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A Look At LA Kings 2016 2nd Round Pick D Kale Clague

August 15, 2017 by Leave a comment

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Barring what would have to be rather drastic, maybe even somewhat disastrous circumstances, defenseman prospect Kale Clague won’t make the Los Angeles Kings roster for at least two-to-three years. Nevertheless, he is making solid strides towards that end.

The 19-year-old, 6-0, 177-pound native of Lloydminster, Alberta, who was selected by the Kings in the second round (51st overall) of the 2016 National Hockey League Draft, turned a lot of heads during a strong 2016-17 season with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, scoring five goals and adding 35 assists for 40 points, with a -8 plus/minus rating and 41 penalty minutes in 68 regular season games.

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LA Kings 2017 3rd Round Draft Pick G Matthew Villalta: “I Was Expecting to be a Later Round Pick”

June 29, 2017 by 3 Comments

Los Angeles Kings 3rd Round (72nd overall) pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, goaltender Matthew Villalta, shown here during the Kings 2017 Development Camp on June 28, 2017, at the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California.
Photo: David Sheehan/CaliShooterone Photography
(click above to view larger image)

EL SEGUNDO, CA — Although the Los Angeles Kings have been able to ride the superstar-caliber goaltending provided by Jonathan Quick, at least until this season when played in just 17 games due to injury, they have had trouble in recent years in building depth in goal to support their star netminder.

Indeed, since Quick was selected by the Kings in the third round (72nd overall) in the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the Kings have drafted seven goalies through the 2016 NHL Draft.

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Jaret Anderson-Dolan Brings Speed, Quickness, Skill and Character to LA Kings System

June 28, 2017 by 2 Comments

EL SEGUNDO, CA — In the second round of the 2017 National Hockey League Draft on June 25, the Los Angeles Kings got a skilled, speedy center in Jaret Anderson-Dolan, but they also got a prospect with a strength of character that usually isn’t apparent in someone who is just 17 years old.

“He borders on elite speed,” Kings Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yanetti said in an exclusive interview with Frozen Royalty. “He’s very fast. He’s probably slightly faster than he is quick, but we’re talking about two assets that are on a higher plane.”

“When I say that he’s slightly faster than he is quick, it’s not diminishing his quickness,” Yanetti added. “His speed is at quite a high level. The other factor is that he can score and he’s versatile. He’s got an offensive balance [between scoring and playmaking]. He’s able to advance the puck individually, in a rush-based way, a more rink-long manner. That’s the best aspect of his skating.”

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One-On-One With LA Kings Mark Yanetti On 1st Round PIck Gabriel Vilardi

June 25, 2017 by Leave a comment

2017 NHL DRAFT COVERAGE: In addition to bringing you some comments from Los Angeles Kings assistant general manager Michael Futa and their first round pick, center Gabriel Vilardi, Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yanetti did a one-on-one interview with Frozen Royalty late Saturday. In this story, he added his voice to those talking about Vilardi and what the Kings tried to do to make sure they got him.

LOS ANGELES — With the 2017 National Hockey League Draft now complete, teams were able to take the wraps off much of what their plans were for this year’s draft and comment on things that they almost never discuss prior to each draft.

Indeed, amateur scouts and general managers for NHL teams are very hush-hush before each year’s draft, wary of giving the other thirty teams any idea of what young prospects they covet, and the Los Angeles Kings are no exception to that unwritten rule. But after rounds 2-7 on June 24, assistant general manager Michael Futa and Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yanetti spoke with the media via conference calls.

Yanetti also spoke with Frozen Royalty in a separate, one-on-one interview.

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Rob Blake, Mark Yanetti Talk LA Kings 2017 NHL Draft Outlook

June 22, 2017 by Leave a comment

2017 NHL DRAFT COVERAGE: Frozen Royalty begins its coverage of the Los Angeles Kings and the 2017 National Hockey League draft with a draft preview story featuring comments by Kings Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake and exclusive comments from Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yanetti.

LOS ANGELES — On the eve of the first round of the 2017 National Hockey League draft, the Los Angeles Kings organizational needs are quite obvious.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that we’re looking for offense,” said Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake. “Especially with the 11th pick, you’re getting a quality player. I think that factors in. Also, our goaltender depth throughout the organization—we need to adjust to that, so I would imagine there will be someone, somewhere in the draft.”

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