment stand out at both ends of the ice, adding another bottom-six prospect to the Kings’ stable. His defensive game, physicality for his size and willingness to go to the contested areas of the ice make him a coach’s favorite.
“That’s the biggest thing about him, some of those intangibles, on-ice and off-ice. He’s a high, high-character kid. He’s a worker,” Yannetti said.
No. 89, Yegor Rybkin, Goalie, Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
The Kings traded down from 83rd to to add this pick and No. 153. Rybkin is enormous at 6-foot-7. While he’s raw, what he’s not is labored or lumbering, instead renowned for his agility. He played just 11 games after an undisclosed injury ended his season. Not yet technically sound, there’s something of a vaulted ceiling effect with this pick, as his potential is high but his floor may also be lower than average.
“His injury last year was a freak injury, it happened in a mall,” Yannetti said. “His ceiling is crazy high.”
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No. 103, Thomas Vandenberg, Center, Providence commit (NCAA)
The Kings traded up with Nos. 113 and 190 for one of the youngest players in the draft. Vandenberg played for the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL last year with 25 goals and 25 assists in 59 games. He projects as a penalty killer and bottom-six forward with a bit of untapped offensive upside.
No. 145, Vertti Svensk, Left Defense, SaiPa (Finland)
Skating, skating, skating. He’s got explosiveness, acceleration, straight-line speed and strong edgework, and that’s translated to offensive success against his peers. Yet Svensk’s tastes of senior competition have been much less eye-catching, with his consistency, focus and hockey sense all demanding considerable refinement.
No. 153, Giorgos Pantelas, Right Defense, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
The Kings needed to get more mobile on the blue line – Goljer and Svensk helped accomplish that – but also more physical and aggressive. That’s where Pantelas comes in, relishing opportunities to stifle and punish opponents. He could be half of a shutdown pairing or stabilize a duo with a more offensive-minded player if he can smooth out his puckhandling and passing.
“It just happened that Svensk is that slick, elite-skating, puck-moving defenseman and Pantelas is that bigger, more physical, stay-at-home type,” Yannetti said. “But it’s nice to have that kind of versatility of picks where you fill two completely opposite boxes with guys in a very close pick range.”
No. 177, Alex Kostov, Right Wing, Quinnipiac commit (NCAA)
The third time was a charm for Kostov, a 2006-born flanker who just spent four years in the OHL and now will hit the college ranks. A power forward with impressive size and soft hands, the ability to improve his skating will be pivotal in the development of this more mature prospect.
No. 209, Tobias Krestan, Right Wing, JV71 (Finland)
This German national’s development path has taken him to Austria and now Finland, where he’s showcased a hard shot and swift release. His draft year was hindered by a shoulder injury and his skating remained a significant limitation
No. 223, Lucas Ambrosio, Left Defense, Erie Otters (OHL)
The Kings added the draft’s penultimate pick from Montreal at the expense of their own seventh-rounder next season. They sunk it into this lanky defenseman who boasts a long reach, active stick and above-average mobility. His game isn’t yet well-defined, but he’s a studious player that’s also excelled academically.
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