As the 2019 NHL Entry Draft approaches, the Los Angeles Kings have their work cut out for them, including making decisions on two first-round picks: the fifth pick and the 22nd pick, thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs. From now until the draft, the staff of Jewels from the Crown will be taking a look at some draft-eligible players to help introduce some young men who could very possibly be future Kings.
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Barring a pre-draft trade, the Los Angeles Kings have ten picks among the pool of talent available on June 21st and 22nd. It breaks down like this:
Round 1, Pick 5
Round 1, Pick 22
Round 2, Pick 33
Round 3, Pick 64
Round 3 Pick 87
Round 4, Pick 95
Round 4, Pick 108
Round 5, Pick 126
Round 6, Pick 157
Round 7, Pick 188
So don’t be surprised if you hear this in the second round:
“With the 33rd pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings select, from Adler Mannheim, Moritz Seider.”
And why not? If Bowen Byram isn’t selected by the Kings at number five, Seider is one of those rare defensemen with the skill needed to be a tough minutes, lockdown performer who will stay at home allowing Drew Doughty to freelance at will. But, before we get into the strengths and weaknesses, let’s get the basics out of the way…
HOCKEY CARD STATS
Born: February 9, 2001 (Age 18)
Place of Birth: Zell (Mosel), Germany
2018-19 Team: Adler Mannheim (DEL)
Position: D
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 198 lbs.
Shoots: Right
RANKINGS
#6—NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (European Skaters)
#11—HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
#17—ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
#17—FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
#21—TSN/McKenzie
#26—MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
#27—ISS HOCKEY
STRENGTHS
A defensive defenseman, Seider plays a physical game and has displayed a bit of nastiness in the offensive zone. He’s always looking to rub opponents out in his own zone and looks to throw a big hit to anyone who dare challenge him on his side of the ice. Seider is a poised skater with good puck handling skills and high ice vision. That, coupled with his quick skating, frees his game to transition out of his zone, enabling him to efficiently carry the puck through the neutral zone and set up teammates on the rush.
Seider also possesses an excellent arsenal of point shots with the intelligence to pick his spots at the front of the net, sneaking down from the point and beating goaltenders with his sick wrist shot.
WEAKNESSES
Seider is used to being the biggest hitter on the ice and sometimes goes hunting for those Toyota Tough Hits of the Game. But at the NHL-level, looking for that glory will leave him out of position and give the Kings another Derek Forbort or pre-2018 Jake Muzzin situation. Simply said, he must become more disciplined because won’t be able to get away with cutting corner in the defensive zone.
His point shots remain weaker rather than stronger and he will need to continue to strengthen those to be an effective power play quarterback. Speaking of which, he also needs to learn how to walk the line to open up shooting and passing lanes.
INTANGIBLES
“Seider plays a mature game, and when you add his big frame to it, he could make the jump to the NHL pretty quickly after he’s drafted. Seider is a potential first-rounder for the 2019 NHL draft.” —Jokke Nevalainen/Dobber
WHY THE KINGS SHOULD TAKE A CHANCE
Seider is an raw, unpolished project but has a high upside and ceiling—a combo platter of offensive skills, size, mobility and physicality—cannot be ignored or allowed to pass to another team if he’s available at 33 AND the Kings miss on Byram. He most often compared to Zach Werenski and Seth Jones, and who doesn’t want a player like that on the blueline.
HIGHLIGHT REEL
STATS