Just In: Kings Draft ‘solid playmaker’ in Recent Athletic Mock Draft

The NHL draft will soon take over when the Stanley Cup playoffs come to an end.

That has been the Los Angeles Kings’ main priority for the past couple weeks.

The potential 21-year-old choice for the Kings starts to take shape as draft day approaches.

The most recent mock draft from The Athletic is our most recent resource. It’s important to note that this mock draft represents the authors’ (Corey Pronman, Max Bultman, and Scott Wheeler) personal choices rather than their predictions for the actions of the teams.

Nevertheless, it’s a useful tool for choose prediction.

The Kings ultimately select Guelph Storm center Jett Luchanko in this mock draft.

Luchanko, who is now listed at 5-foot-11, is an average-sized center with excellent skating and a high level of competition.

Luchanko doesn’t particularly stand out for the offense, but he makes good plays.

Due to his low upside, he isn’t the most exciting pick, but his competitiveness, skating, and defensive play all make him a projectable possibility.

Because of his size, there are worries that Luchanko might shift to the wing, but he looks like a lock at third base with the ability to become more if his offense gets better.

I wouldn’t be astonished if the Kings had chosen this player in the real world. The Kings have just one pick in the first three rounds, so they could decide to choose a safer option rather than taking a large risk.

There, too, those swings will be available.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius, an undersized defenseman with fluid skating, Michael Hage, a rangy skilled center with skating concerns, and Liam Greentree, a big, skillful goal scorer, could all be available.

The Kings may even give Trevor Connelly, a highly skilled prospect with a lot of unanswered questions off the ice, a serious look.

In general, I’d rather take the big swing based on ability.

Wheeler acknowledged that he will probably go later on selection day, but Hage, who went at number 17 in the mock draft, would be my choice if he were still available.

With his elite skating and puck handling abilities, at 6-foot-1 and 21 years old, the potential would be irresistible.

Depending on who you ask, there are concerns with consistency and competition, but if he succeeds, you have a top-6 forward and maybe second center.