The LA Kings have only taken one player from the QMJHL in Rob Blake’s tenure. Might this be the year they grab a few offensive players from the league?
With the 2020-2021 QMJHL season officially underway as of Friday, the league figures to be well represented in next week’s draft. Of course, Alexis Lafreniere has been a monster over the last three seasons for the Rimouski Oceanic team.
The consensus number one pick of the 2020 NHL Draft put up 114 goals with 183 assists in 173 games. During Rob Blake’s tenure as the LA Kings‘ general manager, the organization has drafted just one player from the QMJHL in Jordan Spence.
The Syndey, Australia defenseman was taken in the fourth round of the 2019 Draft after tallying 6 goals with 43 goals in 68 games of his draft year. He followed that up with a 9-goal, 43-assists campaign for the Moncton Wildcats.
The QMJHL has, historically, been an offensive league. While the Kings may not pluck a top-tier defenseman from this league in the draft – although there are a few solid options – there are several promising forwards to consider throughout the draft.
Let’s look at five players.