LA Kings: Five QMJHL forwards to target in 2020 NHL Draft

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.

William Dufour, RW

Measurements

• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 201 pounds
• Age: 18
• Shot: R

Rankings

• #103 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• #83 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
• #88 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
• #139 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• #69 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Production

Scouting Report

“He pressures opponents, wins the puck, and then skates it up to the offensive zone to focus his attention on the goalie. When the puck touches his stick in the offensive zone, its next stop is the net and quite often the back of it. Dufour surprises goalies by aiming low. Plus, his blade remains closed until the moment of the release, hiding his intended placement” – Elite Prospects

Videos

Ryan Francis, RW

Measurements

• Height: 5-foot-9
• Weight: 176 pounds
• Age: 18
• Shot: R

Rankings

• #79 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• #80 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
• #193 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• #55 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• #79 by TSN/McKenzie

Production

Scouting Report

“He is a playmaker first and foremost. He moves the puck around opponents by changing the angle of passes; he spins to use his backhand, hooks the puck through the skates of opponents, and shows poise in possession. On any given line, Francis connects plays between teammates.” – Elite Prospects

Videos

Elliot Desnoyers, LW

Measurements

• Height: 5-foot-11
• Weight: 172 pounds
• Age: 18
• Shot: L

Rankings

• #88 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• #177 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
• #89 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• #175 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Production

Scouting Report

“He’s so much better off of the puck than he is on it. If you want a player who will selflessly run head-first through a brick wall if that’s what’s necessary for his linemates to succeed, then look no further than Desnoyers. He plays an honest brand of hockey in the defensive zone and never flees a moment sooner than his team has secured the puck.” – Elite Prospects

Videos

Adam Raska, LW/RW

Measurements

• Height: 5-foot-10
• Weight: 168 pounds
• Age: 19
• Shot: R

Rankings

• #171 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
• #112 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)

Production

Scouting Report

“Under-sized off hander left winger with good feet and effort and a quick wrister. Uses his speed in on the forecheck and it is very rare that he doesn’t finish one of his checks. Night by night one of the hardest workers in the entire QMJHL causing turmoil with his skating ability and willingness to take contact and meet it head-on. Not a big guy but is continually using his speed to back defenders off the blue line.” – Bill Placzek/DraftSite

Videos