The Die Has Been Cast – Los Angeles Kings Have #13 Over Pick At 2015 NHL Entry Draft
This weekend had a major event for the NHL and it had nothing to do with playoffs.
April 18th was the NHL’s unveiling of who gets Connor McDavid. Rather, it was the 2015 NHL Draft Lottery.
As the countdown to the 1st-overall pick started, we knew early on that the Los Angeles Kings 2% chance didn’t get it done. L.A. was the second team named at the draft lottery countdown, ensuring that the Kings will have the 13th-overall pick at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in Sunrise, Florida.
Los Angeles Kings
As the picks wound down, finally we were all informed of the most recent ‘shot heard round the world’ – the Edmonton Oilers won the draft lottery and will select 1st overall. For the last three years that means that the Oilers have just drafted a young Canadian named Connor McDavid.
McDavid has been famous in the hockey world since he was 16-years-old.
McDavid is “head and shoulders above” a crop of young players that make up a draft-class widely thought to be one of the deepest and best in history. That’s a tough proposition when you look at the class of 2003.
The Kings didn’t get the first-overall pick and they won’t get a chance to get McDavid. If the Oilers do select McDavid 1st that means the Kings well get to see him five times a year.
If McDavid lives up to everything he is supposed to be the Oilers will be a much tougher team to beat. The Pacific Division is only getting stronger. Which means it will be more and more difficult for the Kings to sneak into the playoffs.
L.A. has to start playing solidly throughout the entire season, not just at the end of it.
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports