Vegas Golden Knights: Expansion Draft Los Angeles Kings

The Vegas Golden Knights are the newest NHL team. Over the next month I will take a look at why they took who they did from each NHL franchise.

The Vegas Golden Knights are the 31st NHL franchise. As an expansion team they were allowed to take one player (who was eligible to be drafted) from the other 30 NHL teams. Each team was able to protect either seven forwards, three defenceman and one goaltender or eight skaters and one goaltender. The full rules can be found here. The fourteenth team we are going to look at is the Los Angeles Kings.

Los Angeles Kings

For the second time in three season, the Kings missed the playoffs. Their depth is not that great, giving Vegas not many good options to choose from. Jarome Iginla and Marian Gaborik have a lot of NHL experience and would be great veterans for a new NHL team.

Iginla has spent half of his life in the NHL. The 40-year-old has played in the last 20 NHL seasons and could still contribute in a smaller role. Last season he had 27 points, the lowest he has produced in his career. Despite that, his veteran presence could have been a major benefit to the Knights. Considering he was a UFA, it was a smart choice to not pick him, but he is still a free agent and could be a helpful piece to Vegas.

Gaborik is 35 years old and over the last two seasons, his age has started to show. He was very productive in his prime but injuries have affected him his entire career, leaving his age to affect his gameplay. The speedy winger has lost a foot in his game and is not as quick as he once was. This has affected his playing style heavily. Considering he relied on his quick footwork, he is not able to get around many defenders anymore and his production shows it. With 43 points in his last 110 games, Gaborik would not have been a good choice for Vegas.

The Knights decided to draft Brayden McNabb, who could be a good defensive defenceman for them. McNabb was once an offensively talented defenceman, but was not able to transition his game to the NHL. For that reason, he adjusted to a more defensive playing style. Last season he had four points in 49 games, showing everybody that he is a full-time defensive defenceman.

What Other Options Did They Have?

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Vegas could have gone with two older options in Iginla and Gaborik. They could have also gone with two potential late bloomers, Nic Dowd and Jack Campbell.

Over his career, Dowd has always been a late bloomer. From college hockey to the AHL, it took him a bit of time to figure out the league. This could be the same for the NHL. Obviously it would be a risk to draft somebody with little NHL experience, but he could have worked out.

Campbell was drafted 11th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Despite that, he has only played two games in the NHL. He has been looked upon as a bust, but he could still turn it around. Most goalies take longer than players to develop into NHL players and that could be the same for Campbell. Last season, in the AHL, he had his best season with a 2.52 GAA and a 0.914 SV%. With that being said, Vegas has a couple of good goaltenders, meaning Campbell most likely would not have gotten much ice-time.

Overview

Iginla and Gaborik are getting older and would not have fit into Vegas’ long-term plans. While I believe that the Knights should sign Iginla from FA, picking him in the draft would not have been a smart decision. They could have gone with another goaltender in Campbell, but he most likely would not have gotten enough ice-time to continue his development.

Th Golden Knights decided to draft McNabb. I do not believe that he was the best choice. He is a bottom pairing defenceman and with their defensive depth, he most likely will not get much ice-time. Dowd, in my opinion, was the better option. He has a record of being a late bloomer and that could happen again in the NHL. The risk is not high since he could still be a bottom six player, but the reward is way better than McNabb.

Next: Expansion Draft Florida Panthers (13/30)

If I was the Knights, I would have gone with Dowd. He could work out, but even if he does not, then he still has the same value as McNabb.

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