LA Kings: Five USNTDP players to consider in 2020 NHL Draft

With the LA Kings AHL affiliate recently hiring former USNTDP head coach John Wroblewski, there’s a good chance at least one of his players is selected in the draft.

One of the best aspects of the LA Kings AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, hiring the now-former USNTDP head coach John Wroblewski is that the 39-year-old has the low-down on all of those players who are draft eligible. Wroblewski saw eight of his players go in the first round and 17 taken altogether in last year’s draft.

With the 2020 NHL Draft less than three weeks away, the nation’s attention is fixated on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. But for the LA Kings, it’s about bringing in the next wave of young men to add to the already-talented prospect pool. And with Wroblewski on board, you best bet LA is going to take at least one of his guys.

Let’s look at five players to consider.

1. Tyler Kleven, Defenseman

Kleven is a big, physical defenseman who features a big booming shot from the blue line. With the U18 team, he tallied two goals with ten assists in 45 games. He’s headed to the University of North Dakota, where he’ll gain all the necessary tools to become a complete defenseman. Kleven is ranked as the 36th best prospect in this class by TSN and has excellent puck control skills.

He’s a good skater with the ability to forecheck opponents or downright physically impose his will. While he projects as a stay-at-home defenseman in the NHL, don’t overlook his left-handed shot from the point.