LA Kings: Six players to target in third round of 2021 NHL Draft

If any of the aforementioned prospects slide in the draft, Los Angeles may be able to have a second chance at them.

If not, with the 89th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the LA Kings select…

Vincent Iorio, RHD

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The 27th overall pick in the second round of the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft, Iorio spent the last three seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings. He finished with four goals and 17 assists, third-most points among defensemen on the club during the 2019-20 season. Iorio followed that up with a five-goal, seven-assist campaign in the shortened 2021 season. A puck-moving defenseman, the Coquitlam, BC native, has great size for his age. He’s a physical presence and is trending toward a complete two-way player at the next level. The LA Kings have a plethora of right-shot defensemen but none as big as Iorio.

Vitals

• Age: 18
• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 194 lbs
• Shot: R

Rankings

• Ranked #97 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #48 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #70 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
• Ranked #53 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #71 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #62 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #73 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #63 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #82 by SMAHT SCOUTING

Production

Quotables

Iorio on the breakout is basically Han Solo with a blaster: Well-placed laser-beam after well-placed laser-beam. He misdirects opponents by looking relaxed, even vulnerable, before firing. He looks off his target, skates into the lane then holds the deception until the puck’s released, even for long-range, three-line passes. – Elite Prospects

By expanding his offensive capabilities, Iorio is looking more and more like a complete all-around prospect. He has the build of a starting NHL’er, the defensive tendencies to keep himself out of trouble, and is now flashing offensive upside that could be developed over the next few years. If he continues to play well despite the limited schedule, he could quickly find himself rising up the draft boards. – The Hockey Writers

Averaging almost 19 minutes a night last year in the WHL, Iorio began to establish himself as a two-way presence who can contribute a bit in all areas. He is a good skater who stays mobile and strong on his edges when playing defense. Rarely stopping his feet and becoming stagnant, Iorio does an excellent job of shadowing an attacker. He can stay in a puck carrier’s face at a level many defenders wish they could, and his stick work is precise and controlled. – Dobber Prospects

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Liam Dower-Nilsson, C

How great would it be for the LA Kings to feature a line of Dower-Nilsson, Andersson, and Arvidsson one day? Kidding aside, the Swedish center bounced around various levels last season, spending the majority of his team with the Frolunda HC J20 club. There, Dower-Nilsson scored five goals with 12 assists in only 16 games. He also captained Team Sweden at the U17s, tallying one goal and four points in seven games.

Vitals

• Age: 18
• Height: 6-foot-0
• Weight: 176lbs
• Shot: L

Rankings

• Ranked #76 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #122 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #85 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #27 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
• Ranked #77 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #58 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #63 by SMAHT SCOUTING

Production

Quotables

He is a playmaker, a passer, a set-up man, the player who feeds you the puck through three layers of defence right on your tape at the goal-mouth and the quarterback of your power play. Dower-Nilsson never reveals the position of his intended outlet. He scans the ice once to locate it and then looks away, only tracking its progress in his peripheral vision. – Elite Prospects

He plays a skilled game with a good set of hands that he uses to create space and some creative passing that opens his teammates up for quality chances. He is a decent shooter in his own right as well, but it is his ability to send passes to high danger and find the open man through traffic is that attracts many to his game. His defensive game has been very good at times with a good stick and tendency to pickpocket opponents with seemingly no effort; Dower-Nilsson has some very underrated aspects to his game. – Dobber Prospects

One of the most notable skills that Dower-Nilsson has is his transition game. He is able to play at all three levels of the game, as he is a pure threat. His passing is sound, as he is able to get long-range passes up the ice with ease and is able to find open teammates without turning the puck over. A solid two-way centre with a high hockey IQ, Dower-Nilsson has all the attributes to become a bottom-six forward and a special teams contributor in his future. – The Hockey Writers

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Aidan Hreschuk, LHD

The Long Beach, California native, has plenty of ties to the LA Kings organization already. He played youth hockey for the Los Angeles Jr Kings and developed under Ontario Reign head coach John Wroblewski at the USNDTP during the 2019-20 season. Hreschuk scored six goals this past season with 31 assists in 50 USDP games, adding three goals and 17 points in 23 USHL games. The blueliner was named an alternate captain for Team USA at the U18s, accumulating two assists in five games. In addition to his offensive abilities, the Boston College commit plays a physical style of game. Being a local kid and familiarity with some of the coaching staff are added bonuses for the LA Kings to take Hreschuk in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Vitals

• Age: 18
• Height: 5-foot-11
• Weight: 187 lbs
• Shot: L

Rankings

• Ranked #103 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #60 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
• Ranked #56 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #55 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
• Ranked #42 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #72 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #65 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #53 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #69 by SMAHT SCOUTING
• Ranked #61 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY

Production

Quotables

Hreschuk looks to jump into the rush, takes passes in motion from the point, and brings some defensive value. He’s a strong single variable defender, thanks to his mobility and physicality. He drives the play to the perimeter and throws the odd hit. Physicality translates across the defensive end. – Elite Prospects

A do-it-all. two-way defender who can affect the game in all three zones. He plays a smart and efficient defensive game with the ability to move the puck up ice and make plays from the blueline. – Dobber Prospects

Hreschuk can have a huge impact on any team’s power play, possessing the shot, hockey sense, and quarterbacking ability to help generate chances from the point. His skating and stickhandling abilities allow him to effectively move around create chances, but he can turn on a dime if he needs to disrupt a counter-attack. – The Hockey Writers

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