EP Rinkside recently revealed the Los Angeles Kings prospect pool, and they came in at #23.
This is a bit surprising, considering they were a top-tier prospect system only a few years ago.
Who was on the current list?
We find out below, along with draft information and last season’s stats.
Kings’ Clarke Comes in at No. 1.
1) Brandt Clarke
Defenseman Brandt Clarke comes in with the most upside of any Kings prospect. An offensive defenseman who can produce points with his eyes closed, he was selected in the first round (18th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. While he has had a small sample size in the NHL, most have to like what they see. Expect him to make the roster out of training camp and be a second-pairing defenseman.
Last season, Clarke scored two goals and four assists for six points in 16 Kings games, but 10 goals and 36 assists for 46 points in 50 Ontario Reign games. The Reign are the Kings’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
2) Erik Portillo
Goaltender Erik Portillo made a name for himself last season and put his name into consideration for a call-up this season. The 6-foot-6 and 225-pound netminder was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round (67th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, but his rights were traded to Los Angeles. Last season for the Reign, he posted a record of 24-11-3, with a 2.50 goals-against-average and a .918 save percentage.
Portillo will start the season as the starter for Ontario but may see a start or two with Los Angeles before the end of the season.
3) Samuel Fagemo
Forward Samuel Fagemo was drafted in round two (50th overall) by the Kings in the 2019 NHL Draft and has developed nicely. The 6-foot-0 and 200-pound winger is a sniper who can help the Kings offense upon arrival.
Last season, he split the year between Los Angeles and Ontario. For the Kings, he was scoreless in four games but scored 43 goals and 19 assists for 62 points in 50 games for Ontario.
4) Francesco Pinelli
Forward Francesco Pinelli is a 6-foot-1 and 185-pound center who can play in the Kings top-six. He was drafted by Los Angeles in round two (42nd overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft and had a promising pro debut.
With Ontario, he posted 13 goals and seven assists for 20 points in 67 games.
5) Jakub Dvorak
Defenseman Jakub Dvorak is a promising defenseman with a lot of upside. At 6-foot-6 and 203 pounds, he brings plenty of size to the Kings organization. Los Angeles drafted him in the second round (54th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft, and he is projected to be on the second or third-pairing in the NHL.
Last season, he played for the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL), posting two goals and eight assists for 10 points in 21 games.
6) Alex Turcotte
Forward Alex Turcotte is a 5-foot-11 and 185-pound center who has had issues with injuries but is still a promising player. He was drafted by the Kings in the first round (15th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft and has middle-six potential.
Last season for the Reign, he posted 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 35 games.
7) Koehn Ziemmer
Koehn Ziemmer is a middle-six forward who can play a two-way game. He was drafted by the Kings in round three (78th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft and could make the Kings roster sooner than later.
Last season, he played for the Prince George Cougars of the WHL and posted 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 23 games.
8) Martin Chromiak
Right-winger Martin Chromiak is a player who has a small amount of time with Los Angeles during training camp.
At 6-foot-0 and 187 pounds, he can play on the third line and contribute to goals in a proficient role. Last season for Ontario, he recorded 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points in 70 games.
9) Kasper Simontaival
Right-winger Kasper Simontaival has great potential as a versatile player in the Kings’ system. Drafted in round three (66th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, he played last season with KalPa Kuopio of Liga.
He posted 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points in 55 games there.
10) Hampton Slukynsky
Goaltender Hampton Slukynsky is a talented goaltender with starter potential. Drafted in round four (118th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft, he has skyrocketed to the top of the goaltending depth chart after two successful seasons with the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL).
Last season, he posted a record of 9-3 with a 1.69 GAA, a .931 save percentage, and one shutout.
PHOTO: Getty Images
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