• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorsManor.com

NHL blog, LA Kings hockey news and interviews from The Mayor

  • Radio Replay
  • Prospect Rankings
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / AHL / Hextall on MayorsManor rankings – talks Kings’ number one prospect

Hextall on MayorsManor rankings – talks Kings’ number one prospect

February 1, 2013 By John Hoven

The LA Kings’ 2013 midseason prospect rankings went up yesterday and earlier today we posted feedback from VP and Assistant GM Ron Hextall regarding two of the defensemen on the list.

Now, he rejoins us to talk about the top-rated prospect overall, forward Tyler Toffoli.

We’ll begin with a general overview of the 20-year old’s first season as a pro, where he recently participated in the AHL All-Star Game.

“He’s really adapted quickly to the American League level,” began Hextall. “It’s been almost a seamless transition from junior to the American League. His instincts as a player – his offensive instincts – are off the charts. He knows where to be, he knows when to arrive there. He also makes plays with the puck, he’s not just a shooter. He has a deft scoring touch. And again, knows how to get to the scoring areas and arrive at the right time. He also sees the ice very well and makes a lot of plays.”

Some critics have labeled him a poor skater. Meanwhile, the points just keep piling up. As somebody who watches him regularly, what’s your take on that point?

“Again, you can’t teach instincts,” Hextall remarked. “If you look at Tyler’s game and you want to nitpick, it’s probably one of the things you’d say, ‘Okay, he’s not a great skater.’ You can look at the fact that he’s not an outstanding skater, but the guy gets to the scoring areas at the right time. That’s a hockey player. You can’t teach that. Those are instincts that you’re born with and you develop them as you go along. But, you can only improve hockey sense so much.”

Excluding Andrei Loktionov, since he’s already been called up several times, is Toffoli the most NHL ready forward in the Kings organization right now?

“Tyler has some things to work on. For any offensive player, I think the defensive part of the game is such an important part in this day in age. So, he can get a little better defensively. Probably a little better on the wall. So, offensively, I’d say yes, Tyler’s ready or close to being read – the most ready guy in Manchester. But, I think if you look at the overall package, there’s still some things that he needs to improve on.”

If you haven’t read the Top 10 Prospects article yet, click here for full analysis and updates on the best talent currently in the Kings’ pipeline.

Follow @mayorNHL

Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please include a link to www.MayorsManor.com

Filed Under: AHL, Coaches and Management, HockeyBlog, Interview, Kings, NHL Tagged With: AHL, comments, Hextall, hockey, interview, Kings, Los Angeles, Manchester, Mayor, MayorsManor, Monarchs, NHL, quote, rankings, Toffoli

About John Hoven

John Hoven is a member of the of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and co-hosts Kings of the Podcast. He is also the founder and editor of MayorsManor.com, which has been named Best Sports Blog in Los Angeles by LA Weekly and Hockey Blog of the Year by Yahoo Sports. Click "ABOUT OUR TEAM" above for a full bio.

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Top 10 LA Kings prospects – 2013 mid-season rankings (5th – 1st) says:
    February 2, 2013 at 10:36 am

    […] Hextall talks Tyler Toffoli – Kings’ top prospect […]

  2. Ron Hextall opens up about the play of Doughty, Penner and Quick says:
    February 20, 2013 at 11:49 pm

    […] RELATED CONTENT: Hextall on MayorsManor rankings – talks Kings’ top overall prospect […]

Primary Sidebar

Kings Of The Podcast

Kings Of The Podcast: S2, E5 – Preview and Predictions for 31 NHL Teams

With the first puck drop of what should be a wild ride of a season now upon us, Kings Of The Podcast returns with a jam packed show. This episode is rather simple to tee up… We have a comment (usually in the form of a prediction or key question) for each of the league’s […]

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Kale Clague Looking for Ice Time, Fighting for Protection
  • Wednesday January 20 – LA Kings Practice Update: Andersson to Taxi
  • Game 3: Kings v Avs- Todd McLellan Postgame Quotes
  • Game 3: Kings v Avs – Cal Petersen Postgame Quotes
  • FIRST GOAL CONTEST: Kings vs Avalanche – January 19 (Presented by Violent Gentlemen)
  • January 19 – LA Kings Projected Lineup vs. Colorado, Plus McLellan Quotes
  • Frozen Fury 2021: Kings v Avalanche Preview
  • Gabe Vilardi on Faceoffs, Penalties, and FaceTime with Clifford
  • Todd McLellan Quotes – Practice on Monday, January 18
  • Monday January 18 – LA Kings Practice Update: Luff Injured

Tweets by mayorNHL

Footer

Archives

Tags

AHL Bernier Blackhawks Brown camp Carter Clifford coach comments Doughty draft Ducks Greene hockey interview Kings Kopitar Lombardi Los Angeles Manchester Mayor MayorsManor Mitchell Monarchs Murray NHL Ontario Penner Playoffs Prospect Quick quote Radio Reign Richards Sharks Stanley Cup Stoll Sutter Toffoli trade video WCB West Coast Bias Williams

MayorsManor

  • About Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Store

© 2021 MayorsManor.com