**The Kings trade their 64th and 126th picks to the Montreal Canadians for their 50th pick.**
“With the fiftieth pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings select, from SHL-Frölunda, winger Samuel Fagemo.”
The Kings got a taste of Swedish Hockey League overage star Samuel Fagemo while gauging the rise of prospect Jacob Moverare. When he was available with the fiftieth pick—and a buzz brewing he wouldn’t be around at sixty-four—the Kings quickly moved in on Fagemo sending their 64th and 126th picks to new trading buddy, the Montreal Canadiens. Fagemo has been one of the most talked about overaged players eligible for this year’s draft, and why not?
With the Kings desperate for offensive (they were 45 goals below the league average last year), a versatile an offensive-minded forward like Fagemo fits perfectly into the Kings’ Rebuilding Reset Plan. He shows an acumen for learning having improved his power strides and skating over the last year. He is agile and possesses above average stickhandling skills. There’s still work head due to low ceiling for top-end speed and overall skating technique. The Kings are said to have patience in spades during this Reset Plan and that will benefit Fagemo’s progress and mesh with with his elevated work ethic.
Born: March 14, 2000 (Age 19)
Place of Birth: Göteborg, Sweden
Position: LW/RW
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 194 lbs.
Shoots: Right
2019-20 Team: SHL-Frolunda (one year remaining on his contract)
2018-19 Season: Fagemo won the SHL championship last season with fellow Kings prospect Jacob Moverare.
RANKINGS
#20—NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (European Skaters)
#39—MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
#42—ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
#56—TSN/McKenzie
#85—FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
#107—HOCKEYPROSPECT.COM
STRENGTHS
Fagemo’s high work-rate around the net in the offensive zone ensures his natural O-zone strengths are showcased night in and night out. He always seems to be at the right spot at the right time to find that wonky rebound or loose puck. His wrist shot is elite, powerful with a quick release and his power play one-timer is easily among the best in the world. He has incredible work ethic and solid in the locker room.
WEAKNESSES
If he’s ever going to fit into Todd McLellan’s Accountability System, he must raise his defensive awareness and compete-level while defending. He’s always looking for offensive and that won’t work in the NHL these days. While his goalscoring and offensive work rate is at the upper echelon, he is an average playmaker with a poor puck decision making IQ. This will benefit from advanced coaching.
INTANGIBLES
“Fagemo is a goal scorer with a terrific shot, and good speed and hands.” —Mikael Ström, Swedish Hockey Guru and former Frölunda General Manager
WHY THE KINGS TOOK A CHANCE
The twentieth-ranked European skater flew under the radar with all of the North American skaters dominating the first and second rounds. Fagemo shows very good overall puck skills, allowing to create space and beat defenders one-on-one. He’s improved tremendously over the past year. The Kings value character and compete-levels, so the Fagemo-Kings unification appears to be destiny and the organization sees a high upside for him as a top-six forward. Also it appears he’s the next coming of Luc Robitaille seizing scoring moments around the net.
HIGHLIGHT REEL
20th ranked European skater Samuel Fagemo knows how to find the back of the net 🥅 pic.twitter.com/oGdrc2gSRg
— LA Kings (@LAKings) June 22, 2019