Kings Development Camp: Top Six Forwards?
This week’s Los Angeles Kings Development Camp took place without a familiar face, Brayden Schenn, as he was busy taking place in a similar camp in Philadelphia. The Mike Richards deal and the departure of Schenn left the Kings without a “can’t miss” prospect at forward, but there still is plenty of offensive talent in the organization. Kings prospects have won the WHL scoring title each of the past two seasons, in addition to the 2010-2011 OHL scoring leader. The best part of those statistics? Neither of those three men were named Schenn.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images via Zimbio
Los Angeles-born center Brandon Kozun(right) tops the shortlist, with one season in the AHL under his belt. Kozun 5-foot-9, was drafted in the sixth round in 2009, and has always had his size as a barrier to overcome. He originally went undrafted in 2008, then a staggering 179th in a year when he was second in the WHL in points. Last season, his first as a pro, Kozun adapted well in the second half of the season, after learning how to use his body and skill-set in faster, more skilled league. At Development Camp it was still evident that his size hampers him, as the center was bullied off of the puck from time to time. Yet, it is his vision as a playmaking center that fuels his creativity. Puck awareness is key for someone with a smaller frame, and it allowed Kozun to evade defenders to find an open wingers, in addition to creating turnovers in the open ice. The Kings are stacked at center, with Kopitar, Richards, Stoll, Richardson, Lewis and Loktionov. So a couple of those men, and possibly Kozun, might have to find time on a wing to get playing time for the Kings. Loktionov struggled on wing early in 2010 with his smaller frame, but we’ll see in September if Kozun can make enough of a name for himself at center, or be sent down the same path. Here’s Daryl Evans with an interview with Kozun for Kings Vision at LAKings.com:
The most interesting line combination for the Kings at Development Camp, was the one centered by Linden Vey, who led all major junior leagues in points last season for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. Vey’s game is simple: create plays. A smidge under six-foot, Vey’s ability to cycle in the offensive zone to find the open man appears to be perfect suited for the Kings’ system. He routinely eluded defenders on the forecheck and dished the puck to his skilled wingers, creating opportunities. Vey’s speed as center is also a plus, if for no other reason than comparing him to his right winger, Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli, the OHL’s top scorer, has the hands of a sniper, with a skating ability that leaves a little to be desired. He scored the opening goal during Monday’s scrimmage, assisted by none other than Linden Vey, who won the puck in the offensive zone and found a wide open Toffoli as he broke into the slot. Toffoli’s ability to position himself on the ice, and finish can go a long way in establishing himself as a “top-six” talent. Toffoli and Vey, along with left winger Jordan Nolan created an interesting line in camp, and one that partially reflected the style of the Penner-Kopitar-Williams line. While Vey is the playmaking center like Kopitar, Toffoli is the sniper who finds space on the ice as Williams, and Penner’s power foward size and lack of grace is evident in the raw style of Jordan Nolan.
Other forwards that turned heads this week were 2011 draft picks Andy Andreoff and Nicholas Shore. Andreoff could establish himself as a strong two-way player in Manchester this season and his physical play on the ice resembles the moxie of Dustin Brown. Shore, out the University of Denver, scored twice week, including the lone goal in Tuesday morning’s scrimmage. His mix of a steady skating ability and soft hands look polished for a forward with just one year of college hockey under his belt, and he’ll only get better as a sophomore. Overall, Andreoff and Shore were two of the more impressive guys on the ice that didn’t come into camp as possible NHL-ready prospects.