We already posted an article with notes and quotes regarding forward Rasmus Kupari, the Kings top pick at the 2018 NHL Draft. Below are some additional thoughts and tidbits regarding the remaining six players they drafted this weekend. We will have even more coverage and insight posted early in the week, as we continue to reach out to various contacts looking for news heading into Development Camp.
Round 2 – forward Akil Thomas, Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
A playmaking center with great speed and good hands. He is said to be a pest on the forecheck. In his rookie season of 2016-17, Thomas was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team after setting a Niagara record for rookie scoring in a single season with 48 points (21-27=48) in 61 regular season games. Internationally, he captured gold with Team Canada at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial where he tied for second on the team with six points in five games. He also represented his country twice at the Under-18 World Championship (2018 and 2017).
Akil Thomas had been part of Team Canada for a number of tournaments – i.e. U18 Workds, Ivan Hlinka MemorialCup (now the Hlinka Gretzky Cup). At just 18 years old, doubt he gets ivited to summer eval camp for Vancouver WJC.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 23, 2018
Kings take center/winger Akil Thomas. Good speed but a better shot and stickhandler.
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) June 23, 2018
From somebody who has watched Akil Thomas (Kings RD2 selection) quite a bit – "has Krejci skill set, will be a player, steal for LA"
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 23, 2018
Finally Akil Thomas goes. No surprise LA jumps all over him. They love their OHL players. Great value at this spot. Tremendous playmaking ability. I suppose he fell due to difficulty projecting what he becomes at the NHL level. Is he a center or wing?
— OHL Prospects (@BrockOtten) June 23, 2018
Like this pick for the Kings. Watched him the last couple of years. Thomas is going to be a quality NHLer for LA. Good hands, slick with the puck and solid finish.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 23, 2018
One of purest skaters in the 2018 class with NHL speed that makes a difference on the play and helps his effective two way game.
Get to know #OHL forward @AkilThomas2 of @OHLIceDogs a top prospect for the 2018 #NHLDraft.
PROFILE: https://t.co/aAQ51PZhjF pic.twitter.com/BRaa2ZgXbY
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) June 21, 2018
Akil Thomas, LA Kings second round pick – Video Highlightshttps://t.co/gWo2DnPPvT
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 23, 2018
Mark Yannetti on Akil Thomas – He's a really good skater, noe elite, versatile in the ways he creates offense, beats players one on one, played a lot of minutes, maybe too many and was worn down at times, needs to work out more
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 23, 2018
More Yannetti on Thomas – Chris Byrne and I spent more than 2hrs with him during one visit, was probably more fun for us than him… I liked that he tried to answer the questions instead of giving us the answers he thought we wanted
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 23, 2018
Round 3 – forward Bulat Shafigulin, Nizhnekamsk-2 (Russia Jrs.)
#LAKings take a bit of a sleeper, Bulat Shafigullin- very skilled. Kid can really score. We had him 56th overall. Love the pick where they got him at 82. #NHLDraft
— Mark Edwards (@MarkEdwardsHP) June 23, 2018
In the third round the #LAKings select Bulat Shafigullin 92nd overall.
Video from the Youtube channel "Hockey Draft Central"#NHLDraft18 pic.twitter.com/hhda6h3iw3
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) June 23, 2018
Yannetti – Dont anticipate Bulat Shafigullin coming over soon, for sure he'll stay in Europe next season…I'm too not worried about a Russian being over there, in terms of development, the creative skill-based players do well over there… there's some risk, but we're ok w/ it
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 23, 2018
Round 4 – forward Aidan Dudas, Owen Sound (OHL)
Yes, he played for Owen Sound, the same team as Wayne Simmonds and several other former Kings. And, yes, this is where Mike Futa has strong ties. However, in this case, it’s more of a coincidence tan anything else.
Great to see LA take Dudas in the 4th. Figured he'd fall a bit because he's not big and because his skating isn't what you would call dynamic. But he is a terrific goal scorer who has a non stop motor. Sky's the limit for his game.
— OHL Prospects (@BrockOtten) June 23, 2018
In the fourth round the #LAKings select Aidan Dudas 113th overall.
Video from the Youtube channel "Hockey Prospects Center"#NHLDraft18 pic.twitter.com/kZPvAENgW2
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) June 23, 2018
Round 5 – goalie David Hrenak, St. Cloud State {NCAA}
Posted a 2.11 goals-against-average and .919 save-percentage for the Huskies last season. Hrenak was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team and he also suited up for Slovakia at the 2018 and 2016 World Junior Championships. He played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL in 2016-17, leaving with a 2.24 goals-against-average and .923 save-percentage in 33 games.
Kings pick up David Hrenak at No. 144. Solid goaltender for NCHC regular-season champs St. Cloud State this year. Had one scout mention how he thought Hrenak was underrated among the weaker goalie pool. Was one of the USHL's top goalies in 2016-17, too, and is a major competitor.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) June 23, 2018
SCSU had a junior goalie, but by the end of the season, Hrenak had taken over as the No. 1… And he played the NCAA tournament game.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 23, 2018
In the fifth round the #LAKings select Dávid Hrenák 144th overall.#NHLDraft18 pic.twitter.com/IlSbwO6FUp
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) June 23, 2018
Round 6 – forward Johan Sodergran, Linkopings HC {Sweden)
Listed at 6-foot-2, 205-pounds, this 18-year old played for Sweden’s Linkoping at both the pro and junior levels this past season. He went scoreless in 20 games at the pro level (SHL), while collecting 17 goals and 33 points in his junior stint. He also represented Sweden at the 2018 Under 20 Five Nations Tournament.
Round 6 – goalie Jacob Ingham, Mississauga (OHL)
Kings at 175 take big goalie Jacob Ingham from Mississauga. Still raw and had a weird year but like his long (long)-term potential
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) June 23, 2018
One year ago at this point, Jacob Ingham was a consensus Top 3 Goaltender for the 2018 Draft. He had struggles this year but I still believe he is one of the best of the class. We'll see but James Richmond would have used his LA connections to push hard for him.
— NA Central Scouting (@MarkSeidel) June 23, 2018
Yannetti on taking 2 goalies this yr – We had the best goaltending depth in the NHL for a few yrs, and the age distribution was almost perfect, then in the span of 12 months we went to bottom-5 in the NHL[re: depth], we were left open for tragic consequences, now we're good again
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 23, 2018
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Enjoy a free replay of this week’s Mayor’s Minutes on NHL Network Radio, where John Hoven joined host Jim ‘Boomer’ Gordon to discuss a myriad of topics, including – the call up of Cal Petersen, Jack Campbell’s injury, Jonathan Quick’s return, coach Willie Desjardins, the arrival of Marco Sturm, trade speculation regarding four players… […]