LA Kings: Three-round mock draft post Viktor Arvidsson trade

With a 2021 second-round pick going to Nashville, we look at an LA Kings three-round mock draft post-Viktor Arvidsson deal.

The LA Kings acquisition of Viktor Arvidsson earlier this month did two things. The 28-year-old gave the Kings a legitimate top-six forward to help the team with scoring, but he also came at a price tag of two NHL draft picks — one being the team’s second-round pick in the 2021 Entry Draft.

Of course, the Kings still own the pick acquired from the Blues in the second round, marking their second pick in the upcoming draft after the eighth overall selection. With teams primarily focused on the Seattle expansion draft right now, their attention will solely focus on the NHL draft at the end of this month.

Let’s look at a three-round mock draft now without an extra pick in the second round.

Round 1: Dylan Guenther, LW/RW

Vitals

• Age: 18
• Height: 6-foot-1
• Weight: 181 lbs
• Shot: R

Rankings

• Ranked #6 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
• Ranked #7 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #6 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #3 by NEUTRAL ZONE
• Ranked #2 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
• Ranked #8 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #7 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
• Ranked #5 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #5 by SPORTSNET’S
• Ranked #8 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #12 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #5 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #8 by SMAHT SCOUTING
• Ranked #12 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY

Production

Quotables

Guenther made everyone take notice this season as he finished with 12 goals and 24 points in just 12 games. He is a volume shooter whose finishing instincts help him find positioning in smart areas around the net. His skating is an asset that will become even more of a weapon as he gets physically stronger. Guenther is not likely to wow you with highlight-reel puck skills, but he is a well-rounded offensive player who knows what makes him effective.

He uses his strong read/react abilities to make smart plays, create space, and generate consistent offensive chances for his team. He is not an elite playmaker, but he does a great job of finding teammates in the net-front area with which, in combination with his one-timer and general shooting ability, makes him a great asset on the power play.

Guenther has the potential to be a long-term top-six forward in the NHL, and since this draft is pretty wide open, do not be surprised if he goes anywhere from second to 15th overall. – Dobber Prospects

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Guenther is a true wild card regarding where he gets taken, much like this entire draft. Outside of maybe the top one or two players, it’s really anyone’s guess. I have seen several mock drafts with Guenther going to the Anaheim Ducks third overall, consistent with Dobber Prospect’s scouting report.

The LA Kings need remains along the blueline but assuming the top-tier D men are off the board before the eighth overall pick, the best player available is probably the way to go if you are Los Angeles.

Round 2: Sean Behrens, D

Vitals

• Age: 18
• Height: 5-foot-10
• Weight: 176 lbs
• Shot: L

Rankings

• Ranked #23 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #56 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #57 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
• Ranked #47 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #24 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #41 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #53 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #26 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #50 by SMAHT SCOUTING

Production

Quotables

Behrens is an exciting defenseman who displays overall strong skating skills, which helps him succeed in the transition game. He isn’t lighting speed, but he is mobile and has good footwork, making him able to walk the blueline with ease. On top of his skating ability, he has nice puck control and hands to make plays in all areas of the ice, especially on the breakout.

He has excellent vision and sees the ice well to make very good passes. Behrens can shoot the puck, too, as his shot is accurate but is definitely more of a passer. Even while being undersized, Behrens plays a great defensive game. He used his stick to break up plays and to push the puck up ice and out of the zone.

He also has shown he can use his body as well. Overall, the University of Denver commit has the potential to be a solid defenseman at the next level. – Dobber Prospects

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Behrens had a successful tenure at the US National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan. He developed under Ontario Reign head coach John Wroblewski and wore a letter for the Team USA U18 team at the U18s in Frisco, Texas.

At the tournament, Behrens recorded a goal and three assists in five games. The Barrington, Illinois native also fulfills an organizational need, giving the Kings another left-shot defenseman to hang their hat on.

Round 3: Matthew Knies, C/LW

Vitals

• Age: 18
• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 205 lbs
• Shot: L

Rankings

• Ranked #66 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #52 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #59 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
• Ranked #81 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #37 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #66 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #58 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #77 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #61 by SMAHT SCOUTING

Production

Round 3:Aleksi Heimosalmi, D

Vitals

• Age: 18
• Height: 5-foot-11
• Weight: 168 lbs
• Shot: R

Rankings

• Ranked #59 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #36 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #45 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #26 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
• Ranked #61 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #63 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #49 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #49 by SMAHT SCOUTING

Production

Quotables

A smooth-skating transitional defenseman who has gained more and more notoriety as his draft year has gone on. He brings a mobility and skill level that allows him to affect the game at both ends of the ice. Heimosalmi is an intriguing two-way defender with solid upside. – Dobber Prospects

Video

Heimosalmi is one of the more intriguing defensive prospects in this draft. He scored 7 goals and 15 points for the Ässät U18 club during the 2019-20 season in the second-tier hockey league in Finland. With the U20 team this past year, the 18-year-old tallied 4 goals and 17 assists in 35 games while wearing a letter. He also played for Team Finland in the U18s in Frisco, accumulating 2 goals and 8 points in just 7 games.

He’s expected to jump to the Liiga next year, which will be a good measuring stick in his development. That said, the Kings are no stranger to taking defensemen from overseas. I really like Heimosalmi to the LA Kings with this pick.