Ben Shelley: Reviewing the season: Anze Kopitar

Tomorrow at 5pm PST is going to tell us a lot about the Kings rebuild! Let's hope Luc can be a little luckier this year.

Great Analysis on Kopi!!!!

I feel like his value, going forward, will be tied directly to the development of the next wave of youth, and his ability to shelter them from heavy opposition.

Much like Doughty, Anze is a minute-muncher in all situations. A solid 200ft game. Respected by opponents, and loved in the locker room.

Kopitar should retire as a King (in a few years), have his number retired, and inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Tomorrow at 5pm PST is going to tell us a lot about the Kings rebuild! Let's hope Luc can be a little luckier this year.
- KingsFan67

Kopitar wears #11. Lafrenière wears #11. Is the timing of this blog a coincidence or a sign?

Just kidding. The Kings will get screwed by the lottery like last year.

Kopitar wears #11. Lafrenière wears #11. Is the timing of this blog a coincidence or a sign?

Just kidding. The Kings will get screwed by the lottery like last year.
- Osprey

YOU REVERSE JINXED US!

Next to a band that hasn't been relevant for 20 years playing at the all-star game, that result is the most NHL thing ever.

That's the most NHL thing ever.
- Only_A_Ladd

Yep, I’m glad they moved up but man that was disappointing.

YOU REVERSE JINXED US!
- Only_A_Ladd

That's good, right? I was hoping to reverse jinx. Unfortunately, Lafreniere is likely out of reach, but Byfield is quite the consolation prize.

That's good, right? I was hoping to reverse jinx. Unfortunately, Lafreniere is likely out of reach, but Byfield is quite the consolation prize.
- Osprey

Very happy about this.

Very happy about this.
- Only_A_Ladd

I was pleased as soon as #7 wasn't LA. I thought to myself, "I can live with the worst possible outcome not happening for the 2nd year in a row. Of course, I got progressively happier after that. I never really had much hope of landing #1, but #2 or #3 seemed like something worth getting hope up over. I would've been quite happy with #3, but getting #2 feels like a major victory.

I said that Byfield is a nice consolation prize, but I just noticed that Bob McKenzie has Tim Stuetzle as his #2 prospect. He's a LW, just what the Kings need (a lot more than another center), and German (maybe someone that Sturm is familiar with?), so I wonder if Blake might go that route instead of Byfield.

I said that Byfield is a nice consolation prize, but I just noticed that Bob McKenzie has Tim Stuetzle as his #2 prospect. He's a LW, just what the Kings need (a lot more than another center), and German (maybe someone that Sturm is familiar with?), so I wonder if Blake might go that route instead of Byfield.
- Osprey

Stutzle looks wonderful, but it is tough to pass on a 6'4" center with great mitts who is one of the youngest players in the draft. In the end, either would be great.

Byfield here we come!!

This guy is the total package at center.

Stutzle looks wonderful, but it is tough to pass on a 6'4" center with great mitts who is one of the youngest players in the draft. In the end, either would be great.
- Only_A_Ladd

I'm running Blake out of town if he doesn't take Byfield.

Stutzle looks wonderful, but it is tough to pass on a 6'4" center with great mitts who is one of the youngest players in the draft. In the end, either would be great.
- Only_A_Ladd

Yeah, I probably wouldn't pass on Byfield, either. I just wonder if we shouldn't assume that he'll be taken.

I suppose that one way to deal with the logjam at center will be to trade a center (likely Turcotte or Madden) for a good, young defenseman, which the team needs needs even more than wingers.

I found an article on Bob McKenzie's final draft rankings. Interestingly, it says that 5 of 10 scouts had Stutzle at #2, so it's not just McKenzie putting him there, and 5 of 10 had Byfield.

https://www.tsn.ca/bob-mc...tain-draft-year-1.1488272