The pun-happy writers of Jewels from the Crown are weeping right now. You could even say we’re… de-vey-stated.
(puts on serious writer’s hat)
The Kings saw an opportunity and took it, trading for the #50 pick to take defenseman Roland McKeown from the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs. McKeown was expected to go in the late first, perhaps early second round, and he was ranked 23rd by ISS, 25th by TSN, and 27th among North Americans by NHL Central Scouting. So LA likely assumed that McKeown wasn’t going to be around for ten more picks. NHL Central Scouting, what do you say?
I love this kid … he can play offensively and move the puck and has a bomb of a shot. When defending you, he presents himself as a big, strong and mobile guy. He’ll push guys to the side; he’s a legitimate top prospect.
Sweet! That pick came at a price, though… Linden Vey.
He was a long-shot replacement for Jarret Stoll after next season, but he doesn’t quite play that same defensive role. And even with center depth below the NHL looking a little spotty, the Kings do have perhaps the strongest stable of centers of any NHL team at the NHL level. If LA bought out Richards, Vey might have had a spot, but as it stood Vey was stuck. Rather than squeezing him into the 23-man roster, LA let Vancouver take him. Vey has a good chance of being in the NHL next season, and Brad Richardson will be glad that he’s not facing him anymore.
The Kings kept their #60 pick and selected another OHL defenseman, the Finnish Alex Lintuniemi. Whereas McKeown fell further than expected, Lintuniemi was a bit of a surprise at this slot. He’s got size (6’3″) and potential, but he’s got a lot to work on… more of a project pick, perhaps.
Five more rounds to go!