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LA Kings Make Some Impressive Picks at NHL Draft

For the first time in two years, and the first time ever with Rob Blake, Mike Futa and Luc Robitaille heading the new management regime, (along with the Kings’ Director of Amateur scouting Mark Yannetti), the Los Angeles Kings had a first round draft pick and they did not disappoint with who they chose. With the 11th overall pick, the Kings selected the 6’3″, 203 pound center/winger, Gabriel Vilardi of the 2017 Memorial Cup winning Windsor Spitfires!

With many mock drafts ranking Vilardi high up on their lists, (TSN’s Craig Button had Vilardi being selected 4th overall, while TSN and Hockey Hall of Famer Bob McKenzie had him going 5th overall), this was an absolute steal of a pick by the LA Kings.

Born on August 16, 1999 in Kingston, ON, (that makes him only 17 years old y’all), Vilardi was plagued last season in the OHL with battling mononucleosis and a lower body injury, but bounced back strong in the playoffs by contributing 6 points in 7 games, including a playoff game with 4 assists and two highlight reel goals in the Cup Final.

This is what EliteProspects.com had to say about Vilardi;

“A dangerous two-way center who stays poised, calm, and composed in all situations. Individual puck skills are at an elite level and he is able to play a finesse role. Makes excellent decisions with the puck and showcases a well-rounded understanding of both the offensive and defensive game. Uses his size to his advantage and keeps the opposition guessing because he is able to do so many different things, including: taking it himself to the net and powering through, making a seeing-eye pass, or holding off to piggyback a possession play. He already plays a mature yet dynamic game, and that indicates success for a long time at higher levels. All-in-all, a dexterous 200-foot player who is a consistent threat every time he is on the ice.”

Some have even compared Vilardi’s skills to those of Kings’ Captain Anze Kopitar (who was also picked by the Kings 11th overall back in the 2005 draft), Jaromir Jagr and John Tavares, meaning he is strong on the puck both offensively and defensively, has good hands, and has a high hockey IQ. If there is to be a criticism about Vilardi, it is that he isn’t the strongest skater, (like Tyler Toffoili and Jacob Moverare before him), but talking with LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen, Vilardi revealed that he has planned to spend this summer in Minnesota to work hard on his weaknesses *cough* skating skills *cough* in order to improve his overall game and be ready in September for training camp. (Oh, and he also revealed that he’s a fan of Jeff Carter too!)

With projections guessing that the Kings’ might end up with other prospects like Elias Pettersson (who went 5th overall for Vancouver),  Michael Rasmussen (who went 9th to Detroit), Owen Tippett (my pick, who went 10th to Florida), Nick Suzuki (who went 13th to Vegas), Eeli Tolvanen (who went 30th to Nashville), and Nicolas Hague (who more than likely was who Dean Lombardi would have picked, went 34th to Vegas), mainly because most were predicting that Valardi would have already been off the table by the time the Kings were up to make their selection. So in other words, this is a hockey draft miracle, and damn it, we’ll take it. Welcome to California Gabriel Valardi!

 

On day two, the Kings then selected in the 2nd round, 41st overall, the 5’11”, 185 pound center, Jaret Anderson-Dolan of the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs, (which is my good friend and fellow Kings’ fan Tonya Rose’s local home team).

Also making me feel super old by also being only 17 years old, JAD had a monster season with a poor Chief’s team scoring 39 goals and 79 points! This is what Alex Potts of SB Nation had to say about Anderson-Dolan;

“Anderson-Dolan, or JAD, has the intangibles that will make scouts and teams really excited to take him. He may not have the prototypical size, but he has just about everything else. He has speed, in all of its forms. He has it right between the ears, with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. He plays a 200 foot game, possessing a quality shot, a great transition game, and also a desire and ability to play strong defensively.”

Some have pointed out that JAD may have had the monster season that he did because he benefited playing on the same line as Kailer Yamamoto (who went 22nd overall to the Edmonton Oilers), but further research shows that Anderson-Dolan once scored 79 goals and 126 points while playing at the bantem level back in 2013-14, was also the Captain of the Under-18 Canadian national team and is well known for being strongly committed to staying fit, and keeping to a strict, healthy diet so the potential is definitely there.

 

At best, he could develop into a second line center in the NHL, or at worst, a bottom six player. Time will tell, but so far so good for the Calgary, Alberta native.

Next the Kings selected the 6’2″ goaltender Matt Villalta from the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (aka the junior team of Wayne Gretzky and Jeff Carter), in the 3rd round, 72nd overall.

(photo credit to www.saultthisweek.com)

Born on June 3, 1999 in Kingston, ON, Villalta wasn’t highly ranked by Central Scouting but with the Kings needing some serious goaltending depth, it isn’t too surprising that Blake and company decided to go this route with this pick. Here is what CBSsports.com had to say about Villalta;

“He was ranked 14th among North American goalies at the midterm rankings and fell to 16th by draft day despite posting a 25-3-0-0 record, 2.41 GAA and .918 save percentage with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Villalta entered the season undrafted, so perhaps that was part of the issue. He also lost the starter’s job in the playoffs after laying a stinker in Game 2 of the ‘Soo’s’ first-round series against Flint. He never got back in. Villalta is a tall, calm goalie who needs a lot of reps to grow his game. But we think he could be a surprise some day given the chip on his shoulder — he’s fought through others’ perceptions of him all his life, so why should that change now?”

In fact, Villalta’s final stats from the 2017 OHL playoffs was a 4.20 GAA and .841 save percentage in only two games. Ouch. But if it’s any consolation, the Kings’ organization have two of THE BEST goaltending coaches in the entire sport with Dusty Imoo for the Ontario Reign and the Conn Smythe Trophy winning Bill Ranford in LA. Just look at the job the two of them did with the likes of Jonathan Quick, Martin Jones, Peter Budaj and Jack Campbell! So if anything, Villalta is in good hands.

With their 4th round, 103rd overall pick, the Kings selected the left shooting, 6 foot, 196 pound defenseman Michael Anderson of the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks.

 

Born on May 25, 1999 in Roseville, MN, Anderson, or ‘Mikey’ as he likes to be called, plays with a physical style that grinds and tends to wear out opposing forwards, while also having the skill set to smoothly move the puck out of danger in his own defensive zone and transition it to an offensive attack. Here is what Future Considerations had to say about Anderson;

“A physical defense first two-way defender…not a strong skater but adequate and has the lateral mobility to stay with his checks…moves the puck up ice with solid passing and vision…has a booming shot and is effective at getting pucks on net…plays a very physical game…sees ice in all phases of the game, on the power play, penalty kill, and a lot of even strength time…forces the rushing forwards toward the wall…best defensive work is done along the wall challenging the puck carrier…menacing and physical in one on one battles…projects to become a stay at home defenseman who takes care of his own end first but also has the potential to move the puck with solid passes…not the sexy pick but a guy who can help stabilize a defensive corps.”

With their 4th round, 118th overall pick, the Kings selected the left shooting, 6 foot, 207 pound defenseman Markus Phillips of the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack (where he was teamed up with two LA Kings’ prospects Matt Schmalz and Jacob Friend).

Born on March 21, 1999 in Port Perry, ON, Phillips had an impressive 2016-17 season with the Attack with 13 goals, 43 points and a plus-41 in 66 games, and was a part of the 2016 Under-18 Canadian national team. Oh and did I mention that Phillips’ favorite player and idol is … DREW DOUGHTY?!?! Expected by most draft experts to be selected higher up in the draft, the Kings may have had another surprise and talented gem fall right onto their laps, as it did with Vilardi earlier. Here is what some draft experts had to say about the “Dewy” loving Phillips;

• “He’s a mobile defenseman who loves to join the rush. His skating and sturdiness are very noticeable — he doesn’t get knocked off the puck very often.” (Hockey News Draft Preview)

• “Smart defensive player with a very active stick. Takes away time and space well. Does a good job of forcing player to the outside. Finishes his checks. Not real tall, but has a stocky build and is strong on his skates.” (Phil Myre, ISS Scout)

• “Gifted, fluid skater who is able to control the play with his mobility and puck skills. Possesses good offensive instincts and an ability to join the attack making him very difficult to neutralize. Utilizes skating ability to limit time and space of opponents and has good strength to separate his man from the puck.” (NHL Central Scouting Report)

The Kings used their 5th round, 134th overall pick to select the left shooting, 6’1″, 190 pound defenseman Cole Hults from the USHL’s Madison Capitals, (and who will be playing in the NCAA this upcoming season for Penn State University).

 

Born on May 22, 1998 in Stoughton, WI, Hults had 6 goals and 32 points in 59 games for the Capitals under head coach Garrett Suter, (brother of Minnesota Wild star Ryan Suter), before committing to Penn State as a freshman, and replacement for their top offensive defenseman Vince Pedrie, who signed with the New York Rangers. Here is what Erik K. of Jewels from the Crown had to say about Hults,

“The Los Angeles Kings’ first fifth-round pick will hope to follow Alec Martinez, Derek Forbort, Kevin Gravel, and Paul LaDue in forging a path from the NCAA to the blueline at Staples Center. Cole Hults was taken #134 after an impressive (and pugnacious) third season with the USHL’s Madison Capitols, and he’ll get plenty of seasoning at Penn State. This year he nearly doubled his PIM, from 65 to 112, but he also racked up 6 goals and 26 assists in 59 games after getting 10 assists (and no goals) in 62 games over the previous two years.”

The next pick that the Kings’ selected was for 138th overall in the 5th round, was the 6 foot, 187 pound center Drake Rymsha of the OHL’s Sarnia Sting.

 

Born on August 6, 1998 in Huntington Woods, MI, here is what Sarah A. of Jewels from the Crown had to say about Rymsha;

“Drake Rymsha is a center from Michigan who split his past season in the OHL between the Ottawa 67s and the Sarnia Sting. Rymsha will most likely return to the Sting next year, for his last year of juniors eligibility. He had a tough road to being drafted; in his first year of draft eligibility, he wasn’t selected, after having missed out on half of the season with a broken leg. He looks to be a bit of a long shot project for the Kings, but it looks like they’re hoping he continues to bounce back after essentially losing a season to injury. He was second on the Sting last year in total points, and first in goals — if you take into account points scored while with the 67s. Even without the points from his previous team, he still had a strong season, with 20 goals and 13 assists while with Sarnia.”

The Kings then traded their final pick, which was the 165th overall pick in the 6th round to the New York Islanders for their 6th round pick in next year’s NHL entry draft, therefore ending what I felt was a very strong and impressive first ever draft for Rob Blake (as the main man) and company. Getting Vilardi and Phillips was absolute highway robbery (and luck) by the rookie GM and it will be interesting to witness the further developments of Anderson-Dolan, Villalta, Anderson, Hults and Rymsha as they evolve and grow over time. What the future holds for these prospects is unknown but as I always say, it’s so far so good. Welcome to the Kingdom everyone!

What are your thoughts about the Kings’ draft picks? Are you excited, disappointed, confused? We would love to hear about what all of you think, so feel free to let us know in the comments below.

GO KINGS GO!!!

*On a side-note, LA native Ivan Lodnia of the 2017 OHL J. Ross Robertson Cup winning Erie Otters was selected 85th overall by the Minnesota Wild, and former junior King Jacob McGrew of Orange, CA was taken by the San Jose Sharks 159th overall in the 6th round.

Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Kings and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, All the time!

 

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