Depth is a good problem to have.
Early in his tenure as General Manager in Los Angeles, Dean Lombardi once said ‘I need everything’ when asked what type of players he was looking for to help the struggling Kings.
Now, many years later, after methodically stocking the prospect pool through shrewd drafting and multiple trades, the 54-year old Massachusetts native has a new problem to deal with. Not only is he learning what it’s like to lead as a Stanley Cup winner, but he’s also managing the challenge of dealing with other clubs from a position of strength as well.
You see, his once barren cupboards are now fairly full.
So stocked in fact, that the team recently lost Tomas Hickey, a former first round draft pick, via waivers. There just wasn’t a place for him on the NHL roster. And, per the rules, they couldn’t stash him away in the minors forever.
Which brings us to the MayorsManor rankings of the top prospects in the organization at the moment.
While reviewing the list below it should be noted that people use different criteria when putting lists like this together – i.e. the player closest to making it to the NHL gets ranked first or the player with the most long-term upside or even the player who fits the team’s needs best.
As noted in the past, our rankings are based upon overall value. Put simply, all things being equal, which player would you have to have if you were another GM looking to swing a deal.
Finally, we should also mention that the slotting of players was determined solely by MayorsManor. However, that process was influenced by dozens of conversations that have taken place in the last six months with hockey executives, coaches, scouts and even players.
We’ll count down to the top prospect in reverse order:
10. Brandon Kozun (RW) – With 11 goals through 42 games played in Manchester this season, Kozun is on pace for his third straight year of at least 20 goals scored in the AHL. At 5-foot-8, it’s never long before his size enters the discussion though. As noted in past rankings, smaller players have to be one of two types to be successful at the highest level – either like Mike Cammalleri (sniper) or Theo Fleury (agitator, hard to play against, pure nasty, etc.). Nearly every player we’ve spoken with that was a teammate of Kozun’s or has played against him says the same thing – he’s very driven and hard to play against. He also thinks he’s ready for the NHL. But, others insist he still needs to work on his defensive game. His best assets are good hands, speed and quickness. Overall, we’ve been told he has a shot at the NHL. Listen to Kozun on the MayorsManor show here.
9. Andy Andreoff (C/LW) – Like Dwight King before him, Andreoff could be the wild card that throws off the balance at the top of these rankings. He’s one of the few true power forwards in the Kings’ system, but his offensive production has dropped off since being selected in the third round of the 2011 NHL Draft. At the time, he had just completed a 33 goal, 109 point season in the OHL. The Kings wanted to sign him and send him to Manchester, but he opted to return to Oshawa for his over-age year. Rather than dominate the younger players, he finished his junior career with a 22 goal season. Now, as a first-year pro, he’s notched six goals in 37 games played with the Monarchs. To move up the list he’s either going to need to regain his scoring touch or, ala Trevor Lewis, reinvent himself as a checking line player. Listen to Andreoff on the MayorsManor show here.
8. Kevin Gravel (D) – He could turn out to be one of those late-round draft gems. Selected during the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Draft in Los Angeles, Gravel has grown into a more coveted player than he was back then. Now a junior at St. Cloud State University, he has great range with his stick. Although that’s not a national power house school, they’re doing a fine job of developing him, as he was one of Team USA’s better players on the blueline at the 2012 World Junior Championship. Gravel is primarily a stay-at-home defenseman, like Rob Scuderi. And at 6-foot-4, he could be a future shutdown guy in LA if he packs some more strength on.
7. Nick Deslauriers (D) – If you could somehow merge Matt Greene’s mean streak with the grace of Alec Martinez, you’d probably end up with Nick Deslauriers. He’ll dazzle you with skill, then knock your head off if you deserve it. The one concern with him at the moment is that he hasn’t taken a significant step up yet. Following a breakout year in the QMJHL in 2011-12 – where he was one of the best defensemen in the playoffs too – last season he managed just one goal as a pro. Now, with three goals in the first half of this season, coupled with regular playing time, he appears to be settling in to what he will ultimately become.
6. Martin Jones (G) – Consistency. If Jones ever finds it, the 6-foot-4 goaltender will quickly climb back up these rankings. Although he’s shown flashes of brilliance over the past two seasons in Manchester, he’s also been less than impressive for month-long stretches. By contrast, Jonathan Bernier owned the net during his final year in the AHL, making everybody stand up and take notice. Jones has yet to make his mark and that’s part of the reason he’s slipped a few spots down the rankings. Stats aren’t everything when evaluating a player’s future, as the team around him can have a major impact on the overall numbers. However, it’s still telling that Jones’ key metrics have yet to return to where they were during his first year as a pro in 2010-11. Recently, Lombardi was also quick to point out that Jones isn’t ready for the next step. So even if Bernier is traded at some point (Editor's Note: like 6/23/2013), don’t expect to see Jones in Los Angeles this season.
5. Derek Forbort (D) – When the Kings moved up in the first round to draft Forbort back in 2010, it was seen as a bit of a surprise – especially after the word ‘project’ was often linked to his development. However, now almost three years into his career at the University of North Dakota, the 6-foot-5 defenseman may be putting it all together. An illness that caused him to miss time his freshman season and a later injury at the 2012 World Junior Championship have hindered Forbort from making a significant impact on a national level. Still, he was already on the school’s top defensive pairing as a sophomore and UND consistently rated as one of the top college hockey programs in the country. Early reports said he wasn’t going to give the team many goals, as he didn’t like to handle the puck too much in the offense zone. Yet, teammates and coaches always note he skates well, makes a great first pass and has good vision on the ice. This season, Forbort has seen a slight tick up in his offensive numbers and he’s been shooting the puck more. That will never be his bread and butter though. In a best-case scenario he becomes Willie Mitchell - a big, smart player who defensively can shut down opponents.
4. Linden Vey (C) – We seem to say the same thing about Vey quite often, he doesn’t get the publicity of the other names above him on this list, yet don’t forget about Linden Vey. He just might have the best pure hockey sense of any prospect in the Kings’ organization. Vey put up big numbers in the WHL two years ago (46 goals and 116 points with the Medicine Hat Tigers) and certainly provided a fine rookie season in the AHL last year, scoring 19 goals. Now centering the Monarchs’ top line with Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, you can see what he’s capable of when playing with equally skilled forwards. Vey is on pace to more than double his assists from a season ago. Like all young players, he needs to continue to build size and strength before seeing a full-time role at the next level. Once Vey improves his defensive game, he’s likely a second line play-making center in the NHL.
3. Jake Muzzin (D) – The question with Muzzin was never if he’d play in the NHL, but when. After suiting up for 11 games with the Kings in late 2010 he’s remained in the AHL until coming to LA earlier this month. Hampered by a few injuries along the way, Muzzin has yet to have that big breakout year in Manchester that would have forced the Kings to call him up sooner. By contrast, Slava Voynov pushed his way onto the roster in Los Angeles. Muzzin is currently with the Kings partly due to injury and partly due to his contract situation – as he would require waivers to be sent back down. However, understand this, he’s earned his opportunity. At 6-foot-3 he has the size needed to be a key contributor on defense. Muzzin has a big shot from the point too, something the coaching staff have tried to take advantage of by putting him on the power play. If he can find the consistency needed to play in the NHL. Muzzin could be a mainstay on the Kings’ blueline for many years to come. Also, he’s shown the ability to be mean at times – something he should use to his advantage, as most of the other defensive prospects don’t bring that edge to their game. Listen to Muzzin on the MayorsManor show here.
2. Tanner Pearson (LW) – One major advantage Pearson has here is that he’s best left wing prospect in the organization. That said, make no mistake about it, he’s not ranked this high solely based on position. Pearson will likely be on the Kings’ second line sooner rather than later. He’s the real deal and the Kings brass have been in love with him from the moment they selected him in the first round (30th overall) at last June’s draft. Currently, he plays on a line with Toffoli in Manchester and if you think of players coming into the league together – i.e. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards in Philadelphia; Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in Anaheim or Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews in Chicago - it’s easy to see how this young Kings duo will likely be linked for many years to come. Also of note is that Pearson joined the Kings’ organization as an over-age player. So, even though he and Toffoli were drafted two years apart, they’re actually the same age (separated by only four months). All reports from Manchester suggest Pearson is ‘ahead of schedule’ and could even see a call-up to the NHL this season, if needed. There’s not a lot of flash to his game, but there’s plenty of substance. Pearson is a smart player who puts the puck in the right places. He’s good on the half-wall and in the defensive zone. Knowing his role as a power forward, he enjoys being the muscle on the line and has no problem taking the puck to the net. Listen to Pearson on the MayorsManor show here.
1. Tyler Toffoli (RW) – The kid is good, perhaps even better than most expected. Toffoli scored 57 and 52 goals his final two seasons in junior hockey and still couldn’t make Team Canada’s roster for the World Junior Championship – a move that is still somewhat baffling. This season, he’s stepped into the AHL – where players are bigger, stronger, faster – and hasn’t missed a beat. As a rookie pro, he’s already posted 20 goals for the Manchester Monarchs. Often knocked for his skating ability, Toffoli put it best when he recently told us “I don’t think those people really realize the type of player I am.” We couldn’t agree more. Toffoli and the back of the net go together like peanut butter and jelly. He’s a goal scorer. As was the case with Luc Robitaille, ignore the critics, just put him on the ice and watch the stats pile up. He may get a cup of coffee with the Kings this year – but either way, pencil him in for a roster spot coming out of camp next season. Listen to Toffoli on the MayorsManor show here.
There you have it, our top 10 rankings at the midway point of the 2012-13 season.
Who will rise and who will fall in the months to come?
It remains to be seen.