Los Angeles Kings – B
First Round Pick: Rasmus Kupari (C) (20)
Here’s a team that didn’t reach on a center. So, congratulations Los Angeles. Rasmus Kupari was the 11th ranked International skater by Central Skating, putting him right around this spot in the draft. There’s nothing sexy about this pick, but there’s nothing bad about it either. Kupari is still a couple of seasons away and needs a lot of development before he’s going to be an impact player in the NHL. Even then, he might not amount to anything more than a depth player. The Kings have a great development history, which bodes well for Kupari’s future. The Kings are a team who have earned the “wait and see” right. Plus, I refuse to doubt Rob Blake.
Other Notable Picks: Akil Thomas (C) (51)
It was a great day for the Kings on Day 2. Not only did that sign Ilya Kovalchuk, more on that below, but Akil Thomas fell to them in the middle of the round. With the way teams were reaching for centers in the first-round, Thomas could have easily gone on Day 1. The Kings typically love big guys who throw their weight around. That’s not Thomas just yet, but he could probably get there in Los Angeles. He already has the talent.
Signed: Ilya Kovalchuk
I love me some Ilya Kovalchuk. How much does he have left in the tank at 35? Who knows. But the Kings need scoring, they’ve needed scoring for years, and they know they need scoring. I’m willing to bet that Kovalchuk can still light the lamp on a consistent basis. The last year of this contract might look bad, but if it ends with one Stanley Cup, the Kings will be overjoyed.