LA Kings: Mid-season organization’s prospect rankings, the top five

Helge Grans – 18 y/o – D – 2020 Round 2 #35 overall

SHL – Malmö Redhawks – 37 GP-3G-8A-11P

With all the talk of the Kings’ search for a dynamic type offensive defenseman, Helge Grans would probably be the closest to that type of player currently in LA’s system. Raw talent is a term most associated with Grans. He has speed, size, and skill – think Quinton Byfield on the blueline.

Standing 6’3″ (6’5″ on skates) at only 18 years of age, Grans has the skating ability not seen from many players of his size. When given the opportunity to be aggressive in the offensive zone, Grans makes plays that would make the current crop of Kings defenders jealous.

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Tony Ferrari Scouting Report

"“Helge Grans falling to the second round and the Kings being the club that selected him just felt like another smart move by the LA front office. Grans is an excellent skater who works well on his edges and understands how to get the puck up ice. He has some work defensively to do but the tools to be above average in his own end are there and he’s made progress this season. An intriguing talent with a fun tool chest, pulling it all together will be the key.”"

Grans has a ton of potential. As mentioned in Tony Ferrari’s scouting report, most scouts had the young blueliner pegged to go late in the first round of the 2020 NHL draft. He’s a risk-taker, not at all afraid to take the puck from his own zone all the way up ice dangling his way to a scoring chance.

Helge Grans’ defensive game is his downfall. He’ll take risks that will force his teammates to be on their toes to compensate for his aggressive style of play. It will be a project to grow him into a consistent top-four defender in the NHL, but with the amount of raw talent he possesses, it should be easy for him to figure out.