Where are they now? The LA Kings 2013 NHL draft class

The 2013 LA Kings draft class is one in recent memory that didn’t yield terrific results. They were without a first-round pick going into draft night, sent to Columbus in the Jeff Carter trade in February 2012.

If you recall, the 2013 NHL Draft saw Nathan MacKinnon go number one overall, Aleksander Barkov number two, Seth Jones number four, and Bo Horvat ninth overall. If it helps, the Blue Jackets selected Marko Dano with their pick, who would later be included in the Artemi Panarin deal with Chicago.

Regarding the Kings draft class, let’s review where they are now.

Round 2, 37th overall: Valentin Zykov

Valentin Zykov put up a monster year with the Drakkar of the QMJHL in his draft year, tallying 40 goals and 75 points in 67 games. It was his first year on a North American rink after making the transition from Russia the year prior. He failed to take his game to the next level with the Ontario Reign during the 2015-16 season, scoring seven goals and 14 points in 43 games before he was traded to Carolina in exchange for Kris Versteeg. He spent last season with MODO Hockey of HockeyAllsvenskan, potting two goals and four points in seven games.

Round 4, 103rd overall: Justin Auger

Auger was selected in the sixth round of the 2010 OHL Priority Draft by the Guelph Storm. He set career highs in points during his NHL draft-eligible season, accumulating 16 goals and 33 points in 68 games. After being taken by the Kings in the fourth round, Auger spent the following season in with the Storm, tallying 23 points during the regular season and seven points in the postseason en route to Ross Robertson Cup Championship.

He played quite well at the AHL level, recording a career-best 36 points for the Ontario Reign in the 2015-16 season. Auger was recalled to the Kings for two games during the 2017-18 campaign before being sent back down. An RFA heading into the offseason, the Kings non-tendered the 24-year-old. He last played for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL during the 2019-20 season, scoring 26 goals and 46 points while serving as an alternate captain.