LA Kings: Mock draft takes next Torey Krug in second round

In a recent mock draft, the LA Kings grab a dynamic, puck-moving defenseman in Emil Andrae with one of their three second-round picks.

Just over two weeks away from the 2020 NHL Draft, the LA Kings are expected to address their deficiencies along the blue line after presumably taking Quinton Byfield with the second overall pick. Byfield is an elite, NHL-ready talent, and he’ll add to an already prosperous group of centers on the Kings. But as noted, Rob Blake and company need to either stockpile defenders in this draft class or move up to grab a high-end guy in the back of the first round.

In DraftSite’s latest mock draft (dated 9/18), they have the Kings expectedly taking Byfield with the second overall pick. And in the second round, they grab Helge Grans with the 35th overall pick and Samuel Colangelo at 50th overall. Grans is a very capable defenseman, whose offense caught up to his stellar defensive play last year. Colangelo is a 6-foot-2, 207-pound right-winger who lit the lamp 28 times with 30 assists for 58 points in 44 games for the Chicago Steel of the USHL this past season.

And with the 59th overall pick, DraftSite has the Kings taking Emil Andrae, a defenseman who spent the last couple of years with team HV71 of the SuperElit League in Sweden. He stands at just 5-foot-9, and 183 pounds, and what he lacks in physical presence, he makes up for with agility and quickness.

Measurements

• Height: 5-foot-9
• Weight: 183 pounds
• Age: 18
• Shot: L

Rankings

• #47 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• #42 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
• #58 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
• #51 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• #15 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
• #67 by TSN/McKenzie

Production

Breakdown

His head coach, Max Bohlin, describes him as “A tough player who plays with exceptional confidence offensively. His hockey sense and toughness make him a great defenseman.” Andrae is an excellent puck-moving blueliner who tallied 11 goals with 27 assists in 40 games last year. He led all defensemen in the SuperElit with 38 points and is a master on the power play.

The 18-year-old quarterbacks the man advantage very well and has a lethal shot from the point. He displays great vision and the ability to sidestep defenders to create better scoring opportunities. Andrae struggles with some of the longer passes across the ice, which should improve playing on a smaller rink.

In international play, Andrae was the captain for the Sweden U18 team, tallying a goal and 11 assists for 12 points in 13 games. And in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, he helped Team Sweden take home the Bronze Medal, chipping in four assists in five games. He’s a terrific leader, shot-blocker, but his physical stature prevents him from being a first-round pick.

Pro Comparison

Torey Krug (NHL.com)

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